Image data dispensing system

• US 20040201683A1
• Filed: 10/11/2001
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Murashita, Kimitaka, Shimizu, Masayoshi, Suzuki, Shoji
• Application Number:
  US09/973,837
• Publication Number:
  US 20040201683A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00132 in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00164 at a remote location
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00167 Processing or editing H04N1/00196 - H04N1/00201 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00172 directly from a still digital camera or from a storage medium mounted in a still digital camera H04N1/0018 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00188 Printing, e.g. prints or reprints H04N1/0019, H04N1/00196 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2179 Interfaces allowing access to a plurality of users, e.g. connection to electronic image libraries
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/001 Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0013 Arrangements for the control of the connected apparatus by the still picture apparatus arrangements for the control of a still picture apparatus by the connected apparatus H04N2201/0074; control of image communication with the connected apparatus H04N2201/0015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3263 of a graphical motif or symbol, e.g. Christmas symbol, logo H04N2201/3211 takes precedence

Abstract

A system is provided which would allow users, even though they have no digital camera, nor its peripheral device, nor personal computer, to be provide with digital image data and enjoy its features. The system includes: an image obtaining apparatus, adapted to be lent to a user, for obtaining image data by operation of the user; image manipulating means for manipulating the image data, which has been obtained by the image obtaining apparatus, by a predetermined manipulation process; and image data dispensing means for dispensing the resulting image data, which is the image data as the result of the predetermined manipulation process by the image manipulation means, to the customer for a consideration. The present system is employed in recreation facilities (amusement parks, theme parks, etc.), tourist attractions, and athletic races, so as to provide picture-taking/image-dispensing services.

Claims

1. An image data dispensing system comprising:

an image obtaining apparatus, adapted to be lent to a customer, for obtaining image data by operation of the customer;

image manipulating means for manipulating said image data, which has been obtained by said image obtaining apparatus, by a predetermined manipulation process; and

image data dispensing means for dispensing the resulting image data, which is the image data as the result of said predetermined manipulation process by said image manipulation means, to the customer for a consideration.

6. An image data dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein:

said image data dispensing means includes image writing means for writing the resulting image data, which is the image data as the result of said predetermined manipulation process by said image manipulating means, into a portable medium, and

said portable medium, into which the resulting image data is written by said image writing means, is purchased by the customer, so that the resulting image data written therein is dispensed to the customer.

10. An image data dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein:

said image data dispensing means includes;

an image server for storing the resulting image data, which is the image data as the result of said predetermined manipulation process by said image manipulating means; and

a communication network communicably interconnecting said image server and a customer terminal, and

the resulting image data stored in said image server is dispensed to said customer terminal via said communication network.

14. An image data dispensing system according to claim 10, wherein said image data dispensing means further includes access managing means for managing access attempts of the customer from said customer terminal to the resulting image data stored in said image server, such that the accessing is permitted for a limited period depending upon an amount of charge said customer has paid for the consideration.

18. An image data dispensing system according to claim 10, wherein said image data dispensing means further includes access managing means for managing access attempts of the customer from said customer terminal to the resulting image data stored in said image server, such that the accessing is permitted under condition that a predetermined amount of charge has been paid for the consideration.

22. An image data dispensing system according to claim 18, wherein said image data dispensing means further includes reference image producing means for producing a reference image from the resulting image data stored in said image server, said reference image being offered to the customer without consideration.

26. An image data dispensing system according to claim 10, further comprising:

consideration collection managing means for managing the collection of a consideration to be paid for the resulting image data; and

image deleting means for deleting the resulting image data stored in said image server upon recognition by said consideration collection managing means that the consideration for the image data has not yet been collected even after elapse of a predetermined time period.

30. An image data dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said image manipulating means stores added information in a predetermined address of said image data.

34. An image data dispensing system according to claim 30, further comprising an image viewer for reading out said added data, which is stored by said image manipulating means, and showing said added data on its screen.

38. An image data dispensing system according to claim 34, wherein said added information is an advertisement relevant to where said image data has been obtained.

42. An image data dispensing system according to claim 38, wherein said image manipulating means stores said added information together with another piece of information that designates a display available period during which said image viewer is adapted to show said added information.

46. An image data dispensing system according to claim 38, wherein said image manipulating means, if any other image data has been previously stored where the object resulting image data is to be stored, updates added information stored in such previous image data.

