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- text: "REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims benefit of Application Ser. No. 60/481,847, filed Dec. 31, 2003, and of Application Ser. No. 60/561,754, filed Apr. 13, 2004. [0002] The entire contents of the aforementioned applications are herein incorporated by reference. The entire contents of all United States Patents and published and copending Applications mentioned below are also herein incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] This invention relates to electro-optic displays and to methods for driving such displays. More specifically, in one aspect this invention relates to electro-optic displays with simplified backplanes, and methods for driving such displays. In another aspect, this invention relates to electro-optic displays in which multiple types of electro-optic units are used to improve the colors available from the displays. The present invention is especially, though not exclusively, intended for use in electrophoretic displays. [0004] Electro-optic displays comprise a layer of electro-optic material, a term which is used herein in its conventional meaning in the imaging art to refer to a material having first and second display states differing in at least one optical property, the material being changed from its first to its second display state by application of an electric field to the material. Although the optical property is typically color perceptible to the human eye, it may be another optical property, such as optical transmission, reflectance, luminescence or, in the case of displays intended for machine reading, pseudo-color in the sense of a change in reflectance of electromagnetic wavelengths outside the visible range. [0005] In the displays of the present invention, the electro-optic medium will typically be a solid (such displays may hereinafter for convenience be referred to as “solid electro-optic displays”), in the sense that the electro-optic medium has solid external surfaces, although the medium may, and often does, have internal liquid- or gas-filled spaces. Thus, the term “solid electro-optic displays” includes encapsulated electrophoretic displays, encapsulated liquid crystal displays, and other types of displays discussed below. [0006] The term “gray state” is used herein in its conventional meaning in the imaging art to refer to a state intermediate two extreme optical states of a pixel, and does not necessarily imply a black-white transition between these two extreme states. For example, several of the patents and published applications referred to below describe electrophoretic displays in which the extreme states are white and deep blue, so that an intermediate “gray state” would actually be pale blue. Indeed, as already mentioned the transition between the two extreme states may not be a color change at all. [0007] The terms “bistable” and “bistability” are used herein in their conventional meaning in the art to refer to displays comprising display elements having first and second display states differing in at least one optical property, and such that after any given element has been driven, by means of an addressing pulse of finite duration, to assume either its first or second display state, after the addressing pulse has terminated, that state will persist for at least several times, for example at least four times, the minimum duration of the addressing pulse required to change the state of the display element. It is shown in published U.S. Patent Application No. 2002/0180687 that some particle-based electrophoretic displays capable of gray scale are stable not only in their extreme black and white states but also in their intermediate gray states, and the same is true of some other types of electro-optic displays. This type of display is properly called “multi-stable” rather than bistable, although for convenience the term “bistable” may be used herein to cover both bistable and multi-stable displays. [0008] Several types of electro-optic displays are known. One type of electro-optic display is a rotating bichromal member type as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,808,783; 5,777,782; 5,760,761; 6,054,071 6,055,091; 6,097,531; 6,128,124; 6,137,467; and 6,147,791 (although this type of display is often referred to as a “rotating bichromal ball” display, the term “rotating bichromal member” is preferred as more accurate since in some of the patents mentioned above the rotating members are not spherical). Such a display uses a large number of small bodies (typically spherical or cylindrical) which have two or more sections with differing optical characteristics, and an internal dipole. These bodies are suspended within liquid-filled vacuoles within a matrix, the vacuoles being filled with liquid so that the bodies are free to rotate. The appearance of the display is changed by applying an electric field thereto, thus rotating the bodies to various positions and varying which of the sections of the bodies is seen through a viewing surface. This type of electro-optic medium is typically bistable. [0009] Another type of electro-optic display uses an electrochromic medium, for example an electrochromic medium in the form of a nanochromic film comprising an electrode formed at least in part from a semi-conducting metal oxide and a plurality of dye molecules capable of reversible color change attached to the electrode; see, for example O'Regan, B., et al., Nature 1991, 353, 737; and Wood, D., Information Display, 18(3), 24 (March 2002). See also Bach, U., et al., Adv. Mater., 2002, 14(11), 845. Nanochromic films of this type are also described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,038, International Application Publication No. WO 01/27690, and in U.S. Patent Application 2003/0214695. This type of medium is also typically bistable. [0010] Another type of electro-optic display, which has been the subject of intense research and development for a number of years, is the particle-based electrophoretic display, in which a plurality of charged particles move through a suspending fluid under the influence of an electric field. Electrophoretic