JP2003196042A - Terminal unit, printing system, server, program and output medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a terminal unit, a printing system, a server, a program, and an output medium reprintable many times without reducing an original image quality even if an image printing part fades or is stained. <P>SOLUTION: This printing system has a sever 110 having an image information file 115 for storing image information in a hard disk 28 and a server control information file 116 for storing control information, and a terminal 130 with a printer and a reader connectable to a digital camera 150 and a scanner 140, and having the printer 24' and the reader 39 inside, and these members are respectively connected to a telecommunication line 100. The control information outputted to the output medium 1200 by image printing-registering processing is read by the reader 39 of the terminal 130 with the printer-reader of a service shop. The server 110 retrieves an original image with this read control information as a key, and outputs this retrieved original image and printing information formed on the basis of the control information to the output medium 1200. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a terminal device, a printing system, a server, a program, and an output medium,
In particular, the present invention relates to a terminal device, a printing system, a server, a program, and an output medium used when reprinting an image such as a photograph once printed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a photograph is reprinted when the image has faded due to the passage of time. This method of reprinting is performed by reprinting the negatives during film development for silver halide photographs as needed, and for photographs taken with a digital camera, it is temporarily stored in flash memory etc. in the digital camera. And then HD on the PC
It is performed by printing the image information of the photograph transferred and stored in the printer from the printer.

[0003]

However, in the case of silver halide photographs, where the location of the negative film is unknown and reprinting cannot be performed, the photograph taken by the digital camera is H
When the printer cannot print because the image information of the photo saved in the PC is lost due to a trouble such as D, it becomes impossible to reprint the image of the photo.

Further, in recent digital cameras, the digital camera may be directly connected to a printer after printing to print image information of a photograph. In this case, since the image information of the photograph is not originally stored in the HD or the like of the PC, reprinting based on the stored image information of the photograph cannot be performed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal device, a printing system, a server, a program, and an output medium which can be reprinted any number of times without deteriorating the quality of the original image even if the image printed portion is discolored or soiled. To do.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a terminal device according to a first aspect of the invention has an image information storage means for recording image information and a management for recording management information for referring to the image information. A terminal device connected via a communication line to a server equipped with information storage means, which is an output medium reading device for reading the management information from an output medium on which an image is formed and the management information is stored. Means and an output medium output means for forming an image on the surface of the output medium and storing the management information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the terminal device according to the first aspect, there is provided a reduced image generating means for generating a reduced image of the image, and the terminal device for displaying a list screen of the reduced images. It is characterized by further comprising display information generating means for generating display information.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises image information storage means for recording image information and management information recording means for recording management information for referring to the image information. A printing system in which a server and a terminal device are connected via a communication line, wherein the terminal device reads the management information from an output medium in which an image is formed on the surface and the management information is stored. An output medium reading device and a printing device for forming an image on the surface of the output medium and storing the management information are provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system according to the third aspect.
In the printing system described above, the terminal device further includes a reduced image generation unit that generates a reduced image of the image, and a display unit that displays a list screen of the reduced images.

In order to achieve the above object, a server according to a fifth aspect is a server connected to a terminal device via a communication line, the serial number and image information of the terminal device being sent from the terminal device. Receiving means for receiving, management information generating means for generating management information including information for specifying a storage location of the received image information based on the received serial number, and the generated management information Management information storing means for storing the received image information, image information storing means for storing the received image information in association with the generated management information, and managing information when the management information is received from the terminal device. Image search means for searching image information is provided.

A server according to a sixth aspect is the server according to the fifth aspect, wherein reduced image generation means for generating a reduced image of the image and display information for causing the terminal device to display a list screen of the reduced images. Is further provided with a display information generating means.

In order to achieve the above object, the program according to claim 7 is a program for controlling a server connected to a terminal device via a communication line, wherein the serial number and the image of the terminal device are displayed from the terminal device. A receiving step of receiving information, a management information generating step of generating management information including information for specifying a storage location of the received image based on the received serial number, and the generated management Management information storing step of storing information, image information storing step of storing the received image information in association with the management information, and image information corresponding to the management information when the management information is received from the terminal device And an image retrieving step for retrieving.

