JP2007272719A - Photographic processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographic processing system in which a photographed image file stored in a photographic processor installed in a photographic print store in chain store development can be used by a photographic processor in another store, and a photographic processor suitable to construct such a photographic processing system. <P>SOLUTION: The photographic processing system is provided with a plurality of photographic processors 1 connected through a network to store and manage a photographic image file and perform a photographic output service on the basis of the photographic image file. The photographic processors 1 are provided with a registration information generating part for generating registration information including a unique file ID to be attached to a photographic image file and the position of the photographic image file on a network, a registration information notifying part for notifying the other photographic processors 1 through the network, and a file exchange executing part for executing the transfer of the photographic image file with the other photographic processors by a peer to peer connection on the basis of the registration information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographic processing system in which a plurality of photographic processing apparatuses that store and manage an input photographic image file and perform a photographic output service based on the photographic image file are connected so as to be able to transmit data through a network, and the photo The present invention relates to a photographic processing apparatus for constructing a processing system.

  As a network photo processing system, a user who needs to print a digital image taken with a digital camera creates print request information through a print order receiving terminal device, sends it to the print order management server via the network, and prints the request. The information includes digital image information to be printed, recipient identification information for identifying a print recipient associated with each digital image information, and information indicating print conditions for each digital image and print recipient. Upon receiving the print request information, the order management server determines a print destination for each recipient based on the received recipient information or registered recipient information, and prints corresponding to the determined print destination A system that sends print order information for each recipient to the server Are (e.g., see Patent Document 1).

  The system consists of a server system that provides online albums to customers via a network and a photo processing system that can download image data pasted on the online album and create photo prints. Users use the Internet. If you want to upload a photo frame image to the server system to create a customer photo album and want to print a photo from that photo album, specify the photo frame image and the print shop that actually creates the photo print and specify There is also known an online album image printing system in which a print shop downloads a corresponding frame image and outputs a photographic print (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2003-157154 A (summary column, FIG. 1) JP 2003-167692 A (paragraph number 0008-0012, FIG. 2)

  As described above, in the conventional network photo processing system, the photographed image file deposited from the customer is transferred to the image server and centrally managed there, and if necessary, the photographed image file is downloaded from the image server, A form to output a photo print is adopted. In such a form, that is, a server / client system, a server computer having a large storage capacity is required, and considering the complexity of the system and regular maintenance, the cost burden is large. For this reason, there is a demand for a photo print shop that is developing a chain to print out a photographed image file that has been stored at a store from a customer to another customer and deliver it to the customer. It was hesitant to build an image server / client system.

  In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to capture a photographed image file stored in a photo processing apparatus installed in a photo print shop that is deployed in a chain without introducing a large-scale image server / client system. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photographic processing system that can be used in a photographic processing apparatus of another store, and a photographic processing apparatus suitable for constructing such a photographic processing system.

  In order to solve the above problems, in a photo processing system in which a plurality of photo processing devices that store and manage input photo image files and perform photo output services based on the photo image files are connected to be able to transmit data over a network. In the present invention, the photo processing device generates a registration information including a unique file ID given to the photographed image file and a position of the photographed image file on the network, and the registration information Is exchanged between the registered information notifying unit for notifying the other photo processing apparatus via the network and the other photo processing apparatus based on the registration information through a peer-to-peer connection. And an execution unit.

  In this configuration, each photograph processing apparatus capable of storing and managing the input captured image file stores the input captured image file as it is, and the unique file ID of the stored captured image file and the above-described Only registered information including the location of the captured image file on the network is notified to other photo processing apparatuses via the network. The photo processing apparatus that has received such registration information, when receiving a photo print processing order for the photo image file corresponding to the registration information from the customer, applies the photo image file corresponding to the registration information (location on the network). A peer-to-peer connection is established with the photo processing apparatus storing the image, and a photo print is output using the downloaded photographed image file. As described above, in the photo processing system according to the present invention, not the centralized photographic image file storage as in the server / client system but the photographic image file storage distributed in each photographic processing device, and the stored photographic images are stored. Image files are exchanged through peer-to-peer connections, and are stored in photo processing equipment installed in chained photo print stores without introducing a large-scale image server / client system. The captured image file can also be used in a photo processing apparatus at another store.

  In order to perform peer-to-peer connection, it is necessary to know the network location of the captured image file to be downloaded, that is, the network address of the photo processing apparatus as the node storing the captured image file. Conveniently, the registration information includes information that enables the peer-to-peer connection. Since this registration information needs to be disseminated as quickly as possible, it is convenient to transfer it directly to other photo processing devices over the network, and in particular, send it to all nodes, ie all photo processing devices, using a broadcast protocol. It is preferable to do.

