Digital Camera Patent Abstract
Pictures recorded by a digital camera can be stored and utilized
by a method convenient and appropriate for the situation. The system
comprises variety of means for transferring picture image data recorded
by a variety of digital cameras to an image server installed in
a DPE or the like and a variety of accessing means for enabling
the picture image data stored in the image server to be accessed.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A terminal for obtaining an image comprising: picture taking
means for obtaining picture image data by taking a picture; recording
means for recording the picture image data in a recording medium;
transferring means for transferring the picture image data from
the recording medium to an image server which stores the transferred
picture image data after reading out the picture image data recorded
in the recording medium; access means for enabling the picture image
data stored in the image server to be accessed and utilized; and
display means for displaying the picture image data obtained by
taking a picture and the picture image data stored in the image
server, wherein information is attached to the picture image data,
said information being at least one of: recording property information,
the type code of the image obtaining terminal, the product number
code of the terminal, the type of the recording medium, the product
number of the of the recording medium, the owner code of the recording
medium, the date of recording of the picture image data, the date
of transferring of the picture image data, the number of transfers
of the picture image data within a day, and the frame number of
the picture image data in the recording medium, wherein said terminal
further comprises file name generating means for generating a file
name of the picture image data obtained by the picture obtaining
means based on at least one of the information attached to the picture
image data, and assigning the file name to the picture image data.
2. A terminal for obtaining an image as defined in claim 1, wherein
said accessing means carries out at least one of browsing, searching,
downloading, print ordering, outputting to a predetermined medium,
transferring to a specified apparatus or attaching to an electronic
mail message of the picture image data.
3. A temporary image recording server, which is connected to an
image server which stores picture image data, and temporarily records
the picture image data in cases where the picture image data obtained
by a digital camera is read and the picture image data is transferred
to the image server, comprising image obtaining means for obtaining
the picture image data obtained by the digital camera, recording
means for recording the picture image data, and data transfer means
for transferring the picture image data, read out from the recording
means, to the image server, wherein information is attached to the
picture image data, said information being at least one of: recording
property information, the type code of the image transfer apparatus,
the product number code of the image transfer apparatus, the type
code of a recording medium used in the image transfer apparatus,
the product number of the recording medium, the owner code of the
recording medium, the date of recording of the picture image data,
the date of transferring of the picture image data, the number of
transfers of the picture image data within a day, the receipt number
which is determined by combing the name of the image server and
the date of data transfer, and the frame number of the picture image
data in the recording medium, wherein said image recording server
generates a file name of the picture image data received by the
image obtaining means based on at least one of the information given
to the picture image data, assigns the file name to the picture
image data, and stores the picture image data with the file name
assigned thereto.
4. A temporary image recording server as defined in claim 3, wherein
said temporary image recording server is connected to the image
server in a wireless manner.
5. A temporary image recorder server as defined in claim 3 further
comprising at least one of: file outputting means for outputting
the picture image data to a file, printing means for printing the
picture image data, image search means for searching the picture
image data recorded in the recording means, and input means for
inputting a variety of orders.
6. A temporary image recording server as defined in claim 5, wherein
said temporary image recording server is connected to the image
server in a wireless manner.
7. A system for storing and utilizing picture image comprising
an image server for storing the picture image data and a temporary
image recording server as defined in any one of claims 3 to 6.
8. An image server comprising: image receiving means for receiving
picture image data transferred from a plurality of image transfer
apparatuses; image storing means for storing the picture image data
received by the image receiving means; and access processing means
for receiving access to the picture image data stored in the image
store means and processing requests for use of the picture image
data, wherein information is attached to the picture image data,
said information being at least one of: recording property information,
the type code of the image transfer apparatus, the product number
code of the image transfer apparatus, the type code of a recording
medium used in the image transfer apparatus, the product number
of the recording medium, the owner code of the recording medium,
the date of recording of the picture image data, the date of transferring
of the picture image data, the number of transfers of the picture
image data within a day, the receipt number which is determined
by combing the name of the image server and the date of data transfer,
and the frame number of the picture image data in the recording
medium, wherein said image storing means generates a file name of
the picture image data received by the image receiving means based
on at least one of the information given to the picture image data,
assigns the file name to the picture image data, and stores the
picture image data with the file name assigned thereto.
9. An image server as defined in claim 8, wherein said access processing
means attaches the picture image data to an electronic mail message
based on a request from any one or at least one of said plurality
of image transfer apparatuses.
