JP2008033758A - Self-photographic printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To settle the price for print processing, exceeding a limit in a card for payment, while adopting payment by the card. <P>SOLUTION: This printer comprises a settlement processing means 23 for dividing the price, when it is determined that the price for print processing exceeds the limit in one payment of payment cards Ca and Cb, to generate a plurality of orders for the price which do not exceed the limit by divided payment processing 23C, and settling each order. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention acquires an image data acquisition unit that acquires image data recorded on a medium, an order data acquisition unit that acquires order data necessary for print processing based on a customer instruction, and the order data acquisition unit. The present invention relates to a self-photo printing apparatus including a print processing unit that performs print processing of image data on a print medium based on order data, and a charge management unit that realizes payment for the print processing.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 are disclosed as similar to the self-photographic printing apparatus configured as described above.

  Patent Document 1 accepts image information taken by a customer with a digital camera, displays this image information on a display unit, and selects a necessary print as a print from the displayed image information. The purpose of use (“High-quality print”, “Quick print”, “ID photo (print)”, “Create album (print)”, etc.) can be selected as a processing menu, and according to the use purpose selected by the customer according to this display The image processing is executed, and then the charge is displayed on the display unit. By inserting the bill into the bill slot or coin slot according to this display, the amount to be inserted is determined, and the change needs to be paid out. Is changed, the change is discharged to the change discharge port, and the printing process is executed. 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.

  In Patent Document 2, when the customer selects the type of billing for the use of the service (coin rack, Felica card, or Debit card) on the main menu screen and then selects copy as a service, The processing form is set so that the charge amount is calculated based on the number of printed sheets, the paper size, monochrome, or color. In addition, when the FAX is selected as the service, the billing amount is calculated in the same manner, and thereafter the billing process is executed by the module program. In this billing process, billing can be executed by one or more of a plurality of billing devices, and the balance of a plurality of types of billing is displayed on the balance display screen, and priority is given to a plurality of types of billing. Can be set and displayed on the payment order selection screen. Based on these displays, it is possible to select charging and set the priority of charging.

JP 2000-006490 A (paragraph numbers [0020] to [0033], [0051] to [0058], FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 5) JP-A-2006-072451 (paragraph numbers [0032] to [0045], FIGS. 1 to 9)

  In the self-photo printing apparatus configured as described above, it is also conceivable that a customer pays for a print price (a price for print processing) using a card such as a credit card or a prepaid card (hereinafter referred to as a payment card). . Credit cards are signless in the case of small payments, but some require a signature if the payment amount exceeds a set upper limit.

  Both credit cards and prepaid cards are being developed as non-contact IC cards. With such non-contact IC cards, the payment card can be shortened by simply bringing it close to the reader / writer. Information is read and written between the payment card and the reader / writer over time, and payment is realized.

  However, when a customer performs print processing with a self-photo printing apparatus and pays for the print processing with a settlement card, the consideration (amount) to be paid for the print processing may exceed the amount that can be settled with the settlement card. . In Patent Document 2, it is possible to cope with this situation by the customer selecting a payment method based on the display on the screen, but the customer needs to change the payment method by operating himself / herself. There is room for improvement in terms of labor. In addition, when the payment method is changed, the customer does not use the payment card that the customer first tried to use for payment, which is unreasonable.

  An object of the present invention is to realize a settlement while utilizing the settlement by the settlement card when the value of the print processing exceeds the settlement possible amount of the settlement card.

A feature of the present invention is that an image data acquisition unit that acquires image data recorded on a medium, an order data acquisition unit that acquires order data necessary for print processing based on a customer instruction, and an order data acquisition unit In a self-photo printing apparatus comprising a print processing unit that performs print processing of the image data on a print medium based on the acquired order data, and a charge management unit that realizes payment for the print processing,
A card information acquisition unit for acquiring payment card information, wherein the billing management unit includes a payment processing means for performing card payment for the print processing based on the information of the payment card acquired by the card information acquisition unit; With
The payment processing means executes split payment processing when it is determined that the value of the print processing has exceeded the possible payment amount that can be settled in one payment set in the payment card. Thus, the consideration of the printing process is divided to newly generate a plurality of considerations that do not exceed the settlement possible amount, and the settlement is performed using the settlement card for the plurality of considerations.

