JP2003196668A - Provision and browsing of images via a network - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] It is an object to automatically arrange image data from a large number of people as an online album. SOLUTION: One client (PC 30, 30)
(0, 50)) (step (A)), and thereafter pastes the received image data into the mount image data BD in order for each image data. (Step (B)). This paste
By comparing the time stamp information attached to the image data with the schedule data SD, it is determined in which process on the schedule the image data was taken, and based on the obtained result, the image data is pasted. This is performed by determining the page image data PBD to be output.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique of laying out one or a plurality of image data obtained by photographing a subject in a predetermined format and transmitting the laid-out image to a network or browsing the image data. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of the Internet in recent years, it is easy for a large number of people to share images taken by digital cameras. Specifically, the image provider registers the image in the online album by uploading the image taken by using the digital camera from the personal computer to the home page of the service provider.
The viewer can browse the images registered in the online album from the homepage by using the password.

[0003]

However, in the above conventional technique, one online album includes image data uploaded by one image provider, and image data collected by a large number of people. Was never published in the first online album. This is because the demand for posting image data from a large number of people in one online album has not been discovered, and it is difficult to automatically organize image data from a large number of people as an online album. Conceivable.

An object of the present invention is to automatically arrange image data from a large number of people as an online album.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problem and Its Action / Effect] As a means for solving at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, the following constitution is adopted.

A first image providing server according to the present invention is an image providing server which sends album data, which is obtained by laying out image data obtained by photographing a subject in a predetermined format, onto a network, and which is predetermined. Connected to the network, a schedule storage unit that stores the schedule, a mount image data storage unit that stores the mount image data that defines the paste position of the image data for each stroke of the schedule stored in the schedule storage unit, By comparing the time stamp information of the image data received by the image data receiving unit that receives the image data together with the time stamp information indicating the shooting date and time from the client with the schedule, The line on the schedule where was taken And an album creating means for creating the album data by associating the image data with the paste position corresponding to the stroke specified by the stroke specifying means on the mount image data. It is characterized by that.

According to the first image providing server having this configuration, the image data is received from the client together with the time stamp information. From the time stamp information, it is determined which process on the schedule in which the image data was photographed stored in the schedule storage means, and on the mount image data corresponding to the calculated process. The image data is associated with the pasting position. The mount image data associated with the image data in this manner is transmitted to the network as album data.

Therefore, according to this image providing server, image data from a large number of people can be easily collected, and the provided image data can be automatically classified and arranged according to the schedule process. .

In the first image providing server having the above structure, the network may be the Internet. With this configuration, it is possible to collect image data from a large number of people more easily.
Also, the release of the album can be easily performed by a large number of people.

Further, in the first image providing server having the above structure, the schedule may be for group travel. In a group tour, a large number of people act together according to one schedule, so that there is a great demand for posting image data from a large number of people in one album. Therefore, according to this configuration, image data taken by a large number of people in a group tour can be easily collected and automatically classified and organized.

In the first image providing server configured as described above, the mount image data includes a plurality of page image data representing pages, and each page image data is provided with information indicating a correspondence relationship with the schedule process. It can be configured. According to this configuration, since one page is not associated with a plurality of strokes, the pages can be completely divided by the strokes. Therefore, the classification can be more clearly organized.

In the first image providing server configured as described above, the client, which is the sender of the image data, is notified of the identification result by the process identification means, so that the client is informed whether the identification result is correct or not. A specific result confirmation means for inquiring, and a specific result correction means for receiving a response to the inquiry by the specific result confirmation means from the client and correcting the specific result by the process identification means in accordance with the response. can do.

According to this structure, it is possible to confirm on the client side, which is the transmission source of the image data, whether or not the process specified by the time stamp information of the image data and the schedule is correct. Then, the process can be corrected according to the result of the confirmation.

In the image providing server configured to be able to confirm the process, when the specific result correcting unit corrects the specific result, other image data from the client is also processed by the process specifying unit. The other image specifying result correcting means for correcting the specifying result based on the size of the correction may be provided.

According to this structure, when the process of one image data is corrected, the process of many image data can be collectively corrected. Therefore, the operability is excellent.

In the first image providing server configured as described above, the image data is attached with position data indicating a photographing position, and the stroke specifying means takes the position data of the image data into consideration. The process may be specified.

According to this structure, since the process on the schedule is specified in consideration of the photographing position of the image data, it is possible to classify and arrange with higher accuracy.

A second image providing server according to the present invention is an image providing server for transmitting album data, which is obtained by laying out image data obtained by photographing a subject in a predetermined format, onto a network, wherein the album is provided. Mount image data storage means for storing mount image data as a basis of data, image data receiving means for receiving the image data from a client connected to the network together with time stamp information indicating shooting date and time, and the image data Album creating means for creating the album data by determining a paste position on the mount image data based on the time stamp information of the image data received by the receiving means and associating the image data with the paste position. It is characterized by having and.

According to the second image providing server having this configuration, the image data is received from the client together with the time stamp information. Based on the time stamp information, the position where the image data is pasted on the mount image data is determined, and the image data is associated with the pasted position. The mount image data associated with the image data in this manner is transmitted to the network as album data.

Therefore, according to the second image providing server, image data from a large number of people can be easily collected, and the provided image data can be automatically classified and arranged based on time. You can

An image browsing client according to the present invention is an image browsing client which is connected to a network and includes storage means for storing image data obtained by photographing a subject, which is a server connected to the network. , A schedule receiving means for transmitting a request for a predetermined schedule and receiving the schedule sent from the server, and the storage means for reading the image data together with time stamp information indicating the shooting date and time. Image data input means, a stroke specifying means for specifying the stroke on the schedule when the image data is photographed by comparing the time stamp information of the image data read by the image data input means with the schedule; Based on the stroke specified by the stroke specifying means, It is characterized by comprising an image data reduction means for organizing the serial image data.

According to the image browsing client having this structure, the schedule is received from the server and the image data and the time stamp information are read from the storage means. From this time stamp information, it is possible to determine in what process on the schedule the image data was captured. Then, the image data is organized based on the obtained process. Therefore, according to the image browsing client, the image data can be automatically classified and organized according to the schedule process.

A first network system of the present invention includes a client for storing image data obtained by photographing a subject, the image data from the client via a network, and the image data in a predetermined format. A network system comprising: a server for transmitting the laid out album data onto a network, wherein the server stores a schedule storage unit for storing a predetermined schedule, and an image for each stroke of the schedule stored in the schedule storage unit. Mount image data storage means for storing mount image data defining a data pasting position, and image data receiving means for receiving the image data from a client connected to the network together with time stamp information indicating shooting date and time, The image data By comparing the time stamp information of the image data received by the receiving unit with the schedule, the process specifying unit for specifying the process on the schedule in which the image data is photographed, and the process specifying unit on the mount image data. And an album creating unit for creating the album data by associating the image data with the paste position corresponding to the stroke specified by.

According to this structure, the server receives the image data from the client together with the time stamp information. From the stamp information, it is possible to find in which process on the schedule the image data was captured in the schedule storage means, and then,
The image data is associated with the paste position on the mount image data corresponding to the obtained process. In this way, in the server, the mount image data associated with the image data is sent out on the network as album data.

Therefore, according to this network system, image data from a large number of people can be easily collected, and the provided image data can be automatically classified and arranged according to the schedule process.

A second network system of the present invention is a network system comprising a server and a client having a storage unit for storing image data obtained by photographing a subject, wherein the server has a predetermined schedule. A schedule storage unit that stores the schedule, and a schedule transmission unit that receives the request from the client and transmits the schedule to the client, the client transmits the schedule request to the server, Schedule receiving means for receiving a schedule sent from the server, image data inputting means for reading out the image data together with time stamp information indicating a photographing date and time from the storing means, and image data read out by the image data inputting means Times By comparing the pump information with the schedule, the image data is organized based on the process specifying means for specifying the process on the schedule in which the image data is photographed and the process specified by the process specifying means. An image data organizing means is provided.

