Center server and image network system

Abstract

In an image network system used for network print service which receives an order for printing or the like by using a communication network such as the Internet, there are provided a center server capable of providing service which is different depending upon points given to a customer according to an order track record, at a time of using the system, capable of suitably setting a storage capacity and a storage period of an image for a user without placing a burden on the user while importance is placed on an operational efficiency of the system, capable of allowing a user to upload images as many as possible in an album, and useful for prompting an order, and an image network system including the center server.

1 . A center server for an image network system, for receiving image data and an order from an order entry channel via a communication network, comprising: 
 an order reception function block receiving an order from the order entry channel;    an image storage function block storing image data supplied from the order entry channel according to a predetermined storage condition;    a capacity management function block managing a storage capacity for the image data stored by the image storage function block on a customer basis; and    a point management function block managing points which are given based on the order placed by a customer on a customer basis,    wherein the point management function block changes the predetermined storage condition in the image storage function block based on a status of points of each customer.    
   
   
       2 . The center server according to  claim 1 , wherein the point management function block causes the order entry channel to display choices for the predetermined storage condition in the image storage function block based on the status of points of each customer, and changes the predetermined storage condition according to a choice selected by the customer from among the choices displayed.  
   
   
       3 . The center server according to  claim 1 , wherein the point management function block counts total points by accumulating points that have been obtained by the customer in a predetermined period, and changes the predetermined storage condition of the image data provided to the customer based on the total points.  
   
   
       4 . The center server according to  claim 1 , wherein the point management function block automatically changes the predetermined storage condition in the image storage function block according to total points obtained by accumulating points that have been obtained by the customer in a predetermined period.  
   
   
       5 . The center server according to  claim 1 , wherein the image storage function block stores image data based on a combination of a data amount and a storage period of the image data stored, by using retention counts, one retention count of the retention counts being defined by assuming storage of image data having a predetermined data amount in the image storage function block for a predetermined period.  
   
   
       6 . The center server according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 when the image data is supplied from the order entry channel, in a case where a storage capacity for the image data for a customer is insufficient, the capacity management function block transmits information indicating that the storage capacity for the customer is insufficient to the order reception function block; and    the order reception function block having received the information indicating that the storage capacity for the customer is insufficient causes the order entry channel to display thereon information on insufficient storage capacity and choices for a process for securing a storage capacity.    
   
   
       7 . The center server according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the image storage function block gives an order identifier to the image data supplied from the order entry channel and stores the image data, the order identifier identifying whether the image data is an ordered image data which has been ordered before, or an unordered image data which has never been ordered;    the order reception function block receives an order of the image data supplied from the order entry channel on a customer basis and manages the order; and    the capacity management function block obtains a total value of sizes of the unordered image data among the image data stored by the image storage function block based on the order identifier on a customer basis, and manages whether or not the total value is within such a range as not to exceed a predetermined upper limit value.    
   
   
       8 . The center server according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 the order reception function block receives an order of the image data supplied from the order entry channel on a customer basis and manages the order;    the capacity management function block obtains a total value of sizes of the image data stored by the image storage function block on a customer basis, and manages whether or not the total value is within such a range as not to exceed a predetermined upper limit value; and    in a case where the capacity management function block judges that the total value exceeds the predetermined upper limit value, the capacity management function block notifies the order entry channel thereof and causes the order entry channel to display thereon choices for a countermeasure for preventing the total value from exceeding the predetermined upper limit value.    
   
   
       9 . A center server for an image network system, for receiving image data and an order from an order entry channel via a communication network, comprising: 
 an image storage function block storing image data supplied from the order entry channel,    wherein the image storage function block stores the image data based on a combination of a data amount and a storage period of the image data stored, by using retention counts, one retention count of the retention counts being defined by assuming storage of image data having a predetermined data amount in the image storage function block for a predetermined period.    
   
   
       10 . The center server according to  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 an order reception function block receiving an order of image data supplied from the order entry channel on a customer basis and managing the order; and    a point management function block managing points given to a customer based on the order which is placed by a customer and is received by the order reception function block, on a customer basis.    
   
   
       11 . The center server according to  claim 10 , wherein the image storage function block is capable of converting the points which is retained by the customer and is managed by the point management function block into retention counts, and storing image data in exchange of the retention counts.  
   
