JP2004302776A - Image providing service system and image providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image providing service system which enables a customer not to capture an image as it is, which is generated by designing work, even if the customer captures the image from an article for proofreading, when the customer proofreads the article such as a postcard sent to the customer, for example, and also provide an image providing method. <P>SOLUTION: The image providing service system is provided with a database which stores editing image information transmitted from a operation terminal 4 in a server 2, a proofreading-targeted image generation means which generates image information by processing the editing image information thus stored so that an editing image generated by a worker may partially overlaps with another image and transmits the image information to a printing device in order that the customer proofreads the editing information generated by the worker, and a printing device 6 which prints the image on the article based on the image information thus transmitted is also provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides, for example, an image providing service in which a designed image containing a photographic image is printed on an article such as a postcard and provided to a customer via a network such as the Internet, and an image applied to the image providing service. Regarding how to provide.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, customers often use postcards containing photographic images for greetings after marriage, greetings for New Year's greetings, and the like. In addition, many business cards with photos are also used. There has been proposed a network business in which an order for creating a postcard or a business card containing a photographic image is made via the Internet or the like (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
In this case, when ordering a postcard, the customer selects a postcard design, for example, a prescribed layout, or determines a layout such as a position of a unique photographic image and a character information position. As the character information, for example, an address, a name, a greeting, and the like are input. The photographic image may be a single image or may be combined with a plurality of images. The photographic images are sent, and the design is instructed. Further, there may be a case where an instruction for correction such as deletion of unnecessary background or removal of red-eye from the photographic image is made.
[0004]
At an output center or the like that provides an image print service based on such a design order from a customer, an administrator places an order for design creation work with a designer or other worker. After confirming that there is no difference from the design order made, the printout is sent to the customer.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-149793 (pages 1 to 8, FIGS. 1 to 10)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the design proofreading in the network business described in Patent Document 1, the image created by the design work is displayed on the display screen of the terminal owned by the customer via the Internet using browser software, and it is checked whether it is different from the design order. It is possible for the customer to confirm.
[0007]
However, in the calibration on the display screen of the terminal, it is difficult to confirm particularly fine characters (for example, an e-mail address or the like), and the calibration is likely to be omitted. Further, a complaint may be made after the postcard or the like is delivered due to a difference between the color tone displayed on the display screen of the terminal and the color tone of an image printed on an actual article (for example, a postcard or the like). Even if the post card is matte paper with a reduced surface gloss, the display screen of the terminal cannot express the texture of the surface with the reduced gloss, so that a complaint may be made after delivery.
[0008]
In order to avoid such omissions or complaints, there is a case where actual goods are sent as a sample to a customer by mail or home delivery service for confirmation and calibration is performed.
[0009]
However, it is not suitable when the delivery time is short due to the time required for sending. Further, the customer can take in the image of the post card sent by a scanner or the like, and the customer can print out the image created by the design work using a printer or the like owned by the customer. If the printed postcards are not ordered, the profits that can be obtained by reducing the printout, which is the job of the output center or the like, will be reduced or eliminated, and the business profit will be halved.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances.For example, when a customer performs calibration by sending an article such as a post card, it is created by a design work even if the customer captures an image from the article for calibration. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image providing service system and an image providing method capable of preventing an image from being taken as it is.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 provides a network, a server connected to the network, and a user connected to the network, for allowing a customer to order an image design to be printed on an article. A terminal, connected to the network, an administrator accepts the order via the server, an administrator terminal for ordering image editing work based on the order, and an administrator terminal connected to the network, An operator terminal for editing an image based on an order and creating an edited image, and an article connected to a network and provided to a customer for providing an edited image created by the operator for proofreading by the operator. And a printing device for printing an image in which another image is partially overlapped with the edited image.
[0012]
In addition, the invention according to claim 2 is a network, a server connected to the network, a user terminal connected to the network, and for a customer to order an image design to be printed on an article, Connected, an administrator accepts the order through the server, an administrator terminal for ordering image editing work based on the order, and connected to the network, and the operator edits the image based on the order. Performing an edited image, including an operator terminal for transmitting edited image information based on the edited image to the server, and a printing device connected to the network and performing printing on the article based on the image information. An image providing service system for printing an edited image created by the worker on the article and providing the edited article to a customer, A database storing the edited image information transmitted from the operator terminal, and another edited image created by the worker for the customer to proofread the edited image created by the worker. A calibration image generation unit for processing the stored edited image information so as to partially overlap an image, generating image information, and transmitting the generated image information to the printing apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus includes: It is characterized by printing on the article based on the information.