The program according to claim 8 is the program according to claim 7, wherein reduced image generation means for generating a reduced image of the image and display information for causing the terminal device to display a list screen of the reduced images. And a display information generating means for generating the

In order to achieve the above object, an output medium according to a ninth aspect is an output medium having an image formed on a surface thereof, and image information of the image formed on the surface at a place other than the output medium. It is characterized in that management information for referencing is stored.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the output medium according to the ninth aspect, the management information is stored in a bar code format.

An output medium according to an eleventh aspect is the output medium according to the ninth aspect, wherein the management information is stored as a digital watermark in an image formed on the surface.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the output medium according to the ninth aspect, the management information is printed with magnetic ink.

In order to achieve the above object, an output medium according to a thirteenth aspect is characterized in that an image is formed on the surface and image information of the image is stored.

An output medium according to claim 14 is the output medium according to claim 13.
In the described output medium, the stored image information is compressed.

An output medium according to claim 15 is the output medium according to claim 14.
In the described output medium, the image information is stored in a magnetic output medium attached.

The output medium according to claim 16 is the output medium according to claim 14.
In the described output medium, the image information is stored by being printed with magnetic recording ink.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the printing system according to the first embodiment includes a server 110 having an image information file 115 for storing image information on a hard disk 28 and a server management information file 116 for storing management information,
The printer 24 ′ and the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 including the reader 39 which can be connected to the digital camera 150 and the scanner 140 are provided inside, and these are connected to the communication line 100, respectively.

The communication line 100 is typically the Internet, LAN, WAN, telephone line, dedicated digital line, A
A so-called communication network realized by any one of a TM, a frame relay line, a communication satellite line, a cable TV line, a data broadcasting radio line, or a combination thereof, and it is sufficient if data can be transmitted and received by a server. The communication means of 110 and the terminal with printer / reader 130 may be different.

The digital camera 150 has its own serial
It has a storage medium such as a flash memory for temporarily storing the No. and captured image information.

Image information stored in a storage medium such as a flash memory of the digital camera 150 is stored in the printer / reader terminal 130 when the printer / reader terminal 130 and the digital camera 150 are connected by a communication cable or the like. Transferred to.

The scanner 140 scans a silver halide photograph or a negative film, converts the image information thereof into digital data, and transmits the digital data to the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130.

The printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 is located in a service shop that provides a DPE service for silver halide photography and a service for printing image information taken by a digital camera, and performs print processing, reprint processing, and the like. The printing process is a process of printing the management information registered in the server 110 and its image information on the output medium 1200. Also,
The reprinting process is a process of reading the management information recorded on the output medium 1200 by the reader 39 and reprinting the read management information and the image information received from the corresponding server 110.

When the server 110 performs the registration process of numbering the management information during the printing process and registering the management information and the image information corresponding to the management information, and the inter-printing process at the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130. First, the management information read from the reader 39 is received from the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130, and the image information corresponding to this management information is transmitted to the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server 110.

In FIG. 2, the server 110 has a CPU 2
1, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, a LAN adapter 24, a video adapter 25, a keyboard 26, a mouse 27, a hard disk 28, and a CD-ROM drive 29, which are connected to each other via a system bus 20. The system bus 20 is, for example, a PCI bus, A
It means a GP bus, a memory bus, or the like. In addition, in FIG.
A connection chip between each bus, a keyboard interface, and an input / output interface such as so-called step SC step SI and ATAPI are omitted.

The CPU 21 performs various operations such as four arithmetic operations and comparison operations and controls hardware based on a program of an operation system (hereinafter referred to as "OS") and an application program. The RAM 22 stores an OS program and application programs read from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a CD-R mounted on the hard disk 28 or a CD-ROM drive 29, and these are stored under the control of the CPU 21. To be executed.

The ROM 23 stores a so-called BIOS or the like that controls input and output to and from the hard disk 28 in cooperation with the OS. The LAN adapter 24 cooperates with the communication program of the OS controlled by the CPU 21 to communicate with the outside via the network. The video adapter 25 generates an image signal to be output to the display device 30, and the keyboard 26 and mouse 27 are used to input control instructions of the server 100.

