JP2004326430A - Print system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate reprinting by efficiently storing the images taken. <P>SOLUTION: In this print system 100, when a user designates a print image at the input of an image to an input terminal 10, only a predetermined number of images taken before and after the designated print image are extracted as preliminary images for print images. The preliminary images extracted are stored in the image memory 39 of the print server 30 as they are associated with the print images. During reprinting, the print ID of each print image is input to the input terminal 10 so that the print image matching the print ID and its preliminary image are retrieved from the image memory 39 and displayed on the input terminal 10. Of the print image and the preliminary image displayed, the designated image is printed and output by a printer 50. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print system for immediately printing a large number of images, such as group photos, taken at a tourist spot or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At sightseeing spots, a digital camera has been developed to provide commemorative photos to tourists, to store image data taken by tourists, and to print out image data at the request of tourists. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
Similarly, a photographer is stationed at a sightseeing spot and takes a group photo of a tourist who gets off the bus, for example, and after sightseeing, the tourist shows the printed photo when he gets on the bus again and sells it. In addition, taking a commemorative photo and selling it. Since a photograph to be sold must be printed out before a tourist leaves a sightseeing spot, a printing system that outputs a large amount of prints in a short time has been conventionally developed.
[0004]
FIG. 15 shows an example of the print system.
In the print system shown in FIG. 15, an input terminal for capturing a captured image is installed near a cameraman, and this input terminal is communicably connected to a print server via a LAN (Local Area Network). . A plurality of printers are connected to the print server, and print output by each printer is controlled by the print server.
[0005]
Hereinafter, the procedure of print output in the print system will be described.
{Circle around (1)} The photographer takes a plurality of group photos in consideration of blinks and the like. Immediately after the photographing, the medium on which the photographed image is recorded is attached to the input terminal, the image data of the photographed image is input to the input terminal, and the printing conditions such as the number of prints and the print size are input.
(2) The input image is displayed on the input terminal so as to be selectable. When the photographer specifies a print image to be printed out, information on the specified print image and print conditions is transmitted to the print server via the LAN.
(3) The print server generates output instruction information (hereinafter, referred to as a print order) to be allocated to each printer based on the print conditions transmitted from the input terminal. Then, a print order is assigned to each printer in accordance with the printing status of each printer, and the printer performs print output according to the print order.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-185893
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a conventional print system, only a print image specified and printed by an input terminal is stored in a print server. Therefore, if there is a problem with the image quality of the print image later or if the subject's eyes are frequently blinked and you want to print a captured image other than the print image, the print server does not store the captured image other than the print image Therefore, print output cannot be performed.
[0008]
Therefore, it is conceivable that all captured images read from the media after shooting are stored in the input terminal so that other captured images can be printed. Is attached to the input terminal and print output is performed, so that every time a print is output, the image data groups of a plurality of groups recorded on the medium are redundantly stored in the input terminal, and the storage capacity of the input terminal is reduced. The Rukoto. In addition, if all captured images are stored from the medium for each print output, it takes a very long time to read the images, and the print processing efficiency deteriorates.
[0009]
Furthermore, it is conceivable to search for the target image from the captured images recorded on the medium.However, since a large number of group photograph images of a plurality of groups photographed in the same arrangement are mixed in the medium, It is very complicated to search for a target image from inside.
[0010]
It is an object of the present invention to efficiently store captured images and facilitate reprinting.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is
In a print system including an input terminal for inputting a captured image and a printer for printing out the captured image,
Designating means for designating a print image to be printed out of the input photographed images,
Extracting means for extracting a captured image related to the designated print image from the input captured image,
Image storage means for storing the extracted captured image as a preliminary image of the print image, together with the designated print image,
It is characterized by having.
[0012]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a photographed image related to a designated print image is automatically extracted from the inputted photographed images as a preliminary image of the print image and stored together with the print image. When reprinting, even if there is a problem with the print image, the preliminary image can be read out and printed out easily. Further, since only the captured image related to the print image is stored as the preliminary image, efficient image storage can be performed.
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the print system according to the first aspect,
The extracting means extracts a photographed image photographed before and after the designated print image.
[0014]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the photographed images photographed before and after the print image are extracted, at least one preliminary image can be stored.
