JP2003035939A - Print creating system, print ordering data creating device, camera, print ordering data creating program, and computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print creating system in which the handling of a print order is facilitated and fee calculation is simplified, and to provide a print ordering data creating device, camera, print ordering data creating program and a computer-readable storage medium. SOLUTION: In the print ordering data creating device 13, the maximum number of frames of image data per order is set to 20 frames. Thus, when creating the print order of image data with the number of frames exceeding the maximum, a plurality of orders are automatically created. When the print ordering data is transmitted through the Internet, etc., communication time per order is shortened because image data capacity per order is restricted. Even when a defective communication occurs, the handling is not complicated because there are few newly transmitted data. Restricting the number of frames of image data per order suppresses the basic charge of one order and provides a fair payment method.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print creation system, a print order data creation device, a camera, a print order data creation program, and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image data generating devices such as digital cameras and scanners have been improved by improving image processing technology.
It is popular with remarkable momentum. Along with this, users are becoming more aware of digital images, and are being used for various purposes such as creating Internet homepages and digital printing. On the other hand, in the conventional lab, prints were made using negative film,
With the spread of digital cameras, services such as output centers that provide image print services, minilabs (small-scale photo labs), and large laboratories that perform centralized processing are naturally increasing, and services that handle digital image data are increasing. Cross over.

On the other hand, with the spread of the Internet in general households, as an example of a service for handling such digital image data, a customer uploads the image data to a server managed by a laboratory or the like via the Internet. The laboratory side prints based on the uploaded image data and provides it to the customer. According to such a service, there is an advantage that a customer can order a print of image data owned by the customer while staying at home. Further, as the Internet becomes broadband, the number of services that provide a storage area on the Internet that customers can use freely is increasing.

[0004]

By the way, for example, when requesting a simultaneous printing service of a silver salt film, an order is made on a film-by-film basis. Therefore, the number of frames of an image per order is the number of filmable images. There is a case that it is almost decided by. On the other hand, regarding image data, if the capacity of a storage medium such as a memory card of a digital still camera is large, the number of frames that can be stored therein also increases. However, if it is possible to include an arbitrary number of frames in one order of a print order, it is fully expected that the entire image data stored in a storage medium of 128 MB or more will be attached to one order. When sending a print order order via the Internet, etc., if the data volume is large like this, the communication time becomes long, and if the transmission is interrupted due to communication failure, etc., you have to restart the transmission from the beginning. ,
The handling is complicated.

From the standpoint of a customer who has placed a print order at a reasonable price without much trouble, a storage medium which may store a huge number of frames of image data is used.
If you try to order prints at the same time on a photographic film that does not take a lot of effort, it may take a huge amount of print charges, and it is difficult to complete the order.

Further, from the standpoint of the print producer who has received the order, there is a possibility that the order for which such a huge print fee has to be charged may be wrong, and thus it is psychologically desired to confirm the order. This may cause unnecessary work.

Further, if it is possible to include an enormous number of frames of image data in one order, the basic charge per order (amount to be paid by the customer regardless of the number of prints) must be set considerably high. However, if this is the case, the burden on the customer who places a print order with a small number of frames will be relatively increased, and there will be a problem that fair price setting will not be possible.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is capable of facilitating the handling of print orders and simplifying the charge calculation, a print order data creating apparatus, and a camera. , A print order data creation program and a computer-readable storage medium are provided.

In the present specification, the image data generally means digitized image data, and specifically, it is a transparent original such as a negative film or a positive film, a reflective original such as a printing paper or a printed matter. Data that is quantized and digitized from information stored in analog, data that is directly stored as digital information, such as a digital camera, image data that a customer arbitrarily draws on a computer (--typically CG) etc.

Here, the storage medium is CD-R or CD-R.
W, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, magneto-optical disk, floppy (registered trademark) disk, compact flash (registered trademark), smart media, memory stick, multimedia card, SD card, HiFD, Z
In addition to ip, PD, etc., hard disk etc. are also included.

A network is a system in which a computer system, terminals, and data communication equipment are mutually connected. The connection may be a wired line such as a leased line, a public line, a power line, an optical fiber, a wireless connection, or a combination thereof. The so-called Internet is also included in the network.

The print order data is data including at least image data. The print order data may include information for designating the number of prints, print size, etc. based on the image data.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a network system including a print order data creation system, a print order data creation device, and a camera according to the present embodiment. The customer's digital still type camera 12 and the order data creating device 13 installed in a convenience store or the like are connected to a network such as the Internet via a device such as a router or a modem (not shown) for connecting a terminal or LAN to the Internet. Representative WAN (Wide Ar
ea Network) so that data communication is possible.