  With this configuration, when the print processing value is settled with a payment card, it is determined that the print processing value has exceeded the settable payment amount that can be settled in one payment set in the payment card. The payment processing means divides the consideration for print processing and newly generates a plurality of considerations that do not exceed the amount that can be settled, and performs card payment for each of the plurality of considerations, resulting in inability to settle. There is no. As a result, even if the value of the print processing exceeds the payment possible amount that can be settled in one payment on the payment card, the print processing can be performed by making multiple payments using the payment card. Settlement of the price of

  When the settlement processing unit determines that the split settlement process is necessary, the present invention notifies the customer that the split settlement process is necessary by executing a selection process, and the print process. It is also possible to selectably output the division number of the consideration and the consideration distributed by the division.

  With this configuration, when the settlement processing unit determines that the split settlement process is necessary, the selection process displays a message on a display or the like, and notifies that the split settlement process is necessary by voice or the like. Since the selection process outputs the selectable number of print processing divisions and the consideration distributed by the division in a selectable manner, the customer can recognize that the split settlement processing is necessary from the display on the display, for example. In addition, it is possible to sort by the settlement amount desired by the customer in the number of divisions desired by the customer.

  In the present invention, when the settlement processing unit determines that the value of the print processing exceeds the settlement possible amount set in the settlement card at the time of obtaining the order data, the settlement processing amount is exceeded. The order settlement data is extracted from the already acquired order data, one order is generated, and then the separate settlement data is generated from the order data acquired subsequently. A processing form may be set.

  With this configuration, when the payment for the printing process is settled with the payment card, if it is determined that the price for the printing process exceeds the settable payment amount set in the payment card, the payment processing means, The order data that does not exceed the amount that can be settled is extracted from the already acquired order data to generate one order data, and then the separate order data is generated from the order data that is subsequently acquired. Thus, it is possible to generate order data in a form in which one order data of a customer is divided into a plurality of pieces, and to make a card payment for each order data.

  In the present invention, when generating to the one order, the processing for acquiring the order data is temporarily ended, and after this end, the processing form is set so as to resume the acquisition of the order data as the separate order. May be.

  With this configuration, when order data in a form in which one order data of a customer is divided into a plurality of pieces is generated, the order acquisition is temporarily stopped when the first order data is acquired, and then the order data acquisition is performed. By resuming, each order can be handled as an independent one.

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

  This print kiosk terminal is provided with a photo processing service accepting part A at the upper part, and a billing settlement part B and a print processing part P at the lower box-shaped console.

  The photo processing service reception unit A includes a liquid crystal display 2 in the upper housing 1, and a display surface of the liquid crystal display 2 includes a touch panel 2T for performing operation input on a graphic operation screen. Yes.

  On the front surface of the upper housing 1, a plurality of types of media drives 3 (images) for acquiring captured frame images from a memory card Ma mainly composed of flash memory, such as CompactFlash (trademark), SD card (trademark), and Memory Stick (trademark). An example of a data acquisition unit) and a shot frame image or a CG image from a disc-type recording medium Mb such as a CD-R or DVD-R (in this specification, a CG image is also regarded as an artificial shot frame image, A disk drive 4 (an example of an image data acquisition unit) that acquires a frame image including a CG image) and a receipt printer 5 that issues a receipt R are provided. Further, the upper housing 1 is provided with 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. The main control unit 30 is provided in the upper housing. Is provided. The disk drive 4 also functions as a drive for writing and recording photographed frame image data on the disk type recording medium Mb.

  The billing settlement unit B determines the coins inserted into the coin insertion hole 11 on the front of the box-shaped console 10, outputs the determination result, and pays out change from the lower change payment outlet 12 based on the control signal. 13, the bill validator 15 that discriminates the bill inserted into the bill insertion hole 14 on the front of the box-shaped console 10 and outputs the discrimination result, and information on the contact-type payment card Ca inserted in the card insertion hole 16 is acquired. The information of the contact type reader / writer 17 that writes the necessary information and the contactless payment card Cb that is brought close to the antenna unit 18 is acquired and the necessary information is written. A non-contact type reader / writer 19 is provided, and a billing settlement unit 20 functioning as a billing management unit is provided inside the box-shaped console 10. The contact type reader / writer 17 and the non-contact type reader / writer 19 constitute a card information acquisition unit.