displays can have attributes of good brightness and contrast, wide viewing angles, state bistability, and low power consumption when compared with liquid crystal displays. Nevertheless, problems with the long-term image quality of these displays have prevented their widespread usage. For example, particles that make up electrophoretic displays tend to settle, resulting in inadequate service-life for these displays. [0011] As noted above, electrophoretic media require the presence of a suspending fluid. In most prior art electrophoretic media, this suspending fluid is a liquid, but electrophoretic media can be produced using gaseous suspending fluids; see, for example, Kitamura, T., et al., “Electrical toner movement for electronic paper-like display”, Asia Display/IDW '01 (Proceedings of the 21st International Display Research Conference in conjunction with The 8th International Display Workshops, Oct. 16-19, 2001, Nagoya, Japan), page 1517, Paper HCS1-1, and Yamaguchi, Y., et al., “Toner display using insulative particles charged triboelectrically”, Asia Display/IDW '01, page 1729, Paper AMD4-4. See also European Patent Applications 1,429,178; 1,462,847; 1,482,354; and 1,484,625; and International Applications WO 2004/090626; WO 2004/079442; WO 2004/077140; WO 2004/059379; WO 2004/055586; WO 2004/008239; WO 2004/006006; WO 2004/001498; WO 03/091 799; and WO 03/088495. Such gas-based electrophoretic media appear to be susceptible to the same types of problems due to particle settling as liquid-based electrophoretic media, when the media are used in an orientation which permits such settling, for example in a sign where the medium is disposed in a vertical plane. Indeed, particle settling appears to be a more serious problem in gas-based electrophoretic media than in liquid-based ones, since the lower viscosity of gaseous suspending fluids as compared with liquid ones allows more rapid settling of the electrophoretic particles. [0012] Numerous patents and applications assigned to or in the names of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and E Ink Corporation have recently been published describing encapsulated electrophoretic media. Such encapsulated media comprise numerous small capsules, each of which itself comprises an internal phase containing electrophoretically-mobile particles suspended in a liquid suspending medium, and a capsule wall surrounding the internal phase. Typically, the capsules are themselves held within a polymeric binder to form a coherent layer positioned between two electrodes. Encapsulated media of this type are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,930,026; 5,961,804; 6,01 7,584; 6,067,185; 6,118,426; 6,120,588; 6,120,839; 6,124,851; 6,130,773; 6,130,774; 6,172,798; 6,177,921; 6,232,950; 6,249,721; 6,252,564; 6,262,706; 6,262,833; 6,300,932; 6,312,304; 6,312,971; 6,323,989; 6,327,072; 6,376,828; 6,377,387; 6,392,785; 6,392,786; 6,413,790; 6,422,687; 6,445,374; 6,445,489; 6,459,418; 6,473,072; 6,480,182; 6,498,114; 6,504,524; 6,506,438; 6,512,354; 6,515,649; 6,518,949; 6,521,489; 6,531,997; 6,535,197; 6,538,801; 6,545,291; 6,580,545; 6,639,578; 6,652,075; 6,657,772; 6,664,944; 6,680,725; 6,683,333; 6,704,133; 6,710,540; 6,721,083; 6,727,881; 6,738,050; 6,750,473; 6,753,999; 6,816,147; 6,819,471; 6,822,782; 6,825,068; 6,825,829; 6,825,970; and 6,831,769; and U.S. Patent Applications Publication Nos. 2002/0060321; 2002/0060321; 2002/0063661; 2002/0090980; 2002/0113770; 2002/0130832; 2002/0131147; 2002/0171910; 2002/0180687; 2002/0180688; 2003/0011560; 2003/0020844; 2003/0025855; 2003/0102858; 2003/0132908; 2003/0137521; 2003/0137717; 2003/0151702; 2003/0214695; 2003/0214697; 2003/0222315; 2004/0008398; 2004/0012839; 2004/0014265; 2004/0027327; 2004/0075634; 2004/0094422; 2004/0105036; 2004/0112750; 2004/0119681; and 2004/0196215; and International Applications Publication Nos. WO 99/67678; WO 00/05704; WO 00/38000; WO 00/38001; WO00/36560; WO 00/67110; WO 00/67327; WO 01/07961; WO 01/08241; WO 03/107,315; WO 2004/023195; WO 2004/049045; WO 2004/059378; WO 2004/088002; WO 2004/088395; and WO 2004/090857. [0013] Known electrophoretic media, both encapsulated and unencapsulated, can be divided into two main types, referred to hereinafter for convenience as “single particle” and “dual particle” respectively. A single particle medium has only a single type of electrophoretic particle suspended in a suspending medium, at least one optical characteristic of which differs from that of the particles. (In referring to a single type of particle, we do not imply that all particles of the type are absolutely identical. For example, provided that all particles of the type possess substantially the same optical characteristic and a charge of the same polarity, considerable variation in parameters such as particle size and electrophoretic mobility can be tolerated without affecting the utility of the medium.) When such a medium is placed between a pair of electrodes, at least one of which is transparent, depending upon the relative potentials of the two electrodes, the medium can display the optical characteristic of the particles (when the particles are adjacent the electrode closer to the observer, hereinafter called the “front” electrode) or the optical characteristic of the suspending medium (when the particles are adjacent the electrode remote from the observer, hereinafter called the “rear” electrode (so that the particles are hidden by the suspending medium). [0014] A dual particle medium has two different types of particles differing in at least one optical characteristic and a suspending fluid which may be uncolored or colored, but which is typically uncolored. The two types of particles differ in electrophoretic mobility; this difference in mobility may be in polarity (this type may hereinafter be referred to as an “opposite charge dual particle” medium) and/or magnitude. When such a dual particle medium is placed between the aforementioned pair of electrodes, depending upon the relative potentials of the two electrodes, the medium can display the optical characteristic of either set of particles, although the exact manner in which this is achieved differs