JP2006227381A - Photographic printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To rationally constitute a system capable of performing processing for ordering in appropriate order when receiving a plurality of orders. <P>SOLUTION: The order of priority is set to the respective receiving forms of printing from a medium used in a digital camera, simultaneous printing from photographic film and printing of image data transmitted through internet in this order. When receiving the plurality of orders, the processing order is set based on the receiving form. When receiving orders newly, the processing order is set based on a set rule if a finishing date is delayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographic print system including a print control unit that receives a plurality of orders and performs order print processing in an order different from the order of reception.

  As a technique similar to the photo print system configured as described above, there are those described in Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3.

  In Patent Document 1, a user's personal computer and a print finisher's workstation are connected by a public telephone line, a scanner and a digital camera as image input means are connected to the personal computer, and a printer is connected to the workstation. . The personal computer is equipped with an order processing program. When ordering prints with this program, the print target data is specified, and the print instruction data, desired delivery date / time instruction data, etc. are input, so that these data are stored. Sent to work station via public telephone line. The workstation is equipped with process management processing software, and when a print order is received from a personal computer, the print order is determined giving priority to the desired delivery date and time. In this case, if the desired delivery date / time of the previous order is lowered, if the desired delivery date / time is not satisfied, an unprocessable display is sent to the personal computer.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228688 includes priority finishing processing (for example, finishing after 1 hour), standard finishing processing (for example, finishing after 24 hours), and processing for orders of a fixed print size as print processing of received orders. Efficient processing is set so as to perform as much as possible. When an order is accepted, either priority finishing or standard finishing is set according to the customer's request, and whether or not efficient processing is possible is determined from the print size or number of prints of the order. Then, execution list information in which the order processing order is set so as to perform efficient processing is generated (updated), and print processing is performed in the order according to the execution list.

  In Patent Document 3, when a printing process is executed in a photographic printing apparatus, a message during printing is displayed on a monitor, and two switches of an ID photo and a digital camera are displayed on the monitor. In this way, during the printing process, for example, when it is necessary to print an ID photo, by operating the ID photo switch displayed on the monitor, the information necessary for printing the ID photo can be input. After inputting this information, by operating one of the two switches displayed on the monitor, the print processing is performed prior to (interrupting) the currently printed processing. By operating the other, the printing process can be performed after the currently printed process (after the end of one order).

JP-A-10-78620 (paragraph numbers [0014] to [0053], FIG. 1) JP 2001-350213 A (paragraph numbers [0022] to [0035], FIGS. 3 to 8) JP 2000-352780 A (paragraph numbers [0021] to [0027], FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 6, FIG. 8)

  Considering the processing at the DP store, when a plurality of orders are received, it is normal to set the time when a preset time has passed with reference to the received date and time as the scheduled finish date. In addition, for orders that require urgent finishing, the order of processing is often changed by an operator's manual operation.

  In the processing mode in which the image of the photographic film is printed on the photographic paper after developing the photographed photographic film as in the simultaneous printing from the photographic film, it takes about 1 hour even if quick work is performed. Need processing time. In the case of an order that prints image data transmitted via the Internet, it is possible to complete the process in a relatively short time, but because there is time until the customer visits the DP store, It does not require processing in a short time.

  However, with the rapid spread of digital cameras in recent years and the digital processing of photographic printing apparatuses, the order of performing print processing from media used in digital cameras is also increasing. Since this type of order can be processed in a short time, for example, when an order is accepted at a DP store, the order requester (customer) waits for the finish and gives priority to other processes. Then, order print processing is also performed.

  However, considering that print processing from the media used in the digital camera is prioritized, manual settings for performing preferential processing are time-consuming to set. In addition, when priority is given to print processing, if there is an order that has been accepted earlier, it is necessary to accurately grasp whether there is a delay in the finish date and time of the order received earlier, and the degree of delay. Is desired.

  An object of the present invention is to rationally configure a system capable of processing orders in an appropriate order when a plurality of orders are received.

A feature of the present invention is a photo print system including a print control unit that accepts a plurality of orders and performs order print processing in an order different from the order of acceptance.
The print control unit includes a processing order setting unit that sets a processing order based on a priority set corresponding to an order receiving form, a finishing date setting unit that sets a finishing date for each order, and a set And print execution means for performing order print processing in accordance with the processing order.

  With this configuration, the processing order setting unit sets the order processing order based on the order reception form, the finishing date setting unit sets the finishing date, and the print execution unit performs print processing according to the processing order. In other words, since the processing order is set based on the reception form and the print processing is performed, for example, the print processing is performed by the order for which the print processing should be performed early based on the difference in the order reception form and the predetermined date and time. It is possible to determine a power order and perform print processing based on the priority relationship. As a result, a system that can perform print processing of a plurality of orders in an appropriate order without the operator having to manually perform the processing order has been configured.

According to the present invention, as the order receiving form, digital reception for performing print processing from image data photographed by a digital camera, film reception for performing print processing from an image photographed on a photographic film, and transmission via a communication line. Communication acceptance to perform print processing from the received image data is set,
The processing order setting means sets the highest priority for the digital reception order, sets the next priority for the film reception order, and sets the next priority for the communication reception order. Also good.

