JP2010078697A - Delivery system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a delivery system which can cope with even a case where the number of image prints to be delivered is smaller than the number of ordered image prints. <P>SOLUTION: A storage part stores the image prints for every order so that the image prints related to an order received from a customer may be delivered to the customer. A number-of-delivered-prints acquiring part 48B acquires the number of prints to be delivered that is the number of image prints to be delivered to the customer, and a number-of-ordered-prints acquiring part 48A acquires the number of ordered prints that is the number of image prints ordered from the customer. A delivery requirement acquiring part acquires a delivery requirement of the image prints related to the order from the customer, and a sending part sends the image prints related to the order for which delivery is required from the storage part. In such a case, a message output part compares the number of prints to be delivered with the number of ordered prints, and outputs a message about a deficient state in the number of prints to be delivered when the number of prints to be delivered is smaller than the number of ordered prints. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a delivery system for delivering an image print relating to an order received from a customer.

  With recent advances in photographic processing equipment, photographic processing equipment is becoming smaller and less expensive. For this reason, photo print stores install photo processing equipment called minilabs in their stores and process customer orders in the minilab, thereby reducing the time it takes for customers to deliver photo prints to customers. In addition to improving convenience, the company aims to differentiate itself from other stores by creating highly unique print images.

  In addition, there are an increasing number of stores where reception devices capable of inputting photo print orders are installed in stores so that customers can input image data for photo prints and order information such as the number of photo prints. By using such a reception device, labor saving of the store is achieved.

  Furthermore, installation of a delivery machine is also progressing in order to omit the photo prints when delivering them to customers and to improve customer convenience. For example, the print system of Patent Document 1 includes an order receiving device that receives an order, a printing device that performs photo printing related to the order, and a delivery device that transfers photo prints. The receiving device relates to delivery when an order is confirmed. Information is displayed.

  In the technique of Patent Document 1, information regarding a photo print delivery method, a delivery device installation location, and the like is presented to a customer when an order is confirmed. Thereby, the customer can receive a photographic print without the help of the store clerk.

JP 2007-249827 (paragraph number 0006-0008, FIG. 6)

  When using the receiving apparatus as described above, a desired image is selected while viewing thumbnail images, and the number of prints and the like are input. However, for some reason, the thumbnail image data is normal, but the image data may be abnormal. In such a case, an order can be accepted but a photo print cannot be performed.

  In general, when using the reception device as described above, the customer pays a photo print fee at the time of reception. For this reason, if the number of photo prints delivered is smaller than the number of photo prints ordered, the fee for the shortage must be refunded to the customer.

  In such a case, even if the delivery device of Patent Document 1 is used, it is necessary to go through a store clerk, and sufficient labor savings and improvement in customer convenience cannot be achieved.

  In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a delivery system that can cope with a case where the number of delivered image prints is less than the ordered number.

  In order to solve the above problems, a delivery system according to the present invention is a delivery system for delivering an image print relating to an order received from a customer to the customer, the accommodation unit accommodating the image print for each order, and the order A delivery number obtaining unit that obtains a delivery number that is the number of image prints accommodated in the accommodation unit, and an order number obtaining unit that obtains an order number that is the number of image prints ordered according to the order; A delivery request acquisition unit for acquiring a delivery request for the image print relating to the order; a sending unit for sending the image print relating to the order requested for delivery from the storage unit; and The delivery number is compared with the order number, and if the delivery number is less than the order number, the delivery number is Comprises a message output unit for outputting a message to the effect that by adding a.

  In this configuration, the number of ordered image prints is compared with the number of image prints delivered to the customer, and if there is a shortage of image prints delivered to the customer, a message to that effect is displayed. Thereby, the customer can know that the image print is insufficient.

  In one preferred embodiment of the delivery system of the present invention, the message output unit calculates a fee for the image print corresponding to the shortage of the delivery number as a refund amount, and the message includes the return amount. Refund information is included.

  In this configuration, the message includes the charge for the missing image print, that is, the difference between the charge paid at the time of ordering and the charge for the image print actually received as a return amount. Thereby, the customer can know the refund amount.