According to this structure, the client receives the schedule from the server and reads the image data and the time stamp information from the storage means. From the stamp information, the process on the schedule in which the image data was captured can be obtained. Then, the image data is organized based on the obtained process. Therefore, according to this client, the image data can be automatically classified and arranged according to the schedule process.

The image creating apparatus of the present invention is an image creating apparatus for creating album data in which image data obtained by photographing a subject is laid out in a predetermined format, and schedule storing means for storing a predetermined schedule. And a mount image data storage means for storing mount image data in which a paste position of image data is determined for each stroke of the schedule stored in the schedule storage means,
By comparing the time stamp information of the image data input from the outside with the time stamp information indicating the shooting date and time, and the time stamp information of the image data input by the image data input unit to the schedule, the image data is By associating the image data with the pasting position corresponding to the stroke specified by the stroke specifying means on the mount image data and the stroke specifying means for specifying the shot on the schedule,
And an album creating means for creating the album data.

According to the image forming apparatus having this structure, the image data is input from the outside together with the time stamp information. From the time stamp information, the image data
The process on the schedule stored in the schedule storage means is calculated, and the image data is associated with the paste position on the mount image data corresponding to the calculated process. Done. The mount image data thus associated with the image data is
Created as album data. Therefore, according to this image creating apparatus, the input image data can be automatically classified and organized according to the schedule process.

A first image providing method of the present invention is an image providing method of sending album data, which is obtained by laying out image data obtained by photographing a subject in a predetermined format, onto a network, and (a) is in advance. A step of preparing a predetermined schedule; (b) a step of preparing mount image data in which a paste position of the image data is determined for each step of the prepared schedule; and (c) a client connected to the network. , The step of receiving the image data together with the time stamp information indicating the shooting date and time, and (d) the time stamp information of the image data received in the step (c) is compared with the schedule to capture the image data. And (e) identifying the process on the schedule.
A step of creating the album data by associating the image data with the paste position corresponding to the step specified in step (d) on the mount image data.

A first computer program according to the present invention is a computer program for transmitting album data, which is obtained by laying out image data obtained by photographing a subject in a predetermined format, onto a network. A function to prepare a fixed schedule,
(B) a function of preparing mount image data in which a pasting position of the image data is determined for each step of the prepared schedule; and (c) a date and time when the image data is captured from a client connected to the network. The function of receiving the time stamp information and (d) the time stamp information of the image data received by the function (c) is compared with the schedule to specify the schedule process in which the image data was captured. The computer realizes the function and (e) the function of creating the album data by associating the image data with the paste position corresponding to the step specified by the function (d) on the mount image data. It features a computer program for.

The first image providing method and the first computer program of the present invention having the above-described configuration have the same operations and effects as the first image providing server, and can obtain image data from a large number of people. The image data can be easily collected and the provided image data can be automatically classified and organized according to the schedule process.

A second image providing method of the present invention is an image providing method of sending album data, which is obtained by laying out image data obtained by photographing a subject in a predetermined format, onto a network, (a) A step of preparing mount image data as a base of the album data,
(B) receiving the image data from a client connected to the network together with time stamp information indicating a shooting date and time, and (c) the step of receiving the image data based on the time stamp information of the image data received in the step (b). Determining a pasting position on the mount image data and associating the image data with the pasting position to create the album data.

A second computer program of the present invention is a computer program for transmitting album data, which is obtained by laying out image data obtained by photographing a subject in a predetermined format, onto a network. A function of preparing mount image data as a base of album data; (b) a function of receiving the image data from a client connected to the network together with time stamp information indicating a shooting date and time; and (c) the function ( a function of creating the album data by determining a paste position on the mount image data based on the time stamp information of the image data received in b) and associating the image data with the paste position. Characterized by a computer program to be realized by a computer .

The second image providing method and the second computer program of the present invention having the above-described configuration have the same operation and effect as the second image providing server, and can obtain image data from a large number of people. It is possible to collect the image data easily and automatically classify the provided image data based on time.

An image browsing method according to the present invention is an image browsing method for browsing image data obtained by photographing a subject by exchanging data with a server via a network. Pre-storing data in a storage unit; (b) transmitting a request for a predetermined schedule to the server and receiving the schedule sent from the server; By reading the image data together with the time stamp information indicating the shooting date and time from the storage unit, and (d) comparing the time stamp information of the image data read in the step (c) with the schedule,
The method is characterized by including a step of specifying a process on the schedule in which the image data was captured, and (e) a step of organizing the image data based on the process specified in the step (d). .

A third computer program of the present invention is a computer program for a client for exchanging data with a server via a network to browse image data obtained by photographing a subject.
(A) a function of storing the image data in a storage unit in advance,
(B) a function of transmitting a request for a predetermined schedule to the server and receiving the schedule sent from the server, and (c) a date and time when the image data is captured from the storage unit. By comparing the time stamp information shown with (d) the time stamp information of the image data read by the function (c) with the schedule, the process on the schedule in which the image data is photographed is specified. Function and (e)
It is characterized by a computer program for causing a computer to realize the function of organizing the image data based on the process specified by the function (d).

The image browsing method of the present invention having the above configuration and the third
The computer program has the same action and effect as the above-mentioned image browsing client, and has the effect of automatically classifying and organizing image data according to the schedule process.

The recording medium of the present invention is the first recording medium of the present invention.
A computer-readable recording medium having the second or third computer program recorded thereon is featured.
This recording medium has the same operations and effects as the computer programs of the present invention.

The image creating method of the present invention is an image creating method for creating album data in which image data obtained by photographing a subject is laid out in a predetermined format, and (a) prepares a predetermined schedule. A step of: (b) preparing mount image data in which a pasting position of the image data is determined for each step of the prepared schedule; and (c) a step of preparing the image data together with time stamp information indicating a photographing date and time And (d) a step of identifying the process on the schedule in which the image data was captured by comparing the time stamp information of the image data input in step (c) with the schedule. (E) Paste corresponding to the process specified in step (d) on the mount image data By associating the image data to the actual position, it is characterized by comprising the step of creating the album data.

A fourth computer program of the present invention is a computer program for creating album data in which image data obtained by photographing a subject is laid out in a predetermined format, and (a) a predetermined schedule And (b) a function of preparing mount image data in which a pasting position of the image data is determined for each step of the prepared schedule, and (c) time stamp information indicating a photographing date and time of the image data. With
A function of inputting from the outside, and (d) a function of specifying the process on the schedule in which the image data was captured by comparing the time stamp information of the image data input by the function (c) with the schedule. ,
(E) A computer for causing a computer to realize the function of creating the album data by associating the image data with the paste position corresponding to the step specified by the function (d) on the mount image data. It features a program.

The image forming method of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure and the fourth
The computer program of 1 has the same operation and effect as the first image creating apparatus, and has the effect of automatically classifying the input image data according to the schedule process.

The event information presenting method of the present invention is a method of presenting event information that allows the client side connected to the server via the network to view information about the event, and one event is prepared in advance. Prepare mount data that defines the position where the image data is pasted for each step of the scheduled schedule, and receive the image data together with the shooting date and time information from multiple participants who participated in the one event via the network. By associating the received image data with a specific pasting position of the mount data by specifying the process of the schedule based on the information of the shooting date and time, and a transmission request for the event via the network. When there is, the mount data and the image associated therewith via the network Send a chromatography data, at the client side, it is characterized in that to enable viewing and stroke of the event and the image data in a predetermined format.

According to the event information presentation method having the above-mentioned configuration, image data can be easily collected from a plurality of participants who participated in the event. Furthermore, when there is a request to send an event via the network,
The collected image data can be viewed in a format classified according to the schedule process.

