Image control device, image control method, program, and recording medium

Abstract

This invention provides a device, a method, a program, and a recording medium which are capable of efficiently providing necessary image data for each user. An image control device 10 comprises a processor 10a. The processor 10a: acquires information relating to a specific imaging period for an imaging device; outputs, to a storage device, a captured image group imaged by the imaging device during the specific imaging period; and when the specific imaging period ends, outputs, to a display device, access information for accessing the captured image group in the storage device.

Description

Image control device, image control method, program, and recording medium

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an image control device, an image control method, a program, and a recording medium that can efficiently provide image data required for each user.

[0002] There are a wide variety of locations and opportunities for photography, such as travel destinations, theme parks, and event venues. Furthermore, due to improvements in the performance of photography equipment, the number of photographs taken at a single location or opportunity is on the rise. Furthermore, technologies for managing image data obtained through photography for each user (photographer) are already known. One example of such a technology is described in Patent Literature 1.

[0003] The technology described in Patent Document 1 stores image data captured by a digital camera in association with specific information that identifies the user, and selectively allows a user identified by the specific information to access the stored image data corresponding to the specific information. This enables an image storage service that stores image data captured by a digital camera on behalf of the user, and also makes it possible to provide processing services such as printing based on the stored image data.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-112637

[0005] Incidentally, so-called selfie studios or theme parks may offer services that allow an unspecified number of visitors to take photographs and sell the photographed images. In such services, a photography system installed in a specific location photographs a huge number of visitors, and the visitors are not identified when they are photographed.

[0006] On the other hand, even if the technology described in Patent Literature 1 is applied to manage image data obtained through photography, it is difficult to apply the technology if it is difficult to obtain identification information from users. Also, when different groups of users are continuously photographed over a series of photography opportunities, it is difficult to separate, manage, and provide image data for each user group. Furthermore, user identification information can be sensitive information, and managing it is likely to increase the management burden on the photography system.

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an apparatus, method, program, and recording medium that can efficiently provide image data required for each user.

[0008] The above object is achieved by an image control device described in any one of [1] to

[11] below. [1] An image control device including a processor, wherein the processor acquires information related to a specific shooting period of a photographic device, outputs a group of photographed images taken by the photographic device during the specific shooting period to a storage device, and, when the specific shooting period ends, outputs access information for accessing the group of photographed images in the storage device to a display device. [2] The image control device described in [1], wherein each image in the group of photographed images is a still image. [3] The image control device described in [1] or [2], wherein the information related to the specific shooting period is an instruction to start and end shooting in the photographic device. [4] The image control device described in [3], wherein the photographic device has a remote shooting function, and the processor controls the start and end of shooting by the photographic device through the remote shooting function based on the received instruction to start and end shooting. [5] The image control device described in any one of [1] to [4], wherein the processor receives images captured by the photographic device during shooting from the photographic device, and outputs each image in the received group of photographed images to a display device. [6] The image control device according to [5], wherein the processor receives, from the photographing device, live view images that are images being photographed by the photographing device, and displays the received live view images on a display device in real time. [7] The image control device according to any of [1] to [6], wherein the processor displays at least one image from a group of photographed images on a display device. [8] The image control device according to any of [3] to [7], wherein the processor recognizes an instruction to end photographing for the group of photographed images that was the subject of the most recent code output as an instruction to start photographing. [9] The image control device according to any of [3] to [8], wherein the photographing device has a remote photographing function, and the processor accepts instructions to start and end photographing via an operation acceptance device that accepts instructions to start and end photographing, and controls the start and end of photographing by the photographing device through the remote photographing function based on the start and end instructions.

[10] The image control device according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the processor encodes information relating to the storage location of the group of captured images in the storage device to generate an access code that is access information, and outputs display data of the access code to a transmitting device that transmits display data of the access code to a user terminal.

[11] The image control device according to any one of [1] to

[10] , wherein the processor encodes information relating to the storage location of the group of captured images in the storage device to generate an access code that is access information, and transmits print data of the access code to a printing device.

[0009] The above object can also be achieved by an image control method described in

[12] below.

[12] An image control method including the steps of: acquiring, by a processor, information relating to a specific shooting period in a photographing device; outputting, by the processor, a group of photographed images photographed by the photographing device during the specific shooting period to a storage device; and outputting, by the processor, access information for accessing the group of photographed images in the storage device to a display device when the specific shooting period has ended.

[0010] Furthermore, a program according to one embodiment of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute each step included in the image control method described in

[12] above.

[0011] Furthermore, a recording medium according to one embodiment of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute each step included in the image control method described in

[12] above is recorded.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus, method, program, and recording medium are provided that can efficiently provide image data required by each user.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration including an image control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an image control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional units of an image control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a shooting period information DB according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a captured image DB according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an image control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display of an access code according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the viewing status of a group of captured images according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

[0015] For ease of explanation, the following description may be given in terms of a GUI (Graphic User Interface).Furthermore, the basic data processing technologies (communication / transmission technologies, data acquisition technologies, data recording technologies, data processing / analysis technologies, machine learning technologies, image processing technologies, visualization technologies, etc.) required to realize the present invention are well-known technologies, and therefore, explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0016] In addition, in this specification, the concept of "device" includes not only a single device that performs a specific function, but also a combination of multiple devices that exist independently and in a distributed manner but cooperate (link) to perform a specific function.

[0017] Furthermore, in this specification, a "user" refers to a user who takes photographs using the image control device of the present invention and receives the output and provision of image data resulting from the photographs; specifically, for example, a user who can view and use the image data obtained by the functions of the image control device of the present invention as appropriate.

[0018] Furthermore, in this specification, the term "person" refers to an entity that performs a specific action, and includes individuals, groups, corporations such as companies, and organizations, as well as computers and devices that constitute artificial intelligence (AI). Artificial intelligence (AI) realizes intelligent functions such as inference, prediction, and judgment using hardware and software resources. The algorithm of the artificial intelligence is arbitrary, and examples include expert systems, case-based reasoning (CBR), Bayesian networks, and subsumption architectures.

[0019] <<About One Embodiment of the Present Invention>> In one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as this embodiment), an image control device 10 of the present invention stores a group of photographed images 30a taken by photographing equipment 30 during a specific photographing period in online storage 70 on network 1, as shown in FIG. 1, and outputs access information (hereinafter referred to as access code 22a) for accessing this group of photographed images 30a to a display device 40 for a user.

[0020] Note that the image control device 10 and the photographing device 30 may be connected via a wired or wireless network 1, or alternatively, the internal bus wiring of the image control device 10 may be directly connected to the interface of the photographing device 30. Specific examples of the photographing device 30 are not particularly limited, but any photographing device capable of taking photographs in digital format using a semiconductor sensor as an image sensor, such as a digital still camera, a tablet terminal or a smartphone with a camera unit, may be used.

