FR2885241A1 - Data e.g. digital photographic image data, processing method, involves sending processed data and instructions towards client equipment, where instructions are executable by client equipment in groupware framework - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves receiving files to be processed (39a) from a client equipment (10) and executing a data processing program. The processed files and instructions (71b) are sent towards the client equipment, where the instructions are executable by the client equipment in a groupware framework. The instructions executed by the client equipment are selected or established based on the data to be processed which is sent by the client equipment to a processing station (20).

Description

METHOD OF PROCESSING DATA FROM A

CUSTOMER EQUIPMENT

  The present invention relates to a method of processing, by a data processing station, data from a client equipment.

  By customer equipment is meant equipment capable of providing digital data to be processed and exchanging data with a processing station. The customer equipment is, for example, a consumer type mobile equipment such as multimedia equipment, shooting equipment or a mobile phone. Although the method can be implemented for any type of data, the invention finds applications in particular for the processing of image data, or image sequences.

  By processing station is meant any equipment, generally fixed, capable of exchanging data with one or more client equipment, and to carry out from the data a number of processing and calculations. The processing stations are, for example, home printing stations, interactive kiosks or remote service providers.

  PRIOR ART Systems enabling the exchange of data between different pieces of computer equipment for the purpose of distributing computing or processing capabilities are in themselves well known. Reference may be made, for example, to documents (1) and (2), the references of which are specified at the end of the present description.

  The distribution of computation or data processing tasks requires the establishment of communication links for the exchange of data between the participating equipments. The data can be exchanged by a distributed communication network, such as the Internet, by a wireless local area network, as allowed by the Bluetooth or WiFi protocols, for example, or through an interface. physical connection between the equipment. The distribution of calculation tasks also requires a language and a common processing context to allow the interoperability of the equipment. Reference may be made here to documents (3) and (4), the references of which are also specified at the end of the description.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Users of portable equipment, and in particular digital camera equipment, such as cameras or mobile phones with an integrated image sensor, are offered an increasing number of services. which they can access at home, or by means of a public interactive terminal.

  There are two main difficulties in providing services to a wide audience of users. A first difficulty is due to the diversity of software operating environments of the equipment, and the very diversity of the equipment likely to constitute a customer equipment. A second difficulty is the need to frequently update the software of treatment stations to provide services adapted to the changing tastes of users.

  It is possible to develop each new data processing software in a plurality of languages so as to allow the interoperability of the processing stations with a large number of different client equipments. However, in this case, the implementation of each new software, and that of its updates, is an expensive operation. In addition, it is not possible to take into account the arrival of new client equipment whose software language is not compatible with that of the treatment station.

  The object of the invention is to propose a data processing method making it possible to obviate the above difficulties.

  In particular, one goal is to enable expanded interoperability with a wide range of customer equipment.

  Another purpose is to allow the update of a processing software in a single language and to allow the reception of client equipment not using the language of the processing software.

  To achieve these aims, the invention relates more precisely to a method of data processing by a processing station having a common collaborative software work framework with at least one client equipment comprising: the reception of data to be processed since customer equipment, - the execution of a data processing program and - the return of processed data to the customer equipment.

  According to the invention, the return of the processed data is accompanied by instructions executable by the client equipment in the collaborative software framework.

  Within the meaning of the invention, a collaborative software framework or framework is understood to mean a set of functionalities comprising the discovery of peer equipment, the exchange of data, the manipulation of data such as storage, display, transformation, association, displacement, etc. as well as the interpretation of the software instruction language of the framework. To this set of features is added a software instruction language to launch the features. It may be noted that the invention does not require support of all the features on each of the equipment. Examples of a data exchange framework are web services, Microsoft's D-COM technology, or Java's Remote Method Invocation (RMI).

  Thanks to the invention, it is not necessary for the operating software environment of the client to be compatible with that of the processing station. Compatibility is restricted to the collaborative work software framework that allows for the execution of a number of simple instructions. Thus the update of the processing software or the introduction of new software does not require any compatibility precautions with the client equipment.

  Although it is not necessary for the implementation of the method, the executable instructions sent by the processing station to the client equipment may preferably relate to the processed data from the processing station.

  The instructions executable by the client equipment in the collaborative software framework are for example: the storage of the processed data, the display of the processed data, the display of messages, the replacement in a memory of the data to be processed by the processed data, or sending the data to be processed to another machine.

  In addition, directed executable instructions from the processing station to the client equipment are preferably forced execution instructions. In other words, no user command is needed for at least some of the instructions to be executed by the client equipment. This does not exclude the possibility of taking into account additional instructions entered by the user of the client equipment. By way of illustration, a set of instructions executable by a camera, concerning image data processed by the processing station, is given. The series comprises: displaying on a control screen of the client equipment an image corresponding to the image data processed, opening the user to a backup command, and replacing the data of the image to be processed, by the data processed when the user validates the backup command. This series, although offering an option to the user of choice to save or not, remains no less a series of forced execution. Indeed the display of the image corresponding to the processed data and the opening of the backup command are instructions that operate automatically.

  Executable instructions may further implement information contained in the processed data including image data. This is, for example, metadata (metadata) contained in a file of type EXIF.

