JP2002116982A - Portable telephone set - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable telephone set for easily ordering the print of a digital image photographed at a moving destination from the moving destination. SOLUTION: This portable telephone set 1 is provided with a communication processing part 18 for performing a normal communication processing, a communication part 17, an antenna part 19 and a reception processing part 10 for performing a print order reception processing. In the case of ordering the print by utilizing the portable telephone set 1, the digital images to order the print are fetched to a storage part 16 and order request information including print conditions for specifying the print condition for each digital image is prepared by using an input part 12, a display part 14 and a control part 15. Then, digital image information and the order request information are transmitted through the communication part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable telephone for placing a print order based on digital image information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A hard copy of an image taken by a digital camera is generally printed on a color printer at home, but if a high quality image print is required,
It is also possible to order high-quality prints by bringing a recording medium on which digital image data is recorded to a service shop that provides high-quality print services, or by transmitting digital image data via a network 3. It is.

On the other hand, with the rapid spread of mobile phones (including PHS), the increase in communication speed, and the reduction in communication charges, image transfer using mobile phones at destinations has also been proposed.

[0004]

One of the features of a digital camera is that a photographed image can be checked at any time.
Therefore, there is naturally a demand for obtaining the confirmed image print immediately. However, as mentioned earlier,
The only way to order a print based on digital images is to bring it to a service store or order it using a personal computer at home.
The request to get an image print immediately was not answered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable telephone capable of easily ordering a print of a digital image photographed at a destination from the destination. The present invention is to present a service that enables the user to receive the service.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a portable telephone for placing a print order based on digital image information, a memory for storing digital image information to be printed, and print condition information for designating print conditions for the digital image information. Order request information generating means for generating order request information including: a digital image information to be printed stored in said memory, said digital image information to be printed, being accessible via a network to an order receiving server for receiving a print order; The order request information created by the request information creating means is transmitted to the order receiving server.

A memory for storing digital image information to be printed, and an order request for creating order request information including print condition information for designating print conditions of the image information and receiving information for designating a method of receiving a created print. An order receiving server for receiving a print order, which is accessible via a network, and digital image information to be printed stored in the memory and order request information generated by the order request information generating means; Are transmitted to the order receiving server.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a portable telephone capable of ordering prints according to the present invention. The mobile phone 1 includes a call processing unit 18 that performs a normal call process, a communication unit 17, an antenna unit 19, and a reception processing unit 10 that performs a print order reception process. Call processing unit 1
Since the communication unit 8 and the communication unit 17 are the same as those of the related art, detailed description will be omitted.

The reception processing unit 10 includes an interface unit 11 for inputting digital image data from the image recording medium 2,
The input unit 12 is used by the user to input operations, the communication interface unit 13 performs data input / output with the communication unit 17, a display unit 14, a storage unit 16, and a control unit 15. Control unit 1
Reference numeral 5 controls the entire print order receiving process, and is mainly configured by a processor that executes a process according to a program stored in the storage unit 16. In addition, the processor which comprises the input part 12, the display part 14, the memory | storage part 16, and the control part 15 can be shared with what the call processing part 18 has. Further, since the image recording medium 2 differs depending on the manufacturer and model of the digital camera, the interface unit 11 is configured to be connectable to a plurality of types of image recording media.

When ordering a print using the portable telephone 1, a digital image to be ordered is fetched into the storage unit 16, and the input unit 12, the display unit 14, and the control unit 1 are used.
5, the order request information including the print conditions for specifying the print conditions for each digital image is created. And
The digital image information and the order request information are transmitted via the communication unit. When the image information directly read from the image recording medium 2 can be transmitted, it is not necessary to store the image information in the storage unit 16. The storage unit 16 may be a built-in fixed memory or a removable memory. Examples of the latter include smart media, micro memory cards,
Examples include, but are not limited to, microdrives. Memory capacity is preferably 3
It is at least 2 MB, preferably at least 64 MB.

The print conditions included in the order request information include at least one of a print method, a print size, and the number of prints for each digital image to be printed. The printing method includes, for example, designation of glossy or matte color paper printing, inkjet printing, creation of a transmission film, designation of a printing medium such as glossy paper or plain paper, and the like.

When the mobile phone and the digital camera are integrated, the interface unit 11 may use the interface unit of the digital camera, and the image storage unit of the storage unit 16 may use the internal memory of the digital camera. it can.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a print service system using the mobile phone of the present invention. A network 4 including a mobile phone service network for connecting base stations to each other includes a print order reception server 5
Are connected, and the print order receiving server 5 is connected to a plurality of print servers 6-1, 6-2, 6-n. The print server is provided in a service store or a lab that performs print processing based on digital image information,
This is to cause one or a plurality of printing apparatuses to perform a predetermined printing process. In the figure, three print servers are described, but the number is not limited to three.