  The contact-type payment card Ca and the non-contact-type payment card Cb are generic names of cards that enable payment by electrical processing, such as credit cards, prepaid cards, and electronic money. Indicates that information can be acquired by reading magnetic data formed on the card, or information that can be acquired via electrodes formed on the card, and a non-contact payment card Cb Is a structure including an antenna, a memory, and a control IC (a so-called IC card), and has a function that enables acquisition of information via the antenna.

  Note that the print kiosk terminal of the present invention does not require a customer's signature even when the payment for the print processing is performed using either the contact-type payment card Ca or the non-contact-type payment card Cb. A signless payment is assumed.

  The print processing unit P includes two sublimation type printer units 40 inside the box-shaped console 10 and photographs a paper Q (an example of a print medium) on which image data is printed in each sublimation type printer unit 40. The print outlet 41 is configured to accumulate and discharge.

  The photo print outlet 41 includes a lid 42 made of a transparent plate that can be opened and closed by swinging around a laterally oriented axis, a lock mechanism 43 that keeps the lid 42 in a closed posture, and this photograph. A message display unit 44 that displays a message at a position near the print outlet 41 is provided. The lid 42, the lock mechanism 43, and the message display unit 44 function to prevent the contact-type payment card Ca inserted in the contact-type reader / writer 17 from being forgotten (the control mode will be described later). ).

  The sublimation-type printer unit 40 can output photographic prints of different sizes and different surface finishes without changing the print medium by loading different types of print media, for example, different paper sheet widths and materials. it can. Other printing methods employed in the sublimation type printer unit 40 include a thermal transfer method and an ink jet method, but the present invention does not limit a specific printing method. Further, the printer unit 40 may be composed of one unit or three or more units.

(Control configuration)
The control system of this print kiosk terminal is shown in FIG. The main control unit 30 that manages the entire apparatus including the photo print processing is an input / output interface that realizes access to information among the microprocessor (CPU), the liquid crystal display 2, the touch panel 2T, the media drive 3, the disk drive 4, and the like. (I / O) and a memory 31 (RAM / ROM), a general-purpose OS 32, and an image data acquisition processing unit 33 and an order data acquisition processing unit 34, which are programs managed by the general-purpose OS 32. A print output processing unit 35, a paper take-out control unit 36, and a message display unit 37.

  The image data acquisition processing means 33 realizes a process of acquiring a shot frame image via the media drive 3, the disk drive 4, or the data transmission connector 6 and storing it in the memory 31. The order data acquisition processing means 34 displays the acquired photographed frame image on the liquid crystal display 2, specifies the photographed frame image to be printed based on an operation such as a customer touching the touch panel 2T, and print size The processing for obtaining the order data such as the number of prints is realized. The print output processing unit 35 controls the printer unit 40 based on the acquired photographic frame image data and order data, thereby realizing a process of printing the photographic frame image on the paper Q.

  The paper take-out control means 36 controls the lock mechanism 43 to limit the opening operation of the lid 42, so that the contact-type settlement card Ca is removed prior to taking out the paper Q from the photo print outlet 41. It functions to prevent the user from forgetting to remove the payment card Ca. The message display means 37 performs processing for displaying a message necessary for the print processing on the liquid crystal display 2.

  The billing and settlement unit 20 for realizing the payment for the print processing with cash or the settlement cards Ca and Cb realizes information access between the microprocessor (CPU), the coin mech 13, the bill validator 15, and the like. In addition to an input / output interface (I / O) and a memory 21 (RAM / ROM), a general-purpose OS 22 is mounted, and a settlement processing means 23 is provided that is a program managed by the general-purpose OS 22.

  The settlement processing unit 23 uses a cash settlement process 23A that realizes a settlement in cash by the coin mech 13 and the bill validator 15 and the contact type reader / writer 17 or the non-contact type reader / writer 19 by using a card. Card settlement processing 23B that realizes settlement, split settlement processing 23C that implements processing as a plurality of orders when performing settlement with a card, and the number of orders split and payment amount (when this split settlement processing 23C is executed) And a selection process 23D for setting distribution of (payment amount).

