JP2005349775A - Photography print system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a photography printer to be efficiently operated in a photography print system. <P>SOLUTION: For the photograph print system equipped with the photograph printer EP by which the photograph print is prepared according to a photograph-print preparing image data received through telecommunication lines and a print-size information specifying the print size, the photograph printer EP is made shiftable from an operation-stop state to a printing-ready state by a start-commanding signal from the telecommunication lines, and it is specified whether a recording sheet corresponding to the print-size information is charged in the photograph printer and ready to be printed or not, and then the photograph printer EP is made to perform a preparing of the photograph print according to the image data received from the telecommunication lines and the print-size information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention allows a photographic print apparatus to produce a photographic print based on a photographic print apparatus for producing a photographic print, image data for producing a photographic print received via a communication line, and print size information designating a print size. The present invention relates to a photographic print system provided with a print management apparatus.

Such a photographic print system is a system having a function of causing a photographic print apparatus to produce a photographic print using image data received via a communication line such as the Internet or a general public line as described in Patent Document 1 below, for example. By using this system, a customer who wants to produce a photographic print can place a print order without visiting a print shop and placing a print order.
It should be noted that when a customer who places a print order transmits image data to a communication line, the transmission destination is a server for relaying print orders operated by a third party, or a case of direct transmission to a print shop. is there.
The reception of print orders in such a system is generally operated continuously for 24 hours, and in many cases, a customer can make a print order at any time.
JP 2003-150518 A

However, although the print order itself can be accepted for 24 hours by the above-described conventional configuration, the operator cannot turn off the power of the photo printing apparatus at night or on holidays, and cannot perform photo print production operation.
For this reason, when the operator goes to the print shop, the photographic printing apparatus is started, and then the accumulated print order is processed. The operational efficiency of the photographic printing apparatus is not necessarily high. There wasn't.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to enable efficient operation of a photo print apparatus in a photo print system.

  According to a first aspect of the present application, a photographic print apparatus for producing a photographic print, image data for producing a photographic print received via a communication line, and print size information for designating a print size are stored in the photographic print apparatus. In a photographic printing system provided with a print management apparatus for producing a photographic print, system starting means for causing the photographic printing apparatus to shift from an operation stop state to a print start ready state upon receiving a start command signal from a communication line; , Printing availability determination means for specifying whether or not the recording paper corresponding to the print size information received from the communication line is loaded into the photo printing apparatus and can be printed is provided, the print management apparatus, The printing can be started from the operation stop state of the photo printing apparatus. In conjunction with the transition to the state, and is configured to produce a photographic print in the photographic printing apparatus based on image data received from the communication line and said print size information.

In other words, even when the photo print system operator returns home and the photo print device is in a non-operational state, when the start command signal is received via the communication line, the photo print device shifts to a print start ready state and communicates. Photo prints can be produced by image data received from the line.
Therefore, if the photographic printing apparatus is always set in a printable state, the photographic printing apparatus will consume power in order to wait for a print order whether it is coming or not. On the other hand, the power consumption can be suppressed as much as possible by setting the photo printing apparatus to the operation stop state until the activation command signal is received from the communication line.

In addition, when the photo print production process is performed based on the image data received from the communication line, whether or not the recording paper corresponding to the designated print size is loaded and ready to print on the recording paper. To verify.
The photographic printing apparatus is configured to be able to produce photographic prints with various print sizes, and usually, a plurality of types of recording paper can be loaded.
Nevertheless, depending on the designated print size, the loaded recording paper may not be able to cope.
In photo printing equipment, the print size specified by the customer is absolute, and the image size is reduced when there is no compatible size paper, such as a general-purpose printer connected to a personal computer. If a process such as printing is performed, the commercial value as a photographic print is lost.
For this reason, only when a photographic print of a designated print size can be produced, the photographic print apparatus is made to produce a photographic print based on the image data received from the communication line.

