JP2003127491A - Print terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print terminal which can print different kinds of image on the opposite sides of a post card or the like. SOLUTION: When a user or a client simply selects a plurality of pieces of data including the address and name data using a liquid crystal display 101, the address, name, zip code, and the like, are printed on the surface of a post card and the image of an object, a greeting sentence, and the like, corresponding to the destination are printed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print terminal capable of producing prints for postcards.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A service is known in which an image of a subject, greetings, etc. are printed on the back surface of a New Year's postcard. According to such a service, the customer brought a negative film for photographing a subject or a medium storing image data of the subject to a laboratory or the like, and specified a greeting or the like to place a print order, which was printed at a later date. You can receive New Year's postcards.

[0003]

By the way, one problem with such a service is that a single order can print only a combination of a single type of subject image and a greeting. For the customer, for example, there are cases in which it is desired to change the content of the subject image or the greeting text depending on whether the postcard is sent to a superior person or a friend. When two kinds of postcards are desired, the customer has to make two orders, and the basic charge is doubled, which increases the burden on the customer. In addition, if the combination of the subject image and the greeting is finely changed and the order is placed, it takes time and effort to write the order slip, and there is a risk that the printing operator may make a mistake.

In the above-mentioned service, the address and name of the destination are not printed on the surface of the postcard. However, for the customer, if the address and name of the destination are printed, the address and name will be printed on their own. It is convenient and convenient to write.

On the other hand, it is possible to create different combinations of subject images and greetings on a personal computer at home, for example, and print a desired number of each on the back side of a postcard with a home printer. Also, based on the database containing the address and name of the destination, by specifying the address and name of the destination suitable for different combinations of the subject image and the greeting, the specified address and name are printed on the home printer. It is also possible. However, if all these operations are performed by one's own hands, it takes time, and in some cases, the finished state is not always satisfactory. Further, a home printer generally takes time to print a high-quality image, and may not be suitable for printing a large amount.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a print terminal capable of printing different kinds of images on both sides of a postcard or the like.

[0007]

A print terminal according to a first aspect of the present invention is a print terminal for creating prints of postcards, and a selecting means for selecting a plurality of data including address / name data of a destination. Based on the address / name data of the destination selected by the selection means, an image is formed on the surface of the postcard, and selected by the selection means,
Since it has a printer unit for forming an image on the back surface of the postcard based on data other than the address / name data of the destination, the user, that is, the customer, uses the selecting unit to specify the destination (also called the destination). Select multiple data including address / name data (also called specifying)
In this case, the address, name, zip code, etc. are printed on the front surface of the postcard, and the subject image, greetings, etc. corresponding to the destination are printed on the back surface of the postcard. Here, "address / name data of destination" includes data such as address, name, and zip code. "Data other than destination address / name data" includes image data of the subject, greetings, illustrations, source address, name, postal code, telephone number, fax number, e-mail address, and other character data. Is included.

Further, it is preferable to have a memory for storing the plurality of data, since the user, that is, the customer, can save the time and effort to input the data by reading the data from the memory.

Further, if a display means for displaying, before printing, at least one of the layout of the image formed on the front surface of the postcard and the layout of the image formed on the back surface of the postcard is provided, the display means provides such a display before printing. It is convenient because you can check.

Further, when the printer means detects the vertical direction of the postcard and determines the direction of the characters formed on the postcard, the printer means prints in the correct vertical direction regardless of the conveying direction of the postcard. It will be possible.

The printing terminal of the second aspect of the present invention comprises a printing means for forming an image on a medium based on image data, and a detection means for detecting the type of the loaded medium, the printing means comprising: Since the mode of forming an image is changed according to the loaded medium, for example, when the detection means can detect either a postcard or a normal paper, it is detected. If the medium is normal paper, normal printing is performed, but if the detected medium is a postcard, the image is printed so that the subject image or greeting text is printed on the back side instead of the front side. Since the mode of forming is automatically changed, proper printing can be performed even if the medium is loaded incorrectly.

That is, when the detection means detects that the loaded medium is a postcard, the printing means forms an image on the back surface of the postcard, so that the front and back surfaces of the medium are loaded by mistake. However, it is possible to print appropriately.

Further, since the detecting means detects the vertical direction of the loaded postcard and the printing means forms an image on the back surface of the postcard in a predetermined direction, when the medium is loaded in the wrong direction. However, it is possible to print properly.