  In this print kiosk terminal, the main control unit 30 is provided with a communication path L between the input / output interface (I / O) of the main control unit 30 and the input / output interface (I / O) of the billing settlement unit 20. Necessary information can be accessed between the unit 30 and the billing settlement unit 20, and the main control unit 30 and the billing settlement unit 20 perform processing in cooperation when performing print processing.

  In this control system, the image data acquisition processing means 33, order data acquisition processing means 34, print output processing means 35, paper take-out control means 36, message display means 37, and settlement processing means 23 are each configured by software. However, it may be configured by hardware or a combination with hardware.

  In the print kiosk terminal of the present invention, when the payment for the printing process is made by card payment, the print processing price can be settled without using the payment cards Ca and Cb. When the amount exceeds the possible settlement amount), the payment is divided into a plurality of values, so that the settlement amount at the settlement cards Ca and Cb is processed so as not to exceed the settlement amount. These controls are described below.

[Reception process]
The outline of the control mode of the print kiosk terminal is shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, when there is no customer operation, an initial screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display 2 (# 01 step). In this situation, when the customer performs print processing, a message prompting to set the memory card Ma or the disk-type recording medium Mb is displayed on the liquid crystal display 2 by operating the buttons displayed on the touch panel 2T. When the customer sets the memory card Ma according to this display (the disc type recording medium Mb may be set), the shot frame image data is acquired from the memory card Ma, and thereafter the order data is acquired. (Steps # 02 and # 03).

  The order data is data necessary for print processing, such as data for specifying photographed frame image data to be printed, data for specifying a print size, data on the number of prints, the liquid crystal display 2, the touch panel 2T, The main control unit 30 and the order data acquisition processing unit 34 function as an order data acquisition unit.

  When acquiring captured frame image data, a simple process of acquiring a plurality of captured frame image data from the memory card Ma set in the media drive 3 and recording it in the memory 31 is performed. When order data is acquired, a “print size selection screen” shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 2. On this screen, a message “Please select the print size” is displayed, a stop button 48 and a return button 49 are displayed at the bottom of the screen, and “L” or “2L” is displayed at the center of the screen. A plurality of size designation buttons 51 corresponding to a plurality of print sizes, such as “Plate”, are displayed. By operating any one of the size designation buttons 51, the process proceeds to the next process. In addition to the characters indicating the print size, the “print size selection screen” displays a numerical value indicating the print size, a print unit price, and a basic charge for printing.

  In the next process, a “print number setting screen” shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 2. A message “Please set the number of prints” is displayed on this screen, and a plurality of captured frame images acquired from the memory card Ma or the like are listed and displayed as thumbnail images S in the center of the screen. In addition, a cancel button 48, a return button 49, and a next button 52 are displayed at the bottom of the screen, and the amount of cost required for printing is displayed in the information area DE along with the order information at the center position at the bottom of the screen. The

  The name of the file specifying the image information and the extension indicating the file type are displayed at the upper part of the frame 54 of the thumbnail image S, and the number display area 55 for displaying the numerical value indicating the number of prints at the lower part of the frame 54. Is displayed, and a + button 56 for increasing the number of prints one by one and a-button 56 for decreasing the number of prints one by one are displayed at positions sandwiching the number display area 55. Further, as described above, the cancel button 48, the return button 49, and the next button 52 are displayed on the lower side of the “print number setting screen”, and the selected print size is displayed in the information area DE. Information, the total number of prints set, the total amount of money required for printing, and the number indicating the page are all to increase the number of all prints by one + the button 57 and the whole to decrease the number of all prints by one- A button 57 is displayed.

  In this “number-of-prints setting screen”, eight thumbnail images S are displayed as one page, and the display order is set so that the shooting date or creation date of the image is the oldest and the newest is the newest. . Accordingly, eight thumbnail images from the oldest image information are displayed on the initial screen of the “print number setting screen”. When the next button 57 is operated, eight thumbnail images of the next page are displayed, and when the return button 49 is operated, the previous eight thumbnail images S are displayed. Then, after selecting the image information to be printed based on the operation of the next button 52, an OK button 50 functioning as a save button is operated instead of the next button 52 as shown in FIG. The order data is taken in, and the process proceeds to the next process.

