JP2003196520A - Print ordering system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print ordering system capable of swiftly and accurately perceiving needs of customers. <P>SOLUTION: Since a center server 21 stores information (for example, 007.BMP) regarding image data which can not be handled as information regarding the image data which can not be handled when it is judged that a format of image data included in print order data sent from a terminal 11 can not be handled by the print ordering system, by analyzing information stored in such manner, what format a customer wanted to use for a print order is easily understood, and if its frequency rises a certain degree, the needs of customers can be promptly met by corresponding to the format which could not be handled up to then. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print ordering system for making a print order.

[0002]

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

On the other hand, with the spread of the Internet in general households, as an example of a service for handling such digital image data, a customer uploads print order data including image data to a center server via the Internet. From the laboratory side, access is made to obtain the print order data uploaded to the center server, printing is performed based on the image data of the obtained print order data, and the print order data is provided to the customer. According to such a service, there is an advantage that a customer can order a print of image data owned by the customer while staying at home.
Further, it is also considered to install a dedicated print order data creation device at a convenience store or the like for a customer who does not have such a terminal.

[0004]

By the way, in a print order system that receives such print order data, if all image formats are handled, the convenience of the customer can be improved, but the image data is converted into printer data. It is necessary to individually develop software and so on, which increases equipment costs. Therefore, it can be said that it is preferable from the viewpoint of cost to keep the image formats that can be handled as small as possible. On the other hand, the image formats that many customers want to handle can be handled in the near future even if they cannot handle them at present. It is preferable to do so from the viewpoint of acquiring customers.

[0005] In order to collect such customer needs, it is conceivable to carry out a questionnaire, but it takes time to collect and total the questionnaire sheets, and there is a problem that quick information collection cannot be performed. .

A similar problem may occur in the format of print order data transmitted to the print order receiving server via the network. That is, it is important to know how many customers want to order prints in what format of print order data in order to construct a print ordering system with a higher customer attraction rate. I can say.

The present invention has been made in view of the problems or problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a print ordering system which can detect the needs of customers more quickly and accurately.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print order data storage server which stores print order data including at least image data from a customer terminal via an information line. When the print order data storage server determines that the format of the image data included in the transmitted print order data is not compatible with the print order system, the print order data storage server relates to the image data that cannot be handled. Since information about the image data is stored as information, by analyzing the information stored in this way, it is possible to easily understand in what format the image data is used by the customer for the print order, If the frequency increases to a certain degree, the By can be handled did not the format to handle, it is possible to meet the needs of the early customer.

The print ordering system of the second invention is
In a print order system for transmitting print order data including at least image data from a customer's terminal via an information line to a print order data storage server for storing the print order data, the customer's terminal is configured to display an image included in the order data. When it is determined that the data format cannot be handled by the print ordering system, the information regarding the image data is stored as the information regarding the image data that cannot be handled. Therefore, by analyzing the information thus stored, It is easy to know what format of image data the customer used for the print order, and if the frequency increases to a certain degree, it will be possible to handle that format that could not be handled until now, so that the customer's needs can be met quickly. I can respond.

Incidentally, it is impossible to analyze the information only by storing the information of the image data which cannot be handled in the customer's terminal. Therefore, the customer's terminal provides information about the image data determined to be the image data that cannot be handled,
The transmission to the print order data storage server is preferable because analysis can be performed on the print order data storage server side. It is preferable that the timing of transmitting such information is the same as the timing of transmitting the next print order data, but it is not limited thereto.

The print ordering system of the third invention is
In a print order system for transmitting print order data including at least image data from a customer terminal via an information line to a print order data storage server storing the print order data, the print order data storage server is configured to transmit the transmitted prints. When it is determined that the order data format cannot be handled by the print order system, the information about the print order data is stored as the information about the print order data that cannot be handled. Therefore, the information stored in this way is analyzed. By doing so, it is possible to easily understand what format the print order data used by the customer used for the print order, and if the frequency increases to a certain degree, it is possible to handle the format that could not be handled until now. I It is possible to respond to early customer needs.

