JP2006222661A - Order monitor system and monitor program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an order monitor system capable of monitoring a new order to be photographically processed without deteriorating the efficiency of the whole system. <P>SOLUTION: In the order monitor system, order data to be photographically processed is conserved in a hot holder 19 at a sub-holder unit, the state of the order data can be confirmed by the holder name of a sub-holder 19a, and the sub-holder is monitored. The order monitor system has an event-data receiving means 20a for receiving an event data made to inform when the holder name is changed and an order confirming means 20b confirming whether or not there is the new order in the hot holder 19 by the reception of the event data. The order monitor system further has an order-data transfer means 20d for transferring the order data to a specified transfer destination for photographically processing the order data when there is the new order. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an order monitoring system and a monitoring program in which order data subject to photo processing is stored in a hot folder in units of subfolders and the subfolders are monitored.

  Photo processing to create photo prints after inputting image data to be printed (equivalent to photo processing) as a system for creating photo prints, using this to print and expose images on photographic materials, and developing them The system is known. When image data is input, data such as the print size and the number of prints are set (setting data), and then the image data and setting data (these are called order data) are stored in a folder called a hot folder.

  Here, the hot folder is a folder set in a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk, and image data to be printed is stored in order units. Here, one order is stored in, for example, frame image data for one photographic film or one storage medium when image data is acquired from a photographic film or a storage medium (for example, for a digital camera). It refers to frame image data. In order to manage the order data in the hot folder in order units, a subfolder is created in the hot folder, and the order data is stored in the subfolder. That is, when performing the printing process, a new subfolder is created in the hot folder, and the order data to be subjected to photo processing such as image data is stored.

On the other hand, the photo processing system is provided with an order monitoring system (for example, Patent Document 1 below), and it is confirmed whether or not there is order data not subjected to print processing in the hot folder. When unprocessed order data is found, the order data including image data is read out and transferred to an image exposure apparatus such as a laser engine. When the printing process is completed, the subfolder in which the order data is stored is deleted.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-118095

  As described above, in order to monitor whether or not a new order is stored in the hot folder, the order monitoring system needs to periodically poll the hot folder. This polling is executed at intervals of several seconds, for example, and there is a problem that the performance of the entire photo processing system is lowered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an order monitoring system and a monitoring program that can monitor a new order to be photographed without reducing the efficiency of the entire system.

In order to solve the above problems, an order monitoring system according to the present invention provides:
An order monitoring system in which order data subject to photo processing is stored in a hot folder in units of subfolders, and the status of the order data can be confirmed by the folder name of the subfolder.
Event data receiving means for receiving event data notified when a folder name is changed;
Order confirmation means for confirming whether a new order exists in the hot folder by receiving this event data,
When a new order exists, order data transfer means for transferring the order data to a predetermined transfer destination is provided in order to process the order data in a photograph.

  The operation and effect of the order monitoring system with this configuration will be described. Photo processing target order data is stored in subfolders in the hot folder, and order data is stored in each subfolder. Each subfolder is individually assigned a folder name, and the status of the order data can be confirmed by the assigned folder name. For example, if a subfolder is being created (order data is being input), a folder name is given to indicate that, and when order data input is complete, the folder name is changed to identify that photo processing is possible It can be so. When such a folder name is changed, event data for notifying that is received by the event data receiving means. By receiving this event data, the order confirmation unit confirms whether or not a new order exists in the hot folder. When a new order exists, order data stored in the subfolder is transferred to a predetermined transfer destination in order to process the order data.

  In this way, instead of regularly monitoring the hot folder, new events in the hot folder are confirmed when event data is received, which reduces the overall system efficiency due to unnecessary processing. There is no. As a result, it is possible to provide an order monitoring system capable of monitoring a new order to be subjected to photo processing without reducing the efficiency of the entire system.

  In the present invention, at least a first extension indicating that the folder is being created and a second extension indicating that the order has been registered are selectively given to the folder name of the subfolder in which the order data is stored. Preferably, the order confirmation unit confirms that the order is a new order by the second extension.

  By adding an extension to the folder name of the subfolder, the status of the order can be confirmed. That is, a first extension indicating that a folder is being created and a second extension indicating that an order has been registered are selectively given. For example, the creation is completed from the state in which the folder is being created (order registered). When switching to, the extension is also changed from the first extension to the second extension. Therefore, by confirming that the second extension is included in the folder name, it is possible to easily confirm whether the order is a new order.