  In this case, if the delivery system is configured to perform refund processing to the customer, it is possible to improve the convenience of the customer and save labor in the store, which is preferable.

  Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the delivery system of the present invention, a refund information acquisition unit that acquires the refund information and a refund unit that delivers an amount corresponding to the refund amount to the customer are provided. With this configuration, the customer can receive a refund from the delivery system.

  Normally, when the image data cannot be used, the image data is not printed but is skipped. However, if the customer specifies image data according to the desired arrangement or arrangement, such as album printing, the arrangement and arrangement specified by the customer will be lost if image printing is skipped, and the product value may be reduced. There is a risk of reducing the trust of the store.

  Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the delivery system of the present invention, the image data is formed based on the order information, the receiving unit that acquires the image data related to the order and the order information representing the contents of the order An image print unit for printing on a medium, and when the image data cannot be printed, the image print unit prints predetermined image data on the image forming medium and transfers the number of the image prints. Not included.

  In this configuration, when image data cannot be printed, predetermined image data is printed instead of the image data designated by the customer. In particular, in the case of printing in a form in which a template image and image data specified by a customer are combined, it is preferable that the predetermined image data is image data that fills a blank area in the template image. In such a case, although the image print is performed, the image print is not designated by the customer, and therefore the number of image prints relating to the predetermined image data is excluded from the number of delivered images.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a delivery system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
〔System configuration〕
As shown in FIG. 1, the delivery stem in this embodiment forms an image on an image forming medium P made of silver salt type photographic paper based on information from a receiving device A that receives orders from a customer and the receiving device A. A silver halide printer B that performs printing and a delivery device E that delivers image prints to customers are connected by a communication network L. In this embodiment, the communication network L uses a wired LAN, but a wireless LAN or other communication technology may be used.

  The delivery device E in the present embodiment uses a first delivery device E1, a second delivery device E2, and a third delivery device E3. Note that these are collectively referred to as the delivery device E, unless particularly required to be distinguished. These delivery devices E store photographic prints corresponding to the print size and the type of image forming medium P used for photographic printing.

  The first delivery device E1 and the second delivery device E2 include an inkjet printer C that prints image data on an image forming medium P made of recording paper, and an envelope D that encloses the printed image forming medium P in a processing bag Q. It has been. Further, the developer D automatically loads the image forming medium P enclosed in the processing bag Q into the corresponding storage unit 46 (an example of the storage unit in the present invention) of the delivery device E.

  On the other hand, the third delivery device E3 is not provided with the ink jet printer C, and the image forming medium P printed by the silver salt printer B is manually sealed in the processing bag Q and stored in the storage unit 46. Loading is done.

[Reception device]
As shown in FIG. 2, the accepting device A includes an upper accepting terminal AU and a lower fee accepting terminal AD. The reception terminal AU includes a semiconductor drive 2 for acquiring image data from various semiconductor recording media including a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, a disk drive 3 for acquiring image data from a disk-type recording medium such as a CD-R, and a reception The receipt certificate printer 4 that prints and discharges the certificate R (see FIG. 6), the connector 5 that is connected to a device such as a camera-equipped mobile phone, and obtains image data, and various displays and enables the input from the customer A display 7 having a touch panel 6 formed on the display surface is provided. The main body 1 includes an acceptance control unit 8 that performs various controls using a microprocessor as a core member.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the reception control unit 8 receives the order receiving information 8 </ b> A that performs an order receiving process from the customer, and order specifying information that generates information that can specify the received order (hereinafter referred to as order specifying information). A generating unit 8B, a delivery device specifying information generating unit 8C that generates information (hereinafter referred to as delivery device specifying information) that can specify the delivery device E that delivers the processing bag Q in which the image print relating to the order is enclosed; Order receipt creation unit 8D that creates receipt R that prints information necessary for delivery including delivery information and delivery information, and order-specific image data on image recording medium HD such as a hard disk An image management unit 8E that stores and manages the information in association with information is provided. In this embodiment, the receiving unit 8A, the order specifying information generating unit 8B, the delivery device specifying information generating unit 8C, the receipt creating unit 8D, and the image managing unit 8E are configured by software, but may be configured by hardware. Alternatively, the software and hardware may cooperate with each other.