  With this configuration, it is possible to set the processing order by automatically setting the priority relationship in the order of digital reception, film reception, and communication reception, and a plurality of orders can be printed in this processing order. In other words, it is possible to perform print processing with the highest priority being the order that prints image data captured with a digital camera. For example, you can wait for the order client (customer) to finish and complete the order on the spot. It can also be handed over.

  The present invention includes processing order update means for updating the processing order when a new order is received, and the processing order update means is set by the processing order setting means for the newly received order. Even when the processing order interrupts the already set processing order, the interrupted processing order is set only when there is no delay in any finishing date and time of the plurality of orders in the already set processing order. In this way, the processing form may be set.

  With this configuration, in the situation where the processing order setting means sets the processing order for the newly received order and this processing order interrupts the processing order that has already been set, it is delayed to the finish date and time of any order in the processing order. The processing order is updated so that the order in which the processing order updating means interrupts is set only when no processing occurs. As a result, it is possible to perform print processing without causing a delay in the previously received order.

  The present invention includes processing order update means for updating the processing order when a new order is received, and the processing order update means is set by the processing order setting means for the newly received order. Even when the processing order interrupts the processing order that has already been set to cause a delay in the finish date and time of any of the orders in the processing order that has already been set, the delay time is preset. If it is within the range, the processing form may be set so as to set the interrupted processing order.

  With this configuration, when the processing order setting means sets the processing order for the newly received order and this processing order interrupts the processing order that has already been set, the delay time is within the preset range. In this case, the processing order interrupted by the processing order update means is set. As a result, even if a delay occurs in an already received order, the delay is not significantly affected when the time is relatively short, so that the print processing of the newly received order can be performed with priority. .

  The present invention includes processing order update means for updating the processing order when a new order is received, and the processing order update means is set by the processing order setting means for the newly received order. Even if the processing order is delayed in the finishing date and time of a specific order in the processing order that has already been set by interrupting the processing order that has already been set, the number of prints of that specific order is greater than the set value In this case, the processing mode may be set so as to set the interrupted processing order.

  With this configuration, in the situation where the processing order setting means sets the processing order for the newly received order and this processing order interrupts the processing order that has already been set, the number of prints in the order causing the delay is the set value. If there are more, the processing order interrupted by the processing order update means is set. As a result, it is possible to prioritize the newly received order print process in preference to the order print process that is inherently large in number of prints and easily affects the finish date and time of other orders.

  The present invention includes processing order update means for updating the processing order when a new order is received, and the processing order update means is set by the processing order setting means for the newly received order. Even if there is a delay in the finish date and time of a specific order in the processing order that has already been set by interrupting the processing order that has already been set, the number of prints of the newly received order is greater than the set value. If there are many, the processing form may be set so as to set the interrupted processing order.

  With this configuration, in the situation where the processing order setting means sets the processing order for the newly received order and this processing order interrupts the processing order that has already been set, the number of newly received orders is greater than the set value. If there are many, the processing order interrupted by the processing order update means is set. Thus, it is possible to preferentially print orders that have a large number of prints and are profitable at an early stage.

The present invention comprises an interrupt processing means for interrupting and executing the print processing of the order being executed when the new order is received,
In this interrupt processing means, the processing order set by the processing order setting means for the newly received order becomes the processing order next to the print processing of the currently executed order, and the newly received order If the print processing time is shorter than the processing time required to complete the print processing of the currently executed order, the processing mode may be set so as to execute the interrupted print processing.

  With this configuration, if the time until the completion of the print processing of the newly received order is shorter than the time until the completion of the print processing of the order currently being processed, By performing the processing in the form of interrupting the order, the print processing of the order can be performed with priority, and the print processing in a short time is realized.

The present invention is configured such that the photo print system includes a plurality of receiving terminals and a printing unit that executes print processing based on the order information received by the plurality of receiving terminals,
When the order is received by the receiving terminal, the processing order setting means sets the order processing order, and when executing the print processing of the order set in the processing order, the print execution means The processing mode may be set such that image data is acquired from the receiving terminal that has received the order to be processed and the order print processing is executed.

  With this configuration, even when orders are received by a plurality of receiving terminals, it is not necessary to store all the data of these orders on the printing unit side, and the order print processing is performed in the processing order set by the processing order setting means. Even when the printing is performed, it is sufficient that the printing apparatus receives data necessary for the printing process from the receiving terminal immediately before performing the printing process.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Overall Configuration] As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of receiving terminals A, information for processing information transmitted from the plurality of receiving terminals A and information transmitted via the Internet N (an example of a communication line). A photographic print system is configured to include a processing unit B and a printing unit C that performs a printing process on silver salt type photographic printing paper P (an example of a print medium) based on information from the information processing unit B.

  This photo print system is installed in a DP store, and the plurality of receiving terminals A sets a medium M (see FIG. 2) used in a digital camera (not shown) by a customer, and performs self-service. The order is received by the customer operating in the form of. The information processing unit B is arranged inside the counter 1 of the DP store and is used for order from a photographic film used in a silver salt type camera (not shown) or reprint processing from a photographic film that has already been developed. And orders from the Internet N are accepted. The information processing unit B transmits the order received by the information processing unit B, the order received by the receiving terminal A, and the order received via the Internet N to the printing unit C by printing. Realize processing.

  The printing unit C is configured to perform a development process and a drying process after the exposure process for the photographic paper P. In the information processing section B, when an order for performing a printing process called simultaneous printing is obtained from a photographed photographic film, the photographic film is developed by a film processor (not shown). Become.

  The plurality of receiving terminals A and the information processing unit B are connected to each other via an Ethernet (trademark) type LAN of CSMA / CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) system including a cable 2 and a hub 3. Are connected to each other. The information processing unit B and the printing unit C are also connected to each other by the cable 4 constituting the Ethernet (trademark) type LAN described above. Further, a communication line 5 is formed between the Internet N and the information processing unit B. The information transmission system between the information processing unit B and the printing unit C does not have to be an Ethernet (trademark) type LAN, and may use a dedicated communication line.

[Receiving Terminal] As shown in FIG. 2, the receiving terminal A includes a housing 10 and a liquid crystal display 11. The front portion of the housing 10 includes a media drive 12 that acquires image data from the medium M, a connector 13 that is connected to the camera-equipped mobile phone T, and an exchange certificate printer 15 that prints an exchange certificate 14. Is provided with a processing unit 16 that performs processing from acquisition of the order to processing to transmit to the information processing unit B. The display 11 has a touch panel formed on the display surface, and adopts a display that can display necessary operations by bringing a finger or the like into contact with an icon displayed on the display 11.

  As the medium M from which the image data can be acquired by the media drive 12, semiconductor media such as Compact Flash (trademark) Mc, SD memory card (trademark) Md, Memory Stick (trademark) Ms, A disk-shaped medium such as a CD (Compact Disc), a CD-R (CD-Recordable), or an MO (Magnet Optical Disk) is assumed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the receiving terminal A is provided with an input / output interface 21 for accessing signals to the microprocessor CPU. The display 11, media drive 12, connector 13, and the like are connected to the input / output interface 21. A signal system for accessing signals between the exchange certificate printers 15 is formed. A hard disk HD and a communication unit 22 are connected to the input / output interface 21, and a semiconductor memory 23 (RAM / ROM), an operating system 24, an image data acquisition unit 25, and order data acquisition are connected to the data bus of the CPU. Means 26, data management means 27, and image correction means 28 are connected.

  Incidentally, this receiving terminal A requires a control bus, an address bus, etc. in addition to a data bus in order to realize control, but in order to avoid complication, the drawing shows a control bus, an address bus, Or, the interfaces are not shown.

  The operating system 24 displays necessary information on the display 11, and based on the displayed information, an operation on the touch panel is performed to acquire image data and order data. User Interface) type processing is realized.

  The image data acquisition means 25 executes processing for acquiring image data from the set medium M (Mc · Md · Ms) or acquiring all image data of the camera-equipped mobile phone T. The order data acquisition unit 26 displays a list of thumbnail images corresponding to the acquired image data on the display 11, and includes image data to be printed based on this display, a print size, and the number of prints. Get order data. The image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 25 and the order data acquired by the order data acquisition unit 26 are stored in the hard disk HD.

  The data management means 27 includes an order data transmission unit 27A and an image data transmission unit 27B. When the order data transmission unit 27A receives the order at the receiving terminal, the order data transmission unit 27A immediately executes processing for transmitting the order data of the order to the information processing unit B. The image data transmission unit 27B receives the information from the information processing unit B. When the image data is requested by designating the order, the image data stored in the hard disk HD is transmitted to the information processing unit B.

  The image correcting means 28 corrects the color tone, density, contrast, etc. of the image data set as the print target automatically or according to the setting of the operator.

[Information Processing Unit] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing unit B converts a frame image of the photographic film F into a digital signal by photoelectric conversion to the console 31 and captures it as image data, and various information. And a processing device 34 (an example of a print control unit) formed of a general-purpose computer that performs various processes necessary for image processing and print processing. On the upper surface of the console 31, a keyboard 35 for inputting information to the processing device 34 and a mouse 36 functioning as a pointing device are provided.

  The processing device 34 acquires image data from a disk-type medium such as a CD, MO, or FD, or obtains image data from a semiconductor-type medium (not shown). A media drive 37 corresponding to the structure is provided. The processing device 34 includes an interface that implements various processes by operating the keyboard 35 and mouse 36 in accordance with the display on the display 33. Further, the processing device 34 displays the image data captured by the film scanner 32 or the media drive 37 on the display 33 for correction processing, and transmits necessary processing information to the printing unit C for printing. Software for realizing the printing process in the part C is installed.

  The film scanner 32 has a light source section having a light emitting diode, a halogen lamp, etc. in the lower part, a zoom lens in the middle part, and frame images from the zoom lens in the upper part as R (red) and G (green) , B (blue) A line CCD type photoelectric conversion unit that separates and captures the three primary colors is arranged. In the film scanner 32, when scanning the photographic film F, the film carrier 32A suitable for the size of the photographic film F is mounted on the upper surface of the light source unit, and scanning is started. In synchronization with the operation of conveying in the (longitudinal direction), the photoelectric conversion unit performs a process of capturing the frame image of the photographic film F as a digital signal along the main scanning direction, and the captured image data is stored in the processing device 34. Transferred to and saved.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the processing device 34 includes an input / output interface 41 for accessing signals to the microprocessor CPU. The film scanner 32, the display 33, and the keyboard 35 are connected to the input / output interface 41. In addition, a signal system for accessing signals between the mouse 36 and the media drive 37 is formed. A hard disk HD and a communication unit 42 are connected to the input / output interface 41. Further, a semiconductor memory 43 (RAM / ROM), an operating system 44, an image data acquisition means 45, and order data acquisition are connected to the data bus of the CPU. Means 46, processing order setting means 47 (also functioning as processing order update means), finish date and time setting means 48, interrupt processing means 49, image correction means 50, and print execution means 51 are connected.

  Incidentally, in order to realize the control, the processing device 34 requires a control bus, an address bus, etc. in addition to the data bus. However, in order to avoid complication, the drawing shows the control bus, the address bus, Or, the interfaces are not shown.

  Similarly to the receiving terminal A, the operating system 44 of the processing device 34 displays necessary information on the display 11 and, based on the displayed information, an operation on the touch panel is performed, whereby image data and an order are displayed. A GUI (Graphical User Interface) type process is realized so as to acquire data. The image data acquisition unit 45 acquires image data from the film scanner 32 and acquires image data from an order sent via the Internet N.

  In the system processing mode to be described later, the processing for setting the medium M in the media drive 37 of the information processing unit B and acquiring the image data is not described. However, the image data is acquired by the media drive 37. The image data acquisition means 45 functions when acquiring image data in this way.

  The order data acquisition means 46 displays a list of thumbnail images corresponding to the image data acquired by the film scanner 32 on the display 33. Based on this display, the image data to be printed, the print size, the number of prints The process of obtaining the order data consisting of The order data acquisition means 46 acquires order data transmitted from the receiving terminal A, and acquires order data from orders sent via the Internet N.

  The processing order setting means 47 (which also functions as a processing order update means) performs a process of setting the order processing order (queue) based on the priority set corresponding to the order receiving form. In other words, as the order reception form, digital reception for performing print processing from image data photographed by a digital camera or camera-equipped mobile phone T, film reception for performing print processing from an image photographed on photographic film F, and Internet N Communication acceptance for performing print processing from image data sent via (communication line) is set.

  The priority order of the digital reception order is set highest, then the priority order of the film reception order is set high, and then the priority order of the communication reception order is set high. Also, when orders having the same acceptance form are accepted, the priority is increased as the time required for print processing is shorter (for example, the number of processed sheets is smaller), and then the priority is earlier as the acceptance time is earlier. The basic processing mode is set so that the processing order setting means 47 sets the processing order (queue) according to the priority order.

  Although not mentioned in the system processing mode to be described later, an order for performing reprint processing from the photographic film F and an order for which no finishing date / time is specified in communication reception are given lower priority in this order. It is done.

  In addition to the basic processing for setting the processing order (queue) according to the priority order as described above, the processing order setting unit 47 sets a rule that is set in advance when an order is newly received. By following the above, the processing mode is also set so as to perform the update in the processing order contrary to the basic processing described above. Specifically, the order processing order can be set to a reasonable order by the operator selecting a rule for setting the processing order in the processing order mode setting unit 90 of the processing order setting screen 80 shown in FIG. . The setting of the processing order by the processing order setting unit 47 will be described later.

  The finishing date and time setting means 48 generates a finishing date and time that is set in advance based on the receiving form of the order receiving form, or finishes based on the processing order (queue) set by the processing order setting means 47. Generate date and time.

  Specifically, in the digital reception, the time from reception to finishing is set to a relatively short time of about 5 minutes to 10 minutes, and in the film reception, from reception to finishing in the case of simultaneous printing. The time is set to about 1 hour, and the basic processing mode is set so that the time from reception to finishing is set to about 24 hours (one day) in communication reception. In addition, for an order for performing reprint processing from the photographic film F, a finishing date and time one day or more after reception is set, and for a communication reception for which no finishing date is specified, the previous finishing date and time is set. The

  The interrupt processing means 49 is set in a processing form such that the received order print process is interrupted and executed by the currently executed order print process. The processing mode by the interrupt processing means 49 will be described later.

  The image correction means 50 corrects the color tone, density, contrast, etc. of image data set as a print target automatically or according to the operator's settings. The print execution unit 51 transmits the order image data and the order data to the printing unit C in the processing order set by the processing order setting unit 47, and performs print processing.

[Printing Section] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the printing section C includes an exposure block Ex, a development block De, and a drying block Dr housed in a dark box-shaped casing 60. A conveyance belt 61 for feeding the photographic paper P sent out from the upper part of the housing 60 after processing to the horizontal direction is provided outside the 60, and the photographic paper P sent from the conveyance belt 61 is sorted and collected in units of orders. A sorter 63 having a plurality of trays 62 is provided, and a rack 64 for receiving a large size photographic paper P is provided at a position below the conveyor belt 61.

  In the exposure block Ex, two photographic paper magazines m are arranged in the lower part and an exposure head H is arranged in the upper part. In this exposure block Ex, a roll-shaped color photographic paper P stored in one of the photographic paper magazines m and m is pulled out by a pressure-advanced advance roller 66 and cut into a print size by a cutter unit 67. Information such as color correction information is printed by the print head 68 on the back side of the paper P, and thereafter, control for feeding the printing paper P to the exposure path by the chuck unit 69 is performed.

  In the exposure path, the photographic paper P from the chuck unit 69 is received by the receiving roller 70, and the photographic paper P is pressure-bonded by a pair of driving rollers 71 and a pair of driven rollers 72 corresponding thereto (above ( Transport in the sub-scanning direction). When the photographic paper P reaches the exposure position by this conveyance, exposure is performed along the main scanning direction with the laser beam from the exposure head H. Then, the photographic paper P that has been exposed is converted into a horizontal direction in the front conveyance path including the plurality of pressure rollers 73. Thereafter, the photographic paper P conveyed in the horizontal direction is distributed to two distribution paths in the distribution path including the two chuckers 74, and further from the rear conveyance path including the plurality of pressure rollers 75 to the development block De. It is delivered to a pressure-injection type introduction roller 76.

  The development block De includes a development processing tank 77 in which a plurality of processing tanks including a color developing tank, a bleach-fixing tank, and a stabilization tank are integrally formed, and a transport mechanism 78 that supplies the photographic paper P to each of the development processing tanks. The photographic paper P supplied from the exposure block Ex is developed in the plurality of processing tanks. The drying block Dr performs drying by supplying dry air from the blower 79 to the photographic printing paper P sent out from the developing block De.

[System processing type]
As described above, the reception of the image data captured by the digital camera or the camera-equipped mobile phone T in the reception terminal A is called digital reception, and the information processing unit B captures the image data on the photographic film F. Reception for performing print processing from a frame image is referred to as film reception, and reception for performing print processing from image data sent via the Internet N (communication line) in the information processing unit B is referred to as communication reception.

  If the order is newly received after the processing order setting unit 47 sets the processing order (queue) for the order in such a reception form, the processing order setting unit 47 (processing order update unit) newly sets the processing order (queue). Although the processing order is set in the processing order, the newly received order may interrupt the processing order in which the processing order is already set. In such a situation, the processing order setting means 47 (processing order update means) sets the processing order based on the finishing date and time already set for each order and the preset rules. The process will be described below.

<Reception at Receiving Terminal> Of the print processing in this photo print processing system, the order processing flow accepted at the receiving terminal A can be shown as shown in FIG. That is, when the customer sets the medium M in the receiving terminal A and requests print processing (digital reception), the image data stored in the medium M is displayed in the thumbnail format on the display 11 of the receiving terminal A. Are displayed in a list. The customer designates a print target by touching the screen with a finger, sets the print size, and sets the number of prints.

  In this way, when the customer sets an order at the receiving terminal A, it is possible to specify the image data displayed in the thumbnail format on the screen and perform corrections required by the customer, such as color tone and contrast. (Processing of the image correction means 28).

  The print size data and the number-of-prints data form order data. When the order request is thus completed, the image data acquisition means 25 of the receiving terminal A stores the image data designated as the print target in the hard disk HD. The order data acquisition means 26 stores the order data in the hard disk HD.

  When this storage is completed, the order data transmission unit 27A of the data management means 27 transmits the order data to which the order number and the identification data for identifying the receiving terminal A are added to the information processing unit B. In the case of this transmission, the processing order setting means 47 of the information processing unit B temporarily sets the processing order from the order reception form (digital reception in this order), and a plurality of processing orders already set. If there is an order, the processing order setting means 47 sets the processing order in consideration of the order setting mode and the finishing date and time, and the finishing date and time setting means 48 sets the finishing date and time based on this processing order.

  The finishing date and time set in this way is transmitted to the receiving terminal A together with the order number, and the finishing date and order number are printed on the exchange certificate 14 by the exchange certificate printer 15 of the receiving terminal A and given to the customer.

  In the information processing section B, the print execution means 51 transmits print data and order data to the printing section C in accordance with the processing order, thereby realizing the printing process in the printing section C. When the print processing of the order received by the receiving terminal A is executed as described above, the print execution means 51 determines to the receiving terminal A (terminal identified by the identification data) that received the image data of the order. Request image data.

  When this request is made, the image data transmission unit 27B of the data management means 27 transmits the requested order image data to the information processing unit B. When the image data is transmitted in this way, the print execution means 51 generates print data having the number of pixels corresponding to the print size from the transmitted image data, and the print data and the order data are output to the print unit. To C. When the print data and the order data are transmitted in this way, the printing unit C performs a process of printing the print data on the photographic paper P according to the order data.

  When the order printing process is completed, the finished photographic paper P is stored in a DP bag with an order number (basically an operator's work) and delivered to the customer who presented the exchange certificate 14 printed with this order number. It is.