[0015]
The invention according to claim 3 is:
In a print system including an input terminal for inputting a captured image and a printer for printing out the captured image,
Designating means for designating a print image to be printed out of the input photographed images,
Selecting means for selecting, among the input captured images, a captured image related to the designated print image in accordance with a user instruction;
Image storage means for storing the selected captured image as a preliminary image of the print image, together with the designated print image,
It is characterized by having.
[0016]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, among the input photographed images, the photographed image selected by the user is stored together with the print image as a preliminary image of the designated print image. Even if there is a problem with the print image, the preliminary image can be read out and printed out easily. Also, since only the selected captured image is stored as the preliminary image, efficient image storage can be performed.
[0017]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the print system according to any one of the first to third aspects,
The image storage means stores the print image with identification information attached thereto,
Information input means for inputting identification information of a print image at the time of reprinting,
Search means for searching the image storage means for a print image corresponding to the input identification information and a preliminary image thereof,
The designating means designates an image to be printed out of the searched print image and the preliminary image.
[0018]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, at the time of reprinting, the print image corresponding to the identification information of the input print image and its preliminary image are searched, so that the print image and the preliminary image among the searched print image and the preliminary image are printed out. By redesignating the image, reprinting can be easily performed.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
<First Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, an example will be described in which when a print image is designated by a user, photographed images taken before and after the designated print image are automatically extracted as preliminary images and stored together with the print image. I do.
[0021]
First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of a print system 100 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the print system 100 includes an input terminal 10, a server 30, and a printer 50. The input terminal 10 and the server 30 are connected to each other via a communication network N so that information can be transmitted and received. A plurality of printers 50 are connected to the server 30. In FIG. 1, two input terminals 10, two servers 30, and two printers 50 are shown, but the number and location of each device are not particularly limited.
[0022]
Hereinafter, each component device will be described.
The input terminal 10 is for inputting image data of a captured image and print conditions (for example, the number of prints, print size, image processing conditions, and the like). Note that identification information (hereinafter, referred to as print ID) for identifying each image is given to the captured image.
[0023]
FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of the input terminal 10.
As shown in FIG. 2, the input terminal 10 includes a control unit 11, an input unit 12, a display unit 13, a communication unit 14, a program memory 15, an image memory 16, a media connection unit 17, and an I / F (Interface) 18. It is composed.
[0024]
The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and in addition to a program for performing print output, an image storage processing program according to the present invention (see FIG. 7), a reprint processing program (see FIG. 9), and the like. Are read from the program memory 38 and are developed in a random access memory (RAM) (not shown), and the processing operation is comprehensively controlled in cooperation with the program.
[0025]
When a print image is designated via the input unit 12 in the image storing process, the control unit 11 selects a print image from the captured images input to the input terminal 10 as a preliminary image of the designated print image. A predetermined number of images taken before and after are extracted. The extracted preliminary image is transmitted to the print server 30 via the communication unit 14 together with the print image. That is, the extraction unit can be realized by the control unit 11.
[0026]
Further, in the reprinting process, when the print ID of the print image is input via the input unit 12 in the reprint processing, the control unit 11 generates request information for requesting the print image corresponding to the print ID and the preliminary image, and performs communication. The data is transmitted to the print server 30 via the unit 14.
[0027]
The input unit 12 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to an operated key to the control unit 11. That is, by designating and inputting a print image via a keyboard or a mouse, a designating unit can be realized. Further, at the time of reprinting, the information input means can be realized by inputting the print ID of the print image via the keyboard. Note that a touch panel or the like integrated with the display unit 13 may be applied.
[0028]
The display unit 13 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and displays various operation screens, input information from the input unit 12, and various display information such as a processing result by the control unit 11.
[0029]
The communication unit 14 includes a network interface card (hereinafter, referred to as NIC; Network Interface Card), a modem, and the like, and transmits and receives information to and from external devices on the communication network N. For example, a print image and a preliminary image are transmitted to the print server 30.
[0030]
The program memory 15 is configured by a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory, and stores an image storage processing program, a reprint processing program, data processed by each program, and the like, in addition to a program related to print output.
[0031]
The image memory 16 temporarily stores image data read from the medium M and image data input from the digital camera C.
[0032]
The media connection unit 17 is an interface for connecting the media M to the input terminal 10 and outputs a detection signal to the control unit 11 when the media M is mounted.