  In a particular implementation of the method of the invention the instructions sent to the client equipment can be generated according to the data to be processed and received by the processing station. This is advantageous especially for multimedia type client equipment. Separate executable instructions may be sent by the processing station to the client equipment depending on the nature of the data. For example, for sound data, image data or, text data, instructions for sound reproduction, or selective display or layout can be provided respectively. According to another example, the detection of defective image data may cause the sending of an instruction offering the user the possibility of selecting between different processed data sets provided by the processing station and corresponding to different degrees of correction. image data. Still as an example, the invention also makes it possible to propose the classification in an album of a collection of images, to propose a video summary of a video sequence, to propose the addition of a frame around the image for the construction of a postcard, or some artistic effects.

  According to an improvement of the invention, the method may comprise, in addition, the reception by the processing station of software instructions for data processing. The software instructions are program codes that can be sent to the processing station by the client device. These are, for example, software codes stored in a memory of the client equipment or codes downloaded to the client equipment and transmitted to the processing station by the client equipment. It can still be codes directly transmitted to the processing station by a bank of software programs, in response to a command from the client equipment. The treatment codes may also reside in the treatment station.

  The software instructions intended for the processing station may in particular be codes which can not be interpreted by the client equipment or which are not executable by the client equipment or which can not be converted into a program executable by the client equipment. It suffices that the codes are expressed in a language that the processing station will be able to interpret or execute or transform into an executable program.

  The software instructions transmitted to the processing station at the initiative of the user of the client equipment may be temporary use instructions. The instructions for temporary use are instructions whose execution by the treatment station is limited in time, or whose number of successive uses is limited. By way of example, it may be a set of image data processing software instructions for processing a predetermined number of images, or even a set of single-use software instructions.

  In a particular implementation of the method, functions for sending software instructions, from the client equipment to the processing station, may be previously masked and activated only in response to the establishment of a communication link between the client equipment and the treatment plant. The activation of the sending functions is reflected, for example, by the assignment to certain commands of a client equipment interface of the functions for selecting certain types of data processing operations that can be performed by the processing station. A display adapted on a control screen can then indicate to the user the possible treatments and the corresponding commands of a control interface of the client equipment. The actuation of a command by the user then triggers the sending of the software instructions to the processing station in addition to the data to be processed, and the execution of these instructions by the processing station on these data.

  Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, with reference to the figure of the accompanying drawing. This description is given for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes.

Brief description of the figure

  The single figure schematically illustrates a number of stains and treatments that can be performed during the implementation of a treatment method according to the invention.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The left-hand part of the figure illustrates a certain number of operations or steps executed by a client equipment 10.

  The right part of the figure illustrates process steps performed by a processing station 20.

  It should be noted that the same processing station may be used by a plurality of identical or different client devices, and that a client equipment may send data to be processed to different types of processing stations. .

  The following description refers to a particular application of the invention to the processing of image data, ie digital data relating to digital images or sequences of digital images. These include images produced by a camera or more generally by portable equipment provided with an image sensor. The image data can also be image data of a portable equipment that is not provided with an image sensor, but which is provided with a communication interface for receiving image files. from other equipment.

  In this context, it is considered that the treatment station is an interactive commercial terminal. Commercial interactive kiosks offer users of camera equipment different types of services. This is, for example, the ability to download image data to the server of an archiving provider, or to perform photographic prints using a printer. In this case, it can also be image enhancement processing.

  It should be emphasized that sound data or other multimedia data could be processed in a manner similar to the following. In addition, the processing station could be a simple home printing station or a remote server.

  A first step 30, at the initiative of the client equipment is to establish a communication between the client equipment 10 and the treatment station 20. In this case, it is a communication by a local network wireless.

  The communication, symbolized by an arrow 32 may use a radio frequency radio channel or an infrared channel, for example. A distributed network connection or a physical connection is also possible.

  The establishment of the communication is to detect the presence in the local environment of the client equipment of a processing station and to identify a common communication protocol. The establishment of the communication 32 also involves the transmission of identification and collaboration information from the processing station to the customer equipment. This is step 62 performed by the treatment station. In this case, the communication protocol can be part of the collaborative software framework.

  The execution of certain steps of the method in the collaborative work software framework is indicated in the figure by rectangles with side sides split.

  Simple rectangles indicate steps that take place, or at least that can take place, in a software framework specific to the equipment concerned.

  A second step 34 performed by the client equipment is to offer the user the ability to select a dataset to be processed. This step may also be prior to the establishment of the communication link.

  The user selects during this step one or more images for which he wishes treatment.

  The client equipment may also present the user with the option of selecting the type of treatment to which he wishes to submit the selected images. This is step 36. The selected treatment may be a contrast enhancement treatment, red eye removal, image cropping around an area of interest etc. This optional step can also take place before establishing a communication link.

