JP2002092732A - Automatic photograph printing vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic photograph printing vending machine saving as much labor of a printed image purchaser as possible, printing in various printing forms corresponding to DPOF information of a storage medium, and performing even accounting. SOLUTION: This automatic photograph printing vending machine 1 has built-in eight printer units 23, reads image data and the DPOF information of the storage medium 49 inserted in a card I/F 45, adjusts to paper type and size specified by print job information of a DPOF, and performs multiple printing, panoramic photograph printing, synthetic printing of lettering, dates, titles, frame numbers per frame or the like, and printing by trimming or rotating images, or the like. It also transfers the read image data by specification of destination information of the DPOF, registers the image data on the basis of user information to cope with extra copy requests at later dates, and charges the user for the fee of the processes and settles the charge with financial institutions on the basis of the user information and vendor function information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photo printing vending machine for printing a digital image using a medium on which a digital image is stored, and more particularly, to processing designation information (DPOF) stored on the medium together with the digital image. The present invention relates to a photo printing vending machine that performs processing based on a voucher.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, photography using a so-called analog camera of a silver halide photography system has been performed. In the case of the silver halide photographic camera, the photographed photograph is usually taken to a photo shop in the town for development and print processing.

In recent years, digital devices such as digital cameras and scanners have been widely used, and image data and read image data obtained by such digital devices are connected to, for example, a personal computer at home. Printing is performed by a printer device, or image data is stored in a storage medium such as a flash memory card or a floppy (registered trademark) disk, and the storage medium is brought to a photo shop or the like to request printing.

In particular, in recent years, a photographic printing vending machine in which a desired image is printed immediately by storing image data photographed by a digital camera in a storage medium and loading the storage medium into a vending machine. Has been proposed. On the other hand, in recent digital cameras, processing designation information at the time of printing, that is, a so-called DPOF
(Digital Print Order Format) Information to which information can be added has appeared on the market. This DPOF information is conventionally print number designation information, and can be recorded by a digital camera user. When the user inputs the number-of-prints designation information for each photographing screen, the number-of-prints designation information is written in a predetermined format on a storage medium such as a flash memory card together with the photographed image data. In this case, the photo print vending machine can automatically perform the printing of the number specified by the print number specifying information.

However, even when a conventional storage medium in which DPOF information is stored is used, the DPOF information itself is only information of a specified number of prints. Other than automatically printing the number of sheets as in the above, when printing the desired image, the user operates the photo print vending machine to display the image stored in the storage medium, and selects the one to be printed. In this case, the user inputs and prints this.

[0006]

However, it is troublesome and time-consuming to select and specify an image to be printed one by one at the place of purchasing a print image at a photo printing vending machine. When there is a purchase applicant, there is a problem that the other purchase applicants are kept waiting, which is extremely inefficient.

[0007] The DPOF information standard has been gradually upgraded, and the current version (ver.
In 1.01), designation information other than the number of prints can be recorded. However, at present, a photo printing vending machine capable of performing printing in accordance with advanced printing conditions of designated information other than the number of DPOF information printed on such a storage medium has not yet appeared.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional circumstances,
Save the trouble of the purchaser of the print image as much as possible and save the DP of the storage medium.
An object of the present invention is to provide a photo print vending machine that performs printing in various printing modes corresponding to OF information and performs billing processing.

[0009]

A photographic printing vending machine according to the first aspect of the present invention is loaded with a storage medium for recording image data photographed by a digital camera and processing designation information of the image data. Loading means, reading means for reading the image data and the process designation information stored in the storage medium loaded in the loading means, printing means for printing the image data read by the reading means, Processing means for processing the image data according to the processing specification information; andprint control means for controlling the printing means to print the processed image data processed by the processing means in accordance with the processing specification information. It is composed.

In this photo printing vending machine, for example, the processing designation information is panoramic photographing information indicating image data of panoramic photographing, and the processing means is a panoramic photographing machine. According to the photographing information, a predetermined plurality of frames of images are processed into a continuous series of image data, and the printing control unit is configured to control the printing unit to print the series of image data on one sheet. You. Further, for example, as set forth in claim 3, the processing designation information is multi-image print information indicating that the image is for multi-image printing, and the processing means is configured to process a plurality of frames according to the multi-image print information. The printing control unit generates the synthesized image data for one frame by synthesizing the image data.
The printing unit is configured to control the printing unit so as to print a composite image for a frame on one sheet of paper. In addition, for example, the processing designation information is information on a size of a sheet on which the image data is to be printed, and the print control unit is configured to output the size information from a plurality of built-in printer units. The printing unit is controlled to select a printer unit loaded with printing paper of a size corresponding to the information and perform printing. Further, for example, as set forth in claim 5, the process designation information is paper type information of a paper on which the image data is to be printed, and the print control unit is configured to output a print command from a plurality of built-in printer units.
The printing unit is controlled to select a printer unit loaded with printing paper of a paper type corresponding to the paper type information and perform printing.