[0033]
The I / F 18 is an interface for connecting the digital camera C to the input terminal 10, and an interface standard such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) can be applied.
[0034]
Next, the print server 30 will be described.
The print server 30 manages captured images, generates a printer order assigned to the printers 50 connected to the print server 30, and causes each printer 50 to print out.
[0035]
FIG. 3 shows a functional configuration of the server 30.
As shown in FIG. 3, the print server 30 includes an order control unit 31, a print control unit 32, an input unit 33, a display unit 34, an I / F 35, a communication unit 36, a program memory 37, a print memory 38, and an image memory 39. It is configured with.
[0036]
The order control unit 31 is composed of a CPU and the like, reads out various programs such as a program for performing print output stored in the program memory 37, expands them in a RAM (Random Access Memory) not shown, and cooperates with the programs. The operation manages image data and print order.
[0037]
When receiving a request for a print image from the input terminal 10, the order control unit 31 searches the backup folder 392 of the image memory 39 for a print image and its preliminary image based on the print ID transmitted from the input terminal 10. That is, a search unit can be realized by the order control unit 31.
[0038]
The print control unit 32 is configured by a CPU and the like, reads various programs such as a program for performing print output stored in the program memory 37 and develops them in a RAM (not shown), and cooperates with the programs to operate the printer 50. To control the print output.
[0039]
The input unit 33 includes input means such as a keyboard, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to an operated key to the order control unit 31 or the print control unit 32.
[0040]
The display unit 34 is configured by an LCD or the like, and displays various operation screens and various display information such as processing results by the order control unit 31 and the print control unit 32.
[0041]
The I / F 35 is an interface for connecting to the printer 50, and can apply a standard such as SCSI (Small Computer System Interface).
[0042]
The communication unit 36 includes an NIC, a modem, and the like, and transmits and receives information to and from an external device on the communication network N. For example, the image data and print conditions of the print image and the preliminary image are received from the input terminal 10.
[0043]
The program memory 37 is configured by a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory, and is processed by various processing programs executable by the order control unit 31 or the print control unit 32 and programs by a program related to print output. The stored data is stored.
[0044]
The print memory 38 includes a RAM, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and the like. The print memory 38 internally stores a status table 381 for managing the current printing status of the printer 50 and an order table 382 for managing the print order allocated to each printer.
[0045]
In the status management table 381, as shown in FIG. 4, a printer number (for example, “A”) for identifying each printer 50 is associated with a printing status of that printer (for example, “printing”). Stored.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 5, a printer number of each printer 50 and a printer order assigned to the printer are stored in the order table 382 in association with each other. The print order includes the name of an image file to be printed (for example, “1234.img”), the number of prints (for example, “1”), and print conditions (for example, print size “L size”). The print order may include image processing conditions, print paper conditions, and the like.
[0047]
The image memory 39 includes a RAM and a ROM, and internally stores a spool folder 391, a backup folder 392, and a print folder 393.
[0048]
Image data transmitted from the input terminal 10 is temporarily stored in the spool folder 391. The backup folder 392 stores image data of a print image and its preliminary image for backup. Image data to be output to the printer 50 is temporarily stored in the print folder 393. Note that a print ID is assigned to each image. That is, by storing the image data of the print image and its preliminary image in the backup folder 392 of the image memory 39, an image storage unit can be realized.
[0049]
Next, the printer 50 will be described.
The printer 50 prints out the image data transmitted from the print server 30. Note that the printing method of the printer 50 may be any method such as an ink jet method and an electrophotographic method as long as photographic quality is realized.
[0050]
Next, the operation in the first embodiment will be described.
First, the flow of print output in the print system 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, a photographer shoots with the digital camera C and connects the digital camera C to the input terminal 10, or records image data on the medium M and mounts the medium M on the input terminal 10. Then, print conditions such as the number of prints and the print size are input to the input terminal 10. The input terminal 10 reads image data taken from the connected digital camera C or medium M (step S1).
[0051]
Next, in the input terminal 10, the input image data and the information of the printing conditions are transferred to the print server 30 (step S2), and the transferred image data is spooled in the print server 30 in association with the information of the printing conditions. It is temporarily stored in the folder 391. The spool folder 391 is constantly monitored by the order control unit 31 of the print server 30 (step S3). When the image data and the print order are stored in the spool folder 391, the spool file is backed up from the spool folder 391 by the order control unit 31. The image data is transferred and stored in the folder 392 (step S4).