  The event data according to the present invention preferably includes data capable of identifying the type of extension of the folder name. If the type of extension of the folder name can be identified from the event data, it is possible to eliminate a useless process of checking the hot folder even when the event is changed to an unrelated extension.

  In the present invention, the data stored in the subfolder preferably includes an image data file to be processed and a command data file in which processing contents for the image data are described.

  The command data is, for example, a data file in which print conditions are set, and describes the print size of the photographic print, the number of prints, the content of data to be printed on the back side of the print, and the like. A photo print can be created based on the command data and the image data.

In order to solve the above problems, an order monitoring program according to the present invention provides:
Order monitoring program for photo processing is stored in the hot folder in units of subfolders, and the status of the order data can be confirmed by the folder name of the subfolder.
Processing to receive event data notified when a folder name is changed,
Processing to check whether a new order exists in the hot folder by receiving this event data;
When there is a new order, the computer is caused to execute processing for transferring the order data to a predetermined transfer destination in order to perform photo processing on the order data.

  Further, at least a first extension indicating that the folder is being created and a second extension indicating that the order has been registered are selectively given to the folder name of the subfolder in which the order data is stored. Processing is performed, and processing for confirming that the order is a new order is executed by the presence of the second extension.

  The operations and effects of these computer programs are as described above.

  A preferred embodiment of a photographic processing system in which an order monitoring system according to the present invention is used will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a photographic processing system.

<Overall configuration of photo processing system>
In FIG. 1, a photo processing system includes a photo print creation device 1 and a number of terminal processing devices 2 connected via a network such as a LAN. The photo print creation apparatus 1 has a function of acquiring image data and performing photo print creation and writing processing to various storage media (these correspond to photo processing) based on the image data. The photo print creation apparatus 1 can be roughly divided into an image processor 1A and a printer processor 1B. The image processor 1A and the printer processor 1B are separate devices, and both are connected by a communication line. However, the image processor 1A and the printer processor 1B are not limited to this, and the photo print creation apparatus 1 in which the processors 1A and 1B are integrated. It may be.

  The image processor 1A has a function of acquiring image data from a photographic film or a storage medium. A film scanner is provided for scanning a frame image formed on a developed photographic film to acquire image data. Further, a drive device for reading image data stored in various storage media is provided. Examples of the storage medium include CD-R, DVD, MO disk, various digital camera media, and the like.

  The image processor 1A is installed with image processing software for an operator to perform image processing work. This image processing work is performed in order to create a photographic print with appropriate image quality. For example, setting of correction parameters for color / density, setting of correction parameters for special correction such as red-eye correction and backlight correction, printing, etc. There are settings for size and number of prints. In this way, correction parameters for the input original image data and individual image data are set, and a photo print can be created using these data.

  The printer processor 1B has a function of creating a photo print based on the image data transferred from the image processor 1A and the correction parameters. For this purpose, an image exposure unit and a development processing unit are provided. The image exposure unit includes a digital exposure engine and has a function of scanning and exposing an image on the emulsion surface of the photographic material. As the exposure engine, an appropriate structure such as a laser engine, a PLZT engine, a CRT engine or the like can be used. The photographic light-sensitive material on which the image is printed and exposed is sent to a development processing unit, subjected to development processing, dried, and discharged as a finished photographic print to the outside of the apparatus.

  In addition, the process which writes in a storage medium using the image data image-processed by the image processor 1A is also performed. The medium writing device can be mounted on the image processor 1A.

  The terminal processing apparatus 2 connected to the photo print creating apparatus 1 via a LAN can be configured by a general-purpose personal computer (computer), and software necessary for performing photo processing work is installed. Similarly to the photo print creation apparatus 1, image data can be acquired from a photographic film or a storage medium. Then, similarly to the image processor 1A, each terminal processing device 2 can perform image processing work. By installing a large number of such terminal processing devices 2, work can be performed in a distributed manner, and the processing efficiency of the entire system can be increased. By transferring data for creating a photo print from the terminal processing device 2 to the photo print creating device 1, a photo print is created in the photo print creating device 1. Note that not only one photo print creation apparatus 1 but also a plurality of photo print creation apparatuses 1 may be connected to the LAN.