[0045]

Other Embodiments of the Invention The present invention also includes the following other embodiments. A first aspect thereof is an aspect as a program supply device for supplying the first, second, third or fourth computer program of the present invention via a communication path. In the first aspect, the computer program is placed in a server or the like on a computer network, the necessary program is downloaded to a computer via a communication path, and the computer is executed to realize the above-described device or method. You can

[0046]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In order to further clarify the structure and operation of the present invention described above, the embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on Examples. The description will be divided into the following items. 1. First Embodiment A. Overall system configuration B. Structure of schedule and mount image data C. Computer processing at server and client D. Action and effect 2. Second embodiment 3. Modification 4. Third embodiment

1. First Embodiment A. Overall System Configuration: The network system of the first embodiment uses the Internet.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a network system as a first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the network system of this embodiment includes an image providing server 20 connected to the Internet 10. In addition, a plurality of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as personal computers) 30 as clients connectable to the Internet 10,
40, 50, ...

The image providing server 20 is a WWW (World
WWW that provides documents including images on the Wide Web
The server is a server, and includes a well-known computer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk drive (HDD), a network control circuit, and the like. This image-providing server 20 is connected to We of the Internet album service.
b site is provided. The Internet album service is a service that allows image data of a photograph taken by a digital camera to be uploaded on the Web so that the album data of the image data can be browsed via the Internet. This website is HTML
It is provided as data for display using (Hyper Text Markup Language).

The personal computers 30, 40 and 50 are WWW clients that browse documents on the WWW, and
U, ROM, RAM, hard disk drive (HD
D), a well-known computer including a network control circuit and the like. The personal computers 30, 40, 50 have
Peripheral devices CRT displays 31, 41, 51 are connected, and compact flash (SanDisk
A card reader (not shown) of a CF card registered by Corporation is connected. The compact flash card CF is loaded in the digital camera DC, and the image data of the photograph obtained by the digital camera DC is recorded. The digital camera DC has a time stamp function of recording the shooting date and time for each photograph. For example, the digital camera DC that generates image data in the Exif file format has such a time stamp function, and the header of the image data in the Exif file format stores time stamp information indicating the shooting date and time. The personal computers 30, 40, 50 are configured so that the image data of the photograph can be uploaded on the Web.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram functionally showing an operation state of the image providing server 20 when uploading image data of a photograph on the Web. As shown,
Image providing server 20 from personal computers 30, 40, 50
In response, the image data PD of the photograph is transmitted. At the time of this transmission, the following processing is performed on the personal computer 30, 40, 50 side. The personal computers 30, 40, and 50 read image data recorded on the compact flash card CF, that is, image data of a photograph obtained by the digital camera DC, from the compact flash card CF using a card reader, Once stored in the HDD. After that, a predetermined computer program (photo uploader 30a, 40a, 50a) is started to access the image providing server 20 designated by the URL of the website of the Internet album, and to the image providing server 20. HD above
The image data PD of the photograph once stored in D is transmitted.

The image providing server 20 includes a personal computer 30,
Image data PD of photos sent from 40, 50
The image data receiving unit 21 sequentially receives them. On the other hand, the image providing server 20 stores a predetermined schedule in the schedule storage unit 22 and stores mount image data in the mount image data storage unit 23. The schedule mentioned here is a schedule written according to a time axis, and is, for example, an event such as a wedding or an athletic meet, or a group trip. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the schedule storage unit 22 stores the schedule of a trip to Paris provided by a traveler.

The mount image data represents a mount on which the image data is pasted, and is the mount corresponding to the schedule stored in the schedule storage unit 22. That is, when the schedule storage unit 22 stores the travel schedule for Paris, the mount image data storage unit 23 stores the mount image data of the mount regarding the Paris travel. The mount image data is
It is configured by collecting a plurality of page image data representing one page, and one page image data is associated with one process of a schedule (for example, a process such as "Eiffel Tower" of a trip to Paris).

From the image data PD of the photo received by the image data receiving unit 21, the process specifying unit 24 extracts the time stamp information TS indicating the shooting date and time of the photo,
The time stamp information TS is stored in the schedule storage unit 22.
By referring to the schedule stored in, the process on the schedule in which the image data was captured is specified. The album creating unit 25 creates album data by pasting the image data PD corresponding to the time stamp information TS on the mount image data of the page corresponding to the specified process. The album data created in this way is sent to the Internet 10 by a function not shown. Specifically, a transmission request for album data is accepted from the personal computer 30, 40, 50 or another client via the Internet 10, and the album data is transmitted to the request source via the Internet.

As a result, a plurality of personal computers 30, 40, 5
Each image data from 0 is published in one album on the web provided by the image providing server 20. In particular, each image data is arranged and pasted on the album for each stroke of the schedule stored in the schedule storage unit 22. Also, the album can be browsed from the client side via the network.

This embodiment is a mode used as an after-sales service for a tour participant by a travel agency. IDs, URLs, etc. are given to multiple participants who participated in the tour, and it is useful for a large number of participants by making them aware that it is useful to post and share photos on websites that follow the URLs. PCs 30, 40, 50, ...
Post a photo using. On the other hand, when a participant or another person requests transmission of this tour via the Internet, the posted image data is organized as an album and can be browsed.

Each of the storage units 22 and 23 in the functional block shown in FIG. 2 is composed of an HDD or a RAM, and each unit 21 excluding these storage units 22 and 23 is
24 and 25 are composed of a CPU and a computer program for causing the CPU to execute a predetermined process. It should be noted that the respective units 21, 24 to 26 may be configured as hardware by being configured by discrete electronic circuits.

Computer programs prepared in the image providing server 20 and photo uploaders 30a, 40a, 50a prepared in the personal computers 30, 40, 50.
By launching the specified installation program,
From the recording medium to the image providing server 20 or the personal computer 3
Installed on 0, 40, 50. The recording medium is stored in a portable recording medium (portable recording medium) such as a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, and an IC card. Further, these computer programs (the computer program of the image providing server 20 and the photo uploader) download the program data provided via the computer network from a specific server connected to the computer network (for example, the Internet 10). And then R
It can also be obtained by transferring to AM or HDD.

B. Configuration of Schedule and Mount Image Data: FIG. 3 shows an HDD configuring the schedule storage unit 22.
It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the schedule data SD memorize | stored in FIG. As shown in the figure, this schedule data S
D is a data field SD1 indicating the title of the schedule
And a data field S that indicates the first day of the schedule by date
D2 and a data column SD that indicates each process of the schedule in order
3 and 3. The data column SD3 indicates one stroke (corresponding to one row in the figure) with three data items SD31, SD32, and SD33. First data item SD3
1 indicates the number of days from the first day, and the second data item SD3
2 indicates the start time and end time, and the third data item SD32 indicates the content of the event. The steps of the data column SD3 are arranged in the order of time indicated by the data item SD3. The data item SD32 may be configured so that only the start time is shown and the end time is regarded as the start time of the next process.

According to the schedule data SD having such a configuration, what title, schedule, and what kind of schedule is included in the schedule are displayed. The HDD has the schedule data S of such a configuration.
Multiple types of D are prepared.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the mount image data BD stored in the HDD constituting the mount image data storage unit 23. As shown in the figure, the mount image data BD includes a plurality of page image data PBD representing one page. In the page image data PBD, a character string fd1 showing an event in one process of the schedule and a pictorial diagram fd2 symbolically showing the event are shown. Further, in this mount image data BD, a tag arrangement position fd3 for attaching the image data is defined. The character string f
d1 matches the event stored in the data item DS3 of the schedule data SD.

One page image data PBD corresponds to one stroke recorded in the schedule data SD. That is, when the content of the data item SD33 is “Eiffel Tower”, “Triumphal Arch”, ... As shown in FIG. 3, the page image data PBD for “Eiffel Tower” is the first as shown in FIG. Secondly, the page image data PBD for “Arc de Triomphe” is secondly prepared, and so on. The mount image data BD thus configured is prepared in the HDD as many as the prepared schedule data SD.

