JP2011101259A - Image transmission apparatus, image providing system, method for controlling image transmission apparatus, image transmission apparatus control program, and computer readable recording medium with the program recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely transmit required images while keeping fairness between groups. <P>SOLUTION: A photography printer 1 includes: an essential image selection receiving unit 17 which selects one or more essential transmission images to be transmitted first and one or more arbitrary transmission images to be transmitted later from among a plurality of editing images generated by editing processing; a communication control unit 15 which transmits transmission images which are the essential transmission images and the arbitrary transmission images selected by the essential image selection receiving unit 17 to a predetermined device by transmitting the arbitrary transmission images after transmitting all the essential transmission images; and a transmission propriety decision unit 18 which determines whether transmission of the transmission images completes by start schedule time of transmission processing of the next user group when the communication control unit 15 starts the transmission of the respective transmission images, wherein the communication control unit 15 stops transmission of the transmission images of the user group after the transmission image when the transmission propriety decision unit 18 determines that the transmission is impossible. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image transmission apparatus, an image providing system, an image transmission apparatus control method, an image transmission apparatus control program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a photography printing apparatus that provides a series of games in which a user is photographed in an amusement (game) facility such as a game center and the photograph is combined with a background image and output as a sticker print. It is installed and has gained popularity.

  In this photography printing apparatus, after photography is performed, it is possible to perform editing processing such as graffiti on a photographed image displayed on a display screen by a pointing device such as a touch pen. With this editing processing function, the user can change the background color and pattern, write characters, illustrations, and the like on the photographed image, and can create an original edited image.

  In addition, these photographed images, models that can edit the photographed images edited to the user's mobile terminal, and photographed images on a site on the Internet operated by a photography and printing device manufacturer There is also a model in which a photographed image and an edited image can be viewed and downloaded by transmitting the edited image and accessing the site with a mobile terminal.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a method for transmitting an image captured by an image processing terminal to a mobile terminal via a server.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 discloses an image having a small amount of data from an image captured by the imaging device in order to transmit the image to the server device in a short time and reduce the data amount of the image stored in the server device. An image data communication system for creating and transmitting to a server is described.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, in order to enable re-editing of a photographed image by a receiving apparatus, a photographed image photographed by a photo sticker and an editing content that is editing performed on the photographed image are described. Separately, an image communication system for transmitting from a photo sticker to a server is described.

JP 2001-309108 A (published on November 2, 2001) JP 2004-341586 A (released on December 2, 2004) JP 2004-165939 A (released on June 10, 2004)

  Recently, many portable terminals have a display unit with a high resolution. Accordingly, an image transmitted from a photo sticker or the like to the server is also required to have a high image quality. However, if the image quality of the image to be transmitted to the server is increased, it takes time to transmit each image one by one, and the subsequent image transmission is delayed like a snowman.

  This point will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a time chart showing a temporal flow of shooting / editing / printing (image transmission) in a photo sticker having one shooting space and two editing spaces (editing space α and editing space β). is there. In FIG. 14, it is assumed that three groups A, B, and C use a photo sticker in order.

  First, group A performs shooting, and when shooting is completed, the group A moves to the editing space α to perform editing. At the same time, group B enters the shooting space and starts shooting. Group A transmits the edited image to the server when editing is completed. On the other hand, when shooting of the group B is completed, the group B moves to the editing space β and performs editing. Thereafter, when editing is completed, group B also transmits the edited image to the server.

  If transmission of the edited image of group A is not completed by the start of transmission of the next edited image of group B (t41), transmission of the edited image of group B to the server is delayed. Similarly, if transmission of the edited image of group B is not completed by the start of transmission of the edited image of group C, transmission of the edited image of group C will be delayed.

  As described above, in the conventional configuration, when image transmission of the previous group is delayed, image transmission of the subsequent group is delayed by a snowman type.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize an image transmission apparatus and the like that reliably transmit necessary images while achieving fairness among groups.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an image transmission apparatus according to the present invention captures a user group of one or more users and generates a captured image, and edits the captured image by editing the captured image. When the above three processes are executed for each of a plurality of user groups, three processes of an edit process for generating the image and a transmission process for transmitting the edited image to a predetermined device are sequentially executed. The image transmission device that executes each shooting process so that the plurality of user groups do not overlap each other, and sequentially executes the transmission process from the user group for which the editing process has been completed, and the plurality of editing processes generated by the editing process The image selection means for selecting one or a plurality of essential transmission images to be transmitted first and one or a plurality of arbitrary transmission images to be transmitted later from the images, and the image selection means select the images. An image transmission unit that transmits the required transmission image and the transmission image that is an arbitrary transmission image to the predetermined device by transmitting the arbitrary transmission image after transmitting all the essential transmission images, and the image transmission unit Transmission start / stop determination means for determining whether transmission of the transmission image is completed by the scheduled start time of the transmission processing of the next user group when transmission of each transmission image is started, The transmission means is characterized in that when the transmission permission / inhibition determination means determines that transmission is impossible, transmission of the transmission image of the user group after the transmission image is stopped.

  The image transmitting apparatus control method according to the present invention includes a shooting process for shooting a user group of one or a plurality of users to generate a shot image, and editing the shot image to generate an edited image. When the three processes of the editing process and the transmission process of transmitting the edited image to a predetermined apparatus are sequentially executed, and the above three processes are executed for each of a plurality of user groups, A method for controlling an image transmission apparatus that executes each shooting process so that the user groups do not overlap each other and performs transmission processing in order from the user group for which editing processing has been completed. An image selection step of selecting one or more essential transmission images to be transmitted first and one or more arbitrary transmission images to be transmitted later from the image; When transmission of a transmission image that is an indispensable transmission image and an arbitrary transmission image selected in step 2 is started, it is determined whether transmission of the transmission image is completed by the scheduled start time of the transmission process of the next user group And transmitting the transmission image to the predetermined apparatus by transmitting an arbitrary transmission image after transmitting all the essential transmission images, and transmitting the transmission image in the transmission permission determination step. And an image transmission step of canceling transmission of the transmission image of the user group after the transmission image when it is determined as impossible.

  According to the above configuration or method, when the transmission of the selected essential transmission image and the transmission image that is the arbitrary transmission image is started, the transmission image is transmitted by the scheduled start time of the transmission process of the next user group. It is determined whether or not the transmission is completed. When it is determined that transmission is impossible, transmission of the transmission image of the user group after the transmission image is stopped. The transmission image is transmitted by first transmitting the transmission-required image, and transmitting all the transmission-required images and then transmitting the arbitrary transmission image.

