JP2005234681A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus that can improve user convenience. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus decides whether or not to permit a start of use according to the number of requesting users permitted to start the use in a predetermined unit period, when deciding whether or not to permit a start of use by a requesting user, accepts at least one piece of image data to be processed from the user permitted to start the use, retains the accepted image data to be processed for a predetermined retention period, accepts image processing directions about the retained image data to be processed from the user in the predetermined retention period, and executes image processing on the retained image data to be processed according to the accepted image processing directions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that receives material image data from a user and generates image data for printing such as a booklet.

  In recent years, a camera has been mounted on a terminal such as a mobile phone, and it has become possible to easily take a picture using a digital camera. A photograph taken with such a digital device is recorded as image data on a storage medium or the like. A user generally takes this image data into a personal computer for viewing (Non-patent Document 1).

On the other hand, there is a need for a printed photograph as in the past (Non-patent Document 1). Therefore, recently, a service for accepting a storage medium in which image data is recorded and printing the image data with a photographic image quality printer and an apparatus for the service have been developed. However, in addition to conventional printing, many users desire to produce printed matter after editing and layout using image data printing technology, such as the production of booklets such as albums.
“Camera mobile phone users, 65% use camera function”, [online], June 2, 2003, Jupiter Media Corporation, [Search February 16, 2004], Internet <URL: http : //japan.internet.com/research/20030602/1.html>

  However, booklet editing and layout cannot be performed immediately, but are of a nature that can be completed through repeated proofreading. For this reason, it is necessary to accumulate all the image data for the material related to editing for several days, for example.

  However, the size of the image data is larger than the size of a storage device used in a general computer. For example, one image data may be as large as 2.5 MB. In this case, if the number of image data included in one booklet is 40, a storage capacity of 100 MB per user must be allocated.

  Assuming that this data is retained for 10 days for proofreading of the booklet manuscript, assuming that the average number of users per day is 100, the required storage size is 100 × 10 × 100 (MB), approximately 100 GB. Considering the necessity of further storing booklet layout data, booklet print data, etc., the required storage size further increases.

  Here, for example, the size of an unused part that can hold user data is monitored in the storage device, and processing is performed when the monitored size falls below a predetermined threshold in the middle of accepting image data or the like. Processing that interrupts the process can also be considered. However, in such a process, it is assumed that it is necessary to interrupt the material many times before all the materials are held, and the convenience is low.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is an apparatus that receives material image data from a user and generates image data for printing such as a booklet, and an image processing apparatus that can improve user convenience. One of its purposes is to provide it.

  The present invention for solving the problems of the above-described conventional example is an image processing apparatus that receives material image data via a network and generates image data for booklet printing. In response to an instruction to start use, a determination means for determining whether or not the use candidate can start use, and for each use applicant who is permitted to start use, the material over a predetermined holding period Means for securing a storage area of a predetermined size in the data storage for holding booklet creation data including image data, and means for storing information on the number of people that can be accepted for each predetermined unit period, A person who wishes to use the user who has permitted the start of use between a predetermined time in the past determined in relation to the unit period and a time when an instruction to start using is received. Counts, the number of said counted utilization seekers, when exceeding the number that represents the information that is the storage, is characterized in that to reject the use start of the person who wants to use.

  Further, the present invention for solving the problems of the conventional example is an image processing apparatus that executes a predetermined process related to processing target image data, and is a means for determining whether or not a user who wants to use can start using, Based on the number of users wishing to start use within a predetermined unit period, a determination means for determining whether or not to start use, and among the users who want to use the person who is allowed to start use as a user, the user Means for accepting at least one processing target image data from, a holding means for holding the received processing target image data for the predetermined holding period, and an image of the processing target image data held in the holding means An instruction receiving means for receiving a processing instruction from the user within the predetermined holding period, and a process held in the holding means based on the received image processing instruction It is characterized by comprising a process execution means for executing an image processing relating elephant image data.

  Here, the determination unit may notify the information regarding the waiting order to the use applicant who refuses to start using the number of use applicants. Further, at a predetermined timing, at least a part of users who are not in use at that timing are selected as attention users based on a predetermined rule, and are stored in the holding means as data relating to the selected attention user. It is also possible to further include means for saving the stored data to another storage or compressing it to generate a free area in the holding means.

