JP2005322066A - Charging function combination type print order reception system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a work burden feeling when producing a photographic print by a photographic image of a cellphone device as far as possible. <P>SOLUTION: This charging function combination type print order reception system is provided with: a charging device CH having a plurality of storage containers each storing the cellphone device during charging; and a print order reception device OR taking in image data for the photographic print production. In the charging function combination type print order reception system, the charging device CH and the print order reception device OR are communicably connected, the plurality of storage containers each have a communication cable having a charging terminal, and charging operation to the cellphone device and take-in of the image data for the photographic print production from the cellphone device are preformed in a state that the communication cable is connected to the cellphone device with a photographing function stored in the storage container. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a system having a charging function of a mobile phone device and an order receiving function for producing a photo print.

In recent years, mobile phone devices with a photo shooting function have improved the image quality of captured images, and it is desirable not only to browse on the display screen of a mobile phone device, but also to output as a photo print like a captured image by a digital camera. The demand is growing.
In order to meet such a demand, a system for transmitting image data from a mobile phone device using the Internet and printing it out as described in Patent Document 1 below is considered. Conventionally, it is also considered to install image data of an image to be printed from a mobile phone device at a store. Such a print order receiving apparatus may be provided integrally with the photo print apparatus, or may be provided separately from the photo print apparatus and function as a print order receiving terminal.
As means for capturing image data to be printed from the cellular phone device to the print order receiving device, the external connection terminal provided in the cellular phone device and the print order receiving device are connected by a communication cable to capture the image data. There are many cases.
In such an image data capture format, the operation for capturing the image data of the mobile phone device is not so complicated, and the intention to produce a photo print of the image taken by the mobile phone device is clear. This is not a problem for the users who have the same.
JP 2004-88726 A

However, there are many users who do not have a clear intention to make a photo print and utilize the photo shooting function of the mobile phone device, and such users bothered to go to the place where the print order receiving device is installed. There is a strong tendency to feel troublesome to operate the print order receiving apparatus. There is also anxiety that the mobile phone device cannot be used during an operation for ordering prints.
Therefore, such users are increasingly taking pictures to the mobile phone device, and the storage capacity of the image data is full, and it is impossible to shoot in the shooting scene you want to shoot, or it is important to have taken in the past In many cases, it is necessary to delete a new image.
The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and is to reduce the work burden when making a photographic print with a photographed image of a mobile phone device as much as possible.

  According to a first aspect of the present application, there is provided a charging device provided with a plurality of storage containers for storing a mobile phone device being charged, and a print order receiving device for capturing image data for making a photo print, A mobile phone with a photography function, wherein a charging device and the print order receiving device are communicably connected, a communication cable having a charging terminal is provided in each of the plurality of storage containers, and stored in the storage container In a state where the communication cable is connected to a device, the mobile phone device is configured to perform a charging operation to the mobile phone device and take in image data for making a photo print from the mobile phone device. The charging function merged print order receiving system is formed by combining the charging function and the print ordering function.

In other words, if you have forgotten to charge your mobile phone device for a long period of time, or if you go out without a charger when you go out for a long time, your mobile phone device will run out of battery power. There are many cases of falling into
For such cases, charged mobile phone charging devices are installed in various places.
The user who uses such a charging device for a mobile phone considers the situation that led to the use of the charging device, and the location where the charging device is installed is an indispensable work to continue using the mobile phone device. The operation of going to the mobile phone and connecting the mobile phone device to the charging cable is not considered troublesome. In addition, it is understood that it is unavoidable that the mobile phone device cannot be used during charging.

The operation that the user of the charging device performs for charging the mobile phone device is similar to the operation of making a photo print production order to the print order receiving device via the communication cable.
Therefore, image data for producing a photographic print when the cable for charging also has a function of a communication cable for capturing image data and the communication cable is connected to the mobile phone device for charging. In this way, it is possible to save the photographed image stored in the mobile phone device as a photographic print without feeling troublesome for the print ordering operation.
Of course, users who use this system, mainly for ordering photo prints, can charge the mobile phone device after the photo print, so the mobile phone device will run out of battery power. Can be prevented.
Note that the charging device including a plurality of storage containers may include a plurality of storage containers in a single housing, or each may be configured as an assembly of units including a single storage container. Also good.

According to a second aspect of the present application, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the mobile phone device is charged with the communication cable connected to the mobile phone device, and the mobile phone. Image data for making a photo print from the apparatus is taken in parallel at the same time.
That is, since the image data is taken in while the mobile phone device is being charged, it takes time for the mobile phone device to occupy one storage container only for taking in the image from the mobile phone device. Can be avoided.

