Patent Publication Number: US-2021166204-A1

Title: Charging system and charging method

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a technique that manages content uploaded by a system user in a server and charges a fee to the system user depending on a usage state of the content. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Conventionally, a content providing system that provides content such as a game and an educational material to a user via the internet has been provided. The system is specifically designed to encourage the user to continuously use the system by frequently updating the content. 
     In the area of imaging capturing, because a user of an image capturing apparatus such as a digital camera has to personally look for an object as an image capturing target, sometimes it can be difficult for the user to maintain enthusiasm for capturing an image. As one solution, there is provided a method employing a gaming element of the content, which prompts a user to continuously use a camera by providing assignment content relating to image capturing (hereinafter, called “image capturing mission”) to the user from the camera. 
     In the system using the above-described method, a business model that makes a profit from an advertising effect of the content (image capturing mission) in addition to making a profit from distribution of image capturing apparatuses can be considered. For example, by distributing an image capturing mission that can only be achieved by capturing an image at a specific location, an effect of attracting customers to that specific location can be expected. For example, if a business partner (alliance partner) that manages an amusement park uses the system in order to acquire an advertising effect, a system usage fee can be collected from the alliance partner. 
     Generally, in the above-described system, such a business model will not work unless an appropriate amount of system usage fee is charged to the alliance partner. Therefore, it is important to set a system usage fee satisfactory to both the alliance partner (system user) and the system provider. 
     Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-216416 discusses a technique of increasing an advertising/promotion effect by providing a participatory game that makes a user enthusiastically browse an advertising page displayed on an advertising site of the internet. Specifically, according to the technique discussed in the above document, the advertising cost charged to the alliance partner is determined by calculating the advertising effect depending on the number of participants of the game. 
     Because “the number of participants of the game” in the business model discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-216416 merely corresponds to “the number of users who have installed the image capturing mission” in the above-described image capturing system, it is uncertain whether the advertising/promotion effect can be increased by simply installing the image capturing mission. Therefore, if the system usage fee is determined depending on the number of participants of the game as discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-216416, there is a possibility that the alliance partner (system user) cannot experience a sense of satisfaction. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, charging system includes a server configured to manage an image capturing mission uploaded by a user, a communication unit configured to communicate with a communication terminal having an image capturing function, an acquisition unit configured to acquire information indicating that an image capturing mission downloaded by the communication terminal is achieved by the communication terminal, and a calculation unit configured to calculate a charging amount charged to a user who has uploaded the image capturing mission based on the number of image capturing missions achieved by the communication terminal, which is determined based on the acquired information. 
     Further features will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are diagrams illustrating external views of a camera according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of the camera according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system configuration according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 4A to 4G  are flowcharts illustrating control of respective apparatuses according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 5A to 5F  are diagrams illustrating display examples of the camera according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 6A to 6E  are diagrams illustrating display examples of a smartphone according to an exemplary embodiment 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     An exemplary embodiment will be described below in detail with reference to the appended drawings. 
     The exemplary embodiment described below is merely an example for implementing the present disclosure, and can be modified or changed as appropriate depending on a configuration or various conditions of an apparatus to which the present disclosure is applied. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are diagrams illustrating external views of a camera according to the exemplary embodiment.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  respectively illustrate external views seen from a side of a photographer (i.e., rear face side) and a side of an object (i.e., front face side). 
     A camera (also called “digital camera”)  100  includes a display unit  28  for displaying a captured image and information about various settings relating to image capturing operation. The display unit  28  includes a rear face display panel  28   a  and an electronic viewfinder  28   b , and display thereof is shifted based on the operation. 
     The camera  100  includes various operation units. A shutter button  61  arranged on an upper face of the camera  100  is an operation unit for receiving an image capturing instruction. A mode shifting switch  60  arranged on a rear face thereof is an operation unit for shifting an image capturing mode. An operation unit  70  includes operation members such as various switches, buttons, and a touch panel for receiving various types of operation from a user. A controller wheel  73  included in the operation unit  70  is an operation member that can be operated rotationally. 
