JP2003114928A - Order receiving device for digital print - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely carry out the acceptance of prints based on picture data recorded in a recording medium. SOLUTION: Picture data to be printed or picture data to be printed and print order data are read from various recording media through a CD drive device, ZIP drive device, card reader, and FD drive device. Then, the print order data are prepared or changed based on the read data. Then, the prepared or changed print order data are associated with the picture data, and recorded in the recording area of another preliminarily decided recording medium. The picture data to be printed and the print order data can be accepted, and the ordering can be surely and simply executed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital print order receiving device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, as personal computers (personal computers) have become widespread, digital still cameras (hereinafter simply referred to as digital cameras) and scanners for displaying images taken by themselves have started to become widespread.
When printing these images, a personal-use inkjet printer or thermal printer is used.

However, with these printers for personal use, it is difficult to expect high-quality printing, and there is also the problem that the printing cost becomes high when the purchase of the printer is taken into consideration. Therefore, it is desired to provide high-quality digital prints at low cost. In order to meet this demand, it is considered to print on the basis of digital image data in a laboratory store that develops and prints the film.

[0004]

However, with digital data, the image to be printed cannot be viewed from the recording medium like the image recorded on the film. For this reason, there is a problem that it is not possible to confirm whether or not the print target data is contained and whether or not the data is acceptable by just receiving the recording medium.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a digital print acceptance processing apparatus that can reliably and easily perform acceptance processing.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a digital print acceptance processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes means for reading image data from a recording medium and image printing based on the read image data. The image forming apparatus further comprises means for creating or changing print order data relating to an order, and data recording means for associating the image data with the print order data and recording them in a predetermined recording area.

It is preferable that the predetermined recording area is provided on a recording medium different from the recording medium. Further, it is preferable that the recording medium has a data transfer means, and the predetermined recording area is provided at a transfer destination of the data transfer means.

[0008] Further, it is preferable to include a reception slip printer for printing at least a part of the print order data. It is preferable that the acceptance slip printer print a delivery date and acceptance contents based on the print order data.

Further, it is preferable that the apparatus further comprises a data determining means for determining whether or not the read image data is print-acceptable data, and a display means for displaying a determination result by the data determining means. It is preferable that the data determination unit determines a print size that can be printed based on the size of the image data. Further, it is preferable that the print order data includes print instruction data for instructing a print size and the number of prints, and orderer identification data for identifying the orderer.

It is preferable that the data judging means has a data input means for reading the recording data from the recording medium. Further, it is preferable that the record data is image data to be printed and print order data. The print order data preferably includes print instruction data for instructing the print size and the number of prints, and orderer identification data for identifying the orderer.

When the read data is judged to be print-acceptable data by the data judgment means, a print service capable of reception processing corresponding to this data is requested, and the display means is requested to print. It is preferable to include a print service display unit for displaying the service, a unit for designating the print service selected according to the display, and a unit for changing or creating the print order data according to the designated print service. Further, it is preferable to include a reception slip printer that prints the delivery date, the print fee, and the reception details based on the print order data and issues a reception slip. It is preferable that the data determination unit determines a print size that can be printed based on the size of the print target image data.

[0012]

1 is a schematic diagram showing an order receiving apparatus for digital print according to the present invention. Order acceptance device 1
Reference numeral 0 includes a recording data input unit 11, a personal computer 12, a data recording unit 13, and a reception slip printer 14. The recording data input unit 11 includes a CD drive device 15
, ZIP drive device 16 and FD drive device 17
And a PC card reader 18. These devices 15 to 17 and the reader 18 are CD, ZI
Recording data is read from various recording media such as P (registered trademark), FD, and PC card. The data recording unit 13 is an MO
It is composed of a drive device 19. The MO drive device 19 writes the received digital image data and print order data in the MO.

The personal computer 12 comprises a personal computer body 20, a keyboard 21, a mouse 22, and a display 23. The personal computer body 20 has a hard disk drive device (not shown) built-in, and a well-known OS is installed therein, and a digital data reception processing program is also installed therein.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing this acceptance processing program. As shown in FIG. 2, first, when a recording medium corresponding to various drive devices and a reader is inserted, the personal computer main body 20 drives the data input unit 11 to read recorded data from the recording medium.

The read record data is stored in the data judging section 2
The data type is discriminated here. For example,
When a recording medium having a different format is inserted, the data determination unit 25 determines that the data cannot be read and sends it to the display image creation unit 26. Display image creation unit 26
If the data cannot be read, creates a display image in which the data cannot be read and sends it to the display 23. When the image data is not recorded or the data format is unreadable, the data determination unit 25 determines that there is no image to be printed. In this case, the display 23
No image to be printed is displayed on.

