JP2008246709A - Photographic album and preparing system of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographic album, which is equipped with an enough strong binding part and enough degree of perfection in appearance irrespective of the amount of the photographic images ordered by a user and can adopt an enough strongly-built cover under the condition that the page constituent member thereof is formed by recording paper with photographic images ordered by the user thereof borne by a printer. <P>SOLUTION: Incomplete pages Qu including image subjoining spaces Sb, in which recording paper pieces bearing photographic images thereon can be added and pasted, are provided at least in some part of the page constituent member 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a page constituent member having a photographic image and a binding member that binds the plurality of page constituent members into a booklet shape, and the page constituent member carries a photographic image ordered by a user by a printer. The present invention relates to a photo album formed of crisp recording paper and a photo album production system for producing the photo album.

  As prior art document information related to this kind of photo album and photo album production system, there is Patent Document 1 shown below.

  The photo album described in Patent Document 1 includes a page sheet (page constituent member) constituting the contents of the album and a cover sheet constituting the cover of the photo album. The cover sheet includes a front cover, a back cover, and a back cover, and functions as a binding member that binds a plurality of page constituent members into a booklet shape. When the page constituent member is bound together with the cover sheet, the photographic image ordered by the user is already printed on the recording paper as the page constituent member. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to newly insert a print into the photo album. In addition, since there is no step at the boundary between the inserted print and the page constituent member, the entire page constituent member is a flat and good-looking photo album.

  Further, as a general rule, the thickness of the photo album varies depending on the number of stored page sheets. However, the photo album editing means of the photo album creating system described in Patent Document 1 includes the number of page sheets. Accordingly, since a spine cover width adjustment unit for appropriately setting and adjusting the spine cover width is provided, the number of page sheets can be set flexibly.

JP 2006-58392 A (paragraph numbers 0010 and 0032, FIG. 6)

  However, in general, when a sufficiently sturdy cover exceeding a predetermined thickness is employed, the operation of forming a fold between the front cover and the back cover and the back cover after the number of page sheets has been determined is Since it is difficult, in the photo album described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to select the most suitable cover from among several types of covers having different back cover widths. Therefore, if the number of page sheets is a halfway value that does not match any of these cover sheets, a complicated process of interposing a thickness adjusting spacer member between the page sheets is required. Alternatively, in order to eliminate such a complicated process, after the number of page sheets is determined, the front cover and the operation of forming a crease between the back cover and the back cover can be performed. There was the inconvenience that a thin material had to be adopted as the cover.

  Therefore, in view of the drawbacks of the respective photo albums according to the prior art exemplified above, the object of the present invention can give the binding portion sufficient strength regardless of the quantity of photo images ordered by the user, To provide a photo album that can be used not only as a photo album with a substantial external appearance but also capable of adopting a sufficiently sturdy cover, and a photo album production system for producing the photo album is there.

A first characteristic configuration of the present invention includes a page constituent member having a photographic image and a binding member that binds the plurality of page constituent members into a booklet shape, and the page constituent member is ordered by a user. A photo album formed of recording paper carrying a photographic image by a printer,
As at least a part of the page constituent member, an incomplete page including a space for adding an image to which a recording paper piece carrying a photographic image can be additionally attached is provided.

  In the photo album according to the first characteristic configuration of the present invention, since the quantity of photo images ordered by the user is very small, the entire image layout space of the recording paper is filled with the photo images ordered by the user. If you cannot prepare enough pages and the width of the spine cover and the size of the binding members are excessive, add a new piece of recording paper to the back of this completed page at another appropriate time. By providing as many unfinished pages as possible with additional image space, the width of the spine cover, the dimensions of the binding members, and the number of page components match well, and the binding portion has sufficient strength. There is a reasonable photo album with a good appearance. Of course, in the photo album according to the present invention, an appropriate number of unfinished pages are provided in a flexible manner, so that the number of page constituent members can be set regardless of the number of photo images ordered by the user. Since it becomes possible to adjust to the dimensions of the binding member, a cover made of a sufficiently sturdy material can be prepared and adopted in advance as a cover for protecting the photo album. In addition, since the photo album according to the present invention is provided with a space for adding an image to which a new piece of recording paper can be additionally attached, the user's willingness to complete an incomplete page after obtaining the photo album It can be expected to have a satisfactory effect.

  Another feature of the present invention is that the image adding space is formed by cutting out a part of the recording paper into a window shape.