depending upon whether the difference in mobility is in polarity or only in magnitude. For ease of illustration, consider an electrophoretic medium in which one type of particles is black and the other type white. If the two types of particles differ in polarity (if, for example, the black particles are positively charged and the white particles negatively charged), the particles will be attracted to the two different electrodes, so that if, for example, the front electrode is negative relative to the rear electrode, the black particles will be attracted to the front electrode and the white particles to the rear electrode, so that the medium will appear black to the observer. Conversely, if the front electrode is positive relative to the rear electrode, the white particles will be attracted to the front electrode and the black particles to the rear electrode, so that the medium will appear white to the observer. [0015] If the two types of particles have charges of the same polarity, but differ in electrophoretic mobility (this type of medium may hereinafter to referred to as a “same polarity dual particle” medium), both types of particles will be attracted to the same electrode, but one type will reach the electrode before the other, so that the type facing the observer differs depending upon the electrode to which the particles are attracted. For example suppose the previous illustration is modified so that both the black and white particles are positively charged, but the black particles have the higher electrophoretic mobility. If now the front electrode is negative relative to the rear electrode, both the black and white particles will be attracted to the front electrode, but the black particles, because of their higher mobility will reach it first, so that a layer of black particles will coat the front electrode and the medium will appear black to the observer. Conversely, if the front electrode is positive relative to the rear electrode, both the black and white particles will be attracted to the rear electrode, but the black particles, because of their higher mobility will reach it first, so that a layer of black particles will coat the rear electrode, leaving a layer of white particles remote from the rear electrode and facing the observer, so that the medium will appear white to the observer: note that this type of dual particle medium requires that the suspending fluid be sufficiently transparent to allow the layer of white particles remote from the rear electrode to be readily visible to the observer. Typically, the suspending fluid in such a display is not colored at all, but some color may be incorporated for the purpose of correcting any undesirable tint in the white particles seen therethrough. [0016] Both single and dual particle electrophoretic displays may be capable of intermediate gray states having optical characteristics intermediate the two extreme optical states already described. [0017] Some of the aforementioned patents and published applications disclose encapsulated electrophoretic media having three or more different types of particles within each capsule. For purposes of the present application, such multi-particle media are regarded as sub-species of dual particle media. [0018] Many of the aforementioned patents and applications recognize that the walls surrounding the discrete microcapsules in an encapsulated electrophoretic medium could be replaced by a continuous phase, thus producing a so-called polymer-dispersed electrophoretic display, in which the electrophoretic medium comprises a plurality of discrete droplets of an electrophoretic fluid and a continuous phase of a polymeric material, and that the discrete droplets of electrophoretic fluid within such a polymer-dispersed electrophoretic display may be regarded as capsules or microcapsules even though no discrete capsule membrane is associated with each individual droplet; see for example, the aforementioned 2002/0131147. Accordingly, for purposes of the present application, such polymer-dispersed electrophoretic media are regarded as sub-species of encapsulated electrophoretic media. [0019] A related type of electrophoretic display is a so-called “microcell electrophoretic display”. In a microcell electrophoretic display, the charged particles and the suspending fluid are not encapsulated within microcapsules but instead are retained within a plurality of cavities formed within a carrier medium, typically a polymeric film. See, for example, International Application Publication No. WO 02/01 281, and published US Application No. 2002/0075556, both assigned to Sipix Imaging, Inc. [0020] Many of the aforementioned E Ink and MIT patents and applications also contemplate microcell electrophoretic displays and polymer-dispersed electrophoretic displays. The term “encapsulated electrophoretic displays” can refer to all such display types, which may also be described collectively as “microcavity electrophoretic displays” to generalize across the morphology of the walls. [0021] Another type of electro-optic display is an electro-wetting display developed by Philips and described in an article in the September 25, 2003 issue of the journal “Nature” and entitled “Performing Pixels: Moving Images on Electronic Paper”. It is shown in copending application Ser. No. 10/711,802, filed Oct. 6, 2004, that such electro-wetting displays can be made bistable [0022] Other types of electro-optic materials may also be used in the present invention. Of particular interest, bistable ferroelectric liquid crystal displays (FLC's) are known in the art. [0023] Although electrophoretic media are often opaque (since, for example, in many electrophoretic media, the particles substantially block transmission of visible light through the display) and operate in a reflective mode, many electrophoretic displays can be made to operate in a so-called “shutter mode” in which one display state is substantially opaque and one is light-transmissive. See, for example, the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,130,774 and 6,172,798, and 5,872,552; 6,144,361; 6,271,823; 6,225,971; and 6,184,856. Dielectrophoretic displays, which are similar