50. An image data dispensing system according to claim 30, wherein said added information is where said image data has been obtained.

54. An image data dispensing system according to claim 30, wherein said added information is when, or the date and time, said image data was obtained.

58. An image data dispensing system according to claim 30, wherein said added information is the customer'"'"'s personal data relevant to said image data.

64. An image data dispensing system according to claim 1, wherein said image manipulating means performs image processing upon said image data.

2. An image data dispensing system comprising:

an image obtaining apparatus for obtaining image data;

an image data storing apparatus, adapted to be lent to a customer, for temporarily storing said image data obtained by said image obtaining apparatus;

image manipulating means for manipulating said image data, which is stored in said image data storing means, by a predetermined manipulation process; and

image data dispensing means for dispensing the resulting image data, which is the image data as the result of said predetermined manipulation process by said image manipulating means, to the customer for a consideration.

3. An image data dispensing system according to claim 2, wherein said image obtaining apparatus is previously installed at a predetermined position.

7. An image data dispensing system according to claim 2, wherein:

said image data dispensing means includes image writing means for writing the resulting image data, which is the image data as the result of said predetermined manipulation process by said image manipulating means, into a portable medium, and

said portable medium, into which the resulting image data is written by said image writing means, is purchased by the customer, so that the resulting image data written therein is dispensed to the customer.

11. An image data dispensing system according to claim 2, wherein:

said image data dispensing means includes;

an image server for storing the resulting image data, which is the image data as the result of said predetermined manipulation process by said image manipulating means; and

a communication network communicably interconnecting said image server and a customer terminal, and

the resulting image data stored in said image server is dispensed to said customer terminal via said communication network.

15. An image data dispensing system according to claim 11, wherein said image data dispensing means further includes access managing means for managing access attempts of the customer from said customer terminal to the resulting image data stored in said image server, such that the accessing is permitted for a limited period depending upon an amount of charge said customer has paid for the consideration.

19. An image data dispensing system according to claim 11, wherein said image data dispensing means further includes access managing means for managing access attempts of the customer from said customer terminal to the resulting image data stored in said image server, such that the accessing is permitted under condition that a predetermined amount of charge has been paid for the consideration.

23. An image data dispensing system according to claim 19, wherein said image data dispensing means further includes reference image producing means for producing a reference image from the resulting image data stored in said image server, said reference image being offered to the customer without consideration.

27. An image data dispensing system according to claim 11, further comprising:

consideration collection managing means for managing the collection of a consideration to be paid for the resulting image data; and

image deleting means for deleting the resulting image data stored in said image server upon recognition by said consideration collection managing means that the consideration for the image data has not yet been collected even after elapse of a predetermined time period.

31. An image data dispensing system according to claim 2, wherein said image manipulating means stores added information in a predetermined address of said image data.

35. An image data dispensing system according to claim 31, further comprising an image viewer for reading out said added data, which is stored by said image manipulating means, and showing said added data on its screen.

39. An image data dispensing system according to claim 35, wherein said added information is an advertisement relevant to where said image data has been obtained.

43. An image data dispensing system according to claim 39, wherein said image manipulating means stores said added information together with another piece of information that designates a display available period during which said image viewer is adapted to show said added information.

47. An image data dispensing system according to claim 39, wherein said image manipulating means, if any other image data has been previously stored where the object resulting image data is to be stored, updates added information stored in such previous image data.

51. An image data dispensing system according to claim 31, wherein said added information is where said image data has been obtained.

55. An image data dispensing system according to claim 31, wherein said added information is when, or the date and time, said image data was obtained.

59. An image data dispensing system according to claim 31, wherein said added information is the customer'"'"'s personal data relevant to said image data.

62. An image data dispensing system according to claim 3, further comprising positional information storing means for storing positional information of the predetermined position where said image obtaining apparatus is previously installed,

said image manipulating means reading out the positional information, which is stored in said positional information storing means, corresponding to said image obtaining apparatus by which said image data has been obtained, and storing the readout positional information in a predetermined address of said image data, as added information.

65. An image data dispensing system according to claim 2, wherein said image manipulating means performs image processing upon said image data.