  With this configuration, when the user adds a new piece of recording paper carrying another photographic image or the like to the image addition space on the unfinished page at a later date, the image arrangement cut out in a window shape is used. Unlike the configuration in which a new recording paper is pasted on the existing recording paper by pasting it so as to fill in the space, the aesthetic appearance that the concavity and convexity on the boundary between the existing recording paper and the additional pasting recording paper piece is inconspicuous The finished page is excellent.

  Another feature of the present invention is that the image adding space is provided with an adhesive layer that supports the sticking of the recording paper piece and a release sheet that protects the adhesive layer.

  With this configuration, when the user additionally attaches a new piece of recording paper carrying another photographic image or the like to the image addition space on the unfinished page at a later date, the release sheet is first peeled off, and then The additional sticking of the photo is completed with a simple operation of simply pressing the back side of the recording paper piece against the adhesive layer appearing there. That is, it is not necessary for the user to perform complicated operations such as applying glue or the like to the image addition space.

  Another feature of the present invention is that an index image indicating the image addition space is formed on the incomplete page.

  With this configuration, the user or the like can easily specify the position of the image addition space based on the index image, and therefore, the operation of additionally attaching a new recording paper piece can be performed more smoothly.

  Another characteristic configuration of the present invention is that the page constituent member includes an intermediate sheet and a recording sheet adhered to both front and back surfaces of the intermediate sheet, including the incomplete page.

  With this configuration, prepare a layer of adhesive, etc. on the entire front and back sides of the intermediate paper, or prepare an intermediate paper with a layer of adhesive, etc. on the entire surface, and press the back side of the recording paper on both sides. If it hits, a page constituent member will be obtained easily. In addition, when a part of the recording paper is cut out in a window shape, an image adding space having an adhesive layer for supporting the sticking of the recording paper piece inside is automatically obtained.

Another feature of the present invention is a photo album production system for producing a photo album according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Based on the photographic image ordered by the user, the optimum number of unfinished pages including an image adding space to which a recording paper piece carrying the photographic image can be additionally attached is determined, and based on the determination result And a control device for causing the printer to print a quantity of the incomplete pages.

  With this configuration, the printer always outputs a certain number of recording papers regardless of the quantity of photographic images ordered by the user, except that a part of the recording papers and recording paper pieces carrying photographic images are additionally provided. It can be output as incomplete pages including space for adding images that can be pasted on the web page. If there are completed pages and cover pages that are separate from these pages, they can be combined with them and bound and ordered by the user. A photo album with a certain thickness is completed regardless of the number of photo images.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(Overall structure of photo album 100)
A photo album 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an example in which a DPE shop or the like uses a photo album production system according to the present invention to convert a photo image ordered by a user into a book-like photo album. Sometimes called.
The photo album 100 includes a plurality of page constituent members 6 having photographic images and a cover member 7 (an example of a binding member) for protecting the page constituent members 6.

As shown in FIG. 3, the page constituent member 6 and the cover member 7 are integrally joined to each other by bookbinding glue or an adhesive (not shown).
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, each page constituting member 6 is composed of two sheets of photographic prints 5 (an example of recording paper) pasted on both sides of an intermediate paper 2 as a core material.

As shown in FIG. 4, an adhesive layer 3 and a release paper 4 that protects the adhesive layer 3 are provided on the entire surface of both surfaces of the intermediate paper 2 in an initial state before the photographic print 5 is attached.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when producing the page component 6, the release paper 4 is first peeled off, and a photographic print 5 is bonded to each of the adhesive layers 3 that appear.

  As the photographic print 5, an image forming process is performed on a silver salt type color photographic printing paper in advance by a photographic processing apparatus 20 generally called a minilab or the like as illustrated in FIG. -A developed photographic print is used. However, it is of course possible to use a photographic print that has been subjected to image formation processing by an ink jet printer.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the width of the intermediate paper 2 is made slightly larger than the width of the photographic print 5, the recording paper pasting area 2a having substantially the same shape as the photographic print 5, and the binding margin having a width of several millimeters. It consists of a region 2b. When the photographic print 5 is pasted together with the recording paper pasting area 2a, the binding margin area 2b is left at the end of the intermediate paper 2 on the “throat” side, as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cover member 7 includes a hard cover-like front cover 7a, spine cover 7b, and back cover 7c formed of cardboard, and these three members are thin and flexible covers. It is integrally connected by the sheet 7d. Cover the cover between the front cover 7a and the back cover 7b and the boundary between the back cover 7c and the back cover 7b so that the front cover 7a and the back cover 7c are freely bent with respect to the back cover 7b. A flexible bent portion composed only of the sheet 7d is provided. However, the cover member 7 can also be formed by bending a resin plate such as polypropylene by partial heat treatment.

