JP7183674B2 - Photobook production system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a photobook production system.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, images captured by a digital camera, a smartphone, or the like are uploaded and stored on a network. 2. Description of the Related Art A service for printing uploaded images to create photobooks, posters, and the like is known (see Patent Document 1, for example).

With conventional photobooks, users could change the design, binding method, number of pages, size, etc., but they were limited to enjoying images printed on paper. Patent document 2 discloses printing still images embedded with an electronic watermark to create a photo book, reading the electronic watermark embedded in the still images with a terminal equipped with a camera, downloading the video data to the terminal, and viewing the video. It is disclosed to However, embedding the digital watermark may degrade the image quality of the photos printed in the photo book. Moreover, when presenting a photobook between individuals (between general consumers), watermark information cannot be exchanged in a highly confidential manner.

JP 2005-339214 A JP 2013-92903 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a photobook creation system that enables viewing of images other than printed images on a terminal through the printed images while suppressing degradation of the image quality of the printed images.

A photobook production system according to the present invention includes an image receiving unit that receives images from a first user terminal, and a photobook editing screen that transmits to the first user terminal and is used in a photobook through the photobook editing screen. An editing processing unit that accepts editing operations including selection and arrangement of images and also accepts registration of a secret image for a specified page; and stores secret information that associates the secret image with a print image used for the specified page. and a read image obtained by photographing and reading a photobook by the photographing unit of the second user terminal from the second user terminal, and storing the read image and the print image included in the secret information. an image transmission unit that, if the read image and the print image match, transmits the secret image corresponding to the print image to the second user terminal; is provided.

In one aspect of the present invention, the editing processing unit accepts registration of a password together with the secret image, and the determination unit determines, when the read image and the print image included in the secret information match, the second A password is requested to the user terminal, and the password notified from the second user terminal is compared with the registered password.

In one aspect of the present invention, an expiration date is set for the secret image, and the secret image is not transmitted to the second user terminal after the expiration date.

In one aspect of the present invention, a manual including page information including a secret image and how to use a secret image browsing application installed in the second user terminal is printed out.

According to the present invention, it is possible to create a high-value-added photobook in which images other than the printed image can be viewed on a terminal through the printed image while suppressing deterioration of the image quality of the printed image.

1 is a schematic diagram of a photobook production system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. (a) to (c) are diagrams showing examples of photobook editing screens. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how another image is browsed by holding a mobile terminal over a photobook. It is a figure which shows the structure and functional block of the server apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a photobook production method according to the same embodiment. 4 is a flowchart for explaining how to use the photobook according to the embodiment;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the photobook production system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a server device 1 and an examiner terminal 3. As shown in FIG. The server device 1 can communicate with the examiner terminal 3 and the user terminal 7 via a communication network such as the Internet.

The user terminal 7 is a PC, smart phone, tablet terminal, or the like. The user terminal 7 uploads, for example, a user image taken by the user with a digital camera, a smartphone, or the like to the server device 1, and orders a photobook using the user image. Also, a user terminal 7 such as a smart phone or a tablet terminal is used to display a secret image, which will be described later, when viewing a photobook. The user terminal 7 for ordering the photobook and the user terminal 7 for displaying the secret image may be the same terminal or different terminals.

The server device 1 communicates with the user terminal 7, transmits an editing screen to the user terminal 7, saves uploaded user images, accepts selection of images to be used in a photobook, and accepts editing operations. or The server device 1 does not print on the paper surface of the photobook, but accepts the registration of the secret image displayed on the user terminal 7, and transmits the secret image to the user terminal 7 that has read the prescribed page of the photobook.

When the user selects a photobook product (binding, number of pages, layout), the server device 1 creates an edit screen and transmits it to the user terminal 7 . By pressing the upload button on the edit screen, the user image in the user terminal 7 can be uploaded. The user selects and uploads multiple images for use in the photobook.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, images uploaded from the user terminal 7 are displayed as thumbnails in the image candidate display area C of the edit screen. An image insertion area is provided for each page of the photobook, and when the user selects an image in the image candidate display area C after selecting the image insertion area, the selected image is inserted into the image insertion area.

When the user presses the secret image setting button B1 on the edit screen of the page for which the secret image is to be set, the screen changes to the secret image setting screen as shown in FIG. 2(b). The user selects an image in the image candidate display area C and sets a secret image. The server device 1 associates and stores the secret image and the image of the page on which the secret image is set. After selecting the image, when the setting completion button B2 is pressed, the screen returns to the edit screen shown in FIG. 2(c).

On the edit screen of the page where the secret image is set, a message to that effect is displayed and a secret image confirmation button B3 is provided. When the secret image confirmation button B3 is pressed, the registered secret image is displayed.

The user operates the editing screen to perform editing operations such as synthesizing the selected/arranged image with editing items such as a desired frame or stamp, or inputting characters. After editing, the user selects the number of photobooks to be ordered, selects a payment method, and completes the photobook print order.

