JP2017132197A - Image printing apparatus, image printing method, and order reception terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to select a process to be performed after an index printing order is canceled, and also to efficiently make a printing order.SOLUTION: An image printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the processes of: reading in image data from a storage medium; receiving a choice of a print mode; generating image data for printing from the read-in image data; printing the image data for printing; determining whether reading of the image data is interrupted after receiving a choice of an index printing mode; receiving, when the reading is interrupted, a choice of whether printing order processing is canceled or carried on using the image data having been read in; and receiving, when the printing order processing is carried on, a choice of whether the image data having been read in is all printed or partially printed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an image printing apparatus and an image printing method for printing out image data stored in a storage medium owned by a user or a portable terminal. The present invention also relates to an order receiving terminal for receiving a print order for image data.

  Image printing apparatuses that read digital data of images taken with a digital camera, a smartphone, or the like and print them out are installed in various places. For example, the user brings a storage medium in which image data captured by a digital camera is stored, and causes the image printing apparatus to read the image data in the storage medium. The image printing apparatus prints image data read from a storage medium.

  An image printing apparatus having an index print function for printing a large number of photographs in a list display is known. Index printing prints file names along with images, so it is suitable for organizing a large amount of image data taken on a storage medium.

  When receiving an order for index printing, the image printing apparatus has an automatic output mode in which all the images stored in the storage medium are read and all the read images are handled as print output targets. In this automatic output mode, the user can save time and effort for selecting images one by one, so that the operation is simplified. However, even if it is desired to print out only a part of the image in the storage medium, it is necessary to wait for all the images to be read, which is inefficient.

  During the reading of an image, the user may interrupt the operation by removing the storage medium or pressing an order cancel button. What kind of processing is performed after the operation is interrupted is set in advance by the installer (administrator) of the image printing apparatus, and the user cannot select the processing.

JP 2005-92445 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional situation, and allows the user to select a process after the interruption of the order of the index print order, and can perform the index print order efficiently, It is an object to provide an image printing method and an order receiving terminal.

  An image printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an input unit that reads and inputs image data from an external storage medium, a mode selection unit that receives a selection of a print mode, and read image data based on the selected print mode Received a print instruction section for creating image data for printing from the printer, a printer for printing the image data for printing, and the mode selection section for selecting an index print for printing a plurality of image data as a list with file names. Thereafter, an interruption determination unit for determining whether or not reading interruption processing has been performed while the input unit is reading image data from the external storage medium, and when the reading interruption processing has been performed, Cancel the order processing or print using the image data read before the interruption. When selection of whether to continue order processing is accepted and selection to continue print order processing is accepted, index printing is performed for all read image data, or an index for a part of the read image data And a continuation process selection unit that receives selection of whether to perform printing.

  In the image printing apparatus according to the aspect of the present invention, when the continuation processing selection unit accepts a selection of performing index printing on a part of the read image data, the read image data can be selected by shooting date. It is further characterized by further comprising a shooting date selection unit for displaying on the touch panel.

  In the image printing apparatus according to the aspect of the present invention, when the continuation processing selection unit receives a selection to perform index printing on a part of the read image data, the image printing apparatus reads based on the folder configuration in the external storage medium The image display apparatus further includes a folder display unit for displaying the completed image data on the touch panel so that the image data can be selected for each folder.

  In the image printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, the interruption determination unit determines that a reading interruption process has been performed when an interruption instruction is received via a touch panel.

  In the image printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, the interruption determination unit determines that a reading interruption process has been performed when a predetermined time has elapsed since the external storage medium was removed from the input unit. And

  An image printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a creating unit that creates interrupted part information indicating an interrupted part when the reading interrupting process is performed; and a transmitting unit that transmits the interrupted part information to a user terminal And a receiving unit that receives interruption location information from the user terminal, and, based on the received interruption location information, specifies a location where reading of image data was interrupted at the previous print order, and the input unit specified Image data reading is started from a location.

  An image printing method according to an aspect of the present invention includes a step of reading image data from an external storage medium, a step of accepting selection of a print mode, and printing image data from the read image data based on the selected print mode. A step of creating, a step of printing the image data for printing, and an index print selection for printing a plurality of pieces of image data together with file names as the print mode, and then receiving the image data from the external storage medium A step of determining whether or not a reading interruption process has been performed during the reading of the image, and if the reading interruption process has been performed, cancel the print order process or read the image data before the interruption Accepting the selection of whether to continue print order processing using A step of accepting a selection of whether to perform an index print for all read image data or an index print for a part of the read image data when receiving a selection to continue the print order process; Is provided.

