JP2006072914A - Image data output system and image data output program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image data output system flexibly adaptable to the operation of a business photo studio. <P>SOLUTION: The image data output system is provided with: an output set setting means for managing digital images, the kind of derivative digital images for which an image processing is performed with the digital images as source data and order information as an output set; and a preservation means for performing preservation on the basis of output set information managed by the output set setting means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention saves captured image data and related data in an external storage device including a storage device on an external medium or a network in a digital workflow that performs processing such as digital shooting and digital output performed in a photo studio or the like. The present invention relates to an image data output system and an image data output program.

  Today, with the advent of high-pixel digital cameras and photographic image quality inkjet printers, the workflow from photography to printing can be fully digitally processed. Sales photo studios, etc., want to shorten delivery times and reduce consumables costs by introducing in-house development, retouching, and printing work that had been requested from laboratories by introducing a full digital workflow. There are many stores. For this reason, in the construction of a digital workflow, there is a problem of how to construct a workflow that produces profits more efficiently than a conventional analog workflow. In-house production by full digitalization seems to be a merit at first glance, but the analog workflow era, such as the training of human resources who can perform digital processing with an understanding of color management, system maintenance costs associated with digital system management, etc. This is because there are problems such as labor costs and system maintenance costs that were not incurred. In-house production simply means that work in the photo studio business increases, and in busy daily business, it takes a lot of work to operate digital devices over time. For this reason, there are many stores where the return on investment cannot be calculated and digitization is difficult.

In the digital workflow, in addition to the photographed original digital image data, for example, if the original image data is CCD raw data, that is, RAW image data, developed image data after digital development processing by development software is generated. To do. Furthermore, various derived image data is generated from original image data such as retouched image data that has undergone retouching such as correction due to lighting effects, wrinkles, and spots, or layout image data that has been trimmed for printing, etc. The Thereafter, some of the various derived image data is delivered to the customer or for processing at other stores. Thus, the complexity of a digital workflow that outputs various image data in various sets is a factor that raises the threshold for introducing a digital workflow. Here, as an example of a conventional image data output system, an image data output system is disclosed in which image data of an output image output in response to an image output request such as print output is written on a recording medium such as a CD-R ( For example, see Patent Document 1.) In Patent Document 1, the digital image to be output is brought in by the customer, unlike the photography at the photo studio, but the image data to be written on the recording medium is managed for each requester. Control to write to the recording medium was performed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-111006 (5th and 6th terms)

  In the above-described conventional technology, the image data output to the recording medium is for each client who receives the request from the client, and the above-described derivation when the business photo studio or the like performs full digitization. It did not work well in the operation of image data. For example, when outsourcing print processing, outsourcing retouch processing, or storing shooting data in a store, the required image data is different, and the customer service dedicated output function is sufficient. This is because a digital workflow cannot be constructed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and provides an image data output system and an image data output program that can be flexibly applied to a workflow for each store when a business photo studio or the like constructs a digital workflow. It is intended to do.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an order data management means for managing a set of a digital image, a derived digital image subjected to image processing using the digital image as original data, and order information as order data. A first storage means for storing the digital image managed by the order data management means, the derived digital image, and the order information; the digital image; the type of the derived digital image; Output set setting means for managing the order information as an output set, and the digital image, the derived digital image and the order information in the order data managed by the order management means are stored in a second storage means. In this case, the apparatus includes a storage unit that stores the output set information managed by the output set setting unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the output set setting means according to the first invention sets an output destination for the output set, and the storage means according to the first invention includes the output set setting. The digital image, the derived digital image, and the order information are stored based on the output set and output destination information set by the means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an order data management step for managing, as order data, a set of a digital image, a derived digital image subjected to image processing using the digital image as original data, and order information. A first storage device that stores the digital image managed by the order data management step, the derived digital image, and the order information, the digital image, the type of the derived digital image, and the An output set setting step for managing the order information as an output set, and the digital image, the derived digital image, and the order information in the order data managed by the order management step are stored in a second storage device. A saving step for saving based on the output set information managed by the output set setting step. Characterized in that it.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the output set setting step according to the third invention sets an output destination for the output set, and the storage step according to the third invention includes the output set setting. The digital image, the derived digital image, and the order information are stored based on the output set and output destination information set in the step.