[0013]
Further, the invention according to claim 3 is a network, a server connected to the network, a user terminal connected to the network, for allowing a customer to order an image design to be printed on an article, Connected, an administrator accepts the order through the server, an administrator terminal for ordering image editing work based on the order, and connected to the network, and the operator edits the image based on the order. Performing an edited image, including an operator terminal for transmitting edited image information based on the edited image to the server, and a printing device connected to the network and performing printing on the article based on the image information. An image providing service system for printing an edited image created by the worker on the article and providing the edited article to a customer, Is a database that stores the edited image information transmitted from the worker terminal, and whether the calibration of the edited image created by the worker is performed by the article on which the edited image is printed or not. Screen information generating means for generating screen information to be displayed on the display screen of the user terminal so that the selection can be displayed on the display screen of the user terminal; and screen information generated by the worker when the user terminal selects to perform the operation with the article. In order for a customer to proofread an edited image, the stored editing image information is processed to generate image information by processing the stored edited image information so as to partially overlap another image with the edited image created by the worker. And a proof image generating means for transmitting the proof image to the article based on the transmitted image information.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network, a server connected to the network, and a product connected to the network, wherein the customer prints a desired article in a planar shape or an article printed in a three-dimensional shape. A user terminal for selecting and instructing and ordering the design of an image to be printed on the article, and connected to the network, wherein the administrator accepts the order via the server, and performs image editing work based on the order. An administrator terminal for ordering, and connected to the network, for an operator to edit an image based on the order to create an edited image, and to transmit edited image information based on the edited image to the server. An operator terminal, and a printing device connected to the network and printing on the article based on image information; An image providing service system which prints the created edited image on an article designated by the customer and provides the customer with the edited image, wherein the server stores the edited image information transmitted from the worker terminal. And screen information for displaying the input screen to enable selection of whether or not to proofread the edited image created by the operator with the article on which the edited image is printed can be displayed on the display screen of the user terminal. Screen information generating means for generating, when the user terminal has selected to perform with the article, and in the case where the article designated by the customer is an article to be printed in a planar shape, created by the operator In order for a customer to proofread an edited image, the stored edited part is partially overlaid with another image on the edited image created by the worker. The image information is processed to generate the image information and transmitted to the printing apparatus. If the article specified by the customer is an article that is printed in a three-dimensional shape, the customer proofreads the image created by the worker. Calibration image generating means for transmitting the edited image information as image information to the printing apparatus, wherein the printing apparatus prints on the specified article based on the transmitted image information. Features.
[0015]
Further, the invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the screen information generating means displays the edited image based on the screen information and the stored edited image information.
[0016]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network, a server connected to the network, a user terminal connected to the network for a customer to order an image design to be printed on an article, and a user terminal connected to the network. Connected, an administrator accepts the order through the server, an administrator terminal for ordering image editing work based on the order, and connected to the network, and the operator edits the image based on the order. Performing an edited image, including an operator terminal for transmitting edited image information based on the edited image to the server, and a printing device connected to the network and performing printing on the article based on the image information. Providing an image provided by an image providing service system for printing an edited image created by the worker on the article and providing the article to a customer Storing the edited image information transmitted from the worker terminal, and editing the edited image created by the worker for the customer to proofread the edited image created by the worker. Processing the stored edited image information to partially overlap another image to generate image information, and printing the article on the article based on the generated image information. Features.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of an image providing service system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
(Overall configuration of the system)
In the image providing service system, the customer prepares in advance, for example, an image material owned by the customer, an image material prepared in advance, a text material such as a text desired by the customer, or a text material such as a fixed text prepared in advance. Order placed on a layout that is ordered by the customer or a layout that is ordered by the customer, and a design printed on an article such as a postcard, ordered to the output center, and the manager of the output center accepts the order and sends it to the designer. A design order is placed, a designer edits an image based on the customer's order, prints it on a post card or the like at an output center or an external store, etc., and provides it to the customer. Further, according to the present invention, when a customer performs proofreading of an edited image created by image editing by a designer using a printed article, the customer can directly import the created edited image using a scanner or the like. This is to make it impossible. Hereinafter, the image providing service system will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
[First Embodiment]
First, an overall schematic configuration of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the image providing service system.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image providing service system includes a network 2, a server 2, a plurality of user terminals 3a, 3b, 3c, and a plurality of worker terminals 4a, 4b, 4c,. The administrator terminal 5 and the printing device 6 are connected and configured.
