JP2005293398A - Distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rationally configure a distribution system that can incorporate image data and display it smoothly and can distribute content that a user likes.
A delivery server 20 performs a process of extracting a plurality of contents from a database 30 based on a category table and delivering them to the terminal T via the Internet based on a category of image data acquired at the terminal T. Each content includes a plurality of display frames that incorporate and display image data stored in the terminal T, and a template that dynamically displays the display frames, and includes a filing program and a viewer program that file these. ing.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention includes a database that stores a plurality of contents, and a distribution server that distributes the contents to the terminal via the communication line in response to a request from the terminal connected to the communication line. More specifically, the present invention relates to a content distribution technique including a template for dynamically displaying a display frame.

  As a technique related to the distribution system configured as described above, there is one described in Patent Document 1. In this patent document 1, a lab and a user's personal computer (terminal of the present invention) are connected to a network (the communication line of the present invention), and the lab has a web server, a recording means composed of a hard disk and the like, and a synthesis process. Combining means for performing. The recording unit records moving image data, still image data, audio data, and a moving image template, and the combining unit combines moving image data, still image data, audio data, and a moving image template to generate combined moving image data. Functions to generate. In Patent Document 1, a user records still images and moving image data in advance in a laboratory recording unit, and when generating synthesized moving image data, a representative frame of a moving image template displayed on the user's personal computer is used. The user selects a desired moving image template and selects moving image data, still image data, and audio data to be combined with the generated moving image data, and the combined moving image data thus generated is used as a medium. It is configured so that it can be recorded. The media on which the composite moving image data is recorded in this way is delivered to the user.

  In Patent Document 1, a moving image template may be downloaded from a lab and synthesized moving image data may be generated on a user's personal computer (PC), or a moving image suitable for a keyword upon receiving a keyword input by the user. It describes that the combining means may select a template.

JP 2003-283994 A (paragraph numbers [0032] to [0075], FIG. 1)

  With recent advances in digital cameras, the image quality of captured image data has also improved dramatically. For example, opportunities to shoot with digital cameras instead of silver halide cameras have increased at weddings, athletic meet and parties. Yes. In addition, since image data taken with a digital camera can be easily displayed on a computer display, the image data is often recorded on a medium such as a CD-R and distributed to related parties without being printed on photographic paper. It is also true that this is being done. However, it is easy to get tired of simply displaying image data taken with a digital camera on a display, especially when displaying image data with a content that requires a high quality and high quality like a wedding ceremony. Therefore, a suitable display form was desired.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to adopt a processing method for synthesizing image data with a moving image template (image data giving a decorative effect) as in Patent Document 1. That is, by selecting a moving image template suitable for a wedding ceremony, an athletic meet, or a party, a display form suitable for the content of the image data appears. One of the composite forms described in Patent Document 1 Since image data is sent to the lab in advance and the user can arbitrarily combine it via the network, the image data must be sent when combining image data and a movie template. It was necessary to keep. In addition, Patent Document 1 describes that a moving image template may be downloaded from a laboratory. However, when dynamic display is performed, a user performs a combining process between a moving image template and image data. It was a must.

  Since the performance of a computer used by a general user is also improved, it is a reality that smooth display can be performed even when dynamic display of a moving image template is performed. However, some users use computers with low performance. Considering this, when considering dynamic display by combining a video template and image data, if the amount of image data is large, the computer display may not be smooth. There is room for improvement.

  From another viewpoint, when displaying a combination of a template and image data, it is necessary to select an optimal template for the image data. Therefore, it is conceivable to select a template based on a keyword as described in Patent Document 1, but automatically selecting a template does not satisfy the user's preferences and preferences. There is room for improvement. In addition, although software for performing such synthesis processing with a personal computer at home is commercially available, this software is expensive and requires some skill to display a satisfactory form. It was a thing. There are also studios that perform such processing, but they are generally difficult to use due to high production costs.