The hard disk 28 stores the OS, application programs for controlling the information input system, input information input by the input terminal 103, and the like.

The CD-ROM drive 29 is a CD-RO.
It is used to install a storage medium such as M, CD-R or CD-R / W and install the application program on the hard disk 28. Needless to say, a CD-R drive, a CD-R / W drive, an MO drive or the like may be used instead of the CD-ROM drive 29.

The hardware configuration of the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 is, as shown in FIG. 3, except that the reader 39 is provided in place of the CD-ROM drive, and the server 1 is provided.
Since the hardware configuration of 10 is basically the same, the same components are denoted by "'" in their numbers and description thereof is omitted.

Next, image registration and image registration according to the first embodiment will be described.
The printing process will be described in detail.

FIG. 4 shows a digital camera 150, a scanner 140, a printer / reader-equipped terminal 130, and a server 11.
6 is a flowchart of image registration / printing processing by 0.

In FIG. 4, steps S701 to S702 are executed by the digital camera 150, step S721 is executed by the scanner 140, and step S7.
22 to step S727 and steps S728 to S730 are executed by the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130, and steps S731 to S735 are the server 11.
It is executed at 0.

First, when the user photographs an image with the digital camera 150 (step S701), the photographed image information is temporarily stored in a storage medium such as a flash memory.

Thereafter, by connecting the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 in the service shop and the digital camera 150 with a communication cable or the like, the stored image information and the serial number of the digital camera 150 are stored in the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130. (Step S70)
2). Thereafter, the image information and the serial number transferred from the storage medium of the digital camera 150 are stored in the RAM 22 of the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 (step S7).
22). As a result, it is possible to specify that the transferred image information is captured by the digital camera 150. Further, the method of identifying the transferred image information is not limited to the serial number, but may be the user ID and password. In this case, the storage medium of the digital camera 150 stores the user I
D and the password are stored.

When the user takes an image with a normal camera for silver salt photography, a negative film in which the film that has been shot is developed or a silver salt photograph printed using the negative film is The image information is brought into a service shop, converted into digital data by scanning by the scanner 140 in the service shop, and transferred to the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 (step S).
721). During this transfer, the serial N of the camera that took the picture
o. Also the keyboard 26 'of the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130
Entered by. This makes it possible to identify the camera that captured the transferred image information. Further, the method of identifying the transferred image information is the same as the method of identifying the image information transferred from the digital camera 150.
The user ID and password may be used instead of the above.

Thereafter, the image information transferred from the scanner 140 and the user ID input by the keyboard 26 '.
Is stored in the RAM 22 of the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 (step S722).

After the photographed image list (FIG. 5) in which each image information stored in step S722 is assigned a reference number is generated (step S723), it is displayed (step S724).
For example, in the case of the digital camera 150 whose serial number is “55201”, and when nine pieces of image information have been transferred in step S702, the image information generated as the photographed image list includes “55201- 001 "~
The reference number "55201-009" is attached.

When the user wants to back up the images in the photographed image list on the server 110 as they are, the user presses the "image save" button in FIG. Printer-equipped terminal 1
When it is detected that the “image save button” is pressed (YES in step S725), the process proceeds to step S727,
The image information stored in step S722, the reference number corresponding to each image information, and the printer / reader terminal 13
The terminal ID of 0 is transmitted to the server 110.

On the other hand, when the user wants to delete a part of the images in the photographed image list, the user does not press the "image save" button and performs the following processing. When the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 does not detect the pressing of the image save button (NO in step S725) and detects the pressing of another button such as the “delete” button in FIG. 5, the terminal with printer / reader 130 performs the process of step S727.

In step S727, the user presses the "next screen" button in FIG. 5 when he wants to see an image that is not displayed on the screen among the images in the photographed image list. When the press of the “next screen” button is detected, the printer / reader terminal 130 displays the screen of FIG. 6.

When the user wants to delete a part of the images in the photographed image list displayed on the screen, he or she clicks the check box to the left of the reference number attached below the image to be deleted. As shown in FIG. 5, a check mark "re" is added to select which image is to be deleted.