When the print target image data and the print order data are recorded, these data are sent to the display image creating section 26. In the display image creation unit 26,
As shown in FIG. 3, a reception index image 40 in which a print target image and print order data corresponding thereto are displayed in a list is created and displayed on the display 23. Therefore, the basic pattern of the reception index image 40 is stored in advance in the display image creating unit 26, and the image to be printed is fitted and combined with the basic pattern.

The image data to be printed is described in various formats that can be displayed on the personal computer 12, and these are distinguished by file identifiers. The print order data has a predetermined format and is recorded by word processing software or the like.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the reception index image 40. In the present embodiment, one index image 40 is created when the image to be printed is for four frames. For example, if 6 images to be printed are recorded, 2
One index image 40 is created and page button 4
This can be switched by clicking 1 with the mouse 22.

The reception index image 40 includes a basic data display frame 42, a sub-frame display frame 43 for displaying images to be printed, and a selectable print instruction frame 4.
4 and a print charge display frame 45.

The basic data display frame 42 has a title display column 4
6, orderer's name display column 47, reception date / time display column 48, print finish date / time display column 49, reception number display column 50,
It is composed of a user ID number display field 51 and a contact address display field 52. The print order data recorded on the recording medium is used for each display field 47, 51, 52 of the name of the orderer, the user ID number, and the contact information. It should be noted that in the case of the orderer who placed the order for the first time, a new user ID number is assigned, displayed, and registered in the user register in the record data memory 27. If the user ID number is not described, the user register in the record data memory 27 is searched from the name and the telephone number of the contact, and the searched user ID number is displayed.

In the reception date / time display field 48, the current date / time when the personal computer is received is recorded. The print finish display field 49 displays the print finish date and time. The print finish date and time is obtained from the acceptance date and time based on the preset print processing time table data. The print processing time table data is such that the reception date and time and the print finishing date and time are associated with each other for each print service as described later. Also, the reception numbers are assigned in the order of reception, and this is displayed in the reception number display field 50.

The sub-frame display frame 43 is composed of an image display section 55 and an order data display section 56. The image display unit 55 displays the data of the display frame size by thinning out the print target image data. In the present embodiment, the display frame size is the same for each image regardless of the image size, but the display frame size may be changed according to the image size.

The order data display section 56 displays the frame number, the number of prints, and the print size. In addition, when the order corresponding to the image size is not made, for example, when the number of pixels of the print target image is small and the L size print cannot be printed in high quality,
“Print size L” is displayed in blinking, and the operator and the orderer are informed that high-quality printing is impossible. In addition to these, the image size may be displayed.

Data of the sub-frame display frame 43, the selectable print instruction frame 44, and the print charge display frame 45 are associated with each other. Therefore, for example, when the sub-frame is selected by double-clicking the screen in the sub-frame display frame 43 of the frame number 1, the color of the outer frame 43a of the designated sub-frame changes, and the print order data cannot be changed or added. It will be possible.

In this case, the corresponding service searching unit 28 searches the corresponding service memory 29 for print types that can be selected for the image to be printed, and sends this to the display image creating unit 26 via the data judging unit 27. To be

In the selectable print designation frame 44, a print number change column 60 and a print type designation column 61 are displayed. When changing the number of prints, the number of prints is changed by clicking the number change button 60a or 60b in the number-of-prints change column 60. Then, by specifying "0", the print order for this size is canceled. Also, the number change button 6
The number of prints is changed to "3" by pressing 0a, 60b to set it to "3", for example.

In the selectable print instruction frame 44, a selectable print type designation frame 61 is actively displayed in a clear display with increased density according to the image size of the image to be printed. In addition, the print type display frame 61 that cannot be selected is inactive display in which the density is lowered to make it inconspicuous. Then, by clicking the active display designation frame 61 with the mouse 22, it becomes possible to designate the additional print via the additional order data input unit 30.

When the image size of the image to be printed is small (the number of pixels is small) and the L size and H size prints cannot be displayed in high quality, the data determination section 25 has a smaller number of pixels than this. A signal is sent to the display image creation unit 26 so that the designated frame 61 for mug printing, which has a small screen size, and the designated frame 61 for sticker printing, which requires a smaller number of pixels, are actively displayed. As a result, the designated frame 61 corresponding to the image size of the image to be printed is actively displayed, and these prints can be designated.