  In order to easily exchange photographed image files with each other's photo processing apparatus using peer-to-peer connection in the file exchange execution unit without incurring extra cost, Windows (Microsoft Corporation) It is convenient to use a file sharing function incorporated in a general-purpose OS such as registered trademark) or OSX (registered trademark of Apple Inc.).

  Even if only one piece of centralized management of extremely small amount of registration information compared to the image file is taken, the registration information can be accessed by other photo processing devices via the network, without leading to the complexity of the system with great cost. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which it can be uploaded to a new registration information management server and freely taken out by other photo processing apparatuses. At this time, if the thumbnail image of the photographed image file specified by the file ID included in the registration information is included, the registration information has a function like index print that has been widely spread in the photographic print industry. Since the thumbnail image of the photographed image file included in the registration information is displayed on the monitor, the photo print order with the customer can be smoothly performed.

The present invention also includes a photo processing apparatus for constructing the above-described photo processing system. Such a photo processing apparatus stores and manages an input photographed image file and also provides a photo output service based on the photographed image file. A registration information generating unit that generates registration information including a unique file ID assigned to the photographed image file and a location of the photographed image file on the network; A registration information notifying unit for notifying the photo processing apparatus, and a file exchange executing unit for executing transfer of the photographed image file with another photo processing apparatus based on the registration information through a peer-to-peer connection. I have. Of course, such a photographic processing apparatus can also obtain the effects described in the above-described photographic processing system, and further incorporate the preferred embodiments described with respect to the photographic processing apparatus constituting the photographic processing system. Is possible.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments using the drawings.

  In the photo processing system according to the present invention constructed by the photo processing apparatus 1 installed in the photo print shop that is developing the chain, the photographed image file stored in the photo processing apparatus 1 of a certain store is transferred to another store. The principle used in the photo processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The customer deposits customer information such as name and photographed image file at the photo print shop A, and receives photo print output processing and photo media output processing (# 01). The photographed image file here is not only a photographed image file as photographed image data obtained using a digital camera, but also a photographed image obtained by converting a photographed image formed on a photographic film into a digital image through a film scanner. The captured image file is also included as data, and is generally input by the customer as a unit (also referred to as one order) of a captured image file group indicating several tens of captured image frames. One shot image file corresponds to one shot image frame, but here, a shot image file group that is a collection of such shot image files is simply referred to as a shot image file here unless it is particularly necessary to distinguish between them. Called. A typical process of photographic print output processing is photographic print output processing, which is called simultaneous printing, and forms a photographic image corresponding to a stored photographic image file on photographic paper. The process is a process of recording the deposited captured image file on a recording medium such as a CD-R or a DVD-R. In the photo processing apparatus 1 according to the present invention, a photographed image file received from a customer for a photo processing service such as a photo print output process or a photo media output process is stored at least temporarily, such as a hard disk attached to the photo processing apparatus 1. In addition, the index print functioning as a list of stored photographed image files is also output if necessary, to prepare for a reprint that may be in the future.

  The photo processing apparatus 1 storing the photographed image file received from the customer generates registration information relating to the stored photographed image file as registration information, and sends it to the photo processing apparatus 1 of another photo print shop B to the network 2 such as the Internet. This registration content is notified by transferring through (# 02). Since the notification of the registration information is broadcasted, it is also distributed to the photo processing apparatuses 1 of other photo print stores C and D (# 03, # 04).

  Next, the customer visits the photo print shop D and orders a reprinted print using one of the photographed image files deposited previously (# 05). Since the photo processing apparatus 1 of the photo print shop D is notified of registration information about the photo image file deposited by the customer from the photo processing apparatus 1 of the photo print shop A, the photo image file included in the registration information Between the photo print shop A and the photo print shop D using the address (IP address) on the network 2 of the photo processing machine 1 of the photo print shop A, which is a part of the storage location A peer connection is established (# 06). When a peer-to-peer (P to P) connection is established, a desired photographed image file is extracted with the file ID included in the registration information and downloaded (# 07). Using the downloaded captured image file, a photographic print is output and handed to the customer (# 08).