  When joining the page constituent member 6 to the cover member 7, as shown in the upper right of FIG. 3, first, the fore ends of all the page constituent members 6 are well aligned and adjacent to each other in the thickness direction. The two are bonded together by the adhesive layer 3. Next, the end face on the “throat” side of the intermediate paper 2 is adhered to a flower cloth (spindle) 8 made of a porous resin such as polyurethane, and the flower cloth 8 is turned back and adhered to the inner surface of the cover member 7 together with the paper 9. .

(Configuration of page component 6)
The width dimension of the spine 7b of the photo album 100 shown in this embodiment is most suitable for binding a total of 30 page constituent members 6. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the photo album production system according to the present invention, an image layout space S for an L size photo is provided for one frame on one side (one page) of the page constituent member 6. Is the default. Therefore, if photographic images are printed in all the image arrangement spaces S of the 30 page constituent members 6 in this manner, it is possible to print photographic images of up to 60 frames.

  By the way, in this embodiment, the example in which the photograph image Pg ordered from the user is 50 frames is assumed. Therefore, when the 50 frames of photographic images are printed in order in all image arrangement spaces S from the first page of the page constituent member 6, as illustrated in the upper left of FIG. 3, from the first page of the page constituent member 6. Up to the 25th page, that is, the first page to the 50th page, is a completed page Qf in which all the image arrangement spaces S are filled with the photographic images Pg ordered by the user.

  On the other hand, since there are no photographic images to be applied from the 26th to the 30th page of the page constituent member 6, that is, from the 51st page to the 60th page, there is no completed page Qf, and an image addition space This is an incomplete page Qu including Sb. The image adding space Sb of the incomplete page Qu is configured such that the end user can additionally attach a photo print of L size or less after receiving the photo album 100.

(Configuration of completed page Qf)
As shown in FIG. 8, the completed page Qf consists of a single photo print 5 affixed to the intermediate paper 2, and one frame of the photo image Pg ordered by the user is printed at the approximate center of the top, bottom, left and right. However, not only the central photographic image Pg but also some image is printed on the entire surface of the photographic print 5. That is, the periphery of each photographic image Pg is also surrounded by a frame-shaped figure Fg printed at the same time as the photographic image Pg. The image Bf is completely covered. The frame-like figure Fg and the background image Bf may be configured with a design selected in advance by the end user. For example, the frame-like figure Fg is composed of a figure imitating a picture frame, and the background image Bf is composed of a pattern (not shown) in which many small patterns (such as petals) are dispersed on a lightly colored plain background. Is done.

(Composition of unfinished page Qu)
As shown in FIG. 9, the unfinished page Qu is also composed of one photo print 5, but the area of one frame of the upper and lower left and right approximately one photographic image, that is, one photo if the completed page Qf. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the area where the image Pg is to be printed is formed on the intermediate paper 2 in order to form an image addition space Sb to which a recording paper piece can be additionally attached later. It is cut into a window shape by a cutter C or the like. As shown in FIG. 7, when the photographic print 5 thus cut out in a window shape is attached to the intermediate paper 2, the intermediate paper 2 and the adhesive layer 3 are located in the cut-out area, and these are the images. An additional space Sb is formed.
In order to prevent the adhesive layer 3 from adhering to the facing page, a transparent release film 12 (release film) of the same size and the same size as the L size photographic print is provided on the surface of the adhesive layer 3 provided on the intermediate paper 2. An example of a mold sheet) is affixed.

  A frame-shaped figure Fg (an example of an index image) is also printed on the photo print 5 constituting the unfinished page Qu so as to surround the cut-out area, and the area is outside the frame-shaped figure Fg. Is printed with the same background image Bf as the completed page Qf. In a state where the photographic print 5 cut out in a window shape is stuck on the intermediate paper 2, the image addition space Sb made up of the intermediate paper 2 and the adhesive layer 3 is thicker than the surrounding frame-like figure Fg. It will be depressed by that amount.

As shown in FIG. 6, the photo print 5 for the incomplete page Qu output from the photo processing apparatus is used to cut out a part of the photo print 5 to form an image addition space Sb at a DPE store or the like. When implemented, the index line IL indicating the cutout position to the operator is indicated by a broken line or the like.
The frame-like figure Fg remaining on the photographic print 5 after being cut out also serves as an index for the end user to know the position of the image arrangement space Sb accurately.

