JP2006330834A - Portable terminal, server, and photographic print order system provided therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem in a conventional system that a reprint order needs extremely complicated and troublesome work such that stored image data are pre-viewed and displayed, an image the same as an image of photograph print is searched for by comparing the image data with index print or the photograph print, and then an order for copy print is placed. <P>SOLUTION: The portable terminal comprises at least an acquisition part 11 capable of acquiring text data, code data or image data and a communication means capable of communicating the acquired data. The portable terminal further comprises a retrieval control part 13a controlling to retrieve image data corresponding to the data acquired by the acquisition means 11, and an order control part 13b controlling, at the time of ordering the photographic print of the retrieved image data, to place the order using the communication means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographic print ordering system for creating a photographic print, and a portable terminal and a server constituting the system.

  In the prior art, there is a system for directly ordering a photo print of a photograph taken with a camera-equipped mobile phone (see Non-Patent Document 1). The outline of this system is as follows. (1) An image is taken with a camera and stored in advance. (2) Next, the server is accessed from the camera-equipped mobile phone. (3) Select a store for creating a photo print, and register the name, telephone number, etc. of the orderer. (4) Create a mail with image data attached and send it to the server. (5) Select the size and number of sheets, confirm the order details and print fee, and place an order. (6) An e-mail with the contents of the order received is transmitted from the server to the camera-equipped mobile phone. (7) At a later date, the orderer receives the finished print at the store.

Noritz Koki Co., Ltd., [online], April 23, 2005, [Search April 23, 2005], Internet <URL: http://www.dpegg.com/eggsite/pager>

  However, the conventional photo print ordering system previews the image data stored in the camera-equipped mobile phone when ordering the reprinted print, and compares it with the index print or the photo print. This was a very cumbersome and time-consuming task.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a mobile terminal having at least an acquisition unit capable of acquiring text data, code data, or image data, and a communication unit capable of communicating the acquired data. A search control unit that controls to search image data corresponding to the data acquired by the means, and an order control unit that controls to be able to order using a communication means when ordering a photo print of the searched image data; Is a portable terminal.

  According to this configuration, the image data can be searched and specified only by acquiring the data for specifying the photo print, so that a complicated operation for searching for the image data from the preview screen is not required. Therefore, it is possible to perform an additional print ordering operation easily and in a short time, and the labor of the orderer can be reduced. Furthermore, the image data stored can be easily confirmed from the portable terminal, not only when the print order is made.

  In the portable terminal described above, the acquisition unit can read text data or code data back-printed on the back side of the photo print.

  According to this configuration, image data can be searched by reading identification information on the back side of the photo print, such as a file name, an order ID, a barcode, a two-dimensional code, and the like. Therefore, it is not necessary to search for image data from the preview screen, and it is possible to easily search for image data of a photo print and order a reprint.

  Further, in the above portable terminal, the acquisition means is capable of taking image data of the surface of a photographic print.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to retrieve the image data by acquiring the image itself on the photographic print surface. Therefore, it is not necessary to search for image data from the preview screen, and it is possible to easily search for image data of a photo print and order a reprint.

  The portable terminal further includes an input unit for inputting text data, and the search control unit performs control so as to search for image data corresponding to the text data input by the input unit. And

  According to this configuration, it is possible to search for image data by directly inputting identification information on the back side of the photo print, such as a file name, an order ID, and the like. Even if the acquisition means is not activated and data is not acquired, image data can be searched by inputting identification information.

  Further, in the above mobile terminal, the search control unit controls to obtain image data when the text data and / or code data obtained by the obtaining unit cannot be recognized.

  According to this configuration, if the text data and / or code data is read but cannot be recognized, the image data can be photographed to retrieve the image data.

  In the portable terminal, the search control unit may perform image processing on the image data acquired by the acquisition unit to generate search image data, and search based on the search image data.

  According to this configuration, the acquired image data can be processed into image data suitable for search, and the search speed can be increased.

  Further, in the above mobile terminal, the search control unit searches the storage unit storing the image data so as to be selectable.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to search by specifying a recording medium built in the portable terminal or a network-connected recording medium. Therefore, for example, when it is found before the search that no image data is stored in the mobile terminal body, it is possible to search for a recording medium such as an information processing apparatus connected to the network.

  In the mobile terminal, the search control unit searches the storage unit of the information processing apparatus that can communicate with the mobile terminal when the image data cannot be searched from the storage unit of the mobile terminal.

  According to this configuration, when the image data is not stored in the recording medium built in the portable terminal, the recording medium of the information processing apparatus that can communicate with the portable terminal can be automatically searched. Therefore, when the mobile terminal is not searched, there is no need to specify that the external information processing apparatus is searched again by the search operation.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server having a communication means capable of communicating data and a storage unit for storing at least image data, the communication means receiving when the data capable of identifying the image data is received. The server further includes a search control unit that searches the storage unit for image data based on the acquired data and controls the searched image data to be transmitted to the data transmission source.

