JP2000155666A - Printing order acceptance and placing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing order accepting placing system by which a complicated proof sheet is unnecessitated, image data is easily transmitted from an ordering side, information on a printer and cost or the like is accurately imparted to the ordering side and color correction is made possible. SOLUTION: In this system for accepting/placing orders for the printing of color image data by using terminals 1 and 2 connected to a network, color image data to be printed is transmitted from the terminals 1 and 2 of ordering side which have an image editing function to the terminal 4 of order accepting side, the color image data is received by the terminal of the order accepting side, the proof sheet data generated by the order accepting side is transmitted to the terminals 1 and 2 of the ordering side, and the proof sheet data is confirmed and altered between both the terminals 1 and 2 and 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print ordering and ordering system capable of managing all processes from an order receiving terminal to an order receiving terminal, from printing order to order, using the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to receive and order printed materials, a method is generally employed in which a print manuscript is brought into a printing company, a proof print is checked by an orderer, and if there is no problem, printing is performed.

In recent years, as the needs of the printing orderer have diversified and the orders of individuals as well as companies have increased, the demand for printing digital image data has increased with the spread of personal computers. ing.

[0004] In addition, there has been a request that an individual orderer wants to request printing by bringing image data created using his / her own terminal to a printing company. If the image data is brought out on film, the printed matter can be created as before, so there is no problem, but the image data is transmitted to a printing company, or a floppy desk (hereinafter referred to as FD).
It is not so easy if the data is written and carried on a recording medium such as

[0005] When a printing company prepares a printed matter based on image data and mails it to an individual orderer, complaints about layout, characters, hues, etc. almost always arise.
In order to eliminate the dissatisfaction, a printing company performs proof printing, but the more complicated the image data, the more proof printing is repeated.

Further, it is not easy for the orderer to create image data up to the printing process, and it is not easy to transmit the image data to a printing company. For example, even if you want to send an image, the printing company cannot send it without a means to receive it, and even if you try to send it by FD, the image data itself has a very large data capacity and one FD In such a case, it cannot be stored, and it is stored in a plurality of FDs, so that it takes cost and time, and even a printing company that reads it takes considerable time. There is also a method of storing by compressing, but storage technology is required, and it is not something that ordinary people can easily do. Although the use of an MO or the like is conceivable, the actual situation is that the drive is not attached to an ordinary personal computer.

[0007] In addition, the printing company who has obtained the image data after struggling has always mailed or handed the proofs to the orderer, and the problem of repetition of the proofs has not been solved at all.

[0008] Furthermore, printing companies are not good at printing, and in the diversification of users' printing targets, information such as which printing company is appropriate for the printing target and whether the cost meets the user's desire can be promptly provided. It is desired to provide to users.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention eliminates the complexity of proof printing when ordering and ordering printing, facilitates transmission of image data from the ordering party, and reduces the costs of printing companies and costs. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print ordering system capable of providing information accurately to an orderer and enabling color proofing.

Further, the present invention enables the orderer to confirm information bidirectionally with the printing company (or receiving station), confirm the output finish at the same time as receiving an order, and confirm the delivery date. Provides a print order ordering system that can obtain major advantages such as delivery time, low cost, reduction of data loss, etc., and also has a consensus with customers on the printing side, so that printed matter can be printed without problems. Is to do.

Further objects of the present invention will be clarified by the following description.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A system for ordering and ordering printing of color image data using a terminal connected to a network, wherein color image data desired to be printed from a terminal of an orderer having an image editing function to a terminal of the orderer. And the color image data is received by the contractor's terminal, and then the calibration image data created by the contractor is transmitted to the orderer's terminal, and confirmation and change of the calibration image data are performed by the contractor. And a print ordering system, which is performed between both the terminal and the orderer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the terminal of the orderer is installed on a personal computer or a store.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is an OX type image editing device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the printing order receiving system according to the first or second aspect, wherein the orderer terminal having the image editing function has a plurality of character design editing programs. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the order receiving terminal having the image editing function has a plurality of image design editing programs. It is an ordering system.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of character design editing programs and / or a plurality of image design editing programs have a function of displaying a print sample image for each theme on a monitor, and a function of displaying a desired print image on the monitor. The print ordering system according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising a function of creating a print request image on a monitor by combining a self-made image with the sample.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print order placing system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the orderer terminal having the image editing function has a translation function. .

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the terminal on the orderer side having the image editing function has a voice transmitting and capturing function and a voice analyzing function.
6. A printing order receiving system according to any one of 6.

The invention according to claim 8 is the print ordering system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the terminal of the orderer having the image editing function has a moving image expression function. is there.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a monitor and application software which allow the orderer terminal having an image editing function to designate a command by directly touching the monitor screen with a finger or a pen. The printing order receiving system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein:

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the terminal on the order receiving side has a configuration capable of capturing image data from a digital image printing machine. Is a printing order ordering system.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the printing order ordering system according to the tenth aspect, the image data from the digital image printing machine is taken into the terminal by reading program software or an image scanner. is there.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the calibration image data returned to the orderer is displayed on a monitor linked to the terminal of the orderer. This is a print ordering system.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the calibration image data returned to the orderer has been subjected to a color conversion suitable for the type of printing machine or the printing system for performing printing. Or a print order receiving system.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the proof image data returned to the orderer is adapted to the resolution at the time of printing. It is an order receiving system.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the proof image data returned to the orderer has been subjected to color conversion adapted to the type of paper used for printing. A printing order receiving system according to any one of Items 1 to 12.