A user who needs to print a digital image photographed by a digital camera fetches the digital image information into the mobile phone 1 and sends the digital image to be printed to the print order receiving server 5 via the base station 3 and the network 4. The image information and the order request information are transmitted. The order request information includes print condition information for designating at least one of a print method, a print size, and the number of prints for each digital image to be printed. A mobile phone number is used as the user identification information.

Upon receiving the digital image information and the print condition information, the print order receiving server 5 transmits the digital image information to be printed to the print server that performs the printing according to the print conditions. That is, the print data is transmitted to the print server at the printing destination where the printing apparatus according to the printing conditions is installed. If the print processing can be performed at a plurality of print execution destinations, the print execution destination closest to the delivery destination registered in advance for the created print is selected. When transmitting the print image information and print conditions to the print server, delivery information necessary for delivery, such as the name of the print orderer and registered delivery destination information, is also transmitted. Alternatively, a different printing destination may be selected for each digital image.

The print destination delivers the order print created based on the information transmitted to the print server to the registered delivery destination. Delivery may be requested to a delivery company. After the delivery is completed, it is desirable that the print fee be added to the telephone fee and collected.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the print order receiving server. The print order receiving server 5 includes a control unit 51,
A storage unit 52, a file device 53, and a communication unit 54 are provided.
The control unit 51 controls the entire operation of the print order receiving server 5, and is specifically configured mainly by a processor that operates according to a program stored in the storage unit 52. The storage unit 52 stores the above-mentioned program and various data for controlling the operation of the print order receiving server 5, and also temporarily stores digital image information and order request information transmitted from the mobile phone, and a work area of the processor. Used as File device 53
Holds at least a print destination information table and an orderer table. The communication unit 54 controls transmission and reception with the network 4 and the print servers 6-1, 6-2, 6-n.

The print destination information table held in the file device 53 records the print processing capacity and delivery area information of the print destination in association with the print destination or print server. The print processing capability includes acceptable print methods, print sizes, and their processing speeds. The orderer table contains the information of the mobile phone owner registered in advance as the order requester.
The ID, which is a record in which D, name and delivery destination information are associated with each other, can use a telephone number. Further, the print orderer using the mobile phone may be recorded together with a password for confirming that the print owner is the true owner. These orderer tables are created by registering a print order when purchasing a mobile phone or the like. Although the file device 53 is provided in the order receiving server 5 in the drawing, it may be provided outside the server 2 and connected directly or via a network.

Next, FIG. 4 is a flow chart for ordering a print using the mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

A user who places a digital image print order using a mobile phone registers the delivery destination of the created print in advance at the time of contract for the mobile phone. When it is necessary to print a digital image taken by a digital camera, the image recording medium 2 storing the digital image information is connected to the interface unit 11 of the mobile phone 1 (step 101), and the mobile phone 1 is set to the print order mode. (Step 102). Then, an image based on the digital image information is displayed on the display unit 14 to select an image to be ordered for printing (step 103), and at least one of a printing method, a print size, and the number of prints for each digital image to be printed as printing conditions. Is input (step 104). The input of print conditions is performed by sequentially displaying options on the display unit 14 for each item to be input, and selecting with the ten keys of the input unit 12 or the like. For example, when inputting the printing method, a screen as shown in FIG. When the same print conditions are selected for a plurality of selected images, the print conditions may be collectively input after selecting the images. After the print conditions are input, the total print fee may be displayed.

Next, a connection is made to the print order receiving server 5 by a predetermined telephone number (step 105). The order receiving server 2 checks the automatically received telephone number of the orderer in the orderer table of the file device 53 (step 106), and if the order can be received, responds to that effect (step 107). At this time, an input of a password may be required. If it is not registered in the orderer table, the process ends with a response to that effect. The orderer I
If you do not use a mobile phone number as D, connect
Instruct to send and confirm.

After receiving the acceptable response, the user transmits image information and print condition information (step 10).
8). At this time, request information other than print conditions, for example, delivery time designation information or the like may be transmitted. Input of request information other than print conditions is also performed according to the display on the display unit 14. The order reception server 5 that has received the image information to be printed and the print condition information transmits a reception completion response to the mobile phone 1 (step 109), and ends the communication. The order information may be transmitted to the mobile phone 1 together with the reception completion response so that the user can confirm the order details. The reason for selecting an image in advance and inputting print conditions is to reduce communication time.

After the communication, the order receiving server 5 refers to the print destination information table of the file device 53, selects a print destination according to the print conditions (step 110), and prints the selected print destination. Along with the received image information and print conditions, the server transmits delivery information necessary for delivery, such as the print orderer's name and registered delivery destination information obtained from the orderer table of the file device 53 (step 111).

