JP2005117476A - Communication terminal control method, communication terminal, computer program, and computer readable recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow an operator to easily designate an image synthesizing size of an image in a communication terminal when ordering printing of the image from the communication terminal via a network. <P>SOLUTION: Print area reduction is assigned to a "*" key of a ten key part 1205 arranged in a portable telephone 101a, print area expansion is assigned to a "#" key and on the basis of operated contents of these "*" key and "#" key, the synthesizing size of an image is determined in the portable telephone 101a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication terminal control method, a communication terminal, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium, and in particular, when the image is ordered from the communication terminal via a network, It is suitable for use in determining the size of

In recent years, the use of a mobile phone as an Internet terminal and the provision of an imaging function in a mobile phone have increased opportunities for handling image data in a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone.
Using a portable terminal capable of handling such image data as an Internet terminal, it has become possible to place a print order for a print order service via the Internet.
Furthermore, a function for synthesizing a photo frame with image data captured by an imaging function incorporated in a mobile phone is provided by the print order service.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-046355

In the conventional print ordering service via the Internet as described above, it is possible to order a print product obtained by performing printing in a state where an image is combined with a template having a photo frame.
However, in the conventional technique, the process of synthesizing an image with a template is performed using a dedicated application at a printing base, and the orderer cannot arbitrarily specify the image synthesis size. Furthermore, in the function of synthesizing a template (photo frame) with image data stored in the mobile terminal, the function of designating the image synthesis size is not provided to the mobile terminal. This is partly because the number of keys is smaller than that of a keyboard of a personal computer and a pointing device such as a mouse is not connected to the portable terminal.

As described above, Patent Document 1 has been devised as an image region designation method in a portable terminal to which a pointing device is not connected.
However, in Patent Document 1, when an area size is designated, an operation for simultaneously determining the shape is accompanied.
However, the area of the image in the template may be different from the shape of the numeric keypad arrangement, for example, a figure composed of a circle or a free curve, and further, the shape of the area in the template where the image is combined is deformed. Since there is a possibility that a new complicated operation may be generated, the size is often merely determined without changing a predetermined shape.
According to Patent Document 1, in order to determine the size of the composite area, there is a problem that a keystroke is required a plurality of times, for example, the position of the end point of the area is specified a plurality of times, which is a complicated operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. When an image print order is made from a communication terminal via a network, an operator can easily set the composite size of the image at the communication terminal. The purpose is to be able to specify.

  The communication terminal control method of the present invention is a communication terminal control method provided with a numeric keypad, the step of receiving an image and a template for fitting the image, an instruction to enlarge the composite size of the image on the numeric keypad, A step of assigning an instruction to reduce the composite size of the image, and a step of outputting an instruction to enlarge or reduce the composite size specified in the assigning step.

  The communication terminal of the present invention is a communication terminal provided with a numeric keypad, which receives an image and a template for fitting the image, an instruction for enlarging the composite size of the image, and a composite size of the image. It is characterized by comprising means for assigning a reduction instruction and means for outputting a composite size enlargement instruction or reduction instruction designated by the assignment means.

A computer program according to the present invention causes a computer to execute the communication terminal control method described above.
A computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention records the computer program described above.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even if the communication terminal has a small number of keys, the operator can easily specify the composite size of the image.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the present embodiment, the shape of the image synthesis area is a rectangular area, and the position is determined. However, the shape of the synthesis area is any shape, such as a circle or a figure composed of a free curve. Also good.
<Overall configuration>
First, the overall configuration of the printing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, a case where a print order is made to the print order receiving server 104 connected to the network 106 using the mobile phone 101 will be described as an example.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printing system according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 1, reference numerals 101a to 101n denote mobile terminals such as mobile phones that perform print ordering operations. Normally, one portable terminal 101a to 101n is owned for one print order operator. That is, in the present embodiment, there are a plurality of mobile terminals 101a to 101n. However, the number of portable terminals may be any number. In the following description, when the portable terminals 101a to 101n are not limited to a specific one, the portable terminals 101a to 101n may be represented as the portable terminal 101 as necessary.

Reference numeral 102 denotes a base station that performs wireless communication with the portable terminal 101 and is connected to the Internet 106 described later. The portable terminal 101 is connected to the Internet 106 via a base station 102.
Reference numeral 103 denotes an album server that stores images. The album server 103 provides an image browsing function for the portable terminal 101. In addition, the album server 103 provides the mobile terminal 101 with a screen for realizing a print order start request to the print order receiving server 104 described later. Further, the album server 103 provides the print order receiving server 104 with a preview image and a print image viewed by the operator of the mobile terminal 101.
A print order receiving server 104 receives a print order start request requested from the mobile terminal 101 and provides the mobile terminal 101 with a print order receiving service based on the received print order start request.

Reference numerals 105 a to 105 n denote print servers that print the print orders received in the print order receiving server 104. In the following description, when the print servers 105a to 105n are not limited to a specific one, the print servers 105a to 105n may be represented as the print server 105 as necessary.
The print server 105 is installed in a store where the operator of the portable terminal 101 receives printed matter, or in a factory that performs a large amount of printing. The print server 105 includes at least one of a server capable of printing all the products handled by the print order receiving server 104 and a server capable of printing only a part of the products. Exists.

The Internet 106 connects the base station 102, the album server 103, the print order receiving server 104, and the print server 105 to each other.
In this embodiment, the base station 102, the album server 103, the print order receiving server 104, and the print server 105 are connected to each other using the Internet 106. However, data and the like are transmitted and received through the network interface of the computer device. However, other networks may be used instead of the Internet 106 as long as the media can be used.

<Configuration of computer device>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the print order receiving server 104 and the album server 103.
Reference numeral 200 denotes a system bus group. In the following description, the system bus group 200 is simply referred to as a system bus 200.
A system bus 200 is a transmission path that connects units 201 to 207, which will be described later, in the casing of the information processing apparatus to each other and transmits data and control information between the units 201 to 207.

A CPU 201 controls the entire apparatus according to a control program stored in the RAM 202.
Reference numeral 202 denotes an internal storage unit such as a RAM for storing a control program such as processing executed by the CPU 201 and a document image.
Reference numeral 203 denotes a network interface (Net I / F) for connecting to a network such as the Internet 106 under the control of the CPU 201 so that data and the like can be transmitted to and received from an external device (not shown).
Reference numeral 204 denotes an external storage device such as a magnetic disk for storing files.
Reference numeral 205 denotes a display, 206 denotes a keyboard, and 207 denotes a pointing device such as a mouse.

  The control program stored in the RAM 202 uses a function of an OS (Operating System) also stored in the RAM 202 as necessary, and performs a predetermined operation. More specifically, the control program temporarily stores data in the RAM 202 and reads the contents of the temporarily stored data. In addition, the control program writes a file to the external storage device 204 and reads the contents of the written file. Further, the control program transmits / receives data to / from an external device (not shown) through the network interface 203, receives input from the keyboard 206 and the pointing device 207, and displays predetermined information on the display 205.

  The control program may be stored in the external storage device 204 without being stored in the RAM 202, and the control program may be read from the external storage device 204 and executed. Further, the control program may be received and executed via the network interface 203. Furthermore, although not shown in FIG. 2, the control program may be read out from a read-only internal storage unit such as a ROM and executed.

  Further, the print order receiving server 104 and the album server 103 can include other input devices such as a voice input device instead of or in addition to the keyboard 206 and the pointing device 207. Moreover, it is not always necessary to provide all these components. In the print order receiving server 104 and the album server 103, for example, the display 205 may be omitted. In some cases, the keyboard 206 and the pointing device 207 are shared with other computer apparatuses.

The computer apparatus used for the print server 105 is configured by connecting a printer to the computer apparatus as shown in FIG. That is, the print server 105 can be realized with the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 2 except for the configuration where the printer is connected.
The mobile terminal 101 and the base station can be provided by providing the base station 102 with a wireless transmission / reception apparatus including the configuration shown in FIG. 2 or connecting the base station 102 and the wireless transmission / reception apparatus via the network 106. It is possible to realize data transmission / reception to / from 102.
In this embodiment, the base station 102 has any configuration as long as the mobile terminal 101 is connected to the Internet 106 and data can be transmitted / received to / from the print order receiving server 104 and the album server 103. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.

<Configuration of mobile terminal device>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 101.
Reference numeral 300 denotes a system bus group. In the following description, the system bus group 300 is simply referred to as the system bus 300.
A system bus 300 is a transmission path that connects units 301 to 313 (described later) provided in the mobile terminal 101 to each other and transmits data and control information between the units 301 to 313.

