JP2002290711A - Printing service system, its program, and computer- readable recording medium for recording the program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing service system capable of producing prints as a replacement for an album to be sent to users. SOLUTION: An mail server 12 stores images or the like transmitted via e-mail from a user terminal 2. An application server 11 reads the images and the like stored in the mail server 12 sent by the identical member. Similarly, it also reads the images stored in the mail server 12 sent from an advertiser's terminal 3. Then, it transmits the control code for printing the read images or the like from the identical member on an identical mount to a printer 4. The printer 4 produces prints as a replacement for the album according to the control code from the application server 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print service system for generating printed materials sent to members, a program for the system, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development of communication technology in recent years, a communication method of transmitting and receiving an image file by attaching an image file to an electronic mail has become popular.

[0003] Recently, portable telephones with a built-in digital camera have spurred the popularity of such communication. In addition, some users enjoy printing instead of a photo album by printing a received image file or an image file shot by a camera using a printer for a personal computer.

On the other hand, as advertisements in the past, advertisements distributed in newspaper inserts and on the streets are well known, and in recent years, banner advertisements on homepages are also known to most people.

[0005]

However, some sort of contrivance is required for organizing and saving as an album and printing. In other words, it is necessary to devise ways of creating directories and naming files. In addition, printing is often troublesome, such as setting of a printing position and a driver. Accordingly, at present, users other than the computer savvy users still use the old photo album.

[0006] In view of the current situation, a communication service company or the like is planning a service for sending the exchanged images as an album together with a bill for a call fee.

[0007] In addition, the above-mentioned advertisement method merely shows an advertisement, and it is not easy to increase the degree of impression to the user. Therefore, advertisers and agencies,
We are struggling to solve this problem.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and has as its object to provide a print service system, a program, and a print service system capable of generating a printed material instead of an album sent to a user. It is to provide a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

It is a further object of the present invention to be able to provide an advertisement that can enhance the impression of a user by using such a system.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print service system for providing printed material to a member, wherein the print service system comprises: Image storage means for storing images sequentially transmitted by e-mail, image selection means for selecting an image from the same member from among the stored images, and printing the selected image on the same mount Image printing means.

According to the present invention, a printed material in place of an album is automatically printed simply by the member attaching the photographed image or the like to an e-mail and sending it to the print service system. Therefore, the service provider can perform such a service only by performing operations such as shipping.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the print service system according to the first aspect, the selected image is configured to be printed together with the body of an electronic mail. Features.

According to the present invention, the selected image is printed together with the text of the e-mail, so that the memory at that time can be easily remembered.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the print service system according to the first or second aspect, the selected image is printed on a sticker on a mount. It is characterized by the following.

According to the present invention, the selected image is printed on a sticker on the backing paper, so that the sticker can be peeled off and pasted on a mobile phone or the like to enjoy.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print service system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the selected image is an image of a mount on which advertisement information is printed in advance. It is configured to be printed on a sticker attached to the position of the advertisement information.

According to the present invention, the selected image is
The advertisement information is printed on a sticker attached to the position of the advertisement information on the mount on which the advertisement information is printed in advance, so that if the seal is peeled off, the advertisement information appears, thereby making it possible to further impress the advertisement.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the print service system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the selected image is printed together with a transmission date or a transmission date and time. It is characterized by being comprised so that it may be performed.

According to the present invention, since the selected image is printed together with the transmission date or the transmission date and time, the transmission date or the transmission date and time can be notified to the user.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print service system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the character input area is arranged in the image display area. It is characterized in that the program is downloaded to the terminal of the member.

According to the present invention, by using the above-described electronic mail program, it is possible to input characters such as a mail text while viewing the image displayed in the image display area. A character (for example, a sentence like a dialogue) that matches the facial expression can be easily input.

A print service program according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a print service program for providing a printed material to a member, and stores an image sequentially transmitted by e-mail from a member terminal. Means in the computer system, the image selecting means for selecting an image from the same member from among the stored images, and the image printing means for printing the selected image on the same mount. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, by distributing such a program via a recording medium or a transmission medium, the present application system capable of printing an image attached to an electronic mail instead of an album can be widely spread. ing.