[0021]
The network 1 interconnects computer systems, terminals, and data communication equipment, and may be a wired connection such as a dedicated line or a public line, or may be a wireless connection via a communication satellite or the like. Also, this includes the so-called Internet.
[0022]
The user terminal 3 is a terminal used by a customer for ordering or the like in order to enjoy the image providing service, and is an electronic terminal device such as a personal computer, a portable information terminal, and a mobile phone that can transmit and receive character information and image information. The user terminal 3 includes a display screen such as a monitor and an operation unit such as a keyboard and a mouse, has at least a browser function for browsing a Web page, and displays a screen based on screen information provided from the server 2. The customer can perform the work for displaying and displaying the image providing service such as ordering the design using the screen. In addition, it has an e-mail transmission / reception function.
[0023]
In order to supply image materials and the like from the user terminal 3 via the network 1, when the user terminal 3 is a personal computer or a portable information terminal, the user terminal 3 is connected to a digital camera or a scanner. It is preferable that an image can be captured by setting a recording medium on which the image is recorded. In the case of a mobile phone, it is preferable that the mobile phone has a digital camera function to capture an image or that image data can be captured by receiving image data through communication from another electronic device.
[0024]
The administrator terminal 5 is a terminal used by an administrator to receive an order for a design from a customer and manage an image providing service such as an order for a design work based on the order, such as a so-called personal computer or workstation. It is. The administrator terminal 5 includes a display screen such as a monitor and an operation unit such as a keyboard and a mouse, has at least a browser function for browsing Web pages, and is based on screen information provided from the server 2. Is displayed, and the administrator can use the screen to perform management work for providing an image providing service such as receiving a design order and ordering a design work based on the order. In addition, it has an e-mail transmission / reception function. The administrator terminal 5 is arranged at the output center, is connected to an image forming apparatus for printing out, prints out the design after the image editing, and delivers it to the customer.
[0025]
The worker terminal 4 is a terminal used by a designer to perform design work and create an edited image, and is a so-called personal computer, workstation, or the like. The worker terminal 4 includes a display screen such as a monitor, and an operation unit such as a keyboard and a mouse, has at least a browser function for browsing a Web page, and is based on screen information provided from the server 2. Can be displayed. In addition, it has an e-mail transmission / reception function.
[0026]
The printing device 6 is for printing the edited image created by the worker terminal 4 on an article. The articles include those printed in a three-dimensional shape such as a mug, in addition to those printed in a planar shape such as a post card. Therefore, the printing device 6 prints an edited image on a device such as a post card or a device that directly prints on a paper such as a post card, and transfers the edited image to a three-dimensional shape such as a mug using the printed dedicated transfer paper. Includes equipment. Although FIG. 1 shows connection to the network 1, the connection may be made to any one of the server 2, the worker terminal 4, or the administrator terminal 5. Connected to a printer server (not shown).
[0027]
The server 2 is a management device, and its functional block diagram is shown in FIG. 2. The management unit 21, the screen information generation unit 22, the database 23, the calibration image information generation unit 24, the mail creation unit 25, and the network 1 Interface I / F 26 with the interface.
[0028]
The management unit 21 receives various information and requests transmitted via the network 1 and updates the data in the database 23 and updates new data based on the various information.
[0029]
Upon receiving a request from each of the terminals 3, 4, and 5, the screen information generating means 22 responds to the request with screen information that can be displayed on each of the terminals 3, 4, and 5 using browser software, or It has a function of generating screen information for updating an already displayed screen and a function of transmitting the screen information to the requesting terminal via the interface I / F 26.
[0030]
The calibration image information generating unit 24 has a function of generating image information to be printed by the printing device 6 and transmitting the generated image information to the printing device 6 via the I / F 26.
[0031]
The database 23 includes an order management table 23a (details will be described later) that stores information on orders, information on design orders, various image information, and the like, a customer table that stores information about customers, a designer table that stores information about designers, and the like. Have.
