JP4631708B2 - Image editing apparatus, image providing system, control program for image editing apparatus, and recording medium recording control program for image editing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image editing apparatus that edits image data and prints it on a sheet, an image providing system, a control program for the image editing apparatus, and a recording medium on which the control program for the image editing apparatus is recorded.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a photo sticker (image editing device) that outputs a photograph taken as a sticker has been widely used in entertainment facilities such as game centers. In such a photo sticker, a series of processes such as shooting by the user, editing of the shot image, and printing are executed as one game. The photo stickers obtained through a series of flows are used by being exchanged between friends or pasted on a user's belongings such as a notebook.

  In addition, with the widespread use of cellular phones (camera-equipped cellular phones) having photographing means such as digital cameras, there has been an increasing demand for sharing image data edited by a photo sticker with the cellular phone. . In view of this, for example, a device has been developed that can distribute image data shot and edited with a photo sticker to a mobile phone (see Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2). In this apparatus, the captured image data is transmitted to a server that is communicably connected to the photo sticker through a communication network such as the Internet. In this way, the server can receive and hold image data from the photo sticker. When a delivery destination of image data is designated via the mobile phone or the like, the server delivers the image data to the designated delivery destination.

Furthermore, an apparatus that provides information such as image data from a mobile phone to a photo sticker using infrared rays is also disclosed (see Patent Document 3). In addition, there is an apparatus that can print and output a two-dimensional barcode including URL information of a connection destination together with an image (see Patent Document 4). In addition, an image photographing transmission device that enables a photographed image to be transmitted via a network or a connector is disclosed (for example, see Patent Documents 5 and 6).
JP 2003-333573 A (published on November 21, 2003) JP 2001-313913 A (published on November 9, 2001) JP 2005-111814 A (published April 28, 2005) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-107947 (published on April 21, 2005) JP 2001-238107 A (released August 31, 2001) JP 2001-309108 A (published on November 2, 2001)

  However, in the above-described prior art, when the captured image data is stored for a long period of time, the server does not hold the photograph sticker itself, but the server holds it. For this reason, when an output process such as browsing an image taken in the past is desired, the user can obtain data (image data) of the image by accessing the server. That is, when an output process of an image taken in the past is desired, the user can request image data taken via communication with the server without going to the photo sticker. For this reason, the configuration of the prior art becomes a factor that reduces the opportunity for the user to go directly to the photo sticker, and there arises a problem of reducing the use of the photo sticker, particularly the user as a repeater.

  Therefore, in order to improve the usage frequency of the user with respect to the photo sticker, it is necessary to have a configuration in which editing processing of images taken in the past can be requested only from the photo sticker. That is, it is preferable that the photo sticker is configured to read and edit images taken in the past only by the photo sticker.

  Furthermore, in order to improve the usage frequency of the user with respect to the photo sticker machine, for example, in order to read out the image stored in the photo sticker machine, it is necessary to input user identification data, It is preferable that this identification data input process can be performed efficiently.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image editing device, an image providing system, an image editing device control program, and an image editing device that can improve the frequency of use by a user. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium in which a control program for the apparatus is recorded.

  An image editing apparatus according to the present invention is an image editing apparatus that edits image data and prints on a sheet in order to solve the above-described problem, and identifies the user from a communication device used by the user. A receiving unit that receives identification data that is information for editing, an editing processing unit that performs editing processing of image data in response to an input instruction from a user, and stores the image data in association with the identification data of the user When the identification data is received, the receiving unit reads image data corresponding to the identification data from the storage device as image data for editing processing by the editing processing means. To do.

  Note that the sheet on which the image editing apparatus performs printing based on the image data includes, for example, a paper medium or sticker paper. The communication device is a device that can be used by the user. In addition to the communication device owned by the user, the communication device includes a communication device lent out in a store or the like that uses the image editing device according to the present invention. It is.

  According to the above configuration, the image editing apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage device that stores image data, and image data corresponding to the identification data received by the receiving unit is used as image data for editing processing by the editing processing unit. It is the structure read from this memory | storage device. That is, by transmitting and receiving identification data between the communication device used by the user and the image editing device according to the present invention, only the image editing device can read image data for editing processing created in the past. It is a possible configuration.

  For this reason, when reading image data created in the past for editing processing, the user must always go to this image editing apparatus storing his / her own image.

  Therefore, it is possible to improve the frequency of use by the user for the image editing apparatus according to the present invention.

  Further, the image editing apparatus according to the present invention has a management means for setting and managing an expiration date that can be read out as image data for editing processing with respect to the image data stored in the storage device in the configuration described above. Further, the management means may be configured to delete image data exceeding a set expiration date from the storage device.

  According to the above configuration, the expiration date is set for the image data stored in the storage device by the management unit. For this reason, a user who desires an editing process using image data stored in the storage device needs to visit the image editing device within the validity period. Therefore, early use by the user for the image editing apparatus according to the present invention can be promoted. For this reason, the frequency of use of the image editing apparatus by the user can be increased.

  Further, since the configuration is such that the data is deleted after a predetermined period set as the expiration date, the increase in the amount of image data stored in the storage device can be reduced.

  In the image editing apparatus according to the present invention, in the configuration described above, device identification data, which is unique information for identifying the communication device, is assigned to the communication device. It is preferable that the device identification data is received as the identification data.

  According to the above configuration, the device identification data of the communication device is received from the communication device possessed by the user as the identification data necessary for reading the image data. For this reason, for example, the configuration in which the identification data is transmitted from the communication device as in the present invention is more efficient than the configuration in which the identification data is manually input by the identification data input means provided in the image editing device. Can be done. That is, the user can efficiently perform the operation of reading the image data stored in the storage device for editing processing.

  For this reason, when editing processing is performed using image data stored in the storage device, work associated with the editing processing can be efficiently performed, thereby reducing the user's troublesome editing processing. At the same time, the use of the image editing apparatus by the user can be increased.

  In the above-described configuration, the image editing device according to the present invention preferably has a configuration in which the receiving unit receives identification data from the communication device by wireless communication. The wireless communication includes, for example, communication using infrared rays, sound waves, or communication using an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag.

  The image editing apparatus according to the present invention is a management apparatus that manages a correspondence relationship between a plurality of other image editing apparatuses and image data stored in each of the other image editing apparatuses and the identification data in the configuration described above. And inquiring means for inquiring of the other image editing apparatus that stores image data corresponding to the identification data received from the receiving unit to the management apparatus, and for inquiries by the inquiry means Preferably, the image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires image data to be read for editing processing by the editing processing unit from another image editing device indicated by a response received from the management device.

  According to the above configuration, since the inquiry unit is provided, the image editing device that stores the image data corresponding to the input identification data is managed in another image editing device that is communicably connected through a communication network or the like. It can be grasped by a response from the device.

  In addition, since the acquisition unit is provided, the image data can be acquired from another image editing apparatus that stores the image data corresponding to the identification data. That is, image data stored in another image editing apparatus that is communicably connected to the image editing apparatus can be shared.

  Therefore, since the amount of image data that can be used for editing processing can be increased, the use of the image editing apparatus according to the present invention by the user can be promoted.

  In the image editing apparatus according to the present invention, in the configuration described above, the password information is set according to each place where the image editing apparatus is installed, and the password information receiving unit that receives the input of the password information from the user And determination means for determining whether or not the user is a legitimate user capable of reading image data for editing processing based on the password information received by the password information receiving unit. When it is determined that the user is a legitimate user, the image data corresponding to the identification data received by the receiving unit is read from the storage device as image data for editing processing by the editing processing unit. It may be.

  According to the above configuration, since the personal identification information receiving unit and the determination unit are provided, the use of the image editing apparatus can be restricted for each place. Thus, since the use of the image editing apparatus can be restricted and managed for each installation location of the image editing apparatus, the use of the user can be restricted for each store where the image editing apparatus is installed. For this reason, the use by the user of the image editing apparatus in each specific store can be promoted.

  The image editing apparatus according to the present invention may further include a server apparatus for storing image data in association with the user identification data in the configuration described above.

  According to the above configuration, since the server device is further provided, it is possible to prevent the image data from being stored in the storage device and overflowing.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an image providing system according to the present invention establishes communication with an image editing apparatus having a receiving unit, an editing processing unit, a storage device, and a management unit, and the image editing device. And a communication device.

  According to the above configuration, in the image providing system according to the present invention, the image editing apparatus includes the storage device that stores the image data, and the image data corresponding to the identification data received by the receiving unit is edited by the editing processing unit. The image data is read from the storage device as image data for use. Therefore, the frequency of use by the user with respect to the image editing apparatus can be improved.

  In addition, as the identification data necessary for reading the image data, the apparatus identification data of the communication apparatus is received from the communication apparatus possessed by the user. For this reason, the user can efficiently perform the operation of reading the image data stored in the storage device for editing processing.

  For this reason, the image providing system according to the present invention can efficiently perform the editing process using the image data stored in the storage device, thereby reducing the troublesomeness related to the editing process and the user. The use frequency of the image editing apparatus can be increased.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an image providing system according to the present invention includes a plurality of receiving units, an editing processing unit, a storage device, a management unit, an inquiry unit, an acquisition unit, and a password information reception unit. And an image editing apparatus having a determination unit, a communication apparatus that establishes communication with any one of the image editing apparatuses, and a management apparatus that is communicably connected to each of the plurality of image editing apparatuses. The management device has a management table for managing the correspondence between the image data stored in each image editing device and the identification data.

  According to the above configuration, in the image providing system according to the present invention, since each image editing apparatus includes an inquiry unit, the identification input by another image editing apparatus connected to be communicable through a communication network or the like. An image editing apparatus that stores image data corresponding to the data can be grasped by a response from the management apparatus. In addition, since the acquisition unit is provided, the image data can be acquired from another image editing apparatus that stores the image data corresponding to the identification data. Therefore, since the amount of image data that can be used for editing processing can be increased, the use of the image editing apparatus according to the present invention by the user can be promoted.