Reference numeral 301 denotes an antenna for transmitting and receiving data and the like as radio signals to and from the base station 102.
A communication unit 302 demodulates a radio signal from the antenna 301 and transmits the demodulated signal to the system bus 300, or modulates data from the system bus 300 and applies the data to the antenna 301. Reference numeral 303 denotes a microphone that captures an audio signal based on the voice uttered by the user when used as a mobile phone.

Reference numeral 304 denotes an audio encoding unit that converts an audio signal input from the microphone 303 into a digital signal.
Reference numeral 305 denotes a speaker that outputs voice data based on voice uttered at a call destination when used as a mobile phone, music data downloaded by connecting to the Internet 106, and the like.
Reference numeral 306 denotes an audio reproduction unit that reproduces audio data and music data received via the communication unit 302. Since the audio data and music data received via the communication unit 302 are digital signals, the audio reproduction unit 306 converts the audio data and music data, which are digital signals, into analog signals and reproduces them.
Reference numeral 307 denotes a controller that controls each unit of the portable terminal 101 via the system bus 300.
A ROM 308 stores a program executed by the controller 307 and the like.
A RAM 309 stores programs executed by the controller 307, document images, and the like.
A display 310 displays information such as documents and images based on instructions from the controller 307.
Reference numeral 311 denotes an operation panel on which the operator performs an input operation on the mobile terminal 101.
Reference numeral 312 denotes a memory card interface that connects a memory card 313 (to be described later) to the system bus 300 and can achieve the same effect as the RAM 309 or can be used as an external storage unit. In the following description, the memory card interface 312 is referred to as the memory card i / f unit 312 as necessary.

A memory card 313 is detachable from the portable terminal 101 and stores data such as documents and images, a program executed by the controller 307, and the like.
Note that this embodiment can be realized even if the memory card i / f unit 312 and the memory card 313 are omitted. Furthermore, the function as a mobile phone may be omitted, and the mobile terminal 101 may be configured specifically for the function of connecting to the Internet 106.
Further, the mobile terminal 101 may include an image capturing unit and an image encoding unit, and the mobile terminal 101 may include ancillary functions such as a still image or moving image capturing function.

<Module configuration of print order server>
Next, the logical block (module) configuration of the print order receiving server 104 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a module configuration of the print order receiving server 104.
Reference numeral 104 denotes a print order receiving server according to the present embodiment, which is identified by the domain name “www.server.jp” on the Internet 106, for example.
Reference numerals 401, 402, 403, 404, and 405 are databases configured on the external storage device 204 of the print order receiving server 104, and are access bases managed and accessed by a database program (DB program) 407 described later.

  Reference numeral 407 denotes a database program (DB program) stored in the RAM 202. The databases 401 to 405 are a set of tables (tables) logically configured in a file on the external storage device 204 by the database program 407. Further, an arbitrary program stored in the RAM 202 can access a record (table element) in the table. The access here is processing such as adding a record to the table, deleting a record from the table, or searching for a record in the table.

  401 is a product information database (product information DB) for storing print product information. Reference numeral 402 denotes a template database (template DB) that manages template data having a photo frame or the like for realizing a printed product. Reference numeral 403 denotes an image composition position instruction database (image composition position DB) in which data for controlling the image composition position in the template is stored. Reference numeral 404 denotes a print base management database (print base DB) that manages the print server 105. Reference numeral 405 denotes an order database that stores the contents of orders received.

  Reference numeral 411 denotes a Web server program stored in the RAM 202. The Web server program 411 receives an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) request from the Internet 106 through the network interface 203. In addition, an HTTP response having body text as HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) data is transmitted to the Internet 106 through the network interface 203.

In addition, as HTML data transmitted to the portable terminal 101, a format set for portable terminals is often used. This format set for a mobile terminal adopts a part of the rules defined by W3C (World Wide Web Consortium), and is added with a format for starting a telephone function for the mobile terminal 101, for example.
For example, the HTML data is configured based on a convention such as CHTML (Compact HTML). In the following description of the present embodiment, unless otherwise specified, when describing as HTML data or HTML document, it is assumed that the HTML data or HTML document adopts the rules for the portable terminal 101 such as the above-mentioned CHHTML. To do.

  Reference numeral 406 denotes a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) program group stored in the RAM 202. In the present embodiment, the CGI program 406 may be called. Each program is identified by a CGI program name. The CGI program 406 is a program conforming to the CGI interface, and operates to input an HTTP request argument and output an HTTP response body.

  In the present embodiment, the CGI program 406 is simply a program on the RAM 202. However, a servlet JSP (Java (R) Server Pages) operating on a J2EE (Java (R) 2 Enterprise Edition) server is also available. Further, it may be an ASP (Active Server Pages) operating on IIS (Internet Information Server), or may be a script written in a script language such as Perl. The realization form does not matter.

Reference numeral 408 denotes an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server for requesting connection by the print server 105 and acquiring order data of the received print order. In this embodiment, FTP is used for transmission / reception of print data between the print server 105 and the print order receiving server 104. However, if transmission / reception of print data is feasible, for example, an alternative to data transfer using HTTP, etc. The present invention can also be realized by using means.
Reference numeral 409 denotes a print data storage area for storing data necessary for executing a print order received by the print server 105 in the print order receiving server 104.

  Reference numeral 410 denotes an image processing program that is called by the CGI program 406 and performs image composition processing and saves the result of the composition processing as an image file. The image processing program 410 in the present embodiment is a program having an independent execution unit, but the present invention can also be realized by providing an image processing program as a function in the CGI program 406.

  Here, the HTTP request used in the present embodiment is transmitted from the portable terminal 101 to the print order receiving server 104 via the Internet 106 in the form of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and an argument associated therewith. The URL is roughly divided into a protocol part, an address part, and a path name part. For example, if the URL is “http://www.server.jp/cgi/psp”, the protocol part is “http: //”, the address part is “www.server.jp”, and the path The name part is “/ cgi / psp”. The accompanying argument is a pair of “argument name = value” separated by “&”. For example, when “id = 30 & pass = abc”, the first argument name is “id” and its value is “30”, the second argument name is “pass” and its value is “abc”. . The method of specifying the argument differs depending on whether the HTTP request type is GET or POST. In the case of GET, the argument is specified after “?” After the URL path name. Specifies an argument in the body of the HTTP request.

  Requests are broadly classified into static requests and dynamic requests. The static request is a request that causes the Web server program 411 to operate so that the contents of the file on the external storage device 204 are transmitted as HTML data as they are. Which file content is to be transmitted is determined by the Web server program 411 according to the path name portion of the URL.

  The dynamic request is a request for operating the Web server program 411 so that an HTTP request argument is input from the CGI program 406 according to the CGI interface and the output of the CGI program 406 is transmitted as HTML data. At this time, the Web server program 411 enables elements other than HTTP request arguments (such as information about the cookie and the HTTP request itself) to be acquired from the CGI program 406 through environment variables and the like.

Whether the request is static or dynamic is identified by the Web server program 411 based on the path name of the URL. Here, if the path name part starts with “/ cgi /”, it is a dynamic request, and the path name part after “/ cgi /” is used as the CGI program name. For example, when the URL is “http://www.server.jp/cgi/psp”, the CGI program name is recognized as “psp”.
The CGI program 406 can transmit an HTTP request to the Internet 106 through the network interface 203, and can receive HTML data and image data as a body of an HTML response.

<Module configuration of album server>
Next, the logical block (module) configuration of the album server 103 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a module configuration of the album server 103.
Reference numeral 103 denotes a print order receiving server in the present embodiment, which is identified on the Internet 106 by a domain name “www.album.jp”.
Reference numeral 501 denotes an image management database (image management DB) configured on the external storage device 204 of the album server 103. The image management database 501 is a database managed and accessed by a database program (DB program) 503 described later, and manages a storage location of image data described later.

Reference numeral 502 denotes an image data group stored on the external storage device 204. In this embodiment, a preview image that is viewed by the operator of the mobile terminal 101 and a print image that is used for printing are stored. And
A database program 503 is stored in the RAM 202 and provides a function equivalent to the database program 407 in the print order receiving server 104.
Reference numeral 504 denotes a CGI program that searches for image management information stored in the image management database 501 using the database program 503 based on a request from the portable terminal 101. Then, an appropriate image is acquired from the image data group 502 based on the search result, stored in a temporary storage area provided in the external storage device 204, the location is written in an HTML document, and a Web server program 505 described later. To the Internet 106 via In addition, the CGI program 504 generates and transmits an HTML document for realizing a print request to the print order receiving server 104 in response to a request from the mobile terminal 101, or responds to a request from the print order receiving server 104. Then, the preview image and the print image are transmitted.

