Image sales system

Abstract

To sell an images taken of a customer without the use of a photography card while reducing the customers' reluctance to purchase images.SOLUTION: An image selling system comprises an imaging apparatus that takes a picture of a user and generates a photographic image, a controller that acquires the photographic image from the imaging apparatus, generates identification information that identifies the photographic image, and displays the photographic image and the identification information on a display, and a server device that acquires the photographic image and the identification information from the controller, and when the identification information is notified from a user terminal, conducts a selling process of the photographic image corresponding to the identification information and sends the photographic image to the user terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] At tourist spots and leisure facilities, there are services in which customers (tourists and visitors) are photographed by photographers or automatically using sensors, and the photographed images are then printed out and provided. Customers receive a photography card with a unique ID printed on it at the entrance gate, and every time they take a photo inside the facility, they hold the photography card over the photo to link it to their ID, and then purchase the photos all at once near the exit gate.

[0003] However, with these conventional services, customers had to carry their photography cards with them inside the facility, which was inconvenient. Furthermore, if a photography card was lost, it could interfere with taking subsequent photos or retrieving images taken up to that point. Furthermore, the time between taking a photo and purchasing it could discourage customers from purchasing images. Furthermore, service providers had to prepare a large number of photography cards in advance, which was costly. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6393360 Summary of the Invention [Problem 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 photography card while preventing the customers from losing interest in purchasing images. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image sales system of the present invention comprises a photographing device that photographs a user and generates a photographed image; a control device that acquires the photographed image from the photographing device, generates identification information that identifies the photographed image, and displays the photographed image and the identification information on a display device; and a server device that acquires the photographed image and the identification information from the control device, and, upon receiving the identification information from a user terminal, performs a sales process for the photographed image corresponding to the identification information and transmits the photographed image to the user terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, images of customers can be sold without using a photography card while preventing the customers from losing their motivation to purchase the images. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image sales system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a captured image. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a captured image of a display screen. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a control device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the server device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF 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, a control device 5, and a print terminal 6. The photographing device 2 photographs a 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 installed in leisure facilities and the like, and for example, the photographing device 2 photographs a scene of a user U (a visitor) enjoying an attraction. For example, when a sensor (not shown) detects the approach of the user U, the photographing device 2 automatically photographs the user U. The photographed image data is transferred to the control device 5.

[0012] The control device 5 is a computer with communication capabilities. When the control device 5 receives a captured image from the photographing device 2, it generates unique identification information. The identification information may consist of, for example, multiple alphanumeric characters. The control device 5 displays the captured image and the identification information on the display device 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the control device 5 displays on the display device 3 a composite image of the captured image G with the identification information J superimposed thereon.

[0013] In this embodiment, photography of the display screen of the display device 3 is permitted, and a message is displayed indicating that photography of the screen is permitted. The URL of a website where image data can be purchased may also be displayed. It may also be displayed that the image data can be purchased from a dedicated terminal installed in the facility.

[0014] After enjoying the attraction, the user U checks the image of himself / herself displayed on the display device 3, and takes and saves an image of the display screen of the display device 3 using a user terminal 7 such as a smartphone. For example, the user U takes a photograph of the image G displayed on the display device 3, including the information necessary for purchasing image data, as shown in FIG.

[0015] The control device 5 associates the photographed image with the identification information and transmits them to the server device 1. The server device 1 stores the photographed image and the identification information received from the control device 5 in association with each other.

[0016] By taking a picture of the display screen of the display device 3 with the user terminal 7, the user U can enjoy the image anytime and immediately within the leisure facility. If the user likes the captured image and wants a higher quality image or a cleaner image without any superimposed identification information, the user can access the image purchase site provided by the server device 1, purchase the image data, and download it. For example, while waiting for an attraction or during a break, the user can access the image purchase site, enter the identification information, make a web payment using a credit card or the like, and download the image data. The image purchase and data download on the image purchase site can be performed outside the leisure facility, or can be performed using a PC 8 at home or the like.

[0017] Image data can also be purchased at a printing terminal 6 installed within the facility. The printing terminal 6 has a communication function with the server device 1 and is equipped with a touch panel and a printer. The printing terminal 6 also has a coin slot, a bill slot, a change dispenser, an electronic money payment terminal, etc. The user U operates the touch panel of the printing terminal 6 to input identification information. The printing terminal 6 transmits the input identification information to the server device 1. The server device 1 transmits an image corresponding to the identification information received from the printing terminal 6 to the printing terminal 6.

[0018] When the print terminal 6 receives the image from the server device 1, it displays an image purchase screen and accepts the purchase of the image from the user U. The image received from the server device 1 is also displayed on the image purchase screen, allowing the user U to confirm whether or not it is the image they wanted. When the user U makes payment with cash, electronic money, or the like, the print terminal 6 notifies the server device 1 that payment has been completed. The server device 1 notifies the print terminal 6 of the URL and passcode of a website (image download site) where the image data for which the purchase notification has been sent can be downloaded.