  In order to avoid an unnecessary increase in traffic and to simplify the management of registration information in each photo processing apparatus 1, the notification area (node range) of registration information will be limited, and also participate in this photo processing system. If there are a large number of photo print stores, that is, the number of photo processing devices 1, there may be cases where not all registered information is distributed to all the photo processing devices 1. The principle of using a photographed image file stored in the photo processing apparatus 1 of a certain store in the photo processing apparatus 1 of another store in such a case will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, a customer deposits customer information such as a name and a photographed image file at the photo print shop A, and receives a photo print output process and a photo media output process (# 01). The photo processing apparatus 1 storing the photographed image file received from the customer generates registration information regarding the stored photographed image file as registration information, and the network is connected to the photo processing apparatuses 1 of other photo print shops B, C, and D. This registration content is notified by transferring through 2 (# 02, # 03, # 04). Up to this point, the principle is the same as in FIG.

  Next, the customer visits the photo print shop E and orders a reprinted print using one of the photographed image files previously deposited (# 50). Since the photo processing apparatus 1 of the photo print shop E does not receive registration information regarding the photographed image file to be processed deposited by the customer from the photo processing apparatus 1 of the photo print shop A, the photo print as an adjacent node is provided. The photo processing apparatus 1 of the store D is inquired about the existence of the corresponding registration information (# 51). Since the corresponding registration information is notified to the photo processing apparatus 1 of the photo print shop D from the photo processing apparatus 1 of the photo print shop A, the registration information is transferred (# 52). Further, using the address (IP address) on the network 2 of the photo processing apparatus 1 of the photo print shop A, which is a part of the storage location of the photographed image file included in the transferred registration information, the photo print shop A and the photo A peer-to-peer connection is established between the photo processing apparatuses 1 of the print shop E (# 53). When the peer-to-peer (P to P) connection is established, a desired photographed image file is extracted with the file ID included in the registration information and downloaded (# 54). Using the downloaded photographed image file, a photographic print is output and handed to the customer (# 55).

  When the customer deposits the photographed image file at the photo print shop A, the customer card and other means are authenticated, and the customer uses the photographed image file deposited at the photo print shop D or E. The same authentication procedure is used when ordering prints to prevent unauthorized use by third parties.

  If the registered information includes the thumbnail image of the captured image file (low-resolution data with a small data capacity), the photo processing device creates image list order screen data from the received thumbnail image of the registered information. Then, this can be displayed on the monitor and the print order instruction processing by the customer himself can be performed. Upon receiving the order instruction from the customer, the photo processing apparatus 1 downloads a photographed image file (high resolution data) suitable for photographic print output based on the order instruction, and prints the print size and number of prints as ordered. Is output.

  A specific configuration example of the photographic processing apparatus 1 for constructing the photographic processing system according to the present invention is shown in FIG. The photographic processing apparatus 1 is used in the print station 20 as a photographic printer that performs exposure processing and development processing on the photographic paper P, and performs necessary image processing on the received frame image data. It is configured as an apparatus called a so-called digital minilab that includes an operation station 10 that converts print data into data and transfers it. The photo processing apparatus 1 further includes an image receiving unit 4 that receives a photographed image file from a customer, An image storage unit 6 for storing the photographed image file and an order receiving unit 5 for receiving a photo print output using the photographed image file stored from the customer are attached as separate structures. Of course, some or all of the image reception unit 4, the image storage unit 6, and the order reception unit 5 can be built in the operation station 10.

  In this embodiment, the image storage unit 6 includes a database controller 60 and a large-capacity image data archive unit 61 composed of a plurality of hard disks (see FIG. 4), and the order receiving unit 5 operates with an order processing controller unit and a touch panel input operation. The image receiving unit 4 is configured as a form incorporated in a multi-function terminal such as an ATM booth.

  As can be understood from FIG. 4, the print station 20 of the photographic printing apparatus 1 transports the roll-shaped printing paper P stored in the two printing paper magazines 21 and cuts it into a print size. The photographed frame image is exposed to the paper P by an exposure engine 22 as a print engine, and the exposed photographic paper P is sent to a development processing unit 23 having a plurality of development processing tanks for development. After drying, the photographic paper P, that is, photographic prints and index prints sent to the sorter from the transverse feed conveyor 24 at the upper part of the apparatus is collected in a plurality of trays of the sorter in a state of being sorted in units of orders. A photographic paper transport mechanism 25 including a plurality of chucker transport units 25a is provided to transport the photographic paper P at a transport speed adapted to various processes for the photographic paper P described above.