  Reference numeral 505 denotes a Web server program stored in the RAM 202, which receives an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) request from the Internet 106 through the network interface 203, and generates an HTTP response with HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) data as a body (body). And transmitted to the Internet 106 through the network interface 203.

<Module configuration of mobile terminal>
Next, the module configuration of the mobile terminal 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 6, reference numeral 101 denotes a portable terminal used in the present embodiment.
Reference numeral 601 denotes a Web browser program stored in the ROM 308 or the RAM 309. When the operator inputs a URL that the operator wants to browse (browse) using the operation panel 311, the Web browser program 601 performs wireless communication with the base station 102 via the communication unit 302 and the antenna 301, and the input URL Is sent to the Internet 106.

  In synchronization with the transmission of the HTTP request, the Web browser program 601 receives a corresponding HTTP response from the Internet 106. The Web browser program 601 can display HTML data or image data, which is a body part of the received HTTP response, on the display 310.

  Heretofore, the overall configuration, the hardware of each server, the terminal, and the module configuration have been described in the present embodiment.

<Description of data in the print order receiving server>
Next, the data structure in the print order receiving server 104 will be described.
<Product information database>
First, the data structure of the product information database 401 will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 7, a table that constitutes one record with the product code 701, the product name 702, and the sales price 703 is a product table that manages the sales product and the sales price. A table that constitutes one record by the product code 711 and the print base code 712 is a product output destination table that manages print bases that can output sales products.
A product code 701 represents a product sold in the print order receiving server 104 with a unique code. Note that the received order is notified to the print server 105 by a product code 701.

A product name 702 stores a product name to be displayed on the mobile terminal 101.
Reference numeral 703 denotes a selling price for managing the selling unit price of the sold product.
Reference numerals 7001, 7002, and 7003 denote examples of product records in the present embodiment.
In the product record 7001, “Seal 1” is registered as the product code 701, “Photo Sticker (Frame 1)” as the product name 702, and “500” as the sales price 703 are registered. This indicates that the product code 701 is “Seal 1”, the product name 702 is “Photo Sticker (Frame 1)”, and the selling price 703 is 500 yen per sheet.
Similarly, the product record 7002 indicates that the product code 701 is “Seal 2”, the product name 702 is “Photo Sticker (Frame 2)”, and the selling price 703 is 500 yen per sheet. The product record 7003 indicates that the product code 701 is “Seal 3”, the product name 702 is “Photo Sticker (Frame 3)”, and the sales price 703 is 500 yen per sheet.

711 is equivalent to the product code registered in the product code 701.
Reference numeral 712 denotes a print base code for specifying the print server 105 that can output the sales product specified by the product code 711, and stores a code for uniquely specifying the print server 105.
7101 to 7105 are product output destination record examples in the present embodiment.
The product output destination record 7101 indicates that the product code 711 is “Seal 1” and the print base code 712 is “1”. This indicates that the sales product whose product code 711 is “Seal 1” can be output by the print server 105a specified by the print base code “1”.
The product output destination record 7102 indicates that the sales product whose product code 711 is “Seal 1” can be output by the print server 105b specified by the print base code “2”.
Similarly, the product output destination record 7103 indicates that the sales product whose product code 711 is “Seal 2” can be output by the print server 105a, and the product output destination record 7104 has the product code 711 “Seal 3”. ”Indicates that the sales server 105a can output the sales product, and the product output destination record 7105 indicates that the sales product whose product code 711 is“ Seal 3 ”can be output by the print server 105b.
The print server 105 and the print base code 712 are associated with each other in the print base database 404, and details will be described later with reference to FIG.

<Template database>
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the template database 402 and the record contents in this embodiment.
In FIG. 8, a table that forms one record with a product code 801, a template code 802, and a repetition number 803 includes a template used by a sales product sold in the print order receiving server 104 and a case where the sales product arranges the templates in a tile shape. It is a use template table which stores arrangement | positioning.
A table that forms one record with the template code 811, the template horizontal pixel number 812, the template vertical pixel number 813, and the storage location 814 stores the number of pixels of the template data and the storage position of the template data in the external storage device 204. It is a template management table.
A table that constitutes one record by a template code 821, an image start position 822, a composite image standard horizontal pixel number 823, a composite image standard vertical pixel number 824, a composite image minimum horizontal pixel number 825, and a composite image minimum vertical pixel number 826 is a template. It is a composite image size table for storing the image area in the middle, the standard number of pixels at the time of image composition, the number of pixels indicating the lower limit value of print quality guarantee at the time of image composition.

Reference numeral 801 denotes a product code equivalent to the product code stored in the product codes 701 and 711 in the product information database 401.
Reference numeral 802 denotes a template code in which a template code for uniquely specifying a template handled by the print order receiving server 104 is stored.
Reference numeral 803 denotes the number of repetitions that represents the arrangement of the template specified by the template code to make the product for sale. In the present embodiment, the templates are arranged in a tile shape. In the replacement number 803, for example, when the same template is arranged 16 times in 4 rows and 4 columns, the data is stored in the format of length * width as "4 * 4".
In this embodiment, the vertical repetition number and the horizontal repetition number are stored in the same manner, but they may be separated into different items. Moreover, although “*” is used as a delimiter, it is of course possible to use another character.

8001 to 8003 are examples of records in the usage template table.
The record 8001 is realized by using a template in which the product code 801 is identified by “Seal 1” using a template identified by “Frame 1”, and the template is arranged in four rows and four columns. Represents.
Similarly, the record 8002 is realized by using a template in which the product code 801 identified by “Seal 2” uses a template identified by “Frame 2”, and the template is arranged in one row and one column. Represents. That is, the record 8002 indicates that there is no repetition. The record 8003 is realized by using a template in which the product code 801 is identified by “Seal 3” using a template identified by “Frame 3”, and the template is arranged in four rows and four columns. Represents.

811 is a template code that is equivalent to the template code 802 and stores a code that uniquely identifies the template.
Reference numeral 812 denotes a template horizontal pixel number that represents the number of pixels in the horizontal direction of the template indicated by the template code 811.
Reference numeral 813 denotes a template vertical pixel number that represents the number of pixels in the vertical direction of the template indicated by the template code 811.
In the template horizontal pixel number 812 and the template vertical pixel number 813, values not including the repetition number stored in the repetition number 803 are stored.
A storage location 814 stores information indicating the storage location of the template in the external storage device 204.

8101 to 8103 are examples of template management records in the present embodiment.
The record 8101 indicates that the template specified by “Frame 1” is 120 pixels wide and 160 pixels high, and the storage location is a file represented by “/ template / temp1”.
The record 8102 indicates that the template specified by “frame 2” is 600 pixels wide and 800 pixels long, and the storage location is a file represented by “/ template / temp2”.
The record 8103 indicates that the template specified by “frame 3” is 120 pixels wide and 160 pixels long, and the storage location is a file represented by “/ template / temp3”.

821 is a template code that is equivalent to the template codes 802 and 811 and stores a code that uniquely identifies the template.
Reference numeral 822 denotes an image start position for storing the start position of the image area in the template. The image start position 822 stores a value expressed by the number of pixels with the upper left of the template as a reference. The start position of the image is represented by the number of vertical and horizontal pixels, but in this embodiment, it is stored as “the number of horizontal pixels and the number of vertical pixels”. It is possible to separate the number of horizontal pixels and the number of vertical pixels into different items, or to replace the delimiters with characters different from those shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 823 denotes a combined image standard horizontal pixel number representing an initial value of the number of pixels indicating the horizontal width of the image to be combined in the template.
Reference numeral 824 denotes a composite image standard vertical pixel number representing an initial value of the pixel number indicating the vertical width of an image to be combined in the template.
Note that the composite image standard vertical pixel number 823 and the composite image minimum horizontal pixel number 824 also serve as values representing the image composite area in the template.

