JP2001256024A - Print distribution system of digital image data and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print distribution system of digital image data capable of flexibly coping with a user's wish of a place of delivery of a print and promptly distributing the print to the desired place of delivery at low cost. SOLUTION: In plural print distribution systems each of which is provided with a computer, a printer connected with it and a distribution route, whether or not print order data and ordered digital image data received by a computer of any system are transferred to other systems based on the received order data and information about distribution lines in the plural print distribution system is decided and data about execution of an order is transmitted from other systems to receive transfer for the system to receive the order. Specifically, each system is installed at platforms of public transportation lines and the existing public traffic lines are used as the distribution line.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital image data print delivery system which receives print order data and order digital image data from a user, performs printing in accordance with the order, and delivers the digital image data to the user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For these systems, for example,
Various proposals have been made in JP-A-10-13589, JP-A-11-4311, and JP-A-11-205503.

In printing digital image data,
If the user wants the delivery of the print at the store of the print shop, it is good. If the user wants the delivery at an arbitrary designated place, the delivery to the desired delivery place becomes a problem. Especially for prints based on digital image data,
Even if the data is not brought to the store, it is possible to transmit the digital image data via the Internet or the like to order the print, and a system that does not have to go to the store for the delivery of the print is desired.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a digital image data print delivery system capable of flexibly responding to a user's request for a print delivery location and delivering prints to the delivery location quickly and at low cost. Is to do.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is directed to a computer which receives an order based on the contents of print order data from a user and a print delivery efficiency judgment using a public transportation route. The print order data and the ordered digital image data are transferred to a computer as required, and the transfer destination computer prints and delivers the print.

According to another feature of the present invention, a computer and a printer connected to the computer are installed at landing places such as stations on different public transportation routes, and the computer that has received the order is specified by the order data. The order data and the digital image data are transferred to the computer on the line where the print delivery station is located. As a result, the station where printing is performed and the print delivery station are directly connected by one line, and prints are extremely efficiently delivered to the print delivery station using the existing public transportation route. Further, according to the system according to the present invention, the computer, the printer connected to the computer, and the attached delivery equipment provided as necessary can be installed in an unused space at the boarding place such as a station on a public transportation route. There is no need to secure a store for installing a print delivery system.

According to still another feature of the present invention, the delivery completion data is input by inputting the print delivery confirmation data from the computer to which the order data and the order digital image data have been transferred, and transferring the data to the order receiving computer. Check. This ensures that the order can be fulfilled, despite the printing and delivery being entrusted to another computer.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a delivery management means for preparing a delivery container for delivering prints produced by a printer. The delivery container includes data on a station on the public transportation route for loading and unloading the delivery container, data for identifying the platform of the station on the public transportation route from which the delivery container is to be loaded, and information on the ascending and descending public transportation routes for loading the delivery container. , Data for identifying whether or not the delivery container is to be loaded on a public transportation route, and the like. As a result, the print can be delivered to the delivery desired station without confusion using the public transportation route.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a transport means for transporting the prints to the platform of a station on a public transit line for unloading the prints produced by the printer, a public transport line for unloading the prints. Shipping management means etc. installed on the platform of the station are installed in the station premises.
As a result, the loading of prints from the printer to the train is automated.

According to still another feature of the present invention, when receiving print order data and order digital image data from a user, a plurality of order data items such as a name, an address, a telephone number, and a mail address are individually input. After the screen is displayed on the user's computer, the plurality of input order data items are combined into one piece of combined data and displayed on the user's computer screen. If the user saves the combined data, a plurality of order data can be input at a time from the next order simply by pasting the combined data on the collective input screen, thereby simplifying the order.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a public transportation route map showing a first embodiment of the present invention. The public transportation route is a transportation route such as JR, city transportation, subway, private railway, monorail, and the like, but can be implemented by a bus route or an air route. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described by taking the relationship between railway lines and stations as an example, but the present invention is applicable to various public transportation lines as described above and their getting on and off places. The “ride / drop-off place” is a “station” of a railway line, which means “bus stop” when implemented on a bus route and “airport” when implemented on an air route.