  As a result, the mandatory transmission image is transmitted to the server before the arbitrary transmission image, so that when the transmission process is stopped, the transmission of the essential transmission image to the server is completed more than the arbitrary transmission image. The possibility increases. Therefore, if the transmission image stored in the server can be acquired by accessing the server, the user can acquire the essential transmission image that is the transmission image selected more reliably.

  Further, if transmission of the transmission image is not completed by the scheduled start time of transmission processing of the next user group, transmission of the transmission image after the transmission image of the user group is stopped, so transmission processing of the next user group Will not be delayed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the transmission process from being delayed as the user group is later subjected to the transmission process of the transmission image, and to prevent unfairness between the user groups.

  In the image transmission apparatus according to the present invention, the transmission permission / inhibition determining means may perform the editing process at the time when the determination is performed when the editing process for the next user group is performed at the time of the determination. The time including the remaining time may be set as the scheduled start time of the transmission process of the next user group.

  Since the transmission process is executed after the editing process is completed, the scheduled start time of the transmission process for the next user group can be accurately obtained by adding the remaining time of the editing process to the determination time.

  In the image transmission apparatus according to the present invention, whether transmission of all the essential transmission images of the user group immediately before the user group is completed within the remaining time of the editing process at any time during the editing process of the user group. If the transmission is not completed, it may be provided with an editing control means for extending the editing processing time of the user group until the scheduled transmission completion time of all the essential transmission images.

  According to said structure, when transmission of all the essential transmission images is not completed, the edit process of the next user is extended to the transmission completion scheduled time of all the essential transmission images. Thereby, the transmission process of the next user group is not started until the transmission of all the essential transmission images is completed, so that all the essential transmission images can be reliably transmitted to the server.

  In the image transmission apparatus according to the present invention, the arbitrary time point may be a time point when the remaining time of the editing process time reaches a predetermined time.

  According to the above configuration, when the remaining time of the editing process reaches a predetermined time, it is determined whether transmission of all the essential transmission images of the immediately preceding user group is completed within the remaining time of the editing process. To do.

  Here, the predetermined time is a time during which the editing process can be extended without causing the user to feel uncomfortable.

  As a result, the editing process time can be extended without giving the user a sense of incongruity, so by extending the editing process time just before the end time of the editing process time, the user is confused or feels uncomfortable. Can be prevented.

  Acquire the transmission image and the e-mail address from the image transmission device, store the transmission image in the storage unit, and access information for accessing the transmission image stored in the storage unit An image providing system including a server that transmits to the acquired e-mail address can achieve the effects described above.

  The image transmission apparatus may be realized by a computer. In this case, an image transmission apparatus control program for causing the image transmission apparatus to be realized by a computer by causing the computer to operate as the above-described means, and A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded also falls within the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the image transmission apparatus according to the present invention selects one or a plurality of essential transmission images to be transmitted first and one or a plurality of arbitrary transmission images to be transmitted later from a plurality of editing images generated by the editing process. To the predetermined device by transmitting the optional transmission image after transmitting all the essential transmission images of the image selection means to be transmitted and the transmission images that are the essential transmission images and arbitrary transmission images selected by the image selection means. Determining whether or not the transmission of the transmission image is completed by the scheduled start time of the transmission processing of the next user group when the image transmission unit to transmit and the image transmission unit start transmission of each transmission image A transmission permission / inhibition determining unit configured to perform transmission when the transmission permission / inhibition determining unit determines that transmission is not possible. It is intended to stop the transmission image of the transmission.

  The image transmission device control method according to the present invention selects one or more essential transmission images to be transmitted first and one or more arbitrary transmission images to be transmitted later from a plurality of edited images generated by editing processing. And when the transmission of the transmission image that is the required transmission image and the arbitrary transmission image selected in the image selection step is started, the transmission of the transmission image is scheduled to start the transmission process of the next user group. A transmission permission / inhibition determination step for determining whether or not to complete the process, and transmitting the transmission image to the predetermined device by transmitting an arbitrary transmission image after transmitting all the essential transmission images. Thus, when it is determined that transmission is impossible in the transmission permission / inhibition determining step, the image transmission step for canceling transmission of the transmission image of the user group after the transmission image It is a method including a flop, the.

  As a result, the mandatory transmission image is transmitted to the server before the arbitrary transmission image, so that when the transmission process is stopped, the transmission of the essential transmission image to the server is completed more than the arbitrary transmission image. The possibility increases. Therefore, if the user can acquire the transmission image stored in the server by accessing the server, the user can acquire the essential transmission image that is the transmission image selected more reliably. Play.

  Further, if transmission of the transmission image is not completed by the scheduled start time of transmission processing of the next user group, transmission of the transmission image after the transmission image of the user group is stopped, so transmission processing of the next user group Will not be delayed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the transmission process from being delayed in the user group after the transmission process of the transmission image, and it is possible to prevent unfairness between the user groups.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a photographic printing apparatus. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the imaging | photography / editing image communication system which concerns on the said embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the said photography printing apparatus, (a) And (b) shows the external appearance of the said photography printing apparatus seen from a respectively different direction. It is a front view of the editing part of the said photography printing apparatus. It is a front view of the printing part of the said photography printing apparatus. It is a time chart which shows the timing which a transmission permission determination part performs transmission permission determination. It is a time chart when a transmission propriety judgment part judges with transmission not being possible as a result of transmission propriety judgment. It is a time chart which shows the case where an edit control part extends edit processing time. It is the block diagram which showed the principal part structure of the server in the said embodiment. It is a figure which shows the corresponding table of an e-mail address and image ID. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in a picked-up / edited image communication system. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the image transmission process in a picked-up / edited image communication system. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed on the edit and transmission image display part of a photography photography printing apparatus. It is a time chart for demonstrating the problem of a prior art.

  One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(Overall system configuration)
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a photographing / editing image communication system (image providing system) 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the photographic / edited image communication system 100 includes a photographic printing / printing device (image transmission device) 1, a portable terminal (transmission destination terminal) 2, and a server 3.

  In the following, the term “user” includes the case of a user group composed of one or more people.

  The photographic printing apparatus 1 includes a process for capturing a user's photograph (photographing process), a process for allowing a user to edit graffiti etc. on the photographed image (photographed image) (editing process), and an edited image (editing). Image), a high-quality image and a low-quality image, which are transmission images, are created from the captured and edited images, and the server 3 among the created high-quality images and low-quality images. A process for selecting a transmission image to be transmitted first (selection process), a process for determining whether or not to transmit a transmission image to the server 3 before transmitting each transmission image (transmission determination process), and a user selecting A process (transmission process) of transmitting the transmission image to the server 3 after the transmission image (optional transmission image) not selected before the transmission image (essential transmission image) performed can be performed. Note that it is not necessary to perform all of these processes. For example, a configuration in which the printing process is omitted may be employed. Hereinafter, the photographed and printed apparatus 1 will be referred to as a photographed and edited image as indicating at least one of a photographed image (captured image) and an edited image (edited image).

