JP2004017386A - Image processor,and label forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize an easy-to-use label forming system in which the labor of a user required for retrieving is eliminated by selecting a background image suitable for data to be printed from a history of use in the past and displaying it as a candidate of selection with the highest priority. <P>SOLUTION: The image processor comprising a means for selecting and displaying a plurality of candidate data of related second image data based on first image data generated to be recorded on a recording medium is further provided with a means for altering the order of the candidate data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a label data selection method thereof, and a recording medium, and in particular, collects the usage fee when used by a user, and stores a video, audio, information storage medium, and a storage medium, Alternatively, the present invention relates to a label recording device and a label producing system to be attached to a storage medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a storage medium for storing video, audio, and information represented by a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, an IC card, a memory card, and the like, a case for storing the storage medium, a pasted object (label, seal, index) A printing apparatus that generates print data of a card or the like and prints the generated print data on the attached material has been proposed by the present applicant (JP-A-2000-190575).
[0003]
In such a printing apparatus, a background image of a label is operated such that a user searches for and selects a background image that fits the label data from a prepared list.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the method of selecting a background image of a label using the above-described conventional recording apparatus and its system has a problem in that the time required to create a label is long because the search is performed by narrowing down from a large number of lists. Was.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to realize an easy-to-use label creation system that eliminates user's trouble of searching by selecting a background image suitable for data to be printed from past use results and displaying the highest priority as a selection candidate. And
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has implemented the following means.
[0007]
In an image processing apparatus having candidate data selection means for selecting and displaying a plurality of candidate data to be related second image data based on first image data created for recording on a recording medium,
It is characterized by comprising a rank changing means for changing the rank of the candidate data,
Image processing device.
[0008]
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second image data is a background image based on the created image data.
[0009]
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said order changing means changes the order based on usage record data.
[0010]
In a label creation system including a server computer, an information processing device that creates recording data to be recorded on a label suitable for a predetermined object, and a recording device that records based on the created recording data,
The information processing device includes: a unit that transmits usage data to the server computer using a communication unit; a unit that receives usage result data compiled by the server computer based on the usage data; And a selecting means for selecting background image matching data matching the recorded image.
[0011]
In a label creation system including a server computer, an information processing device that creates recording data to be recorded on a label suitable for a predetermined object, and a recording device that records based on the created recording data,
A label creation system, comprising: means for simultaneously transmitting the latest label recording data and background image matching data from the server computer to the information processing apparatus via communication means.
[0012]
In a label creation system including an information processing device that creates recording data to be recorded on a label that matches a predetermined target object, and a recording device that records based on the created recording data,
A label creation system comprising: means for changing a display order of background images based on label data from the beginning of the latest label creation based on the latest label and background image matching data transmitted simultaneously using communication means.
[0013]
In a label creation system including an information processing device that creates recording data to be recorded on a label that matches a predetermined target object, and a recording device that records based on the created recording data,
A label producing system comprising means for generating label background image matching data inside the recording device.
[0014]
The label making system is an automatic vending system,
Label making system.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
(1st Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a label producing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017]
The label creation system 101 includes a computer 102, a touch panel monitor 103, a coin vender 104, a printer 105, and an outlet 106 for outputting a recorded label.
[0018]
The label creation system 101 is used for a storage medium for storing video, music, and information represented by a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, an IC card, or a memory card, and a case for storing the storage medium, or an MP3 player. It has a function of printing information such as a song name, a title name, and an artist name of a sound or the like that the user wants to print on an attached material (label, sticker, index card, or the like) compatible with a storage device having a representative storage medium.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the connection between the label creation system 101 and the server computer 201.
[0020]
The plurality of label creation systems 101 (101a to 101e) are connected to a server computer 201 for counting usage result data via a communication line such as the Internet 202.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing connections inside the label creation system 101.
[0022]
In FIG. 3, reference numerals 301 to 308 denote typical components of an information processing apparatus (personal computer) 102 constituting the label creation system 101. The CPU 301, the memory 302, the hard disk 303, the FD drive 304, and the CDROM drive 305, a network interface 306, a peripheral interface 307, and a video controller 308.
[0023]
The hard disk 303 stores a control program of the recording device executed by the CPU 301 and a database of recording data including song names, title names, artist names, and the like.