[0032]
The e-mail creating unit 25 has a function of creating and transmitting an e-mail for notifying a status according to progress to each of the terminals 3, 4, and 5 from information on the order of the design and information on the design work received by the managing unit 21. Have.
[0033]
(Image provision service)
Next, an example of a procedure of an image providing service performed by the image providing service system will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the steps of the image providing service, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of processing / communication among the server 2, the terminals 3, 4, 5 and the printing device 6.
[0034]
First, a design order is placed (step S101 in FIG. 3, hereinafter abbreviated as S101). The design order is performed between the user terminal 3 and the server 2 as shown in FIG. The customer launches a browser using the user terminal 3 and accesses the server 2. The server 2 receives the request from the management unit 21 and firstly inputs a predetermined authentication code acquired by the customer in advance for customer authentication and transmits a button (soft key on the screen; a soft key on the screen). Screen information of a screen including a soft key is referred to as a button hereinafter) is generated and transmitted by the screen information generating means 22. For the customer, the user terminal 3 inputs a predetermined authentication code and transmits it to the server 2. The server 2 receives the information from the management unit 21 and generates and transmits screen information of a screen (not shown) including a menu and the like which can be selected by the screen information generation unit 22. Then, a screen is displayed on the user terminal 3 and the customer selects a desired menu. The server 2 receives the selection by the management unit 21 and generates and transmits screen information by the screen information generation unit 22 based on the selection, The screen is updated on the user terminal 3, and by repeating such menu selection and screen updating, the customer displays a screen for ordering and places an order. In the following, the display of the screen for performing work and input on each of the terminals 3, 4, and 5 is obtained by a predetermined authentication code obtained by the designer in the case of the worker terminal 4, and by the administrator in the case of the administrator terminal. An exchange similar to the exchange of the predetermined authentication code acquired by the customer using the predetermined authentication code is performed between the server 2 and the screen information corresponding to the request from each of the terminals 3, 4, and 5. The screen is updated and generated by the generation unit 22 in the same manner, and the authentication and the screen update are omitted as much as possible.
[0035]
Here, the description returns to the order. For example, using a design order screen (not shown) for ordering a design, a design layout is selected, a selection is made from a fixed text prepared in advance as a text material, and an original comment is entered. By selecting from prepared images such as characters and scenery, or by selecting from images previously captured in the user terminal, uploading to the server 2, etc., selecting an article to be printed, instructing and ordering a design. .
[0036]
Next, the server 2 receives an order (S102). The management means 21 receives the above-mentioned order and stores various information in the order management table 23a. For example, the order management table 23a has a structure as shown in FIG. In the example of “11,” “design order No.” is assigned to, for example, “011”, “reception date and time” is reception date and time “2002/11/8 15:34”, and “customer” is ordered. The code “C-01A” indicating the customer, the “selected design” indicates the selected design layout, for example “HW-021”, and the “material (image material)” indicates the selected and uploaded image material, for example. “011-1, 011-2, 011-3, A-8, C-2” and “material (character material)” as text files are text files “011-T1, 011 of selected and entered character materials. “-T2, A-T1” and “article” store “post card”. In addition, the “scheduled completion date” and the “customer request” store requests made by the customer at the time of order. As described above, when the order is received by the management means 21 and stored in the order management table 23a, the mail creation means 25 creates an email stating that the order has been received, as shown in FIG. 4 (2). The e-mail is transmitted to the administrator terminal 5.
[0037]
Further, in the administrator terminal 5, the administrator who receives the e-mail distributes the work on the received design to the designer and places a design order (S103). The design order is placed between the administrator terminal 5 and the server 2 as shown in FIG. The administrator performs authentication using a predetermined authentication code, updates the screen, and the like on the administrator terminal 5, selects a designer on an order screen (not shown) for design order, and places a design order.
[0038]
When a design order is placed, the management means 21 of the server 2 accepts the design order, and a code indicating the designer who has placed the order in the “designer” of the order-receiving management table 23a shown in FIG. In No. 11, “D-111” and “design request date” are set as design request dates, for example, No. 11 stores "2002/11/8". The “administrator instruction” stores, for example, an instruction from the administrator to the designer who has made the order. When the management means 21 receives the design order and stores it in the order receiving / managing table 23a in this way, the mail creation means 25 creates a mail informing that the design has been ordered, and displays it in FIG. 4 (4). The e-mail is transmitted to the designer's worker terminal 4 selected as shown.