C. Computer processing in server and client: image providing server 20 and personal computers 30, 4
The computer programs executed by the CPUs 0 and 50 will be described in detail below. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the main processing routine of the photo uploader executed by the CPU of each personal computer 30, 40, 50. This processing routine is started when a predetermined activation switch is turned on. The activation switch may be a button displayed on the screen (for example, a button for [Create Internet Album]) or a key switch provided on the keyboard.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the processing is started,
CPU 30 first performs a process of displaying the application window of the photo uploader (step S110). FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the application window. As shown in the figure, in the application window PW of the photo uploader, an "album name" input field fd for inputting an album name, a button group bts for inputting / deleting / editing a photo, and a photo editing A work area ar for use is provided. The album name is for designating an album name prepared on a predetermined website (website of the internet album service provided by the image providing server 20) connected to the photo uploader, and as shown in the figure, Album names such as "Travel in Paris" are selectively designated. In this website, the tour name is directly set as the album name.

By using the [Enter] button provided in the button group bts, a dialog for selecting a photo opens, and a photo to be uploaded can be selected. In the work area ar, the photo selected by the [Enter] button is displayed. The operator inputs the album name from the input field fd of the “album name”, selects one or a plurality of photos to be uploaded with the [Enter] button provided in the button group bts, and then selects [Upload]. ] Button u
By clicking pb, the image data of the photograph is uploaded to the website of the Internet album service.

In step S120 of FIG. 5, the CPU receives the image data of the photograph, and in step S130, the CPU determines whether or not an instruction to click the [upload] button upb is issued. Determine and perform. If it is determined in step S130 that the button upb has been clicked, the CPU advances the process to step S140 to perform the process of transmitting the image data of one or more photographs input in step S120. This transmission destination is the image providing server 2 which is the provider of the website of the Internet album service.
It is 0. When transmitting the image data, the album name input from the "album name" input field fd is also transmitted as auxiliary information data to the destination. Note that the auxiliary data may include character data indicating a comment and the like in addition to the album name. After executing step S140, the process returns to "return" to end this processing routine.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an album updating routine executed by the CPU of the image providing server 20. This album update routine is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals. As shown in FIG. 7, when the processing is started, the CPU first determines whether or not image data is transmitted from any of the personal computers 30, 40, 50 that are clients (step S210).
If it is determined that there is no transmission, the process returns to "return" to temporarily end this processing routine. On the other hand, in step S210, one of the personal computers 30, 4
When it is determined that the image data is transmitted from 0, 50, the following processing is executed.

First, the CPU is one personal computer 30 (or 40, or 50; hereinafter, the personal computer 30 is representative.
Processing is performed) (step S220). In addition,
At the time of this reception, the auxiliary data sent together with the image data is also received. Then, the schedule data SD of the title matching the album name included in the attached data
Is read from the HDD to the RAM, and the mount image data BD on the HDD corresponding to the read schedule data SD is specified as work mount image data (step S230).

Subsequently, the CPU sets the variable S to the value 1 (step S240), and then, the step S220.
One image data is read out from all the image data received in (step S250). The header of this image data stores the time stamp information indicating the shooting date and time as described above.

Subsequently, the time stamp information is extracted from the image data read in step S250, and the schedule data SD read from the HDD in step S230 is searched for one stroke of the schedule corresponding to the time stamp information. (Step S260). Specifically, this search method uses time stamp information extracted from image data, such as "2001/07/01 10:32:15", in the data field SD of the schedule data SD.
2. Which stroke of the period determined from the data column SD31 and the data column SD32 corresponds to is determined. That is, the date is obtained from the contents of the data column SD2 and the data column SD31, the time is derived by the data column SD32, and whether or not the time stamp information corresponds to the period obtained as a result thereof is determined for each process (see FIG. Speaking in 3, each row in the data column SD3 is sequentially determined. Thus
Search the schedule process to which the time stamp information applies.

Thereafter, the CPU pastes the image data read in step S250 onto the page image data PBD corresponding to the process obtained as a result of step S260 (step S270). This page image data PB
D is the mount image data B specified in step S230.
D is equipped with. That is, step S27
At 0, the page image data PBD corresponding to the process obtained as a result of step S260 is selected from the mount image data BD specified at step S230, and the image data determined as the page image data PBD is pasted. The tag of the file name of the image data read out in step S250 is written in the tag placement position fd3 for this purpose. As a result, the page image data PBD has a step S
This means that the image data read out in 250 is substantially pasted.

After execution of step S270, the CPU increments the variable S by the value 1 (step S28
0) After that, it is determined whether or not the variable S exceeds a constant S0 indicating the number of image data received in step S220 (step S290). If it is determined that the variable S has not exceeded S0, then step S2
The process is returned to step 50, the next one image data is read out from all the image data received in step S220, and this image data is pasted to the mount image data BD in steps S230 to S270.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S290 that the variable S exceeds S0, it is determined that the pasting of all the image data received in step S220 has been completed, the process returns to "return", and this processing routine is once completed. .

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view schematically showing the outline of the processing of this album updating routine. As shown,
According to this album update routine, all image data sent from one client (personal computer 30, 30, 50) is received (step (A)), and then one image is obtained from all the received image data. The data is sequentially attached to the mount image data BD (step (B)). This pasting is performed by comparing the time stamp information attached to the image data with the schedule data SD, and the page image data P to be pasted
Set BD and perform.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an album transmission routine executed by the CPU of the image providing server 20. This album transmission routine is repeatedly executed every predetermined time. As shown in FIG. 7, when the processing is started, the CPU firstly sets the personal computers 30, 4
It is determined whether or not there is a tour browsing request from a client including 0 or 50 (step S300). If it is determined that there is a browsing request, the CPU
Determines whether or not the password sent from the client at the time of the browsing request is correct (step S
302).

If it is determined in step S300 that there is no browsing request, or if it is determined in step S302 that the password is incorrect, the process returns to "return" and this processing routine is once terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S302 that the password is correct, the CPU reads the "album name" sent from the client (step S304), and mounts the mount image data BD of the album name and the mount image data. B
The image data associated with D is read from the HDD and transmitted to the browse request source (step S30).
6). After that, the process returns to "return" to end this processing routine.

D. Effect: According to the first embodiment configured as described above, the image data provided from the personal computers 30, 40, 50 is uploaded to the image providing server 20 and classified and arranged as album data. . In the image providing server 20, the personal computers 30, 40,
From the time stamp information attached to the image data received from 50, it is possible to determine in which process on the schedule the image data was captured in advance. Then, the page image data PBD corresponding to the obtained process is associated with the image data. The mount image data associated with this image data is placed in a state in which it can be viewed as album data.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, image data from a large number of people can be easily collected, and the provided image data can be automatically classified and arranged according to the schedule process.

Further, in this embodiment, since the network connecting the image providing server 20 and the personal computers 30, 40, 50 is composed of the Internet, it is much easier to collect image data from a large number of people. Can be done. Also, regarding the release of the album,
It can be easily performed by a large number of people.

In this example, the schedule is for group travel. In a group tour, a large number of people act together according to one schedule, so that there is a great demand for posting image data from a large number of people in one album. Therefore, according to this configuration, image data taken by a large number of people in a group tour can be easily collected and automatically classified and organized.

As described above, this embodiment can be used as an after-sales service for a tour participant by a travel agency. For tour participants, I
D, a password, a URL, etc. are given, and it is possible to collect photos from a large number of people by making them aware that it is beneficial to post and share photos on a website that complies with the URL. In addition, in the provided album,
It can be configured to display the company name and logo of the travel agency that is the tour organizer, the tour name, an advertisement, and the like.

2. Second Embodiment: Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment has the same hardware configuration as the first embodiment, and has substantially the same software configuration. The difference is that the image providing server 20
The album update routine is executed by the CPU.

10 and 11 are explanatory views showing the album updating routine of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the album updating routine of the second embodiment is
Step S210 of the album updating routine of the first embodiment.
~ Step S3 same as S260, S280, S290
10 to S360, S380, S390 are provided. In step S360, when one step of the schedule corresponding to the time stamp information is retrieved from the schedule data SD, the CPU proceeds to step S370 to show the step-image table T showing the correspondence between the step and the image data.
A process of registering a file name of image data in BL is performed.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the process-image table TBL. As shown,
In the image table TBL, in the first column, the contents of the event stored in the data item SD33 of the schedule data SD,
That is, the character strings indicating the processes such as "Eiffel Tower", "Arch of Triumph", ... Are arranged in order. Then, the file name of the registered image data is stored in the second and subsequent columns, and the content of the event and the file name of the image data are associated line by line. For example, according to the contents of the first line of FIG. 12, as the photographs taken in the process of the “Eiffel Tower”, “P1-001” and “P1-00”
It can be seen that image data having file names such as "2", ... Is registered.