  An order receiving terminal according to an aspect of the present invention includes an input unit that reads and inputs image data from an external storage medium, a mode selection unit that receives selection of a print mode, and read image data based on the selected print mode An index that prints out a plurality of image data together with file names by a print instructing unit that creates image data for printing from the communication unit, a communication unit that transmits the print image data and the print order to the outside After accepting the print selection, an interruption determination unit for determining whether or not a reading interruption process has been performed while the input unit is reading image data from the external storage medium, and the reading interruption process is performed. Cancel the print order processing or read the image data read before If the selection to continue the print order process is accepted and the selection to continue the print order process is accepted, index printing is performed for all the read image data, or a part of the read image data And a continuation process selection unit that receives selection of whether to perform index printing.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while enabling the user to select the process after the order interruption of an index print order, an index print order can be performed efficiently.

1 is a block diagram of an image printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the image printing apparatus by the embodiment. It is a functional block diagram realized by execution of a print order reception program. It is a figure which shows the example of the printed matter by index printing. It is a figure which shows the example of an imaging | photography date selection screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a folder selection screen. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an image printing method according to the embodiment. (A) (b) is a figure which shows the example of the selection screen of the continuous process after reading interruption. It is a functional block diagram implement | achieved by execution of the print order reception program by a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the image printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image printing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the image printing apparatus includes a touch panel 10, a data input unit 11, a charging unit 12, a printer 13, a CPU (central processing unit) 14, a disk device (storage unit) 15, and a main memory 16. Each part of the image printing apparatus is connected via a bus.

  The touch panel 10 displays information including images and receives input of various instructions from the user. For example, the touch panel 10 receives from the user a print mode selection, a paper size selection for print output, an image reading interruption instruction to be described later, and the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the touch panel 10 is provided in the upper part of the housing 1 of the image printing apparatus, and the display screen is in a state of being substantially vertical.

  The data input unit 11 receives input of image data by reading the image data from a storage medium in which image data taken by a digital camera or the like is stored. The data input unit 11 has a data reading device corresponding to various storage media. Further, the data input unit 11 can accept input of image data from the portable terminal by wireless communication. As shown in FIG. 2, the data reading device of the data input unit 11 is provided at the top of the housing 1, specifically, between the top plate 1 </ b> A of the housing 1 and the touch panel 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the billing unit 12 has a coin slot 12A, a bill slot 12B, and a change return slot 12C provided on the front side of the housing 1, from the coin slot 12A and the bill slot 12B. The inserted money is identified and counted, and the change is discharged from the change return port 12C. Further, the billing unit 12 may have a payment function using electronic money. The billing unit 12 may have a receipt printer that prints the number of prints, unit price, billing amount, input amount, change amount, etc. on a receipt and outputs the receipt.

  The printer 13 is a high-resolution color printer such as a sublimation type or an ink jet type, and prints image data on photographic paper and outputs it based on the order contents. The printer 13 is accommodated in the housing 1. A plurality of printers 13 may be installed. As shown in FIG. 2, a transparent opening / closing door 2 is provided on the front side of the housing 1 so as to be freely opened and closed. On the back surface side of the opening / closing door 2, there is provided an accumulating portion (not shown) in which the printed matter printed out by the printer 13 is accumulated, and when the opening / closing door 2 is opened, the printed matter accumulated in the accumulating portion can be taken out. It is like that.

  The disk device 15 stores a control program and a print order acceptance program. The disk device 15 is a hard disk drive, for example.

  The CPU 14 functions as the control unit 140 that controls each unit of the image printing apparatus by loading the control program in the disk device 15 into the main memory 16 and executing the control program.

  Further, the CPU 14 loads the print order reception program in the disk device 15 into the main memory 16 and executes it. With the execution of the print order reception program, as shown in FIG. 3, a mode selection unit 141, an interruption determination unit 142, a continuation process selection unit 143, a shooting date selection unit 144, a folder display unit 145, and a print instruction unit 146 are realized. In the main memory 16, an area for storing the input image data, order contents, and the like is secured.

  The mode selection unit 141 accepts selection of a print mode. The image printing apparatus has, as a print mode, a normal print mode in which one image is printed on one photographic paper, a split print mode in which a plurality of images are laid out and printed on one photographic paper, and a plurality of images together with file names. It has an index print mode for displaying a list and printing.

