JP2006331230A - Print order receiving device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate operation of a print order receiving device having a touch panel type input means. <P>SOLUTION: This device is provided with a controller 20 which controls a print order screen which is displayed on a display 12. Each print order screen is divided into an operation area including operation icons touch-operated by a touch panel 13 and non-operation area which does not include operation icons. The operation areas are set to same positions mutually among a plurality of print order screens. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print order receiving apparatus that receives a print order for image information.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a print order receiving apparatus for a photographic printing apparatus installed in a DP store or the like. The receiving apparatus includes a medium drive as a reading unit that reads image information from a storage medium, a liquid crystal screen as a display unit, and a touch panel as an input unit, and sequentially displays a print order screen on the liquid crystal screen. On the other hand, on each print order screen, the customer performs a desired selection and setting by a touch operation on the touch panel, thereby performing an order process for receiving a print order of image information stored in the storage medium. Then, after order entry is completed, an order receipt voucher for delivery to the customer is printed.

In the printing system including the print order receiving device, the customer hands over the receipt issued from the receiving device to the person in charge at the DP store as described above. The photo print apparatus is used to form a copy image of the image information on the silver salt photographic paper, and the printed paper is handed over to the customer in exchange for the price. .
JP 2003-75930 A

  Here, in order to contribute to the labor saving of the DP store, such a reception device is operated by the customer in principle, and includes an icon or the like when the customer performs an order operation on the reception device. With the interactive interface between the accepting device and the customer, the customer can display a plurality of print order screens configured by the GUI, and the customer can select and input the print order screen by touching the touch panel. Setting items are set in order.

  However, in a device provided with a touch panel type input means, operation icons that can be operated are arranged at various positions on the screen configured by the GUI, and the operation icons are the same among a plurality of screens. Generally not in position. Therefore, even in the above-described print order receiving apparatus, it is difficult for the operator to know where the operation icon is located on each print order screen and what operation icon should be operated. As a result, an incorrect operation (for example, an operation that touches an incorrect position on the display surface) is performed on each order screen, or a long time is required for the operation on each order screen, and the burden on the customer is increased. As the size of the apparatus increases, it takes a relatively long time to occupy the device by one customer, and the turnover rate of the customer decreases.

  As described above, since the person who operates the print order receiving apparatus is a general customer, a user-friendly interface is required as much as possible.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object thereof is to facilitate the operation of a print order receiving apparatus provided with a touch panel type input means.

  The print order receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes a display unit that displays various screens, a touch panel type input unit that is operated by an operator to perform input to the screen displayed by the display unit, and a display that is displayed on the display unit. Control means for controlling a print order screen to be displayed.

  Then, in order to set a plurality of setting items necessary for the print order, the control means displays a plurality of print order screens corresponding to the plurality of setting items in accordance with an input signal from the input means. Displayed sequentially on the display means, each print order screen is divided into an operation area including an operation icon touched by the touch panel type input means, and a non-operation area not including the operation icon, The operation area is set at the same position between the plurality of print order screens.

  According to this configuration, in order to set a plurality of setting items necessary for the print order, each print order screen displayed to the operator (customer) by the display means is operated by the operation area (touch panel type input means). The region including the operation icon) is set at the same position among the plurality of print order screens. Thus, the operator can easily understand at which position the operation icon is located on each print order screen. As a result, the customer does not touch the wrong position on the display surface, and the operation of the customer can be performed accurately, and the time required for the operation can be expected to be shortened.

  Further, when the touch panel type input means is provided, the display surface of the display means is easily soiled by the operator touching, but in the above configuration, only a specific portion on the display surface, that is, a portion corresponding to the operation area is touched. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the other portions, that is, the portions corresponding to the non-operation areas from being stained. In particular, in the print order receiving apparatus, image information and a screen for correcting the image information (for example, simulation image information indicating the corrected image information) are displayed on the display unit. By dividing the contact area into the contact area and always arranging the contact area at the same position, the image information displayed in the non-operation area is displayed on a relatively clean portion of the display surface of the display means. This is useful for correcting color adjustments.