[0011] Next, a photo printing vending machine system according to the present invention is a loading means for loading a storage medium for recording image data photographed by a digital camera and processing designation information of the image data; Reading means for reading the image data and the processing designation information stored in the storage medium loaded in the loading means; and transmitting the image data and the processing designation information read by the reading means via a communication line. A vending machine having a transmitting means for transmitting, and the image data and the processing designation information transmitted by the transmitting means of the vending machine are received via the communication line, and are included in the processing designation information. A management center for transmitting the image data and the processing designation information to a transmission destination specified by the transmission destination processing information based on the transmission destination information having Ranaru.

[0012] The management center is configured to manage the uploaded image data based on the identity information of the orderer stored in the storage medium, for example, as set forth in claim 7. As described in Item 8, the vending machine usage fee is charged based on the orderer's designated information stored in the storage medium, and the vending machine is debited and settled based on the request.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of a photo printing vending machine according to an embodiment. The photo printing vending machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 is disposed, for example, in a building such as a street corner or an office building.
Operation unit (display & touch panel) 2, key input unit 3, recording media insertion slot 4 (4a to 4e), LED5
(5a-5e), amount display section 6, fee insertion slot 7 (7a,
7b), a stop button 8, a receipt insertion port 9, a receipt discharge port 10, a fee return port 11, and a take-out port 12 are provided. On the left and right sides of the photo printing vending machine 1, auxiliary display units 13 are provided.

The display / operation unit (display & touch panel) 2 includes a display unit of a liquid crystal display, and an operation unit for operating keys, buttons, icons, and the like displayed on the liquid crystal display with a finger, for example. On the display / operation unit (display & touch panel) 2, image information taken by a digital camera or the like is displayed as a thumbnail,
A selection icon for the pay mode or the free mode is also displayed. Further, in accordance with the display on the display / operation unit (display & touch panel) 2, for example, the user selects image information displayed as thumbnails and individually specifies the number of prints. Do. Note that these input operations can be similarly performed by the key input unit 3.

The auxiliary display unit 13 is composed of a liquid crystal display, on which the same contents as those displayed on the liquid crystal display of the display / operation unit (display & touch panel) 2 are displayed, or Are displayed. That is, the auxiliary display unit 13 usually displays an advertisement for sales promotion to people waiting for the use of the photo printing vending machine 1 and others, or a plurality of users can use the photo printing vending machine 1. Is used together, the same contents as those displayed on the liquid crystal display of the operation / display unit (display & touch panel) 2 are displayed and the same is applied to a person other than the user who is actually operating. Care is taken so that the contents can be displayed. The display contents can be switched by operating the display / operation unit (display & touch panel) 2 and the key input unit 3 by the user.

The recording media insertion ports 4a to 4e are insertion ports for a plurality of types of recording media (information storage media), such as a flash memory card insertion port 4a, a smart media card insertion port 4b, a memory stick insertion port 4c,
An insertion slot 4d for a PC card and an insertion slot 4e for a floppy disk. The recording medium insertion slot 4 has a built-in data reading device that supports various recording media so as to be compatible with various media. In addition, a static elimination brush for removing static electricity is provided in consideration of damage to each recording medium and damage to the apparatus main body due to static electricity.

Incidentally, each recording medium insertion opening 4 is provided downward. This is because, when each recording medium is inserted, the leading end of the recording medium is arranged at a position higher than the recording medium insertion slot 4 by a predetermined amount. Therefore, the connector inside each recording medium insertion slot 4 connected to each recording medium is also arranged downward. Such a configuration is a configuration for preventing adhesion of dust or the like to the connector contact portion and ensuring electrical connection. In addition, a fan may be provided in the vicinity of the connector portion to prevent adhesion of dust and the like. With such a dustproof measure, the reliability of the device can be ensured even in a dusty environment such as outdoors.

Digital image information photographed by a digital camera or the like is written in the recording medium as a plurality of unit screen information. The digital image information written to these recording media may be data obtained by converting image data read from a scanner or the like into digital image data.