[0021] On the other hand, the user accesses the group of photographed images 30a on the online storage 70 via the network 1 by reading the access code 22a (e.g., a two-dimensional barcode) output on the display device 40 using the user terminal 60. The user can view the group of photographed images 30a on the user terminal 60 and, as necessary, download the data of the desired photographed images or print out the photographed images.

[0022] Specific examples of services operated as described above include photography services at various attraction facilities in theme parks, selfie studio services in karaoke booths or dedicated photography rooms, and photography services by professional photographers at live event venues such as concerts and music festivals. In the following description, the facilities that use the services to which the image control method of the present invention is applied are referred to as "service facilities."

[0023] Among the above-mentioned service facilities, attraction facilities include ride attractions such as Ferris wheels and roller coasters, walk-through attractions such as mazes and haunted houses, and show attractions such as musicals, dances, and parades.

[0024] The present invention is not limited to photography services at such service facilities, but may be applicable to any service in which photography is performed by the photography device 30 during a photography period designated by the user (for example, from the time when photography starts to the time when photography ends designated by the user), and an access code 22a relating to the resulting photographed image group 30a is output.

[0025] In order to perform the above functions, the image control device 10 in this embodiment has functional units such as a reception unit 21, a generation unit 22, a control unit 23, and an output unit 24 (see FIG. 3). The specific functions of these functional units will be described in order below.

[0026] In the present invention, an "image" is composed of a plurality of pixels, is represented by the gradation values ​​of each of the plurality of pixels, and includes at least one or more subjects. Digital image data (hereinafter referred to as "image data") that defines an image at a set resolution is generated by compressing data in which the gradation values ​​of each pixel are recorded using a predetermined compression method. Examples of types of image data include lossy compressed image data such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format, and lossless compressed image data such as GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) or PNG (Portable Network Graphics) format.

[0027] [Configuration Example of Image Control Device] Next, a configuration example of the image control device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2 . The image control device 10 is configured as a server device located at the service facility. However, the image control device 10 may also be configured as a computer used by users at the service facility, specifically a smartphone, tablet terminal, or laptop personal computer (PC), which has a server function, such as transmitting and receiving the captured image group 30a over a network, and a series of functions, such as generating and outputting an access code. Similarly, the image control device 10 may also be configured as an image capture device 30 having a server function, such as transmitting and receiving the captured image group 30a over a network, and a series of functions, such as generating and outputting an access code 22a.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the computer constituting the image control device 10 includes a processor 10a, a memory 10b, a communication interface 10c, a storage 10d, an input device 10e, and an output device 10f.

[0029] The processor 10a is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), an MCU (Micro Controller Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a TPU (Tensor Processing Unit), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0030] The memory 10b is configured by semiconductor memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0031] The communication interface 10c may be configured by, for example, a network interface card or a communication interface board, etc. The computer configuring the image control device 10 can communicate with other devices connected to a communication network such as the Internet or a mobile communication line via the communication interface 10c.

[0032] The storage 10d may be composed of, for example, a flash memory, a hard disc drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flexible disc (FD), a magneto-optical disc (MO disc), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a secure digital card (SD card), or a universal serial bus memory (USB memory).

[0033] The storage 10d may be built into the computer main body constituting the image control device 10, or may be attached to the computer main body in an external format. Alternatively, the storage 10d may be configured as a NAS (Network Attached Storage) or the like.

[0034] The storage 10d may also be an external device, such as an online storage 70 or a database server, that can communicate with one of the computers constituting the image control device 10 via the network 1. The online storage 70 in this embodiment is a storage destination for the group of photographed images 30a captured by the photographing device 30, and is a device that can function as a storage server that receives access from the user terminal 60 via a uniform resource locator (URL) that is the result of reading the access code 22a, and returns the target image data.

[0035] The input device 10e is a device that accepts input operations by an operator of the image control device 10 and is configured, for example, by a touch panel, a keyboard, a microphone, etc. The output device 10f is configured, for example, by a display, a speaker, etc. This output device 10f may function as a device that outputs the captured image group 30a and the access code 22a to the user. In this case, the output device 10f is located, for example, in a service facility.

[0036] In addition, the computer that constitutes the image control device 10 is installed with the following software: a program for an operating system (OS), an application program for performing image processing such as data management of the captured image group 30a, generation and distribution of display data, and a code generation application program for encoding information on the storage location of the captured image group 30a.

[0037] These programs are read and executed by the processor 10a, and work appropriately in cooperation with other hardware devices of the image control device 10, thereby implementing the functions of a reception unit 21, a generation unit 22, a control unit 23, and an output unit 24 (see FIG. 3) in the computer that constitutes the image control device 10. Some of the functions may also be realized using artificial intelligence (AI).

[0038] More specifically, each of the above functional units executes a series of processes, such as acquiring and storing a group of photographed images 30a obtained by photographing during a specific period using the photographing device 30, and generating and outputting an access code 22a related to the group of photographed images 30a. Each of the above functional units will be described in detail below.

[0039] (Reception Unit) The reception unit 21 receives input of information regarding a specific photography period for the photography device 30 installed at the service facility, and input of a group of photographed images 30a captured by the photography device 30 at the service facility. The specific photography period is a period during which images are captured of customers who use the photography service at the service facility as subjects, and will hereinafter be referred to simply as the "photography period." The information regarding the photography period for the photography device 30 is an instruction to start and end photography using the photography device 30. The person who issues these instructions is not particularly limited and may be the customer who is the subject of the photography, an employee of the service facility, or a professional photographer if one is available.

[0040] In this embodiment, the method by which the reception unit 21 acquires the information on the shooting period and the group of captured images 30a is not particularly limited. An example of a method for acquiring information on the shooting period (designation information for the start and end of shooting) in the photographing device 30 is for the reception unit 21 to display a designation acceptance screen on the input device 10e and acquire information through user operation on the designation acceptance screen. Another example of a method for acquiring the group of captured images 30a is for the reception unit 21 to distribute a designation acceptance screen to the user terminal 60 and acquire information through the designation acceptance screen. Another example of a method for acquiring the group of captured images 30a is for the reception unit 21 to accept the group of captured images 30a through an interface and a communication line provided in the photographing device 30.

[0041] The reception unit 21 stores the acquired information on the shooting period (hereinafter, shooting period information 21a) in the memory 10b or the storage 10d and notifies the control unit 23. The control unit 23, for example, associates the shooting period information 21a with the facility (e.g., a shooting room) that the user (customer of the photography service) entered at the service facility, accumulates the shooting period information 21a, and generates and manages the shooting period DB 23a. Note that, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the record in the shooting period DB 23a, i.e., the data structure of the shooting period information 21a, associates information such as the ID of the facility where photography is performed by the photography equipment 30, and the start and end times of photography. Among these, the facility ID is information (identification number) stored in advance in the input device 10e that accepted the user's input operation, and can be acquired from the input device 10e.