According to a third invention of the present application, in addition to the configuration of the first or second invention, a calculation condition of a photographic print production fee according to a charge amount by the charging device, or a photographic print production amount Accordingly, a charge management device is provided for setting and changing the calculation conditions for the charge by the charging device.
That is, since the system has both the charging function of the mobile phone device and the print order receiving function, it is possible to provide various services by linking the charge settings when using each function. .

According to a fourth invention of the present application, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to third inventions, the charging device and the print order receiving device are configured separately, and the print order receiving device. The control device provided on the side is configured to manage the charging operation to the mobile phone device and manage the operation of taking image data from the mobile phone device.
That is, the management of the operation of the print order receiving apparatus is required to execute a more advanced control process than the management of the charging apparatus that is relatively simple in operation, and the control apparatus is inherently highly capable. Is provided.
Therefore, even if management of charging operation is added to the control target of the control device of the print order receiving device, the processing load for the control device is not increased.
Therefore, by executing the charging operation management on the print order receiving apparatus side as well, it is possible to simplify the apparatus configuration on the charging apparatus side without complicating the apparatus configuration on the print order receiving apparatus side. it can.

According to a fifth invention of the present application, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to fourth inventions, the storage container is a space where the mobile phone device exists in a state where the mobile phone device is stored. Is covered with an electromagnetic wave shielding member.
That is, in order to capture image data from the mobile phone device, it is necessary to turn on the power supply of the mobile phone device, but as it is, the mobile phone device stored in the storage container of the charging device When the incoming call arrives, the mobile phone device begins to ring in the storage container of the charging device, which may cause discomfort to those around the charging device.
Therefore, an electromagnetic wave shielding member is arranged in the mobile phone device stored in the storage container so that radio waves do not reach from the base station.

According to the first aspect of the invention, work that is indispensable for continuous use of the mobile phone device by enabling the capture of image data for producing a photo print in parallel with the charging operation of the mobile phone device. Incorporating an operation for ordering prints into the system has made it possible to reduce as much as possible the burden of work when making a photographic print with a photographed image of a mobile phone device.
In addition, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the time for which the mobile phone device occupies one storage container can be shortened as much as possible, so that the utilization efficiency of the system can be improved.
In addition, according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide various services by linking the charge setting when the charging function or the print order receiving function is used, thereby further increasing the added value of the system. be able to.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to simplify the device configuration on the charging device side while avoiding the complication of the device configuration on the print order receiving device side. Can be simplified.
In addition, according to the fifth aspect, since the radio wave does not reach the mobile phone device stored in the storage container from the base station due to the presence of the electromagnetic wave shielding member, the surroundings are uncomfortable due to the generation of a ringing tone or the like. You can avoid giving it.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a charging function merged print order receiving system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1 shown as a block configuration diagram and FIG. 4 showing the appearance of a state installed in a store, the charging function merged print order receiving system PO of the present embodiment includes a print order receiving device OR and a print order receiving device. Charging devices CH for a plurality of mobile phones (specifically three) arranged side by side on the OR, a photo printing device EP known as a so-called digital minilab machine, and images from various sources The main part is an image input device IR that takes in data and generates image data to be sent to the photographic printing apparatus EP.
In this system, a customer can give a photographic film or a memory card to an operator and make a photographic print with the photographic printing apparatus EP. It is also possible to order the production of a photographic print from image data such as a recording medium, and it is also possible to place an order for printing by taking in the image data from the mobile phone device being charged by the charging device CH.

[Schematic configuration of print order receiving device OR]
As shown in the external perspective views of FIGS. 1 and 3, the print order receiving apparatus OR is an external input / output device 31 having a plurality of types of drives for reading various recording media such as CD-R media and memory cards. A touch panel type monitor 32 having a display function for displaying various guidance displays, a reduced image of an image captured from each recording medium, etc., and an input function for inputting various instructions, and an upper housing. A control device 34 that is built in the body 33 and configured by a personal computer, a printer 36 that is built in the lower housing 35, and a deposit / withdrawal unit 37 that is also built in the lower housing 35 are provided.
The deposit / withdrawal unit 37 is a device for collecting a charge when ordering the production of a photographic print using the print order receiving device OR, and for inserting bills and coins into the front side surface of the lower housing 35. The charge input section 38 and a change discharge port 39 for discharging change are provided. The deposit / withdrawal unit 37 also has a function of collecting a charge for using the charging device CH.