When receiving a print order from the user terminal 7 , the server device 1 transmits image data for printing and a secret image to the terminal 3 of the examiner.

The examiner terminal 3 is, for example, a computer, and is a terminal used by the examiner when visually inspecting. The examiner terminal 3 displays the print image and the secret image. The examiner examines the images for printing and the secret images. In the examination, for example, it is determined whether or not the image infringes copyright or portrait right, or is contrary to public order and morals.

After the inspection process by the inspector, the server device 1 transmits print data including print order details and image data for printing to the factory 5 . A printer (not shown) installed in the factory 5 performs print processing based on the received print data to produce a photo book 6 . The photobook 6 produced at the factory 5 is delivered to the user.

The user browses the delivered photobook. The user activates a dedicated application pre-installed in the user terminal 7, and uses the camera of the user terminal 7 to read the photograph of the page on which the secret image is set when ordering the photobook. The user terminal 7 transmits the read image to the server device 1 .

The server device 1 searches for a secret image corresponding to the image transmitted from the user terminal 7 via the dedicated application, and transmits the secret image to the user terminal 7 . The user terminal 7 displays the secret image received from the server device 1 on the display. Known AR (Augmented Reality) technology is used to display the secret image, and as shown in FIG. be.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, secret images other than the printed images can be viewed on the user terminal 7 through the images printed in the photobook 6 . The secret image is displayed only when the page on which the secret image is set is read by the camera of the user terminal 7 in which the dedicated application is installed, and the secret image is not displayed even if other pages are read. Therefore, only the user who ordered the photobook can enjoy the secret image.

Moreover, since there is no need to embed a digital watermark in the printed image, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the image quality of the printed image. Furthermore, since the secret image information is not displayed on the printed matter at all, confidentiality can be enhanced.

Next, the configuration of the server device 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4 , the server device 1 includes a control section 10 , a storage section 20 and a communication section 30 . The control unit 10 is a central processing unit (CPU) that controls the entire server device 1 . The control unit 10 implements various functions by reading and executing an operating system (OS) and application programs stored in the storage unit 20 .

The storage unit 20 is a storage area for storing programs, data, and the like necessary for the control unit 10 to execute various processes, and uses a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like. The storage unit 20 has a user image DB (database) 21 , a secret information DB 22 , an order information DB 23 and a print data DB 24 .

The user image DB 21 is a storage area for storing user images received from the user terminal 7 . The secret information DB 22 is a storage area for storing secret images and images to be printed on pages set with secret images.

The order information DB 23 is a storage area that stores order information including the size of the photobook, the number of orders, the delivery address, the name of the orderer, and the like. The print data DB is a storage area for storing print data including photobook order details and print image data.

The control unit 10 has functions of an image reception unit 11 , an edit processing unit 12 , an order processing unit 13 , a determination unit 14 and an image transmission unit 15 .

The image receiving unit 11 receives user image data from the user terminal 7 using the communication unit 30 and stores the user image in the user image DB 21 . The image receiving unit 11 may receive image data other than the user image from the user terminal 7 . The control unit 10 may determine from the resolution and data size of the user image received by the image receiving unit 11 whether or not the image is suitable for a photobook, and notify the user terminal 7 of the determination result.

The editing processing unit 12 generates an editing screen that enables operations such as selecting and arranging images and decorating images with stamps, etc., and transmits the editing screen to the user terminal 7 via the communication unit 30. . The editing processing unit 12 receives an editing operation from the user terminal 7 via the editing screen.

Also, the edit processing unit 12 receives registration of a secret image from the user terminal 7 via the edit screen. The editing processing unit 12 stores the secret image in the secret information DB 22 in association with the image (printed image) arranged on the page on which the secret image is set.

The order processing unit 13 receives orders for photobook products (binding, number of pages, layout), number of prints, etc. from the user terminal 7 . A payment unit (not shown) performs payment processing as necessary, and the print order is completed.

When the print order is completed, the order processing unit 13 stores in the order information DB 23 a combination of the order number and the image identification numbers of the print images and secret images included in the ordered photobook. The information of the page including the secret image is stored in the server device 1, and can be shared (transmitted) to the photobook delivery partner using means such as e-mail.

The determination unit 14 receives the read image from the user terminal 7 that activates the dedicated application and reads the photobook 6 with the camera, and compares the print image stored in the secret information DB 22 with the feature points to verify.

If there is a matching image as a result of matching, the image transmission unit 15 transmits the secret image associated with the matching image to the user terminal 7 .

Next, a method for producing a photobook according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

A user selects a photobook specification and uploads a user image in the user terminal 7 (step S1).

The user operates the edit screen to select the uploaded image and place it in the image insertion area (step S2). Also, the user operates the edit screen to synthesize edit items such as stamps and to input characters.

