JP2002111926A - Printing system, print accepting apparatus, image transmitting terminal equipment and method for registering user information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable easy input or registration of user information which is necessary, when utilizing a print service without having to provide a new input means. SOLUTION: A method for registering user information comprises a step of previously sending the user information necessary for utilizing the print service on the Internet by the user by means of a postcard, a telephone, a facsimile or the like (SA1). The method further comprises a step of inputting and recording the sent user information to and in a print server at a print site side; and a step of accessing the print site by a digital camera, having a communicating function before the use of the service, the executing an initialization register request by the digital camera (SA2), returning the user information stored in advance from the print server in response to the request (SA3). The user information sent is stored in a memory, and transmits storage completion (SA4). Then initialization registration completion is conducted by the print server accompanying the transmission, and the user information is formally registered as the site.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print system, a print accepting apparatus, an image transmitting terminal, and a user information registering method suitable for use in a system for requesting a print output of an image photographed by a digital camera via the Internet. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, print requests for images photographed and recorded by a digital camera are accepted at a print site provided on the Internet, and an output result (photograph) based on the image data uploaded thereto is sent to a client. A print service for delivery by mail or the like is provided. On the other hand, in recent digital cameras, for example, by connecting a mobile phone or a PHS terminal with a cable, a captured image or a recorded image can be transmitted to an external device, or an image captured from the external device can be transmitted. Some can be recorded on their own.

[0003]

However, when using the above-mentioned print service, the user inputs user information such as the address of the mailing destination of the output result and the name of the user as the address. It is common to perform a work such as registering in advance in a device that accesses the Internet. On the other hand, a notebook personal computer and an integrated CC
Except for a very small part consisting of a D camera, ordinary digital cameras generally do not have an input means suitable for inputting data mainly consisting of kanji like the user information. is there. For this reason, in digital cameras, using communication means such as mobile phones and PHS terminals,
Even if the user can connect to the Internet, there has been a problem that the above-described user information input operation and registration operation are extremely complicated. Of course, in order to solve such a problem, it is possible to solve the problem to some extent if a new input means is provided in the digital camera, but it is practically impossible to realize it because it is restricted by cost, design and the like.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and a print system capable of easily inputting and registering user information necessary for using a print service without providing a new input means. And a print receiving device, an image transmitting terminal, and a user information registration method.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print system for receiving a print request of an image based on image data, and a print receiving device which receives the print request via a network. A print system configured to include an image transmission terminal that transmits the image data, wherein the print reception device is used to receive a print request for the image transmitted offline from a user of the image transmission terminal. Input means for inputting user information, offline information storage means for storing user information input by the input means, and transmitting the user information stored in the offline information storage means to the image transmitting terminal via a network. Transmission means, wherein the image transmission terminal transmits from the print reception device. Receiving means for receiving the received user information, storing means for storing the user information received by the receiving means, and transmitting means for transmitting the user information and image data stored in the storing means to the print accepting device. It was provided. Here, the receiving unit and the transmitting unit in the image transmitting terminal are configured integrally with the receiving unit and the transmitting unit like a communication module, for example, or a communication interface for ensuring a communication function in such a communication module. Etc. are included.

In such a configuration, the user information sent off-line from the user is input to the print accepting device, stored, and then stored in the image transmitting terminal via the network. Therefore, the user can store the user information in the image transmission terminal without performing an input operation on the image transmission terminal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print system for receiving a print request for an image based on image data, and an image transmitting terminal for transmitting the image data to the print acceptor via a network. Wherein the print accepting device comprises: input means for inputting user information used for accepting a print request for the image, sent off-line from a user of the image transmitting terminal; and Detachable nonvolatile offline information storage means for storing user information input by the means, wherein the image transmission terminal includes a user information stored in the offline information storage means detached from the print accepting apparatus. And transmission means for transmitting image data to the print receiving apparatus. It was the thing.

[0008] In this configuration, after the user information sent off-line from the user is stored in the off-line information storage means attached to the print receiving apparatus,
The information is stored in the image transmission terminal via the offline information storage means. Therefore, the user can store the user information in the image transmission terminal without performing an input operation on the image transmission terminal.

Further, in the print system according to the third aspect, the print accepting device is an image storing means for storing the image data transmitted from the image transmitting terminal and having received a print request in the past, Receiving means for receiving a print request for an image based on image data designated by the image transmitting terminal among image data stored in the image storing means in response to a request from the image transmitting terminal. .

In this configuration, when a print request for an image based on the same image data is made to the print accepting device a plurality of times, the image data stored in the image storage means of the print accepting device for the second and subsequent times. , A print request can be made. Therefore,
The print accepting apparatus can be used as a means for storing image data for which a print request has been made in the past.

[0011] In the printing system according to a fourth aspect, the image transmission terminal includes:
Sends print type designation information for designating the print type of the image data together with the image data, and the image storage means of the print accepting device transmits a print request in the past regardless of the print type designated by the print type designation information. Of the received image data.