[0052]
Next, the status control table 381 is referred to by the order control unit 31, and the print status of each printer 50 is confirmed (step S5). Then, whether or not printing is possible is determined based on the printing status. If it is determined that printing is possible, the image data to be printed out of the image data stored in the backup folder 392 is copied to the print folder 393 and stored. Is performed (step S6).
[0053]
Next, a print order is generated by the order control unit 31 based on the printing conditions, and the print orders are sequentially allocated from the printers 50 waiting for printing based on the printing status of the printer. Then, the allocated print order is stored in the order management table 382, and the order is registered (step S7). The order management table 382 is constantly monitored by the print control unit 32. When the print order is stored in the order management table 382, the print order is read out by the print control unit 32, and the image data to be printed is displayed. The printer 50 for print output, the number of prints, print conditions, and the like are confirmed (step S8).
[0054]
When the print order is confirmed, the print control unit 32 acquires the image data to be printed from the print folder 393 (step S9), synthesizes a frame with the acquired image, inserts characters such as a date, etc. Various image processing is performed. When the image processing is completed, the processed image data is transferred to each printer 50 according to the print order (step S10), and the printer 50 prints out (step S11).
[0055]
Next, an operation characteristic of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an image storage process performed in the input terminal 10, and FIG. 8 is a screen transition diagram displayed during the image storage process. This image saving process is a process performed at the time of image input in step S1 in the above-described print output, and is a process of automatically extracting and storing images before and after the print image designated by the user as preliminary images.
[0056]
In the image storage processing shown in FIG. 7, first, a captured image is read from the medium M attached to the media connection unit 17, or image data of the captured image is input from the digital camera C via the I / F 18, and The input photographed image is stored in the image memory 16 after being given a print ID (step T1). When the image data is input, an image selection screen 131 (see FIG. 8A) for designating a print image from the captured images is displayed on the display unit 13 (step T2).
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 8A, on the image selection screen 131, the thumbnail images a1 of the input photographed images are displayed in parallel in the order of the photographing date and time, and guidance is given to designate a print image by a black frame a2. Is On the image selection screen 131, the cameraman checks the photographed image, moves the black frame a2 via the input unit 12, and designates a print image from the displayed photographed images.
[0058]
When a print image is designated on the image selection screen 131 (step T3), an edit screen 132 (see FIG. 8B) in which the designated print image is enlarged is displayed on the display unit 13 (step T3). T4). As shown in FIG. 8B, on the editing screen 132, an input area b2 for inputting print characters such as a shooting title and a shooting date and time is displayed below the enlarged print image b1. At the bottom of the screen, an input area b3 for inputting the number of prints and a print key b4 for instructing print output are displayed.
[0059]
The photographer confirms the image on the edit screen 132, inputs a print character and the number of prints via the input unit 12, and presses the print key b4. The editing of the image is not limited to the input of the print character, but may be an image processing such as image position correction and trimming.
[0060]
When print characters are input on the edit screen 132 and image editing is performed (step T5), the press of the print key b4 is waited, and it is determined whether a print instruction has been issued (step T6). When a print instruction is issued by pressing the print key b4 (step T6; Y), a predetermined number of photographed images photographed before and after the designated print image are extracted from the image memory 16 as preliminary images (step T7).
[0061]
For example, when the 10th photographed image is designated as a print image on the image selection screen 131 shown in FIG. 8A, when two photographed images photographed before and after are extracted as preliminary images, for example, 8 , 9, 11, and 12 are extracted as preliminary images. At this time, since a plurality of shots are taken for one group, even if the first to ninth shot images are images shot by a different group from the tenth shot image, the tenth shot image Since the 11th shot image taken immediately after is always shot by the same group as the 10th shot image, at least one preliminary image can be stored.
[0062]
Next, the extracted preliminary image is transmitted to the print server 30 together with the designated print image, and a message notifying that the image data is currently being transmitted is displayed on the display unit 13 (see FIG. 8C). ). The transmitted print image and preliminary image are stored in the image memory 39 of the print server 30 (step T8). Note that an identifier indicating that the image is a print image is assigned to the print image, and an identifier indicating that the image is a preliminary image is assigned to the preliminary image and transmitted to the print server 30.