Line 1, line 2, and line 3 are managed by company A, and are connected at stations 4 and 5 respectively. Route 6 is operated by another company B and is not connected to the route of company A. The nearest station of customer's home 7 is
Although the station 8 is on the line 6 of the company B, the station 9 on the line 3 of the company A is almost at the same distance.

The station 10 on the line 1 of the company A is provided with a server computer and a main silver halide printer. The station 11 on the line 3 of the company A and the station 12 on the line 6 of the company B Each is provided with a local computer and a silver halide printer. Stations 10, 11, 1
The two computers can communicate with each other via a dedicated line or the Internet.

In the above arrangement, a digital image data print delivery system according to the present invention will be described.

First, it is assumed that the user orders a print of digital image data from the personal computer at home 7 via the Internet and desires to deliver the print at the station 8. In this case, the print order data and the order digital image data from the user are received by the server computer of the station 10 on the route 1 of the company A. The server computer of the station 10 determines whether to transfer the order data and the ordered digital image data to the local computer based on the print order data, and if so, to which local computer. Specifically, the server computer transfers the order data and the order digital image data to a local computer on the line where the print delivery station specified by the order data is located. In this case, since the print delivery station is the station 8, the order data and the order digital image data are transferred to the local computer at the station 12 on the line 6.

At the station 12, the silver halide printer prints the image as ordered according to the instruction of the local computer.
The completed print is carried from the station 12 to the station 8 by the train on the line 6 and delivered to the station stand of the station 8. The user receives a print at a store at the station 8 on the way home from work or the like.

It is also possible to print by the main silver halide printer at the station 10 and deliver it directly to the user's home or the station 8 by truck or the like, but this requires a special delivery system and cost. On the other hand, when data is transferred to the station 12 and printed, the existing line 6 from the station 12 to the station 8 can be used for delivery. This is the reason why printing is performed at a farther station 12.

If the user desires to receive the print at the station 4 on the line 1 for some reason, the user prints the image using the main silver halide printer at the station 10, and uses the line 1 to print at the station 1.
Transport the print from 0 to station 4.

If the user wishes to receive a print at the station 13 on the line 2, there is no station on the line 2 provided with a local computer and a silver halide printer. In this case, station 10
Prints with the main silver halide printer of Route 1
It is conceivable to transfer the print from the station 4 to the station 13 by changing to the route 2 from the station 10 via the station 4 using the.
On the other hand, from the server computer of station 10 to station 1 of route 3
1. The order data and the digital image data are transferred to the local computer at 1 and printed by the silver halide printer at the station 11.
It is also possible to transfer the print from the station 5 to the station 13 by transferring from the station 5 to the line 2 via the station 5. Which route is to be selected is determined by examining delivery conditions such as the degree of congestion of the printer and the operation schedule of the train. If there is a transfer, there is no choice but to rely on manual labor unless there is a dedicated facility, which increases the delivery cost and is disadvantageous in the delivery speed.
To avoid transfer, a local computer and a silver halide printer may be installed at any station on route 2. This is because of the frequency of delivery to each station on route 2, individual delivery costs,
In addition, the cost is determined in consideration of the capital investment costs of the local computer and the silver halide printer.

In the above description, the case where the user orders digital image data printing from a personal computer at home 7 has been described. However, even when the user connects a digital camera to a mobile phone from outside and places an order for image printing via the Internet. A similar response is possible. Also in this case, the print order data and the order digital image data from the user are received by the server computer of the station 10 on the route 1 of the company A, and the print can be delivered at the station 8 when returning home.

FIG. 2 shows a computer network according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The server computer 14 at the station 10 is connected to a main silver halide printer 15. The print order data and the order digital image data are sent from the personal computer 16 in the user's home 7 to the server computer 14 via the Internet indicated by reference numeral 17. In order for the server computer 14 to receive the print order data and the order digital image data from the user, in addition to the communication means as described above, the recording medium of the digital image data is directly brought into the station 10 depending on the user's convenience, and the server computer 14 Can also receive these data by input at the storefront.