10. An image server as defined in claim 8, wherein said image storing
means compresses and stores the picture image data.
11. An image server as defined in claim 10, wherein said access
processing means attaches the picture image data to an electronic
mail message based on a request from any one or at least one of
said plurality of image transfer apparatuses.
12. An image server as defined in any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein
said image storing means searchably stores the picture image data.
Digital Camera Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a picture image storing and utilizing
system wherein picture image data recorded by a digital camera are
stored in a large capacity disc of a server computer installed in
a minilab, DPE or the like, and the stored picture image data are
utilized later by printing or downloading them.
2. Description of the Related Art
Following the rapid spread of personal computers and personal digital
assistants (PDA) recently, there has been a growing demand for utilizing
a picture image recorded by a user as digital image data. As a service
provided by laboratories or DPE's to meet the demand, a digital
output service has been known which records image data in a photo
CD or in a large capacity floppy disc and returns it to a customer
when a film, on which image data has been recorded, is deposited
for developing by the customer. Alternatively, a network photograph
service wherein image data are stored in a server computer installed
in a laboratory or in a DPE so that a customer can request download
of the image data via the Internet or the like has been proposed.
Meanwhile, in the case of digital cameras, digital image data can
be obtained directly by recording, without involving a DPE. Therefore,
image data recorded by digital cameras are generally stored and
managed by individuals. In other words, a user of a digital camera
generally records picture images by using the digital camera, and
transfers the picture image data within the memory of the digital
camera into a hard disc of a personal computer or the like when
the memory becomes full.
Several methods have been used for transferring picture image data
from a digital camera to a personal computer. In the case where
the digital camera used for recording stores picture image data
recorded thereby in the built-in memory thereof, a data transfer
can be carried out by connecting the digital camera with a personal
computer using a predetermined interface cable. As the method similar
to the above, camera loading transfer device wherein a table which
has a predetermined contact is connected to a personal computer
using a cable and image data are transferred from a digital camera
to the personal computer via the contact by loading the digital
camera on the table has been implemented. This is a so-called docking
station or a camera station, and the camera station CS-36 by Canon
Inc. is an example of such camera stations.
In the case where a digital camera stores picture image data recorded
thereby in a removable medium such as a memory card, the picture
image data can be transferred from the digital camera to a personal
computer using a reading apparatus such as a card reader. Furthermore,
in the case where a digital camera belongs to a PDA or a digital
camera has a communication function, image data can be transferred
to a personal computer via a modem and a public telephone line (including
portable phones). Moreover, some digital cameras can transfer image
data via infrared communication.
As described above, storage and utilization of picture image data
recorded by a digital camera implicitly assumes that a user of a
digital camera has a personal computer. Furthermore, the fact that
subsequent recording cannot be carried out unless image data are
transferred to a personal computer when the memory of a digital
camera becomes full means that a personal computer should be carried
with a digital camera.
However, the rate of ownership of portable notebook type personal
computers is not high, even though personal computers have become
wide spread recently. Even if a user has a notebook type personal
computer, it is not realistic for the user to carry the computer
with him/her during a trip only for storing image data of a digital
camera. Furthermore, even if the user carries the computer with
him/her, it is possible that recorded picture images cannot be transferred
due to the disc space of the computer becoming full.
On the other hand, it is not necessary to carry a personal computer
if a plurality of memory cards are available and can be exchanged
in the same manner as films of an ordinary camera. However, memory
cards are far more costly than films, and the maintenance cost of
a digital camera would become very high if a plurality of memory
cards were necessary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, implementation of a method which can store and utilize
pictures recorded by a digital camera more easily and at a lower
cost has been desired. Based on consideration of the problems described
above, the object of the present invention is to provide a picture
image data storing and utilizing system which enables even a user
who does not have a personal computer at hand or at all to use a
digital camera easily and to store or utilize picture images recorded
by a digital camera.
A first picture image data storing and utilizing system of the
present invention comprises an image server which stores picture
image data, at least one medium reading means which transfers picture
image data, recorded by a digital camera and stored in a removable
medium, to the image server by reading the removable medium, and
accessing means which enables the picture image data stored in the
image server to be accessed and utilized.
A second picture image data storing and utilizing system of the
present invention comprises, instead of the medium reading means
of the first system, at least one data transferring means for transferring
the picture image data, recorded by a digital camera and stored
in the built-in memory of the digital camera from the digital camera
to the image server.
Furthermore, a third picture image data storing and utilizing system
of the present invention comprises the image server, the accessing
means, the medium reading means, and the data transferring means.