  The exposure engine 22 irradiates the photographic paper P with light beams of the three primary colors R (red), G (green), and B (blue) while sending the photographic paper P based on the print data sent from the operation station 10. At the time of exposure, the photographic printing paper P is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction, and exposure is performed in a line along the main scanning direction in synchronization with the conveyance speed. As the exposure head, a laser beam method, a fluorescent beam method, a liquid crystal shutter method, a DMD method, or the like can be used according to the exposure specification. Here, the laser beam method is used. Of course, in addition to the image forming method using photographic paper and the exposure unit, it is also possible to adopt an image forming method using an inkjet engine.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the desk-like console of the operation station 10 includes a general-purpose personal computer as a controller 30 having various functions such as processing a received frame image file and sending a control command to the print station 20. A monitor 11 for displaying the image, a keyboard 12 and a mouse 13 used for various settings and adjustments, a film scanner 14 for acquiring a photographed image file from a photographic film, and a media drive 15 for obtaining a photographed image file from a memory card of a digital camera. It is connected.

  The database controller 60 of the image storage unit 6 is connected to the operation station 10 and has file management functions such as storage, retrieval, and extraction of photographed image files. A unique file ID assigned to the photographed image file and its storage address are returned. Further, the captured image file is transferred to the other party who has requested reading of the captured image file with the storage address.

  Although the image receiving unit 4 shown in FIG. 5 has various functions, only the functional part as the image receiving unit will be described here. The image reception unit 4 has a USB cable 41 for receiving a photographed image file from a memory card M built in a user's camera-equipped mobile phone (hereinafter simply referred to as a mobile phone) 7 and a removed memory. A media reader 42 that captures a photographed image file from the card M, a liquid crystal monitor 44 with a touch panel 43 that functions as a user operation input unit, and a printer 45 that outputs various information sheets are provided. The captured image file read here is stored in the image storage unit 6.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the controller unit 40 of the image receiving unit 4 generates a graphic operation screen including input operation guidance and various operation buttons on the touch panel 43, and from a user operation input through such a graphic operation screen. A GUI unit 45 for constructing a graphic user interface (hereinafter abbreviated as GUI) for generating control commands and reception data, an image data processing unit 46 for converting an input captured image file into a transmittable format, and an image of the captured image file Data storage information creation that creates the captured image file storage information by combining the file ID, storage address, and customer information (accepted data) of the captured image file sent back by storing in the storage unit 6 and sends it to the operation station 10 Part 47, these are Douea or software or built both.

  The order receiving unit 5 receives a photo print order from a user, and as shown in FIG. 7, a liquid crystal display 51 having a touch panel 51a formed on the display surface is provided on the top surface of the housing 50. 50 is equipped with a media drive unit 52 corresponding to various memory cards M, and a thermal transfer type receipt certificate printer as a receipt issuing unit for issuing an order receipt on the upper surface of the housing 50 from the front side of the display. 53 and a controller 55 connected to the operation station 10 is built in the housing 50.

  The function of the controller 55 is to exchange with customers through the touch panel 51a, create order information used for photo print output by the print station 20, and transfer the created order information to the operation station 10.

  Among the functions realized by hardware and software (program) in the controller 55, the functions particularly related to the present invention include various kinds of input operation guidance and various touch panels on the touch panel 51a as shown in the functional blocks of FIG. Creation of a graphic operation screen including operation buttons and the like, a GUI unit 55a that generates a control command from a user operation input through such a graphic operation screen, and an image list order that creates an image list print order screen using the acquired thumbnail images The page creation unit 55b, an order information creation unit 55c that creates order information from a print order consisting of the number of prints and the print size for each shooting frame performed through the image list print order screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 51, an order number and a print fee Order reception that printed etc. Reception issuance processing unit 55d for issuing through reception voucher printer 53 and the like.

  Since the order information created by the order information creation unit 55d and transferred to the operation station 10 includes the print size and the number of prints of the photographed image frame to be printed out, the order information is sent to the operation station 10. By being transferred, a photo print is output at the print station 20.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the controller 30 equipped in the operation station 10 includes an I / O interface 31 for exchanging information with various devices, and is connected to other photo processing apparatuses 1. Data can be transmitted through the network (Internet) 2. Among the functions realized by the hardware and software (program) in the controller 30, the functions particularly related to the present invention include the print management module 32, the registration information management module 33, and the file exchange execution unit 34. It is done.