(Addition of photo print Pa)
When the end user additionally attaches the L-size photo print Pa to the image addition space Sb of such an incomplete page Qu, the release film 12 is peeled off as shown in FIG. By simply pressing the photographic print Pa on the layer 3, it is possible to apply a good finished state. When the photo print Pa is pasted at the correct position indicated by the frame-like figure Fg, the newly pasted photo print Pa and the surrounding frame-like figure Fg are adjacent so that there is almost no step at the boundary between them. become.

(Adapter frame 14)
Note that an adapter frame 14 illustrated in FIG. 11 is attached to the photo album 100 as an accessory for stepwise reduction of the area composed of the adhesive layer 3 of the image addition space Sb. These adapter frames 14 are a part of photographic prints printed with the same hue and density as the frame-like figure Fg, and are available in various sizes. For example, the adapter frames 14 are affixed inside the back cover 7c. Attached in the form of being inserted into a bag (not shown). At least a part of the adapter frame 14 can be obtained as a by-product even in the cutting process shown in FIG.

  When the end user wants to attach a photographic print Pb smaller than the L size to the image addition space Sb, as shown in FIG. 11, an adapter frame 14 of an appropriate size is selected and the image addition space Sb is selected. If the photo print Pb is pasted on the area of the adhesive layer 3 remaining on the inner side of the adapter frame 14, the photo print Pb can be additionally pasted without any gaps or overlapping portions.

(Configuration of photo processing equipment)
As shown in FIG. 12, the above-described photo processing apparatus 20 constituting the photo album production system according to the present invention includes a print station 20B as a photo printer, and generation / transfer of print data used in the print station 20B. And an operation station 20A for performing the above. The operation station 20A is used to process a captured image provided from an end user. In the print station 20B, exposure processing and development processing are performed on the photographic paper of the captured image processed in the operation station 20A.

  The operation station 20A is provided with a general-purpose personal computer that functions as the control device 23 of the photo processing device 20. The general-purpose personal computer 23 acquires image data from a memory card 22b or a CD-R provided by an end user. A media reader 21 is incorporated. At the upper position of the desk-like console of the operation station 20A, a film scanner 24 for acquiring photographed image data from the developed photographic film 22a, a monitor 25 for displaying various information, and various settings and adjustments are performed. A keyboard 26 and a pointing device 27 are installed as operation input devices used as an operation input unit to be used.

  When an application for creating a photo album provided in the photo processing apparatus 20 is activated, the size of the photo album (vertical and horizontal dimensions and back cover dimensions), the print size of the photo image Pg, and the size of each page are displayed on the monitor 25 of the operation station 20A. A pattern input screen (not shown) for selecting and determining the layout of the image arrangement space S and the design of the frame-like figure Fg and the background image Bf according to the contents desired by the end user is displayed.

(Configuration of the image processing unit 30)
The image processing unit 30 of the control device 23 includes a page editing module 32 for automatically editing the page constituent member 6 based on the photographic image Pg ordered by the user.
The page editing module 32 determines the quantities of the completed page Qf and the incomplete page Qu based on each setting condition input on the pattern input screen and all data of the photographic image Pg ordered by the user. A page allocation determination unit 33, a completed page composition unit 34 for creating an entire image for a completed page Qf in which a frame-like figure Fg, a background image Bf, and a photographic image Pg ordered by the user are combined into one image; An incomplete page composition unit 35 is provided that creates an entire image for an incomplete page Qu in which only the frame-like figure Fg and the background image Bf are combined into one image without including the photo image Pg ordered by the user.

  Further, in the page editing module 32, the page allocation determination unit 33 is incomplete to be produced from the layout of the selected photo image and the number of photo images included in the data of the photo image Pg ordered by the user. An LUT (lookup table) 36 to be referred to for determining the quantity of the page Qu is provided. Different LUTs 36 are prepared for each pattern option selected on the pattern input screen.

  When the print execution button provided on the pattern input screen or the like of the monitor 25 is pressed after the pattern is determined, the image data of the completed page Qf and the incomplete page Qu created by the image processing unit 30 is sent to the print station 20B. The image is transferred, printed on photographic paper by the printing unit of the print station 20B, developed by the development processing unit, and output as a photographic print 5. Depending on the type of the selected pattern and the quantity of the photographic images Pg ordered from the user, the front surface of the page constituent member 6 may be a completed page Qf and the back surface may be an incomplete page Qu.

