JP4248136B2 - Image storage service system, image storage server, and mobile phone - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a storage service system that stores digital image information, an image storage server, and a mobile phone that transmits image information to be stored.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Image information taken with a digital camera is recorded in a built-in memory for image storage built into the camera or a recording medium that can be attached to and detached from the camera, but the capacity of the memory built into the camera is limited, and In view of ease of handling data, removable recording media are generally used. However, a recording medium that can be attached to and detached from a digital camera that records image information has a limited recording capacity, is expensive, and has limited sales locations. For this reason, it has been proposed to transfer image information that has been taken at the destination to a home computer using a mobile phone, and then delete the recorded information on the recording medium for reuse.
[0003]
In addition, hard copies of images taken with digital cameras can be printed with a color printer at home, but if you need high-quality image printing, contact a service store that provides high-quality print services. Generally, high-quality prints are ordered by bringing a recording medium on which digital image data is recorded, or by transmitting digital image data via the network 3.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the captured image information is transferred using a mobile phone at the destination, it is not clear whether the transferred image information is reliably stored in the storage device at the destination. Uneasy to erase the image information remains.
[0005]
In addition, one feature of the digital camera is that a photographed image can be confirmed at any time. Therefore, there is a demand for acquiring a confirmed image print as soon as possible. However, as mentioned above, print orders based on digital images can only be ordered by bringing them to a service store or via a network using a personal computer at home, etc. There wasn't. Furthermore, it is a heavy burden on the user and the ordering system to transfer the image information to the print destination each time a print order is placed.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide an image storage service system capable of confirming that image information transferred at a destination is surely stored at the destination. It is another object of the present invention to provide a service system that can easily place a print order for a digital image taken at a destination from a destination or from a home computer.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image storage service system for storing digital image information according to the present invention can be connected to an image storage server connected to a network and a removable recording medium storing digital image information, and can be connected to the network. And a file device including an image storage unit for storing the digital image information transmitted from the mobile phone to the image storage server , wherein the mobile phone stores the digital image information recorded on the recording medium. Is transmitted to the image storage server via the network, and the image storage unit stores the digital image information corresponding to a storage service user registered in advance, and the image storage After receiving the digital image information from the mobile phone, the server sends an acceptance completion response to the mobile phone. Next, the received digital image information is stored in the image storage unit, and after the storage process, storage processing information including whether or not the digital image has been stored normally is transmitted to the mobile phone that transmitted the digital image information. To do.
[0008]
In addition, after transmitting the acceptance completion response, the connection between the mobile phone and the image storage server is temporarily disconnected, and the image storage server is reconnected to the mobile phone when transmitting the storage processing information. .
[0009]
The mobile phone in the image storage service system of the present invention further has a function of transmitting print request information of the transmitted and stored digital image information to the image storage server, and the image storage server further includes: When the print request information is received, the stored digital image information is transmitted to a predetermined print destination.
[0010]
The image storage server for storing digital image information according to the present invention receives the digital image information to be stored transmitted from the mobile phone via the network , then transmits an acceptance completion response to the mobile phone, and then receives the response . The digital image information is stored in an image storage unit that stores the digital image information in association with a storage service user registered in advance in the file device, and after the storage process, the digital image information is stored in the mobile phone that has transmitted the digital image information. The storage processing information including whether or not the digital image has been normally stored is transmitted. The accumulation processing information is required to indicate whether or not the accumulation processing is completed (accumulation failure), but may include a remaining accumulation capacity, a storage period, a service fee, or the like.
[0011]
Further, after transmitting the acceptance completion response, the connection with the mobile phone is temporarily disconnected, and the mobile phone is reconnected when the storage processing information is transmitted.
[0012]
A function of accepting a print request for the stored digital image information;
A function of transmitting the stored digital image information to a predetermined print destination when the print request is received.
[0013]
Furthermore, it has a function of accepting a download request for the accumulated digital image information and a function of transmitting the accumulated digital image information to a download request destination when the download request is accepted.
[0014]
The portable telephone accessible via the network to the image storage server for storing digital image information of the present invention can be attached with a removable recording medium on which digital image information is recorded, and further recorded on the recording medium The digital image information is transmitted to the image storage server, and after the digital image information acceptance completion response is received , the transmitted digital image information is erased from the recording medium according to the storage processing information received from the image storage server. means for possess, the storage processing information, the image storage server, transmits in association with the pre-registered accumulated service user file system after accumulation processing for accumulating the image storage unit that stores the digital image information And whether or not the digital image has been normally stored .