[0024]
The control program is executed by the CPU 301 after being copied to the memory 302.
[0025]
The computer 102 is connected to the Internet 202 via a network interface 306 and performs communication.
[0026]
The display of the monitor (display) of the touch panel type monitor 103 is controlled by the RGB signal from the video controller 308, and the CPU 301 reads a touch operation input on the screen of the user via the interface 307 from the touch panel attached on the monitor.
[0027]
The coin vendor 104 also communicates with the computer main body via the interface 307, and controls collection of a usage fee using the label creation system 101.
[0028]
The recording device 105 receives recording data from the computer main body 102 via a relatively high-speed interface 309 such as USB or IEEE1284, prints a label or other attached material, and outputs the attached material to the outlet 106.
[0029]
FIG. 4 shows an electrical block diagram of the server computer 201.
[0030]
The server computer 201 can be realized by a normal personal computer, and includes a CPU 401, a memory 402, a hard disk drive 403, an FDD 404, a CDROM drive 405, a network interface 406, peripheral interfaces 407 and 409, a video controller 408, a keyboard and a mouse (FIG. (Not shown).
[0031]
The hard disk drive 403 has a control program that manages usage record data of each label creation system, a control program that calculates the background image selection status of each label creation system based on the use record data, and generates matching data. Stores usage data of the creation system.
[0032]
The control program is executed by the CPU 401 after being copied to the memory 402.
[0033]
The CPU 401 of the server computer 201 is connected to the Internet 202 via the network interface 406 and performs communication.
[0034]
Next, a label creation method using the label creation system 101, transmission of use result data, and a procedure for updating matching data will be described with reference to FIG.
[0035]
In the present control processing, a case in which a user prints a label to be attached to a mini disc will be described as an example.
[0036]
FIGS. 5 to 7 are flowcharts showing a control process of the CPU 301 in the PC 102 constituting the label creating system 101.
[0037]
8 is a schematic diagram of a background image selection screen displayed on the touch panel monitor 103 in the control processing of FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a print result (MD label).
[0038]
FIG. 10 shows use result data of the printing apparatus 101.
[0039]
In FIG. 5, when the system is activated (Step S501) and the user inserts a coin in the state of the standby screen (Step S504) (Step S507), the label creation system 101 can start using.
[0040]
In order to select the input method of the content (tune) to be printed on the label, a predetermined menu display screen is displayed on the screen of the touch panel monitor 103, and the user selects the input method (step S508).
[0041]
In the present embodiment, an example of an input method for creating a label based on an album TOP20 ranking database, which is updated at regular intervals from the server computer 201 and stored in the hard disk 303 of the PC 102 in the label creation system 101, will be described. I do.
[0042]
When the album TOP20 input method is selected (step S509), the user selects an album to be created from among the album TOP20 rankings at that time, for example, using an icon on the screen (step S510).
[0043]
Next, the input items of the album selected by the user in step S510 are confirmed (step S511).
[0044]
If the user wants to change the contents, the user can edit the label title, artist name, song order / song name, etc. by selecting "edit" (Y in step S512) (step S513).
[0045]
Next, a label background image is selected from the screen 801 (see FIG. 8).
[0046]
First, a search is performed to determine whether there is background image matching data that matches the image data of the selected label (step S514). If no matching data exists, a basic background image 804 is displayed.
[0047]
FIG. 15 shows a display example when there is matching data of a background image.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 8, when there is no matching data, or when the user wants to select another data, the user selects a genre of the background with the button 803, and then selects the background 804.
[0049]
A button 805 searches for another background image list in the same genre.
[0050]
In this way, the selected image including the background is confirmed by the label image preview 802, and if the background is determined (S515), the process proceeds to the next with the button 806.
[0051]
Finally, the user edits the character font and color (step S516). The final state of the label to be printed determined in this way is checked on a label image preview (not shown) on a character font / color editing screen (not shown). Printing is started by a print button on an edit screen (not shown) (step S517).
[0052]
In order to record the label 901 (FIG. 9) whose print content has been determined up to step S517, the recording data is transmitted from the memory 302 of the computer 102 to the recording device 105, and based on the recording data, the label 901 which is an attached object is recorded. To print.
