JP2012173918A - Image output device, image output system, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly entertaining image output device that incorporates a lottery into a thumbnail display depending on the number of selected images.SOLUTION: A controller 101 of an image output device 10 reads image data from a recording medium of a user, and displays thumbnail images of the read image data on a display 12. The user selects images for printing from the thumbnail images and specifies the number of prints, and a lottery is displayed in the thumbnail images depending on the number of selected prints. If the user selects the lottery, the controller 101 gives a win depending on a predetermined winning probability, and prints a ticket such as a prize exchange ticket or a coupon ticket along with other images. A printing fee may be discounted when a win is given. The controller 101 displays a lottery setup menu 620 on a maintenance screen in a management mode to allow items such as the number of selected images to provide a lottery 623, a kind of a lottery 626, and a lottery prize 627 to be set.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output device or the like for printing a digital photograph, and more particularly to an image output device or the like having entertainment properties in which a lottery is incorporated in a thumbnail list display.

In recent years, a relatively small-scale image output device (image print system) capable of printing image data of a digital camera recorded on a recording medium brought in by a user has been put into practical use.
Also, many shops provide customers with points according to the amount of shopping, discount coupons, giveaways, lotteries, and the like to improve customer satisfaction and increase repeat customers.

  In the image output device, a photo vending machine (Patent Document 1) that prints lottery, fortune-telling, discount coupons, advertisements, etc. on the back side of photographic printing paper, customer management functions such as points, and services such as discounts according to points Photo vending machines to be provided (Patent Document 2), photo vending machines to print extra images (Patent Document 3), and the like have been proposed.

JP 2002-245545 A JP 2005-208870 A JP 2005-229355 A

  However, the photo vending machine of Patent Document 1 prints a lottery ticket, a discount ticket, an advertisement, etc. in advance on the back side of the photographic paper or the release sheet of the photographic sticker. Cannot be easily set or changed.

Further, the photo vending machine of Patent Document 2 needs to perform customer management for managing points and the like for each customer, and there is a problem that the system becomes large-scale.
Further, the photo vending machine of Patent Document 3 can print a bonus image small, but the bonus image is limited to a part of a plurality of images photographed on the spot, and the degree of appeal as a bonus is low. There is a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image output apparatus or the like with high entertainment properties that incorporates a lot into a thumbnail display according to the number of selected sheets.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the first invention provides an image input means for inputting image data, a thumbnail display means for displaying a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the image data and allowing a user to select the thumbnail, and the selected thumbnail. An image output apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints the image data corresponding to an image; and a charging unit that charges a fee according to the number of prints of the image data, wherein the thumbnail display unit is further selected In accordance with the number of images, the image display device has a whale display means for selectively displaying a whale image as the thumbnail image, and the printing means, when the whale image displayed by the whale display means is selected, An image output device comprising a lotus print means for printing lotus image data including a lottery winning result.

  According to the first invention, a lottery is displayed as a thumbnail image according to the number of print images selected by the user, and when the user selects the lottery, the lottery is drawn and the lottery image data corresponding to the winning result is printed. It becomes possible to do.

The lottery display means displays when the image of the lottery displayed as the thumbnail image is selected so that the user can draw the lottery, and displays the winning result of the drawn lottery. Also good.
Thereby, the entertainment property to a user can further be improved.

In addition, it is desirable to further include a selection setting unit for setting the number of selections for displaying the image of the lottery, the winning probability of the lottery, and the lottery image data.
Further, the lottery image data is a discount coupon, and the lottery setting means inputs the product name to be discounted, the discount rate, and the expiration date of the discount coupon, whereby the lottery image data of the discount coupon is obtained. You may make it create. Thereby, the installer of the image output apparatus can set and create conditions for displaying a lottery, winning probability, and lottery image data.

  Further, the billing unit may discount a fee according to the number of printed sheets according to the winning result of the lottery.