After that, the user can delete the selected image by clicking the "Delete" button, edit the image by clicking the "Edit image" button, enlarge by displaying the "Enlarge" button, or print by clicking "Print image". Button.

When the press of the “Delete” button is detected, the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 deletes the selected image from the images in the photographed image list and then redisplays the photographed image list. In addition, when the press of the "Edit image" button is detected,
After the selected image is edited, the edited image is overwritten with the image information stored in step S722, and the captured image list is displayed again.

When the depression of the "enlargement" button is detected, the selected image is enlarged and displayed, and when the depression of the "image print" button is detected, the selected image is printed.

When the user finishes the desired processing in step S726 and packs up the images in the current photographed image list on the server 110, the user presses the "image save" button. If the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 detects that the “image save button” has been pressed (YES in step S727 ′), the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 proceeds to step S7.
In step 27, the image information that has not been deleted in step S726, and in the case where the image is edited, the edited image information is overwritten, the reference number corresponding to each image information, and the printer Terminal ID of the terminal with reader 130
Are transmitted to the server 110.

When the server 110 receives the image information transmitted in step S727, the reference number corresponding to the image information, and the terminal ID of the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 (step S731), it is received from the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130. It is determined whether or not the serial number is a new serial number (step S732), and if it is not new, it is directly registered.
3), the management information is numbered (step S734), and the management information is registered in the server management information file 116 (S73).
5).

For example, regarding the image information taken by the digital camera 150 whose serial number is “55201”, the management information for 1231 sheets has already been registered in the folder “XX” for each user in the server management information file 116. Server 110 in step S731.
When the nine pieces of image information are received by each of the nine pieces, the nine pieces of image information include "XX-55201-01232" to "XX", respectively.
The management information “−55201-01240” is attached, and the management information is registered in the folder “XX”.

After the image information is registered in the image information file 115 based on the management information (step S736), the management information is transmitted to the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 specified by the terminal ID received in step S731 ( Step S737). At this time, the management information may be encrypted by a predetermined method.

In the present embodiment, the management information includes the folder name "XX" of the registration destination, but it is sufficient if the information specifies the position where the management information and the image information are stored. Therefore, if there are multiple servers that store image information,
The link information also includes information (server ID) for identifying the server.

The printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 is the server 1
When the management information is received from 10 (step S72)
8) The printing information is generated based on the received management information and the corresponding image information (step S72).
9).

The printing information includes the bar code 1202 (FIG. 7) or the magnetic tape 1302 (FIG. 8) and the image output unit 1.
When the printing information is output, the barcode 12 is output.
02 or the magnetic tape 1302, the management information that can be read by the reader 39 is output, and the captured image (the edited image if the image is edited in step S726) is output to the image output unit 1201. This barcode 1202
Alternatively, the management information stored on the magnetic tape 1302 is
The reader 39 uses the output medium 1200 on which the printing information has been output.
The printer / reader terminal 130
It can be read with. Further, the management information may be stored after being encrypted, and in this case, when the reader 39 reads the output medium 1200 on which the printing information has been output, the management information is restored from the output printing information. To do.

Next, the printing information is output on the output medium 1200.
Is output (step S730), and this processing ends.

The output of the management information to the output medium 1200 is not necessarily limited to the above-mentioned form, but is output in the MICR font by the magnetic ink (FIG. 9).
Alternatively, the management number may be printed on the image output unit 1201 with an electronic watermark.

Next, the reprinting process according to the first embodiment will be described in detail.

FIG. 10 shows a terminal 130 with a printer / reader.
9 is a flowchart of a reprint process by the server 110.

In FIG. 10, steps S901 to S914 are executed by the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130, and steps S921 to S929 are the server 11.
It is executed at 0.

First, when the user brings into the service shop the output medium 1200 on which the printing information has been output, the output medium 1200 on which the output has been output is inserted into the reader 39 of the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 of the service shop and the barcode is inserted. The management information recorded in 1201 or the like is read (step S901). At this time, if the management information is encrypted, the original management information is restored (step S902). Then, the terminal ID of the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 and the restored management information are transmitted to the server 110 (step S903).