  The print management module 32 processes the order information sent from the order receiving unit 5 and the order information directly input from the operation station 10 to execute a photo print output according to the order, and an image receiving unit. The file storage for managing the captured image file received and issued in 4 and managing the captured image file stored and managing the captured image file input directly at the operation station 10 and stored in the image storage unit 6. An information processing unit 32b, an image processing unit 32c that performs appropriate image processing on the captured image file developed in the memory 35, and converts the captured image file that has been appropriately processed into print data suitable for the exposure engine 22 of the print station 20. A print data generation unit 32d.

  The registration information management module 33 refers to the photographed image file storage information sent from the image receiving unit 4 and assigns a unique file ID to the photographed image file stored in the image storage unit 6 and this photographing. It has a registration information generation unit 33a that generates registration information indicating the attribute value and storage location of an image file, and a registration information notification unit 33b that notifies the generated registration information to another photo processing apparatus 1 through the network 2. An example of a unique file ID assigned to a photographed image file deposited in the image storage unit 6 is illustrated in FIG. 10. From an order ID, a sub ID, and a frame number that should be a reception number of a photo print shop. It is configured. The order ID is a combination of the processing date and the store-specific symbol, and the sub ID indicates the processing time. Thereby, this file ID becomes a unique code even on the Internet. An example of the data structure of the registration information generated by the registration information generation unit 33a is shown in FIG. According to this, the registration information links the customer information, the store information, and the file ID described above using the registration ID as a key, and further links the thumbnail image and the image attribute value to each captured image file (frame number). The store information is linked with the IP address of the photo processing apparatus 1 installed in the photo print store. Furthermore, a storage directory indicating the storage location of the registered captured image file group in the image storage unit 6 is linked to the IP address. Therefore, from this registration information, it is possible to grasp in which directory of the photo processing apparatus of which photo print store the photographed image file specified by the file ID is stored. Furthermore, if thumbnail images are used, it is also possible to list thumbnail images on the monitor screen and select a desired captured image file.

  Each time a captured image file (group) is received by the image reception unit 4 and stored by the image storage unit 6, the registration information described above is created by the registration information generation unit 33 a, and the registration information notification unit 33 b transmits another photograph through the network 2. By notifying the processing device 1, the photo print store (photo processing device 1) that has received the registration information can execute photo print output using the photographed image file indicated in the registration information.

  If a photo print store that has registered information but does not have a photographed image file as a photo print source and orders a photo print output based on the photographed image file recorded in this registered information, this photo print store The photo processing apparatus 1 must obtain a captured image file to be processed. In this embodiment, a file exchange technique using a peer-to-peer (P to P) connection is used for transmission (downloading) of a photographed image file between the photo processing apparatuses 1 scattered on the network. For this purpose, the file exchange execution unit 34 is equipped with a file exchange function by peer-to-peer connection, and a photograph processing apparatus that keeps this photographed image file from registered information in which a desired photographed image file is recorded 1. Establish a peer-to-peer connection using the IP address of 1 and request download of a desired captured image file existing in the directory recorded in the registration information. The downloaded photographed image file is expanded in the memory 35, subjected to appropriate image processing by the image processing unit 32c, converted into print data by the print data generating unit 32d, and the print data is sent to the print station 20. A photo print is output.

  In the above-described embodiment, the customer stores the photographed image file in the image storage unit 6 through the image reception unit 4 of a specific photo print store (image processing apparatus), and later stores the photographed image file stored. One or more can be designated at any photo print store (image processing apparatus) belonging to the same photo processing system, and a photo print based on this photographed image file can be output. In general, the image reception unit 4 deposits a captured image file together with simultaneous printing. If a registration ID that defines registration information is printed on an index print that is output at this time, Convenient for reprints. Therefore, it is preferable to output only the index print and pass it to the customer when depositing the photographed image file even in the case where the simultaneous printing is not performed.

  In the case where the registered information includes the thumbnail image of the photographed image file, a certain increase in the registered information capacity is inevitable. For this reason, instead of notifying the photo processing apparatus 1 of the registration information generated by each photo processing apparatus 1, it is conceivable that only this registration information is managed in an integrated manner. In this way, in a photo processing system in which registration information is uploaded to a registration information management server that can be accessed by a certain photo processing device 1 through a network, and the other photo processing device 1 can freely retrieve it, a photo of a store The principle of using the photographed image file stored in the processing apparatus 1 in the photo processing apparatus 1 at another store will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, a customer deposits customer information such as a name and a photographed image file at the photo print shop A, and receives a photo print output process and a photo media output process (# 10). The photo processing apparatus 1 storing the photographed image file received from the customer generates registration information regarding the stored photographed image file as registration information and transfers it to the registration information management server 3 via the network 2, thereby registering the registration information. Is stored (# 11).