     A power switch  72  arranged on the upper face of the camera  100  is a push button for switching the power of the camera  100  between ON and OFF. A connection cable  111  for connecting the camera  100  to an external apparatus such as a personal computer or a printer is attached to a connector  112  arranged on a side face of the camera  100 . 
     A recording medium slot  201  for storing a recording medium  200  such as a memory card or a hard disk is arranged on a lower face of the camera  100 . When the recording medium  200  is stored in the recording medium slot  201 , the recording medium  200  can communicate with the camera  100 , so that an image can be recorded in the recording medium  200 , and an image recorded in the recording medium  200  can be reproduced by the camera  100 . A cover  202  covers the recording medium slot  201 .  FIG. 1A  illustrates a state where the cover  202  is opened and a part of the recording medium  200  is removed from the recording medium slot  201  and exposed therefrom. 
     A lens barrel  300  is arranged on a front face of the camera  100 , and a part of the operation unit  70  is arranged on a side face of the lens barrel  300 . The user can operate the camera  100  by using the operation unit  70  arranged on the side face of the lens barrel  300 . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the camera  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     In  FIG. 2 , an imaging lens  103  is a lens group that includes a zoom lens and a focus lens. A shutter  101  is a shutter having an aperture function. An image capturing unit  22  is an image sensor configured of a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) element that converts an optical image into an electric signal. An analog-to-digital (A/D) converter  23  converts an analog signal output from the image capturing unit  22  to a digital signal. A barrier  102  covers members of an image capturing system of the camera  100  including the imaging lens  103 , the shutter  101 , and the image capturing unit  22  to prevent the respective members from being contaminated or damaged. 
     An image processing unit  24  executes resizing processing and color conversion processing such as pixel interpolation and reduction on data output from the A/D converter  23  and the memory control unit  15 . Predetermined calculation processing is executed by the image processing unit  24  by using captured image data, and exposure processing and range finding control are executed by a system control unit  50  based on the acquired calculation result. With this configuration, autofocus (AF) processing, autoexposure (AE) processing, and electronic flash (EF) pre-emission processing using a through-the-lens (TTL) method are executed. The image processing unit  24  also executes predetermined calculation processing by using the captured image data, and executes auto-white balance (AWB) processing using the TTL method based on the acquired calculation result. 
     Data output from the A/D converter  23  is written into a memory  32  via the image processing unit  24  and the memory control unit  15 , or via the memory control unit  15 . The memory  32  stores image data that is acquired by the image capturing unit  22  and converted into digital data by the A/D converter  23  and image data that is to be displayed on the display unit  28 . The memory  32  has a storage capacity sufficient for storing a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined period of a moving image and audio data. 
     The memory  32  also serves as an image-display memory (video memory). A digital-to-analog (D/A) converter  13  converts image-display data stored in the memory  32  into an analog signal and supplies the analog signal to the display unit  28 . In this way, image data used for displaying an image, which is written into the memory  32 , is displayed on the display unit  28  via the D/A converter  13 . In addition, the digital signals converted by the A/D converter  23  and accumulated in the memory  32  are converted into analog signals by the D/A converter  13  and sequentially transferred to and displayed on the display unit  28 , so that the display unit  28  can execute live-view display. 
     A non-volatile memory  56  is a memory capable of electrically recording and deleting data. A memory such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) is used as the non-volatile memory  56 . The non-volatile memory  56  stores a constant number for operating the system control unit  50  and a program. Herein, the program includes a computer program for executing various flowcharts described below. 
     The system control unit  50  controls the camera  100 . The system control unit  50  executes the program stored in the non-volatile memory  56  to implement respective pieces of processing described below. The system memory  52  is a random access memory (RAM) used for loading a constant and a variable for operating the system control unit  50 , and a program read from the non-volatile memory  56 . The system control unit  50  can execute display control by controlling the memory  32 , the D/A converter  13 , and the display unit  28 . 
