Image sales system

Abstract

To sell an image obtained by imaging a customer without using a photograph card while suppressing decline of the image purchase desire of the customer.SOLUTION: An image selling system comprises: an imaging device which images a user and generates a user image; a control device which acquires the user image from the imaging device, generates identification information for identifying the user image and causes a display device to display the user image and the identification information; and a server device which acquires the user image and the identification information from the control device to store them in a storage unit, extracts the user image corresponding to a display image from the storage unit when receiving from a user terminal the display image obtained by imaging a display screen of the display device that displays the user image and the identification information, performs selling processing of the extracted user image, and transmits the user image to the user terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image sales system.

Background Art

[0002] At tourist attractions and leisure facilities, a service is provided in which a cameraman takes pictures of customers (tourists, visitors) or automatically takes pictures using a sensor, and prints out the taken images. Customers receive a shooting card with a unique ID printed on it at the entrance gate or the like, hold up the shooting card each time they take a picture inside the facility to associate the taken image with the ID, and purchase the taken images collectively near the exit gate.

[0003] However, in such a conventional service, customers had to carry the shooting card inside the facility, which was troublesome. Also, when the shooting card was lost, it could hinder subsequent shootings and the acquisition of the images taken up to that point. In addition, since there was a time lag between taking the picture and purchasing the image, there was a risk that the willingness to purchase the image would decline. Also, the service provider had to prepare a large number of shooting cards in advance, which was costly.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image sales system that can sell images of customers without using a shooting card while suppressing a decline in the customers' willingness to purchase images.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The image sales system of the present invention includes a photographing device that photographs a user and generates a user image, a control device that acquires the user image from the photographing device, generates identification information for identifying the user image, and displays the user image and the identification information on a display device, and a server device that acquires the user image and the identification information from the control device, stores them in a storage unit, extracts the user image corresponding to the display image from the storage unit when receiving a display image photographed by the display device that displays the user image and the identification information from a user terminal, performs a sales process for the extracted user image, and transmits the user image to the user terminal.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, an image of a customer can be sold without using a photographing card while suppressing a decline in the customer's willingness to purchase the image.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the image sales system according to this embodiment includes a server device 1, a photographing device 2, a display device 3, and a control device 5. The photographing device 2 photographs the user U and sells the photographed image to the user U. The photographing device 2 is, for example, a digital camera. The display device 3 is, for example, a liquid crystal display.

[0011] This image sales system is introduced into a leisure facility or the like. For example, the photographing device 2 photographs a scene where the user U (visitor) is enjoying an attraction. For example, when the approach of the user U is detected by a sensor (not shown), the photographing device 2 automatically photographs the user U. The photographed image data (user image) is transferred to the control device 5.

[0012] The control device 5 is a computer having a communication function. When the control device 5 receives a user image from the photographing device 2, it generates unique identification information. The identification information consists of, for example, a plurality of alphanumeric characters. The control device 5 displays the photographed image and the identification information on the display device 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the control device 5 synthesizes the identification information J so as to overlap the user image G and displays the synthesized image on the display device 3.

[0013] In this embodiment, photographing of the display screen of the display device 3 is permitted, and it is also displayed that the screen may be photographed. Also, the URL of the website for purchasing the image data and the two-dimensional code Q indicating the URL are also displayed.

[0014] After enjoying the attraction, the user U checks his / her own image displayed on the display device 3, photographs the display screen of the display device 3 with a user terminal 7 such as a smartphone, and saves the photographed image (display image). For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the user U photographs the image displayed on the display device 3 including the information necessary for purchasing the image data.

[0015] The control device 5 associates the user image and the identification information and transmits them to the server device 1. The server device 1 associates and stores the user image and the identification information received from the control device 5.

[0016] By taking a picture of the display screen of the display device 3 with the user terminal 7, the user can enjoy the display image in the leisure facility at any time and immediately. If the user likes the image and wants a higher-quality user image or a clean user image without synthesized identification information, the user can access the image purchase site provided by the server device 1, purchase it, and download the image data. For example, the user terminal 7 can access the image purchase site by reading the URL or two-dimensional code in the display image.

[0017] When purchasing image data, the user uploads the display image (the image taken of the display screen of the display device 3) stored in the user terminal 7 to the server device 1. The server device 1 searches for and extracts the user image corresponding to the uploaded display image. When the user performs web payment using a credit card or the like, the extracted user image can be downloaded. Image purchase and data download on the image purchase site may be performed inside or outside the leisure facility. An image purchase period may be set.

