JP2008033025A - Self-photographing printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a self-photographing printing apparatus capable of avoiding the problem that opportunities for selling are missed due to insufficiency of changes. <P>SOLUTION: The self-photographing printing apparatus includes: a printer unit 40, which outputs photographic prints from a photographic frame image input based on a specific service type specifying an output form of a photographic print; and a charging management section 23, which manages a charging process for outputting a photographic print according to a service type. The apparatus is provided with: a photographic service management table 57, which registers and manages the plurality of service types to which specific charges have been set; and a presentable service type decision section 58, by which based on changes prepared in the charging management section, only a service type capable of being dealt without causing a problem such as insufficiency of changes is selected from service types registered in the photographic service management table 57 and is displayed for a user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides an image input processing unit for inputting a photographed frame image, a printer unit for outputting a photographic print from a photographed frame image input based on a predetermined service type that defines an output form of a photographic print, The present invention relates to a self-photo printing apparatus including a charging management unit that manages a charging process for photo print output by service type.

  In a conventional self-photo printing device, an image desired to be printed is selected from captured images displayed by the user's input, and the purpose of printing (“high-quality print”, “quick print”, “ID photo (print ) "" Album creation (print) "etc.) is displayed as a photo print service type, and when the purpose of use is selected by the user, image processing according to the purpose of use is executed, and then a charge is displayed. The amount of money inserted into the bill insertion slot and the coin insertion slot is determined according to the charge display, and when there is change, the change is discharged to the change discharge slot, and print processing is executed (for example, Patent Document 1). reference). Since such a self-photo printing apparatus can be operated unattended, it has many advantages such as a reduction in operating personnel costs and a 24-hour operation.

JP 2000-006490 A (paragraph numbers 0020-0033, 0051-0058, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 5)

  However, in the case of self-service for photo print output, the fee varies finely depending on the print size and number of prints, and also depending on the special print form such as combining multiple shot frames and other images, There are various change patterns, and change is likely to occur. When the change occurs, the product (photo print) cannot be sold, and the operation of the self-photo printing apparatus is stopped, resulting in business waste.

  In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a self-photo printing apparatus that can avoid the problem of losing sales opportunities due to a change of money.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image input processing unit for inputting a photographed frame image, and a printer unit for outputting a photographic print from a photographed frame image input based on a predetermined service type that defines an output form of the photographic print And a charging management unit for managing a charging process for photo print output by the service type, in the present invention, in the present invention, a plurality of the service types each having a prescribed charge are registered Based on the photo service management table being managed and the change preparation status in the billing management unit, it is possible to handle only the service types that do not cause a shortage of change from the service types registered in the photo service management table As a presentation service type determination unit to be presented to the user.

  The service types here are the number of prints that pay a fee calculated according to the number of prints according to the print size, the fixed amount print that prints a predetermined number of sheets at a fixed fee, and the number of shooting frames set for each fee. This is a phrase that typically represents a special print such as a multi-print that combines images into a single print, a special editing print that synthesizes a character or background separately for a shot frame image, or an event postcard print. In the number-of-sheets print service, the charge increases or decreases depending on the number of sheets input and set, but a service type with a fixed charge is also prepared.

  In the self-photo printing apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of service types for which a predetermined fee is set in advance are registered and managed. Therefore, based on the change preparation state managed by the billing management unit, for example, in coins When the change is insufficient, only the service type for which a fee that does not generate coin change is set is presented to the user so that other service types cannot be selected. Thereby, even if the change is insufficient, an alternative print service can be provided to the user. Further, the self-photo printing apparatus according to the present invention can be configured to handle only a service type set with a charge of 100 yen without preparing coin change from the beginning. Alternatively, only 500 yen coins may be prepared as change, and only service types for which a charge of 500 yen units is set may be handled.

  As a specific example of the technique of handling only service types that do not generate change based on the change ready state, insertion of 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, 500 yen coins and banknotes of 1000 yen or more and change payment A self-photo printing apparatus that is configured so that only a service type that is a multiple of 500 yen is presented in a state where the change of 100 yen or less coins is insufficient. it can. When there is a shortage of change coins of 100 yen or less, by selling only the service types that are set at multiples of 500 yen that do not require these change coins, smooth self-service continues and this sale When coins are accumulated through the service type, it is also possible to present a service type that can generate coin change again.