[0053]
In the entire label (901), for example, relatively large-sized labels 902 and 907 record all items including the recorded songs 1 to 5, and the other labels 903 to 906 include only the album title and the artist name. Record
[0054]
Labels 908 to 910 can be used for advertisements, service tickets, and the like.
[0055]
During the recording operation on the label, a screen (not shown) indicating that the printing process is being performed is displayed (step S518).
[0056]
Here, inside the PC 102, the label creation data 1003 to 1010 are temporarily stored in the hard disk 303 as a part of the use result data by using the time during the recording operation so that the content 1001 used by the user for label creation can be transmitted to the server. It is stored (step S519).
[0057]
In FIG. 10, reference numeral 1001 denotes data before transmission to the server 201. The contents created in the label 901 are displayed in 1003 to 1010, and the label contents created next are displayed in 1011 and below.
[0058]
Reference numeral 1002 denotes header information for distinguishing use result data in each of the label creation systems (101a to 101e) connected as shown in FIG.
[0059]
1003 indicates the date and time when the label was created by the user, and serves as a delimiter for one piece of label data.
[0060]
Reference numeral 1004 denotes a label title / artist name printed on the labels 902 to 907 in the label 901.
[0061]
Reference numeral 1005 denotes data of a song name printed on the labels 902 and 907 in the label 901.
[0062]
1006 is a code representing the character color of the labels 902 to 907 in the label 901.
[0063]
1007 is a code representing the type of the background image used for the labels 902 to 907 in the label 901.
[0064]
A code 1008 indicates the type of the advertisement label 908 in the label 901.
[0065]
Reference numeral 1009 denotes a code indicating the type of the advertisement label 909 in the label 901.
[0066]
Reference numeral 1010 denotes a code indicating the type of the advertisement label 910 in the label 901.
[0067]
Similar to the above 1004 to 1010, another label data is described below 1011.
[0068]
When the use result data is stored in the hard disk 303 inside the PC 102 of the label creation system 101 in step S519 (FIG. 7), as shown in FIG. 10, the identification data 1002 of the label creation system 101 and the next The usage history data 1001 including the usage data 1011 of the user is generated, and the usage history data 1001 is transmitted to the server computer 201 at the set date and time after the label creation system 101 is started next time (steps S502 and S503).
[0069]
When the recording operation is completed, a label such as 901 is output (discharged) to the take-out port 106, the screen returns to the initial screen (step S521), and a series of processing ends.
[0070]
Next, a control process performed by the server computer 201 based on the usage record data 1001 will be described below.
[0071]
FIG. 11 shows the contents of the matching data transmitted from the server computer 201 to the label creation system 101.
[0072]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the server computer 201.
[0073]
FIG. 13 is a table showing data communication between the label creation system 101 and the server computer 201 in chronological order.
[0074]
FIG. 15 is an example of a background image candidate selection screen to be displayed on the touch panel monitor 103 based on the matching data 1101.
[0075]
When the server computer 201 receives the usage result data 1001, it temporarily stores the usage result data in the hard disk 403, tallies the usage result data received from each of the label creation systems 101a to 101e, and generates the matching data in FIG.
[0076]
12, the matching data is written from the server computer 201 to each of the label creation systems 101a to 101e.
[0077]
First, the latest data rewriting program is started in the server computer 201, the generated latest matching data 1101 is selected, and the latest matching data rewriting is started (step S1201).
[0078]
The latest data rewriting program transmits a command for inquiring the current state from the server computer 201 to the label creation system 101 (step S1202).
[0079]
If the label creation system 101 is not currently used by the user and can be rewritten, an acknowledgment is returned (steps S505 and S1203).
[0080]
Upon receiving the affirmative response (step S1203), the server computer 201 transmits the latest matching data 1101 to each of the label creation systems 101a to 101e (step S1204).
[0081]
The label creation system 101 receives the latest matching data 1101, analyzes the header information 1102, and if it is the latest matching data, writes the latest data 1103 in the latest data storage area of the label database and returns an end response (step S506). , S1205).
[0082]
When the server computer 201 receives the end response in step S1205, the latest data rewriting process ends (step S1206).