     A system timer  53  is a timer unit that measures time used for various types of control and time of a built-in clock. 
     The mode shifting switch  60 , the shutter button  61 , and the operation unit  70  are operation units for inputting various operation instructions to the system control unit  50 . By operating the mode shifting switch  60 , the user can shift the operation mode of the system control unit  50  to any one of a still image recording mode, a moving image capturing mode, or a reproduction mode. 
     A first shutter switch  62  is turned ON and generates a first shutter switch signal SW 1  when the user inputs an image capturing preparation instruction by halfway pressing the shutter button  61  arranged on the digital camera  100 . The system control unit  50  starts executing the operation for the AF processing, the AE processing, the AWB processing, and the EF pre-emission processing when the first shutter switch signal SW 1  is input thereto. 
     A second shutter switch  64  is turned ON and generates a second shutter switch signal SW 2  when the user inputs an image capturing instruction by fully pressing the shutter button  61 . The system control unit  50  starts executing the operation for a series of image capturing processing including processing for reading a signal from the image capturing unit  22  and writing image data to the recording medium  200  when the second shutter switch signal SW 2  is input thereto. 
     A power control unit  80  includes a battery detection circuit, a direct current-to-direct current (DC-DC) converter, and a switching circuit for switching a block to be energized, and detects presence or absence of a mounted battery, a type of battery, and a remaining battery level are detected. Based on the detection result and an instruction from the system control unit  50 , the power control unit  80  controls the DC-DC converter to supply required voltage to the respective units including the recording medium  200  for a necessary period. 
     A power supply unit  30  includes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, or a secondary battery such as a nickel-cadmium (NiCd) battery, a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery, or a lithium-ion (Li) battery, and an alternating-current (AC) adapter. A recording medium interface (I/F)  18  serves as an interface between the camera  100  and the recording medium  200 . The recording medium  200  is a recording medium such as a memory card for recording a captured image, configured of a semiconductor memory, an optical disk, or a magnetic disk. 
     A communication unit  54  is a communication interface for executing wireless or wired communication with an external apparatus. The communication unit  54  transmits and receives a video signal and an audio signal to/from the external apparatus. The communication unit  54  can also connect to a wireless local area network (LAN) and the internet. The communication unit  54  can transmit an image (including a live view image) captured by the image capturing unit  22  and an image recorded in the recording medium  200  to the external apparatus and receive image data and various types of information from the external apparatus. 
     An orientation detection unit  55  detects the orientation of the digital camera  100  in the gravitational direction. It is possible to determine whether the image captured by the image capturing unit  22  is an image captured by the digital camera  100  held in a horizontal orientation or a vertical orientation based on the orientation detected by the orientation detection unit  55 . The system control unit  50  can attach direction information based on the orientation detected by the orientation detection unit  55  to an image file of the image captured by the image capturing unit  22  to rotate and record the image. An acceleration sensor or a gyroscope can be used as the orientation detection unit  55 . 
     An eyepiece detection unit  57  detects an approaching eye (object) of the photographer. Depending on the state detected by the eyepiece detection unit  57 , the system control unit  50  switches display and non-display of the rear face display panel  28   a  and the electronic viewfinder  28   b.    
     The camera  100  can include a global positioning system (GPS) device (not illustrated) for acquiring a position of the camera  100 . Attribute information such as the user&#39;s age can be input via the above-described operation members and stored in the camera  100 . The content appropriate for the user can be distributed by using the above information for distributing an assignment content distributed by the external device such as a server apparatus described below or for outputting a captured image. 
       FIG. 3  is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to the present exemplary embodiment. The system includes a digital camera  100 , a smartphone  303  serving as a communication terminal, and a mission server  302  serving as a server that manages an image capturing mission. A personal computer (PC)  301  is a terminal operated by a system user. The terminals  301  and  303  can communicate with each other via a network. 