  In the present embodiment, the order specifying information uses numbers assigned exclusively for each order, and the delivery device specifying information uses numbers assigned exclusively to each delivery device E. You may use.

  On the other hand, the fee receiving terminal AD is provided at an upper position of the vertically long case 10, and includes a coin receiver 11 having a coin insertion hole 11A for receiving coins, and a banknote receiver having a bill insertion hole 12A for receiving banknotes. 12 and a change dispenser 13 provided at a lower position of the case 10 and provided with a change discharge port 13A for discharging change.

[Silver printer]
As shown in FIG. 1, the silver halide printer B includes a housing 20 having a dark box structure, a film scanner 22 for acquiring image data from a film on an upper surface of a console 21 at an end of the housing 20, and a display 23 for displaying various information. The disk drive 24, the keyboard 25, and a microprocessor are the core members, and a main control unit 26 that performs various processes necessary for image printing is provided.

  Further, inside the housing 20, an exposure unit (not shown) for exposing the image forming medium P made of photographic paper, a developing unit (not shown) for developing the image forming medium P after exposure, and A drying unit (not shown) for drying the image forming medium P after the development processing is provided. On the other hand, outside the housing 20 are provided a transport belt 27 that transports the image forming medium P after drying, and a sorter 28 that sorts the image forming medium P transported by the transport belt 27 in units of orders.

[Inkjet printer]
As shown in FIG. 3, the inkjet printer C is formed with a conveyance path in which a plurality of pressure rollers 31 are arranged so as to convey an image forming medium P made of recording paper wound up in a roll shape. An image is formed by the print head 32 and the print head 32 that discharge ink while reciprocating in the direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) with respect to the image forming medium P conveyed along A cutter 33 that cuts the image forming medium P into a print size, and a print control unit 34 that controls the operation of the microprocessor as a core member.

[Envelope]
As shown in FIG. 3, the developer D stacks and temporarily stores the image forming media P printed by the ink jet printer C, and encloses the stored image forming media P in the processing bag Q in units of orders. The processing bag Q in which the image forming medium P is enclosed by the enclosing unit 36 is placed, lifted to the insertion height, and moved in the horizontal direction to be set at the insertion position, and placed at the shift mechanism 37 at the insertion position. A pusher 38 for inserting the processing bag Q placed therein into the delivery device E, and a sealing control unit 39 for controlling the operation of the microprocessor as a core member.

  In the enveloper D, the enclosure control unit 39 inserts the image forming medium P continuously sent from the ink jet printer C into the processing bag Q of a predetermined size in order units, and closes the insertion port of the processing bag Q to thereby form the image forming medium. P is sealed, and control is performed for insertion into the accommodation space S of the delivery device E.

  In the present embodiment, the developer D is configured to enclose the image forming medium P in the processing bag Q. However, instead of the processing bag Q, the envelope D is sealed in a box-shaped container, or an image without using the processing bag is used. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a package is formed by winding a sheet of paper or resin around the forming medium P.

[Delivery device]
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the delivery device E includes a display 43 on which a touch panel 42 that enables input from a customer or the like is formed on a display screen that displays information on the front surface of the housing 41, and a receipt R A barcode reader 44 (an example of a delivery request acquisition unit in the present invention) that reads the order specifying information, a speaker 45, and a printer 51 that prints out a message to the customer. An opening 41G for sending the image forming medium P enclosed in the processing bag Q is formed at the center of the casing 41, and an inlet 41H for receiving the processing bag Q sent from the developer D is formed on the back of the casing 41. Is formed.