[0039]
Then, the designer receives the e-mail and performs the design work using the worker terminal 4 (S104). The design work is performed between the worker terminal 4 and the server 2 as shown in FIG. The designer performs authentication using a predetermined authentication code, updates a screen, and the like on the worker terminal 4, and displays a design work screen (not shown) for performing a design work. For example, an image material and a character material are downloaded using a design work screen, and image editing such as cutout, dust removal, and color correction is performed using image editing software installed in the worker terminal 4 in advance. Further, for example, an image editing function may be provided on the design work screen, and image editing may be performed on the design work screen. In this way, the designer creates the edited image and transmits the image information of the edited image to the server 2.
[0040]
The server 2 receives the image information of the edited image by the management means 21 and stores the image information in the “edited image file” of the order management table 23a. For example, no. 11, the image file is stored as an image file "011-HW-021-1" with "-1" indicating the history added at the end. The "designer request" stores a request from the designer when the image information is transmitted.
[0041]
Then, the e-mail creating unit 25 creates an e-mail describing that the design work has been completed, and transmits the e-mail to the administrator terminal 5 as shown in FIG.
[0042]
Then, the administrator receives the mail and proofreads the edited image (S105). The calibration is performed between the server 2 and the administrator terminal 5 and the server 2 as shown in FIG.
[0043]
In response to the e-mail, the administrator performs authentication using a predetermined authentication code, updates the screen, and the like on the administrator terminal 5, and displays the screen on the display screen of the administrator terminal 5 based on the image file stored in the order management table 23a. The edited image is displayed, and by looking at the edited image created by the designer, it is checked whether the design is as desired by the customer, and proofreading of a character error or an image is performed.
[0044]
On the other hand, when the above-described design work is completed, in the server 2, the proofreading image information generating unit 24 further adds “Sample” to the edited image based on the image file stored in the order management table 23a as shown in FIG. The image information in which the image on which is superimposed is printed by the printing device 6 is generated and transmitted to the printing device 6 (shown in FIG. 4 (8)). The printing device 6 receives the image and superimposes the image on which “Sample” shown in FIG. At 011, the article selected by the customer is printed on a post card. This “Sample” is “another image” of the present invention, and the “Sample” partially overlaps the edited image. However, “Sample” is an example, and may be, for example, “sample”, “this is a sample”, or a display of a character or the like. The “another image” may be any image that is colored so as to hide the edited image in the overlapping portion, is blank, or is translucent so that the edited image can be seen through. In addition, the position and the direction of the overlap are not limited to the lower right as shown in FIG.
[0045]
Then, when printed on the article by the printing device 6, the administrator sends the article to the customer by mail or home delivery, and the customer sees the printed article and has the desired design or corrects the character. Calibration of an image or the like is performed (S105). In addition, since the calibration is performed using an article, the color tone and the texture of the surface of the output image can be confirmed. In addition, if such an image is taken by a customer's scanner or the like when the customer prints an image printed on an article such as a post card sent by the customer, the customer's possession of the image is still "Sample". It is not printed out. Therefore, the customer orders a printout using the edited image from the output center or the like, and the goodness of the image providing service as a business is not spoiled.
[0046]
When the proofreading is completed, a print order (S106) and a print delivery (S107) are performed, and the print service ends.
[0047]
In the above description, the management terminal 5 of the image providing service system is described as one, but a plurality of management terminals may be provided.
[0048]
[Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In the following, a detailed description of the configuration substantially the same as that of the first embodiment will be omitted, and different points will be mainly described.
[0049]
A feature of the present embodiment is that a customer can select whether or not to perform calibration using an article.
[0050]
In the present embodiment, when the design work is completed, the mail creating means 25 creates an email informing that the design work has been completed, transmits the email to the administrator terminal 5, and at the same time as FIG. The transmission is also made to the user terminal 3 as shown in FIG. Then, a calibration method is selected between the user terminal 5 and the server 2 as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed in accordance with the selection of the calibration method in the server 2.