On the front side surface of the lower housing 35, a print discharge port 40 for discharging a photographic print produced by the printer 36 is further provided.
The printer 36 is composed of a sublimation type thermal transfer printer. By providing the printer 36, the print order receiving device OR is configured as a device capable of receiving a print order and preparing a photo print independently. However, it is also possible to send the captured image data to the photographic printing apparatus EP to finish a higher quality photographic print.

[Schematic configuration of charging device CH]
As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2, each charging device CH is provided with a drawer-type locker 41 as a storage container CC for storing the mobile phone device HP being charged, arranged in four stages in the vertical direction. Is provided with a communication cable 42 for connection to the mobile phone device HP.
The communication cable 42 is connected to the control device 34 of the print order receiving device OR so as to be able to communicate with it. In addition to signal lines for transferring various data including image data to and from the mobile phone device HP, charging is performed. Power supply lines are also included.
Correspondingly, the connector 42a of the communication cable 42 has a charging terminal to which a power supply line is connected in addition to a signal terminal to which each signal line is connected.
Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously perform charging and data transfer such as image data in a state where the connector 42a of the communication cable 42 is connected to the external connection terminal of the mobile phone device HP.

Since the cloth-like electromagnetic shielding member is adhered to the inner wall of each locker 41 without any gaps, and the similar cloth-like electromagnetic shielding member is also adhered to the ceiling surface of the charging device main body side. When the mobile phone device HP is stored and the locker 41 is closed, the space where the mobile phone device HP is present is covered with an electromagnetic wave shielding member.
As a result, even if the mobile phone device HP is stored in the locker 41 while the power supply of the mobile phone device HP is kept in the “ON” state, the mobile phone device HP will not be received.
Further, although not shown in the figure, the charging device CH is a power supply device for charging, a charging control circuit for controlling the charging state, and a lock for switching the locker 41 between a state where it can be pulled out and a state where the drawer operation is blocked. A detection sensor for detecting opening and closing of the mechanism and the locker 41 is provided. Power is supplied to the power supply line of the communication cable 42 from the charge control circuit.
The operation of each part such as the charge control circuit and the lock mechanism is controlled by the control device 34 of the print order receiving device OR.

[Schematic configuration of image input device IR]
As schematically shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the image input device IR includes an external input device including a film scanner 3 for reading frame images of a photographic film, a memory card reader, a magneto-optical drive, a CD-R drive, and the like. An output device 4 and a main control device 5 that is configured by a personal computer and controls the film scanner 3 and the external input / output device 4 are provided. The main control device 5 further simulates a finished print image. A monitor 5a for displaying a simulated image and various control information, and a console 5b for manually setting exposure conditions and inputting control information are connected.
Although not shown in the figure, the main controller 5 further includes image data of a photographic film frame image input from the film scanner 3, image data input from the external input / output device 4, and a print order receiving device OR. An image processing apparatus is provided that performs image processing on the image data input from the image data into an image suitable for producing a photographic print.

[Schematic configuration of photo printing apparatus EP]
The photographic printing apparatus EP is exposed by an exposure unit 20 that exposes and forms an image on the photographic paper 2 by a laser beam scanning exposure method, an exposure control device 21 that controls the exposure unit 20, and the exposure unit 20. A development processing device 22 that develops the photographic paper 2 that has been processed, and a photographic paper that is transported to the development processing device 22 by a number of transport rollers 23, etc., from the photographic paper magazine 6 disposed on the upper surface of the housing. A paper transport system PT is provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, there is a sorter 24 for classifying the photographic paper 2 developed and dried by the development processing device 22 for each order, and a discharge port 22a. A conveyor 25 that conveys the discharged photographic paper 2 to the sorter 24 is provided.
Further, a cutter 26 for cutting the long photographic paper 2 drawn from the photographic paper magazine 6 into a set print size is provided in the middle of the conveyance path of the photographic paper conveyance system PT.

[Processing when using charging device CH]
Next, a description will be given of the linking operation with the print order receiving device OR when charging the mobile phone device HP with the charging device CH.
Various data input operations for using the charging device CH are performed on the monitor 32 of the print order receiving device OR, and the charging device is displayed on the screen display for receiving a photo print production order in the print order receiving device OR. A screen display for executing processing at the start of use of the CH and processing at the time of taking out the mobile phone device HP that has been charged is also displayed.
When the user performs a touch operation on the screen display portion indicating that the use of the charging device CH is started in a state where the screen display is displayed on the monitor 32, the control device 34 starts the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. To do.