The print destination performs print processing based on the image information and print conditions transmitted to the print server (step 112), and delivers the created order print to the registered delivery destination that has been transmitted (step 11).
3). Delivery may be requested to a delivery company. And once the delivery is complete, using a print server or other means,
A delivery completion notice is transmitted to the order receiving server 5 (step 114).

The order receiving server 5 that has received the delivery completion notification
Performs a print fee charging process. The billing method is conveniently added to the telephone charge, but another account or a credit settlement method may be selected in advance. In the case of another method, the account number or the like is recorded in the orderer table in advance.

In this embodiment, a print order can be easily requested even from a destination, so that a necessary print can be obtained immediately.

(Second Embodiment) A mobile phone according to a second embodiment of the present invention is capable of designating a print receiving method when requesting a print order.
The configuration of the mobile phone is basically the same, but the programs stored in the storage units 16 and 52 of the mobile phone 1 and the order receiving server 5 and the information previously stored in the file device 53 are different. In the second embodiment, the file device 5
3 further stores a print service store that can be delivered to the store and a service store table corresponding to the area information thereof, and a delivery table corresponding to the print service store and a print destination that can be delivered to the service store. . The print service shop here includes not only a service shop that performs print processing by itself, but also a convenience store and a general DP agency. And the mobile phone 1
Receives the print service shop candidate held in the service shop table from the reception server when creating the order request information, and displays it on the display unit 14 to urge the user to select.

A flow for ordering a print using the mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

When ordering a print of a digital image using the mobile phone 1, connection of an image recording medium, mode setting, image selection, print condition input, connection to a print order reception server 5, and confirmation of a telephone number are performed. The procedure to be performed is the same as the flow in FIG.

If the order from the mobile phone 1 can be received by confirming the telephone number, a response indicating that the order can be received is given, and an instruction is given to specify a print receiving method (step 207). In response to this instruction, the user specifies a receiving method and transmits (step 208). As a receiving method, a method of receiving at a print service shop or delivery to a delivery destination registered in advance can be selected.

The order receiving server 5 determines the received receiving method (step 209), and instructs the mobile phone 1 to transmit the image information and the printing conditions to the delivery destination registered in advance. (Step 21
0). After that, the flow is the same as the flow after step 108 in FIG.

If the result of the determination in step 209 is a receipt at a service store, the order receiving server 5 instructs the mobile phone 1 to transmit print conditions (step 211). After receiving the print condition transmitted from the mobile phone 1 (step 212), the order receiving server 5
A deliverable service shop in a predetermined area including the location of the ordered mobile phone 1 is presented to the mobile phone 1 as recipient information (step 213). If the location information of the mobile phone 1 can be obtained through the mobile phone service network, the location information is used. If the location information cannot be obtained, the area selection information is transmitted to the mobile phone 1 so that the user can select it. The mobile phone 1 displays the presented service store candidate on the display unit 14 (step 214), and waits for a user's selection. The display of the service shop candidates may be performed by displaying the location of the service shop on a map when necessary. Also,
If the user wants to receive it at a service store other than the presented service store, the user can select another area. The service store corresponding to the area is selected with reference to the service store table of the file device 53.

When the user selects a destination and transmits it together with the image information (step 215), the order receiving server 5 transmits a reception completion response to the mobile phone 1 (step 216), and ends the communication. At this time, similarly to the example of FIG. 4, the order information may be transmitted to the mobile phone 1 together with the reception completion response.

After the communication is completed, the order receiving server 5 refers to the print destination information table and the delivery table of the file device 53, and selects a print destination according to the print conditions and the specified destination information (step 21).
7). In this case, as in FIG. 4, a different printing destination may be selected for each digital image depending on the order.
Then, the selected print execution destination print server receives the received image information and print conditions, the destination (delivery destination service shop) information, the name of the print orderer obtained from the orderer table of the file device 53, and the like. Is transmitted as delivery information (step 218).

The print destination performs print processing based on the image information and print conditions transmitted to the print server (step 219), and delivers the created order print to the delivery destination service store (step 2).
20). If the printing destination and the receiving destination match, the delivery is not necessary. Delivery may be requested to a delivery company. Then, when the delivery is completed, the print execution destination or the delivery destination service store transmits a delivery completion notification to the order receiving server 5 using the print server or other means (step 221). The service store waits for the user to come to the store,
When the print delivery is completed, a delivery completion notification is sent to the order receiving server 5 using a print server or other means.
Send to

After transmitting the image information and the print request information to the printing destination, the order receiving server 5 waits for a delivery completion notification from the receiving service store (step 22).
2) When there is a notification of completion, a billing process is performed (step 22).
3). The billing process is performed in the same manner as in FIG.

In this embodiment, since the print can be received at a service shop near the destination, the required print can be obtained more quickly.

