System for providing photography services and its operating method

Abstract

To provide a system and an operation method thereof that provide a customer with an opportunity to have a photographed image as a digital file by providing a user with a time-lapse video and an image in which the user is photographed through a photography kiosk.SOLUTION: A method in a self-photographing system includes the steps of: printing, by a photography kiosk, a photo output including at least one image and a two-dimensional code; identifying, by a user terminal, the two-dimensional code using a photographing device of the user terminal; receiving, by the user terminal, the at least one image or a time-lapse video corresponding to the at least one image from a server; and downloading, by the user terminal, the at least one image or the time-lapse video.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for providing a photography service, and more particularly to a system and method for providing a service that allows a user to download a captured image or a corresponding time-lapse video to a user terminal by providing a photo output including a two-dimensional code to the user. [Background technology]

[0002] The experience of unmanned photo studios that offer self-portrait services is positioned as a new form of entertainment culture that allows the younger generation to express themselves. Even though smartphones have developed into high-performance cameras, consumers are enthusiastic about printed photos that allow them to preserve memories in analog form rather than digital photos.

[0003] Self-photo booths have rapidly evolved into a variety of formats, from self-photo studios where you take photos yourself with a remote control to inexpensive systems where photos are printed immediately after being taken.

[0004] For example, Photoism, which offers a self-portrait service based on the concept of an unmanned photo studio, operates over 350 outlets nationwide, and the number of outlets is showing a rapid increase.

[0005] Selfie photo booths are an evolved version of the popular sticker cameras. What makes them different from sticker photos is that they are available in a variety of small studio formats. While traditional sticker photos were primarily focused on people, recent selfie photo booths utilize a larger space and allow for a variety of different effects. What's more, unlike previous models, they are equipped with high-resolution cameras and are combined with IT technologies such as a convenient payment system and a system that notifies users of remaining photographic paper, making them not only convenient for customers but also easier for operators to manage.

[0006] In recent years, the competitiveness of photo booths, which used to be similar across companies, is now determined by software and design. In particular, the design of photos printed in unmanned photo booths is an important factor in appealing to a diverse customer base. Users can prepare their desired props, enter the photo booth with the desired background, take photos, and directly select the desired theme frame, photo placement, color tone, etc. to print the photo output with the desired design.

[0007] However, in recent years, there has been an increasing need for customers to have photographs composed of desired designs not only as printouts but also as digital files.

[0008] If the documents cannot be stored as digital files, there is a problem that if the photographic printouts, which are offline outputs, are lost, there is no way to replace them. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Existing self-photography services do not provide digital files, and as they are offline outputs, there is no way to replace the lost photo output.

[0010] Furthermore, there is a problem in that the user cannot modify or correct the details of the photograph to suit the user's preferences when printing out photographs.

[0011] Therefore, the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to solve these existing problems, and a new method is required that allows users to transmit their photos as digital files along with photo prints.

[0012] As a result, the inventors of the present invention attempted to develop a method for providing a user with a photographic output containing a two-dimensional code, thereby enabling the user to download the captured image or the corresponding time-lapse video to their terminal.

[0013] In particular, the inventors of the present invention have developed a method that, in conjunction with an application installed on a user terminal, allows a captured image or a corresponding time-lapse video to be downloaded to the application when a two-dimensional code is identified.

[0014] The objects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other objects not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] To solve the problems of the present invention, an operating method of a system for providing photography services according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided, the method including the steps of: printing, by a photography kiosk, a photographic output including at least one image and a two-dimensional code; identifying, by a user terminal, the two-dimensional code using a photographing device of the user terminal; receiving, by the user terminal, at least one of the images or a time-lapse video corresponding to at least one of the images from a server; and downloading, by the user terminal, at least one of the images or the time-lapse video.

[0016] According to a feature of the present invention, the two-dimensional code includes a QR code or a barcode, and the method further includes a step of connecting, by the user terminal, to a download web address obtained by parsing the two-dimensional code.

[0017] According to a feature of the present invention, the method further includes the steps of: performing membership registration and login through user input via the user terminal; matching at least one of the images or the time-lapse video with the user's membership information to generate matching data via the server; and downloading at least one of the images or the time-lapse video corresponding to the user from the server based on the matching data via the user terminal.

[0018] According to a feature of the present invention, an application is provided on the user terminal, and when the two-dimensional code is photographed using the application, the method further includes a step of downloading at least one of the images or the time-lapse video to a photo library of the application by the user terminal.

[0019] According to another feature of the present invention, when the user receives at least one of the images or the time-lapse video from the server, if the user has previously set the image or the time-lapse video to be stored in the application, the method further includes a step of downloading at least one of the images or the time-lapse video to a photo library of the application by the user terminal.

[0020] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another embodiment of the present invention provides a system for providing photography services, including a photography kiosk configured to print a photographic output including an image and an identification mark, a server configured to store the image or a time-lapse video corresponding to the image, and a user terminal configured to identify the identification mark using a photography device, receive the image or the time-lapse video corresponding to the image from the server, and download the image or the time-lapse video.

[0021] According to a feature of the present invention, the user terminal is further configured to provide a user interface for editing at least one of the downloaded images or the time-lapse video using the application.