  Inside the housing 41 are provided two storage units 46 that move up and down, and an electric lift motor 46M that lifts and lowers the storage unit 46. At the rear part of the housing 41, a delivery plate 47 that sends out the processing bag Q accommodated in the accommodation space S of the accommodation unit 46 from the opening 41G, and a delivery plate 47 (an example of a delivery unit in the present invention) are driven out and back. An electric exit / retreat motor 47M is provided, and a housing control unit 48 configured by a microprocessor and controlling these operations is provided in the housing 41.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the delivery control unit 48 determines the number of ordered image prints (hereinafter referred to as the number of orders) related to the order of the order identification information read by the barcode reader 44 (hereinafter referred to as delivery order). Order number acquisition unit 48A that acquires the number of image prints enclosed in the processing bag Q related to the delivery order accommodated in the accommodation space S (hereinafter referred to as delivery number) 48B. And a message generation unit 48C that compares the number of delivered sheets with the number of ordered sheets and generates a message indicating that the number of image prints is insufficient when the number of delivered sheets is smaller than the number of ordered sheets. The message output unit of the present invention is configured by the printer 51 printing the message generated by the message 48C. In this embodiment, the order number acquisition unit 48A, the delivery number acquisition unit 48B, and the message generation unit 48C are configured by software, but may be configured by hardware, and the software and hardware cooperate. It does not matter as a configuration.

  The storage unit 46 includes a plurality of instruction plates 46 </ b> A, thereby defining the inside of the storage unit 46 and a rack in which a plurality of storage spaces S are formed. The two storage units 46 are arranged in parallel on the left and right, one of which is provided with two rows of support plates 46A and the other of which is provided with a row of support plates 46A.

  The housing unit 46 moves up and down along a guide rail (not shown) when the driving force from the lifting motor 46M is transmitted through the chain. Further, at the time of raising and lowering, the two housing units 46 are configured to move up and down in directions opposite to each other, thereby balancing the weight balance.

  Moreover, the raising / lowering position of the accommodating unit 46 is acquired by a sensor (not shown), and the delivery control unit 48 determines the positional relationship between each accommodating space S and the opening 41G and the positional relationship between each accommodating space S and the introduction port 41H. It has a configuration that can be grasped. Furthermore, the delivery control unit 48 also manages the relationship between the storage space S and the processing bags Q, order identification information, the number of orders, and the number of deliveries.

  With this configuration, when receiving the processing bag Q enclosing the image forming medium P from the developer D, the storage space S in which the processing bag Q is not stored is moved up and down to the position of the introduction port 41H. The accommodation space S in which the processing bag Q to be sent out is accommodated can be moved up and down to the position of the opening 41G.

[Reception, printing process]
Next, the flow of reception and printing processing in this embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  When the customer inserts a semiconductor recording medium, a disk-type recording medium or a mobile phone on which image data to be printed is inserted into the semiconductor drive 2 or the disk drive 3 of the receiving terminal AU or is connected to the connector 4, the receiving unit 8A The recorded image data is acquired, and a thumbnail image of the acquired image data is displayed on the display 7. At this time, if the image data is in a format that includes a thumbnail image such as an EXIF (EXchangeable Image File) format, the receiving unit 8A uses the thumbnail image and includes a thumbnail image such as a RAW format. If the format is not, a thumbnail image is generated from the image data.

  While viewing the displayed thumbnail image, the customer selects an image to be printed via the touch panel 6 and inputs order information such as the number of prints. The input order information is acquired by the receiving unit 8A (# 01).

  The reception control unit 8 holds basic charges (hereinafter referred to as a charge table) necessary for image print size, image print unit price, album print, and the like for each type of image recording medium P to be used. Is acquired based on the charge table, the charge required for the print processing of the acquired order information is calculated, and the charge is displayed on the display 7. When the customer performs a fee payment process for the displayed fee from the fee receiving terminal AD (# 02), the order specifying information generating unit 8B generates the order specifying information of the accepted order (# 03). Further, the delivery device specifying information generation unit 8C, based on the print size of the order information, the type of the image forming medium P, and the like, the delivery device specifying information of the delivery device E that accommodates the image forming medium P on which the image of this order is printed. Is generated (# 04). In the subsequent processing, the order specifying information and the delivery device specifying information are included in the order information.

  The receipt creation unit 8D creates a receipt image in which the order identification information, the reception device identification information, the scheduled date and time of completion, the contents of the order, the receipt amount, and the like are described. R (see FIG. 6) is created and discharged (# 05).