The recording medium according to claim 8 of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium in which a print service program for providing a printed material to a member is sequentially transmitted by e-mail from a terminal of the member. Image storage means for storing images to be stored, image selection means for selecting an image from the same member from among the stored images,
An image printing means for printing the selected image on the same mount is made to function in a computer system, and is a computer-readable recording medium in which a print service program is recorded.

In the present invention, by distributing a recording medium on which such a program is recorded, the system of the present invention capable of printing an image attached to an electronic mail instead of an album can be widely spread.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration and a use form of a print service system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The print service system 1 includes an application server 11 for controlling the operation of the system, a mail server 12 for receiving and storing the text and attached files of an electronic mail, and a database server 1 for storing various data.
3 and a printing machine 14. The print service system 1 includes a content server that stores notes and the like for members and advertisers.

The application server 11 corresponds to the image selecting means of the present invention. The database server 13
It corresponds to the image storage means of the present invention. The printing machine 14 corresponds to an image printing unit of the present invention.

The processing of the print service system 1 in this specification is performed by a print service program. Therefore, such a program can be recorded on a recording medium or transmitted via a transmission medium, whereby the effects of the present invention can be widely spread.

The service provided by using the print service system 1 is a user of a digital camera and a mobile phone equipped with an e-mail function, particularly a woman who is unfamiliar with computer operations. This service, which is carried out as a member of these services, prints an image transmitted by e-mail from a mobile phone (user terminal) 2 used by a user to generate a printed matter instead of a photo album, and together with a bill for a call fee, This is a service that ships to the user. Such services are provided by communication service providers (so-called carriers), contracted service providers, and the like.

The print service system 1 prints the advertisement data transmitted by e-mail from the advertiser terminal 3 used by the advertiser on a mount so that the advertisement service (advertisement distribution charge or album creation charge) can be earned. Then, an image from the user is printed on a sticker on the backing paper. As advertisements, all kinds of advertisements such as travel, eating out, and clothing can be used. The advertisement data can include an image, an e-mail address, a telephone number, and the like. The advertiser includes not only the advertiser itself but also an advertising agency.

The user terminal 2 is equipped with a mail client (software) unique to the present embodiment. That is, the print service system 1 has a function (not shown) that allows a desired user (member) to download the mail client.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a screen when the mail client is used. The mail client arranges an address input area for inputting an address and a character input area for inputting the text of the e-mail in the image display area where the image is displayed, so that characters can be input while looking at the image. It is made possible. The mail client also causes the image display area to display an image selection button for selecting an image in the user terminal 2 and a send / cancel button for sending or canceling an email.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the processing executed by the mail client. When the mail client is executed, first, an option of inputting a new mail or transferring a received mail is displayed on the user terminal 2, and when the user selects (D1), which one is selected, Is determined (D3). Here, when it is determined that the information is new, an address input box, a character input box, an image selection button, and a transmission / cancel button are displayed (D5). And
When one of them is selected (D7), it is determined which input frame or button is selected (D9).

When the address input box is selected, the destination address is input in the address input box (D11).
Therefore, this is set as the destination address (D1
3).

When the character input box is selected, the body of the mail is input in the character input box (D15).
It is determined whether or not the total number of characters is equal to or less than a preset maximum number of characters (18 characters) (D17). If the total number of characters is 18 characters or less, the main body is continuously input. Meanwhile, 1
If the number of characters exceeds eight characters, or if an operation such as determination is performed, the character in the character input box is set as the mail text.

The image selection button is selected (pressed)
At this time, a list of image names stored in the user terminal 2 is displayed (D21), and one of them is selected (D23). During that time, it is sequentially determined whether an image name has been selected (D25), and when it is determined that the image name has been selected, the image is set as an image to be transmitted (D27). The image thus selected is displayed in the image display area instead of the wallpaper image.

Upon completion of the setting process in step D13, D19 or D27, the process returns to step D9 to determine the selected frame or the like.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step D9 that the send / cancel button has been selected (pressed), the send button and the cancel button are displayed on the screen (D29).

