JP2007249827A - Print system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print system capable of reducing labor of a shop assistant with respect to delivery of a photography print. <P>SOLUTION: A customer performs input operation of print conditions in a state that a prejudge screen is displayed to a display of an order receiver where printing orders are performed. Then, when the input operation of the print conditions is finished, a delivery information display screen 80 is displayed to the display of the order receiver. On the delivery information display screen 80, a delivery method of the photography prints, an outward appearance image of a delivery device, and a map indicating an installation place of the delivery device are displayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system that accepts an order for a photographic print and creates a photographic print.

With the spread of digital cameras in recent years, printing on silver salt photographic paper or the like with high quality is frequently performed by a conventional photo processing apparatus based on image data taken with a digital camera. Therefore, an order receiving device for receiving a print order from a customer is installed in the photo shop, and a photo print is created based on the image data relating to the print order (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When the customer completes the operation for the order receiving device, a receipt slip in which the contents of the receipt and the print finish time are recorded is issued, and the receipt slip is delivered to the customer. Therefore, the customer visits the photo shop after the print finish time recorded on the receipt slip and receives the completed photo print.
JP-A-11-125867

  In this case, in the same way as when receiving a film from a customer and creating a photo print based on an image recorded on the film as in the past, when transferring the photo print, The store clerk needs to perform a very time-consuming work of confirming the receipt slip submitted by the customer and searching for a photo print corresponding to the receipt slip. In addition to the customers who come to receive photo prints, there are customers who have other purposes (for example, purchase of goods) as well as customers who come to the photo shop counter. Therefore, as a method to reduce the labor of the store clerk for the delivery of photo prints and to improve efficiency by separating the customers on the photo shop counter and the customers on the delivery device, delivery for delivering photo prints is possible. It is conceivable to install the apparatus in a photo shop.

  However, even if the delivery device is installed in the photo shop, customers who do not know that photo prints are not received from the store clerk at the counter but are received by the delivery device, submit the receipt to the store clerk as before, Occasionally you will hear from the store clerk how to deliver photo prints. Further, even a customer who knows how to deliver the above-mentioned photo prints will ask a store clerk if he / she does not know where to place the delivery device. In this way, despite the fact that the delivery device is installed in the photo store, there is a high possibility that the labor of the store clerk will not be reduced.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a printing system that can reduce the labor of a store clerk regarding delivery of a photographic print.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  The printing system of the present invention includes an order receiving device for ordering photographic prints, a printing device for creating photographic prints related to a print order received by the order receiving device, and delivery of photographic prints created by the printing device. In the printing system including the delivery device for performing, the order receiving device includes a first display control means for displaying one or a plurality of order screens for performing an operation relating to the print order on a display, and a photograph relating to the print order. And a second display control means for displaying a delivery information display screen including information relating to print delivery on a display.

  Here, the order screen is a screen displayed on the display when a print order is placed in the order receiving apparatus, and indicates all screens other than the delivery information display screen. Therefore, the order screen includes, for example, a pre-judge screen for performing an input operation of print conditions for each image, a confirmation screen for confirming the contents of the print order, and the like. In addition, the information regarding the delivery of the photographic print indicates information indicating the delivery method of the photographic print, information indicating the installation location of the delivery device, an appearance image of the delivery device, and the like.

  According to this configuration, by displaying the delivery information display screen on the display, it is possible to inform the customer who makes a print order to the order receiving device of information regarding delivery of the photo print. Accordingly, since the customer knows how to deliver the photographic print related to the print order by looking at the delivery information display screen, there is almost no situation in which the clerk of the photo shop is asked about the photographic print delivery method. As a result, the labor of the clerk regarding delivery of the photo print is surely reduced.

  In the printing system of the present invention, the first display control means displays a completion button that is operated when all the operations relating to the print order are completed on the order screen, and the second display control means The means may display the delivery information display screen on the display before the completion button is operated.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the customer from leaving the order receiving device before the delivery information display screen is displayed, so that the customer can be surely informed of the information regarding the delivery of the photo print. .

  In the print system according to the aspect of the invention, the order receiving device further includes a reading unit that reads an image recorded on a recording medium, and the second display control unit is based on data read by the reading unit. The delivery information display screen including an image may be displayed on a display.

  According to this configuration, for example, a delivery information display screen including an appearance image of the delivery device based on data obtained by reading an appearance photograph of the delivery device can be displayed on the display. Further, in the order receiving device, the contents of the delivery information display screen can be changed as appropriate.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a print system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a photo shop having the print system of FIG.