In detail, in step S370, the line corresponding to the process searched in step S360, that is, the line in which the event contents of the process searched in step S360 and the contents stored in the first column are matched, A process of registering the file name of the image data read in S350 is performed. The final line stores the file name of the image data that does not correspond to the scheduled process. When the corresponding process cannot be retrieved in step S360 because the date of the digital camera DC is not set properly, the image data is registered in the last line.

After executing step S370, the CPU increments the variable S by the value 1 (step S38).
0) and thereafter, steps S350 to S380 are repeatedly executed until the variable S exceeds a constant S0 indicating the number of image data received in step S350 (step S390). As a result, with respect to all the image data sent from one client (personal computer 30, 40, 50), based on the time stamp information attached to the image data, the image data is captured on the schedule. The process is specified, and the specification result is registered in the process-image table TBL.

When it is determined in step S390 that the variable S exceeds S0, the stroke-image table TBL is set for all the image data received in step S220.
S400 of FIG. 11 assuming that the registration to
Proceed to.

In step S400, the CPU determines the stroke-
Confirm the registered contents of the image table TBL as a confirmation viewer,
A process of transmitting the image data to the client that is the transmission source is performed. As a result, the client (PC 3
Any one of 0, 40 and 50, here, the description will be continued assuming that the transmission source of the image data is the personal computer 30).
Then, the confirmation viewer VW is displayed on the CRT display 31. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the confirmation viewer VW. As shown, check viewer VW
Are divided into a plurality of regions VW1, VW2, ... In the vertical direction, and one region corresponds to one stroke. Each area VW
1, VW2, ..., A character string fd11 indicating the content of the event in each process and a plurality of thumbnail images fd12 are displayed.

The thumbnail image fd12 is generated as follows. A thumbnail image is obtained by extracting the file name of the image data corresponding to each process from the process-image table TBL, reading the image data of the file name from the HDD in order, and reducing the size of the read image data in order. To generate.

In the last area of the confirmation viewer VW (not shown, hereinafter referred to as “not applicable area”), the image data registered in the last row of the process-image table TBL, that is, the digital data of the digital camera DC. The image data for which the corresponding process could not be searched in step S360 due to the date not being properly set is displayed in thumbnail form.

The operator of the personal computer 30 looks at the contents of the confirmation viewer VW displayed on the CRT display 31,
It is checked whether the image data of the photograph taken by itself is classified into the proper process areas VW1, VW2, .... If the image data is classified into the wrong process area or the area that does not correspond to the above, the operator corrects the classification destination of the image data to an appropriate area. To do. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of this correction processing. As shown in the figure, on the confirmation viewer VW, the thumbnail image SP of the image data to be corrected is moved from the current area VW1 to the correct area VW2 by the drag and drop operation with the mouse. The contents of this correction processing are the file name of the image data indicating the correction target, the event content indicating the area before correction (hereinafter referred to as the old event content), and the event content indicating the area after the correction (hereinafter referred to as the new event content). (Referred to as contents) as correction data, which is transmitted to the image providing server 20.
If the contents of the confirmation viewer VW are correct and correction is not necessary, the correction data stores data indicating that no correction has been made.

Returning to FIG. 11, C of the image providing server 20.
After executing step S400, the PU receives the correction data sent from the personal computer 30 (step S41).
0). After that, when it is determined that there is a correction from the correction data (step S420), the CPU corrects the contents of the process-image table TBL based on the correction data (step S430). Specifically, first, a line in the process-image table TBL that matches the old event content stored in the correction data is searched, and the file name of the image data stored in the correction data is deleted from that line. . Next, a line in the process-image table TBL that matches the new event content stored in the correction data is searched, and the file name of the image data stored in the correction data is added to that line.

After execution of step S430, step S4
The process proceeds to 40. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S420 that there is no correction, the process proceeds to step S440 without performing the correction in step S430. In step S440, the CPU sets the variable S to the value 1
Is set, and then one image data is read out from all the image data received in step S320 (step S
450).

Then, from the process-image table TBL,
The process corresponding to the image data read in step S450 is searched (step S460). Specifically, by comparing the file name of the image data read in step S450 with the process-image table TBL, the event content stored in the first column of the line in which the file name is registered is extracted. , Find the stroke corresponding to the image data. Then, the image data read in step S450 is pasted on the page image data PBD corresponding to the obtained process (step S470). The process of step S470 is the same as step S27 of the first embodiment.
Similar to 0, the tag of the file name of the image data is written at the arrangement position of the page image data PBD corresponding to the above-mentioned step in the mount image data BD, thereby substantially pasting the image data.

After execution of step S470, the CPU increments the variable S by the value 1 (step S48).
0) After that, it is determined whether or not the variable S exceeds a constant S0 indicating the number of image data received in step S450 (step S490). If it is determined that the variable S has not exceeded S0, then step S4
The process returns to step 50, the next one image data is read out from all the image data received in step S450, and this image data is pasted to the mount image data BD in steps S460 and S470. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S490 that the variable S exceeds S0, it is determined that the pasting of all the image data received in step S450 has been completed, the process returns to "return", and this processing routine is once completed. .

According to the second embodiment configured as described above, as in the first embodiment, image data from a large number of people can be easily collected, and the provided image data is It can be automatically classified according to the schedule process. Furthermore, in this second embodiment,
Whether or not the process specified from the time stamp information of the image data and the schedule is correct can be confirmed on the side of the personal computer 30 which is the transmission source of the image data in the form of a confirmation viewer. Then, by receiving the result of the confirmation as correction data, the classified process can be corrected on the image providing server 20 side. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately classify and organize the image data provided by the client.

3. Modifications: Modifications of the first and second embodiments will be described below. (1) In the second embodiment, the drag &
By the drop work, the process of the classification destination was changed only for the one image data that was the work target, but instead of this, other image data from the same source is also collectively classified as the classification destination. It may be configured to change the process. In detail, when performing the drag & drop operation, a dialog box inquiring whether or not to collectively correct other image data is also configured to be displayed on the client side display, and the batch correction can be performed from the client. When there is a command to do so, the process of classifying is collectively changed for other image data from the same transmission source as follows. First, by the drag & drop work, how much time one image data is converted into time,
By calculating whether it has been corrected and applying the correction time to other image data in the same manner, the process of classifying other image data from the same transmission source is corrected.

According to the modified example of the above configuration, when the process of one image data is corrected, the process of other image data can be collectively corrected.
Therefore, the operability is excellent.

In the above batch correction structure, image data which is likely to be located in the middle of a stroke is forced to enter in one of the strokes, or an image data in the middle of the stroke is not included. It is also possible to create a classification destination and display intermediate classification destinations on the album.

(2) Also, in the first and second embodiments,
As a configuration that changes only the process of classifying image data,
The time stamp information attached to the image data is not rewritten. Alternatively, the process of classifying the image data may be changed and the time stamp information attached to the image data may be rewritten. The rewriting of the time stamp information may be configured such that the user is asked to confirm the rewriting before rewriting. For example, the time stamp information may be a predetermined time (for example, one hour) or more from the schedule. If there is an error, the time stamp information can be forcibly rewritten without asking the user for confirmation.

(3) Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the mount image data BD is composed of a plurality of page image data PBDs representing one page, and one page image data is one of the schedules. It was associated with a journey (for example, a trip such as the "Eiffel Tower" of a trip to Paris). Alternatively, in one page image data, a plurality of strokes may be associated with each other by demarcating with a mark (for example, event content or a dividing line) indicating that the stroke has changed.

(4) In the first and second embodiments, the page image data PBD has a structure in which the character string fd1 showing the contents of the event and the pictorial diagram fd2 symbolically showing the event are displayed. Alternatively, the sponsor's advertisement or logo may be displayed. The image data pasted to the page image data may be configured to display the comment data attached to the image data (the comment storage area in the image in the JPEG file), the image file name, and the like.