The LEDs 5a to 5e are provided corresponding to the respective recording medium insertion ports 4a to 4e. When a recording medium corresponding to each recording medium insertion port 4 is inserted, the corresponding LED 5 is turned on. It lights up. For example, when a memory stick is inserted, the LED 5c corresponding to the memory stick is turned on, whereby the user can confirm that the memory stick is inserted. In the case of a memory stick, a stick mounting part (not shown) is configured to be able to be pulled out from the main body.
The configuration is such that a memory stick is mounted on the stick mounting section and the mounting section is loaded into the apparatus main body.

The charge insertion port 7 and the charge return port 10 are used when the photo printing vending machine 1 is used for a fee. A bill is inserted through the charge insertion port 7a, and coins are inserted through the charge insertion port 7b. Input. At this time, the received amount is displayed on the amount display section 6. In addition, charge return mouth 10
Is returned when the change is returned or the user stops using the service halfway.

The stop button 8 is pressed when the user wants to stop using the photo print vending machine 1 halfway. The receipt discharge port 10 is a discharge port for discharging a receipt on which predetermined information is printed, and the receipt insertion port 9 is an insertion port into which the receipt is inserted.

The take-out port 12 is a box for taking out a print output, and printed print sheets (photographs) are collected in the take-out port 12. 2 (a), 2 (b) and 2 (c) are views for explaining the internal structure of the photo printing vending machine 1 having the above-described external configuration. FIG. 2 (a) is an exploded view of the photo printing vending machine 1. FIG. 1B is a perspective view, FIG. 1B is a front view of the linear unit, and FIG. 1C is a side sectional view of the entire linear unit with a front unit and a paper duct attached.

As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the vending machine 1 comprises a front unit 20, a paper duct 21, and a rear unit 22. The front unit 20 is disposed to be openable and closable left or right with respect to the main body device, and controls the overall operation of the photo printing vending machine 1, the main controller and the operation / display unit (touch panel & liquid crystal display) 2, An outlet 12 and the like are provided.

The paper duct 21 is a structure for guiding the printed paper to the take-out port 12, and the front unit 2 is supported by support portions 21a and 21b provided at one end above and below.
When it is pivoted to 0 and the front unit 20 is opened,
It is attached so as to freely rotate around these support portions 21a and 21b.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the rear unit 22 includes a plurality of, in this example, eight detachable printer units 23 (23-1 to 23-8), and four rear units 22 arranged vertically. , Two rows in the horizontal direction, that is, four in the vertical direction and two in the horizontal direction. Then, these printer units 23
A plurality of (eight in this example) pairs of slide rails 24 shown in FIG. Further, the rear unit 22 includes a circuit board on which a control device is mounted, a power supply unit, and the like (not shown) in a control box 25 on the rear surface.

Each of the printer units 23 is mounted on a predetermined position of the rear unit 22 by sliding on a slide rail 24 drawn out to the front of the main unit, as shown in FIG. Therefore, each printer unit 2
In 3, when the consumables such as the print paper are exhausted, the printer unit 23 can be removed, the consumables can be refilled, and then re-engaged with the slide rail 24 to be mounted in the original position. The replacement work of consumables can be performed in a short time.

Each of the printer units 23 has a connector at the rear, and the connector is connected to a connector provided on the rear unit 22 upon mounting. The connector of the rear unit 22 is connected to the front unit 2 with the photo printing vending machine 1 assembled.
0 is also electrically connected. Therefore, each printer unit 23 supplies a power supply voltage from the power supply unit and transmits / receives various signals to / from the front unit via this connector unit.

The control unit controls the image data of an information storage medium such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory card, a smart media card, a memory stick, a PC card, or a floppy disk inserted from the above-described recording medium insertion slot 4 of the front unit 20. And the DPOF information is read, the deposit amount from the charge insertion slot 7 is checked, and if there is any change, a return process is performed. Based on the read DPOF information, or the display / operation unit (display & touch panel) 2 or key input The selection of the print image, the number of prints, the print size, and the like are determined based on the input from the unit 3, and the print images are optimally distributed to the eight printer units 23 according to the number of print images.

Therefore, when printing is performed on eight sheets or less, or eight types of printing, eight or less image-formed papers, which are shared and printed by eight printer units 23, are supplied to the ejection port 12. Can be discharged at once. That is, apart from panoramic printing, up to eight sheets can be simultaneously printed and discharged in the same short time as one sheet printing. The paper P printed by each printer unit 23 is guided by the paper duct 21 and slides down by its own weight along the guide plate as shown by the arrow in FIG. Collected at the outlet 12 which is located.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the printer unit 23. Each printer unit 23 described above
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer includes a thermal head 30, a large-capacity ribbon 31, a take-up roller 32, a roll-shaped print sheet 33, and a plurality of feed roller pairs 34, 36, and 37. The print paper 33 is sent to the thermal head 30 by the feed roller pair 34, and cut by the cutter 35 into print paper of a predetermined length.