[0042] Furthermore, if the image control device 10 is equipped with a photographing device 30 , the reception unit 21 may acquire image data of the photographed image group 30 a photographed by the photographing device 30 .

[0043] The image data of the captured image group 30a acquired by the reception unit 21 may be, for example, images of the service user, their companions, pets, etc., but may also be images of various phenomena such as landscapes, buildings, astronomical and meteorological phenomena, etc. The image data of the captured image group 30a may be used as stock images for various commercial materials, such as the user's photo book, yearbook, photo collection, and image stickers.

[0044] In addition, the image data captured by the photographing equipment 30 and acquired by the reception unit 21 constitutes a group of captured images 30a, which includes still images captured during the photographing period and live view images, which are images captured in real time during photographing.

[0045] (Generation Unit) In this embodiment, the access code 22a is generated by the generation unit 22 of the image control device. The generation of the access code 22a is performed in conjunction with control of the end of image capture by the control unit 23, which will be described later. Therefore, when the generation unit 22 receives a notification from the control unit 23 that image capture has ended, it executes generation of the access code 22a.

[0046] When generating the access code 22a, the generation unit 22 obtains address information of the area in the online storage 70 where the captured image group 30a is stored, i.e., a uniform resource locator (URL), from the control unit 23, and inputs this information into a code generation application program to generate the access code 22a. The format of the access code 22a is not particularly limited, and may be a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode, or a hyperlink with the URL embedded therein.

[0047] (Control Unit) In this embodiment, the control unit 23 controls the start and end of image capture in the image capture device 30 based on information about the image capture period received from the user by the reception unit 21, i.e., image capture period information 21a indicating the start and end of image capture. In this case, the image capture device 30 is assumed to have a remote image capture function. That is, the control unit 23 instructs the image capture device 30 to start and end image capture through the remote image capture function. This remote image capture function is a function that receives various instructions for image capture control from an external device (in this embodiment, the control unit 23 of the image control device 10) via an appropriate communication network such as the network 1, and causes the image capture device 30 to perform an image capture operation corresponding to the instructions.

[0048] An example of a configuration for implementing the remote photographing function is a configuration including a communication chip compatible with the communication protocol of the network 1, and a signal conversion chip that converts a signal received by the communication chip from the control unit 23 of the image control device 10 into a control signal for the photographing device 30 and passes it to the control unit of the photographing device 30. Note that the signal received by the communication chip is generated by the control unit 23 in response to an instruction to start or stop photographing input by the user via the input device 10e, for example.

[0049] When the photographing device 30 acquires information to start photographing via the remote photographing function, the photographing device 30 starts photographing, for example, at a default photographing angle of view or a photographing angle of view specified by the user. Following the start of photographing, the photographing device 30 performs photographing continuously, for example, at regular intervals, to obtain a plurality of photographed images (i.e., a group of photographed images). Image data of the plurality of photographed images (group of photographed images) is stored and held, for example, in the memory of the photographing device 30. Here, the data of each image in the group of photographed images held in the memory is still image data.

[0050] The control unit 23 may recognize information regarding the end of image capture of the group of images captured immediately before (specifically, an instruction to end image capture) as the information regarding the start of image capture (specifically, an instruction to start image capture). Here, the group of images captured immediately before corresponds to the group of images for which the most recent access code 22a is output. The most recent access code 22a is an access code generated based on the group of images captured of a customer who used the service facility immediately before, from the perspective of the user who is currently the target of the service.

[0051] The above-described operational form of detecting the timing of the start of photography can be said to be an appropriate response to the fact that the timing when the previous user finishes photography at a service facility can be the timing when the next user starts photography. A situation in which the timing when the previous user finishes photography becomes the timing when the next user starts photography corresponds to a situation in which photography service users arrive one after another at a service facility with little time between them.

[0052] When the photographing device 30 receives information indicating the end of photographing via the remote photographing function, it ends photographing, reads from memory image data of the photographed image group photographed between the start and end of photographing, and transmits this to the image control device 10. The control unit 23 of the image control device 10 receives the image data of the photographed image group 30a transmitted from the photographing device 30 and stores this in the photographed image DB 70a of the online storage 70. The data structure of the photographed image DB 70a may be, for example, such that the ID of the facility where the photographing was performed, the photographing date and time, and the photographed image group 30a are linked to one another. Furthermore, each image included in the photographed image group 30a is a still image.

[0053] When the control unit 23 finishes taking photographs and stores the image data of the photographed image group 30a in the photographed image DB 70a of the online storage 70, the control unit 23 notifies the generation unit 22 of the URL corresponding to the storage area where the image data has been stored. As already mentioned, this URL is used as data for generating the access code 22a.

[0054] (Output Unit) The output unit 24 outputs the access code 22a generated by the generation unit 22 to the user terminal 60 (display device) or the output device 10f of the image control device 10. A user of the photography service reads the access code 22a using the user terminal 60, thereby accessing the address indicated in the access code 22a and viewing the group of photographed images 30a on the online storage 70.

[0055] In this embodiment, the output unit 24 can output the access code 22a to the user terminal 60 by outputting the display data of the access code 22a to a communication interface (transmitting device) 10c, which transmits the display data to the user terminal 60.

[0056] The output unit 24 may also transmit the print data of the access code 22a to the printing device 50 via the network 1. In this case, the printing device 50 prints the access code 22a on a print medium (e.g., paper). The user can obtain the print medium on which the access code 22a is printed within the service facility and take it home or elsewhere. By reading the access code 22a on the print medium using the user terminal 60, the user can access the address indicated by the access code 22a and view the group of captured images 30a on the online storage 70.

[0057] The output unit 24 can also output a live view image, which is an image currently being captured by the image capture device 30, to the user terminal 60 (display device) or the output device 10f of the image control device 10. In this case, the image control device 10 and the image capture device 30 maintain a connection via the network 1 even during image capture, and the images captured by the image capture device 30 (live view images) are delivered in real time to the user terminal 60, etc. A user of the image capture service can view the display screen of the live view images, for example, viewing captured images in which they themselves are the subject, and check the quality of their appearance, posture, etc. in the images.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the output unit 24 can display at least one image from the group of captured images on the user terminal 60 (display device) or the output device 10f of the image control device 10. For example, if all images included in the group of captured images 30a are displayed on the user terminal 60, etc., it can be cumbersome for the user to check the captured images. In contrast, in this embodiment, only a limited number of images from the group of captured images 30a are displayed on the user terminal 60, etc., making it smooth and less burdensome for the user to check the captured images.