  In addition, since each image editing apparatus includes a password information receiving unit and a determination unit, the use of the image editing apparatus can be restricted for each place. For this reason, the image providing system according to the present invention has an effect that it is possible to promote the use of the image editing apparatus by the user at each specific store.

  The image editing apparatus may be realized by a computer. In this case, a control program for an image editing apparatus for causing the image editing apparatus to be realized by a computer by causing the computer to operate as the respective means, and A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded also falls within the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the image editing apparatus according to the present invention is an image editing apparatus that edits image data and prints it on a sheet, and includes information for identifying the user from a communication device used by the user. A receiving unit that receives certain identification data, an editing processing unit that performs image data editing processing in response to an input instruction from a user, and a storage device that stores the image data in association with the user identification data; When the receiving unit receives the identification data, the receiving unit reads image data corresponding to the identification data from the storage device as image data for editing processing by the editing processing unit.

  Therefore, it is possible to improve the frequency of use by the user for the image editing apparatus according to the present invention.

  As described above, the image providing system according to the present invention includes the receiving unit, the editing processing unit, the storage device, the management unit, and the communication device that establishes communication with the image editing device. It is characterized by providing.

  For this reason, the image providing system according to the present invention can efficiently perform the editing process using the image data stored in the storage device, thereby reducing the troublesomeness related to the editing process and the user. The use frequency of the image editing apparatus can be increased.

  As described above, the image providing system according to the present invention includes a plurality of receiving units, an editing processing unit, a storage device, a management unit, an inquiry unit, an acquisition unit, a password information receiving unit, a determination unit, and a determination unit. An image editing apparatus having a communication means, a communication apparatus that establishes communication with any one of the image editing apparatuses, and a management apparatus that is communicably connected to each of the plurality of image editing apparatuses. The management device has a management table for managing the correspondence between the image data stored in each image editing device and the identification data.

  For this reason, the image providing system according to the present invention has an effect that it is possible to promote the use of the image editing apparatus by the user at each specific store.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a main configuration of an image providing system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image providing system 1 includes a photo sticker (image editing device) 2 and a communication terminal (communication device) 3 capable of communicating with the photo sticker 2.

  The communication terminal 3 is operated by a user and transmits / receives various data to / from the photo sticker 2. The communication terminal 3 may be owned by the user, or may be lent to the user at a store where the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment is installed. The communication terminal 3 is portable such as a portable PC (Personal Computer), a cellular phone, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) (registered trademark) terminal, and a portable game machine so that the user can carry it. A communication terminal is desirable. Further, the communication terminal 3 can transmit / receive image data and / or various information to / from the photo sticker 2 by wireless communication using infrared rays or radio waves. In the present embodiment, the photo sticker 2 and the communication terminal 3 can establish communication by short-range wireless communication using infrared rays.

  On the other hand, the photo sticker 2 provided in the image providing system 1 takes a photograph of a user and, when desired, combines the photograph with a background image and prints it on sticker paper. The photo sticker 2 is installed in an entertainment facility such as a game center, for example.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the photo sticker 2 has a shooting space where a user takes a picture, an editing space where a photographed image is edited, and a sticker sheet that is printed based on image data. A printing space to be discharged is provided. 2 and 3 are views showing the appearance of the photographic sealing machine 2. FIG. FIG. 2 is a view of the photo sticker 2 as seen from the photographing space side, and FIG. 3 is a view of the photo sticker 2 as seen from the print space side.

  This photographing space is provided with a photographing unit 40 for photographing a user and generating a photographed image. Also, in the editing space, an editing unit 41 for editing the image generated by the imaging unit 40, and a print for printing an image captured by the imaging unit 40 or an image edited by the editing unit 41 on a sticker sheet A portion 42 is provided. Furthermore, the editing space is provided with a short-range wireless communication unit (receiving unit / password information receiving unit) 43, and the short-range wireless communication unit 43 transmits and receives information to and from the communication terminal 3. be able to.

  In the editing space, a similar editing unit 41 is provided at a position (not shown in FIG. 3) opposite to the editing unit 41 as in the photo sticker 2 shown in FIG. 3, for example. Two sets of 42 are also provided. That is, in the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment, two sets of users can perform editing and printing processes separately in the editing space at the same time. Note that the groups that can simultaneously instruct editing and printing processing are not limited to these two groups. For example, a similar editing unit is provided adjacent to the editing unit 41 shown in FIG. 23 and a sticker paper discharge port 24 may be further provided.

  Although not specifically shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the printing unit 42 reads an ID tag delivered in a set with a sticker sheet for printing image data, in addition to the printer 23 and the sticker paper discharge port 24. An ID tag reader / writer 9 to be described later is also provided.

  Although not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 for convenience of explanation, curtains are provided at the entrance and / or the editing space of the shooting space, and the shooting process and the editing process cannot be viewed by a third party. It is configured as follows. The opening and closing of the curtain is controlled by the control unit 10 to be described later. For example, the opening and closing of the curtain is controlled as follows.

  First, in the customer waiting state, the control unit 10 controls the curtain to be opened. When the charging processing unit 25 confirms that a predetermined amount of money has been inserted by the user, control is performed to close the curtain at this point. At this time, for example, a customer service lamp may be turned on to notify the outside of the shooting space that there is a user in the shooting space. For example, when the user is in the shooting space, the character of the customer service lamp may be turned on, and if the user disappears from the shooting space, the character may be turned off. Thereafter, when it is confirmed that the photographing process and the editing process are completed, the control unit 10 performs control to open the curtain at this point.

  In addition, when the curtain is forcibly closed by the user when the curtain should be opened, or when the curtain is to be closed, the user has forcibly opened the curtain. In such a case, an alarm may be issued at a volume that can be heard by the surroundings, and control may be performed to stop the progress of shooting. By doing in this way, the crime in a sealed space can be prevented or mischief can be prevented.

  Moreover, although not shown in figure, it is good also as a structure which provided the weight sensor etc. in the luggage storage space and luggage hook mentioned above, for example. In this case, when the user places a luggage in the luggage storage space or places the luggage on the luggage hook, the apparatus can recognize that the luggage has been placed. Therefore, for example, if the baggage is placed after a predetermined period of time after shooting or editing, the user is expected to forget the baggage. It is possible to issue a warning about misplaced luggage. Also, if it is detected that the baggage has been removed while shooting or editing is in progress, an alarm will be issued because it is anticipated that the user would be engaged in a while while the user was engrossed in play. Is possible.

(Configuration of photo seal machine)
Here, with reference to FIG. 1 again, details of the configuration of the photo sticker 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the photo sticker 2 includes a control unit 10 and a storage device 11 in addition to the photographing unit 40, the editing unit 41, the printing unit 42, and the short-range wireless communication unit 43. It is the composition which becomes.

  The photographing unit 40 includes a CCD camera 13, a live view panel 14, a photographing processing touch panel 15, an illumination device 16, a speaker 17, and a coin processing device 18.

  The CCD camera 13 shoots a subject, and is constituted by a digital camera including, for example, a lens group, a diaphragm, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) imaging device, and the like.

  The live view panel 14 displays a live view image taken by the CCD camera 13, and is configured by an LCD (liquid crystal display), for example.

  The shooting process touch panel 15 displays various messages and images in the shooting process, and receives various instructions and selections from the user. Examples of the various messages described above include a message explaining the procedure of the photographing process and a greeting to the user. The photographing processing touch panel 15 is configured by providing a touch sensor on a display surface such as a flat panel display or a CRT, and is disposed at a position where the user can easily see and operate.

  The illumination device 16 functions as illumination means for illuminating a user who is a subject. The illuminating device 16 is configured to include a fluorescent lamp that functions as illumination at the time of shooting and also functions as illumination of a shooting space at normal time, and a strobe lamp that functions as a photographic flashlight at the time of shooting. The speaker 17 outputs various voice guidance and sound effects related to the photographing process.

  The coin processing device 18 determines whether or not a coin inserted from a coin slot by a user as a usage fee for the photo sticker 2 is a predetermined coin. If it is determined that the coin is a predetermined coin, the coin processing device 18 notifies the control unit 10 and sends the inserted coin to a coin container (not shown) for storing coins. On the other hand, when it determines with it being coins other than a predetermined coin, the coin processing apparatus 18 sends out the inserted coin to a coin return port (not shown). In addition, when there is no money change machine for exchanging bills or coins into predetermined coins near the photo seal machine 2, a bill input port is newly provided to provide a bill processing device or a change processing device. It is desirable.

  The editing unit 41 includes an editing processing touch panel (password information receiving unit) 20, an editing processing touch pen 21, and an editing speaker 19. As described above, the editing unit 41 is configured to be provided at two locations in the editing space in the photographic sticker 2, but only one editing unit 41 is illustrated in FIG. 1 for convenience of explanation.

  The editing process touch panel 20 displays various messages and images in the editing process and accepts various instructions and selections from the user. The touch panel 20 for editing processing is configured by providing a touch sensor on a display surface such as a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display element or a CRT (cathode ray tube). Examples of the various messages described above include a message explaining the procedure of editing processing. The editing processing touch panel 20 is configured and arranged in the same manner as the photographing processing touch panel 15 described above.

  The edit processing touch pen 21 is used by a user to perform fine operation input in image editing processing, and is disposed in the vicinity of the editing processing touch panel 20. The user touches the editing processing touch pen 21 to the editing processing touch panel 20 to select a button to be displayed according to the progress of processing or to draw an image such as an arbitrary character or figure. be able to. As shown in FIG. 3, the editing processing touch pen 21 has two editing units 41, that is, two editing units 41 in the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment. Four are installed. However, the number of editing processing touch pens 21 to be installed is not limited to this, and a plurality of editing processing touch pens 21 may be provided, or one editing unit 41 may be provided.

  The editing speaker 19 outputs various voice guidances and sound effects related to editing processing in response to an instruction from the control unit 10.