[0022] According to another feature of the present invention, the user terminal is further configured to provide a user interface for using the application to correct at least one user's body included in at least one of the images or the time-lapse video, or to apply a filter to at least one of the images or the time-lapse video.

[0023] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another embodiment of the present invention provides a photography kiosk for providing photography services, the photography kiosk including a display unit, an interface unit, a photographing unit, an output unit, and a control unit, the control unit including a memory and one or more processors for executing a program loaded in the memory, the program including instructions for displaying a photography guide screen allowing a user to select a photography mode through the display unit, instructions for taking a photo through the photographing unit, and instructions for printing a photographic output including at least one image and a two-dimensional code through the output unit, the two-dimensional code including information on a web address for downloading at least one of the images or a time-lapse video corresponding to at least one of the images.

[0024] Further details of the embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a photo kiosk can be used to provide users with images and time-lapse footage taken by users, thereby providing customers with the opportunity to store their captured images as digital files.

[0026] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a user can modify or correct details of a downloaded image to suit the user's preferences.

[0027] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a user can use an application to more conveniently store and manage digital files, thereby increasing user convenience and helping to increase sales of selfie photography services.

[0028] The various beneficial advantages and effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and many more are included within this specification. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1a] 1 is a diagram illustrating a system for providing a photography service according to an embodiment of the present invention and a screen displayed on a user terminal; [Figure 1b] 1 is a diagram illustrating a system for providing a photography service according to an embodiment of the present invention and a screen displayed on a user terminal; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a system for providing a photography service according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3a] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a photography kiosk that provides photography services in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3b] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a photography kiosk that provides photography services in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration in which a server system according to an embodiment of the present invention or each server included in the server system may be implemented. [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart illustrating the overall steps of downloading images or time-lapse footage in a system for providing photography services according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating some of the steps of downloading an image or a time-lapse video through a photo application in a system for providing a photography service according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the overall steps of downloading images or time-lapse footage in a system for providing photography services according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a system for providing photography services according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The advantages and features of the present invention, and methods for achieving them, will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and may be embodied in various different forms. These embodiments are provided solely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. In connection with the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used to refer to like elements.

[0031] In this document, the terms "have," "can have," "include," or "can include" refer to the presence of a given feature (e.g., a value, function, operation, or component such as a part) and do not exclude the presence of additional features.

[0032] In this document, expressions such as "A or B," "at least one of A and / or B," or "one or more of A and / or B" include all possible combinations of the items listed together. For example, "A or B," "at least one of A and B," or "at least one of A or B" can refer to (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) both at least one A and at least one B.

[0033] Terms such as "first," "second," "first," or "second" used herein may modify various components regardless of order and / or importance, and are used only to distinguish one component from another and do not limit the corresponding component. For example, a first user device and a second user device may refer to different user devices regardless of order or importance. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may be referred to as a first component, without departing from the scope of the rights described herein.

[0034] When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being "operatively or communicatively coupled with" or "connected to" another component (e.g., a second component), it should be understood that the component may be directly coupled to the other component or may be coupled through another component (e.g., a third component). In contrast, when a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being "directly coupled with" or "directly connected to" another component (e.g., a second component), it should be understood that there is no other component (e.g., a third component) between the component and the other component.

[0035] As used herein, the phrase "configured to" may be used in various ways, depending on the context, such as "suitable for," "having the capacity to," "designed to," "adapted to," "made to," or "capable of." The term "configured to" does not necessarily refer to hardware that is "specifically designed to." Instead, in some contexts, the phrase "apparatus configured to" may mean that the apparatus, together with other devices or components, is "capable of." For example, the phrase "a processor configured to perform A, B, and C" may refer to a dedicated processor (e.g., an embedded processor) for performing the operations, or to a general-purpose processor (e.g., a CPU or application processor) that can perform the operations by executing one or more software programs stored in a memory device.

[0036] The terms used in this document are merely used to describe particular embodiments and may not be intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. A singular expression may include a plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art described in this document. Terms used in this document that are defined in a general dictionary may be interpreted to have the same or similar meaning as the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and unless explicitly defined in this document, they should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense. In some cases, even terms defined in this document may not be interpreted to exclude embodiments of this document.

[0037] The features of the various embodiments of the present invention may be partially or fully combined or combined with each other, and various technical interlocking and driving mechanisms are possible, as will be fully understood by those skilled in the art. Each embodiment may be implemented independently of the others, or may be implemented together in a related relationship.

[0038] For clarity of interpretation of this specification, the following defines terms used in this specification.

[0039] "Photography kiosk" refers to an unmanned information terminal for taking photographs. When using a photography kiosk, you can check the image you have taken through the touch screen, and you can print it immediately after taking a photograph using a remote control or timer. Photography kiosks can also be called "photo kiosks" or "photography kiosks."

[0040] "Image" refers to a photograph taken by the photographing unit of a photographing kiosk. Images may be taken by one or more users, and one or more images may be included in the photographic output. Depending on the embodiment, "image" may refer to an image output in the photographic output, or may refer to a shot of a video.