  And the photography printing apparatus 1 provides a user with the above functions by collecting a fee from the user. In addition, a time limit is provided for each function, and the user uses each function within this time limit.

  In addition, the photography printing apparatus 1 is provided with one photographing space for photographing and two editing spaces for editing photographed images, and a maximum of three groups can simultaneously enjoy the game.

  Specifically, assuming that the three groups are A group, B group, and C group, the A group performs shooting processing, and when the editing process is started next, the B group shooting processing becomes possible. When the shooting process for the B group is completed and the editing process is started, the shooting process for the C group can be performed. In addition, since two editing spaces are provided, editing processing of the A group and the B group can be performed in parallel.

  In the present embodiment, a high-quality image and a low-quality image created from a captured and edited image are described as transmission images, but the transmission image is not limited to this. If conditions such as the line speed of the communication line 400 is high and the storage capacity of the server 3 is large, the captured and edited image itself having higher image quality than the high-quality image may be used as the transmission image.

  The image transmission function, which is a function of transmitting a transmission image from the photography printing apparatus 1 to the server 3, is a known wireless communication or wired communication between the photography printing apparatus 1 and the server 3, or a combination thereof. Provided with things.

  The portable terminal 2 can communicate with the server 3 by known wireless communication. Accordingly, a desired transmission image can be acquired from the server 3 among the high-quality image and the low-quality image that are transmission images created from the captured and edited image.

  The server 3 acquires a transmission image selected by the user, and transmits an e-mail including access information for accessing the transmission image to the portable terminal 2. The server 3 also acquires and stores transmission images that are not selected by the user.

  Note that the server 3 and each photography printing apparatus 1 are communicatively connected by a communication line 400. Examples of the communication line 400 include a combination of a PHS telephone network and a dedicated line connection, but are not particularly limited. Similarly, the server 3 and each portable terminal 2 are connected for communication by a communication line 401. Examples of the communication line 401 include a combination of a wireless telephone network and the Internet, but are not particularly limited.

  With the above configuration, in the photographed / edited image communication system 100, the user first transmits to the server 3 among the high-quality image and the low-quality image created from the photographed / edited image photographed / edited by the photograph photographing / printing apparatus 1. Images can be selected by the user himself. Thereby, the user can acquire a desired transmission image almost certainly. In addition, before transmitting an image, it is determined whether or not the image can be transmitted. When it is determined that the image cannot be transmitted, the transmission process of the next user's transmitted image is stopped by stopping the transmission of the user's image. The next user can almost certainly acquire a desired image. Therefore, unfairness among users can be reduced.

(Usage of shooting / editing image communication system)
A usage form of the photographed / edited image communication system 100 will be schematically described. The user plays a game using the photo printing apparatus 1 installed in an amusement facility or the like. In this game, the user takes a photograph and performs a process of writing the edited image on the photographed image, such as a so-called graffiti, as an editing process for the photographed image on the photograph-taking and printing apparatus 1. As part of this editing process, the user writes a desired picture or character with a dedicated pen, or selects a stamp and synthesizes the stamp pattern with the photographed image.

  Then, the photographed print device 1 prints and outputs a composite image obtained by combining the edited image with the photographed image, so that the user can obtain the printed matter as a game result. In the photographed / edited image communication system 100, the user selects a desired image from among the high-quality image and the low-quality image of the photographed and edited image, and accesses the server 3 from the portable terminal 2 to thereby take a photograph print A transmission image having a desired image quality is acquired from a series of photographed and edited images photographed by the apparatus 1.

  As described above, the user's game in the photo printing apparatus 1 is completed.

(Appearance of photo printing device)
Next, the external configuration of the photographic printing apparatus 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). The photography printing apparatus 1 includes a photographing unit 120 that photographs a user's photograph, an editing unit 130 that allows the user to edit graffiti on the photograph (photographed image), and a photograph that the user has edited. And a printing unit 140 that outputs (edited image) to print paper. 3A shows an appearance from the photographing unit 120 side in the photographic printing apparatus 1, and FIG. 3B shows an appearance from the editing unit 130 and the printing unit 140 side.

  FIG. 4 is a front view of the editing unit 130a. The configuration of the editing unit 130b is the same as that of the editing unit 130a, and is not shown here. The editing unit 130b is provided on the back surface of the editing unit 130a. Hereinafter, the editing unit 130 will be collectively described.

  The editing unit 130 is for executing editing processing such as graffiti on a photographed image after the user finishes the photographing processing by the photographing unit 120. The editing unit 130 includes a tablet storage monitor 131, a touch pen 132, and an audio output unit. 133 or the like. Each unit of the editing unit 130 is controlled by the control unit 10. Details of the above-described units will be described later.

  FIG. 5 is a front view of the printing unit 140. In the present embodiment, the printing unit 140 is provided on the side surfaces of the editing unit 130 a and the editing unit 130 b, and thus FIG. 5 shows the side surface of the editing unit 130. The printing unit 140 prints an edited image after the user finishes the editing process by the editing unit 130 on sticker paper, and discharges the printed sticker paper. In the present embodiment, print discharge ports 148a and 148b are provided on the side of the editing unit 130, and the sticker sheet of the edited image edited by the editing unit 130a is discharged from the print discharge port 148a and edited. The sticker sheet of the edited image edited by the unit 130b is discharged from the print discharge port 148b.

  In the photographic printing apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration, the user first enters the photographic space provided with the photographic unit 120 and executes photographing processing, and then the editing unit 130 (the editing unit 130a or the editing unit 130b). The editing process is executed by moving to the editing space provided, and the series of processing of the game is enjoyed in such a flow that the printing unit 140 receives the sticker paper on which the photographed image or the edited image is printed in the printing space.

  As described above, the photographing and printing apparatus 1 includes the photographing unit 120 and the editing unit 130 in different spaces. Therefore, even when a set of users is performing editing processing in the editing unit 130, other users can start shooting processing. Thereby, it is possible to improve a rotation rate.

  In addition, the editing process in the editing unit 130 is basically provided with a time limit. On the other hand, the editing process time may be unlimited until another user enters the shooting process, and the time limit may be set for the editing process from the time when another user starts the shooting process.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the photography printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a structure including two editing units 130, and the first editing unit 130a is the first editing unit 130a. 2 on the back of the editing unit 130b. In this manner, by providing more editing units 130 than the photographing unit 120, it is possible to perform editing processing that is a bottleneck in parallel and improve the rotation rate. However, the photography printing apparatus 1 of the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration. The installation position of the editing unit 130 is not particularly limited, and the number of installations may be one editing unit 130. If the installation location can be secured, three or more editing units 130 may be provided. Good.