<Functional block diagram>
Next, the main functions of the photo processing system shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. First, main functions in the photo print creating apparatus 1 will be described. The image data input unit 10 has a function of acquiring digital image data from a developed photographic film and various storage media. The image processing unit 11 has a function of performing predetermined image processing on input image data, and correction parameters are set for individual image data as described above. The order data storage unit 12 includes an appropriate storage device, and stores order data in units of orders. What is saved is image data, correction parameters, and the like. Here, the order unit usually indicates processing data for one photographic film or one storage medium, but the concept of one order can be set as appropriate by the operator of the photo shop. When processing the order data to create a photo print, the data is transferred to the laser engine 16 via the data transfer control unit 13 and the data transfer unit 14.

  The order data storage unit 12 stores image data directly acquired by the photo print creation apparatus 1 itself, but it is also possible to create a photo print using image data acquired via a LAN. . That is, the photo print creating apparatus 1 is provided with a print mode setting unit 17 for setting a print mode for creating a photo print. When the first mode is set, photographic processing can be performed on the image data acquired via the image data input unit 10. When the second mode is set, photo processing can be performed on image data acquired via the LAN. Therefore, the data transfer control unit 13 has a function of controlling the data path of which order data should be processed.

  The image data via the LAN is received via the data transmission / reception unit 18 and the data is stored in the hot folder 19. The received data is order data composed of image data and command data. The command data is data in which the processing content for the image data is described, and is saved in order units in a text file format. The hot folder 19 is composed of a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk, and a number of subfolders 19 a are created in the hot folder 19. The subfolder 19a is created for each order, and image data and command data for one order are stored in one subfolder 19a. When the second mode is set, the order data in the hot folder 19 is transferred to the laser engine 16 via the data transfer control unit 13 and the data transfer unit 14.

  The terminal processing device 2 is also provided with an image data input unit 30, an image processing unit 31, and an order data storage unit 32, and these functions are the image data input unit 10, image The processing unit 11 and the order data storage unit 12 have the same functions. The command data file creation unit 33 has a function of creating a command data file. The command data may be automatically created in conjunction with the operator's setting work in the image processing unit 31, or may be created by manual input by the operator. The order data stored in the order data storage unit 32 is transmitted to the LAN via the data transmission / reception unit 34 and received by the data transmission / reception unit 18 of the photo print creating apparatus 1.

  The terminal processing device 2 is software used when hot folder compatible software 35 is installed and the terminal processing device 2 instructs the photo print creation device 1 to perform photo print creation processing. The typical functions will be described. The print processing instructing unit 35a gives a command to print the order data stored in the order data storage unit 32. A print processing instruction can be specified in units of orders.

  The order data transfer unit 35b has a function of transferring the order data relating to the order instructed by the print processing instruction unit 35a to the photo print creating apparatus 1 via the LAN. The subfolder creation unit 35 c has a function of creating a subfolder 19 a inside the hot folder 19. The transferred order data is stored in the newly created subfolder 19a. When there are a plurality of orders, the subfolders 19a to be created are also created corresponding to the number of orders. When the subfolder 19a is created, a folder name is automatically given, which is also one of the functions of the subfolder creating means 35c. In addition to an identification number for specifying the order, an extension described later is also added to the folder name.

  Next, functions of the hot folder compatible software 20 installed in the photo print creating apparatus 1 will be described. The event data receiving unit 20 a receives event data from the event notification unit 21. This event data is data for notifying that when the folder name is changed. The function of the event notification unit 21 can be a function of an OS (Operating System). The order confirmation unit 20 b has a function of confirming whether a new order is stored in the hot folder 19 when the event data is received by the event data reception unit 20.

  The extension control means 20 c controls the extension of the folder name given to the subfolder 19 a in the hot folder 19. This will be described later. When it is confirmed that a new order exists in the hot folder 19, the order data transfer means 20 d transfers the order data stored in the subfolder 19 a and performs a photo print creation process. The subfolder deleting means 20e transfers the order data stored in the subfolder 19a and deletes the subfolder 19a at an appropriate timing when the print processing is performed. The timing of deletion may be immediately after the printing process is performed, or may be deleted after a predetermined period has elapsed.

  The image data transferred by the data transfer unit 14 is transferred to the laser control unit 15 and then sent to the laser engine 16 in synchronization with the speed at which the photographic photosensitive material is conveyed.