  An object of the present invention is to rationally configure a distribution system that incorporates image data and displays it in a smooth motion and can distribute content that the user likes.

A feature of the present invention includes a database that stores a plurality of contents, and a distribution server that distributes the contents to the terminal via the communication line in response to a request from the terminal connected to the communication line. Distribution system,
The content is configured to include a template for dynamically displaying a display frame, and the terminal converts the image data into a resolution corresponding to the resolution of the image display area in the display frame, and the conversion processing. It is configured to execute processing by link processing means for generating link data for linking subsequent image data to the display frame,
The distribution server includes a content distribution unit that extracts a plurality of contents corresponding to the category from the database based on the category of image data acquired by the terminal and distributes the content to the terminal. .

  With this configuration, based on the category of image data, the content distribution unit extracts a plurality of contents corresponding to the category from the database and distributes them to the terminal, and the terminal matches the user's preference from the plurality of contents. Can be selected. When image data is incorporated into a display frame and displayed on a terminal, the conversion processing unit converts the image data into image data having a resolution corresponding to the resolution of the image display area of the display frame, and the link processing unit performs conversion processing. Link data for linking the image data to the display frame is generated, and thereafter, the converted image data is dynamically displayed in a state of being incorporated in the display frame based on the link data according to the contents of the template. That is, in the present invention, there is no need to send image data having a relatively large amount of data via a communication line or the like, and the image data on the terminal side is incorporated into the content downloaded to the terminal after being converted to an appropriate resolution. Therefore, the increase in the data amount of the content itself is suppressed, and the data amount for dynamic display is reduced. As a result, smooth display is possible even on computers with low processing capabilities, and it is possible to save time and effort when selecting content. Image data is automatically incorporated into the display frame, and the display frame is set according to the template. It can be displayed.

  In the present invention, the conversion processing means and the link processing means are installed in advance in the terminal, or the conversion processing means and the link processing means are installed together with the content to be installed in the terminal. You may do it.

  With this configuration, when the conversion unit and the link processing unit are installed in the terminal, the content can be distributed in a short time without increasing the data amount of the content distributed via the communication line. At the same time, when the conversion processing means and the link means are distributed, the conversion by the conversion processing means and the processing by the link processing means can be performed in a general-purpose computer installed in a general household.

  In the present invention, the database may store a plurality of types of music data, and the content distribution unit may be configured to extract music data corresponding to the content from the database and distribute it to the terminal as the content. .

  With this configuration, music data corresponding to the display frame and image data incorporated in the display frame is extracted from the database and delivered to the terminal, so that the music data can be reproduced as content, and the music background (BGM) ) To display the image data embedded in the display frame.

In the present invention, the content distribution unit extracts a plurality of contents belonging to a category acquired based on the image data in the terminal from the database, sets a priority order for the plurality of contents, and distributes the contents to the terminal And configured as
Of a plurality of contents included in the same category distributed to the terminal, the content selected by the most users may be set to the first priority in the category.

  With this configuration, the content distribution unit extracts a plurality of contents included in the category by acquiring a category such as a wedding, an athletic meet or a party, or a category for children, and sets the priority order. Since the content is distributed to the terminal, the user can select the content based on the priority order at the terminal. In addition, by setting the most frequently selected content in the same category to the top of the priority order, the content can be distributed in a priority order that reflects the preferences of many users, and the user can select make it easier.

  In the present invention, the content distribution unit generates a single file from the template, the display frame, and the image data after the conversion process for the terminal, and the filing program You may comprise so that the viewer program for browsing the produced | generated file may be delivered.

  With this configuration, it becomes possible for the filing program to generate a file from the template, the display frame, and the converted image data in the terminal, and the file thus generated can be viewed by the viewer program of the terminal. Become.