to electrophoretic displays but rely upon variations in electric field strength, can operate in a similar mode; see U.S. Pat. No. 4,41 8,346. Other types of electro-optic displays may also be capable of operating in shutter mode. [0024] An encapsulated or microcell electrophoretic display typically does not suffer from the-clustering and settling failure mode of traditional electrophoretic devices and provides further advantages, such as the ability to print or coat the display on a wide variety of flexible and rigid substrates. (Use of the word “printing” is intended to include all forms of printing and coating, including, but without limitation: pre-metered coatings such as patch die coating, slot or extrusion coating, slide or cascade coating, curtain coating; roll coating such as knife over roll coating, forward and reverse roll coating; gravure coating; dip coating; spray coating; meniscus coating; spin coating; brush coating; air knife coating; silk screen printing processes; electrostatic printing processes; thermal printing processes; ink jet printing processes; electrophoretic deposition; and other similar techniques.) Thus, the resulting display can be flexible. Further, because the display medium can be printed (using a variety of methods), the display itself can be made inexpensively. [0025] However, the cost reductions provided by the use of encapsulated electrophoretic media have hitherto not been accompanied by corresponding cost reductions in the components used for driving the display. High resolution prior art electrophoretic and other electro-optic displays have typically used active matrix backplanes similar to the those used in liquid crystal displays and comprising a matrix of non-linear elements, typically thin film transistors, each associated with one pixel electrode, the pixel electrodes each defining one pixel of the display. A single common electrode which extends across the entire display (or at least across a large number of pixel electrodes) is disposed on the opposed side of the electro-optic medium from the pixel electrodes. The voltages applied to the pixel electrodes are controlled in a well-known manner so that each of the pixels of the display can be brought to any desired optical state. Although such active matrix backplanes can write any desired image on the electro-optic medium, they are expensive, the cost of the backplane amounting to about 80 per cent of the total cost of the display. Furthermore, since such backplanes are typically produced using semiconductor fabrication techniques developed for use in the computer industry, the maximum size of the individual backplanes is limited, and large displays, for example those used to display data in airports, or railroad stations, or as billboards, may require the use of the multiple backplanes “tiled” to cover the desired area; such tiling produces additional complications, such as providing robust leads to ensure that the necessary data are supplied to each individual display. [0026] Other electro-optic displays, especially text-based displays which do not require the ability to display any arbitrary image, have used so-called “direct drive” backplanes; see, for example, the aforementioned WO 00/05704 (see also the corresponding European Patent No. 1,099,207). In such direct drive backplanes, a plurality of electrodes are provided; for example, the aforementioned WO 00/05704 describes a direct drive backplane in which any alphanumeric character (of the Roman alphabet) can be displayed by applying voltage to selected ones of 63 electrodes. It will readily be apparent that displays intended to display large numbers of characters will require very large numbers of electrodes, and that the cost of fabricating such large numbers of electrodes, together with the voltage supply lines and control circuits necessary to drive the electrodes, results in substantial costs for the direct drive backplane." |
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- text: "BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention generally relates to a method for intermediating images that provides a service providing images via a network. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Recently, a net album service is provided to allow users to register images (including static images and dynamic images) on a service site of the Internet. In such a conventional image providing service, a user uploads a digital image through the network or brings image data or a film to a DPE shop and asks the DPE shop to upload through the network, so as to register images to the service site of the Internet. The service site protects the images registered by the user by a password and then opens the images on the network. After that, the user and visitors permitted by the user can browse, select, and download an image. Also, the user and the visitors can make a request of the service site for an extra development of a silver film of the images. [0005] The conventional technique described above is effective in a case in which the user personally registers the image data. However, in a case in which a plurality of users as a group individually attempt to register images to the same album, several problems occur. [0006] For example, the group travels together and several people take some pictures. And each of the photographers separately registers images in the conventional technique. And, each of the photographers is required to provide his or her password to all members of the group and the members of the group are required to input a different password for each of the photographers to access his or her album registered by each of the photographers SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] It is a general object of the present invention to provide a method for intermediating images in which the above-mentioned problems are eliminated. [0008] A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a method for intermediating images at the service site in that an album is provided to be shared by a group on the network, and users belonging to the group can freely refer to the same album and register the images to the service