  The printing unit 42 includes an ID tag reader / writer 9, a printer 23, and a sticker paper discharge port 24. Further, although not particularly shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1, a light emitting lamp 22 is also provided which emits light in a predetermined color to notify that the sticker is discharged from the sticker outlet 24 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the light-emitting lamp 22 is provided in the vicinity of the sticker paper outlet 24 (upper left and right in FIG. 3). As described above, in the case where the printing unit 42 includes the light emitting lamp 22, the user has an additional advantage that the user can easily grasp the sticker discharge port from which the sticker is discharged.

  In particular, the ID tag reader / writer 9 and the printer 23 constitute a printer unit, and a sticker paper and an ID tag as an output medium of a photo print are delivered to the printer unit as a sticker paper unit. It has become.

  When image data to be output is sent from the control unit 10, the printer 23 prints on a sticker sheet based on the image data. For example, a sublimation printer is used as the printer 23. When a sublimation printer is used, a sublimation ink film is delivered as a set in addition to sticker paper and an ID tag.

  The sticker paper discharge port 24 is an opening for discharging the sticker paper printed and output by the printer 23 to the outside.

  The ID tag reader / writer 9 reads various identification data recorded in the ID tag and outputs it to the control unit 10. The ID tag is configured by an IC chip having a memory function, and the identification data recorded on the ID tag includes a unique ID, the number of sheets, a sheet type, and ink-specific color information (when an ink film is set). And so on).

  Based on the identification data read by the ID tag reader / writer 9, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the attached sticker paper and ink film are usable in the photo sticker 2 and can be used. The printer 23 can be operated only in some cases. That is, it is set so that only the sticker paper and the ink film specified in the photo sticker 2 can be used.

  The photo sticker 2 is configured to count down the number of sheets each time the sticker is used based on the number of sheets information recorded on the ID tag. Therefore, the photo sticker 2 can grasp the remaining number of sheets. Therefore, when the remaining number of sheets is reduced, for example, a warning is generated by a display unit such as the editing processing touch panel 20 so that the sheet runs out during use by the user. It is possible to avoid problems.

  When counting down the number of sheets, the number of sheets information recorded in the ID tag is also rewritten. As a result, when the paper is used up, the information on the number of sheets recorded in the ID tag is also zero, and this ID tag can be invalidated.

  Further, since the photo sticker 2 can read the paper type information recorded on the ID tag and the color information specific to the ink, the image data is taken into consideration by reading the information read by the ID tag reader / writer 9. Can be corrected. Therefore, the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment can accurately output an image on the paper or ink film.

  The ID tag includes a non-contact type ID tag capable of wireless data communication and a contact type ID tag provided with a terminal. The ID tag reader / writer 9 is either one of these. Or it corresponds to both.

  In the above embodiment, the ID sticker is used to check whether or not the photo sticker 2 is a usable sticker, but this check is limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which confirmation is performed using a barcode printed on a packing material for packing sticker paper and an ink film. However, when a barcode is used, there are problems that the amount of information that can be included is small, and information cannot be rewritten by counting down the number of sheets, for example.

  In addition, as said sealing paper, in the photographic sealing machine 2 which concerns on this Embodiment, it is a sealing sheet which consists of an adhesive sheet and the peeling sheet affixed on the adhesive surface of this adhesive seal. However, the sticker paper is not limited to this, and may be a paper sheet that is a normal paper medium.

  The control unit 10 performs overall control of each unit included in the photo sticker 2. The control unit 10 is configured by a PC (Personal Computer) -based computer, for example. And operation control of various composition is performed by making a computer run a control program.

  This program may be in the form of reading and using what is recorded on a removable medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be in the form of reading and using what is installed on a hard disk or the like. Further, when the photo sticker 2 is connected to a communication network such as the Internet, a form in which the program is downloaded via the communication network, installed on a hard disk, and the like can be considered. Details of the control unit 10 of the present embodiment will be described later.

  The storage device 11 stores various data and programs. The storage device 11 is configured by a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk. The contents stored in the storage device 11 include the above-described control program, OS (Operating System) program, and various other programs, operation setting values in the CCD camera 13, image data of the captured image, and image data of the edited image. Etc.

  As will be described later, when image data stored in the storage device 11 is read, a password (password information) assigned to each store where the photo sticker 2 is installed is input. . Therefore, in order to authenticate the password input by the user, the storage device 11 further stores information related to the password. Examples of the operation setting values in the CCD camera 13 include white balance values set at the time of shipment of the apparatus and maintenance, various parameter values relating to image processing when adjusting the brightness and darkness of a captured image, and the like.

  The storage device 11 stores captured image data in a format as shown in FIG. 4A under the control of the control unit 10. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of how image data is stored in the storage device 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  That is, it is assumed that shooting was performed by three users X, Y, and Z as a premise. Assuming that the image obtained after shooting is the original image A, this image is shared by three users X, Y, and Z as shown in the state α of FIG. Here, each of the users X, Y, and Z reads out and edits the images a, b, and c as an original image A and an image to be combined for editing the original image A (for example, graffiti data or a frame image). Processing is to be performed (state β).

  When the edited image is re-saved after editing the original image A in combination with the image a, b, or c, the storage device 11 stores the original data that is common to each of the users X, Y, and Z. The image A and the image a, b, or c combined with the original image A are stored separately. The images a, b, or c are stored in the storage device 11 as data associated with the users X, Y, and Z, respectively. Furthermore, each of the images a, b, or c is also associated with the original image A so that the original image A can be read together at the time of reading.

  As described above, in the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment, in the storage device 11, the image data common to a plurality of users (original image A) and the image data for each user (images a, b, c) are stored. ) Are stored separately. For this reason, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, when compared with a configuration in which the original image A and the editing image data (images a, b, and c) for the original image A are combined and stored, Since it is not necessary to store the original image A redundantly for each person, the amount of data to be stored can be reduced. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a comparative example with respect to FIG.

  More specifically, for example, if the data amount of the original image data A is 9 Mbytes and each of the images a to c called for editing is 3 Mbytes, the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment stores the storage device 11. 15 Mbytes of data is stored. On the other hand, in the case of the configuration shown in FIG.

  In addition, the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment is configured such that only previously registered users can call up images taken in the past. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the mail address (identification data, device identification data) assigned to the communication terminal 3 such as a mobile phone possessed by each user is used as information for identifying the user himself / herself. is doing. Therefore, in order to save the captured image data and read out this image data at a later date, the user needs to register the mail address of the communication terminal 3 possessed by the user in the photo sticker 2 in advance. .

  This e-mail address registration method is performed as follows. That is, it can be realized by operating the communication terminal 3 possessed by the user and transmitting information on the mail address assigned to the communication terminal 3 to the photo sticker 2 through infrared communication. Then, the control unit 10 receives this mail address information via the short-range wireless communication unit 43 and records it in the storage device 11. Note that the timing for registering the e-mail address is not particularly limited, and may be any of before, during, after, and after editing.

  Further, since the storage capacity of the storage device 11 is limited, it is expected that if the stored image data increases, it overflows and cannot be stored. Therefore, in the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment, an expiration date is set for each image data to be stored, and the control unit 10 is configured so that a predetermined period elapses from the date and time when the image data was generated (shooting date and time). It is set to delete image data.

  The short-range wireless communication unit 43 is for performing wireless communication with the communication terminal 3. The short-range wireless communication unit 43 converts various data received from the control unit 10 into a format suitable for data communication, and then transmits the data to the communication terminal 3 using infrared rays. The short-range wireless communication unit 43 converts various data received from the communication terminal 3 by infrared rays into a data format that can be handled in the apparatus, and then transmits the data to the control unit 10.

  Next, the configuration of the control unit 10 for functioning as the photo sticker 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 10 includes, as functional blocks, a charging processing unit 25, a photographing processing unit 26, an image editing processing unit (editing processing unit) 27, a print processing unit 28, and a recording management unit (management unit). A determination means) 29 is provided. When the control unit 10 is realized by a CPU or the like, for example, this functional block can be realized by reading and executing a program stored in the storage device 11 by the CPU into a RAM (not shown) or the like.

  The billing processing unit 25 performs billing processing when the coin processing device 18 notifies the control unit 10 of coin insertion. When the billing processing unit 25 confirms that the billing process has been completed normally, that is, counts the notification from the coin processing device 18 and determines that a predetermined number of coins have been inserted into the coin processing device 18 from the user. The shooting processing unit 26 is notified of the start of the play operation.

  The photographing processing unit 26 performs photographing processing based on the notification from the billing processing unit 25. The photographing process is mainly performed as follows. That is, first, the number of shots and the shooting time are set. Next, shooting settings are performed. Specifically, the whole body photographing or the up photographing is selected and the photographing angle is adjusted. Next, a live view image captured by the CCD camera 13 is displayed on the live view panel 14. When the user takes a desired pose while referring to the live view image and presses the shooting button on the shooting processing touch panel 15 at a desired timing, shooting is performed after the countdown.

  Next, the photographing processing unit 26 receives the photographed image data generated by the CCD camera 13 by the photographing, and instructs the recording management unit 29 to write it in the storage device 11. Then, returning to the shooting setting, the above processing operation is repeated until the set number of shots and / or shooting time is reached.

  The image editing processing unit 27 performs an image editing process based on an editing instruction input from a user. That is, when the shooting process is completed, the image editing processing unit 27 reads out the image to be edited from the storage device 11, that is, the image generated by the shooting process, and the image to be edited on the editing processing touch panel 20, that is, the shooting. An image generated by the processing is displayed.

  Editing processing is performed on the image using the editing processing touch pen 21. In this image, for example, a selection area of tools for performing an editing process may be displayed. Examples of the tools include a plurality of types of pens and their colors, an eraser, and a plurality of stamps.

  In addition, a selection image for selecting an image to be edited may be displayed as a thumbnail in the image to be edited. Then, the user can switch the enlarged image displayed as the editing target at the center by touching the selected image with the editing processing touch pen 21 from the thumbnail display. Note that this selected image corresponds to an image at the time of each shooting when a plurality of shootings are performed in the above shooting process.