  In the photo print industry, a service type that combines a plurality of photographed frame images and outputs a single photo print is known as an index print, but as in the present invention, a service that limits a fee to a specific high price In the case of seeds, even if only 12 shot frame images are input, only the service type that can synthesize 20 shot frame images can be selected, and there may be a case where the user feels lost. . In order not to cause such a sense of loss, it is advantageous to allow the same shot frame image to be added to the object to be combined. Therefore, in one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, in the process of the multi-print service type in which a plurality of shot frame images are combined and a single photo print is output, the same shooting is performed as the shot frame image to be combined. A configuration is adopted in which frame images can be specified in duplicate.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a print kiosk terminal as an embodiment of a self-photo printing apparatus according to the present invention. A print kiosk terminal is installed in a store such as a DP store or a convenience store, and shot frame image data (hereinafter simply referred to as a shot frame) acquired by using the still shooting function of a digital still camera, a mobile phone with a camera, or a digital movie camera. Although the image is abbreviated as an image, the image itself visualized by the photographed frame image data is also referred to as a photographed frame image within a range that does not cause confusion.) It has an electronic photo print output function for converting an image into an electronic album and storing it in a storage medium such as a DVD-R or CD-R, and various operations are performed by a user's self-service.

  This print kiosk terminal is provided with a photo processing service accepting part A in the upper part, and a billing settlement part B and a print processing part C in the lower box-shaped console. The photo processing service reception part A is shaped by an upper housing and a liquid crystal display 1 attached thereto. The liquid crystal display 1 is provided with a touch panel 2 for performing an operation input on a graphic operation screen. On the front surface of the upper housing, there are a plurality of types of media drives 3 for acquiring captured frame images from a memory card Ma such as a flash memory such as CompactFlash (trademark), SD card (trademark), and Memory Stick (trademark), and a CD- Captured frame images and CG images from disc-type recording media Mb such as R and DVD-R (in this specification, CG images are also considered as artificial captured frame images, and CG images are included in the captured frame images) And the like, and a receipt printer 5 for issuing a receipt are mounted. On the upper surface of the upper housing, there is provided a data transmission connector 6 such as a USB that enables direct transfer of a shot frame image from a camera-equipped mobile phone or a digital camera. Inside the upper housing is provided a main control unit 50 for realizing various processing functions in a photo processing service used in the print kiosk terminal.

  The billing settlement unit B includes a billing settlement panel 10 exposed on the surface of the box-shaped console. A coin slot 11 for inserting coins into the billing settlement panel 10 and a bill insertion slot 12 for bills are formed. Has been. The change payment outlet 13 is arranged at the lower part of the box-shaped console together with the photo print outlet 41. Although not confirmed from the figure, a coin processor is linked to the coin insertion slot 11, a banknote handling machine is linked to the banknote insertion slot 12, and a change handling machine is linked to the change payment outlet 13. These coin processor, banknote processor, and change processor are controlled by the billing settlement control unit 20.

In this embodiment, the print processing unit C is composed of two sublimation type printer units 40, and the photographic prints discharged from each printer unit 40 are common photographic print outlets exposed on the surface of the box-shaped console. 41. By loading each printer unit 40 with a different type of print medium, for example, with a different sheet width or material, it is possible to output photographic prints of different sizes and different surface finishes without changing the print medium. Other printing methods employed in the printer unit 40 include a thermal transfer method and an inkjet method, but the present invention does not limit a specific printing method.
Note that only one printer unit 40 or three or more printer units 40 may be configured.

  The control system of this print kiosk terminal is shown in FIG. The main control unit 50 for managing the entire apparatus including the photo print processing includes a microprocessor (CPU) and a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, and a general-purpose OS unit for easily realizing a graphic interface. An application unit that builds various function programs using a program set supplied from the OS unit is mounted. An input / output interface for inputting / outputting information according to a command from the microprocessor includes a display 1, a touch panel 2, a media drive 3, a disk drive 4, a receipt printer 5, a data transmission connector 6, and two printer units 40. It is connected. The billing settlement control unit 20 can be configured by a one-chip microcomputer, and a coin processor, a bill processor, and a change processor are connected to its input / output interface. The main control unit 50 and the billing settlement control unit 20 are connected so as to be able to transmit information via respective communication interfaces, and the billing settlement control unit 20 receives change information from the main control unit 50 and receives the change from the user. As a result, it is possible to return a result of appropriate determination of money insertion including calculation and change preparation information indicating an excess or deficiency of change.

