JP2006323123A - Apparatus and method for receiving print order - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correctly discriminate an image that has been ordered in the past. <P>SOLUTION: An image data file relating to an image that has been ordered in the past is stored in an archive section. An image relating to an image data file read by a media drive and the image relating to the image data file stored in the archive are compared. Thereby, among the images relating to the image data file read by the media drive, a discrimination is made whether or not the image is a reprint image similar to the image that has been ordered in the past. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print order receiving apparatus and a print order receiving method for receiving a photographic print order from a customer.

  With the recent spread of digital cameras, there is an increasing demand for printing image data taken with digital cameras on silver salt photographic paper or the like with a conventional photographic processing apparatus. Therefore, it has become common to install digital image processing systems including a plurality of digital image receiving devices and photo printing devices in photo stores (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this system, media containing image data captured by a digital camera by a customer is set, and prints including various designations such as the number of prints while viewing the order screen displayed on the touch panel display of the receiving device When an order is placed, a print process corresponding to the order is performed by the photo processing apparatus. Then, at the photo shop, the completed photo print is handed over to the customer and the print price is settled.

The customer may wish to place an order for images that have been ordered in the past. In this case, the customer needs to find out the corresponding image. In particular, when a large number of image data is stored on a medium, it takes time for a customer to find an image that the customer wants to order. Therefore, in order to solve this problem, frames included in the frame selection screen may be narrowed down using past order history as a narrowing condition (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Here, as the past order history, for example, the file name of the frame and the order date ordered in the past are used.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-75930 (FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-302762 (FIG. 11)

  However, when a part of the image is corrected on the customer side or when an order is placed at another photo store, there is a possibility that the frame file name and the order date are not the same as when the order was placed. Therefore, when narrowing down based on the file name of the frame or the order date, the narrowing of the frame may be erroneously performed. In other words, if the file name of the image read from the medium and the file name of the image with the order history are the same, it is erroneously determined that they are the same image even if they are different from each other. . If the file name of the image read from the media is different from the file name of the image with the order history, it is erroneously determined that the images are the same even if they are the same. Such a problem occurs even when an image having an order history is determined based on an order date ordered in the past.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a print order receiving apparatus and a print order receiving method capable of accurately discriminating images that have been ordered in the past.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  A print order receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes a reading unit for reading an image data file recorded on a recording medium and image data relating to an image for which an order has been placed in the past. Archive means for storing a file, comparison means for comparing an image related to the image data file read by the reading unit, and an image related to the image data file stored by the archive means, and comparison by the comparison means Based on the result, a determination unit for determining a reprint image similar to an image that has been ordered in the past from images related to the image data file read by the reading unit; Of the images related to the image data file, the discrimination means And a order screen display control means for displaying an order screen on the display including one of image that has not been determined to reprint image by lint image and the determined image and the discrimination means.

  The print order receiving method of the present invention is a print order receiving method for receiving a photographic print order, a read step for reading an image data file recorded on a recording medium, and an image relating to the image data file read in the read step. A comparison step for comparing an image that has been ordered in the past, and an image of the image data file read in the reading step based on the comparison result in the comparison step. A discrimination step for discriminating a reprint image similar to the performed image; and an image that is discriminated as a reprint image in the discrimination step among the images related to the image data file read in the readout step, and in the discrimination step Reprinted image is identified It includes an order screen displaying step of displaying the ordering screen that contains one of tinged image display, and order information input accepting step of accepting an input of the order information to the image included in the order screen.

  Here, regarding “a reprint image similar to an image that has been ordered in the past”, the reprint image may be similar to the image that has been ordered in the past, or the reprint image may have been ordered in the past. It may be the same as the performed image.

  According to these configurations, the image related to the image data file read out by the reading unit is compared with the image related to the image data file read out by the reading unit and the image ordered in the past. A reprint image similar to an image that has been ordered in the past is determined. Then, an order screen including either one of a reprint image and a new image (an image other than the reprint image) is displayed on the display. As described above, the reprint image can be accurately determined by comparing the image related to the image data file read by the reading unit with the image that has been ordered in the past.

  In the print order receiving apparatus of the present invention, the order screen display control means includes an image determined as a reprint image by the determination means among the images related to the image data file read by the reading unit, and the determination means. An order screen including the other of the images that have not been determined to be reprint images by the above may be displayed on the display.