(Configuration of Photographic Printing Device-Overview)
Next, the operation of each unit of the control unit 10 in the photographic printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a photographic printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the photographic printing apparatus 1 of the present invention includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 50, a communication unit 60, a timer unit 80, a photographing unit 120, an editing unit 130, and a printing unit 140. ing.

  The control unit 10 comprehensively controls the operations of the above-described units included in the photographic printing apparatus 1. The control unit 10 is configured by, for example, a PC (personal computer) based computer. And operation control of various composition is performed by making a computer run a control program. This program may be in the form of reading and using what is recorded on a removable medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be in the form of reading and using what is installed on a hard disk or the like. Further, when the control unit 10 is configured to be connected to a communication network such as the Internet, a mode in which the program is downloaded via the communication network, installed on a hard disk, and the like can be considered.

  The photographic printing apparatus 1 includes a storage unit 50 configured by a nonvolatile storage device such as the hard disk described above. Examples of the contents stored in the storage unit 50 include the control program, an OS (Operating System) program, various other programs, operation setting values in the camera unit 23, image data of captured images and edited images, and the like. Examples of the operation setting values in the camera unit 23 include white balance values set at the time of shipment of the photographic printing apparatus 1 and maintenance, various parameter values related to image processing when adjusting the contrast of the captured image, and the like. It is done.

  The imaging unit 120 executes imaging processing, and includes a coin processing unit 21, an illumination unit 22, a camera unit 23, a captured image display unit 24, a camera image display unit 25, and an operation unit 26. Although not shown here, the photographing unit 120 may include a voice output unit for performing voice guidance so as to prompt a user to perform an operation.

  The coin processing unit 21 performs coin insertion / return processing when collecting charges from the user. When it is determined that a predetermined coin has been inserted, the control unit 10 is notified. And the control part 10 will perform an accounting process, if the notification from the coin process part 21 is received. That is, the control unit 10 counts notifications from the coin processing unit 21 and controls various operations for the user according to the amount of money that the user has inserted.

  The illumination unit 22 functions as a photographic flashlight such as a strobe lamp at the time of photographing and also functions as a normal illumination. In the present embodiment, a flash lamp is used as the light source, but a light source that emits continuous light, such as a fluorescent lamp, can also be used. Further, a fluorescent lamp or the like can be provided as an auxiliary light source in the vicinity of the flash lamp. By using a continuous light source or an auxiliary light source, it is possible to infer a shot at the time of shooting from a live view image before shooting.

  The camera unit 23 mainly takes a photograph of a user as a subject, and is configured by a digital camera including, for example, a lens group, a diaphragm, a CCD (charge coupled device) image sensor, and the like. The camera unit 23 is configured to be able to switch, for example, a lens group to be used and an aperture so as to be able to cope with both whole body photography and close-up photography.

  The captured image display unit 24 provides a user interface to the user, and displays various images, various operation buttons, and the like. The operation unit 26 is an input device for inputting an instruction signal for the user to perform a game operation on the photo printing apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 26 is realized as a touch panel integrated with the captured image display unit 24. That is, a GUI screen such as operation buttons is displayed on the captured image display unit 24. When the display screen of the captured image display unit 24 is pressed by a user's finger (or a pointing device such as a touch pen), an instruction signal indicating a button or an image corresponding to the position is input.

  The photographed image display unit 24 is configured by providing a touch panel on the surface of a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display element or a CRT, for example. By displaying the captured image captured by the camera unit 23 on the captured image display unit 24, the user can check the captured image. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 26 is configured as a touch panel provided integrally with the captured image display unit 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation unit 26 includes, for example, a numeric keypad or a cross key. You may comprise as input devices, such as a provided remote control and a keyboard.

  The camera image display unit 25 displays a real-time video captured by the camera unit 23, that is, a live view image before shooting. By displaying the live view image on the camera image display unit 25, the user can confirm the image in advance and start shooting.

  The editing unit 130 executes editing processing and includes a tablet storage monitor 131 and a touch pen 132. The editing unit 130 may further include an audio output unit 133 and a coin processing unit 134.

  The tablet storage monitor 131 provides a user interface to the user, and includes an editing / transmission image display unit 34 and an operation reception unit 35. The editing / transmission image display unit 34 edits an image to be edited in the editing process (editing target image), a result of editing the captured image (composite image), and a high-quality image created from the editing target image and the composite image. (Transmission image) and low-quality image (transmission image) are displayed.

  The editing / transmission image display unit 34 obtains information related to the display unit of the mobile terminal 2 from the mobile terminal 2 by a known method, and displays the high-quality image and the low image quality so that the information is displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal 2. An image may be displayed. In other words, the editing / transmission image display unit 34 acquires information about the display unit of the mobile terminal 2 (for example, the screen size and resolution of the display unit), and based on the acquired information, the screen size of the display unit of the mobile terminal 2 The high-quality image and the low-quality image may be displayed with the same size as the above, or the high-quality image and the low-quality image may be displayed with the same resolution as the number of pixels of the display unit of the mobile terminal 2.

  The operation reception unit 35 receives a user instruction signal input by using a pointing device such as a touch pen and transmits the received instruction signal to the control unit 10.

  The touch pen 132 is for a user to perform fine operation input on the tablet storage monitor 131 in image editing processing or the like, and is disposed near the tablet storage monitor 131. The user can select a button displayed according to the progress of the process or draw an image such as a graffiti by bringing the touch pen 132 into contact with or approaching the tablet storage monitor 131.

  For example, when the screen of the tablet storage monitor 131 is pressed with the touch pen 132, an instruction signal indicating a button or an image corresponding to the position is input to the inside of the photography printing apparatus 1. Thereby, the user can perform graffiti on the photographed image, press a stamp, or select a print target image to be printed.

  In the present embodiment, two touch pens 132 are provided to facilitate image editing by a plurality of users. However, only one is provided to simplify the configuration. You can also deploy 3 or more for 3 or more users.

  The audio output unit 133 outputs guidance voices and sound effects for various operations, and is provided at an appropriate position of the photographic printing apparatus 1. For example, a speaker is used as the audio output unit 133.

  The coin processing unit 134 performs coin insertion / return processing when collecting charges from the user when performing additional printing or the like. When it is determined that a predetermined coin has been inserted, the control unit 10 is notified. And the control part 10 will perform an accounting process, if the notification from the coin process part 134 is received. That is, the control unit 10 counts notifications from the coin processing unit 134 and controls various operations for the user according to the amount of money that the user has inserted.

  The printing unit 140 executes a printing process by printing a photographed image and / or an edited image selected as a printing target, and includes a printer unit 42. A seal paper 44 as an output medium for photographic prints is connected to the printing unit 140 in a zigzag manner and delivered as a seal paper unit 43.