  Various processing functions that are mainly created by the application units of the main control unit 50 and the billing settlement control unit 20 and particularly related to the present invention will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

  An image input processing unit 52 that develops the captured frame image sent through the media drive 3, the disk drive 4, and the data transmission connector 6 in the memory 51 based on the image data format, and the captured frame image expanded in the memory 51. An image processing unit 53 that performs necessary image processing and a print data generation unit 54 that generates print data suitable for the printer unit 40 from image data that has undergone image processing are prepared. In addition, a GUI unit 55 for creating a graphic interface for realizing simple operation input using the touch panel 2 (in some cases, an input device such as a keyboard) for the graphic operation screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 1 A print management unit 56 is also provided for managing the process for outputting a desired photo print by controlling the image processing unit 53 and the print data generation unit 54 in accordance with a command instructed through the GUI unit 55.

  The print management unit 56 includes a fee calculation unit 56a for calculating the fee of the service type ordered through the GUI unit 55. The fee calculated here is displayed on the display 1 through the GUI unit 55 and data. It is transferred to the billing settlement control unit 20 by transmission. The accounting settlement control unit 20 performs accounting settlement with the user based on the received fee data.

In the self-photo printing apparatus according to the present invention, the number print service for paying a fee calculated according to the number of prints for each print size, the fixed amount print service for printing a predetermined number of sheets at a fixed fee, the number set for each fee Multiple service types are available, such as a multi-print service that combines multiple shot frame images into a single print, and a special editing print service that combines characters and backgrounds separately prepared for shot frame images. There are some seeds whose fee is determined at the first selected stage and those whose fee cannot be determined until the number of prints is finally finalized. Examples of such service types are shown below.
(1) Number of prints L
The user sets the number of prints with a service of 30 yen per L-size output photo print.
(2) Number of prints 2L
The user sets the number of prints with a service of 60 yen per 2L size (double size of L size) output photo print.
(3) Four-sheet print L
This is a flat-rate service of 100 yen that is limited in advance to L size photo prints of up to 4 sheets.
(4) 4 prints 2L
This is a 200 yen flat-rate service limited to 4L or less 2L size photo print output in advance.
(5) 25-sheet print L
This is a flat-rate service of 500 yen that is limited to L size photo print output of 25 sheets or less in advance.
(6) 25 sheets of print 2L
This is a flat-rate service of 1000 yen that is limited in advance to 2L size photo print output of 25 sheets or less.
(7) 10-frame multi-print This is a flat-rate service of 250 yen that combines 10 photographed frame images selected by the user so that they can be listed and outputs them as one large format (for example, 2L size or A4 size) photo print. is there.
(8) 20-frame multi-print This is a flat-rate service of 500 yen that combines 20 photographed frame images selected by the user so that they can be listed and outputs them as one photo print.
(9) 30-frame multi-print This is a flat-rate service of 750 yen that combines 30 photographed frame images selected by the user so that they can be listed and outputs as a single photo print.
(10) 40-frame multi-print This is a flat-rate service of 1000 yen that combines 40 photographed frame images selected by the user so that they can be listed and outputs as a single photo print.

  Information regarding such service types is registered in the photo service management table 57 using data content items as exemplified in FIG. The data content items include a service ID that is a code for identifying the service type, the name of the service type, the output print size, the number of prints to be output, the number of photographed frame images assigned to one photo print, the fee, An icon address storing an icon representing a service type. The photo service management table 57 is referred to by the presentation service type determination unit 58, and an icon is displayed on the provided service display screen of the display 1 as a service type that can be provided to the user only by the service type selected by the presentation service type determination unit 58. Will be displayed.

  As a functional unit constructed in the billing settlement control unit 20, a deposit determination unit 21 that determines whether or not an amount reaching the presented fee has been inserted, and changes in excess of the introduced amount compared to the presented fee. Billing settlement including change calculation unit 22 for calculating, change management unit 23a for managing change amount of each denomination (10 yen coin, 50 yen coin, 100 yen coin, 500 yen coin, 1000 yen bill, 5000 yen bill) Accounting management unit 23 for managing the. The charge management unit 23 shares various information with the print management unit 56, the GUI unit 55, and the presentation service type determination unit 58 of the main control unit 50. In particular, the presentation service type determination unit 58 does not cause a problem of change shortage among the service types registered in the photo service management table 57 based on the information indicating the change preparation state given from the charge management unit 23. Only service types are presented to the user as available.