  According to this configuration, the image data stored in the server can be searched and the image data can be transmitted to the mobile terminal.

  In the above server, the search control unit may perform image processing on the image data to create search image data and search based on the search image data when the data is image data. .

  According to this configuration, since image processing can be performed on the server side, it is not necessary to create image data for search by performing image processing on the mobile terminal, and performance degradation of the mobile terminal can be prevented.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable terminal having at least an acquisition unit capable of acquiring text data, code data, or image data, and a first communication unit capable of communicating the acquired data. A photo print ordering system comprising a communication unit and a server having a storage unit capable of storing image data corresponding to the data, wherein the portable terminal stores the image data corresponding to the data acquired by the acquisition unit. A first search control unit that controls to search, and an order control unit that controls the server so that the server can be ordered using the first communication unit when ordering a photo print of the searched image data. The first search control unit controls to transmit data to the server and acquire image data corresponding to the data when searching from the server. When receiving data that can identify image data from a portable terminal, the image data is searched from the storage unit based on the received data, and the searched image data is controlled to be transmitted to the portable terminal. A photo print ordering system further comprising a second search control unit.

  The effect of this structure is the same as the effect demonstrated above.

  In another aspect of the invention, an acquisition step for acquiring text data, code data, or image data in a computer, a search control step for controlling to search image data corresponding to the acquired data, and a search in the search control step This is a program for executing an order control step for controlling the photographic print of the image data thus made to be orderable.

  In another invention, the computer can acquire image data when the text data and / or code data acquired in the acquisition step and the text data and / or code data acquired in the acquisition step are unrecognizable. A program for executing an acquisition control step to be controlled.

  According to another invention, the computer executes a search control step for controlling the computer to search for a recording medium of an information processing apparatus that can communicate with the portable terminal when image data cannot be searched from the recording medium of the portable terminal. It is a program.

  The operational effects of the above program are the same as the operational effects described above.

  In the present invention, the “portable terminal” is a device that can take and / or acquire image data and has a communication function, and is a portable device, for example, a camera-equipped mobile phone. In addition, for example, a mobile phone configured to be connectable to an image sensor such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor, a PHS (registered trademark), a digital camera having a communication function, and the like are exemplified. Furthermore, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and a handheld computer that include an image sensor and can be connected to a mobile phone are also exemplified.

  The order information is information for ordering photo prints that can be used in the photo print ordering system. For example, an ID unique to a mobile terminal (for example, a telephone number or a unique manufacturing symbol for a mobile phone), order It consists of a plurality of pieces of information such as a person's ID (for example, name, address, etc.), a mail address of a portable terminal, image data, image data identification information, and the like.

  The identification information is information for identifying image data, and is not particularly limited. For example, the file name of the image data, the ID of the image data, the order ID, a barcode (for example, a JAN code), a two-dimensional code ( For example, CP code, VS code (registered trademark), QR code, PDF417, Veri code, Data Matrix, etc.) are exemplified.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that in this embodiment, components using the same reference numerals and steps in the flowcharts perform the same function, and thus description of what has been described once may be omitted.

(Embodiment 1)
<Configuration of photo print ordering system>
FIG. 1 conceptually shows the overall configuration of the photo print ordering system in the present embodiment. The mobile terminal 10 and the base station 40 are configured to be communicable, and the base station 40, the server 20, and the store 30 are connected via a network. The store 30 includes a photo processing device 31, an information processing device 32 directly connected to the photo processing device 31, and external terminals 33 and 34 connected to the photo processing device 31 via a LAN. The server 20 is configured to be able to communicate with any of the photo processing device 31, the information processing device 32, and the external terminals 33 and 34. The server 20 manages data necessary for the photo print ordering system and has a DB 21 (database) for this purpose.

<Configuration of mobile terminal>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the mobile terminal 10. The portable terminal 10 includes, for example, an image acquisition unit 11, a main body storage unit 12, an order application 13, a first communication unit 14, a display unit 15, an input unit 16, a medium 17, a CPU 18, a memory 19, and the like. In addition, when the mobile terminal 10 is a mobile phone, for example, it also has a call function.

  The acquisition unit 11 includes a text reader 11a, a code reader 11b, and a camera 11c. The text reader 11a can read identification information in a text format, for example, a file name, image data ID, order ID, etc. back-printed on the back side of a photo print. The code reader 11b can read, for example, a bar code, a two-dimensional code, and the like back-printed on the back side of a photographic print. The camera 11c can take image data on the surface of a photographic print.

  The text reader 11a, code reader 11b, and camera 11c are configured by an image sensor such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor and its control circuit, for example. Note that when the mobile terminal 10 is a camera-equipped mobile phone, the functions of a text reader, a barcode reader, and a camera that are provided in advance can be used.

  The main body storage unit 12 stores, for example, image data, identification information (for example, a file name) and order information. The main body storage unit 12 is preferably a non-volatile recording medium, but may be a volatile recording medium, for example, a flash EEPROM. The main body storage unit 12 stores image data and identification information of the image data in association with each other. The main body storage unit 12 can store image data transmitted from an external device (not shown).