  According to the present invention, when the content is stored in the storage medium in the terminal, billing information is output in the terminal, or when the content is stored in the storage medium, information indicating the storage is transmitted from the terminal to the distribution server. The billing information may be stored in the distribution server when the information is received by the distribution server.

  With this configuration, when content is stored in a storage medium at a terminal, the user can settle the fee based on the billing information output at the terminal, and for example, settlement using a bank account or the like is performed. In this case, the processing can be easily performed by managing the billing information on the distribution server.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a distribution system D includes a distribution server 20 connected to the Internet N as a communication line, and a database 30 to which the distribution server 20 and information are accessed. In response to requests from a plurality of terminals T connected to the Internet N, the distribution system D distributes content (digital content) having a structure in which image data stored in the terminal T can be incorporated to the terminal T. Thus, charging is realized when the distributed content is stored in the medium 10 (storage medium). In addition to the Internet N, the communication line may be a dedicated line such as a WAN (Wide Area Network), or may be a communication line using radio waves.

  The terminal T has the same performance as a general-purpose computer installed in a home, and the drawing is installed at a DP store in consideration of payment (billing) and printing of downloaded content. A general purpose computer is shown. This general-purpose computer includes a microprocessor 1, a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, etc., a main body 1 in which an operating system capable of executing applications is installed, a keyboard 2 for inputting necessary information, and a mouse 3 as a pointing device. And a display 4 for displaying necessary information. The main body 1 and the photographic printing apparatus A are connected by a communication line 5 such as a LAN.

  This general-purpose computer 1 has a built-in media drive 6 capable of reading and writing information with respect to a disk-shaped medium 10d such as a CD-R or MO as a storage medium (these superordinate concepts are referred to as the medium 10). A media drive 7 capable of reading and writing information to and from a card-like medium 10c made of a semiconductor medium as a storage medium is provided, and a printer 8 for printing a price specification AC is further provided.

  The photographic printing apparatus A is called a digital minilab, and includes an operating part B and a printing part C. More specifically, the operating unit B processes the image data converted into a digital signal and performs a frame-like image of the photographic film F on the desk-like console unit 11 so as to perform basic control of the entire system. A film scanner 12 that captures the information of the image as a digital signal by photoelectric conversion, a display 13 that displays various types of information, and a processing device 14 that is a general-purpose computer to perform image processing and various types of processing are arranged. A keyboard 15 for inputting information and a mouse 16 are provided on the upper surface of the computer, and the processing device 14 acquires information from a disk-type storage means such as a CD, MO, FD or the like, or a semiconductor-type storage means The media drive 17 corresponding to the structure of the storage means is provided so as to obtain information from the storage device.

  The printing unit C houses an exposure block Ex for exposing the photographic paper P, a development block De for developing the photographic paper after exposure, and a drying block Dr for drying and feeding the photographic paper P. In addition, the photographic paper P sent out from the upper part of the housing after processing is delivered and sent to the sorter 19 by the transport belt 18, and is sorted and stacked in units of orders on a plurality of trays 19A of the sorter 19. ing.

  As shown in the figure, the terminal T is basically installed at the service counter SC of the DP store because the user downloads content by operating the user himself / herself.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the distribution server 20 includes a main processing unit 21 that mainly controls access to the Internet N, a content distribution unit 22 that controls content distribution, and a content extraction unit 23 that controls content extraction. A billing processing unit 24 that calculates the amount of the downloaded content, and an authentication processing unit 25 that authenticates access to the distribution server 20. These content distribution 22, content extraction unit 23, billing processing unit 24, and authentication processing unit 25 are assumed to be applications executed on the operating system of the main processing unit 21, but some of them are hardware. It may be configured by.

  In response to a request from a terminal T connected to the Internet N, the distribution server 20 is configured to perform charging by distributing contents to the terminal T via the Internet N. .

  The database 30 stores a plurality of content bases 31, a plurality of music data 32, a filing program 33, a category table 34, a viewer program 35, and authentication data 36. The database 30 may have either a structure using a hard disk provided in the distribution server 20 or a structure installed outside the distribution server 20.