The local computer 18 and the silver halide printer 19 connected thereto are installed in the station 11. A local computer 20 and a silver halide printer 21 connected to the local computer 20 are installed in the station 12. The local computer 22 and the silver halide printer 23 connected thereto are installed in another station not shown in FIG. Data is exchanged between the server computer 14 and the local computers 18, 20, 22 via the Internet. The data exchange in these systems may be performed by a dedicated line.
In particular, it is desirable to piggyback on an existing dedicated line in a railway line operation system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system in a station such as the stations 10, 11 and 12 where a computer and a silver halide printer are installed. Taking the system of the station 10 as an example, the computer 35 corresponds to the server computer 14 and the printer 36 corresponds to the main silver halide printer 15. The computer 35, the printer 36, the delivery management system 24, the transport system 26, and the unloading management system 27 are connected by a RAN 28.

The computer 35 exchanges data with the local computer 18 and the like via the Internet indicated by 29. When the user 30 desires to directly deliver a print at the station 10, the user 30 receives the print directly from the delivery management system 26. If the desired station is not the station 10, the train 31 receives the print from the loading / unloading management system 27 at the station platform and transports it to the desired station.

The function of the system in FIG. 3 will now be described in various cases. First, when the station to which the print is to be delivered is the station 10, the print printed by the printer 36 is sent to the delivery management system 24. The delivery management system 24 prepares an envelope serving as a container for delivering prints, and stores the sent prints. The delivery management system 24 prints the user name / ID, transfer necessity data, delivery station data, and the like on the envelope, and also prints a delivery confirmation. These printings are performed using characters, bar codes, and mark sheets. Note that a magnetic recording unit may be provided on the envelope and the receipt confirmation instead of printing the barcode or the mark sheet, and magnetic data may be input here.

The print and delivery confirmation put in the envelope are sent to the transport system 25. In the transport system 25,
The transfer destination is determined by determining the transfer necessity data and the delivery station data. In this case, since the delivery station is the station 10, the print and the delivery confirmation written in the envelope are conveyed to the delivery management system 26. Thereafter, when the user 30 appears and receives the print placed in the envelope, the delivery confirmation document received and checked on the mark sheet is delivered to the delivery management system 2.
6 and the delivery confirmation data is input and sent to the computer 35.

Next, a case where the delivery desired station is within the route 1 but not the station 10 will be described. Again,
Printing is performed by the printer 36 in the same manner as described above, and the print is sent to the transport system 25 via the delivery management system 24. In the transport system 25, as a result of the determination of the transfer necessity data and the delivery station data, the print and the delivery confirmation written in the envelope are transferred to the unloading management system 27. The unloading management system 27 can handle an up train and a down train, and is provided for each platform when the platform is different. In this case, the transport system 25 discriminates the transfer necessity data and the delivery station data, and sets up the unloading management system 27 provided on either the up platform or the down platform.
Decide whether to send the print and delivery confirmation to The unloading management system 27 discriminates the transfer necessity data and the delivery station data, and loads the print and delivery confirmation on the appropriate one of the up train and the down train. The actual loading operation may be performed automatically or by a conductor.

Although the destination may be different even if the trains are on the same platform and in the same direction, the unloading management system 27 manages the trains passing the desired delivery station so that the prints and delivery confirmations are surely loaded on the trains. I do.

The print and delivery confirmation written in the envelope are loaded on the train and arrive at the station where the delivery is desired. When the delivery to the user is completed, the checked delivery receipt is returned to the mark sheet. At the delivery desired station, the delivery confirmation is loaded on the train and returned to the station 10 by the reverse route. 31 trains
When the user arrives at the station 10, the delivery confirmation is dropped to the unloading management system 27 and delivered to the transport system 25. The transport system 25 recognizes that the transport object is a delivery confirmation, and transports it to the delivery management system 26. In the delivery management system 26, delivery confirmation data is input and sent to the computer 35.

Further, a station whose delivery desired station is not on line 1
For example, in the case of the station 8 on the route 6, printing at the station 10 is not performed. Instead, the computer 35
The order data and the order digital image data are transferred to the local computer 20 at the station 12 on the line 6 where the delivery desired station 8 is located via the Internet indicated by 9.