[0063]
Next, a reprint process executed by the input terminal 10 at the time of reprint will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the reprint processing, and FIG. 10 is a screen transition diagram displayed during the reprint processing.
[0064]
In the reprint processing shown in FIG. 9, first, an input screen 133 (see FIG. 10A) for inputting a print ID of a print image to be reprinted is displayed on the display unit 13. In this input screen, a print ID is input via the input unit 12 (step E1), and when a search for a print image is instructed, a search for a print image is performed based on the input print ID (step E2). . In the image search, first, request information for requesting a print image search is transmitted to the print server 30 together with the input print ID. The print server 30 searches the backup memory 392 for a print image and its preliminary image based on the transmitted print ID, and transmits the searched print image and its preliminary image to the input terminal 10.
[0065]
Upon receiving the retrieved print image and its preliminary image from the print server 30, the input terminal 10 displays a reprint screen 134 (see FIG. 10B) in which the received print image is displayed in an enlarged manner. 13 is displayed (step E3). As shown in FIG. 10B, on the reprint screen 134, a print key c2 for instructing printing of a print image and a preliminary image for instructing display of a preliminary image are provided below the enlarged image c1 of the retrieved print image. The display key c3 is displayed.
[0066]
On the reprint screen 134, it is determined whether or not the display of the preliminary image is instructed by pressing the preliminary image display key c3 (step E4). When the print key c2 is pressed instead of the preliminary image display key c3 and reprinting of the enlarged print image is instructed (step E4; N), the process proceeds to step E7, where the print image is reprinted. . That is, print output request information is transmitted to the print server 30 together with the print ID of the print image, and the image data of the print image corresponding to the print ID is copied to the print folder 393 on the print server 30 side. Done.
[0067]
On the other hand, when the preliminary image display key c3 is pressed and the display of the preliminary image is instructed (Step E4; Y), the image selection screen 135 (FIG. 10C) in which the print image and the preliminary image are displayed so as to be selectable. Is displayed on the display unit 13 (step E5).
[0068]
When an image to be printed out is specified on the image selection screen 135 via the input unit 12 (step E6), the print ID of the specified image and request information for requesting printout are transmitted to the print server 30. . On the print server 30 side, the image data corresponding to the print ID transmitted from the input terminal 10 is copied from the backup folder 392 to the print folder 393 and printed out by the printer 50 (step E7).
[0069]
As described above, in the first embodiment, when a user specifies a print image when inputting an image on the input terminal 10, a captured image taken before and after the print image as a preliminary image of the print image Is automatically extracted and stored in the image memory 39 of the print server 30, so that at least one preliminary image can be stored together with the print image, and an image to be printed out other than the print image can be reselected. it can. Therefore, even when there is a problem with the print image, the preliminary image can be read out and printed out easily.
[0070]
Further, since the preliminary image to be stored is automatically extracted by the input terminal 10, the selection operation for selecting the preliminary image by the user can be omitted, and the efficiency of the printing operation can be improved. Furthermore, since only a predetermined number of images taken before and after the print image are stored as the preliminary image, efficient image storage can be performed without squeezing the storage capacity of the image memory.
[0071]
Further, when reprinting, by inputting the print ID of the print image, the print image corresponding to the print ID and its preliminary image are automatically retrieved from the image memory 39 and displayed. Reselection becomes easy, and efficient reprinting can be performed.
[0072]
<Second embodiment>
In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which a captured image selected by a user is stored as a preliminary image of a print image.
[0073]
First, the configuration of the print system according to the second embodiment will be described. However, since the system configuration of the print system according to the second embodiment is the same as the print system 100 according to the first embodiment, the same configuration is used. The reference numerals are omitted and their illustration is omitted, and only different functional portions will be described. That is, the print system 100 according to the second embodiment includes the input terminal 10, the print server 30, and the printer 50.
[0074]
In the image storage processing of the second embodiment, the control unit 11 of the input terminal 10 selects a print image specified by the user via the input unit 12 from the captured images input to the input terminal 10 and selects the print image. The backup image is transmitted to the print server 30 via the communication unit 14. That is, by selecting and inputting a preliminary image via the input unit 12, a selection unit can be realized.