[0051]
The customer receives this e-mail, performs authentication using a predetermined authentication code, updates the screen, etc., and displays a calibration method selection screen 221 for selecting a calibration method as shown in FIG. 8 on the display screen of the user terminal 3. (S201), a calibration method selection screen 221 shown in FIG. 8 is generated and transmitted to the user terminal 3 (S202). As shown in FIG. 8, the calibration method selection screen 221 includes a check box for checking when the calibration using the display screen is desired and a check box for checking when the calibration using the article is desired. A calibration method selection field 221a in which a box is displayed and a transmission button 221b for transmitting the selection result are provided, and the customer checks one of the check boxes displayed in the calibration method selection field 221a and transmits the transmission button 221b. Click to do.
[0052]
The server 2 accepts the selection of the calibration method by the management unit 21, and when the calibration using the display screen is selected (S203), the screen information generation unit 22 transmits the image stored in the order management table 23a. Based on the file, screen information of a calibration screen (not shown) for displaying the edited image on the display screen of the user terminal 3 is generated and transmitted to the user terminal 3 (S204). The customer looks at the edited image on the display screen, and looks at the edited image created by the designer to make sure that the design is as desired by the customer, or to correct a character error or an image.
[0053]
When the proof using the article is selected (S203), the proof image information generating unit 24 displays the proof image on the edited image based on the image file stored in the order management table 23a, for example, as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, image information in which an image on which “Sample” is superimposed is printed by the printing device 6 is generated and transmitted to the printing device 6 (S205). Then, when the printing is performed on the article selected by the customer by the printing device 6, the manager sends this to the customer by mail or home delivery, and the customer sees the printed article and has a desired design. Proofreading of characters, erroneous characters, images, etc., and confirmation of color and texture. Also, as in the first embodiment, even if this image is captured by an image input device owned by the customer, for example, a scanner, etc., since “Sample” is added, this is printed out by a printer owned by the customer. Not used. In this way, the customer can select a calibration method.
[0054]
If both are selected, both processes shown in S204 and S205 described above may be performed.
[0055]
In the procedure described with reference to FIG. 7, the calibration using the display box and the check box for checking when the calibration using the display screen is desired are performed in the calibration method selection field 221a of the calibration method selection screen 221. The procedure for displaying and selecting a check box for checking when desired is selected has been described. For example, an editing image display frame is displayed on the calibration method selection screen 221 as in a calibration method selection screen 221 shown in FIG. 221c may be provided to display the edited image. In this case, a check box is displayed in the proofreading method selection field 221a for checking when proofreading using an article is desired. By using the calibration method selection screen 221 shown in FIG. 9, the customer displays the calibration method selection screen 221 and first looks at the edited image on the display screen, looks at the edited image created by the designer, and looks at the design desired by the customer. , Or proofreading of incorrect characters or images can be performed. If the user wants to check the color and texture of the article, the user checks the check box and clicks the send button 221b, so that the server 2 performs the processing of S205, and the article can be confirmed.
[0056]
[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In the following, a detailed description of the configuration substantially the same as that of the first and second embodiments will be omitted, and different points will be mainly described.
[0057]
Articles provided by printing an image by the image providing service include those printed in a planar shape such as a post card and those printed in a three-dimensional shape such as a mug, for example. The feature of the present embodiment is that when printing in a planar shape and when printing in a three-dimensional shape, the image form is different, so if the customer selects to calibrate using an article, The point is that an image is changed and output according to an article to be printed (for example, a post card) or an article to be printed in a three-dimensional shape (for example, a mug).
[0058]
In the present embodiment, when the design work is completed, the mail creating means 25 creates an email informing that the design work has been completed, transmits the email to the administrator terminal 5, and at the same time as FIG. The transmission is also made to the user terminal 3 as shown in FIG. Then, a calibration method is selected between the user terminal 5 and the server 2 as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process performed according to the selection of the calibration method in the server 2.
[0059]
The customer receives the e-mail, performs authentication using a predetermined authentication code, updates the screen, etc., and displays a calibration method selection screen 221 for selecting a calibration method as shown in FIG. 11 on the display screen of the user terminal 3. (S301), a calibration method selection screen 222 shown in FIG. 8 is generated and transmitted to the user terminal 3 (S302). The customer checks one of the check boxes displayed in the calibration method selection field 221a and clicks the send button 221b to perform the check.
[0060]
The server 2 accepts the selection of the calibration method by the management unit 21, and when the calibration using the display screen is selected (S303), the screen information generation unit 22 stores the order in the order management table 23a. Based on the image file, screen information of a calibration screen (not shown) for displaying the edited image on the display screen of the user terminal 3 is generated and transmitted to the user terminal 3 (S304). The customer looks at the edited image on the display screen, and looks at the edited image created by the designer to make sure that the design is as desired by the customer, or to correct a character error or an image.