In such a configuration, when a print request for an image based on the same image data is made to the print accepting device a plurality of times, even if the requested print type is different, the print accepting device performs the second and subsequent times. A print request can be made using image data stored in the image storage means. Therefore, the print accepting apparatus can be used as a means for storing all image data for which a print request has been made in the past.

Further, in the print system according to the present invention, the print accepting device performs a reduction process for reducing an image size of the image data stored in the image storage means. A reduced image transmitting means for transmitting the image data to the image transmitting terminal, the image transmitting terminal displaying an image based on the image data transmitted by the reduced image transmitting means, and displaying on the display means Selecting means for selecting any one of the selected images, and information for specifying the image selected by the selecting means, as designation information for designating image data stored in the image storage means, to the print accepting apparatus. And a designated information transmitting means for transmitting.

In such a configuration, when a print request for an image based on the same image data is made to the print accepting device a plurality of times, the user of the image transmitting terminal transmits the image via the reduced image sent from the print accepting device. Since the print request image is specified, the amount of data transmitted and received between the image transmission terminal and the print reception device can be reliably reduced.

Further, in the print system according to the present invention, the print accepting device assigns each image data stored in the storage means at the time of receiving a print request of an image based on each image data. The image data transmitted by the reduced image transmitting means to the image transmitting terminal is provided to a user of the image transmitting terminal in response to a print request being received by the print receiving device. Provided,
At the same time, an image corresponding to the management number specified by the image transmission terminal based on the index print in which the reduced index image based on the image data for which the print request has been received and the management number given by the management means are displayed. It was assumed to be data.

In such a configuration, when a print request for an image based on the same image data is made to the print accepting device a plurality of times, the user checks the plurality of reduced images for which the print request has been accepted at the same time while checking the plurality of reduced images. You can select the image you want.

Further, in the print system according to the present invention, the print accepting device assigns each image data stored in the storage means at the time of receiving a print request of an image based on each image data. A management unit that manages the print request by a number and, in response to the print request being received by the print reception device, is provided to the user of the image transmission terminal and reduced based on the image data for which the print request has been received at the same time. The index print on which the index image is displayed is provided with request content adding means for displaying the content of the print request of the image indicated by each index image in correspondence with each index image.

In this configuration, since the contents of the print request are displayed for each image in the index print provided when the print request is made to the print receiving apparatus, the contents of the print request can be checked at a glance. it can.

Further, in the print system according to the present invention, the image transmitting terminal is a digital camera for transmitting image data of a photographed subject to the print accepting device.

In such a configuration, the user information sent off-line from the user is input and stored in the print accepting device, and then stored in the digital camera via the network. Therefore, the user can store the user information in the digital camera without performing an input operation on the digital camera.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print accepting apparatus for accepting a print request for an image based on image data transmitted from an image transmitting terminal connected via a network. Input means for inputting user information used for accepting a print request for the image, sent off-line by a user of the user, offline information storage means for storing the user information input by the input means, and the offline information Transmitting means for transmitting the user information stored in the storing means to the image transmitting terminal via a network.

By using the print receiving apparatus having the above configuration, the inventions of claims 1 to 8 can be implemented.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image transmitting terminal for transmitting the image data via a network to a print receiving apparatus for receiving a print request of an image based on the image data. Receiving the user information from the print accepting device, the information being input and stored in the print accepting device after being sent off-line from the user, and used for accepting the image print request in the print accepting device. The apparatus includes a receiving unit, a storage unit for storing the user information received by the receiving unit, and a transmitting unit for transmitting the user information and the image data stored in the storage unit to the print accepting device. Here, the receiving unit and the transmitting unit in the image transmitting terminal are configured integrally with the receiving unit and the transmitting unit like a communication module, for example, or a communication interface for ensuring a communication function in such a communication module. Etc. are included.

By using the image transmission terminal having such a configuration, the inventions of claims 1 to 8 can be implemented.

[0025] In the image transmitting terminal of the present invention, the image data is image data of a photographed subject.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the user information registration method, a print receiving apparatus for receiving a print request of an image based on image data is transmitted to an image transmitting terminal for transmitting the image data via a network. In a user information registration method for registering user information used for accepting a print request of an image in a print accepting device, a user of the image transmission terminal provides the user information to the print accepting device offline. Inputting and storing the provided user information in the print accepting device, and after passing through this process, when the image transmitting terminal first connects to the print accepting device, the print accepting device is input. Transmitting the stored user information to the image transmission terminal; and Shin terminal, receiving said user information transmitted, the image transmitting terminal, consisted of a step of storing the user information received.

In this method, user information sent off-line from the user is input to the print accepting device, stored, and then stored in the image transmitting terminal via the network. Therefore, the user can store the user information in the image transmission terminal without performing an input operation on the image transmission terminal.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a print service showing a print system according to the present invention.

This system mainly comprises a digital camera 1 owned by a user a and a print server 2 owned by a service company operating a print site b. The digital camera 1 has a configuration described below that can be connected to the print server 2 via a public line network c, a provider d, and the Internet e.