A second invention is an image output system in which an image output device and a server are connected via a network, wherein the image output device includes image input means for inputting image data, and thumbnail images obtained by reducing the image data. Corresponding to the selected thumbnail image, a thumbnail display unit that allows the user to select, a whale display unit that allows a user to select and display a whale image as the thumbnail image in accordance with the number of users selected. Printing means for printing the image data; whale printing means for printing whale image data including a winning result of the whale when the image of the whale displayed by the whale display means is selected; Whale setting means for setting the selected number of images to be displayed and the winning probability of the whale and creating the whale image data And the server holds the image data used for the lottery image data, and creates the lottery image data by the lottery setting means and sends the image data to the image output device via the network. An image output system comprising a lottery image data transmission means for transmission.
According to the second invention, timely whale image data can be transmitted from the server to the image output device and provided to the user as whale image data.

  A third invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the image output device of the first invention.

  A fourth invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as the image output apparatus of the first invention is recorded.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image output device or the like with high entertainment properties that incorporates a lot into a thumbnail display according to the number of selected sheets.

The figure which shows the structural example of the image output system 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the external appearance example of the image output device 10 The figure which shows the hardware structural example of the image output apparatus 10 The figure which shows the hardware structural example of the server 20 A flowchart showing a flow of processing of the image output apparatus 10 The figure which shows the media insertion instruction | indication screen example (a) and thumbnail screen example (b) of the image output device 10 The figure which shows the example of a thumbnail screen of the image output device 10 Figure showing an example of whale image data The figure which shows the example of the maintenance screen of the image output device 10 The figure which shows the example of a lottery setting of the maintenance screen of the image output device 10

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image output system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The image output system 1 has a configuration in which one or a plurality of image output apparatuses 10 and a server 20 are connected via a network.

The image output device 10 is, for example, a self-service automatic photo vending machine that is installed in a store such as a mass retailer and prints image data recorded on a recording medium brought by a user.
For example, the server 20 is installed in a center such as a head office of a mass sales store, and is connected to the image output apparatus 10 via a network 30 such as the Internet.
The server 20 stores software updates of the image output device 10, whale image data, and the like, and transmits them to the image output device 10 via the network 30.

Next, the configuration of the image output apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of the image output apparatus 10, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image output apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a display 12 with a touch panel such as a liquid crystal display with a touch panel is disposed on the upper front surface of the image output apparatus 10. The display 12 with a touch panel displays operation guidance, operation status, thumbnail images of read image data, and the like, and designates print images, the number of sheets, image editing processing, and the like on the touch panel.

A media insertion unit 11 is provided below the display 12 with the touch panel. The media insertion unit 11 is an insertion port for various media (smart media, compact flash (registered trademark) card (CF card), CD-ROM, etc.), and a plurality of insertion ports are arranged in one place.
In addition, a main body (not shown) of each medium reading / writing device is installed in the housing of the image output device 10 in correspondence with the insertion port 11 of each recording medium. Each insertion slot may be provided with a shutter (not shown) so that the recording medium cannot be taken out until the fee collection is completed.

  In the lower part of the image output device 10, there are a charge insertion slot (coin insertion slot 15, bill insertion slot 17), a change return slot 16, a receipt outlet 14, a printed matter outlet door 13, a maintenance key 19, and a door opening / closing key 18. Etc. are arranged respectively.

The charge insertion port (15, 17), the change return port 16, and the receipt outlet 14 function as a charging unit.
The user pays a fee by inserting a coin into the coin insertion slot 15 or inserting a banknote into the banknote insertion slot 17. When there is change, it is discharged from the change return port 16.
In addition, after collecting the fee, a receipt printed with a receipt on which the collected amount, order details, and the like are printed is discharged from the receipt outlet 14. A receipt printing printer is provided in the housing of the image output apparatus 10 corresponding to the receipt outlet 14.

The printed matter outlet door 13 is an open / close door, and a printed matter outlet (not shown) is provided at a lower portion of the casing in which the printed matter outlet door 13 is opened. Printed printed matter is discharged from the printed matter outlet.
Normally, a plurality of printer bodies (not shown) are installed in the housing of the image output apparatus 10 so that a plurality of image prints can be simultaneously performed. Is collected at one printed matter outlet provided at the lower part of the printer so that the user can take it out together.

The maintenance key 19 is a key for switching between an operation mode when the user uses the image output apparatus 10 and a management mode in which the administrator performs maintenance, settings, and the like of the image output apparatus 10.
The door opening / closing key 18 is a door opening / closing key for the entire lower part of the image output device 10, and is used when maintenance is performed on various devices such as a printer, a billing unit, and a receipt output unit provided in the housing. .