In addition to each of the device mentioned above, a picture image
data storing and utilizing system of the present invention may comprise
file outputting means which outputs picture image data stored in
the image server as a file in a predetermined recording medium,
or print outputting means which outputs picture image data stored
in the image server as prints.
"The image server" herein referred to means, for example,
a server computer which is installed in a DPE or a laboratory or
the like, and has a large capacity disc which is sufficient for
storing picture image data of customers.
"The removable medium" herein referred to means, for
example, a memory card or the like inserted in a digital camera.
"At least one medium reading means which transfers picture
image data recorded by a digital camera and stored in a removable
medium to the image server by reading the removable medium"
means a card reader and a cable to connect the card reader with
the image server, for example. "The data transferring means"
refers to a cable interface, a docking station, and a communication
line as described above, for example. The communication channel
means not only means using wires but also includes using other methods
of date transfer such as radio infrared communication or a portable
phone for example.
"Enables the picture image data stored in the image server
to be accessed and utilized" means, for example, to utilize
all kinds of services having been carried out at a DPE or having
been proposed as a network photograph service, such as the case
where the image data are browsed, searched for, downloaded, ordered
for a print, output in a floppy disc or the like, and transferred
to a specified apparatus.
"The accessing means" is meant to include not only communication
equipment and channels which make an access from a personal computer
or a PDA via a network possible, but also other things such as a
monitor and inputting means, including a keyboard and a touch panel
for example, which are both connected directly to the image server.
The software to be installed in the server computer, that is, the
software whereby a request for a service is received, and picture
image data are displayed, searched for, and transferred in response
to the request, and by which an outputting apparatus such as a printer
is controlled, obviously may be included as part of the accessing
means.
Furthermore, if picture image data in the memory card of a digital
camera have file names such as 0001.JPG, 0002.JPG, 0003.JPG and
so on in the order of recording, it is possible that the file names
are exactly the same as file names of picture image data transferred
from another digital camera, when the picture image data are transferred
to the image server under the original file names. Therefore, it
is preferable that the picture image storing and utilizing system
of the present invention further comprises file name assigning means
for assigning a file name which is used for storing the image data
in the image server and different from the file name of the image
data before the image data are transferred to the picture image
data transferred to the image server.
More specifically, means for determining a file name using the
camera code to identify the digital camera used for recording the
image data, the possessor code representing the possessor of the
digital camera, the date code representing the date of recording,
or the like, is possible. A variety of information used to determine
such a file name may be input with a keyboard when the image data
are transferred.
Some digital cameras add the date of recording or the like to picture
image data as recording property information, and store the picture
image data together with the recording property information in built-in
memories or memory cards. In this case, a file name may be determined
automatically by reading such recording property information, without
requesting a user to input the information.
Each means described above may exist as an individual apparatus.
However, it is preferable to store all means in a frame so that
the frame can be placed at a counter of a DPE, at a sightseeing
spot, at a convenience store or a station, for example. In this
case, all means including the image server may be stored in a frame.
However, since the picture image data stored in the image server
are the property of a customer and to be stored securely, it is
preferable that the image server is separately placed in a DPE or
the like and only the inputting system such as a card reader and/or
a cable interface is stored in one frame in order to be placed at
different locations.
In this case, a temporary storage server which controls input and
stores input image data temporarily is obviously stored in such
a frame. Transfer means for transferring the image data temporarily
stored in the temporary storage server is also included in the frame.
Furthermore, not only the inputting system but also file outputting
means and print outputting means may also be included in the frame.
In this case, a data transfer will be carried out between the image
server and the frame having the variety of picture image data inputting/outputting
means. This transfer may be carried out from the temporary storage
server to the image server via a communication channel or the like,
after image data are temporarily stored in the temporary storage
server which carries out input/output control of the card reader
installed in the frame, for example. Alternatively, if the frame
is placed outside, radio may be used for the transfer. Any known
method which has been used usually can be adopted as the transfer
method.
In other words, "at least one medium reading means which transfers
picture image data recorded by a digital camera and stored in a
removable medium to the image server by reading the removable medium"
or "at least one data transferring means for transferring the
picture image data recorded by a digital camera and stored in the
built-in memory of the digital camera from the digital camera to
the image server" means, for example, to include any necessary
equipment and means for transferring the obtained image data to
the image server, such as a card reader, a docking station, the
temporary storage server, a modem, a transceiver, a cable, and a
telephone line.