68. An image data dispensing system according to claim 3, wherein said image manipulating means includes:

color temperature information storing means for storing color temperature information at the predetermined position where said image obtaining apparatus is installed, by date and time, weather, and season;

available light color temperature determining means for determining color temperature of available light for said image data, in view of where said image obtaining apparatus is installed and when said image data is obtained, based on said color temperature information stored in said color temperature information storing means; and

white balance correcting means for correcting white balance of the image data depending on the available light color temperature, which is determined by said available light color temperature determining means.

4. An image data dispensing system comprising:

a transmitter, adapted to be lent to a customer, for transmitting a signal including identification (ID) information of the customer;

an image obtaining apparatus, previously installed in predetermined position and having a receiver for receiving said signal from said transmitter, for obtaining image data in response to the receipt of said signal from said transmitter by said receiver;

an image data storing apparatus for temporarily storing said image data obtained by said image obtaining apparatus;

a communication network, communicably interconnecting said image obtaining apparatus and said image data storing apparatus, for communicating said image data and said ID information from said image obtaining apparatus to said image data storing apparatus;

image manipulating means for manipulating said image data, which is stored in said image data storing means, by a predetermined manipulation process; and

image data dispensing means for dispensing the resulting image data, which is the image data as the result of said predetermined manipulation process by said image manipulating means, to the customer corresponding to said ID information, for a consideration.

8. An image data dispensing system according to claim 4, wherein:

said image data dispensing means includes image writing means for writing the resulting image data, which is the image data as the result of said predetermined manipulation process by said image manipulating means, into a portable medium, and

said portable medium, into which the resulting image data is written by said image writing means, is purchased by the customer, so that the resulting image data written therein is dispensed to the customer.

12. An image data dispensing system according to claim 4, wherein:

said image data dispensing means includes;

an image server for storing the resulting image data, which is the image data as the result of said predetermined manipulation process by said image manipulating means; and

a communication network communicably interconnecting said image server and a customer terminal, and

the resulting image data stored in said image server is dispensed to said customer terminal via said communication network.

16. An image data dispensing system according to claim 12, wherein said image data dispensing means further includes access managing means for managing access attempts of the customer from said customer terminal to the resulting image data stored in said image server, such that the accessing is permitted for a limited period depending upon an amount of charge said customer has paid for the consideration.

20. An image data dispensing system according to claim 12, wherein said image data dispensing means further includes access managing means for managing access attempts of the customer from said customer terminal to the resulting image data stored in said image server, such that the accessing is permitted under condition that a predetermined amount of charge has been paid for the consideration.

24. An image data dispensing system according to claim 20, wherein said image data dispensing means further includes reference image producing means for producing a reference image from the resulting image data stored in said image server, said reference image being offered to the customer without consideration.

28. An image data dispensing system according to claim 12, further comprising:

consideration collection managing means for managing the collection of a consideration to be paid for the resulting image data; and

image deleting means for deleting the resulting image data stored in said image server upon recognition by said consideration collection managing means that the consideration for the image data has not yet been collected even after elapse of a predetermined time period.

32. An image data dispensing system according to claim 4, wherein said image manipulating means stores added information in a predetermined address of said image data.

36. An image data dispensing system according to claim 32, further comprising an image viewer for reading out said added data, which is stored by said image manipulating means, and showing said added data on its screen.

40. An image data dispensing system according to claim 36, wherein said added information is an advertisement relevant to where said image data has been obtained.

44. An image data dispensing system according to claim 40, wherein said image manipulating means stores said added information together with another piece of information that designates a display available period during which said image viewer is adapted to show said added information.

48. An image data dispensing system according to claim 40, wherein said image manipulating means, if any other image data has been previously stored where the object resulting image data is to be stored, updates added information stored in such previous image data.

52. An image data dispensing system according to claim 32, wherein said added information is where said image data has been obtained.

56. An image data dispensing system according to claim 32, wherein said added information is when, or the date and time, said image data was obtained.

60. An image data dispensing system according to claim 32, wherein said added information is the customer'"'"'s personal data relevant to said image data.

63. An image data dispensing system according to claim 4, further comprising positional information storing means for storing positional information of the predetermined position where said image obtaining apparatus is previously installed,

said image manipulating means reading out the positional information, which is stored in said positional information storing means, corresponding to said image obtaining apparatus by which said image data has been obtained, and storing the readout positional information in a predetermined address of said image data, as added information.