The invention according to claim 16 is characterized in that the proof image data returned to the orderer is electronic data of a proof printed from a proofing machine or a printer equivalent thereto. 15 is a print order receiving system.

The invention according to claim 17 is characterized in that the proof image data returned to the orderer is data used when outputting to a proofing machine or a printer equivalent thereto. A printing order ordering system described in Crab.

The invention according to claim 18 is characterized in that when checking the calibration image on the monitor, there is provided means for comparing the image before and after the color conversion on one screen of the monitor. A printing order receiving system described in any of the above.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for ordering and receiving a print order on the Internet using a terminal connectable to a network, wherein a centralized order having an image editing function is provided between the ordering party and the order receiving party. A printing order receiving system, wherein a station is interposed and management from ordering printing to receiving an order is executed in the centralized station.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, the terminal of the orderer is installed on a personal computer or a store.
20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the system is an OX type image editing device.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print ordering system according to the nineteenth or twentieth aspect, wherein the orderer's terminal has installed therein an Internet program connectable to the centralized station. .

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print order placing system according to any one of the nineteenth to twenty-first aspects, wherein the centralized station has a plurality of character design editing programs.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print order placing system according to any one of the nineteenth to twenty-second aspects, wherein the centralized station has a plurality of image design editing programs.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of character design editing programs and / or a plurality of image design editing programs display a print sample image for each theme on a monitor of a terminal device on the orderer side. It has the function of creating a desired image on the monitor of the terminal of the orderer by itself, and the function of combining the original image with the sample and creating the desired image for printing on the monitor of the terminal of the orderer. A printing order ordering system according to claim 22 or 24.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the centralized station has a translation function.
24. A printing order receiving system according to any one of the claims 24.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print ordering / ordering system according to any one of the nineteenth to twenty-fifth aspects, wherein the centralized station has a voice transmission / voice capture function and a voice analysis function.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, the centralized station has a moving image expressing function.
A printing order receiving system according to any one of claims 9 to 26.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, the central station is provided with a monitor and application software capable of designating an instruction by directly touching the monitor screen with a finger or a pen. A printing order receiving system according to any one of Items 19 to 27.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, the centralized station has a color proofing function.
28. A print order ordering system according to any one of Claims 28 to 28.

According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, the color proof function is
Color conversion of the calibration image data before printing so that the color displayed on the monitor connected to the printing press that performs printing and the color displayed on the monitor at the orderer's source are substantially the same 30. The print ordering / ordering system according to claim 29, further comprising means for performing:

According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, the color proofing function comprises:
One way to express the difference in hue before and after color conversion is to express the numerically expressed hue difference in a way that corresponds to a language-based expression method that expresses the visual impression of humans. 30. The print ordering / ordering system according to claim 29, further comprising means for performing language conversion.

According to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, the color proof function is
30. The print ordering system according to claim 29, further comprising means for displaying the difference between before and after the color conversion with an arrow.

According to a thirty-third aspect of the present invention, the color proofing function is
30. The print ordering / ordering system according to claim 29, further comprising means for superimposing images before and after color conversion and displaying a portion having no difference between before and after color conversion in a specific one color.

The invention according to claim 34 is the print order placement and ordering system according to claim 19, wherein the centralized station has a submission management function.

According to a thirty-fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print order receiving system according to the thirty-fourth aspect, wherein the submission management function includes means for numbering the submitted data.

The invention according to claim 36 is the print ordering / ordering system according to claim 34, wherein the submission management function has an automatic saving function of automatically saving numbered customer data for a certain fixed period. .

According to a thirty-seventh aspect of the present invention, the submission management function has a data replacement function capable of partially replacing the automatically saved image data by the registered number management. A printing order receiving system according to claim 36.

According to a thirty-eighth aspect of the present invention, the submission management function has a management function for total management of numbered customer data from order receipt to delivery, and allows a search to find out how far the caller has progressed. The print order receiving system according to any one of claims 35 to 37, having a function.

The invention according to claim 39 is the print order placing system according to claim 19, wherein the centralized station has a print management function.

The invention according to claim 40 is the print ordering system according to claim 39, wherein the print management function has means for displaying information on a delivery date for completing printing.

The invention according to claim 41 is characterized in that the print management function uses the same data before sending the edited data to the printing apparatus and uses different printing conditions (printing machine, paper, ink, etc.).
41. The print ordering / ordering system according to claim 39 or 40, further comprising a cost estimation function capable of performing cost estimation at a time.

The invention according to claim 42, wherein the print management function has an address management function and a remote function for selecting a printing machine most suitable for the customer data (delivery address) received. 41. A printing order receiving system according to any one of claims 41 to 41.