It should be noted that the latest data rewriting program of the server computer 201 may be started automatically when the usage result data 1101 is received, or may be arbitrarily operated by operating the server computer 201.
[0083]
In the label creation system 101, for example, a database as shown in FIG. 16 is provided based on the latest data 1103 transmitted from the server computer 201 in step S 1205, and the database 1601 is referred to. When the same title is selected, when a background image is selected (step S515), an optimal background image 1403 (FIG. 14) that was not preferentially displayed in FIG. 8 is selected as a background image candidate from background image data 1606 associated with the database 1601. Is preferentially selected and displayed as shown in FIG.
[0084]
As described above, according to the first embodiment according to the operation flow charts of FIGS. 5 to 7 in which the present invention is implemented, the first embodiment is represented by a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, an IC card, a memory card, and the like. Storage medium for storing video, audio, information, and the like, a case for storing the storage medium, and a label creation system 101 for recording on a sticky object compatible with a storage device having the storage medium, such as an MP3 player. The label creation system connected to the server computer via the network sends the usage record data to the server computer, and changes the display order of the label background image candidates based on the use record data so that the user can use it quickly. An easy-to-use label creation system can be realized.
[0085]
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the use time per label creation system 101, and to increase the number of label creation system users and the operation rate of the label creation system even during the same operation time.
[0086]
By using this method, the server computer aggregates the usage results of each label creation system and generates matching data, so that common matching data can be generated for multiple label creation systems, eliminating individual differences Can be.
[0087]
Further, since matching data can be generated from a wide range of data, there is an effect that more accurate matching information can be provided.
[0088]
(Second embodiment)
Next, a label creation system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0089]
The configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only different points from the first embodiment will be described below.
[0090]
FIG. 16 shows update data of the label creation system 101.
[0091]
In the first embodiment, the matching data 1101 of FIG. 11 which is the matching information of only the background image is received separately from the latest label data from the server computer. However, in the second embodiment, the matching data is received in the second embodiment. This is a method in which background image matching data is added to the latest label data.
[0092]
As in the first embodiment, when the label creating system 101 is activated and the latest data 1601 is transmitted from the server computer 201 in the processing of FIG. 12 during standby or the like, the database in each label creating system 101 is updated ( Steps S505 and 506).
[0093]
By adding the matching data of the background image such as 1606 to the latest data 1601, for example, it is possible to register the matching data in the label creation system 101 from the beginning of the label data registration.
[0094]
In this way, if the matching data of the background image exists from the beginning of the label database registration, the optimum background image candidate can be preferentially displayed on the screen shown in FIG.
[0095]
According to the second embodiment, since the display order of the label background images can be changed from the beginning of the label creation, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus that conforms to the data update speed.
[0096]
(Third embodiment)
Next, a label creation system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0097]
The configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only different points from the first embodiment will be described below.
[0098]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a control process of the CPU 301 in the computer PC 102 of FIG.
[0099]
In the first embodiment, the matching data is sent from the server computer to the label creating system 101, and the background image display order is changed based on the data. In the third embodiment, the label creating system 101 creates the label creating system 101. This is a system in which the system 101 collects statistics and generates matching data.
[0100]
As in the first embodiment, when the selection of the label data is completed, the recording operation is started according to a user's instruction (step S1717).
[0101]
During the recording process, a recording process in-progress screen is displayed (step S1718).
[0102]
Here, in order to generate matching data using the time during the recording process of the label creation system 101, the CPU 301 of the PC 102 totals the current label data and temporarily stores it on the hard disk 303 as a part of the matching data (step S1719). ).
[0103]
Similarly, as a result of counting the matching data that has been stored before, if the matching data needs to be updated (step S1720), update data is created and temporarily stored (step S1721).
[0104]
When the printing process is completed, a label such as 901 (FIG. 9) is output (discharged) from the outlet 106, and the screen returns to the initial screen (step S1723).
[0105]
The state at this time corresponds to step S504 in FIG.
[0106]
After returning to the initial screen (FIG. 5, step S504), if update data has been created, the data is updated (FIG. 5, steps S505, 506).
[0107]
According to the third embodiment, the background image matching data can be generated in the label creation system, and the display order of the background images can be changed based on the data to reduce the number of times of communication with the server computer. The load on the entire creation system can be reduced.