Further, it is preferable that the detecting means detects a postcard based on at least one of a character, a code, a symbol and a graphic posted on the surface of the loaded medium. Here, at least one of the characters, codes, symbols, and figures refers to a postal code field, a mark indicating a postcard manufactured by a government official, a lottery lottery number, a mail lottery number, etc., but is not limited thereto.

In the present specification, the image data generally means digitized image data, specifically, a transparent original such as a negative film or a positive film, a reflective original such as photographic 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., and includes a case where the printed result based on it is a character.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a print terminal that is an inkjet printer according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view of the print terminal of FIG. 1 cut horizontally and viewed from above. The print terminal 100 is preferably placed in an unmanned box in a city, a theme park, a tourist spot, or the like, but may be placed in a convenience store or the like.

In FIG. 1, a print terminal 100 is surrounded by a housing 100A, has a liquid crystal display 101 on the front, and has a coin insertion slot 102 and a coin return slot 102a above it, and a manual paper feed slot 100.
B is arranged, and a key operation unit 103, a print outlet 104, and a plurality of insertion openings 105 corresponding to different media are provided on the side of the liquid crystal display 101. Liquid crystal display 101 as display means and input means
Is a touch panel type, and any input can be performed by pressing on the screen.

In FIG. 2, inside the housing 100A of the print terminal 100, a paper storage unit 107 as a medium is arranged on the back side (upper side in FIG. 2), and from there, on the front side and side sides. A transport unit 108A for transporting the sheet extends. The transport unit 108B extends from the sheet receiving port 100B in FIG. 1 and is connected to the transport unit 108A. An inkjet printer unit 109 that prints on paper is disposed near the end of the transport unit 108A. In the printer unit 109, two sets of heads (not shown) face both sides of the paper so that printing can be performed on both sides of the conveyed paper. However, if a mechanism for reversing the paper is provided, double-sided printing is possible with one set of heads. A cutter 119 for cutting a sheet is arranged adjacent to the printer unit 109. The printed paper cut by the cutter 119 is stored in the storage unit 106. The storage unit 106
By appropriately approaching the print take-out port 104, the user can take out the print through the print take-out port 104. As shown in the figure, the media reading unit 105
A is arranged at the back of the insertion opening 105.

Further, the casing 100A of the print terminal 100
A control unit 110 is arranged inside. As shown in FIG. 3, which is a control block diagram of the print terminal 100, the control unit 110 includes a printer unit 109 and a conveyance unit 108.
A, 108B, media reading section 105A, liquid crystal display 101, storage section 106, sensor 111 for detecting the type and direction of the medium (preferably located in sheet receiving slot 100B), and memory 112 are connected to control these. It has become. In addition, the control unit 110 which is a control device
Is connected to a router R which is a communication means, and is connected via a network WAN to a server S managed by an administrator so that information can be transmitted.

Next, the operation of the print terminal 100 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the control operation of the print terminal 100. The process until the control unit 110 creates print order data and executes printing according to the user's designation through the liquid crystal display 101 as the selection means. Shows. A user who intends to print using the printing terminal 100 brings with him a medium that stores image data (and preliminarily created address book data when printing a postcard is desired) acquired by photographing with a digital still camera. , And prepare to load it into any of the media insertion openings 105 of the print terminal 100.

Here, when the user first inputs a prescribed fee (for example, 500 yen) (step S10 in FIG. 4).
1), the control unit 110 determines that the user is going to place a print order, and the sensor 111 is determined in step S102.
The user waits for a signal from and checks the paper loaded in the paper receiving port 111B by the user. When it is determined in step S103 that the user has not loaded the paper, or when it is determined that the loaded paper is not a postcard, the control unit 1
10 executes the normal print mode (step S1)
04). Then, when a medium is loaded into the medium insertion port 105, the medium reading unit 105A starts reading the image data accordingly.

In the normal print mode, as shown in FIG. 5, based on the image data read from the medium, five thumbnail images G1 to G5 are displayed on the liquid crystal display 101 in this case. Further, as a default value, information of “the number of prints: 1, print size: L (plate)” is displayed below each of the thumbnail images G1 to G5. Here, when the user wants to change the number of prints or the print size, any image can be designated by the image selection key K1, and the desired number of prints or print size can be changed by the change key K2. If printing is unnecessary, the number of prints may be set to zero. After the desired number of prints and size have been set, pressing the enter key K3 causes the control unit 11
0 creates print data and completes the acceptance of the print order. In step S117, the printer unit 109
The print creation is executed by, and the settlement is performed in step S118.