When the server 110 receives the terminal ID of the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 and the restored management information (S921), the server 110 retrieves image information based on the received management information (step S922). , And transmits the image information to the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 specified by the received terminal ID (step S923).

When the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 receives image information from the server 110 (step S90)
4) The image information is displayed (step S90).
5).

When the user wants to display a list of image information captured by the camera that captured the image information, the user issues a list display instruction to the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130.

The printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 receives a list display instruction from the user (step S90).
No in 6), the process directly proceeds to step S910 and subsequent steps,
On the other hand, when the list display instruction is made (YES in step S906), the list display request is transmitted to the server 110 (step S907).

When the server 110 receives the list display request from the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 (step S92).
4 ′), the management information file 116 is searched for all management information that matches the serial number included in the management information received in step S921 (step S924), and the image information corresponding to all the searched management information is searched. The image information file 115 is searched (step S925), reduced images of all the searched image information are generated, and transmitted as a list image together with the corresponding management information (step S927).

The printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 receives the list image from the server 110 and registers the list of images (FIG. 11).
Is displayed (step S908).

For example, “55201”, which is the serial number of the digital camera 150, is stored in the output medium 1200 for which printing information has been output that the user has brought into the service shop, and the serial N is also stored in the server 110.
“01232” to “0” in each image information of the management information including o.
1240 ”is numbered, the registered image includes“ 55201-01232 ”to“ 5 ”under each reduced image.
A management number "5201-01240" is added.

The user selects the original image information (image information output to the output medium 1200 brought into the service shop) from the image information displayed in the registered image list.
If you want to print other image information that is not, select the other image information displayed in the registered image list, and
An instruction to print another image is issued to the reader-equipped terminal 130. Specifically, the user clicks the check box on the left side of the control number of another image to be printed, puts a check mark "re" as shown in FIG. 11, and then clicks the "print image" button. Press down.

The terminal with printer / reader 130 receives the other image printing instruction from the user (step S9).
09), if there is no instruction from the user to print the original image information (NO in step S910), the present process is terminated, while if there is an instruction (YES in step S910), The process proceeds to step S913.

On the other hand, the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130
When the user gives an instruction to print another image (step S9)
If YES, the other image information request is transmitted (step S911). At this time, the management information of the other selected image is also transmitted to the server 110.

When the server 110 receives the other image information request from the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130, the server 110 proceeds to step S9.
The image information corresponding to the management information transmitted in 11 is searched (step S928), and the image information of the other searched image is transmitted to the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 (step S929).

When the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 receives image information of another image from the server 110 (step S912), the process proceeds to step S913.

In step S913, if there is an instruction to print the image information of the original image (Y in step S910).
ES) or when the image information of another image is received from the server 110, print information is generated from the received management information and image information (step S913), and the output medium 120 is output.
The printing information is output to 0 (step S914), and this processing ends.

As described above, in the reprinting process according to the first embodiment, the user only needs to bring the output medium 1200 on which the image printing / registration process of FIG. 4 has been carried out to the service shop, and the terminal with printer / reader in the service shop. The reader 39 of 130 reads the management information (step S901), and the server 110 searches the original image using the read management information as a key (step S922). Based on the searched original image and its management information. Since the printing information generated by the above is output to the output medium 1200 (step S91)
4), even if the image of the output medium 1200 that has undergone the image printing / registration process or the main reprinting process of FIG. 4 becomes dirty or fades, it is possible to reprint the image many times without deteriorating the quality of the original image. You can

Next, a printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention is basically the same as the printing system according to the first embodiment, but has a communication function instead of the digital camera 150. The digital camera 150 ′ directly communicates with the server 110 via the communication line 100, stores the IP address of the server 110, displays a list of captured images, and edits the displayed image information. The terminal 130 'is different in that it is not performed. Further, the reprinting process is performed in exactly the same way as in FIG.

Also, from the digital camera 150 to the server 1
The data transmission to 10 uses the wireless line for data broadcasting,
A telephone line may be used for data transmission from the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 ′ to the server 110.

Next, image registration and image registration according to the second embodiment will be described.
The printing process will be described.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of image registration / printing processing by the digital camera 120, the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 ′, and the server 110.