  The content includes a display frame Fr capable of incorporating image data to be a still image stored in the terminal T, a template Tem for dynamically displaying the display frame Fr, and music data 32 controlled by the template Tem. When the content is downloaded to the terminal T, the file conversion program 33 and the viewer program 35 for browsing (reproducing) the multimedia file MF (see FIG. 5) are simultaneously downloaded to the terminal. The processing mode is set so that Further, the filing program 33 performs processing for incorporating the image data into the display frame Fr, and a multimedia file MF for processing the display frame Fr in which the image data is incorporated in this way and the music data 32 in accordance with the contents of the template Tem. Generate.

  In the present invention, the editing processing means Ed, the conversion processing means Co, and the link processing means Li (these functions will be described later) are installed in advance in the main body 1 of the terminal T. In the case of such installation in advance, it is not necessary to distribute the filed program at the time of content distribution, and the amount of data at the time of distribution can be reduced.

  Although not shown in the drawing, the distribution server 20 updates the content stored in the database 30 of the distribution system D from a management terminal connected to the Internet N, or from the distribution server 20 to the Internet N The music data 32 can also be updated by logging in to a web server for music distribution connected to. The billing processing unit 24 includes a production fee and a copyright fee for the display frame Fr, and a copyright fee for the music data 32.

  The content base 31 includes a template Tem that can be dynamically displayed, and a plurality of display frames Fr that are dynamically displayed according to the contents of the template Tem. The filing program 33 includes editing processing means Ed that edits the script of the template Tem, and the resolution required for the image data stored in the terminal T in the image display area Fg (see FIG. 6) in the display frame Fr. Conversion processing means Co for converting into image data having a bitmap structure, and link processing means Li for generating link data for linking the converted image data to the corresponding display frame Fr. The display frame Fr is preferably compressed in a format such as a JPEG format (a format established by the Joint Photographic Experts Group) in order to reduce the amount of data. The database 30 is provided in the distribution server 20. You may comprise with mass storages, such as a hard disk.

  The filing program 33 has a function of generating a multimedia file MF by compiling the template Tem, the display frame Fr, the converted image data, the music data 32, and the like in the terminal T. For example, a program that is downloaded to a web browser through a network (Internet N) and embedded in a window of the web browser, such as a Java applet (Java program), is used. Java is a programming language developed by Sun Microsystems, and Java applet is a program that enables dynamic expression that cannot be realized by a static Web page written in HTML.

  In the present invention, instead of a program downloaded to a Web browser through a network (Internet N) as in Java applet, a program set in the Web browser in the form of a plug-in or an application in the terminal T as an application You may use the set program.

  The music data 32 is assumed to be in a WAVE file format that can be easily reproduced by a general-purpose personal computer, but may be in a format such as MP3, ATRAC3, TwinVQ, WMA, or the like. As will be described later, the category table 34 has a structure in which contents included in the category are extracted based on the category input at the terminal T, and data for setting and sending out the priority order is stored. .

  The viewer program 35 is software for browsing a multimedia file MF (an example of content) generated on the terminal T by the filing program 33 on a general-purpose computer of the terminal T according to a timeline. The authentication data 36 is obtained by storing information for identifying an individual or a company in a file format based on information such as a password or a personal identification number acquired by the terminal T.

  Although the content download procedure will be described later, an outline of the structure of the multimedia file MF can be shown as shown in FIG. That is, the multimedia file MF includes a header area 51, a script area 52 generated based on the template Tem, a display frame area 53, an image data area 54, a text area 55, and a music data area 56. It has.