  When image data to be output is sent from the control unit 10, the printer unit 42 prints on the sticker paper 44 based on the image data. As the printer unit 42, for example, a sublimation printer is used. When a sublimation printer is used, a sublimation ink film is supplied as a set in addition to the sticker paper 44.

  The printing unit 4 is provided with an ID tag reader / writer unit (not shown), an ID tag is provided on the sticker unit 43, and the ID tag reader / writer unit writes various ID tag information on the ID tag and / or Or you may comprise so that it may read. In this case, the ID tag can be configured by an IC chip having a memory function. Examples of the ID tag information stored in the ID tag include a unique ID, the number of sheets, a sheet type, and ink-specific color information (when an ink film is set).

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the seal sheet which consists of an adhesive sheet and the peeling sheet affixed on the adhesive surface of this adhesive sheet is assumed as the sticker paper 44, it is not limited to this. The photographic printing apparatus 1 of the present invention can be configured to use a paper sheet that is a normal paper medium instead of the sticker paper 44.

  The timer unit 80 is for measuring an elapsed time from a certain time point. Using the elapsed time measured by the timer unit 80, for example, time limit control in each process of the photographic printing apparatus 1 can be performed. A known technique can be employed as a method for the timer unit 80 to measure time.

  In addition, the timer unit 80 is used to calculate the remaining time of the editing process, the scheduled transmission start time, and the like in the transmission availability determination executed by the transmission availability determination unit 18 described later.

  The communication unit 60 is for performing data communication with an external device such as the server 3. Specifically, the communication unit 60 converts various data received from the communication control unit 15 into a signal format suitable for a wired or wireless communication network connected to the server 3 and transmits the data.

  Moreover, the photography printing apparatus 1 of this invention may be provided with the curtain part (not shown). The curtain unit provides a curtain as a background of the photographed image. Curtains with various colors and patterns are prepared, and can be freely selected by the user at the time of shooting, or can be automatically selected by the photo-taking and printing apparatus 1. The plurality of curtains are arranged so as to overlap the back of the shooting space (facing the shooting unit 120), and at the time of shooting, the selected curtain is installed in the foreground so that it is reflected behind the subject. The installation of the selected curtain may be executed by a background control unit (not shown) of the control unit 10 controlling the curtain unit 27, or may be configured by the user manually.

(Configuration of photo printing device-details)
Next, the control unit 10 and the storage unit 50 of the photographic printing apparatus 1 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 10 further includes an accounting control unit 11, a shooting control unit (shooting unit) 12, an editing control unit (editing control unit) 13, a print control unit 14, a communication control unit (image transmission unit). ) 15, an image creation unit 16, an essential image selection receiving unit (image selection unit) 17, and a transmission availability determination unit (transmission availability determination unit) 18.

  The storage unit 50 includes a high-quality image storage unit 51 that stores a high-quality image created by the image creation unit 16 and a low-quality image storage unit 52 that stores a low-quality image created by the image creation unit 16. Note that a photographed / edited image storage unit (not shown) that stores a photographed image photographed by the photographing unit 120 and an edited image edited by the editing control unit 13 may be included. An editing image recording unit (not shown) for recording an editing image such as a background image, a frame image, or a stamp image provided in image editing may be included.

  The charging control unit 11 controls charging processing for the user.

  The photographing control unit 12 performs photographing processing by the camera unit 23 in accordance with an operation received through the operation unit 26. Further, the shooting control unit 12 controls the time limit for the shooting process based on the time measured by the timer unit 80.

  The editing control unit 13 receives the instruction signal transmitted from the operation receiving unit 35, performs various editing processes on the captured image captured by the capturing unit 120, and generates an edited image. The edit control unit 13 updates the edited image stored in the storage unit 50 and keeps it up-to-date every time the edit process is executed.

  Further, the editing control unit 13 transmits the essential transmission of the user before the editing process is performed before the user who is currently performing the editing process before a specified time (for example, 45 seconds before) the end time of the editing process time. The transmission status of the image (described later) is confirmed. If the transmission is not completed, the processing time of the editing process currently being performed is extended. Details of this extension processing will be described later.

  The print control unit 14 controls the printing unit 140 to execute a printing process of a captured image and / or an edited image selected as a printing target.

  The communication control unit 15 reads out the high-quality image stored in the high-quality image storage unit 51 and the low-quality image stored in the low-quality image storage unit 52 created by the image creation unit 16 and selects the required image. The transmission image (required transmission image) received by the reception unit 17 is transmitted to the server 3 through the communication unit 60 together with each image ID.

  Here, the image ID is an identifier for identifying an image, and in the present embodiment, the image ID is configured by a unique number of the photography / printing apparatus 1, a photographing date of the image, and an image number.

  Further, when the transmission permission determination unit 18 (described later) determines that transmission of a transmission image is impossible, the communication control unit 15 stops transmission of the transmission image of the user after the transmission image.

  The image creating unit 16 uses the captured image captured by the capturing unit 120, the high-quality image of the edited image edited by the editing control unit 13, and the low-quality image having a smaller number of pixels than the high-quality image as a transmission image. To create. Then, the created high-quality image is stored in the high-quality image storage unit 51 and the low-quality image is stored in the low-quality image storage unit 52.

  The essential image selection accepting unit 17 accepts selection of an image (mandatory transmission image) to be transmitted first to the server 3 among the high-quality image and the low-quality image created by the image creation unit 16. Then, information indicating the accepted essential transmission image is transmitted to the communication control unit 15.

  The transmission permission determination unit 18 determines whether transmission of the transmission image to be transmitted is possible (transmission permission determination) before the communication control unit 15 transmits the transmission image to the server, and determines that transmission is not possible. When this happens, transmission of transmission images after the transmission image is stopped.

  A method of determining whether transmission is possible will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a time chart illustrating the timing at which the transmission availability determination unit 18 performs transmission availability determination.

  Here, it is assumed that the three groups A, B, and C use the photo printing apparatus 1 in order. First, the group A performs photographing processing and editing processing, selects an essential transmission image, and enters processing for transmitting an image. When transmitting the images 101 to 106 that are transmission images of the group A, can the transmission permission determination unit 18 transmit each image at the transmission start time (t1 to t6) of each image 101 to 106? Determine whether or not.

  For example, in the case of the image 101, it is determined whether or not transmission is possible at the time t1, the scheduled transmission completion time of the image 101, and the scheduled transmission start time (t7) of the next group B essential transmission image (image 107). ), And if the scheduled transmission completion time of the image 101 is earlier than the scheduled transmission start time of the image 107, it is determined that transmission is possible. Note that the transmission start time of the image 107 may be used instead of the scheduled transmission start time of the image 107.