site. [0009] The above objects of the present invention are achieved by a method for intermediating images, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving authentication information of a user; (b) extracting user group information concerning at least one user group to which the user belongs, from a user group table recording a relationship between the user and the user group based on the authentication information; (c) sending the user group information extracted in the step (b) to the user and obtaining information of a selected user group selected by the user; (d) extracting an image corresponding to the selected user group selected by the user; and (e) sending the image corresponding to the selected user group to the user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0011] [0011]FIG. 1 is an overview diagram showing a system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0012] [0012]FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a process overview according to the embodiment of the present invention; [0013] [0013]FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a user authentication process; [0014] [0014]FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a group selecting process; [0015] [0015]FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an image displaying process; [0016] [0016]FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an image registering process; [0017] [0017]FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an image purchasing process; [0018] [0018]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing examples of a user file, user group file, and an image managing file; [0019] [0019]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a storage structure of the image file; [0020] [0020]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing examples of a user group selecting window and an image list window; and [0021] [0021]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing examples of an image registering window and an image displaying window. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0022] An overview of a system according to the present invention will be described. An image intermediating site 101 may be managed by a company providing a DPE service on a network. [0023] In the image intermediating site 101 , an image intermediating system 102 is employed as a main computer system in an embodiment of the present invention. [0024] The image intermediating system 102 includes a communication controlling part and for example, a user terminal 112 is connected to the image intermediating system 102 through the Internet 111 as a network. Also, a plurality of the user terminals 112 can be connected to the image intermediating system 102 through the Internet 111 . [0025] The image intermediating system 102 includes an installer 11 , a receiving program 103 for receiving information from the user terminal 112 , a sending program 104 for sending information to the user terminal 112 , a data registering program 105 for registering image information of the user by accessing each file in the information intermediating system 102 based on the information received by the receiving program 103 , a data extracting program 106 for extracting information to be provided to the user terminal 112 , and an order receiving program 107 for accepting order information from the user terminal 112 . [0026] These programs 103 through 107 are stored in an external storage unit of the image intermediating system 102 by the installer 11 installing from a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) 2 , and read and temporarily stored in an internal storage unit when each of the programs 103 through 107 is being executed. [0027] Moreover, the external storage unit of the image intermediating system 102 includes a user group file 108 for storing user group information, a user file 109 for storing user information, and an image managing file 110 for managing images of the user group. These files 108 through 110 are referred to and updated by the receiving program 103 , the sending program 104 , the data registering program 105 , and the data extracting program 106 if necessary. [0028] An overview of a main process will be described according to the embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. 2. [0029] In step S 201 , a user verifying process is conducted. When the user is provided with service from the image intermediating system 102 , the user connects the user terminal 112 to the image intermediating system 101 through the Internet 111 . [0030] In this case, a user ID and a password are registered with user information of the user to the image intermediating system 102 beforehand. Thus, the user sends the user ID and the password from the user terminal 112 to the image intermediating system 102 , and then the receiving program 103 receives the user ID and the password. In addition, the receiving program 103 conducts user verification. [0031] In step S 202 , a group selecting process is conducted. Based on the user ID received by the receiving program 103 , the data extracting program 106 extracts the user group information showing a group to which the user belongs and then the sending program 104 provides the user group information to the user terminal 112 . The user selects the user group, which the user wants to see images of, from the information. [0032] In step S 203 , the image displaying process is conducted. When the receiving program 103 received user group selection information, which is information of the user group selected by the user in the step S 202 , the data extracting program 106 extracts an image set as images of the user group selected by the user from images registered in the image intermediating site 102 based on the user group selection information. The sending program 104 provides information concerning the image set to the user. Three alternatives are provided to the user. [0033] In step S 204 , an image registering process is conducted. In the image registering process, the data registering program 105 adds and registers an image to the information concerning the image set provided in the step S 203 . When the image registering process is completed, the main process goes to step S 206 . [0034] In step S 205 , an image purchasing process is conducted. The user selects a desired image from the information concerning the image set. The receiving program 107 performs a service of the extra development (hard copy) of the desired image. When the main process is completed, the main process goes to the step S 206 . [0035] In the step S 206 , it is determined whether or not the main process is completed. When the user makes an instruction for completing a request of the service, the image intermediating system is terminated. Otherwise, the main process goes back to the step S 203 . [0036] Each process in FIG. 2 will be described in detail. [0037] The user verifying process in the step S 201 in FIG. 