Reference numeral 825 denotes a composite image minimum horizontal pixel number that represents a limit value that can guarantee the print quality of the pixel number that represents the horizontal width of the image to be combined in the template.
Reference numeral 826 denotes a composite image minimum vertical pixel number representing a limit value that can guarantee the print quality of the pixel number representing the vertical width of an image to be combined in the template.
The values stored in the composite image minimum horizontal pixel count 825 and the composite image minimum vertical pixel count 826 maintain the ratio of the composite image standard vertical pixel count 823 and the composite image minimum horizontal pixel count 824, that is, the aspect ratio of the image composite area. When the value to be stored is stored and the image is combined with the template, the position specified range is expanded or reduced to the number of pixels indicated by the combined image standard vertical pixel number 823 and the combined image minimum horizontal pixel number 824. become. When decompression is performed, since the print quality is generally significantly reduced, the registered values of the composite image minimum horizontal pixel count 825 and the composite image minimum vertical pixel count 826 are the composite image standard vertical pixel count 823 and the composite image minimum horizontal width. The value may be the same as the number of pixels 824.

8201 to 8203 are examples of records of the composite image size table in the present embodiment.
In the record 8201, the synthesis start position of the template specified by “Frame 1” is started from the position of 10 pixels horizontally and 10 pixels vertically with respect to the upper left, and the number of pixels in the template is 100 pixels horizontally and 140 pixels vertically. This indicates that the minimum number of pixels at the time of composition is 80 pixels horizontally and 112 pixels vertically.
In the record 8202, the composition start position of the template specified by “Frame 2” starts from the position of 10 pixels horizontally and 10 pixels vertically with respect to the upper left, and the image area in the template is 580 pixels horizontally and 780 pixels vertically. This indicates that the minimum number of pixels at the time of composition is 500 pixels horizontally and 665 pixels vertically.
In the record 8203, the composition start position of the template specified by “Frame 3” starts from the position of 10 pixels horizontally and 10 pixels vertically with respect to the upper left, and the image area in the template is 100 pixels horizontally and 140 pixels vertically. This indicates that the minimum number of pixels at the time of composition is 80 pixels horizontally and 112 pixels vertically.
The example of the data structure of the template database 402 and the record contents in this embodiment has been described above with reference to FIG.
If the shape of the composite area of the image is not rectangular, in addition to the above data, own the shape information,
Information such as rectangles, circles, ellipses, and the like as shapes and vector data that reproduces the shapes are stored, and a virtual rectangular region circumscribing the shape of the region is used, and the image start position 822, the composite image standard horizontal pixel number By determining the number 823 of the composite image standard vertical pixel number 824, the composite image minimum horizontal pixel number 825, and the composite image minimum vertical pixel number 826, the processing described below can be performed almost the same as the rectangle.

<Image composition position instruction database>
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure and record contents of the image composition position instruction database 403.
In FIG. 9, a table that forms one record with the operation code 901, the operation key 902, and the reference position 903 is a processing request for acquiring an image composition position or for enlarging / reducing a composite image area based on an instruction from the mobile terminal 101. 6 is an image composition position instruction table for performing conversion according to the above.
Reference numeral 901 denotes an operation code for storing processing request contents such as a composite position specification for specifying an image composite position or enlargement / reduction of the composite area.
Reference numeral 902 denotes an operation key for storing an operation key arranged on the operation panel 311 of the mobile terminal 101.
Reference numeral 903 denotes a reference position in which a reference position at the time of image synthesis corresponding to the operation code 901 is stored.

Reference numerals 9011 to 9022 denote registration examples of the image composition position instruction record in the present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, a composite position specification that specifies any one of nine image reference positions in combination of the left end, center, and right end in the horizontal direction of the image and the upper end, center, and lower end in the vertical direction; There are twelve types of processing: a reduction instruction, an instruction for enlarging a composite area, and an initialization instruction for restoring to an initial state.
In the record 9011, the processing content is designated as a composite position, and when the “1” key (No. 1 key) is selected on the operation panel 311 of the mobile terminal 101, the reference position for image composition is the upper left of the image. Is a record representing.
In the following, records 9012 to 9019 are similar to the record 9011 in that the processing content is the composite position designation, and the “2” key (second key) to the “9” key (9th key) are selected on the operation panel 311. In this case, the record indicates that the reference position for image synthesis is a position stored in the image reference position 903. Of course, the assignment of the nine types of image reference positions from the “1” key to the “9” key is not limited to that shown in FIG.

The record 9020 is designated by the “1” to “9” key, the “*” key, and the “#” key when the processing content is initialization and the “0” key is selected on the operation panel 311. This record indicates that the contents to be released are released. In this embodiment, when the “0” key (No. 0 key) is selected, the release is performed so that the reference position for image composition is set to the center.
The record 9021 is a record indicating that the reference position is the immediately preceding reference position when the processing content is reduction of the composite area and the “*” key is selected on the operation panel 311.
A record 9022 is a record indicating that the reference position is the immediately preceding reference position when the processing content is enlargement of the synthesis area and the “#” key is selected on the operation panel 311.
Note that the assignment to the “*” key and the “#” key is reversed, the composition area is enlarged when the “*” key is selected, and the composition area is enlarged when the “*” key is selected. In this way, the records 9021 and 9022 may be configured.

<Printing base management database>
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure and records of the printing base management database 404.
In FIG. 10, a table constituting one record with the print base code 1001, the base name 1002, the base classification 1003, and the server composition designation 1004 is a print base management table for managing the print server 105.
A print base code 1001 uniquely identifies the print server 105.
Reference numeral 1002 denotes a base name used when displaying on the mobile terminal 101.
Reference numeral 1003 denotes a base classification for storing a base classification. In the present embodiment, either the “delivery” category used when delivering the sale product or the “reception” category for directly receiving the sale product at the store where the print server 105 is installed is stored in the base category 1003. The base classification 1003 can be changed according to the flow of the order operation screen provided to the mobile terminal 101. For example, the base classification 1003 may be classified according to the delivery date of the handled product or the sold product.

Reference numeral 1004 denotes a server composition designation for storing a classification indicating whether or not the print order receiving server 104 performs composition when the sales commodity is a product that combines a template and an image.
Reference numeral 10011 denotes a print base management record registered in the print base management table in the present embodiment. The print server 105 indicated by the print base code “1” has the base name “base 1”, the base classification “delivery”, and represents that the print order server 104 does not perform template and image synthesis processing. .
Reference numeral 10012 denotes a print base management record registered in the print base management table in the present embodiment. The print server 105 indicated by the print base code “2” indicates that the base name is “Store”, the base classification is “Received”, and the print order server 104 performs the template and image combining processing.
In the following description of the present embodiment, the print server indicated by the print base code “1” is the print server 105a, and the print server indicated by the print base code “2” is handled as the print server 105b.
Further, the printing base management database 404 in this embodiment is limited to the minimum necessary items, and the location, telephone number, business hours, etc. may be registered in the printing base management database.

<Order database>
The order database 405 includes an order product, an order quantity, orderer information, and an output destination print base, together with an order code that is uniquely specified when an operator performs a print order operation using the portable terminal 101 and a print order is confirmed. , Memorize sales amount and so on. The orderer information is information such as name, telephone number, and address.

<Print data storage area>
The print data storage area 409 is prepared in an area in the external storage device 204 that can be written and referenced from the CGI program 406.
In addition, a directory (hereinafter referred to as an order management area) classified by printing base code and order code is prepared.
Files necessary for printing are stored in the order management area, but the file structure differs depending on the registered contents of the server composition designation 1004 in the printing base management database 404.
When combining is performed by the print order receiving server 104, an image file as a combination result and print instruction data are stored. The print instruction data file is a text file in which order contents stored in the order database 405 are described. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the description format of the text file is described in XML (extensible markup language).

On the other hand, when the print order receiving server 104 does not perform composition, a template data file, a print image file, and a print instruction data file are stored. When the print order server 104 does not combine the template and the image, in addition to the items stored in the order database 405, the upper left pixel position and the number of horizontal pixels of the area where the image is combined as the instruction information for combining The number of vertical pixels is described. If the template data file has been distributed to the print server 105 in advance, storing the template data in the order management area 409 may be omitted.
In the present embodiment, any method may be used as the template and image combining method in the print server 105.

<Operation panel of mobile terminal>
Prior to the description of the print order sequence, an example of the key arrangement of the operation panel 311 provided in the portable terminal 101a will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the operation panel 311 provided in the mobile terminal 101a and the operation panel provided in the other mobile terminals 101b to 101n have the same configuration, and thus the other mobile terminals 101b to 101n are provided. The description about is omitted.

In FIG. 12, reference numeral 311 denotes an operation panel 311 of the portable terminal 101a.
Reference numeral 1201 denotes an Internet connection button that is pressed when the mobile terminal 101 a connects to the Internet 106 via the base station 102. When the Internet connection button 1201 is pressed, the Web browser 601 stored in the ROM 308 in the portable terminal 101a is activated. Further, the HTML data received by the portable terminal 101a is interpreted by the Web browser and displayed on the display 310. The Internet connection button 1201 is a button pressed in the HTML data, a radio button, a check box ( Hereinafter, it has a function of determining selection of a display item that can be operated by operation.