[0041] "Time lapse video" refers to a method of projecting a moving subject at a normal speed for a certain period of time, or the result of capturing the video through such a method. Various embodiments of the present specification may be applied to results captured through various video techniques, such as hyperlapse, in addition to time lapse. Although the present specification uses "time lapse video" as an example, the video capturing technique does not limit the scope of the claimed invention.

[0042] "Photo output" refers to a print output from a photography kiosk. The photo output may also be called a photo seal, and may be in the form of a sticker.

[0043] The "application" refers to a photo application that provides various functions to users who use the selfie service in conjunction with the photo kiosk 110 and / or the server system 120. For example, the "application" can be used to search for stores across Korea and store photos and time-lapse videos.

[0044] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a system for providing a photography service according to the present invention and an operating method thereof will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] 1a and 1b are diagrams illustrating a system for providing a photography service according to an embodiment of the present invention and a screen displayed on a user terminal.

[0046] 1a and 1b, a system (hereinafter referred to as a self-photography system) 100 for providing photography services according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a photography kiosk 110, a server system 120, and a user terminal 130.

[0047] The photo kiosk 110 is configured to provide a self-photography service that allows users to take and print their own photos. After taking a photo, the photo kiosk 110 can generate resources (e.g., captured images or time-lapse footage) and upload them to the touch screen. The photo kiosk 110 can print a photo output including an image and a two-dimensional code. The photo kiosk 110 can also provide a user with a video object such as a captured image and / or time-lapse footage in the form of a digital file while providing a printed photo output. A more detailed configuration of the photo kiosk 110 will be disclosed in detail with reference to FIGS. 3a and 3b.

[0048] The server system 120 can receive and store images, such as images and / or time-lapse videos taken by users, kiosk information, user data, matching data, etc. from the photo kiosk 110. The server system 120 can provide an identification code that allows access to a location where photos taken through the photo kiosk 110 are stored. The server system 120 can also provide images and / or time-lapse videos to the user terminal 130 in response to a request for the taken images and / or time-lapse videos by the user terminal 130 identifying a two-dimensional code. The server system 120 can include a kiosk management server, a content management system (CMS) DB server, a storage server, and a mobile DB server. A more detailed configuration of the server system 120 will be disclosed in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

[0049] The user terminal 130 may be a device carried by a user who intends to take a selfie using the photo kiosk 110. The user terminal 130 may be a portable digital device equipped with a memory means and a microprocessor and having computing capabilities, such as a smartphone, tablet PC, PC, or laptop, and is not limited to a specific form. The user terminal 130 can download captured images and / or video content such as time-lapse video.

[0050] FIG. 1a shows a display screen 10_1 of a download web address connected after a user photographs a two-dimensional code on a photographic output using a photographing device of a user terminal 130.

[0051] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the two-dimensional code included in the photo output may include information regarding a download web address (URL). Therefore, a user can access the download web address link obtained by parsing the captured QR code. The download web address display screen 10 may include an image 11 and a photo download button 12. The download web address display screen 10 may display a time-lapse video 13 and a video download button 14. The user terminal 130 can download the captured image and / or video object, such as a time-lapse video, by accessing the download web address link obtained by parsing the QR code.

[0052] FIG. 1b shows a display screen 10_2 of the application when the application is provided on the user terminal 130. FIG.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the application may include a 'Photo / Video Management' item. The 'Photo / Video Management' item may include a 'Library (or Photo Library) 15' tab for storing captured images and / or time-lapse videos, and a 'Bookmarks 16' tab for storing some of the captured images and / or time-lapse videos that the user wishes to store separately. According to one embodiment, the display screen 10_2 may display images and / or time-lapse videos composed of various frames stored in the 'Library 15' tab.

[0054] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a system for providing a photography service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] 2, the server system 120 may include a kiosk management server 121, a CMS DB server 122, a storage server 123, and a mobile DB server 124 for managing and storing the respective data. Although each server is shown as a separate configuration in FIG. 2, the present invention is not limited thereto, and each server shown in the figure does not necessarily have to be embodied as a separate configuration. Two or more servers may be embodied in a single server, or may be configured as modules performing corresponding functions within a single server.

[0056] The kiosk management server 121 may be a server for communicating with the photography kiosk 110 and managing the photography kiosk 110. The kiosk management server 121 may receive and store device information of the photography kiosk 110 from the photography kiosk 110 and provide it to a kiosk administrator. The device information of the photography kiosk 110 may include basic information of the photography kiosk 110 (e.g., ID, hardware information), information required for communication with the photography kiosk 110, information on the printer status (remaining paper, printer errors), software program operation status information, software program update information, etc. In addition, the kiosk management server 121 may manage the operating status of the photography kiosk 110 (normal operation, idle state, error occurrence, etc.) in real time.

[0057] The CMS DB server 122 may be a server for storing user data and / or storage information (e.g., URL). A CMS (content management system) is a system that enables a photography kiosk administrator to intuitively manage content. User data may include captured image and / or time-lapse video data, data on frames selected by the user, payment information data, matching data that matches resources with membership information, etc. The CMS DB server 122 may receive and store images and / or time-lapse videos captured from the photography kiosk 110, and may provide an API for uploading the corresponding images and / or time-lapse videos to the storage server 123.