  According to this configuration, it is convenient for a customer to place a print order by displaying an order screen including the reprinted image or the other image of the new image on the display.

  In the print order receiving apparatus of the present invention, image recognition means for performing image recognition processing on the plurality of image data files read by the reading unit and the plurality of image data files stored by the archive means is further provided. The determination unit may determine a reprint image from among the images related to the image data file read by the reading unit, using a result of the image recognition processing performed by the image recognition unit. Good.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to more accurately determine the reprint image by using the result of the image recognition process.

  In the print order reception apparatus of the present invention, evaluation data indicating similarity between the image related to the image data file read by the reading unit and the image related to the image data file stored by the archive unit is calculated. Evaluation data calculation means that further includes an image whose evaluation data calculated by the evaluation data calculation means is greater than or equal to a threshold among images related to the image data file read by the reading unit. May be determined as a reprint image.

  According to this configuration, the evaluation data indicating the similarity between the image related to the image data file read by the reading unit and the image related to the image data file stored by the archive unit is calculated, and the evaluation data and the threshold value are calculated. By comparing these, reprinted images can be easily identified.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital image processing system including a print order receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the digital image processing system shown in FIG.

[Digital image processing system]
A digital image processing system shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of print order receiving devices R (hereinafter referred to as receiving devices R) and a digital photographic processing device P that prints image data on silver salt type photographic paper 1. And a communication network N (see FIG. 2) for accessing information between them.

  The digital image processing system is generally installed in a photo shop. In this system, a smart media SM, a compact flash (registered trademark) CF, a memory stick MS, which stores image data taken by a digital camera, The receiving device R can accept a print order based on image data from a PC card PC-C, a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or MO in which image data is stored (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as media M).

  In this system, the customer presents the receipt re (see FIG. 17) issued at the time of receipt to the person in charge of the photo shop at the service counter C shown in FIG. Based on the printed information, a process of handing over the completed photo print to the customer who presented the receipt re in exchange for the price is performed.

[Photo processing device P]
First, the configuration of the photo processing apparatus P will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The photographic processing apparatus P includes an apparatus main body in which an operating section Po and a developing processing section Pd arranged on a table are integrated, and a scanner unit Ps at a position separated from the apparatus main body.

  The operating section Po is equipped with an exposure system that cuts the photographic paper 1 from the photographic paper magazine 5 into a print size and supplies it to the digital exposure head 6. The operating unit Po also includes a combo drive 10 that reads information from a CD-ROM or DVD and writes information to a CD-R, and various media such as a smart media SM, CompactFlash (registered trademark) CF, and MO. A plurality of multi-drives 11 corresponding to media, a display 12 for displaying image data and various information, a keyboard 13, a mouse 14, and a control unit 15 having a microprocessor are provided.

  The control unit 15 is configured using a general-purpose computer, and can operate various software. The control unit 15 corrects the image data converted into a digital signal by the scanner unit Ps by the image processing software and trims the image data if necessary. And can be transferred to the exposure head 6 when the image data is exposed on the photographic paper 1.

  Further, the development processing section Pd includes a development processing tank 7 for performing development processing of the photographic paper 1 exposed by the exposure head 6. In the development processing section Pd, the photographic paper 1 that has been subjected to the development processing in the development processing tank 7 is dried and then sent to the lateral feed conveyor 8 on the upper surface of the development processing section Pd. Then, the photographic paper 1 from the transverse feed conveyor 8 is sent to the sorting conveyor 9.

  The scanner unit Ps includes a film carrier 18 that can be exchanged with respect to the upper surface of a casing 17 having a caster at the bottom, and a photoelectric conversion unit (not shown) having a photoelectric conversion element such as an optical lens or a CCD inside the casing. ). In addition, an arm 19 that guides a light beam sent from a light source provided inside the housing via an optical fiber to the upper surface side of the film carrier 18 is provided.

  When scanning the photographic film 2, a negative film or a positive film is set on the film carrier 18, and the film carrier 18 is moved at a set speed by the light beam irradiated downward from the tip of the arm 19. The image data of each frame of the photographic film 2 is converted into a digital signal by the photoelectric conversion unit and can be transferred to the control unit 15 via the cable 20.