When one of the buttons is selected, it is determined which button has been selected (D31).
If this is a cancel button, the process ends.

On the other hand, in the case of the transmission button, it is determined whether the address of the transmission destination has already been set (D33), and if not set, the input to the address input box is performed.

On the other hand, if the setting has been completed, it is determined whether the image to be transmitted has been set (D35). If the setting has been completed, the mail is transmitted (D37). That is, the image set as the image to be transmitted is attached to the text and transmitted. When it is determined in step D35 that the image to be transmitted is not set, the wallpaper image is set as the image to be transmitted, and the process proceeds to mail transmission in step D37.
Thus, when no image is selected, the wallpaper image is automatically transmitted.

If it is determined in step D3 that mail transfer has been selected, a list of received mails is displayed (D41), and one of them is selected (D43). During that time, it is sequentially determined whether the mail is selected (D45),
When it is determined that the mail is selected, the mail is set as the mail to be transferred (D47). Then, the process proceeds to step D9.

When the mail transfer is selected, only the processing within the dotted line is performed.

That is, only the input to the address input box and transmission or cancellation can be performed, and the mail is immediately transferred when the address is input in the address input box and the send button is pressed.

In the case of a terminal having a small screen, it is more preferable to display an image using screen scrolling.

Returning to FIG. 1, the description will be continued. The print service system 1 may be configured such that the mail server 12 receives an e-mail from the user terminal 2 or the advertiser terminal 3 via the Internet, or the e-mail is transmitted from a mobile communication network via a dedicated line without using the Internet. May be received. Further, in the print service system 1, one or more e-mail addresses for reception are set, and a user or an advertiser can transmit to this address. The mobile phone referred to here is PHS (Personal Han).
dy Phone System), and the mobile communication network can be read as a PHS network.

The print service system 1 includes a display unit (not shown) constituted by a CRT display or a liquid crystal display, and is capable of displaying messages related to processing on the display unit. Further, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like (not shown) are provided so that system maintenance and command input can be performed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing each table configured in the database server 13. Database server 1
3 includes a management table 131 and a character table 132
, An image table 133 and an advertisement table 134.

Management table 131, character table 132
The image table 133 includes a data string generated each time an e-mail is received from a member. The data string of the management table 131 includes a member ID, a transmission date and time, a character data ID, an image data ID, a print completion flag, and the like. The data string of the character table 132 is composed of a character data ID and character data.
The data sequence of the image table 133 includes an image data ID and image data. Therefore, the character data and the image data are stored in association with each other.

The advertisement table 134 is composed of a data string generated each time an electronic mail is received from an advertiser. The data string includes an advertisement ID and advertisement data.

The print service system 1 provides an address, name or name, telephone number,
It has an e-mail address and information related to the contract. In addition, members have gender and age.

Next, the operation of the print service system 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a sequence of the print service system 1. The advertisement data transmitted from the advertiser terminal 3 by e-mail is temporarily stored in the mail server 12 (step S1). The application server 11 reads the advertisement data from the mail server 12 (step S3), and reads the advertisement table 1 in the database server 13.
34 (step S5).

On the other hand, the user specifies the mail address of the print service system 1 as the destination in addition to the original destination in the setting of the mail client in the user terminal 2. Accordingly, the mail text (character data input to the character input area) and the image transmitted by the user from the user terminal 2 by e-mail reach the mail server 12 and are temporarily stored therein (step S).
7). The application server 11 reads this from the mail server 12 (step S3) and stores it in the character table 132 and the image table 133 in the database server 13 (step S5). The data is stored in the database server 13 for one year, and is deleted sequentially after one year.

Further, the application server 11 periodically determines a print time (step S13). When it is determined that the printing time (for example, the end of the month) has arrived, the advertisement data is read from the database server 13 (step S15).

Further, from the character table 132 and the image table 133 of the database server 13, a mail body and an image from the same member are selected and read (step S17). At this time, it is determined whether or not the members are the same based on the member ID. In addition, with reference to the transmission date, data transmitted during the past month is selected and read. Note that such a period can be changed.