  For example, assuming that this print kiosk terminal is configured to be able to insert and change 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, 500 yen coins and banknotes of 1000 yen or more, there is insufficient preparation for change of coins of 100 yen or less In this state, the presentation service type determination unit 58 operates so that only service types having a charge that is a multiple of 500 yen are presented. In addition, when no coin is prepared, it is possible to perform an operation of presenting only a fixed amount service of 1000 yen. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the user who does not notice the change of change must cancel the print order at the time of payment settlement.

The process of the photo print service in the print kiosk terminal configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, when the start of the photo service is instructed (# 00), as a pre-processing, the presentation service type determination unit 58 receives change preparation information from the charge management unit 23 at a predetermined timing, and the change money permitted to be used. The seed balance is stored (# 01). The presentation service type determination unit 58 accesses the photo service management table 57, and determines a service type that is a fee that does not cause a shortage of change in the balance of the stored change type from the registered service type (#). 02). For example, when the change of 10 yen coins is insufficient, the fee that may cause a fraction of 10 yen units is excluded from the subject of presentation. In addition, if the handling of coins is stopped as a uniform 1000 yen service, only the service type with a charge of 1000 yen will be offered as a service by setting that the balance of all change types of coins is insufficient. Determined as species. When the balance of all change denominations is sufficient, all service types are normally determined as the presentation service types.

  When the icon address data of the presentation service type determined by the presentation service type determination unit 58 is passed to the GUI unit 55, the available service type presentation screen listing the presentation service types is a photo print service selection screen for the user. And displayed on the display 1 (# 03). An example of this photo print service selection screen is shown in FIG. In FIG. 6A, the available services include “25-sheet print L” (charge 500 yen), “25-sheet print 2L” (charge 1000 yen), “20-frame multi-print” (charge 500 yen), and “40”. Only “frame multi-print” (1000 yen charge) is displayed, and the user selects from these. In this case, if a change of 1000 yen or less occurs, it can be dealt with only with a 500 yen coin. If there is no problem with the change, as shown in FIG. 6B, in principle, all service types are displayed as available services.

  The user selects a desired service type by looking at the photo print service selection screen displayed on the display 1 (# 04). When the service type is determined, the user selects an image recording medium (memory card Ma or disk type recording medium Mb) brought as a print source by using the input medium selection screen displayed on the display 1, and the corresponding drive. It is attached to (media drive 3 or disk drive 4) (# 05). The shot frame image is read from the loaded image recording medium and developed in the memory 51 by the image input processing unit 52 (# 06). At this time, the image input processing unit 52 stores the thumbnail image in the memory 51 separately from the main data of the photographed frame image to be used for the purpose of displaying a list on the display 1 if the read photographed frame image includes a thumbnail image. If the thumbnail image is not included or is not appropriate, the image processing unit 53 is instructed to develop the reduced image created from this data in the memory 51 as a thumbnail image. The link relationship between the main data of the shot frame image and the thumbnail image is managed by the print management unit 56.

  Next, as illustrated in FIG. 7, using the thumbnail images, a pre-judge (PJ) screen listing the photographed frame images is displayed on the display 1 (# 07). Through this pre-judge screen, the user can select a photographed frame image to be processed by the print service process, set the number of prints, and in some cases, set color correction (# 08). For example, in the pre-judge print screen of FIG. 7, a photographed frame image display column 71 that displays a list of six photographed frame images (thumbnail images) in the left region, and buttons for color density correction and number setting in the right column region. An arrangement column 72 is arranged. In order to set the number of prints, since the number of prints is set to “0” by default, a captured frame image to be processed is selected and the increase / decrease button 73 for setting the number of copies is operated. The set number is displayed below each shot frame image. In order to perform color correction, a photographed frame image to be corrected is selected, and the “Yellow”, “Magenta”, “Cyan”, and “Density” increase / decrease buttons 74 are operated. An “N (neutral)” button 75 between the increase / decrease buttons 74 has a function of setting “no correction”.