[0058] The storage server 123 may be a server for storing images and / or time-lapse footage captured by the photography kiosk 110 by communicating with the CMS DB server 122 and / or the mobile DB server 124. The storage server 123 may provide the user terminal 130 with the captured images and / or time-lapse footage of the corresponding user from among the stored resources (e.g., captured images or time-lapse footage) based on the matching data stored in the CMS DB server 122.

[0059] The mobile DB server 124 may be a server for storing member information and / or file address information. For example, the mobile DB server 124 may receive an image and / or time-lapse video request from the user terminal 130 and transfer the member information stored in the CMS DB server 122. The mobile DB server 124 may not store the captured image and / or time-lapse video files, but may store file address information that allows the user to directly download them from the application or storage server 123.

[0060] The photographing kiosk 110, the server system 120, the individual servers 121, 122, 123, and 124 that constitute the server system 120, and the user terminal 140 shown in FIG. 2 can operate to exchange data with each other through a communication network. The communication network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured regardless of the communication mode, such as wired communication or wireless communication, and may be configured as various communication networks, such as a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), or a wide area network (WAN). Preferably, the communication network referred to in this specification may be the well-known Internet or World Wide Web (WWW). However, the communication network is not necessarily limited thereto and may include, at least in part, a well-known wired or wireless data communication network, a well-known telephone network, or a well-known wired or wireless television communication network. For example, the communication network may be a wireless data communication network that at least partially embodies a conventional communication method such as Wi-Fi communication, Wi-Fi Direct communication, Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication, 5G communication, Bluetooth® communication (including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication), infrared communication, ultrasonic communication, etc. As another example, the communication network may be an optical communication network that at least partially embodies a conventional communication method such as LiFi (Light Fidelity), etc.

[0061] 3a and 3b are block diagrams illustrating an exemplary configuration of a photography kiosk that provides photography services according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 3a, a photography kiosk 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a display unit 301, an interface unit 302, a power supply unit 303, a communication unit 304, a payment unit 305, a control unit 310, a photography unit 321, an output unit 322, a sensor unit 323, a lighting unit 324, etc.

[0063] The display unit 301 may display various information related to the operation of the photography kiosk 300. For example, the display unit 301 may display a menu related to photography services, the state of a subject being photographed, etc. The display unit 301 may also display UI (User Interface) and GUI (Graphical User Interface) information according to the image and / or time-lapse video to be displayed. The above-described specific description of the information displayed by the display unit 301 is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0064] The display unit 301 may include at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, a 3D display, an e-ink display, and a light-emitting diode (LED).

[0065] The interface unit 302 is configured to receive user inputs required for photography services such as photography and printing from a user, and may be embodied as, but not limited to, a physical keypad, dome switch, touchpad, stick, lever, etc. In one embodiment of the present invention, the display unit 301 may be embodied as a touch screen by forming a layered structure with or integrally with a touch sensor. Such a touch screen can function as both the display unit 301 and the interface unit 302 of the photography kiosk 300.

[0066] The power supply unit 303 can provide power to all or some of the components of the photography kiosk 300. For example, the power supply unit 303 can include a power management system, one or more power sources such as a battery or alternating current (AC), a charging system, a power failure detection circuit, a power converter or inverter, a power status indicator, or any other component for power generation, management, and distribution.

[0067] The communication unit 304 enables the photography kiosk 300 to transmit and receive data to and from a server system or an external device through a communication network. The photography kiosk 300 can transmit and receive data related to captured images and / or time-lapse video, user information, a link to a storage in which the image and / or time-lapse video data is stored, and the like, bidirectionally to and from the server system through the communication unit 304.

[0068] The payment unit 305 allows the user to pay for the services provided through the photo kiosk 300 using a card, cash, mobile pay, virtual currency, etc.

[0069] The control unit 310 may perform overall control of the photography kiosk 300. In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 310 may control the photography unit 321 to photograph an object after photography conditions are selected by a user through the interface unit 302, payment is processed by the payment unit 305, and a photography command is input through the interface unit 302. The control unit 310 may receive input of photographed images and / or time-lapse videos and transmit them to the server system through the communication unit 304. The control unit 310 may receive a download web address link for accessing the corresponding images and / or time-lapse videos from the server system and control the output unit 322 to issue a two-dimensional code based on the received web address link.

[0070] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 310 may include a processor 311 and a memory 312 .

[0071] The control unit 310 may include one or more processors 311. The one or more processors 311 included in the control unit 310 may be integrated into a single chip or may be physically separated. The processor 311 and the memory 312 may also be embodied on a single chip. The memory 312 may include not only volatile memory such as S-RAM and D-RAM, but also non-volatile memory such as flash memory, read only memory (ROM), and erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM).

[0072] The photographing unit 321 can photograph a subject positioned in the photographing space of the photographing kiosk 300 according to a control signal from the control unit 310 .

[0073] The output unit 322 may print a photographic output including a two-dimensional code that allows access to the captured photographic image or time-lapse video, or the image or time-lapse video stored in the server system. In one embodiment of the present invention, the photographing unit 321 and the output unit 322 may include a camera and a printer, respectively.

[0074] The sensor unit 323 may detect whether a user is positioned in front of the photography kiosk 300 or the movement of a user positioned in front of the photography kiosk 300 .