The invention according to claim 43 is characterized in that the order management function includes a printing machine and a printing method which are considered suitable for printing by the contractor other than the printing machine designated by the contractor, depending on the request contents of the contractor. 43. The print order receiving system according to claim 39, further comprising means for displaying advice.

The invention according to claim 44 is the printing order ordering system according to claim 19, wherein the centralized station has an order management function.

The invention according to claim 45 is characterized in that the order management function has a voice expression function as one of the two-way expression methods with respect to an order originating side. System.

The invention according to claim 46 is the print ordering and ordering system according to claim 19, wherein the centralized station has a color proofing function, a print management function, an order management function, and a submission management function.

According to a forty-seventh aspect of the present invention, the centralized station transfers the automatically stored image data to a part of the periodically registered data by the registered number management.
The print ordering system according to any one of claims 19 to 46, further comprising a data automatic update function for automatically updating.

The invention according to claim 48 is characterized in that the centralized station has, on a digital image printing machine or a computer connected to the printing machine, program software which can be shared by them. 47
Or a print order receiving system.

[0060]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

The printing order receiving system of the present invention comprises: (1)
A form in which an orderer's print image data is ordered via the Internet, a specific printing company receives an order, and proof image data is returned to place an order (FIG. 1); and (2) a centralized station on the Internet With the system installed,
For example, it is divided into a form (FIG. 2) in which an order is created on a homepage and order receipts are managed with a plurality of printing companies based on the created order.

In the former example, a program having an image editing function is installed in the terminal of the orderer, and the image is edited. As the installation means, software commercially available from a specific distributor may be used, or a method of downloading from the Internet may be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the personal computer 1 owned by an individual or a corporation, the terminal of the orderer having the image editing function in this case is connected to the Internet at a store such as a convenience store. A possible BOX-type terminal 2 may be installed, and a user (orderer) may operate the BOX-type terminal 2 to perform image editing.

The orderer-side terminals 1 and 2 are connected to a contractor-side terminal 4 connected to a digital image printer 3 of a specific printing company via a network communication network. The bidirectional communication of color image data is possible between the machines 1 and 2 and the terminal 4 on the orderer side.

On the other hand, in the latter example, as shown in FIG.
The centralized station system 7 connected to the network communication network has a program having an image editing function, and the centralized station system 7 performs image editing by access from a terminal on the orderer side. In this example, unlike the former example, bidirectional communication of color image data is possible between the centralized station system 7 and the terminal on the orderer side.

In this case, in addition to the personal computer 5 owned by an individual or a corporation, a BOX type terminal 6 that can be connected to the Internet is installed at a store such as a convenience store in addition to the personal computer 5 owned by an individual or a corporation. The user (orderer) may access the centralized station system 7 by operating the BOX-type terminal 6 to perform image editing.

The centralized station system 7 includes digital image printers 8A, 8B,.
Are connected to the contractor-side terminals 9A, 9B,..., Which are connected to the contractor. The contractor-side terminals 9A, 9B,. Are output by the digital image printers 8A, 9A,.

The editing according to the present invention includes not only the creation of image data but also the proofreading of image data.

First, an example of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described based on a display on a monitor screen.

The orderer-side terminals 1 and 2 having the image editing function are provided with a plurality of image design editing programs and / or
Alternatively, the program has a plurality of character design editing programs, and by executing these programs, creates print image data of images and / or characters.

FIG. 3 shows an initial screen when the image editing program is started by the terminal 1 or 2 on the orderer side. First, when the “start” button 10 is operated, the object which the orderer wants to print from now on is displayed. Then, the screen is switched to a specific screen to be printed for specifying (FIG. 4). Here, a case where a business card is desired to be printed will be described.

The button operation for designating an instruction by the orderer is not limited to the operation performed by the keyboard or the mouse, but is preferably performed by directly touching the monitor screen with a finger or a pen. It is preferable that the terminals 1 and 2 on the side are equipped with a monitor and application software that enable such operations.

A plurality of image design editing programs and / or
Alternatively, the plurality of character design editing programs have a function (sample) of displaying a print sample image for each print theme on the monitor of the terminal 1 or 2 on the orderer side, and a print order image that the orderer wants to print is displayed by the orderer. Function (self-made) that can be created by itself on the monitors of the terminals 1 and 2 on the side, and a desired image to be printed on the monitor of the terminals 1 and 2 on the orderer side by combining the original image with the print sample image. Each has a function (combination) that can be created with.

When the “business card” button 11 is operated on the screen shown in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG.
Button 12, a button 13 of "own", and a button 14 of "combine" are displayed. Here, for example, when the “sample” button 12 is operated, a layout sample 15 of the business card is displayed as shown in FIG. From the displayed business card layout samples 15, the orderer selects and designates a favorite layout sample 15 directly or by inputting a number or the like, and creates business card image data desired to be printed based on the designated favorite layout sample 15. (Fig. 7). In the layout sample 15, reference numeral 16 denotes a portion for pasting image data of a face photograph to be formed on a business card.