[Reception device R]
Next, the configuration of the receiving device R will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the receiving device R includes a liquid crystal display 23 disposed on the upper surface of the housing 21 and having the touch panel 22 formed thereon, and a plurality of media serving as media drives provided on the front surface of the housing 21. A drive 24, a thermal transfer receipt printer 25 provided on the front side of the display 21 on the upper surface of the housing 21 and issuing a receipt re, and a controller 26 built in the housing 21 are provided. . The plurality of media drives 24 correspond to each of a smart media SM, a compact flash (registered trademark) CF, a memory stick MS, a PC card PC-C functioning as an attachment of the media M, a CD-ROM, an MO, and the like. Yes.

  The controller 26 can access information with the media drive 24 and information with the touch panel 22, and can output image data to the display 23 and information to the receipt printer 25. The controller 26 includes a RAM type semiconductor memory in which a work area is formed, and a memory (not shown) as a generic name of a ROM type semiconductor memory in which programs and parameters are stored, as well as hardware or software, Alternatively, an image data storage unit 81, an archive unit 82, an image recognition unit 83, an evaluation data calculation unit 84, a threshold storage unit 85, and a discrimination unit 86 are extracted by a combination of hardware and software. A part 87 and a control part 88 are formed (see FIG. 4).

  Next, the configuration of the controller 26 of the receiving device R will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the controller of the reception apparatus.

  The image data storage unit 81 stores a plurality of image data files read by the media drive 24.

  The archive unit 82 stores an image data file relating to an image that has been ordered in the past.

  The image recognition unit 83 can recognize the contents of the image related to each image data file by performing image recognition processing on the image data files stored in the image data storage unit 81 and the archive unit 82. In the present embodiment, the image recognition unit 83 creates a histogram indicating the relationship between the image data and the frequency for each image. Here, FIG. 5 shows an example of a histogram of each image. In the image recognition unit 83, a frequency distribution is created for each RGB when R, G, or B image data is taken on the horizontal axis and the frequency of each image data is taken on the vertical axis.

  The evaluation data calculation unit 84 calculates evaluation data for discriminating images similar to each other based on the histograms created by the image recognition unit 83 for each RGB. In the present embodiment, the evaluation data calculation unit 84 determines whether each of the plurality of images read by the media drive 24 is similar to the image stored in the archive unit 82. Calculate

  Here, the evaluation data is, for example, an SN ratio (Signal-to-Noise ratio). The S / N ratio generally indicates an intensity ratio S / N between a signal (response value) S derived from an analysis purpose and a signal (usually noise) N based on other factors. It refers to the concept of signal-to-noise ratio used in the engineering field. That is, the SN ratio in quality engineering indicates how much the target varies with respect to the target, and the larger the SN ratio value, the smaller the variation. When the concept of the S / N ratio in quality engineering is introduced in the present embodiment, the S / N ratio is a variation of the other data (image) with respect to one data (image), that is, which of the other data is included in one data. The larger the S / N ratio value, the more similar the two data (images).

  Specifically, the SN ratio handled in the present embodiment is represented by η (db) in the following equation. In the present embodiment, n = 255 in order to obtain the SN ratio using 8-bit image data.

  The threshold value storage unit 85 stores a threshold value of evaluation data used for determining whether or not two images are similar to each other for each RGB. In the present embodiment, the threshold storage unit 85 stores the SN ratio threshold for each RGB.

  The discriminating unit 86 is read out by the media drive 24 by comparing the value of the S / N ratio for each RGB calculated by the evaluation data calculation unit 84 with the threshold value for each RGB stored in the threshold value storage unit 85. Discrimination from among a plurality of images that is similar to the image that has been ordered in the past stored in the archive unit 82 (which includes the same image as the image that has been ordered in the past and is referred to as a reprint image) To do. Here, the determination unit 86 determines that the two images are similar when the values of the respective SN ratios for each of RGB are larger than the threshold value.

  The extraction unit 87 extracts an image data file related to an image determined as a reprint image by the determination unit 86 or other image data files from the image data file read out by the media drive 24.