In this specification, "data transmission" includes not only uploading the data to the other party but also permitting the data downloading request from the other party. "When receiving data", in addition to downloading the data from the other party,
This includes allowing the data upload request from the other party. Further, the "print order data" is sufficient to include at least information for specifying image data (regardless of where it is stored) and information for requesting printing based on the image data. However, in the following embodiments, the image data relating to the image to be printed is included in the print order data.

Further, 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 a printing paper or a printed matter. Such as data that is quantized and digitized from information stored in analog, data that is directly stored as digital information like a digital camera, image data that a customer arbitrarily draws on a computer (generally Means CG) and the like.

The information line referred to here is a computer
A system, terminal, and data communication equipment are mutually connected. The connection may be a wired line such as a private line or a public line, may be wirelessly connected through a communication satellite or the like, or may be a composite form thereof.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a print ordering system according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1, a customer terminal (including a print order data creating device installed in a convenience store, etc.) 11, a center server 21 which is a print order data storage server, and a lab server 31 installed in a lab. Is connected to a network (WAN) such as the Internet via a router, a modem or the like (not shown). Although not shown, the lab server 31 is connected to a printer capable of forming a print based on print order data.

The flow of the print order will be described with reference to FIG. 1. Here, it is assumed that the customer desires a print in the laboratory based on image data taken by, for example, a digital still camera (not shown). In such a case, the customer transfers the image data from the digital still camera to the terminal 11.

The terminal 11 can create image data and print order data including the number of prints and print size corresponding to the image data. The print order data is transmitted to the center server 21 via the WAN and stored in the predetermined storage area. On the other hand, the lab server 31 accesses a predetermined storage area of the center server 21 at a predetermined timing and acquires print order data. In the lab, printing is performed by a printer (not shown) according to the order content of the print order data acquired by the lab server 31. The formed print will be delivered from the photo shop to the customer by means such as mailing or home delivery.

Next, a method of creating print order data will be described. 2 to 5 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the monitor 11 a of the terminal 11. First, when the customer transfers all the image data from the digital still camera, stores it in the hard disk of the terminal 11, and then activates the print order data creation application, the display shown in FIG. 2 is automatically performed. In this example, each frame selection screen (each frame selection mode) is set by default. Needless to say, the all-frame selection screen (all-frame selection screen mode) may be set as the default.

A method of creating print order data on each frame selection screen (each frame selection mode, in which each frame selection button B2 is selected in FIG. 2) will be described. In FIG. 2, all file names of image data stored in the hard disk of the terminal 11 can be displayed in the area A1. By placing the cursor on buttons A2 and A3 and clicking, the file name is scrolled up and down, and the displayed file name (here, 007.BMP)
When is pressed, the file is specified and the file name 0
07. BMP image data (also called image file)
Will be selected for the print order. At the same time, the thumbnail image G1 is displayed on the left side, and a black star mark is added to the left side of the selected file so that it can be visually recognized that the file has been selected. ing. Then, the customer who determines that the selection is completed clicks the selection OK button B3, and the screen is switched to the display shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, when the select all button B2 is pressed and selected, a black star mark is automatically added to the left side of all image file names, and all image files are selected as the image files for which print ordering is desired. Will be.

The selected image data constitutes a part of a single or a plurality of print order data according to the customer's intention or automatically.

Next, the print order folder list screen shown in FIG. 3 will be described. "Order 00" displayed on the screen
“1” to “order 004” are print order folders (that is, print order data), and are created corresponding to a set of image files that belong to one print order.

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

In this way, it is possible to change the number of prints or the print size other than the default value. Then, when the confirm key K1 is clicked, the setting change of the number of prints or print size of the print order folder (in this case, order 002) for which the default value of the number of prints or print size is to be changed is confirmed, and the screen shown in FIG. Return to the screen. Then, the customer determines that the number of prints and the print size of the orders 001 to 004 have desired values, and clicks the confirmation key L1.
1 is a center server 2 via a network WAN
1 to check the print order data.