Next, the case where FIG. 3 is the system of the station 12 will be described. In this case, the computer 35 corresponds to the local computer 20, and the printer 36 corresponds to the silver halide printer 21. The computer 35 receives the order data and the order digital image data from the server computer 14 via the Internet indicated by 29. The printer 36 performs printing based on the received data, and sends the print to the delivery management system 24. Hereinafter, in the same manner as described for the station 10, the delivery management system 24, the transport system 25, and the delivery management system 2
6. The shipping management system 27 functions.

However, in the case of the station 12, the processing of the delivery confirmation is slightly different. The delivery confirmation is unloaded to the unloading management system 27, and the delivery management system 2
The same is true up to the point where the sheet is conveyed to 6. However, after the delivery confirmation data is input by the delivery management system 26 and sent to the computer 35, the computer 35, which is a local computer, sends the delivery confirmation data to the server computer 14 via the Internet indicated by 29. The server computer 14 compares the received delivery confirmation data with the transfer history record and completes the order.

FIG. 4 is a main flow of an operation commonly applied to the server computer and the local computer. When the flow starts in step S1, the order interruption, from step S2 to step S5,
A delivery management interrupt, a transport interrupt, and a delivery management interrupt are enabled, and the process waits.

FIG. 5 shows an order receiving flow, which is common to the server computer 14 and the local computer 20. In the case of the server computer 14, when there is an access for receiving an order from the user's personal computer, and in the case of the local computer 20, when the order data and the order digital image data are received from the server computer 14, step S7 is performed. Is interrupted. In step S8, it is checked whether or not the order processing has been completed. In the case of the local computer 20, the answer is YES, so in the print reservation in step S9, the printing of the ordered digital image data is reserved in the silver halide printer 21, and the process returns to the main flow in step S10.

On the other hand, in the case of the server computer 14, since the answer in step S8 is NO, step S8
Proceeding to step S11, an order processing is performed. Then, based on the result of the order receiving process, the necessity of transferring data to another route is checked in step S12. If there is no necessity, printing of the ordered digital image data is reserved in the main silver halide printer 15 in step S9, and the process returns to the main flow in step S10.

On the other hand, the answer in step S12 is YES
If so, in step S13, the data is transferred to the local computer on the corresponding other route,
The transfer history is recorded in step S14, and the process returns to the main flow in step S10.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the order receiving process in step S11 of FIG. When the order receiving process starts in step S15, first, in step S16, the access from the user is recorded. At this time, the general order screen of FIG. 7 is displayed on the user's personal computer screen. Then, in step S17, a query is made as to whether or not the user has made an order in the past. If the answer is NO, it waits for the user to make a predetermined input on the general input screen of FIG. The general input screen of FIG. 7 is a screen for inputting a plurality of order data items 32 individually. In step S18, input confirmation is performed, and a plurality of input order data items are individually processed. In step S19, a user ID serving as additional data for order management is assigned. The input plurality of processed order data items are combined with one combination data together with the user ID, and the result is output to the user's personal computer screen as an order confirmation screen in step S20.

As shown in FIG. 8, on the order confirmation screen, the combined data is displayed in one window 33.
When the user confirms the order details on the order confirmation screen, the order is confirmed in step S21, and the print order data and the order digital image data are stored in the server computer 1.
4 is stored. Server computer 14 steps
The delivery route is confirmed in S22, and the order receiving process is completed in step S23.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S17 in FIG. 6 that the user has made a repeat order in the past, the screen is switched to a repeater speed order screen in step S24. As shown in FIG. 9, on the speed order screen for repeaters, one window 34 for collectively inputting combined data obtained by combining a plurality of order data items is displayed. In order to make an input in this window, the contents of the window 33 in the previous order confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 8 are copied and stored in the user's personal computer. 34. Since a plurality of order data items are not usually changed, this saves the trouble of inputting each item one by one using the general order screen of FIG. 7 every time an order is placed. In the input confirmation in step S25, the input combined data is separated into individual order data items, and the separated plurality of order data items are individually processed. When the processing of the order data is completed, the process proceeds to step S20, and the order confirmation screen shown in FIG. 8 is output to the user's personal computer in step S20 as in the case of the general input. The following is the same as in the case of general input.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the delivery route confirmation processing in step S22 of FIG. Steps
When the delivery route confirmation processing starts in S26, first, in step S27, it is checked whether or not there is a station equipped with a local computer and a silver halide printer on the route of the station where the user wants to deliver the print. If the answer is YES, the process jumps to step S28, determines the station provided with the local computer and the silver halide printer on the route as the print location, and completes the delivery route confirmation flow in step S29.