(Third Embodiment) In a third embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to specify a method of paying a print fee when ordering a print. The basic system configuration is the same as in the first and second embodiments, except that the request information such as image information and print conditions is transmitted together with the payment method. As the payment method, a method specified in advance such as payment for telephone money, a method of paying at the receiving destination upon payment, and a method of paying at the time of delivery to the specified destination can be selected.

(Fourth Embodiment) In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a request is made to save transmitted image information when a print order is placed. The storage destination is the file device 53 of the order receiving server 5 or another file device (not shown),
Alternatively, a file device accessible through a network such as a file device in another server connected to the network 4 may be selected, or a CD-ROM, DVD
May be selected. When a portable recording medium is selected, a receiving method can be specified.

In this embodiment, the recorded medium of the recording medium can be reused when photographing with the digital camera at the destination.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the delivery information is created by using the orderer table provided in the order receiving server in advance. However, the orderer's name and delivery destination information are stored each time. A configuration in which the information is transmitted to the order receiving server and the transmitted information is used is also possible. In this case, it is preferable to select the name, delivery destination information, and the like to be transmitted, which are stored in advance in the storage unit 16 of the mobile phone.

[0043]

As is apparent from the above description, when the mobile phone of the present invention is used, it is possible to easily order a print of a digital image taken at a destination from the destination and obtain a required print immediately. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile phone capable of ordering prints according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a print service system using the mobile phone of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a print order receiving server.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a print order using the mobile phone according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a display example of a display unit when inputting print conditions.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a print order using the mobile phone according to the second embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mobile telephone 2 ... Image recording medium 3 ... Base station 4 ... Network 5 ... Print order reception server 6-1, 6-2, 6-n ... Print server 10. .. Reception processing unit 11 interface unit 12 input unit 13 communication interface unit 14 display unit 15, 51 control unit 16, 52 storage unit 17, 54 ..Communication section 18 ... Call processing section 19 ... Antenna 53 ... File device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04L 12/28 H04M 1/725 5K067 H04M 1/00 11/00 302 5K101 1/725 15/00 G 11 / 00 302 H04N 7/14 15/00 7/173 640Z H04N 7/14 H04B 7/26 M 7/173 640 H04L 11/00 310B F term (reference) 5B021 AA04 BB01 BB03 EE05 KK01 KK03 5C064 AA01 AB03 AC01 AC04 AC08 AC12 AD08 BA07 BB01 BC04 BC18 BC23 BD01 BD02 BD07 BD09 5K025 BB10 CC01 DD06 DD09 EE01 GG01 JJ02 JJ12 5K027 AA11 BB01 CC08 FF01 FF22 HH00 HH24 HH26 MM17 5K033 AA09 DA01 DA19 EA03 5K004 AE03 5K007 AE03 RR11 SS07 TT06

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A mobile phone for ordering prints based on digital image information, comprising: a memory for storing digital image information to be printed; and order request information including print condition information for specifying print conditions for the digital image information. Has an order request information creating means for creating a print order, is accessible via a network to an order receiving server for receiving a print order, and has digital image information to be printed stored in the memory and the order request information creating means. A mobile phone that transmits the created order request information to the order reception server. 2. A mobile phone for placing a print order based on digital image information, comprising: a memory for storing digital image information to be printed; a print condition information for designating a print condition of the image information; and a method for receiving a created print. Order request information creating means for creating order request information including reception information specifying a print order, a digital image to be printed which is accessible via a network to an order reception server for receiving a print order, and which is stored in said memory. A mobile phone that transmits image information and order request information created by the order request information creating means to the order receiving server. 3. The mobile phone according to claim 2, wherein the receiving method includes receiving at a print service shop and delivering to a delivery destination specified in advance. 4. The mobile phone according to claim 3, wherein the print service shop included in the receiving method is selected from a plurality of receivable print service shops presented from the order receiving server. Mobile phone. 5. The mobile phone according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of receivable print service shops presented from the order reception server are in a predetermined area based on location information of the mobile phone. Mobile phone. 6. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the print condition information includes at least one of a print method, a print size, and the number of prints for each digital image information. Phone. 7. The mobile phone according to claim 6, wherein the printing method includes designation of a print medium. 8. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the order request information creating unit displays an image based on the digital image information on the mobile phone, and then prints the image based on the digital image information. A mobile phone that creates condition information. 9. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the order request information creating unit is capable of creating the print condition information before accessing the order receiving server.
A mobile phone that presents a print fee after the print condition information is created. 10. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the order request information further includes a print fee settlement method. 11. The mobile phone according to claim 10, wherein the settlement method includes a payment added to a telephone charge,
A mobile phone that includes payment upon receipt at the receiving location and payment upon delivery at the designated delivery location. 12. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the order request information further includes storage instruction information of transmission digital image information. 13. The mobile phone according to claim 12, wherein the storage instruction information is for instructing storage in the order reception server or another server or storage in a portable recording medium.