[0075] The lighting unit 324 may include lighting necessary for the photographing unit 321 to perform a photographing operation.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 3b, a photo-taking kiosk 300 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a PC 330, a camera 331, a printer 332, a user control unit 341, an I / O board 342, a card payment device 343, a bill recognition device 344, etc., and the components included in the photo-taking kiosk 300 may exchange various information with each other.

[0077] The camera 331 can provide captured images and / or time-lapse footage to the PC 330. The camera can also receive a camera on / off control signal from the I / O board 342.

[0078] Printer 332 can receive output control information from PC 330 and send printer status information to PC 330 .

[0079] The I / O board 342 can receive control information transmitted from the PC 330 to each component or from each component to the PC 330.

[0080] The user control unit 341 may include a touch monitor 30 and / or a shooting remote control 31. The touch monitor 30 can transmit touch coordinate information input by the user to the PC 330. The shooting remote control 31 can transmit button press information to the PC 330 through the I / O board 342.

[0081] When the user selects card payment, the card settlement device 343 can transmit card information (e.g., card number) of the card entered by the user to the PC 330. When the user selects cash payment, the bill recognition device 344 can transmit bill insertion information of the bill inserted by the user to the PC 330 via the I / O board 342.

[0082] The PC 330 may perform overall control of the components included in the photography kiosk 300. The PC 330 may transmit user information, payment information, images, time-lapse footage, kiosk status information, etc. collected from various components to the external server 400. Referring to FIGS. 1a to 2, the external server 400 may be the server system 120.

[0083] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration in which a server system or each server included in the server system according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented.

[0084] 4, the photography service providing server 400 may include a communication interface 410, a memory 420, an I / O interface 430, and a processor 440, and each component can communicate with each other through one or more communication buses or signal lines. Referring to FIGS. 1a to 2, the photography service providing server 400 may be the server system 120.

[0085] The communication interface 410 can be connected to the photography kiosk and / or the user terminal through a wired / wireless communication network to exchange data.

[0086] For example, the communication interface 410 may receive user information, payment information, images, time-lapse footage, kiosk status information, etc. from the photography kiosk. The communication interface 410 may also receive a request for images and / or time-lapse footage from a user terminal. As another example, the communication interface 410 may transmit control information for controlling the photography kiosk to the photography kiosk. The communication interface 410 may also transmit images and / or time-lapse footage to the user terminal.

[0087] Meanwhile, the communication interface 410 that enables the transmission and reception of such data includes a wired communication port 411 and wireless circuitry 412, where the wired communication port 411 can include one or more wired interfaces, such as Ethernet, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Firewire, etc. The wireless circuitry 412 can transmit and receive data to and from external devices through RF signals or optical signals. In addition, the wireless communication can use at least one of a number of communication standards, protocols, and technologies, such as GSM, EDGE, CDMA, TDMA, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, VoIP, Wi-MAX, or any other suitable communication protocol.

[0088] The memory 420 may store various data used in the selfie service, such as device information, user data, storage information, captured images and / or time-lapse footage, membership information, and / or file address information of the photo kiosk 110.

[0089] In various embodiments, the memory 420 may include a volatile or non-volatile storage medium capable of storing various data, instructions, and information. For example, the memory 420 may include at least one type of storage medium selected from the group consisting of a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card-type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), RAM, SRAM, ROM, EEPROM, PROM, network storage, cloud storage, and a blockchain database.

[0090] In various embodiments, the memory 420 may store configurations for at least one of an operating system 421 , a communications module 422 , a user interface module 423 , and one or more applications 424 .

[0091] The operating system 421 (e.g., an embedded operating system such as LINUX, UNIX, MAC OS, WINDOWS, VxWorks, etc.) may include various software components and drivers for controlling and managing general system operations (e.g., memory management, storage device control, power management, etc.) and may support communication between various hardware, firmware, and software components.

[0092] The communications module 422 can facilitate communication with other devices through the communications interface 410. The communications module 422 can include various software components for processing data received by the wired communications port 411 or wireless circuitry 412 of the communications interface 410.

[0093] The user interface module 423 can receive user requests or inputs from a keyboard, touch screen, keyboard, mouse, microphone, etc. through the I / O interface 430 and provide a user interface on a display.

[0094] The application 424 may include programs or modules configured to be executed by one or more processors 440. Here, an application for a photo-taking service may be implemented on a server farm.

[0095] The I / O interface 430 may connect an input / output device (not shown) of the photography service providing server 400, such as at least one of a display, a keyboard, a touch screen, and a microphone, to the user interface module 423. The I / O interface 430 may receive user input (e.g., voice input, keyboard input, touch input, etc.) together with the user interface module 423 and process commands according to the received input.

[0096] The processor 440 is connected to the communication interface 410, the memory 420, and the I / O interface 430 to control the overall operation of the photography service providing server 400, and can execute various commands to download captured images or corresponding time-lapse videos to the user terminal through applications or programs stored in the memory 420.

[0097] The processor 440 may correspond to a computing device such as a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP). The processor 440 may also be implemented in the form of an integrated chip (IC) such as a system on chip (SoC) in which various computing devices are integrated. Alternatively, the processor 440 may include a module for calculating an artificial neural network model, such as a neural processing unit (NPU).