  In the normal print mode, it is possible to perform drawing editing, such as drawing on an image with a touch pen or decorating with a stamp, or editing text with a character input. In the split print mode, a desired layout is selected from a plurality of types of split layouts, and an image is arranged in each image area in the layout. For example, about 4 to 12 images are arranged on one photographic paper. Is done.

  On the other hand, in the index print mode, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, about 40 to 50 images 22 are printed side by side along with file names 24 on a single photographic paper 20, and the collected images are organized. It is convenient for such as.

  With the execution of the print order acceptance program, an edit processing unit that performs drawing editing and text insertion editing, a layout processing unit that arranges images in divided layouts, and the like are also realized. In this embodiment, processing in index printing will be described. Therefore, description of these functions is omitted.

  The interruption determination unit 142 determines whether reading interruption processing has been performed by the user while image data is being read from the storage medium via the data input unit 11. For example, when an interruption button displayed on the touch panel 10 is pressed during reading of image data, it is determined that reading interruption processing has been performed. Further, when the storage medium inserted into the media insertion slot of the data input unit 11 is removed by the user and a certain time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed, it is determined that the reading interruption process has been performed.

  Whether the continuation process selection unit 143 cancels the print order or continues the print order process using the image data read before the interruption when the interruption determination unit 142 determines that the reading interruption process has been performed. Accept the selection. When canceling the print order is received, the read image data is erased, and the print order process is terminated.

  When the continuation of the print order process is accepted, the continuation process selection unit 143 further accepts selection of whether all the read image data are to be output as print targets or to narrow down the images to be output as print targets. .

  The shooting date selection unit 144 displays a shooting date selection screen on the touch panel 10 to narrow down images to be printed, and accepts selection of an image based on the shooting date. An example of the shooting date selection screen is shown in FIG. For example, the shooting date selection screen 50 displays a calendar and displays captured images by shooting date. By pressing the switch button 51, the month to be displayed can be switched.

  When a plurality of images are taken on the same day, one or a plurality of representative images are displayed. The representative image may be an image with an early shooting time or may be selected at random. When the user presses the selection button 52 for each date on the calendar, all images taken on that date can be selected as print output targets. When the development button 54 for each date is pressed, all images taken on that date are displayed on the touch panel 10 and can be switched for each image. A batch selection button 56 may be provided on the shooting date selection screen 50 so that all images shot in the month can be selected collectively as print output targets.

  The folder display unit 145 displays the read image on the touch panel 10 so that the read image can be selected in the same folder unit when the image data is stored with a folder structure in the storage medium from which the image data is read. For example, the folder display unit 145 displays a folder selection screen 60 including a folder 62 and a folder name 64 as shown in FIG. In each folder 62, one or more representative images selected from images included in the folder 62 are displayed. When the selection button 66 of each folder 62 is pressed, all images included in the folder 62 can be selected as print output targets. When the development button 68 of each folder 62 is pressed, all images included in the folder 62 are displayed on the touch panel 10 and can be switched for each image.

  The print instruction unit 146 arranges the print output target images side by side with the file name, and creates print image data. The print instruction unit 146 transfers the print image data to the printer 13 and instructs to print it on photographic paper. If a folder has been selected by narrowing down the print output target image, the selected folder name may be printed. In addition, when the shooting date is selected by narrowing down the images to be printed, the selected shooting date may be printed.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the flow of processing when an image print order, particularly an index print order, according to the present embodiment is received and reading is interrupted during reading of image data will be described.

  The data input unit 11 starts reading image data, for example, by connecting a portable storage medium brought by the user (step S101). A print mode selection screen is displayed on the touch panel 10, and selection of an index print mode is received from the user (step S102).

  The interruption determination unit 142 monitors and determines whether image data reading interruption processing has been performed (step S103). When the interruption button displayed on the touch panel 10 is pressed, or when a predetermined time has elapsed after the storage medium is removed from the data input unit 11, it is determined that the reading interruption process has been performed. When the interruption process is performed, the process proceeds to step S104.

  A selection screen 80 is displayed on the touch panel 10 as to whether the continuation process selection unit 143 cancels the print order or continues the print order process using the image data read before the interruption as shown in FIG. It is displayed (step S104). If the user presses the cancel button 81 and selects cancel, the read image data is erased, and the print order process ends.