  As a result, it is possible to select an image that suits the user's preference by eliminating a photographed image that has been closed at the time of photographing or photographed in an unintentional state.

  Next, the selected photographed image is displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20, and image editing such as background image selection, color change, and graffiti is performed on the photographed image using the editing processing touch pen 21. When image editing is performed on another captured image, the edited image data is stored in the storage device 11 and the above-described image editing process is repeated. Thereafter, the print processing unit 28 is notified of completion of the image editing process. When the image editing processing unit 27 finishes the image editing processing, the image editing processing unit 27 notifies the print processing unit 28 to that effect and causes the storage device 11 to store the edited image.

  The print processing unit 28 prompts the user for a print processing procedure in response to a notification from the image editing processing unit 27, and executes print processing based on an instruction from the user. More specifically, this printing process is mainly performed as follows. That is, first, when a notification indicating the end of the image editing process is received from the image editing processing unit 27, the print processing unit 28 instructs the editing processing touch panel 20 to use the number of divisions or the division pattern on the sticker sheet. Display for the user to select. In response to the display on the editing processing touch panel 20, information indicating the division number or division pattern desired by the user is input by the editing processing touch panel 20. When receiving the input from the user, the print processing unit 28 controls the printer 23 so that the edited image edited by the image editing processing unit 27 is printed for each divided region selected by the user. Print on sticker paper. Then, the printed sticker paper is discharged from the sticker paper discharge port 24. Thereafter, the printing process is terminated, and the user's play operation is terminated.

  The recording management unit 29 causes the storage device 11 to record information such as captured image data in response to an instruction from the imaging processing unit 26, the image editing processing unit 27, or the print processing unit 28, or the storage device 11. This information is read out from the image data and transmitted to the photographing processing unit 26, the image editing processing unit 27, or the print processing unit 28.

  Further, when reading out image data from the storage device 11, the recording management unit 29 receives the mail address of the communication terminal 3 held by the user as the user identification data from the short-range wireless communication unit 43. Then, by determining whether or not the received mail address has already been registered, it is determined whether or not the user who instructs reading of the image data is a regular user. If the recording management unit 29 determines that the user is a legitimate user, the image specified by the image data information (image information) associated with the mail address with reference to the table information shown in FIG. Data is read and transmitted to the image editing processing unit 27 or the printing processing unit 28. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a table indicating a correspondence relationship between registered mail address information and image information specifying image data of the user of the communication terminal 3 to which the mail address is assigned. is there. The image information includes information necessary for specifying the image data, such as address information indicating the storage position of the image data in the storage area of the storage device 11, the creation date and time of the image data, and the data amount of the image data. include.

  Further, the recording management unit 29 refers to the image information included in the table shown in FIG. 5 and deletes the image data that has exceeded the expiration date from the image data stored in the storage device 11.

  As described above, the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the storage device 11 is provided in the photo sticker 2 and image data after photographing is stored. For this reason, when the user desires a printing process using image data taken in the past, the user has to go to the photo sticker 2. For this reason, the photo sticker 2 can promote the use of the user, particularly the user as a repeater.

  Furthermore, since the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment holds captured image data, it is not necessary to transmit the image data to an external device such as a server. For this reason, it is not necessary to install the photo sticker 2 in an environment where communication with the server is always possible, and it is possible to reduce restrictions on the place of the photo sticker 2.

  Further, when reading out the image data stored in the storage device, the photo sticker 2 uses the mail address of the communication terminal 3 held by the user of the image data as identification data, and the user is a legitimate user. It is the structure which determines whether it is. And this photograph sticker 2 is the structure which can receive this mail address from the communication terminal 3 which a user possesses by infrared rays. Therefore, in order to input the e-mail address to the photo sticker 2, the user does not need to perform a complicated operation such as operating the editing process touch panel 20. Therefore, when an image stored in the photo sticker 2 is read, the image can be read efficiently.

  In addition, since it is possible to efficiently read past images as described above, for example, when it is necessary to read image data taken in the past within a time range defined as editing processing, this The time required for reading past images can be shortened.

(Configuration of communication terminal)
Next, the configuration of the communication terminal 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication terminal 3 is configured to include a terminal control unit 30, a terminal storage device 31, a terminal communication processing unit 32, a first antenna 33, and a second antenna 34 provided in the terminal body. is there.

  The terminal control unit 30 performs various controls of each unit of the communication terminal 3. The terminal communication processing unit 32 controls to establish a connection with the photo sticker 2 through the first antenna 33 in response to an instruction from the terminal control unit 30. That is, as described above, the communication terminal 3 and the photo sticker 2 can transmit and receive information by infrared rays. Therefore, the terminal communication processing unit 32 establishes infrared communication with the photo sticker 2 through the first antenna 33, and converts information into a format that can be transmitted and received by infrared communication. The terminal communication processing unit 32 can also control the second antenna 34 to establish communication with, for example, another communication terminal 3 via a base station <not shown>.

  The terminal storage device 31 is a readable / writable recording medium and stores various data and programs. The contents stored in the terminal storage device 31 include a control program for executing various controls of the communication terminal 3, various other programs, image data received from the photo sticker 2, and the like.

(Photo sticker creation process)
Here, with reference to FIG. 6, the photo sticker creating process in the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment will be described. The photo sticker creation process is a series of processes from the time when the user visits the photo sticker 2, inserts a coin, takes a picture, edits the obtained image data, and prints it as a photo sticker. . FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of photo sticker creation processing in the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the user inserts coins from the coin insertion slot in the shooting space (step S11, hereinafter referred to as S11). When the user inserts a predetermined amount of money, a processing procedure related to execution of shooting processing is displayed on the shooting processing touch panel 15, and a shooting processing guidance broadcast flows from the speaker 17. Then, the shooting process is executed in accordance with the guidance broadcast and the instruction from the shooting touch panel (S12). Details of this photographing process will be described later. When the shooting process is completed, information for guiding the movement to the editing space is displayed on the shooting process touch panel 15 in accordance with an instruction from the shooting processing unit 26 (S13). In accordance with this guidance, the user moves from the shooting space to the editing space.

  When the user moves to the editing space, the editing processing touch panel 20 displays an inquiry as to whether or not to use the stored past image data for editing processing, and whether to request long-term storage of the captured image. Is displayed (S14). Here, when editing processing is performed using past image data and / or when captured image data is stored in the storage device 11 for a long time (“Yes” in step S14), the user is saved. A request for reading of past image data and / or long-term storage of photographed image data is instructed by operating the editing touch panel 20 (S15).

  The long-term storage is not temporarily stored in a memory or the like for editing captured image data, but is stored in the photo sealer 2 for a certain period of time and past image data as necessary. It is stored in the storage device 11 so that it can be read as.

  In response to this instruction, the image editing processing unit 27 performs a process of reading past image data and / or a process of storing captured image data. Here, when past image data is read and editing processing is performed on the image data, the image is displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20. The details of the past image data reading process and the captured image saving process “image saving / reading process” will be described later. When the “image saving / reading process” is completed, the image editing processing unit 27 controls the editing process touch panel 20 and then performs the editing process (S16). On the other hand, when the past image data is not used, and when the captured image data is not stored in the storage device 11 for a long time, that is, when the editing process is performed only on the previously captured image data (“No” in S14). The process proceeds from step S14 to the editing process of step S16.

  At the start of the editing process in step S16, the editing process touch panel 20 displays a guide explaining the editing process method for the captured image data or the read past image data together with the editing screen. The editing speaker 19 guides the editing method by voice. The user inputs an editing instruction from the editing processing touch panel 20 in accordance with the guidance display and voice instructions.

  When an editing instruction is input by the user in accordance with the display and the voice guidance in this way, the image editing processing unit 27 is generated through the recording management unit 29 by a plurality of times of shooting in response to the instruction. Control is performed so that image data or stored past image data is read from the storage device 11 and a photographed image based on these image data is displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20.

  When the captured image is displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20, the user selects an image for editing processing such as graffiti from these captured images. As a result, it is possible to select an image that suits the user's preference by eliminating a photographed image that has been closed at the time of photographing or photographed in an unintentional state.

  Next, the selected photographed image is displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20, and image editing such as background image selection, color change, graffiti and the like is performed using the editing processing touch pen 21. When editing another captured image, the edited captured image is temporarily stored in the storage device 11 as a composite image. Then, the image editing process for the further photographed image is repeated, and the image data after the editing process is temporarily stored in the storage device 11 as data to be output in the subsequent printing process. Then, the image editing processing unit 27 notifies the printing processing unit 28 of the completion of the editing process. When the editing process is completed, the user operates the operation buttons on the editing process touch panel 20 to set the number of divisions or the division pattern of the image to be printed on the sticker paper and to execute the printing process. Enter.

  In response to the input by the user, the print processing unit 28 controls the printer 23 to print the edited image obtained by the editing process in step S16 on the sticker sheet (S17). After the editing process and the printing process are executed in this way, the editing touch panel 20 displays a guidance screen for guiding the user to move to the printing space and wait for the sticker sheet to be discharged (S18).

  Then, the printed sticker paper is discharged from the sticker paper discharge port 24 (S19). Details of the printing process shown in step S17 will be described later.

(Shooting process)
With reference to FIG. 7, a user's photographing process in the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a photographing process executed by the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment.

  When inserted from the user in step S11, the billing processing unit 25 determines whether or not the inserted coin has reached a predetermined amount (S21). In this determination, while the billing processing unit 25 determines that the inserted coin has not reached the processing amount (“No” in S21), the imaging processing unit 26 controls the imaging processing touch panel 15. Demo images such as shooting examples, illustrations, and animations are displayed (S22).

  On the other hand, when the charge processing unit 25 determines that the amount of money that has been input has reached a predetermined amount (“Yes” in S21), the accounting processing unit 26 is notified of the determination result. That is, the billing processing unit 25 counts the notification of coin insertion from the coin processing device 18, and when the user determines that a predetermined number of coins have been inserted into the coin processing device 18, the start of the play operation is photographed. Notify the unit 26.