  Further, when the instruction accepting unit accepts the image processing instruction, the instruction accepting unit acquires information on the processing load of the processing execution unit and controls a response to the user side based on the information on the processing load. Further, it may further include means for controlling the processing target image data held in the holding means so as not to be provided to the user side. Further, according to an instruction from the user, the image processing apparatus further includes means for generating and outputting output data based on the processing target image data held in the holding means and the result of image processing related to the processing target image data, The determination means further determines whether or not a restriction condition determined based on a condition relating to a processing capability of an output destination of the output data is satisfied, and when the restriction condition is satisfied, the use start of the user who wants to use is started. It is good also as refusing.

  A method according to an aspect of the present invention is a method for determining whether or not a user who wants to start using an information processing apparatus can start using, within a predetermined unit period in the past when an instruction to start using is received from a user who wants to use. Whether to start the use is determined based on the number of users who wish to start using. A program according to another aspect of the present invention is a unit that includes a holding unit and determines whether or not the user who wants to start using the computer of the image processing apparatus that executes predetermined processing related to the processing target image data. The procedure for determining whether or not to start use based on the number of users who wished to start use within a predetermined unit period, and the user who has been permitted to start use among the users who wished to start use. A procedure for receiving at least one processing target image data; a procedure for holding the received processing target image data in the holding unit for the predetermined holding period; and a processing target image data held in the holding unit. Based on the procedure for receiving an image processing instruction from the user within the predetermined holding period and the received image processing instruction, A step of performing image processing for lifting has been processed image data is obtained by the fact to the execution.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a data storage 13, and a communication unit 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 1 is connected to a user side terminal 2 and a printer company side system 3 via a network.

  Here, the user terminal 2 may be a general personal computer capable of operating a web client (so-called browser). The printing company side system 3 is a system that receives printing data from the image processing apparatus 1 side, and the printing company side equipped with this system performs printing processing of booklets and the like based on the printing data. Will do.

  In the following description, PDF (Portable Document Format) data is used as the print data. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  The control unit 11 operates according to a program stored in the storage unit 12. Specifically, the control unit 11 sequentially operates various programs under the operating system such as UNIX (registered trademark) (multitask processing is performed). The control unit 11 operates as a web server as one of the tasks, and provides a web page stored in the storage unit 12. Further, the control unit 11 performs a determination process for authenticating a user who wishes to use and determining whether or not to start use, a process for receiving various data and instructions from the user, and a process for generating image data for printing. Execute. Specific processing contents of the control unit 11 will be described later.

  The storage unit 12 includes a computer-readable recording medium (a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a hard disk device, or the like) that holds a program executed by the control unit 11. The storage unit 12 also operates as a work memory that holds various data generated in the processing of the control unit 11.

  The data storage 13 corresponds to the holding means of the present invention, and is composed of a disk array or the like. The communication unit 14 is connected to a network, and transmits various data to a destination indicated by the instruction via the network in accordance with an instruction input from the control unit 11. In addition, data received via the network is received and output to the control unit 11.

  The image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment authenticates a user who wants to use the user, and designates a person who is permitted to start using the user as a user. A storage area of a predetermined size is stored in the data storage 13 for a predetermined holding period to hold various data that is a source of printing data including image data as material for the user. To ensure.

  The image processing apparatus 1 stores the image data of the material received from the user in the reserved storage area, receives information such as image processing and layout instructions for the image data, and is the source of the print data. Data is generated and held in the reserved storage area. Further, the finally generated print data is also held in this storage area.

  In this embodiment, the maximum capacity that can be used by users in the above data storage (the upper limit of the data storage capacity that can be used by all users) and the size of the storage area (available for each user) Limit the number of users based on the maximum data storage capacity) and retention period. Specifically, assuming that the maximum capacity that can be used by the user in the data storage 13 is 600 GB, assuming that the size of the storage area per user is 550 MB and the retention period is 10 days, 600 GB / 550 MB / 10 It can be calculated as about 100 people per day. Therefore, the number of users per day is determined as 100, and the determination result is stored in the storage unit 12 as the upper limit of the number of users.

  Here, each process performed by the control unit 11 will be described. First, the control unit 11 executes pre-authentication processing for issuing authentication information (user name and password) to a user who desires to use the system. At this time, the control unit 11 stores a table in which a user name and a password are associated as a user database in a hard disk or the like included in the storage unit 12.