  In addition, although not shown in the figure, the image output device 10 has a personal computer including a control unit for controlling each component of the image output device 10, a power supply box for voltage conversion, and a control unit in the event of a power failure. An uninterruptible power supply for preventing damage to the CPU, hard disk, etc. is provided.

Next, the hardware configuration of the image output apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
The image output apparatus 10 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, an input / output unit 103, a communication unit 104, various media reading units 105, a shutter 106, a display (with a touch panel) 107, a coin mech 108, a bill validator 109, and a receipt journal processing unit. 110, a printer 111, and the like are connected via a bus 112.

The control unit 101 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and drives and controls each device connected via the bus 112 in accordance with a program stored in the storage unit 102.
The storage unit 102 includes a program for driving and controlling each component, for example, an image output processing program capable of providing a whale, which will be described later, a maintenance program for the image processing apparatus 10, image data, various control data, and the like. Stored.
These program codes are read into the RAM as necessary by the control unit 101 and executed by the CPU.

  The input / output unit 103 is a CD-ROM drive device, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and is used during maintenance of the image output device 10 that updates or sets the programs and control data stored in the control unit 101 and the storage unit 102. It is done. During maintenance, the maintenance key 19 is used to switch to the management mode, and a CD-ROM for program update is inserted into the input / output unit 103 to rewrite data and input setting data.

  The communication unit 104 is connected to and communicates with the server 20 via the network 30 and executes communication control processing for the network 30. For example, Internet communication or the like is possible.

Various media readers 105 play a role of an image input function. The shutter 106 is provided at each recording medium insertion slot, and opens and closes the recording medium insertion slot so that the recording medium cannot be taken out from the time of reading until the accounting process is completed.
The display (with touch panel) 107 displays operation guidance, thumbnail display, display for designating the number of sheets, display for editing, and the like for the user. The user touches the touch panel to display an image. Selection, number of copies, and editing process can be specified.

The coin mech 108, the bill validator 109, and the receipt journal processing unit 110 serve as a charging function. The coin mech 108 is provided in the housing of the image output device 10 corresponding to the coin slot 15, and manages the input / output of coins.
The bill burr 109 is provided in the housing of the image output device 10 corresponding to the bill insertion slot 17 and manages bill input / output.
The receipt journal processing unit 110 is provided in the housing of the image output apparatus 10 corresponding to the receipt outlet 14 and performs receipt printing.

The printer 111 installed in the housing of the image output apparatus 10 includes, for example, a plurality of printers (for example, three printers) for printing an image having a printing size (L size) that has a high general need.
As a result, a plurality of L-size image prints designated by the user can be simultaneously executed by the three printers, the overall printing time can be shortened, and the waiting time of the user can be reduced.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the server 20.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the server 20 includes, for example, a CPU 201, a memory 202, a storage unit 203, a display unit 204, an input unit 205, an output unit 206, and a communication unit 207 connected via a system bus 208. .

A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201 performs arithmetic processing (four arithmetic operations, comparison operations, etc.) and operation control of hardware and software.
The memory 202 is a memory such as a RAM and a ROM. A RAM (Random Access Memory) stores a ROM (Read Only Memory), an OS (Operating System) read from the storage unit 203, an application program, and the like, and functions as a main memory and a work area of the CPU 201.

The storage unit 203 is a device that stores various data, for example, a hard disk device. The storage unit 203 stores a program executed by the CPU 201, data necessary for program execution, an OS, and the like.
The storage unit 203 stores, for example, print image data of a lotus provided by the image output apparatus 10 and transmits it to the image output apparatus 10 via the network 30 as necessary.

The display unit 204 is a display device, for example, a display device such as a CRT monitor or a liquid crystal panel. The display unit 204 includes a logic circuit (such as a video adapter) for realizing the video function of the computer.
The input unit 205 is an input device for various data, and is, for example, a keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse. The output unit 206 is an output device for various data, and is, for example, a printer. A drive device that performs data input / output with various media can also be used as the input unit 205 and the output unit 206.

The communication unit 207 is a communication control device that connects and communicates with the image output device 10 via the network 30. For example, Internet communication is possible. The server 20 is communicably connected to the image output apparatus 10 via the network 30 by the communication unit 207.
The system bus 208 is a path that mediates transmission / reception of control signals, data signals, and the like between the devices.