  Based on the notification from the billing processing unit 25, the photographing processing unit 26 stops the display of the demo image, and switches to a display that prompts for settings related to the photographing processing. Then, the imaging processing unit 26 receives an input from the user via the imaging processing touch panel 15 and performs settings related to the imaging process (S23). That is, the shooting processing unit 26 first designates a plurality of shooting courses, and performs a display on the shooting processing touch panel 15 for setting the number of shots, background, and shooting time in the specified shooting course. In accordance with this display, the user operates the shooting processing touch panel 15 to set the number of shots and the shooting time. When the settings relating to the number of shots and the shooting time are completed, the shooting processing unit 26 instructs the shooting processing touch panel 15 to display to prompt selection of whole-body shooting or up-shooting, adjustment of the shooting angle, and the like. With reference to this display, the user operates the photographing processing touch panel 15 to input information indicating instructions regarding selection of whole body photographing or up photographing, adjustment of photographing angle, and the like.

  The imaging processing touch panel 15 notifies the imaging processing unit 26 when the information input from the user is received. In response to the notification received from the imaging processing touch panel 15, the imaging processing unit 26 performs settings such as selection of whole body imaging or up imaging and adjustment of the imaging angle. Subsequently, the photographing processing unit 26 activates the CCD camera 13 and displays an image (live view image) photographed by the CCD camera 13 on the live view panel 14.

  The user takes a desired pose while referring to the live view image displayed on the live view panel 14. Then, when the user presses a button indicating start of shooting on the shooting processing touch panel 15 at a desired timing, or when a predetermined time has elapsed (“Yes” in S24), a shot image is generated (S25).

  On the other hand, shooting is set until the button indicating the start of shooting is pressed or until a predetermined time elapses, that is, during “No” in step S24. Further, the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment is configured to notify the user of the elapse of the predetermined time by displaying a countdown indicator on the photographing processing touch panel 15.

  If it is determined “Yes” in step S24, the CCD camera 13 generates image data by the shooting (S25), and transmits the generated image data to the shooting processing unit 26. The imaging processing unit 26 receives the generated image data and instructs the recording management unit 29 to write it in the storage device 11. In response to the instruction from the photographing processing unit 26, the recording management unit 29 stores the generated image data in the storage device 11 (S26). When the image data generated in this way is temporarily stored in the storage device 11 for editing processing, the processing returns to the generation of the captured image again, and the above processing operation is performed until the set predetermined imaging time is reached, or the imaging is performed. The process is repeated until the end button is pressed, that is, until “Yes” is determined in step S27. On the other hand, if “Yes” is determined in step S27, the photographing process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S13 shown in FIG.

(Image saving / reading process)
With reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the image storage and reading process in the photographic sticker 2 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are flowcharts showing an example of image storage and readout processing executed by the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment.

  In the image providing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the user who uses the photo sticker 2 has previously registered the mail address of the communication terminal 3 possessed by the user in the photo sticker 2. To do.

  First, in the case of “Yes” in step S <b> 14 described above, the image editing processing unit 27 receives an instruction to request saving of a captured image and / or reading of a past image via the editing processing touch panel 20. Upon receiving this instruction, the image editing processing unit 27 instructs the editing processing touch panel 20 to display a request for transmitting the mail address assigned to the communication terminal 3 possessed by the user. . Further, the image editing processing unit 27 instructs the recording management unit 29 to determine whether or not the mail address information corresponding to the received mail address is registered.

  In response to this display, when the user transmits a mail address to the photo sticker 2 by infrared rays from the communication terminal 3 (S30), the short-range wireless communication unit 43 receives this mail address. Then, the short-range wireless communication unit 43 transmits the received mail address to the record management unit 29.

  When receiving the mail address from the short-range wireless communication unit 43, the recording management unit 29 determines whether or not a mail address corresponding to the mail address has already been registered in accordance with an instruction from the image editing processing unit 27. The mail address is confirmed (S31). In this determination, if “Yes”, the recording management unit 29 instructs the image editing processing unit 27 to display the confirmed mail address on the editing processing touch panel 20.

  In response to this instruction, the image editing processing unit 27 controls the editing processing touch panel 20 to display the confirmed mail address (S34). In this way, by displaying the confirmed mail address, the user can visually confirm the suitability of the mail address assigned to the communication terminal 3 possessed by the user.

  On the other hand, if the e-mail address cannot be transmitted normally due to some obstruction factor during transmission and cannot be confirmed ("No" in S31), the record management unit 29 has entered the e-mail address a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times). It is determined whether or not the above has been reached (S32). Here, if the recording management unit 29 determines that the number of times the email address has been input is less than a predetermined number (for example, 3 times) (“No” in S32), the recording management unit 29 instructs the image editing processing unit 27 to set the email address again. Instructs a retry display requesting transmission. In response to this instruction, the image editing processing unit 27 controls the editing processing touch panel 20 to display a retry and prompts the user to resend the mail address.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of input email addresses has reached 3 or more, the recording management unit 29 instructs the image editing processing unit 27 to display the input of the email address on the editing processing touch panel 20. Instruct. In response to this instruction, the image editing processing unit 27 controls the editing processing touch panel 20 to perform a display prompting for an e-mail address input operation (S33).

  The image editing processing unit 27 controls the editing processing touch panel 20 to display the confirmed e-mail address (S34), and then displays an inquiry as to whether or not the captured image is to be stored for a long time. In response to this inquiry, if information indicating an instruction to request long-term storage for each photographed image is received from the user via the editing processing touch panel 20 (“Yes” in S35), the image editing is performed. The processing unit 27 stores the image data of the captured image that has been created in the above-described imaging process and requested long-term storage, and the confirmed mail address in the storage management unit 29 so as to be associated and recorded in the storage device 11. Instruct.

  In response to an instruction from the image editing processing unit 27, the recording management unit 29 stores the image data generated by the photographing process temporarily stored in the storage device 11 and the mail address in association with each other. The data is stored in the device 11 (S36). Note that the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment is configured such that an expiration date is set for the image data stored as described above. For this reason, when the image data is stored in the storage device 11 in association with the mail address, information indicating a period during which the image data can be stored is also assigned.

  Further, when there are a plurality of users and the image data to be stored is shared by the plurality of users, the storage device 11 is configured to associate each user's mail address with the image data. Remember me.

  Here, processing when image data is shared by a plurality of users and stored in the storage device 11 will be described. When a display prompting the user to input an email address is displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20 (S33), each user inputs an email address. Then, a plurality of mail addresses are displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20 (S34), and each user sequentially instructs long-term storage of image data (S35). It is associated with the address and stored in the storage device 11 (S36). In addition, the configuration may be such that each user sequentially instructs the long-term storage of the image data in the order of the displayed mail addresses.

  Subsequently, in the case of “No” in step S35, that is, when the long-term storage of the photographed image is not requested, the image editing processing unit 27 controls the editing processing touch panel 20 to perform the past. A display for inquiring whether or not to request reading of the photographed image (past image) is performed (S37).

  In response to the display of the inquiry, when an instruction to the effect that the user requests reading of the past image is received via the editing processing touch panel 20, the image editing processing unit 27 causes the editing processing touch panel 20 to be displayed. Control is performed to display a password input screen (S38). In other words, the password input screen is displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20 to prompt the user to input the password.

  This password is set for each store where the photo sticker 2 is installed. When reading out image data stored in the photo sticker 2 in the same store, all passwords are the same. . That is, in the image providing system 1 according to the present embodiment, a password is not set for each image data stored in the photo sticker 2 but a password is set for each store where the photo sticker 2 is installed. It is a configuration to set. For this reason, the number of passwords that the user should store can be reduced.

  This password is issued only to users who are registered as members of the photo sticker 2 and are authorized as regular users. Therefore, the user receives the password from each store when registering as a member.

  When the user inputs a password on the password input screen displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20 by operating the editing processing touch panel 20, the image editing processing unit 27 receives the input password. Then, the image editing processing unit 27 transmits the received password to the recording management unit 29 and instructs authentication of the password. In response to this instruction, the recording management unit 29 reads a password stored in advance from the storage device 11 and determines whether or not it matches the password input by the user (S39). If the recording management unit 29 determines that the passwords match (“Yes” in S39), the past image data corresponding to the mail address transmitted in step S31 is read from the storage device 11. Then, the recording management unit 29 transmits the read image data to the image editing processing unit 27 and instructs it to be displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20. In response to this instruction, the image editing processing unit 27 displays the image data read out on the editing processing touch panel 20 (S40).

  On the other hand, if the password input in step S39 and the password stored in advance in the storage device 11 do not match (“No” in S39), the recording management unit 29 determines that the input number of times of the input password is predetermined. It is determined whether or not the number of times (for example, 3 times) or more (S41). In this determination, while the number of times the password is input is less than a predetermined number (for example, 3 times), the recording management unit 29 instructs the print processing unit 28 to prompt the edit processing touch panel 20 to input the password again. I do. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S41 that the number of times the password has been input is a predetermined number (for example, 3 times) or more (“Yes” in S41), the recording management unit 29 instructs the image editing processing unit 27. Then, an error is displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20 (S42).

  Further, the recording management unit 29 determines whether or not image data corresponding to the mail address of the user who has failed to input the password exists in the storage device 11 (S43). If “Yes” in this determination, the recording management unit 29 deletes all corresponding image data (S44).

  The image data deletion process in step S44 may be performed immediately when it is determined that the image data corresponding to the mail address of the user who failed to input the password exists in the storage device 11. . Further, a configuration may be adopted in which a time limit (image data expiration date) that is not deleted is set as a predetermined time period (for example, one week) for this data to be deleted. Thus, in the configuration in which the expiration date is set for a predetermined period, the deletion is not performed when there is an inquiry about the image data to be deleted during the predetermined period, and the photo sticker 2 is installed. An individual store operator may perform individual settings such as canceling the deletion setting of the image data for which this inquiry has been made. Further, in this way, when the store operator side cancels the deletion setting of the image data, the configuration may be such that the user is notified that the deletion setting has been canceled.