[0015]
Further, after the transmission of the digital image information is completed, the connection with the image storage server is temporarily disconnected, and the storage processing information is received after the image storage server is reconnected with the mobile phone.
[0016]
Further, after receiving the accumulation processing signal, the contents are output, and the transmitted digital image information is erased from the recording medium after waiting for the input of the erasure instruction signal.
[0017]
Furthermore, it has a function of transmitting print request information of the transmitted and stored digital image information to the image storage server.
[0018]
Furthermore, it has a function of transmitting a download request for the stored digital image information, and a function of recording digital image information received based on the download request on the recording medium.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image storage system according to the present invention. An image storage server 2 is connected to a network 1 including a mobile phone service network for connecting base stations to each other, and the image storage server 2 can be connected to a print server 3. The print server 3 is provided in a service store or a laboratory that performs print processing based on digital image information, and causes one or a plurality of printing apparatuses to perform predetermined print processing. In the figure, only one print server is shown, but it is possible to connect to a plurality of print servers.
[0020]
A user who wants to transfer digital image information photographed by a digital camera attaches a recording medium 6 that is detachable to the digital camera and records the photographed image to the mobile phone 5, and an image storage server via the base station 4 and network 1. 2 transmits digital image information to be stored. At that time, if it is necessary to print digital images taken at the same time, order request information is also transmitted. The order request information includes print condition information for designating at least one of the print method, print size, and number of prints for each digital image to be printed. A mobile phone number is used as user identification information.
[0021]
When the digital image information is received, the image storage server 2 stores the received image information and transmits storage processing information including whether or not the storage has been normally performed to the mobile phone 5. If a print order request is sent at the same time, the delivery information required for delivery, such as digital image information to be printed, print conditions, and the name and registered delivery destination information of the print service user, are sent to the print destination print server. Send.
[0022]
When the mobile phone 5 receives the storage processing information, the mobile phone 5 performs an erasing process on the transmitted digital image information recorded on the recording medium 6. The digital image is erased when the accumulation process is performed normally. However, even if it is automatically erased when it is received, the contents of the accumulation process information are displayed once and wait for the user's instruction. Also good. The charge for the storage service may be paid in advance at the time of a contract with a specific server, or may be collected in addition to the telephone fee according to the usage amount of the service.
[0023]
At the print execution destination, the order print created based on the information transmitted to the print server is delivered to the transmitted registered delivery destination. Delivery may be requested from a delivery company. After the delivery is completed, the print fee is added to the telephone fee and collected.
[0024]
The terminal device 7 is a user's computer or the like that can be connected to a network, and downloads digital image information stored in the image storage server 2 and places a print order for the stored digital image. In the figure, only one is illustrated as an example.
[0025]
FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the image storage server. The image storage server 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a file device 23, and a communication unit 24. The control unit 21 controls the entire operation of the print image storage server 2, and specifically includes a processor that operates according to a program stored in the storage unit 22. The storage unit 22 stores the above-described program and various data for controlling the operation of the image storage server 2, as a temporary storage area for digital image information and order request information transmitted from the mobile phone, and a work area for the processor used. The file device 23 includes at least a storage unit for digital image information transmitted from a mobile phone, various data used for print orders, and a service user table. The communication unit 24 controls transmission / reception with the network 1 and the print server 3.
[0026]
The storage unit included in the file device 23 is an area in which image information transmitted from the mobile phone is stored for each user for each transmission date and time. The data used for the print order includes the print processing capability of the print destination and the delivery area information recorded in correspondence with the print destination or the print server. The print processing capability includes acceptable print methods, print sizes, and their processing speeds.
[0027]
The service user table records the ID, name, and print delivery destination information when a print order is made in advance, which is registered in advance as a storage service user. The ID is a telephone number. Can be used. In addition, the service user using the mobile phone may be recorded together with a personal identification number for confirming that the user is a true user. These service user tables are created by performing image storage use registration when a mobile phone is purchased. In the figure, the file device 23 is provided in the image storage server 2, but it may be provided outside the server 2 and connected directly or via a network.