  The order application 13 is an application for placing a photo print order, and includes a first search control unit 13a, an order control unit 13b, and an application control unit 13c. The order application 13 is software, and the software operates using hardware resources such as the CPU 18 and the memory 19 of the mobile terminal 10. The software is recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM, but can also be downloaded from an external device (not shown) such as the server 20. The order application 13 can also be configured by firmware or a dedicated circuit.

  The application control unit 13c is a module that controls the overall operation of the application. For example, screen display control, input instruction reception control, control of the first communication unit 14, control of the acquisition unit 11, main body storage unit 12, and medium The control of storing and reading of data in 17 is performed.

  The first search control unit 13a controls to search for image data corresponding to the data acquired by the acquisition unit 11. When the acquired data is, for example, a file name, an order ID, and an image data ID of text data, the first search control unit 13a can search for image data using them as keys.

  In addition, when the acquired data is, for example, bar code or two-dimensional code of code data, the code data is decoded, and the identification information (for example, file name, image data ID, etc.) of the image data that they mean The obtained identification information can be searched for as a key, and if the image data and its code data are associated with each other and stored in the main body storage unit 12 or the like, the code data is not decoded and the code data is You can search by key.

  In addition, the first search control unit 13a can perform image processing on image data captured by the camera 11c to generate search image data, and search based on the search image data. Here, the image processing is exemplified by, for example, extracting contours of image data by binarization processing. In such a case, the image data obtained by performing the binarization process and extracting the contour corresponds to “search image data”. At the time of search, image data stored in advance can be extracted in the same way by binarization processing, and search can be performed using the search image data and pattern matching method. It is also possible to perform a search by a pattern matching method without performing image processing. In addition, when shooting a photographic print image, the image quality and image size are shot with a preset image quality and image size, but the image quality and image size of the stored image data are unknown, so pattern matching When searching by this method, the acquired image data is appropriately processed by changing the image quality and / or the image size. Note that the method for matching image data is not limited to the above, and other conventionally used matching methods can be applied.

  Further, the first search control unit 13a can selectably search the main body storage unit 12 or the medium 17 storing the image data.

  Further, the first search control unit 13a can be controlled to search for image data corresponding to text data input by the input unit 16 described later.

  Further, the first search control unit 13a can control to acquire image data when the text data and / or code data acquired by the acquiring unit 11 cannot be recognized. The code data recognition means that the code data can be decoded and recognized by, for example, a file name, an image data ID, or an order ID.

  The first search control unit 13 a can search the DB 21 of the server 20 that can communicate with the mobile terminal 10 when the image data cannot be searched from the main body storage unit 12 or the medium 17 included in the mobile terminal 10.

  The order control unit 13b controls the first communication unit 14 so that the order can be ordered when ordering a photographic print of the retrieved image data. The order control unit 13b creates order information. This order information includes identification information. The identification information here is a text data file name, an image data ID, an order ID, and the like. The file name, the order ID, and the image data ID can also be set by the server 20, and when set by the server 20, the file name, the order ID, and the image data ID can be transmitted to the mobile terminal 10. is there.

  The first communication unit 14 transmits and receives data such as image data and order information. For example, when the mobile terminal 10 is a mobile phone, it can be realized by a wireless interface having a call function.

  In addition, when the mobile terminal 10 is a mobile phone, the communication method with the base station 40 is not particularly limited, and for example, PDC, GMS, and CDMA methods can be employed. In particular, as a high-speed digital data communication system, W-CDMA, cdma2000 1 × EV-DO, or the like can be adopted. In such a case, the first communication means 14 can be realized by a communication interface corresponding to each communication method. In addition, data is divided and communicated in units of packets.

  The display unit 15 can display an application screen. The display unit 15 is normally configured with a liquid crystal display, but may be configured with an organic EL display, a touch panel, or the like.

  The input unit 16 is an input interface for receiving text data or various input instructions, and can be configured by buttons, voice recognition means, a touch panel, and the like.

  The medium 17 is a recording medium that can be connected to the mobile terminal 10. For example, when the mobile terminal 10 is a mobile phone, a miniSD card or the like is exemplified.

<Server configuration>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server 20. The server 20 has, for example, a configuration including a DB 21 (corresponding to a storage unit), a server application 22, a second communication unit 23, a CPU 24, a memory 25, and the like.

  The DB 21 stores order information, image data, customer information, store information, and the like. The DB 21 is a storage medium that can store large-capacity data, and can be configured by, for example, a large-capacity hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, or the like. The customer information is information relating to a customer who uses the photo print ordering system, and includes, for example, a name, a mobile phone number, a mobile phone mail address, a customer ID, an order record, and the like. The store information is information relating to a store where a photo print can be created by the photo print ordering system, and includes, for example, a store ID, a photo processing device ID, an IP address, and the like.

  The server application 22 is an application on the server side of the photo print ordering system, and includes a second search control unit 22a, an order reception control unit 22b, and an order management unit 22c. The server application 22 is software, and the software operates using hardware resources such as the CPU 24 and the memory 25 of the server 20. The software is recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM.