[0098] 4 is only one example of the configuration of server 400, and server 400 may have a configuration or arrangement in which some of the components shown in Fig. 4 are omitted, or which further includes additional components not shown in Fig. 4, or which combines two or more components. The components that may be included in server 400 may be embodied in hardware, software, or a combination of both hardware and software, including one or more signal processing or application-specific integrated circuits.

[0099] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process of downloading images or time-lapse footage in a system for providing photography services according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] The self-photography system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a photo-taking kiosk 510, a server system 520, and a user terminal 530.

[0101] Server system 520 may include kiosk management server 521, CMS DB server 522, storage server 523, and mobile DB server 524. In Fig. 5, kiosk management server 521, CMS DB server 522, storage server 523, and mobile DB server 524 are shown as separate components, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and two or more servers shown in the figures may be combined into one server, or each server shown in the figures may be embodied as a module within server system 520.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 5, steps for providing captured images and / or time-lapse video files to a user using the photography kiosk 510 through communication between the photography kiosk 510 and a server system 520 are shown.

[0103] In an embodiment, the photography kiosk 510 can upload the photographed images and / or videos to the storage server 523 through an API provided by the CMS DB server 522 (S501 to S502).

[0104] In S501, when a user completes taking a photo through the photo kiosk 510, the photo kiosk 510 can transmit the captured image and / or video to the CMS DB server 522. The CMS DB server 522 can store the image and / or video transmitted from the photo kiosk 510.

[0105] In S502, the CMS DB server 522 can transmit images and / or videos to the storage server 523. When the API (or API server) provided by the CMS DB server 522 receives the image and / or video files, it can upload them to the storage server 523.

[0106] In S503, the photography kiosk 510 can transmit user data to the CMS DB server 522. The user data can include captured image and / or time-lapse video data, data on frames selected by the user, payment information data, matching data that matches resources with membership information, etc. The CMS DB server 522 can store the received images and / or videos.

[0107] In S504, the photography kiosk 510 can transmit kiosk device information to the kiosk management server 521. The device information of the photography kiosk 510 can include basic information of the photography kiosk 510 (e.g., ID, hardware information), information required for communication with the photography kiosk 510, information on the operating status of the kiosk 510 (normal operation, idle state, occurrence of an error, etc.), information on the printer status (remaining paper, printer error), information on the operating status of the software program, information on software program update information, etc. The kiosk management server 521 can store the received device information of the photography kiosk 510.

[0108] In S505, the CMS DB server 522 can control the photography kiosk 510 through the kiosk management server 521. Specifically, the CMS DB server 522 can reboot the photography kiosk 510, provide service coins, send inspection messages, request updates, etc. A kiosk administrator can remotely manage the photography kiosk 510 using the kiosk management server 521 and the CMS DB server 522 through a content management system (CMS).

[0109] In S506, when the user photographs the QR code of the photographic output that includes the QR code and is printed, the user terminal 530 can acquire the QR code.

[0110] In S507, the user terminal 530 may send an image and / or video request to the mobile DB server 524.

[0111] At S508, the storage server 523 can transmit the stored images and / or videos to the user terminal 530. At S509, the user terminal 530 can download the received images and / or videos.

[0112] The execution steps of S506 to S509 will be specifically explained in FIG. 6 below.

[0113] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating some of the steps of downloading an image or a time-lapse video through a photo application in a system for providing a photography service according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0114] In S601, when a user photographs a QR code of a photographic output that includes a QR code and is printed, the user terminal 630 can acquire the QR code.

[0115] In S602, the user terminal 630 can access the download web address acquired by parsing the QR code, and can proceed with member login on the application page linked via the download web address.

[0116] In S603, the user terminal 630 may send an image and / or video request to the mobile DB server 624.

[0117] In S604, the mobile DB server 624 can match the images and / or videos taken by the user with the member information. Depending on the embodiment, the server system 620 or an application installed in the user terminal 630 can also match the images and / or videos taken by the user with the member information.

[0118] In S605, matching data generated by matching the image and / or video taken by the user with the member information can be transmitted to the CMS DB server 622.

[0119] In S606, the CMS DB server 622 may store matching data generated by matching the image and / or video with the member information.

[0120] In S607, the matching data is transmitted from the CMS DB server 622 to the storage server 623, and in S608, the storage server 623 can select images and / or videos to match with the member information from among the stored images and / or videos based on the received matching data.

[0121] At S609, the storage server 623 may transmit the selected images and / or videos to the user terminal 630 or an application located on the user terminal 630.

[0122] At S610, the user terminal 630 can download the received user images and / or videos to a photo library within the application.

[0123] For example, if a user photographs the QR code of a printed photographic output containing a QR code using the basic camera application of the user terminal 630, the user can access a download web address and log in (or log in after signing up as a member) to download the image and / or video. As another example, if a user photographs the QR code of a printed photographic output containing a QR code using the photo application of the user terminal 630, the user can download the image and / or video into the photo application.

[0124] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the overall steps of downloading images or time-lapse footage in a system for providing photography services according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0125] In S701, when a user completes taking a photo through the photo kiosk 710, the photo kiosk 710 can transmit the user IDUID and the captured image and / or video to the CMS DB server 722. The CMS DB server 722 can store the user IDUID and the image and / or video transmitted from the photo kiosk 710.