  The accepting unit 8A sends the acquired image data and order information to the image management unit 8E, and the image management unit 8E records the image data and the order specifying information in association with each other (# 06).

  Next, the reception control unit 8 determines whether or not the delivery device E specified by the delivery device specifying information includes the inkjet printer C, and when the delivery device E includes the inkjet printer C (# Yes branch of 07, in this embodiment, the first delivery device E1 or the second delivery device E2), with respect to the print control unit 34 of the inkjet printer C provided in the delivery device E specified from the reception control unit 8 Image data and order information are sent (# 08).

  In the ink jet printer C that has acquired the image data and the order information, the print control unit 34 controls each part of the ink jet printer C based on the order information, converts the image data into print data used for printing, and forms an image made of recording paper. An image is printed by forming an image on the medium P (# 09). When image data is converted to print data, the image data may not be converted to print data due to reasons such as damage. In such a case, the image print relating to the damaged image data is not performed, and the fact is added to the order information. This process can be realized, for example, by providing a flag field indicating whether or not image printing of each image data has been completed in the order information and setting a flag for image data that cannot be printed.

  The printed image forming medium P is sequentially sent to the developer D. Note that the print control unit 34 informs the enclosure control unit 39 that the order identification information and the start of image printing are started prior to the start of image printing related to one order when the image printing of the order is completed. Notify completion and order information.

  The enclosure control unit 39 of the enveloper E that has acquired the order information from the print control unit 34 obtains the image forming medium P sent from the time when the notification of the start of the image printing is acquired until the notification of the completion is acquired to the processing bag. Enclose in Q (# 10). When the enclosure is completed, the enclosure control unit 39 notifies the delivery control unit 48 of the delivery apparatus E of the fact and the order information.

  In the delivery control unit 48 that has acquired the notification that the sealing process has been completed, the order number acquisition unit 48A acquires the number of image prints ordered from the order information (# 11), and the delivery number acquisition unit 48B receives the order. The number of printed image prints is acquired from the information (# 12). Further, the delivery control unit 48 identifies the accommodation space S in which the processing bag Q is not loaded (# 13), and stores the identified accommodation space S in association with the identified accommodation space S, the number of orders, and the delivery number (#). 14).

  Further, the delivery control unit 48 controls the elevating motor 46M so that the specified accommodation space S is positioned at the introduction port 41H. When the lifting / lowering operation is completed, the delivery control unit 48 notifies the enclosure control unit 39 to that effect and the position information of the accommodation space S, and the enclosure control unit 39 moves the shift mechanism 37 to the corresponding inlet 41H based on the position information. Then, the pusher 38 is operated to load the processing bag Q into the storage space S (# 15).

  On the other hand, when the delivery device E specified by the delivery device specifying information does not include the inkjet printer C (No branch of # 07, the third delivery device E3 in the present embodiment), the reception control unit 8 to the main control unit 26, image data and order information are sent (# 16).

  The main control unit 26 that has acquired the image data and the order information controls each part of the silver halide printer B based on the order information, and forms an image on the image forming medium P made of photographic paper, thereby printing an image. (# 17). Also in the silver halide printer B, an image is printed on the image forming medium P after conversion from image data to print data, as in the printing process in the inkjet printer C. If the image data cannot be converted into print data due to image data corruption or the like, the image print is skipped, and a message to that effect is recorded in the order information.

  When the image printing is completed by the silver halide printer B, it is enclosed in the processing bag Q by human operation (# 18) and loaded into the accommodation space S of the third delivery device E3 (# 19). At this time, the operator operates the touch panel 42 and inputs the order specifying information of the processing bag Q to be loaded. Further, the order information is sent from the main control unit 26 to the encapsulation control unit 39 of the third delivery device E3, and the order number acquisition unit 48A and the delivery number acquisition unit 48B acquire the order number and the delivery number from the order information, respectively. (# 20, 21), the delivery control unit 48 stores the storage space S in which the processing bag Q is loaded, the order specifying information, the number of orders, and the number of delivered items in association with each other (# 22).