  A paper magazine 3 storing photographic photosensitive material in roll form is detachably attached to the printer processor 1B. The photographic photosensitive material drawn out from the paper magazine 3 is cut into a predetermined print size by the paper cutter 4. The This photographic light-sensitive material is transported at a predetermined speed along the transport path, during which scanning exposure of image data is performed by the laser engine 16. The photographic light-sensitive material on which the image has been subjected to printing exposure is subjected to development processing in the development processing section 5, and then subjected to drying processing in the drying processing section, and is discharged to the outside as a finished photographic print.

  Next, a function for confirming a new order in the hot folder 19 will be described. In order to confirm whether or not a new order exists in the hot folder 19, conventionally, the hot folder 19 is periodically checked (polled). For example, the hot folder 19 is monitored at intervals of several seconds, which causes the performance of the entire photo processing system to deteriorate. Therefore, in the monitoring system according to the present invention, the inside of the hot folder 19 is not periodically monitored, but the confirmation is performed only when event data is received, so that useless confirmation processing can be reduced, Performance can be improved.

  Here, the extension when the subfolder 19a is generated in the hot folder 19 will be described. Four extensions, N, R, C, and E, are set. The extension N (corresponding to the first extension) is an extension indicating that the subfolder 19a is being created. When a new subfolder 19a is created in the hot folder 19 based on the function of the subfolder creation means 35c of the terminal processing device 2, N is first added as an extension. Order data transferred from the terminal processing device 2 is stored in the subfolder 19a. When the saving of the order data is completed, a completion signal is transmitted, and in response to this, the extension control means 20c changes the extension from N to R (corresponding to the second extension). By changing the extension to R, it is possible to determine that the order data in the subfolder 19a is data related to a new order.

  When the order data in the subfolder 19a is transferred for print processing, the extension is changed from R to C to indicate that the print processing is completed. Completion of the printing process can be determined to be complete when, for example, all data is transferred to the laser control unit 15. The extension E is an extension indicating that some error has occurred. For example, when the data transfer is not successful, a paper jam occurs during the conveyance of the photosensitive material pulled out from the paper magazine 3, and the creation of the photo print is interrupted. This is the case when a simple command is described. When such a malfunction is resolved, the extension E is changed to R, for example, so that the printing process can be resumed.

  In the subfolder 19a generated in the hot folder 19, an image data file for one order and a command data file are stored. FIG. 3 shows an example of command data, which is composed of text data. The command data describes the file name of each image data included in the order, the format of the image file, the frame number, the back print (data to be printed on the back side of the photo print), the print size of the photo print, and the like. Photo print creation processing can be performed based on the command data and each image data. There is one command data file per order.

<Procedure to create subfolder>
Next, a schematic procedure until the subfolder 19a is created will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The operator of the terminal processing apparatus 2 acquires image data to be processed for photo print creation from the image data input unit 30 (# 1). Next, an image processing operation is performed on the input image data (# 2). Also, a command data file is created (# 3). The acquired image data and command data are stored as order data in the order data storage unit 32 (# 4).

  When print processing is performed on the order data stored in the order data storage unit 32, the hot folder corresponding software 35 is activated to instruct the print processing (# 5). After storing the order data, the operator can arbitrarily decide when to instruct the print processing. When a print process is instructed, not only one order to be processed but also a plurality of orders can be specified. When a print process is instructed, the photo print creation apparatus 1 connected to the LAN is also designated. As in the case of printing a document on a personal computer, a specific photo print creation apparatus 1 can be designated in advance as a printer that is always used. Printing processing is performed.

  When the print processing is instructed, a new subfolder 19a is generated in the hot folder 19 of the photo print creating apparatus 1 (# 6). The folder name of the subfolder 19a is automatically given and the extension is also given “N”. The image data for one order is sequentially transferred from the terminal processing device 2 and stored in the newly created subfolder 19a (# 7). When the transfer of the image data is completed, the command data file is transferred and saved in the same subfolder 19a (# 8). Thereby, the transfer of the order data is completed, and the extension of the subfolder 19a is changed to “R”. As a result, the print process can be performed anytime. In step # 5, if there are a plurality of orders instructing print processing, the same number of subfolders 19a are created.

<Print processing procedure>
Next, a procedure for performing a print process based on the function of the hot folder compatible software 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the print mode is set to the second mode (# 20). By setting to the second mode, it is possible to perform photo processing on the order data transmitted via the LAN. Next, it is determined whether or not the event data receiving means 20a has been received (# 21), and if received, the inside of the hot folder 19 is confirmed based on the function of the order confirmation means 20b (# 22). It is checked whether or not the subfolder 19a having the extension “R” exists in the hot folder 19 (# 23). Based on the type of extension, it can be confirmed whether or not a new order exists.