On the other hand, a print order server 21, a printer 22 and a media drive 23 installed in a photo shop or the like.
Are communicatively connected to each other, and the print order server 21 is communicatively connected to a WAN such as the Internet.

Referring to FIG. 1, the flow of the print order is shown. Here, the customer is, for example, the digital still camera 1
It is assumed that a print at a photo shop is desired based on the image data captured in 2. In this case, the customer uses the storage medium 12 that stores the image data from the digital still camera 12.
a is removed and inserted into the insertion slot 13a of the print order data creation device 13.

Then, the print order data creating device 13
Is capable of absorbing image data from the inserted storage medium 13a and creating print order data including the image data and the corresponding number of prints and print size. The print order data is transmitted to the order server 21 via the WAN, and the printer 22 prints according to the order contents. The formed print will be delivered from the photo shop to the customer by means such as mailing or home delivery.

In another embodiment, the digital still camera 12 itself can create print order data, and the created print order data can be transmitted to the print order server 21 via the WAN. In addition, the storage medium 12a in which the print order data is stored is directly
It can also be stored in the print order server 21 by being transported to a photo shop and read by the media drive 23.

Next, a method of creating print order data will be described. 2 to 4 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the monitor 13b of the print order data creation device 13. 5 and 6 show the print order data creation device 13
5 is a flowchart showing the control (print order data creation method) of FIG.

First, when the customer inserts the storage medium 12a into the insertion slot 13a, the image data is read by a reading device (not shown) (step S101 in FIG. 5, step S201 in FIG. 6), and based on it, it is shown in FIG. The display is done automatically. In this example, each frame selection screen (each frame selection mode) is set by default. Needless to say, the all-frame selection screen (all-frame selection screen mode) may be set as the default.

A method of creating print order data on each frame selection screen (each frame selection mode, in which each frame selection button B2 is selected in FIG. 2) will be described. The flowchart of FIG. 6 corresponds to this case.

In FIG. 2, the storage medium 1 is stored in the area A1.
All the file names of the image data stored in 2a can be displayed. The monitor 13a is a so-called touch panel. Use the buttons A2 and A3 to scroll the file name up and down and display the displayed file name (here 00
7. When you press (JPG), the file is specified,
File name 007. The JPG image data (also referred to as an image file) will be selected for the print order. At the same time, the thumbnail image G1 is displayed on the left side, and a black star mark is added to the left side of the selected file so that it can be visually recognized that the file has been selected. ing. By repeating this, the frame for which the print order is desired is selected. By the way, although a plurality of image files are selected in this way, the number of image files selected by the time the selection is started to reach a predetermined number (a predetermined number of image files or a predetermined number of frames) is started. The set is defined and treated as belonging to the first one print order. In addition, this predetermined number is set to 20 as an example here. When the selection is continued and the number of selected image files exceeds 20, the set of image files consisting of 20 belonging to the first one print order is determined, and the image files selected by 20 to 40 are selected. Are defined and treated as belonging to another print order. If the selection is further continued, a set of image files belonging to one new print order is sequentially defined as in the above (S).
201, S202). Then, the person who judges that the selection has been completed pushes the selection OK button B3, and the screen is displayed as shown in FIG.
The display will switch to.

Next, a method for creating print order data on the all frame selection screen (all frame selection mode) will be described. Figure 5
This flowchart corresponds to this case.

In FIG. 2, when the select all button B2 is pressed and selected, a black star mark is automatically added to the left side of all the image file names, and all the image files are selected as the image files for which a print order is desired. Will be done. At this time, when the number of selected image files is less than or equal to the predetermined number, they are collectively defined and handled as belonging to one print order. However, when the number of image files exceeds the predetermined number, a set of image files belonging to one print order is defined so that the number of image files becomes the predetermined number or less.

For example, the predetermined number is 20. If the number of selected image files is 15, these are defined and handled as belonging to one print order. However, in cases like 70 over 20, 20, 20,
The number of image files belonging to one print order is allocated such as 20, 10. Note that the allocation method is not limited to this, and 19, 17, 17, 17 are set so that the number of image files belonging to one print order is as uniform as possible.
May be divided and allocated (S201, S
202). Then, when the selection OK button B3 is pressed,
Similar to the above, the screen will be switched to the display shown in FIG.