Further, in the second invention of the present application, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, the print propriety judging means is capable of printing with a recording paper corresponding to the print size information received from the communication line. If not, information indicating that the photographic print was not produced due to incompatibility of the print size is recorded and saved.
Therefore, when a photograph print cannot be produced while receiving a print order, the record can be confirmed when the operator goes to a print shop, and an appropriate action can be taken.

According to a third invention of the present application, in addition to the configuration of the first or the second invention, the print management apparatus, when the production of the photo print based on the image data received from the communication line is completed, The photographic printing apparatus is configured to shift from the print startable state to the operation stop state.
Therefore, when the photo print production process using the image data received from the communication line is completed, the photo print apparatus is returned to the operation stop state to suppress power consumption.

According to a fourth invention of the present application, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to third inventions, the print management apparatus is configured to display the photograph according to an instruction input from a connected manual input operation means. A control signal that can be associated with each of a normal operation mode for instructing an operation to the printing apparatus and an instruction input from the manual input operation unit is received from the communication line, and the instruction input corresponding to the received control signal is received by the manual input. It is configured to be able to switch to a remote operation mode for executing processing equivalent to that inputted from the operation means, and to be instructed to switch from the normal operation mode to the remote operation mode via a communication line.
That is, in the remote operation mode, an operation equivalent to the case where the operator inputs an instruction for instructing the operation of the photographic printing apparatus using the manual input operation means can be performed by transmitting a control signal through the communication line. In addition, it is possible to instruct the activation of the remote operation software that controls the operation in the remote operation mode via the communication line.

According to a fifth invention of the present application, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to fourth inventions, the photographic printing apparatus includes an inkjet print type print head.
That is, the most common photographic printing apparatus for producing a photographic print in response to a customer's print order is a type of printing apparatus in which an image formed by exposure on photographic paper is developed by a developing device and finished as a photographic print. However, recently, a photographic printing apparatus having a sufficiently high speed and high image quality for commercial use in a print shop has been commercialized even if it has an inkjet print type print head.
In this ink jet type photo printing apparatus, since development processing is unnecessary, it is easy to operate unattended, and when an operator is absent at night or the like, it is activated by a signal from the communication line (the activation command signal). It is particularly suitable for making photo prints.
With high-quality inkjet photo processing equipment now on the market, it is clear that operability is better than photo processing equipment that develops with a developing device after mechanical adjustment and setup before photo processing. Is up. In a photographic processor that develops with a developing device, it takes time to set the developer to an appropriate temperature, and it is necessary to check the daily situation by performing a test print.

According to the first aspect of the invention, even when the operator returns to the home after setting the photographic printing apparatus to the operation stop state, the photographic print production operation is executed in response to the start command signal from the communication line. While suppressing power consumption as much as possible, it is possible to produce a photographic print having a print size specified by the customer, and the photographic printing apparatus can be efficiently operated in the photographic printing system.
Further, according to the second invention, when the photo print with the print size designated by the customer cannot be made, for example, when the operator goes to the print shop, the remaining record is viewed, For the remaining orders that could not be printed, it is possible to take necessary countermeasures such as printing by replacing the recording paper of the photographic printing apparatus.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when the photo print is completed for the print order received via the communication line, the photo print device is returned to the inactive state again, so that the power consumption of the photo print device is minimized. To the limit.
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, since the photo print operation can be remotely operated via the communication line, for example, an operator who provides a support service for the photo print system installs the photo print system. Necessary input operations can be performed without having to go through.
In addition, an operation for shifting to such a remote operation can also be performed from the side of the provider providing the support service, and the operation burden on the operator of the print shop can be reduced as much as possible.
In addition, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by having the photographic printing apparatus employing the ink jet print head, it is possible to accurately start the photographic printing apparatus through the communication line and execute the processing for producing the photographic print. .