Next, an image output process with a whale function according to the present embodiment that is stored in the storage unit 103 of the image output apparatus 10 and executed by the CPU 101 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of image output processing according to the present embodiment.

First, the control unit 101 of the image output apparatus 10 causes the user to insert a medium from the medium insertion port 11 to acquire image data (step S301).
FIG. 6 is an example of a screen displayed on the display 12 (107) with a touch panel of the image output apparatus 10. FIG. 6A shows an example of a media insertion instruction screen.
First, a media insertion instruction screen 400 as shown in FIG. 6A is displayed on the display 12 with a touch panel of the image output apparatus 10, and the user inserts the media on which the image data is recorded into the media according to this display. Insert into mouth 11.
The control unit 101 drives a media reading unit 105 corresponding to the type of inserted media, reads image data recorded on the medium, and stores the image data in the storage unit 102.

Next, the control unit 101 displays the thumbnail image of the acquired image data on the display 12 with the touch panel (step S302).
FIG. 6B is an example of the thumbnail screen 410.
A thumbnail image of image data acquired from the media inserted by the user is displayed on the display 12 with the touch panel.

The thumbnail screen 410 displays thumbnail images of the acquired image data, “−” and “+” indications for specifying the number of copies, the number of prints, the number of orders and the total amount of the order, and “O” for editing the image data. The “Paint / Edit” button is displayed.
The number of thumbnails that can be displayed on one screen is about 10, and when the number of acquired image data is more than that, thumbnails are displayed in multiple pages, and a slide bar is also displayed to move the page forward and backward. The

Next, the control unit 101 causes the user to select an image to be printed, designates the number of prints, and counts the number of prints of the selected image (step S303).
The user designates the number of prints by touching the “+” or “−” button portion of each thumbnail image.
The control unit 101 counts the number of prints designated by the user.

Next, the control unit 101 determines whether the user has finished selecting an image and specifying the number of sheets (step S304).
Here, when the user touches the “confirm order contents” button, the control unit 101 determines that the selection is completed.

If the selection is not finished (No in step S304), the control unit 101 next determines whether or not the selected number is equal to or greater than a preset constant A (step S305).
The constant A is, for example, A = 20, and this value can be set from a maintenance screen described later in the management mode (switched by the maintenance key 19) of the image output apparatus 10. When A = 20, a lot is provided every time the user sets 20 images to be printed.

If the selected number is smaller than the constant A (No in step S305), the process returns to step S302.
On the other hand, when the selected number is equal to or greater than the constant A (Yes in step S305), the control unit 101 adds a lot to the thumbnail display (step S306). The whale image to be added to the thumbnail display may be stored in the storage unit 102 in advance.

FIG. 7 shows an example display screen 420 displayed by adding a lot to the thumbnail display.
As shown in FIG. 7, a lottery 425 is displayed in a thumbnail display of image data input from the user's recording medium.
In the thumbnail display of the lottery 425, “selecting can participate in lottery drawing”, “selecting only one”, and the like are displayed, but the display content is not limited to this.

The display position of the lottery 425 may be any position in the thumbnail display. As shown in FIG. 7, it may be always displayed at the upper right position, or the display position may be changed at random.
When the lottery 425 is displayed in addition to the thumbnail image 420, flag information indicating that it is displayed is stored in the storage unit 102. When a plurality of lotteries 425 are displayed, flag information of each lottery is stored.

Next, the control unit 101 clears the selection number counted so far to 0 (step S307), returns to step S303, and continues the image data selection process by the user.
The user further selects an image from the thumbnail image 420 displayed with the lottery 425 displayed, and designates the number of images. If the lottery 425 is selected at this time, flag information indicating that the lottery has been selected. Is stored in the storage unit 102.

When the user touches the “confirm order details” button and the control unit 101 determines that the selection is complete (Yes in step S304), the control unit 101 executes billing processing (step S308).
That is, the control unit 101 allows the user to confirm the order contents, displays the number of printed sheets and the charge, and causes the user to pay the charge. When the user pays a fee from the coin insertion slot 15 and / or the bill insertion slot 17, the control unit 101 controls the coin mech 108 and the bill validator 109, and when there is change, the change is changed to the change return slot 16. Further, the receipt journal processing unit 110 is controlled to print the receipt and output it to the receipt outlet 14.

