JP7585993B2 - Photographing system and image data management device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a photography system and an image data management device.

At theme parks and the like, a service is provided in which visitors are photographed, the printed photographs are attached to original mounts, and sold to visitors. There is also a photography control system in which visitors are given a card with a barcode printed thereon indicating an identification ID, the identification ID is read from the barcode when a photograph is taken within the park, the photographed image is linked to the identification ID and stored on a server, and the data and prints of the stored photographed image are provided to visitors (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

However, in such conventional systems, IDs must be issued to all visitors, and managing these IDs requires significant costs. In addition, it is difficult to estimate the amount of data that will be stored from captured images, and it is necessary to prepare large-capacity storage with some leeway, which increases costs.

Patent No. 6393360 JP 2002-41703 A JP 2005-107187 A

The objective of the present invention is to provide a photography system and image data management device that can provide customers with a premium photography service while reducing the costs of issuing IDs and storing data.

The photography system of the present invention includes a server device that sells key information for image storage and issues code information to a user who has purchased the key information, a photography device that photographs the user and generates a photographed image, a reader that reads the code information, and a control device that transmits the code information read by the reader and the photographed image to the server device. When the server device receives the code information and the photographed image from the control device, it links the photographed image to key information corresponding to the code information and stores it in a memory unit. An upper limit is set for the amount of photographed image data that is linked to the key information and stored in the memory unit, and for the number of key information sold. The server device accepts the setting of the selling price of the key information from the user who has purchased the key information, and resells the key information.

The image data management device of the present invention comprises a sales processing unit that sells key information for image storage, a code issuing unit that issues code information to a user who has purchased the key information, and a data receiving unit that, upon receiving a photographed image of the user and the code information from an external device, links the photographed image to key information corresponding to the code information and stores the image in a storage unit. An upper limit is set for the amount of photographed image data that is linked to the key information and stored in the storage unit, and for the number of pieces of key information that can be sold. The sales processing unit accepts a sales price setting for the key information from the user who has purchased the key information, and resells the key information.

The present invention makes it possible to provide customers with a premium photography service while reducing the costs of issuing IDs and storing data.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an image viewing screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a transfer registration screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a sales screen. 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an example of how a data storage area is used. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the server device.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging system according to this embodiment includes a server device 1, an imaging device 2, a display device 3, a reader 4, and a control device 5. The imaging device 2 captures an image of a user U and provides the image data to the user U. The imaging device 2 is, for example, a digital camera.

This photography system is installed in leisure facilities and the like, and for example, the photography device 2 photographs a scene in which a user U (visitor) is enjoying an attraction. For example, when a sensor (not shown) detects the approach of the user U, the photography device 2 takes a photograph. The photographed image is transferred to the control device 5.

The control device 5 displays the captured image on the display device 3. After enjoying the attraction, the user U checks his/her own image displayed on the display device 3, displays the two-dimensional code on the user terminal T, and holds it over the reader 4. The user terminal T is, for example, a smartphone.

This two-dimensional code indicates identification information that identifies user U, and is issued when key information for saving images (the right to save images) is purchased, as described below. When purchasing the key information, a login ID and passcode for logging in to the image viewing site are also registered. The login ID is, for example, an email address.

The reader 4 reads the two-dimensional code displayed on the user terminal T and transmits the identification information to the control device 5.

The control device 5 associates the captured image with the identification information and transmits it to the server device 1. The server device 1 stores the captured image received from the control device 5 in an image storage folder corresponding to the identification information.

The two-dimensional code displayed on the user terminal T may be read before capturing an image of the user U. After the two-dimensional code is read, the control device 5 associates the captured image received from the photographing device 2 with the identification information and transmits them to the server device 1.

Using the user terminal T, the user U accesses the image viewing site provided by the server device 1 and enters a login ID and a passcode. An image viewing screen such as that shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the user terminal T, and the user U can view images taken at the leisure facility and download image data.

In the photography system according to this embodiment, an upper limit is set for the number of key information sold and the data storage capacity for storing images taken in leisure facilities. For example, the upper limit for the number of key information sold is set to 100, and the upper limit for the data storage capacity per key information is set to 100 GB. The usage period of the key information is also set. For example, the usage period is set to one year.