FIG. 8 shows a character input screen. Character information necessary for creating a business card, for example, a company name item 17, a workplace name item 18, a name item 19, an address item 20, a telephone number and a FAX number are displayed. An item 21, an E-Mail address item 22, and the like are input. Subsequently, the character type item 23 of the input character information and the character size item 24 for each of the items 17 to 22 are designated (FIG. 9). These character sizes are, for example, items 17 to 2 such as a company name and a name.
The optimum size may be automatically set as the character information of the business card every two.

The terminals 1 and 2 on the orderer side may have a function of automatically translating the input character data from, for example, Japanese to English. This is preferable because, for example, the input character information data in Japanese can be automatically translated into English and printed on the back side of the business card as the English character information.

When inputting such character information,
It has a voice capture function that can analyze the voice of the orderer and input character information using the voice, not limited to those that use the keyboards of the terminals 1 and 2 of the orderer. Is also preferred.

With the above operation, the input of the character information necessary for creating the business card is completed, and the business card image 25 in which only the character information is input is created (FIG. 10).

FIG. 11 is a screen for selecting an image file when fetching color image data of a face photo in order to create a color face photo formed on the surface of a business card.

The color image data of the face photograph is obtained by inputting from the image data file in which the face photograph owned by the orderer is taken. Here, for example, GIF, TIF,
J. Reading is performed by selecting a file format of image data such as PEG.

When there are a plurality of read color image data 26, one of them is designated and selected as shown in FIG. The selection of the image data may be performed by directly selecting and specifying a display portion of a desired image, or by inputting a desired image number as shown in the figure. The color image data of the selected face photograph is pasted on the face photograph pasting section 16 (FIG. 7) of the business card image data for which the character information has been input.
The creation of the business card image 27 to which the character information and the color image data 26 of the face photograph are pasted is completed (FIG. 13).

When the creation of all print image data is completed, the display returns to the initial screen shown in FIG. When the "send" button 28 is operated, the orderer terminal 4 connected to the digital image printing machine 3 of the specific printing company connected via the network communication network is connected to the terminal 4 shown in FIG.
Is transmitted via the network communication network.

In the terminal 4 on the orderer side, printing is executed by the digital image printer 3 based on the business card image data transmitted from the terminals 1 and 2 on the orderer side.
In order to correct the difference between the print result desired by the orderer and the print result actually printed by the digital image printing machine 3, the orderer presents a sample proof copy of the business card image data to the orderer. Must get a final print confirmation. For this reason, the order receiving party terminal 4 has a configuration capable of taking in image data from the digital image printing machine 3, and the proofreading sample by the digital image printing machine 3 is transferred to the order receiving party terminal terminal 4. 4 allows a reply as calibration image data to the terminals 1 and 2 on the orderer side.

The proof image data is obtained by converting a proof print sample of the business card image data into electronic data, and is used when the digital printing machine 3 actually outputs the proof print sample.

The image data from the digital image printer 3 is taken into the terminal 4 by a program software or by reading a print sample actually output from the digital image printer 3 by an image scanner. May be.

Thus, the calibration image data 29 of the business card image data returned from the orderer terminal 4 to the orderer terminal 1, 2 is displayed on the monitor of the orderer terminal 1, 2. (FIG. 14). At this time, the terminal 1 on the orderer side,
The calibration image data 29 returned to 2 is subjected to color conversion suitable for the model or printing method of the digital image printing machine 3 on which printing is performed. Thus, the orderer can actually use the printing machine 3
Can be confirmed on the monitors of the terminals 1 and 2 in the same color tone as that output from the terminal device 1 and 2, so that a consensus between the orderer and the contractor can be easily obtained.

The color conversion in the present invention can be represented as follows.

[0088]

(Equation 1)

It is preferable that the calibration image data 29 displayed on the monitors of the terminals 1 and 2 on the orderer side is further adapted to the resolution at the time of printing.

The calibration image data 29 returned to the orderer's terminals 1 and 2 is the same as the color-converted calibration image data 29 and the orderer's terminals 1 and 2 on the monitors of the terminals 1 and 2. It is preferable to have a means for displaying the image data 30 before color conversion transmitted from the PC so that the image data 30 can be compared on one screen (FIG. 15). Thus, the orderer can compare the image to be actually printed with the image created by the orderer on the same monitor screen. In particular, it is possible to compare and confirm the difference in color tone between the image actually printed and the image created by the user, so that the orderer can easily confirm a portion that requires calibration.

As a result, if proofreading is necessary, the orderer's terminal 1, 2 corrects the calibration image data 29, for example, the color tone of the face photograph or the character information data, etc., from the terminal 1, 2 on the orderer's side. The same operation is transmitted to the terminal 4 of the contractor, and the same operation is repeated until the print image data desired by the orderer is created.

When the print image data desired by the orderer is completed by bidirectional communication with the terminal 4 on the orderer side, an order is placed to the orderer side.

FIG. 16 shows an order screen, where printing conditions such as a paper type item 31, a size item 32, a number of copies item 33, and a desired delivery date item 34 are set and input. To the machine 4.