  The second search control unit 22a searches the image data from the DB 21 based on the received data when the second communication means 23 receives data that can identify the image data, and uses the searched image data. Then, control is performed so that the data is transmitted to the mobile terminal 10 that is the data transmission source.

  Further, when the data is image data, the second search control unit 22a can perform image processing on the image data to create search image data, and search based on the search image data.

  The order acceptance control unit 22b controls to receive order information from the mobile terminal 10 and send back an acceptance signal indicating that the order has been accepted. Further, the order reception control unit 22b can be controlled to store the order information in the DB 21 in association with the customer information or the store information.

  The order management unit 22c is a module that controls the overall operation of the application. For example, the order management unit 22c controls the second communication unit 23, controls the storage and reading of data in the DB 21, and the order processing to the photo processing device 31. do.

  The second communication means 23 is configured to be able to communicate data such as image data and order information with the base station 40, the photo processing device 31, the information processing device 32, the external terminals 33 and 34, and the like. The second communication means 23 may be a wireless communication device or a wired communication device.

<Configuration of photo processing apparatus>
The photographic processing device 31 mainly includes a film scanning device, an image processing unit, a photographic print creation unit, a communication unit, and the like. Since the photographic treatment device 31 is a conventional technique, it will be briefly described. The image data is read from the negative film with a film scanning device, correction data is set as appropriate, the image processing unit performs image processing on the image data based on the correction data, and creates image data for exposure. An exposure process is performed based on the image data, and a photographic print is created through a development process. The photo processing device 31 is connected to the server 20 via the Internet by the function of the communication means, and can accept an order for photo printing from the server 20.

  The photo processing device 31 can create an index print in which photo prints of a plurality of image data are collected and arranged. In this index printing, identification information (for example, file name, code data, etc.) corresponding to the image data can be printed at the same time.

  Also, identification information corresponding to the front photo print can be printed on the back side of the photo print by the back print function.

  The information processing apparatus 32 is connected to the server 20 via the Internet, and can accept a photo print order from the server 20. The information processing device 32 is usually directly connected to the photo processing device 31 and has various media reading devices. The image processing device 32 can acquire image data from the reading device, appropriately perform correction processing, and transmit the image data to the photo processing device 31. It is configured.

  The external terminals 33 and 34 are connected to the server 20 via the Internet, and can accept photo print orders from the server 20. The external terminals 33 and 34 are usually connected to the photo processing device 31 via a LAN, have various media reading devices, acquire image data from the reading devices, perform appropriate correction processing, and transmit them to the photo processing device 31. It is configured to be able to.

<Overall system flowchart>
The overall operation of the photo print ordering system will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The portable terminal 10 acquires identification information from the photo print (# 1). Image data is searched from the portable terminal 10 or the server 20 using the acquired identification information as a key (# 1 '). After confirming the searched image data, order information is transmitted (# 2). The server 20 transmits an acceptance signal to the mobile terminal 10 according to the transmitted order information (# 3).

  The server 20 transmits the order information to the photo processing device 31 (# 4). The photo processing device 31 transmits receipt information indicating that the order has been accepted to the server 20 (# 5).

  The photo processing device 31 creates a photo print based on the order information and back prints the identification information (# 6). Then, the orderer of the portable terminal 10 takes a photo print (# 7).

<Flowchart of mobile terminal>
Below, operation | movement of the portable terminal 10 is demonstrated using the flowchart of FIGS. 5-7. The operation illustrated in FIG. 5 is an operation example of the mobile terminal 10.

  (Step S1) The order application is activated.

  (Step S <b> 2) A “mode selection screen” is displayed on the screen of the display unit 15.

  (Step S3) When acquiring identification information or a photo print image and searching for image data, select “candidate shooting”. By this selection, a selection screen for designating “text reader”, “code reader”, and “camera” is displayed on the screen.

  (Step S4) When acquiring, for example, the file name, order ID, or image data ID of the identification information, “text reader” is selected.

  (Step S5) The text reader 11a is activated and reads the identification information.

  (Step S6) The first search control unit 13a recognizes the identification information read in Step S5. Here, recognition means recognizing as a character. If it cannot be recognized, an error signal (error sound, error display) is output and the reading operation is performed again.

  (Step S7) The search destination of the image data is designated. When searching the main body storage unit 12 or the medium 17 of the portable terminal 10, “main body” is designated. Accordingly, the first search control unit 13a searches the main body storage unit 12 or the medium 17 for image data. When the image data cannot be searched from the main body storage unit 12 or the medium 17, the first search control unit 13 a can be configured to select whether to search the server 20 and to search the server 20.

  (Step S <b> 8) The first search control unit 13 a displays the searched image data on the screen of the display unit 15. The user compares the displayed image data with the photographic print, determines whether or not they match, and considers whether or not to place a print order.