The print order folder list screen shown in FIG. 3 will be described. "Order 001"-"Order 0"
A print order folder "04" is created corresponding to a set of image files that belong to one print order. Here, the above 20, 20, 20, 1
The description is given as an example corresponding to the case where the number of image files belonging to one print order is allocated such as 0. 2 for each of "Order 001" to "Order 003"
An image file of 0 frames is assigned, and “Order 0
The image file of 10 frames is allocated to "04".

Now, when any of the print order folders is pressed in FIG. 3 (for example, the folder of order 002),
The screen is changed to that shown in FIG. 4, and the desired number of prints and print size can be changed and input for each image file belonging to this print order folder. At the initial stage when there is no input, the number of prints is set to 1 and the print size is set to L based on the default data. Also on the screen shown in FIG. 4, the file name is scrolled up and down by the F1 and F2 keys, and by pressing the file name, the thumbnail image is displayed for the designated image data. The number of prints and the print size corresponding to the designated image data can be changed by operating the keys indicated by H1 and J1. When the customer determines that the number of prints and the print size have been decided and the decision key K1 is pressed, the number of prints and the print size corresponding to each image data are decided.

In this way, it is possible to change the number of prints or the print size other than the default value. Then, when the confirm key L1 is pressed, the setting change of the number of prints and the print size of the print order folder (in this case, order 002) for which the default value of the number of prints or the print size is desired is confirmed. When the confirm key K1 is pressed, the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG. And order 001
When the customer determines that the number of prints and the print size of No. 004 to 004 have the desired values and presses the confirm key L1, the input of the print order data is completed for the time being. Further, information necessary for billing and print delivery, for example, orderer name, telephone number, e-mail address, print receiving method, fee payment method, etc. are input by an input means (not shown), and image data, The print order data may be associated with the number of prints and the print size.

The above processing can be performed not only by the print order data creating device 13 but also by the digital still camera 12. FIG. 7 shows a digital still camera 1.
6 is a flowchart showing control No. 2 (print order data creation method). In step S301 of FIG. 7, the digital still camera 12 converts an optical image into image data by an image sensor (CCD) not shown, and stores the image data in the storage medium 12a. At this time, the digital still camera 12 divides the image data in the storage medium 12a into groups (divisions) by a predetermined number of frames, for example, 20 frames (step S).
302), print order data is created for each of the image data divided in step S303.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the control of the digital still camera 12 (print order data creating method). In step S401 of FIG. 8, the digital still camera 12 converts an optical image into image data by an image pickup device (CCD) (not shown), and counts the number of frames while storing the image data in the storage medium 12a. Step S40
In step 2, it is determined whether or not the count number has reached a predetermined number of frames (for example, 20 frames) (step S402), and if not, image data is continuously captured. When the number of frames of the image data stored in the storage medium 12a reaches 20, the digital still camera 12 creates print order data for the image data (step S403).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the control (print order data creating method) of the print creating system including the print order server 21, the printer 22, and the media drive 23. Here, it is assumed that all the image data stored in the storage medium 12a is the image data selected for the print order.
In step S501 of FIG. 9, the insertion slot 23a
From the storage medium 12a inserted into the media drive 2
3 reads the image data and print order server 2
Send to 1. The print order server 21 counts the number of frames while continuously receiving the image data, determines in step S502 whether or not a predetermined value (for example, 20 frames) is reached, and if the predetermined value is not reached, further step S50 is performed.
At 3, warn. This warning is given to the operator of the photo shop and determines whether the print order is appropriate or not. If the image data reaches the specified value, or if the operator checks the print order and determines that the confirmation button to be pressed when there is no problem is pressed,
The print order server 21 completes the print preparation by creating print order data in step S504 and transmitting it to the printer 22.

According to the above-described embodiment, one customer
Even if you do not know the number of image data frames that can be ordered, if the number of image data frames to be ordered is large, it is automatically divided and distributed to multiple orders, and the image data capacity per order is limited. From being
Even when sending print order data via the Internet etc., the communication time per order is shortened,
Even if a communication failure occurs, there is little new data to be transmitted, which is convenient for handling. Also, by limiting the number of frames of image data in one order,
The basic charge for orders can be kept low, and a fair price can be set.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the exemplary embodiments, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, but it goes without saying that appropriate modifications and improvements are possible. is there. The program for executing the print order data creating method described above can be read from a storage medium such as a CD-R and executed by the print order data creating device 13, the digital still camera 12, and the print order server 21. In addition, such a program
It can also function as a print order data creation device by installing it on a customer's personal computer or mobile phone. Since the display screen of the digital still camera 12 is usually small, it is preferable to use a five-way switch or the like normally provided in the camera for selecting image data.