     The digital camera  100  provides a mission mode as one of the image capturing modes. When a camera user selects the mission mode by operating a mode selection dial, an image capturing mission is displayed on a display screen of the digital camera  100 . 
     An application of the image capturing mission (i.e., mission application) is installed in the smartphone  303 . The user operates the mission application and communicates with the digital camera  100  and the mission server  302  to transmit and receive data relating to the image capturing mission. 
       FIGS. 4A to 4G  are flowcharts illustrating procedures of processing executed by each of the apparatuses.  FIGS. 5A to 5F  and  FIGS. 6A to 6E  are diagrams illustrating examples of screens displayed on the apparatuses when the image capturing mission is executed. 
     A series of processing including the processing for creating and registering (uploading) an image capturing mission, distributing (downloading) the image capturing mission, executing and evaluating the image capturing mission, and charging a fee to a system user will be described mainly with reference to  FIG. 3  and  FIGS. 4A to 4G . When the series of processing is described, a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on each of the apparatuses will be described as appropriate with reference to  FIGS. 5A to 5F  and  FIGS. 6A to 6E . 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , in step S 310 , a system user creates an image capturing mission and registers the image capturing mission in the mission server  302  by using the PC  301 . The registration processing of the image capturing mission in step S 310  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 4A . 
     Turning to  FIG. 4A , in step S 401 , the PC  301  generates mission data based on the operation executed by the system user. 
     In step S 402 , the PC  301  stores the mission data based on the operation of the system user. 
     In step S 403 , the PC  301  transmits the mission data to the mission server  302  based on the operation of the system user. 
     In step S 404 , the mission server  302  receives the mission data transmitted from the PC  301  and stores the mission data in a storage area. 
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , in step S 311 , the mission server  302  distributes, to the smartphone  303  in which the mission application is installed, the image capturing mission periodically or at a timing when a condition for triggering the distribution of the mission is satisfied. The distribution processing of the mission executed in step S 311  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 4B . 
     Turning to  FIG. 4B , in step S 405 , the mission server  302  determines a mission to be distributed based on the distribution condition previously set for each mission. 
     In step S 406 , the mission server  302  changes the data attribute of the mission to be distributed. For example, the data attribute is changed so that the smartphone  303  can confirm that the mission is released and downloadable via the mission application. 
     In step S 407 , the smartphone  303  receives a notification indicating that the attribute of the mission has been changed by the mission server  302 , and displays a list of downloadable missions. The user operates the smartphone  303  to select a desired mission from among the missions displayed in the list. 
     In step S 408 , the smartphone  303  communicates with the mission server  302  to receive and store the mission data in the storage area. 
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , in step S 312 , the user of the smartphone  303  operates the smartphone  303  to install the mission distributed from the mission server  302  in the digital camera  100 . The installation processing of the mission executed in step S 312  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 4C . 
     Turning to  FIG. 4C , in step S 409 , based on the selection operation executed by the user, the smartphone  303  determines the mission to be installed in the digital camera  100 . 
     In step S 410 , the smartphone  303  transmits the mission to be installed to the digital camera  100 . 
     In step S 411 , the digital camera  100  receives the mission from the smartphone  303 . 
     In step S 412 , the digital camera  100  installs the received mission. 
     Turning back to  FIG. 3 , in step S 313 , the user of the digital camera  100  uses the digital camera  100  to work on the installed mission. The mission is an assignment relating to image capturing, so that the user actually uses the digital camera  100  to capture an image according to the mission. The processing for working on the mission executed in step S 313  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 4D . 
     Turning to  FIG. 4D , in step S 413 , when the mission is installed, the system control unit  50  of the digital camera  100  displays a notification indicating an increase in missions. 