  The header area 51 stores information such as the file name and file size generated based on the viewer name input in the processing described later, and the date and time when the file was generated. The script area 52 stores the content of the script of the template Tem edited by the editing processing means Ed. The display frame Fr is stored in the display frame area 53. The image data area 54 stores the image data after the conversion processing converted by the conversion processing means Co so as to have a bitmap structure with a size corresponding to the size of the image display area Fg of the display frame Fr. In the text area 55, 2-byte character data input as a title text input in a process described later is stored. The music data 32 is stored in the music data area 56. The text area 55 may be configured to store image data obtained by converting a character font generated from character data into a bitmap structure.

  The present invention is not intended only for the multimedia file MF converted into one file. For example, the script area 52, the display frame area 53, the image data area 54, the text area 55 and the music data area 56 may be stored as independent object files, and the downloaded template Tem, display frame Fr, audio data 32, image data, and the like are independent object files. It may have a structure stored in a folder. When the content having this structure is used, the viewer program 35 that extracts necessary data from the object file and displays it on the display 4 according to the timeline based on the script of the template Tem is used.

  When the multimedia file MF configured in this way is viewed by the viewer program 35, as shown in FIG. 6, a display frame Fr is displayed on the display 4, and an image display area formed in the display frame Fr. A font image is generated from the character data stored in the text area 55 for the text display area Ft and displayed in a form in which the converted image data is incorporated in Fg. Displayed in an embedded form. In addition, as a process for incorporating the image data after the conversion process into the image display area Fg and a process for incorporating the text image data into the text display area Ft, the image display area Fg is superposed using layers. However, the composition processing may be performed so that each image becomes a single image data.

  The template Tem includes the display order of the plurality of display frames Fr, display positions, data such as parameters for dynamic display, data of text display positions, reproduction timing data of the music data 32, and the like. It is saved as a script in advance. For this reason, a content base is configured by combining a specific template Tem and a specific display frame Fr.

  When the number of image data incorporated into the number of the display frames Fr is small or when the display order of the image data is changed, the editing processing unit Ed uses the link data generated by the link processing unit Li. Based on this, the contents of the script of the template Tem are edited so that the editing processing means Ed becomes a corresponding script. Similarly, when the number of title texts is changed, this setting is also used. The editing processing means Ed performs editing so as to obtain a corresponding script.

  The procedure for downloading the content can be shown as shown in FIGS. That is, for example, by setting a semiconductor medium 10c storing image data captured by a digital camera or a medium 10d such as a CD-R in the media drives 6 and 7 of the terminal T, the main body 1 of this general-purpose computer The image data is stored in a hard disk or the like, and by logging in to the distribution server 20 from this terminal T and inputting the password, the distribution server 20 determines the suitability based on the authentication data 36 stored in the database 30. If appropriate, an input screen is displayed on the display 4 of the terminal. Note that the timing of storing the image data in the main body 1 of the general-purpose computer of the terminal T may be before the processing on the page M for selecting image data to be described later.

  More specifically, after specifying the URL (Uniform Resource Locater) of the distribution server and logging in, and after logging in, the distribution server 20 functioning as a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) displays information on the screen requesting password input in HTML ( By transmitting to the terminal in the Hyper Text Markup Language) format, the screen information is displayed on the display 4 by the Web browser of the terminal T (not shown). When the user inputs a password via the keyboard 2 or mouse 3 of the terminal based on this display, the Web browser transmits the password to the distribution server 20, and the distribution server 20 authenticates the authentication stored in the database 30. When it is determined that it is appropriate by comparing with the data 36, information on the setting screen is newly transmitted to the terminal in the HTML format.

  This setting screen includes a viewer name input page J, a motion design input page K, a title text input page L, a page M for selecting an image (image data), and a page for selecting music (not shown). Z). Further, when these pages are displayed on the display 4 of the terminal T, the Web browser displays the screen on the display 4 of the terminal T based on the screen information sent from the distribution server 20 in the HTML format. When the buttons displayed on these screens are operated, the file processing program 33 processes the information, or information based on this operation is sent from the Web browser to the distribution server 20, and the distribution server 20 The necessary control is executed.