On the other hand, if the answer is no, a candidate route is selected in step S30. For example, in FIG. 1, when the station 13 on the line 2 having no local computer and the station equipped with the silver halide printer is the station desired to be delivered, printing is performed by the main silver halide printer at the station 10 and the line 1 is used. A route for transferring a print from the station 10 to the route 2 via the station 4 and transporting the print from the station 4 to the station 13 and a route 11 for the station 11 on the route 3
Print using a silver halide printer, and transfer to line 2 from station 11 to station 5 using line 3.
A route for transporting prints from the station 5 to the station 13 is conceivable. When the candidate is selected like a child, in step S31 in FIG. 10, the delivery conditions such as the degree of congestion of the printer and the train schedule are examined, and in step S32, which route to take is determined. Once the route is determined, step
The print location is determined in S28, and the delivery route confirmation flow is completed in step S29.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation of the delivery management system 24 in the station premises system in FIG. When the print is sent to the delivery management system by the printer 15 in FIG. 3 and the delivery management interrupt is applied in step S33, an envelope serving as a container for delivering the print is prepared in step S34. In step S35, the user name / ID is printed on the envelope. Step S
36. In step S37, transfer necessity data and delivery station data are printed. Step S38
Then, sorting of prints on the envelope is performed. On the other hand, in step S39, a delivery confirmation is printed. When the print and the delivery confirmation written in the envelope are transferred to the transport system 25 in step S40, the flow returns to the main flow in step S41.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the transport system 25 in the system in the station yard in FIG.
When the print and the delivery confirmation in the envelope are transferred from the delivery management system 24 to the delivery system 25, or when the delivery confirmation is transferred from the unloading management system 27 to the delivery system 25, the delivery interrupt in step S42 is issued. Take it. In step S43, it is checked which interrupt occurred. If only the delivery confirmation has not been transferred, it means that the print in the envelope and the delivery confirmation have been transferred to the transport system 25, and the process proceeds to step S44, where the transfer necessity data and the delivery are transferred. The destination is determined based on the station data. If the delivery station is this station, in step S45, the print and delivery confirmation are transferred to the delivery management system 26, and
The process returns to the main flow in S46.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S44 that the delivery desired station is not this station, in step S47,
The print and delivery confirmation put in the envelope are transferred to the unloading management system 27, and the process returns to the main flow in step S46.

If the delivery system 25 recognizes that only the delivery confirmation has been delivered to the transport system 25 in step S43, the delivery system 25 transports the delivery confirmation to the delivery management system 26 in step S48. The process returns to the main flow in S46.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the operation of the delivery management system in the station system in FIG.
When only the print put in the envelope and the delivery confirmation document or the delivery confirmation document after the delivery of the print is conveyed from the transport system 25, the delivery management interrupt of step S47 is applied. In step S48, it is checked whether or not only the delivery confirmation after the delivery of the print has been conveyed. If the answer is NO, it means that the print and the delivery confirmation put in the envelope have been conveyed. Therefore, these are stored in step S49, and the process returns to the main flow in step S50 and waits for the user to appear in the reception. . On the other hand, if the answer to step S48 is YES, only the delivery confirmation after the delivery of the print is completed, the delivery confirmation is input in step S51, and the process returns to the main flow in step S50.

FIG. 14 shows a computer network according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, each of the computers 37, 38, and 39 is an independent server computer, and can receive orders for printing and delivery of digital image data.
Such an embodiment is suitable for a case where a plurality of independent digital image data print delivery systems work together in cooperation. In this case, the embodiment is effective even if the route of the delivery system is not a public transport route but a delivery network unique to each delivery system.

The server computers 37, 28,
Needless to say, a system in which each 39 has a local computer as shown in FIG. 2 is also possible, but in the following description, only the relationship between server computers will be described for simplicity. The relationship between the server computer and the local computer when a local computer is provided is the same as in the first embodiment.