When the user selects the lottery 425 in step S303, in the charging process, the whale print fee may be charged in the same manner as other images selected by the user, or the whale fee may be free. .
When charging a print fee for a lottery, first, flag information indicating whether the lottery 425 has been displayed is referred to in the storage unit 102, and if it is displayed, it indicates whether the lottery 425 has been selected. The flag information is referred to in the storage unit 102, and if it is selected, the fee for the selected lottery 425 may be added and charged.

  The setting of the print fee for a lottery can be set on a maintenance mode maintenance screen, which will be described later. When billing a lottery, the fact that the bill is charged is displayed on the display portion of the lottery 425 of the thumbnail screen display 420.

  Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the user has selected the lottery 425 (step S309). That is, first, flag information indicating whether or not the lottery 425 has been displayed is referred to in the storage unit 102. If the flag information is displayed, flag information indicating whether or not the lottery 425 has been selected is referred to in the storage unit 102. If selected (Yes in step S309), the control unit 101 prepares whale image data to be printed by the printer 111.

If the lottery 425 is a hit / miss lottery, the control unit 101 determines the hit / miss of the lottery based on a predetermined winning probability set in advance, and creates lottery image data to be printed by the printer 111. To do.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a lottery.
FIG. 8A shows an example 500 of lottery image data to be printed in the case of winning, and FIG. 8B shows an example 510 of coupon ticket to be printed in the case of winning.

In the case of FIG. 8A, the lottery image data 500 includes, for example, a lottery image 501, an image 503 indicating hit / miss, a description 505, and the like.
For the whale image 501, for example, the image data stored in the server 20 may be appropriately sent to the image output apparatus 10 and stored in the storage unit 102. In the management mode of the image output apparatus 10, the input / output unit 103 may read bitmap data or JPEG data stored in a CD-ROM or the like.
The storage unit 102 may store the lottery image data in the case of being out of the winning case in advance, and read it out for printing of the printer 111.

In the case of FIG. 8B, the lottery image data 510 printed in the case of winning is a discount coupon, for example, a lottery image 511, an image 513 indicating that it is a discount coupon, a product name and a discount rate The description 515 indicating the usage period, the expiration date 517, and the like.
The whale image 511 may be appropriately sent from the server 20 to the image output device 10 and stored in the storage unit 102 as in the case of the hit lottery in FIG. Bit map data or JPEG data stored in the CD-ROM or the like by the unit 103 may be read.
Further, the description 515 of the product name and the expiration date 517 can be set from a maintenance screen described later in the management mode of the image output apparatus 10.

Further, for example, when a free appreciation ticket such as a movie or a discount appreciation ticket is used as the winning prize, the image related to the movie or the like may be generated as the whale images 501 and 511.
In addition, by adopting a popular person's bromide or a timely image as the lottery images 501, 511, it is possible to enhance entertainment for the user.
Alternatively, whale image data including these whale images 501 and 511 may be created by the server 20, transmitted to the image output apparatus 10, and stored in the storage unit 102.

When the lottery image data is prepared in step S310, the control unit 101 causes the printer 111 to print the other selected image and the lottery image data (step S311).
If it is determined in step S309 that the user has not selected a lot (No in step S309), the control unit 101 causes the printer 111 to print the image selected by the user in step S311.
The printed matter including the printed matter of the whale image data printed by the printer 111 is discharged to the printed matter outlet when printing is completed, and the user opens the printed matter outlet door 13 to take out the printed matter. Can do.

  The control unit 101 operates the receipt journal processing unit 110, prints a receipt, and outputs the receipt from the receipt outlet 14 (step S312).

When the receipt output is completed, the processing of the image output apparatus 10 is completed for one order of the user.
Here, it is determined whether or not the operation of the image output apparatus 10 is to be ended (step S313). If the operation is continued (No in step S313), the process returns to step S301 and waits for the next user order. . On the other hand, when the operation of the image output apparatus 10 is to be ended (Yes in step 313), the processing of the image output apparatus 10 is ended.