[0126] In S702, the CMS DB server 722 can transmit the user IDUID and the image and / or video to the storage server 723. The API (or API server) provided by the CMS DB server 722 can upload the user IDUID and the image and / or video file to the storage server 723 upon receiving the user IDUID and the image and / or video file.

[0127] In S703, the storage server 723 may transmit to the CMS DB server 722 the URL (or file address) where the image and / or video file is uploaded in response to receiving the user ID UID and the image and / or video.

[0128] At S704, the CMS DB server 722 can match the user ID UID with the URL (or file address) where the image and / or video file is uploaded.

[0129] In S705, the CMS DB server 722 can send the URL matched with the UID to the photography kiosk 710.

[0130] In S706, the photo kiosk 710 can output a photo output including a QR code containing UID information.

[0131] In step S707, when the user photographs the QR code of a photographic output that includes the QR code and is printed, the user terminal 730 can acquire and parse the QR code.

[0132] In S708, the user terminal 730 can access the download web address acquired by parsing the QR code, and can proceed with member login on the web page or application page linked via the download web address.

[0133] In S709, the user terminal 730 can send the parsed UID and member information to the CMS DB server 722.

[0134] In S710, the CMS DB server 722 can match the received UID with the member information.

[0135] In S711, the CMS DB server 722 can update the matched UID, member information, and URL.

[0136] In S712, the CMS DB server 722 can send the updated UID, member information, and URL to the mobile DB server 724.

[0137] In S713, when the user terminal 730 requests the mobile DB server 724 to download images and / or videos, in S714 the mobile DB server 724 can send the URL (or file address) where the image and / or video files are uploaded to the user terminal 730.

[0138] In S715, when the user terminal 730 connects to the URL where the image and / or video file has been uploaded, the storage server 723 can transmit the image and / or video to the user terminal 730.

[0139] At S716, the user terminal 630 may download the received user images and / or videos to the user terminal 630 or to a photo library within the application.

[0140] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operation of a system for providing photography services according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0141] At S802, the photography kiosk can print a photographic output including at least one image and a two-dimensional code.

[0142] Here, the two-dimensional code may include a QR code or a barcode. The two-dimensional code may include information on a web address for downloading at least one image or a time-lapse video corresponding to at least one image. Depending on the embodiment, the two-dimensional code may be any identification mark that provides a link for downloading on a user terminal.

[0143] In S804, the user terminal can identify the two-dimensional code using the photographing device of the user terminal.

[0144] The user terminal can connect to the download web address obtained by parsing the two-dimensional code.

[0145] In S806, the user terminal may receive at least one image or a time-lapse video corresponding to the at least one image from the server.

[0146] At S808, the user terminal can download at least one image or time-lapse video.

[0147] In one embodiment, the user terminal may identify a two-dimensional code using a camera of the user terminal and then register as a member and log in according to the user's input. The server may generate matching data by matching at least one image or time-lapse video with the user's membership information. The user terminal may download at least one image or time-lapse video corresponding to the user from the server based on the matching data.

[0148] In another embodiment, a user terminal may be provided with an application. A user may use the application to photograph a two-dimensional code, and in this case, the user terminal may download at least one image or time-lapse video to a photo library of the application. The user terminal or application may provide a user interface for editing the downloaded at least one image or time-lapse video. The user terminal may use the application to provide a user interface for correcting at least one user's body included in the at least one image or time-lapse video or applying a filter to the at least one image or time-lapse video.

[0149] In another embodiment, a user may preset at least one image or time-lapse video to be stored in an application when it is received from a server. Even if a user photographs a 2D code using a basic camera application of the user terminal without using an application, the user terminal may download at least one image or time-lapse video to the photo library of the application as preset.

[0150] The programs executed by the terminals and servers described in this disclosure may be implemented as hardware components, software components, and / or a combination of hardware and software components, and may be executed by any system capable of executing computer-readable instructions.

[0151] Software may include a computer program, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more of these, which may configure a processing device to operate as desired or may instruct a processing device, either individually or collectively. Software may be embodied as a computer program including instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium. Examples of computer-readable storage media include magnetic storage media (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), floppy disks, hard disks, etc.) and optically readable media (e.g., CD-ROMs, digital versatile discs (DVDs)). Computer-readable storage media may be distributed across computer systems connected via a network, allowing computer-readable code to be stored and executed in a distributed manner. The medium is computer-readable, can be stored in memory, and can be executed by a processor.

[0152] The computer-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, "non-transitory" simply means that the storage medium does not contain a signal and is tangible, and does not distinguish between data being stored semi-permanently or temporarily on the storage medium.

[0153] In addition, a program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided as part of a computer program product. The computer program may be traded as a commodity between a seller and a buyer. The computer program may include a software program or a computer-readable storage medium storing the software program. For example, the computer program may include a product in the form of a software program (e.g., a downloadable application) electronically distributed by a device manufacturer or through an online marketplace (e.g., Google Play Store, Application Store). For electronic distribution, at least a portion of the software program may be stored in a storage medium or temporarily generated. In this case, the storage medium may be a storage medium of a manufacturer's server, an online marketplace server, or a relay server that temporarily stores the software program.