[0018] Thus, according to this embodiment, together with the user image of the user U, the identification information of this user image is displayed on the display device 3, and by taking a picture of the display screen of the display device 3 with the user terminal 7, identification information is given to the user U. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a photographing card with an ID printed in advance or distribute a photographing card to the user U, and the cost can be reduced.

[0019] Also, by taking a picture of the display screen of the display device 3 with the user terminal 7, the user can capture the display image in the user terminal 7 and enjoy it immediately. Also, while viewing the display image on the user terminal 7, it is expected that the user will want a higher-quality user image, leading to an increase in the sales of user images.

[0020] Next, the configuration of the control device 5 will be described. The control device 5 is a computer having a CPU, a storage unit, a communication unit, etc. By the CPU executing the control program stored in the storage unit, as shown in FIG. 4, the functions of the user image acquisition unit 51, the identification information generation unit 52, the display image generation unit 53, the display processing unit 54, and the transmission unit 55 are realized.

[0021] The user image acquisition unit 51 acquires a user image obtained by photographing the user from the photographing device 2.

[0022] The identification information generation unit 52 generates identification information for uniquely identifying the received user image. For example, it generates multi-digit alphanumeric identification information combining an attraction number, date and time, alphabet, etc.

[0023] The display image generation unit 53 synthesizes the user image and the identification information, and generates a display image (synthetic image) for display on the display device 3. This display image includes information necessary for image purchase such as the URL of the image purchase site and a two-dimensional code.

[0024] The display processing unit 54 controls the display device 3 to display the display image on the display device 3.

[0025] The transmission unit 55 associates the user image and the identification information and transmits them to the server device 1.

[0026] Next, the configuration of the server device 1 will be described. The server device 1 is a computer having a CPU, a storage unit, a communication unit, etc. By the CPU executing the image sales program stored in the storage unit, as shown in FIG. 5, the functions of the user image reception unit 11, the management unit 12, the display image reception unit 13, the analysis unit 14, and the transmission unit 15 are realized.

[0027] The user image reception unit 11 receives the user image and the identification information from the control device 5, associates the identification information with the user image, and stores them in the storage unit 10.

[0028] The management department 12 conducts the sales process of user images. For example, when the user terminal 7 accesses the image purchase site, the management department 12 sends an upload screen to the user terminal 7. Also, as will be described later, when the analysis department 14 extracts the user image corresponding to the display image, the management department 12 performs web settlement of the price of the user image with the user terminal 7.

[0029] The display image receiving unit 13 receives the display image uploaded from the user terminal 7.

[0030] The analysis department 14 analyzes the display image received from the user terminal 7 and obtains the display shooting time (first shooting time) by the user terminal 7. The analysis department 14 sets, as the search range, the user image among the user images stored in the storage unit 10 whose user shooting time (second shooting time) by the shooting device 2 is close to the display shooting time (the time difference is within a predetermined range). For example, the analysis department 14 sets, as the search range, a user image whose difference between the user shooting time and the display shooting time is equal to or less than a predetermined value and whose user shooting time is earlier than the display shooting time.

[0031] The analysis department 14 detects and compares the feature amounts of the display image and the feature amounts of the user images within the search range, and extracts, as the user image corresponding to the display image, the user image whose similarity is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and whose similarity is the highest.

[0032] The method for detecting the user image similar to the display image is not limited, and known methods can be used. For example, face detection can be performed, and the position of the face and eyes, gender, age, etc. in the image can be predicted and compared. The text (alphanumeric characters and symbols) in the image can be detected and compared. The analysis process of extracting the user image similar to the display image from the user images within the search range can be performed by an external device, and the server device 1 can obtain the analysis result.

[0033] When there is no user image with a similarity equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the server device 1 transmits an identification information input screen to the user terminal 7. The analysis unit 14 extracts the user image corresponding to the identification information notified from the user terminal 7.

[0034] After the completion of web payment, the transmission unit 15 transmits the user image extracted by the analysis unit 14 to the user terminal 7.

[0035] Next, a method for selling user images by the server device 1 will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. 6.

[0036] The management unit 12 accesses the image purchase site and transmits an upload screen to the user terminal 7 that has accessed. The user uploads the display image in the user terminal 7. The display image reception unit 13 receives the display image from the user terminal 7 (step S1).