The print paper 3 formed in a roll shape
As No. 3, a recording paper having a maximum width of 102 mm can be used, and has a roll length capable of printing 300 sheets, for example. The print paper 33 is a roll of long paper as described above, and can be cut at any position by the cutter 35, so that it is possible to easily print a panoramic image.

On the large-capacity ribbon 31, the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) inks and the surface coating agent are sequentially and repeatedly arranged one by one screen length, and for example, 300 screens are printed. It is wound as a printing ribbon for minutes. The feed roller pairs 36 and 37 are a pair of rollers for superposing the large-capacity ribbon 31 and the print paper 33 and sending them to the thermal head 30. Winded up by.

The thermal head 30 has, for example, a resolution of 2
322 dots per 5.4 mm, 13 in the main scanning direction
A heating element of 44 dots (about 106 mm width) is provided.
Image data is supplied to the thermal head 30. The image data is created based on print information for one print sheet for normal printing or panoramic printing transferred from the main controller to each of the printer units 23-1 to 23-8, which will be described later.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a system configuration inside a photo printing vending machine having the above-mentioned hardware configuration.
This system is composed of a main controller 40, peripheral circuits, and the printer unit 23. The main controller 40 has a CPU (central processing unit) therein, and according to a program, the photo printing vending machine 1 of the present embodiment.
For example, the print information of one print sheet is distributed to one of the printer units 23 based on predetermined conditions.

Further, the main controller 40 is provided with a storage section 41, and the storage section 41 stores the above-mentioned control program executed by the main controller 40. Also,
In addition, user information, printing condition information, information of the printer unit 23, and the like are stored, and are transferred to a management center described later as needed.

The main controller 40 includes a display control unit 42, a touch panel control unit 43, a key input unit 44, and a card interface (hereinafter referred to as a card I / O).
F) 45, a charge management unit 46, a receipt interface (hereinafter, referred to as a receipt I / F) 47, a transmission / reception unit 48, and the printer unit 23.

The display control section 42 controls output of display information to be displayed on the display / operation section (display & touch panel) 2 and auxiliary display section 13 and displays display information output from the main controller 40. /
Display control is performed on the operation unit (display & touch panel) 2 and the auxiliary display unit 13.

The touch panel controller 43 controls the main controller 40 to output an operation signal according to the operation of the touch panel by the user. The key input control unit 44 controls the main controller 40 to output an operation signal according to the operation of the key input unit 3 by the user.

The card I / F 45 is an interface for reading digital image data and DPOF information from each of the recording media 49 inserted into each of the above-described recording media insertion ports 4 and controlling the output to the main controller 40.
The fee management unit 46 calculates the amount of money received from the above-mentioned fee insertion slot 7 (the bill slot 7a or the coin slot 7b), displays this on the amount display unit 6, and is a fee corresponding to the designated number of prints. Make sure that It also manages change.

The transmission / reception unit 48 transmits and receives information to and from the base station 50 by using a PHS line.
1 and the like, and is connected to the management center 52. The management center 52 includes a server 52a and a storage unit 52b connected to the server 52a. User information, printing condition information, transmission destination information, printer unit information sent from each photo printing vending machine 1 installed in each place are provided. 23 and the like are stored and managed in the storage unit 52b.

That is, the management center 52 stores user information, printing condition information,
The transmission destination information, the information of the printer unit 23, and the like are received and stored in the storage unit 52b.
User information and other information stored in the modem 5 connected to the public network 51 via the public network 51.
3 to a personal computer 54, or to a mobile phone or a simplified mobile phone (PHS) 55 wirelessly connected to the public line network 51 via a wireless base station (not shown). The mobile phone or the simplified mobile phone 55 stores the transmitted information in a memory card 56 or the like.

The management center 52 is connected to the public network 5
1 and connected to a server (not shown) of each financial institution 57, and settles by deducting a later-described charge from a predetermined account. Note that, although not particularly shown, it is preferable that this settlement is performed through a credit company.

The eight printer units 23-1 to 23-8 connected to the main controller 40 have the same system configuration, as shown by the printer unit system 59 in FIG. As shown in the figure, the system of each of the printer units 23-1 to 23-8 includes a control unit 60, an interface (hereinafter, referred to as an interface).
I / F) 61, a print data storage unit 62, and a printing mechanism unit 63.