The user presses the secret image setting button B1 (see FIG. 2(a)) on the edit screen of the page for which the secret image is to be set, and selects and sets an image to be the secret image (step S3). The server device 1 associates and stores the secret image and the image used in this page.

After selecting, arranging, and editing the images, the number of copies of the photobook to be printed is entered, the payment method is selected, and payment processing is performed (step S4).

After the payment process, the examiner examines the user images and secret images used in the photobook (step S5).

When the inspector confirms that there is no problem with all the images, the server device 1 transmits the print data of the inspected photobook to the factory 5 (step S6). In the factory 5, the images for printing are printed on paper and bound to produce a photo book 6 (step S7). The produced photo book 6 is delivered to the user.

If the examiner determines that only the secret image is problematic, the user may be requested to replace the secret image, or the photo book may be produced without the secret image.

Next, the method of using the photobook 6 will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.

The user browses the photos while turning the pages of the photobook (step S11).

A dedicated application of the user terminal 7 is activated, the built-in camera is activated, and the photograph printed in the photobook is taken (step S12). The user terminal 7 transmits the read image to the server device 1 .

The server device 1 compares the image associated with the secret image and the image received from the user terminal 7 to check whether they match. If there is a matching image (step S<b>13 —Yes), the server device 1 transmits the corresponding secret image to the user terminal 7 . The user terminal 7 displays the secret image received from the server device 1 on the display (step S14). For example, using AR technology, a secret image is superimposed on the photobook 6 taken by the camera of the user terminal 7 and displayed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the photobook 6 displays a secret image on the user terminal 7 by reading a photograph printed on a predetermined page with the user terminal 7 that has activated the dedicated application. can be made.

In the above embodiment, the expiration date of the secret image may be set. After the expiration date has passed, even if the corresponding page of the photobook 6 is read by the user terminal 7 , the secret image will not be transmitted to the user terminal 7 and will not be displayed on the user terminal 7 . By paying an additional fee, the expiration date of the secret image may be extended.

A password may be set when the secret image is set. The determination unit 14 compares the read image received from the dedicated application of the user terminal 7 and the printed image in the secret information DB 22, and if there is a matching image, requests the input of the password associated with this image. The determination unit 14 checks the password notified from the user terminal 7 , and if the passwords match, the image transmission unit 15 transmits the secret image to the user terminal 7 .

The password may not only be set by the user when setting the secret image, but may also be generated using part of the order number. As a result, a unique password can be generated, and the password can be specified on the reading side (photobook viewing side). Alternatively, the user may be required to enter the order number of the photobook instead of the password. The order number of the photobook will be notified to the user at the time of ordering. A slip describing an order number may be included in the delivered photo book 6 . Page information including secret images and instructions on how to use the dedicated application for viewing secret images are printed out automatically, and can be delivered together with the photo book. Also, when ordering a photobook, it may be possible to select whether or not to simultaneously deliver the manual. Alternatively, a two-dimensional code indicating the order number may be printed on the photo book 6 , read by the user terminal 7 , and notified to the server device 1 .

In the above embodiment, an example in which secret images are set for two pages on both sides of the spread has been described, but a secret image may be set for only one page on one side.

The pages of the photobook 6 on which secret images are set may be printed with special ink or surface-treated.

The user terminal 7 that reads the photos printed in the photo book 6 and displays the secret image is not limited to a smart phone or a tablet terminal, and may be smart glasses or the like.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying constituent elements without departing from the scope of the present invention at the implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of the plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components across different embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

1 server device 3 examiner terminal 5 factory 6 photo book 7 user terminal

Claims (4)

an image receiving unit that receives an image from the first user terminal;
A photobook editing screen is transmitted to the first user terminal, and editing operations including selection and arrangement of images to be used in the photobook are accepted via the photobook editing screen, and a secret image is registered for a designated page. an editing processor that accepts
a storage unit that stores secret information that associates the secret image with the print image to be used on the designated page , and an order number of the photobook ;
A photographing unit of the second user terminal receives a read image obtained by photographing and reading a photobook from a second user terminal, and the read image and the print image included in the secret information are compared and matched. A determination unit that determines whether or not
an image transmission unit configured to transmit the secret image corresponding to the print image to the second user terminal when the read image and the print image match;
with
Issue a slip containing the order number,
When the read image and the print image included in the secret information match, the determination unit requests the second user terminal to input an order number, and the order number notified from the second user terminal. and an order number stored in the storage unit, and if the order numbers match, the image transmission unit transmits the secret image to the second user terminal. 2. The photobook production system according to claim 1, wherein when the photobook is printed, ink different from that for pages other than the specified page is used for the specified page. 3. The photobook production system according to claim 1, wherein an expiration date is set for the secret image, and the secret image is not transmitted to the second user terminal after the expiration date has passed. . 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a manual including page information including the secret image and a method of using a secret image browsing application installed in the second user terminal is printed out. The described photobook production system.

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