[0059] The method for determining the images to be displayed by the output unit 24 and the number of images to be displayed from the captured image group 30a is not particularly limited. One example of such a method is to extract a specified number of images that satisfy predetermined conditions in the order in which they were captured. Examples of the "predetermined conditions" include that the size or number of subjects in focus in the image is equal to or greater than a reference value, or that the subject is located at the center of the image. Existing image recognition technology may be used as appropriate to identify the subject in the image.

[0060] [Example of Image Control Method According to the Present Embodiment] Next, as an example of the operation of the image control device 10 according to the present embodiment, an image processing flow using the same device will be described. The image processing flow described below uses the image control method of the present invention. In other words, each step in the image processing flow described below corresponds to a component of the image control method of the present invention.

[0061] Note that the flow below is merely an example, and as long as it does not deviate from the spirit of this embodiment, some steps in the flow may be deleted, new steps may be added to the flow, or the execution order of two steps in the flow may be reversed.

[0062] The steps in the image processing flow according to this embodiment are performed in the order shown in Fig. 6 by the processor 10a included in the image control device 10. That is, in each step in the image processing flow, the processor 10a executes processing corresponding to each step in Fig. 6 from among the data processing defined in the image processing application program.

[0063] Specifically, in the image processing flow according to this embodiment, the processor 10a first executes a process for accepting input of the shooting period information 21a (S001). In this case, the processor 10a causes the input device 10e to display a period specification acceptance screen, and acquires the shooting period information 21a by user operation via the specification acceptance screen. This shooting period information 21a can be assumed to include instructions for starting and ending shooting, but is not limited thereto, and can also be in the form of an instruction only for starting shooting.

[0064] Next, the processor 10a associates the photographing period information 21a obtained in step S001 with the equipment ID and stores it in the photographing period DB 23a (S002). Further, the processor 10a requests the photographing device 30 to start photographing based on the photographing start instruction indicated by the photographing period information 21a obtained in step S001 (S003).

[0065] As an example of the instruction to start shooting, it is possible to use, for example, information regarding the end of shooting of the group of images captured immediately before, specifically, an instruction to end shooting. As described above, the instruction to end shooting of the group of images captured immediately before corresponds to the information regarding the end of shooting for the group of images for which the access code 22a was last output.

[0066] The photographing device 30 starts photographing upon receiving the instruction to start photographing, and transmits the image data obtained by the photographing to the image control device 10 via the network 1. The image data photographed by the photographing device 30 constitutes a photographed image group 30a and is data of still images whose subjects are the service user, who is the user, and their accompanying person, etc. The image data of the still image is data of the still image at the time when the service user operates the input device 10e to photograph the actual image (for example, at the time when the photographing button provided on the display screen of the live view image is pressed) during photographing.

[0067] The processor 10a receives the image data of the still images transmitted from the photographing device 30 and stores it in the photographed image DB 70a on the online storage 70 (S004). Then, during the photographing period, the photographing device 30 transmits image data of the still image each time a main photograph is taken, i.e., each time a still image is taken, and the processor 10a executes step S004 each time it receives image data from the photographing device 30. As a result, the number of images included in the photographed image group 30a gradually increases.

[0068] Furthermore, during the shooting period, the image control device 10 and the photographing device 30 continue to maintain a state in which they are connected via the network 1. Although not particularly shown in FIG. 6 , during the shooting period, the processor 10a may receive, from the photographing device 30, a live view image, which is an image currently being captured by the photographing device 30. In this case, the processor 10a may display the received live view image on the output device 10f in real time. Alternatively, the processor 10a may display at least one image from the group of captured images on the user terminal 60 (display device) or the output device 10f.

[0069] Next, the processor 10a requests the photographing device 30 to end photographing when the photographing end timing indicated by the photographing period information 21a received in S001 arrives or when the photographing period information 21a including the photographing end information is received anew (S005). Meanwhile, upon receiving the request to end photographing, the photographing device 30 ends the photographing that has been ongoing up to that point and transmits image data of the photographed images taken between the photographing start timing and the photographing end timing to the image control device 10.

[0070] The processor 10a receives the image data of the group of photographed images 30a transmitted from the photographing device 30 and stores it in the photographed image DB 70a of the online storage 70 (S006). When the above photographing is completed and the processor 10a stores the group of photographed images 30a in the photographed image DB 70a, the processor 10a refers to the URL corresponding to the storage area where the group of photographed images 30a has been stored in the online storage 70 (S007).

[0071] The processor 10a inputs the URL information into a code generation application program to generate an access code 22a such as a two-dimensional barcode (S008). The processor 10a outputs the access code 22a generated in step S008 to the output device 10f (display device) or the user terminal 60, and displays the access code 22a on the screen, for example, as shown in Figure 7 (S009).

[0072] The user reads the access code 22a displayed on the output device 10f or the like using the camera unit and reader of the user terminal 60. This reading operation by the user terminal 60 reads the URL embedded in the access code 22a, enabling access to the group of captured images 30a in the online storage 70 indicated by this URL. This allows the user to view the group of captured images 30a on the user terminal 60 (see FIG. 8). The user can also use the data in various ways, such as downloading the image data, transferring the downloaded image data to another device, or printing the images indicated by the image data on photographic paper or the like.

[0073] In addition, the processor 10a may output the access code 22a to the user terminal 60 by, for example, outputting the display data of the access code 22a to a communication interface (transmitting device) 10c that transmits the data to the user terminal 60.

[0074] The processor 10a may also transmit the print data of the access code 22a to the printing device 50 via the network 1. In this case, the printing device 50 executes a print process of the access code 22a on a print medium (e.g., paper, etc.). <<Specific Application Scenarios of the Present Embodiment>> Specific application scenarios of the above-described embodiment will be described using several examples (hereinafter, Examples 1 to 4).

[0075] (Example 1) Example 1 is a case in which a Ferris wheel installed in a theme park or the like is used as a service facility, and a selfie photography service is provided by using the gondolas that carry passengers on the Ferris wheel as photography equipment. In other words, Example 1 is an application of the present invention to a photography service in which the Ferris wheel gondolas are used as selfie studios. Figure 9 shows an example of a network configuration in Example 1.

[0076] In Example 1, a user, who is a service user, boards a gondola of a Ferris wheel and takes a selfie inside the gondola while the gondola makes one full rotation. More specifically, the user receives a control tablet when boarding the gondola. This control tablet corresponds to the image control device 10 in Example 1. Also, a photographing device 30 with a remote photographing function is installed inside the gondola, specifically, at a predetermined position inside the gondola. The photographing device 30 and the control tablet are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other, and the control tablet can be connected to online storage 70 via a wired or wireless communication network 1.