[0033]

According to the present invention, there are provided a print creation system, a print order data creation device, a camera, a print order data creation program, and a computer-readable storage medium that can easily handle a print order and simplify charge calculation. By providing it, it is possible to build a more user-friendly print ordering system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a network system including a print order data creation system, a print order data creation device, and a camera according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a monitor 13 of the print order data creation device 13.
It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on b.

FIG. 3 is a monitor 13 of the print order data creation device 13.
It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on b.

FIG. 4 is a monitor 13 of the print order data creation device 13
It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on b.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control of a print order data creation device 13 (print order data creation method).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another control (print order data creation method) of the print order data creation device 13.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing control of the digital still camera 12 (print order data creation method).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another control of the digital still camera 12 (print order data creation method).

FIG. 9 is a print order server 21 and a printer 22.
3 is a flowchart showing the control of a print creating system (print order data creating method) that is configured by the above and the media drive 23.

[Explanation of symbols]

12 Digital still camera 13 Print order data creation device 21 Print order server 22 Printer 23 Media Drive

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06F 17/60 124 G06F 17/60 124 (72) Inventor Koji Takemura 1st Sakura-cho, Hino City, Tokyo Konica Stock In-house F-term (reference) 2H103 AA21 AA23 AA38 2H104 AA19 BC35 2H106 BA55 BA95 5B021 AA01 BB02 EE01

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A print creation system for creating a print based on print order data including image data, wherein the number of frames of image data included in the print order data for one order is equal to or less than a predetermined number of frames. A print creation system. 2. A print order data creating apparatus for creating print order data for one order, wherein the number of frames of image data of the print order data for one order is set to a predetermined number or less. Characteristic print order data creation device. 3. A print order data creating apparatus for creating print order data for one order, wherein one order is created each time the number of frames of image data stored in a predetermined storage area reaches a predetermined number of frames. A print order data creating apparatus, which automatically creates print order data of the. 4. A print order data creating apparatus for creating print order data for one order, divides the number of frames of image data into a predetermined number of frames or less, and divides the divided image data into one. A print order data creating device characterized by creating print order data by allocating to print order data for an order. 5. A camera that obtains image data by picking up an image by photoelectric conversion can create print order data for each order, and the number of frames of the image data of the print order data for one order is less than a predetermined data. A camera characterized by being set to. 6. A camera for obtaining image data by picking up an image by photoelectric conversion, wherein print order data for one order is automatically created every time the number of frames of the picked-up image data reaches a predetermined number of frames. A camera characterized by. 7. A camera which obtains image data by picking up an image by photoelectric conversion, divides the picked-up image data into a predetermined number of frames or less, and divides the divided image data by one order. A camera characterized by creating print order data by allocating to the print order data of. 8. In a print order data generation program for creating print order data for one order using a computer, the number of frames of image data of the print order data for one order is set to a predetermined number or less. A program for generating print order data, which is characterized in that 9. A print order data generation program for creating print order data for one order using a computer, whenever the number of frames of image data selected for a print order reaches a predetermined number of frames. In addition, a program for creating print order data, which automatically creates print order data for one order. 10. A print order data creating program for creating print order data for one order using a computer, wherein the number of frames of image data selected for the print order is equal to or less than a predetermined number of frames. A program for creating print order data, which is characterized in that the print order data is created by allocating the divided image data to print order data for one order. 11. A computer-readable recording medium recording a print order data generation program for creating print order data for one order using a computer, wherein a frame of image data of the print order data for one order is recorded. A computer-readable recording medium recording a print order data generation program, wherein the number of frames is set to a predetermined number or less. 12. A computer-readable recording medium recording a print order data generation program for creating print order data for one order using a computer, and a frame of image data selected for the print order. A computer-readable recording medium having a print order data creation program recorded therein, wherein print order data for one order is automatically created each time the number of frames reaches a predetermined number. 13. A computer-readable recording medium recording a program for creating print order data for creating print order data for one order using a computer, and a frame of image data selected for the print order. A computer in which a print order data creating program is recorded by dividing the number of frames into less than or equal to the number of frames and assigning the divided image data to one order of print order data to create print order data. A readable recording medium.