Next, setting of a lottery when a lottery is provided by the image output apparatus 10 will be described.
A lottery is set as part of the maintenance process of the image output apparatus 10. In other words, an employee of a store where the image output apparatus 10 is installed or a person in charge of maintenance of the image output apparatus 10 sets a lot.

  When setting a lottery, the key is inserted into the maintenance key 19 of the image output apparatus 10 and turned. Thereby, the control unit 101 switches the operation mode of the image output apparatus 10 to the management mode, and displays a maintenance screen on the display 12 with the touch panel.

FIG. 9 is an example of a maintenance screen.
FIG. 9A shows an example screen 600 of the maintenance main menu.
The maintenance screen (1) 600 is provided with menus such as price setting, environment setting, hardware maintenance / log reference, stomach information, password setting, system update, etc., and buttons 602 to select each maintenance. 607 is provided. In addition, a button 601 for ending maintenance is also displayed.
By touching any of the buttons 602 to 607, each maintenance process is executed.

The price setting 602 sets the price of the print fee. The environment setting 603 sets the operating environment of the image processing apparatus 10 including a lottery setting. The hardware maintenance / log reference 604 performs processing such as checking various hardware, referring to and storing customer logs, failure logs, and the like. The statistical information 605 calculates and outputs statistical information such as log information. The password setting 606 performs a password setting process for the maintenance person. A system update 607 updates the software of the image output apparatus 10.
When finishing the maintenance process, the maintenance person may touch the maintenance end button 601.

When setting the lottery, the maintenance person may touch the environment setting button 603.
When this button 603 is selected, the control unit 101 displays an environment setting menu 610 as shown in FIG. 9B on the display 12 with the touch panel (maintenance screen 2).
The environment setting menu includes, for example, a system setting, a menu setting, a print setting, a lottery setting, and the like, and buttons 612 to 615 for selecting each are provided. Further, the user can return to the maintenance main menu screen 600 by touching the “return” button 611.

When setting a lottery, a lottery setting button 615 may be touched.
When this button 615 is selected, the control unit 101 causes the display 12 with the touch panel to display maintenance screens (3, 4) 620, 640 for setting a whale as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b). Is displayed.

FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an example of a lottery setting menu (maintenance screen 3) 620. FIG.
In the lottery setting menu 620, a lottery ON / OFF 622, a selection number 623 for providing a lottery, a lottery method 624, a lottery fee 625, a lottery type 626, a prize 627, and the like are set.

  The whale ON / OFF 622 sets whether or not the image output device 10 provides a whale. If ON is selected, the control unit 101 of the image processing apparatus 10 executes a lottery process (steps S305 to S307, steps S309 to S310, etc.). If OFF is selected, the control unit 101 executes a lottery process. skip.

  In the selection number 623 for providing the lottery, a constant A for the selection number for issuing the above-mentioned lottery is set. When A = 20, a lottery is displayed as a thumbnail image every time the user selects 20 images to be printed. The set value of the constant A is stored in the storage unit 102.

The lottery method 624 sets whether the system draws a lottery or allows the customer to draw a lottery.
When the system is set to draw a lottery, the control unit 101 determines the hit / off of the lottery according to the winning probability of the lottery in step S310 along the processing flow of the image processing apparatus 10 in FIG.
On the other hand, when the customer can draw a lot, the control unit 101 may display a screen for drawing a lot on the display 12 with the touch panel in step S310 so that the user can draw a lot.

A lottery fee 625 sets a lottery fee.
The fee for the lottery set here is stored in the storage unit 102, and the control unit 101 calls and uses it in the charging process in step S308. If you set it to 0 yen, the lottery fee will be free.

The lot type 626 sets the lot type.
For example, it is set whether to make a hit / miss whale or an equal number of whales such as 1 to 4. The winning probability is also set here.
The types of whales are not limited to these two types, and various other whale methods may be set.

A lottery prize 627 sets a prize for a lottery.
The prize for the lottery is, for example, a prize voucher, a coupon, a discount on a print fee, or the like, and the prize is selected by the maintenance person touching and checking the corresponding one. When the maintenance person touches the detail setting buttons 628 to 630, the control unit 101 displays a screen for setting details of the corresponding prize on the display 12 with the touch panel.

  When a prize voucher is used, explanation 505 indicates that a lottery image data can be exchanged for a prize when the lottery 500 is brought to a cash register, as shown in FIG. 8A. By touching the detail setting button 628, the control unit 101 displays a screen for setting the description 505 and the like.