Embodiments of a photographic print system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 2, the photo print system DP exemplified in the present embodiment includes a photo print apparatus EP that creates a photo print based on input image data, and a print order receiving server PO that accepts a print order via the Internet. Are connected by a network NT.
Although FIG. 2 illustrates a case where two photo print apparatuses EP having the same configuration are provided, the number of photo print apparatuses EP may be further increased.
As schematically shown in FIG. 1, a photographic print system DP configured by connecting the photographic printing apparatus EP and a print order receiving server PO via a network is installed in a print shop, and the print order receiving server PO of the print shop includes: It is connected to the print order relay service provider's print order central reception server PS via the Internet.
Although only one store is illustrated in FIG. 1, the print order relay company centrally receives and manages print orders from a number of Internet-connected print shops, and prints for ordering the production of photographic prints. The print order transmitted from the orderer's personal computer CL is received, and further, the received print order is allocated to the designated print shop.

[Overall configuration of photo printing apparatus EP]
As schematically shown in FIG. 2, the photographic printing apparatus EP includes an input / output of image data and the like through the inkjet printing apparatus 20 and the network NT, and an input operation to the photographic printing apparatus EP by an operator. And the like, a printer control device 22 that controls the operation of the ink jet printing apparatus 20, and a recording paper transport that includes a large number of transport rollers 23 and draws and transports the recording paper 2 from the recording paper roll 24. The system PT and a cutter 25 for cutting the recording paper 2 conveyed by the recording paper conveyance system PT into a predetermined print size are provided, and the recording paper 2 printed by the ink jet printing apparatus 20 is After being cut into a predetermined print size by the cutter 25, the paper is discharged onto a tray 26 provided outside the housing. The input operation control device 21 and the printer control device 22 are configured by a personal computer.
Although not shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of types of recording paper rolls 24 having different paper widths (lengths in the conveyance width direction) can be loaded at the same time. The recording paper transport system PT is pulled out and transported. Which recording paper roll 24 is selected can be automatically switched according to the designated print size.

  The input operation control device 21 includes a touch panel monitor 41 for displaying operation guidance and the like, and an external input / output device 42 including various drives such as a memory card reader, a magneto-optical drive, and a CD-R / RW drive. The modem 43 is connected. By providing the external input / output device 42, in addition to producing photo prints based on the image data received from the print order receiving server PO, a recording medium such as a memory card is received from a customer who has visited the print shop directly, and the recording is performed. It is also possible to produce a photographic print by causing the external input / output device 42 to read the image data of the medium.

When the input operation control device 21 sends the image data received from the print order receiving server PO to the printer control device 22 for print processing, the image data for photo print production received via the network NT and the print size for specifying the print size are used. It functions as a print management apparatus PM that causes the photographic printing apparatus EP to produce a photographic print based on the information.
Furthermore, if a film scanner that reads a photographic film frame image is connected to the input operation control device 21, it is possible to produce a photographic print with a photographed image of the photographic film. It is also possible to write on the recording medium by the output device 42.

[Schematic Configuration of Inkjet Printing Apparatus 20]
As schematically shown in FIG. 2, the ink jet printing apparatus 20 includes an ink jet print head 31 that ejects ink onto the recording paper 2, a head controller 32 that controls the print head 31, and a printer control device 22. A data output device 33 that organizes the image data processed in step S1 into image data for sending to the head controller 32, a plate-like support 34 that supports the recording paper 2 at an image forming position by the print head 31, and a print head. A discharge duct 35 for sucking and removing the ink discharged during the flushing operation 31 is provided.
The print head 31 is driven in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording paper 2 by a driving device (not shown), and the print head 31 is moved in the main scanning direction while discharging ink. The movement operation and the recording paper 2 conveying operation are alternately repeated to print an image based on the image data input on the recording paper 2.