66. An image data dispensing system according to claim 4, wherein said image manipulating means performs image processing upon said image data.

69. An image data dispensing system according to claim 4, wherein said image manipulating means includes:

color temperature information storing means for storing color temperature information at the predetermined position where said image obtaining apparatus is installed, by date and time, weather, and season;

available light color temperature determining means for determining color temperature of available light for said image data, in view of where said image obtaining apparatus is installed and when said image data is obtained, based on said color temperature information stored in said color temperature information storing means; and

white balance correcting means for correcting white balance of the image data depending on the available light color temperature, which is determined by said available light color temperature determining means.

5. An image data dispensing system comprising:

an image obtaining apparatus for obtaining image data that includes ID information of a customer in the form of an image;

image manipulating means for manipulating said image data obtained by said image obtaining apparatus;

ID information extracting means for extracting said ID information from said image data obtained by said image obtaining means;

a database for holding personal information of the individual customer in correspondence with said ID information;

customer specifying means for obtaining said personal information of the customer by retrieving said database using said ID information, which has been extracted by said ID information extracting means, as a key, and for specifying the customer based on said obtained personal information;

notifying means for notifying an accessing technique to the customer who has been specified by said customer specifying means; and

image data dispensing means for dispensing the resulting image data, which is the image data as the result of said predetermined manipulation process by said image manipulating means, to the customer, who has been notified of said accessing technique by said notifying means, for a consideration.

9. An image data dispensing system according to claim 5, wherein:

said image data dispensing means includes image writing means for writing the resulting image data, which is the image data as the result of said predetermined manipulation process by said image manipulating means, into a portable medium, and

said portable medium, into which the resulting image data is written by said image writing means, is purchased by the customer, so that the resulting image data written therein is dispensed to the customer.

13. An image data dispensing system according to claim 5, wherein:

said image data dispensing means includes;

an image server for storing the resulting image data, which is the image data as the result of said predetermined manipulation process by said image manipulating means; and

a communication network communicably interconnecting said image server and a customer terminal, and

the resulting image data stored in said image server is dispensed to said customer terminal via said communication network.

17. An image data dispensing system according to claim 13, wherein said image data dispensing means further includes access managing means for managing access attempts of the customer from said customer terminal to the resulting image data stored in said image server, such that the accessing is permitted for a limited period depending upon an amount of charge said customer has paid for the consideration.

21. An image data dispensing system according to claim 13, wherein said image data dispensing means further includes access managing means for managing access attempts of the customer from said customer terminal to the resulting image data stored in said image server, such that the accessing is permitted under condition that a predetermined amount of charge has been paid for the consideration.

25. An image data dispensing system according to claim 21, wherein said image data dispensing means further includes reference image producing means for producing a reference image from the resulting image data stored in said image server, said reference image being offered to the customer without consideration.

29. An image data dispensing system according to claim 13, further comprising:

consideration collection managing means for managing the collection of a consideration to be paid for the resulting image data; and

image deleting means for deleting the resulting image data stored in said image server upon recognition by said consideration collection managing means that the consideration for the image data has not yet been collected even after elapse of a predetermined time period.

33. An image data dispensing system according to claim 5, wherein said image manipulating means stores added information in a predetermined address of said image data.

37. An image data dispensing system according to claim 33, further comprising an image viewer for reading out said added data, which is stored by said image manipulating means, and showing said added data on its screen.

41. An image data dispensing system according to claim 37, wherein said added information is an advertisement relevant to where said image data has been obtained.

45. An image data dispensing system according to claim 41, wherein said image manipulating means stores said added information together with another piece of information that designates a display available period during which said image viewer is adapted to show said added information.

49. An image data dispensing system according to claim 41, wherein said image manipulating means, if any other image data has been previously stored where the object resulting image data is to be stored, updates added information stored in such previous image data.

53. An image data dispensing system according to claim 33, wherein said added information is where said image data has been obtained.

57. An image data dispensing system according to claim 33, wherein said added information is when, or the date and time, said image data was obtained.

61. An image data dispensing system according to claim 33, wherein said added information is the customer'"'"'s personal data relevant to said image data.

67. An image data dispensing system according to claim 5, wherein said image manipulating means performs image processing upon said image data.