JP2007041882A - Photographic print order program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate production and order of a photographic print through a network by reducing workload of a print order person. <P>SOLUTION: The photographic print order program is executed in a client computer CL to transmit image data for photographic print production from the client computer CL to a server computer PS through the network. The program executes format conversion processing of converting the format of image data to be transmitted to the server computer PS into the format specified on the server computer PS side, and size change processing of changing the image data to be transmitted to the server computer PS so that the image data is stored in an allowance range when the image data cannot be stored in the limited allowance range set in relation to the data size on the server computer PS side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographic print ordering program executed in a client computer in order to transmit image data of a photographic print production target from a client computer to a server computer via a network.

Such a photo print ordering program is incorporated in a computer (generally a personal computer) of a person who places a print order as described in Patent Document 1 below, and a network (generally the Internet) is connected from the computer (client computer). Via a print shop or a print order brokerage company, and transmits image data for producing a photographic print.
When making a photographic print production order in such a form, the server program that accepts the print order often limits the format of the transmitted image data to a fixed format for convenience of management.

In general, the JPEG format is mostly used as the format of image data of a photographic image, but various formats are used such as a non-compressed format for a user who desires higher image quality.
Accordingly, a user (print orderer) who orders to produce a photographic print using a photographic print ordering program conventionally uses an application program having a format conversion function to change the format of image data to be printed to a server computer. After converting to the format required by the specifications, it was sent to the server computer to place a print order.
JP 2003-150518 A

However, as described above, there is no problem with the method of placing the management of the image data format on the print orderer side as long as the print orderer is accustomed to such work. Is very troublesome, and there are many cases in which the print order through the network as described above is avoided.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the work burden on the print orderer and make it easier to make a photo print production order via the network.

  According to a first aspect of the present application, there is provided a photographic print ordering program executed in the client computer in order to transmit image data of a photographic print production target from the client computer to the server computer via a network. The format conversion processing for converting the format of image data to be transmitted to the server computer to the format specified by the server computer, and the image data to be transmitted to the server computer are limited in relation to the data size set by the server computer. When the size does not fall within the allowable range, a size conversion process is performed to perform conversion so as to fall within the allowable range.

In other words, the server computer that accepts a photo print production order not only limits the data format of the received image data, but also adds a restriction related to the data size of the image data to reduce the communication load from the client computer to the server computer. It has been attempted to reduce the burden of securing a storage area for storing and holding image data in the server computer.
Therefore, before the image data to be produced for the photo print is transmitted to the server computer, if the image data to be transmitted does not fall within the allowable range, the conversion processing is performed so as to be within the allowable range.
As a result, the print orderer who operates the client computer can perform the print order operation without worrying about restrictions on the format and data size of the image data.

Further, in the second invention of the present application, in addition to the configuration of the first invention, the restriction set in relation to the data size is set as a restriction on the total data amount or image size of the image file. Has been.
In other words, the typical image size is related to the image data size, but other than that, for example, depending on the format of the image data, the compression rate of the image is changed, so that the total size of the image file can be changed. Some can change the amount of data.
Therefore, when the server computer side imposes a limit on the image size or the total data amount of the image file, the photo print ordering program operating on the client computer converts the image data so as to meet such a limit.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the print orderer who operates the client computer can perform the print order operation without worrying about restrictions on the format and data size of the image data, thereby reducing the work load on the print orderer. As a result, it is possible to easily make an order for making a photographic print via the network.
According to the second aspect of the invention, the server computer side avoids not only the image data format but also the image size or the total data amount of the image file, while avoiding the burden of the print orderer as much as possible. Can perform print order operations.

Embodiments of a photographic print ordering program according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
This photographic print ordering program constitutes a part of a photographic print production ordering system that places a photographic print production order from home via a network (more specifically, the Internet).
In the photographic print production ordering system exemplified in the present embodiment, as shown in a schematic arrangement in FIG. 1, a person who wants to produce a photographic print (print orderer) can start from his own computer (personal computer CL). A store that connects to a print order centralized reception server PS that accepts print orders via the Internet, and requests image data, number of prints, print size, and photo print preparation necessary for photo print production. A photo print production order is made in a form in which data such as information designating (hereinafter referred to as a print shop) is transmitted.
The print order centralized reception server PS is a server computer that accepts photo print production orders from a large number of print orderers and relays the print orders to each print shop. Upon receiving requests from a large number of print shops, photo prints are received. It is operated by a print order relay company that mediates production orders.

In each print shop, for example, a photographic printing apparatus EP called a so-called digital minilab system whose external appearance is illustrated in FIG. 2 is installed, and centralized reception of print orders from a computer PO connected to the photographic printing apparatus EP and a LAN. Connect to the server PS, and if there is a print order for your print shop, download the print order image data, etc., make a photo print with the photo print device EP, and print the photo print Ship to the person.
The photographic printing apparatus EP illustrated in FIG. 2 pulls out the photographic paper stored in a roll form in the photographic paper magazine 1 and exposes and forms an image on the photographic paper with a print engine such as a laser beam exposure engine. Photographic prints are made at high speed. In this embodiment, the system is configured on the assumption that a photographic print is produced mainly by image data photographed by a digital camera. However, the photographic printing apparatus EP includes a film reading device 2. It also has the function of producing photographic prints from photographic film.
In FIG. 1, only one print shop is illustrated, but actually, as described above, a large number of print shops contract with the print order relay operator operating the print order central reception server PS, and print orders are placed. The company accepts print orders via the Internet.

[Photo print production order]
In order for a general user to make a photo print order as the print orderer, a photo print ordering program for communicating with the print order central reception server PS and a web browsing program (so-called web browser) ) In advance.
The photo print ordering program is a program for connecting as a client computer to the print order centralized reception server PS on which the web server program is operating and transmitting / receiving necessary data. It is distributed by a print shop that has a contract with the print order relay operator.
On the other hand, as the web browsing program, a widely distributed program can be used, but it is preferable to use a program recommended by a print order relay operator.

Hereinafter, the operation of the photo print ordering program at the time of print order will be schematically described based on the flowcharts of FIGS.
When the print orderer who operates the personal computer CL inputs an instruction to start the print ordering work in a state where the photo print ordering program is activated in the personal computer CL, the processing of FIG. 3 is started in the personal computer CL.
When the processing of FIG. 3 is started, first, the latest information on the server side is sent back to the print order central reception server PS based on the address information of the print order central reception server PS written in the setting file or the like. A communication request is transmitted (step # 1). At this time, version information of the photo print ordering program executed in the personal computer CL is also transmitted.
In response to this communication request, the print order centralized reception server PS indicates that a newer version of the photo print ordering program than the photo print ordering program executed on the personal computer CL side exists. Information and the upper limit of the total capacity of image data that can be transmitted in one print order process are transmitted to the personal computer CL.

The personal computer CL that has received the response from the print order centralized reception server PS (step # 2), when a newer version of the photo print ordering program exists (step # 3), the new version of the photo print An installation program in which the order program is integrated is downloaded from the print order centralized reception server PS (step # 4), and the installation program is started (step # 5).
When there is no newer version of the photo print ordering program (step # 3), the process proceeds to the next process (ie, step # 6).

In step # 6, a screen for specifying image data to be produced as a photographic print to be transmitted to the print order central reception server PS as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on a monitor.
In the screen display of FIG. 5, in order to specify a directory in which an image file exists, a directory specification field 11 for displaying a directory structure in the personal computer CL in a tree shape, and an image existing in the directory specified in the directory specification field 11 are displayed. An image display field 12 for displaying the file as a thumbnail image, an order button display 13 for instructing the print order of the selected image, and a setting button display 14 for setting the operating environment of the photo print ordering program are displayed. In addition, an all frame selection button display 15 for designating all images in one directory as a print order target and an end button display 16 for stopping the operation of the photo print ordering program are displayed.

  The print orderer who operates the personal computer CL completes the operation of selecting an image to be ordered by operating the mouse or the like on the screen of FIG. 5 to display the order button display 13 with the mouse or the like. When the operation is performed (step # 7), it is confirmed whether the image data of the image to be prepared for photo print to be transmitted to the print order central reception server PS conforms to the specifications required by the print order central reception server PS. Then, a “data size confirmation adjustment process” that is appropriately corrected is executed (step # 8).

That is, the print order centralized reception server PS imposes certain restrictions on the image data received from the client computer in order to reduce the communication load of the image data and the storage capacity necessary for storing and storing the received image data. is doing.
The restrictions are that the format of the image data (image file) is JPEG, that the image size is in the range of 10 pixels × 10 pixels to 4000 pixels × 4000 pixels, and that the total amount of data in the image file is There are three limitations: 5 MB or less.
If the image size is about 4000 pixels × 4000 pixels, the high-performance photo printing apparatus EP can set a considerably large print size, and if one file has a capacity of 5 MB, the image data is sufficiently high. Quality image quality can be maintained.

In the flowchart of FIG. 4 showing the specific processing contents of the “data size confirmation adjustment processing” in step # 8, processing for conforming to the restrictions on the print order central reception server PS side is performed.
First, it is confirmed whether or not the image size of the image selected as the photographic print production target is within the above range (step # 21), and if it is not within the range, it is determined whether the image size can be corrected (step # 21). Step # 22).
Here, for example, an image having an extremely large original image size or an extremely small image smaller than 10 pixels × 10 pixels cannot be corrected.
If it is determined that the image size can be corrected, a message is displayed asking whether the image size can be changed, and a confirmation is made to the print orderer as to whether or not such size change is allowed (step #). 23) If the print orderer inputs that the image size is allowed to be changed, the image is resized and converted so as to fall within the above range (step # 24).
That is, the process of resizing the image size is one of the restrictions that the image data to be transmitted to the print order central reception server PS is set in relation to the data size on the print order central reception server PS side. When the image size does not fall within the allowable range (10 pixels × 10 pixels to 4000 pixels × 4000 pixels), the size conversion processing is performed so that the image size is converted into the allowable range.

Next, it is confirmed whether or not the image data format is the “JPEG” format (step # 25), and if it is not JPEG, it is converted to the JPEG format (step # 26). That is, format conversion processing is performed to convert the format of the image data to be transmitted to the print order central reception server PS to the JPEG format that is specified on the print order central reception server PS side.
Further, it is confirmed whether or not the total data amount (file size) of image data (image file) of one image is not more than the above maximum value (step # 27). A message is displayed to inquire whether it is possible to increase the image compression ratio to reduce the total data amount, and the print orderer confirms whether or not such a change can be made (step # 28). If the orderer inputs that such a change is allowed, the image compression rate is increased and the total data amount is converted to 5 MB or less (step # 29). At this time, processing for reducing the total data amount by reducing the image size may be used in combination.
That is, the processing for reducing the total data amount of the image file is performed by the image data to be transmitted to the print order central reception server PS on the side of the print order central reception server PS as in the case of the resizing of the image size (step # 24). When it does not fall within the allowable range (5 MB or less) of the total data amount of the image file, which is one of the limitations set in relation to the data size, conversion is performed so as to fall within the allowable range. Size conversion processing.
The above process is repeated for all the images selected as photographic print production targets (step # 30).
Note that the processing of FIG. 4 may be executed not at the completion of the selection operation of the image to be produced as a photographic print but at the time when an individual image is selected as the image to be produced as a photographic print.

When the process of FIG. 4 is completed, the image confirmed to be compatible with the restrictions on the print order centralized reception server PS side by the process of FIG. 4 and the restrictions on the print order centralized reception server PS side by the processes of FIG. The image data of the image converted so as to fit is transmitted (uploaded) from the personal computer CL to the print order centralized reception server PS (step # 9 in FIG. 3).
The print order centralized reception server PS can receive the image data of the photographic print production target sent from the personal computer CL without any problem after confirming the consistency with the information such as the number of images and the data of the image size. Then, an upload completion notification is transmitted to the personal computer CL.

When the personal computer CL receives this upload completion notification (step # 10), the personal computer CL starts up the web browsing program with the address information for downloading the print order condition input file as the address information for access (step 10). Step # 11).
Along with this, the web browsing program displays the downloaded print order condition input file on the monitor screen of the personal computer CL.
The print orderer inputs the number of prints and the print size of each image on the monitor screen.
When the input operation of the necessary print order conditions is completed, the input information is transmitted to the print order central reception server PS by the function of the web browsing program, thereby confirming the photo print production order.

[Another embodiment]
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be listed.
(1) In the above embodiment, the print order concentrated reception server PS illustrates only the case where the JPEG format is permitted as the format of the received image data. However, other image formats may be used, and a plurality of images may be used. You may comprise so that reception of the print order in a format may be permitted.
(2) In the above-described embodiment, the restrictions on the total data amount of the image file and the restrictions on the image size are exemplified as the restrictions set in relation to the data size on the print order central reception server PS side. However, it is required to meet both restrictions, but only one of the restrictions may be imposed.
(3) In the above embodiment, the print order central reception server PS is illustrated as a single computer, but the print order central reception server PS may be configured by a plurality of computers.

(4) In the above embodiment, the case where the production order of photographic prints is made through a print order relay company different from the print shop is exemplified. However, the print shop itself is a server for receiving print orders. May be configured to accept print orders.
(5) The above embodiment exemplifies a case where a print order is received by the print order centralized reception server PS having a web server function. However, instead of using the standardized web server function, You may comprise so that image data etc. may be transmitted / received by communication by a protocol.
(6) In the above embodiment, the web browsing program is used for inputting the print order conditions. However, this function may be incorporated into the photo print ordering program.

Arrangement for showing an outline of print order according to an embodiment of the present invention 1 is an external perspective view of a photographic printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart concerning embodiment of this invention The flowchart concerning embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the example of a monitor screen display concerning embodiment of this invention

Explanation of symbols

Client computer CL
Server computer PS

Claims (2)

A program for ordering photographic prints executed in the client computer for transmitting image data of a photographic print production target from a client computer to a server computer via a network,
A format conversion process for converting the format of image data to be transmitted to the server computer into a format designated on the server computer side;
A size conversion process for converting image data to be transmitted to the server computer so that the image data does not fall within an allowable range set in relation to the data size on the server computer side, and is converted to fall within the allowable range; A program for ordering photo prints that is configured to run.   The photographic print ordering program according to claim 1, wherein the restriction set in relation to the data size is set as a restriction on the total data amount or image size of the image file.

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