By comprising the data transferring means for transferring picture
image data recorded by a digital camera to the image server installed
in a DPE or the like, and accessing means for enabling the digital
image data stored in the image server to be accessed, the picture
image data storing and utilizing system of the present invention
can store picture image data by using a method which is convenient
and appropriate for the situation, regardless of the type of digital
camera or whether or not the user carries or possesses a personal
computer, and can utilize the picture image data in various methods.
If the customer-system interface portion (such as a card reader)
is implemented by storing the interface portion in a frame, such
as a coin-operated machine and the communication between the coin-operated
machine and the other portion of the system (such as the image server)
is carried out by radio, for example, it is convenient for both
service providers and customers, since costly equipment and important
data are strictly managed at a DPE while the equipment for the interface
portion can be placed as an unmanned service machine in DPEs, sightseeing
spots, convenience stores, stations or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a picture image data
storing and utilizing system of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a coin-operated machine,
and
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing advantageous results of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Hereinafter, a picture image data storing and utilizing system
of the present invention will be explained referring to the accompanying
drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the picture
image data storing and utilizing system of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the picture image data storing and utilizing
system comprises a server computer 6 (an image server) having a
large capacity disc, a variety of means for storing picture image
data recorded by a digital camera 1 in the image server 6, and a
variety of means for utilizing the picture image data stored in
the image server 6.
Storage of the picture image data in the image server 6 will be
explained first. It is preferable to have a plurality of picture
image data storing devices so that all kinds of digital cameras,
regardless of their types or manufacturers, can be dealt with by
this system. More specifically, a card reader 2 is installed so
that digital cameras using memory cards can be handled by this system.
It is preferable to have a plurality kinds of card readers according
to the standard of memory cards such as PCMCIA or SSFDC.
An interface cable 3, a docking station 4, an infrared receiver
5 and the like may also or alternatively be installed in this system
as input or transfer devices so that digital cameras, which record
image data in built-in memories thereof, can be dealt with. In this
case, it is also preferable to have several kinds of interface cables
3 and docking stations 4 according to the standards of digital cameras,
since the specifications of the interface cable 3 and the docking
station 4 vary depending on the types of digital cameras.
The above devices suppose that a user of this system directly faces
this system's user interface. However, it is preferable for this
system to comprise storing devices by a communication channel so
that picture image data can be stored without a user facing the
system directly. For example, it is preferable for this system to
comprise a modem 8 for transferring image data from the built-in
memory of a digital camera to the image server 6 using a portable
phone or the like as an alternative input or transfer device, and
equipment and software which are installed in the image server 6
for allowing such an access via a communication channel.
Some digital cameras have the function of compressing picture image
data to save memory space when the picture image data obtained by
recording using the cameras are stored in the cameras' memories.
However, the processing time for recording is shorter when no compression
is carried out on the image data. Therefore, a digital camera of
such a type does not necessarily compress the image data for all
recordings, and a user of such a camera can often select whether
or not the compression is carried out by switching a mode or the
like. Therefore, the judgment as to whether or not the image data
have been compressed may be carried out based upon necessity when
picture image data are stored in the image server 6, and the picture
image data without compression may be stored in the image server
6 after compression of the image data by the image server 6. In
the case where a cable connection or a communication channel connection
is used for data transfer, it is preferable to compress picture
image data using a digital camera so that the time necessary for
the transfer of the data becomes shorter.
To utilize the picture image data stored in the image server 6
after searching for the image data, each image data should obviously
be stored in the image server under a file name different from any
other file names. If the file name of the picture image data before
transferred to the image server 6, that is, the file name of the
picture image data stored in the built-in memory or the like of
a digital camera, is a unique file name including the name of a
photographer, for example, it will not cause a problem. However,
a plurality of digital cameras use serial numbers or the like as
the file names, and if the transfer of the image data is carried
out with the file names as they are, some file names will be exactly
the same.
Therefore, when the picture image data are transferred, a file
name which will not have an exact match within the image server
6 and is different from the file name in the built-in memory or
the like is determined, and storage of the image data is carried
out under the determined file name. This file name is automatically
determined according to a predetermined rule, using information
input from a keyboard or recording property information added to
the picture image data by the function of a digital camera.
For example, the file name can be determined by a combination of
information such as the type code and the product No. code of a
digital camera, the type code and the product No. code of a removable
medium, the possessor code of the digital camera and the removable
medium, the date of recording, the date of data transfer, the number
of the transfer within a day, and the frame number in the built-in
memory or in the removable medium. The file name may be determined
by combining the frame number and the receipt number which is determined
by combining the name of the image server and the date of data transfer
for example, when the transferred picture image data are received
by the image server 6.