[0019] The print terminal 6 outputs a download ticket on paper that has been printed with the URL of the image download site and the passcode notified by the server device 1. A two-dimensional code indicating the URL of the image download site may be printed. The image received from the server device 1 may also be printed out. This allows the user U to obtain the printed matter as well.

[0020] The user uses the user terminal 7 or a home PC 8 to access the image download site whose URL is printed on the download ticket and enters the passcode. The server device 1 detects identification information from the URL accessed by the user terminal 7, collates the passcode, and transmits image data corresponding to the detected identification information to the user terminal 7.

[0021] As described above, according to this embodiment, the identification information of a photographed image of the user U is displayed on the display device 3 together with the photographed image, and the user U is assigned the identification information by photographing the display screen of the display device 3 with the user terminal 7. This eliminates the need to prepare photographed cards with IDs printed thereon in advance or to distribute the photographed cards to the user U, thereby reducing costs.

[0022] Furthermore, the user U can take a picture of the display screen of the display device 3 with the user terminal 7, import the captured image into the user terminal 7, and enjoy it immediately. Furthermore, while viewing the captured image on the user terminal 7, it is expected that the user will want an image with higher image quality, which will lead to increased sales of image data.

[0023] Next, we will explain the configuration of the control device 5. The control device 5 is a computer having a CPU, a storage unit, a communication unit, etc., and the CPU executes a control program stored in the storage unit to realize the functions of a captured image receiving unit 51, an identification information generating unit 52, a display image generating unit 53, a display processing unit 54, and a transmitting unit 55, as shown in Fig. 4.

[0024] The photographed image receiving unit 51 receives the photographed image from the photographing device 2 .

[0025] The identification information generating unit 52 generates identification information that uniquely identifies the received photographed image, for example, multi-digit alphanumeric identification information that combines an attraction number, date and time, alphabets, etc.

[0026] The display image generating unit 53 combines the captured image with the identification information to generate a display image (composite image) to be displayed on the display device 3. This display image may include information necessary for purchasing an image, such as the URL of an image purchasing site.

[0027] The display processing unit 54 controls the display device 3 to cause the display device 3 to display the display image.

[0028] The transmission unit 55 transmits the photographed image and the identification information to the server device 1 in association with each other.

[0029] Next, we will explain the configuration of the server device 1. The server device 1 is a computer having a CPU, a storage unit, a communication unit, etc., and the CPU executes an image sales program stored in the storage unit to realize the functions of a receiving unit 11, a management unit 12, and a transmitting unit 13, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0030] The receiving unit 11 receives the captured image and the identification information from the control device 5 and stores them in the storage unit 10.

[0031] The management unit 12 performs sales processing for photographed images. For example, when the user terminal 7 accesses an image purchase site, the management unit 12 sends an identification information input screen to the user terminal 7. The management unit 12 accepts input of identification information via the identification information input screen and identifies the corresponding photographed image. The management unit 12 performs online payment for the identified photographed image with the user terminal 7. After payment is completed, the transmission unit 13 transmits the photographed image to the user terminal 7.

[0032] Furthermore, when the management unit 12 is notified of the identification information from the printing terminal 6, it transmits the captured image corresponding to the notified identification information to the printing terminal 6. When it receives a notification of payment completion from the printing terminal 6, the management unit 12 generates URL information and a passcode of a website (image download site) from which the captured image can be downloaded, and transmits these to the printing terminal 6. The URL information of the image download site includes the identification information of the captured image.

[0033] The print terminal 6 outputs a download ticket on which the URL information of the image download site and a passcode are printed. When the management unit 12 receives access to the image download site from the user terminal 7, it identifies the purchased photographed image based on the identification information included in the URL at the time of access. The transmission unit 13 transmits the identified photographed image to the user terminal 7.

[0034] 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. The control device 5 may also receive an instruction to end the display from the user. After capturing an image of the screen of the display device 3, the user can prevent their own captured image from remaining on the screen by issuing an instruction to end the display. For example, if the display device 3 is a touch panel, a display end button may be provided on the touch panel.

[0035] The identification information J displayed on the display device 3 and the URL information of the image purchasing site may be a two-dimensional code. By using the code reading function of the user terminal 7, the screen of the display device 3 can be photographed and the two-dimensional code can be read from the image stored in the user terminal 7. Alternatively, the two-dimensional code may be displayed on the display of the user terminal 7, and the user may hold the two-dimensional code over the print terminal 6 to have it read, and then input the identification information into the print terminal 6.