  Reference numeral 1202 denotes a feed button that is pressed when moving the screen downward when the HTML data displayed on the display 311 does not fit in the display area of the display 311. When a control that can be operated by the operator is arranged in the HTML data, when the feed button 1202 is pressed, the contents of the control are moved while being sequentially selected from the upper part of the screen. It should be noted that the control in the selected state is brought into a selection decision state by pressing the Internet connection button 1201. The state of the control that provides a binary state of ON and OFF such as a check box changes like a toggle switch each time the Internet connection button 1201 is pressed. Further, in a control that requires a plurality of inputs such as text input, when the Internet connection button 1201 is pressed when the feed button 1202 is selected, the input mode is entered. When the Internet connection button 1201 is pressed again after the character input operation is completed, the input mode ends.

Reference numeral 1203 denotes a button that is paired with the forward button 1202 and is a return button that is pressed when the screen is moved upward. When the return button 1203 is pressed on the screen where the control is arranged, the screen is moved upward while displaying the control, and the display is performed.
Reference numeral 1204 denotes a disconnect button 1204 that ends the Web browser 601, ends the update with the base station 102, and disconnects from the Internet 106. Note that in a mobile terminal having a mobile phone function, the disconnect button 1204 may also serve as a call end button.
Reference numeral 1205 denotes a numeric keypad. The numeric keypad 1205 is used as means for inputting a telephone number of a call destination when the mobile phone function is used. In addition, at the time of starting the Web browser, when a description for assigning a specific control to any one of the numeric keypad part 1205 is made in the HTML data, the Internet is displayed when the control is in a selected state by pressing the numeric keypad part 1205. The same effect as when the connection key 106 is pressed can be obtained. That is, the number of keystrokes while the Internet connection button 1201 is pressed is reduced by selecting the desired control with the send button 1204 or the return button 1203.

Reference numeral 1206 denotes a character switching button for changing the input character type in the character input mode. When the character switching button 1206 is pressed, the character type input when the numeric keypad 1205 is pressed is switched.
Reference numeral 1207 denotes a call start button when the mobile phone function is used.
In this embodiment, since the mobile terminal 101 is connected to the Internet 106 and uses the Web browser 601, the call start button 1207 is not used.

<Print order sequence>
Next, a processing sequence when the portable terminal 101a browses an image stored in the album server 103 and places an image print order with respect to the print order receiving server 104 will be described with reference to FIG. I do. Since the same processing is performed for the other mobile terminals 101b to 101n, the description of the other mobile terminals 101b to 101n is omitted.

In the description of the sequence according to FIG. 11, in order to explain the features of this embodiment more clearly, a detailed description of some sequences is omitted.
In the sequence of FIG. 11, after the portable terminal 101a connects to the Internet 106, makes a browsing request (HTTP request) to the album server 103 by the HTTP protocol, and receives a browsing image and HTTP data as a result of the HTTP request, The image selection function in the HTTP data is used to select a print candidate image, a print order start request is transmitted to the album server 103, and the album server 103 starts when the print order start request is received. .

<Until printing order start (sequence S1100 to S1101)>
In sequence S1100, the CGI program 504 in the album server 103 is activated by a request from the mobile terminal 101a, generates HTML data to display a print start screen including the print order start button 1301 shown in FIG. 13, and generates the mobile terminal 101a. Send to.

The web browser 601 in the portable terminal 101a displays a print start screen shown in FIG. 13 from the received HTML data.
Here, reference numeral 1301 in FIG. 13 denotes a print order start button in which a URL for starting a print order start program provided by the CGI program 406 of the print order server 104 is described.
In the HTML data representing the print order start button 1301, for example, when the CGI path is “/ cgi” and the print order start program is “ORDERSTART”, the URL “http: //www.server. “jp / cgi / ORDERSTART” is described in the description location of the request destination URL in the “A” tag or “form” tag defined in the HTML rules.

  Further, in the present embodiment, it is composed of the image name of the image that is a print candidate, the number of pixels of the print image data of the image, the number of pixels of the image data for preview of the image, the URL of the album server 103, and an argument. The printed print data acquisition request character string and the preview data acquisition request character string composed of the URL for preview data acquisition in the album server 103 and the argument are described as arguments together with the order start URL in a predetermined format. Note that these descriptions are made for all the images selected by the operator as print candidates.

  Returning to FIG. 11, in sequence S <b> 1101, the operator of the mobile terminal 101 a presses the send button 1202 on the operation panel 311, selects the print order start button 1301, and presses the Internet connection button 1201. As a result, the mobile terminal 101 a transmits a print order start request to the print order receiving server 104.

<From start of print order to selection of print image data (sequence S1102 to S1109)>
In FIG. 11, in sequence S1102, the print order start program included in the CGI program 406 in the print order receiving server 104 is activated by the print order start request transmitted in the sequence S1101.
In the print order start program, the argument described in the sequence S1101 is stored in the RAM 204. When storing in the RAM 204, in order to make the stored contents valid until the end of the sequence shown in FIG. 11, the sequence can be regarded as a unit (session) of a series of processing and the session can be uniquely identified. A number (session ID) is assigned, and the session ID and the argument are stored in association with each other.

Next, records registered in the product table in the product information database 401 are acquired via the database program (DB program) 407, and HMTL data for displaying the product selection screen 1400 as shown in FIG. 14 is created. To the mobile terminal 101a. In the HTML data for displaying the product selection screen, a product name is described together with a radio button 1401 for selecting a product, and a product determination button 1402 is arranged.
Further, HTML data is described so that when the radio button 1401 is selected, the selected product code is transmitted as an argument. The product determination button 1402 receives a URL for starting an image selection CGI program that realizes selection of an image to be printed as the next CGI program and the product code selected as an argument by the radio button 1401. HTML data is described. Note that the HTML data is described so that the session ID issued in sequence S1102 is also transmitted to identify the session.

In sequence S1103, the HTML data created in sequence S1102 is transmitted to the mobile terminal 101a.
In sequence S1104, the portable terminal 101a receives the HTML data created in sequence S1102, and the Web browser 601 displays a product selection screen 1400 shown in FIG. The operator operates a key on the operation panel 311 to select a desired product and presses a product determination button 1402.
In sequence S1105, an HTTP request is transmitted to the print order receiving server 104 described in the URL to start the image selection CGI program using the product code selected in sequence S1104 and the session ID as arguments.

In sequence S1106, an image selection CGI program included in the CGI program 406 in the print order receiving server 104 is activated. The image selection CGI program stores in the RAM 204 the product code transmitted as an argument in association with the session ID.
Next, in sequence S1102, the image name stored in the RAM 204 is acquired, and HTML data for displaying an image selection screen 1410 as shown in FIG. 14 is generated. As with the product selection screen 1400 generated in the sequence S1102, the image selection HTML data starts an image selection radio button 1411 for selecting an image to be printed and an image print position CGI program which is the next CGI program. The image determination button 1412 in which the URL for this is described is displayed.
The generated HTML data is transmitted to the Internet 106.

In sequence S1107, the HTML data created in sequence S1106 is transmitted to portable terminal 101a. Then, the portable terminal 101a receives the HTML data created in the sequence S1106, and the Web browser 601 displays the image selection screen 1410 shown in FIG.
In sequence S <b> 1108, the operator operates a key on the operation panel 311 to select a desired image, and presses the image determination button 1412.
In sequence S <b> 1109, an HTTP request is transmitted to the print order receiving server 104 to start the image print position CGI program together with the image name and session ID of the image selected as an argument.

<Print position determination (sequence S1110 to sequence S1111)>
In sequence S1110, the print order receiving server 104 receives an HTTP request from the portable terminal 101a, and activates the image print position CGI program included in the CGI program 406.
The image printing position CGI program first stores the image name received as an argument in the RAM 204 in association with the session ID. Next, the template database 402 is searched using the selected product code stored in the RAM 204 as a search key. That is, a record in which the product code stored in the product code 801 in the template database 402 matches the selected product code is searched and acquired via the database program 407.

Next, the template management table and the composite image size table in the template database 402 are searched using the template code of the used template 802 in the acquired record as a search key. Then, records in which the template codes 811 and 821 match the template code that is the search key are acquired.
In the present embodiment, the description will be continued by taking as an example the case where a product with the product code “Seal 1” is selected in sequence S1104.