First, with the monitor 32 schematically showing the arrangement of each charging device CH and the locker 41 in each charging device CH, the empty locker 41 and the locker 41 to be used should be selected from these empty lockers 41. Is displayed (step # 1).
When the user designates the locker 41 to be used by operating the touch panel of the monitor 32 (step # 2), then, in the designated locker 41, as shown in FIG. 2, the external connection terminal and the communication cable of the mobile phone device HP. 42 is connected to the connector 42a, and a guidance is displayed on the monitor 32 so as to perform an operation of closing the locker 41 (step # 3). In this guidance display, if charging is performed with the power supply of the mobile phone device HP turned “ON”, a photo print can be produced using image data stored and stored in the mobile phone device HP in parallel with the charging. A message is also displayed.

The user connects the mobile phone device HP to the communication cable 42 in accordance with the guidance display, closes the locker 41, and a detection sensor (not shown) detects that the locker 41 is in a closed state, and the mobile phone. When it is detected that the device HP is connected (step # 4), a guidance display indicating that the personal identification number for taking out the mobile phone device HP that has been charged is to be designated is displayed on the monitor 32 (step 32). # 5).
When the user performs an input operation of a personal identification number from the touch panel of the monitor 32 (step # 6), a display indicating that a fee should be charged is displayed on the monitor 32 (step # 7).

When the user deposits from the fee input unit 38 according to this guidance display, a signal indicating the amount of money inserted from the deposit / withdrawal unit 37 to the control device 34 is input.
When the control device 34 receives this payment completion signal (step # 8), it activates a lock mechanism (not shown) so that the locker 41 cannot be opened (step # 9), and is provided in the charging device CH. The charging control circuit is instructed to start charging by specifying a time corresponding to the amount of money received (step # 10).

Thereafter, a display recommending that a photographic print be produced by the printer 36 or the photographic printing apparatus EP provided in the print order receiving apparatus OR is performed with the image data of the photographic image taken by the cellular phone device HP (step # 11). ).
In the screen display at this time, the charging time per unit amount is increased depending on the number of photo prints to be produced (for example, “100 yen” is “10 minutes” for standard charging, “100 yen” is “15” for charging. "Minute" and so on) are also displayed.

When the user performs an input operation for producing a photographic print from the touch panel of the monitor 32 (step # 12), image data capture is started from the cellular phone device HP (step # 13). At this time, charging the mobile phone device HP and taking in image data from the mobile phone device HP are performed in parallel.
When the capture of the image data is completed (step # 14), a reduced image of the captured image and an input field for designating the number of prints for each image are displayed (step # 15).
When the user completes the input of the number of prints for each image (step # 16), the monitor 32 displays a print fee corresponding to the number of photo prints to be produced and a display indicating that the fee should be deposited (step # 16). Step # 17).

When the user deposits the specified fee from the fee input unit 38 and the deposit / withdrawal unit 37 receives a signal indicating that the deposit is completed to the control device 34 (step # 18), the printer 36 or photograph Image data is sent to the designated one of the printing apparatuses EP to start the printing process (step # 19).
In addition, the charging time per unit amount is set longer than the standard time according to the total number of photo prints produced, and the charging time for the amount previously charged for charging is recalculated, and the extension amount Is specified in the charging control circuit of the charging device CH (step # 20).
In other words, the calculation condition of the charge charge by the charging device CH is changed according to the photo print production amount, and the control device 34 also functions as a charge management device DC for managing the photo print production charge and the charge charge. ing.

Next, a processing operation when the charging operation for the mobile phone device HP is terminated will be described.
When the user inputs an instruction to end the charging operation from the touch panel of the monitor 32 to the mobile phone device HP, the control device 34 starts processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.
First, in a state schematically showing the arrangement of each charging device CH and the locker 41 in each charging device CH, a display requesting the designation of the used locker 41 and the input of a personal identification number is made on the monitor 32 (step # 21) When an appropriate password is entered (step # 22), when an input operation for producing a photo print is already performed at the start of charging (step # 23), the corresponding locker 41 is immediately used. Is instructed to release the lock (step # 33) so that the cellular phone device HP can be taken out.