The application server 11 generates a control code for the printing press 14 from the read data and outputs the control code to the printing press 14 (step S19). The printer 14 that has input the control code performs printing according to the control code (step S21). The photo album thus completed is enclosed in an invoice envelope and delivered to the user's home (step S23). When the application server 11 is notified from the printing press 14 that printing has been completed,
The printed flag in the management table 131 is updated so that "printed" can be recognized to prevent inconvenience of printing again, and when the end of printing is not notified, an error is displayed on a display unit or the like, and a countermeasure is taken. Be taken. In the print service system 1, the album creation and the delivery by the above-described method are performed for all the users.

Here, the printing process based on the control code from the application server 11 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a printing process of a photo album generated by the print service system 1.

First, a plurality of advertisements are printed on a mount set on the printing press 14 in advance. At this time, printing is performed on the same mount for the same user. However, the advertisements may be the same or different. Next, a sticker such as a plain color is pasted on each advertisement. Then, an image from the user is printed on each sticker. At this time, the images are printed in chronological order of transmission date and time. Next, the transmission date is printed in association with the image. The transmission time and the text of the mail may be printed.

In this manner, in the present system, when the user removes the sticker to put it on a mobile phone or the like, an advertisement appears, so that the advertisement can be further impressed to the user.

Note that the print service system 1 can also provide the following print services as optional settings.

First, even an image once delivered can be printed again during the storage period. At this time,
The image of the date or period designated by the user can be printed together with the date. Further, only the text or only the image can be printed. If the name of the intended recipient is registered in advance, such information can be searched and printed based on the address described in the header of the mail that has arrived at the print service system 1.

In the above-described embodiment, an image photographed by a digital camera is printed. However, since a transmitted image can be printed, a standby screen can be printed. Further, a questionnaire may be collected from a user who has become a member in advance, and an advertisement according to the user's preference may be printed.

The print service program according to the present invention for executing the above-described processing can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, the Internet, or the like. Through the communication network of
Can be widely distributed.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A member simply sends an attached image or the like to an e-mail and sends a printout instead of an album. The service provider implements such a service simply by performing work such as shipping. be able to.

Further, since a characteristic printed matter in which an advertisement appears when the seal is removed can be generated, the advertisement can be further impressed to the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration and a use form of a print service system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a screen when a mail client downloaded to a user terminal is used.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process executed by a mail client.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing each table configured in the database server 13 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation of the print service system 1.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a printing process of a photo album generated by the print service system 1.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing service system 1 2 User terminal 3 Advertiser terminal 11 Application server 12 Mail server 13 Database server 14 Printing machine

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Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A print service system for providing a printed material to a member, comprising: image storage means for storing images sequentially transmitted by e-mail from a member's terminal; and the same member from among the stored images. A print service system, comprising: an image selecting unit that selects an image from the image forming apparatus; and an image printing unit that prints the selected image on the same mount. 2. The print service system according to claim 1, wherein the selected image is configured to be printed together with the body of an electronic mail. 3. The print service system according to claim 1, wherein the selected image is printed on a sticker on a mount. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selected image is printed on a sticker attached to a position of the advertisement information on a mount on which the advertisement information is printed in advance.
4. The print service system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The print service system according to claim 1, wherein the selected image is printed together with a transmission date or a transmission date and time. 6. The print service system according to claim 1, wherein an electronic mail program configured to arrange a character input area in an image display area is downloaded to a member terminal. . 7. A print service program for providing a printed matter to a member, comprising: an image storage means for storing images sequentially transmitted by e-mail from a member terminal; A print service program for causing a computer system to function as an image selecting means for selecting an image from a member of the group, and an image printing means for printing the selected image on the same mount. 8. A computer-readable recording medium on which a print service program for providing a printed material to a member is stored, the image storing means storing an image sequentially transmitted by electronic mail from a terminal of the member, An image selecting unit that selects an image from the same member from among the stored images, and an image printing unit that prints the selected image on the same mount in a computer system. A computer-readable recording medium on which a print service program to be recorded is recorded.