JP2001339595A - Network photo service system and ordering preparing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network photo service system and an ordering preparing method that can further enhance a degree of freedom of design in spite of a facilitated customer side job. SOLUTION: When a customer places a print order, a terminal 11 accesses a management server 21 to read information required for placing the order. This information includes information of a template image to be combined with an object image and a prescribed format of print order or the like. The template image information includes an object, the terminal 11 can apply edit processing to the object on the basis thereof, edits the image data having been acquired in advance as required in cross-reference with each other, transmits the result to the management server via a network N, and a shop side uses a printer 22 to print out a required image. The customer only applies edit processing of the object to the original template image and can obtain a print with high originality without a complicated operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a network photo service system and an order creation method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital cameras and home digital printers have been remarkably popularized by improvements in image processing technology. Along with this, the users who use the digital images are becoming more conscious of digital images, and are being used for various purposes such as creating homepages for the Internet and digital printing. On the other hand, of course, output centers and mini-labs (small-scale laboratories) that provide image print services and large laboratories that perform centralized processing are also increasing the services that handle digital image data, and the service variations are diverse.

In recent years, with the spread of the Internet,
In addition to getting information from the homepage, shopping, enjoying downloading images and software, and sending e-mails have become extremely common.

Here, as a method of providing a photo-related service to a customer, a scanner or a printer is arranged in a large lab or an output center, a photographic image taken by the customer is stored in an image server, and the customer connects the image server to the Internet. There has been proposed a network business that provides various services such as access to photos via a photocopying order, uploading and downloading of images, and the like. As an advantage of this network business, you can place orders while staying at home and receive services unique to digital images,
The benefits are great for end users, and it is expected that the service will grow in the future.

[0005]

Among the above services, there are services in which only images are printed, such as simultaneous printing, and additional services, such as postcards, in which an image of a subject is combined with an illustration. There is also a value print service. Here, in order to obtain a value-added print, it is conceivable that the customer combines the subject image with a favorite image using general-purpose image processing software on his or her personal computer. According to such processing, the customer can compose his or her favorite image as desired.

[0006] However, in general, image synthesis cannot be easily performed by general-purpose image software unless one is good at image synthesis processing. Therefore, most of the image synthesis processing performed at the time of ordering is performed by fitting a subject image to a predetermined position of a fixed template image provided through a lab or the like.

However, for example, in a postcard such as a New Year's card created using a standard template image, the subject image is fitted to the same position of the same template image even though the subject image and the customer's address and name are different. The customer may want to modify the template image to his or her favorite design to some extent, since the embedded image may be received by each other. On the other hand, as described above, when various combinations of the design and the subject image are considered from the beginning, the originality is increased, but the creation operation is complicated, and an enormous amount of time is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has a network photo service system and an ordering system capable of further improving the degree of freedom in design despite the fact that work on the customer side is easy. The purpose is to provide a creation method.

[0009]

A network photo service system according to a first aspect of the present invention acquires information on a template image, creates order information based on the acquired information on the template image, and creates the order information. A network photo service system capable of placing an order by transferring information through a network, wherein information relating to the template image includes an object, and the object can be edited when an order is created. And

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an order creating method for acquiring information on a template image and creating an order based on the acquired information on the template image. An object is included, and editing processing of the object is performed at the time of order creation.

[0011]

The network photo service system according to the first aspect of the present invention acquires information on a template image, creates order information based on the acquired information on the template image, and transmits the created order information via a network. A network photo service system that can place an order by transferring, wherein information about the template image includes an object,
Since the object can be edited at the time of order creation, a highly original print can be obtained by the object editing process. Further, for example, a customer who operates a processing terminal can simply place an order for a composite image because it is sufficient to edit the object with respect to the original template image and does not need complicated operation. You can do it. The information on the template image can be obtained via a network, or stored on a storage medium such as a CD-ROM.
It can also be obtained by receiving distribution of such a CD. Here, the “template image” includes a background image and an object, and can be any image such as a target subject image, an illustration image, or a character. In a broad sense, the background image is also included in the object. Here, the “object” refers to a portion into which a subject image, characters, and the like can be inserted or input, and is preferably constituted by a mask image, an image frame, or the like. Further, it is preferable that the information on the template image is controlled by a setting file or the like necessary for enabling the object to be edited.

Further, by obtaining the template image information via a network, such acquisition can be easily performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and information on the template image can be obtained via a network, or can be obtained by storing such a CD in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and receiving distribution of such a CD.

Further, the object editing processing includes
Preferably, the object is at least one of rotation, enlargement, reduction, movement, deformation, and replacement.

Preferably, the object is at least one of image data and character data.