On the other hand, when an input operation for producing a photographic print is not performed at the start of charging, the printer 36 provided in the print order receiving apparatus OR or the photographic print is the image data of the photographic image taken by the mobile phone device HP. A display recommending that a photographic print be produced by the apparatus EP is performed (step # 24).
In this screen display, when the charging time up to that point is longer than the set time, a display is made to indicate that the print fee per sheet is discounted, and the charging time up to that point is entered at the start of charging. When the set time is shorter than the charging time corresponding to the amount of money, a display indicating that the photo print production fee for the set number of sheets is free is displayed.

When the user performs an input operation that it is not necessary to produce a photo print (step # 25), the lock mechanism of the corresponding locker 41 is instructed to release the lock (step # 33), and the mobile phone device HP is entered. Can be removed.
On the other hand, when the user performs an input operation for making a photo print (step # 25), the image data is started to be taken in from the mobile phone device HP (step # 26), and when the take-in is completed. (Step # 27) A reduced image of the captured image and an input field for designating the number of prints for each image are displayed (step # 28).
When the user completes the input of the number of prints for each image (step # 29), the print fee corresponding to the charging time and the number of photo prints is calculated, the print fee is displayed, and the fee is paid. A message to the effect is displayed on the monitor 32 (step # 30).

In the calculation of the print charge at this time, as shown in the guide display in step # 24, when the set time is a threshold value and the charge time is longer than the threshold value, the charge per print is the standard charge. Discount than the price. Furthermore, when the charging time up to that point is shorter than the charging time corresponding to the deposit amount at the start of charging by a set time or more, the print fee for the set number of sheets (for example, 1 sheet) is free.
That is, the calculation condition for the photo print production fee is changed according to the amount of charge by the charging device CH.
When the user deposits the specified fee from the fee input unit 38 and the deposit / withdrawal unit 37 outputs a signal indicating that the deposit has been completed to the control device 34 (step # 31), the printer 36 or the photo printing device. The image data is sent to one of the designated EPs to start print processing (step # 32), and the lock mechanism of the corresponding locker 41 is instructed to release the lock (step # 33). The device HP can be taken out.

[Another embodiment]
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be listed.
(1) In the above embodiment, the case where the control device 34 of the print order receiving device OR controls the operation of each part of the charging device CH is illustrated, but each of them includes an independent control device. You may comprise so that a control apparatus may cooperate.
(2) The above embodiment exemplifies a case where the print order receiving apparatus OR is also provided with the printer 36 so that the print order receiving apparatus OR can receive print orders and perform print processing independently. However, the print order receiving apparatus OR may function only as a print order receiving terminal, and all print processing may be entrusted to the photo print apparatus EP.
(3) Although the case where each charging device CH includes four storage containers CC is illustrated in the above embodiment, a plurality of storage units each including one storage container CC are provided. One charging device CH may be configured by the storage unit.

1 is a schematic block diagram of the entire system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view of the charging device concerning embodiment of this invention The perspective view of the print order reception apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention The perspective view of the whole system concerning an embodiment of the invention The flowchart concerning embodiment of this invention The flowchart concerning embodiment of this invention

Explanation of symbols

CC storage container CH charging device DC charge management device HP mobile phone device OR print order receiving device 34 control device 42 communication cable

Claims (5)

A charging device provided with a plurality of storage containers for storing a mobile phone device being charged, and a print order receiving device for capturing image data for making a photo print;
The charging device and the print order receiving device are connected to be communicable,
Each of the plurality of storage containers is provided with a communication cable having a charging terminal,
In the state where the communication cable is connected to the mobile phone device with a photo shooting function stored in the storage container, the charging operation to the mobile phone device and the image data for making a photo print from the mobile phone device Charging function combined print order system that is configured to take in.   With the communication cable connected to the mobile phone device, the mobile phone device is configured to perform a charging operation and image data for making a photo print from the mobile phone device in parallel. The charging function merging type print order receiving system according to claim 1.   A charge management device is provided for setting and changing a calculation condition of a photo print production fee according to a charge amount by the charging device or a calculation condition of a charge fee by the charging device according to a production amount of a photo print. Item 3. The charging function combination type print order receiving system according to item 1 or 2. The charging device and the print order receiving device are configured separately,
The control device provided on the print order receiving device side is configured to manage a charging operation to the mobile phone device and to manage an operation of taking image data from the mobile phone device. The charging function combination type print order receiving system according to any one of 1 to 3.   The charging function according to claim 1, wherein the storage container is configured to cover an existing space of the mobile phone device with an electromagnetic wave shielding member in a state where the mobile phone device is stored. Merged print ordering system.

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