  (Step S9) When the image data is to be continuously searched, the process returns to Step S4 and the reading can be continued. When ordering additional prints, the screen returns to the mode selection screen and “order processing” is selected.

  (Step S10) When searching for the server 20, "server" is designated. Accordingly, the first search control unit 13a acquires image data from the server 20. Specifically, identification information or image data is transmitted to the server 20, and image data corresponding to the identification information or image data is received. When the server 20 receives the identification information or the image data from the mobile terminal 10, the second search control unit 22a searches the image data corresponding to the identification information or the image data, and is searched by the transmission source mobile terminal 10. The transmitted image data is transmitted using the second communication means. When the received data is image data, the second search control unit 22a performs image processing on the image data to create search image data, and the search image data is stored in the DB 21 using the search image data as a key. Image data can be searched.

  After obtaining the image data, go to step S8. When the second search control unit 22a cannot search the image data, the second search control unit 22a transmits an error signal to the mobile terminal 10, and the first search control unit 13a receives the error signal. The main body storage unit 12 or the medium 17 of the mobile terminal 10 is automatically searched. Before such a search, it may be configured to select whether or not to search the main body storage unit 12 or the medium 17.

  (Step S11) When acquiring, for example, a barcode or a two-dimensional code of identification information, “code reader” is selected.

  (Step S12) The code reader 11b is activated and reads the identification information. Go to step S6.

  (Step S <b> 13) “Camera” is selected when acquiring an image of a photographic print.

  (Step S14) The camera 11c is activated and takes an image of a photographic print.

  (Step S15) The first search control unit 13a performs image processing on the image data captured in step S14. Then, it goes to step S7.

  The operation illustrated in FIG. 6 is another operation example of the mobile terminal 10. Since steps S1 to S5 and steps S7 to S15 are the same as the operations in FIG.

  (Step S20) The first search control unit 13a determines whether or not the identification information read by the text reader or the code reader is unrecognizable. If it cannot be recognized, the process goes to step S13, the camera 11c is activated, and an image of the photographic print is taken. If it can be recognized, the process goes to step S7 to start the search process.

  The operation illustrated in FIG. 7 is another operation example of the mobile terminal 10. Steps S1 to S5, Steps S7 to S9, Steps S11 to S15, and Step S20 are the same as the operations in FIG.

  (Step S30) The first search control unit 13a determines whether image data has been acquired (searched) from the main body storage unit 12 and the medium 17 of the mobile terminal 10. If not, go to step S31. If get, go to step S8.

  (Step S31) The first search control unit 13a acquires image data from the server 20 (specific operation is the same as that in step S10). After acquisition, go to step S8.

  (Step S40) When the file name, image data, or order ID of the identification information is directly input, the “input” mode is selected on the mode selection screen. This selection switches to the “input screen”.

  (Step S41) The file name, image data, or order ID of the identification information is directly input by operating the input unit 16. After the input, go to step S7 to start the search process.

  In the above operations, operations for specifying “text reader”, “code reader”, and “camera” were included, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the camera 11c is automatically activated without specifying. The photographed image data can be configured to recognize either text, code, or image data. According to this configuration, the above selection operation can be omitted, and the operability can be improved.

<Server operation>
Next, the operation of the server 20 will be briefly described. A server application 22 is activated on the server 20.

  When the second communication means 23 receives identification information or image data for searching from the portable terminal 10, the second search control unit 22a searches the DB 21 for image data corresponding to the identification information or image data. Then, the retrieved image data is transmitted to the transmission source mobile terminal 10 using the second communication means.

  In addition, when the second communication unit 23 receives order information including identification information from the mobile terminal 10, the order reception control unit 22 b transmits an reception signal to the mobile terminal 10. Next, the order reception control unit 22b stores the order information in the DB 21 in association with the customer information and the store information. Then, the order reception control unit 22b transmits order information including identification information to the photo processing device 31.

<Operation of photo processing apparatus>
The operation of the photo processing apparatus 31 will be briefly described.

  The photo processing apparatus 31 receives order information including identification information from the server 20 and creates a photo print of the image data included in the order information. The photo processing apparatus 31 can also create an index print at the same time. Further, identification information is back printed on the back side of the photo print. Also, identification information can be printed on the index print.

  When code data is printed as identification information, the photo processing device 31 has a function of generating code data by encoding, for example, a file name, an image data ID, an order ID, and the like.

  In the above photo print ordering system, when ordering photo prints from the mobile terminal 10, the order information is transmitted directly from the server 20 to the photo processing device 31, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, The server 20 can be configured to transmit order information to the photographic treatment apparatus 31 via the information processing apparatus 32 or the external terminals 33 and 34.

  Further, in the above-described photo print ordering system, when ordering photo prints from the mobile terminal 10, the order information is transmitted to the photo processing device 31 via the server 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to transmit directly from the mobile terminal 10 to the photo processing device 31 without going through the server 20, and in this case, the photo processing device 31 is configured to include the components of the server 20.