In FIG. 13, steps S801 to S805 are executed by the digital camera 150, step S721 is executed by the scanner 140, and step S721.
821 to step S823 are the printer / reader-equipped terminal 1
30 ', step S831 to step S84
2 is executed by the server 110.

First, when the user photographs an image with the digital camera 150 '(step S801), the photographed image information is temporarily stored in a storage medium such as a flash memory.

After that, the image information stored in this storage medium, the serial number of the digital camera 150 ', and the terminal ID of the digital camera 150' are transmitted to the server 110 via the communication line 100 (step). S80
2).

When the server 110 receives the image information and the serial number of the digital camera 150 'transmitted in step S802 (step S831), the server 1
It is stored in 10 (step S832).

Thereafter, the server 110 issues an instruction to delete or edit the stored image information to the digital camera 15
When it is received from 0 ', the image information stored in step S832 is deleted or edited as instructed (step S833).

When an instruction to print image information is received from the digital camera 150 ', only the image information for which the instruction to print is received will be described later in step S842.
It is transmitted by the process of.

Note that the instruction content transmitted from the digital camera 150 'to the server 110 in step S803 is the same as the processing in steps S722 to S726 in FIG. 4, so description thereof will be omitted.

Next, after performing the processes of steps S834 to S837 in the same manner as the processes of steps S732 to S736 of FIG. 4, the service shop list is searched (step S838), and the terminal ID received in step S831.
It is transmitted to the digital camera 150 ′ specified in (step S839).

From this server 110 to the digital camera 15
The service shop list transmitted to 0'is then displayed on the digital camera 150 '(step S80).
4) Then, the service shop selected by the user from the displayed list is transmitted as designated shop information (step S805).

The digital camera 150 'is a so-called G
The service shop list having the PS function, which also transmits the current position to the server 110 in step S805, and which the server 110 transmits in step S839 may be arranged in order from the service shop closest to the current position of the digital camera. Thereby, the user can easily determine which service shop should be selected without confirming the position of the service shop.

When the server 110 receives the designated shop information (step S840), it searches the IP address of the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 'which is the destination of the image information instructed to print in step S833 (step S841). ), The management information is transmitted to the retrieved IP address together with the image information to be printed (step S84).
2).

When the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 'receives the image information and its management information received from the server 110 (step S821), step S72 in FIG.
9 through S730 (steps S822, S8
23), and this processing ends.

As described above, image printing according to the second embodiment
The registration process is performed by the digital camera 15 at the service shop.
Even if 0'is not brought in, desired image information can be printed and image information desired to be backed up in the server 110 can be registered.

As a system for performing the image printing / registration processing and the reprinting processing according to the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, a reader or a printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 ′, 130 ″ integrated with a printer is provided. 14, the reader 270 is an external device having the same function as the reader 39, the printer 280 is an external device having the same function as the printer 24 ', and the scanner 140 is connected / controlled. The computer 260 may be used in place of the printer / reader-equipped terminals 130 ', 130 ".

Next, a printing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a printing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 15, the printing system according to the third embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, but it does not include the communication line 100 and the server 110.
The difference is that the registration process is not performed.

Further, the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 "
Is similar to the first and second embodiments in that it is connected to the scanner 140 and the digital camera 150, but compressed image information, not information about management information, is output medium 12.
00, and the reader 39 reads the compressed image information output on the output medium 1200 and decompresses it, which is the difference.

The output medium 1200 'is common to the output medium 1200 of the first and second embodiments in that it has an image output unit 1201 (FIG. 16 (a)), but storage of management information. The magnetic medium 1501 (FIG. 16) for storing compressed image information without the barcode 1202 for performing
They are different in that they have (b) and (c).

Next, the image printing process according to the third embodiment will be described in detail.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart of image printing processing by the digital camera 150, the scanner 140, and the printer / reader terminal 130 ″.

In FIG. 17, steps S1001 to S1002 are executed by the digital camera 150,
Step S1021 is executed by the scanner 140, and steps S1022 to S1025 are executed by the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 ″.