[Photo print production operation]
Next, a photographic print production operation by the photographic print system DP having the above configuration will be schematically described in the case of absence of an operator such as at night.
When the operator of the photo print system DP at the print shop finishes the day's work, the photo print device EP is turned off and the home is returned to the operation stop state.
However, the input operation control device 21 is set to start in response to receiving a start command signal from the network NT that is a local communication line, and only power for the operation is supplied.
As a setting for activating the input operation control device 21, a WOL (Wake On Lan) function of a motherboard mounted on the input operation control device 21 is used.
Also, the printer control device 22 is set to be started by a start command from the input operation control device 21 using a WOL (Wake On Lan) function of a mother board mounted thereon.
On the other hand, the print order receiving server PO is always operated.

These control operations will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
When the print order receiving server PO receives a print order instruction from the print order concentrated reception server PS at night when the operator returns home, the print order receiving server PO starts the process shown in the flowchart of FIG.
First, image data for a photo print production target is received from the print order centralized reception server PS (step # 1). Here, print size information and print number information are also received.
When the reception of all data is completed (step # 2), the recording paper 2 capable of producing a photo print with the received print size information is loaded from the photo printing apparatus EP connected by the network NT. The photograph printing apparatus EP that is present is searched (step # 3).
For this processing, the print order receiving server PO stores and holds data of the size (paper width) of the recording paper 2 loaded in all the photographic printing apparatuses EP connected via the network NT. In each photographic printing apparatus EP, for example, the recording paper 2 for the most frequently used print size such as the L plate is loaded in common. The recording paper roll 24 is loaded with paper sheets having different paper widths between the photographic printing apparatuses EP.

When a photo print device EP capable of producing a print with the received print size information is found (step # 4), an activation command signal is transmitted to the input operation control device 21 of the photo print device EP (step # 5). Accordingly, the print order receiving server PO determines whether or not the recording paper 2 corresponding to the print size information received from the communication line (Internet) is loaded in the photo printing apparatus EP and can be printed. Is functioning as
The input operation control device 21 of the photographic printing apparatus EP that has received this activation command signal starts the activation process and activates the operating system.
The input operation control device 21 is set to automatically start execution of the processing program shown as “Remote Print Processing” in FIG. 4 when the operating system is started when the operation system is stopped when the operator is absent at night or the like. ing.

As a result, when the activation of the operating system is completed, the input operation control device 21 first transmits a start command signal to the printer control device 22 and to each device in the photographic printing apparatus EP that has been in a power-off state. Is started (step # 11).
When the printer control device 22 receives this activation command signal, execution of the print execution program incorporated in the printer control device 22 is started, and an activation completion signal is sent back to the input operation control device 21.
The input operation control device 21 receives a start completion signal from the printer control device 22, and transmits a start completion signal to the print order receiving server PO when the warm-up of each part is completed and the print start ready state is reached (step # 12). (Step # 13), and waits for image data (Step # 14). That is, in the input operation control device 21, the system activation means SW for shifting the photographic printing apparatus EP from the operation stop state to the print start ready state in response to receiving the activation command signal from the network NT is incorporated. .

The print order receiving server PO that has received the activation completion signal from the input operation control device 21 of the photographic printing apparatus EP (step # 6) receives the image data received from the print order centralized reception server PS as the input operation control device 21 of the photographic printing apparatus EP. (Steps # 7 and # 8).
Upon receiving this image data (including print size information and print number information) (steps # 14 and # 15), the input operation control device 21 of the photo print device EP transmits the received data to the printer control device 22. (Step # 16).
The printer control device 22 that has received the image data as processing of the print execution program performs image processing as appropriate, and draws out and conveys the recording paper 2 having a paper width that conforms to the print size information, and performs print processing. In other words, the input operation control device 21 is linked with the shift from the operation stop state of the photo print device EP to the print start ready state, based on the image data received from the communication line (network NT) and the print size information. A photographic print is produced by the printing apparatus EP.
The printer control device 22 transmits a print completion signal to the input operation control device 21 when photo print production is completed for all the image data received from the input operation control device 21.