[0108]
In the first to third embodiments, the label creation system 101 has described the creation of a label to be attached to, for example, a mini-disc. However, a magneto-optical disc including a CD or a DVD, a magnetic tape such as a cassette tape, a magnetic disc, Flash memory including an IC card, an SD memory card, a memory stick, a smart media, and a storage medium such as a flash memory card, a case accommodating the storage medium, and a label, a sticker, and an index card to be attached to a storage device such as an MP3 player. Etc. can be implemented similarly.
[0109]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, each label creation system connected to the server computer via the network transmits the usage result data to the server computer, and based on the usage result data, generates a label background image. By changing the display order, a label creation system that is easy for the user to use can be provided.
[0110]
In addition, since the user can easily select a background image that does not match the label data without searching, the time for creating a label using the system can be reduced.
[0111]
Further, by generating matching data by totalizing the use results of each label creation system by the server computer, it is possible to generate common matching data and eliminate individual differences in the label creation system.
[0112]
When background image matching data is generated in the label creation system 101, the background image candidate ranking can be changed based on the data, so that the number of times of communication with the server is reduced, and the load on the entire system can be reduced.
[0113]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a label producing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a connection between the label creation system and a server computer.
FIG. 3 is an electrical block diagram of the label producing system.
FIG. 4 is an electrical block diagram of a server computer 201.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control process of a computer 102 in the label creation system.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing subsequent to FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing subsequent to FIG. 6;
8 is a schematic diagram of a basic selection screen of a label background image displayed on the touch panel monitor 103 in the processing of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a print result of the entire label.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a content example of label creation system use result data according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the content of background image matching data according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the content of data communication with the label creation system when updating data from the server computer 201.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the contents of data communication with the label creation system when updating data from the server computer 201.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a database relating to matching data of a background image to an image.
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a display screen preferentially displayed as a background image candidate.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the content of update data according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of a computer according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 Label creation system 102 Computer (PC)
103 Touch Panel Display 104 Coin Vendor 105 Recording Device 106 Outlet 201 Server Computer 202 Internet 301 CPU
302 Memory (RAM)
303 Hard disk drive 304 FDD
305 CDROM drive 306 Network interface 307 Peripheral (device) interface 308 Video controller 309 Peripheral (device) interface 401 CPU
402 Memory (RAM)
403 Hard disk drive 404 FDD
405 CDROM drive 406 Network interface 407 Peripheral (equipment) interface 408 Video controller 409 Peripheral (equipment) interface 410 Display 801 Normal selection screen of background image 901 Example of label print result 1401 Selection screen of background image displaying candidate data

Claims (8)

In an image processing apparatus having candidate data selection means for selecting and displaying a plurality of candidate data to be related second image data based on first image data created for recording on a recording medium,
It is characterized by comprising a rank changing means for changing the rank of the candidate data,
Image processing device. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second image data is a background image based on the created image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the order changing unit changes the order based on use result data. In a label creation system including a server computer, an information processing device that creates recording data to be recorded on a label suitable for a predetermined object, and a recording device that records based on the created recording data,
The information processing device includes: a unit that transmits usage data to the server computer using a communication unit; a unit that receives usage result data compiled by the server computer based on the usage data; And a selecting means for selecting background image matching data matching the recorded image. In a label creation system including a server computer, an information processing device that creates recording data to be recorded on a label suitable for a predetermined object, and a recording device that records based on the created recording data,
A label creation system, comprising: means for simultaneously transmitting the latest label recording data and background image matching data from the server computer to the information processing apparatus via communication means. In a label creation system including an information processing device that creates recording data to be recorded on a label that matches a predetermined target object, and a recording device that records based on the created recording data,
A label creation system comprising: means for changing a display order of background images based on label data from the beginning of the latest label creation based on the latest label and background image matching data transmitted simultaneously using communication means. In a label creation system including an information processing device that creates recording data to be recorded on a label that matches a predetermined target object, and a recording device that records based on the created recording data,
A label producing system comprising means for generating label background image matching data inside the recording device. 8. The label producing system according to claim 1, wherein the label producing system is an automatic vending system.

Images