  Thus, after acquiring order data, the process which acquires the information which identifies a customer is performed (step # 04). In this process, the “name input screen” shown in FIG. 8 and the “telephone number input screen” shown in FIG. 9 are sequentially displayed. On the “name input screen”, a message “Please input name” is displayed and an input board 63 having a name display part and a keyboard is displayed. Next, the “phone number input screen” is displayed by operating the OK button 50 after inputting the name. On this screen, a message “Please enter a phone number” is displayed, and an input board 64 having a phone number display portion and a keyboard is displayed. The customer touches the keyboard to perform an operation. By operating the OK button 50 after inputting the telephone number, the acquisition of information specifying the customer is completed.

  Next, an “order content confirmation screen” shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 2, and the confirmation of the print processing calculated as described above is displayed on this screen for confirmation. After confirmation, FIG. The “payment method list screen” shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 2 to perform processing for requesting selection of a payment method (steps # 05 and # 06).

  On this “order confirmation screen”, a message “please confirm the contents of the order” is displayed, and a confirmation sheet 65 listing the details and amounts of the order data entered by the customer from the print kiosk terminal. Is displayed. If there is no error in the displayed contents, the “payment method list screen” shown in FIG. 11 is displayed by operating the OK button 50. On this “settlement method list screen”, a plurality of types of card settlement means and cash settlement are displayed as selectable settlement means for print processing. Specifically, a list of credit cards that can be used in the print kiosk terminal is displayed on the credit card display unit 71, and a list of prepaid cards that can be used in the print kiosk terminal is displayed on the prepaid card display unit 72. The cash settlement button 73 is displayed.

  Thus, when selecting a payment method on the “payment method list screen”, one of a plurality of credit cards displayed in a list on the credit card display unit 71 and displayed in a list on the prepaid card display unit 72. The operation procedure is to operate the OK button 50 after selecting one of the plurality of prepaid digit cards or the cash settlement button 73 with a finger. When one of the lists or the cash settlement button 73 is selected, a display form such as highlighting the selected portion or highlighting the selected portion is selected as shown by hatching in FIG.

  In addition, when displaying the “Payment method list screen”, if it is determined that the customer has previously used a payment card from the information for identifying the customer previously acquired, The payment card is selected and displayed on the liquid crystal display 2. After completing the selection of the payment means on the “payment method list screen”, the payment process is executed (steps # 07 and # 100).

  As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the settlement process (# 100 step) is set as a settlement process routine in the form of a subroutine (process by the settlement processing means 23). When it is determined that the cash settlement button 73 has been selected in this settlement processing routine, processing by the cash settlement processing 23A is executed (steps # 101 and # 102). In the cash settlement process 23A, the coins and bills inserted into the coin mech 13 and the bill burr 15 are continuously performed until the amount of coins and bills reaches the price for the printing process. It is paid out from the exit 12.

  In addition, when a payment card is selected as the payment method, when the payment possible amount of the payment card is acquired, and the payment possible amount is compared with the consideration of the print processing, and it is determined that payment is possible. The process by the card settlement process 23B is executed (Steps # 103 to 106).

  When this process is performed, if the customer uses a contact-type payment card Ca, the customer only needs to insert the payment card Ca into the card insertion hole 16 of the contact-type reader / writer 17. When the payment card Cb is used, an operation for bringing the payment card Cb closer to the antenna unit 18 of the non-contact type reader / writer 19 is required. If it is determined that settlement is possible by performing such an operation, the settlement is performed at the time of this operation, and it is determined that the settlement is completed by displaying the “processing completion screen” shown in FIG. Shown in

  If it is determined that payment cannot be made with the payment cards Ca and Cb, a “split payment screen” shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 2 and an order for enabling payment on the screen is displayed. A confirmation button 75 for the number of divisions, the payment amount (settlement amount) for each order divided in this way, and a setting button 76 for setting an arbitrary number of divisions are displayed (an example of # 107 step / notification process).