  The treatment may also not be specified. Indeed, an analysis of the image data can be done automatically by the processing station and the nature of the processing that will be applied to the image data can be determined automatically after the analysis of the characteristics of the image. For example, contrast enhancement processing can be applied automatically to data of insufficiently contrasting images. A red-eye correction treatment can be performed automatically on data of an image without which a face with red eyes is detected, etc. The software instructions necessary for processing the data may be software instructions residing in the processing station. However, this requires a regular update of the resident software. This measure, relatively simple for commercial interactive terminals, is much less so for domestic processing stations.

  Thus, a proposed solution is to use software instructions present in a remote program bank 40 with which at least one of the client equipment or the processing station can be in communication. The program bank is, for example, hosted in the server of a software solution distribution provider, with which the client equipment or the processing station can communicate. Communication can be through a distributed communication network, such as the Internet.

  The user of the client equipment may, for example, download software instructions, and particularly single-use or temporary-use software instructions, from the program bank 40 to his equipment. This operation is indicated by an arrow 42. The downloaded software instructions are in particular instructions that are not executable by the client equipment but instructions that offer new processing functions. They are stored in a memory.

  An additional step indicated with reference 37 is the activation of these new functions. More specifically, a display on a control screen of the client equipment indicates to the user the possibility of selecting new processing functions corresponding to the downloaded instructions. These functions can be selected by commands from a control interface of the client equipment, temporarily dedicated to this selection. The commands are, for example, the keys of an alphanumeric keyboard. The display relating to the functions and the faculty of selecting them may be subordinated to the prior establishment of the communication link 32 with the processing station. This makes it easy to guide the user, especially when many possibilities are offered. These are adapted to the nature of the data and the type of treatment plant.

  At the end of the selection of the data to be processed, and the selection of the functions, ie the processing to be performed, a data sending step 38 takes place.

  The sending of data comprises one or more data files 39a of data to be processed and, optionally, one or more files 39b containing the software instructions, ie program codes. The sending may also include a simple information 39c relating to the selection of a treatment desired by the user.

  This step corresponds, on the side of the processing station, to the step 64 of receiving data to be processed, and, incidentally, the receipt of software instructions or selection information of the desired type of treatment.

  The reception by the processing station of the data to be processed from the client equipment takes place in the framework of collaborative work software.

  An arrow 66 which links points to the program bank 40, also shows the possible possibility for the processing station to directly receive the software instructions 39b of the program bank. This shipment may, however, be subject to a prior order 42 from the customer equipment, and possibly to a payment procedure.

  The reception of the data is followed in the treatment station by a calculation step 68.

  The calculation step 68 comprises two aspects. A first aspect is the actual processing of the data to be processed. The processing can take place in particular with software instructions resident or received during the data reception step 64. Another aspect is the preparation of executable instructions intended for the client equipment in the collaborative software framework.

  The executable instructions for the client equipment can in particular be selected or established according to the data processed and possibly according to the type of treatments selected. They may consist of performing an operation independent of the processed data, for example displaying a message. Preferably, the executable instructions relate to the processed data. As an illustration, an instruction may consist for the client equipment to display the result of the processed data, in this case an improved image, on a control screen of the client equipment, or to display an album a series of images, to broadcast music intended to accompany a video sequence, or to display an image on which has been superimposed a frame of the postcard type.

  A next step 70 is to send from the processing station to the sending client equipment, and possibly to other separate customer equipment, selected by the user, the processed data 71a and instructions 7bb executable by the client equipment .

  A final step 72, performed by the client equipment, consists of receiving the processed data as well as the instructions, and executing the instructions. Preferably, all of the instructions are fully executable instructions in the collaborative software workstation. However, it is possible to provide for certain operations to be performed by the client equipment according to software codes that are specific to it. In this case the executable instructions are limited to triggering these operations. We can, for example, consider sending an e-mail, writing a free text on a frame like postcard, or editing a video for editing.

  Documents cited 1) US 2003/0009533 2) US 2003/0225935 3) US 6,637,021 4) US 6,292,824

Claims (7)

  1 - Method of data processing by a processing station (20) having a collaborative work software framework with at least one client equipment (10) comprising: - receiving (64) data to be processed (39a) since customer equipment, - the execution (68) of a data processing program and - the return of processed data (71 a) to the client equipment, characterized in that the return of the processed data is accompanied by instructions (7 lb) executable by the client equipment in the collaborative work software framework 2 The method of claim 1, wherein the executable instructions (71b) are forced execution instructions.   3 - Process according to claim 1, wherein the instructions executable by the client equipment are selected or established according to the data to be processed (39a) sent by the client equipment to the processing station.   4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving (64) by the processing station software instructions (39b) for processing the data to be processed.   The method of claim 4, wherein the software instructions (39b) are received by the processing station from a server (40) in response to a request from the client equipment.   6 - Process according to claim 4, wherein the software instructions (39b) received by the processing station are unenforceable instructions by the client equipment.   The method of claim 4, wherein the software instructions (39b) are received by the processing station from the client equipment.   The method of claim 6, wherein the software instructions for the processing station are temporary-use instructions.   9 - Process according to claim 6, wherein is activated in the client equipment, a function of selecting the software instructions drawn to the processing unit, in response to the establishment of a communication link (32) between the processing station and the customer equipment.   The method of claim 1 including receiving, by the processing station, process selection information from the client equipment.