If the color tone of the printed image may differ from the print image data transmitted from the orderer's terminals 1 and 2 depending on the type of paper used in the printing operation, , Business card image 2 from terminals 1 and 2 of the orderer
7 is transmitted to the terminal 4 of the contractor, the item 3 of the paper type
The user inputs and sets the above printing conditions including the name of the business card image 27.
At the same time, the printing conditions may be transmitted to the terminal device 4 on the order receiving side at the same time. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable that the calibration image data 29 returned from the terminal device 4 on the order receiving side be subjected to color conversion adapted to the type of paper set in the printing conditions.

At the time of ordering, in order to specify the orderer, information necessary for specifying the orderer, such as input of an address, name and telephone number, an ID number issued for customer management, and a bus Words and the like are transmitted simultaneously to the terminal 4 on the order receiving side. The printing company, which is the contractor, returns information such as cost and delivery date to the orderer according to the contents of the order request. After confirming information such as the cost and delivery date returned by the ordering party, the ordering party sends a request to start printing if they understand, and the ordering party receives the request to start printing from this ordering party. Based on the final image data, the business card is printed according to the set printing conditions. The printed business card is delivered by mail from the printing company, which is the contractor, to the orderer.

The above description is for the case where the “sample” button 12 is operated on the screen shown in FIG. 5, but when the “homemade” button 13 is operated on the screen shown in FIG. The image 27 is read, and the operations in and after FIG. 13 are performed. When the "combine" button 14 is operated on the screen shown in FIG. 5, a business card image 27 is created by combining already created image data with a sample, and the operations shown in FIG. 13 and thereafter are performed.

The above description is for the case where “business card” is selected in the specification of the print target shown in FIG. 4. In addition, for example, image data such as various guide letters, new year cards, calendars, posters and the like can be ordered. In this case, the communication can be performed in exactly the same manner by bidirectional communication between the terminals 1 and 2 on the orderer side and the terminal 4 on the orderer side.

In the above invention, images displayed on the monitor screens of the terminals 1 and 2 on the orderer side, for example, input instruction images, are not limited to still images, but may be expressed as moving images. Good. Conventionally, when a general user places an order for printing by himself, for example, there is a case where the knowledge does not go smoothly even through a professional person such as an output center. Is represented as a moving image, even if a user who places an order for printing for the first time does not have specialized knowledge related to printing, it is possible to smoothly make an order request according to the moving image guide displayed on the screen.

Next, an example of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described based on the display on the monitor screen.

In this embodiment, it is preferable that an Internet program that can be connected to the centralized station system 7 via a network communication network is installed in the terminals 5 and 6 on the orderer side.

FIG. 17 is an initial screen when the printing system is started by accessing the centralized station system 7 via the Internet through the terminals 5 and 6 on the orderer side. Button 35, an "Submit" button 36 for managing submission of color image data desired by the orderer, a "Print" button 37 for managing print requests, and an "Edit" button for creating and editing image data. Buttons 38 are displayed.

First, printing is accepted by operating the “order” button 35. When printing is accepted by the orderer, the acceptance differs depending on whether the orderer uses the print for the first time or the second or subsequent use.

Note that the button operation for the orderer to specify the command is not limited to the operation performed by the keyboard or mouse operation, and it is preferable to operate the button by directly touching the monitor screen with a finger or a pen. It is preferable that the terminals 5 and 6 on the side are equipped with a monitor and application software that enable such operations.

Button 39 for "First Use"
Is specified, as shown in FIG. 19, personal information necessary for specifying the orderer, for example, the address column 41 and the name column 4
2. An input instruction screen for the telephone number column 43 and the like is displayed, and the orderer inputs the specified personal information. In the case where payment is made using credits, an input field 44 for a credit company name, an input field 45 for a credit card number, and the like may be provided. By inputting these personal information, the centralized station system 7 issues the ID number of each orderer (FIG. 20). Here, the orderer can confirm the identity between the orderer and the centralized station system 7 by entering any password in the password input field 46.

In FIG. 18, when the orderer designates the “second and subsequent use” button 40, an ID number and password input instruction screen is displayed as shown in FIG. When the ID number and the password are input in the password entry field 48 and the password entry field 48, the central station system 7 specifies the orderer.

As described above, when identification of the orderer is completed by the centralized station system 7 in print acceptance, the personal information of the orderer is sent to the editing function. FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the above-mentioned operation in the print order receiving management function.

When the identification of the orderer is completed, the display returns to the initial screen shown in FIG. 17, and then the image data is created and edited by operating the "edit" button 38. In this case, the orderer is used for the second time or later, and a list 49 of orders received by the orderer in the past is displayed by specifying the orderer. The orderer can select whether to create new image data or completely new image data with reference to the list 49. Here, a case will be described in which a business card is referred to by operating the “reference creation” button 50.

By operating the “create reference” button 50 and inputting the number of “business card” from the list 49 into the number input field 51, as shown in FIG. Is displayed.

When making a change based on this business card image 52, operating the “Yes” button 53 will cause the business card image 52 to be changed.
Is displayed (FIG. 25). By checking the change request check box 54a, a change desired portion is specified, and then editing is performed. Here, a case where the face photograph is changed will be described.