  A print system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a print order receiving device 10 (hereinafter abbreviated as a receiving device 10) and a print (including various processes such as development processing) based on image data on a silver salt type photographic paper. A digital photographic processing device 40 is provided, and a delivery device 50 is provided for delivering photographic prints. Here, the receiving device 10 and the photo processing device 40 are connected, and data such as image data can be transmitted and received. In FIG. 1, only one accepting device 10 connected to the photo processing device 40 is illustrated, but a plurality of accepting devices 10 may be connected to the photo processing device 40.

  The print system 1 is generally installed in a photo shop as shown in FIG. In the photo store, a reception device 10 is arranged at the right end of the counter 5 where the store clerk handles the customer. A photographic processing device 40 and a delivery device 50 are sequentially arranged in front of the counter 5 on the left side. Accordingly, a customer who visits the photo shop to place a print order proceeds toward the reception device 10 on the right side of the counter 5, and a customer who visits the photo store to receive a completed photo print proceeds to the delivery device 50. . Further, for example, a customer who pays for a product proceeds toward the left side of the counter 5 where the store clerk is present.

  Here, in the accepting device 10, a storage medium (such as a smart media storing image data captured by a digital camera, a compact flash (registered trademark), a memory stick, a PC card, a CD-ROM storing an image data, an MO, or the like). Hereinafter, a print order based on the image data read from the media) can be accepted.

  The receiving device 10 includes a liquid crystal display 11 on which a touch panel 11a is formed, a plurality of media drives 13 that read data from each medium, a printer 15 that issues a receipt issued when a print order is received, and a film Alternatively, the scanner 17 that reads an image formed on a sheet and the control unit 30 are provided. In this embodiment, a customer who orders a photo print can perform various order operations by operating the touch panel 11a. When the print order is completed, a barcode corresponding to the print order is printed. Receive a receipt.

  The control unit 30 includes a ROM that stores control programs and data for various operations related to the print system 1, a CPU that executes various calculations to generate signals for controlling the operations of the respective units of the print system 1, Members such as a RAM for temporarily storing data such as various settings and calculation results by the CPU are included. These various members and software form a display control unit 31, an image data storage unit 32, a print condition storage unit 33, and a print control unit 34.

  The display control unit 31 controls the display content displayed on the display 11, that is, the content of the display screen. In the present embodiment, the display control unit 31 is a pre-judge screen 70 (see FIG. 5) for inputting conditions relating to color correction of each image, the number of prints of each image, and the like, and information relating to delivery of completed photographic prints. Is displayed on the display 11 such as a delivery information display screen 80 (see FIG. 6) and a confirmation screen 90 (see FIG. 7) for confirming the contents of the print order.

  In the present embodiment, the pre-judge screen 70, which is one of the order screens, is a screen on which images of six frames are displayed as shown in FIG. 5, and a color correction button 71 arranged below each image. Or by inputting the number of prints in the number-of-prints input box 72, the print condition input operation for each image can be performed. In addition, a “Next” button 75 that is operated when operations such as color correction and designation of the number of prints for all images included in one order are completed is displayed at the lower end portion of the pre-judge screen 70. Yes.

  Also, the delivery information display screen 80 is a screen on which a photo print delivery method, an appearance image of the delivery device 50, and a map showing the installation location of the delivery device 50 are displayed, as shown in FIG. As described above, when the delivery information display screen 80 includes the appearance image of the delivery device 50, the customer can easily find the delivery device 50. In addition, a “Next” button 85 that is operated when the confirmation of the delivery information is completed is displayed at the lower end portion of the delivery information display screen 80. Here, the appearance image of the delivery device 50 displayed on the delivery information display screen 80 is based on data obtained by reading the appearance photograph of the delivery device 50 by the scanner 17 of the acceptance device 10.

  A confirmation screen 90, which is one of the order screens, is a screen for confirming the number of prints and the print fee of each image for which a print order has been placed, as shown in FIG. Further, at the lower end of the confirmation screen 90, there is a “return” button 95 that is operated when setting the print conditions again on the pre-judge screen 70 without completing the print order, and is operated when the print order is completed. "Done" button 96 is displayed.

  The image data storage unit 32 stores image data read from each medium by the media drive 13. Here, in the image data storage unit 32, image data corresponding to a plurality of images is stored for each image group corresponding to one order, for example. The print condition storage unit 33 stores conditions relating to color correction of each image input in a state where the pre-judge screen 70 is displayed on the display 11, the number of prints, and the like. The print control unit 34 controls the photo processing device 40 so that printing is performed based on the print conditions stored in the print condition storage unit 33.

  Next, the configuration of the delivery device 50 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the delivery device. FIG. 3A is an external perspective view of the delivery device, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the delivery device.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the delivery device 50 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing 51. On the front surface of the housing 51, a display unit 52 for displaying a print fee of a photo print, a loading unit 53 for inserting a coin, a bar code reader 54 for reading a bar code of a receipt, and a photo print A take-out portion 55 is provided.

  In the delivery device 50, as shown in FIG. 3B, a photographic print supply unit 56 is formed on the back surface of the housing 51, and a supply unit 56 is provided near the supply unit 56 in the housing 51 by a store clerk. A conveyance belt 57 is provided for conveying the photographic print supplied from the printer in the horizontal direction. Here, when the photographic print is supplied to the delivery device 50, the completed photographic print is enclosed in an envelope, but the envelope in which the photographic print is enclosed may be simply referred to as a photographic print. The conveyor belt 57 is stretched around a pair of rollers 57a and 57b and is rotatable in the horizontal direction. A barcode reader 58 that reads a barcode attached to a photographic print placed on the conveyor belt 57 is disposed above the conveyor belt 57.

  In addition, on the downstream side of the conveyance belt 57 in the casing 51, a plurality of (five in FIG. 3) trays 60 for placing completed photographic prints are arranged. One end portions of the plurality of trays 60 are held by a lifting belt 61. The elevating belt 61 is stretched around a pair of rollers 61a and 61b and is rotatable in the vertical direction. Accordingly, when the elevating belt 61 rotates, the height of each of the plurality of trays 60 changes, and all of the plurality of trays 60 are opened at the height (not shown) that communicates with the upper surface of the transport belt 57 and the take-out portion 55. And can be matched. When a photographic print on any one of the plurality of trays 60 is supplied to the takeout unit 55, the tray 60 is in a state where the tray 60 matches the height of the opening communicating with the takeout unit 55. When the upper photographic print is pressed by a pressing member (not shown), it is supplied into the take-out portion 55.

  Here, the delivery device 50 has a controller (not shown). By the controller, the delivery device 50 controls the barcode reader 54, 58 to read the barcode, and rotates the conveyor belt 57 and the lifting belt 61. Control related to display, control related to display on the display unit 52, control related to movement of the pressing member, and the like.

  Next, a procedure from order reception to photographic print delivery in the print system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure from order reception to photographic print delivery in the print system of FIG.

  First, a customer who places a print order loads a medium on which image data is recorded into the media drive 13 and reads the image data (step S101). Then, when the image data is read, the read image data is stored in the image data storage unit 31 for each order, and a pre-judge screen 70 including an image related to each image data is displayed on the display 11 (step) S102). Accordingly, the customer sets print conditions such as color correction and input of the number of prints for each image with the pre-judge screen 70 displayed on the display 11 (step S103). Here, a case where the image included in one order is 6 frames will be described.

  When the operations such as color correction and designation of the number of prints for all images included in one order are completed and the “next” button 75 at the lower end of the pre-judge screen 70 is operated, the delivery information display screen 80 is displayed on the display 11 (step S104). Accordingly, the customer who places the print order sees that the completed photographic print is received by the delivery device 50 by looking at the delivery information display screen 80, and the appearance image of the delivery device 50 and the installation location of the delivery device 50. Can be confirmed.

  Subsequently, when the “next” button 85 at the lower end of the delivery information display screen 80 is operated, a confirmation screen 90 is displayed on the display 11 (step S105). Then, it is determined whether or not the print order has been completed by the customer who has confirmed the contents of the print order on the confirmation screen 90 (step S106). When the customer determines that the print order is completed and operates the “complete” button 96 (S106: YES), a print order receipt is issued at the accepting device 10 and the print order is issued at the photo processing device 40. Printing of the image related to is started (step S107).

  On the other hand, when the customer determines that the print order is not completed and operates the “return” button 95 (S106: NO), the process returns to step S102 and the pre-judge screen 70 is displayed on the display 11 again. Therefore, set the print conditions again.

  Thereafter, when the printing in the photo processing device 40 is completed and the photo print is completed (step S108), the clerk discharges the photo print discharged from the photo processing device 40 into an envelope, and then transports the photo print in the delivery device 50. The toner is supplied onto the belt 57 (step S109). Here, in the photo processing device 40, an image relating to the print order is printed, and in addition, the same barcode as the barcode of the receipt issued in the print order is printed. For this reason, the delivery clerk printed with the barcode is attached to the envelope in which the photo print is enclosed by the store clerk. Accordingly, the barcode of the delivery certificate attached to the photographic print supplied in the delivery device 50 is read by the barcode reader 57 and then placed on one of the plurality of trays 60. At this time, the controller of the delivery device 50 detects on which tray 60 the barcode of the delivery certificate and the photographic print with the delivery certificate are placed.

  As described above, when the completed photographic print is placed on the tray 60, preparation for delivery of the photographic print in the delivery device 50 is completed. Thereafter, when the customer who has received the photo print causes the barcode reader 54 to read the barcode printed on the receipt (step S110), the photograph with the same barcode delivery certificate as the read barcode is attached. The print is detected, and the print fee for the photo print is displayed on the display unit 52. Then, when the customer settles the print fee (step S111), the photographic print for which the print fee is settled is discharged to the take-out unit 55 of the delivery device 50, so the customer receives the photographic print (step S112). .

  As described above, in the print system 1 according to the present embodiment, the delivery information display screen 80 is displayed on the display 11 of the reception device 10, so that the customer who places a print order with respect to the reception device 10 can print a photo print. Information about delivery can be notified. Therefore, since the customer knows the delivery method of the photographic print related to the print order by looking at the delivery information display screen 80, the situation of almost asking the clerk of the photographic store about the delivery method of the photographic print is eliminated. As a result, the labor of the clerk regarding delivery of the photo print is surely reduced.

  In addition, since the delivery information display screen 80 is displayed before the completion button 95 that is operated when all the operations related to the print order are completed, before the delivery information display screen 80 is displayed by the customer. In addition, since it is possible to prevent the user from leaving the receiving apparatus 10, it is possible to reliably notify the customer of information relating to the delivery of the photo print.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various design changes can be made as long as they are described in the claims. . For example, in the above-described embodiment, the delivery information display screen 80 displays a photo print delivery method, an appearance image of the delivery device 50, and a map indicating the installation location of the delivery device 50. The display screen 80 may display at least one of the above.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the delivery information display screen 80 is displayed before the completion button 95 that is operated when all the operations related to the print order are completed, but the delivery information display screen 80 is displayed. It may be displayed after the completion button 95 is operated. That is, in this embodiment, the pre-judge screen 70, the confirmation screen 90, and the delivery information display screen 80 may be displayed in this order.

  In the above-described embodiment, only the appearance image of the delivery device 50 shown in FIG. 6 is read on the delivery information display screen 80. However, the total image employed as the delivery information display screen 80 is read. There may be. Thereby, it becomes easy to cope with the difference in the arrangement status for each laboratory where the printing system including the delivery device of the present invention is deployed. That is, by creating a delivery information display screen for each store, screen display corresponding to the store can be performed.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a print system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the mode of the photo shop which has the printing system of FIG. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of a delivery apparatus, Fig.3 (a) is an external appearance perspective view of a delivery apparatus, FIG.3 (b) is a see-through | perspective perspective view of a delivery apparatus. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure from order reception to delivery of a photo print in the print system of FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print system 10 Order reception apparatus 17 Scanner (reading means)
31 Display control unit (first display control means; second display control means)
32 Image data storage unit 33 Print condition storage unit 34 Print control unit 40 Photo processing device (printing device)
50 Delivery device 70 Pre-judge screen (order screen)
80 Delivery information display screen 90 Confirmation screen (order screen)

Claims (3)

An order receiving device for ordering photo prints, a printing device for creating photo prints related to print orders received by the order receiving device, and a delivery device for delivering photo prints created by the printing device In the printing system,
The order receiving device is:
First display control means for displaying on the display one or more order screens for performing operations relating to print orders;
A printing system comprising: a second display control means for displaying a delivery information display screen including information relating to delivery of a photographic print relating to a print order on a display. The first display control means displays a completion button that is operated when all operations related to a print order are completed on the order screen,
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the second display control unit displays the delivery information display screen on a display before the completion button is operated. The order receiving apparatus further includes a reading unit that reads an image recorded on a recording medium,
The print system according to claim 1, wherein the second display control unit displays the delivery information display screen including an image based on the data read by the reading unit on a display.

Images