The control unit 60 receives the print information for one print sheet supplied from the main controller 40 via the I / F 61 and temporarily stores the print information in the print data storage unit 62. In addition, image data for panoramic printing and a composite image of a plurality of images are also composited and developed in the print data storage unit 62.

When the control unit 60 receives designation information such as print density, color tone, number of continuous images for panoramic printing, and arrangement of a plurality of images in a composite image from the main controller 40, the image corresponding to the information is transmitted. The processing for correcting or correcting the data is processed using the print data storage unit 62.

The printing mechanism 63 is a printing mechanism (hardware component of the printer unit) having the structure shown in FIG.
1, print paper 33 and the like. The control unit 60 reads out print information for one print sheet from the print data storage unit 62, creates image data based on the print information, and outputs this to the thermal head 30. Therefore, the control unit 60 is also a generation unit of print image data. The thermal head 30 drives the heating elements according to the supplied image data, transfers the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) inks on the ribbon to a sheet by melting or sublimating the ink, and transfers the ink to the sheet. Form an image.

As described above, the photo printing vending machine 1 of this embodiment performs printing based on image data with the control unit 60 for generating image data based on print information for one print sheet for each printer unit 23. Printing mechanism 63
It is a structure provided with. Here, the recording medium 49 described above is used.
The DPOF information stored together with the image data will be briefly described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a data file containing image data and DPOF information stored in the storage medium 49. As shown in the figure, the data file 64 has a hierarchical structure with the root directory 65 at the top. Under the root directory 65, as the child directories, an image directory 66-1, a process designation directory 66-2, ... etc. are provided.

Each child directory 66-1, 66-
Under the image directory 66-1, frame directories 67-1, 67-2,... Corresponding to each photographed image as grandchild directories in the case of the image directory 66-1.
, And the captured image data 68-1 and 68
,... Are stored. In the case of the process designation directory 66-2, four DPOF files 69-1 to 69-4 are stored.

Four DPOF files 69-1 to 69-
Reference numeral 4 denotes an automatic print file, a UNICODE character string description file, an automatic transmission file, and an automatic reproduction file. In this example, from the data in these files,
Processing is performed using at least user information, print job information, destination information, and vendor function information.

The user information includes the name of the user (the user of the storage medium 49, that is, the customer of the vending machine 1).
Information such as addresses, telephone numbers, net addresses, credit card numbers, and bank accounts are included. These pieces of information are read from the storage medium 49 and transferred to the management center 52 after approval of the customer.
Is stored (registered) in the database of the user customer list of the photo print vending machine 1 in combination with the use date and time, the installation location information of the photo print vending machine 1, and the like.

The image data read from the storage medium 49 can be similarly transferred to the management center 52 with the approval of the customer and registered and stored in the customer-specific image database. Then, even if there is no storage medium 49, when the customer designates additional printing, the registration management data and the use date and time of the registered customer are searched, and the desired image is sent to the photo printing vending machine 1. You can print it after displaying and confirming it.

The print job information is stored in the automatic print file. The print job information includes information such as a product ID, a print type, the number of prints, a paper type, and a size. Printing processing by the photo print vending machine 1 is mainly performed in accordance with the print job information. That is, in addition to the above-described user customer list creation and additional printing service, the photo print vending machine 1 of the present invention can execute various corresponding operations by mainly utilizing print job information in DPOF information. it can. Hereinafter, these processing operations will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation performed in response to the designation of the paper type in the print job information. As shown in FIG.
9) waits until the storage medium 49 is loaded into the recording medium insertion slot 4 (step S1, determination is N), and when it is detected that the storage medium 49 is loaded into the recording media insertion slot 4 (S1 is Y), the processing designation information Is read (step S2).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the paper type or size is specified in the read print job information (step S3). If the paper type or size is specified (Y in S3), these are determined. The printer unit 23 corresponding to the designation is selected (step S4).

In this processing, eight printer units 23 built in the photo printing vending machine 1
The printer unit 23 in which paper of a paper type corresponding to these specifications is loaded is selected from among the above-mentioned specification information, for example, specification information such as silk, glossy paper, post card paper, and sticker paper.

In order to specify the size, the printer unit 23 in which the roll paper having the paper width corresponding to the width of the specified size is loaded is selected. The feed roller pairs 34, 36, and 37 are controlled so as to convey the sheet until the rear end of the sheet corresponding to the length reaches the position of the cutter 35.