First, the processing of steps S1001 and S1002 in the digital camera 150 and the scanner 140
The processing of step S1021 in step S1021 and the processing of step S1022 in the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 "are performed in the same manner as steps S701, S702, S721, and S722 of the image printing / registration processing in the first embodiment, respectively.

Then, the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 "
Generates compressed image information obtained by compressing each image information stored in step S1022 (step S1023), and generates printing information based on each image information and the compressed image information (step S1024).

As described above, the printing information in this embodiment is the same as the magnetic recording medium 1502 and the image output unit 1201.
And the information output to the output medium 1200 consisting of
When this printing information is output, the magnetic recording medium 1502
The compressed image information that can be read by the reader 39 is output to the image output unit 1201, and the captured image is output to the image output unit 1201.

Also in this embodiment, the image editing (step S726) may be performed as in the image printing / registration processing in the first embodiment. In this case, the edited image is output to the image output unit 1201.

Thereafter, the printing information is output to the output medium 120.
It is output to 0 (step S1025), and this processing ends.

Next, the reprinting process according to the third embodiment will be described in detail.

FIG. 18 shows a terminal 13 with a printer / reader.
6 is a flowchart of a reprinting process based on 0 ".

First, when the user brings the output medium 1200 on which the printing information has been output to the service shop, this output medium 1200 is inserted into the reader 39 of the printer / reader terminal 130 ″ of the service shop and the compressed image is inserted. The information is read (step S1121), and the compressed image information is decompressed into image information from the printing information (step S112).
1122).

Thereafter, print information is generated based on this compressed image information and the image information (step S112).
3), the generated printing information is output to the output medium 1200 (step S1124), and this processing ends.

The compressed image information output to the output medium 1200 is not limited to the form output to the magnetic recording medium 1502 as shown in FIG. The main reprinting process may be performed by printing out the data and reading the magnetic recording ink.

As described above, in the reprinting process according to the third embodiment, the user outputs the output medium 120 on which the printing process of FIG. 17 has been performed.
Only by bringing 0 to the service shop, the compressed image information output on the output medium 1200 is read by the reader 39 of the printer / reader terminal 130 ″ of the service shop (step S1121), and the compressed image information and the image information thereof are used. The printing information generated by the output medium 120
Since it is output to 0 (step S1124), even if the image of the output medium 1200 that has been subjected to the printing process or the actual reprinting process of FIG. 17 becomes dirty or discolored, the quality of the original image is not deteriorated any number of times. Can be reprinted.

It is not always necessary to provide a printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 "in which a reader and a printer are integrated with a control unit as a system for performing the image printing process and the reprinting process according to the above-described third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, a reader 270 ′ which is an external device having the same function as the reader 39, a printer 280 ′ which is an external device having the same function as the printer 24 ′, and a scanner 140.
A computer 260 ′ connected and controlled with the printer / reader terminal 130 ″ may be used in place of the printer / reader terminal 130 ″.

The object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) recording a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and to supply a computer of the system or apparatus ( Alternatively, by the CPU or MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium,
It goes without saying that it will be achieved.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer is executed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the storage medium provided in the function expansion card inserted in the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is instructed. It goes without saying that a case where the CPU provided in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing based on this and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is also included.

Further, an object of the present invention is to store the storage means such as a hard disk or a memory of the system or the device or C by distributing the program code of the software which realizes the functions of the above-mentioned embodiment via the network.
It is stored in a storage medium such as a D-RW or a CD-R, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or device.
It is needless to say that U) is achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage means or the storage medium.

[0124]

As described above in detail, according to the terminal device, the printing system and the server connected thereto, the program for controlling the server, and the output medium of the present invention, the image of the image taken by the user is obtained. Since the information is stored in the server, it can be reprinted any number of times without deteriorating the quality of the original image even if the printed portion of the image fades or becomes dirty.

Further, according to the terminal device, the printing system and the server connected thereto, the program for controlling the server, and the output medium of the present invention, the image information of the image photographed by the user is stored in the output medium. , Even if the image printed part is discolored or dirty, it can be reprinted many times without degrading the original image quality again.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a server 110.