  Next, the customer visits the photo print shop D and orders a reprint print using one of the photographed image files deposited before (# 12). The photo processing apparatus 1 in the photo print shop D accesses the registration information management server 3 and requests transfer of registration information defined by the registration ID and customer information given by the customer (# 13). When the registration information management server 3 extracts registration information specified by the registration ID and customer information, the extracted registration information is transferred to the photo processing apparatus 1 of the photo print shop D (# 14). Using the address (IP address) on the network 2 of the photo processing apparatus 1 of the photo print shop A included in the transferred registration information, between the photo print shop A and the photo processing apparatus 1 of the photo print shop D A peer-to-peer connection is established (# 15). When the peer-to-peer (P to P) connection is established, a desired photographed image file is extracted with the file ID included in the registration information and downloaded (# 16). Using the downloaded photographed image file, a photographic print is output and handed to the customer (# 17). It is to be noted that the thumbnail image of the captured image file included in the transferred registration information is processed by the image processing unit 32c and displayed on the monitor 11 together with the file ID to determine whether the image is actually desired to be printed out. You may include a step to make it judge.

  In any case, in the photo processing system according to the present invention, a large-capacity photographed image file (high resolution image data) for the purpose of photographic print output is not stored in the centralized type photographed image file storage as in the server / client system. The storage is distributed to each photo processing device, and the stored captured image files are exchanged by peer-to-peer connection, so that a chain can be created without introducing a large-scale image server / client system. The photographed image file stored in the photo processing apparatus installed in the developed photo print shop can be used in the photo processing apparatus of another store.

Schematic diagram showing the basic model of the photo processing system according to the present invention and the exchange of photographed image files Schematic diagram showing the basic model of the photo processing system according to the present invention and the exchange of photographed image files The perspective view which shows an example of the specific structure of the photographic processing apparatus which constructs a photographic processing system Block diagram showing the configuration of the photo processing device The perspective view which shows the external appearance of an image reception part Functional block diagram showing functions related to the present invention of the image receiving unit Perspective view showing the appearance of the order reception part Functional block diagram showing the functions of the order reception unit Functional block diagram showing functions built in the controller of the operation station constituting the photo processing apparatus Illustration of file ID Illustration of registration information Schematic diagram showing exchange of captured image files in a different form from the basic model of the photo processing system according to the present invention

Explanation of symbols

1: Photo processing device 2: Network (Internet)
3: Registration information management server 4: Image reception unit 5: Order reception unit 6: Image storage unit 10: Operation station 20: Print station 30: Controller 32: Print management module 32a: Order information processing unit 32b: File storage information processing unit 32c: Image processing unit 32d: Print data generation unit 33: Registration information management module 33a: Registration information generation unit 33b: Registration information notification unit 34: File exchange unit

Claims (7)

In a photo processing system in which a plurality of photo processing devices that store and manage input photo image files and perform photo output services based on the photo image files are connected to be able to transmit data over a network,
The photo processing apparatus generates a registration information including a unique file ID given to the photographed image file and a position of the photographed image file on the network; A registration information notifying unit for notifying the photo processing device; and a file exchange executing unit for transferring the photographed image file to another photo processing device based on the registration information by peer-to-peer connection. A photo processing system characterized by that.   2. The photo processing system according to claim 1, wherein the file exchange execution unit has a file sharing function for executing file sharing of the captured image file with another photo processing apparatus.   3. The photo processing system according to claim 1, wherein the registration information notifying unit transfers the registration information directly to another photo processing apparatus via a network.   The photo processing system according to claim 1, wherein the registration information notifying unit uploads the registration information to a registration information management server accessible by another photo processing apparatus through a network. .   5. The photo processing system according to claim 1, wherein the registration information includes a thumbnail image of a photographed image file defined by a file ID included in the registration information. .   The photo processing system according to claim 1, wherein the file ID includes at least a time when an order for the photo output service is received from a customer. A photographic processing apparatus connected to another photographic processing apparatus through a network for constructing a photographic processing system so as to be able to transmit data, storing and managing an input photographed image file and providing a photographic output service based on the photographed image file In
A registration information generation unit that generates registration information including a unique file ID assigned to the photographed image file and a position of the photographed image file on the network, and notifies the registration information to another photo processing apparatus through the network. A registration information notification unit and a file exchange execution unit that executes transfer of the captured image file between the other photo processing devices based on the registration information through a peer-to-peer connection are provided. Photo processing device.

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