[0015] Further, it is preferable that the information on the template image includes a setting file that enables an editing process.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an order creating method for acquiring information on a template image and creating an order based on the acquired information on the template image. Since an object is included and the object is edited at the time of order creation, a highly original print can be obtained by the object editing process. Further, for example, the customer only needs to edit the object with respect to the original template image and does not need a complicated operation, so that the customer can easily place an order for the composite image.

Further, the editing process of the object includes:
Preferably, the object is at least one of rotation, enlargement, reduction, movement, deformation, and replacement.

Preferably, the object is at least one of image data and character data.

Further, it is preferable that the information on the template image includes a setting file that enables an editing process.

The network referred to here is a network in which computer systems, terminals, and data communication equipment are interconnected. The connection may be connected by a wire such as a dedicated line or a public line, may be connected wirelessly through a communication satellite or the like, or may be connected in a complex form thereof. The so-called Internet is also included in the network.

The order created according to the present invention is finally transferred to a store such as a lab, where it is printed. That is, a store refers to, for example, a laboratory provided with an image forming apparatus capable of printing an image based on an order, but is not limited to this. Printing is performed based on such image data after converting an image of a developed or undeveloped film or the like taken by a customer into digital image data. In addition, the processing is performed based on image data captured by a digital camera (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a digital camera), original image data created by a customer, and the like.

Further, the "image forming apparatus" here is
A device having a function of creating digital image data, for example, a device having a function of processing image data, a device for writing image data to a recording medium, or a device capable of outputting image data.

A device for writing image data to a recording medium includes a magnetic recording medium (floppy (registered trademark) disk, ZIP (registered trademark), DAT (registered trademark), photothermal recording medium (CD-R, CD-R) ROM), magneto-optical recording medium (MO, DVD), semiconductor medium (PCMCI)
A A device having a function of writing to a recording medium such as a card or a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk. Usually, in order to write image data, it is preferable that a dedicated device for writing the recording medium is connected to the personal computer either internally or externally.

Specific examples of the recording medium writing device include an MO drive, a ZIP drive, a DAT drive, a CD-R drive, a DVD-ROM drive, and an MO drive.
Drive, PCMCIA card throttle.

An apparatus capable of outputting image data refers to an apparatus having a function of printing digital image data on a print or a hard copy. The image output device,
Although there is no particular limitation, a digital printer using a silver halide photographic material, an inkjet printer, a sublimation printer, a thermal transfer printer, a laser printer, a digital copy, etc. are preferable. Particularly, a printer using a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material, an ink jet printer, and the like are preferable because a high-quality image can be obtained. A plurality of these devices may be connected, or any one of them may be used.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network photo service system according to the present embodiment. In FIG.
The customer terminal 11 as order creation means and the store management server 21 as provision means can communicate via the network N. The management server 21 is connected to a printer 22, which is an image forming apparatus. Terminal 1
1 includes a hard disk as a computer-readable storage medium storing a program necessary to execute the order creation method of the present invention.

When creating a print order, the customer accesses the management server 21 from the terminal 11 and reads information necessary for creating a print order. Such information includes information on a template image to be combined with the subject image (for example, a thumbnail image), a predetermined format for a print order, and the like. Note that information necessary for creating a print order including information on a template image may be stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed from a lab or the like.

The customer associates the print order information created based on the information necessary for creating the print order with the image data acquired in advance in a form that associates the image data with the management server 21 via the network N. , And the store can print the image with the print 22 on the basis of these.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a template image combined with a subject image. FIG. 2D shows a template image before image editing obtained from a CD-ROM distributed via a network or distributed. FIG. 2 (d)
Is composed of a background image G2 (original design created with various designs and colors, etc., but omitted here), an image object frame G0 into which a subject image can be inserted, and C1 and C2 character objects. It is configured.

Here, in the case of a regular template,
Character data such as C1 and C2 are fixed and cannot be changed at all. In this case, the image editing operation is completed by inserting the subject image G1 into the image object frame G0, but since the image is only inserted into the object, the original image has very low originality. If the standard template image is sufficient, the customer creates a print order together with information indicating that the template image is not changed, and transfers the print order to the management server 21 so that the composite image as shown in FIG. You can get a print.

On the other hand, in the case of the template image of the present invention, the customer can desire to change the template image, and can edit the template image by operating the terminal 11. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2 (b), after the subject image G1 is inserted into the image object G0, the character image C indicating that "a child has been born"
1 is replaced with a flower illustration image G3, and the relative position with respect to the subject image G1 to be fitted is changed. Character image G
2 has not changed.

On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 2C, in the character image C1 of "child was born", the part of "child" is replaced with "boy", the font is changed, and The relative position with respect to the subject image G1 to be fitted is changed. Note that the subject image G1 'is enlarged. Further, the font of the character image G2 'has also been changed. As is clear from the above, the subject image G1, the character image C1,
Each of the character images G2 is an object of the present invention.