  The control unit 88 controls display on the display 23 and causes the display 23 to display various screens when a print order is placed. Here, when the customer desires to display all the images related to the plurality of image data files stored in the image data storage unit 81, the control unit 88 includes “print” including all the images. “Number of images setting screen” is displayed. When the customer desires to display only the reprint image among the images related to the plurality of image data files stored in the image data storage unit 81, the control unit 88 includes only the reprint image. Display the “Print quantity setting screen”. In addition, when the customer desires to display only images other than the reprint image among the images related to the plurality of image data files stored in the image data storage unit 81, the control unit 88 selects the image other than the reprint image. Displays the “Number of prints setting screen” that contains only the images.

[Receiving orders at the reception device R]
Next, a procedure for accepting a print order in the accepting apparatus R will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for accepting a print order in the accepting apparatus. 7-16 is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception device at the time of order reception. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a receipt.

  In the reception device R, in a standby state, as shown in FIG. 7, a standby screen (initial screen) including the function of the reception device R, a logo mark of a photo shop, and the like is displayed (step S1). When the customer places an order for printing an image, the “service selection screen” shown in FIG. 8 is displayed by bringing the finger into contact with the touch panel 22 of the display 23 (step S2). On this screen, a print acceptance switch unit 45a for accepting prints and a media save acceptance switch unit 45b for accepting media storage are displayed together with a message “Please select a service”. Ask for a choice. When the media storage acceptance switch unit 45b is operated, the image data stored in the medium M is transferred to the photo processing device P and stored in the CD-R or MO in the photo processing device P. Although it is performed, it is basically the same processing form as the process of accepting prints, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  When the print acceptance switch unit 45a is operated while the “service selection screen” is displayed, the “media selection screen” shown in FIG. 9 is displayed (step S3). In this “media selection screen”, a plurality of switch sections 47 for selecting media are displayed together with a message “Please select media”, and the customer is asked to select. A cancel button 48 for canceling the process and a return button 49 for returning to the previous process are displayed below the “service selection screen”. The cancel button 48 and the return button 49 are the same in the process described later. It is displayed in the position and functions similarly by operating.

  When the switch unit 47 corresponding to the media used by the customer is operated while the “media selection screen” is displayed, the “media set guidance screen” shown in FIG. 10 is displayed (step S4). ). On this screen, a specific image for setting the corresponding media is displayed together with a message “Please set the media and press the OK button”.

  After the medium M is set according to the “media set guidance screen” and the customer operates the OK button 50 to read the image data from the set medium M (step S5), the “print size selection” shown in FIG. "Screen" is displayed (step S6). Along with the message “Please select a print size”, a size designation switch unit 51 corresponding to a plurality of print sizes is displayed on this screen, and the customer is asked to make a selection. In the size designation switch section 51 of the “print size selection screen”, in addition to the characters “L” and “2L” indicating the print size, a numerical value indicating the print size, a print unit price, a basic print fee, etc. Is displayed.

  When any one of the size designation switch units 51 is operated in a state where the “print size selection screen” is displayed, the “display image selection screen” shown in FIG. 12 is displayed (step S7). . On this screen, a display image designation switch unit 52 corresponding to each display image is displayed together with a message “Please select a display image”. In the present embodiment, there are three display images that can be selected: all images, only reprint images, and other than reprint images.

  When any one of the display image designation switch sections 52 is operated in a state where the “display image selection screen” is displayed, the “print number setting screen” which is an order screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. (Step S8). On this screen, images related to a plurality of image data files read by the media drive 24 are displayed as thumbnail images S together with a message “Please set the number of prints”.

  Here, when “all images” is selected on the “display image selection screen”, the images related to the image data files stored in the image data storage unit 82 are taken in the order in which they were taken (the one with the smallest file number). In order, the “print number setting screen” displayed as the thumbnail image S is displayed. When “reprint image only” is selected on the “display image selection screen”, only the reprint image of the image data file stored in the image data storage unit 82 is displayed as the thumbnail image S. The “Number of prints setting screen” is displayed. If “other than reprint image” is selected on the “display image selection screen”, only images other than the reprint image in the image data file stored in the image data storage unit 82 are displayed as thumbnail images S. The “Print count setting screen” is displayed. The display procedure of the “print number setting screen” when each display image is selected on the “display image selection screen” will be described in detail later.

  In the “number of prints setting screen” which is an order screen, the name (file number) of the file specifying the image data is displayed in the upper part of the frame 54 of each thumbnail image S, and a numerical value indicating the number of prints is displayed in the lower part of the frame 54. A number display area 55 to be displayed is provided. Further, a + button 56 for increasing the number of prints one by one and a − button 56 for decreasing the number of prints one by one are displayed at positions sandwiching the print number display area 55.

  Further, in the vicinity of the lower end portion of the screen, a cancel button 48, a return button 49, and an OK button 50 (when a plurality of “print number setting screens” are displayed, instead of the OK button other than the final screen, Next button 50 is displayed), an overall + button 57 for increasing all the prints one by one, and an overall-button 57 for decreasing all the prints one by one, and the center An information area DE is displayed at the position. In the information area DE, information on the selected print size, the total number of set prints, the total amount of money required for printing, and a number indicating the page are displayed.

  When the selection of all image data to be printed is completed and the OK button 50 is operated in a state where the “print number setting screen” is displayed, an “order content confirmation screen” shown in FIG. 14 is displayed ( Step S9). On this screen, a confirmation sheet 65 listing the details and amounts of the prints input by the customer from the reception device R is displayed together with a message “Please confirm the contents of the order”. If there is no error in the displayed contents, the OK button 50 is operated to newly generate a folder in which the ID information is added to the order information and the image data, and the information is transmitted to the photo processing apparatus P. Is done.

  When the OK button 50 is operated in a state where the “order details confirmation screen” is displayed, a “media extraction guide screen” shown in FIG. 15 is displayed (step S10). On this screen, a message “Please remove the media” is displayed. By removing the media according to this display and operating the OK button 50, the “Receipt certificate issuance guidance screen” shown in FIG. 16 is displayed. (Step S11). The message “Receipt certificate is being issued, please wait for a while” and “Please bring the receipt to the counter” are displayed on this screen. And sent out (step S12). When the receipt certificate re is issued in this way, all of the acceptance processing is completed and the screen returns to the standby screen.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the receipt re is a form in which a receipt body and a customer receipt are connected. In addition to the customer name, telephone number, reception ID, terminal ID, reception date, order number, etc. Contents showing the details of the order are printed. If the photo print cannot be handed out on the same day, the receipt card body and the customer receipt are separated, and the receipt card body is left as a receipt at the DP store so that the customer receipt can be handed over to the customer.

  Next, the display procedure of the “print number setting screen” will be described based on a specific example with reference to FIGS. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the display procedure of the “print number setting screen”. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a similarity relationship between images. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a display procedure of the “print number setting screen” when “all images” is selected on the “display image selection screen”. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a display procedure of the “print number setting screen” when “only reprint image” is selected on the “display image selection screen”. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a display procedure of the “print number setting screen” when “other than reprint image” is selected on the “display image selection screen”.

  First, a plurality of image data files are read by the media drive 24, and these image data files are stored in the image data storage unit 81 (step S101). In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, image data files relating to ten images having file numbers 001 to 010 are stored in the archive unit 82, and 20 of file numbers 101 to 120 are stored by the media drive 24. A case where image data files related to individual images are read will be described.

  Then, the image recognition unit 83 performs image recognition processing on the plurality of image data files read by the media drive 24 and the plurality of image data files stored in the archive unit 82, thereby creating a histogram for each RGB. (Step S102). Thereafter, based on each histogram created by the image recognition unit 83, an S / N ratio for discriminating images similar to each other is calculated for each RGB (step S103). Here, the SN ratio is calculated for each image stored in the archive unit 82 for each of the plurality of images read by the media drive 24.

  In the present embodiment, first, an SN for determining whether the image of the file number 101 read by the media drive 24 is similar to the images of the file numbers 001 to 010 stored in the archive unit 82. The ratio is calculated. Next, the S / N ratio for determining whether the image of the file number 102 is similar to the images of the file numbers 001 to 010 is calculated. Thereafter, similarly, the S / N ratio for determining whether the images having the file numbers 103 to 120 are similar to the images having the file numbers 001 to 010 is calculated.

  Then, the respective SN ratios calculated above and the threshold values are respectively compared, and it is determined whether or not each of the plurality of images read by the media drive 24 is similar to each image stored in the archive unit 82. Then, an image similar to any one of the images stored in the archive unit 82 is determined as a reprint image (step S104). Here, in FIG. 19, among the 20 images of the file numbers 101 to 120 read by the media drive 24, the images of the file numbers 103, 104, 106, 109, 114, and 118 are stored in the archive unit 82. It is shown that the images having the file numbers 001, 002, 004, 006, 008, and 010 are similar to each other.

  Thereafter, the “display image selection screen” is displayed on the display 23 of the receiving device R (step S105).

  Here, when the “display image selection screen” is displayed and the customer operates the display image designation switch unit 52 corresponding to “all images” (S106: YES), the image data is stored in the image data storage unit 81. The “print number setting screen” displayed as thumbnail images S is displayed in the order in which the images related to the image data file were taken (in order from the smallest file number) (step S107).

  That is, when image data files relating to 20 images having file numbers 101 to 120 shown in FIG. 19 are stored in the image data storage unit 81, as shown in FIG. A “print number setting screen” is displayed with eight images of 008 as thumbnail images. When the setting of the number of prints on the “print number setting screen” is completed and the next button 50 is operated, eight images of file numbers 009 to 016 are displayed as thumbnails as shown in FIG. A “print count setting screen” for an image is displayed. When the setting of the number of prints on the “print number setting screen” is completed and the next button 50 is operated, four images with file numbers 017 to 020 are displayed as thumbnails as shown in FIG. A “print count setting screen” for an image is displayed.

  On the other hand, when the “display image selection screen” is displayed, when the customer operates the display image designation switch unit 52 corresponding to “only reprint image” (S106: NO, S108: YES), the image data storage unit 81 stores the image. An image data file relating to an image determined to be a reprint image is extracted from the stored image data file (step S109). Thereafter, a “print number setting screen” is displayed in which only images determined as reprint images are displayed as thumbnail images S. That is, as shown in FIG. 21, in FIG. 19, six images with file numbers 103, 104, 106, 109, 114, and 018 determined to be similar to the image stored in the archive unit 82 are displayed as thumbnails. A “print number setting screen” as an image is displayed (step S110).

  In addition, when the customer operates the display image designation switch unit 52 corresponding to “other than reprint image” with the “display image selection screen” displayed (S108: NO), the image stored in the image data storage unit 81 is displayed. An image data file related to an image other than the image determined to be a reprint image is extracted from the data file (step S111). Thereafter, a “print number setting screen” is displayed in which only images other than those determined as reprint images are displayed as thumbnail images S (step S112).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 22A, in FIG. 19, the file numbers 101, 102, 105, 107, 108, 110 to 112, which are determined not to be similar to the image stored in the archive unit 82. A “print count setting screen” is displayed with thumbnail images as thumbnail images. When the setting of the number of prints on this “print number setting screen” is completed and the next button 50 is operated, the file numbers 113, 115 to 117, 119, and 120 are displayed as shown in FIG. A “print count setting screen” is displayed with six images as thumbnail images.

  Then, when the setting of the number of prints is completed in a state where the above-described “print number setting screen” is displayed (step S113), an “order content confirmation screen” is displayed (step S114).

  As described above, in the receiving apparatus R of the present embodiment, an order is placed in the past regarding the image related to the image data file read out by the media drive 24 and the image data file stored in the archive unit 82. As a result of the comparison, the reprint image similar to the image that has been ordered in the past is determined from the images related to the image data file read by the media drive 24. When “reprint image” is selected on the “display image selection screen”, a “print number setting screen” including only the reprint image is displayed, and “other than reprint image” is selected on the “display image selection screen”. Then, a “print number setting screen” including only new images (images other than reprint images) is displayed. In this manner, the reprint image can be accurately determined by comparing the image related to the image data file read by the media drive 24 with the image that has been ordered in the past.

  Further, for example, when the image data file relating to a plurality of images having similar shooting contents such as continuous shooting scenes is read by the media drive 24, and the shooting contents such as continuous shooting scenes are similar. When an order for only one image of a plurality of images has been made in the past, if “other than reprint image” is selected on the “display image selection screen”, only that one image is displayed. In addition, similar images are also excluded from display targets as ordered in the past. Therefore, unnecessary images are less likely to be displayed.