When the amount of captured images stored reaches the upper limit of the data storage capacity per key information, captured images may be temporarily accepted and the user may be notified to reduce the amount of data stored by a specified deadline. For example, when the reader 4 reads the two-dimensional code, instructions to reduce the amount of data may be displayed on the display device 3, or may be displayed on an image viewing site. Also, instructions to reduce the amount of data may be sent by email from a separate email server.

When a user purchases new key information, the server device 1 issues code information corresponding to this key information and generates a two-dimensional code. The user also registers a login ID and passcode for logging in to the image viewing site. Images taken at the leisure facility are stored in the server device 1 in association with the key information.

A user can sell (transfer) key information with the usage period and data storage capacity remaining. When the transfer button B1 on the image viewing screen shown in Figure 2 is pressed, a transfer registration screen such as that shown in Figure 3 is displayed. A user can set a selling price on the transfer registration screen and sell their own key information. The transfer registration screen also displays the prices of key information being sold by other users with similar remaining data storage capacity as reference prices.

Figure 4 shows a screen of the key information sales site provided by the server device 1. A customer can purchase key information on the key information sales site. When the customer purchases key information, the server device 1 issues new code information and generates a two-dimensional code. The customer registers a login ID and passcode. Images taken of a previous user can be viewed and downloaded only by the previous user. Images taken of a new user can be viewed and downloaded only by the new user.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5(a), when user A newly purchases key information K, the server device 1 issues first code information and generates a two-dimensional code indicating the first code information. User A also registers a first login ID and a first passcode.

When user A takes a photo at a leisure facility, the smartphone displays a two-dimensional code and the reader 4 reads the first code information. The captured image linked to the first code information is associated with key information K and stored in the server device 1. User A has a data storage capacity of 100 GB available for use. User A can use (view, download) and manage (reduce data volume by deleting, etc.) the stored images by entering the first login ID and first passcode on the image viewing site.

As shown in FIG. 5(b), user A sells key information K during the validity period, and user B purchases it. If user A has used 20 GB, user A can continue to view and download images worth 20 GB by entering the first login ID and first passcode on the image viewing site. User B can use the 80 GB of data storage capacity unused by user A out of the 100 GB data storage capacity of key information K.

When user B purchases key information K, the server device 1 issues second code information and generates a two-dimensional code indicating the second code information. User B also registers a second login ID and a second passcode.

When user B takes a photo at a leisure facility, he or she displays the two-dimensional code on the smartphone and has the reader 4 read the second code information. The captured image linked to the second code information is associated with key information K and stored in the server device 1. User B can view, download, or delete the stored images by entering the second login ID and second passcode on the image viewing site.

User A's first code information will become unusable once the key information K is registered for sale. In other words, after putting the key information K up for sale, user A will no longer be able to save any new images.

As shown in FIG. 5(c), user B sells key information K during the validity period, and user C purchases it. If user B has used 30 GB, user B can continue to view and download images worth 30 GB by entering the second login ID and second passcode on the image viewing site. User C can use the unused data storage capacity of 50 GB out of the data storage capacity of 100 GB of key information K.

When user C purchases key information K, server device 1 issues third code information and generates a two-dimensional code indicating the third code information. User C also registers a third login ID and a third passcode.

When user C takes a photo at a leisure facility, he or she displays the two-dimensional code on the smartphone and has the reader 4 read the third code information. The captured image linked to the third code information is associated with key information K and stored in the server device 1. User C can view, download, or delete the stored images by entering the third login ID and third passcode on the image viewing site.

User B's second code information will become unusable once the key information K is registered for sale. In other words, after putting the key information K up for sale, user B will no longer be able to save any new images.

Next, the configuration of the server device 1 will be described. The server device 1 is a computer equipped with a communication unit, a storage unit, a CPU, etc., and as the CPU executes a program, it functions as an image data management device equipped with a sales processing unit 11, a user registration unit 12, a code issuing unit 13, an authentication unit 14, a data transmitting unit 15, and a data receiving unit 16, as shown in FIG. 6. The storage unit 10 stores key information, code information issued to users who have purchased the key information, login IDs and passcodes registered by users, etc.