[Decision process]
The control unit 11 executes a determination process for determining whether or not the use applicant can start using the issued user name and password. Furthermore, the control part 11 of this Embodiment is the information which specifies the storage area of the data storage which the said user name (U) and the said user can use about the person (user) whose utilization start was permitted. (D: for example, a directory name formed in the file system in the data storage) and information (T) indicating the date and time when the use start is permitted are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 12 as an in-use table (FIG. 2). ).

  Next, a specific example of determination processing will be described. The control unit 11 delivers a web page for inputting a user name and a password when authentication is requested from the user side via the network. The user name and password input using the web page are acquired by a known method using, for example, the HTTP POST method. Here, this authentication request corresponds to an instruction to start use.

  The control unit 11 checks whether or not the acquired user name is stored in the user table (that is, whether or not the user name is already a user). If it is stored in the user table here, the use of the user is permitted. If the password is not stored in the user table, the password associated with the user name is read by searching from the user database. Then, the password acquired from the use applicant side is compared with the read password, and if they do not match, a web page that refuses to start use is distributed to the user side. Similarly, when the acquired user name is not found in the user database, a web page that refuses to start using is similarly distributed to the user side.

  On the other hand, when the password acquired from the user side matches the password read from the user database, the following processing shown in FIG. 3 is performed.

  That is, the control unit 11 refers to a calendar and a clock (not shown) to acquire information on the current date and time (at the time of receiving an instruction to start use) (S1), and refers to the in-use table in the storage unit 12. Thus, information representing the past reference time is generated (S2). Here, the past reference time is determined in relation to the setting of the upper limit number of people stored in the storage unit 12. For example, when it is determined that 100 people per day as described above, the upper limit number of people may be set to 100 people as a reference period for one day. As another method, the upper limit number of people may be set to 700 for 7 days (that is, one week).

  Here, when the reference period is set to one day and the upper limit number of persons is set to 100, the past reference time point is set to, for example, midnight of the day to which the current date and time belongs (this is the reference period for each day). Set the reference time to change). The control unit 11 refers to the in-use table, and is newly authorized (newly not stored in the in-use table and newly) from the reference time to the current date and time (new) The number of users is counted (S3).

  Then, the control unit 11 checks whether or not the counted number of people exceeds the set value of the upper limit number of people stored in the storage unit 12 in advance (S4). Here, if the counted number of persons exceeds the set value of the upper limit number of persons, a web page that refuses to start use is distributed to the use applicant side (S5), and the determination process is terminated.

  Furthermore, when the number of people counted in the process S4 does not exceed the set value of the upper limit number of people, the control unit 11 determines that the use start is permitted. In the following, the user who wants to use the user will be a user who actually uses the user, and will be referred to as a user. The control unit 11 performs a process of securing an area that can be used by the new user in the data storage 13 (S6). Then, the control unit 11 acquires information on the current date and time (when the start of use is permitted) (S7), and specifies the user name, information specifying the area secured in step S6, and the start of use acquired in step S7. The permitted date and time are associated and stored in the in-use table (S8), and the determination process is terminated.

  Thus, for example, up to 100 users per day are permitted to start use, and subsequent users operate so as to refuse start of use. In addition, about the user who refused use start, you may memorize | store the said user name as a list | wrist in the refused order. At this time, the user may be informed of the waiting order on the list (what number is on the list) by providing a character string such as “Please wait for X more.”

  When doing so, the storage management process described later informs that the user on the in-use table can start using in the waiting order on the list when the user has finished using it. May be. In this case, information specifying a contact address such as an e-mail address is acquired in advance and notified by e-mail addressed to the e-mail address. Further, in this case, the control unit 11 stores the user name informing that the use can be started as the priority user name in the storage unit 12 and requested the authentication when the authentication is requested. It may be determined whether or not the user name of the user is included in the priority user name, and if it is included, the processing shown in FIG. 3 may be started.

  In this embodiment, this determination process avoids a situation in which the data storage capacity is insufficient during uploading or editing, and the process cannot be continued, and data upload and image processing instructions are continuously continued as desired by the user. It is possible to improve convenience.

[Edit processing]
Next, processing for a person who is permitted to start use and becomes a user will be described.