  Further, by using the result of the image recognition process for the image data file read by the media drive 24 and the image data file stored in the archive unit 82, the reprint image can be more accurately determined.

  Also, evaluation data indicating similarity between the image related to the image data file read by the media drive 24 and the image related to the image data file stored by the archive unit 82 is calculated, and the evaluation data and the threshold value are calculated. By comparing, reprint image discrimination becomes easy.

  In the present embodiment, after the image data file relating to the reprint image is extracted, if only the image data file is stored in a different medium M, it is effective for organizing the image data file.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made as long as they are described in the claims. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the image data file read by the media drive 24 and the image data file stored in the archive unit 82 are subjected to image recognition processing, and the evaluation data indicating the similarity between these images The reprint image is discriminated by comparing the threshold value with the threshold value, but the reprint image discrimination method may be other methods. Therefore, the reprint image may be determined without performing the image recognition process.

1 is an external perspective view of a digital image processing system including a print order receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the digital image processing system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the reception apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the controller of a reception apparatus. An example of a histogram of each image is shown. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of reception of the print order in a reception apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows an example of a receipt. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a display procedure of a “print number setting screen”. It is a figure which shows the similarity relationship of each image. It is a figure which shows the display procedure of the "print number setting screen" when "all the images" are selected on the "display image selection screen". It is a figure which shows the display procedure of the "print number setting screen" when "reprint image only" is selected on the "display image selection screen". It is a figure which shows the display procedure of the "print number setting screen" when "other than reprint image" is selected on the "display image selection screen".

Explanation of symbols

R Print order receiving device P Photo processing device 22 Touch panel 23 Display 24 Media drive (reading unit)
81 Image data storage unit 82 Archive unit (archive means)
83 Image recognition unit 84 Evaluation data calculation unit 85 Threshold storage unit 86 Discrimination unit (comparison means; discrimination means)
87 Extraction unit 88 Control unit (order screen display control means)

Claims (5)

In the print order acceptance device that accepts photo print orders,
A reading unit for reading the image data file recorded on the recording medium;
Archiving means for storing image data files relating to images that have been ordered in the past;
Comparing means for comparing the image related to the image data file read by the reading unit and the image related to the image data file stored by the archive means;
A discriminating unit that discriminates a reprint image similar to an image that has been ordered in the past from the images related to the image data file read by the reading unit based on the comparison result by the comparing unit;
An order screen including either one of the images related to the image data file read by the reading unit and the image determined as the reprint image by the determination unit and the image not determined as the reprint image by the determination unit. An order screen display control means for displaying a message on a display.   Among the images related to the image data file read by the reading unit, the order screen display control unit determines an image determined as a reprint image by the determination unit and an image not determined as a reprint image by the determination unit The print order receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an order screen including the other is displayed on a display. Image recognition means for performing image recognition processing on the plurality of image data files read by the reading unit and the plurality of image data files stored by the archive means;
The discriminating unit discriminates a reprint image from images related to the image data file read by the reading unit using a result of the image recognition processing performed by the image recognizing unit. Item 3. The print order receiving apparatus according to Item 1 or 2. Evaluation data calculation means for calculating evaluation data indicating the similarity between the image related to the image data file read by the reading unit and the image related to the image data file stored by the archive means is further provided. And
The discriminating unit discriminates, from among the images related to the image data file read by the reading unit, an image whose evaluation data calculated by the evaluation data calculating unit is a threshold value or more as a reprint image. The print order reception apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. In the print order acceptance method for accepting photo print orders,
A reading step of reading the image data file recorded on the recording medium;
A comparison step of comparing the image related to the image data file read in the reading step with an image that has been ordered in the past;
A discrimination step for discriminating a reprint image similar to an image that has been ordered in the past from the images related to the image data file read in the read step based on the comparison result in the comparison step;
Of the images related to the image data file read in the reading step, an order screen including any one of the image determined as a reprint image in the determination step and the image not determined as a reprint image in the determination step Order screen display step for displaying on the display;
An order information input receiving step for receiving an input of order information for an image included in the order screen.

Images