Here, the contents of services in the print system will be described first. That is, the user a who receives the service prepares an image to be ordered with the digital camera 1, makes a free call to a predetermined access point (telephone number of the provider d operated or contracted by the service company), and prints the print site. b, and order a print by uploading a desired image or the like. Then, the service company prints out the image according to the order, and delivers the output print (photograph) to the user a via the courier service or the post office f.

[0031] Of the service charges incurred at this time,
The user a pays the printing fee, the delivery fee, and the postal fee to the service company (the print site b) via a credit company, a bank, or the like g according to a predetermined agreement. The service company bears the cost incurred when the user a connects to the Internet, that is, the usage fee on the provider d side and the line usage fee of the public line network c by toll-free telephone. As a result, the user a can use the print service without worrying about the time required for uploading the image.

In the above printing system,
When ordering a print to the print site b, an order file indicating the order is sent together with the image file of the image desired to be printed. The order file used in this embodiment is a DPOF file (Digital Print Order Forma proposed by Canon Inc., Eastman Kodak Company, Fujifilm Corporation, and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.).
This is an automatic print file specified by t). In addition,
The DPOF file contains general information about the date and time when it was last saved, as well as the user name, address,
The information includes user information relating to a telephone number, print types (Standard Print, Index Print) of each image, print job information indicating the number of prints of each image, image source information specifying an image file to be printed, and the like.
Also, the print type Stan in the print job information
dard Print is a print of a normal size (the size of a main image), and Index Print is a list print in which a plurality of main images are reduced.

Next, the details of the above system will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the digital camera 1 described above. The digital camera 1 includes an MPU having an image processing function such as converting an image captured by the CCD 11 serving as an imaging unit into encoded data based on a predetermined standard.
12. An optical image of a subject is formed on a light receiving surface of the CCD 11 by an optical system (not shown). The MPU 12 has a TG for generating a timing signal.
(Timming Generater) 13 is connected and TG1
V driver 14 based on the timing signal generated
The (vertical driver) drives the CCD 11, and the CCD 11 outputs an analog image signal corresponding to the brightness of the subject image and sends it to the unit circuit 15. The unit circuit 15 includes a CDS that holds an image signal output from the CCD 11, a gain adjustment amplifier (AGC) that is an analog amplifier supplied with the image signal from the CDS,
An A / D converter (AD) for converting the image signal amplified and adjusted by the gain adjustment amplifier into image data;
The output signal of the CD 11 is sampled by adjusting the black level here and sent to the MPU 12 as a digital signal.

The digital signal (imaging signal) sent to the MPU 12 is temporarily stored in the DRAM 16 and
After various image processes are performed by U12, finally, an image file composed of compressed image data, JPE
In addition to the basic G, the date when the image was taken,
And additional data such as shooting condition data such as shutter speed and aperture value.
The file is recorded (stored) in a flash memory (FLASH) 17, which is a removable recording medium, as a file having a format conforming to a rule for camera file system or the like. The image data recorded as an image file is read by the MPU 12 as necessary,
The digital video signal and the analog video signal are generated through processing such as addition of a luminance signal and a color signal.

The MPU 12 includes an MROM 18, a power supply circuit 19, a shutter key and a power key, an operation key unit including various operation keys used for switching between a recording mode and a reproduction mode, and selecting and setting a shooting mode. 20, a TFT liquid crystal monitor 21, a communication module 22, and a setting data memory 23 are connected. MROM18 is M
Program RO in which operation program of PU12 is recorded
M. The MROM 18 stores various data such as program AE data constituting a program diagram showing a combination of an aperture value (F) corresponding to an appropriate exposure value (EV) at the time of shooting and a shutter speed, and a TCP / IP protocol. Communication program for performing communication based on
b Browser program and the like are stored. And M
The PU 12 operates according to the operation program using the built-in RAM as a working memory, so that the image capturing such as the charge accumulation time of the CCD 11 and the gain setting of the gain adjustment amplifier (AGC) of the unit circuit 15 are performed according to the program diagram at the time of image capturing. Control at the same time, and control the data transmission / reception operation with the print server 2.

The program data and the like stored in the MROM 18 may be provided separately or fixedly, or may be a detachable IC if the recorded contents can be held.
The digital camera 1 may be configured to be recorded on another recording medium such as a card. Further, when the digital camera 1 can be connected to other devices such as a personal computer by wire or wirelessly, the digital camera 1 is supplied from those devices. A possible configuration may be adopted.