<Reception at Information Processing Unit> The processing flow of the order received at the information processing unit B can be shown as shown in FIG. That is, when a customer requests printing processing from undeveloped photographic film (film reception), the film scanner 32 performs digital image processing on the photographic film F after the film processor (not shown) develops it. To obtain image data.

  After acquiring the image data in this way, each image data is displayed in the thumbnail format on the display 33 (for example, displayed on the pre-judge screen). From this screen, the operator designates the print target and sets the print size. Set the number of prints.

  In this way, when the order is received by the information processing unit B, it is possible to specify image data displayed in the thumbnail format on the screen and perform corrections required by the customer, such as color tone and contrast ( Processing of image correction means 51).

  The order data is composed of the print size data and the number-of-prints data. When the setting of the order is completed in this way, the image data acquisition unit 45 of the information processing unit B stores the image data designated as the print target in the hard disk HD. The order data acquisition means 46 stores the order data in the hard disk HD.

  Next, when the processing order setting means 47 of the information processing unit B temporarily sets the processing order from the order reception form (film reception in this order), and there are a plurality of orders for which the processing order has already been set. The processing order setting means 47 sets the processing order in consideration of the order setting mode and the finishing date and time, and the finishing date and time setting means 48 sets the finishing date and time based on this processing order. This finish date is communicated to the customer if necessary.

  In the information processing unit B, when the print execution unit 51 manages the processing order and the order for performing the print processing is received by the information processing unit B, the print execution unit 51 designates the order number. Print data having the number of pixels corresponding to the print size is generated from the image data stored in the hard disk HD, and the print data and order data are transmitted to the print unit C. When the print data and the order data are thus transmitted, the printing unit C performs a process of printing the print data on the photographic paper P according to the order data. When the film scanner 32 has acquired print data with the number of pixels suitable for the print size, processing for generating print data is not necessary.

<Reception by the Information Processing Unit via the Internet> The order processing flow accepted by the information processing unit B via the Internet N can be shown as shown in FIG. That is, when a customer requests print processing from a personal computer at home (communication acceptance), image data and order data selected in advance by the customer are transmitted to the information processing unit B via the Internet N. The order data is composed of print size data and number-of-prints data. The image data acquisition unit 45 of the information processing unit B stores the image data in the hard disk HD, and the order data acquisition unit 46 stores the order data in the hard disk. Save to HD.

  Next, when the finish processing order setting unit 47 of the information processing unit B temporarily sets the processing order from the order reception form (communication reception in this order), and there are a plurality of orders for which the processing order has already been set. The processing order setting means 47 sets the processing order in consideration of the order setting mode and the finishing date and time, and the finishing date and time setting means 48 sets the finishing date and time based on this processing order. This finish date and time is transmitted to the customer via the Internet N.

  In the information processing section B, the print execution means 51 manages the processing order, and when the order for performing the printing process is received by the information processing section B, the order number is designated and stored in the hard disk HD. Print data having the number of pixels corresponding to the print size is generated from the image data, and the print data and the order data are transmitted to the print unit C. When the print data and the order data are thus transmitted, the printing unit C performs a process of printing the print data on the photographic paper P according to the order data.

[Processing by Processing Order Setting Unit] As described above, when a plurality of orders are printed, the processing order setting screen 80 shown in FIG. In the processing order setting screen 80, a processing order list 81, an execution mode setting unit 82, and a processing order mode setting unit 90 are formed.

  The processing order list 81 displays a list of execution orders of orders set by the processing order setting unit 47 (which also functions as a processing order update unit), and is displayed in the processing order list 81 by the execution mode setting unit 82. In order to execute the orders in the order, an “automatic execution” check unit 82A, a “confirm before execution” check unit 82B, and a setting button 82C are formed.

  By checking the “automatic execution” check section 82A in the execution mode setting section 82 and operating the setting button 82C, automatic continuous print processing is realized without any operation by the operator. Further, by checking the check section 82B of “confirm before execution” and operating the setting button 82C, a confirmation screen (not shown) is displayed on the display 33 immediately before the execution of order printing. When the operator performs an operation indicating that the display content of the confirmation screen has been confirmed, the print process is executed. If necessary, the operator can perform a process such as correction.

  The processing order mode setting unit 90 includes a "finished date and time" check unit 91, a "delay allowed" check unit 92, a delay time check unit 93, a delay time input unit 93A, and a check unit for delaying a large number of sheets. 94, an input unit 94A having a corresponding number of sheets, a check unit 95 for priority processing of a large number of sheets, a check unit 96 for setting whether or not to interrupt an order being processed, and a setting button 97 is formed.

  When the check unit 91 is checked and the setting button 97 is operated, for example, the newly received order is a digital reception, and the first received order is a film reception, for example. As a result, even in the situation where the processing order of the newly received order comes first, as long as there is no delay in the finish date of the previously received order (film reception), the order that the newly received order has priority over the previous order. Allows setting (updating) of the processing order.