[0154] In a system including a server and a device, the computer program may include a storage medium of the server or a storage medium of the device. Alternatively, if a third device (e.g., a smartphone) communicatively coupled to the server or device is present, the computer program may include a storage medium of the third device. Alternatively, the computer program may include a software program itself transmitted from the server to the device or the third device, or transmitted from the third device to the device. In this case, one of the server, the device, and the third device may execute the computer program to perform the method according to the disclosed embodiments. Alternatively, two or more of the server, the device, and the third device may execute the computer program to perform the method according to the disclosed embodiments in a distributed manner. For example, the server may execute a computer program stored on the server and control devices communicatively coupled to the server to perform the method according to the disclosed embodiments. As another example, the third device may execute a computer program and control devices communicatively coupled to the third device to perform the method according to the disclosed embodiments. When the third device executes the computer program, the third device may download the computer program from the server and execute the downloaded computer program. Alternatively, the third device may execute a computer program provided in a pre-loaded state to perform the method according to the disclosed embodiment.

[0155] Although the embodiments have been described above using limited examples and drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations may be made to the above description. For example, the described techniques may be performed in a different order than described, and / or the components of the described computer systems or modules may be combined or combined in a different manner than described, or may be substituted or replaced by other components or equivalents, and still achieve suitable results. [Explanation of symbols]

[0156] 100: Self-shooting system 110: Photo kiosk 120: Server system 121: Kiosk management server 122: CMS DB server 123: Storage server 124: Mobile DB server 300: Photo kiosk 400: Photo shooting service server

Claims

1. 1. A method of operating a system for providing photography services, comprising: collecting user information about users who will receive photo outputs through the photography kiosk; When the photo taking is completed by the photo taking kiosk, transmitting a user ID (UID) corresponding to the user information and at least one captured image or a time-lapse video corresponding to the at least one image to a server; matching, by the server, the user ID (UID) with a URL where the image or the time-lapse video is uploaded; sending a URL matched with the user ID (UID) to the photo taking kiosk by the server; printing a photographic output including the image and the two-dimensional code by the photography kiosk; Using a user terminal, the user terminal identifies the two-dimensional code using a photographing device of the user terminal and connects to the URL sent from the server; and When the user has previously set the application to store at least one of the images or the time lapse video when the image or the time lapse video is received from the server, the user terminal connects to the URL, storing the image or the time-lapse video in a photo archive of the application installed on the user terminal by the server; How the system that provides photography services works.

2. The two-dimensional code includes a QR code or a barcode, The user terminal further includes connecting to a download web address obtained by parsing the two-dimensional code. A method for operating a system for providing photography services according to claim 1.

3. The user terminal performs member registration and login according to user input; The server matches at least one of the images or the time-lapse video with the user's membership information to generate matching data; downloading, by the user terminal, at least one of the images or the time-lapse video corresponding to the user based on the matching data from a server; A method for operating a system for providing photography services according to claim 2.

4. The user terminal is provided with an application, downloading, by the user terminal, at least one of the images or the time-lapse video to a photo library of the application; A method for operating a system for providing photography services according to claim 3.

5. A system for providing a photography service, a photography kiosk configured to print a photographic output including the image and identifying indicia; a server configured to store the images or time lapse footage corresponding to the images; and Use a camera to identify the two-dimensional code, receiving the image or the time lapse video corresponding to the image from the server; a user terminal configured to download the images or the time lapse footage; The photography kiosk is Collect user information that will be provided with photo outputs, When the photographing is completed, a user ID (UID) corresponding to the user information and at least one photographed image or a time lapse video corresponding to at least one image are transmitted to a server; The server Matching the user ID (UID) with the URL where the image or the time-lapse video is uploaded; further configured to transmit, by the server, a URL matched with the user ID (UID) to the photo kiosk; The user terminal further configured to identify the two-dimensional code and connect to the URL transmitted from the server; If the user has previously set the application to store at least one of the images or the time-lapse video when the image or the time-lapse video is received from the server, The server The method is further configured to store the image or the time lapse video in a photo storage box of the application installed on the user terminal by the server by connecting to the URL from the user terminal. A system that provides photography services.

6. The two-dimensional code includes a QR code or a barcode, The user terminal is further configured to connect to a download web address obtained by parsing the two-dimensional code. The system for providing a photography service according to claim 5 .

7. The server The method is further configured to match at least one of the images or the time-lapse video with a user's membership information to generate matching data; The user terminal The method may further include: performing membership registration and login according to the user's input; and downloading at least one of the image or the time-lapse video corresponding to the user from a server based on the matching data. The system for providing a photography service according to claim 6.

8. When the application is used to photograph the two-dimensional code, further configured to download at least one of the images or the time-lapse footage to a photo library of the application. The system for providing a photography service according to claim 7.

9. The user terminal and further configured to provide a user interface for editing the downloaded at least one image or the time-lapse video using an application. The system for providing a photography service according to claim 7.

10. The user terminal and providing a user interface for utilizing an application to enhance at least one of the user's body parts included in at least one of the images or the time-lapse footage, or to apply a filter to at least one of the images or the time-lapse footage. The system for providing a photography service according to claim 6.

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