[Delivery processing]
Below, the flow of the delivery process in this embodiment is demonstrated using the flowchart of FIG.

  The customer specifies the delivery device E in which the processing bag Q of the order received based on the delivery device identification information described in the receipt R is accommodated, and is described in the receipt R from the barcode reader 44 of the delivery device E. A barcode representing the specified order identification information is input (# 21). As a result, an image print delivery request relating to the order of the order specifying information indicated by the barcode is accepted.

  The acquired order specifying information is sent to the delivery control unit 48, and the delivery control unit 48 specifies the accommodation space S associated with the acquired order specifying information (# 22). Further, the delivery control unit 48 controls the lifting motor 46M to move the specified accommodation space S to the position of the opening 41G (# 23), and controls the retracting motor 47M to drive the delivery plate 47. Thus, the processing bag Q accommodated in the accommodation space S is sent out (# 24).

  At this time, the message generation unit 48C compares the number of orders associated with the acquired order specifying information with the number of delivered sheets. If the number of delivered sheets is smaller than the number of ordered sheets (Yes branch of # 25), the number of delivered sheets is An insufficient message is generated (# 26) and printed out from the printer 51. The customer can know from the printed message (hereinafter referred to as message print) that the number of delivered image prints is smaller than the ordered number.

  FIG. 10 is an example of the message print of this embodiment. This message print includes an order number, delivery date and time, the number of orders, and the number of processes. The number of orders is the number of image prints ordered by the customer, corresponding to the number of orders, and the number of processes is the number of image prints actually printed, corresponding to the number of deliveries. It is displayed every time. In this example of the message print, the fact that unusable image data is included and the image data numbers are displayed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, this message print can include a fee for the image print that could not be printed as a refund amount. In this case, the message generation unit 48C inquires the acceptance control unit 8 about the unit price of the image print, acquires the number of images that could not be printed from the order information, the print size, the type of the image forming medium P, and the like. Based on these, the charge for the image print failure is calculated, and the refund amount is included in the message as refund information. The customer can receive a refund by presenting the message print displaying the refund amount to the store clerk.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, a bar code representing the refund amount can be included in the message print as refund information. In this case, the delivery control unit 48 of the delivery device E acquires the barcode information of the message print read from the barcode reader 44 as refund information, and these function as a refund information acquisition unit. Further, the delivery device E includes a money storage unit (not shown) for storing money, and the delivery control unit 48 pays money to the customer from the money storage unit based on the refund information acquired by the refund amount information acquisition unit. It is preferable to function as In addition, the reception device A is provided with a barcode reader (not shown) that reads the barcode of the message print, and the reception control unit 8 and the barcode reader function as a refund information acquisition unit to acquire the reception control unit 8. It is also possible to function as a refund unit for returning the customer from the change dispenser 13 based on the refund information.

[Another embodiment]
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the message is printed out as a message print from the printer 51. However, the output form of the message is not limited to this, and can be displayed on the display 43. An output form such as transmitting message data to a portable device such as a cellular phone via the unit may be employed. Note that it is preferable to use wireless communication such as infrared or Bluetooth (registered trademark) for transmitting message data to a mobile phone or the like. In these cases, instead of the printer 51, the display 43 and a communication unit (not shown) function as a message output unit in cooperation with the message generation unit 48C.

  (2) In the above-described embodiment, the refund amount is included as a barcode in the message print. However, the return amount presentation form is not limited to this, and other forms may be used. For example, an IC chip such as a muchip (registered trademark) may be embedded in a sheet on which message printing is performed, and refund information may be written on the chip. In this case, an IC chip writer (not shown) outputs refund information, and the IC chip reader acquires the refund information instead of the barcode reader. Therefore, the IC chip writer functions as a message output unit in cooperation with the message generation unit 48C and the printer 51, and the IC chip reader functions as a refund information acquisition unit in cooperation with the delivery control unit 48.