  When the setting for the shot frame image to be processed is completed while operating the “return” button and the “next” button, the pre-judgment work is ended by operating the “OK” button (# 08 Yes branch). When the type “25-sheet print L” is selected and there are only 20 shot frames to be processed, 25 prints can be set by setting the number of prints for a plurality of desired images. Services can be used effectively. Similarly, even when “20-frame multi-print” is selected, a plurality of prints can be set for the same shot frame image (in multi-print, this means the number of frames formed in one photo print) For example, it is possible to set the number of prints of 20 sheets for one photographed frame image and to output a single photographic print in which the same photographed frame images such as sticker prints are listed. As a result, unlike a photo print in which the captured frame images read as index prints are listed, a single photo composed of user-preferred captured frame images corresponding to the number of frames specified by the fee. You can create a print, for example, you can use it as a collage-like photo print, or you can cut each image yourself and use it as a normal photo print, and you can use the photo print a new way Become.

  When the pre-judgment work is completed, the fee calculation unit 56a calculates a fee (# 09). In the case of “25-sheet print L” or “20-frame multi-print”, since it is a fixed-rate print, the charge can be obtained immediately. Charges are calculated according to the number of prints. The calculated fee is displayed on the display 1, and when the data is transferred to the billing management unit 23, billing settlement processing is performed by the billing settlement control unit 20 (# 10). This billing settlement process is well known in vending machines, etc., and checks the amount of bills and coins inserted by the user with the deposit determination unit 21. 22 calculates change and pays change to the change payment outlet 13. When the billing settlement is completed, the photographed frame image is processed according to the order set through the pre-judge screen, and is finally converted into print data by the print data generation unit 54. The printer unit 40 is driven by this print data, and the desired data is obtained. The photographic print is discharged to the photographic print outlet 41 (# 11).

  As described above, according to the self-photo printing apparatus of the present invention, only the service types for which the appropriate fee is set are presented to the user according to the change ready state, and therefore, the service types that cannot be used due to the change of change are displayed. As a result, the problem of giving the user an impression that the device is not so managed and escaping the business opportunity is solved. In addition, by setting a dummy change preparation state consciously, it is possible to use the system so that only a specific service type is presented to the user.

  In the description of the above-described embodiment, when the presentation service type determination unit 58 presents to the user that only the service type that does not cause a change in shortage can be handled, a fee is set so that the change type of the change shortage is not changed. Individual service types have been extracted from the photo service management table 57, but a fee that does not result in a change of denomination is also applied to the total fee of a plurality of service types, and a combination of a plurality of service types, that is, a set service Alternatively, it may be presented to the user as a service type in which shortage of change is not a problem.

  Further, in the above description of the embodiment, the self-photo printing apparatus has been described in the form of a print kiosk terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. A mode in which an actual photo print output process is performed at a place different from the place where the process of selecting an image and settling the fee is performed, and the output photo print is delivered, that is, the print processing unit C It may be configured as a device independent of the photo processing service receiving unit A and the billing settlement unit B.

1 is an external view of a print kiosk terminal that is an embodiment of a self-photo printing apparatus according to the present invention. Block diagram showing the control system of a print kiosk terminal Functional block diagram showing functions of main controller and billing settlement controller Explanatory drawing explaining the data structure of the service type registered in the photo service management table Flow chart showing the sequence of self-print service Screen diagram showing an example of the available service type presentation screen Screen diagram showing an example of the pre-judge screen

Explanation of symbols

20: Charge settlement control unit 21: Payment determination unit 22: Change calculation unit 23: Change management unit 23a: Change management unit 40: Printer unit 50: Main control unit 52: Image input processing unit 56: Print management unit 56a: Charge calculation Unit 57: Photo service management table 58: Presentation service type determination unit

Claims (3)

An image input processing unit for inputting a photographed frame image, a printer unit for outputting a photographic print from a photographed frame image input based on a predetermined service type that defines an output form of a photographic print, and a photograph by the service type In a self-photo printing apparatus provided with a charge management unit that manages charge processing for print output,
A photo service management table that registers and manages a plurality of the service types, each of which has a prescribed charge, and a service type that is registered in the photo service management table based on the change preparation state in the charge management unit A self-photograph printing apparatus, comprising: a presentation service type determination unit that presents to a user that only service types in which change shortage does not become a problem can be handled. 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, 500 yen coins and banknotes of 1000 yen or more can be inserted and changed, and it is a multiple of 500 yen when there is insufficient preparation for change of coins of 100 yen or less. 2. The self-photo printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only service types that are charges are presented. In the multi-print service type process of combining a plurality of photographed frame images and outputting a single photo print, the same photographed frame image can be designated as a composited photographed frame image. Item 3. The self-photo printing apparatus according to item 1 or 2.

Images