  In the viewer name input page J, an input part Ja is displayed as shown in FIG. 7, and arbitrary characters can be input as a name from the keyboard 2 to the input part Ja. After the filing program 33 is installed, it is stored in the header as the name of the viewer. By operating the “Next” button Jn in the screen after finishing this input, the motion design input page K shown in FIG. 8 is displayed based on the screen information sent from the distribution server 20 in the HTML format. The

  In this page K, a plurality of check sections Ka showing a list of categories are displayed, and any one of these check sections Ka is checked by operating the mouse 3, or a category pull-down menu is displayed. The category can be selected from this pull-down menu. When a category is selected based on this operation, information on this category is sent to the distribution server 20, and the distribution server 20 stores the category in the category table 34. Based on this, a plurality of contents included in the category are sent to the terminal T. Further, when a plurality of contents are sent to the terminal T in this way, the priority order is set for each content based on the category table 34.

  In other words, the process of extracting a plurality of contents based on the category and delivering them to the terminal T can be regarded as a recommendation (recommendation), and the user selects a higher priority of the recommendation. The content that best suits the subject can be easily selected. In addition, when setting a category on the terminal T, the category is based on detailed data such as the season, shooting time, and type of camera taken, from a rough one that extracts content based only on the user's age and gender. It is also possible to configure the interface of the input page K of this motion design.

  The content to which priority is set in this way is a combination of the content base 31 composed of the template Tem and the plurality of display frames Fr and the music data 32, and the content delivered to the terminal T includes In addition to the content base 31 and the music data 32, a filing program 33 and a viewer program 35 are included.

  In the terminal T, by operating the list display button Kc displayed on the display 4, a list (not shown) of display frames Fr for each of a plurality of contents belonging to the category is displayed, and the priority order is displayed at the top of the list. The first display frame Fr is displayed. In the case of using the display frame Fr with the highest priority, the display frame Fr with the highest priority is automatically selected without selecting the display frame Fr from the list, and includes those that the user likes. If it is, the display frame Fr can be selected.

  The display frame Fr selected in this way is displayed in the preview window Kd. When the display frame Fr thus selected is displayed, a new window is opened by operating the preview button Ke, The operation of only the display frame Fr can be confirmed. Thus, when confirming the preview, the playback function of the viewer program 35 is used, or a playback program plugged into the Web browser is used.

  Then, by operating the “next” button Kn of this page K, the input page L shown in FIG. 9 is displayed based on the screen information sent from the distribution server 20 in the HTML format. It is also possible to return to the previous page by operating the “Previous” button Kp on page K.

  In this input page L, a plurality of input portions La are displayed. Specifically, a title input portion La for inputting five types of titles, that is, an intro title, an intermediate title A, an intermediate title B, an intermediate title C, and an end title, is formed, and the keyboard 2 is connected to each input portion La. Arbitrary characters can be input, and the input characters are stored in the text area as character data by the filing program 33. On this page, it is not necessary to input all the text, and the input title is displayed on a preset display frame Fr or displayed on the screen.

  Then, by operating the “next” button Ln of this page L, a page M for selecting image data is displayed as shown in FIG. 10 based on the screen information sent from the distribution server 20 in the HTML format. . It is also possible to return to the previous page by operating the “Previous” button Lp on the page L.

  In the page M for selecting the image data, when the image data has already been stored in the hard disk or the like of the main body 1 of the terminal T, an operation such as “add file” button Ma or “add folder” button Ma A plurality of thumbnail images Gs (thumbnail-format image data) are displayed in the image list area Mb by designating the storage destination of the image data, and the thumbnail images Gs displayed in the image list area Mb are displayed on the mouse 3 or the keyboard. After selecting by the operation of the cursor key 2 or the like, the image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image Gs is selected as the playback image Gt for the playback list area Md by operating the “Add to playback list” button Mc. Are displayed in the order you did. Thus, the reproduced image Gt displayed in the reproduction list area Md is displayed by being incorporated in the display frame Fr.