The TFT liquid crystal monitor 21 displays sequentially captured images as a through image in the recording mode, and displays an image based on an analog video signal generated from the image data recorded in the flash memory 17 in the reproduction mode. indicate. The communication module 22 includes a modem or the like, and is connected to a telephone line in a home or the like via a modular cable. Setting data memory 23
Is a non-volatile memory mainly storing the basic operation contents of the digital camera 1 set by the user, and the setting data memory 23 is subjected to a pre-procedure described later by the user. Print service data 23c including user information 23a and site-side information 23b is stored.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the print server 2. The print server 2 includes a control unit 31 for controlling the entire apparatus, a key input unit 32 including a keyboard and a mouse, a display unit 33 including a CRT and an LCD,
A communication unit 34 for transmitting and receiving various data to and from the digital camera 1 and the like via the Internet e is provided. The control unit 31 includes a CPU, a work memory, and the like, controls the above-described units, and performs processing such as transfer, calculation, and temporary storage of various data. The key input unit 32 and the display unit 33 are interfaces used when, for example, an operator inputs and outputs various data to the print server 2 and gives an operation instruction in the print server 2. Further, the print server 2 includes a program file 35, a customer file 36, a registration applicant file 37, and an order image database 38, each of which is constituted by storage means (recording medium) such as a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk.

The program file 35 includes the control unit 31
An operation program for controlling various operations in the print server 2 is stored therein. The customer file 36 stores customer data 36a created for each user who has completed registration of user information for receiving a print service. The customer data 36a includes a user ID issued by the service company for each user, and data of a password, a name, an address, a postal code, and a telephone number. Note that the user ID is used not only for various types of management in the print server 2 but also as an ID that allows the user a to use a pair with a password when accessing the print site b.

The registration applicant file 37 is data entered by the operator and contains the pre-registration data 3 relating to a user who has not completed registration of user information.
7a is recorded. The pre-registration data 37a is composed of data sent from the user off-line, for example, by facsimile or postal mail in a pre-procedure described later, that is, a name, an address, a postal code, and a telephone number. The pre-registration data 37a is stored until the registration of the user information is completed, and when the registration is completed, when a user ID and a password are issued to the user a, they are added. The customer data 36a
Is stored in the customer file 36 at a different location.

As shown in FIG. 5, the order image database 38 includes a main image data 38a and thumbnail image data 38b sent from the user a via the Internet when a print order is placed, and a management number 38c assigned to each order. And the user ID 38 of the partner who accepted the order
d, and a plurality of data are stored corresponding to each other.

(Preliminary Procedures) Next, the contents of the preliminary procedures performed by the user a for the print site b prior to the use of the above-described print service in the print system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows the digital camera 1 and the print server 2 in the preliminary procedure.
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a communication procedure between the communication device and the server.

First, the user a uses the postcard, telephone, facsimile, or the like to go offline to the print site b, and the pre-registered data 37a (see FIG. 1),
That is, the registration ID, name, address, postal code, and telephone number are sent (step SA1). Here, the registration ID is data valid only in the preliminary procedure, and is, for example, a serial number composed of alphanumeric characters printed in advance on a postcard posted as an appendix in a magazine or the like by a service company. In the case of a procedure by telephone or facsimile, it is a serial number issued each time and transmitted to the user a verbally (or a facsimile reply).
On the print site b side, the operator sends the information sent by any of the above methods to the print server 2.
, New pre-registration data 37 a is created and stored in the registration applicant file 37.

Next, when the off-line procedure is completed, the user a selects a predetermined setting mode in the digital camera 1 and operates the operation key of the operation key section 20 to set the registration ID in advance. To access the print site b. The telephone number used for this access may be the toll-free number used when ordering the print described earlier, or may be another number. The input registration ID is temporarily stored in the work RAM of the MPU 12 of the digital camera 1. Upon successful access, the digital camera 1 immediately transmits an initial registration request together with the registration ID to the print server 2 (step SA2). On the other hand, the print server 2 reads out data other than the registration ID from the pre-registration data 37a corresponding to the transmitted registration ID from the registration applicant file 37 and transmits it to the digital camera 1 as user information. (Step SA3). At this time, the print server 2 sends the newly issued user ID together with the user information.
And the password and the access point (toll-free telephone number) of the provider d as site-side information.

The digital camera 1 converts the information sent from the print server 2 into the print service data 23c shown in FIG. 3, that is, user information 23a consisting of a name, address, postal code, and telephone number registered in an offline procedure. , And a site ID 23b including a user ID, a password, and an access point in the setting data memory 23, and transmits the storage completion to the print server 2 (step SA4). In response to this, the print server 2 stores the new customer data 36a in which the user information and the user ID and the password are added to the user information.
6 and complete the operation related to the initial registration.
A print request confirmation is transmitted to the digital camera 1 (step SA5). Then, when the end is transmitted from the digital camera 1 side (step SA6), the print server 2 performs pre-procedure end processing to disconnect the line, thereby completing the pre-procedure. When a print request is received from the digital camera 1 in response to the print request confirmation, the process directly proceeds to an order procedure described later.

Here, in the above pre-procedure, the operation of the digital camera 1 required by the user a is only an operation of accessing the print site b and an extremely simple operation of inputting the above-described registration ID. . Therefore, the user a needs the user information 23a (name, address, zip code,
The registration operation of the telephone number can be extremely easily performed even by the digital camera 1 in which the input operation of data, especially kanji, is complicated as compared with a device such as a personal computer. Further, since it is not necessary to separately provide a special input unit which has not been provided in the digital camera 1, it is possible to achieve a benefit of the registration work of the user information 23a without increasing the cost.