  According to the image data output system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image data set to be output can be arbitrarily selected at the time of saving, so that it can be applied to a flexible operation workflow. Further, according to the image data output system of the second aspect, since the output destination can be set in the output data set, a flexible data output action can be easily executed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image data output system of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes input means for generating digital image data such as a digital camera. Reference numeral 102 denotes order data management means for managing the digital image generated by the input means 101 as data for each photographing of the customer, and reference numeral 103 denotes first storage for storing image data managed by the order data management means 102. Means 104 indicates image data generated by the input means 101. Reference numeral 105 denotes image processing means for performing various image processing on the image data 104 generated by the input means 101. In the processing of the image processing means 105, when the image data 104 is the CCD raw data of a digital camera, it is processing for converting the raw data image into a general-purpose data file format, that is, development processing in digital processing, For example, a retouching process for correcting wrinkles or a trimming process for trimming a print image. Reference numeral 106 denotes an image generated by the processing performed by the image processing means 105, and the name is derived image data. Reference numeral 107 denotes order management data including customer identification information, photographing reception information, and order information. Reference numeral 108 denotes output set setting means for setting a plurality of data sets of the image data 104, the derived image data 106, and the order management data 107. Reference numeral 109 denotes image data 104, derivative image data 106, and order management data 107 managed by the order data management means 102, to an external removable medium or second storage means on the network indicated by reference numeral 110. , Storage means for saving based on the setting of the output set setting means 108 and the instruction of the operator. Note that the second storage unit 110 may be the same as the first storage unit 103.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration for realizing the image data output system of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 201 denotes a central processing unit (CPU) for calculation and control. Reference numeral 202 denotes a ROM that stores a program for performing image input, order data management, image processing, output set setting, and storage. Reference numeral 203 denotes a RAM in which an execution area into which a program is loaded and a work area of the program are secured when image input, order data management, image processing, output set setting, and a storage program are executed. Reference numeral 204 denotes a keyboard having keys for an operator to perform operations and data input. Reference numeral 205 denotes a pointing device such as a mouse that clicks an instruction icon displayed on the display 206 or moves a cursor to give an operation instruction. Reference numeral 207 denotes a storage device (hard disk (HD)) that stores image data, order data, a program, or work data for output. The display 206 may be a touch panel. Reference numeral 208 denotes a removable medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a magneto-optical disk (MO) in which data exchange with an external image processing apparatus and image data and programs are stored. Reference numeral 209 denotes a printing apparatus (printer), and reference numeral 210 denotes a digital image input device such as a film scanner or a digital camera that inputs a digital image. Reference numeral 211 denotes a bus that interconnects the devices in the image system.

  In FIG. 1, the order data management unit 102, the first storage unit 103, the image processing unit 105, the output set management unit 108, the storage unit 109, and the second storage unit 110 are a CPU 201, a RAM 203, an HD 207, a display 206, A removable medium 208 is used.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of data for each order generated by photographing. The image data 104 corresponds to a captured RAW image (reference numeral 303), and the derived image data 106 includes a developed image (reference numeral 304), a retouched image (reference numeral 305), and a layout subjected to trimming processing for printing. This corresponds to data (reference numeral 306). The order management data 107 corresponds to received data (reference numeral 301) and order data (reference numeral 302). The reception data 301 includes customer identification information such as a reception identification ID, a customer name, and a telephone number. The order data 302 includes print order information such as an order identification ID, one for four pieces, and one for six pieces.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a user interface screen showing the output set setting means 108. A list of “Customer writing service”, “Printing consignment”, “Correction printing consignment”, “Store data storage”, and “Customer special writing service” denoted by reference numeral 401 indicates the type of output set executed by the storage unit 109. It is shown. The output set set by the output set setting means 108 is newly added to the type of the output set 401 by entering an arbitrary name in the character input area 404 and executing the [New] button 405. Is done. Reference numeral 402 denotes an output data set attribute that is selected and saved at the time of saving. In the example of reference numeral 402, the “accepted data” and “developed image” attributes are stored and set in the “customer writing service”. Reference numeral 403 is a list of image types for setting to reference numeral 402. In the state of reference numeral 403, “order data”, “captured RAW image”, “retouched image”, and “layouted image” can still be registered in the output data set attribute 402. Registration in the output data set attribute 402 is performed with the [←] button denoted by reference numeral 408. Deletion from the output data set attribute 402 is performed with a [→] button denoted by reference numeral 409. When the type list name of the output set 401 is changed, the type to be changed is selected from the type list 401 of the output set. At this time, the name of the selected output type is displayed in the character input area 404, the name is corrected, and the name is changed by executing the [Modify] button 406. When the output type is deleted from the output set type list 401, the type to be deleted is selected from the output set type list 401, and the deletion is performed by executing a [Delete] button 407. Reference numeral 410 indicates the designation of the output destination, and reference numeral 411 [Ref. . . ] Button is used to specify a recognizable location on the hardware system shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of data set by the output set setting means 108. In the reference numeral 501 “customer writing service”, reception data 301 and a developed image 304 are set. Accepted data 301, order data 302, and layout-completed data 306 are set for the reference numeral 502 “print consignment”. Accepted data 301, order data 302, a captured RAW image 303, and a developed image 304 are set in the reference numeral 503 “Correction / print consignment”. In the reference numeral 504 “store data storage”, reception data 301, order data 302, a captured RAW image 303, a developed image 304, and a retouched image 305 are set. In the reference numeral 505 “customer special writing service”, reception data 301, a captured RAW image 303, and a developed image 304 are set.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen when saving is performed using the data as shown in FIG. 5 set by the output set setting means of FIG. 4 as designation information. Reference numeral 601 indicates an output set set by the reference numeral 401. The contents of the output data of reference numeral 602 and the output destination of reference numeral 603 indicate the output set and output destination information set using reference numerals 402, 403, 408, 409, 410, and 411. By executing a reference numeral 604 [save] button, the selected output set is saved.