  A use template record obtained when the product “Seal 1” is used as a search key is a use template record 8001. Since this use template record 8001 stores “frame 1” as a template code, a template management record 8101 is acquired from the template management table, and a composite image size record 8201 is acquired from the composite image size table.

Next, the image printing position CGI program acquires a preview image corresponding to the image selected in sequence S1108 in sequence S1111 described later.
Next, the composite image size record 8201 is read out, the number of pixels of the print image corresponding to the selected image and the number of pixels of the preview image are read out from the RAM 204, and a print area for notifying the print area of the image Synthesis of preview image data is started. The print area preview image data is image data in which a frame indicating the print area is combined with the preview image 1501 as shown in FIG.
When the image composition processing is completed, HTML data for displaying the print position designation screen shown in FIG. 15 is generated, and transmitted to the Internet 106 together with the composition-processed preview data.
If the composition process fails, an error is notified and the print process is stopped (not shown).

In sequence S1111, the preview image is acquired. This acquisition is performed by reading a preview data acquisition request character string corresponding to the image selected in sequence S1108 from the RAM 204 and issuing an HTTP request to the album server 103 using the preview data acquisition request character string.
The album server 103 transmits a preview image to the print order receiving server 104 based on the HTTP request. The image printing position CGI program stores the preview image as an image data file in the external storage device 204.

<Preview image composition processing>
Here, the preview image composition processing executed in sequence S1110 and sequence S1115 described later will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
Note that the preview image composition processing described with reference to FIG. 18 is also executed in a sequence S1115 described later. However, in the sequence S1115, in addition to the composite image size record used in the sequence S1110, the number of pixels of the print image stored in the RAM 204, the number of pixels of the preview image, the processing content corresponding to the key pressed on the portable terminal 101a The enlargement / reduction ratio of the synthesis area generated based on the reference position and the reference position are used.

In the preview image composition process, the print image composition position is obtained from the pixel position, stored in the RAM 204, and the preview image composition is performed. In the present embodiment, the image position CGI program and the image processing program 410 share and execute the preview image composition processing.
In the preview image composition processing, some information is read out from the RAM 204, but it is needless to say that data stored in association with the session ID is read out at the time of reading out.

In FIG. 18, in step S1801, the number of pixels at the time of print image composition is obtained using the composite image standard horizontal pixel number 823 and the composite image standard horizontal pixel number 824 in the composite image size record. In this embodiment, since it is possible to specify enlargement / reduction of the combined size, the number of pixels is determined by the enlargement / reduction ratio based on the designated enlargement / reduction.
This enlargement / reduction ratio is stored in the RAM 204. Designation of enlargement / reduction is made in a later-described sequence S1114 from the portable terminal 101a, and the designation of enlargement / reduction is converted into an enlargement / reduction ratio and stored in the RAM 204 in sequence S1115. In the present embodiment, both enlargement and reduction are increased or decreased by 10% with one designation. In the sequence S1110, enlargement / reduction is not specified. Therefore, in the sequence S1110, the enlargement / reduction ratio is not stored in the RAM 204. For this reason, the value of the composite image size record is used as it is, and 100% meaning the original size is stored in the RAM 204.
For example, according to the above example, the template used when the product with the product code “Seal 1” is selected is “Frame 1”, and the composite standard pixel number of “Frame 1” uses the composite image size record 8201. Thus, it is found that the width is 100 pixels and the height is 140 pixels.

Further, when the enlargement / reduction ratio read from the RAM 204 is 110%, the composite pixel number is obtained by multiplying the composite image minimum horizontal pixel number 823 value and the composite image standard vertical pixel number 824 value by 110%, The horizontal 110 pixels (100 * 1.1 = 110) and the vertical 154 pixels (140 * 1.1 = 154).
In sequence S1110, there is no enlargement / reduction ratio because it is immediately after the transition from image selection. For this reason, the number of combined pixels is 100 pixels horizontally and 140 pixels vertically. In the following description, the description will be continued assuming that the width is 100 pixels and the height is 140 pixels.

In step S1802, the composite pixel number of the print image obtained in step S1801 is compared with the values of the composite image minimum horizontal pixel number 825 and composite image minimum vertical pixel number 826 stored in the composite image size record. . When the composite pixel number obtained in step S1801 is smaller than the composite image minimum horizontal pixel number 825 and composite image minimum vertical pixel number 826, the print quality guaranteed value is not reached. Cancel the compositing process.
On the other hand, if the composite pixel number obtained in step S1801 is equal to or larger than the composite image minimum horizontal pixel number 825 and composite image minimum vertical pixel number 826, the process advances to step S1803.

  In step S1803, the number of synthesized pixels obtained in step S1801 is compared with the number of pixels of the print image notified in sequence S1101. If the number of synthesized pixels obtained in step S1801 is larger than the number of pixels of the print image notified in sequence S1101, the frame frame is larger than the print image and a blank portion is generated in the frame. Cancel processing.

If the number of combined pixels obtained in step S1801 is equal to or smaller than the number of pixels of the print image, the process proceeds to step S1804 because drawing is possible.
In step S1804, the synthesis position information is read from the RAM 204 to obtain the synthesis start position. In the sequence S1110, since the position designation information is not stored, “center” is used as the initial value. Further, “center” is stored in the RAM 204. Therefore, in the sequence S1110, the center of the print image is used as a reference.
For example, if “Image 1” is 160 pixels wide and 180 pixels high, the number of synthesized pixels obtained in step S1801 is 100 pixels wide and 140 pixels high, so the horizontal direction is 30 pixels ((160-100 ) / 2 = 30), and the vertical direction is 20 pixels ((180−140) / 2 = 20). Therefore, it is found that an area having a horizontal width of 100 pixels and a vertical width of 140 pixels with the upper left corner at a position separated by 30 pixels in the horizontal direction and 20 pixels in the vertical direction with respect to the upper left of the print image is a composite image area.

  On the other hand, in sequence S1115, the printing reference value designated in sequence S1114 is stored in the RAM 204. For example, when the reference position is the upper-end center reference of the image, the vertical direction is 0 pixels at the upper end, and the horizontal direction is 30 pixels ((160-100) / 2 = 30). Pixel is the starting position. Similarly, when the lower right is a reference value, the horizontal direction is 60 pixels (160-100 = 60), the vertical direction is 40 pixels (180-140 = 40), and the horizontal 60 pixels and the vertical 40 pixels are This is the starting position.

After obtaining the start position, the RAM 204 stores the composition start position and the number of synthesized pixels. If there is already stored information, it is overwritten. What is stored here is used as position information when the print image is combined.
In step S1805, the reduction ratio is obtained by comparing the number of pixels of the preview image and the print image.
For example, when the print image is 160 pixels wide and 180 pixels high and the preview image is 100 pixels wide and 114 pixels high, it is found that the reduction ratio is 62.5%.

In step S1806, the preview image is synthesized. An external storage for storing the path of the preview image acquired in sequence S1111 (to be described later), the storage location of the template, the synthesis start position obtained up to the previous step, the number of synthesized pixels, the reduction ratio, and the output result. The image processing program 410 is notified that the saving destination path in the apparatus 209, the image file name at the time of saving, and the processing content is preview combining, and a preview image combining process is requested.
When a shape other than a rectangle is used, as described with reference to FIG. 8, the shape and vector data for reproducing the shape are also notified to the image processing program 410 and a preview image composition process is requested. .
In step S1807, the image processing program 410 generates preview image data obtained by synthesizing a frame line from the notified content and saves it as a file.

<From Print Image Position Specification to Position Determination (Sequence S1112-Sequence S1116)>
In sequence S <b> 1112, the HTML data created in sequence S <b> 1110 and the preview image in which the print position is indicated by a frame line are transmitted to the mobile terminal 101 a.
In the portable terminal 101a, the Web browser 601 displays the print position designation screen shown in FIG. 15 based on the received HTML data and the preview image data in which the print position is indicated by a frame line.
A preview image 1501 and a print position determination button 1502 are displayed on the print position designation screen shown in FIG. In the HTML data, there is a description that is invisible, but assigns the print position designation, print area enlargement, reduction, and initialization functions to each key of the numeric keypad 1205. In the present embodiment, as described above, “1” to “9” keys are assigned position designation, “0” key is initialized, “*” key is reduced to print area, and “#” key is assigned to print area enlarged. (See FIG. 9).