[0075]
Next, an operation in the second embodiment will be described.
Note that the flow of print output in the print system 100 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the print output described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 6), and a description thereof will be omitted. The characteristic operation will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0076]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an image storage process according to the second embodiment executed by the input terminal 10, and FIG. 12 is a screen transition diagram in the image storage process.
In the image storage process shown in FIG. 11, first, a captured image is read from the medium M attached to the media connection unit 17, or image data of the captured image is input from the digital camera C via the I / F 18, and The input photographed image is stored in the image memory 16 after being given a print ID (step P1). When the image data is input, an image selection screen 136 (see FIG. 12A) for designating a print image from the captured images is displayed on the display unit 13 (step P2).
[0077]
As shown in FIG. 12A, on the image selection screen 136, thumbnail images d1 of the input photographed images are displayed in parallel in the order of photographing date and time, the print image is designated by a black frame d2, and the preliminary image is displayed. Is specified in the white frame d3. Here, it is assumed that the captured images 1 to 12 are displayed, and the captured images captured this time are the images 8 to 12. On this image selection screen 136, the cameraman checks the photographed image, moves the black frame d2 from the displayed photographed image via the input unit 12 to designate the print image, and then moves the white frame d3 to move the preliminary frame. Select an image.
[0078]
When a print image is designated on the image selection screen 136 (Step P3) and a preliminary image of the designated print image is selected (Step P4), the edit screen 137 (FIG. 12 (b)) is displayed on the display unit 13 (step P5). As shown in FIG. 8B, on the edit screen 137, an input area e2 for inputting print characters such as a shooting title and a shooting date and time is displayed below the enlarged display image e1. At the bottom of the screen, an input area e3 for inputting the number of prints and a print key e4 for instructing print output are displayed.
[0079]
The photographer confirms the image on the editing screen 137, inputs a print character and the number of prints via the input unit 12, and presses the print key e4. The editing of the image is not limited to the input of the print character, but may be an image processing such as image position correction and trimming.
[0080]
When print characters are input on the edit screen 137 and image editing is performed (step P6), the press of the print key e4 is waited, and it is determined whether a print instruction has been issued (step P7). When a print instruction is issued by pressing the print key e4 (step P7; Y), the designated print image and the selected preliminary image are transmitted to the print server 30, and the display unit 13 is currently transmitting image data. Is displayed (see FIG. 12C). The transmitted print image and preliminary image are stored in the image memory 39 of the print server 30 (Step P8). Note that an identifier indicating that the image is a print image is assigned to the print image, and an identifier indicating that the image is a preliminary image is assigned to the preliminary image and transmitted to the print server 30.
[0081]
For example, when the photographed image No. 10 is designated as a print image on the image selection screen shown in FIG. 12A and the photographed images Nos. 7, 8, and 11 are selected as preliminary images, the photographed No. 10 The captured images Nos. 7, 8, and 11 are stored in the image memory 39 of the print server 30 as preliminary images of the images.
[0082]
Next, reprinting will be described.
Also in the second embodiment, at the time of reprinting, a reprinting process of a print image is executed by the input terminal 10, and the reprinting process is the same as the reprinting process described in the first embodiment (FIG. 9). ), And a description thereof will be omitted.
[0083]
As described above, in the second embodiment, when an image is input to the input terminal 10, the print image specified by the user and the preliminary image selected by the user as the preliminary image of the print image are stored in the print server 30. Since the image is stored in the image memory 39 on the side, at least one preliminary image can be stored together with the print image, and an image to be printed out other than the print image can be selected again. Therefore, even when there is a problem with the print image, the preliminary image can be read out and printed out easily.
[0084]
Further, since the photographed image selected by the user is stored as a preliminary image, the degree of freedom for the user to select the preliminary image to be preserved while checking the photographed image is improved. Further, since only the image selected by the user as necessary is stored as the preliminary image, efficient image storage can be performed without squeezing the storage capacity of the image memory.
[0085]
Further, when reprinting, by inputting the print ID of the print image, the print image corresponding to the print ID and its preliminary image are automatically retrieved from the image memory 39 and displayed. Reselection is facilitated, and efficient reprinting can be performed.