  When the user presses the continuation button 82 to select continuation of the print order process, all the read image data as shown in FIG. 8B is set as a print output target or an image as a print output target. A continuation pattern selection screen 83 as to whether or not to narrow down is displayed (step S105). If the user presses the all selection button 84 and selects all the read image data as print output targets, the process proceeds to step S110.

  When the user presses the shooting date button 85, the shooting date selection unit 144 displays a shooting date selection screen 50 as shown in FIG. 5, and accepts selection of images to be printed out by shooting date (steps S106 and S107). ).

  When the user presses the folder button 86, the folder display unit 145 displays a folder selection screen 60 as shown in FIG. 6, and accepts selection of images to be printed out in units of folders (steps S108 and S109). Note that if the image data does not have a folder structure in the storage medium from which the image data is read, the folder button 86 is not displayed on the continuation pattern selection screen 83.

  A billing amount based on the order contents from the user is displayed on the touch panel 10. When the user inserts money, the billing unit 12 counts the inserted money, and performs change dispensing, receipt printing, and the like (step S110).

  After the accounting process, the print instructing unit 146 transfers the print image data in which the print output target images are arranged with the file name to the printer 13 to execute printing (step S111). As a result, it is possible to produce an index print print in which a large number of images are printed in a small array along with file names.

  As described above, the image printing apparatus according to the present embodiment can interrupt reading while reading an index print image, and cancel the order after the interruption or place an order for the read image. You can choose to continue.

  Further, when the order is continued, selection of a continuation pattern is accepted as to whether all read image data are to be printed out, or to narrow down images to be printed out. By pressing the all selection button 84 (see FIG. 8B) on the continuation pattern selection screen 83, it is possible to easily set all read image data as print output targets. In narrowing down images, it is possible to select images to be printed out in units of shooting dates or folders. Therefore, an image for which print output is desired can be easily selected.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can select the processing after interruption of the index print order, and the index print order can be efficiently performed.

  When reading the image data from the storage medium via the data input unit 11, the control unit 140 of the image printing apparatus reads all the image data from the capacity of the image data stored in the storage medium and the data transfer speed. The time required for reading may be calculated (estimated) and displayed on the touch panel 10. Further, the control unit 140 may display on the touch panel 10 the remaining time until the reading of the image data is completed and what percentage of the image data has been read. The user can determine whether or not to interrupt the reading in accordance with the progress of reading the image data displayed on the touch panel 10.

  When the reading of the image data is interrupted, the image printing apparatus creates reading interruption location information indicating the interruption location, and the communication unit (not shown) transmits the reading interruption location information to the mobile terminal owned by the user. May be. In this case, with the execution of the print order acceptance program, as shown in FIG. 9, an interrupted part information creating unit 147, an interrupted part information transmitting unit 148, and an interrupted part information receiving unit 149 are further realized.

  When the reading of the image data is interrupted, the interruption location information creation unit 147 indicates the file name of the image data read last and whether the image data in the storage medium has been read from the oldest shooting date or the newest reading date. Create reading interruption location information including reading order information. The interruption location information transmission unit 148 transmits the generated interruption location information to the user-owned mobile terminal using the communication unit.

  When the storage medium is inserted into the data input unit 11, the image printing apparatus accepts selection of whether to read all image data or to resume reading from the position where reading was interrupted at the previous print order. When it is selected to resume reading from the position where reading was interrupted at the time of the previous print order, the interruption location information receiving unit 149 enters a reception standby state for reading interruption location information, and reads the reading interruption location information from the user's mobile terminal. Receive. The image printing apparatus identifies a location where image data reading is to be resumed from the received reading interruption location information, and starts reading.

  In this way, by using the reading interruption location information, it is not necessary to read again the image data that has already been printed out as an index print, and the time required for reading the image data can be shortened.

  The image printing apparatus may sequentially display the read image data as thumbnails on the touch panel 10 while reading the image data.

  In the above embodiment, the interruption process during reading of image data has been described. However, the printing process may be interrupted during printing of image data. The control unit 140 of the image printing apparatus calculates the time required for print processing based on the number of prints, the number of installed printers 13, and the like and displays the time on the touch panel 10. The user can determine whether or not to interrupt the printing process from the required printing time.

  When the printing process is interrupted, the control unit 140 calculates a refund amount from the number of unprinted prints. If the image printing apparatus has a refund function, the calculated refund amount is refunded. If the image printing apparatus does not have a refund function, a coupon printed with a refund amount and a refund method is output.