       FIG. 5A  is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of the camera  100 , displaying a notification indicating an increase in missions. For example, if the camera  100  is operating in a normal image capturing mode, a notification  502  indicating an increase in missions is superimposed and displayed on a live-view screen  501 . A touch button  503  that enables the user to shift the image capturing mode to a mission mode can also be superimposed and displayed on the live-view screen  501 . The image capturing mode is shifted to the mission mode when the user touches and operates the touch button  503 , so that the live-view screen  501  is shifted to a mission selection screen. While the touch button is described as an example, a physical button can be used for shifting the live-view screen  501  to the mission selection screen. 
     Returning to  FIG. 4D , in step S 414 , based on the user operation, the system control unit  50  of the digital camera  100  executes operation for selecting the mission. 
       FIG. 5B  is a diagram illustrating an example of a mission selection screen displayed on the camera  100 . A guidance that prompts the user to select a mission and a plurality of installed missions are displayed on a mission selection screen  504 . In the display example illustrated in  FIG. 5B , missions  506  to  508  are displayed. A cursor  509  indicates a currently selected mission. In this example, a mission  508  is displayed and surrounded by the cursor  509 . A title or a category name  505  corresponding to the mission  508  is displayed on the mission selection screen  504 , so that the user can find out the overview of the mission. 
     Herein, the mission  508  relates to a virtual amusement park called “Service Vehicle Land”. When the user executes determination operation in a state where the cursor  509  is adjusted to the mission  508 , the mission selection screen  504  is shifted to a detail screen that displays the content of the mission. 
       FIG. 5C  is a diagram illustrating an example of a mission detail screen. An icon  511  symbolizing the content of the mission and an explanatory text  512  explaining the content of the mission are displayed on a mission detail screen  510 . In the present exemplary embodiment, an icon of a vehicle that symbolizes the mission is displayed because the mission relates to the Service Vehicle Land. When the user touches a determination button  513  displayed on the mission detail screen  510 , the digital camera  100  is brought into a state where the mission is being carried out, so that the user can execute image capturing. When the user touches a cancel button  514 , the mission detail screen  510  is shifted to the above-described mission selection screen  504 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 4D , in step S 415 , the user operates the digital camera  100  to capture an image based on the content of the mission.  FIG. 5D  is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the digital camera  100  when the user is working on the mission. The digital camera  100  is brought into a state where image capturing can be executed, and an icon  515  indicating the content of the mission is displayed on the live-view screen  501  of the digital camera  100 . Display of the icon  515  represents a state where the mission (i.e., selected mission  508 ) is being carried out. In this state, as illustrated in  FIG. 5E , the user searches the amusement park for a vehicle  516  that is the same as the vehicle indicated by the mission icon and captures an image thereof. 
     In step S 416 , the system control unit  50  of the digital camera  100  superimposes the mission icon on the captured image and records the captured image.  FIG. 5F  is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image stored in the digital camera  100 . The vehicle  516  as a target object of the mission is included in a captured image  517 . An icon  518  indicating the content of the mission is also superimposed and recorded on the captured image  517 . In this way, when the user reproduces the captured image stored in the camera  100 , the user can recognize which mission the reproduced image has been captured for. 
     Turning back to  FIG. 3 , in step S 314 , the user of the digital camera  100  applies for an approval for achievement of the mission to the smartphone  303 . For example, an exemplary embodiment in which a child who has worked on a mission by using a digital camera transmits a result thereof to a parent and asks the parent to approve achievement of the mission can be considered. This processing for applying for an approval for achievement of the mission executed in step S 314  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 4E . 
     Turning to  FIG. 4E , in step S 417 , from among the images recorded in the digital camera  100 , the user operates the digital camera  100  to select an image for which the user wishes to receive an approval from the smartphone  303 .  FIG. 6A  is a diagram illustrating a screen that enables the user to select content of approval with respect to the image as an approval request target. Pieces of request content  602  to  604  are displayed on the screen when the user executes operation for requesting an approval from the smartphone  303  in a state where a selected captured image  601  is displayed thereon. For example, the user can notify the smartphone  303  of achievement of the mission and request an approval by selecting the request content  602 . By selecting the request content  603 , the user can request a social network service (SNS) to register the image via the smartphone  303  in addition to requesting the approval. By selecting the request content  604 , the user can request a printer to print the image via the smartphone  303  in addition to requesting the approval. 