[0086]
Note that the descriptions in the first and second embodiments are preferred examples of the print system 100 to which the present invention is applied, and the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0087]
In the above description, the print server is provided with the image memory including the spool folder, the backup folder, and the print folder, but the storage locations of these folders are not particularly limited. For example, the folders may be stored in the image memory of the input terminal, or an image print server for storing images may be separately provided on the communication network N, and the folders may be stored in the image print server. .
[0088]
Further, in the present embodiment, the system configuration including the input terminal, the print server, and the printer by providing the print server with the order control unit and the print control unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The order control unit and the print control unit may be configured separately, and a system configuration including an input terminal, an order control device including the order control unit, a print control device including the print control unit, and a printer may be adopted. In the case of this system configuration, a print memory is provided in the order control device to manage the status of the printer, manage the print order, and manage the degree of consumption of the printer. In addition, an image memory is provided to store print images and preliminary images. Management is performed. Then, a plurality of printers are connected to the print control device, and the print order assigned by the order control device is transmitted to the print control device and printed out by the printer.
[0089]
As shown in FIG. 14, the input terminal may include an order control unit, a print control unit, and an image memory, and may have a system configuration including an input terminal and a printer. In this case, in the input terminal, the print image and the preliminary image are stored in the image memory, the print order is allocated by the order control unit, and the print output is controlled by the print control unit.
[0090]
In addition, the detailed configuration and the detailed operation of the print system 100 in the first and second embodiments can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0091]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a photographed image related to a designated print image is automatically extracted from the inputted photographed images as a preliminary image of the print image and stored together with the print image. When reprinting, even if there is a problem with the print image, the preliminary image can be read out and printed out easily. Further, since only the captured image related to the print image is stored as the preliminary image, efficient image storage can be performed.
[0092]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the photographed images photographed before and after the print image are extracted, at least one preliminary image can be stored.
[0093]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, among the input photographed images, the photographed image selected by the user is stored together with the print image as a preliminary image of the designated print image. Even if there is a problem with the print image, the preliminary image can be read out and printed out easily. Also, since only the selected captured image is stored as the preliminary image, efficient image storage can be performed.
[0094]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, at the time of reprinting, the print image corresponding to the identification information of the input print image and its preliminary image are searched, so that the print image and the preliminary image among the searched print image and the preliminary image are printed out. By redesignating the image, reprinting can be easily performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a print system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the input terminal 10;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a print server 30.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration of a status management table 381.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data configuration of an order management table 382.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow of print output in the print system 100.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an image saving process performed by the input terminal.
FIG. 8 is a screen transition diagram in an image saving process.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a reprint process executed by the input terminal.
FIG. 10 is a screen transition diagram in a reprint process.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an image storage process performed by the input terminal according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a screen transition diagram in an image saving process.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a print system 200 according to another embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a print system 300 according to another embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a conventional print system.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 print system
10 Input terminal
11 Control part
12 Input section
13 Display
14 Communication unit
30 print server
31 Order control unit
32 Print control unit
38 Print Memory
381 Status management table
382 Order management table
383 consumption level management table
39 Image memory
391 Spool folder
392 backup folder
393 print folder
50 Printer

Claims (4)

In a print system including an input terminal for inputting a captured image and a printer for printing out the captured image,
Designating means for designating a print image to be printed out of the input photographed images,
Extracting means for extracting a captured image related to the designated print image from the input captured image,
Image storage means for storing the extracted captured image as a preliminary image of the print image, together with the designated print image,
A print system comprising: 2. The print system according to claim 1, wherein the extraction unit extracts a photographed image photographed before and after the designated print image. In a print system including an input terminal for inputting a captured image and a printer for printing out the captured image,
Designating means for designating a print image to be printed out of the input photographed images,
Selecting means for selecting, among the input captured images, a captured image related to the designated print image in accordance with a user instruction;
Image storage means for storing the selected captured image as a preliminary image of the print image, together with the designated print image,
A print system comprising: The image storage means stores the print image with identification information attached thereto,
Information input means for inputting identification information of a print image at the time of reprinting,
Search means for searching the image storage means for a print image corresponding to the input identification information and a preliminary image thereof,
The print system according to claim 1, wherein the specifying unit specifies an image to be printed out of the searched print image and the preliminary image.

Images