Here, the center server 21 determines that the print order data includes image data of a format that cannot be handled (here, the file name "007.BMP" of the print order folder "Order 002"). In this case, the corresponding information is sent to the terminal 11, and the file name “007.BMP” of the print order folder “order 002” is in a format that cannot be handled on the display 11a of the terminal 11. Do you want to re-order in the format "jpg"? Message is displayed. Here, if the customer desires a reorder, the user can click the M1 button to return to the screen of FIG. 2 and perform reorder processing such as reinserting the image data. On the other hand, the file name "00
7. A person who desires a print order for image data other than "BMP", by clicking the N1 button, print order data in which the order of the image data having the file name "007.BMP" in the print order folder "Order 002" is deleted. Is transmitted to the center server 21. In any case, the center server 21 uses the file name “007.BM” of a format that cannot be handled in the print order data transmitted from the customer's terminal 11.
The information that "P" was included will be stored. By incorporating such information in the database, it is possible to easily understand, for example, in what area the customer wants a print order in what format of image data, and to anticipate the customer's needs.

In the above example, the center server 21
Information indicating that the customer has placed a print order for image data that cannot be handled is stored, but such information may be stored on the terminal 11 side. In this case, for example, on the screen shown in FIG.
In response to clicking 3, the center server 21
The terminal 11 can access the “file name“ 0
07. "BMP" is a format that cannot be handled. Please remember in the format "jpg". Error message is displayed. At the same time, the terminal 11 stores the information that the customer has placed an order for the file name “007.BMP” in the unhandled format. Such information is transmitted when the print order data is transmitted or when separate print order data is transmitted (for example, since the format of all image data cannot be handled,
If the print order data cannot be transmitted), the print order data is transmitted to the center server 21 and is incorporated in the database so that, for example, a customer in any area desires a print order with image data in any format. It is easy to know what you are doing and you can anticipate customer needs.

Furthermore, there is a possibility that a print order may be placed in which the format itself of the print order data differs not only in the format of the image data. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a folder hierarchy in print order data that can be accepted by the print order system according to the present embodiment. Here, the customer may send print order data in a unique folder hierarchy from the terminal 11 to the center server 21 via the network WAN. For example, when print order data that does not have the “MISC” folder (data indicating the number of prints, print size, etc.) shown in FIG. 6 is transmitted, the center server 21 checks this and sends information according to the check result to the terminal. This is print order data that cannot be handled because the “MISC” folder is not included in the display 11a of the terminal 11 when it is sent to 11. Message is displayed. Further, the center server 21 stores information that the print order data transmitted from the customer's terminal 11 does not include the “MISC” folder. By incorporating such information in the database, it is possible to easily understand, for example, in what area the customer who sent the print order data and in what format, and to anticipate the customer's needs in advance.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that appropriate modifications and improvements are possible. is there.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a print ordering system capable of more quickly and accurately detecting the needs of customers.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a print order data transmission / reception system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display of the terminal 11.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display of the terminal 11.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display of the terminal 11.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display of the terminal 11.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a folder hierarchy in print order data that can be accepted by the print order system according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 terminals 21 Center server 31 Lab Server WAN network

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A print order system in which print order data including at least image data is transmitted from a customer terminal to a print order data storage server storing the print order data via an information line, wherein the print order data storage server is When the format of the image data included in the transmitted print order data is determined to be unhandled by the print order system, the information regarding the image data is stored as the information regarding the image data that cannot be handled. A print ordering system. 2. A print order system in which print order data including at least image data is transmitted from a customer terminal via an information line to a print order data storage server storing the print order data, wherein the customer terminal is A print order system characterized in that, when it is determined that the format of image data included in the data cannot be handled by the print order system, the information about the image data is stored as the information about the image data that cannot be handled. 3. The print order system according to claim 2, wherein the customer terminal transmits information about the image data determined to be the unhandled image data to the print order data storage server. 4. A print order system in which print order data including at least image data is transmitted from a customer terminal to a print order data storage server storing the print order data via an information line, wherein the print order data storage server is If the format of the transmitted print order data is determined to be unhandled by the print order system, the print order data is stored as information about the print order data that cannot be handled. system.