  The control unit 11 is a web page for accepting uploading of image data as a material and an instruction for generating printing data necessary for laying out the uploaded image data and creating a booklet or the like (FIG. 4). To deliver. Specifically, this web page is created using a publicly known file upload CGI (Common Gateway Interface) program or a macro media (trade name) flash.

  When the image data is uploaded from the user, the control unit 11 stores the image data in a storage area reserved for the user on the data storage 13, and a thumbnail image (reduced display image) of the image data. ) Is generated. Each image data thus uploaded (image data as a material) is displayed as a list of thumbnails as shown in FIG. 4 (S). When the number of thumbnails increases, in the example of FIG. 4, the thumbnails are displayed by scrolling left and right.

  The user designates which page of the booklet this thumbnail image is assigned to. This designation corresponds to the image processing instruction of the present invention. Note that, here, one material image data is assigned to one or two pages of a booklet, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of material image data may be arranged on one page.

  Specifically, the user designates one thumbnail image from the thumbnail images (S) displayed as a list, and drags and drops it on the booklet image (B) displayed below it. Then, the image data of the material corresponding to the thumbnail image is read and assigned.

  Here, the allocation is performed by a predetermined method depending on whether the image data of the material is portrait or landscape. For example, when the image data of the material is vertically long, it is arranged as shown in FIG. The user can drag and adjust the arrangement position of the image data as shown in FIG.

  Such an arrangement state is standardized and stored in the storage unit 12 or the like (FIG. 6), and the arrangement state is selected in accordance with a user instruction. At this time, in each arrangement state stored in the storage unit 12 or the like, a position where a page number, a title, and other character strings are arranged is determined in advance. One image data can be assigned to two pages of a booklet (so-called panorama). In this case, the control unit 11 virtually draws a vertical line segment in the horizontal center position of the image data of the selected material (FIG. 7A), and the left and right sides of the line segment Then, the image data of the material is divided (FIG. 7B) to generate divided image data. Then, each divided image data is arranged on each page of the left and right pages. In the case of the vertical position, the division may be performed by virtually drawing a horizontal line segment at the center position in the vertical direction.

  The user may also input a character string to be printed on the booklet in association with each material image data. This character string is included in the booklet in the font and style (underline, italic font, etc.) selected by the user. The user repeats the above operation and assigns material image data to each page of the booklet image. Since this process may be the same process as that of widely known layout software, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The data generated by this process is also the same as the layout process of the well-known layout software.

  Further, according to the determination process, the user can resume / interrupt the use any number of times within the retention period. Therefore, the control unit 11 performs the above process according to an instruction received from the user within the retention period.

  Here, the assignment instruction has been described, but in addition to this, instructions for rotation and enlargement / reduction of image data and color adjustment (sepia toning processing, gray scale processing, etc.) are accepted, and corresponding image processing is performed. May be performed. Specifically, in order to align with the layout selected by the user, translation, enlargement / reduction, trimming, etc. in order to align the edge of the image data with a predetermined reference line (or reference point) such as the right or left edge of the booklet page. The processing may be included.

  As described above, in the layout processing, as shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 10 by listing some examples, basically, based on whether the image data is vertically long or horizontally long, In the case of being vertically long, a margin is provided on the binding margin side of the booklet so that a margin is formed on the lower side of the booklet (FIG. 8A).

  Further, when a right rotation or a left rotation is performed according to a user's instruction, the margin forming position is adjusted depending on whether the rotated image data is vertically long or horizontally long (FIG. 8B). Furthermore, when the image data is enlarged so that the width or height of the booklet fills the printable area of the booklet, the original image data can be specified vertically or horizontally, and the layout specified (center alignment, right alignment, left Alignment, top alignment, and bottom alignment) may be trimmed (processing to cut out an area having the same size as the image data before enlargement) (FIG. 9).

  Furthermore, if the booklet is enlarged regardless of the printable area, the original image data will be placed in the vertical / horizontal orientation and the location according to the location specification (center placement, right bottom / top right / bottom left / top left alignment, etc.) Trimming (a process of cutting out an area having the same size as the image data before enlargement) may be performed (FIG. 10).

[Print image data generation instruction]
When the user gives an instruction to generate image data for printing, the control unit 11 prints the PDF for printing based on the layout data performed by the user and the image data of the material used therefor. Start the process to generate the file.