  As described above, according to the print order receiving apparatus of the present invention, each print order screen is divided into an operation area and a non-operation area, and the operation area is arranged at the same position among a plurality of print order screens. The operator can easily understand at which position the operation icon is located. As a result, the operator can execute the selection operation accurately on each print order screen, and can also perform the order operation in a relatively short time, and the user-friendly interface in the reception device operated by a general customer. Is configured.

  In addition, the time for one customer to occupy the device can be shortened, and an improvement in the customer's turnover rate can be expected.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  1 and 2 show a printing system provided with a print order receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system includes a plurality of print order receiving apparatuses (hereinafter also abbreviated as receiving apparatuses) 1 and a silver salt. A digital photographic printing apparatus 3 for printing image information on a photographic printing paper 5 is connected by a data transmission network 2. This printing system can be constructed, for example, by adding a data transmission network 2 including a network cable 2a and a hub 2b and two receiving apparatuses 1 to an existing photo printing apparatus 3 in a DP store. The construction of the data transmission network 2 between the receiving devices 1 and between the receiving device 1 and the photo printing device 3 may use, for example, a TCP / IP communication protocol or other communication protocols. Good.

  In this system, from print order acceptance to print delivery is performed according to the following procedure. In other words, the accepting device 1 is a print output ordering object from a card-type storage medium or a disk-type storage medium (hereinafter also collectively referred to as a medium M1) that stores image information taken by a digital camera or the like. Image information and order information regarding print output such as the number of prints are received, and a receipt is issued to the customer at the time of reception. When the customer presents the receipt to the person in charge at the counter of the DP store, the person in charge temporarily stores the receipt in the acceptance device 1 by operating the photo print device 3 based on the information received on the receipt. The print information composed of the image information and the order information is taken into the photo print device 3 via the data transmission network 2, and the photo print device 3 performs printing based on the print information. The printed photographic paper 5b is handed over from the person in charge to the customer in exchange for the price.

(Configuration of reception device)
Next, the configuration of the receiving device 1 will be described. FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the accepting device 1. The accepting device 1 is stored in a medium M1 and a liquid crystal display 12 (display means) having a touch panel 13 as an input means on the display surface. A media drive 11 serving as a reading means for reading information and a thermal transfer type receipt certificate printer 15 for issuing a receipt are provided. It is provided on the front surface of the body 10. Here, the media drive 11 is a multi-drive that supports a plurality of types of card-type storage media (memory cards) such as flash memory and disk-type storage media (CD-ROM, MO, etc.).

  In addition, the housing 10 of the accepting apparatus 1 includes a controller 20 that is configured by a general-purpose computer as a control unit and a hard disk 14.

  The function of the controller 20 is substantially the same as that of a general-purpose computer having a data transmission network function. From the exchange of information with the media drive 11 and the touch panel 13 and the acquired image information and order information, the photo printing apparatus 3 Print information used for print output by the printer, storage management in the hard disk 14, alarm 17 including a light emitting element or a piezoelectric buzzer, and control of the receipt certificate printer 15.

  The controller 20 may adopt a general-purpose operating system, thereby causing various functions required for the receiving apparatus 1 to be executed by various programs included in the operation system and various operations created on the operation system. The program can be easily created in cooperation with attached hardware.

  The hard disk 14 is opened on the data transmission network 2 as a network drive, and the print information stored in the hard disk 14 can be accessed from the photo print apparatus 3 or other receiving apparatus 1. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 4, external devices such as the media drive 11 and the hard disk 14 are connected to the controller 20 via the I / O interface, whereby the controller 20 is connected to the media drive 11. It is possible to access information, access information between the touch panel 13 and information access to the hard disk 14, and output a screen to the display 12. An output and a signal output for the alarm 17 are configured to be possible.

  The controller 20 is connected to a controller 40 of a photo printing apparatus 3 (to be described later) via a data transmission network 2 including a network cable 2a and a hub 2b via a network interface 2c, and is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) according to a predetermined protocol. It is configured to be able to access information with each other.

  The controller 20 includes a RAM-type semiconductor memory in which a work area is formed, a memory 21 as a generic term for a ROM-type semiconductor memory in which programs and parameters are stored, an image information processing unit 22, and a display control unit 23. An input processing unit 24, an order information processing unit 25, an order information storage unit 26, and a receipt issuance processing unit 27. These units 21 to 27 communicate with each other via a data bus. It is configured to be accessible.

  The image information processing unit 22 displays image information (JPEG, TIFF, etc., including photographed image data) read from the medium M1 by the media drive 11 on the display 12 in a thumbnail format (hereinafter referred to as a thumbnail image). Has a function of executing processing for That is, the image information processing unit 22 causes the thumbnail image to be displayed on the display 12 by the display control unit 23 when the medium M1 includes a thumbnail image. A thumbnail image is generated from the image information, and the created thumbnail image is displayed on the display 12 by the display control unit 23.

  The display control unit 23 has a function of displaying various screens on the display 12. As a function related to the print order receiving process, various screen data stored in the hard disk 14 are read out and displayed. It has a function to be displayed on the display 12. On the other hand, the input processing unit 24 has a function of processing an input signal from the touch panel 13 that is output in response to the customer's operation of the touch panel 13. The coordinate information on the touch panel 13 is detected, the detected coordinate information is compared with the screen content displayed on the display 12, the customer input content is recognized, and the recognition result is displayed on the other units 21 to 27. To provide.

  The order information processing unit 25 has a function of creating order information based on the signal processed by the input processing unit 24, in other words, the print size and the number of prints input by the customer.

  The order information storage unit 26 stores the order information created by the order information processing unit 25 and the image information read from the medium M1 by the media drive 11 in a shared folder on the hard disk 14 with an order number and the like. It has a function to store automatically. Thereby, the order information and the image information are managed by a folder with an order number formed for each order under the shared folder hierarchy.

  When the image information to be printed and the number of prints are finally determined, the receipt certificate issuance processing unit 27 prints the order details, the terminal ID, the order ID, and the like by the receipt certificate printer 15 to receive the receipt certificate. It has a function of outputting as re.

  FIG. 19 shows an example of a receipt issued to the customer through the receipt certificate printer 15. In this example, the "receipt card body" and the "customer copy" are linked. If the photo print cannot be handed on the same day, the receipt card body and the customer copy are separated and the receipt card body is separated. Is left as a copy of the DP store, and the customer copy can be handed over to the customer. The receipt card body and the customer receipt have the same contents, and the contents indicating the details of the order are printed in addition to the customer name, telephone number, reception ID, terminal ID, reception date, order number, and the like. The output receipt re is used to present at the service counter as described above. Then, the person in charge at the DP store specifies the terminal in which the image information and the order information are stored and the directory to be printed from the terminal ID and the order number described in the receipt certificate re, The order information and the image information are read out and printing processing is performed.

  With the above configuration, the controller 20 takes in the image information of the medium M1 through the media drive 11 and displays it as a thumbnail image on the display 12 as a print order reception process, and also displays the touch panel 13 on each print order screen described later. The order information is created based on the selection / setting signal output from, the created order information is stored in the hard disk 14 together with the image information, and a receipt certificate re is issued from the receipt certificate printer 15. Thereafter, the controller 20 transfers image information and order information to the photo print device 3 in response to a request from the photo print device 3.

(Configuration of photo printing device)
Next, the configuration of the photo print apparatus 3 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this photographic printing apparatus 3 is arranged separately from an apparatus main body 30 in which an operating part 3 a and a development processing part 3 b formed in a table shape are integrated, and the apparatus main body 30. The scanner unit 31 is provided.

  An exposure system that cuts the photographic paper 5 from the photographic paper magazine 5a into a print size and supplies it to the digital exposure head 32a by the photographic paper transport mechanism 32b is built in the lower part of the operating section 3a of the apparatus main body 30. Yes.

  Here, the exposure head 32a is of a type that scans by sending a laser beam in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the photographic paper 5, and as the exposure head 32a, a fluorescent beam method, a liquid crystal shutter method is used. DMD system or FOCRT can be used.

  The development processing section 3b includes a development processing tank 33 for developing the photographic paper 5 exposed by the exposure head 32a. The photographic paper 5 subjected to the development processing in the development processing tank 33 is provided in the development processing section 3b. Then, after drying, it is sent to the lateral feed conveyor 34a on the upper surface of the development processing section 3b. The photographic paper 5 from the transverse feed conveyor 34a is sent to the sorting conveyor 34b.

  The operating unit 3a includes a combo drive 35 that reads information from a CD-ROM and a DVD and writes information to the CD-R, a multi-drive 36 that supports various media such as a memory card and an MO, and image information and various types. A display 37 for displaying information and the like, and a keyboard 38 and a mouse 39 as input devices are provided.

  A controller 40 having a microprocessor is provided at the lower part of the operating unit 3a. As described above, both receiving devices 1 and 1 are connected to the controller 40 via a network interface. Yes.

  The scanner unit 31 includes a film carrier 31b that is replaceably provided on the upper surface of a casing 31a having a caster at the bottom, and a photoelectric sensor that is provided inside the casing 31a and includes a photoelectric conversion element such as an optical lens or a CCD. A conversion unit (not shown) and an arm 31c for guiding a light beam sent from a light source provided inside the housing 31a via an optical fiber to the upper surface side of the film carrier 31b are provided. When scanning the photographic film M2, a negative film or a positive film is set on the film carrier 31b, and the photographic film M2 is moved at a set speed by the film carrier 31b, and is directed downward from the tip of the arm 31c. The image information of each frame of the photographic film M2 is converted into a digital signal by the photoelectric conversion unit by the light rays irradiated, and transferred to the controller 40 via the cable 31d.

  The controller 40 is composed of a general-purpose computer. For example, by adopting a general-purpose operation system, the controller 40 cooperates with attached hardware by various programs included in the operation system and various programs created to operate on the operation system. However, various functions required for the photographic printing apparatus 3 are created.

  That is, the controller 40 displays various images on the display 37 and receives a signal output from the keyboard 38 or the mouse 39 for the display, thereby performing processing according to the operation content of the person in charge. Specifically, the controller 40 acquires order information and image information from the receiving device 1 or acquires image information from the scanner unit 31 in response to an input signal from the keyboard 38 or the mouse 39 as processing for the print order. The information is stored in the memory (not shown) of the controller 40 or a hard disk (not shown) connected to the controller 40, and the image information is corrected according to the operation of the person in charge. Store in memory or hard disk. The controller 40 controls the exposure head 32a and the photographic paper transport mechanism 32b based on the image information (and correction information). As a result, printing is performed on the photographic paper 5.

(Print order acceptance process)
Next, print order reception processing in the reception apparatus 1 will be described. This order reception process is performed in an interactive manner between the apparatus and the customer using the display 12 and the touch panel 13. That is, the display control unit 23 of the controller 20 causes the display 12 to display a print order screen that is a screen related to the print order, and is output from the touch panel 13 in response to the customer touching the touch panel 13 on the print order screen. An input signal is input to the input processing unit 24 of the controller 20. As a result, the accepting device 1 accepts customer input operations.

  In the print order receiving process, the display control unit 23, as will be described later, displays a “service selection screen”, “media selection screen”, “media set guidance screen”, “print size selection screen”, “print number selection screen” as a print order screen. "Name input screen" "Phone number input screen" "Order content confirmation screen" "Media removal guidance screen" "Receipt certificate issuance guidance screen" are sequentially displayed on the display 12, and the customer operates the touch panel 13 on each screen. Thus, an input signal corresponding to the operation content is input from the touch panel 13 to the input processing unit 24, whereby a plurality of setting items necessary for the print order are set, and the acceptance of the print order is completed.

  Here, “Service selection screen” “Media selection screen” “Media set guidance screen” “Print size selection screen” “Print number setting screen” “Name input screen” “Phone number input screen” “Order content confirmation screen” and “ Each of the print order screens of the “media removal guidance screen” and the “image correction screen” displayed on the display 12 as necessary includes an operation area including an operation icon operated by the touch panel 13 and a non-operation area including no operation icon. The operation area is provided on the lower side in the vertical direction on each print order screen, so that the plurality of print order screens are located at the same position.

  FIG. 5 shows a main flow of print order reception processing executed by the controller 20 of the reception apparatus 1. In step S1 of this flow, the reception device 1 is in a standby state, and in this standby state, a standby screen (see FIG. 7) including the function of the reception device 1 and the logo mark of the DP store is displayed on the display 12. A message “Please touch the screen” is displayed on this standby screen, and prompts the customer who orders printing to touch the display 12.

  Then, when the customer touches the touch panel 13 of the display 12 with a finger, the flow proceeds to step S2, and the “service selection screen” shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. In the non-operation area of this screen, along with a message “Please select a service”, there are a print acceptance icon for accepting prints, a media save acceptance icon for accepting media storage, and a print acceptance using a template. A design print reception icon to be performed, a mobile print reception icon for receiving prints of image information stored in the mobile phone, and a cursor 50 for selecting each icon are displayed. Ask.

  In the operation area of the “service selection screen”, a cursor movement button (operation icon) 51 for moving the cursor 50 up, down, left and right on the screen, and an OK button (operation icon) 54 for confirming the selection are provided. , Is displayed.

  Then, when the OK button 54 is operated in a state where any of the reception icons is selected on the “service selection screen”, the main flow proceeds to step S3. In the “service selection screen”, when media storage acceptance is selected, the image information stored in the medium M1 is transferred to the photo print device 3 as a media storage process, and the photo print device 3 performs a CD. The process of saving in -R or MO is performed, but the reception procedure (order content setting process) of the process is basically the same as the procedure for receiving a print, and the description thereof is omitted here. In addition, the reception procedure when the design print reception or the portable print reception is selected is basically the same as the procedure when the print is received, and the description thereof is omitted here. Accordingly, here, the following steps will be described in the case where print acceptance is selected.

  In step S3, order content setting processing is performed. In the order content setting process, the order information processing unit 25 creates order information based on the customer input / setting content.

  This order content setting process is executed according to the sub-flow shown in FIG. 6. First, in step SA1, a “media selection screen” shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. In the non-operation area of the “media selection screen”, a message “Please select a media” and a plurality of media icons for selecting the media and a cursor 50 are displayed to prompt the customer to select the media. .

  In the operation area of the “media selection screen”, in addition to the cursor movement button 51 and the OK button 54, a stop button (operation icon) 52c for stopping the processing and a return button (operation icon) for returning to the previous processing. 52d is displayed.

  Then, in the “media selection screen”, when the media icon corresponding to the media used by the customer is selected, the OK button 54 is touched, and the flow proceeds to step SA2.

  In step SA2, the “media set guidance screen” shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. In the non-operation area of this screen, a specific image when setting the medium selected by the customer in step SA1 is displayed together with the message “Please set the media and press the OK button”.

  An OK button 54, a cancel button 52c, and a return button 52d are displayed in the operation area of the “media set guidance screen”.

  When the customer sets the media M1 in the media drive 11 and operates the OK button 54 on the “media set guidance screen”, the flow proceeds to step SA3. In step SA3, the image information processing unit 22 sets the set media. Image information is read from M1. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step SA4.

  In step SA4, the “print size selection screen” shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. In the non-operation area of this screen, a size designation icon corresponding to a plurality of print sizes and a cursor 50 are displayed together with a message “Please select a print size”. In addition to characters such as “L version” and “2L version” indicating the print size, a numerical value indicating the print size, a print unit price, and a basic print charge are displayed on the size designation icon.

  In the operation area of the “print size selection screen”, a cursor movement button 51, an OK button 54, a stop button 52c, and a return button 52d are displayed. In the “print size selection screen”, the customer designates any one size. By operating the OK button 54 with the icon selected, the order information processing unit 25 of the controller 20 stores the input print size in the memory 21 as order information. Thereafter, the flow proceeds to step SA5.

  In step SA5, the “print number setting screen” shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. In step SA5, an image to be printed is selected and the number of prints is set.

  In this screen, a message “Please set the number of prints”, a plurality of thumbnail images S of image information read from the medium M1, and a cursor 50 are displayed in the non-operation area. Here, the “print count setting screen” is set to display eight thumbnail images S as one page, and the thumbnail images S in one page are displayed in the order of file names. Further, the name of the file specifying the image information, the extension indicating the file type, and the data size are displayed in the upper part of the frame 56 of each thumbnail image S, and the numerical value indicating the number of prints is displayed in the lower part of the frame 56. Is displayed.

  In the “print number setting screen”, the numerical value of the print number display area 57 in the lower stage of the frames 56 of all thumbnail images S is set to “0” in the initial state.

  In the operation area of the “number of prints setting screen”, a cursor movement button 51, a cancel button 52c, a plus button 56b for increasing the number of prints of the selected image information one by one, and a selection are displayed. A minus button 56c for decreasing the number of printed image information one by one, a correction button 57c for correcting the selected image information, an OK button 54 for completing the order, and a previous page. A return button 56d and a forward button 56e for displaying the next page are displayed.

  By operating the plus button 57a, the number of prints of the selected image information is increased by 1. By operating the minus button 57b, the number of prints of the selected image information is decreased by 1, and the set number of images is set. It is displayed in the print number display area 57. Note that setting the number of prints of image information to 1 or more means selecting image information to be printed at the same time.

  Further, a number indicating the page (a number indicating the page number currently displayed with respect to the number indicating the total number of pages) is displayed between the return button 56d and the forward button 56e. Further, an information area DE is displayed at the center position of the operation area. In this information area DE, information on the selected print size, the total number of image information captured from the medium M1, the number of image information for which print output has been selected (the number of selected images), the unit price of one print, and the total amount of money are included. Is displayed.

  Further, by operating the correction button 57c, an “image correction screen” for correcting the selected image information is displayed on the display 12 instead of the “print number setting screen”.

  The “image correction screen” is configured as shown in FIG. 18, and an image to be corrected is displayed in the non-operation area together with a message “Please adjust position / size, color / density”. And a color adjustment unit 59 on which various icons for adjusting the color of the image are displayed.

  An image is displayed at the center of the image frame portion 58, and a rectangular frame indicating a trimming area is displayed on the image. Further, the image frame unit 58 includes icons for rotating the image by 90 ° to the left, icons for rotating the image by 90 ° to the right, as icons for rotating the image, at positions corresponding to the four corners of the image, An icon for arbitrarily rotating the image in the right direction and an icon for arbitrarily rotating the image in the left direction are provided. Also, as icons for moving the image in parallel, the icon for moving the image upward, the icon for moving the image right, and the image moving downward, respectively, at positions corresponding to the top, bottom, left and right edges of the image An icon for moving the icon and the image to the left is provided. Furthermore, an enlargement icon and a reduction icon for enlarging / reducing the image, and an icon for returning the image to the original trimming are provided below the image frame unit 58.

  The hue adjustment unit 59 includes a contrast plus icon and a contrast minus icon for adjusting the contrast of the image, a red plus icon and a red minus icon for adjusting the red color of the image, and a green plus icon and a green minus icon for adjusting the green color of the image. An icon and a blue plus icon and a blue minus icon for adjusting the blue color of the image are displayed, and an indicator indicating the state of each color is displayed between each plus icon and the minus icon. In addition, an icon for returning the color adjustment to the original state is displayed on the upper portion of the hue adjustment unit 59.

  The operation area of the “image correction screen” includes a cursor movement button 51 for selecting each icon, an execution button 53 for executing the selected icon, an OK button 54, a stop button 52c, and a return button. 52d is displayed, and the magnification and print size of the image are displayed.

  In the “image correction screen”, by touching the cursor movement button 51 and the execution button 53, the image can be rotated, moved, enlarged or reduced, and the color of the image can be adjusted. Then, by touching the OK button 54, the image correction is completed and the screen returns from the “image correction screen” to the “print number setting screen”.

  In the “print number setting screen”, the customer selects the image information to be printed and sets the number of prints, corrects the image information as necessary, and then touches the OK button 54 to Setting of the number of prints is completed.

  When the OK button 54 is operated, the order information processing unit 25 determines the order information based on the contents set by the customer (the image information to be printed, the number of prints, and the image correction settings) on the “print number setting screen”. Create Thereafter, the sub flow of the order content setting process ends and returns to the main flow.

  In the main flow of FIG. 5, a “name input screen” shown in FIG. 13 is displayed in step S4. In the non-operation area of this screen, a message “Please input name” is displayed, and an input board 60 having a name display portion and a keyboard is displayed.

  In the operation area of the “name input screen”, a cursor movement button 51, a stop button 52c, and a return button 52d are displayed, and an execution button 53 for inputting a character selected by the cursor is displayed.

  When the customer selects characters on the keyboard and inputs a name by operating the cursor movement button 51 and the execution button 53, an OK button 54 is displayed in the operation area, and the customer operates the OK button 54. Thus, the input name is stored in the memory 21.

  In the subsequent step S5, a “telephone number input screen” shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. In the non-operation area of this screen, a message “Please enter a telephone number” is displayed, and an input board 61 having a telephone number display part and a keyboard is displayed. In the operation area, a cursor movement button 51, a cancel button 52c, a return button 52d, and an execution button 53 are displayed.

  When the customer operates the cursor movement button 51 and the execution button 53 to select a number on the keyboard and input a telephone number, an OK button 54 is displayed in the operation area, and the customer operates the OK button 54. Thus, the input telephone number is stored in the memory 21. Then, it progresses to step S6.

  Note that the process of inputting the customer's name and telephone number is not an essential item for printing, so the processing mode can be set so that the process can be shifted to the next process even if there is no input. If the customer's name is not input, the processing mode may be set so that the number or code generated by the receiving device 1 is automatically input.

  In step S6, an “order content confirmation screen” shown in FIG. 15 is displayed. In the non-operation area of this screen, a message “please check the contents of the order” is displayed, the details of the order information of the print entered by the customer stored in the memory 21 and the print fee are displayed. Is displayed as a confirmation sheet 62. In the operation area, an OK button 54, a stop button 52c, and a return button 52d are displayed.

  If there is no error in the displayed content of the confirmation sheet 62, the customer operates the OK button 54, and in step S7, a folder having a name with an order number added to the shared folder on the hard disk 14 is created. Order information, image information, and ID information such as a reception ID and a terminal ID are stored. In this way, the order information storage unit 26 performs processing for adding the ID information to the order information and the image information for storage.

  In step S8, a “media removal guide screen” shown in FIG. 16 is displayed. A message “Please remove media” is displayed in the non-operation area of this screen, and an OK button 54, a cancel button 52c, and a return button 52d are displayed in the operation area.

  When the customer takes out the medium M1 in accordance with the display on the screen and operates the OK button 54, the flow proceeds to step S9, and the next process is executed. On the other hand, when the user operates the OK button 54 without taking out the medium M1. Activates the alarm 17 to recognize that it is an erroneous operation with an electronic sound.

  In step S9, as a next process, a “receipt certificate issuance guide screen” shown in FIG. 17 is displayed. On this screen, the message “Receipt certificate is being issued. Please wait for a while.” And “Please bring the receipt to the counter.” Is displayed. A receipt certificate re is printed and sent out via the receipt certificate printer 15. 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.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, each print order screen (FIGS. 8 to 16, 18) displayed on the display 12 is divided into an operation area including an operation icon and a non-operation area not including an operation icon, and Since the operation area is arranged at the same position among a plurality of print order screens, the operator can easily understand at which position the operation icon is located on each print order screen. As a result, the customer does not touch the wrong position on the display surface, and the operation of the customer can be performed accurately, and the time required for the operation can be expected to be shortened.

  Further, by arranging the operation area at the same position, the part of the touch panel 13 that the operator contacts is limited to the part corresponding to the operation area. As a result, the portion corresponding to the non-contact area is prevented from being soiled. As a result, for example, the “image correction screen” shown in FIG. 18 has an advantage that image information can be displayed in a relatively clean state.

  In addition, this invention is not restricted to said structure, Various embodiments are included. For example, in the above embodiment, the operation area is arranged in the lower part of each print order screen, but the position of the operation area is not limited to this, and may be set as appropriate.

  The printing system of the above embodiment is configured by connecting the receiving device 1 and the photo printing device 3 via the network 2, but the print order receiving / printing device in which the receiving device and the printing device are integrated. The present invention may be applied.

  Further, the printing apparatus of the printing system to which the print order receiving apparatus 1 is applied is not limited to the silver salt type printing apparatus as in the above embodiment, but may be an ink jet type or thermal transfer type printing apparatus.

  As described above, the present invention makes it easier for the operator to operate the touch panel type input means by unifying the position of the operation area including the operation icon on each displayed screen. This is particularly useful for a print order receiving apparatus that is to be operated by a customer.

1 is an overall perspective view of a printing system including a print order receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print system. It is a perspective view of a reception device. It is a functional block diagram explaining the function in the controller of a reception apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows a reception process. It is a flowchart which shows an order content setting process. It is a figure which shows a standby screen. It is a figure which shows a service selection screen. It is a figure which shows a media selection screen. It is a figure which shows a media set guidance screen. It is a figure which shows a print size selection screen. It is a figure which shows a print number setting screen. It is a figure which shows a name input screen. It is a figure which shows a telephone number input screen. It is a figure which shows an order content confirmation screen. It is a figure which shows a media removal guidance screen. It is a figure which shows a receipt certificate issue guidance screen. It is a figure which shows an image correction screen. It is a figure which shows a receipt.

Explanation of symbols

1 Print order acceptance device 11 Media drive (reading means)
12 Display (display means)
13 Touch panel (input means)
14 Hard disk (storage means)
20 controller (control means)
23 Display Control Unit 24 Input Processing Unit 25 Order Information Processing Unit 26 Order Information Storage Unit

Claims (1)

Display means for displaying various screens, touch panel type input means for an operator to perform touch operations to input to the screen displayed by the display means, and control means for controlling a print order screen to be displayed on the display means And a print order receiving device comprising:
In order to set a plurality of setting items necessary for the print order, the control means displays a plurality of print order screens corresponding to each of the plurality of setting items according to an input signal from the input means. Are displayed in order,
Each print order screen is divided into an operation area including an operation icon touched by the touch panel type input means, and a non-operation area not including the operation icon.
The print order receiving apparatus, wherein the operation area is set at the same position between the plurality of print order screens.

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