[Another embodiment]
<1> Of course, the pattern selected on the pattern input screen may include a pattern in which a plurality of image arrangement spaces S are provided on each page of the page constituent member 6. In this case, for example, a pattern in which image addition spaces are distributed on each page without observing the principle of arranging photographic images ordered by the user in all image arrangement spaces in order from the previous page. Can also be made selectable.

<2> The adhesive strength of the adhesive layer 3 may be a value based on the premise that the photographic prints 5, Pa, and Pb are permanently affixed in principle, but rather, the photographic print is repeatedly removed at least several times. It is good also as a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer with a moderately weak adhesive force on the premise of.

<3> As a method for binding a plurality of page constituent members 6 into a booklet to form a photo album, instead of a form in which the binding margin of the page constituent members 6 is bonded to a hard cover-like cover member, ring-shaped binding You may use the form which binds the hard cover-shaped cover member and the page structure member 6 using a member (not shown).

<4> As a release sheet for protecting the adhesive layer 3 located in the image addition space Sb of the unfinished page Qu, it is set or selected at the DPE shop instead of the above-described transparent release film 12, or an end user It is also possible to use a release sheet with an image on which an image selected in advance is printed on the surface. In particular, when using a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer with moderately weak adhesive strength that allows repeated attachment and removal of photographic prints, it is possible to substitute a normal resin coat (RC) type photographic print as a release sheet with an image.

<5> The page constituent member 6 may be formed by sticking the back surfaces of the two photographic prints 5 with an adhesive or pressure-sensitive adhesive layer without using the intermediate paper 2. Here, in the configuration in which the image arrangement space S is provided in the center of the top, bottom, left, and right of each page as in the above embodiment, only one page of the page constituent member 6 can be an incomplete page Qu. In the image addition space Sb from which the unfinished page Qu is cut out, a part of the adhesive layer provided on the back surface of the facing completed page Qf is located. On the other hand, unlike the above-described embodiment, the image arrangement space is such that there is no overlapping portion between the image arrangement space S of the first page and the image arrangement space S of the second page forming one page constituent member 6. In the configuration in which S is provided, the pages on both sides of the page constituent member 6 can be unfinished pages Qu.

The perspective view which shows the closed state of the photo album by this invention The perspective view which shows the open state of the photo album by this invention The perspective view which shows the assembly procedure of the photo album by this invention Perspective view showing the intermediate paper in the initial state The perspective view which shows the sticking process of the page structural member for completion pages, and an intermediate paper A perspective view showing a process of cutting out a part of a photographic print into a window shape The perspective view which shows the sticking process of the page structural member for incomplete pages, and an intermediate paper Plan view showing an example of a completed page Plan view showing an example of an incomplete page A perspective view showing a process of additionally attaching a photographic print to an incomplete page Perspective view showing the process of adding a small photo print to an incomplete page Schematic diagram of photo processing equipment used in photo album production system

Explanation of symbols

Pg Photo image S Image arrangement space Sb Image addition space Fg Frame shape Bf Background image Pa, Pb Photo print Qf to be added Completed page Qu Uncompleted page 2 Intermediate paper 2a Recording paper pasting area 2b Binding margin area 3 Adhesive layer 5 Photo print (recording paper)
6 Page component member 7 Cover member 12 Release film 14 Adapter frame 20 Photo processing device 32 Page editing module 33 Page distribution determination unit 34 Completed page composition unit 35 Incomplete page composition unit 36 LUT
100 photo album

Claims (6)

A recording paper having a page constituent member provided with a photographic image and a binding member that binds the plurality of page constituent members into a booklet shape, and the page constituent member carries a photographic image ordered by a user by a printer. A photo album formed by
A photo album comprising an incomplete page including a space for image addition to which a piece of recording paper carrying a photo image can be additionally attached as at least a part of the page constituent member.   2. The photo album according to claim 1, wherein the image adding space is formed by cutting out a part of the recording paper into a window shape.   3. The photo album according to claim 1, wherein the space for adding an image is provided with an adhesive layer that supports attachment of the recording paper piece and a release sheet that protects the adhesive layer. .   4. The photo album according to claim 1, wherein an index image indicating the image addition space is formed on the incomplete page.   5. The page forming member according to claim 1, wherein the page constituting member includes an intermediate sheet including the unfinished page and the recording sheet attached to both front and back surfaces of the intermediate sheet. Photo album according to one item. A photo album production system for producing a photo album according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Based on the photographic image ordered by the user, the optimum number of unfinished pages including an image adding space to which a recording paper piece carrying the photographic image can be additionally attached is determined, and based on the determination result A photo album production system including a control device for causing the printer to print a quantity of the unfinished pages.

Images