  When this instruction is accepted, the control unit 11 acquires information on the current processing load (CPU usage rate, memory consumption, the number of active processes and threads, etc.), and the processing load is set to a predetermined threshold. Check if it is above. For example, when the number of threads (tasks) is used as the processing load information, if the number of threads is greater than the threshold, it takes time to generate the PDF file. We will send you a web page that includes the text "You will be notified by e-mail when you are ready."

  Also, if the number of threads is smaller than the threshold, a web page containing the text such as "We are creating a PDF file. Please wait or log out. We will notify you by e-mail when ready." To deliver.

  Furthermore, when notifying that it takes time to the user as described above (when the processing load is high), the control unit 11 executes the task of generating the PDF file in the background (user interface-here) When the processing load is low, foreground execution (execution mode that synchronizes with the web page display state and changes the web page display state) is performed. You may do it.

  The control unit 11 generates the layout confirmation image data in which the resolution of the image data is reduced from that for the printing together with the PDF file for printing. When the generation of these PDF files is completed, layout confirmation image data is provided to the user.

  Here, layout confirmation image data is a server for exchanging image data between users in consideration of network traffic with the user and making the material image data itself downloadable. This is to prevent the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment from being used.

  That is, the control unit 11 does not include the image data held in the data storage 13 as it is in the web page, and does not provide it to the user side in another form such as a PDF file. Is controlling.

  The user refers to the provided layout confirmation image data, and inputs either a re-creation instruction or a print instruction. If an instruction for re-creation is given here, both the layout confirmation image data and the print PDF file generated therewith are deleted from the storage area of the user.

  On the other hand, when the print instruction is acquired, the PDF file for printing is transmitted to the printing company side system 3. At this time, the user data stored in the data storage 13 is deleted (storage management processing). Alternatively, a predetermined holding period is provided after transmission to the printing company system 3 for additional ordering of the printing data or reprinting due to missing or overwritten, and after the holding period has elapsed, the data stored in the data storage 13 User data may be deleted. Further, the print instruction may include information on how many copies are to be printed (designation of the number of books), invoices shipped with products, and print data of shipping slips. In this case, the information on the number of books, the delivery document, and the print data of the shipping slip are also transmitted to the printing company side system 3.

[Storage management processing]
Next, the storage management process will be described. When the user issues a print instruction, the control unit 11 refers to the in-use table stored in the storage unit 12 and stores the information associated with the user name of the user who issued the print instruction. Get area information (for example, directory name). Then, the directory having the directory name is deleted from the file system in the data storage 13. Then, the entry related to the user is deleted from the in-use table. At this time, the generated print PDF data may be stored in another data storage (not shown) in association with the user name.

  Further, the control unit 11 refers to the in-use table, for example, at a reference time point used in the determination process (for example, every day at midnight), and a retention period (for example, 10 days) has elapsed from the date and time when the start of use is permitted It is checked whether or not there is a user, and when such a user is found, information on the storage area associated with the user is acquired, and the storage area is deleted from the file system in the data storage 13. . Also, the entry related to the user is deleted from the in-use table. In addition, about the user with a holding | maintenance period, it is good also as alert | reporting that by mail.

  In addition to the above, the control unit 11 uses a predetermined rule (for example, at least a part of users who are not in use at the predetermined timing (not performing an editing process) as a target user at a predetermined timing (for example, The data in the storage area corresponding to the selected user of interest is selected based on the longest elapsed time from the date and time when the start of use is permitted or the longest elapsed time from the date and time of the last use. An empty area may be generated in the data storage 13 by saving to another data storage (not shown) or compressing the data storage 13.

  As described above, when a free area is generated in the data storage 13 by deleting, saving, compressing data in the directory, the use can be started in the waiting order on the list of users who are refused to start using. The process which alert | reports this is performed.

[Operation]
Next, the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The image processing apparatus 1 performs a determination process based on the number of users authenticated within a predetermined unit period. Specifically, it is checked whether or not a storage area for a user who wants to use the data storage 13 has already been secured. If not reserved (that is, a request for starting use (editing start)), the number of users who have decided to start using, on the day when the instruction for starting use is issued, that is, storage The number of users who wish to use the area (new users) is checked, and when this number exceeds a predetermined upper limit, a message for rejecting the start of use is transmitted.