     In step S 418 , as described above, the digital camera  100  transmits the application for approval based on the request content to the smartphone  303 . The application for approval can be executed when the user touches any one of the pieces of request content  602  to  604  displayed on the screen in  FIG. 6A . 
     In step S 419 , the smartphone  303  receives the application for approval. 
     In step S 420 , the smartphone  303  notifies the user of receipt of the application for approval by displaying a notification on the screen.  FIG. 6B  is a diagram illustrating an example of the notification. A standby screen of the smartphone  303  is displayed on the display unit  605 , and icons  606  of a plurality of applications are arranged thereon. An icon  607  of the mission application is displayed as one of the icons  606 . In this example, a notification icon  608  indicating receipt of the application for approval is displayed together with the icon  607  of the mission application. 
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , in step S 315 , the user of the smartphone  303  receives the application for approval and evaluates whether the mission is achieved to a degree that satisfies a predetermined standard. The processing for evaluating an achievement degree of the mission executed in step S 315  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 4F . 
     Turning to  FIG. 4F , in step S 421 , the smartphone  303  executes the mission application based on the user operation. 
     In step S 422 , based on the user operation, the smartphone  303  displays a list of images recorded in the digital camera  100  associated with the smartphone  303  via the mission application.  FIG. 6C  is a diagram illustrating an example of the screen displaying the list. A plurality of thumbnails  611  is displayed on the display unit  609 . If an image  612 , which an approval thereof is requested, is included in the thumbnails, an icon  613  is superimposed and displayed on the image  612 . Thus, the user can recognize that an approval is requested. 
     In step S 423 , based on the user operation, the smartphone  303  evaluates the image, approval for which has been requested, as to whether the mission is achieved to a degree that satisfies a predetermined standard.  FIG. 6D  is a diagram illustrating an example of an evaluation screen displayed on the smartphone  303 . An image  616  as an evaluation target and content  615  of the mission are displayed on a display unit  614 . Buttons  617  and  618 , which the user of the smartphone  303  operates to determine approval or non-approval of the submitted image, are displayed on the display unit  614 . The evaluation is completed when the user touches any one of the buttons  617  and  618 . 
     In step S 424 , based on the user operation, the smartphone  303  transmits the evaluation result to the digital camera  100 . 
     In step S 425 , the digital camera  100  displays the evaluation result.  FIG. 6E  is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of the evaluation result displayed on the digital camera  100 . In this example, an evaluation result  620  is superimposed and displayed on an image  619  as an evaluation target. 
     In step S 426 , based on the evaluation result, the digital camera  100  updates an achievement degree of each mission managed by the digital camera  100 . 
     After the user executes evaluation via the smartphone  303 , in step S 316 , the mission application transmits information about the achievement degree of the mission to the mission server  302 . As a result, the mission server  302  shares an achievement state of each mission with the smartphone  303 . The processing for acquiring the achievement state executed in step S 316  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 4G . 
     Turning to  FIG. 4G , in step S 427 , based on a result of evaluation of the mission executed by the mission application, the smartphone  303  updates the achievement degree of each mission. 
     In step S 428 , the smartphone  303  transmits information about the achievement degree of each mission to the mission server  302 . 
     In step S 429 , the mission server  302  stores the received achievement degree of the mission. 
     In step S 430 , the mission server  302  calculates an amount of a usage fee charged to the user who has created the mission depending on the number of achievements of the mission. The mission server  302  recognizes a terminal that downloads the mission for each of the missions, and acquires the achievement state of the mission from the terminal. Accordingly, the mission server  302  functions as a charging system that calculates a system usage fee depending on the number of achievements of the mission. For example, the mission server  302  calculates an amount of a usage fee to be higher when the number of achievements of the mission is greater. 