As the registration ID used for the above-mentioned offline procedure, for example, the serial number of the digital camera 1 can be used in addition to the one issued by the above-mentioned service company. Furthermore, the MROM of the digital camera 1
17 etc. in advance, and store it in the registration I
It can also be used as D. In this case, when the digital camera 1 makes an initial registration request in step SA2 described above, the digital camera 1 automatically reads the serial number from the MROM 17 or the like and transmits the serial number to the print server 2, so that the user The operation of inputting the registration ID by a may be unnecessary. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the load required for the initial setting of the digital camera 1.

(Order Procedure) Next, in the above print system, the user a who has completed the above-mentioned preliminary procedure
However, an operation related to an order procedure when ordering a print of an image recorded in the digital camera 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera 1 and the print server 2. First, the operation of the digital camera 1 will be described. When a predetermined key operation is performed by the user a and the digital camera 1 enters a DPOF file creation mode, and the user a selects an image to be printed and specifies the print type (YES in step SB1), the flash memory 17
It is determined whether or not there is an order for an image in which the standard print (Standard Print) is designated as the print type for any of the images recorded in the printer. If there is such an order (YES in step SB2), the image is selected. One
Alternatively, instruction data indicating that the standard print is designated for a plurality of images is created (step SB3). Similarly, for any one of the images recorded in the flash memory 17, it is determined whether or not there is an order for an image for which index print (Indx Print) is specified as the print type. YES), and creates instruction data indicating that an index image has been designated for one or more selected images (step SB5).

Subsequently, the digital camera 1 creates a DPOF file based on the instruction data (step SB6), creates a thumbnail image of reduced size from all the images selected by the user a, and flashes the thumbnail image. Temporarily record in the memory 17 (step SB
7). Thereafter, after waiting for a predetermined key operation by the user a (YES in step SB8), the user accesses the print site b (step SB9), and performs communication processing with the print site b (step SB1).
0). Then, the print ordering operation is terminated when the communication processing is completed.

In the communication process, communication between the digital camera 1 and the print server 2 is performed according to the communication procedure shown in FIG. That is, as soon as the digital camera 1 is connected to the print server 2, a request for a user ID and a reply of the user ID stored in the setting data memory 23 are made between the two (steps SD1 and SD2). After the service content transmission and print service reply are performed (steps SD3 and SD3)
4) A DPOF file / image transmission request and a DPOF file / image transmission are performed (steps SD5 and SD)
6). At this time, the digital camera 1 sends a DPO
The F file, one or more selected image files, and a thumbnail image file created based on the selected file are sent to the print server 2. Then, when the transmission of the DPOF file and the image file in the digital camera 1 is completed, the print server 2 transmits the reception completion to the digital camera 1 (step SD7), and then the print server 2 disconnects the line.

Next, returning to FIG. 7, the operation of the print server 2 will be described. The print server 2 starts operation when there is a connection from the digital camera 1 (step SC1).
And the communication processing of FIG. 8 is performed (step SC).
2). After the communication processing is completed, a management number (order number) relating to the current order receiving operation is provided,
All the image files received in the battle communication process, that is, the main image file and the thumbnail image file are stored in association with the user ID of the order receiving party, and the above-described image database 38 (see FIG. 5) is updated (see FIG. 5). Step SC3).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not there is an order for one of the ordered image or a plurality of images for which the standard print (Standard Print) is designated as the print type. In some cases (YES in step SC4), the first image data for index printing is generated from the thumbnail images corresponding to all the images for which the standard print is designated (step SC5). Similarly, for one of the ordered images or a plurality of images, it is determined whether or not there is an order for an image for which index print (Indx Print) is specified as the print type. If YES in step SC6, second image data for index printing is generated from the thumbnail image corresponding to the image for which index printing is specified (step SC7).

Thereafter, in step SC8, for all the images for which the standard print is designated, a process of outputting a normal-size print (photograph) based on the received image file is performed. At the same time, the result of determination in both step SC4 and step SC6 is YE
If it is S, a first index print (photo) composed of reduced images of one or a plurality of images for which the standard print is designated, and a second index composed of reduced images of all the images for which the index print is designated. In addition to performing the process of outputting both the print (photo) and the process of outputting only the first index print (photo) when only the determination result of step SC4 is YES, the determination result of step SC6 is further performed. If the answer is YES only, the process of outputting only the second index print (photo) is performed, and the order receiving process ends.

In the process of outputting the first and second index prints, as shown in FIG. 9, in the output index print 100, one or more index images 101 are displayed on the image display area A. A management information area B is provided on the edge side, and in the management information area B, all or part of the user information 36a recorded in the customer file 36 relating to the user a of the order receiving party (name in the illustrated example). And a process of displaying all or part of the site-side information 23b (user ID and password in the illustrated example) and the management number assigned in step SC3. As a result, to the user a who made the order, the first and second index prints or only the first index print described above are delivered together with the normal size print for the image for which the standard print is designated. Become. The first index print is a print provided free to the user a even when the user a orders only the standard print. In some cases, there are images for which both the standard print and the index print have been specified,
In this case, the first and second index prints are delivered to the user a, and the same index image 101 is displayed on both index prints.