[0028]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an example of a mobile phone capable of requesting image storage. The cellular phone 5 includes a call processing unit 58 that performs normal call processing, a communication unit 57, and an antenna unit 59, and an image storage and deletion processing unit 50 that performs image storage request processing, image deletion processing, and print order reception processing. Since the call processing unit 58 and the communication unit 57 are the same as the conventional one, detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0029]
The image accumulation / deletion processing unit 50 includes an interface unit 51 for inputting digital image data from the detachable image recording medium 6, an input unit 52 for user operation input, and a communication interface for data input / output with the communication unit 57. A unit 53, a display unit 54, a storage unit 56, and a control unit 55 are included. The control unit 55 controls the entire image accumulation / deletion processing, and is configured mainly by a processor that executes processing according to a program stored in the storage unit 56. Note that the processor constituting the input unit 52, the display unit 54, the storage unit 56, and the control unit 55 can be shared with what the call processing unit 58 has. Since the image recording medium 6 differs depending on the manufacturer and model of the digital camera, the interface unit 51 is configured to be connectable to a plurality of types of image recording media.
[0030]
Next, a flow when an image accumulation request is made using the system shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0031]
A user who requests to store a digital image using a mobile phone registers in advance as a digital image storage service user at the time of contracting the mobile phone. When it is necessary to store a digital image taken by the digital camera, the image recording medium 6 on which the digital image information is recorded is taken out of the digital camera and connected to the interface unit 51 of the cellular phone 5 (step 101). Then, an image based on the digital image information is displayed on the display unit 54 and an image to be stored is selected (step 102).
[0032]
Next, the image storage server 2 is connected by a predetermined telephone number (step 103). The image storage server 2 confirms the telephone number of the service user that is automatically received in the service user table of the file device 23 (step 104), and if the storage request can be accepted, responds to that effect (step 105). . At this time, an input of a personal identification number may be further requested. If it is not registered in the service user table, the process may be terminated in response to this, or if new registration is possible from the mobile phone, the process may be shifted to registration processing. Note that if the mobile phone number is not used as the service user ID, the post-connection ID is instructed and confirmed.
[0033]
After receiving the acceptable response, the user transmits image information and print condition information (step 106). The image storage server 2 that has received the image information to be stored transmits an acceptance completion response to the mobile phone 5 (step 107), ends the communication, and temporarily disconnects the line (step 108). The reason for temporarily disconnecting is to allow the mobile phone 5 to perform other processing such as a telephone call and to prevent the line usage from increasing in the connected state. In addition, the image to be stored in advance is selected before connection in order to reduce the communication time. However, when all the images recorded on the recording medium 6 are transmitted, this process is not necessary.
[0034]
After disconnecting the line, the image storage server 2 stores the received image information in the storage area of the file device 23 (step 109). Then, a line connection is made to the mobile phone that has received the storage request, and the storage processing information is transmitted (step 110). The accumulation process information includes at least the accumulated image ID information if the accumulation process is normally performed or not.
[0035]
The mobile phone that has received the storage processing information performs post-processing including erasure of the transmitted digital image information recorded on the recording medium 6. Various post-processing methods can be selected. For example, when the accumulation processing information indicates that the image has been normally accumulated, the transmitted image information is automatically deleted. In this case, it is assumed that the recording medium used at the time of image transmission is attached to the mobile phone 5. Since the method for confirming the identity of the recording medium is well known, the description thereof is omitted. When the same recording medium is not loaded, it is possible to display on the display unit 54 that the same recording medium should be loaded.
[0036]
When only a part of the images is accumulated, it is displayed on the display unit 54 to that effect. In this case, processing for transmitting an image that has failed to be stored may be performed subsequently to the image storage server, or the user may select whether to automatically delete the image information that has been normally stored and end the processing. .
[0037]
If it is uneasy to automatically erase the recorded digital image, the erasure process may be executed after confirming whether or not to perform the erasure process.
[0038]
The system described in FIG. 1 can make a print order request at the same time as making an image storage request. The flow at that time will be described with reference to FIG. The flow in FIG. 5 is basically the same as that in FIG. 4, and therefore, the description will focus on parts different from those in FIG. 4.
[0039]
In step 102, when an image based on the digital image information is displayed on the display unit 54 and an image for which a storage request is made is selected, an image for which a print order is requested is extracted. In step 120, print conditions are input. As a print condition, at least one of a print method, print size, and number of prints for each digital image to be printed is input. As a printing method, not only designation of glossy or matte color paper printing, ink jet printing, and creation of a transmissive film, but also designation of printing media such as glossy paper or plain paper is possible. When the same print condition is selected for a plurality of selected images, the print condition may be input in a lump after selecting the image.