3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a printer / reader-equipped terminal 130. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of image registration / printing processing by the digital camera 150, the scanner 140, the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130, and the server 110.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a list of captured images.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a list of captured images.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an output medium 1200.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an output medium 1200.

9 is a diagram showing an output medium 1200. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a terminal with a printer / reader 130 and a server 1.
11 is a flowchart of a reprinting process by 10.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a registered image list.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of image registration / printing processing by the digital camera 120, the printer / reader-equipped terminal 130 ′, and the server 110.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a modified example of the printing system of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

16A and 16B are views showing an output medium 1200, in which FIG. 16A is a front surface, FIG. 16B is a side surface, and FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of image printing processing by the digital camera 150, the scanner 140, and the printer / reader terminal 130 ″.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a reprint process by the printer / reader terminal 130 ″.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of a modified example of the printing system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

28 hard disk 115 Image information file 116 Server management information file 110 servers 150 digital cameras 140 scanner 130 Terminal with printer / reader 100 communication lines

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06F 13/00 547 G06F 13/00 547V F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 HH03 HJ08 HK04 HN05 HN15 2C087 AA18 AB05 BB11 BB12 BD01 BD02 BD06 BD46 CB05 5B021 AA01 AA30 BB00 CC07 EE00 PP04

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A terminal device connected via a communication line to a server having image information storage means for recording image information and management information storage means for recording management information for referring to the image information. An output medium reading means for reading the management information from an output medium in which an image is formed on the surface and the management information is stored; and an output for forming an image on the surface of the output medium and storing the management information A terminal device, comprising: a medium output unit. 2. A reduced image generating means for generating a reduced image of the image, and a display information generating means for generating display information for causing the terminal device to display a list screen of the reduced images. The terminal device according to claim 1. 3. A printing method in which a server provided with an image information storage unit for recording image information and a management information recording unit for recording management information for referring to the image information and a terminal device are connected via a communication line. A system, wherein the terminal device forms an image on the surface of the output medium, and an output medium reading device for reading the management information from an output medium in which the image is formed on the surface and the management information is stored. And a printing device for storing the management information. 4. The printing system according to claim 3, wherein the terminal device further includes a reduced image generation unit that generates a reduced image of the image and a display unit that displays a list screen of the reduced images. . 5. A server connected to a terminal device via a communication line, the receiving device receiving the serial number and image information of the terminal device from the terminal device, and the received serial number.
Management information generating means for generating management information including information for specifying the storage location of the received image information, management information storing means for storing the generated management information, and the management information generating means for storing the generated management information. Image information storage means for storing image information in association with the generated management information, and image search means for searching for image information corresponding to the management information when the management information is received from the terminal device. Characterized server. 6. A reduced image generation means for generating a reduced image of the image, and a display information generation means for generating display information for causing the terminal device to display a list screen of the reduced images. The server according to claim 5, wherein 7. A program for controlling a server connected to a terminal device via a communication line, the receiving step of receiving the serial number and image information of the terminal device from the terminal device, and the received serial number.
A management information generating step of generating management information including information for specifying a storage location of the received image based on a No .; a management information storing step of storing the generated management information; Causing the computer to execute an image information storing step of storing the associated image information in association with the management information, and an image searching step of searching for image information corresponding to the management information when the management information is received from the terminal device. Characteristic program. 8. A computer is further caused to execute reduced image generation means for generating a reduced image of the image and display information generation means for generating display information for displaying the list screen of the reduced images on the terminal device. The program according to claim 7, which is characterized in that. 9. An output medium on which an image is formed on a surface, and management information for referring to image information of the image formed on the surface is stored in a place other than the output medium. And the output medium. 10. The output medium according to claim 9, wherein the management information is stored in a bar code format. 11. The output medium according to claim 9, wherein the management information is stored as a digital watermark in an image formed on the surface. 12. The output medium according to claim 9, wherein the management information is printed with magnetic ink. 13. An output medium, wherein an image is formed on a surface and image information of the image is stored. 14. The output medium according to claim 13, wherein the stored image information is compressed. 15. The output medium according to claim 14, wherein the image information is stored in a magnetic output medium attached. 16. The output medium according to claim 14, wherein the image information is stored by being printed with magnetic recording ink.