(Reprint Procedure) Next, referring to FIG. 10, description will be given of an operation relating to a reprint procedure when the user a orders a reprint of an image once ordered by the above-described processing in the print system.
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a communication procedure between the digital camera 1 and the print server 2 in the additional printing procedure.

When ordering additional copies, when the digital camera 1 is connected to the print server 2 by the operation of the user a, a request for a user ID and a reply of the user ID are made between the two as in the order procedure. Thereafter (steps SE1 and SE2), the service content is transmitted from the print server 2 to the digital camera 1 (step SE).
3). Here, when the user a selects the reprint by a predetermined key operation, the digital camera 1 returns the reprint (step SE4). Next, the print server 2
The stored ID corresponding to the received image database 38 and the user ID received in step SE2
A search is made for a management number 28c that matches with and the list is transmitted to the digital camera 1 (step SE5). The digital camera 1 displays a list of the received management numbers on the TFT LCD monitor 21 and prompts the user a to select a management number corresponding to the image desired to be reprinted.

At this time, the user “a” refers to the first or second index print 100 obtained at the time of the previous print order and displays the image for which additional printing is desired this time, and manages the management information. The management number (see FIG. 9) displayed in the area B is selected. In response, the digital camera 1 returns the selected management number (step SE6). The print server 2 checks the thumbnail image 28 that matches (corresponds to) the management number sent.
b is searched from the order image database 38, and all the searched thumbnail images 28b, that is, the original of the index image 101 displayed on the first or second index print 100 referred to when the user a selects the above management number. Is transmitted to the digital camera 1 (step SE7).

On the digital camera 1 side, the received one or a plurality of thumbnail images 28 b are displayed on the TFT liquid crystal monitor 21.
And the image to be reprinted (thumbnail image 2
8b) is selected by the user a, and the print type and the number of reprints of the selected image are designated by the user a. Then, after creating a DPOF file indicating the instruction, only the created DPOF file is transmitted to the print server 2 (step SE8). Continued
The print server 2 stores the instruction content of the transmitted DPOF file in the control unit 31 and transmits a confirmation of the completion of the additional printing to the digital camera 1 (step SE9).
Here, when the digital camera 1 transmits the continuation of additional printing in response to the key operation of the user a (step SE1).
0), the above-described procedure from step SE5 to step SE9 is repeatedly performed. Conversely, when the digital camera 1 transmits the end of additional printing in response to the key operation of the user a (step SE11), the print server 2
According to the instruction content stored in the control unit 31, the processing required for print output is performed, and the reprint procedure is completed.
Disconnect the line. Thus, the user a can perform additional printing of a desired image.

Here, in the present embodiment described above, a thumbnail image is transmitted together with the main image to be printed at the time of the initial order, and is stored in the print server 2, while at the time of a reprint order, the thumbnail image is transmitted from the print server 2. Since the image to be ordered for printing is specified via the sent thumbnail image, the communication time at the time of ordering additional prints can be reduced as compared with the case where the main image is transmitted to the print server 2 again. In particular, when many different images are ordered, such an effect is extremely large.

In the present embodiment, at the time of the initial order, the digital camera 1 creates a thumbnail image,
Although the transmission of the print image to the print server 2 has been described, the digital camera 1 may send only the main image to be printed to the print server 2 at the time of the initial order, and the print server 2 may create a thumbnail image. . In this case, the communication time at the time of the initial order as well as the time of the additional order can be reduced.
Even in that case, the effect of ordering a large number of different images is extremely large.

Further, at the time of ordering additional prints, the image to be ordered is designated by the user a via the thumbnail image. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Since the index images 101 of all the ordered images are displayed on the first index print or the second index print and provided to the user a regardless of the order, for example, the first or second index print 100
First, while displaying the frame number corresponding to the index image 101, the frame number data is stored in the order image database 38 in correspondence with the management number 28c, and the image to be ordered to the user a via the frame number is stored. Can also be specified. In that case, the communication time at the time of ordering additional prints can be further reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, the print server 2 stores the data of the main image transmitted to the print server 2 at the time of the original order in the order image database 38, and at the time of the additional order, the first or second image data described above. An image to be ordered is specified using the index print 100, and the print server 2 sends a print (photo) based on the main image stored in the ordered image database 38 to the user a. Regarding the ordered image file, it is possible to place an order for additional copies of the image if necessary without leaving it in the digital camera 1. Therefore, the storage capacity of the flash memory 17 described above can be effectively used. In addition, at the time of ordering for that purpose or at the time of ordering additional prints, the user a can also reduce the service charge to be paid by setting the print type specified for all specified images as index prints.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as described above, if there is an image for which both the standard print and the index print are designated among the images selected at the time of the initial order, the image is delivered to the user a. Although the same index image 101 is displayed on both the first and second index prints 100,
In such a case, it is expected that the correspondence (confirmation) between the image and the order contents, such as an image simply designated for storage as described above or an image designated for index print and an image designated for standard print, will be complicated. Is done.