[0040]
Then, after receiving an acceptable response from the image storage server (step 105), the print condition information is transmitted together with the image information (step 106). At this time, request information other than the print conditions, for example, delivery time designation information may be transmitted.
[0041]
The image storage server 2 performs the image storage process in step 109 and then connects to the mobile phone that has received the storage request in step 110 and transmits the storage process information. At the same time, the image storage server 2 receives the received image to a predetermined print server. Along with the information and print conditions, the delivery information necessary for delivery such as the name of the print service user and the registered delivery destination information acquired from the service user table of the file device 23 is transmitted (step 121).
[0042]
At the print destination, print processing is performed based on the image information and print conditions transmitted to the print server (step 122), and the created order print is delivered to the transmitted registered delivery destination (step 123). Delivery may be requested from a delivery company. When the delivery is completed, a delivery completion notice is transmitted to the image storage server using the print server or other means (step 124).
[0043]
The image storage server 2 that has received the delivery completion notice performs a print fee billing process. For charging, a method of adding to the telephone fee is convenient, but another account or a method of credit settlement may be selected in advance. In the case of another method, an account number or the like is recorded in advance in the service user table.
[0044]
When such processing is performed, a print order can be easily requested at the same time as the accumulation of images from the destination, so that necessary prints can be acquired quickly.
[0045]
The system shown in FIG. 1 can also request a print order again after accumulating images. This order request can be made not only from the mobile phone but also from the terminal device 7 at home. FIG. 6 shows a flow when ordering from a mobile phone.
[0046]
The flow of FIG. 6 shows a case where a print request is made in a state where accumulated image information has not been erased. A user who places a print order for a digital image displays an image based on the stored image information recorded on the image recording medium 6 on the display unit 54 and selects an image to be printed (step 130). At least one of the print method, print size, and number of prints for each digital image to be printed is input (step 131). Next, the image storage server 2 is connected by a predetermined telephone number (step 132), and the image storage server 2 confirms the telephone number of the service user automatically received in the service user table of the file device 23. (Step 133) If the storage request can be accepted, a response to that effect is made (Step 134).
[0047]
After receiving the acceptable response, the user transmits print condition information (step 135). At this time, request information other than the print conditions, for example, delivery time designation information may be transmitted. Upon receiving the print condition information to be printed, the order reception server 2 transmits a reception completion response to the mobile phone 5 (step 136), and ends the communication. A configuration in which the order information is transmitted to the mobile phone 5 together with the acceptance completion response so that the user can confirm the contents of the order may be adopted.
[0048]
If the image on the recording medium 6 has been erased or if a print order is requested at the terminal device 7 at home, it is impossible to select an image and input print conditions before connecting to the image storage server 2. Starting from step 132, after connecting to the image storage server 2, it receives necessary image information and selects an image and inputs a print condition. In this case, the transfer image information need not be highly accurate.
[0049]
The image storage server 2 delivers to the predetermined print server the delivery information necessary for delivery, such as the received image information and print conditions, the name of the print service user acquired from the service user table of the file device 23, and registered delivery destination information. Information is transmitted (step 137).
[0050]
The print destination performs print processing based on the image information and print conditions transmitted to the print server (step 138), and delivers the created order print to the registered delivery destination (step 139). Delivery may be requested from a delivery company. When the delivery is completed, a delivery completion notice is transmitted to the image storage server using the print server or other means (step 140).
[0051]
The image storage server 2 that has received the delivery completion notice performs a print fee billing process. For charging, a method of adding to the telephone fee is convenient, but another account or a method of credit settlement may be selected in advance. In the case of another method, an account number or the like is recorded in advance in the service user table.
[0052]
The image information stored in the image storage server 2 can be used not only for requesting print orders, but also downloaded to the terminal device 7 at home and used for various processes such as editing processes. It can also be forwarded to a friend by e-mail.