In sequence S <b> 1113, the operator of the mobile terminal 101 a confirms the print area by using a preview image 1501 with a frame line displayed on the display 310. If the print position is unsatisfactory, the print position is moved, and one of the “1” key to “9” key is pressed to issue a print position designation request for designating the moved print position.
Note that the print position of the preview image 1501 does not move even when the “5” key is pressed because the print position is in the center. It should be noted that HTML data may be created so as not to assign a function to a key that issues a meaningless request such as the “5” key.
If the operator wants to enlarge the print area, press the “#” key. If he wants to reduce the print area, press the “*” key.
Further, when the position is adjusted several times to adjust the print position but the initial state is to be finally selected, the print area is centered by pressing the “0” key, and the composite image is displayed. It is possible to issue a request to set the values of the standard horizontal pixel number 823 and the composite image standard vertical pixel number 824 as the print area.

After issuing the print position designation request as described above, the print order receiving server 104 performs processing (sequence S1115), and an example of a preview image displayed on the display 310 when the processing result is received by the portable terminal 101a. As shown in FIG.
In FIG. 16, reference numeral 1601 denotes an upward movement display example when the “2” key is pressed to move the print position designation upward in the display example state shown in FIG.
1602 is an example of a print range enlargement display when the print area is enlarged by further pressing the “#” key in the state of the upward movement display example 1601.

  Returning to FIG. 11, in sequence S <b> 1114, when the operator presses any key of the numeric keypad 1205 to transmit the print position designation, the URL indicating the image print position CGI program activation to the print order receiving server 104 is displayed. , One of codes 0 to 9 corresponding to the session ID and key, or one of codes # and * is transmitted as an argument.

  In sequence S1115, the image printing position CGI program used in sequence S1110 in the print order receiving server 104 is activated. Differences from the sequence S1110 are the following points. First, since the preview image has already been acquired from the album server 103, the preview image is not acquired again. In addition, the print range reference position and the enlargement / reduction ratio of the print area are stored in the RAM 204, and the difference is that a code indicating the print position change process is transmitted as an argument instead of the image name. .

The image print position CGI program in sequence S1115 searches for a record that matches the operation key 902 of the image composition position instruction table in the image composition position instruction database 403, using as a key the code indicating the print position change process input by the argument. Acquisition is performed via the database program 407.
In the case of the upward movement display example 1601 in FIG. 16, an image composition position instruction record 9012 having a “2” key is acquired. That is, an image composition position indication record 9012 is acquired in which the operation code 901 is the composition position designation and the reference position 903 is the upper center reference.

  The image print position CGI program overwrites the print range reference position stored in the RAM 204 when the operation code 901 is a composite position designation. In the case of image reduction, the enlargement / reduction ratio of the print area stored in the RAM 204 is temporarily read out, the previous enlargement / reduction ratio is stored in the RAM 204, and then the value obtained by subtracting 10% from the enlargement / reduction ratio is overwritten. To do. For example, when 110% is stored, 110% is stored as the previous enlargement / reduction ratio, and 100% is stored as the overwritten enlargement / reduction ratio.

Similarly, when the operation code 901 is image enlargement, the enlargement / reduction ratio of the print area stored in the RAM 204 is temporarily read out, the previous enlargement / reduction ratio is stored in the RAM 204, and then the enlargement / reduction ratio is calculated. Overwrite the value added by 10%. For example, when 110% is stored, 110% is stored as the previous enlargement / reduction ratio, and 120% is stored as the overwritten enlargement / reduction ratio.
When the operation code 901 is initialized, the enlargement / reduction ratio of the print area stored in the RAM 204 is overwritten to 100%, and the print range reference position stored in the RAM 204 is overwritten at the center. The print range reference position, the immediately preceding enlargement / reduction ratio, and enlargement / reduction ratio are stored in association with the session ID.

Next, a record in which the product code stored in the product code 801 in the template database 402 matches the selected product is retrieved and acquired via the database program 407 using the selected product code stored in the RAM 204 as a search key.
Next, the template management table and the composite image size table in the template database 402 are searched using the template code in the acquired template record as a search key, and the template codes 811 and 821 match the template code that is the search key. To get.
Next, the number of pixels of the print image corresponding to the selected image and the number of pixels of the preview image are read out from the composite image size record and the RAM 204. Then, the print area preview image data synthesizing process for notifying the print area of the image is executed as described with reference to FIG. 18 in sequence S1110, and the new print area is indicated by the frame line. Is generated.

Note that when an instruction to enlarge or reduce the print range is given, the composition process may be stopped in steps S1802 and S1803 in FIG. 18. In this embodiment, when the print range is canceled, it is stored in the RAM 204. Processing is performed to read the previous enlargement / reduction ratio, return to the enlargement / reduction ratio of the print area, and transmit the preview image created last time.
After the preview image is created, HTML data is created and transmitted to the Internet 106 as in the sequence S1110. After that, the process returns to sequence S1112.
Here, returning to sequence S1113 again, the operator who is satisfied with the print position presses the print position determination button 1501, and proceeds to sequence S1116.
In sequence S1116, an HTTP request is transmitted together with the session ID as an argument together with the URL in order to start the printing base selection CGI program which is the next CGI program.

<From printing base selection to ordering instruction (sequence S1117 to sequence S1127)>
In sequence S1117, the print order receiving server 104 receives the HTTP request transmitted in the sequence S1116, and the printing base selection CGI program included in the CGI program 406 is activated. The printing base selection program acquires the sales product stored in the RAM 204, searches the product output destination table in the product information database 401, and acquires the record with the matching product code 711.

  In this embodiment, since the selected product is “Seal 1”, product output destination records 7101 and 7102 are acquired. Next, the print base code 712 is used as a key to search for and acquire a record that matches the print base code 1001 in the print base management table in the print base management database 404. In the present embodiment, records 10011 and 10012 in which the print base code 1001 is “1” or “2” are acquired.

Next, HTML data for displaying a print base selection screen as shown in FIG. 17 on the display 311 of the portable terminal 101 a is generated and transmitted to the Internet 106.
In sequence S1118, the HTML data generated in sequence S1117 is transmitted to the portable terminal 101a.
The portable terminal 101a receives the HTML data generated in the sequence S1117 and displays a printing base selection screen as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 17, reference numeral 1701 denotes a radio button for selecting the base 1, and 1702 denotes a radio button for selecting a store. In the radio buttons 1701 and 1702, HTML data is described so as to notify the base code as an argument. Reference numeral 1703 denotes a print base determination button in which the URL of the order information input CGI program, which is the next CGI program, is described so as to issue an HTTP request with the selected radio button and session ID as arguments.
In sequence S1119, the operator of the portable terminal 101a selects the output print base and presses the print base determination button 1703.
In the present embodiment, the printing base name is displayed and the printing base is directly selected. However, for example, the first stage is divided between delivery and store reception. Furthermore, it is also possible to realize a configuration in which a store is selected and the print order receiving server 104 determines the print base in accordance with the delivery destination in the case of delivery.

In sequence S 1120, the HTTP request issued in sequence S 1119 is transmitted to the print order receiving server 104.
In sequence S <b> 1121, the order information input CGI program is started in the print order receiving server 104, the selected print base code is stored in the RAM 204, HTML data for realizing order information input is generated, and transmitted to the Internet 106.
Since the sequence S1122 to the sequence 1127 are not sequences that directly describe the features of the present embodiment, only the processing outline will be described.
The mobile terminal 101 a inputs various information necessary for the print order, such as the number of orders, the name of the orderer, etc., based on the received order information input screen, and transmits it to the print order receiving server 104. The print order receiving server 104 stores the order information in the RAM 204, creates HTML data to display the order confirmation screen, and transmits it to the portable terminal 101a. Then, the operator of the portable terminal 101a confirms the order contents based on the order confirmation screen, and then performs a predetermined operation if the contents are acceptable. Based on this operation, the mobile terminal 101 a issues an ordering instruction to the print order receiving server 104.

<Up to print data storage (sequence S1128 to sequence S1132)>
In sequence S1128, the order completion CGI program is activated, reads each piece of information stored in the RAM 204, issues a new order code to the order database 405, and registers it together with each item to be stored in the order information. At this stage, HTML data for displaying a print order and an order completion screen is generated.