Regarding this point, the above-mentioned complication can be solved by the following. For example, at the time of the initial order, as shown in FIG. 11, the image display area A is provided with a print number designation area C for displaying the number of prints of the ordered image corresponding to the index image 101. Is provided to the user a. Such third index print 20
According to 0, even when a plurality of images having different order contents are ordered at the same time, it is difficult to display them on a plurality of index prints 200, and moreover, they are displayed on the same index print 200. Even if it is, the correspondence (confirmation) between the image and the order content can be easily known.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, the index print 200 in which the number-of-prints designation area C is provided in the image display area A is shown, but other order contents (contents of the print request), for example, An order content area indicating paper designation / trimming information (only when there is information indicating that trimming is not performed) or the like may be provided in the image display area A instead of the print number designation area C. Even in that case, the effect of the bank can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, an index print indicating the management number at the time of reception is provided to the user a at the time of the initial order, and at the time of additional printing, an order for additional printing is made using the index print. The image is designated, but in addition, the management number data and the thumbnail image file are recorded on a removable medium usable in the digital camera, such as the flash memory 17 in the digital camera 1, and this is stored as described above. Instead of the index print, it may be provided to the user a. Even in this case, as in the present embodiment, the user a
The user can check the recorded image as needed, and use it to specify an image to order a reprint.

In this embodiment, the digital camera 1 has the communication module 22 and can be connected to the telephone line by itself. However, the digital camera 1 is used as the digital camera used in the system of this embodiment. May have a communication interface capable of connecting a cable to a mobile phone or a PHS terminal, for example, and may be capable of connecting to the Internet via a mobile phone or the like.
A communication interface that can be connected to a personal computer, such as C or USB, may be provided so as to be connectable to the Internet via the personal computer.

When ordering a print from the print site b, the order file sent to the print site b together with the image file of the image desired to be printed is a DPO
Although the case where the F file is used has been described, an order file other than the DPOF file can be used as long as the contents of the order can be shown.

[0070]

As described above, in the present invention,
The user can store user information used for accepting an image print request in an image transmission terminal such as a digital camera without performing an input operation on the image transmission terminal. Therefore, it is possible to easily input and register user information necessary for using the print service without providing a new input unit in the image transmission terminal. Moreover. Since it is not necessary to separately provide a new input unit, it is possible to improve the benefit of the user of the image transmission terminal without increasing the cost.

Further, the print accepting device can be used as a means for storing image data for which a print request has been made in the past. Therefore, when the image transmitting terminal requests the print accepting device to print an image based on the image data stored in the image transmitting terminal, the storage capacity of the storage unit used for storing the image data of the image transmitting terminal is reduced. It can be used effectively. Further, even if the print type is different when a print request is made in the past, the print type is saved, so that the usability is good.

Further, when a print request for an image based on the same image data is made to the print accepting device a plurality of times, the amount of data transmitted and received between the image transmitting terminal and the print accepting device can be reliably reduced. Made it possible. Therefore, when a print request for an image based on the same image data is made to the print receiving apparatus a plurality of times, the communication time required for the second and subsequent print requests can be reliably reduced. In particular, this effect is extremely large when printing requests for many different images are made at once.

When a print request for an image based on the same image data is made a plurality of times to the print receiving apparatus, the user checks the plurality of reduced images for which the print request has been received at the same time while checking the desired image. Can be selected, it is easy to search for a desired image, and usability is improved.

Further, since the contents of the print request are displayed for each image in the index print provided when the print request is made to the print receiving apparatus, the contents of the print request can be checked at a glance. Therefore, this also improves usability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a print service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the contents of print service data stored in a setting data memory.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print server.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of an order image database.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a communication procedure in a preliminary procedure.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation in an order procedure.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a communication procedure in the order procedure.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of first and second index prints.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation in a reprint procedure.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a third index print.

[Description of Signs] 1 Digital camera 2 Print server 22 Communication module 23 Setting data memory 23a User information 31 Control unit 37 Registration applicant file 37a Pre-registration data 38 Order image database a User c Public line network e Internet

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06T 1/60 450 G06T 1/60 450A 5C062 H04N 1/21 H04N 1/21 5C064 1/393 1/393 5C073 5/76 5/76 E 5C076 5/907 5/907 B 7/15 640 7/15 640A F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 HH03 HJ08 HK04 HN02 HN15 HQ17 5B021 BB01 BB04 BB10 CC05 DD03 EE04 5B004 AB04 BB03 BB04 EB17 5B049 BB00 CC05 CC08 CC36 DD01 DD05 EE03 EE07 FF02 FF03 FF04 FF09 GG04 GG07 5C052 AA17 FA02 FA03 FA07 FB01 FE01 GA02 GA06 GB10 GE06 GE08 5C062 AA06 AA25 AA30 AB20 AB04 AB03 AC02 AF03 AF02 AF03 AB03 AC04 AC20 AD08 5C073 AA06 AB04 AB12 CB03 CE04 CE10 5C076 AA19 AA22 BA04 BA05 CA02 CB01