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3. [0038] In step S 301 , the user terminal 112 sends login information input by the user to the image intermediating system 102 . That is, the user inputs the user ID and the password and information indicating the user ID and the password is sent to the image intermediating system 102 . [0039] In step S 302 , the receiving program 103 receives the login information sent in the step S 301 . [0040] In step S 303 , the user file 109 is retrieved by the receiving program 103 . [0041] A user file 801 in FIG. 8 is an example of the user file 109 . The user file 801 includes the user ID identifying the user, a user name, the password for verification, an address, and credit card information. [0042] The data extracting program 106 searches for the user file 801 by the user ID of the login information received in the step S 302 , as a search key. [0043] In step S 304 , based on a search result in the step S 303 , it is determined to which step the user verifying process branches. As for the search result when it is determined that the user information matches with the search key and further a password indicated in the user information matches with the password indicated in the login information received from the user terminal 112 , the user is successfully verified. Then, the user verifying process in the step S 201 is completed. [0044] However, as for the search result in the step S 303 when it is determined that there is no user information matching with the search key or when the password indicated in the user information does not match with the password indicated in the login information received from the user terminal 112 even if the user information matches with the search key, the user is not verified. Thus, the user verification abnormally ends and the process goes to step S 305 . [0045] In step S 305 , the sending program 104 sends to the user terminal 112 information showing a request of re-sending the login information. In this case, the user is required to send the login information again to the image intermediating system 102 . [0046] The group selecting process in the step S 202 in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. [0047] When the user verifying process in the step S 201 is completed normally, the data extracting program 106 extracts the user group information showing a group to which the user belongs, by using the user group file 108 (step S 401 ). [0048] An example of the user group file 108 is shown as a user group file 802 in FIG. 8. The user file 802 stores a user group ID for identifying the user group, a user group name, and registered members of which the user ID of the user registered in the user group is registered. [0049] In the user group file 802 , the registered members where user group ID includes group G 001 are users having the user Ids 123 , 456 , 789 , . . . . The registered members where user group ID includes group G 002 are users having the user Ids 456 , 234 , . . . . The registered members where user group ID includes group G 003 are users having the user Ids 567 , 890 , 345 , 678 , 901 , . . . . The registered members where user group ID includes group G 004 are users having the user Ids 123 , 456 , 789 , . . . . The registered members where user group ID includes group G 005 are users having the user Ids 123 , 456 , 789 , . . . . [0050] The data extracting program 106 searches for the registered members of the user group file 802 by the user ID as a search key and extracts record information including the user ID. [0051] Based on the record information extracted by the data extracting program 106 , a user group selecting window is edited. A user group selecting window 1001 in FIG. 10 shows an example of the user group selecting window." |
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- text: "CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The present application is the US national phase of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2013/068970, filed Sep. 13, 2013, which application claims priority to German Application No. 102012217573.3, filed Sep. 27, 2012. The priority application, DE 102012217573.3, is hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention relates to an operator system for a machine, in particular for a beverage processing machine, to a mobile operator device, a signal generator and safety glasses. BACKGROUND Typically, a user of beverage processing systems operates the individual machines by an operator system. The operator system can be used, for instance, to initiate single processes in the machine, adjust parameters and/or receive alarm or warning signals. To this end, stationary operator devices, and increasingly also mobile operator devices are used. The mobile operator devices are compatible with the entire system, respectively, can be used for different machines. The user can carry a mobile operator device with him to the respective machine and carry out, or monitor, functions of other machines at the same time. For instance, the user places the mobile operator device down in the area of a certain machine, and can keep an eye on the display of the mobile operator device during operating processes or also repairs for reading information therefrom. Also, he is able to control individual machine components with the operator device so as to carry