[0036] The captured image displayed on the display device 3 may have a lower resolution than the captured image received by the control device 5 from the photographing device 2. The display image generating unit 53 may generate a display image by combining a two-dimensional code with a higher resolution than the captured image with a lower resolution. This allows the two-dimensional code to be displayed clearly on the display device 3. Furthermore, if a user's facial expression or other features look good in the image, they will want a higher resolution captured image, which can increase their desire to purchase the image.

[0037] Advertisements may be superimposed on the photographed images displayed on the display device 3. By purchasing image data, users can obtain beautiful photographed images without advertisements.

[0038] A standard frame or stamp may be superimposed on the photographed image displayed on the display device 3, and when image data is purchased, a photographed image superimposed with a special frame or stamp may be made available.

[0039] If a user fails to capture the identification information when photographing the display screen of the display device 3, facility staff may be able to search for the photographed image based on the display screen photographing time (first photographing time). For example, the user notifies the facility staff of the display screen photographing time by the user terminal 7. The facility staff notifies the server device 1 of the display screen photographing time using a dedicated terminal. The server device 1 extracts photographed images whose photographing time by the photographing device 2 (second photographing time) is close to the notified display screen photographing time (the time difference is within a predetermined range) and transmits them to the dedicated terminal. For example, the server device 1 extracts photographed images whose difference between the photographing time by the photographing device 2 and the display screen photographing time is equal to or less than a predetermined value and whose photographing time by the photographing device 2 is earlier than the display screen photographing time, and transmits them to the dedicated terminal.

[0040] The facility staff compares the photographed image displayed on the dedicated terminal with the user's face to identify the photographed image of the user. After identifying the photographed image, the staff receives payment from the user and performs the same process as issuing a download ticket using the print terminal 6.

[0041] The image capturing device 2 may capture a video. In this case, the display device 3 displays a portion of the video or a still image extracted from the video along with the video's identification information. When a portion of the video is displayed on the display device 3, the user records the displayed video on the user terminal 7. The user can download the entire video data by accessing a download site or by performing a purchase process on the print terminal 6.

[0042] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the printing terminal 6 prints out a download ticket, but the printing terminal 6 may also accept input of an email address from the user and send an email containing the URL of the download site and a passcode to the input address.

[0043] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which a user can obtain a photographed image by making a web payment using a credit card or the like on an image purchasing site, or by paying with cash or electronic money at the printing terminal 6, but the consideration for the sale of a photographed image is not limited to money and may also be a response to a questionnaire.

[0044] For example, the URL of a website (questionnaire site) for answering a questionnaire is displayed on the display device 3 together with the captured image and the identification information. A user who has taken a picture of the display screen of the display device 3 with the user terminal 7 accesses the questionnaire site using the user terminal 7 or a home PC 8, answers the questionnaire, and then inputs the identification information. When the server device 1 receives the questionnaire response data from the user terminal 7, the server device 1 transmits image data corresponding to the identification information to the user terminal 7.

[0045] Alternatively, a questionnaire response screen is displayed on the printing terminal 6. The user operates the touch panel of the printing terminal 6 to respond to the questionnaire, and then inputs identification information. When the server device 1 receives the questionnaire response data from the printing terminal 6, it notifies the printing terminal 6 of the URL and passcode of an image download site where image data corresponding to the identification information can be downloaded. The printing terminal 6 prints the URL and passcode notified by the server device 1 on paper and outputs a download ticket. The printing terminal 6 may also obtain image data from the server device 1 and print it out.

[0046] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1. Server device 2. Imaging equipment 3 Display device 5. Control device 6 Print terminals 7 User terminal

Claims

1. an image capturing device that captures an image of a user and generates a captured image; a control device that acquires the captured image from the imaging device, generates identification information for identifying the captured image, and displays the captured image and the identification information on a display device; a server device that acquires the photographed image and the identification information from the control device, and when the identification information is notified from a user terminal, performs a sales process for the photographed image corresponding to the identification information and transmits the photographed image to the user terminal; Equipped with In this image sales system, when the server device is notified by an external terminal of a first shooting time when the user photographed the display screen of the display device using the user terminal, the server device extracts images photographed by the photographing device whose second shooting time is within a predetermined range from the first shooting time, and transmits the extracted images to the external terminal.

2. 2. The image sales system according to claim 1, further comprising a print terminal that accepts input of identification information, notifies the server device of the input identification information, receives from the server device a photographed image corresponding to the identification information, displays an image purchase screen including the photographed image, accepts payment for the photographed image, notifies the server device of completion of payment, receives from the server device a URL and a passcode of a website where image data of the photographed image can be downloaded, and prints out the URL and passcode.

3. the control device displays a two-dimensional code indicating the identification information on the display device; 3. The image sales system according to claim 2, wherein the print terminal reads the two-dimensional code on the display screen of the display device displayed on the display unit of the user terminal, and accepts input of the identification information.

4. The image captured by the imaging device is a video, 4. The image sales system according to claim 1, wherein the control device displays a part of the video or a still image extracted from the video on the display device.

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