   
       12 . The center server according to  claim 10 , further comprising an extended storage image selection function block setting image data designated by a customer as an extended storage image data, 
 wherein the image storage function block converts points of a customer into the retention counts, and sets a storage period which is obtained by adding an extended storage period calculated based on the number of the retention counts and a data amount of the extended storage image data to a normal storage period as a storage period of the extended storage image data set by the image storage function block.    
   
   
       13 . The center server according to  claim 10 , wherein when total points which are managed by the point management function block and are obtained by accumulating points that have been obtained by the customer in a predetermined period reach a predetermined value, the image storage function block gives a predetermined number of retention counts to the customer, and resets a storage condition based on the predetermined number of retention counts.  
   
   
       14 . The center server according to  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a count setting function block setting a part of the predetermined number of retention counts given by the image storage function block to extended retention counts serving as retention counts used for storage of the extended storage image data for an extended storage period, the extended storage image data being selected by the extended storage image selection function block,    wherein the image storage function block uses the extended retention counts set by the count setting function block to set a storage period for the extended storage image data after a predetermined storage period.    
   
   
       15 . A center server for an image network system, for receiving image data and an order from an order entry channel via a communication network, comprising: 
 an image storage function block giving an order identifier to image data supplied from the order entry channel and storing the image data, the order identifier identifying whether the image data is ordered image data which has been ordered before or unordered image data which has never been ordered;    an order reception function block receiving an order of the image data supplied from the order entry channel on a customer basis and managing the order; and    a capacity management function block obtaining a total value of sizes of the unordered image data among the image data stored by the image storage function block based on the order identifier on a customer basis, and managing whether or not the total value is within such a range as not to exceed a predetermined upper limit value.    
   
   
       16 . The center server according to  claim 15 , wherein in a case where the capacity management function block judges that the total value exceeds the predetermined upper limit value, the capacity management function block notifies the order entry channel thereof and causes the order entry channel to display thereon choices for a countermeasure for preventing the total value from exceeding the predetermined upper limit value.  
   
   
       17 . The center server according to  claim 16 , wherein the choices displayed on the order entry channel comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of a reselection of image data to be supplied to the image storage function block, a deletion of unordered image data stored in the image storage function block, an order of the unordered image data stored in the image storage function block, an image size conversion of the unordered image data stored in the image storage function block, a compression of the unordered image data stored in the image storage function block, and a file format conversion of the unordered image data stored in the image storage function block.  
   
   
       18 . A center server for an image network system, for receiving image data and an order from an order entry channel via a communication network, comprising: 
 an image storage function block storing image data supplied from the order entry channel;    an order reception function block receiving an order of the image data supplied from the order entry channel on a customer basis and managing the order; and    a capacity management function block obtaining a total value of sizes of the image data stored by the image storage function block based on a customer basis, and managing whether or not the total value is within such a range as not to exceed a predetermined upper limit value,    wherein in a case where the capacity management function block judges that the total value exceeds the predetermined upper limit value, the capacity management function block notifies the order entry channel thereof and causes the order entry channel to display thereon choices for a countermeasure for preventing the total value from exceeding the predetermined upper limit value.    
   
   
       19 . The center server according to  claim 15 , wherein the image storage function block stores image data based on a combination of a data amount and a storage period of the image data stored, by using retention counts, one retention count of the retention counts being defined by assuming storage of image data having a predetermined data amount in the image storage function block for a predetermined period.  
   
   
       20 . An image network system comprising: 
 order entry channels, each receiving an order from a customer and transmitting order information and customer information of the order;    a center server receiving image data and the order from an order entry channel of the order entry channels; and    a communication network connected to the order entry channels and the center server,    wherein the center server comprises:    an order reception function block receiving the order from the order entry channel via a communication network;    an image retention function block retaining image data supplied from the order entry channel via a communication network according to a predetermined retention condition;    a capacity management function block managing a retention capacity for the image data retained by the image retention function block on a customer basis; and    a point management function block managing points which are given based on the order placed by the customer on a customer basis, and    wherein the point management function block changes the predetermined retention condition in the image retention function block based on a status of points of each customer.