On the roll paper loaded in the printer unit 23, an identification barcode corresponding to the paper quality and paper size is printed on the roll paper core. This is read by a sensor of the printer unit 23 and transmitted to the main controller 40 so that the paper type and size can be distinguished.

Then, the selected printer unit 2
Then, the print information is transferred to No. 3 and the printing process is executed (step S5). FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation performed in response to the multi-print designation in the print job information.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are views showing an example of the multi-print processing. In FIG. 7, step S
The processing of 11 and S12 is the same as the processing of steps S1 and S2 of the flowchart shown in FIG. Subsequent to the above-described processing, it is determined whether or not m frames, that is, multiple frames of multiple frames are designated by the print job information read from the storage medium 49 (Step S1)
3) If multi-printing is specified (Y in S13), image data for the specified m frames is read (step S14).

As shown in FIG. 8A, the storage medium 49 stores first image data, second image data,.
.., The eighth image data,... Now, from the first image data, “m =
Assuming that multi-print of 6 ”frames is specified,
From the first image data indicated by white circles to the sixth image data indicated by inverted triangles in the range indicated by the double-headed arrow A in the figure are read.

Subsequently, print information is created by synthesizing the read m-frame (six in this example) image into a multi-image for one sheet of paper (step S15), and this printer information is selected by the printer unit 23. To execute the printing process (step S16). As a result, FIG.
As shown in (1), six images from the first image data indicated by a white circle to the sixth image data indicated by an inverted triangle are compressed and synthesized on one sheet of paper and printed out.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation performed in response to designation of print job information for panoramic photography printing. FIGS. 10A to 10D are views showing an example of the panoramic photographing print processing. In FIG. 9, the processing in steps S21 and S22 is the same as the processing in steps S1 and S2 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

Subsequent to the processing in step S22, it is determined whether or not the printing of the panoramic shooting of n frames, that is, a plurality of frames is designated by the print job information read from the storage medium 49 (step S23). If printing has been designated (Y in S23), image data for the designated n frames is read (step S24).

As shown in FIG. 10A, the storage medium 49 stores first image data, second image data,.
.., The eighth image data,... Now, from the first image data, “n =
Assuming that panoramic shooting printing has been specified up to the 3rd frame, the first to third image data in the range indicated by the double-headed arrow B in the figure are read. Then, a composite image of the read n frames (three frames in this example) is created (step S25).

In this processing, for example, the image data read from the first to the third in FIG. 10A are attached to each other, and as shown in FIG. In the combining process of combining the panoramic images 70, a series of a plurality of frame images to which panoramic image information is added is read out, and an image in which the continuous frame images are combined is shown in FIG. As shown in (b), they are synthesized on the frame memory.

At the time of this bonding, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), the image data obtained by the panoramic shooting includes an image pattern having a length d overlapping an adjacent frame image 71 and an adjacent frame image 72. Data 71-1 and 72-
1 is included, and this is identified, and as shown in FIG.
By superimposing the portions 1 on each other, the laminating process is performed on the frame memory. The panoramic image data combined into one sheet in this way is transferred to the selected printer unit 23 and the printing process is executed (step S26).

As a result, a printed matter having a panoramic image size different from the normal paper length is printed out. The length of the printing paper for this panoramic image is determined from the paper length (L × number of frames) for the number of frames connected and connected to the overlapping image (71-1, 7).
2-1) The length is calculated by subtracting the length d, and the entire operation is controlled so that the cutter 35 cuts the roll paper 33 by this length.

It should be noted that the automatic print file has various setting information, vendor functions, and the like in addition to the print job information described above. The various setting information includes designation information such as character insertion for each frame, date printing, title printing, and frame number printing. The photo printing vending machine 1 generates the corresponding information on the main controller 40 side also for the information such as character insertion, date printing, title printing, and frame number printing for each frame, and performs the composite writing printing process. Do. That is, information such as character insertion, date, title, and frame number for each frame is combined with image information for each frame and printing is performed.

The above-mentioned various setting information also includes information on image trimming designation and image rotation designation.
The photo print vending machine 1 transforms the image into a corresponding image according to the trimming designation and rotation designation information of the image and automatically performs a printing process. That is, the image information is processed and printed according to the trimming designation and rotation designation information of the image.

The vendor function is an information area provided for a function unique to each company that provides software for generating a storage medium and image data. For example, a credit card number or a financial institution account number for charging is provided. The user (orderer) designation information may be written, and the method of paying the usage fee may be designated according to this information, as described later.

The automatic transmission file of the DPOF file includes general information common to all files, user information, destination information, message information, process job information, image source information, data information, and all of these information. Files have common vendor features.