In the print charge display frame 45, the print type and the number of prints at the present time when the ordering operation is performed and these charges are displayed. Data calculation unit 25 calculates the charge.
The charge calculation unit 31 performs the process based on the order data from the data and the additional order data from the additional order data input unit 30. For example, when the print order data is changed by the selectable print designation frame 44, the print fee is changed and displayed according to the change. Therefore, since the charge is changed each time according to the additional order, it becomes possible to easily order the print while checking the print charge.

When the order is completed, the end button 63 is clicked to record the print order data and the print target image data in the record data memory 27. The image data to be printed and the order data are recorded in the MO via the MO drive device 19. Then, this MO is sent to the printing company.

Further, when the end button 63 is clicked, a reception slip in which the reception contents and the print finish date are recorded is issued via the reception slip printer 14. A normal dot impact print is used for the acceptance slip printer 14, and the same content is recorded by copying three sheets. And
The first sheet is given to the orderer as an acceptance sheet, the second sheet is kept at the reception shop, and the third sheet is a request sheet to the printing company. Further, the recording medium in which the image data to be printed and the order data are recorded is returned to the orderer. Note that the acceptance slip printer may be replaced by a dot impact printer, and may be another laser printer, an inkjet printer, a thermal printer, or the like. In this case, the required number of copies of the reception slip having the same content are printed. Further, the printing may be performed with one reception slip, and the reception store and the printing trader may manage the print order data.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the acceptance slip 70.
Orderer name 71, contact 72, reception date 73, print finish date 74, reception number 75, user ID number 7
6, print content 77, print fee 78, etc. are recorded. Further, in order to easily perform the reception process, the bar code 75a, 7
5b is also shown.

As shown in FIG. 5, the reception slip 80 may be printed with a line drawing of the sub-frame 81. In this case, it is possible to visually confirm the invisible image data, and it is possible to reduce an error in ordering. Further, the sub-frame may be printed in color by using a color printer. The same components as those of the reception slip 70 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the above embodiment, the reception index image 40 has a basic data display frame 42 and a sub-frame display frame 43.
Although the selectable print designation frame 44 and the print charge display frame 45 are included, the arrangement of the frames 42 to 45 is not limited to that shown in the drawing, and the arrangement may be changed appropriately. Further, each of the frames 42 to 45 is not limited to that of the embodiment, and may be changed as appropriate. Also, each frame 42-
These may be mixed without being divided into 45. Similarly, the contents and arrangement of the reception slips 70 and 80 may be changed appropriately.

In the above embodiment, the image data to be printed and the order data are recorded in another recording medium, MO, and the recording medium at the time of reception is returned to the orderer. However, these are returned at the time of reception. Instead, new order data may be written in these recording media and delivered to the print shop. Then, after printing, the recording medium is returned to the orderer together with the print. In this case, in the reception processing device 10, since it is only necessary to check the reception data, a large-capacity memory or storage medium is unnecessary, and the configuration is simplified.

In the above embodiment, the order accepting device 10 is operated by the operator, but in addition to this, the order accepting device 10 may be operated by the orderer himself to place an order. In this case, the inserted recording medium is returned to the orderer on the spot, and the image data to be printed and the print order data are stored in the memory in the order receiving device.
Then, the acceptance slip is printed out and issued to the user. Alternatively, additional order data may be written in the recording medium and returned to the print shop without returning the recording medium at the time of reception.

In the above embodiment, the mouse 22 is used to
Although various order data are input and other operations are performed, these operations are performed by the keyboard 21, touch panel,
You may make it perform using other input means, such as a light pen.

In the above embodiment, the image and the order data are recorded in the MO, but in addition to this, it is sent to a printing company using a large-capacity recording medium such as another PD, DVD, removable hard disk, or a telephone line is used. It may be sent to the database of the printing company online. Further, the image data to be transferred may be image compression processing as is well known. Also, the recording medium,
The present invention is not limited to CD, ZIP, FD, and PC cards, and may be PD, DVD, removable hard disk, or the like.

In the above-described embodiment, the order is accepted on the premise of printing in the silver halide photographic printer, but in addition to this, a large screen size print using an ink jet printer, a thermal printer, other printers or the like. You may make it accept an order. In this case, a print designation frame for designating these printers is provided in the reception index image.