  (3) In the above-described embodiment, the money corresponding to the refund information is refunded. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to issue a cash voucher or coupon from the printer 51 or the like instead of money. it can. In addition, when a point system is introduced and a service for discounting the amount corresponding to the points is implemented, the delivery device is equipped with a point card reader / writer (not shown), and the customer's point card is charged with the refund amount. It can also be set as the structure which provides the corresponding point. In this case, the reader / writer functions as a message output unit in cooperation with the message generation unit 48C and the printer 51. Such a configuration is preferable because it is not necessary to store cash in the delivery device or the like, so that it is possible to save labor of a store clerk and the like and to reduce the need to consider security.

  (4) In the above-described embodiment, the image print is not performed when the image data cannot be converted into the print data. However, depending on the photographic product, the image print may not be skipped. For example, in the case of album printing, each page is configured by combining a template image and a desired image. For this reason, if image printing is skipped, a page of only a template image is created, and the portion where the image is to be synthesized is left unexposed, resulting in a reduction in commercial value. In addition, if there are images to be skipped, it is possible to print the images after that, but in this case, an album different from the customer's intention is created, which reduces the reliability of the store There is a risk of being connected.

  In order to avoid the above-mentioned problems, if the product cannot be skipped for image printing such as album print and the image data acquired from the customer cannot be used, the print control unit 34 receives the receiving device A. It is preferable that predetermined image data stored in the image recording unit HD is acquired and printed in place of the image data acquired from the customer. In particular, it is preferable to use an image that can fill a white portion of the template image. As described above, even when a predetermined image is printed, since the image designated by the customer is not printed, a flag indicating that the image data that could not be printed in the order information could not be printed is set. . Thus, even when a predetermined image is printed, the number of printed images is excluded from the delivered number. In this case, each part of the silver salt printer B or the ink jet printer C functions as an image print part.

The perspective view showing the whole delivery system composition in an embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view of the reception apparatus in embodiment of this invention 1 is a cross-sectional view of an inkjet printer, an enveloper, and a delivery device in an embodiment of the present invention The perspective view showing the outline | summary of a structure of the delivery apparatus in embodiment of this invention. The figure showing the front upper part of the delivery apparatus in embodiment of this invention The figure showing the receipt in embodiment of this invention The functional block diagram showing the functional element of the delivery system in embodiment of this invention The flowchart showing the flow of reception and print processing in the embodiment of the present invention The flowchart showing the flow of the delivery process in embodiment of this invention Example of message printing in an embodiment of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

A: Reception device B: Silver salt printer C: Inkjet printer D: Envelopers E, E1, E2, E3: Delivery device 8: Reception control unit 8A: Reception unit 8B: Order specification information generation unit 8C: Delivery terminal specification information generation unit 8D: Receipt certificate creation unit 8E: Image management unit HD: Image recording unit 26: Main control unit 34: Print control unit 39: Enclosure control unit 48: Delivery control unit 48A: Order number acquisition unit 48B: Delivery number acquisition unit 48C: Message generator

Claims (4)

A delivery system for delivering an image print related to an order received from a customer to the customer,
A storage section for storing the image prints for each order;
A delivery number acquisition unit that acquires a delivery number that is the number of image prints stored in the storage unit according to the order;
An order quantity obtaining unit for obtaining an order quantity that is the number of ordered image prints related to the order;
A delivery request obtaining unit for obtaining a delivery request for the image print according to the order;
A sending unit that sends out the image print relating to the order requested to be delivered from the storage unit;
When the sending unit delivers the image print, the delivery number is compared with the order number, and if the delivery number is smaller than the order number, a message indicating that the delivery number is insufficient is output. A message output section;
A delivery system characterized by comprising:   2. The message output unit calculates a fee for the image print corresponding to a shortage of the delivered number as a refund amount, and the message includes refund information representing the return amount. The delivery system described. A refund information acquisition unit for acquiring the refund information;
A refund unit that delivers an amount corresponding to the refund amount to the customer;
The delivery system according to claim 2, further comprising: An accepting unit for acquiring image data relating to the order and order information representing the content of the order;
An image print unit that prints the image data on an image forming medium based on the order information,
The image printing unit prints predetermined image data on the image forming medium when the image data cannot be printed, and does not include the number of image prints in the number of delivered sheets. 4. The delivery system according to any one of 3 above.

Images