The user information includes the name of the user,
It contains information such as addresses, telephone numbers, and user signature file names. These pieces of information are read as information of the sender of the image information and transmitted to the destination of the image information as the sender information. Also, it is used as identity confirmation information when collecting the usage fee of the transmission function user.

The destination information includes information on the Internet address of the transmission destination and the FAX (telephone) number of the transmission destination. These pieces of information are used as destination address information for transferring the image data of the storage medium 49. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation performed by the photo printing vending machine 1 in accordance with the information of the above-described automatic transmission file. Note that, in the figure, the processing of steps S31 and S32 is the same as the processing of steps S1 and S2 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

Subsequent to the process of step S32, it is determined whether or not the transfer of the image data is designated based on the information of the automatic transmission file read from the storage medium 49 (step S33). If designated (Y in S33), the designated information is read together with the image data, and the information is stored in a predetermined area of the storage unit 41 (step S34). In this process, the contents of the above-described user information and destination information are read.

Then, it waits until this reading is completed (step S35, determination N), confirms that reading has been completed (Y in S35), and manages the read image data and transfer information (transmission information). Upload to the center 52 (step S36). Management center 52
Transmits the uploaded image data to the transfer destination specified by the transfer information (step S37).

As a result, the image data read from the storage medium 49 using the photo print vending machine 1 of the present invention can be registered in the management center 52, and the image data can be transferred to the designated destination. You can do it. As described above, operations such as designation of the destination can be performed by the information written in the DPOF information without performing the key input operation of the key input unit 3 of the photo print vending machine 1 or the like.

Further, the image data of the camera taken at the destination can be transmitted from the photo printing vending machine 1 to a personal computer at home or to a personal computer of an acquaintance. Also, image data can be transmitted to a storage medium of a cell phone of an acquaintance. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of the fee settlement performed subsequent to the above-described printing processing. The printing process includes reading image data and DPOF information from a storage medium, registering the read data, transferring the read data, and printing the read image data.

As shown in the figure, the printing process is performed (step S41), it is determined whether the printing process is completed (step S42), and if the printing process is completed (S42).
43 is Y), and subsequently, it is determined whether or not payment information is stored by referring to the vendor function in the DPOF information (step S43).

Then, if there is payment information (Y in S43), the financial institution code designating the financial institution and the account number of the debit account are read from the payment information (step S44). Inquiry is made to the financial institution 57 designated by the financial institution code, the fee is debited from the account of the designated account number, and the billing fee is settled (step S45).

On the other hand, if there is no payment information in step S43 (N in S43), cash payment processing is performed. In this cash payment process, for example, a charge is displayed on the display 2, the user is prompted to insert a charge from the charge insertion port 7 (7a, 7b), and confirms the charge input. If there is change, the change is returned to the charge return port. This is the process of returning from step 11.

Incidentally, the DPOF information includes information on an automatic reproduction file in addition to the above-mentioned designated information. The information of the automatic reproduction file includes general information, user information, auto play job information, image source information, various setting information, video information, audio information, and a vendor function. Autoplay (automatic screen reproduction) may be executed on the display 2 of the photo printing vending machine 1 based on such information.

[0083]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when a photo printing vending machine is used, the number of prints, the type of printing paper, the size of printing paper, and the printing of panoramic photography are specified. Since various designated information such as designation of multi-image printing can be read from the DPOF information of the storage medium and automatically processed in accordance with the read designated information, the operation panel of the photo printing vending machine can be processed. This eliminates the need for the user to operate the printer, which reduces complexity and eliminates the time required for input operations, so that other users do not have to wait. Sales efficiency is improved for vending machines.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of a photo printing vending machine according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are diagrams for explaining the internal structure of a photo printing vending machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer unit of a photo printing vending machine.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration inside a photo printing vending machine.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of image data and DPOF information stored in a storage medium.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation performed in response to designation of a paper type in print job information.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation performed in response to designation of multi-print in print job information.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating an example of a multi-print process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation performed in response to designation of panoramic imaging printing in print job information.