[0037] The analysis unit 14 extracts the user image corresponding to the display image (step S2). First, the analysis unit 14 obtains the shooting time of the display image (display shooting time), and sets as the search range the user images whose user shooting time is close to the display shooting time. Then, the analysis unit 14 extracts the user image with the highest similarity from the user images within the search range.

[0038] If the similarity of the extracted user image is equal to or higher than the predetermined value (step S3_Yes), this user image corresponds to the display image, and the management unit 12 performs the sales process (step S5).

[0039] If the similarity of the extracted user image is less than the predetermined value (step S3_No), an identification information input screen is transmitted to the user terminal 7 to request identification information. The user confirms and inputs the identification information in the display image. When the analysis unit 14 receives the input of the identification information, it extracts the user image corresponding to this identification information (step S4). The management unit 12 performs the sales process of the extracted user image (step S5).

[0040] After settlement, the transmission unit 15 transmits the user image to the user terminal 7 (step S6).

[0041] In the above embodiment, the display processing unit 54 of the control device 5 may set a limit on the display time on the display device 3 and display the remaining display time. Further, the control device 5 may be configured to receive an instruction to end the display from the user. The user can prevent the captured image of himself / herself from remaining displayed by giving an instruction to end the display after taking a screen shot of the display device 3. For example, when the display device 3 is a touch panel, a display end button may be provided on the touch panel.

[0042] The user image to be displayed on the display device 3 may have a lower resolution than the user image received by the control device 5 from the imaging device 2. The display image generation unit 53 may synthesize a two-dimensional code with a higher resolution than this user image on the user image with the reduced resolution to generate a display image. Thereby, the two-dimensional code can be clearly displayed on the display device 3. Also, when the user's expression or the like is clearly captured, the user may desire a higher-resolution captured image, which can improve the willingness to purchase the image.

[0043] An advertisement may be synthesized in the image to be displayed on the display device 3. The user can obtain a clean user image without the advertisement by purchasing the image data.

[0044] A standard frame or stamp may be synthesized in the user image to be displayed on the display device 3 so that a user image with a special frame or stamp can be obtained when purchasing data on the image purchase site.

[0045] When the user takes pictures at a plurality of attractions, or when the user plays at the same attraction multiple times and takes pictures, a plurality of display images are stored in the user terminal 7. In this case, after accessing the image purchase site, the plurality of display images may be collectively uploaded to the server device 1. The server device 1 analyzes each of the received plurality of display images, extracts similar user images, and performs a sales process.

[0046] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a user can obtain a user image by performing web payment using a credit card or the like on an image purchase site. However, the consideration in the sales process of the user image is not limited to money, and it may be an answer to a questionnaire.

[0047] For example, on the display device 3, together with the user image and identification information, the URL of a website for questionnaire answers (questionnaire site) is displayed. A user who has photographed the display screen of the display device 3 with the user terminal 7 accesses the questionnaire site with the user terminal 7, answers the questionnaire, and then uploads the display image. When the server device 1 receives questionnaire answer data from the user terminal 7 or the like, it transmits the user image corresponding to the uploaded display image to the user terminal 7.

[0048] Although the present invention has been described in detail using specific embodiments, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes can be made without departing from the intention and scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0049] 1 Server device 2 Photographing device 3 Display device 5 Control device 7 User terminal

Claims

1. An imaging device that captures a user and generates a user image, A control device that acquires the user image from the imaging device, generates identification information for identifying the user image, and displays the user image and the identification information on a display device, A server device that acquires the user image and the identification information from the control device, stores them in a storage unit, and when receiving a display image captured by the display device that displays the user image and the identification information from a user terminal, extracts the user image corresponding to the display image from the storage unit, performs a sales process on the extracted user image, and transmits the user image to the user terminal, An image sales system comprising the above.

2. The server device, Receives a plurality of user images and identification information from the control device and stores them in the storage unit, When receiving the display image from the user terminal, acquires a first shooting time that is the shooting time of the display image, Among the plurality of user images stored in the storage unit, sets a user image whose second shooting time, which is the shooting time of the user image, is within a predetermined range from the first shooting time as a search range, and extracts the user image corresponding to the display image from the user images included in the search range. The image sales system according to claim 1.

3. The server device compares the display image with the user images included in the search range, and extracts a user image having the highest similarity to the display image and a similarity equal to or higher than a predetermined value as the user image corresponding to the display image. The Image sales system according to claim 2.

4. When there is no user image with a similarity equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the server device requests identification information from the user terminal and extracts the user image corresponding to the identification information notified from the user terminal. The image sales system according to claim 3.

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