  When the input operation control device 21 receives a print completion signal from the printer control device 22 (step # 17), the input operation control device 21 transmits a shutdown command signal to the printer control device 22 and stops energizing each device in the photo print device EP. (Step # 18), and further shuts itself down (step # 19), and returns to the operation stop state before receiving the start command signal from the print order receiving server PO.

On the other hand, there is no photo printing apparatus EP loaded with the recording paper 2 having a paper width that can correspond to the print size information received from the print order central reception server PS in the process of step # 3 in FIG. At this time, information indicating that the photo print was not performed due to the print size mismatch is recorded and stored (step # 9).
As for the handling of this recorded and stored information, for example, when an operator goes to a print shop, the operator may check whether such information is recorded or stored, or the operator uses it. You may make it send an e-mail to a computer.
An operator who has confirmed the information that the photographic print could not be prepared sets a recording paper roll having a paper width capable of printing at a specified print size in any of the photographic printing apparatuses EP, and then performs input operation control. The image data of the print order receiving server PO is downloaded to the device 21 to be printed.

[Support System for Photographic Printing Equipment EP]
In the present embodiment, as described above, the photo print system DP creates a full-auto photo print from the image data sent from the print order centralized reception server PS, so that it can be substantially collectively performed by remote operation. In addition to having a function of making a photographic print, a support provider who has a support contract for maintenance of the photographic print system DP can also remotely control individual input operations to the input operation control device 21. Yes.
In order to realize this function, the input operation control device 21 of each photographic printing apparatus EP is provided with a modem 43 for communicating with a support personal computer SC of a support provider. The personal computer SC communicates via a general public communication line.

As a program for remotely operating the input operation control device 21 from the support personal computer SC, a remote operation program incorporated in the operating system or a remote operation program incorporated in a window management system incorporated in correspondence with the operating system However, in this embodiment, it is assumed that only the input operation related to the photo print production process is remotely operated. A brief description will be given.
The input operation control device 21 is in a normal operation mode in which each device such as the printer control device 22 is instructed to operate in accordance with an instruction input by an operator of the photo print system DP from a touch panel monitor 41 which is a manual input operation means OP. The operation is basic, and when the operator performs an input operation from the touch panel monitor 41, individual processing corresponding to the input operation is executed.

On the other hand, in the remote operation mode operated by remote operation from the support personal computer SC, the input operation control device 21 executes the process of the flowchart shown as “supported side remote operation process” in FIG.
The input operation function from the support personal computer SC in the remote operation mode has a one-to-one correspondence with the input operation function from the touch panel monitor 41 in the normal operation mode. Processing operations are common.
Therefore, in the remote operation mode, a control signal that can be associated with each instruction input from the touch panel monitor 41 is received from the communication line (general public line), and the instruction input corresponding to the received control signal is a touch panel type. A process equivalent to that inputted from the monitor 41 is executed.

The input operation control device 21 executes the processing of the flowchart shown as “supported remote operation activation processing” in FIG. 6 in the background of the operation in the normal operation mode.
The process shown in FIG. 6 is a process for starting the processing program schematically shown in FIG. 7 by remote operation from the support personal computer SC of the support provider, and the input operation control device 21 performs the process shown in FIG. By executing the above, all operations including the procedure for shifting from the normal operation mode to the remote operation mode can be performed remotely from the support personal computer SC of the support provider.

Hereinafter, the processing contents will be described in brief.
When an operator of the photo print system DP needs support from a support provider, he calls the support provider and explains the circumstances.
When it is determined that it is necessary for the support provider to operate the photographic printing apparatus EP on behalf of the operator, the support provider explains the fact to the operator who has requested the support, and the support personal computer SC displays “ The process shown as “support side remote operation activation process” is executed.
First, a list of customers with support contracts is displayed on the monitor in a state where each photo print device EP can be specified (step # 21), and one of the photo print devices EP is selected from the list display. When instructed (step # 22), the selected photo print device EP (more specifically, the modem 43 of the input operation control device 21) is called (step # 23), and further authentication unique to the support provider is performed. Data is transmitted (step # 24).