(5) In the first and second embodiments, the image data provided by the client are all published as album data. After this, the desired image is selected from the published image data from the client side. It is possible to select data and create a client-specific album. The user can download the album data, print it, or request a print service for obtaining a photo print of an image or an album.

(6) In the first embodiment, all the image data provided by the client is stored in the image providing server 20, but instead of this, the image providing server 20 and the personal computers 30, 40, 50. In the case where and are constantly connected to the Internet, the images can be distributed and exist in the personal computers 30, 40 and 50 of the provider. With this configuration, the personal computer 30, 4 of the image provider
The index information such as thumbnail images and the time stamp information are transmitted from 0, 50 to the image providing server 20, and the image providing server 20 automatically classifies the images according to a schedule prepared for itself, and the album. Layout.

According to this structure, the same effect as that of the first embodiment is obtained, and further, the resource of the storage medium in the image providing server 20 can be reduced.

(7) In the first and second embodiments, the image providing server 20 and the personal computers 30, 40, 50 are connected by the Internet. It is also possible to have a configuration in which they are connected by the network.

(8) In the first and second embodiments, the image data of the still image obtained by shooting with the digital camera is posted in the album. Instead of this, the shooting is performed with the digital video camera. The moving image video data obtained in this way may be posted as a video clip in the album. In this configuration as well, by comparing the time stamp information indicating the shooting date and time attached to the video image data with the schedule, the process on the schedule in which the video image data was captured is specified, and the position to paste to the album is determined. decide. Therefore, according to this modification, it is possible to automatically classify and organize the provided moving image data.

(9) In the first and second embodiments, a digital camera is used as a device for taking image data of a photograph, but instead of this, a digital camera is equipped and a GPS (Global Positioning System) is used. ) It is also possible to use a small portable information terminal with a built-in unit. According to this small portable information terminal, position data indicating a shooting position is added to image data obtained by shooting. In the first embodiment, the schedule has a structure in which information about the position where the event is held is also recorded, and the position data added to the image data when the process on the schedule is specified from the time stamp information is also recorded. By comparing with the schedule, the location data will be taken into consideration. According to this configuration, since the process on the schedule is specified in consideration of the shooting position of the image data, it is possible to further classify and organize with high accuracy.

(10) As a modified example of the above (9), the time stamp information is not used, and the position data attached to the image data is collated with the schedule including the position information so that the image data is recorded on the schedule. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the process of is specified.

(11) In the first and second embodiments,
Although the image data is classified based on the time stamp information, it is possible to further classify the image data based on the time stamp information even within the same classified process. Further, the following configuration can be adopted as a detailed classification within the same process. Using a technique for searching the degree of similarity of images to collect and classify images having similar compositions, or by using the position information described in (9) above, images that are close to the shooting position can be obtained. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the pieces are collected and classified.

(12) In the first and second embodiments,
Image data obtained by shooting with a digital camera is accompanied by time stamp information indicating the shooting date and time. By receiving this image data from the client, the time stamp information can also be received. ing. Alternatively, the image data and the information on the shooting date and time of the image data may be received as individual files.

4. Third Example: Still another embodiment will be described based on a third example. FIG. 15 is a block diagram functionally showing the operating state of the network system as the third embodiment. As shown in the figure, the network system of the third embodiment uses the Internet 510 as in the first embodiment, and includes a server 520 connected to the Internet 510 and an Internet 5.
A plurality of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as personal computers) 530, 54 as clients connectable to
0, 550, ...

The server 520 stores the same schedule as in the first embodiment in the schedule storage unit 522. The personal computer 530 stores image data of a photograph taken by a digital camera (not shown) in an image data storage unit 531 such as an HDD. Similar to the first embodiment, the digital camera has a time stamp function of recording the shooting date and time for each photograph.

The personal computer 530 has a schedule receiving unit 5
32 receives the data of the schedule from the server 520. Upon receiving this, the schedule receiving unit 532 accesses the server 520 designated by the URL of the predetermined website, and the server 52
By issuing an instruction to download the schedule to 0, the server 520 is requested to transmit the schedule. The schedule receiving unit 532 receives the schedule data sent from the server 520 which receives this request.

In the personal computer 530, the image data input unit 533 sequentially reads the image data of the photographs stored in the image data storage unit 531. Then, from the image data of the photograph, the process identifying unit 534 extracts time stamp information indicating the shooting date and time of the photograph, and compares the time stamp information with the schedule received by the schedule receiving unit 532 to obtain the image. The schedule process in which the data was captured is specified in order. The image data arrangement unit 535 arranges the image data read by the image data input unit 533 in order based on the specified process.

In other personal computers 540 and 550,
It has the same functional unit as the personal computer 530.

As a result, a plurality of personal computers 30, 40, 5
At 0, the image data of the photograph can be classified and organized according to the schedule downloaded from the server 520.

Each storage unit 522, 531 in the functional block shown in FIG. 2 is composed of an HDD or a RAM, and each unit 532-535 except these storage units 522, 531 is a CPU and its CPU. And a computer program for causing the computer to execute a predetermined process. It should be noted that each of the units 532 to 535 may be configured as a hardware by configuring a discrete electronic circuit.

The computer programs prepared in the personal computers 530, 540, 550 are installed in the personal computers 530, 540, 550 from the recording medium by starting a predetermined installation program. In addition,
The recording medium is a floppy disk or a CD-RO.
It is stored in a portable recording medium (portable recording medium) such as M, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card. In addition, this computer program downloads program data provided via a computer network from a specific server connected to a computer network (for example, the Internet 510), and stores it in RAM or HD.
It can be obtained by transferring to D.

The processing routine according to the computer program will be described below. 16 shows each personal computer 53
It is a flowchart which shows the schedule reception routine performed by 0,540,550 CPU. This routine is started when a predetermined start switch is turned on. The activation switch may be a button displayed on the screen or a key switch provided on the keyboard.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the process is started, the CPU 30 first determines the URL of a predetermined website.
By connecting to the server 520 designated by (step S610), it is determined whether or not an instruction to download the schedule has been issued on the website (step S620). This instruction is determined based on whether or not a predetermined button provided on a display window provided by a predetermined website is clicked by the operator's mouse operation. If it is determined in step S620 that there is a download instruction, the CPU advances the process to step S630 to issue a schedule transmission request to the server 520. Then the CPU
Waits for the schedule data to be sent from the server 520 by repeatedly executing step S640.

When it is determined in step S640 that the schedule has been sent, the process of receiving the data of the schedule is performed (step S650). afterwards,
Exit to "end" to end the processing of this routine.
The personal computer 530, 540, 550 stores the schedule in the RAM or the HDD by the schedule receiving routine having the above configuration.

FIG. 17 shows each personal computer 530, 540, 5
It is a flowchart which shows the image rearrangement routine performed by 50 CPU. This routine is started after the completion of the schedule receiving routine. As shown in the figure, when the process is started, the CPU first sets the variable S to the value 1 (step S710), and then the HD
From D, one image data of a photograph obtained by photographing with a digital camera is read (step S720).

Subsequently, the CPU uses the schedule data SD stored in the RAM or HDD by the schedule receiving routine to execute one step of the schedule corresponding to the time stamp information attached to the image data read in step S720. Search (step S73
0). The process of step S730 is the same as the process of step S260 of the first embodiment. Then the CPU
Performs a process of classifying and organizing the image data read in step S720 for each process obtained as a result of step S730 (step S740).

Specifically, the process of step S740 is as follows.
As in the first embodiment, the mount image data composed of a plurality of page image data is prepared, each step is assigned to each page image data, and the image taken in the same step for each page image data The data may be pasted. Alternatively, the image data captured in the same process may be pasted to each area separated by a mark (for example, event content or a dividing line) indicating that the process has changed without performing a page break. be able to.