[0061]
If the calibration using the article has been selected and an article to be printed in a planar shape at the time of ordering, for example, a postcard has been selected (S303), the calibration image information generating means 24 performs order management. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, an image in which “Sample” is superimposed on an edited image (first image) based on the image file stored in the table 23 a is output by the printing device 6. Then, the data is transmitted to the printing device 6 (S305). Then, when printing is performed on the postcard, which is the article selected by the customer, using the printing device 6, the administrator sends the postcard to the customer by mail or home delivery. Make sure that the design is correct, correct characters and images, and check the color and texture. Also, as in the first embodiment, even if this image is captured by a scanner or the like owned by the customer, “Sample” is added to the image, and the image is printed out by an image output device owned by the customer, for example, a printer. Not used.
[0062]
If the calibration using the article is selected, and an article to be printed in a three-dimensional shape at the time of ordering, for example, a mug is selected (S303), the calibration image information generating means 24 sets the order management table. The image processing device generates image information that allows the printing device 6 to output an edited image based on the image file stored in the storage device 23a, and transmits the generated image information to the printing device 6 (S306). Then, when printing is performed on the mug, which is the article selected by the customer, using the printing device 6, the manager sends this to the customer by mail or home delivery, and the customer sees the mug and designs as desired. Proofreading of characters, erroneous characters, images, etc., and confirmation of color and texture. Further, in this case, since the image has a three-dimensional shape, the image cannot be captured by a scanner or the like. Therefore, this is not printed out and used by an image output device owned by the customer, for example, a printer. In this way, the customer can select a calibration method.
[0063]
When both are selected, both processes shown in S304 and S305 or S304 and S306 may be performed according to the article selected by the customer.
[0064]
In the procedure described with reference to FIG. 10, the calibration using a display box and a check box for checking when the calibration using the display screen is desired are performed in the calibration method selection column 221 a of the calibration method selection screen 221. The procedure for displaying and selecting check boxes for checking when desired is described. For example, an edit image display frame is displayed on the calibration method selection screen 221 as in a calibration method selection screen 221 shown in FIG. 221c may be provided to display the edited image. In this case, a check box is displayed in the proofreading method selection field 221a for checking when proofreading using an article is desired. By using the calibration method selection screen 221 shown in FIG. 9, the customer displays the calibration method selection screen 221 and first looks at the edited image on the display screen, looks at the edited image created by the designer, and looks at the design desired by the customer. , Or proofreading of incorrect characters or images can be performed. If the user wants to check the color or texture of the article, he or she checks the check box and clicks the send button 221b. If the customer selects the article, the server 2 performs the processing of S305 or S306 depending on the article selected by the customer, and Confirmation can be performed.
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the output product is sent and the proofreading is performed, the customer does not capture the image from the proofreading output product and does not print out the image created by the design work as it is. An image providing service system and an image providing method can be provided.
[0066]
Therefore, the customer orders an output using the edited image from the output center or the like, so that the goodness of the image providing service as a business is not spoiled.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image providing service system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a control configuration of a server of the image providing service system.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process of an image providing service performed by the image providing service system.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a flow of processing and communication between a server and each terminal configuring the image editing system.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a structure of an order management table 23a provided in a database of a server.
6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image output from a printing device of the image providing service system illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of steps of an image output method performed by the image providing service system.
8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen related to selection of a calibration method displayed on a customer terminal of the image providing service system illustrated in FIG.