When a lottery prize is used as a coupon, the lottery image data indicates the name of the target product of the coupon, the discount rate 515, and the expiration date 517, as shown in FIG. 8B.
For example, when the detail setting button 629 is touched, the control unit 101 displays a coupon ticket setting menu (maintenance screen 4) as shown in FIG.

In the coupon ticket setting menu, the coupon product name 642, the discount amount 643, the coupon expiration date 644, the image data 645 of the whale image 511 of the coupon ticket 510, and the like are set. In addition, a “return” button 641 for returning to the lottery setting menu 620, a button 646 for completing coupon setting, and the like are provided.
The product name is written in the column of coupon product name 642 or displayed so as to be selectable.
For the coupon discount 643, a discount rate or a discount amount is selected, and a numerical value is written in either column.
The coupon expiration date 644 selects or writes the expiration date of the coupon.
As the whale image 645, the image data 645 stored in the storage unit 102 can be selected as the whale image 511.

  The coupon product name 642, coupon discount 643, coupon expiration date 644, and whale image 645 set in the coupon setting menu 640 are stored in the storage unit 102 and read when setting coupon image data (step S310). A print image is created.

When the print fee discount is selected in the KUJI prize 627 in the KUJI setting menu (maintenance screen 3) 620, the fee discount amount is set on the detailed setting screen displayed on the display 12 with the touch panel by the detailed setting button 630. And stored in the storage unit 102.
In the case of fee discount, when the displayed lottery 425 displayed on the thumbnail image 420 is selected by the user, the winning / losing of the lottery is determined according to the winning probability in the charging process (step S308). Then, the fee discount stored in the storage unit 102 is subtracted and charged.

  As described above, the image output apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment displays a lot on the thumbnail image when the user selects a predetermined number of images to be printed. If the user selects a lot, By detaching, images such as prize vouchers and coupons can be printed in the same way as other images and provided to the user. Thereby, the entertainment property of the image output apparatus 10 is improved, and an increase in users can be expected.

  The preferred embodiments of the image output apparatus 10 and the like according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious for those skilled in the art that various modifications or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood that it belongs.

1... Image output system 10... Image output device 20... Server 30.

Claims (8)

Image input means for inputting image data;
Thumbnail display means for displaying a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the image data and allowing the user to select a thumbnail image;
Printing means for printing the image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image;
Charging means for charging a charge according to the number of prints of the image data;
An image output apparatus comprising:
The thumbnail display means further includes a whale display means for selectively displaying a whale image as the thumbnail image according to the selected number of images,
The image output apparatus, wherein the printing unit includes a line printing unit that prints line image data including the line winning result when the line image displayed by the line display unit is selected. .   The lottery display means, when the image of the lottery displayed as the thumbnail image is selected, displays the lottery so that the user can draw the lottery and displays the winning result of the drawn lottery. The image output apparatus according to claim 1.   3. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection setting unit configured to set a selection number for displaying the image of the lottery, a winning probability of the lottery, and the lottery image data. 4. The lottery image data is a discount coupon,
The said lottery setting means creates the lottery image data of the discount coupon by inputting the product name to be discounted, the discount rate, and the expiration date of the discount coupon. Image output device.   5. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the billing unit discounts a fee corresponding to the number of printed sheets according to the winning result of the lottery. An image output system in which an image output device and a server are connected via a network,
The image output device includes:
Image input means for inputting image data;
Thumbnail display means for displaying a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the image data and allowing the user to select a thumbnail image;
According to the number of users selected, a lottery display means for selectively displaying a thumbnail image as the thumbnail image;
Printing means for printing the image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image;
When the image of the whale displayed by the whale display means is selected, whale printing means for printing the whale image data including the winning result of the whale;
The selection number for displaying the image of the lottery, and a lottery setting means for creating the lottery image data and setting the winning probability of the lottery,
The server
Whale image data transmission means for holding the image data used for the whale image data and sending the image data to the image output device via the network when the whale setting means creates the whale image data. An image output system comprising:   A program for causing a computer to function as the image output apparatus according to claim 1.   6. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as the image output apparatus according to claim 1 is recorded.

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