In FIG. 14, a first server computer 37 is connected to a first silver halide printer 40. From the first personal computer 41 of the first user, print order data and order digital image data are sent to the server computer 37 via the Internet indicated by reference numeral 42. Similarly, the second server computer 38 is connected to the second silver halide printer 43. From the second user's second personal computer 44, print order data and order digital image data are sent to the server computer 38 via the Internet indicated by 45. The third server computer 39 is connected to a third silver halide printer 46.
The third server computer can receive an order from any user in the same manner as the first and second server computers. Data is exchanged between the server computers 37, 38, and 39 via the Internet. This exchange may be performed by a dedicated line.

In the above system, the first server computer receiving the order of the first user transfers the order data and the ordered digital image data to the third server computer, prints it out by the third silver halide printer 46, and sends it out. It is possible.

The details of the operation of each server computer in FIG. 14 are basically the same as those described in the first embodiment.
It can be considered that each of 38 and 39 has the functions of the server computer and the local computer in the first embodiment. In other words, the respective server computers 37, 38, 39 not only transfer but also receive the order data and the order digital image data,
Performs printing and delivery according to orders received by other server computers. In this case, similarly to the local computer in the first embodiment, when the delivery confirmation data is input from the delivery management system, the delivery confirmation data is sent to another server computer that has received the order. The server computer that has received the order checks the received delivery confirmation data against the transfer history record, and completes the order.

FIG. 15 is a route map in a case where public transportation routes are a terminal station and an air route. According to the second embodiment, the terminal station 47 is provided with a first server computer and a first silver halide printer,
The local airport 48 is provided with a second server computer and a second silver halide printer.

In such a route map, if a user who has a transaction with the first server computer orders print delivery to a friend who lives near the local airport 50, the local server 48 is sent from the first server computer at the terminal station 47. The order data and the order digital image data are transferred to the second server computer. At the local airport 48, printing is performed by the second silver halide printer, and delivery is performed to the local airport 50 via the hub airport 51. Airport transit can take advantage of the existing luggage transshipment system at the airport.

On the other hand, if a user who does not have a transaction with the first server computer but has a transaction with the second server computer orders a print in hope of picking up at the station 52, the second server at the local airport 48 The order data and the digital image data are transferred from the computer to the first server computer at the terminal station 47. At the terminal station 47, printing is performed by the first silver halide printer, and printing is performed by the line 53 at the station 5.
Deliver to 2. Terminal 54 also has lines 54 and 5
5 is on board, but by identifying home data to be printed on the envelope by the delivery management system at terminal station 47, the transport system transports the print to the unloading management system at the departure home on line 53.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a route diagram of a public transportation route showing a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a computer network diagram according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system in a station yard in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a main flowchart of a computer in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for receiving an order in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an order receiving process according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a general order screen of the user personal computer in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an order confirmation screen of the user personal computer in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a repeater screen of the user personal computer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a delivery route confirmation flowchart according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a delivery management flowchart according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a transport system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a delivery management flowchart according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a computer network diagram according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a route map of a public transportation route showing the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2, 3 Route operated by Company A 4, 5 Transfer connection station 6 Route operated by Company B 7 Customer's home 8, 9 Customer's nearest station 10 Station equipped with server computer and main silver halide printer 11, 12 Station with local computer and silver halide printer 14 server computer 15 main silver halide printer 16 personal computer at user's home 17 Internet 18, 20, 22 local computer 19, 21, 23 silver halide printer 37, 38 39, a computer 41 and 44 functioning as a server computer and a local computer 41, 44 a personal computer at the home of another user 47 a terminal station equipped with a computer and a silver halide printer 48 a computer and a silver halide printer Karu Airport 50 local airport 51 hub airports

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat II (reference) H04N 5/76 ZEC H04N 5/76 ZECE F term (reference) 2H106 BA95 5B021 AA01 BB02 EE02 5C052 AA12 AB04 DD02 DD10 FA01 FA03 FA04 FA05 FA06 FA08 FB01 FB05 FC06 FE08 5C062 AA13 AA25 AB22 AB23 AB38 AC04 AC05 AC43 AF00 BA04 BC01

Claims (35)