[0053]
When the stored image information is downloaded, the image storage server is accessed and predetermined image information is selected in the same manner as described above. Since the download itself is a well-known technique, the description thereof is omitted.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, the system of the present invention can confirm that the image information transmitted from the destination to the image storage server by the mobile phone is securely stored in the file in the image storage server. The image information on the medium can be erased. By using the stored image information, it is possible to easily place a print order for a captured digital image using a mobile phone at a destination or using a terminal device at home.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image storage service system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image storage server. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an example of a mobile phone capable of requesting image storage. FIG. 4 is a flowchart when an image accumulation request is made. FIG. 5 is a flowchart when a print order is requested at the same time as an image accumulation request. FIG. 6 is a flowchart when a print order is requested.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network 2 ... Print image storage server 3 ... Print server 4 ... Base station 5 ... Mobile telephone 6 ... Image recording medium 21, 55 ... Control part 22, 56. ..Storage unit 23 ... File device 24, 57 ... Communication unit 50 ... Reception processing unit 51 ... Interface unit 52 ... Input unit 53 ... Communication interface unit 54 ... Display unit 58 ... Call processor

Claims (14)

An image storage service system for storing digital image information,
An image storage server connected to the network;
A detachable recording medium on which digital image information is recorded, and a mobile phone connectable to the network; and
A file device including an image storage unit for storing the digital image information transmitted from the mobile phone to the image storage server ;
Have
The mobile phone transmits digital image information recorded on the recording medium to the image storage server via the network,
The image storage unit stores the digital image information corresponding to a storage service user registered in advance,
The image storage server transmits the reception completion response to the mobile phone after receiving the digital image information from the mobile phone, and then stores the received digital image information in the image storage unit. An image storage service system for transmitting storage processing information including whether or not the digital image has been normally stored to the mobile phone that has transmitted the digital image information. The image storage service system according to claim 1,
After transmission of the acceptance completion response, the connection between the mobile phone and the image storage server is once disconnected,
The image storage service system, wherein the image storage server is reconnected to the mobile phone when the storage processing information is transmitted. The image storage service system according to claim 1 or 2,
The mobile phone is an image storage service system for deleting the transmitted digital image information from the recording medium in accordance with the received storage processing information. The image storage service system according to claim 3,
The mobile phone is an image storage service system for outputting the contents after receiving the storage processing signal and erasing the transmitted digital image information from the recording medium after waiting for an input of an erasure instruction signal. The image storage service system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The mobile phone further has a function of transmitting print request information of the transmitted and stored digital image information to the image storage server,
The image storage server further has a function of transmitting the stored digital image information to a predetermined print destination when the print request information is received. An image storage server for storing digital image information,
After receiving the digital image information to be stored transmitted from the mobile phone via the network, send an acceptance completion response to the mobile phone,
Next, the received digital image information is stored in an image storage unit that stores the digital image information in association with a pre-registered storage service user of the file device, and after the storage process, the digital image information is transmitted. A print image storage server for transmitting storage processing information including whether or not the digital image has been normally stored in a mobile phone. The image storage server according to claim 6,
An image storage server that, after transmitting the acceptance completion response, temporarily disconnects from the mobile phone and reconnects to the mobile phone when transmitting the storage processing information. The image storage server according to claim 6 or 7, wherein
A function of accepting a print request for the stored digital image information;
An image storage server having a function of transmitting the stored digital image information to a predetermined print destination when receiving the print request. The image storage server according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
A function of accepting a download request for the stored digital image information;
An image storage server having a function of transmitting the stored digital image information to a download request destination when receiving the download request. A mobile phone that is accessible via a network to an image storage server that stores digital image information,
A removable recording medium that records digital image information can be attached,
Further, the digital image information recorded on the recording medium is transmitted to the image storage server, and after the digital image information acceptance completion response is received, the transmitted digital image information is received according to the storage processing information received from the image storage server. Means for erasing image information from the recording medium;
The storage processing information is transmitted after the storage processing in which the image storage server stores the digital image information in an image storage unit that stores the digital image information in correspondence with a storage service user registered in advance in the file device, A mobile phone that includes whether or not the digital image has been stored normally. The mobile phone according to claim 10, wherein
After the transmission of the digital image information, the connection with the image storage server is temporarily disconnected,
The mobile phone is configured to receive the storage processing information after reconnection with the mobile phone by the image storage server. The mobile phone according to claim 10 or 11,
After receiving the accumulation processing signal, the content is output, and the transmitted digital image information is erased from the recording medium after an erase instruction signal is input. The mobile phone according to any one of claims 10 to 12,
Furthermore, a mobile phone having a function of transmitting print request information of the transmitted and stored digital image information to the image storage server. The mobile phone according to any one of claims 10 to 13,
A function for transmitting a download request for the stored digital image information;
A mobile phone having a function of recording digital image information received based on the download request on the recording medium.

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