On the other hand, in step S103, for example, the sensor 11 that has detected the unique shape and size of the postal code column
If it is determined that the user has loaded the postcard based on the signal from 1, the control unit 110 determines in step S104 that
When the medium is loaded in the medium insertion slot 105, the medium reading unit 105A starts reading the image data and the address book data (including the address, name and zip code of the destination) accordingly. The format of such data is preferably predetermined.

Further, in step S106, the controller 110
Displays the screen shown in FIG. 6 on the liquid crystal display 101, and prompts the user to handwrite or print the destination. The user specifies the handwriting of the address and confirm key K1
When is pressed, the control unit 110 causes the liquid crystal display 101
Promptly displays the screen shown in FIG. In such a case, the postcard address, name, and
The zip code is not printed, so the user must write the address himself. On the other hand, when the user specifies the print of the destination, the control unit 110 displays a list of addresses, names, etc. in the same screen of the liquid crystal display 101 based on the read address book data, and waits for the user's specification. When the user specifies the address, name, etc. of the destination and presses the confirmation key K1, the control unit 110 causes the liquid crystal display 10
1, the screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. When the print of the destination is designated, the font and size of the character may be optionally designated.

On the screen shown in FIG. 7, an example of the layout of the back surface of the postcard is displayed based on the data stored in the memory 112. The user can specify a desired layout by viewing the display. In addition to the layout of images and greetings,
For example, it is preferable to store many layouts such as vertical writing and horizontal writing so that the user can arbitrarily specify by using the liquid crystal display 101. Step S108
Then, the user specifies the address, name, etc. of the destination and confirm key M
When 1 is pressed, the control unit 110 causes the liquid crystal display 101
, The screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed.

On the screen shown in FIG. 8, based on the data stored in the memory 112, an example greeting message to be printed on the back surface of the postcard is displayed. Here, when the user designates "New Year's card" as the purpose of the postcard, a general greeting sentence example usually written in the New Year's card is displayed, and a desired greeting sentence can be selected from them. Incidentally, when the "summer greeting" is designated, a general greeting example that is usually described in the summer greeting is displayed. A plurality of greetings (for example, "Happy New Year" and "Thank you for this year") can be combined and selected. In step S109, when the user who has specified the desired greeting message presses the confirmation key N1 while seeing such a display, the control unit 110 causes the liquid crystal display 1 to display.
In 01, the screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed.

On the screen shown in FIG. 9, an image example to be printed on the back surface of the postcard is displayed. Here, if the user specifies "media", an image based on the image data read from the loaded medium is displayed.
A desired image can be designated from among them. If you do not like the image in the media, you can specify “character” or “zodiac” instead of “media”, and the control unit 110 will display the image based on the image data stored in advance in the memory 112. Liquid crystal display 101
Since it is displayed on the screen, the user can also select a desired image from among them. In step S110, when the user specifies a desired image and presses the confirmation key O1, the control unit 110
Is displayed on the liquid crystal display 101 as a display means.
The screen shown in 0 is displayed.

On the screen shown in FIG. 10, the front surface of the postcard on which the address, name, and zip code of the destination specified earlier are arranged,
The back side of the postcard on which the greeting message and the image designated previously are arranged is displayed, showing the finished print state. Here, the address and name of the user printed on the back side may be those stored in advance in the medium,
The user may manually enter the print terminal 100.

If the user sees such a display and is unsatisfied with the contents, he or she presses the cancel key P2, the flow returns to step S106, and the designation can be performed again. On the other hand, when the user who is satisfied with the displayed contents presses the confirmation key P1, the control unit 110 creates the print order data with the specified contents and stores it. Thereafter, in step S114, control unit 110 causes liquid crystal display 101 to display the screen shown in FIG.

On the screen shown in FIG. 11, the user is asked whether or not to change only the destination without changing the print contents on the back surface of the postcard. If the user sees such a display and desires to change the print content on the back side,
By pressing the key Q2, the flow returns to step S106. On the other hand, when the user who desires to change only the destination presses the key Q1, the address / address of the destination is displayed on the same display screen.
A list of names and postal codes is displayed, and you can specify the destination you want to change. Thereafter, in step S113, control unit 110 creates and stores print data in which only the destination has been changed. In addition, in the display of the list, the destinations already specified are excluded, and the mistake of printing the same destination can be prevented.