[Claims] 1. A server computer for receiving print order data and order digital image data from a user; a plurality of local computers to which order data and order digital image data from the server computer are transferred; The server computer has a printer for printing the order digital image data, and the server computer transmits the order data and the order digital image data to any local computer based on the contents of the print order data and the print delivery efficiency judgment using the public transportation route. A print delivery system for digital image data, which determines whether to transfer the print data. 2. The server computer and the local computer are installed at landings and departures on different public transportation routes, respectively, and the server computer transmits order data and a delivery to the local computer on a route having a print delivery and departure landing specified by order data. 2. The digital image data print delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the order digital image data is transferred. 3. A local printer, comprising: a main printer for printing order digital image data of the server computer; and, when the server computer is installed on a route where a print delivery / departure point specified by the order data is located. 3. The digital image data print delivery system according to claim 2, wherein the order digital image data is printed by the main printer without transferring the order data and the order digital image data to the digital printer. 4. The printing of digital image data according to claim 1, wherein print delivery confirmation data is inputted from said local computer which has received the transfer of the order data and the order digital image data, and is transferred to said server computer. Delivery system. 5. A server computer for receiving print order data and order digital image data from a user, a main printer for printing the order digital image data of the server computer, and an order data and order digital image data from the server computer. A local computer to be transferred, and a printer to print the order digital image data transferred to the local computer, wherein the server computer is configured to execute the print order data based on the contents of the print order data and the print delivery efficiency using public transportation routes. Determining whether to transfer order data and order digital image data to the local computer. 6. The server computer and the local computer are installed at landings on different public transportation routes, and the server computer places an order when a print delivery and landing place specified by order data is a line on which the local computer is located. 6. The digital image data print delivery system according to claim 5, wherein the data and the order digital image data are transferred. 7. When the server computer is installed on a route where a print delivery / departure place specified by the order data is located, the order data and the order digital image data are not transferred to the local computer.
7. The digital image data print delivery system according to claim 6, wherein the ordered digital image data is printed by the main printer. 8. The print delivery of digital image data according to claim 5, wherein print delivery confirmation data is inputted from said local computer which has received the transfer of the order data and the order digital image data, and transferred to a server computer. system. 9. A first computer for receiving print order data and order digital image data from a user, a first printer for printing the order digital image data of the first computer, and order data and order digital image from the first computer. A second computer to which the data is transferred, and a second printer to print the order digital image data transferred to the second computer, wherein the first computer prints the contents of the print order data and prints using public transportation routes. A digital image data print delivery system, which determines whether or not to transmit order data and order digital image data to a second computer based on the efficiency judgment. 10. The first computer and the second computer are installed at the landings of different public transportation routes, and the first computer is used for ordering when the print transfer destination specified by the order data is a route with the second computer. 10. The digital image data print delivery system according to claim 9, wherein the data and the order digital image data are transferred. 11. When the first computer is installed on a route where a print delivery / departure place specified by the order data is located, the order data and the order digital image data are not transferred to the second computer. 11. The digital image data print delivery system according to claim 10, wherein the order digital image data is printed by one printer. 12. The digital image data print according to claim 9, wherein print delivery confirmation data is input from the second computer to which the order data and the order digital image data have been transferred, and transferred to the first computer. Delivery system. 13. The second computer is also capable of receiving print order data and order digital image data from a user. When the print delivery and departure place specified by the order data is on a route with the first computer, the order is placed. The digital image data print delivery system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the data and the order digital image data are transferred to a first computer. 14. The public transportation route is a railway line, and the boarding place is a station.
A print delivery system for digital image data according to any one of the above. 15. A delivery management means for preparing a delivery container for delivering a print made by a printer, wherein the delivery management means stores data on a landing / disembarkation location of a public transportation line for unloading the delivery container in the delivery container. 11. The digital image data print delivery system according to claim 2, wherein the digital image data is added. 16. A delivery management means for preparing a delivery container for delivering a print made by a printer, wherein the delivery management means stores data for identifying a platform at a landing site of a public transportation route on which the delivery container is loaded. 11. The digital image data print delivery system according to claim 2, wherein the digital image data is added to the delivery container. 17. A delivery management means for preparing a delivery container for delivering a print made by a printer, wherein the delivery management means stores data for identifying upward and downward of a public transportation route on which the delivery container is loaded. 11. The digital image data print delivery system according to claim 2, wherein the digital image data is added to the delivery container. 18. A delivery management means for preparing a delivery container for delivering a print made by a printer, wherein the delivery management means stores data for identifying whether or not the delivery container is to be loaded on a public transportation route. 11. The digital image data print delivery system according to claim 2, wherein the digital image data is added to a delivery container. 19. A system according to claim 2, further comprising transport means for transporting the prints to a platform on a public transportation route to unload the prints produced by the printer.