  In the above-described embodiment, when reading of image data is interrupted, an example has been described in which the user can select whether to cancel the print order or to continue print order processing using the image data read before the interruption. The administrator (installer) of the image printing apparatus may determine in advance the processing after interruption of image data reading and set it in the apparatus.

  In the embodiment, the image printing apparatus may include two or more touch panels. For example, the selection screen 80 and the continuation pattern selection screen 83 may be displayed on the first touch panel, and the shooting date selection screen 50 and the folder selection screen 60 may be displayed on the second touch panel.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the reading is interrupted while reading the image data after receiving the order for the index print has been described. However, when the reading is completed without being interrupted, for example, the image printing apparatus reads the data. It operates in the automatic output mode that handles all images as print output targets.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image printing apparatus that includes the printer 13 in the housing 1 and outputs a printed matter on the spot has been described. However, the printer 13 may be omitted and an order receiving terminal that receives a print order may be used. In this case, the order receiving terminal is provided with a communication unit that transmits the print image data and the order contents to the printer server via a wired or wireless network. The user receives the printed matter by mail or the like.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

10 Touch Panel 11 Data Input Unit 12 Billing Unit 13 Printer 14 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Disk apparatus 16 Main memory 140 Control part 141 Mode selection part 142 Interruption determination part 143 Continuation process selection part 144 Shooting date selection part 145 Folder display part 146 Print instruction | indication part

Claims (8)

An input unit for reading and inputting image data from an external storage medium;
A mode selection unit for accepting a print mode selection;
A print instruction unit for creating image data for printing from the read image data based on the selected print mode;
A printer for printing the image data for printing;
After the mode selection unit receives an index print selection for printing a plurality of image data as a list together with file names, reading interruption processing while the input unit is reading image data from the external storage medium An interruption determination unit for determining whether or not
A selection that cancels the print order process or accepts the selection of whether to continue the print order process using the image data read before the interruption when the read interrupt process is performed, and continues the print order process A continuation processing selection unit that accepts a selection of whether to perform index printing for all read image data or to perform index printing for a part of the read image data,
An image printing apparatus comprising:   When the continuous processing selection unit accepts a selection to perform index printing on a part of the read image data, the shooting date selection unit displays the read image data on the touch panel so that the selected image data can be selected by shooting date The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   When the continuation processing selection unit accepts a selection to perform index printing on a part of the read image data, the read image data can be selected for each folder based on the folder structure in the external storage medium. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a folder display unit for displaying on the touch panel.   The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interruption determination unit determines that a reading interruption process has been performed when an interruption instruction is received via a touch panel.   5. The interruption determination unit determines that a reading interruption process has been performed when a predetermined time has elapsed since the external storage medium was removed from the input unit. The image printing apparatus described. When the reading interruption process is performed, a creation unit that creates interruption part information indicating the interruption part;
A transmission unit for transmitting the interruption location information to the user terminal;
A receiving unit for receiving interruption location information from the user terminal;
With
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a location where image data reading was interrupted at the time of a previous print order is specified based on the received interruption location information, and the input unit starts reading image data from the specified location. The image printing apparatus according to any one of 5. Reading image data from an external storage medium;
A process of accepting a selection of a print mode;
Creating image data for printing from the read image data based on the selected print mode;
Printing the image data for printing;
Whether or not reading interruption processing was performed while reading image data from the external storage medium after accepting the selection of index printing for printing a plurality of image data as a list with file names as the print mode Determining whether or not
A step of accepting a selection of whether to cancel the print order process or continue the print order process using the image data read before the interruption when the read interruption process is performed;
A step of accepting a selection of whether to perform an index print for all read image data or an index print for a part of the read image data when receiving a selection to continue the print order process;
An image printing method comprising: An input unit for reading and inputting image data from an external storage medium;
A mode selection unit for accepting a print mode selection;
A print instruction unit that creates image data for printing from the read image data based on the selected print mode;
A communication unit for transmitting the print image data and the print order to the outside;
After the mode selection unit receives an index print selection for printing a plurality of image data as a list together with file names, reading interruption processing while the input unit is reading image data from the external storage medium An interruption determination unit for determining whether or not
A selection that cancels the print order process or accepts the selection of whether to continue the print order process using the image data read before the interruption when the read interrupt process is performed, and continues the print order process A continuation processing selection unit that accepts a selection of whether to perform index printing for all read image data or to perform index printing for a part of the read image data,
An order reception terminal comprising:

Images