<Specific operation>
The specific operation of the mobile terminal 10 in the photo print ordering system will be described below. Here, the mobile terminal 10 will be described as a camera-equipped mobile phone. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating examples of photographic prints and index prints. In FIG. 8, (a) is a photographic image of the surface of a photographic print. Moreover, (b) is the back surface. As identification information, a file name “200505041205” is back-printed. In (c), the QR code is back printed on the back surface. This QR code is created by encoding the file name “200505041205”. (D) is an index print in which a file name and image data are printed.

  FIG. 9 shows information related to image data stored in the main body storage unit 12 of the mobile phone. For example, the image data with the file name “200505041205” has the image size “VGA” and the image quality “fine”, and the file format is JPEG. This data structure is not particularly limited. The file format of the image data is JPEG, but other formats such as GIF and PNG may be used. The image size can be appropriately set at the time of shooting. For example, VGA (640 × 480), SXGA (1280 × 960), CIF (352 × 288), QCIF (176 × 144), or the like can be selected. The image quality can be appropriately set at the time of shooting. For example, there are three image quality modes: normal (standard image quality), fine (high image quality), and super fine (highest image quality). The file name is automatically set from the date and time, but can be changed as appropriate.

<Text reader reading and search processing>
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of reading processing and search processing of a text reader. As shown in FIG. 10A, when “print order” is selected (highlighted and “selection key” is selected), the order application is activated and the mode selection screen is displayed (FIG. 10B). On this mode selection screen, “candidate selection” is selected to display the candidate selection screen (FIG. 10C).

  As shown in FIG. 10C, when “text reader” is selected, the text reader is activated and the screen is switched to the text reader screen (FIG. 10D). On this screen, the file name “200505041205” shown in FIG. 8B is read as a subject (“shooting key” is selected).

  When the file name is recognized, the recognition result “200505041205” is displayed as shown in FIG. In addition, “main body”, “server”, and “main body → server” are displayed on the screen, and a search destination can be designated. For example, when “main body” is designated and highlighted by the arrow key 101 and selected by the selection key 102, the main body storage unit 12 and the medium 17 are searched using “200505041205” as a key. During the search, “main unit search” is displayed at the top of the screen (FIG. 10 (f)). If the search is successful, the image data is displayed on the screen. When ordering the image data, if the order key 104 is selected, the order information input screen is displayed and order processing is possible (see FIG. 14C). When “Return” is selected, the screen returns to the candidate selection screen of FIG. 10C, but it is also possible to set to return to the text reader screen of FIG. 10D. If the cancel key 103 is selected during the search, the search is interrupted, the screen shown in FIG. 10E can be returned, the search destination can be changed, and the search can be started again.

<Code reader reading and search processing>
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a code reader reading process and a search process. When “code reader” is selected on the candidate selection screen shown in FIG. 11A, the code reader is activated and switched to the code reader screen (FIG. 11B). On this screen, the QR code shown in FIG. 8C is read as a subject (“shooting key” is selected).

  When the QR code is decoded, a recognition result “200505041205” is displayed as shown in FIG. In addition, “main body”, “server”, and “main body → server” are displayed on the screen, and a search destination can be designated. For example, if “server” is specified and highlighted with the arrow key 101 and selected with the selection key 102, a search command including “200505041205” is transmitted to the server 20. The second search control unit 22a of the server 20 executes a search command and searches the DB 21 using “200502041205” as a key. During the search, “server search in progress” is displayed at the top of the screen (FIG. 11D). When the search is successful and image data is received from the server 20, the image data is displayed on the screen (FIG. 11 (e)).

  If the QR code could not be decoded, “switch to unrecognizable camera” is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. In this case, if “return” is selected, the screen returns to the screen of FIG. 11B and the code can be read again. When the selection key 102 is selected, the camera is activated and the screen is switched to the camera shooting screen (FIG. 11 (g)). According to this configuration, without returning to the candidate selection screen once and selecting “Camera”, it is possible to search and retrieve image data of a photo print that cannot be recognized by the QR code by the camera. Note that the camera can be automatically activated instead of the selection key 102 selected.

  In addition, although the “camera” is configured to be activated, the “text reader” may be activated to allow, for example, a file name or the like to be read.

  Also, not only when it is not recognized by “Code Reader”, but when it is not recognized by “Text Reader”, it automatically starts “Camera” to take a photo print image and search It can also be configured as follows.

<Image data capture and search processing>
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of image data shooting processing and search processing. When “camera” is selected on the candidate selection screen shown in FIG. 12A, the camera is activated and switched to the camera shooting screen (FIG. 12B). On this screen, the photograph print image shown in FIG. 8A or the index print image shown in FIG. 8D is photographed as a subject (the “shooting key” is selected).