In step S116, control unit 110 causes liquid crystal display 101 to display a screen (not shown) for confirming whether or not the print order is completed. If the user does not confirm, the flow returns to step S106. If the confirmation is obtained, in step S117, printing is performed based on the stored print order data.

According to the present embodiment, as described above, when printing on a postcard, the front and back surfaces of the postcard and the vertical direction are confirmed in the zip code column, so that the surface to be transported by the transport unit 108A and Regardless of the direction, as shown in FIG. 10, the printing on the front surface and the printing on the back surface can be appropriately performed so that the front and back are not reversed and the top and bottom are not reversed. The control unit 110 delivers the print to the user in exchange for the settlement in step S118.

A service for writing the above print order data (including designated destination data, greeting text data, image data, user's address / name data, etc.) into a medium brought by the user is also conceivable. . According to this service, when the medium in which the print order data is written is inserted into the medium insertion slot 105, the media reading unit 105A reads the print order data and
Immediately display the screen shown in 0. When the user presses the cancel key P2, the destination data, the greeting data, the image data, etc. included in the print order data can be arbitrarily changed.

In the embodiment described above, the layout of images and greetings, image data of characters and zodiac signs, etc. are periodically or irregularly sent from the external server S via the router R to the memory 112 of the print terminal 100. Can be downloaded to, which allows you to print postcards according to the season and fashion.

Information regarding the operating status of the print terminal 100 is sent from the control unit 110 via the router R to the server S.
It is preferable that the operation status of the print terminal 100 can be sequentially monitored on the server S side.

[0036]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a print terminal capable of printing different types of images on both sides of a postcard or the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a print terminal according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view of the print terminal of FIG. 1 cut horizontally and viewed from above.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the print terminal 100.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a control operation of control unit 110.

5 is a display example of a print order screen on the liquid crystal display 101. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a display example of a destination print selection screen on the liquid crystal display 101.

7 is a display example of an image layout selection screen on the liquid crystal display 101. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a display example of a greeting message selection screen on the liquid crystal display 101.

9 is a display example of an image selection screen on the liquid crystal display 101. FIG.

10 is a display example of a screen showing a print finish state on the liquid crystal display 101. FIG.

11 is a display example of a destination change selection screen on the liquid crystal display 101. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 printing terminal 100A housing 100B paper receptacle 101 LCD display 102 coin slot 103 key operation part 104 Print outlet 105 Media insertion slot 105A Media reading unit 106 Storage 107 Storage 108 transport section 109 printer unit 110 control unit 111 sensor 112 memory

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A printing terminal for creating prints of postcards, comprising: selecting means for selecting a plurality of data including address / name data of a destination; and address / name data of the destination selected by the selecting means. Based on the image of the surface of the postcard,
A printer terminal for forming an image on the back surface of the postcard based on data other than the address / name data of the destination selected by the selecting means. 2. The print terminal according to claim 1, wherein the data other than the address / name data of the destination includes image data of a subject. 3. The print terminal according to claim 1, wherein the data other than the address / name data of the destination includes character data. 4. The print terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a memory that stores the plurality of data. 5. A display means for displaying at least one of a layout of an image formed on the front surface of the postcard and a layout of an image formed on the back surface of the postcard before printing. The printing terminal according to any one of 1 to 4. 6. The print according to claim 1, wherein the printer means detects a vertical direction of the postcard, and thereby determines a direction of a character formed on the postcard. Terminal. 7. A printing unit that forms an image on a medium based on image data, and a detection unit that detects the type of the loaded medium, wherein the printing unit prints an image according to the loaded medium. A printing terminal configured to change a mode of forming a print terminal. 8. The print according to claim 7, wherein when the detecting unit detects that the loaded medium is a postcard, the printing unit forms an image on the back surface of the postcard. Terminal. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the detection unit detects the vertical direction of the loaded postcard, and the printing unit forms an image on the back surface of the postcard in a predetermined direction. Printing terminal. 10. The postcard according to claim 8, wherein the detection means detects a postcard based on at least one of a character, a code, a symbol, and a graphic posted on the surface of the loaded medium. Printing terminal.