For the above editing work, for example, a virtual editing frame is set in an editable area of the template image, and the image as an object in the editing frame is operated by operating an edit button or dragging a mouse. Enlargement, reduction, movement, deformation, etc. may be performed. Regarding the replacement, it is preferable to display the options that can be replaced on the display 12 of the terminal 11 and then let the customer select one of the options, for example, because the editing work is simplified. However, if there are too many choices, the replacement is prohibited in the character image C1 "Birth was born" in the character image C1 "Birth was born" because it takes time to work.
It is preferable that only "child" can be changed to "boy" or "girl".

As described above, the method for editing the image object frame is not particularly limited, but is preferably the following method. That is, it is a method that includes a template and a setting file in which information such as the size and position of the object is described and is associated with each other. An example of such a method will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a template according to the present invention, in which an image has not been fitted yet. FIG.
The same symbols are used. In FIG. 3, H indicates a background image (design is not shown), G0, C1, and C2 indicate objects, and G0, C1, and C2 are actually composed of two objects. That is, in the case of character data, it is divided into an object frame indicated by a dotted line and character data. In the case of an image object, the image object is divided into an image object frame and image mask data to be fitted.

FIG. 4 shows data indicating the contents described in the associated setting file. In FIG. 4, [paper] indicates the content of the printed matter actually printed. The content described in [paper] is composed of size and PCN,
size is an image size (unit: pixel) corresponding to the resolution of the printer to be printed. Also, PCN
Is a symbol indicating the print category or the like. In this case, POST indicates a postcard size. Next, [object] will be described. [Objectl] means the information of the object of the template, and “LayNo” is a number determined for each object. For example, [object00
Since [2] and [object006] are the object frame and the character data representing the object C1, the LayerNo is the same 2.

Position represents the coordinates with respect to the X axis and the Y axis when the upper left coordinate of the background image is (0, 0). Size is the image size (the unit is pixels) of the object. Attribute indicates an attribute that determines whether the object can be rotated, enlarged, reduced, or moved. In this case, 0 is prohibited and 1 is allowed, but the method is not particularly limited.
In addition, attributes such as rotation, enlargement, reduction, and movement may be described in detail as a sequence of 00001 or the like. Shape indicates the shape of the object. For example, in this case, # 1 indicates a rectangle, and # 2 indicates an ellipse. The type indicates whether the object is character data or image data. in this case,
1 is image data, and 2 is character data. In the case of image data, a storage destination of the image data and the like are described as indicated by filePath.
When mask data is required, the destination of the mask data is also described in the Mask. For character data, c
Character data is directly written in the place of ont. Of course, the above is only an example, but the same effect can be obtained by other description methods. In addition, if the file described in this manner is programmed so that the file can be read and understood, the object in the template can be changed.

In the above example, the postcard for birth notice has been described as an example. However, the present invention is also applicable to print orders for various composite images such as postcards such as New Year's cards and summer greetings, calendars and business cards. Applicable.
Also, for example, when creating an order for electronic greeting cards etc. distributed all at once via the Internet,
It is also possible to apply the present invention.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the above-described embodiments, and that modifications and improvements can be made as appropriate. is there.

[0040]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a network photo service system and an order creation method capable of improving the degree of freedom of design even though the work on the customer side is easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network photo service system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a template image combined with a subject image.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a template according to the present invention, showing a state where an image has not been fitted yet.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing data indicating contents described in an associated setting file.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Terminal 21 Management Server 22 Image Forming Device N Internet

Continued on front page F-term (reference) 5B050 AA09 BA06 BA16 CA07 CA08 EA12 EA13 EA20 FA05 FA19 5C076 AA13 AA16 AA17 AA21 AA22 AA23 AA24 AA40 BA05 BA06 CB02

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A network photo service system capable of acquiring information on a template image, creating order information based on the acquired information on the template image, and sending the created order information via a network to place an order. A network photo service system, wherein the information related to the template image includes an object, and the object can be edited when an order is created. 2. The network photo service system according to claim 1, wherein said template image information is obtained via a network. 3. The network photo service system according to claim 1, wherein the editing process of the object is at least one of rotation, enlargement, reduction, movement, deformation, and replacement of the object. 4. The network photo service system according to claim 1, wherein the object is at least one of image data and character data. 5. The network photo service system according to claim 1, wherein the information on the template image includes a setting file that enables an editing process. 6. An order creation method for acquiring information on a template image and creating an order based on the acquired information on the template image, wherein the information on the template image includes an object. An order creation method, wherein the object is edited at the time of creation. 7. The order creating method according to claim 6, wherein the editing process of the object is at least one of rotation, enlargement, reduction, movement, deformation, and replacement of the object. 8. The order creating method according to claim 6, wherein the object is at least one of image data and character data. 9. The order creation method according to claim 6, wherein the information on the template image includes a setting file that enables an editing process. 10. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program required to execute the order creation method according to claim 6. Description: