JP2006302309A - Concentrated print system for digital photographic image, medium with concentrated print program for digital photographic image recorded thereon and concentrated print method for digital photographic image - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that waste in a print sheet tends to occur when sequential print is carried out in order of charging of print jobs in equipment for printing a digital photographic image, a carrying-out order of jobs is not changed after charging of the print jobs and a customer's demand such as request of shortening delivery is not flexibly answered. <P>SOLUTION: A server and a client are connected with each other so that bidirectional communication becomes possible, the server acquires digital photographic image data via the bidirectional communication, and acquires print management data for printing the digital photographic image data, and the acquired digital photographic image data is printed based on the print management data. Here, since various kinds of data are described in the print management data and various kinds of management are performed based on the data by the server and the client, print management with high convenience is performed at a store which operates the equipment for printing the digital photographic image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital photographic image centralized printing system, a medium on which a digital photographic image centralized printing program is recorded, and a digital photographic image centralized printing method.

In recent years, digital photo image printing equipment has become widespread in DPE shops, and images taken with digital cameras and film made with silver halide photographs have been converted into data, and photographs taken with professional digital cameras at DPE shops have become highly popular. It can be printed with a performance inkjet printer or the like.
In the digital photographic image printing device, since the photographic image to be printed is converted into data, it can be adjusted to the color desired by the user by retouching, etc., and trial and error is attempted before printing. It is possible to provide a variety of services as compared to printing silver halide photographs. In recent high-performance inkjet printers and the like, it is possible to perform printing with an image quality equivalent to that of a silver salt photograph.

  The above-described conventional digital photographic image printing apparatus has the following problems. In other words, printing in the digital photo image printing device is performed sequentially in the order in which the print job is input regardless of whether or not a margin is generated on the print paper, and the print paper is likely to be wasted. The job execution order could not be changed after submission, and it was not possible to flexibly respond to customer requests such as requests for quick delivery.

Furthermore, the consumables used in the digital photographic image printing device have to be maintained, for example, by regular checks by employees of the installation store. Furthermore, customer management cannot be performed based on the information actually printed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a digital photo image centralized printing system capable of performing highly convenient print management in a store operating a digital photo image printing device, and the concentration of digital photo images An object of the present invention is to provide a medium on which a print program is recorded and a method for centrally printing digital photographic images.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a digital photographic image print system that acquires digital photographic image data from a client that is communicably connected to a server and manages printing of the digital photographic image data in the server. The server includes digital photograph image acquisition means for acquiring digital photograph image data to be printed via the communication, and print management data for managing printing of the digital photograph image data via the communication. Print management data acquisition means to be acquired, print control means for printing the acquired digital photo image data based on the print management data acquired by the print management data acquisition means, and print notification means for notifying execution of printing The print management data includes information indicating a transmission destination, and the print notification means includes the print management means. It is constituted to perform a notification of printing performed on the destination extracted from the management data.

  In the invention configured as described above, a digital photographic image print system is configured by the client and the server, and the server acquires the digital photographic image data to be printed through communication by the digital photographic image acquisition means. Then, print management data for managing printing of the digital photo image data is acquired via communication by the print management data acquisition means. Then, the print control means prints the acquired digital photo image data based on the print management data acquired by the print management data acquisition means. Thereafter, the print notification means notifies the transmission execution of the information indicating the transmission destination extracted from the print management data.

  That is, the server manages printing of digital photographic image data with reference to the print management data, and various management data can be described in the print management data. As a result, even when there are multiple print objects or when a large number of digital photo images are included in a single print job, various images can be printed, not just images that have been instructed to be printed. Can also be managed. Furthermore, a notification of print execution is sent to the transmission destination, and the operator or customer of the transmission destination can acquire the notification of print execution.

  As described above, when various data is described in the print management data, various printing and print management can be performed. As a specific example, in addition to information indicating a transmission destination as data for notifying the execution of printing, data for specifying a subject involved in the execution of printing, data for specifying a print layout, , Data for specifying the priority of printing, data for controlling the execution of printing in time series, data for specifying a device engaged in execution of printing, data for specifying a printing target, It may be any one or a combination of data for specifying digital photographic image data related to execution of printing, data for specifying printing paper, and color profile data of digital photographic image data.

  In other words, if data for specifying a customer, an operator, a store, etc. is described as an entity involved in execution of printing, it is possible to specify which customer's digital photo image data is, and which operator has executed printing. Can be specified. In addition, when the store where the client is installed is different from the location where the server is installed, or when there are a plurality of stores where franchise development is performed, it is possible to specify the store which has issued the print instruction. When data for specifying the print layout is described, it is possible to specify how and where the print target is printed on the printing paper, and various printing can be executed. For example, if the number of pages and the number of times the print job is repeated are described, printing can be performed a plurality of times with one data. If data indicating whether reprinting is possible is described, the same digital photo image data It is no longer necessary to acquire multiple times. If the print position is specified, or if the server has a layout adjustment function, the data specifying whether to use the function or whether or not rotation or trimming is possible is printed on the printing paper. The print position can be changed and printed in various layouts.

  Furthermore, when a predetermined layout template is held in the server in advance, whether to use the layout template or whether to print a mark for cutting the printing paper, It can be printed with more diverse layouts. Further, if information specifying a print target such as information related to the print target, a print page, and a file name is printed, various information associated with the print target can be printed at the same time. If data indicating the priority order of printing is described, printing can be executed regardless of the order in which the printing instructions are given, and it is possible to accurately respond to the customer's request for delivery time. Data for controlling the execution of printing in a time series, for example, the date and time when a print execution instruction is given or the discardable date and time are described, and the execution date and time of printing is managed based on the creation date and time. Print management becomes possible. Data for notifying the execution of printing, for example, the e-mail address of an e-mail sent to a customer or a client can be notified to the customer or the client, etc. it can.

  When data for specifying a device involved in printing is described, for example, data specifying a printer, a client, a server, etc., a person who gives a print instruction specifies a printer or a client who has given a print instruction. Or a target server can be designated from a plurality of servers. If data for specifying a print job is described, each print job can be individually identified even if a plurality of print jobs are input. If data specifying digital photographic image data related to execution of printing, for example, a file name of digital photographic image data is described, a print job and digital photographic image data can be associated with each other. If data specifying the printing paper is described, printing can be executed with the size and quality of the printing paper desired by the customer. When printing with a printer having a plurality of print units or ADFs, these selections can be automated. Further, the above management can be performed using these print management data, but the data described in the print management data is not limited to these, and various modes can be adopted.

  As an example of a client constituting the system as described above, the client includes a digital photo image data input unit that inputs digital photo image data from an external image input device via communication, and a print that receives input of the print management data. Data that outputs the management data input means and the digital photo image data input by the digital photo image data input means via the communication, and outputs the print management data received by the print management data input means via the communication It is good also as a structure which comprises an output means.

  That is, it is possible to print a desired image by acquiring digital photograph image data with a client and transmitting the acquired digital photograph image data to a server via two-way communication. Further, by inputting print management data at the client and transmitting it to the server via bidirectional communication, it is possible to cause the server to perform print management by designation on the client side. More specifically, a configuration is preferable in which print management data is input while presenting a finished layout or the like to a customer at a client, or print management data is input while presenting various options on a setting screen during printing. This client is preferably installed in a store, but it is of course possible that a general customer can input digital photo image data and the like via the Internet.

  Further, the client may include a digital photographic image data correction unit that corrects the digital photographic image data input by the digital photographic image data input unit. In other words, by correcting the digital photo image data at the client, it is possible to meet various user demands such as printing with the color desired by the user or printing only the necessary part of the image. .

  Further, any or a combination of the digital photo image data input unit, the print management data input unit, and the digital photo image data correction unit may be physically provided in a separate client. In other words, if the processing performed by the client is performed by a separate client, work efficiency can be improved.

  For example, if the digital photo image data input means and the print management data input means are provided in separate clients, after a customer inputs the digital photo image data with the digital photo image data input means, the customer Print management data can be input by another client. Therefore, another customer can input the digital photo image data with the digital photo image data input means without waiting for the customer to finish inputting the print management data with the print management data input means. Of course, the same efficiency can be achieved even if a plurality of clients provided with digital photo image data input means, print management data input means, and digital photo image data correction means are prepared.

  Further, any one or combination of the server and the client includes a print management data output unit that outputs the contents of the print management data in a recognizable manner by the user, and the user visually recognizes the output from the print management data output unit. One of an instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction related to execution of printing that has been performed, and a selection of a printing target to be executed, deletion of the printing target, and a change in the execution order of printing based on the instruction received by the instruction receiving unit It is good also as a structure which comprises the printing management means which performs a combination.

  That is, if the client or server can select the printing target to be executed and delete the printing target, printing of the print job input due to an error can be stopped, and unnecessary cost is reduced. If it is possible to change the print execution order, even if multiple print jobs have already been submitted and a print job with a very short delivery date is submitted, the order of print jobs with this short delivery time can be accelerated. can do.

  Further, any one or a combination of the server and the client includes a printer status output unit that obtains the status of the printer that prints the digital photographic image data by the print control unit of the server and outputs the status so that the user can recognize it. This configuration may be adopted. That is, even if the user does not always know the printer status, the user can grasp the printer status whenever he wants.

  Further, as a specific example of the printer status, a configuration in which any one or combination of the remaining amount of consumables used in the printer and the consumption status of the printing paper mechanism can be employed. If the remaining amount of consumables used in the printer and the consumption status of the printing paper mechanism can be grasped, the consumables or printing paper mechanism can be replaced at an appropriate time. This is convenient for maintenance.

  Further, any one or combination of the server and the client includes a printer status acquired by the printer status output means, print management data of the digital photo image data waiting to be executed, and an execution log of the printed digital photo image data. Print information storage means for storing any one or a combination of the above and storage information output means for outputting the information stored in the print information storage means so as to be visible on an external computer connected via the communication It is good also as composition to do.

  That is, information regarding the status of the printer to be stored, the print management data of the digital photo image data waiting to be executed, and the execution log of the printed digital photo image data is visually recognized by an external computer connected via two-way communication. Output possible. Therefore, it is possible to obtain print management data from a computer other than the client or server and from an external computer, which is suitable for use by the head office of a subsidiary store, a system management company, or the like.

  Also, according to this external computer, information related to print management can be obtained, so it is preferable to perform maintenance using these information. For example, you can upgrade the software via two-way communication, monitor the status of the printer and arrange for the consumables to be delivered before they are used up, or monitor the status of the print job and check for errors. It is possible to arrange countermeasures and countermeasures in the event of a printer or server failure.

  Further, any one or combination of the server and the client may include a billing amount calculation unit that calculates a billing amount for each customer based on the number of times of printing or the printed area. That is, by calculating the charge amount for each customer based on the number of times printed or the printed area, it is possible to provide a pay-per-use charge system for the use of this system.

  By the way, such a digital photographic image printing system may exist as a single client or server, or may be used in a state where it is incorporated in a certain device, but the idea of the invention is not limited thereto. It includes various aspects. Therefore, it can be changed as appropriate, such as software or hardware. When the software of the digital photographic image printing system is realized as an embodiment of the idea of the invention, it naturally exists and is used on a recording medium on which the software is recorded. As an example, the invention according to claim 5 discloses a configuration of a medium on which a digital photographic image print program having the same effects as those described in claims 1 to 4 is recorded.

  Of course, the recording medium may be a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or any recording medium that will be developed in the future. In addition, the duplication stages such as the primary duplication product and the secondary duplication product are equivalent without any question. In addition, even when a part is software and a part is realized by hardware, the idea of the invention is not completely different, and a part is stored on a recording medium and is appropriately changed as necessary. It may be in the form of being read. Although different from the above medium, the communication line is used as a transmission medium when the communication method is used as a supply method, and the present invention is used.

  In addition, when such a digital photographic image print program proceeds according to such control, it is natural that an invention exists in the procedure, and that it can be applied as a method. Easy to understand. For this reason, also in the invention concerning Claim 6, it becomes the same effect | action fundamentally. In other words, the present invention is not necessarily limited to a tangible medium, and there is no difference that the method is effective.

  As described above, according to the first, fifth, sixth, and seventh aspects of the present invention, printing of digital photographic images capable of performing various printing and managing printing is possible. A system, a medium on which a digital photographic image print program is recorded, a digital photographic image printing method, and a digital photographic image print management apparatus can be provided. Also, the operator or customer on the client side or external device side can clearly recognize the completion of printing. According to the second aspect of the invention, detailed print management can be performed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a specific configuration example of a digital photographic image centralized printing system according to the present invention. In this figure, this system is configured by connecting a plurality of client computers 10, 100, 101 and a server computer 40 having a printer with a 100BASE-T cable. The LAN formed by the 100BASE-T cable, the client computers 10, 100, and 101, and the server computer 40 are installed in a DPE store that performs printing in response to customer requests. Although this system is suitable for introduction into a store in that it can be printed in large quantities with a high-function printer and can reduce the cost of printing with relatively large printing paper, of course, the entire system Or a part can also be comprised by the computer concerning personal use.

  Further, a predetermined router is connected to the LAN, and the server computer 40 also functions as a web server capable of bidirectional communication with the external Internet via the router. In this embodiment, the roles of the client computers 10, 100, and 101 are different from each other. The client computer 10 captures digital photo image data, the client computer 100 retouches the digital photo image data, and the client computer. In 101, print management is performed. FIG. 2 shows a schematic hardware configuration of the client computer 10, and the client computers 100 and 101 have almost the same hardware configuration. However, a digital camera 50 that is an image input device is connected to the client computer 10.

  First, the schematic hardware configuration shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The client computer 10 includes a CPU 11 serving as the center of arithmetic processing. The CPU 11 can access a ROM 13 and a RAM 14 such as a BIOS via a system bus 12. Further, a hard disk drive (HDD) 15, a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive 16, and a CD-ROM drive 17 as external storage devices are connected to the system bus 12, and the OS 20 and various application programs stored in the HDD 15. (APL) 25a to 25c and the like are transferred to the RAM 14, and the CPU 11 appropriately accesses the ROM 13 and the RAM 14 to execute the software. That is, various programs are executed using the RAM 14 as a temporary work area.

  The serial communication I / O 19a is connected with operation input devices such as a keyboard 31 and a mouse 32, and a display 18 is also connected via a video board (not shown). The server computer 40 is connected to the network via a 100BASE-T I / O 19c. Further, the client computer 10 is connected to the digital camera 50 as an external image input device via the 1394 I / O 19b. Here, the 1394 I / O 19b is an I / O for realizing high-speed serial connection in accordance with the IEEE 1394 standard. In the present embodiment, the digital camera 50 is provided with a camera pack using a CCD element attached to the same camera body as the silver halide photograph, and the captured image of the digital camera 50 is converted into data by the CCD element. It is input to the client computer 10 as RAW data via the 1394 I / O 19b.

  Although the configuration of the client computer 10 is described in a simplified manner, a personal computer having a general configuration can be employed. Of course, the computer to which the present invention is applied is not limited to a personal computer. Although this embodiment is a so-called desktop computer, it may be a notebook computer or a mobile computer. Further, the connection interface between the client computer 10 and the server computer 40 and the digital camera 50 need not be limited to those described above, and various connection modes such as SCSI and USB connection can be adopted, and any connection mode to be developed in the future. But the same is true. Furthermore, as for the configuration of the digital camera 50, if a camera body that is common to silver halide photography is used, conventional sophisticated hardware resources such as interchangeable lenses can be used. If a camera pack is used, the number of pixels and Although it is suitable in that the necessary parts can be replaced as appropriate according to the improvement in sensitivity, it is not necessary to limit to such a configuration, and it is also possible to use a lens-integrated digital camera, other imaging devices, etc. It is.

  In this example, each type of program is stored in the HDD 15, but the recording medium is not limited to this. For example, it may be a floppy (registered trademark) disk 16a or a CD-ROM 17a. Programs recorded on these recording media are read by the client computer 10 via the floppy (registered trademark) disk drive 16 and the CD-ROM drive 17 and installed in the HDD 15. Then, it is read into the RAM 14 via the HDD 15 to control the computer. The recording medium is not limited to this, and may be a magneto-optical disk or the like. It is also possible to use a non-volatile memory such as a flash card as a semiconductor device. When accessing and downloading an external file server via a modem or communication line, the communication line becomes a transmission medium. The present invention is utilized.

  3 to 5 are block diagrams showing the configuration of the control system of the client computers 10, 100, and 101, respectively. Since these client computers have different roles as described above, the configuration of the control system is different as shown in the figure. Of course, all or part of the control system has a similar configuration. A system configuration including one unit or a plurality of units can be adopted, and a configuration regarding control (not shown) such as control of the operation input device is common in many respects. The digital camera 50 is connected to the client computer 10 as described above, and an image of a customer visiting a DPE shop clerk is taken, and the image is taken when the image is printed according to the customer's request. It is a client computer used for

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the client computer 10 according to the present embodiment, a digital camera driver (digital camera DRV) 22 is incorporated in the OS 20. The digital photograph image data photographed by the digital camera 50 is stored in a memory (not shown) in the digital camera 50. The user performs a predetermined operation via the keyboard 31 and the mouse 32 while executing the capture APL 25a. RAW data can be taken into the client computer 10 by performing the above.

  Specifically, the digital camera DRV22 is activated simultaneously with the execution of the capture APL 25a, and the digital camera DRV22 controls data communication with the 1394 I / O 19b to store the raw data stored in the memory in the digital camera 50. In the client computer 10. Further, the digital camera DRV 22 converts RAW data described in a format unique to the manufacturer of the digital camera 50 into RGB data that is a general-purpose aspect when a digital image is handled in a computer. The converted RGB data is stored in the HDD 15. At this time, in order to perform predetermined color development in the printing result while reducing the device dependency of the digital camera 50, the display 18, and the printer, the RGB data includes ICC. An ICC profile conforming to the standard is added. That is, the 1394 I / O 19b, the digital camera DRV 22, and the capture APL 25a constitute the digital photographic image data input means.

  These ICC profile and RGB data are transmitted to the server computer 40 through 100BASE-T 19c under the control of the OS 20 when a print job to be described later is input. In this embodiment, it can be said that the ICC profile constitutes a part of print management data in the sense that it is used for print management. Of course, it can be said that the RGB data is the digital photographic image data even if it is converted.

  The client computer 100 is a client computer that performs retouching so that the color of the print result and the size of the object to be photographed can be obtained in the print result when printing the image according to the request of the customer who came to the store of the DPE shop. As shown in FIG. 4, the client computer 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to execute the retouch APL 25 b under the execution of the OS 200. The retouch APL 25b is an application for performing so-called photo retouch, performs bi-directional communication via the 100BASE-T I / O 190c, reads digital photographic image data based on RGB data stored in the HDD 15, and reads the image. Can be displayed on the display 18 so as to be visible to the user. That is, the 100BASE-T I / O 190c and the retouch APL 25b constitute the digital photo image data correction means.

  Further, the user performs a predetermined operation via the keyboard 31 or the mouse 32 to execute desired filter processing, sharpness processing or un-correction in order to correct the color tone, scratches, exposure, etc. of the digital photo image. The digital photographic image data can be corrected by executing sharpness processing, enlargement / reduction processing, and the like. The corrected digital photograph image data can be stored in the HDD 15, or can be stored in the HDD 150 and stored in the HDD 151 of the client computer 101 described later.

  The client computer 101 is a client computer that performs input of a print job and print management when printing an image in response to a request from a customer of a DPE shop clerk. As shown in FIG. 5, the client computer 101 according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to execute a print job 25c under the execution of the OS 201. The print APL 25c is an application that inputs a print layout and a customer ID and inputs a print job. The print APL 25c performs two-way communication via the 100BASE-T I / O 191c, and is based on the RGB data stored in the HDD 15. The digital photographic image data can be read and a print execution can be instructed as a print job.

  More specifically, the user performs a predetermined operation via the keyboard 31 and the mouse 32 while executing the print job management APL 25c, gives a print execution instruction, and inputs print management data on the print execution screen. . This input data is stored in the HDD 151 as a print management data file. The OS 201 incorporates a printer driver (PRTDRV) 211 corresponding to a printer under the control of the server computer 40. In executing printing, the created print management data file, the digital photo image data relating to the print instruction described in the print management data file, and the corresponding ICC profile are extracted from the HDD 15, and these are extracted from the 100BASE. Output via -T I / O 19c.

  In the above client computers, the three client computers share the respective functions. However, one client computer can start all or a combination of the capture APL 25a, the retouch APL 25b, and the print job management APL 25c. Even so, it is possible to construct a system according to the present invention, and it is convenient to configure the server computer 40 so that the same APL can be executed. Further, the APL may be configured to be executable by a computer connected to the Internet as well as a LAN as bidirectional communication.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of information described in the print management data file. As shown in the figure, the print management data file is given a file name “client ID_date.JOB”, and the contents are text. It is described in the data. In the file name shown in the figure, the client ID is “01234”, and the client ID is uniquely given to the client computer 10. That is, in this embodiment, since the server computer 40 is connected to the network, it is possible to execute printing from another computer that can execute the print job management APL 25c as with the client computer 101. It is possible to determine whether printing has been executed from the client computer. The date is “0007011000”, indicating that printing was executed at 10:00 on July 1, 2000.

  The print management data file roughly describes basic information, printer information, layout information, and image information. Basic information includes basic information about printing, and includes various IDs, the number of pages, the priority of printing, and a layout flag indicating whether or not the server computer 40 automatically changes the layout. ing. In addition to the above client ID, the above-mentioned various IDs uniquely specify a job ID for uniquely identifying a job, a customer ID for uniquely identifying a customer, an operator ID for uniquely identifying a user, and a DPE shop. It consists of a store ID to be identified.

  The number of pages designates the number of pages to be printed, and includes information that causes duplicate printing by giving an instruction to repeatedly execute a print job. The print priority designates the print execution priority specified by the print management data file. In principle, the server computer 40 prints from the highest priority. The layout flag describes whether or not the server computer 40 automatically changes the layout using a binary number “0” or “1”. In addition to these, various kinds of information can be described in the basic information. The print execution date and time, the flag indicating whether or not reprinting is permitted, the digital photo image data and the print management data file in the server computer 40 are stored. Data for designating the discarding time, data used for giving a predetermined notification by e-mail or the like after printing, and the like can be described.

  In the printer information, various definitions for designating an output printer are made, and a printer ID for uniquely designating the output printer, and data indicating the paper size and paper type used in the printer are described. In the layout information, a template ID indicating whether or not to use a later-described template stored in advance in the server computer 40 and a guide flag indicating whether or not to print a cut guide indicating a cutting position in printing are described. . In addition, it is possible to describe the customer, the number of pages, and whether or not to print various information for identifying individual digital photo image data.

  In the image information, an image to be printed is defined. In addition to the file name of the digital photo image data for which a print instruction has been given, whether to allow rotation of the image or allow trimming to be printed. Information to show is also described. In the above example, the file name of the digital photo image data is “0123401.tif” and a so-called TIFF file is shown as an example, but various file formats such as a JPEG file and a GIF file can be adopted.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the server computer 40, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control system configuration of the server computer 40. In FIG. 7, the server computer 40 includes a CPU 41 that is the center of arithmetic processing, and this CPU 41 can access a ROM 43 and a RAM 44 via a system bus 42. The system bus 42 is connected with an HDD 46 and a 100BASE-T I / O 48. The digital photo image data transmitted from the client computer 101 is acquired via the 100BASE-T I / O 48, and the HDD 46 Can be spooled. Further, the digital photo image data relating to the input job can be divided and spooled for each print job for one page which is a predetermined allocation unit as described later. Templates can be stored. In the present embodiment, the predetermined allocation unit is one page, and various paper sizes can be selected for one page.

  With this configuration, the CPU 41 appropriately accesses the ROM 43 and the RAM 44 and executes software incorporated in the OS 47. That is, the RAM 44 is a buffer memory for storing digital photo image data at the time of printing, and is a work area at the time of software execution. The CPU 41 controls the printer controller 45 based on the digital photo image data stored in the RAM 44. Control and execute image printing. That is, in the present embodiment, the printer provided in the server computer 40 includes an ADF, a print head, etc. (not shown), and the printer controller 45 controls these mechanisms. In this embodiment, the description will be made assuming that A3 paper is loaded in ADF, but of course, ADF that can load printing paper of other sizes, ADF using so-called roll paper, or the like is adopted. It is possible, and a configuration including both of these is also possible.

  Further, the CPU 41 can construct a print layout according to each module incorporated in the OS 47 while referring to the print management data file acquired from the client computer 101 via the 100BASE-T I / O 48. The OS 47 of the server computer 40 includes a module group shown in FIG. 8, and the acquisition module 47a controls the 100BASE-T I / O 48 and the HDD 46, and uses the ICC profile, the image RGB data, and the print management data file for the 100BASE-T. Obtained via the I / O 48 and stored in the HDD 46.

  The division module 47b refers to the print management data file stored in the HDD 46, divides the stored RGB data into data for each page which is an allocation unit, and generates a print job for each page. That is, even if the print job includes a plurality of images and a plurality of pages at the time when the print job is input, the division module 47b divides the print job into allocation units whose layout can be changed, that is, one page unit. To do.

  The sort module 47c refers to the print priorities described in the print management data file stored in the HDD 46, and sorts the divided print jobs in order of priority. In the sorted print jobs, the divided print jobs are arranged in the order of priority, and whether or not the page size, layout flag, template ID, and image rotation of the print job required by the layout construction module described later are allowed. Information indicating whether or not to print the image information is also added.

  The layout construction module 47d processes each print job sorted by the sort module 47c in order of priority, assigns digital photo data to the allocation unit in each print job, and further rotates the allocation unit, thereby A3 paper. Assign to and build the layout. In other words, in the present embodiment, the arrangement in a page is first defined by allocation to a predetermined unit, and further, the allocation to the printing paper to be printed is defined by allocating the page to the printing paper. Specifically, when a template to be used is specified by the template ID shown in FIG. 6, each image is assigned so that the image is printed with an RGB data image arranged on the template. Further, when the layout flag is off, the layout is constructed so as to be arranged at the left corner of the margin of the printing paper without rotating the page after the layout. If the layout flag is on, the orientation of the print result is rotated relative to the print paper feed direction so that the margin in the direction substantially perpendicular to the paper feed direction of the print paper is reduced according to the flowchart described below. The layout is constructed so that the printing result is packed on one side substantially perpendicular to the paper feeding direction.

  The print module 47e generates print data to be transferred to the printer controller 45 based on the digital photo data to be printed, and drives the drive mechanism such as a print head (not shown) to the printer controller 45 so that the layout construction module 47d constructs it. Print according to the layout. Of course, the print module 47e generates print data based on the stored ICC profile so as to perform color development with reduced device dependence of the printer. The log generation module 47f monitors the logs of processing performed by the acquisition module 47a, the division module 47b, the sort module 47c, the layout construction module 47d, and the print module 47e, and describes the log in a file one by one. Is generated and stored in the HDD 46.

  The server computer 40 also functions as a web server as described above, and the CGI program 49 accesses the HDD 46 based on a predetermined command received via the 100BASE-T I / O 48. Can do. Since the above-described print management data file, log file, and the like are stored in the HDD 46, the CGI program 49 can refer to these files and recognize these information by a browser of a computer accessed via the external Internet. Create an HTML file as much as possible. Specifically, the CGI program 49 is an interface that executes a predetermined program in response to a request from the browser and returns a predetermined result to a computer that is accessed via the Internet. The generated HTML file is output in response to the status inquiry and log inquiry.

  Also, the HDD 46 storing the various files described above classifies and stores files and digital photo image data in the tree structure shown in FIG. That is, a folder for the digital photo image centralized printing system is created in a so-called root directory, and “¥ INFO”, “¥ SPOOL”, “¥ STORE”, “¥ LOG”, and “¥ HOMEPAGE” are created under the folder. Folder has been created. Further, folders “¥ DATA”, “¥ PRINTER”, “¥ TEMPLATE”, and “¥ print management data file” are created under the “¥ INFO” folder, and “0123401. The digital photograph image data with a file name such as “tif” is stored.

  In the “¥ PRINTER” folder, a file “PRINTER.txt” in which information for specifying the printer such as the printer ID of the printer and the printer status is described is stored. In the “¥ TEMPLATE” folder, a layout template indicating whether or not to assign a digital photo image in any size at a predetermined position on which printing paper is stored is stored in the “¥ print management data file” folder. The management data file is saved. In the “¥ SPOOL” folder, data of each print job which is sorted by the sort module and is in a print waiting state is stored. In the “¥ STORE” folder, data of a print job in a reprintable state is stored.

  A log file generated by the log generation module 47f is stored in the “¥ LOG” folder. An HTML file created by the CGI program is stored in the “¥ HOMEPAGE” folder. Each of these folders is set to be accessible from the outside via the 100BASE-T I / O 48, and the printer status can be referred to from the client computer 101. In this way, the HDD 46 constitutes the print information storage means, and the 100BASE-T I / O 48 and the HDD 46 constitute the storage information output means. Of course, it is possible to restrict access to these folders, and it is also possible to make it accessible only to specific information or to accept only access from a specific computer.

  Hereinafter, processing performed in the client computer 101 and the server computer 40 in the above configuration will be described based on a flow. FIG. 10 is a schematic process flow of the print job management APL 25c. In the figure, the user selects a desired image to be printed from the digital photograph image data stored in the HDD using the keyboard 31, mouse 32, and the like. The print job management APL 25c determines whether or not printing of the selected image is instructed in step S110. If it is determined that printing is instructed in step S110, the print job management APL 25c is shown in FIG. 11 in step S120. A print instruction interface screen 60 is displayed. The interface screen 60 is provided with a customer ID input box 61 for inputting an ID for identifying a customer. In the operator input box 62, an operator is input so that it can be understood which clerk of the DPE shop has performed the operation. In the automatic layout check box 63, whether or not to perform automatic layout is checked and input.

  In the priority input box 64, the print priority of the print job according to the print instruction is input. In the template input box 65, when a template is desired to be used, a desired template can be designated by the number. In the image file designation box 66, digital photo image data to be printed is designated by a file name. Further, the interface screen 60 is provided with a detailed setting 67 button. By clicking the detailed setting button 67 to display another screen, the data described in the print management data is input in addition to the above-described customer ID and the like. can do. Further, the interface screen 60 is provided with a print instruction button 68, and a print job can be submitted by pressing the print instruction button 68 in a state where predetermined data is input to the input boxes.

  In the flow shown in FIG. 10, when this interface screen 60 is displayed in step S120, input of various information to the above input boxes and the like is accepted in step S130, and the print instruction button 68 is clicked in step S140. It is determined whether or not a print execution instruction has been issued. If it is determined in step S140 that a print execution instruction has been issued, the digital photograph image data file and the ICC profile are transmitted to the server computer 40 in step S150. At this time, the print management data file is generated based on the data input on the interface screen 60, stored in the HDD 151, and transmitted to the server computer 40. That is, the processes in steps S130 and S140 correspond to the print management data input unit, and the process in step S150 corresponds to the data output unit.

  On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S110 that printing has been instructed, it is determined in step S160 whether or not job management execution has been instructed. If it is determined in step S160 that job management execution has been instructed, job management processing in step S170 is performed. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the job management process. In the job management process shown in the upper diagram, the interface screen 70 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed in step S210, and whether or not the button displayed on the interface screen 70 is pressed by the mouse 32 in step S220 is determined. Accept.

  The interface screen 70 includes a display window 76 on the right side and various buttons on the left side. On the left side, a print management data reference button 71, a printer status reference button 72, an executing job reference button 73, a log reference button 74, and an end button 75 are displayed. And are provided. The display window 76 is a window for displaying the corresponding information in a state where these buttons are pressed. In FIG. 13, the job reference button 73 being executed is pressed, and the display window 76 displays the information being executed. Jobs are displayed in order of priority. This ongoing job is a job divided / sorted by the server computer 40 as will be described later.

  The print management data reference button 71 is a button for referring to the print management data, and the contents of the print management data file are displayed on the display window 76 by pressing this button. The printer status reference button 72 is a button for referring to the status of the printer connected to the server computer 40, and the status of the printer is displayed on the display window 76 by pressing this button. The log reference button 74 is a button for displaying a log of processing performed by the server computer 40, and the log is displayed on the display window 76 by pressing this button. The job management process can be ended by pressing the end button 75.

  When it is determined in step S220 of the flow of FIG. 12 that the print management data reference button 71 on the interface screen 70 has been pressed, the server computer 40 is accessed via the 100BASE-T I / O 191c in step S230. The print management data file stored in the “¥ print management data file” folder of the HDD 40 is acquired. In step S235, the contents of the acquired file are displayed on the display window 76, and the processes in and after step S220 are repeated. If it is determined in step S220 that the printer status reference button 72 on the interface screen 70 has been pressed, the server computer 40 is accessed via the 100BASE-T I / O 191c in step S240, and the "\" Stored in the “PRINTER” folder. Get a txt file. In step S245, the contents of the acquired file are displayed on the display window 76, and the processes in and after step S220 are repeated. That is, the processes in steps S240 and S245 correspond to the printer status output means.

  If it is determined in step S220 that the log reference button 74 on the interface screen 70 has been pressed, the server computer 40 is accessed via the 100BASE-T I / O 191c in step S250, and the “¥ LOG” of the HDD 40 is accessed. Log file saved in the folder. In step S255, the contents of the acquired file are displayed on the display window 76, and the processes in and after step S220 are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S220 that the job reference button 73 being executed on the interface screen 70 has been pressed, the server computer 40 is accessed via the 100BASE-T I / O 191c in step S260, and “ Data of each print job stored in the “¥ SPOOL” folder is acquired. In step S262, the contents of the acquired data are displayed on the display window 76 as shown in FIG. 13, and an operation input of the mouse 32 is accepted. That is, the processes in steps S210, S235, and S262 correspond to the print management data output unit.

  Here, when the user presses the right button of the mouse 32 while pointing the print job with the pointer of the mouse 32 in the display window 76, a predetermined pull-down menu is displayed. The order can be changed. In step S264, it is accepted whether or not an instruction to change the print job or the like has been given by the pull-down menu. When an instruction to change or the like has been given in step S264, the “¥ SPOOL” is in accordance with the instruction in step S266. The data stored in the folder is rewritten, and the processing after step S220 is repeated. If it is determined in step S220 that the end button of the interface screen 70 has been pressed, the process returns to the process of FIG. That is, the process in step S264 corresponds to the instruction receiving unit, and the process in step S266 corresponds to the print management unit.

  On the other hand, the server computer 40 performs the processes shown in FIGS. FIG. 14 is a schematic flow of processing performed by the server computer 40. In step S310, the acquisition module 47a acquires the digital photo image data file and the ICC profile output from the client computer 101 via the 100BASE-T I / O 48, and stores them in the HDD 46. To do. In step S 315, the acquisition module 47 a acquires the print management data file and stores it in the HDD 46. That is, the process in step S310 corresponds to the digital photograph image acquisition unit, and the process in step S315 corresponds to the print management data acquisition unit.

  In step S320, is the division module 47b instructed to print a plurality of images or a plurality of pages in one print job regarding the digital photo image data related to the plurality of print jobs stored in the HDD 46? Regardless of whether or not, the job is divided into print units for each page. In step S325, the sort module 47c sorts the divided jobs in order of priority while referring to the print management data file. Data relating to the sorted jobs is stored in the “¥ SPOOL” folder of the HDD 46.

  In step S330, the layout construction module 47d refers to the print management data file stored in the “¥ print management data file” of the HDD 46, and determines whether or not it is designated to use the layout template. If it is determined in step S330 that the template is designated to be used, in step S340, the digital photo image data of the sorted print job is assigned to a predetermined position of the designated template. If it is not determined in step S330 that the template is designated to be used, in step S335, the digital photo image data of the sorted print job is allocated to the margin portion of the print page in a left-justified manner.

  As described above, after the digital photo image data is assigned to the print page in steps S335 and S340, the print page is rotated according to the designation of the layout flag, and the layout construction process is performed. That is, in step S345, the print management data file is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the layout flag of each of the divided print jobs is turned on. If it is determined in step S345 that the layout flag is on, a layout construction process described later is executed in step S350. If it is not determined in step S345 that the layout flag is on, the print page is not rotated, and the layout is printed on the margin of the print sheet as usual.

  In this way, after the layout on the print paper of the print page relating to a certain print job is constructed, it is determined in step S355 whether or not the layout on the print paper has been constructed for all the sorted print jobs. If it is not determined in step S355 that the layout construction of all print jobs has been completed, it is further determined in step S360 whether there is a margin in the printing paper. If there is no margin, the printing module 47e in step S365. Controls the printer controller 45 to execute printing. If it is determined in step S360 that there is a margin, the processes in and after step S330 are repeated. Also, when it is determined in step S355 that the layout construction of all print jobs has been completed, the printing process in step S365 is executed. That is, the processes in steps S320 to S365 correspond to the print control unit.

  When the print processing is executed in this way, the print module 47e refers to the print management data file stored in the HDD 46 in step S370, extracts each mail address of the client that has submitted the print job, Send an email to notify that printing is complete. That is, the process in step S370 corresponds to the print notification unit. Further, the log generation module 47f writes a log of the processing in steps S310 to S370 to a log file, and stores the file in the “¥ LOG” folder of the HDD 46 in step S375.

  15 and 16 are flowcharts showing the layout construction process. In the figure, in step S410, a printable area, which is a margin where a print page is not allocated on a print sheet, is acquired. Here, as described above, A3 paper is assumed as the printing paper in this description. When no print page is allocated to a certain printing paper, all of the A3 paper is acquired as a printable area, and has already been obtained. When it is allocated, the printable area is acquired so as to be the largest rectangle while allowing overlap in the margin as will be described later.

  In step S412, the width and height of the printable area acquired in this way are acquired. In step S414, the width and height of the print pages of the sorted print job are acquired. Here, the width of the printable area refers to the length in the direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction during printing, and the height of the printable area refers to the length of the paper feed direction during printing. The width of the print page refers to the length of the print page in the left-right direction, and the height of the print page refers to the length of the print page in the vertical direction.

  In step S416, it is determined whether or not the width of the printable area is equal to or greater than the width of the print page, and the height of the printable area is equal to or greater than the height of the print page. That is, it is determined whether or not the print page fits in the printable area in the vertical direction, which is a state in which the vertical direction of the print page and the paper feed direction at the time of printing are parallel. If it is determined in step S416 that the width of the printable area is equal to or greater than the width of the print page and the height of the printable area is equal to or greater than the height of the print page, the width of the printable area is determined in step S418. Is multiplied by “0.9” to determine whether or not the print page width is smaller. That is, when the printable area width multiplied by “0.9” is smaller than the print page width, there is sufficient margin in the width direction of the printable area, and the width of the printable area is printed in step S418. It can be said that it is determined whether or not it is sufficiently larger than the page width.

  If it is not determined in step S418 that the printable area width multiplied by “0.9” is smaller than the print page width, that is, if there is sufficient margin in the width direction, the print page is rotated by 90 °. Since the margin may be smaller in the case where the printing is performed, in step S420, the allocation of the printing page to the printing paper is temporarily determined in the left-aligned arrangement in the vertical direction. If it is determined in step S418 that the printable area width multiplied by "0.9" is smaller than the print page width, there is no large margin in the width direction, so in step S428 the print page is left-aligned in the vertical direction. Determine the allocation for the printing paper.

  In step S422, it is determined whether or not the width of the printable area is equal to or greater than the height of the print page and whether the height of the printable area is equal to or greater than the width of the print page. That is, it is determined whether or not the print page fits in the printable area in the horizontal direction in which the vertical direction of the print page and the paper feed direction at the time of printing are perpendicular to each other. If it is determined in step S422 that the width of the printable area is equal to or greater than the height of the print page and the height of the printable area is equal to or greater than the width of the print page, the width of the printable area is determined in step S424. It is determined whether or not a value obtained by multiplying the value by “0.9” is smaller than the height of the print page. That is, it is determined whether or not there is a sufficient margin in the width direction when arranged in the horizontal direction.

  If it is determined in step S424 that the printable area width multiplied by "0.9" is smaller than the print page height, there is no large margin in the width direction in the horizontal arrangement, so in step S430 the horizontal direction The left-aligned layout determines the allocation of the printed page to the printing paper. If it is not determined in step S424 that the printable area width multiplied by “0.9” is smaller than the print page height, it is determined in step S426 whether or not provisional determination has already been made in the vertical arrangement. When it is not determined in step S426 that provisional determination has been completed, in step S430, the allocation of the print page to the printing paper is determined in the left-justified arrangement in the horizontal direction.

  If it is determined in step S426 that provisional determination has already been made in the vertical arrangement, in step S428, the allocation of print pages to the printing paper in the vertical alignment is determined. In step S432, it is determined whether or not the print page allocation has been determined in the series of processes described above. If it is determined in step S432 that the print page allocation has been determined, the area allocated in step S434 is described above. Delete from the printable area acquired in step S410. In this way, the assignment process for a predetermined print job is completed, and the process returns to the flow of FIG.

  Hereinafter, an operation example of the system in the above-described configuration and flow will be described. In this operation example, it is assumed that the salesperson of the DPE shop inputs a plurality of print jobs by operating the client computer 101 in response to requests from a plurality of customers. Specifically, a print job with page sizes A5, A6, A4, A5, and A6 is input on the interface screen 60 in FIG. 11, and the display window 76 on the interface screen 70 in FIG. Assume that the priority, layout flag, and template ID are specified as shown.

  When the clerk of the DPE shop inputs a plurality of print jobs in this way, the server computer 40 performs the processing of steps S310 to S325 for each print job and divides the print job as shown in the display window 76. To sort. Here, in print job 1, the print job has a layout flag “0” and is designated to use a template with template ID “1”. The print jobs 2 to 5 have a layout flag “1”, the layout is changed by the layout construction process, and the print jobs 2 to 5 are appropriately assigned to predetermined positions on the A3 paper that is the print paper loaded in the printer of the server computer 40. .

  Specifically, as shown on the left in FIG. 17, the printing paper is A3, and the vertical direction of the print page of each print job is the vertical direction. Since template ID 1 is specified in print job 1, a template use instruction is determined in step S330, a digital photographic image is assigned to the template shown in the diagram of A5 size, and the upper part of the A3 print sheet A print page is allocated in the left corner. Thereafter, through the determinations in steps S355, S360, S330, and S345, the layout construction process is executed for the print job 2. At this time, as shown in the right side of FIG. The printable areas 1 and 2 are obtained so that the margin becomes a maximum rectangle while allowing overlap in the margins after the allocation.

  Furthermore, since the print job 2 fits in the width and height of the printable area 1 in the vertical direction, the print job 2 is obtained by multiplying the width of the printable area 1 by “0.9” after the determination in step S416. Determine if it is less than the width. Here, since the printing paper is A3, the width of the printable area 1 is half that width, and the width of the print job 2 is A6, the width of the printable area 1 is set to “0.9” in step S418. In step S428, the A6 print job 2 is left-aligned in the vertical direction in the printable area 1, that is, as shown in the left of FIG. Assign to the top.

  Further, for the print job 3, printable areas 3 and 4 are acquired in step S410 as shown in FIG. Since the print job 3 is A4 size, it does not fit in the printable area 3 and is not allocated to the printable area 3 by the determination in step S416 and step S432. On the other hand, since the print job 3 is stored only in the horizontal arrangement with respect to the printable area 4, the print job 3 is allocated in the horizontal direction as shown in the right of FIG. 18 after the discrimination in steps S422 and S424.

  In the remaining printable area 5, as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the layout is not allocated in the layout construction process, and is held in a print waiting state while being stored in the “¥ SPOOL” folder. On the other hand, since the A6 sheet of the print job 5 fits in the printable area 5 in the horizontal direction, it is allocated in the horizontal direction in step S430 as shown in FIG. 19 after discrimination in steps S422 and S424. When print jobs 1, 2, 3, and 5 are assigned to the printing paper A3 as described above, there is no margin in the printing paper, so that printing is executed in step S365 through the determination in step S360, and step S370. In step S375, a mail indicating execution completion is transmitted to the client, and the log file is saved in step S375. This log file describes that the print job 4 is waiting for printing. After this, if a print job is input, layout construction processing including the print job 4 is performed, and if no print job is input, only the print job 4 is printed while being left-aligned in the vertical direction. I do.

  By referring to the print management data after executing printing as described above, the customer for each print job can be identified, so the number of times printed for each customer or the printed area is obtained, If charging is performed according to the number of times or area, charging can be performed without depending on the ink type of the printer. In addition, even when the system is leased to each DPE shop, if the lease source charges for the DPE shop according to the number of times printed or the printed area, the ink type of the printer etc. You can charge without depending on it.

  As described above, in the present invention, the server and the client are connected so as to be capable of two-way communication, the digital photo image data is acquired via the two-way communication in the server, and the print management for printing the digital photo image data is performed. Data is acquired, and the acquired digital photograph image data is printed based on the print management data. Here, since various data is described in the print management data and various management can be performed based on the data by the server and the client, it is highly convenient in a store that operates the digital photo image printing device. Print management can be performed.

It is a figure which shows the specific structural example of the centralized printing system of the digital photograph image concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic hardware constitutions of a client computer. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of a client computer. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of a client computer. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of a client computer. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of information described in a print management data file. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a server computer. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of a server computer. It is a figure which shows the tree structure comprised by HDD. 3 is a schematic processing flow of print job management APL. It is a figure which shows the interface screen of a printing instruction | indication. It is a flow which shows a job management process. 6 is a diagram illustrating an interface screen of a print job management APL. FIG. It is the flow of the process which a server computer performs. It is the flow of the process which a server computer performs. It is the flow of the process which a server computer performs. It is a figure which shows the layout construction example. It is a figure which shows the layout construction example. It is a figure which shows the layout construction example.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Client computer 11 ... CPU
12 ... System bus 13 ... ROM
14 ... RAM
15 ... HDD
16. Floppy (registered trademark) disk drive 16a ... Floppy (registered trademark) disk 17 ... CD-ROM drive 17a ... CD-ROM
18 ... Display 20 ... OS
211 ... PRTDRV
22 ... Digital camera DRV
25a ... Capture APL
25b ... Retouch APL
25c: Print job management APL
31 ... Keyboard 32 ... Mouse 40 ... Server computer 41 ... CPU
42 ... System bus 43 ... ROM
44 ... RAM
45 ... Printer controller 46 ... HDD
47a ... Acquisition module 47b ... Split module 47c ... Sort module 47d ... Layout construction module 47e ... Print module 47f ... Log generation module 49 ... CGI program 50 ... Digital camera 60 ... Interface screen 61 ... Customer ID input box 62 ... Operator input box 63 ... automatic layout check box 64 ... priority input box 65 ... template input box 66 ... image file designation box 67 ... detail setting button 68 ... print instruction button 70 ... interface screen 71 ... print management data reference button 72 ... printer status reference button 73 ... Job in progress button 74 ... Log reference button 75 ... End button 76 ... Display window

Claims (8)

A digital photographic image print system for acquiring digital photographic image data from a client connected to be communicable by a server and managing printing of the digital photographic image data in the server,
The server
Digital photographic image acquisition means for acquiring digital photographic image data to be printed via the communication;
Print management data acquisition means for acquiring print management data for managing printing of the digital photo image data via the communication;
Print control means for printing the acquired digital photo image data based on the print management data acquired by the print management data acquisition means;
Printing notification means for notifying the execution of printing,
The print management data includes information indicating the destination,
The digital photographic image printing system, wherein the print notification means notifies the transmission execution to the transmission destination extracted from the print management data. The digital photographic image printing system according to claim 1,
In addition to the information indicating the transmission destination, the print management data includes
Data for specifying the subject involved in the execution of printing, data for specifying the print layout, data for specifying the priority of printing, data for controlling the execution of printing in time series, Data for specifying a device involved in execution of printing, data for specifying a print job, data for specifying digital photo image data for execution of printing, and data for specifying printing paper A digital photographic image printing system comprising any one or a combination of digital photographic image data and color profile data. In the digital photographic image printing system according to claim 1 or 2,
The digital photographic image printing system, wherein the information indicating the destination is based on information input in the client. In the digital photographic image printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The information indicating the destination is an email address,
The print notification means is
A digital photographic image printing system, wherein an e-mail is sent to the e-mail address to output information. In the digital photographic image printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A printing system for digital photographic images, wherein the printing notification means notifies information that printing is completed when printing is completed. A medium in which digital photographic image data is acquired by a server from a communicably connected client, and a digital photographic image print program for managing printing of the digital photographic image data in the server is recorded,
In the above server,
A digital photo image acquisition function for acquiring digital photo image data to be printed through the communication;
A print management data acquisition function for acquiring print management data for managing printing of the digital photo image data via the communication;
A print control function for printing the acquired digital photo image data based on the print management data acquired by the print management data acquisition function;
Realize the print notification function to notify the print execution,
The print management data includes information indicating the destination,
A medium on which a print program for digital photographic images is recorded, wherein the print notification function notifies the transmission destination extracted from the print management data. A digital photographic image print method for acquiring digital photographic image data from a communicably connected client at a server and managing printing of the digital photographic image data at the server,
The server
A digital photographic image acquisition step of acquiring digital photographic image data to be printed via the communication;
A print management data acquisition step for acquiring print management data for managing printing of the digital photo image data via the communication;
A print control step for printing the acquired digital photo image data based on the print management data acquired by the print management data acquisition step;
A print notification process for notifying execution of printing,
The print management data includes information indicating the destination,
A printing method of a digital photographic image, wherein the print notification step notifies the transmission destination extracted from the print management data. A digital photo image print management device that acquires digital photo image data from an external device that is communicably connected and manages printing of the digital photo image data,
Digital photographic image acquisition means for acquiring the digital photographic image data to be printed via the communication;
Print management data acquisition means for acquiring print management data for managing printing of the digital photo image data via the communication;
Print control means for printing the acquired digital photo image data based on the print management data acquired by the print management data acquisition means;
Printing notification means for notifying the execution of printing,
The print management data includes information indicating the destination,
The print management apparatus, wherein the print notification unit notifies the transmission destination extracted from the print management data.

Images