When the modem 43 is called from the support personal computer SC (step # 31) and further receives authentication data (step # 32), the input operation control device 21 executing the processing of FIG. It is confirmed whether or not the data is correct from the support provider (step # 33). If there is no error, the fact that the authentication has been properly completed is transmitted to the support personal computer SC (step # 34), and FIG. Is started (step # 35).
On the other hand, when the support personal computer SC also receives a signal indicating that the authentication has been completed (step # 25), it starts a program for remotely operating the input operation control device 21 (step # 26).

The input operation control device 21 of the photo print apparatus EP shifts to the remote operation mode when the processing program of FIG. 7 is activated, and first transmits a window display screen related to the print processing displayed on the monitor 41 to the support personal computer SC. (Steps # 41 and # 42).
This screen display is, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, which is a screen display for performing an input operation for selecting image data for photographic print production from a memory card set in the external input / output device 42. This is the screen display itself displayed on the touch panel monitor 41 in the mode.

The remote operation program executed on the support personal computer SC of the support provider displays the screen display received from the input operation control device 21 as a window, and when the click operation is performed with the mouse in the window display, In addition to transmitting the clicked position information to the input operation control device 21, it may be a simple one having a function of commanding the input operation control device 21 to end the remote operation.
Since this position information is position information on the screen display sent from the input operation control device 21, it can be handled as a position pushed on the touch panel type monitor 41 in the input operation control device 21. The control signal is directly associated with the instruction input from the formula monitor 41.
Of course, on the support personal computer SC side, the meaning content of the input operation for the photo printing apparatus EP is specified from the click position with the mouse, and is transmitted to the input operation control apparatus 21 as information indicating the input operation. good.

The input operation control device 21 that has received the instruction input from the support personal computer SC assumes that the touch panel type monitor 41 has been pressed at the position specified by the received position information, and corresponds to the input operation. Processing is executed (steps # 43 and # 44).
For example, when position information in the input source list display field 53 displaying a list of image files recorded and saved on the memory card is received on the screen display shown in FIG. 8, it is displayed at that position. If the image file is set to the selected state and the received position information is the display position of the selection button display 51 for designating as a photo print production target, the selected image file is selected as a photo print production target candidate. If the received position information is an OK button display 52 for instructing the start of photo print production, the image file listed in the print candidate display field 54 is copied to the print candidate display field 54 displayed in the list. Is read from the memory card and sent to the printer controller 22 for print processing.
In addition, it is possible to perform an input operation for displaying the setting state and operation state of each device of the photographic printing apparatus EP.

When actual processing corresponding to this input operation is executed and the screen display of the monitor 41 is updated according to the result (step # 45), the updated screen display is transmitted to the support personal computer SC (step # 45). # 41, # 42).
As described above, it is determined that the remote operation necessary for the support provider is completed while the photo printing apparatus EP is remotely operated from the support personal computer SC of the support provider. When an instruction to end the remote operation is input from the SC, a remote operation end signal is transmitted to the input operation control device 21. When the input operation control device 21 receives the remote operation end signal (step # 46), the processing program of FIG. Is completed and the normal operation mode is restored from the remote operation mode.

[Another embodiment]
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be listed.
(1) In the above embodiment, as the print order receiving server PO receives a print order from the print order centralized receiving server PS, the print order receiving server PO shifts the photographic printing apparatus EP from the operation stop state to the print start ready state. However, the print order receiving server PO only accepts print orders (including receipt of image data) from the print order centralized acceptance server PS, and as shown in FIG. The print ordering server PO is accessed from the personal computer OW at the home of the print shop owner (or operator) that is communicably connected to the PO, confirms the order status of the print order of the print ordering server PO, and receives an order. It is appropriate to print the print order When it is determined, based on the print order receiving server PO, it may be configured to be instructed to the print processing of the print orders received by starting the printing machine EP. At this time, the activation operation of the photo print apparatus EP may be performed not by an instruction from the print order receiving server PO but by an instruction from the owner's personal computer OW.