The color image data of the face photograph is acquired from the image data file in which the face photograph owned by the orderer is acquired (FIG. 26). Here, for example, GIF, TI
F.J. The image data is read by selecting a file format such as PEG and transmitted to the centralized station system 7. When there are a plurality of read color image data 55, one of them is designated and selected as shown in FIG. The selection of the image data may be performed by directly selecting and specifying a display portion of a desired image, or by inputting a desired image number as shown in the figure. Reference numeral 56 denotes a color image of a face photograph in the business card image 52 (FIG. 24) created in the past, which can be compared with newly captured image data 55 on the same image.

The color image data of the selected face photograph is
The business card image 52 is pasted on the pasting portion of the face photograph, and the creation of the new business card image 57 is completed (FIG. 28).

Note that in FIG. 23, when a new document is created or when the orderer uses it for the first time, the same operations as those shown in FIGS. 4 to 13 are performed. However, in FIG. 11, the color image data of the face photograph read from the image data file in which the face photograph owned by the orderer is imported is transmitted to the centralized station system 7.

When the editing of the business card image 57 is completed, FIG.
Then, by operating the "submit" button 36, the color image data of the business card image 57 is sent to the submit management function, and submit management is performed.

FIG. 29 shows a work flow of the submission management function. First, when the business card image 57 is sent from the editing function (S1), the file format of the image data of the business card image 57 is confirmed (S2). Next, if there is a printing company that the orderer wants to print, the printing machine of the designated printing company is checked. The designation of this printing company is business card image 5
When the creation of the print job 7 is completed, the ordering may be performed by designating the print company desired by the orderer from among a plurality of print companies connected to the centralized station system 7, or the centralized station system 7 may select the print company according to the print target. Alternatively, it may be performed by automatically designating an optimum printing company based on data (for example, an address) specifying the orderer.

When the printer desired to be output is confirmed, it is confirmed whether or not the file format of the image data of the business card image 57 matches the file format that can be captured by the printer (S4). If not matched, business card image 5
The file format of the image data of No. 7 is converted into a file format that can be read by the printing machine (S5). After being sent to the print management function, the business card image 57
Is stored (S7).

In this submission management, it is preferable to provide a means for numbering the submitted data, for example, color image data and data of the orderer. By numbering the submitted data, it is possible to easily manage customer data thereafter. It is preferable to further include an automatic storage function of automatically storing the numbered customer data for a certain period.

Further, it is preferable that the customer data stored in this way has a data replacement function capable of partially replacing data by registered number management.

When the input management of the business card image 57 is completed, the screen returns to the initial screen shown in FIG.
By the operation of 7, the color image data of the business card image 57 is sent to the print management function, and the printing request of the color image data of the business card image 57 is managed.

FIG. 31 shows a work flow of the print management function. When color image data of the business card image 57 is sent from the submission management (S11), available printing companies are displayed on the screen (S12). At this time, it is preferable to set printing conditions. By setting the printing conditions, it is possible to estimate the cost based on the printing conditions of the printing machine, paper, ink, etc., thereby displaying the estimate and delivery date at each printing company (S13). The orderer confirms these estimates and delivery dates, selects and specifies the desired printing company (S14), and the printing company is determined (S15). When the printing company is designated by the orderer, advice may be displayed on a printing machine and a printing method that are deemed appropriate for printing by a printing company other than the printing company specified by the orderer.

In the centralized station system 7, the color image data of the business card image 57 and the printing conditions are returned to the orderer's terminals 5, 6 (S16). FIG. 31 shows a screen display in a state where the business card image 57 and the printing conditions are determined. Here, in order to confirm the print state when the orderer executes printing, the print image can be confirmed.

When the orderer confirms the print image (S17), the color image data of the business card image 57 is sent to the centralized station system 7 again. When the orderer terminal is a personal computer owned by an individual or a corporation, an input instruction screen for information on the monitor of the terminal 5 is displayed (FIG. 32), and the monitor of the orderer is confirmed (S18). When predetermined items are entered in the monitor manufacturer name input field 58, model name input field 59, and the like, the centralized station system 7 converts the color image data of the business card image 57 into the determined printing machine 8A, 8B... (Color proofing) converted to colors suitable for the model or printing method of the orderer and the monitor of the orderer, and returned to the terminals 5 and 6 of the orderer (S
20).

As shown in FIG. 33, the proofreading image data returned to the terminals 5 and 6 on the orderer side is a business card image 5 before proofreading.
7 and the calibration image 60 are displayed so as to be compared on the same screen. Thereby, the orderer actually receives the printing presses 8A and 8B.
Can be confirmed on the monitors of the terminals 1 and 2 in the same color tone as that output from the..., So that a consensus between the orderer and the contractor can be easily obtained.

Note that the proof image data is stored in the colors displayed on the monitors of the terminals 5 and 6 on the orderer side and the terminals 9A, 9B connected to the printing machines 8A, 8B,.
It is preferable that the color conversion is performed so that the colors displayed on the monitors B are substantially the same. According to this, it is possible to execute printing while confirming on the monitor the color image of the color confirmed with the orderer on the orderer side, so that the print result and the orderer displayed on the monitor can be compared. Can be compared with the color image confirmed between
Printing that meets the orderer's wishes can be executed more.