The sales processing unit 11 performs sales processing of key information. The key information to be sold is new key information and key information whose data storage capacity has been partially used. The price of new key information is set by the business operator. Key information whose data storage capacity has been partially used is resold at a price set by the user who is the user of this key information. The sales processing unit 11 generates a transfer registration screen as shown in FIG. 3 and a sales screen as shown in FIG. 4.

The user registration unit 12 registers users who have purchased key information. The user registration unit 12 accepts registration of a login ID and passcode for logging in to the image viewing site from the purchasing user. The user registration unit 12 stores the login ID and passcode in the storage unit 10 in association with the purchased key information.

The code issuing unit 13 issues code information to the user who has purchased the key information and generates a two-dimensional code. The code issuing unit 13 stores the issued code information in the storage unit 10 in association with the purchased key information. The code issuing unit 13 also transmits the two-dimensional code to the user terminal. The user displays this two-dimensional code on the user terminal and has the reader 4 read it.

The authentication unit 14 performs user authentication using the login ID and passcode entered on the login screen of the image viewing site.

When user authentication is performed, the data transmission unit 15 retrieves the captured image corresponding to this user from the storage unit 10 and generates an image viewing screen. The data transmission unit 15 transmits data of the image selected on the image viewing screen to the user terminal.

When the data receiving unit 16 receives the code information and the captured image from the control device 5, it stores the captured image in the memory unit 10, linking it to the key information corresponding to the code information. The memory unit that stores the captured image is not limited to the memory unit 10 in the server device 1, but may be an external storage. One user's captured images can be stored for one piece of key information. Also, a predetermined amount of captured images can be stored for one piece of key information.

When the key information is transferred (resold), the previous user cannot save any new images. For example, when a captured image is received together with the code information issued to the previous user, the data receiving unit 16 erases this captured image. In addition, captured images can be saved until the total number of images of the user before the transfer and the user after the transfer reaches a predetermined amount.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is only necessary to prepare storage with a capacity equal to the number of key information sold multiplied by the data storage capacity per key information, which stabilizes storage usage and ultimately reduces data storage costs. Furthermore, the number of code information (IDs) issued is the sum of the number of new key information sold and the number of key information transferred (resold), which reduces costs compared to issuing IDs to all visitors. Furthermore, compared to distributing cards with IDs printed on them to visitors, this reduces the amount of paper and plastic used for the cards, making it more environmentally friendly.

In addition, the number of customers who can save images taken at leisure facilities is limited to the number of key information, making this a premium photography service. In addition, if a fee is charged when the key information is transferred, the business operator can also run a fee-based business.

Although the present invention has been described in detail using specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

1 Server device 2 Photography device 3 Display device 4 Reader 5 Control device

Claims (5)

a server device that sells key information for storing images and issues code information to a user who purchases the key information;
an image capturing device that captures an image of the user and generates a captured image;
A reader for reading the code information;
a control device that transmits the code information read by the reader and the captured image to the server device;
Equipped with
When the server device receives the code information and the captured image from the control device, the server device associates the captured image with key information corresponding to the code information and stores the captured image in a storage unit;
an upper limit is set on the amount of captured image data associated with the key information and stored in the storage unit, and on the number of sales of the key information;
The server device receives a sales price setting for the key information from a user who has purchased the key information, and resells the key information. The server device includes:
issuing first code information to a first user who has purchased the key information, and storing a captured image received from the control device together with the first code information in the storage unit in association with the key information;
The photographing system according to claim 1, characterized in that when the key information is resold and a second user purchases the key information, second code information is issued to the second user, and a photographed image received from the control device together with the second code information is linked to the key information and stored in the memory unit. The imaging system according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the server device receives a captured image together with the first code information from the control device after the key information is resold, the server device deletes the captured image. The photographing system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that after the key information is resold, the server device is capable of transmitting, from among the photographed images stored in the storage unit, the photographed images received from the control device together with the first code information to the user terminal of the first user. a sales processing unit that sells key information for storing images;
a code issuing unit that issues code information to a user who has purchased the key information;
a data receiving unit that, when receiving a captured image of the user and the code information from an external device, associates the captured image with key information corresponding to the code information and stores the captured image in a storage unit;
Equipped with
an upper limit is set on the amount of captured image data associated with the key information and stored in the storage unit, and on the number of sales of the key information;
The image data management device, wherein the sales processing section receives a sales price setting for the key information from a user who has purchased the key information, and resells the key information.

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