  Furthermore, a personal computer OW at home of the owner (or operator) of the print shop is connected to the photo printing apparatus EP via a general public line or the Internet so as to be communicable, and a photograph is taken from the personal computer OW at home. When it is determined that it is appropriate to start the printing apparatus EP, inquire about the order status of the print order from the activated photo printing apparatus EP to the print order receiving server PO, and to print the received print order. You may comprise so that it may be made to print-process about the print order received to the photo printing apparatus EP which has started.

(2) In the above embodiment, as the print order receiving server PO is always operated and a print order is received from the print order central receiving server PS, the print order receiving server PO prints the photo printing apparatus EP from the operation stopped state. Although the state is shifted to the startable state, a start command signal is transmitted from the print order central reception server PS to the input operation control device 21 of the photo printing apparatus EP via the Internet without providing the print order receiving server PO, and photo printing is performed. The apparatus EP may be configured to shift from an operation stop state to a print start ready state.
In this case, the input operation control device 21 itself determines whether it is possible to produce a print with a designated print size based on the paper width of the loaded recording paper roll 24.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the production order of photographic prints is centrally managed by the print order central reception server PS is exemplified. However, the print orderer's personal computer CL directly sends it to the print order receiving server PO. An order may be accepted.
(4) In the above-described embodiment, the case where communication is performed via a general public line (telephone line) when the photo print apparatus EP is remotely operated from the support personal computer SC of the support provider is illustrated. Communication for remote operation may be performed via the Internet.

System explanatory diagram for performing a print order according to an embodiment of the present invention 1 is a block configuration diagram of a photo print system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart concerning embodiment of this invention The flowchart concerning embodiment of this invention The flowchart concerning embodiment of this invention The flowchart concerning embodiment of this invention The flowchart concerning embodiment of this invention Example of screen display according to an embodiment of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

EP Photo printing device OP Manual input operation means PJ Print availability determination means PM Print management device SW System activation means 31 Print head

Claims (5)

A photographic printing apparatus for producing a photographic print; and a print management apparatus for causing the photographic printing apparatus to produce a photographic print based on image data for producing a photographic print received via a communication line and print size information for specifying a print size; A photographic printing system equipped with
A system activation means for causing the photographic printing apparatus to shift from an operation stop state to a print start ready state in response to receiving an activation command signal from a communication line;
Printing availability determination means for specifying whether or not recording paper corresponding to the print size information received from the communication line is loaded in the photo printing apparatus and can be printed is provided,
The print management device is connected to the photo print device based on the image data received from the communication line and the print size information in conjunction with the transition from the operation stop state to the print start ready state of the photo print device. A photographic print system configured to produce photographic prints.   The print availability determination unit records information indicating that a photographic print was not produced due to a mismatch of the print size when printing using recording paper corresponding to the print size information received from the communication line is not possible. The photographic print system of claim 1, wherein the photographic print system is configured to store.   The print management apparatus is configured to shift the photographic print apparatus from the print startable state to the operation stop state when the production of the photographic print based on the image data received from the communication line is completed. Item 3. The photographic print system according to item 1 or 2. The print management apparatus can be associated with each of a normal operation mode for instructing the photographic printing apparatus to perform an operation and an instruction input from the manual input operation means in accordance with an instruction input from a connected manual input operation means. A control signal is received from the communication line, and an instruction input corresponding to the received control signal is configured to be switchable and set to a remote operation mode in which processing equivalent to that input from the manual input operation means is performed,
The photo print system according to claim 1, wherein the photo print system is configured to be instructed to switch from the normal operation mode to the remote operation mode via a communication line.   The photographic printing system according to claim 1, wherein the photographic printing apparatus includes an inkjet printing type print head.

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