out operating processes or repairs. In addition, alarm or warning signals from this and/or other machines are signaled to the user, and he can thus decide whether an urgent operating process or the repair of another machine should be given preference. Operator systems including mobile operator devices of this type often prove to be non-ergonomic in practice since they are attached to the body or received in pockets or holding devices and are, thus, not constantly visible. If the user then takes the operator device into one of his hands, this hand is no longer available to carry out operating processes, repairs, maintenance works and/or setting up processes on the machine. At the same time, the user always has to avert his gaze from the machine component to be operated/repaired, to read the display of the operator device. Also known are access authorization systems for which the user carries along a so-called “token”. These are electronic keys which can be read out by the machine using a reading device and, upon the successful identification, the user is given corresponding access rights. Systems of this type have the disadvantage that, on the one hand, the user has to carry the “token” with him. Also this “token” could be misused in case of loss. Moreover, each machine requires a cost-intensive reader to read the token. An augmented reality system is known from DE 100 63 089. The user of this system is displayed information on a head-mounted display of his goggles when servicing the machine. On the one hand, the user sees the area of the machine to be repaired, and superimposed virtual information, on the other hand. Accordingly, he need not avert his gaze to the display whilst working. Another augmented reality system is known from DE 10 2005 045 855, by means of which the position of the user's head is located. The user is then displayed information on his head-mounted display so as to exactly position a sensor in the machine. Augmented reality systems of this type have the disadvantage that an activation of the user is merely accomplished by visual signals which can be easily overlooked. This may be the case, for instance, if the user is concentrated on a specific activity/task. In addition, systems of this type do not provide enough work protection. The present invention is based on the object to provide an operator system for a machine, which is ergonomic with regard to the handling thereof and offers sufficient work protection. The object is achieved by an operator system according to claim 1 , according to which the operator system for a machine, in particular for a beverage processing machine, comprises a mobile operator device for the machine, a signal generator for reporting alarm and/or warning signals, and safety glasses for protecting the eyes of a user, wherein the safety glasses comprise a display system that is configured in particular as a head-mounted display, or a virtual retina display, or a projector, and wherein the operator device and/or the signal generator and/or the safety glasses each comprise a data transmitter for exchanging machine information and/or alarm and/or warning signals. Due to the fact that the safety glasses comprise a display system, the eyes of the user are, on one hand, protected from dangerous foreign objects. On the other hand, work-supporting information are directly loaded into his safety glasses. For instance, the tightening torque for a screw can thus be displayed to him as he tightens the screw with a torque wrench. Also, he may be displayed information about the system status, such as temperatures or flow rates. At the same time, the user has both hands free in order to carry out repairs. In addition, it may be indicated to the user both in the display system and by means of the signal generator whether alarms or warnings from the machine or other machines exist. The signal generator allows the alarm and/or warning signals to be displayed by the display system independently of the optical stimulus, so that these signals cannot be overlooked by the user. Due to the fact that the operator device and/or the signal generator and/or the safety glasses each comprise a data transmitter both data for the display of information and alarm and/or warning signals can be exchanged between these units in an easy manner. The operator system may be configured for operating and/or maintaining the machine, several machines, an entire plant and/or several plants. The operator system according to the invention thus supports the user during the operation and/or maintenance from an ergonomic point of view and, at the same time, protects the eyes of the user from dangerous foreign objects. The machine may be arranged in a beverage processing plant. The machine may comprise a computer-based machine controller. The machine may be a beverage processing machine and/or a container treatment machine which, in particular, is a stretch a blow molding machine, a rinser, a filler, a closer, a labeler and/or a packaging machine, or another beverage processing machine and/or another container treatment machine. The mobile operator device may comprise a microprocessor, a keyboard and/or a display which is, in particular, touch-sensitive. Also, the mobile operator device may comprise individual control knobs. The mobile operator device may be a tablet computer or a smart phone. The signal generator may comprise a wristband, a chain to be hung around one's neck, a clip and/or a fastener to be fastened to an article of clothing and/or part of the user's body. The signal generator may also be integrated in the safety glasses or be fixed to headgear. Thus, the user can be activated by a vibration signal on the head, or by a visual signal at/in front of the eyes. The signal generator may comprise a microprocessor and/or a battery for the power supply. The safety glasses may be configured for protection from mechanical, thermal, chemical, biological, electrical and/or optical risks. The safety glasses may be constructed in accordance with legal work protection standards. The display system may be configured as a head-mounted display (HMD). In the head-mounted display an imaging optics may