  If a new order exists, the order data stored in the subfolder 19a is transferred to the laser control unit 15 (# 24). When the transfer of the order data is completed, the extension of the subfolder 19a is changed to “C” based on the function of the extension control means 20c (# 25). By changing the extension to “C”, it is possible to determine that the print processing has been completed for the order. The laser engine 16 performs image printing exposure on the photographic material using the transferred image data (# 26). The photographic light-sensitive material on which the image is printed and exposed is subjected to development processing and drying processing, and is then discharged to the outside as a photographic print (# 27).

<Another embodiment>
In the present embodiment, the order data is composed of an image data file and a command data file. Here, the image data may be original image data input from the image data input unit 30, or image data after correction when the image processing unit 31 performs correction processing. Various correction parameters set in the image processing unit 31 may be included in the command data. In this case, in the photo print creation apparatus 1, print image data is generated based on the original image data and the correction parameters, and this is transferred to the laser engine 16.

  In the present embodiment, the laser engine 16 (image exposure apparatus) is described as an example of the order data transfer destination. However, when image data is written to a storage medium (an example of photo processing), the transfer destination is the medium. It becomes a writing device. Data may be transferred to both the laser engine 16 and the media writing device.

  In this embodiment, four types of extensions are used. However, the number of extensions is not limited to this, and the number of extensions may be further increased. The number of characters constituting the extension can also be set as appropriate. Further, the order status may be determined by changing the folder name other than the extension.

  In the present embodiment, when the event data is received, the inside of the hot folder 19 is always checked. However, if the event data includes data that can identify the type of extension, it is more efficient. Monitoring in the hot folder 19 can be performed. That is, if it is confirmed that the extension has been changed to “C” by analyzing the event data, the hot folder 19 can be checked for the first time. Thereby, the hot folder 19 can be monitored more efficiently.

  In the present embodiment, the subfolder creation unit 35c is set as a function on the terminal processing device 2 side, but may be set as a function on the photo print creation device 1 side. Further, the function of the extension control means 20c may be provided on the terminal processing device 2 side.

Schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the photo processing system Block diagram showing functions of photo processing system Figure showing command data Flow chart showing the general procedure for creating a subfolder Flow chart showing print processing procedure

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photo print production apparatus 2 Terminal processing apparatus 19 Hot folder 19a Subfolder 20 Hot folder corresponding | compatible software 20a Event data receiving means 20b Order confirmation means 20c Extension control means 20d Order data transfer means 21 Event notification part 32 Order data storage part 33 Command data File creation unit 34 Data transmission / reception unit 35 Hot folder compatible software 35a Print processing instruction unit 35b Order data transfer unit 35c Subfolder creation unit

Claims (6)

An order monitoring system in which order data subject to photo processing is stored in a hot folder in units of subfolders, and the status of the order data can be confirmed by the folder name of the subfolder.
Event data receiving means for receiving event data notified when a folder name is changed;
Order confirmation means for confirming whether a new order exists in the hot folder by receiving this event data,
An order monitoring system comprising: order data transfer means for transferring order data to a predetermined transfer destination in order to perform photo processing of the order data when a new order exists.   The folder name of the subfolder in which the order data is stored is configured to be selectively given at least a first extension indicating that the folder is being created and a second extension indicating that the order has been registered. 2. The order monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the order confirmation unit confirms that the order is a new order by using the second extension.   3. The order monitoring system according to claim 2, wherein the event data includes data capable of identifying a type of extension of a folder name.   4. The data stored in the subfolder includes an image data file to be processed and a command data file in which processing contents for the image data are described. Order monitoring system described. Order monitoring program for photo processing is stored in the hot folder in units of subfolders, and the status of the order data can be confirmed by the folder name of the subfolder.
Processing to receive event data notified when a folder name is changed,
Processing to check whether a new order exists in the hot folder by receiving this event data;
An order monitoring program for causing a computer to execute processing for transferring order data to a predetermined transfer destination in order to perform photo processing of the order data when a new order exists.   The folder name of the subfolder in which the order data is stored is processed so that at least a first extension indicating that the folder is being created and a second extension indicating that the order has been registered are selectively given. 6. The order monitoring program according to claim 5, wherein a process for confirming that the order is a new order is executed due to the presence of the second extension.

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