     As described above, when the image capturing mission is to search the Service Vehicle Land for a specific vehicle to capture an image of that vehicle, a user who has achieved the mission should be a visitor of the Service Vehicle Land. Accordingly, from a viewpoint of a system user (i.e., a business operator of the amusement park) who has created the image capturing mission, this image capturing mission has achieved a customer attracting effect proportionate to the number of achievements of the image capturing mission. Therefore, with the system usage fee that is priced depending on the number of users who have achieved the mission, the system user can experience a sense of satisfaction. In other words, for the system user who creates and registers the image capturing mission, the system usage fee is commensurate with the customer attracting effect, and thus the image capturing mission is an effective advertisement commensurate with cost. 
     In addition, priority of missions displayed on the smartphone  303  can be changed depending on the achievement degree of each of the missions. For example, by preferentially displaying a mission that has been achieved by only a small number of users, a customer attracting effect can be provided to a wide range of system users. 
     The mission server  302  can also acquire position information from the smartphone  303  and distribute a mission depending on the position of the user. For example, a mission can be registered to be distributed to a user who is visiting a specific facility such as a tourist site. 
     While the above-described mission is a mission that can be completed by one time of image capturing, the mission can be achieved by a plurality of times of image capturing or moving-image capturing. The mission server  302  can determine whether the mission is completed by one time of image capturing or a plurality of times of image capturing and change a calculation method of the charging amount depending on the determination result. Because the mission that is completed by a plurality of times of image capturing has a profound advertising effect, a charging amount can be set to be higher. 
     In the above-described exemplary embodiment, the user has to capture an image at a specific location in order to achieve the mission. However, the user can capture an image relating to a specific product. For example, there is a case where a system user such as a company that sells a specific product registers the image capturing mission. Specifically, a food manufacturer can distribute a mission prompting a customer to capture an image of food seasoned with seasonings manufactured by the food manufacture. 
     Evaluation of the achievement degree of the mission is typically manually executed by the user of the smartphone  303  by checking the submitted captured image. However, evaluation can be automatically executed by the mission application. In this case, the smartphone  303  requests the digital camera  100  to transmit parameters associated with image capturing operation together with the captured image to execute evaluation by using the following acquired parameters:
         number of times of image capturing that the user has executed while looking at the rear face liquid crystal display   number of times of image capturing that the user has executed while looking into the electronic view finder   number of times the captured image is printed or transmitted to an external device   rating information attached to the captured image.       

     As a reward for achievement of the mission, service content can be distributed to the user who has achieved the image capturing mission. For example, in the case of a mission that the user has to capture an image at a specific location such as an amusement park, a coupon that offers a discount on the admission fee of a next visit can be distributed to the smartphone  303 . 
     In the above-described exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the smartphone  303  interposes between the digital camera  100  and the mission server  302 . However, the digital camera  100  and the mission server  302  can communicate with each other to directly transmit or receive the mission data. 
     While an exemplary embodiment has been provided, this exemplary embodiment is not seen to be limiting. Many variations that do not depart from the essential spirit of the present disclosure are applicable. A configuration in which the above-described exemplary embodiments are appropriately combined is also included in the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The above-described exemplary embodiment is described using a digital camera. The exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto, and any communication terminal having an image capturing function, such as a tablet PC, a personal digital assistance (PDA), or a mobile phone, etc., is applicable. 
     Embodiment(s) of the present disclosure can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like. 
     According to the aspect of the present disclosure, a system usage fee can be appropriately set for a system user who has uploaded content depending on an advertising effect of the uploaded content. 
     While exemplary embodiments have been described, these exemplary embodiments are not seen to be limiting. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions. 
     This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-215445, filed Nov. 28, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.