After executing step S740, the CPU increments the variable S by 1 (step S75).
0) Then, it is determined whether or not the variable S exceeds a constant Sm indicating the number of the entire photograph (step S760).
Here, when it is determined that the variable S has not exceeded Sm, the process is returned to step S720, the next one image data is read, and the classification and arrangement of this image data is performed by steps S730 to S740. To do. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S760 that the variable S exceeds Sm, it is determined that the classification and arrangement of all image data has been completed, and the process returns to "return",
This processing routine is once ended.

According to the personal computer 30 of the third embodiment configured as described above, the schedule provided by the server 520 is received, and the time stamp information added to the image data read from the HDD is the schedule. You will be asked which process above was taken. Then, the image data is organized based on the obtained process. Therefore, according to this personal computer, the image data can be automatically classified and organized according to the schedule process.

For example, it is common to organize a large number of photographs after a trip, but when the date and time of the digital camera are not accurately adjusted, such as when the time difference is not corrected when traveling abroad, the image data of the photographs are Date and time correction is difficult. Also,
Often I can't remember the name of the place I visited, so it's a daunting task to see the itinerary while looking at the schedule provided in guidebooks and paper. As described above, the third embodiment is very effective because the photographs can be automatically classified and sorted according to the schedule even when the photographs are sorted by the personal computer on the client side.

As a modification of the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, it is possible to check whether or not the process specified by the time stamp information is correct in the form of a confirmation viewer. . Furthermore, the above-mentioned “3.
Among the various modifications described in the section of “Modifications”, the above (1), (2), (4), (7) to (12) are directly modified from the third embodiment. Can be applied.

In the first to third embodiments, a server-based network for setting a specific server or client is used as the network.
Alternatively, a peer-to-peer network may be used. That is, each computer connected to the network serves as an image providing server at one time, and at the same time serves as a client for image viewing. The first and second aspects of the present invention can also be achieved by a configuration using such a peer-to-peer network.
Image providing server, image browsing client of the present invention, first and second network systems of the present invention,
The first and second image providing methods of the present invention, the image browsing method of the present invention, the first to third computer programs of the present invention, and the event information presentation method of the present invention can be respectively realized.

Furthermore, the first embodiment may be realized by a stand-alone computer.
That is, one stand-alone computer is configured to execute the following routine, which is substantially the same as the album updating routine (FIG. 7) of the first embodiment. In this routine, steps S210 and S220 of FIG. 7 are replaced with a process of inputting image data from a large number of people who brought in image data of a photograph, and other steps are the same as those in the first embodiment. . According to this configuration, the image data of the brought photo is input to the computer and classified and arranged as album data. Therefore, according to this modification, the input image data can be automatically classified and organized according to the schedule process. Further, also in the second embodiment, the configuration can be realized by a stand-alone computer similarly.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment and can be carried out in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course, you can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of a network system as a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram functionally showing an operation state of the image providing server 20 when uploading image data of a photograph on the Web.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of schedule data SD stored in an HDD constituting a schedule storage unit 22.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of mount image data BD stored in an HDD constituting the mount image data storage unit 23.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a main processing routine of a photo uploader executed by the CPU of each personal computer 30, 40, 50.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an application window of a photo uploader.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an album update routine executed by the CPU of the image providing server 20.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the outline of the processing of this album update routine.

9 is a flowchart showing an album transmission routine executed by the CPU of the image providing server 20. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the first half of the album updating routine of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the latter half of the album updating routine.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a process-image table TBL.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a confirmation viewer VW.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of correction processing.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram functionally showing an operating state of the network system as the third embodiment.

FIG. 16: CPU of each personal computer 530, 540, 550
5 is a flowchart showing a schedule receiving routine executed in.

FIG. 17: CPU of each personal computer 530, 540, 550
5 is a flowchart showing an image organizing routine executed in.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Internet 20 ... Image providing server 21 ... Image data receiving unit 22 ... Schedule storage unit 23 ... Mount image data storage unit 24 ... Process identification section 25 ... Album creation department 30, 40, 50 ... PC 30a, 40a ... Photo uploader 510 ... Internet 520 ... server 522 ... Schedule storage unit 530, 540, 550 ... PC 531 ... Image data storage unit 532 ... Schedule receiving unit 533 ... Image data input section 534 ... Process identification section 535 ... Image data organization unit CF ... Compact flash card DC ... Digital camera BD: Mount image data PBD ... Page image data

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/91 H04N 5/91 JF term (reference) 5B050 AA09 BA06 BA15 CA05 CA07 CA08 EA12 EA19 5B075 ND08 NR03 PQ76 5C052 AB04 AC08 DD02 EE03 5C053 FA05 FA08 FA14 FA23 FA27 JA30 LA11 LA14 5C076 AA14 AA16 AA17 AA19 BA03 BA04 CA02 CA10

Claims (30)