In the above description, the calibration image 60 is simply compared with the business card image 57 before calibration on the same screen.
A hue difference verbalization conversion means for converting the hue difference of the number 7, 60 into a numerical value and expressing it as an impression visually perceived by humans in correspondence with an expression method based on a certain rule is provided. The difference in hue may be expressed by language.

It is also preferable that the centralized station system 7 is provided with means for displaying the difference before and after the color conversion with an arrow so that the difference in the hue before and after the color conversion can be indicated by an arrow.

Further, the two images 57 and 60 before and after the color conversion are not compared on the same screen, and the two images 57 and 60 are superimposed, and a portion having no difference is displayed in a specific one color, for example, white. The means may be provided in the centralized station system 7.

As a result of confirming the proofreading image 60, if the orderer desires further proofreading, the orderer himself / herself sends the proofreading image 60 from the orderer's terminals 5, 6 to the proofreading image 60, for example, the color tone of the face photograph or the character information data. Is transmitted to the centralized station system 7 again, and the same operation is repeated until the print image data desired by the orderer is created.

When creation of print image data desired by the orderer is completed by bidirectional communication with the centralized station system 7, the centralized station system 7 sends the specified printing company terminals 9A, 9B,. The color image data is transmitted (S21), and the contractor receives the transmission of the print image data from the centralized station system 7 and prints a business card according to the set print conditions.
The printed business card is delivered by mail from the printing company, which is the ordering party, to the ordering party.

In the above invention, the images displayed on the monitor screens of the terminals 5 and 6 on the orderer side, for example, input instruction images, are not limited to still images, but may be expressed as moving images. Even when a user who places an order for printing for the first time does not have specialized knowledge related to printing, it is possible to smoothly make an order request in accordance with the video guide displayed on the screen.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a configuration of a printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing another example of the configuration of the print order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the print ordering system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the print order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the print ordering system according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the print order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the print ordering system according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the print ordering system according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the print order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing work steps of an order management function in the print order ordering system according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the print order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the work process of the submission management function in the print order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing work steps of a print management function in the print ordering system according to the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the print order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a plan view showing an example of a monitor screen display in the printing order receiving system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2, 5, 6 Orderer's terminal 3, 8A, 8B Digital image printer 4, 9A, 9B Contractor's terminal 7 Centralized station system 15 Print sample image 27 Color image data (business card image) 29 Calibration image data

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshiko Tanaka 791 Kamihirose, Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture Konica Corporation F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP10 AR01 AS02 HJ06 HL05 5B021 BB00 BB01 BB05 EE01 LE00 LG07 LL05 5B091 CD03 CD15 5C062 AA05 AA14 AA29 AB20 AB23 AB38 AC24 AC43 AE03 AE11 AE16 BA04 BD06 5C079 HA02 LA36 LA40 NA11 NA19 NA25

Claims (48)