  Incidentally, JPEG format (format established by the Joint Photographic Experts Group) is often used for image data stored in the terminal T. However, TIFF (Tag Image File Format) format, GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) format, or PNG (Portable Network Graphics) format, and these image data correspond to the resolution of the image display area Fg of the display frame Fr by the conversion processing means Co when compiled by the file conversion program 33. It is converted to image data having a bitmap structure with the resolution.

  Then, by operating the “next” button Mn of this page M, a page (not shown) for selecting music is displayed. It is also possible to return to the previous page by operating the “Previous” button Mp on the page M.

  In the page for selecting music, a list of titles of the music data 32 is displayed in a form in which a plurality of music data 32 is set in priority order based on the category, and a trial listening can be performed as necessary. Can also be selected.

  After inputting and selecting necessary information for all pages in this way, a window (not shown) for final preview opens, and selection is performed by executing preview in this window. A process of dynamically displaying the display frame Fr in a state in which the image data selected by the user is incorporated into the display frame Fr is performed, and the music selected in a form linked to this process can also be played back. It has become a thing.

  If the user is satisfied after executing this preview, the file program 33 compiles the selected display frame Fr, image data, music data 32, and the like by performing final confirmation. After the multimedia file MF is generated, a message for setting the medium 10 to the drive and a save button for executing the save are displayed on the screen. After the user sets the medium 10 in accordance with this message, the multimedia file MF and the viewer program 35 are stored in the medium 10 by operating a save button, and from the terminal T to the distribution server 20 Information indicating which of the plurality of contents is selected is sent.

  As described above, the outline of the information flow when the filing program 33 compiles the display frame Fr, image data, music data 32, etc. can be shown as shown in FIG. The viewer name input on the viewer name input page J is stored in the header area 51 as a file name, and the script contents of the template Tem edited by the editing processing means Ed are stored in the script area 52. A plurality of display frames Fr are stored in the display frame area 53, and the converted image data converted by the conversion processing means Co is stored in the image data area 54 and input on the title input page L. Character data of the title text is stored in the text area 55, and the music data 32 is the music. Than it is stored in over data region 56.

  In addition, when information indicating which content has been selected from among a plurality of contents (content base) is sent to the distribution server 20, the main processing unit 21 stores this information for each category, and the number of stored items. When the number reaches a preset number, the category table 34 is updated so that the most frequently selected content (content base) in each category is set to the first priority.

  After this, the fee to be paid is displayed on the screen, and the payment details AC are printed out from the printer 8. Incidentally, after the multimedia file MF is saved in this way, the user presents the details AC of the printed price to the person in charge at the DP store and pays the price at the DP store. In addition to the means for making payment at the DP store in this way, the form of the billing process in the billing processing unit 24, such as making a payment using a prepaid card or using a credit card, etc. Various things can be considered.

  Thus, since the multimedia file MF and the viewer program 35 are stored in the medium 10, it is possible not only to browse the medium 10 on a personal computer in a general home, but also to display the multimedia file MF and the viewer. Even when the program 35 is copied to another medium 10 and distributed to those who need it, the multimedia file MF can be viewed by the viewer program 35.

  Although a specific processing form will not be described, it is possible to extract the display frame Fr constituting the multimedia file MF generated in this way and print it on the photographic paper P by the photo printing apparatus A.

  As described above, according to the present invention, by setting the category of the image data while the image data is stored in the terminal T, the priority order of the plurality of contents corresponding to the category is set via the Internet N. Downloaded from the distribution system to the terminal T. In addition, the content includes a plurality of display frames Fr into which image data is incorporated, a template Tem for dynamically displaying the display frames Fr, a viewer program 35, and the like. Thus, in the terminal T, a multimedia file MF having a structure in which a plurality of pieces of image data are automatically linked to the display frame Fr and linked to the music data 32 is generated, and the multimedia file MF is generated. Can be browsed by the viewer program 35.