  When the password is authenticated and the past image data is displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20 as shown in step S40 described above, the image editing processing unit 27 stores the past image displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20. Whether or not to make an inquiry is also displayed (S45). In response to the display of this inquiry, when the image editing processing unit 27 receives information from the user via the editing processing touch panel 20 that requests re-saving of the past image ("Yes" in S45). The received information is notified to the record management unit 29.

  In response to the notification received from the image editing processing unit 27, the recording management unit 29 associates the image data (past image data) displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20 with the mail address of the user's communication terminal 3. Then, it is stored again in the storage device 11 (S46). Thus, when re-saving past image data, the recording management unit 29 resets the expiration date set in the past image data. For this reason, the period for which the past image data is stored in the storage device 11 can be extended.

  On the other hand, when the instruction to save the past image displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20 is not given as it is (“No” in step S45), the image editing processing unit 27 displays the past image displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20. The deletion instruction is inquired at (S48). In response to this inquiry, when an instruction to delete a specific past image or all of the past images displayed by the user is received via the editing processing touch panel 20, the image editing processing unit 27 is instructed to delete. The past image information is notified to the recording management unit 29.

  When the recording management unit 29 receives the above notification from the image editing processing unit 27, the recording management unit 29 deletes the image data of the image instructed to be deleted from the storage device 11 among the images displayed on the editing processing touch panel. In this way, in the photo sticker machine 2 according to the present embodiment, the past image data stored in the storage device 11 is updated (S49).

  When the past image is deleted and updated as described above, the process returns to step S40, and the updated state, that is, the past image data stored in the storage device 11 that remains without being deleted is again used for editing processing. It is displayed on the touch panel 20. If “No” in step S48, the process returns to step S40 again to repeat the process.

  In step S46 described above, when the past image data is re-saved in the storage device 11, the recording management unit 29 instructs the image editing processing unit 27 to launch an editing screen on the editing processing touch panel 20. In response to this instruction, the image editing processing unit 27 displays an editing screen on the editing processing touch panel 20 (S47). Then, the process proceeds to the editing process in step S16, and on this editing screen, the user selects an image to be edited and instructs the editing process.

(Printing process)
Next, the details of the printing process in the photographic sticker 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the printing process in the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment.

  As described above, when the image editing processing unit 27 finishes the image editing processing, the image editing processing unit 27 notifies the print processing unit 28 to that effect and causes the storage device 11 to store the edited image.

  Upon receiving a notification indicating the end of the image editing process from the image editing processing unit 27, the print processing unit 28 instructs the editing processing touch panel 20 to cause the user to select the number of divisions or the division pattern on the sticker sheet. To display. In response to the display on the editing processing touch panel 20, the print processing unit 28 receives information indicating the number of divisions or the division pattern desired by the user via the editing processing touch panel 20. Then, the print processing unit 28 creates image print data based on the information input from the user in this way (S61). When the print processing unit 28 creates the print data, the print processing unit 28 controls and activates the printer 23 and checks whether the status of the printer 23 is normal (S62). If the status of the printer 23 is not normal, the print processing unit 28 controls the editing processing touch panel 20 to display an error message indicating that the printer is in an error state (S63). The display of this error message is continued until the status of the printer 23 becomes normal.

  On the other hand, when the status of the activated printer 23 is normal, the print processing unit 28 prints the edited image edited by the image editing processing unit 27 for each divided area selected by the user. The printer 23 is controlled to print on the sticker paper (S64).

  As described above, the image providing system 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to store photographed image data in the photo sticker 2 itself. For this reason, when the stored image data is reused, the user always goes to the photo sticker 2 that stores the image data, and the opportunity to use the photo sticker 2 can be improved. . In particular, it is possible to improve the proportion of users who reuse the photo sticker 2 as a repeater. Furthermore, it is not necessary to establish a connection with the server as compared with a configuration in which captured image data is stored in an external server or the like. For this reason, it is not necessary to limit the installation environment of the photo sticker 2 to an environment in which communication with the server is possible. The game corner in which the photo seal machine 2 is mainly installed is not necessarily installed in a place where the communication environment is prepared, such as a top floor part of a commercial facility, an underground part such as a residential building, or the like. For this reason, the structure which does not need to be connected so that communication with an external server etc. is possible like the photograph sealing machine 2 which concerns on this Embodiment becomes especially advantageous.

  Further, in the image providing system 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the user reads the past image data by operating the editing processing touch panel 20 in the editing space. However, the space and timing for reading out the past image data are not limited to this. For example, the past image data may be read out in the photographing space before the photographing process is performed. Alternatively, the past image data may be read out in the shooting space.

  Thus, when reading past image data in the shooting space, the photo sticker 2 is configured to provide the short-range wireless communication unit 43 in the shooting space. Then, the user operates the photographing processing touch panel 22 to instruct reading of past image data.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment inputs a mail address and a password, which are user identification data, before photographing processing, and reads past image data. It is good also as a structure which provided the prior customer service space. In the case where the photo sticker 2 has such a pre-service space, the flow of movement of the user is as follows.

  That is, as a premise, two groups of users A1 and A2 and users B1 and B2 use the photo sticker 2. Then, it is assumed that the photo sticker 2 is used in order from the former group.

  Under such a premise, each of the users A1 and A2 first inputs a mail address and a password in the advance customer service space, and displays image data taken in the past. The group of users A1 and A2 moves to the shooting space and performs shooting. In this way, while the users A1 and A2 are photographing, the users B1 and B2 move to the pre-service area and enter the email address and password in the same manner as the users A1 and A2. The image data taken in the past is read and displayed.

  When the group of users A1 and A2 finishes the shooting process in the shooting space, the group moves to the editing space. In this embodiment, two sets can simultaneously perform editing processing in the editing space. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the groups of users A1 and A2 move to the left area in the shooting space, and perform the editing process and the printing process.

  On the other hand, when the group of users A1 and A2 moves to the editing space, the group of users B1 and B2 moves to the shooting space and performs shooting processing. Then, when the photographing process is finished, it moves to the area on the open side of the editing space (the area on the right side of the editing space in FIG. 11). Then, the users B1 and B2 perform the editing and printing process at positions opposite to the groups of the users A1 and A2 that are currently editing and printing.

  Thus, when reading past image data in the prior customer service space, the photo sticker 2 is configured to further include the following members in the previous customer service space. That is, the touch panel further includes a touch panel that displays guidance about processing to be executed in the customer service space and receives input from the user, and a touch pen that is attached to the touch panel. Then, the user operates this touch panel provided for pre-service processing and instructs the reading of past image data. Moreover, it becomes the structure which provides the short distance radio | wireless communication part 43 which receives the input of a mail address and a password from the communication terminal 3 which a user possesses, and the coin processing apparatus 18 in this prior customer service space.

  As described above, when the past image data is read before the photographing process, the user can check the history of the images photographed in the past. Also, in the case of a configuration in which past image data is read out during shooting processing, shooting processing can be performed with reference to shooting poses shot in the past.

  Further, the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment is configured to be connected to an external server (management device / server device) 5 through the communication network 4 like the photo sticker 200 shown in FIG. 5 may be configured to store a part of the captured image data. The configuration of this photo sticker 200 is the same as that of the photo sticker 2 shown in FIG. 1, but further includes a communication processing unit 12 for establishing a connection with the server 5 through the communication network 4. The communication processing unit 12 transmits the image data stored in the storage device 11 to the server 5 or acquires the image data stored in the server 5 in accordance with an instruction from the recording management unit 29. I will let you.

  As described above, the total amount of image data that can be stored can be increased by adopting a configuration in which the captured image data can be stored in the external server 5 as well as the storage device 11 provided in itself. .

  Further, the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which an e-mail address is input as the user identification data in the above-described “image saving / reading process”. However, it may be configured to use an authentication number issued to each user as the identification data, or may be configured to use feature point information extracted from a photographed user's face image. Good.

  More specifically, in the shooting process of step S12 shown in FIG. 6, the photo sticker 2 takes a picture of the user and recognizes the user's face image from the acquired shot images. Then, the photo sticker 2 extracts a feature point of the user's face based on the recognized face image, and creates a face ID based on the extracted face feature point. The photo sticker 2 notifies the user of the created face ID, adds it to the photographed user image, and temporarily stores it in the storage device 11. On the other hand, the user inputs the notified face ID as identification data assigned to the user.

  In the case where the past image data is read using the face ID of the user as described above, the past image data to be read can be processed as described below. That is, for example, when a plurality of faces are photographed in the past image data, processing other than the face image corresponding to the user ID is subjected to processing such as mosaic processing and displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20. Thus, the protection of personal information can be strengthened by hiding images of faces other than the user.

  In the image providing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the mail address of the communication terminal 3 possessed by the user is transmitted by infrared as user identification data. The method is not limited to this. For example, the communication terminal 3 includes an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag that records the mail address of the communication terminal 3, while the photo sticker 2 includes an RFID tag reader / writer instead of the short-range wireless communication unit 43. Also good. In such a configuration, the RFID tag reader / writer included in the photo sticker 2 reads the mail address of the communication terminal 3 from the RFID of the communication terminal 3 and transmits it to the control unit 10.

  Further, when the communication terminal 3 is configured to be able to communicate with the photo sticker 2 via the base station, a configuration may be adopted in which a mail address is transmitted from the communication terminal 3 to the photo sticker 2 as follows. That is, the photo sticker 2 is provided with a QR code (registered trademark) or digital watermark including information indicating the URL of the photo sticker 2, and the communication terminal 3 has a camera function provided with the QR code or digital watermark. Read by. When the communication terminal 3 reads the QR code or the digital watermark, the URL of the photo sticker 2 is extracted. The communication terminal 3 can input the mail address of the communication terminal 3 as identification data by transmitting a blank mail to this URL destination via the base station.