Or a digital image data print delivery system according to any one of 6 and 10. 20. A print delivery of digital image data according to claim 1, wherein a computer which receives print order data and order digital image data from a user receives said data by communication means. system. 21. The digital image data printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a computer receiving print order data and order digital image data from a user receives the data by inputting at a storefront. Delivery system. 22. A computer having print order data and digital image data from a user, a printer for printing the digital image data of the computer, and a delivery management means for preparing a delivery container for delivering the prints produced by the printer. Wherein the delivery management means adds data of a station on a public transportation route for unloading the delivery container to the delivery container. 23. A delivery management means for preparing a computer having print order data and order digital image data from a user, a printer for printing the order digital image data of the computer, and a delivery container for delivering prints produced by the printer. Wherein the delivery management means adds, to the delivery container, data for identifying a platform of a station on a public transportation route from which the delivery container is loaded. 24. A computer having print order data and digital image data from a user, a printer for printing the digital image data of the computer, and a delivery management means for preparing a delivery container for delivering prints produced by the printer. Wherein the delivery management means adds, to the delivery container, data for identifying the upward and downward positions of a public transportation route on which the delivery container is to be loaded, to the delivery container. 25. A delivery management means for preparing a computer having print order data and order digital image data from a user, a printer for printing the order digital image data of the computer, and a delivery container for delivering prints produced by the printer. Wherein the delivery management means adds data to the delivery container for identifying whether or not the delivery container is to be loaded on a public transportation route, to the print delivery system for digital image data. 26. A computer having print order data and order digital image data from a user, a printer for printing the order digital image data of the computer, and a station on a public transportation line for loading the prints produced by the printer. A print delivery system for digital image data, comprising: transport means for transporting prints to a home. 27. A computer having print order data and order digital image data from a user, a printer for printing the order digital image data of the computer, and a station on a public transportation line for loading the prints produced by the printer. A print delivery system for digital image data, comprising: a shipping management unit installed at a home. 28. A public transportation station having a computer having print order data and digital image data from a user, and a printer for printing the digital image data of the computer on the premises. 29. In a plurality of print delivery systems each having a computer, a printer connected thereto, and a delivery network, receiving print order data and order digital image data by a computer of any of the systems; Determining whether to transfer the print order data and the ordered digital image data from the ordered system to another system based on the data and the information of the delivery network in the plurality of print delivery systems; and Sending the print order data and order digital image data for the computer of the other system from the computer of the system that received the order when
Transmitting data relating to execution of an order for the computer of the system that has received the order from the computer of the other system. 30. A computer for receiving print order data and order digital image data from a user,
A digital image data print delivery system, comprising: means for individually processing a plurality of order data items; and means for combining the plurality of order data as one data. 31. The digital image data print delivery system according to claim 30, further comprising means for separating said combined data into individual order data items. 32. A computer for receiving print order data and order digital image data from a user,
The computer displaying, on a user's computer, a screen for individually inputting a plurality of order data items; individually processing the input plurality of order data items; and A method of printing and delivering digital image data, comprising the steps of: combining items into one piece of combined data; and displaying the combined data on a computer screen of a user. 33. Digital image data printing according to claim 32, wherein in the step of combining the plurality of input order data items into one combined data, additional data for order management is added and combined. Shipping method. 34. displaying a screen for inputting the combined data on a user's computer;
33. The method according to claim 32, further comprising the steps of: separating the input combined data into individual order data items; and individually processing the separated plurality of order data items. Print delivery method. 35. A computer for receiving print order data and order digital image data from a user,
A step of displaying on the user's computer a screen for collectively inputting one piece of combined data in which a plurality of order data items are combined; and a step of separating the input combined data into individual order data items. And individually processing the separated plurality of order data items.