[0077] While inside the gondola, the user touches a predetermined button displayed on the touch panel of the control tablet (corresponding to the input device 10e) to issue an instruction to start capturing images. Upon receiving the instruction to start capturing images, the control tablet transmits an image capture request to the image capture device 30. Upon receiving the image capture request, the image capture device 30 begins capturing images and transmits a live view image, which is the image currently being captured, to the control tablet. The user views the live view image on the control tablet screen, and, when the user is in a position suitable for capturing images, touches the capture button displayed on the control tablet screen to issue an instruction to start actual capturing. Upon receiving the instruction to start actual capturing, the control tablet transmits a request for actual capturing to the image capture device 30. Upon receiving the request for actual capturing, the image capture device 30 captures a still image at that time. The actual capturing, i.e., capturing of still images, is then repeated while the gondola carrying the user makes one full rotation. As a result, a group of captured images including multiple still images of the user as the subject is acquired and stored and maintained in the memory of the image capture device 30.

[0078] Thereafter, before the gondola carrying the user makes a full rotation, the user touches a predetermined button displayed on the touch panel of the control tablet to instruct the camera to end the image capture. Upon receiving the instruction to end the image capture, the control tablet transmits information indicating the end of the image capture to the image capture device 30. In response to this, the image capture device 30 transmits the group of captured images stored in its memory to the control tablet, which then receives and acquires the transmitted group of captured images. Note that, upon transmission of the group of captured images, the memory of the image capture device 30 is cleared, and the group of captured images is erased from the memory.

[0079] The control tablet uploads the image data of the group of captured images transmitted from the photographing device 30 to the captured image DB 70a of the online storage 70. The control tablet also acquires information about the URL corresponding to the storage area of ​​the group of captured images in the online storage 70, and inputs this information into a code generation application program to generate the access code 22a.

[0080] The control tablet then displays the generated access code 22a on the touch panel of the control tablet or on a display (corresponding to the display device 40) installed inside the gondola. At this time, the access code 22a may be output to a user terminal 60 carried by the user. Alternatively, the data of the access code 22a may be sent to a printing device 50 installed in the area surrounding the Ferris wheel, and a receipt with the access code 22a printed on it may be output and handed to the user.

[0081] The user then reads the access code 22a displayed on the touch panel of the control tablet or the access code 22a printed on the receipt using the camera unit and reader of the user terminal 60. This reading operation causes the user terminal 60 to access the group of captured images in the online storage 70 and display the group of captured images on the display. The user can view each captured image that makes up the group of captured images and download a desired image or print the image using a print service or the like.

[0082] Services such as image downloading and printing may be available subject to payment processing using a predetermined payment method. The control tablet may also have a function for recommending images from the group of captured images that meet certain conditions as eligible for the print service. The specified conditions may include, for example, that the size or number of subjects in focus in the captured image is equal to or exceeds a certain value, or that the subject is located in the center of the captured image.

[0083] The billing process for using services such as image downloading and printing, and the recommendation of captured images to be used for the print service, can be similarly applied to the following Examples 2 to 4. Explanation of these contents will be omitted in Examples 2 to 4.

[0084] The above series of steps is repeated every time a new user gets on a gondola on the Ferris wheel and performs a selfie photo shoot service inside the gondola.

[0085] The person who issues instructions to start and stop shooting on the control tablet is not limited to the user who is using the service, but may be, for example, a Ferris wheel attendant.

[0086] Second Embodiment In a second embodiment, a concert venue or live music venue is used as a service facility, and a cameraman moves around the venue, taking pictures of users who are visitors, and providing the taken images to the users.

[0087] In addition to the above case, in Example 2, a case can also be envisioned in which a photography booth installed at a concert venue or live venue serves as service equipment, a photographer photographs users in the photography booth, and the photographed images are provided.

[0088] In the above case, the user can have a photographer take an image of the user together with an artist performing at a concert or live show. The photographer operates the photographing device 30 and a control tablet communicatively connected to the photographing device 30. This control tablet corresponds to the image control device 10 in the second embodiment. The control tablet can also be connected to online storage 70 via a wireless communication network 1.

[0089] The photographer serves multiple users who use the photography service one by one, and when starting to photograph one user as the subject, the photographer touches a specified button displayed on the touch panel of the control tablet (corresponding to input device 10e) to give the command to start photography.

[0090] The instruction to start shooting may be given by the user. For example, when a user waiting in line to use the photography service arrives, the user brings a pre-distributed item with an IC chip or a user terminal 60 equipped with the IC chip close to the control tablet. The information stored in the IC chip is read by the reader function of the control tablet, and the read information may be accepted as an instruction to start shooting.

[0091] When the control tablet receives an instruction to start capturing images, it transmits a request to start capturing images to the photographing device 30. When the photographing device 30 receives the request to start capturing images, it starts capturing images and captures a live view image of the current time. The live view image is displayed in the viewfinder of the photographing device 30, and the photographer presses the capture button (release button) of the photographing device 30 at an appropriate timing while viewing the live view image. This causes the photographing device 30 to capture a still image at the time the capture button is pressed. Then, still images are captured multiple times for one user. This results in a group of captured images including multiple still images of the user as the subject, which are then stored and saved in the memory of the photographing device 30.

[0092] When a predetermined number of still images have been taken for one user, the photographer touches a predetermined button displayed on the touch panel of the control tablet to instruct the camera to end the shooting. Upon receiving the instruction to end the shooting, the control tablet transmits information indicating that the shooting has ended to the image capturing device 30. Accordingly, the image capturing device 30 transmits the group of captured images stored in its memory to the control tablet, and the control tablet receives and acquires the transmitted group of captured images. Note that, upon transmission of the group of captured images, the memory of the image capturing device 30 is cleared, and the group of captured images is erased from the memory.

[0093] The control tablet uploads the image data of the group of captured images transmitted from the photographing device 30 to the captured image DB 70a of the online storage 70. The control tablet also acquires information about the URL corresponding to the storage area of ​​the group of captured images in the online storage 70, and inputs this information into a code generation application program to generate the access code 22a.

[0094] The control tablet then displays the generated access code 22a on the touch panel of the control tablet or on a display (display device 40) installed at the venue. At this time, the access code 22a may be output to a user terminal 60 carried by the user. Alternatively, the data of the access code 22a may be sent to a mobile printing device 50 carried by the photographer, and a receipt with the access code 22a printed on it may be output and handed to the user.

[0095] The user then reads the access code 22a displayed on the touch panel of the control tablet or the access code 22a printed on the receipt using the camera unit and reader function of the user terminal 60. This reading operation causes the user terminal 60 to access the group of captured images in the online storage 70 and display the group of captured images on the display. The user can view each captured image that makes up the group of captured images and download a desired image or print the image using a print service or the like.

[0096] The above series of steps is repeated every time a new user uses the photography service (in other words, every time a new user is selected to use the photography service).

[0097] In Example 2, a photographing device 30 with a remote photographing function may be installed at a designated location in the venue, and a photographer may operate a control tablet to photograph the user using the photographing device 30 via the remote photographing function.

[0098] Furthermore, instructions to start and stop shooting by operating the control tablet are not limited to being given by the cameraman alone, but may be given by multiple staff members including the cameraman.