  Further, as described above, the recommended number of divisions and the recommended payment amount are set as defaults in the confirmation button 75 displayed on the screen, and the recommended division number and payment amount are set when the customer touches the finger. And are set. Further, when the customer touches the setting button 76 with a finger, an optional setting screen (not shown) for setting the number of divisions and the payment amount (settlement amount) for each divided order is newly displayed. On the screen, the customer can arbitrarily set the number of divisions and the payment amount. In other words, in this process, the order is divided and the consideration for the printing process is assigned to each order. As a result, the consideration for the printing process is divided into a plurality of parts, thereby enabling card settlement.

  As a situation where it is determined that payment is impossible in this process, it is assumed that the value of the print process exceeds the amount that can be paid without signing (the amount that can be settled).

  In the “split payment screen”, the number of divisions and the payment amount to be distributed to the divided orders are set by the customer, and after the OK button 50 is operated, the number of divisions and the consideration to be distributed are set from this setting. The settlement process 23C is executed (steps # 108 to # 110).

  When the customer uses the contact-type payment card Ca when performing the split payment process 23C, the payment card Ca remains inserted into the card insertion hole 16 of the contact-type reader / writer 17, so that the process is performed as it is. Will continue. However, when the customer uses the contactless payment card Cb, an operation for bringing the payment card Cb closer to the antenna portion 18 of the contactless reader / writer 19 is necessary. "Please contact the antenna again" is displayed, and after the payment of the customer is completed, the "processing completion screen" shown in FIG. 12 is displayed in the same manner as described above.

  After the settlement process (step # 100) is completed in this way, the receipt R is printed and discharged by the receipt printer 5, the printing process is started by the printer unit 40, and after the printing process is finished, the card is forgotten. Prevention processing is performed (steps # 08 to # 11). Further, when printing the receipt R, for example, when the order is divided into two in the settlement process, the card settlement for each order is performed, so the receipt R corresponding to each order. Will be printed.

  In the card forgetting prevention process, a “print completion screen” shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. On this screen, for example, a message such as “Please take out the memory card and credit card” is displayed, and at the same time, a message is displayed. The characters “Please take out the card” are displayed on the portion 44, and the lid 42 is locked in the closed position by the lock mechanism 43 until each is taken out. After confirming the removal, the lid by the lock mechanism 43 42 is unlocked and the paper Q is allowed to be taken out from the photo print outlet 41.

  If the customer uses a non-contact payment card Cb, a message “Please remove the memory card on the print completion screen” is displayed. The message display means 37 realizes the process of displaying a message on the liquid crystal display 2.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a customer performs print processing at a print kiosk terminal, when payment for the print processing is performed by the payment cards Ca and Cb, the print processing is paid for the payment cards Ca and Cb. If the amount exceeds the amount that can be settled without signing (the amount that can be settled) (if the amount that can be settled on the settlement cards Ca and Cb is less than the consideration for the print process), the order is divided and By setting the processing mode to perform payment (settlement), payment (settlement) is realized with the settlement cards Ca and Cb. By adopting such a processing mode, even when the customer performs the printing process, it is not necessary to be aware of the payment possible amount of the payment cards Ca and Cb.

[Another embodiment]
The present invention may be configured as follows in addition to the embodiment described above.

(A) A processing form may be set as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Specifically, the initial screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display 2, and when the customer performs an operation for starting the printing process in this state, the shot frame image data is acquired from the memory card Ma or the disk type recording medium Mb. Then, a process of acquiring information for specifying a customer is performed (steps # 201 to 203). Next, a list of payment methods (see FIG. 11) is displayed on the liquid crystal display 2 (Step # 204), and after obtaining the payment means, order data acquisition and payment processing are performed (Step # 300). After this process, the receipt printer 5 prints and discharges the receipt R, starts the printing process in the printer unit 40, and after the printing process is completed, the card removal forgetting prevention process is performed (# 205- #). 208 steps).

  The order data acquisition and settlement processing is set in the form of a subroutine as shown in FIG. 16, and when cash is selected as the settlement means, after obtaining all the order data, it is based on this order data. The cash settlement processing 23A is executed so as to obtain the calculated print processing value (steps # 301 to # 303). In this way, when order data is acquired, the customer sets the print size and sets the number of prints for each photographed frame image data displayed on the liquid crystal display 2.