  In this way, when setting the processing order of a newly received order in consideration of the finishing date and time of a plurality of orders, the time required for the print processing of the already received order and the newly received order is acquired. There is a need. Acquisition of the time required for this print processing is obtained by simulating the print processing based on the print size, the number of prints, and the processing capability of the printing unit C. This simulation is performed by the processing order setting means 47.

  If the check unit 92 is checked, and further, the time delay check unit 93 is checked and the setting button 97 is operated, the processing order of the newly received order is changed from the previously received order as described above. Even in a situation where there is a delay in the finish date and time of the previously received order, if the delay is within the set time (5 minutes or more in FIG. 9), the print processing of the newly received order is performed. The processing order is set (updated) so as to be performed with priority over the print processing of the previous order. Then, for the newly received order, a finish date and time corresponding to this processing order is set. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, a message 81A indicating that there is a delay is displayed on the side of the part indicating the order in which the delay occurs in the processing order list 81. As a situation in which the message 81A is displayed in this way, for example, when the order 0012-A shown in the figure is received, the processing order of this order is 0011- based on the conditions set in the processing order setting mode setting unit 90. When a delay of 5 minutes occurs in 0011-B before B, the updated order is displayed in the processing order list 81, and at the same time, a content that causes a delay of 5 minutes is set as the message 81A.

  If the check unit 92 is checked and the check unit 94 that delays a large number of sheets is checked and the setting button 97 is operated, a new one is accepted from the previously accepted order as described above. Even when the order processing order comes first and there is a delay in the finish date and time of the previously received order, if the number of prints of the order that causes the delay is greater than or equal to the set number (100 or more in FIG. 9) ), The processing order is set (updated) so that the newly received order print process is preferentially performed over the previous order print process. Then, for the newly received order, a finish date and time corresponding to this processing order is set. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, a message 81A indicating that there is a delay is displayed on the side of the part indicating the order in which the delay occurs in the processing order list 81.

  If the check unit 92 is checked, and the check button 95 for the priority processing is checked for the larger number of sheets and the setting button 97 is operated, a new one is added from the previously received order as described above. Even in a situation where the received finish date comes first and there is a delay in the finish date and time of the previously accepted order, if the number of newly received orders is greater than the number of prints causing the delay, the newly accepted order The processing order is set (updated) so that the printing process is prioritized over the printing process of the previous order, and the finish date and time corresponding to this processing order is set for the newly received order. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, a message 81A indicating that there is a delay is displayed on the side of the part indicating the order in which the delay occurs in the processing order list 81. In this process, if the number of newly received orders is less than the number of prints causing a delay, the preferential process is not performed.

  Further, if the check unit 96 that allows an interrupt is checked and the setting button 97 is operated among the check units 96 that set whether or not to interrupt an order being processed, the process is performed for a newly received order. The processing order set by the order setting means becomes the processing order next to the print processing of the order being executed, and the print processing time of the newly received order is completed until the print processing of the order being executed is completed. If the processing time is shorter than the above processing time, the interrupt processing means 49 executes the interrupted print processing.

  An outline of such processing can be shown as in the flowchart of FIG. In other words, when an order is accepted, it is determined whether or not an interrupt is permitted. If it is permitted, it is determined whether or not an interrupt processing condition for a newly accepted order is satisfied. Executes print processing of the newly received order (processing by the interrupt processing means 49), and displays a message for the order that causes a delay in the finish date (# 01 to # 05). Next, when interruption is not permitted or when the interruption condition is not satisfied, the processing order is updated by the processing order update routine so as to set the processing order included in the newly received order (# 100 steps).

  The outline of the processing order update routine (# 100 step) can be shown as a flowchart of FIG. In other words, if the processing order is provisionally set based on the priority order based on the acceptance form, and the processing order is already set for a plurality of orders, the plurality of already set multiple orders are compared with the provisional processing order. Whether or not a delay occurs is determined for each order print process (steps # 101 and # 102).

  Next, when there is no delay in the finishing date and time, a processing sequence that matches the temporarily set finishing date and time is set (updated) (steps # 103 and # 104).

  If the finishing date and time is delayed, the processing order is set (updated) based on the setting of the processing order mode (step # 105). Specifically, when the “finished date and time strict” check unit 91 is checked, the processing order is set so as to strictly observe the finishing date and time already set as described above. When the delay time check unit 93 is checked, the processing order is changed as long as the delay within the set time is allowed as described above. When the check unit 94 that delays a large number of sheets is checked, a processing order is set that allows a delay in print processing of an order in which the number of print processes is larger than the set number. When the priority processing check unit 95 checks a large number of sheets, a processing order is set in which priority is given to print processing of orders of the set number or more.

  After setting the processing order in this way, processing for setting the finishing date and time based on the processing order is performed (step # 106). When the finish date and time is set in this way, the finish date and time that has already been set and notified to the customer, and the finish date and time are delayed, the DP store will deal with each customer.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a new order is received, the processing order is automatically set based on the order receiving form, so that the operator has to manually set the order processing order. Not only can it be omitted, but it is also possible to give priority to print processing that requires processing in a short time, such as image data taken with a digital camera, and deliver it to the customer in less than 10 minutes. To do.