  Further, since it is not necessary to acquire image data in the terminal T, not only the processing is simplified, but only a plurality of contents need to be delivered based on the category. For example, a list of display frames Fr is downloaded. Compared with what asks the user to select the display frame Fr, the time required for the selection is shortened, and moreover, the process of updating the priority order of the contents included in the category is performed. It is possible to easily select the one reflecting the above, and to shorten the time required for the selection. Further, since the multimedia file MF is generated in the terminal T, for example, the weight for the distribution system D can be reduced as compared with the case where the distribution system D generates the multimedia file MF. Since the billing information generated by the distribution server 20 is delivered to the terminal T, the terminal T can also settle the fee.

[Another embodiment]
The present invention may be configured as follows in addition to the embodiment described above.

(A) It is configured such that content can be downloaded to a terminal T installed in a general home or a terminal T composed of a mobile phone used by an individual. Even in such a configuration, the distribution server 20 performs the billing process, so that it is possible to request billing using a credit card, a bank account, or the like when downloading the content. In particular, many recent mobile phones are provided with a camera, and display in a form in which image data taken with the mobile phone is incorporated into a display frame is realized.

(B) A terminal T connected to the distribution system D via the Internet N (may be always connected) is installed in a convenient store or the like in a convenient environment. By installing in this way, not only the use opportunity of the user is increased, but also the profit of the person who manages the distribution system D by increasing the number of users is increased.

Schematic diagram showing the relationship between the distribution system and the terminal Block diagram showing the configuration of the distribution server and database Schematic diagram showing the flow of data between the terminal, distribution server, and database Flow chart showing processing procedure Block diagram showing the processing mode in the file program Diagram showing the display frame displayed on the display Figure showing the viewer name input page Diagram showing motion design input page Figure showing title text input page Figure showing a page for selecting an image

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Storage medium 20 Distribution server 22 Content distribution part 30 Database 32 Music data 33 Filed program 35 Viewer program N Communication line T Terminal Tem Template Co Conversion processing means Fr Display frame Fg Image display area Li Link processing means

Claims (6)

A distribution system comprising a database that stores a plurality of contents, and a distribution server that distributes the contents to the terminal via the communication line in response to a request from the terminal connected to the communication line. ,
The content is configured to include a template for dynamically displaying a display frame, and the terminal converts the image data into a resolution corresponding to the resolution of the image display area in the display frame, and the conversion processing. It is configured to execute processing by link processing means for generating link data for linking subsequent image data to the display frame,
The distribution system includes a content distribution unit that extracts a plurality of contents corresponding to a category from the database based on a category of image data acquired by the terminal and distributes the content to the terminal.   The conversion processing means and the link processing means are installed in advance in the terminal, or the conversion processing means and the link processing means are installed in the terminal by being distributed together with the content. The delivery system according to 1.   The database stores a plurality of types of music data, and the content distribution unit is configured to extract music data corresponding to the content from the database and distribute it to the terminal as the content. The delivery system described. The content distribution unit is configured to extract a plurality of contents belonging to a category acquired based on the image data in the terminal from the database, set a priority order for the plurality of contents, and distribute to the terminal With
Any one of the plurality of contents included in the same category distributed to the terminal is configured to set the one selected by the most users as the first priority in the category. The delivery system according to item 1. The content distribution unit generates a file for the terminal from the template, the display frame, and the image data after the conversion process; and
The distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the distribution system is configured to deliver a viewer program for browsing a file generated by the filing program.   When the content is stored in the storage medium in the terminal, the charging information is output in the terminal, or when the content is stored in the storage medium, information indicating the storage is sent from the terminal to the distribution server, 6. The distribution system according to claim 5, wherein the distribution information is stored in the distribution server when the information is received by the distribution server.

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