  In addition, when the storage area for the user who desires to start use is already secured in the data storage 13, or the number of use applicants determined to start use on the day when the user wants to start use is determined in advance. When the number is less than the upper limit, the start of use is permitted and a web page for editing is provided.

  This editing web page accepts at least an instruction to upload image data as a material, an instruction to set which of the uploaded image data is assigned to each page of the booklet, and an instruction to generate print data It is like that.

  The user uploads image data as material and assigns it to each page of the booklet for layout, or inputs a character string to create booklet layout data. When the layout is completed, the user inputs a print data generation instruction.

  Then, the image processing apparatus 1 generates PDF data for printing and transmits it to the printing company side system 3. At this time, the image processing apparatus 1 backs up and holds the printing PDF, and deletes the image data and layout data uploaded by the user. The printing company side system 3 prints a booklet based on the PDF data.

  In the above description, the terminal on the user side has been described as a personal computer. However, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) or a mobile phone may be used as long as it can be connected to the network.

  In addition, in case the user temporarily becomes inaccessible, the result of the instruction such as the uploaded image data or layout (data that is the basis of the print data for the booklet) is given by the instruction from the user. Alternatively, it may be stored in a file of a predetermined format (for example, an archived and compressed file) and downloaded to the user side. In this case, when the user becomes accessible again, the file may be uploaded and editing may be resumed.

[User restrictions based on restrictions from the printer]
Further, when there is a limit (for example, a limit on the number of printed materials that can be produced per day) on the side of the printer that accepts the printing data that is output data of the image processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment due to its processing capability. The control unit 11 of the image processing apparatus 1 may determine whether or not the user who wants to use can start using the condition based on the restriction.

  For example, it is assumed that the number of booklets that can be manufactured / shipped per day by the printer is Na, and the maximum number of prints that can be specified by the user is Nb. In addition, the threshold value (estimated shipping date deferred threshold value) that is estimated to be deferred from the shipping date from the printer in the next order is Nc = Na−Nb + 1. As a result, when the current total number of orders is N (<Nc) and the number of first orders exceeding Nc is Nx (≦ Nb), N + Nx between the number of orders received on the current day and the output upper limit Since ≦ Na is established, the number of orders received per day can always be kept within the number of outputs.

  Subsequent orders will be carried over to the order frame after Int (M / Na) +1 day if the total number of prints accepted by the printer is M (Note that Int (-) Means the largest integer that does not exceed the number in). On the other hand, if the shipping date is too late, there will be a problem in the smooth operation of the service, so it is preferable to set a limit on the delay until the shipping date.

  Therefore, using the value determined with respect to the number of booklets that can be manufactured and shipped on the printer side, the control unit 11 stores a counter (unprocessed number counter) that represents the number of books that have not been processed on the printer side. The number of books specified by the user is added. Further, Na or Nc (which is different depending on the processing mode on the printer side) is subtracted from the unprocessed number counter every day.

  Then, every time the number of books is specified by the user, when the count value X of the unprocessed counter satisfies the condition of Int ((X + Nb) / Na) +1> L, use of the user who wants to use it thereafter is started. To refuse. Here, L is a delay limit (unit: “day”) on the shipping date.

  As a result, users who wish to use (1) when the number of new users on the day of requesting the start of use exceeds the predetermined number of people, or (2) the number of unprocessed books on the printer side In any case where the number exceeds the predetermined number, the start of use is rejected.

  Even in such a case, a print instruction given by a user who has already started use is accepted (although the shipping date exceeds the delay limit).

[Other variations]
In the explanation so far, the instruction to start the use from the user who wishes to use has also been used for user authentication (authentication using the user name and password). The above determination process may be performed when a request to start use is accepted from a person.

  That is, for example, if only printing is performed using print data generated in advance, it is not necessary to secure a storage area when starting use, and it is not necessary to restrict use. It may be determined whether or not the use can be started at the stage.

  The same storage area may be associated with a plurality of user names. In this case, access rights may be set for each user regarding the uploaded image data. For example, access right data such as a right to use image data and a right to delete are set for each image data of the material and for each user, and each user creates a booklet or the like using the image data having the right to use.