  As shown in FIG. 12 (c), search image data obtained by binarizing the captured image data and extracting the contours is displayed. In addition, “main body”, “server”, and “main body → server” are displayed on the screen, and a search destination can be designated. For example, when “main body → server” is specified with the arrow key 101 and highlighted, and the selection key 102 is selected, image data that matches the search image data is searched from the main body storage unit 12 and the medium 17. As a specific search method, it is possible to determine whether or not the search image data matches the image data by a conventional pattern matching technique. If searching, “main unit searching” is displayed. When retrieval is possible from the main body storage unit 12 and the medium 17, the image data and the file name “200505041205” are displayed as shown in FIG. Note that the image data stored in the main body storage unit 12 and the medium 17 is also binarized to generate image data to be searched, and the image data for search matches the image data for search. It may be determined whether or not image data for search is generated, and image data having an outline similar to the outline of the image data for search may be extracted.

  When the search cannot be performed from the main body storage unit 12 and the medium 17, a search command including search image data is transmitted to the server 20. The second search control unit 22a of the server 20 executes a search command and searches the DB 21 for image data that matches the search image data. A specific search method is performed by a pattern matching method as described above. During the search, “server search in progress” is displayed on the screen (FIG. 12E). When the search is successful and the image data is received from the server 20, the image data and the file name “200505041205” are displayed on the screen (FIG. 12 (f)).

<Direct input>
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for directly inputting identification information and a search process. When “input” is selected on the mode selection screen shown in FIG. 13A, the screen is switched to the input screen (FIG. 13B). A file name is input to the input field 110 on this screen by a button operation of the input unit 16 and the search key 111 is selected.

  This operation starts the search. The search is performed in the preset order of the main body storage unit 12, then the media 17, and then the server 20. When searching, “searching” is displayed on the screen (FIG. 13C). According to this configuration, since the search is automatically started without specifying the search destination, the search destination specifying operation can be omitted. The configuration in which the search is automatically started without specifying the search destination can be similarly applied to the search processing after the text reader, the code reader, and the image data shooting processing.

  If the search is successful, the searched image data and its file name are displayed on the screen (FIG. 13 (d)). When ordering the displayed image data, the order key 104 is selected, and the order information input screen (see FIG. 14C) is transferred to enable order processing. When “Return” is selected, the screen returns to the input screen and the identification information can be input continuously.

<Order processing>
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the order processing operation. As shown in FIG. 14A, “list display” is selected on the mode selection screen to display the print order setting screen. On the print order setting screen, a list of file names and image data of the highlighted file names are displayed. Since the file name “200505041205” is highlighted, the image data is displayed at the bottom of the screen (FIG. 14B).

  When the file name is designated with the arrow key 101 and the designated file name is highlighted, when the selection key 102 is selected, the screen is switched to the order information input screen shown in FIG.

  Further, as described in the above search processing and the like, when the order key 104 is selected, the order information input screen is displayed.

  On this order information input screen, the name, store designation, size, number of sheets, etc. can be entered as appropriate. Note that the size and the number of sheets are initially set to an L size and one sheet as an initial value, and a file name can be selected and the size or the number of sheets can be changed as appropriate. In addition, if it has been input once, it can be set so that the previous input content is retained and the name, store designation, etc. are displayed as they are.

  After inputting the order information, “Confirm” is selected to switch to the confirmation screen (FIG. 14D). When “Send” is selected on the confirmation screen, the order information is sent to the server 20. The order information includes a file name, input contents, a mobile phone number, a mail address, and the like. When the order information is being transmitted, “in communication” is displayed at the top of the screen as shown in FIG. Then, when the transmission of the order information is completed and the reception signal is received from the server 20, “Order Complete” is displayed on the screen.

  In the server 20, the order reception control unit 22b transmits the order information including the identification information to the photo processing device 31 of the designated store “S store” based on the received order information. Further, the order management unit 22c updates the order information and customer information in the DB 21 based on the received order information. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of order information. The order information includes, for example, an order ID, image data, file name, image size, image quality, customer ID, store, number of prints, print size, etc. For example, the image data of the order ID “2005-05-0001” , File name “200505041205”, image size “VGA”, image quality “fine”, customer ID “05-014”, store “S store”, number of prints “1”, print size “L”. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of customer information. The customer information includes, for example, a customer ID, name, mobile phone, address, e-mail address, number of orders, and the like.

  Upon receiving the order information, the photo processing device 31 creates a photo print in which the identification information is back-printed based on the order information. Further, when the orderer is the same person and there are a plurality of ordered image data, an index print in which identification information is printed is also created.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, identification information or image data can be acquired, and image data can be easily searched and confirmed. Therefore, it is possible to omit the trouble of scrolling and searching for image data from the list display of image data, and to process the confirmed image data as it is.

  Note that the operation screens and operation methods of the text reader, code reader, camera photographing process, search process, and order process described in this embodiment are not limited to those described above, and have the object effects of the present invention. It can be changed as appropriate.

  In the present embodiment, the file name is used as the text data. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, other identification information such as an image data ID or an order ID can also be used.

  In this embodiment, the QR code is used as the code data. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a barcode, CP code, VS code (registered trademark), PDF417, Veri code, Data Matrix, etc. Other code data can also be used.

  Furthermore, the operation of the camera-equipped mobile phone described in the present embodiment may be realized by software, and the software may be placed on, for example, a server and distributed by software download. Further, the software may be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed. This is the same in all other embodiments. A program when the operation of the camera-equipped mobile phone in the present embodiment is realized by software is as follows.

  An acquisition step for acquiring text data, code data or image data in a computer, a search control step for controlling to search for image data corresponding to the acquired data, and a photo print of the image data searched in the search control step This is a program for executing an order control step for controlling an item to be orderable.

  Also, an acquisition step for acquiring text data and / or code data in a computer, and an acquisition control step for controlling acquisition of image data when the text data and / or code data acquired in the acquisition step cannot be recognized. It is a program for executing.

  Further, the program is for executing a search control step for controlling the computer to search for a recording medium of an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the portable terminal when image data cannot be searched from the recording medium of the portable terminal.

The figure which shows the concept of the photographic print ordering system in embodiment The block diagram which shows the structure of the portable terminal 10 in embodiment The block diagram which shows the structure of the server 20 in embodiment The figure explaining the whole flow of order processing in an embodiment Flowchart explaining operation of portable terminal 10 in the first embodiment Flowchart explaining operation of portable terminal 10 in the first embodiment Flowchart explaining operation of portable terminal 10 in the first embodiment FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a photographic print and an index print in the first embodiment FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of information related to image data in the first embodiment The figure which shows the example of the text reader process and search process in Embodiment 1 The figure which shows the example of the code reader process in Embodiment 1, and a search process The figure which shows the example of the camera imaging | photography process and search process in Embodiment 1 The figure which shows the example of the direct input process in Embodiment 1, and a search process The figure which shows the example of the order processing in Embodiment 1 The figure which shows the example of the order information in Embodiment 1 The figure which shows the example of the customer information in Embodiment 1

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Mobile terminal 11 Acquisition means 11a Text reader 11b Code reader 11c Camera 12 Main body storage part 13 Order application 13a 1st search control part 13b Order control part 13c Application control part 14 1st communication means 15 Display part 16 Input part 17 Media 18 CPU
19 Memory 20 Server 21 DB
22 server application 22a second search control unit 22b order reception control unit 22c order management unit 23 second communication means 24 CPU
25 memory

Claims (14)

A portable terminal having at least an acquisition unit capable of acquiring text data, code data or image data, and a communication unit capable of communicating the acquired data;
A search control unit that controls to search image data corresponding to the data acquired by the acquisition unit;
A portable terminal further comprising: an order control unit that controls to use the communication unit to order when a photo print of the retrieved image data is ordered. The acquisition means includes
The portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the text data or code data back-printed on the back side of the photo print can be read.   The portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit is capable of taking image data of a surface of a photographic print. An input unit for inputting the text data;
The mobile terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the search control unit controls to search image data corresponding to text data input by the input unit. The search control unit
The portable terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein image data can be acquired when text data and / or code data acquired by the acquisition unit cannot be recognized. The search control unit
6. The portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the image data acquired by the acquisition unit is subjected to image processing to generate search image data, and search is performed based on the search image data. The search control unit
The portable terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the storage unit storing the image data is searched so as to be selectable. The search control unit
The mobile terminal according to claim 7, wherein when the image data cannot be searched from a storage unit included in the mobile terminal, the storage unit of the information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the mobile terminal is searched. A server having communication means capable of communicating data and a storage unit storing at least image data,
When the communication means receives data that can identify the image data, the image data is retrieved from the storage unit based on the received data, and the retrieved image data is used as a transmission source of the data. A server further comprising a search control unit for controlling to transmit. The search means includes
The server according to claim 9, wherein when the data is image data, the image data is subjected to image processing to generate search image data, and search is performed based on the search image data. A portable terminal having at least an acquisition unit capable of acquiring text data, code data, or image data; and a first communication unit capable of communicating the acquired data;
A photo print ordering system comprising: a second communication unit capable of communicating data; and a server having a storage unit capable of storing image data corresponding to the data,
The portable terminal is
A first search control unit that controls to search image data corresponding to the data acquired by the acquisition unit;
An order control unit that controls the server so that the server can be ordered using the first communication means when ordering a photo print of the retrieved image data;
The first search control unit controls to transmit the data to the server and retrieve image data corresponding to the data when searching from the server,
The server
When the second communication means receives data that can identify the image data from the portable terminal, the image data is searched from the storage unit based on the received data, and the searched image data is The photo print ordering system further comprising a second search control unit that controls to transmit to the portable terminal. On the computer,
An acquisition step of acquiring text data, code data or image data;
A search control step for controlling to search for image data corresponding to the acquired data;
A program for executing an order control step for controlling the photographic print of the image data searched in the search control step so as to be orderable. On the computer,
An acquisition step of acquiring text data and / or code data;
A program for executing a search control step for controlling to obtain image data when the text data and / or code data obtained in the obtaining step is unrecognizable. On the computer,
A program for executing a search control step for controlling to search for a recording medium of an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a portable terminal when image data cannot be searched from the recording medium of the portable terminal.

Images