[Claims] A system for receiving and ordering printing of color image data using a terminal connected to a network, wherein printing is performed from a terminal of an orderer having an image editing function to a terminal of the orderer. The desired color image data is transmitted, the color image data is received by the orderer's terminal, and then the calibration image data created by the orderer is transmitted to the orderer's terminal to confirm the calibration image data. And a print ordering system, wherein the change is made between the terminals of both the orderer and the orderer. 2. The print ordering system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal of the orderer is a BOX type image editing device installed in a personal computer or a store. 3. The print ordering system according to claim 1, wherein the orderer terminal having the image editing function has a plurality of character design editing programs. 4. The print ordering system according to claim 1, wherein the orderer terminal having an image editing function has a plurality of image design editing programs. 5. A plurality of character design editing programs and / or
Or, a plurality of image design editing programs, a function of displaying a print sample image for each theme on a monitor, a function of self-creating a desired print image on a monitor, a function of monitoring a desired print image by combining a self-made image with the sample. 5. The printing order placement system according to claim 3, wherein the system has a function of creating the order. 6. The printing order receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the orderer terminal having an image editing function has a translation function. 7. The print ordering system according to claim 1, wherein the orderer's terminal having an image editing function has a voice transmitting and capturing function and a voice analyzing function. . 8. The terminal on the orderer side having an image editing function has a moving image expression function.
7. The printing order receiving system according to any one of 7. 9. An orderer terminal having an image editing function is provided with a monitor and application software capable of designating an instruction by directly touching a monitor screen with a finger or a pen. The print ordering system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. The print order receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the order receiving terminal has a configuration capable of taking in image data from the digital image printing machine. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the image data from the digital image printing machine is taken into the terminal by a program software or an image scanner.
The print ordering system described. 12. The print ordering system according to claim 1, wherein the calibration image data returned to the orderer is displayed on a monitor linked to a terminal of the orderer. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the calibration image data returned to the orderer has been subjected to color conversion adapted to the model of the printing press or the printing method for performing printing. Print ordering system. 14. The print ordering system according to claim 1, wherein the proof image data returned to the orderer is adapted to the resolution at the time of printing. 15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the calibration image data returned to the orderer has been subjected to color conversion adapted to the type of paper used for printing.
The print ordering system described in any of the above. 16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the proof image data returned to the orderer is obtained by converting a proof print output from a proof printer or a printer equivalent thereto into electronic data. The print ordering system described. 17. The printing order according to claim 1, wherein the proof image data returned to the orderer is data used when outputting to a proofing machine or a printing machine equivalent thereto. Ordering system. 18. The printing method according to claim 1, further comprising means for comparing the image before and after the color conversion on one screen of the monitor when checking the calibration image on the monitor. Order receiving system. 19. A system for ordering and receiving prints on the Internet using a terminal connectable to a network, wherein a centralized station having an image editing function is interposed between the orderer and the orderer. A print ordering system characterized by executing management from a print order to an order at a centralized station. 20. The print ordering system according to claim 19, wherein the terminal of the orderer is a BOX type image editing device installed in a personal computer or a store. 21. The print ordering system according to claim 19, wherein the orderer's terminal has installed therein an Internet program connectable to the centralized station. 22. The central station has a plurality of character design editing programs.
21. A print ordering / ordering system according to any one of items 21 to 21. 23. The centralized station has a plurality of image design editing programs.
23. A print ordering / ordering system according to any one of claims to 22. 24. A plurality of character design editing programs and / or a plurality of image design editing programs, a function of displaying a print sample image for each theme on a monitor of a terminal device of the orderer, and a function of displaying an image desired to be printed by the orderer. 23. A function that can be created by itself on a monitor of a terminal of the orderer, and a function of creating an image to be printed on the monitor of the terminal on the orderer side by combining an image of the original with the sample. 24 order print ordering system 25. The system according to claim 19, wherein the centralized station has a translation function. 26. The print ordering / ordering system according to claim 19, wherein the centralized station has a voice transmission / voice capture function and a voice analysis function. 27. The print ordering / ordering system according to claim 19, wherein the centralized station has a moving image expressing function. 28. The centralized station is provided with a monitor and application software capable of designating an instruction by directly touching the monitor screen with a finger or a pen or the like. The print ordering system described in Crab. 29. The print ordering system according to claim 19, wherein the central station has a color proofing function. 30. A color proofing function is provided such that colors displayed on a monitor connected to a printing machine for performing printing and colors displayed on a monitor at an orderer's source are substantially the same. ,
30. The print ordering system according to claim 29, further comprising means for performing color conversion of the proof image data before printing. 31. A color proofing function, as one means for expressing a difference in hue before and after color conversion, expressing a digitized hue difference based on a certain rule which verbalizes an impression visually perceived by a human. 30. The print ordering / ordering system according to claim 29, further comprising means for converting the language into a hue difference language that can be expressed in correspondence with the method. 32. The print ordering system according to claim 29, wherein the color proofing function includes means for displaying a difference between before and after the color conversion with an arrow. 33. The print ordering system according to claim 29, wherein the color proofing function includes means for superimposing images before and after color conversion and displaying a portion having no difference between before and after color conversion in a specific one color. 34. The print ordering system according to claim 19, wherein the centralized station has a submission management function. 35. The submission management function includes means for numbering submitted data.
4. An order printing system according to item 4. 36. The print ordering / ordering system according to claim 34, wherein the submission management function has an automatic saving function of automatically saving the numbered customer data for a certain period of time. 37. The printing method according to claim 36, wherein the submission management function has a data replacement function capable of partially replacing the automatically saved image data by registered number management. Order receiving system. 38. The submission management function has a management function for total management of numbered customer data from order receipt to delivery, and has a search function for searching how far the caller is currently progressing. Claim 35-
37. The printing order receiving system according to any one of 37. 39. The print ordering system according to claim 19, wherein the centralized station has a print management function. 40. The print ordering system according to claim 39, wherein the print management function has means for displaying information on a delivery date for completing the printing. 41. A print management function is provided which provides a cost estimation function capable of estimating costs for different printing conditions (printing machine, paper, ink, etc.) using the same data before sending the edited data to the printing apparatus. 41. The printing order receiving system according to claim 39 or claim 40. 42. The print management function according to claim 39, further comprising an address management function and a remote function for selecting a printing machine most suitable for the customer data (delivery address) received. The print ordering system described. 43. A means for displaying an advice of a printing machine and a printing method which are considered suitable for printing by a contractor other than a printing machine designated by the contractor, according to a request of the contractor, according to a request of the contractor. 39. The method according to claim 39, wherein
42. A print ordering / ordering system according to any one of the above items 42. 44. The printing order receiving system according to claim 19, wherein the centralized station has an order receiving management function. 45. The printing order receiving system according to claim 44, wherein the order receiving function has a voice expressing function as one of the two-way expression methods with respect to the order receiving side. 46. The print ordering system according to claim 19, wherein the centralized station has a color proofing function, a print management function, an order management function, and a submission management function. 47. The centralized station has a data automatic updating function of automatically updating a part of the registered data by automatically registering the automatically stored image data by the registered number management. A print order receiving system according to any one of claims 19 to 46. M 48. A digital image printing machine or a computer connected to the printing machine, wherein the centralized station has program software which can be shared by the printing stations. Print ordering system.