  The scheduled transmission start time of the image 107 is the remaining editing processing time and a predetermined time required until the start of image transmission after the editing is completed if the group B is in the editing process at the time t1. This is calculated by calculating the sum of the transmission image selection processing time. Furthermore, if the group B is in the shooting process at the time t1, the remaining shooting process time, the predetermined editing process time, and the predetermined time required from the end of editing to the start of image transmission Is calculated by calculating the sum of.

  Thereafter, the transmission permission / inhibition determination is performed for each image at the time of starting image transmission, such as the transmission permission determination for the image 102 is performed at time t2 and the transmission permission / non-permission determination is performed for the image 103 at time t3. Note that the transmission permission / inhibition determination may be performed not at the image transmission start time but at a predetermined time before the image transmission start time.

  Next, the case where it is determined that transmission is not possible as a result of the transmission permission / inhibition determination will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a time chart showing a case where the transmission availability determination unit 18 determines that transmission is impossible as a result of the transmission availability determination.

  When transmitting the images 121 to 126 which are the transmission images of the group A, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the transmission completion of the image 124 is delayed, and the transmission completion time of the image 125 at the transmission start time (t 11) of the image 125. When the scheduled transmission start time (t12) of the group 127 image 127 is earlier than (t13), the transmission possibility determination unit 18 stops the image transmission of the group A transmission images after the image 125. In the case of the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the image transmission of the image 125 and the image 126 is stopped.

  Next, the editing process time extension process of the editing control unit 13 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a time chart showing a case where the editing control unit 13 extends the editing processing time.

  In the example of FIG. 8, the image 141 and the image 142 are group A mandatory transmission images. If the transmission of the image 142, which is the essential transmission image of the group A, is not completed at the specified time (t21) before the end point (t22) of the editing process 151 of the group B, the editing control unit 13 displays the image 142. The editing processing time of the editing process 151 is extended until the scheduled transmission completion time (t23). Then, after the extended editing process 151 ends, the communication control unit 15 starts transmitting the images 143, 144,.

  If the transmission of the essential transmission image of group A is not completed even if the editing process is extended, the transmission of the essential transmission image of group A is stopped and the transmission process of group B is started.

  Further, the calculation of the editing processing time that is extended by the editing control unit 13 is not limited to the above-described method, and may be a time that extends in advance, or may be calculated by the following equation. . In other words, (data amount of essential transmission image / data amount of transmission completed × elapsed time from transmission start time−editing processing time = extension time) may be used. For example, when the amount of data of an essential transmission image being transmitted is 200 KB, transmission of data of 100 KB is completed at the present time, 10 seconds have elapsed from the start of transmission, and the editing processing time is 180 seconds. The extension time may be 100 × 10−180 = 20 (seconds).

(Server configuration)
Next, the configuration of the main part of the server 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the server 3. As shown in FIG. 9, the server 3 is configured to include communication units 301 a and 301 b, control units 302 a and 302 b, and an image storage unit 303.

  The image storage unit 303 includes a high-quality image storage unit 331 and a low-quality image storage unit 332. The high-quality image storage unit 331 stores the high-quality image and the image ID acquired from the photography printing apparatus 1 via the communication unit 301. Further, the low quality image storage unit 332 stores the low quality image and the image ID acquired from the photographic printing apparatus 1 via the communication unit 301.

  The communication unit 301a communicates with the photographic printing apparatus 1, and the communication unit 301b communicates with the mobile terminal 2.

  The control unit 302 a further includes an image acquisition unit 321, an e-mail address acquisition unit 323, a saved URL (uniform resource locator) creation unit 324, and a URL transmission unit 325. The control unit 302b includes an access reception unit 326 and an image transmission unit 328.

  The image acquisition unit 321 acquires a high-quality image and a low-quality image from the photography printing apparatus 1 via the communication unit 301a, stores the high-quality image in the high-quality image storage unit 331, and stores the low-quality image in the low-quality image. The data is stored in the storage unit 332.

  The e-mail address acquisition unit 323 acquires an e-mail address associated with the image ID from the photography printing apparatus 1 via the communication unit 301a. Then, the acquired electronic mail address and image ID are transmitted to the URL transmission unit 325.

  An example of the correspondence table between the e-mail address and the image ID is shown in FIG. FIG. 10 shows a correspondence table between e-mail addresses and image IDs. In the uppermost example shown in FIG. 10, the image ID of the photographic printing apparatus 1 is “xxxx”, the shooting date is “090925”, the image number is “001”, and the e-mail address “aaaaaa @ xxx”. .Jp ". The same applies hereinafter.

  The save URL creation unit 324 creates a save URL for accessing the transmission image indicated by the image ID from the image ID acquired by the image acquisition unit 321. In the present embodiment, the image ID and information indicating the location where the transmission image is stored are combined to form a save URL. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, a combination of the image ID “xxxx09909001” and information indicating the location where the transmission image indicated by the image ID is stored is the save URL.

  The URL transmission unit 325 sends the saved URL created by the saved URL creation unit 324 to the email address associated with the image ID included in the saved URL acquired from the email address acquisition unit 323 by email. Send.

  Note that the URL transmission unit 325 may transmit the stored URL to an e-mail address of a device capable of browsing the web instead of the mobile terminal 2. Accordingly, when the user selects a high-quality image as a transmission image and browses the WEB on which the high-quality image is displayed by a device capable of browsing the WEB, the image with good image quality with less image blur and roughness. Can be viewed.

  The access accepting unit 326 accepts access to the URL from the portable terminal 2 via the communication unit 301b. Then, the access reception unit 326 transmits information indicated by the URL that the mobile terminal 2 is trying to access to the image transmission unit 328.

  The image transmission unit 328 acquires the transmission image indicated by the URL acquired from the access reception unit 326 from the image storage unit 303 and transmits the transmission image to the mobile terminal 2 that has accessed through the communication unit 301b.

(Processing Flow in Photographed / Edited Image Communication System 100)
Next, a processing flow in the photographed / edited image communication system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the photographed / edited image communication system 100, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of image transmission processing. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the editing / transmission image display unit 34 of the photography printing apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 11, first, the photography printing apparatus 1 performs a photographing process in which the photographing unit 120 takes a picture of the user (S1), and the photographed image created by the photographing process is edited by the editing control unit 13. Processing is performed (S2).

  Then, the image creating unit 16 creates a high-quality image and a low-quality image from the captured edited image and stores them in the storage unit 50 (S3).