  Note that in the case where the URL of the photo sticker 2 is obtained from the QR code and a blank mail is transmitted to the URL destination, it is preferable that the photo sticker 2 has a plurality of QR codes. That is, in a configuration in which a plurality of QR codes are provided, when there are a plurality of users, the plurality of users acquire the URLs simultaneously with different QR codes. A connection to this URL destination can be established and a blank mail can be transmitted, and the operation time required for transmitting a mail address can be greatly shortened as compared with the case of one QR code.

  Further, as described above, in the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment, an expiration date is set for each image data to be stored. Therefore, when the communication terminal 3 is configured to be able to communicate with the photo sticker 2 via the base station, it may be configured to notify the information of the image data whose expiration date is approaching by e-mail or the like. By performing such notification, the number of visits to the photo sticker 2 by the user can be promoted.

  In addition, as described above, the photo sticker 2 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which an email address is transmitted from the communication terminal 3 by infrared rays, and the password is operated by operating the editing processing touch panel 20. The password may be transmitted from the communication terminal 3 to the photo sticker 2 by infrared rays.

  Note that the image data stored in the above-described photo sticker 2 is image data of an image that is captured in association with each unit of the imaging unit 40, but is not limited thereto. For example, the communication terminal 3 has a camera function, and image data captured by the camera function of the communication terminal 3 is received from the communication terminal 3 via the short-range wireless communication unit 43 and stored in the storage device 11. It may be memorized.

  In addition, the image providing system 1 described above stores image data of a photographed image in accordance with identification data such as an e-mail address input from the communication terminal 3 with respect to one photo sticker 2 or past images. The image data can be read out. However, a desired image can be obtained by connecting a plurality of the above-described photo sticker machines 2 through the communication network 4 and targeting image data stored in all the photo sticker machines 2 connected by the communication network 4. It can be configured to read data. Therefore, as a second embodiment, an image providing system in which a plurality of photo stickers are connected to each other through a communication network 4 and can share image data held by each photo sticker is described with reference to FIGS. explain.

(Embodiment 2)
As shown in FIG. 13, an image providing system 100 according to another embodiment (second embodiment) of the present invention includes a plurality of photo seal machines (image editing apparatuses) 201 (photo seal machines 201a to 201l). And a server (management device / server device) 5. The photo stickers 201a to 201l are referred to as photo stickers 201 when it is not necessary to distinguish them. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the image providing system 100.

  In the image providing system 100, a plurality of photo stickers 201 are installed in each of a plurality of stores (stores A to C), and each photo sticker 201 and the server 5 are connected to each other through the communication network 4. Yes. That is, in the image providing system 100, the server 5 provides a database for searching image data and manages connection of each photo sticker 201, and exchange of image data itself is directly performed between the photo stickers 201. Done by connection. That is, the image providing system 100 uses a so-called P2P (Peer to Peer) technology that requires the mediation of the server 5.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the photo sticker 201 includes a communication processing unit 12 that establishes communication with another photo sticker 201 or the server 5 through the communication network 4 in the configuration shown in FIG. However, the communication processing unit 12 is further controlled as a functional block by an image requesting unit (inquiry unit / acquisition unit) 35 that requests image data (past image data) stored in another photo sticker 201. It is different in point. Other members are the same as those of the photo sealing machine 2 shown in FIG. For this reason, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same member and the description is abbreviate | omitted. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing another embodiment (Embodiment 2) of the present invention, and is a block diagram showing an example of a main part configuration of the photographic seal machine 201.

  That is, the communication processing unit 12 included in the photo sticker 201 according to the second embodiment communicates with the server 5 and other photo stickers 201 through the communication network 4 in response to an instruction from the image request unit 35 included in the control unit 10. Is to establish.

  In addition, when the image request unit 35 reads out the image data of the past image stored in the other photo sticker 2 in the past image reading process in the “image storing / reading process”, the image of the desired past image is read. The server 5 is inquired about the photo sticker 2 that holds data. Further, the image requesting unit 35 specifies another photographic sealing machine 201 that holds image data of a desired past image from the response to the inquiry from the server 5, and stores the past image in the photographic sealing machine 201. It also requests that image data be transmitted.

  In response to the image data acquisition request from the photo sticker 201, the server 5 specifies the photo sticker 201 having the image data desired to be acquired, and sends the image data to the photo sticker 201. An instruction is given to transmit the image data to the desired photo sticker 201. This server 5 holds image management data (management table) 51 as image data list information stored in each photo sticker 201 as shown in FIG. And the server 5 can grasp | ascertain which photo seal machine 201 of which store the desired image data is memorize | stored by referring this image management data 51. FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of image management data 51 included in the server 5 in the image providing system 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  The server 5 can update (or obtain) the image management data 51 as follows. That is, the image management data 51 periodically requests all the photo stickers 201 included in the image providing system 100 to transmit a list of image data stored in each photo sticker 201. Each of the photo stickers 201 receives this request by the communication processing unit 12 and transmits it to the recording management unit 29 via the image request unit 35. When receiving this request, the recording management unit 29 creates a list of stored image data with reference to, for example, image information in the list information shown in FIG. 5 stored in the storage device 11. Then, the created image data list is transferred to the image requesting unit 35 together with information for identifying the device itself. Then, the image requesting unit 35 is instructed to transmit information for identifying the photograph sticker 201 together with the created list of image data.

  In response to this instruction, the image request unit 35 operates the communication processing unit 12 to transmit information identifying the photo sticker 201 together with the list of the created image data to the server 5. On the other hand, when receiving a list of image data from each photo sticker 201, the server 5 collects the list of these image data and creates image management data 51.

  In this image providing system 100, a user who visits each store (any one of store A to store C) is one of photo sticker 201 (photo sticker 201a to photo sticker 201l) installed in the store. It is possible to execute shooting processing, past image storage and reading processing, editing processing, and printing processing. Since each of these processes can be performed in the same manner as the photographic sealing machine 2 according to the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. However, the photo sticker 201 provided in the image providing system 100 is different from the first embodiment in that image data stored in another photo sticker 201 can also be read. Therefore, only the “image storing and reading process” will be described below.

(Image saving / reading process 2)
Here, “image storing / reading process 2” in the photo sticker 201 in the image providing system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are flowcharts showing an example of the image storing / reading process in the photographic sticker 4 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the flowcharts shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, steps S60 to S74 shown in FIG. 15 are the same as steps S30 to S44 shown in FIG.

  That is, up to step S70, the past image stored in the photo sticker 201 photographed by the user can be displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20. In this way, when the past image is displayed, the image editing processing unit 27 controls the editing processing touch panel 20 to inquire whether there is a past image to be read from another device (other photo sticker 201). Display is performed (S75).

  In response to this display, when the user operates the editing processing touch panel 20 and inputs a notification that there is no past image to be read from another device, the image editing processing unit 27 receives this input. If the received notification indicates that there is no past image to be read from another device, the image editing processing unit 27 proceeds to step S80, and displays whether or not to save the currently displayed past image. The edit processing touch panel 20 is controlled so as to perform the above.

  On the other hand, when the user operates the editing processing touch panel 20 and inputs a notification that there is a past image to be read from another device in response to the inquiry shown in step S75 ("Yes" in S75), this input Is received by the image editing processing unit 27. Then, when the received notification indicates that the past image is read from another device, the image editing processing unit 27 controls the editing processing touch panel 20 and installs the device (photo sticker) in the other store. Display to inquire whether there is a past image to be read from the machine 201) (S76).

  In response to the inquiry in step S76, when receiving a notification from the user indicating that there is no past image to be read from a device installed in another store, the image editing processing unit 27 sends the image requesting unit 35 to the image requesting unit 35. The other photo sticker 201 in the same store as the photo sticker 201 is instructed to request a past image corresponding to the user identification data. The image requesting unit 35 controls the communication processing unit 12 in accordance with an instruction from the image editing processing unit 27 and is used in the other photo sticker 201 in the same store as the photo sticker 201 with respect to the server 5. The past image corresponding to the identification data of the person is inquired.

  In response to this inquiry, the server 5 refers to the image management data 51 to search for another photo sticker 201 in the same store that holds the past image corresponding to the user identification data, and this photo sticker. Information identifying the machine 201 is notified. When the notification is received by the image request unit 35 via the communication processing unit 12, the user's information is sent to the other photo sticker 201 corresponding to the information specifying the photo sticker 201 received from the server 5. Request to send past images. In response to this request, when a past image is transmitted from the other photo sticker 201, the image request unit 35 receives the past image via the communication processing unit 12. Then, the received past image is transmitted to the image editing processing unit 27, and this past image is displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20 (S70).

  On the other hand, when receiving a notification from the user indicating that there is a past image to be read from a device installed in another store, the image editing processing unit 27 sends an image requesting unit 35 to the image requesting unit 35. The photo sticker 201 installed in another store different from the store in which the photo sticker 201 is installed is instructed to request a past image corresponding to the user identification data. The image requesting unit 35 controls the communication processing unit 12 in response to an instruction from the image editing processing unit 27, and the past held by another photo sealer 201 in a different store with respect to the server 5. The past image corresponding to the user identification data is inquired in the image.

  In response to this inquiry, the server 5 refers to the image management data 51 to search for another photo sticker 201 in another store that holds the past image corresponding to the user identification data, and this photo. Information specifying the sealing machine 201 is notified. When this notification is received by the image request unit 35 via the communication processing unit 12, the password of the store where the other photo seal machine 201 that holds the image data corresponding to the user identification data is installed is input. The image editing processing unit 27 is instructed to prompt the user. In response to this instruction from the image requesting unit 35, the image editing processing unit 27 controls the editing processing touch panel 20 to display the password input screen of the other store (S77).

  For example, it is assumed that the user performs the above-described “image saving / reading process” in the photo sticker 201 a installed in the store A. Then, it is assumed that information specifying the photo sticker 201k installed in the store C is received from the server 5 as another photo sticker 201 that holds image data corresponding to the identification data of the user. Under such a premise, the photo sticker 201 displays a screen that prompts the store C to input a password in step S77.