be arranged in front of the eye to generate a virtual image of a display in front of the eye of the user. The imaging optics of the head-mounted display may be configured semipermeable, in particular, wherein the user can see a superposition of the environment with the information of the display. Alternatively, the display system may be configured as a virtual retina display, in which case an image is directly projected onto the retina of the eye. The virtual retina display may comprise a laser. Also, the display system may be designed as a projector by means of which the information is projected onto a surface outside the safety glasses. The projector may comprise a laser and a scanning unit. Thus, by the deflection of the laser, an image can be directly projected onto the environment. Also, the projector may be designed as a miniature projector, wherein in particular a display is illuminated by an LED and imaged by an optics. The display of the head-mounted display, respectively, projector may be an LCD, DLP or LcoS. The data transmitter may be configured to transmit data between the respective units by cable, glass fiber, or wirelessly via radio. In particular, the data transmitter may comprise a WLAN or Bluetooth interface. The data transmitter may comprise a receiver unit and/or a transmit unit. In the operator system, the safety glasses may comprise a talk-listen unit which, in particular, is connected to the data transmitter of the safety glasses for transmitting speech information. Thus, the user is able to talk to colleagues while working, for instance, to obtain advice or pass on information about the progress of the work. Due to the fact that the talk-listen unit is connected to the data transmitter of the safety glasses for transmitting speech information same does not require an own transmission interface. The system furthermore allows that the user can view documents about the display system submitted by colleagues and, at the same time, discuss them with the colleagues. The talk-listen unit may comprise a loudspeaker or earphone, and a microphone. The earphone may be designed as an in-ear earphone. The operator system can comprise safety glasses provided with a hearing protector for suppressing disturbing ambient noise which, in particular, works with an active sound suppression. Thus, the user does not need a separate hearing protector, which could cause a sensation of pressure on the head if the safety glasses are worn simultaneously. The hearing protector is able to suppress ambient noise which is too loud. The active sound suppression allows the generation of an acoustic counter-signal, so that disturbing ambient noise is extinguished in the ear by interference. This allow a particularly good suppression of disturbing ambient noise. In the operator system, the talk-listen unit may be integrated in the hearing protector. This allows the use of existing systems of the talk unit for the hearing protector. The earphone of the talk-listen unit may be sealed to suppress disturbing ambient noise. Also, the microphone and the earphone from the talk-listen unit may be used for the active sound suppression. Thus, the user can use the talk unit for communicating with other colleagues and, at the same time, is protected from disturbing ambient noise. In the operator system, the safety glasses may comprise a first camera for detecting objects in the field of vision of the user. The images detected by the first camera can be transmitted by the data transmitter for being stored and/or for the communication with colleagues. Thus, colleagues of the user are able to directly see the field of vision of the user, and support him in servicing the system. Moreover, the image of the surroundings of the first camera can be displayed to the user by the display system, in particular if the safety glasses are not transparent. The first camera may be designed as a CCD or CMOS camera with a lens. The operator system may comprise an image evaluation unit which, in particular, is configured to automatically identify objects in the image data. Thus, information concerning the objects present in the field of vision can be automatically displayed to the user in the display system of the safety glasses. The operator system may comprise a gesture identification unit for processing gestures of the user to machine commands. Thus, the user is able to issue, with his hands, commands to the operator system by means of gestures in a contactless manner. This further facilitates the operation. The gesture identification unit may be configured to evaluate the image data of the first camera. The first camera may include an image detection zone which also detects the user's hands. Thus, gestures of the user made with his hands can be filmed by the first camera and processed to machine commands by the gesture identification unit. This allows a particularly easy operation of the operator system. The operator system may comprise a locating system for detecting the position and/or orientation of the safety glasses which, in particular, is at least partially arranged on the safety glasses. The locating system may comprise acceleration sensors and/or position sensors. Also, the locating system can comprise a tracking system, and markers which are recognizable in particular by the tracking system. The tracking system can be in a fixed relationship with the machine, and the markers may be provided on the safety glasses. It is also possible that the tracking system is provided on the safety glasses, and the markers on the machine, whereby in particular the first camera records the markers as image data. Thus, it is possible to detect the position of the safety glasses and, thus, the field of vision of the user relative to the machine and, accordingly, only information relating to objects in the field of vision can be displayed to the user. Moreover, it is possible that the locating system determines the location of the user in the entire plant. Thus, the user can be located by his colleagues particularly easily. The detection of the position and/or the orientation of the safety glasses can be accomplished relative to the machine." |