  After that, the photo print device 1 selects whether to play a game for sending a shot edit image to the portable terminal 2 on the edit / send image display unit 34 or to play a game for posting or voting an edit image. The “transmission game process selection screen” is displayed, and the selection of the game is accepted (S4). A screen example of the “portable transmission game process selection screen” is shown in FIG. In FIG. 13A, when an area 901 (an area described as “mobile communication” in FIG. 13), which is an area for selecting the content of the game, is selected, a captured edited image is transmitted to the mobile terminal 2 of the user. Similarly, when an area 902 (an area described as “Pre-Fame” in FIG. 13), which is an area for selecting contents for the game, is selected, a photographed and edited image is preliminarily stored in the photograph printing apparatus 1. This is a game for posting to a predetermined WEB site or voting for other people's posted and edited images.

  FIG. 13B shows an example in which a high-quality image and a low-quality image are displayed side by side. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a switching button or the like is displayed to display only a high-quality image and a low-quality image. The display may be switched between displaying only images. As a result, the number of images displayed on the editing / transmission image display unit 34 is reduced, so that the display of individual images can be increased.

  When the area 901 is selected, a “high quality image / low quality image display screen” for selecting a transmission image is displayed on the editing / transmission image display unit 34 (S5). FIG. 13B shows a screen example of “high quality image / low quality image display screen”. As shown in FIG. 13B, the editing / transmission image display unit 34 displays selection screens 905a and 905b, which are screens having the same contents, divided into left and right. This is because when there are two users, each can select an image independently. Since the left selection screen 905a and the right selection screen 905b have the same contents, the following description will be made using the left selection screen 905a.

  On the selection screen 905a, high-quality images 910a to 915a and low-quality images 920a to 925a are displayed. When a transmission image is selected from the displayed high-quality image and low-quality image and the determination button 930a is pressed (image selection step), the essential image selection receiving unit 17 includes information indicating the selected transmission image. Is transmitted to the communication control unit 15. Then, the communication control unit 15 transmits the selected transmission image and the image ID of the transmission image to the server 3 (S6). The detailed processing flow of step S6 will be described later.

  Then, the image acquisition unit 321 of the server 3 acquires the transmission image and the image ID, and stores them in the image storage unit 303 (S21).

  Thereafter, an “address input screen” for receiving the e-mail address of the portable terminal 2 is displayed on the editing / transmission image display unit 34, and the input of the e-mail address is accepted (S7). A screen example of the “address input screen” is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13C, on the “address input screen”, an address input area 931a and a character key 932a for inputting an address are displayed. Then, when the user inputs an e-mail address using the character key 932a and presses the enter button 935a, the communication control unit 15 transmits the e-mail address to the server 3 together with the image ID.

  Then, when the e-mail address acquisition unit 323 of the photographic printing apparatus 1 acquires the e-mail address, the e-mail address and the selected transmission image are stored in association with each other (S22). Then, the save URL creation unit 324 creates a save URL for accessing the selected transmission image, and the URL transmission unit 325 sends the save URL to the email address acquired by the email address acquisition unit 323. (S23).

  Thereafter, when the portable terminal 2 receives the saved URL (S41) and accesses the saved URL (S42), the server 3 accepts the access by the access accepting unit 326 (S24), and the image transmitting unit 328 receives the saved URL. The transmission image memorize | stored in the place shown is transmitted to the portable terminal 2 (S25).

  And the portable terminal 2 acquires and displays a transmission image (S43).

  Thus, the processing in the photographed / edited image communication system 100 ends.

  Next, the flow of image transmission processing will be described. First, the transmission permission / inhibition determination unit 18 determines whether or not transmission of the essential transmission image selected in step S5 that the communication control unit 15 intends to transmit is possible (S101, transmission permission / inhibition determination step), and transmission permission / inhibition determination. When the unit 18 determines that it is possible (YES in S101), the communication control unit 15 starts transmitting the essential transmission image (S102, image transmission step).

  Then, when the remaining time of the editing process of the next user reaches a predetermined time (for example, 45 seconds) (YES in S103), the editing control unit 13 transmits all the essential transmission images to the predetermined time. It is determined whether or not the process is completed within the time (S104).

  Here, “45 seconds” is given as the remaining time for editing. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The remaining time for editing processing is a time when 2/3 of the editing processing time has elapsed (that is, the remaining time). It may be a time that is 1/3 of the editing processing time. Further, it may be the time when the next user starts the photographing process and the remaining time of the editing process time of the user is started.

  If it is determined that the transmission is not completed (NO in S104), the editing control unit 13 extends the editing processing time of the next user (S109). Thereafter, the editing control unit 13 determines whether or not the total extension time of the user's editing processing time is within a specified time (S110), and if it is within the specified time (YES in S110), the process returns to step S103, If the specified time is exceeded (NO in S110), the image transmission process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the transmission of all the essential transmission images is completed (YES in S108) before the remaining time of the editing process of the next user reaches the specified time (NO in S103), the transmission availability determination unit 18 further It is determined whether transmission of an arbitrary transmission image that is a transmission image other than the essential transmission image is possible (S105, transmission permission determination step). If transmission is possible (YES in S105), the communication control unit 15 transmits the transmission image. Thereafter, if there is an untransmitted transmission image (YES in S107), the process returns to step S105. On the other hand, if there is no untransmitted transmission image (NO in S107), the image transmission process is terminated.

  When the transmission permission / inhibition determination unit 18 determines that transmission of an arbitrary transmission image that is a transmission image other than the essential transmission image is impossible (NO in S105), the image transmission process ends. If the editing control unit 13 determines that transmission of all the essential transmission images is completed within the predetermined time (YES in S104), the process proceeds to step S105.

  This completes the image transmission process.

  For the transmission images subsequent to the transmission image determined to be uncompleted by the transmission permission determination unit 18, the photography printing apparatus 1 is available when the photography printing apparatus 1, the communication line 400, and the server 3 are free. To the server 3. As the vacant time, for example, after the store in which the photography printing apparatus 1 is installed is closed. Even when the power is turned off after the store is closed, the transmission image can be transmitted by providing an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

  Alternatively, it may be possible to detect an empty time and sequentially transmit untransmitted transmission images. The free time may be detected by detecting the degree of congestion of the photographic printing apparatus 1 or by detecting the reception free time of the server 3. The detection information indicating the free time may be managed by the photography / printing apparatus 1, or the reception information of the transmission image of the server 3 may be always received by the photography / printing apparatus 1. Further, each time the selection of transmitting a transmission image to the server 3 is received by the photography printing apparatus 1, an inquiry may be made to the server 3 and the reception status of the server 3 may be received.

(Other configurations)
Note that when a mandatory transmission image selected by a certain user group is a high-quality image and a mandatory transmission image selected by the next user group is a low-quality image, the transmission of the essential transmission image of a certain user group is the following. When the transmission of the required transmission image of the user group is not completed before the start of transmission of the required transmission image of the user group, by extending the editing process of the next user group, the transmission of the transmission image of the certain user group is not completed. The transmission of the essential transmission image may be started.