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A print system comprising: a print receiving device that receives a print request for an image based on image data; and an image transmitting terminal that transmits the image data to the print receiving device via a network. An input unit for inputting user information used for accepting a print request for the image, which is sent offline from a user of the image transmission terminal; and an offline unit for storing the user information input by the input unit. Information storing means; and transmitting means for transmitting the user information stored in the offline information storing means to the image transmitting terminal via a network, wherein the image transmitting terminal transmits the user information transmitted from the print accepting device. Receiving means for receiving the information, and the user received by the receiving means A print system comprising: a storage unit for storing information; and a transmission unit for transmitting the user information and image data stored in the storage unit to the print accepting device. 2. A print system comprising: a print accepting device that accepts a print request for an image based on image data; and an image transmitting terminal that transmits the image data to the print accepting device via a network. An input unit for inputting user information used for accepting a print request of the image, which is sent off-line from a user of the image transmission terminal; and a detachable unit for storing the user information input by the input unit. A flexible non-volatile offline information storage unit, wherein the image transmission terminal transmits the user information and the image data stored in the offline information storage unit removed from the print reception device to the print reception device. A print system comprising a transmission unit. 3. The image receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the print receiving device is configured to store the image data transmitted from the image transmitting terminal and receiving a print request in the past, and a request from the image transmitting terminal. 3. The print system according to claim 1, further comprising: a receiving unit that receives a print request for an image based on image data designated by the image transmission terminal among image data stored in an image storage unit. . 4. The image transmitting terminal transmits, to the print accepting device, print type designating information for designating a print type of the image data, together with the image data, and the image storage unit of the print accepting device transmits the print data. 4. The print system according to claim 3, wherein all image data for which a print request has been received in the past is stored regardless of the type of print specified by the type specification information. 5. The image receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print receiving apparatus transmits the image data, which has been subjected to a reduction process for reducing the size of the image to the image data stored in the image storage unit, to the image transmitting terminal. A reduced image transmitting means, the image transmitting terminal comprising: a display means for displaying an image based on the image data transmitted by the reduced image transmitting means; and a selecting means for selecting one of the images displayed on the display means. And information for specifying the image selected by the selecting means,
5. The print system according to claim 3, further comprising a designation information transmission unit that transmits the designation data for designating the image data stored in the image storage unit to the print reception device. 6. The print accepting device further comprises: a managing unit that manages each image data stored in the storage unit by a management number assigned when a print request for an image based on each image data is received, and The image data transmitted by the image transmitting means to the image transmitting terminal is provided to the user of the image transmitting terminal in response to the print request being received by the print receiving device, and the print request is simultaneously received. Image data corresponding to a management number designated by the image transmission terminal based on an index print in which a reduced index image based on the image data obtained and a management number given by the management means are displayed. The printing system according to claim 5, wherein 7. A print accepting device, wherein the print accepting device manages each image data stored in the storage means by a management number assigned when a print request for an image based on each image data is accepted; In response to the print request being received by the device, each of the index prints is provided to the user of the image transmission terminal, and at the same time, a reduced index image based on the image data for which the print request has been received is displayed. 7. The print system according to claim 1, further comprising: request content adding means for displaying the content of a print request of an image indicated by each index image in correspondence with the index image. 8. The print system according to claim 1, wherein the image transmission terminal is a digital camera that sends image data of a photographed subject to the print reception device. 9. A print accepting apparatus for accepting a print request of an image based on image data sent from an image sending terminal connected via a network, wherein the image sending terminal sends the image sent offline from a user of the image sending terminal. Input means for inputting user information used for receiving a print request, offline information storage means for storing user information input by the input means, and user information stored in the offline information storage means via a network. And a transmission unit for transmitting the image data to the image transmission terminal. 10. An image transmitting terminal for transmitting the image data via a network to a print receiving apparatus for receiving a print request for an image based on the image data. Information entered and stored in the device,
Receiving means for receiving from the print accepting apparatus user information used for accepting a print request for the image in the print accepting apparatus; storing means for storing the user information received by the receiving means; A transmitting unit for transmitting the stored user information and image data to the print receiving apparatus. 11. The image transmission terminal according to claim 10, wherein the image data is image data of a photographed subject. 12. A print accepting apparatus for accepting a print request for an image based on image data, an image transmitting terminal for transmitting the image data via a network, and a print accepting apparatus for accepting a print request for the image. A user information registration method for registering user information to be performed, wherein a user of the image transmission terminal provides the user information to the print accepting device offline, and the provided user information is provided to the print accepting device. Inputting and storing, and after this step, when the image transmitting terminal is first connected to the print receiving device, the print receiving device transmits the input and stored user information to the image transmitting terminal. And the image transmitting terminal receives the transmitted user information. That step and said image transmission terminal, the user information registration method characterized by comprising the step of storing the user information received.