Next, it will be explained how the picture image data stored in
the image server 6 by the variety of means described above are used.
As methods of using the picture image data, that is, the form of
service provided to a customer, there are picture image data browsing,
print ordering, file output to a predetermined medium, and data
transfer by download or attachment to an electronic mail message.
One of the means for requesting the image server 6 to provide such
a service comprises a monitor 7 which is directly connected to the
image server 6, and an input device 14 such as a keyboard or a touch
panel. It is preferable to make the image server accessible from
a personal computer 11 or a PDA 12 via a communication channel.
In this manner, a user can request the service, regardless of where
he/she is, or regardless of whether or not he/she has a personal
computer.
In order to respond to a print order requested by the variety of
accessing means or to the file output service request, the system
comprises a printer 9 and a medium drive 10. It is preferable that
a plurality of medium drives 10 are installed for a plurality of
media such as a floppy disc, an MO disc, and a Zip disc.
The outline of the picture image storing and utilizing system of
the present invention has been described above, referring to FIG.
1. However, the variety of means shown in FIG. 1 are not necessarily
installed at one location. Especially, when the object of the present
invention, that is, to make digital cameras more easily usable,
is taken into consideration, it is preferable to implement the present
invention as an easily usable embodiment such as an unmanned service
or self service, as is the case of an automatic vending machine,
an ATM at a bank, or a fax machine at a convenience store.
For this purpose, it is preferable that the card reader 2, the
interface cable 3, the docking station 4, the infrared beam receiver
5, the medium drive 10, the printer 9, the monitor 7 and the input
device (such as a touch panel) 14 in FIG. 1 are all stored in one
frame or unit, and placed at a station or a convenience store or
the like as a coin-operated (or cash/credit card/debit card, etc.)
machine shown in FIG. 2. In this manner, it becomes possible, for
example, for a user to set his/her digital camera on a coin-operated
machine installed in a station, and store the picture image data
recorded thereby during his/her trip. Even in the case where the
service is provided at a DPE in the conventional manner, 24-hour
service becomes possible, since this service can be provided as
an unmanned service.
However, in this case, a coin-operated machine 15 only has the
function of storing the input picture image data temporarily. Therefore,
periodic data transfers to the image server 6 are carried out via
a communication channel or the like. It is also possible for the
coin-operated machine 15 to include the image server 6 with the
present system serving as a stand alone machine. However, the coin-operated
machine 15 may not necessarily be protected perfectly depending
on its location. Therefore, it is preferable for the image server
6 which stores important picture images of customers to be placed
in a DPE or the like.
In the field of cameras using a film, an unmanned film developing
service using a coin-operated locker or the like has been proposed.
However, since collection and delivery of films or prints should
be carried out by hand, the service can not necessarily be provided
in a short time and at a low cost. On the other hand, with respect
to digital cameras, a wider variety of services can be provided
at a low cost, since digital cameras have an advantage in terms
of cost, because of their ability to transfer picture images as
data via a communication channel or the like.
FIG. 3 shows how convenient the picture image storing and utilizing
system of the present invention is. In other words, FIG. 3 is a
diagram to explain the advantage of the present system. Using the
system of the present invention, a user can store picture image
data at a plurality of places during his/her trip, for example,
and it is not necessary for the user to carry his/her computer with
his/her digital camera. Furthermore, data can be stored at any place
and time, if a user has a digital camera having a communication
function and a portable phone.
Moreover, not only at a place where a person has gone but also
in his/her daily life, picture image data can be stored at any time
of the day at a DPE or a convenience store or the like. On this
occasion, since a service such as a print order or a image data
transfer to a friend or data output to a predetermined medium can
be requested using an input panel of a coin-operated machine or
the like, a person who does not possess a personal computer can
exchange picture image data easily with others by data transfer
or file output.
A user having a personal computer can obviously enjoy such a print
output or file output service described above or a data download
service by accessing the image server 6 via communication means.
Furthermore, if a user has a FDA 12 and a portable phone, the user
can enjoy such services at any place.
As described above, the picture image data storing and utilizing
system of the present invention can not only solve the inconvenience
in digital camera data storage, but can also make optimal use of
the feature of digital cameras, namely that picture images can be
dealt with as digital image data from recording to data output.
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