  That is, transmission of a low quality image may be given priority over transmission of a high quality image. As a result, even if the image quality is poor, it is possible to satisfy a user who wants to acquire an image quickly, and if the user is informed beforehand that it takes time to transmit a high-quality image, it will take time. It is also possible to satisfy a user who wants to acquire a high-quality image.

  In addition, when the usage status of the photography printing apparatus 1 is detected and there is no user group performing the editing process during the photographing process, and the photographing process is completed and the editing process is started, the photographing process is performed. When the shooting process is not performed, the photographed image is transmitted from the photography printing apparatus 1 to the server 3 after the photographing process is completed, and the image data indicating the editing content is transmitted from the photography printing apparatus 1 to the server 3 after the editing process is completed. It may be. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the amount of each data transmitted from the photographic printing apparatus 1 to the server 3.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration has been described in which the essential transmission image selected by the user is transmitted first, and the editing process of the next user is extended when the transmission of the essential transmission image is not completed. The essential transmission image may be determined not by the number of images but by the data amount. That is, for example, if two high-quality images and four low-quality images have the same data amount, two high-quality images may be used as essential transmission images, and four low-quality images are used as essential transmission images. Also good.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

(Configuration by software)
Finally, each block of the photographic printing apparatus 1, particularly the charging control unit 11 of the control unit 10, the shooting control unit 12, the editing control unit 13, the print control unit 14, the communication control unit 15, the image creation unit 16, and the essential image selection The receiving unit 17 and the transmission permission / inhibition determining unit 18 may be configured by hardware logic, or may be realized by software using a CPU (central processing unit) as follows.

  That is, the photographic printing apparatus 1 includes a CPU that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, a RAM (random access memory) that expands the program, the program, A storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing various data is provided. An object of the present invention is a recording medium on which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the photographic printing apparatus 1 which is software that realizes the above-described functions is recorded in a computer-readable manner. Can also be achieved by reading the program code recorded on the recording medium and executing it by the computer (or CPU or MPU (microprocessor unit)).

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, a CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory) / MO (magneto-optical) / Disk systems including optical disks such as MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (digital versatile disk) / CD-R (CD Recordable), card systems such as IC cards (including memory cards) / optical cards, or mask ROM / EPROM ( An erasable programmable read-only memory) / EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable read-only memory) / semiconductor memory system such as a flash ROM can be used.

  Further, the photographic printing apparatus 1 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN (local area network), ISDN (integrated services digital network), VAN (value-added network), CATV (community antenna television) communication. A network, a virtual private network, a telephone line network, a mobile communication network, a satellite communication network, etc. can be used. In addition, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, IEEE (institute of electrical and electronic engineers) 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL (asynchronous digital subscriber loop) line Wireless such as IrDA (infrared data association) and remote control such as remote control, Bluetooth (registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR (high data rate), mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, etc. But it is available. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  An image to be transmitted first to the server 3 can be selected, and the influence on the transmission start of the transmission image of the next user group can be reduced, so it is possible to serve a plurality of user groups in parallel. It is suitable for a photo sticker that cannot transmit transmission images in parallel.

1 Photographic printing device (image transmission device)
3 Server 12 Imaging control unit (imaging means)
13 Edit control section (edit control means)
15 Communication control unit (image transmission means)
17 Mandatory image selection acceptance unit (image selection means)
18 Transmission availability determination unit (transmission availability determination means)
100 Shooting / editing image communication system (image providing system)
303 Image storage unit (storage unit)
910a to 915a, 910b to 915b High-quality images (transmitted images, edited images)
920a to 925a, 920b to 925b Low quality image (transmitted image, edited image)

Claims (8)

Shooting processing for shooting a user group of one or a plurality of users to generate a shot image, editing processing for editing the shot image to generate an edited image, and transmitting the edited image to a predetermined device When the above three processes are executed for each of a plurality of user groups, the respective shooting processes are executed so that the plurality of user groups do not overlap with each other. And an image transmission apparatus that executes transmission processing in order from the user group for which editing processing has been completed,
Image selecting means for selecting one or more essential transmission images to be transmitted first and one or more arbitrary transmission images to be transmitted later from the plurality of editing images generated by the editing process;
An image transmission unit that transmits the required transmission image selected by the image selection unit and a transmission image that is an arbitrary transmission image to the predetermined device by transmitting the arbitrary transmission image after transmitting all the essential transmission images; ,
A transmission availability determination unit that determines whether or not transmission of the transmission image is completed by the scheduled start time of the transmission process of the next user group when the image transmission unit starts transmission of each transmission image; With
The image transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the image transmission unit stops transmission of transmission images of the user group after the transmission image when the transmission permission determination unit determines that transmission is impossible.   The transmission permission / inhibition determining means, when the editing process of the next user group is being performed at the time of determination, adds the remaining time of the editing process to the time to perform the determination, The image transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the image transmission device is set to a scheduled start time of the transmission process of the user group.   At any point during the editing process of the user group, within the remaining time of the editing process, it is determined whether or not the transmission of all required transmission images of the user group immediately before the user group is completed, and the transmission is completed 3. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an editing control unit that extends an editing processing time of the user group until a scheduled transmission completion time of all the essential transmission images.   The image transmission apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the arbitrary time point is a time point when the remaining time of the editing processing time reaches a predetermined time.   The image transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and a transmission image and an e-mail address acquired from the image transmission device, and the transmission image is stored in the storage unit and stored in the storage unit A server that transmits access information for accessing a transmission image to the acquired e-mail address.   An image transmission device control program for operating the image transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the program causes a computer to function as each of the means.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the image transmission device control program according to claim 6 is recorded. Shooting processing for shooting a user group of one or a plurality of users to generate a shot image, editing processing for editing the shot image to generate an edited image, and transmitting the edited image to a predetermined device When the above three processes are executed for each of a plurality of user groups, the respective shooting processes are executed so that the plurality of user groups do not overlap with each other. And a method of controlling the image transmission device that executes transmission processing in order from the user group for which editing processing has been completed,
An image selection step of selecting one or more essential transmission images to be transmitted first and one or more arbitrary transmission images to be transmitted later from the plurality of edited images generated by the editing process;
Whether the transmission of the transmission image that is the mandatory transmission image and the optional transmission image selected in the image selection step is completed by the scheduled start time of the transmission process of the next user group. A transmission permission determination step for determining whether or not
The transmission image is transmitted to the predetermined device by transmitting an arbitrary transmission image after transmitting all the essential transmission images, and when it is determined that transmission is not possible in the transmission permission determination step, And an image transmission step of canceling transmission of the transmission image of the user group after the transmission image.

Images