In sequence S1129, the order end screen is transmitted to the mobile terminal 101a, and the mobile terminal 101a displays the received HTML data on the display 311. Then, the operator of the mobile terminal 101 a ends the connection with the Internet 106 using the disconnect button 1204.
In the sequence S1130, the order completion CGI program in the print order receiving server 104 continues from the sequence S1128, and is based on the synthesis position and the number of synthesized pixels stored when the preview image synthesis process is executed in the sequence S1110 or the sequence S1115. Then, the composition process with the template is executed. The combination process with the template is executed only when the print base designated as the output destination is server composite, and the print base whose server composition designation 1004 in the print base management database 404 is “Yes”. In the present embodiment, the description will be made assuming that “store” is selected as the printing base.
First, in the same manner as in the sequence S1111 for acquiring preview image data from the album server 103, print image data is acquired. A print data acquisition request character string corresponding to an image name for which a print order has been received is acquired from the RAM 204.
Next, an HTTP request is issued to the album server 103, and as a result, print data is acquired and stored as a file in the external storage device 209.

Next, the synthesis start position and the number of synthesis pixels of the print image data stored in the RAM 204 at step S1804 in sequence S1110 or sequence S1115 are read out, and further, the template storage location 814 and image start position 822 corresponding to the ordered product. The number of repetitions 803 is read from the RAM 204, or the database is searched again and acquired.
Then, a template path, a print image path, an image start position in the template, a print image composition start position, the number of composite pixels, the number of repetitions, a save destination path in the external storage device 204 for storing output results, and save The image processing program 410 is notified that the image file name and processing content at that time are print data composition, and a print image composition process is requested.
When the print image composition processing is completed, a print instruction data file is generated from the order database 405, and stored in a predetermined directory in the print data storage area 409 together with the print image data file, thereby completing the sequence S1132.

  On the other hand, if the print image composition is not designated, instead of the print image composition process, the print data file, the template file and the order database 405 acquired in sequence S1131, and the print instruction data file to which the image composition information is added are stored. By storing in a predetermined directory of the print data storage area 409, the sequence S1132 is completed.

  In the present embodiment, the print instruction data file is generated at the stage of sequence S1130. However, it is possible to obtain an equivalent result even if processing is performed at the same time as registration in the order database 405 of sequence S1128. .

<Print image composition processing>
Here, an example of processing (print image synthesis processing) of the image processing program 410 executed in sequence S1130 will be described with reference to FIG.
In step S1901, the template and the print image are combined to generate combined print image data.
From the start position in the template, the image start position of the print image data is set at the upper left, and rectangles for the number of combined pixels are combined. The synthesis result is held in the RAM 204.
In step S1902, it is determined whether there is a repetition. If there is repetition, in step S1903, the combined result of step S1901 is repeatedly combined in the vertical and horizontal arrangements specified by the number of repetitions to generate one combined print image data.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1902 that there is no repetition, or if step S1903 is executed, the image data file for printing with the specified file name in the storage destination path specified as the output destination in step S1904. As a result, the composite print image data is stored.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to designate a print position and a print range even from the portable terminal 101, and it is possible to easily receive an image print order service. Further, it is possible to provide an image print order service without exerting labor at the print server (print base) 105.
In addition, even with a portable terminal 101 that has a small number of keys and does not have a pointing device, such as a mobile phone, the operator can easily specify the position and image size at the time of image composition. It becomes.
Furthermore, it is possible to determine (select) whether or not to perform the synthesis process on the print server 105 according to various circumstances such as the installation location of the print server 105.

Hereinabove, one embodiment for realizing the present invention has been described. In this embodiment, the case where an order for printing an image from the album server 103 is described. However, in the portable terminal 101 to which the memory card 313 can be connected, an image photographed by a digital camera is stored in the memory card. It is also possible to specify a print position and a print range by uploading a print image at the start of order from the mobile terminal 101 and generating a preview image from the uploaded print image. The invention is feasible.
Furthermore, a preview image is generated in the mobile terminal 101 using an application program that runs in the mobile terminal 101, and a print position specification and a print range specified based on the generated result are sent to the print order receiving server 104. The present invention can also be realized by notification.

  As another example, when an image stored in the mobile terminal 101 is combined with a template using an application program that operates in the mobile terminal 101, an input to the print position designation function of the application program is performed using a key. It is possible to perform the printing position designation function based on the operation of this key, and the present invention can be sufficiently realized.

  Furthermore, as another embodiment, when an image stored in the mobile terminal 101 is combined with a template using an application program operating in the mobile terminal 101, an input to the image size specifying function of the application program is It is possible to perform the operation by operating the key to which the instruction content for specifying the size is assigned, and by giving an instruction to enlarge or reduce the image based on the operation of this key, the image size can be determined. In this way, the present invention can be sufficiently realized.

(Other embodiments of the present invention)
In order to operate various devices to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments are provided to an apparatus or a computer in the system connected to the various devices. What is implemented by operating the various devices according to a program supplied and stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  Further, in this case, the program code of the software itself realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, the program code is stored. The recorded medium constitutes the present invention. As a recording medium for storing the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code supplied by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or other application software in which the program code is running on the computer, etc. It goes without saying that the program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention even when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with the embodiment.

  Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit based on the instruction of the program code Needless to say, the present invention includes a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a printing system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows embodiment of this invention and shows an example of a structure of a print order receiving server and an album server. It is a block diagram which shows embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the structure of the hardware of a portable terminal. It is a block diagram which shows embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the module structure of a printing order receiving server. It is a block diagram which shows embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the module structure of an album server. It is a block diagram which shows embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the module structure of a portable terminal. It is a figure which shows embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the data structure and record content of a merchandise information database. It is a figure which shows embodiment of this invention and shows an example of a template database data structure and a record content. It is a figure which shows embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the data structure and record content of an image synthetic position instruction | indication database. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data configuration and record contents of a printing base management database according to the embodiment of this invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence when an image print order is made to a print order receiving server according to the embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows embodiment of this invention and shows an example of key arrangement | positioning of the operation panel arrange | positioned at the portable terminal. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of display contents of a print start screen according to the embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the display content of a goods selection screen and an image selection screen. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of display contents of a print position designation screen according to the embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of display contents of a preview image displayed on the print position designation screen according to the embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the display content of a printing base selection screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a preview image composition process according to the embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print image composition process according to the embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 Mobile terminal 102 Base station 103 Album server 104 Print order receiving server 105 Print server 106 Internet 200 System bus group 201 CPU
202 RAM (internal storage)
203 Network Interface 204 External Storage Device 205 Display 206 Keyboard 207 Pointing Device 300 System Bus Group 301 Antenna 302 Communication Unit 303 Microphone 304 Audio Coding Unit 305 Speaker 306 Audio Playback Unit 307 Controller 308 ROM
309 RAM
310 Display 311 Operation Panel 312 Memory Card Interface 313 Memory Card 401 Product Information Database 402 Template Database 403 Image Composition Position Instruction Database 404 Print Site Management Database 405 Order Database 406 CGI Program (Group)
408 FTP server 409 Print data storage area 410 Image processing program 411 Web server program 501 Image management database 502 Image data group 503 Database program 504 CGI program 505 Web server program 601 Web browser program 1201 Internet connection button 1202 Send button 1203 Return button 1204 Disconnect Button 1205 Numeric keypad 1206 Character switching button 1207 Call start button 1301 Print order start button 1400 Product selection screen 1401 Radio button 1402 Product determination button 1410 Image selection screen 1411 Image selection radio button 1412 Image determination button 1501 Preview image 1502 Print position determination button 1601 Upward movement display example 1602 Print range expansion Display example 1701 Radio button 1702 Radio button 1703 Print base determination button

Claims (7)

A method for controlling a communication terminal equipped with a numeric keypad,
Receiving an image and a template embedding said image;
Assigning, to the numeric keypad, an instruction to enlarge the composite size of the image and an instruction to reduce the composite size of the image;
And a step of outputting a composite size enlargement instruction or reduction instruction designated in the assigning step.   2. The communication according to claim 1, further comprising a step of invalidating assignment of an instruction to enlarge the composite size of the image or an instruction to reduce the composite size of the image to an arbitrary key of the ten keys. Terminal control method.   The method for controlling a communication terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a step of invalidating assignment of the key that has received the operation among the ten keys.   The step of allocating the numeric keypad is characterized by allocating an instruction to enlarge the composite size of the image or an instruction to reduce the composite size of the image in response to an operation on any of the numeric keys. 4. A method for controlling a communication terminal according to 2 or 3. A communication terminal equipped with a numeric keypad,
Means for receiving an image and a template embedding said image;
Means for assigning, to the numeric keypad, an instruction to enlarge the composite size of the image and an instruction to reduce the composite size of the image;
And a means for outputting a composite size enlargement instruction or reduction instruction designated by the assigning means.   A computer program causing a computer to execute the communication terminal control method according to claim 1.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program according to claim 6 is recorded.

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