9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen related to selection of a calibration method displayed on the customer terminal of the image providing service system illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of steps of an image output method performed by the image providing service system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Network
2 Server
21 Management means
22 Screen information generating means
23 Database
24 Calibration image information generating means
25 Mail creation means
26 Interface I / F
3 Customer terminal
4 worker terminals
5 Administrator terminal
6 Printer

Claims (6)

Network and
A server connected to the network;
A user terminal connected to the network for ordering a design of an image to be printed on an article by a customer;
An administrator terminal connected to the network, an administrator accepting the order via the server, and ordering an image editing operation based on the order;
An operator terminal connected to the network, the operator performs image editing based on the order and creates an edited image,
A print that is connected to a network and prints an image obtained by partially overlaying another image on the edited image created by the worker on an article provided by the customer for editing the edited image created by the worker. An image providing service system, comprising: a device. Network and
A server connected to the network;
A user terminal connected to the network for ordering a design of an image to be printed on an article by a customer;
An administrator terminal connected to the network, an administrator accepting the order via the server, and ordering an image editing operation based on the order;
An operator terminal connected to the network, an operator creates an edited image by performing image editing based on the order, and transmits edited image information based on the edited image to the server;
A printing device connected to the network and performing printing on the article based on image information,
An image providing service system for printing an edited image created by the worker on the article and providing the article to a customer,
The server is
A database for storing the edited image information transmitted from the worker terminal,
In order for the customer to proofread the edited image created by the worker, the stored edited image information is processed so that another image partially overlaps the edited image created by the worker. Proof image generating means for generating information and transmitting the information to the printing apparatus,
An image providing service system, wherein the printing device prints on the article based on the transmitted image information. Network and
A server connected to the network;
A user terminal connected to the network for ordering a design of an image to be printed on an article by a customer;
An administrator terminal connected to the network, an administrator accepting the order via the server, and ordering an image editing operation based on the order;
An operator terminal connected to the network, an operator creates an edited image by performing image editing based on the order, and transmits edited image information based on the edited image to the server;
A printing device connected to the network and performing printing on the article based on image information,
An image providing service system for printing an edited image created by the worker on the article and providing the article to a customer,
The server is
A database for storing the edited image information transmitted from the worker terminal,
Generating screen information for displaying on a display screen of the user terminal a screen on which a selection as to whether or not to proofread an edited image created by the worker can be made based on an article on which the edited image is printed can be input. Screen information generating means,
If the user terminal selects to perform with the article, another image is partially overlapped with the edited image created by the worker so that the customer can proofread the edited image created by the worker. And a calibration image generation means for processing the stored edited image information to generate image information and transmit it to the printing apparatus,
An image providing service system, wherein the printing device prints on the article based on the transmitted image information. Network and
A server connected to the network;
A user terminal connected to the network for allowing a customer to select and instruct a desired article from an article printed in a planar shape or an article printed in a three-dimensional shape, and to order an image design to be printed on the article. When,
An administrator terminal connected to the network, an administrator accepting the order via the server, and ordering an image editing operation based on the order;
An operator terminal connected to the network, an operator creates an edited image by performing image editing based on the order, and transmits edited image information based on the edited image to the server;
A printing device connected to the network and performing printing on the article based on image information,
An image providing service system for printing an edited image created by the worker on an article designated by the customer and providing the article to the customer,
The server is
A database for storing the edited image information transmitted from the worker terminal,
Generating screen information for displaying on a display screen of the user terminal a screen on which a selection as to whether or not to proofread an edited image created by the worker can be made based on an article on which the edited image is printed can be input. Screen information generating means,
In the case where the user terminal selects to perform with the article, and in the case where the article designated by the customer is an article printed in a planar shape, in order for the customer to proofread an edited image created by the worker, Processing the stored edited image information so as to partially overlap another image on the edited image created by the worker, generates image information, transmits the generated image information to the printing device, and instructed by the customer. In the case where the article is an article that is printed in a three-dimensional shape, a calibration image generating unit that transmits the edited image information to the printing apparatus as image information in order for the customer to proofread the image created by the worker. With
An image providing service system, wherein the printing device prints on the specified article based on the transmitted image information. 5. The image providing service system according to claim 3, wherein the screen information generating unit displays the edited image on the screen information based on the stored edited image information. 6. Network and
A server connected to the network;
A user terminal connected to the network for ordering a design of an image to be printed on an article by a customer;
An administrator terminal connected to the network, an administrator accepting the order via the server, and ordering an image editing operation based on the order;
An operator terminal connected to the network, an operator creates an edited image by performing image editing based on the order, and transmits edited image information based on the edited image to the server;
A printing device connected to the network and performing printing on the article based on image information,
An image providing method performed by an image providing service system that prints an edited image created by the worker on the article and provides the customer with the edited image,
Storing the edited image information transmitted from the worker terminal;
In order for the customer to proofread the edited image created by the worker, the stored edited image information is processed so that another image partially overlaps the edited image created by the worker. Generating information;
Printing the article based on the generated image information.

Images