  In addition, when performing card payment (not cash payment), the acquisition of order data is started after acquiring the payment possible amount of the selected payment card. When acquiring this order data, the customer sets the print size and sets the number of prints for each photographed frame image data displayed on the liquid crystal display 2 in the same manner as described above. , The print processing value based on the acquired order data is compared with the settlement amount, and when it is determined that the settlement amount is exceeded, the order data not exceeding the settlement amount has already been acquired. One order is generated by extracting from the order data, and two or more orders are generated by continuing this process (steps # 305 to # 309). In these processes, when generating an order according to the process of step # 307, a message is displayed on the liquid crystal display 2 or the like to generate an order that does not exceed the amount that can be settled, and a card for each order. You may perform the process which tells a customer that payment is performed.

  After the order is generated in this way, the card settlement process 23B is executed (Step # 310). In the card settlement process 23B, when a plurality of orders are generated, the card settlement process 23B is executed for each order.

  In this alternative embodiment, even when the value of the print processing exceeds the payment possible amount of the payment card, the value of the print processing based on the order data is compared with the payment possible amount of the payment card in the middle of obtaining the order data. Since a plurality of orders are generated by automatic processing so that the settlement amount does not exceed the settlement possible amount, the trouble of the customer performing a special operation can be eliminated. 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.

(B) In the embodiment, the main control unit 30 and the billing settlement unit 20 are configured to include a microprocessor. However, the embodiment includes a processing system including a single microprocessor, and print processing and billing processing. You may comprise so that it may perform.

(C) Forgetting to remove the card, without using the lock mechanism 43 that keeps the lid 42 in the closed position, on the paper Q discharged to the photo print outlet 41, “Please take out the card”, etc. The processing mode of the printing process may be set so that one sheet of paper on which characters are printed is printed and discharged.

Perspective view showing a print kiosk terminal Block diagram showing the control system of a print kiosk terminal Self-print flowchart Settlement processing routine flowchart Figure showing the print size selection screen Figure showing the print count setting screen Figure showing the print count setting screen Figure showing the name input screen Figure showing the phone number input screen Figure showing the order confirmation screen Figure showing the payment method list screen Figure showing the processing completion screen Figure showing split settlement screen Figure showing the print completion screen Flowchart of self-print of another embodiment (a) Flowchart of order data acquisition and settlement routine of another embodiment (a)

Explanation of symbols

3, 4 Image data acquisition unit 17, 18 Card information acquisition unit (reader / writer)
20 Billing Management Department (Billing Settlement Unit)
23 payment processing means 23C split payment processing 23D selection processing Ca, Cb payment card Ma media (memory card)
Q Print media (paper)

Claims (4)

Based on the image data acquisition unit that acquires the image data recorded on the media, the order data acquisition unit that acquires the order data necessary for the print processing based on the customer's instruction, and the order data acquired by the order data acquisition unit A self-photo printing apparatus comprising a print processing unit that performs a print process of the image data on a print medium, and a charge management unit that realizes payment for the print process,
A card information acquisition unit for acquiring payment card information, wherein the billing management unit includes a payment processing means for performing card payment for the print processing based on the information of the payment card acquired by the card information acquisition unit; With
The payment processing means executes split payment processing when it is determined that the value of the print processing has exceeded the possible payment amount that can be settled in one payment set in the payment card. To generate a plurality of considerations that do not exceed the settlement possible amount by dividing the consideration for the print processing, and perform card settlement using the settlement card for the plurality of considerations.   When the settlement processing unit determines that the split settlement processing is necessary, the selection processing is executed to notify the customer that the split settlement processing is necessary and to divide the consideration for the print processing. 2. The self-photo printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number and the consideration distributed by the division are output so as to be selectable.   If the payment processing means determines that the value of the print processing exceeds the payment possible amount set in the payment card at the time of obtaining the order data, the payment does not exceed the payment possible amount. The processing mode of the split settlement process is set so that one order is generated by extracting the order data from the already acquired order data, and then separate order data is generated from the order data acquired subsequently. The self-photo printing apparatus according to claim 1.   The processing mode is set so that when generating the order, the processing for acquiring the order data is temporarily ended, and after the end, the acquisition of the order data is resumed as the separate order. 3. The self-photo printing apparatus according to 3.

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