  As described above, when the processing order is automatically set based on the order reception form, even if the priority order based on the newly received order reception form becomes the processing order prioritizing the already received order. Since the order for the already received order can be set by the processing based on the order mode, the print processing can be performed in the processing order according to the business policy of the DP store.

  In particular, DP stores that have a sales policy of performing print processing from image data captured by a digital camera in a short time, even if print processing has already been performed, print processing for newly received orders. It is also possible to do it with the highest priority. A print processing fee that is higher than the normal print processing fee may be set for those that perform the print processing with the highest priority, and such a fee setting leads to an increase in sales.

[Another embodiment]
The present invention may be configured as follows in addition to the embodiment described above.

(A) The processing mode is set so that the priority of the processing order with respect to the order receiving mode can be arbitrarily set. By setting the processing order in this way, it is possible to perform print processing in a processing order corresponding to the frequency of a plurality of receiving forms.

(B) When setting the processing order of a plurality of orders in the same acceptance form, the processing form is set so that the processing order can be arbitrarily set. By adopting such a processing mode, for example, it is possible to complete a print processing sheet having a small number of sheets first.

(C) The system is configured so that orders received by a plurality of receiving terminals are printed by a plurality of printing units C. By configuring the system in this way, for example, it is possible to provide a printing unit C that performs L-size printing and a printing unit C that performs E-size printing, and the processing speed can be further improved.

(D) As the printing unit C, an ink jet type or sublimation type device is used.

  An apparatus that can store orders, set the processing order, and print processing in a single casing.

Diagram showing the entire photo print system Perspective view of the receiving terminal Longitudinal front view of the print section Block diagram of the control system of the receiving terminal Block section of the control system of the information processing section The figure which shows the processing form in the reception terminal and information processing part at the time of digital reception The figure which shows the processing form in the information processing part at the time of film reception The figure which shows the processing form in the information processing part at the time of communication reception Diagram showing the processing order setting screen Flow chart of order acceptance processing Flow chart of processing order setting routine

Explanation of symbols

34 Print Control Unit: Processing Device 47 Processing Order Setting Unit / Processing Order Update Unit 48 Finished Date / Time Setting Unit 49 Interrupt Processing Unit 51 Print Execution Unit A Receiving Terminal C Printing Unit

Claims (8)

A photo print system including a print control unit that accepts a plurality of orders and performs order print processing in an order different from the order of acceptance,
The print control unit includes a processing order setting unit that sets a processing order based on a priority set corresponding to an order receiving form, a finishing date setting unit that sets a finishing date for each order, and a set A photo print system comprising print execution means for performing print processing of an order according to a processing order. As the order reception form, digital reception for performing print processing from image data photographed by a digital camera, film reception for performing print processing from an image photographed on a photographic film, and image data sent via a communication line Is set to accept communication for print processing from
The processing order setting means sets the highest priority for the digital reception order, sets the next priority for the film reception order, and sets the next priority for the communication reception order. The photographic print system according to claim 1.   The processing order update means for updating the processing order when a new order is received, and the processing order update means has a processing order set by the processing order setting means for the newly received order. Even when interrupting the already set processing order, the processing form is set so that the interrupted processing order is set only when there is no delay in any finishing date and time of a plurality of orders in the already set processing order. The photographic print system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein is set.   The processing order update means for updating the processing order when a new order is received, and the processing order update means has a processing order set by the processing order setting means for the newly received order. Even if there is a delay in the finishing date and time of any of a plurality of orders in the already set processing order by interrupting the already set processing order, the delay time is within a preset range. 3. The photo print system according to claim 1, wherein the processing form is set so as to set the interrupted processing order.   The processing order update means for updating the processing order when a new order is received, and the processing order update means has a processing order set by the processing order setting means for the newly received order. Even if there is a delay in the finish date and time of a specific order in the processing order that has already been set by interrupting the processing order that has already been set, if the number of prints of that specific order is greater than the set value, 3. The photo print system according to claim 1, wherein the processing form is set so as to set the interrupted processing order.   The processing order update means for updating the processing order when a new order is received, and the processing order update means has a processing order set by the processing order setting means for the newly received order. Even if there is a delay in the finish date and time of a specific order in the processing order that has already been set by interrupting the processing order that has already been set, if the number of prints of the newly accepted order is greater than the set value, 3. The photo print system according to claim 1, wherein the processing form is set so as to set the interrupted processing order. When a new order is received, an interrupt processing means is provided for interrupting and executing the received order print process.
In this interrupt processing means, the processing order set by the processing order setting means for the newly received order becomes the processing order next to the print processing of the currently executed order, and the newly received order 3. The photograph according to claim 1, wherein when the print processing time is shorter than the processing time for completing the print processing of the currently executed order, the processing form is set so as to execute the interrupted print processing. Printing system. The photo print system includes a plurality of receiving terminals and a printing unit that executes print processing based on order information received by the plurality of receiving terminals.
When the order is received by the receiving terminal, the processing order setting means sets the order processing order, and when executing the print processing of the order set in the processing order, the print execution means The photo print system according to claim 1, wherein the processing form is set so that image data is acquired from a receiving terminal that has received an order to be processed and an order print process is executed. .

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