FIGS. 10A to 10D are diagrams illustrating an example of a panoramic photographing print process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation performed according to information of an automatic transmission file of DPOF information.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of fee settlement performed subsequent to the printing processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic photo printing vending machine 1 2 Display / operation part (display & touch panel) 3 Key input part 4 (4a-4e) Recording media insertion port 5 (5a-5e) LED 6 Money amount display part 7 (7a, 7b) Charge insertion Mouth 8 Stop button 9 Receipt insertion slot 10 Receipt discharge slot 11 Charge return slot 12 Removal slot 13 Auxiliary display section 20 Front unit 21 Paper duct 21a, 21b Support section 22 Rear unit 23 (23-1 to 23-8) Printer unit 24 slide rail 25 control box 30 thermal head 31 large capacity ribbon 32 take-up roller 33 print paper 34, 36, 37 feed roller pair 35 cutter 40 main controller 42 display control unit 43 touch panel control unit 44 key input unit 45 card interface ( Card I / F) 46 Charge management unit 47 Receipt interface (receipt I / F) 48 Transmission / reception unit 49 Recording media 50 Base station 51 Public line network 52 Management center 52a Server 52b Storage unit 53 Modem 54 Personal computer 55 Mobile phone, simple type Mobile phone (PHS) 56 Memory card 57 Financial institution 59 Printer unit system 60 Control unit 61 Interface (I / F) 62 Print data storage unit 63 Printing mechanism unit 64 Data file 65 Root directory 66-1 Image directory 66-2 Processing designation Directory 67-1, 67-2, ... Frame directory 68-1, 68-2, ... Photographed image data 69-1 to 69-4 DPOF file 70 Panoramic image 71, 72 Panorama file Image 71-1,72-1 duplicate image pattern data

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/76 H04N 5/76 E 5C076 5/91 5/91 H (72) Inventor Kazumi Noguchi Hamura, Tokyo 3-2-1, Sakae-cho, Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Hamura Technical Center (72) Inventor Kenji Kobayashi 3-2-1, Sakaemachi, Hamura-shi, Tokyo Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Hamura Technical Center (72) Inventor Masayuki Ikeda Tokyo 3-2-1, Sakaemachi, Toba-mura, Japan Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Hamura Technical Center F-term (reference) 2C061 AP10 AS02 HJ03 HJ06 HJ08 HK07 HL01 HN15 HN17 HX10 5B021 AA01 BB05 KK01 KK02 5B057 AA11 CD03 CE08 CE10 A10 FA03 FA04 FA07 FC06 FC08 FE01 5C053 FA04 FA08 FA14 FA27 GA10 GB36 HA33 JA21 KA04 5C076 AA02 AA16 AA19 AA24 BA02 BA06

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A loading means for loading image data taken by a digital camera and a storage medium for recording processing designation information of the image data, and the image stored in the storage medium loaded in the loading means. Reading means for reading data and the processing designation information; printing means for printing the image data read by the reading means; processing means for processing the image data according to the processing designation information; processing by the processing means And a print control unit that controls the printing unit that prints the processed image data according to the process designation information. 2. The processing designation information is panoramic photographing information indicating image data of panoramic photographing, and the processing means includes a series of image data in which a predetermined plurality of frames of images are successively arranged in accordance with the panoramic photographing information. 2. A photo printing vending machine according to claim 1, wherein said printing control means controls said printing means to print said series of image data on one sheet of paper. 3. The process designation information is multi-image print information indicating that the image is for multi-image print, and the processing means combines a plurality of frames of the image data according to the multi-image print information. 2. The photograph according to claim 1, wherein one frame of composite image data is generated, and said print control unit controls the printing unit to print the one frame composite image on one sheet of paper. Printing vending machines. 4. The process designation information is size information of a sheet on which the image data is to be printed, and the print control means selects a size corresponding to the size information from a plurality of built-in printer units. 2. The photo printing vending machine according to claim 1, wherein said printing means is controlled to select a printer unit loaded with printing paper and perform printing. 5. The processing designation information is paper type information of a paper on which the image data is to be printed, and the print control unit corresponds to the paper type information from a plurality of built-in printer units. 2. The photo printing vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit is controlled to select a printer unit loaded with printing paper of a paper type and perform printing. 6. A loading means for loading image data captured by a digital camera and a storage medium for recording processing designation information of the image data, and the image stored in the storage medium loaded in the loading means. A vending machine having reading means for reading data and the processing designation information, and transmitting means for transmitting the image data and the processing designation information read by the reading means via a communication line; Receiving the image data and the process designation information transmitted by the transmission unit of the device via the communication line, and based on the transmission destination information included in the process designation information, the image data and the process designation information And a management center for transmitting to a transmission destination specified by the transmission destination processing information. 7. The vending machine system according to claim 6, wherein the management center manages the uploaded image data based on the identity information of the orderer stored in the storage medium. 8. The management center charges a usage fee for the vending machine based on the orderer's designation information stored in the storage medium, and performs a payment by debiting based on the request. 7. A photo printing vending machine system according to claim 6.