[0099] (Example 3) Example 3 is a case where a theme park is used as a service facility, and in an attraction where passengers enjoy riding on a vehicle (for example, a roller coaster, hereinafter referred to as attraction A), images of the passengers, who are users, are photographed multiple times while the vehicle is in motion, and the photographed images are provided to the users.

[0100] In attraction A, multiple photography points are set along the route of the ride, and photography devices 30 with remote photography functions, specifically fixed cameras, are installed around each photography point. When the ride passes each photography point, photography is automatically performed by the photography devices 30 located in the vicinity.

[0101] Furthermore, a control computer that is communicatively connected to the image capture device 30 is installed in an area of ​​the theme park that is allocated to attraction A. This control computer corresponds to the image control device 10 in Example 3. Furthermore, the control computer is connectable to online storage 70 via a wired or wireless network 1.

[0102] In Example 3, a user entering attraction A wears an accessory with an IC chip. Information read from the IC chip includes a unique number assigned to the user (hereinafter referred to as the "entrance number"). The accessory may be, for example, a wristband, and the following description will be given assuming that the user wears a wristband as the accessory.

[0103] When entering a theme park, a user installs application software (hereinafter referred to as the "dedicated app") specifically for the theme park on their user terminal 60 and is loaned a wristband. A theme park attendant uses a reader to read an identification screen (e.g., a two-dimensional barcode) that is displayed when the user terminal 60 launches the dedicated app, and also reads information such as an entrance number from the IC chip on the wristband loaned to the user. The reader sends a set of the dedicated app identification number read from the identification image and the entrance number read from the wristband to the control computer. The dedicated app identification number is information unique to the user terminal 60 on which the dedicated app is installed.

[0104] The control computer associates the identification number of the dedicated app with the wristband's admission number and stores the associated information in its own storage means (memory 10b or storage 10d). The control computer associates and registers the user's admission number with the identification ID of the user terminal 60. This allows the control computer to identify the correspondence between the user's admission number, the identification number of the user terminal 60, and the ride and seat the user will be riding in when the access code 22a is generated.

[0105] The reader may read the identification information of the user terminal 60 from an IC chip built into the user terminal 60 instead of reading the identification image of the dedicated application.

[0106] Furthermore, when a user boards a ride at attraction A, the user receives an announcement through a display or speaker mounted on the ride, prompting the user to touch their wristband to a reader unit located near their seat. When the user holds their wristband over the reader unit in response to the announcement, the reader unit reads information such as the entrance number from the IC chip in the wristband. In Example 3, the user's action of having the reader unit read the entrance number from the IC chip in the wristband in the above manner corresponds to an instruction to start photographing.

[0107] The reader unit then transmits the entrance number read from the IC chip to the control computer, along with the vehicle number and seat number, which identify the vehicle and seat in which the reader unit is installed. Upon receiving the entrance number, the control computer receives an instruction to start taking pictures.

[0108] Furthermore, when the control computer receives an instruction to start photographing, it transmits a photographing request to the photographing devices 30 installed in the vicinity of each photographing point. In this case, the control computer stores the location of each photographing point in advance, and based on that information, it can accurately identify (predict) when and which photographing point the ride of attraction A will pass after it departs. In other words, the control computer can identify the timing at which the ride will pass each photographing point, and transmits a photographing request to the photographing devices 30 installed near each photographing point immediately before passing that photographing point.

[0109] The photographing device 30 that has received the photographing request begins photographing a predetermined time after receiving the photographing request. As a result, still images of the vehicle passing through the photographing point and the user who is its occupant are captured by the photographing device 30. Image data of the captured still images is transmitted from the photographing device 30 to the control computer.

[0110] The control computer may send a photography request to the photography equipment 30 according to the elapsed time from the departure of the vehicle, or may send a photography request when a sensor or the like detects that the vehicle has passed a predetermined position on the travel route.

[0111] The photographing request may also include information on photographing conditions (e.g., shutter speed, exposure conditions, etc.). In this case, the photographing device 30 that receives the photographing request will photograph a still image according to the photographing conditions included in the photographing request. The photographing conditions may be set for each photographing device 30. In this case, photographing conditions suitable for each photographing point can be set, and each photographing device 30 can perform photographing under suitable conditions.

[0112] The above series of operations is repeated each time the vehicle travels along the travel route and passes each photography point. As a result, photography is performed the same number of times as the number of photography points during one performance of attraction A, and the control computer acquires a plurality of groups of photographed images including still images taken at each photography point.

[0113] Furthermore, when the vehicle passes the last photographing point during its travel route, the control computer receives image data of the photographed image from the photographing device 30 installed in the vicinity of the last photographing point. Upon receiving this image data, the control computer considers that it has received an instruction to end photographing.

[0114] The control computer stores image data of the group of captured images, including still images captured at all of the multiple shooting points, in online storage 70 and obtains URL information corresponding to the storage area. The control computer also inputs the obtained URL information into a code generation application program to generate access code 22a.

[0115] The control computer then displays the generated access code 22a on a display (display device 40) installed, for example, near the exit of attraction A. Alternatively, the access code 22a may be sent to a printing device 50 installed near the exit of attraction A, and a receipt with the access code 22a printed on it may be output and handed to the user.

[0116] Furthermore, before experiencing attraction A, the user registers the admission number stored in the IC chip of the wristband along with the identification ID of the user terminal 60, and the control computer associates and stores the admission number with the identification ID of the user terminal 60. Furthermore, when boarding a ride at attraction A, the user has the admission number read by a reader unit from the IC chip of the wristband, and the control computer acquires the admission number read by the reader unit along with the identification numbers of the ride and seat on which the reader unit is mounted. This allows the control computer to identify the user appearing in each captured image and the user terminal 60 carried by that user. Using this, the control computer may identify the user appearing in each image of the group of captured images viewable using the access code 22a and send a push notification of the access code 22a to the user terminal 60 carried by that user. This push notification may be sent, for example, to a user terminal 60 on which the dedicated app is installed.

[0117] (Example 4) Example 4 is a case where, for example, a store-type selfie studio is used as a service facility, its photography room is used as a photography facility, photography is performed when a customer (hereinafter, a user) visits the store (hereinafter, a user) enters the photography room, and the photographed image is provided.

[0118] In Example 4, a user visits a selfie studio and holds a two-dimensional barcode encoding the reservation number issued when making a reservation in advance or when visiting the studio over the reader unit of the photography room to be entered, which instructs the user to start photography.

[0119] For example, when the user leaves the store or when the predetermined usage time has elapsed, the user holds the two-dimensional barcode over the reader unit in the same manner as above, thereby issuing an instruction to end the image capture.

[0120] The user can enjoy taking pictures in the photography room from the time when an instruction to start photography is given until an instruction to end photography is given.