[Claims] 1. An image providing server for transmitting album data, which is obtained by laying out image data obtained by photographing a subject in a predetermined format, onto a network, and a schedule storing means for storing a predetermined schedule. A mount image data storage unit that stores mount image data in which the paste position of the image data is determined for each stroke of the schedule stored in the schedule storage unit; and a shooting date and time of the image data from a client connected to the network. By comparing the time stamp information of the image data received by the image data receiving unit with the image data receiving unit that receives with the time stamp information indicating the schedule, the process on the schedule in which the image data is photographed A process specifying means for specifying; Wherein by associating the image data to the position pasted corresponding to the specified stroke by stroke identification means, an image-providing server and a album creating section for creating the album data on a paper the image data. 2. The image providing server according to claim 1, wherein the network is the Internet. 3. The image providing server according to claim 1, wherein the schedule is for group travel. 4. The image data receiving means is configured to receive image data attached with at least time stamp information obtained by photographing with a digital camera that also stores at least time stamp information. Image providing server. 5. The mount image data includes a plurality of page image data representing a page, and each page image data includes:
The image providing server according to claim 1, wherein the image providing server is configured to include information indicating a correspondence relationship with the schedule process. 6. The image providing server according to claim 1, wherein the identification result by the process identification means is notified to a client, which is the transmission source of the image data, to determine whether the identification result is correct or not. Specific result confirmation means for inquiring the client, and a response to the inquiry by the specific result confirmation means is received from the client, and in response to the response,
An image providing server comprising: a specific result correcting unit that corrects the specific result obtained by the process specifying unit. 7. The image providing server according to claim 6, wherein when the specific result correcting unit corrects the specific result, the process specifying unit also applies to other image data from the client. An image providing server including another image specifying result correcting means for correcting the specifying result by the above-mentioned correction based on the size of the correction. 8. The image providing server according to claim 1, wherein the image data is attached with position data indicating a shooting position, and the stroke specifying unit is the An image providing server having a configuration in which the process is specified in consideration of position data of image data. 9. An image providing server for transmitting album data, which is obtained by laying out image data obtained by photographing a subject in a predetermined format, onto a network, and storing mount image data which is a basis of the album data. A mount image data storage unit, an image data receiving unit that receives the image data from a client connected to the network together with time stamp information indicating a shooting date and time, and a time stamp of the image data received by the image data receiving unit. An image providing server comprising: an album creating unit that creates a album data by determining a paste position on the mount image data based on information and associating the image data with the paste position. 10. Connected to a network,
An image browsing client including a storage unit that stores image data obtained by photographing a subject, and sends a request for a predetermined schedule to a server connected to a network, and sends the request from the server. A schedule receiving means for receiving the received schedule; an image data inputting means for reading out the image data together with time stamp information indicating a photographing date and time from the storage means; and a time stamp for the image data read out by the image data inputting means. An image for organizing the image data based on the process specified by the process specifying means for specifying the process on the schedule in which the image data is photographed by comparing the information with the schedule, and the process specified by the process specifying means. An image browsing client having a data organization means. 11. A client that stores image data obtained by photographing an object, and album data that receives the image data from the client via a network and lays out the image data in a predetermined format on the network. A network system including a server for sending, wherein the server defines a schedule storage unit for storing a predetermined schedule, and a paste position of image data for each step of the schedule stored in the schedule storage unit. Mount image data storage means for storing mount image data, image data receiving means for receiving the image data from a client connected to the network together with time stamp information indicating shooting date and time, and image data receiving means for receiving the image data Image data Corresponding to the process specified by the process specifying means on the mount image data and the process specifying means for specifying the process on the schedule in which the image data is photographed by comparing the time stamp information with the schedule. A network system comprising: album creating means for creating the album data by associating the image data with a pasting position. 12. A network system, comprising: a server; and a client, which comprises a storage means for storing image data obtained by photographing an object, wherein the server comprises: a schedule storage means for storing a predetermined schedule; A schedule transmitting unit that receives a request from a client and transmits the schedule to the client, wherein the client transmits the schedule request to the server and the schedule transmitted from the server. A schedule receiving means for receiving the image data, an image data inputting means for reading the image data together with time stamp information indicating a photographing date and time from the storage means, and a time stamp information of the image data read by the image data inputting means for the schedule. Teru By combining, a process specifying means for specifying a process on the schedule in which the image data is photographed, and an image data organizing device for organizing the image data based on the process specified by the process specifying means. Network system equipped. 13. An image creating apparatus for creating album data in which image data obtained by photographing a subject is laid out in a predetermined format, the schedule storing unit storing a predetermined schedule, and the schedule storing unit. Mount image data storage means for storing the mount image data in which the paste position of the image data is determined for each stroke of the schedule stored in, and the image data input from the outside together with the time stamp information indicating the shooting date and time. An input unit, a process specifying unit for specifying a process on the schedule in which the image data is captured by comparing the time stamp information of the image data input by the image data input unit with the schedule, and the mount image. The process specified by the process specifying means on the data By associating the image data to the corresponding paste-position, the image creating apparatus and a album creating section for creating the album data. 14. An image providing method for transmitting album data, which is obtained by laying out image data obtained by photographing a subject in a predetermined format, onto a network,
(A) preparing a predetermined schedule,
(B) a step of preparing mount image data in which a pasting position of the image data is determined for each step of the prepared schedule; and (c) a date and time when the image data is captured from a client connected to the network. The step of receiving together with the time stamp information and (d) the time stamp information of the image data received in the step (c) is compared with the schedule to specify the schedule process in which the image data was captured. An image providing method comprising the steps of: (e) creating the album data by associating the image data with the paste position corresponding to the step specified in the step (d) on the mount image data. . 15. An image providing method for transmitting album data, which is obtained by laying out image data obtained by photographing a subject in a predetermined format, to a network,
(A) preparing mount image data as a basis of the album data, and (b) receiving the image data together with time stamp information indicating a shooting date and time from a client connected to the network,
(C) The album data is determined by determining the paste position on the mount image data based on the time stamp information of the image data received in step (b) and associating the image data with the paste position. An image providing method comprising: 16. An image browsing method for exchanging data with a server via a network to browse image data obtained by photographing a subject, comprising: (a) storing the image data in a storage unit in advance. Storing, (b) transmitting a request for a predetermined schedule to the server, and receiving the schedule sent from the server; (c) storing the image from the storage unit. By reading the data together with the time stamp information indicating the shooting date and time, and (d) comparing the time stamp information of the image data read out in the step (c) with the schedule, the schedule in which the image data was shot is displayed. The step of identifying the journey of
(E) a step of organizing the image data on the basis of the process specified in the step (d). 17. An image creating method for creating album data in which image data obtained by photographing a subject is laid out in a predetermined format, the method comprising: (a) preparing a predetermined schedule; and (b). A step of preparing mount image data in which a pasting position of the image data is determined for each step of the prepared schedule; and (c) a step of externally inputting the image data together with time stamp information indicating a photographing date and time, (D) a step of identifying the process on the schedule in which the image data was captured by comparing the time stamp information of the image data input in the step (c) with the schedule, and (e) the mount image The image data is placed at the paste position corresponding to the process specified in step (d) on the data. And a step of creating the album data by associating with each other. 18. A computer program for transmitting album data, which is obtained by laying out image data obtained by photographing a subject in a predetermined format, onto a network, comprising: (a) a function of preparing a predetermined schedule. , (B) a function of preparing mount image data in which a pasting position of the image data is determined for each step of the prepared schedule, and (c) a date and time when the image data is captured from a client connected to the network. By comparing the time stamp information shown with (d) the time stamp information of the image data received by the function (c) with the schedule, the process on the schedule in which the image data is photographed is specified. And (e) the function (d) on the mount image data. A computer program for causing a computer to realize a function of creating the album data by associating the image data with a paste position corresponding to a stroke. 19. The computer program according to claim 18, wherein the network is the Internet. 20. The computer program of claim 18, wherein the schedule is for group travel. 21. The function (c) is configured to receive image data attached with time stamp information obtained by photographing with a digital camera which also stores at least time stamp information. Computer program. 22. The mount image data comprises a plurality of page image data representing a page, and each page image data is provided with information indicating a correspondence relationship with a process of the schedule. Computer program. 23. The computer program according to claim 18, wherein (f) the identification result by the function (d) is notified to a client that is the transmission source of the image data, and thereby the identification result is obtained. The function of inquiring the client about whether the above is correct or not;
A computer program for further realizing, by a computer, a function of receiving an answer to the inquiry by the client from the client and correcting the specific result of the function (d) according to the answer. 24. The computer program according to claim 23, wherein (h) when the function (g) corrects the specific result, the function () is also applied to other image data from the client. A computer program for causing a computer to further realize the function of correcting the specific result of d) based on the magnitude of the correction. 25. The computer program according to claim 18, wherein the image data is attached with position data indicating a photographing position, and the function (d) is the image. A computer program having a configuration for specifying the process by taking into account position data of the data. 26. A computer program for sending album data, which is obtained by laying out image data obtained by photographing a subject in a predetermined format, onto a network, comprising: (a) a mount image as a basis of the album data. A function of preparing data, (b) a function of receiving the image data from a client connected to the network together with time stamp information indicating a photographing date and time, and (c) a function of the image data received by the function (b). A computer program for causing a computer to realize a function of creating the album data by determining a paste position on the mount image data based on time stamp information and associating the image data with the paste position. . 27. A computer program for a client, which exchanges data with a server via a network to browse image data obtained by photographing a subject, comprising: (a) storing the image data in a storage unit. A function of pre-storing the schedule, (b) a function of transmitting a request for a predetermined schedule to the server and receiving the schedule sent from the server, and (c) a storage unit, A function of reading the image data together with time stamp information indicating a shooting date and time, and (d) the function (c)
By comparing the time stamp information of the image data read by the above with the schedule, the function of specifying the process on the schedule in which the image data is photographed, and (e) the process specified by the function (d) are provided. A computer program for causing a computer to realize the function of organizing the image data based on the computer program. 28. A computer program for creating album data in which image data obtained by photographing an object is laid out in a predetermined format.
(A) A function of preparing a predetermined schedule,
(B) a function of preparing the mount image data in which the pasting position of the image data is determined for each step of the prepared schedule, and (c) the image data is input from the outside together with the time stamp information indicating the shooting date and time. (E) a function, and (d) a function of identifying the process on the schedule in which the image data was captured by comparing the time stamp information of the image data input by the function (c) with the schedule. A computer program for causing a computer to realize a function of creating the album data by associating the image data with a paste position corresponding to a step specified by the function (d) on the mount image data. 29. A computer-readable recording medium in which the computer program according to any one of claims 18 to 28 is recorded. 30. A method of presenting event information that enables information related to an event to be viewed on a client side connected to a server via a network, wherein one event is provided for each schedule step prepared in advance. Prepare mount data that defines the position where the image data is pasted, receive image data together with information on the shooting date and time from a plurality of participants who participated in the one event via a network, and based on the information on the shooting date and time. By specifying the process of the schedule by
The mount data is associated with a specific pasting position, and when there is a transmission request for the event via the network, the mount data and the image data associated with the mount data are transmitted via the network. Then, a method of presenting event information that enables the client to view the process of the event and the image data in a predetermined format.