  That is, in the image providing system 100 according to the present embodiment (second embodiment), a password is set for each store A, B, and C. For this reason, when a past image is further read from another photo sticker 201 in the same store, if the authentication process of the password assigned to the store is once performed, the password input is not requested again. However, when a past image is further read from the photo sticker 201 installed in another store, input of a password assigned to the other store is requested.

  Note that the processing from step S78 to step S79 and from step S83 to step S86 following step S77 is the same as the processing from step S69 to step S70 and from step S71 to step S74, that is, the steps shown in FIG. This is the same as the processing from S39 to step S40 and from step S41 to step S44. For this reason, description of each of these steps is omitted.

  Further, the processing from step S80 to step S82 and from step S87 to step S88 is the same as the processing from step S45 to step S47 and from step S48 to step S49 shown in FIG. For this reason, description of each of these steps is also omitted.

  As described above, since the server 5 includes the image management data 51, each photo sticker 201 holds the past image corresponding to the identification data by transmitting the user identification data to the server 5. The photo sealer 201 can be specified. Since the photo sticker 201 described below can request and acquire the transmission of the image data of the past image from the other photo stickers 201 specified by the server 5, the photo sticker 201 stores it in the storage device 11. In addition to the past image data of the past image, the past image held by another photo sticker 201 can be read and used.

  Further, in the image providing system 100 described above, image data photographed by each photo sticker 201 is stored, and the server 5 is inquired of the photo sticker 201 that holds a desired past image. Then, based on the information specifying the photo sticker 201 transmitted from the server 5 in response to this inquiry, the specified photo sticker 201 is requested to send a past image. That is, the image providing system 100 uses the P2P technology that requires the mediation of the server 5.

  However, the configuration of the image providing system 100 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, each photo sticker 201 is not provided with the server 5 like the image providing system 100 shown in FIG. 13. It may be a system (image providing system 101) constructed by P2P technology that connects image data to each other and transmits image data by a bucket relay method. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image providing system 101 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  In this image providing system 101, one of the plurality of photo stickers 201 installed in each store has a gateway function, and can exchange data with the photo sticker 2 set in another store. It is configured as follows. Further, the photo sticker 2 having this gateway function is set to perform authentication when identification data and a password are received from another photo sticker 2.

  The photo sticker 201 having the gateway function is a photo sticker 201d at the store A, a photo sticker 201e at the store B, and a photo sticker 201i at the store C.

  In such an image providing system 101, when an instruction to read out image data is given from any photo sticker 2 (here, photo sticker 201j shown in FIG. 18) installed in another store, the photo The seal machine 201j receives image data desired to be read from the photo seal machine (the photo seal machine 201d of the store A and the photo seal machine 201e of the store B) having a gateway function of each store via the photo seal machine 201i. Make an inquiry.

  In response to this inquiry, each photo seal machine 201d and photo seal machine 201e installed in each store has other photo seal machines installed in the respective stores (in the store A, photo seal machines 201a to 201). In the sealing machine 201c and the store B, the presence or absence of the image data desired to be read out is confirmed with respect to the photographic sealing machines 201f to 201h). This confirmation is performed by multicast from each of the photo stickers 201d and 201e having a gateway function in each store. Each of the photo stickers 201d and 201e specifies the photo sticker 201 holding the image data desired to be read out from the response to the confirmation.

  Here, for example, it is assumed that the image sticker 201c holds image data desired to be read. In this case, the photo sticker 201d installed in the same store as the photo sticker 201c has a gateway function and the photo sticker 201j is passed through the photo sticker 201i to the photo sticker 201j together with information indicating the store A. Information on the sealing machine 201c is transmitted.

  As described above, when the information about the photo sticker 201c holding the image data desired to be read and the store A where the photo sticker 201c is installed is received, the photo sticker 201j is assigned to the store A. Prompt the user to enter the password. In response to this, when a password is input from the user, the photo sticker 201j passes the input password to the photo sticker 201i and transmits it to the photo sticker 201d.

  When the photo sticker 201d receives a password from the photo sticker 201j via the photo sticker 201i, the photo sticker 201d authenticates the password. When the password is authenticated, the photo sticker 201d acquires image data desired to be read from the photo sticker 201c, and transmits the image data to the photo sticker 201j via the photo sticker 201i. The photo sticker 201j displays the image data received from the photo sticker 201c, and performs an editing process in accordance with an instruction from the user.

  On the other hand, the photo sticker 201c re-saves the read image data and updates the save date and time.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Finally, each block of the photo sticker 2.201, in particular, the charging processing unit 25, the photographing processing unit 26, the image editing processing unit 27, the print processing unit 28, the recording management unit 29, and the image requesting unit 35 of the control unit 10 It may be configured by hardware logic, or may be realized by software using a CPU as follows.

  That is, the photo sticker 2/201 includes a central processing unit (CPU) that executes a command of a control program for realizing each function, a read only memory (ROM) that stores the program, and a random access memory (RAM) that expands the program. memory), a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. An object of the present invention is a record in which the program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of the control program of the photo sticker 2/201, which is software that realizes the above-described functions, is recorded in a computer-readable manner This can also be achieved by supplying the medium to the photo sticker 2/201 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, the photo sticker 2/201 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Further, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The image editing apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage device that stores image data, and is configured to be able to read image data for editing processing created in the past only in the image editing apparatus. For this reason, in order to read image data created in the past for editing processing, the user needs to visit this image editing apparatus, which can be applied to an increase in the number of users as repeaters of the image editing apparatus.

1, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image providing system. FIG. It is the figure which looked at the photography sticker concerning this embodiment from the above-mentioned photography space side. It is the figure which looked at the photograph sticker concerning this embodiment from the printing space side. It is a figure which shows an example of how to memorize | store image data in a memory | storage device, The figure (a) shows an example of the memorize | stored image data in the memory | storage device which concerns on embodiment of this invention, The figure (B) shows the comparative example with respect to Fig.4 (a). An example of the table which shows embodiment of this invention and shows the correspondence of the information of the registered mail address, and the image information which specifies the image data of the user of the communication terminal to which this mail address is allocated FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the photograph sticker creation process in the photograph sticker which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the imaging | photography process performed with the photograph sticker based on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the image preservation | save and read-out process performed with the photograph sticker based on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the image preservation | save and read-out process performed with the photograph sticker based on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the printing process in the photo sticker which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the arrangement | positioning of the photo sticker which concerns on this Embodiment, and the state of a user's movement. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of the present invention and illustrating a configuration of a main part of an image providing system. It is a figure which shows another embodiment of this invention, and is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of an image provision system. It is a figure which shows an example of the image management data which the server in the image provision system which concerns on another embodiment of this invention has. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the image preservation | save / read-out process in the photograph sticker machine which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the image preservation | save / read-out process in the photograph sticker machine which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows another embodiment of this invention, and is a block diagram which shows an example of the principal part structure of a photograph sticker. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the image provision system which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image providing system 2 Photo sticker (image editing device)
3 Communication terminal (communication device)
5 Server (Management device / Server device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Memory | storage device 12 Communication processing part 20 Touch panel for edit processing (password information reception part)
27 Image editing processing unit (editing processing means)
29 Record management section (management means / judgment means)
35 Image request section (inquiry means / acquisition means)
43 Short-range wireless communication unit (receiving unit / password information receiving unit)
51 Image management data (management table)
100 image providing system 200 photo sticker (image editing device)
201a-201l Photo sticker (image editing device)

Claims (11)

An image editing device for editing image data and printing on a sheet,
A receiving unit that receives identification data that is information for identifying the user from the communication device used by the user;
Editing processing means for editing image data in response to an input instruction from a user;
A storage device for storing the image data in association with the user identification data;
The image data stored in the storage device is original image data which is image data to be edited by a plurality of users, and image data used when each user performs an editing process on the original image data. Edited image data, and the storage device stores the original image data and the edited image data separately in association with each other,
When the receiving unit receives the identification data, the edited image data corresponding to the identification data and the original image data associated with the edited image data are stored as image data for editing processing by the editing processing unit. An image editing apparatus characterized by being read from the apparatus. Management means for setting and managing an expiration date that can be read out as image data for editing processing with respect to the image data stored in the storage device,
The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management unit deletes image data exceeding a set expiration date from the storage device. Device identification data, which is unique information for identifying the communication device, is assigned to the communication device,
The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit receives apparatus identification data as identification data from the communication apparatus.   The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit receives identification data from the communication apparatus by wireless communication. A plurality of other image editing devices, and a management device that manages the correspondence between the image data stored in each of these other image editing devices and the identification data, are communicably connected,
Inquiry means for inquiring of the other image editing device that stores image data corresponding to the identification data received from the receiving unit to the management device,
An acquisition unit configured to acquire image data to be read for editing processing by the editing processing unit from another image editing device indicated by a response received from the management device in response to the query by the querying unit; The image editing apparatus according to claim 1. PIN information is set according to the location where the image editing device is installed,
A password information receiving unit for receiving input of the password information from the user;
Determination means for determining whether or not the user is a legitimate user capable of reading image data for editing processing based on the password information received by the password information receiving unit;
When the determination means determines that the user is a legitimate user, the image data corresponding to the identification data received by the receiving unit is read from the storage device as image data for editing processing by the editing processing means. The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image editing apparatus is characterized.   The image editing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an external server device for storing the image data in association with the identification data of the user.   An image providing system comprising: the image editing apparatus according to claim 1; and a communication apparatus that establishes communication with the image editing apparatus. A plurality of image editing apparatuses according to claim 6, a communication apparatus establishing communication with any one of the image editing apparatuses, and a management unit connected to be able to communicate with each of the plurality of image editing apparatuses. With the device,
The image providing system, wherein the management device has a management table for managing a correspondence relationship between image data stored in each image editing device and the identification data.   A control program for operating the image editing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control program for the image editing apparatus causes a computer to function as each means.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program for the image editing apparatus according to claim 10 is recorded.