[0121] The selfie studio is equipped with a control computer that manages each photography room. This control computer corresponds to the image control device 10 in Example 4. Each photography room in the studio is equipped with photography equipment 30 with a remote photography function and an indoor reader unit. The control computer can be connected to the reader unit, the reader units of each photography room, and the online storage 70 via a wired or wireless communication network 1.

[0122] The user registers the specific date and time they wish to have their photo taken as reservation information in a reservation system or the like operated by the selfie studio, and is issued the above-mentioned two-dimensional barcode in response to this registration. This two-dimensional barcode is mainly assumed to be issued in a form in which it is distributed to the user terminal 60 used by the user for the reservation operation, but it can also be assumed to be distributed as print data and printed and output on a receipt or the like by a specified printing device.

[0123] The user who receives the two-dimensional barcode arrives at the selfie studio at the reserved time and holds the two-dimensional barcode displayed on the user terminal 60 over a reader unit installed in front of the studio. The control computer obtains the reservation date and time information read from the two-dimensional barcode through the reader unit and compares it with the current usage status of each photography studio. The usage status of each photography studio indicates whether photography is in progress in the photography studio, and a photography studio that has received information from the photography studio's reader unit that photography has started but has not yet received information that photography has finished can be determined to be "in use."

[0124] If there is an imaging room that is not "in use," i.e., an available imaging room, the control computer outputs guidance information to that imaging room to the output device 10f, such as a speaker or display, to guide the user. On the other hand, if there are no imaging rooms available, the control computer outputs information to the output device 10f, such as a speaker or display, that there are currently no available rooms, and prompts the user to wait to enter the room. At this time, it is preferable to also notify the user of information about the estimated waiting time.

[0125] When a user using a photography room holds the two-dimensional barcode over the reader unit of that photography room, the control computer recognizes that an instruction to "end photography" has been given. In this case, the control computer determines that the photography room has become vacant, and outputs guidance information to the photography room to the output device 10f, such as a speaker or display, to guide the user who is waiting to enter.

[0126] When a user is able to enter an empty photography room, they hold the two-dimensional barcode over the reader unit of that photography room. This action corresponds to an instruction to start photography in that photography room. When the control computer receives the result of reading the two-dimensional barcode from the reader unit, it sends an instruction to start photography to the photography equipment 30 installed in that photography room. After that, the user who entered the photography room can enjoy taking selfies (self-portraits) using the costumes, accessories, small items, etc. provided in the photography room.

[0127] Meanwhile, the photographing equipment 30 in each photographing room starts photographing and continuously photographs at regular intervals to obtain a group of photographed images. The image data of this group of photographed images is stored and maintained in the memory of the photographing equipment 30. Meanwhile, the image control device 10 monitors whether the photographing in the photographing room progresses and whether the specified usage time has elapsed or whether the specified number of photographs has been taken. This monitoring is performed by the control computer identifying the elapsed time from the start of photographing in each photographing room or by obtaining the count value of the number of photographs taken by the photographing equipment 30 at regular intervals.

[0128] As a result of the above monitoring, if the specified usage time has elapsed or the specified number of photographs has been taken, the control computer outputs announcement information on a display or speaker in the photographing room, instructing the user to hold the two-dimensional barcode over the reader unit. When a user responds to this announcement and holds their two-dimensional barcode over the reader unit, the control computer recognizes this as an instruction to end photographing and notifies the photographing equipment 30 that photographing has ended.

[0129] In addition, if there are no other users waiting and other photography rooms are available, and the control computer receives a consent from the user to pay the additional fee, it can make an announcement that the photography time extension is accepted and allow the photography to continue.

[0130] The photographing device 30 receives the photographing completion information transmitted from the control computer and ends photographing. Upon completion of photographing, the photographing device 30 transmits the image data of the photographed images that have been stored in memory to the online storage 70. The control computer also acquires URL information corresponding to the storage area of ​​the photographed images in the online storage 70, inputs this information into a code generation application program, and generates an access code 22a. The control computer outputs the generated access code 22a to at least one of a display (output device 10f) provided in the photographing studio and a user terminal 60. Alternatively, the control computer may transmit the access code 22a data to a printing device 50 installed in the storefront of the photographing studio or selfie studio, and output a receipt with the access code 22a printed on it to the user.

[0131] Not only do users of selfie studios want to acquire and view their captured images as digital data, but many also want to print them out on paper at the store and take them home. Taking this into consideration, the selfie studio may be equipped with a printer capable of printing out captured images. In this case, when the control computer outputs the above-mentioned announcement information (such as when a specified time has elapsed or when a specified number of shots have been taken), it also outputs announcement information for users who want to print out images. This announcement information provides guidance, such as the location of the printer in the selfie studio and the route to the printer.

[0132] The user goes to the location where the printer is installed and holds the access code 22a over a reader unit installed there. The image control device 10 receives the result of reading the access code 22a from the reader unit 3D3, acquires image data of the captured images from the online storage 70, and displays the image data on a display (output device 10f) installed near the printer 55. When displaying the images, the control computer generates and displays a screen similar to that shown in FIG. 8, with buttons such as "Print" and "Download" for the image or image group being displayed. By operating this screen, the user can easily output the desired image onto a medium such as paper.

[0133] Use of the photo studio at the selfie studio, as well as printing and downloading of captured images, requires payment of a usage fee. Any payment method may be used. For example, if the system accepts users' credit card registration at the time of reservation, the control computer may process the credit card payment and debit the payment when the user finishes using the photo studio (finishes photo shoots), when the printout is completed, or at a later date. In this case, the control computer is equipped with an application program that executes payment processing with financial institutions such as credit card companies or payment agencies, and also stores authentication data such as electronic certificates provided in advance by the financial institutions or payment agencies.

[0134] In addition, if the user has not registered any payment information such as a credit card, the image control device 10 generates a two-dimensional payment barcode that encodes payment information such as the payment amount and payment deadline, and outputs this using the printing device 50.

[0135] The user holds the two-dimensional payment barcode output by the printing device 50 over a dedicated payment machine operated by, for example, a financial institution affiliated with Selfie Studio 2D or a convenience store, and the payment process is carried out at this dedicated payment machine.

[0136] Furthermore, when providing photography services in the selfie studio described above, the control computer can also provide support for improving store operations. In this case, the image control device 10 outputs support information such as service improvements, suggestions for usage content to users, and suggestions for facilities and equipment, based on the reservation details managed by the reservation system and the usage records of users who have actually used the photography studio.

[0137] For this reason, the control computer extracts and manages the user attributes and reservation details indicated by the reservation details (e.g., age, gender, place of residence, reserved course, etc.) from the reservation system database, etc. For each selfie studio, the control computer also manages the usage history (e.g., the grade of the photo studio used, the usage time, and the output method of the photographed images, etc.) based on the photo studio identification information, the start / end times of photo shoots, and the download / printout information of the photographed images, which can be identified by reading a two-dimensional barcode.