  The object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a software program that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments to a computer or CPU, and the computer or CPU reads and executes the supplied program. Needless to say.

  In this case, the program is supplied by downloading directly from a recording medium recording the program (not shown) or from another computer or database (not shown) connected to the Internet, a commercial network, a local area network, or the like. Is done.

  The above-described program only needs to be able to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments by a computer, and the form includes forms such as object code, a program executed by an interpreter, and script data supplied to the OS. But you can.

  Furthermore, the object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a computer with a recording medium that records a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments, and reading and executing the program stored in the recording medium. Needless to say, this is achieved.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, RAM, NV-RAM, floppy (registered trademark) disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, MO, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW), magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, other ROM, etc. may be used as long as they can store the above programs.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the image data output system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions which implement | achieve the image data output system of this invention. The figure which shows the example of the image data produced | generated with the image data output system of this invention, and management data The figure which shows the example of the screen which sets an output set with the image data output system of this invention The figure which shows the example of the set data set by the output set setting means of the image data output system of this invention The figure which shows the example of the screen which selects and saves the output set of the image data output system of this invention

Explanation of symbols

102 Order data management means 103 First storage means (storage means 1)
104 Image data 105 Image processing means 106 Derived image data 107 Order management data 108 Output set setting means 109 Storage means 110 Second storage means (storage means 2)
201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 Keyboard 205 Pointing device 207 Hard disk (HD, storage device)
208 Removable media

Claims (4)

An image data output system for outputting a digital image to a storage means,
Order data management means for managing a set of digital images, derived digital images subjected to image processing using the digital images as original data, and order information as order data;
First storage means for storing the digital image managed by the order data management means, the derived digital image, and the order information;
Output set setting means for managing the digital image, the type of the derived digital image, and the order information as an output set;
Output set information managed by the output set setting means when the digital image, the derived digital image, and the order information in the order data managed by the order management means are stored in the second storage means A storage means for storing based on
An image data output system comprising:   The output set setting means according to claim 1 sets an output destination for the output set, and the storage means according to claim 1 sets the digital image based on the output set and output destination information set by the output set setting means. An image data output system for storing the derived digital image and the order information. An image data output program for outputting a digital image to a storage device,
An order data management step for managing a set of the digital image, a derived digital image subjected to image processing using the digital image as original data, and order information as order data;
A first storage device for storing the digital image managed by the order data management step, the derived digital image, and the order information;
An output set setting step for managing the digital image, the type of the derived digital image, and the order information as an output set;
Output set information managed by the output set setting step when the digital image, the derived digital image, and the order information in the order data managed by the order management step are stored in a second storage device A save step to save based on,
An image data output program characterized by comprising:   The output set setting step according to claim 3 sets an output destination for the output set, and the storage step according to claim 1 is based on the output set and output destination information set by the output set setting step. An image data output program for storing the derived digital image and the order information.

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