  Furthermore, the size that can be enlarged may be calculated based on the number of pixels of the uploaded image data and the resolution of the printing machine used by the printer, and the image data may not be enlarged beyond that size. Further, based on information on setting of halftone dots (screen angle or the like) used in the printing press, image data reproducing the halftone dots may be generated.

  Furthermore, although it has been assumed in the above description that the uploaded image data is a still image, it may be a moving image. That is, in this case, one frame of the moving image is used for allocation.

1 is a configuration block diagram showing an image processing apparatus and a system including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing showing an example of a table in use. It is a flowchart figure showing an example of authentication processing. It is explanatory drawing showing the example of a screen for edit. It is explanatory drawing showing the example of adjustment of an arrangement position. It is explanatory drawing showing the example of a setting of an arrangement position. It is explanatory drawing showing the example which divides | segments image data when allocating as a panorama. It is explanatory drawing showing the example of the process of a layout. It is explanatory drawing showing the example of the process of a layout. It is explanatory drawing showing the example of the process of a layout.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus, 2 User side terminal, 3 Printing company side system, 11 Control part, 12 Storage part, 13 Data storage, 14 Communication part.

Claims (9)

An image processing apparatus that receives material image data via a network and generates image data for booklet printing,
Data storage,
A means for determining whether or not the user who wishes to start using the user can start using the user,
A storage area of a predetermined size is secured in the data storage for holding the booklet creation data including the material image data for a predetermined holding period for each user who is permitted to start use. Means to
Means for storing information on the number of people accepted for each predetermined unit period;
Including
The determining means is
The number of users who wish to start use is counted from the predetermined time in the past determined in relation to the unit period until the time when an instruction to start use is received. An image processing apparatus characterized in that, when the number of persons represented by the stored information exceeds the number, the use start of the use applicant is rejected. An image processing apparatus that executes predetermined processing related to processing target image data,
A means for deciding whether or not a user wishes to start use, a means for deciding whether or not to start use based on the number of users who wish to start use within a predetermined unit period;
A means for accepting at least one processing target image data from the user, the user who is permitted to start use among the desired users,
Holding means for holding the received image data to be processed for the predetermined holding period;
An instruction receiving means for receiving an image processing instruction for the processing target image data held in the holding means from the user within the predetermined holding period;
Processing execution means for executing image processing relating to processing target image data held in the holding means based on the received image processing instruction;
An image processing apparatus comprising: The image processing apparatus according to claim 2,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit notifies information regarding a waiting order to a use applicant who refuses to start using the number of use applicants. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,
At a predetermined timing, at least a part of users who are not in use at that timing are selected as attention users based on a predetermined rule, and are stored in the holding means as data relating to the selected attention user. An image processing apparatus, further comprising means for saving data to another storage or compressing the data to generate a free area in the holding means. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
When the instruction accepting unit accepts the image processing instruction, the instruction accepting unit acquires information on the processing load of the processing execution unit, and controls a response to the user side based on the information on the processing load. Image processing device. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
An image processing apparatus further comprising means for controlling the processing target image data held in the holding means so as not to be provided to a user side. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6,
Further includes means for generating and outputting output data based on the processing target image data held in the holding means and the result of the image processing related to the processing target image data in accordance with an instruction from the user;
The determination means further determines whether or not a restriction condition determined based on a condition relating to a processing capability of an output destination of the output data is satisfied, and when the restriction condition is satisfied, the use start of the user who desires to use An image processing apparatus that rejects A method for determining whether or not a user who wants to use the information processing apparatus can start using the information processing apparatus,
When an instruction to start use is received from a user who wants to use the service, the user decides whether or not to start using based on the number of users who wish to start use within the predetermined unit period in the past. How to decide whether to start using. A computer of an image processing apparatus that includes a holding unit and executes predetermined processing related to processing target image data.
A means for determining whether or not a user wishes to start use, a procedure for determining whether or not to start use based on the number of users who wish to start use within a predetermined unit period;
A procedure for accepting at least one processing target image data from the user, with the user who is permitted to start use being among the users who wish to use,
A procedure for holding the received processing target image data in the holding unit for the predetermined holding period;
A procedure for receiving an image processing instruction for processing target image data held in the holding unit from the user within the predetermined holding period;
A procedure for executing image processing on the processing target image data held in the holding unit based on the received image processing instruction;
An image processing program for executing

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