[0138] Therefore, the control computer analyzes the correspondence between user attributes, i.e., customer demographics, and usage history using multiple regression analysis or machine learning. For example, the control computer identifies the degree of correlation between user attribute items and usage history items and stores this information. Such analysis and other processing is performed for each selfie studio or photography room. Furthermore, for example, at regular intervals or in response to a request from a selfie studio, the control computer identifies services that are likely to be preferred by each customer demographic at the selfie studio based on the above-mentioned correlation degree information and outputs this information to the selfie studio's terminal, etc.

[0139] The degree of correlation may be calculated by machine learning, and a trained model may be created to minimize the error using user attributes as input and usage history as output. In this case, by inputting the attributes of a new user into the trained model, it becomes possible to output services suitable for the new user.

[0140] As a result of the above analysis, for example, it is found that the tendency to use more expensive reservation courses and pay higher fees increases in proportion to the user's age. In this case, the control computer outputs, to the terminal of the selfie studio, suggestion information such as recommending reservation courses that are popular with customers of that age group based on the age received from the user when the reservation is accepted, as an operational setting for the selfie studio reservation system. If reservations are accepted through a reservation system configured in this way, improved user satisfaction can be expected.

[0141] Furthermore, suppose that the analysis results reveal a correlation between user attributes and the costumes (including accessories and small items) that are likely to be used in the photo studio. In this case, the control computer outputs information about the costumes and other items that should be prepared for the main customer base of the selfie studio that requested assistance (identified based on information obtained from the reservation system) to the terminal or other device of the selfie studio. Selfie studios that prepare costumes and other items based on this information can expect to improve user satisfaction.

[0142] <<Other Embodiments>> Specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the above embodiments are merely examples given to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. That is, the present invention may be modified or improved from the embodiments described below without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention includes equivalents thereof. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may include a combination of the above embodiments with one or more of the following modifications.

[0143] (Regarding the Computer Constituting the Image Control Device) In the above embodiment, the image control device of the present invention is configured by a computer directly used by a user, such as a user-owned terminal (client terminal). However, this is not limited to this, and the image control device of the present invention may also be configured by a computer indirectly available to the user, such as a server computer. Here, the server computer may be, for example, a server computer for a cloud service, specifically, a server computer for an ASP (Application Service Provider), SaaS (Software as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), or IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). In this case, when necessary information is input into the client terminal, the server computer performs various processes (calculations) based on the input information, and the calculation results are output on the client terminal. In other words, the functions of the server computer constituting the image control device of the present invention can be used on the client terminal.

[0144] (Regarding the Processor Configuration) In this embodiment, each process is executed by a computer. The computer may execute these processes using a processor, a program, or a combination thereof. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a computer for specific applications, a system such as a workstation, or other hardware element capable of executing a program.

[0145] The processor may be configured with one or more pieces of hardware, and the type of hardware is not limited. For example, the processor may be configured with hardware such as a programmable logic device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a dedicated circuit for executing specific processing such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), or an NPU (Neural Processing Unit). The processor also has various units or means for executing various processes in this embodiment. The type of hardware may also be a combination of different types of hardware. When multiple pieces of hardware are configured to execute one or more processes of a certain processor, the multiple pieces of hardware may be located in devices physically separated from each other, or may be located in the same device. Furthermore, in any embodiment, the order of the processes performed by the processor is not limited to the order described above and may be changed as appropriate. The hardware is configured by an electric circuit (circuitry) or the like that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0146] Furthermore, the present embodiment may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, microcode, or a combination thereof. Software, firmware, and microcode may be configured by a program. A program may also be, for example, a group of program modules, each function of which may be implemented by a processor configured to perform the respective function. The program may be program code or multiple code segments stored in one or more non-transitory computer-readable media (e.g., storage media or other storages). The program may be stored in multiple non-transitory computer-readable media that reside in physically separate devices. A program code or a code segment may represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements. A program code or a code segment may be connected to another code segment or a hardware circuit by sending or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents.

[0147] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Network 10 Image control device 10a Processor 10b Memory 10c Communication interface 10d Storage 10e Input device 10f Output device 21 Reception unit 21a Shooting period information 22 Generation unit 22a Access code 23 Control unit 23a Shooting period DB 24 Output unit 30 Shooting device 30a Shooting image group 40 Display device 50 Printing device 60 User terminal 70 Online storage 70a Shooting image DB

Claims

1. An image control device having a processor, wherein the processor acquires information relating to a specific shooting period in a photographing device, outputs a group of captured images captured by the photographing device during the specific shooting period to a storage device, and when the specific shooting period ends, outputs access information for accessing the group of captured images in the storage device to a display device.

2. An image control device according to claim 1, wherein each image in the group of captured images is a still image.

3. The image control device according to claim 1, wherein the information relating to the specific shooting period is a shooting start instruction and a shooting end instruction for the shooting device.

4. The image control device according to claim 3, wherein the photographing device has a remote photographing function, and the processor controls the start and end of photographing by the photographing device through the remote photographing function based on the received instructions to start and end photographing.

5. An image control device according to claim 1, wherein said processor receives images captured by said photographing device during photographing from said photographing device, and outputs each image of said received photographed image group to said display device.

6. An image control device as described in claim 5, wherein the processor receives a live view image, which is an image captured by the photographing device while photographing, from the photographing device and displays the received live view image on the display device in real time.

7. The image control device according to claim 1, wherein the processor displays at least one image from the group of captured images on a display device.

8. The image control device according to claim 3, wherein said processor recognizes, as said instruction to start shooting, an instruction to end shooting for the group of shot images for which the immediately preceding access information was output.

9. An image control device as described in claim 3, wherein the photographing equipment has a remote photographing function, and the processor receives instructions to start and end photographing via an operation receiving device for receiving instructions to start and end photographing, and controls the start and end of photographing by the photographing equipment through the remote photographing function based on the start and end instructions.

10. An image control device as described in claim 1, wherein the processor encodes information regarding the storage location of the group of captured images in the memory device to generate an access code which is the access information, and outputs display data of the access code to a transmitting device which transmits the access code to a user's terminal.

11. The image control device according to claim 1, wherein the processor encodes information relating to the storage location of the captured image group in the memory device to generate an access code which is the access information, and transmits print data of the access code to a printing device.

12. An image control method including the steps of: acquiring, by a processor, information relating to a specific shooting period in an image capturing device; outputting, by the processor, a group of captured images captured by the image capturing device during the specific shooting period to a storage device; and outputting, by the processor, access information for accessing the group of captured images in the storage device to a display device when the specific shooting period ends.

13. A program for causing a computer to execute each step included in the image control method according to claim 12.

14. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute each step included in the image control method according to claim 12.

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