In addition to the print service in the above embodiment, character composite print, multi-print, monochrome print, album print, postcard print, etc. may be designated. In the character composition print, balloons, necessary explanations, etc. are image-composed in the image to be printed. In addition to this, characters may be recorded around the image to be printed. In multi-printing, a large number of print target images are arranged in one screen by changing the print size. The album print is an image in which a plurality of images to be printed are properly arranged in one screen like an album, and a description or the like is recorded as necessary. In the case of postcard printing, the orderer is allowed to select the composite document content and composite pattern from several types of patterns. Further, a correction print instructing gradation correction or color correction may be designated. In this correction print, you can delete unnecessary subjects,
You may include the instruction | indication which synthesize | combines a designated image.

The print size is L size, H size, panorama size, cabinet size, A4 size,
Various sizes such as poster size may be included. Further, the print frame may have a rectangular shape, a heart frame, a round frame, or other various shapes.

When the original image is a photographic film and the print target image data is read by a scanner, the data indicating that the original image is the photographic film may be recorded in the order data. Then, when this data is present at the time of reception, it is preferable to display possible print services for the photo film so that these services can also be received.

In the above embodiment, the reception at one print shop has been described. In addition to this, print services of a plurality of print shops are displayed on the display during the reception processing so that one of them can be selected. May be. In this case, the type of print service at each print shop, the processing period, and each charge are stored in the corresponding service memory. The print service data recorded in the compatible service memory is preferably updated at regular intervals.

The record data is preferably processed by the order receiving device in a form including the print order data, but it is preferable to prepare the print order data by the order receiving device when processing the order of only the image data.
In this case, the created print order data may be added to the recording medium returned to the user.

[0045]

According to the present invention, since image data is read from the recording medium and the image data and the print order data are stored in association with each other, the print order acceptance process can be performed reliably and easily. Further, by providing the data determination means for determining whether or not the print is acceptable based on the read data, and the display means for displaying the determination result by the data determination means, the print target recorded as the image data is printed. It is possible to reliably perform the print acceptance process while visually observing the image. Therefore, it is possible to immediately determine whether or not the customer's request can be met by checking the contents. In addition, a recording medium on which image data is not recorded or a recording medium on which unreadable image data or the like is recorded are not accepted. Moreover, since it is automatically determined whether or not printing is possible, more reliable reception processing becomes possible.

CD drive device, ZIP drive device,
By providing data input means such as a card reader, an FD drive device, and a PC card reader, it is possible to deal with various recording media. By using the print data as the print target image data and the print order data, the print order data is recorded in advance, which facilitates the receiving process. Since the print order data includes the print instruction data for instructing the print size and the number of prints and the orderer identification data for identifying the orderer, reliable reception is possible.

When the data determining means determines that the data can be accepted for printing, a print service capable of accepting processing corresponding to this data is requested, and the requested print service is displayed on the display means. Since the print service selected according to the display is designated and the print order data is changed or created according to the designated print service, it is possible to easily and surely accept the additional print. The receipt slip can be automatically issued by providing the receipt slip printer that prints the delivery date, the print fee, and the contents of receipt based on the print order data and issues the receipt slip. By determining the print size that can be printed on the basis of the size of the print target image data, the data determination unit can prevent the order of prints whose image quality is deteriorated due to insufficient number of pixels.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a digital print order receiving device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the digital print order receiving apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a reception index image.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a reception slip.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of another acceptance slip.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Order acceptance device 11 Data input section 12 PC 13 Data recording section 14 Reception slip printer 20 PC body 40 Reception index image 42 Basic data display frame 43 Sub-frame display frame 44 Selectable print instruction frame 45 Print charge display frame 70,80 acceptance vote

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A means for reading image data from a recording medium, a means for creating or changing print order data relating to an image print order based on the read image data, and the image data and the print order data are associated in advance. An order receiving device for digital print, comprising: a data recording unit for recording in a determined recording area. 2. The digital print order receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined recording area is provided on a recording medium different from the recording medium. 3. The digital print order receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a data transfer unit, wherein the predetermined recording area is provided at a transfer destination of the data transfer unit. . 4. The digital print order receiving device according to claim 1, further comprising a reception slip printer that prints at least a part of the print order data. 5. The digital print order receiving apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the acceptance slip printer prints a delivery date and acceptance contents based on the print order data. 6. A data determination means for determining whether or not the read image data is print-acceptable data, and a display means for displaying a determination result by the data determination means. Through 5 any 1
Order-receiving device for digital print as described in 3. 7. The digital print order accepting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the data determination unit determines a print size that can be printed based on the size of the image data. 8. The print order data includes print instruction data for instructing a print size and the number of prints,
8. An order receiving device for a digital printer according to claim 1, further comprising orderer identification data for identifying an orderer.