JP3671893B2 - Digital image reception device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention processes a medium drive that reads image information from a storage medium input by a customer, and processes the image information in order to display a plurality of image information images read by the medium drive in a thumbnail image format on a display. The present invention relates to a digital image receiving apparatus including an image information processing unit and an order information processing unit that creates order information based on an order input process in which a customer inputs a print service order for an image displayed on the display.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a digital image receiving apparatus configured as described above, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-160103, a storage medium in which image information captured by a digital camera is stored is set in the receiving apparatus. Thus, the image of the image information stored in the storage medium is displayed as a thumbnail image on the liquid crystal screen provided in the accepting device, and a print order such as the necessity of printing is displayed via the touch panel provided in the liquid crystal screen. It is possible to input order information related to, and after finishing the input of the print information including the image information and the order information, an order copy for delivery to the customer is printed. The DP store receives the order receipt from the customer, and takes the print information from the accepting device into the printing device via the data transmission network. This printing apparatus forms a copy image on a silver salt photographic paper using image information included in print information sequentially sent from a receiving apparatus. In principle, such a reception device is operated by the customer himself in order to contribute to the labor saving of the DP store. For this reason, the operation of the customer in this reception apparatus must be as user-friendly as possible.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since a general printing apparatus is configured to continuously supply the same size of printing paper to produce the same size of print, ordering of prints having the same print size as much as possible is possible in order to increase work efficiency. Processed continuously. For this reason, a single print size is assigned to a single print order, and a print order is created for each different print size. For this reason, the order input process based on the storage medium set in the accepting device is also based on a single print size. If a print order is made with a different print size, the order is entered again as a separate print order from the beginning. It was necessary to perform processing. Even in the case of ordering prints with the same print size, since the order input processing is completed for each storage medium in the conventional reception device, the same customer places a print order on a plurality of storage media. In the case of performing it, it is necessary to perform the order input process as another print order from the beginning again including the input of the customer name for each storage medium.
In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly order input processing function to a digital image receiving apparatus of the type described at the beginning.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above problems, a medium drive for reading image information from a storage medium input by a customer, and the image information for displaying a plurality of image information images read by the medium drive in a thumbnail image format on a display. And an order information processing section for creating order information based on an order input process in which a customer inputs a print service order for an image displayed on the display. byFirstIn the digital image receiving apparatus, the order input processDuplicateIn order to perform continuously over a number of storage media, the order information processing unit, every time the order input processing for images read from one storage medium is completed,A unique order ID is given in a form linked to one process ID that identifies the order entry process by the same customerCreate provisional order informationIn addition, print information is created by combining each provisional order information with image data as a print source included in the image information.And when the order input process across the plurality of storage media is completed,Print informationIntegratedLinked from the process IDConfigured to create formal order informationThe
[0005]
  According to the inventionIn the configuration, for example, when a print service order is made by the same customer, by sequentially setting a plurality of storage media in the media drive, order input processing for each storage media is continuously performed, and the order is made in units of one storage media. Every time the input process for each storage medium ends without completing the input processIn a form linked with one process ID that identifies the order entry process by the same customerTemporary order information is created, and finally the provisional order information is integrated and created as a single formal order information. Therefore, duplicate input processing such as customer name input for each order input processing in units of storage media. The inconvenience of repeatingThe In additionThe term print service order used here is not only a print order for forming an image stored in a storage medium on a recording paper such as photographic paper or plain paper, but also stored in a storage medium. An order for writing an image to a removable storage medium such as a CD-R is also included, and the order input processing according to the present invention is similarly applicable to all such print service configurations. In other words, according to the present invention, if the same customer, the order input process is continuously performed over different print service orders.
[0006]
  Photo printing devices called mini-labs currently installed in DP stores are configured to perform print processing in units of orders, and each order unit handles printing with the same print size. It is supposed to be. Moreover, most minilabs are configured to handle a large number of image data (frame image data comparable to several films) provided from a plurality of storage media as a single continuous print process. Absent. In order to clear such problems on the current printing device side,In the present invention, in order input processing with different storage mediaEach time the order input process is completed, individual provisional order information is created by the order information processing unit.ProvisionalThe print information is generated by combining the order information with image data as a print source included in the image information. In this configuration, a plurality of storage mediaIn the bodySince the order input process for the print service order is continuously performed, it is convenient for the customer, and the print information itself transferred to the printing apparatus is created separately. Various print services can be processed on the basis of independent print information according to a conventional procedure.
[0007]
  In this way, unprecedented user-friendly order input processing is realized on the receiving device side without changing the processing procedure on the printing device side.In the bodySo if you place a very large number of print service orders, you will end up with the result of being divided into smaller order units.ProvisionalIn order for verification of order information to be performed reliably,In the present invention,Each temporary order information is given a unique order ID. Each order IDProvisionalThe order information, as a result, the processing result through the printing apparatus is reliably verified, and the inconvenience that orders are mixed between customers can be avoided.
    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of digital image receiving apparatuses (hereinafter abbreviated as receiving apparatuses) 1 and a digital photographic printing apparatus 3 for printing image information on a silver salt type photographic paper 5 as a recording sheet. Are connected by the data transmission network 2 to form a print system. This printing system is constructed by adding a network 2 including an Ethernet cable 2a and a hub 2b and two receiving devices 1 to an existing photo printing device 3 in a DP store. In this system, Smart media storing image information captured by a digital camera, compact flash, CD-ROM storing personal image information, MO, or other storage media M1 (hereinafter referred to as media) Image information and order information such as the number of prints related to this print output are received by the receiving device 1 and the customer presents a receipt issued at the time of reception to the person in charge at the counter of the DP store. Based on the reception information recorded on the reception certificate, the reception device 1 can be operated by an operation from the photo printing device 3. A procedure for fetching print information consisting of corresponding image information and order information temporarily stored in the network 2 via the network 2, printing on the photo print device 3 based on this print information, and handing the finished print 5 to the customer; It has become.
[0009]
[Reception device]
The receiving device 1 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 2, a liquid crystal display 12 having a touch panel 13 formed on the display surface is provided on the top surface of the housing 10, and a smart media SM as a specific example of the media M1 is provided on the front surface of the housing 10. A plurality of media drives 11 as a plurality of media drives corresponding to a compact flash CF, a memory stick MS, a PC card PC-C functioning as a media attachment, a CD-ROM, and an MO, respectively. The thermal transfer type receipt certificate printer 15 serving as a receipt certificate issuing unit for issuing a receipt is provided on the side, and a controller 20 constituted by a general-purpose computer is built in the housing 10 as data processing means of the reception device. doing.
[0010]
The function of the controller 20 is substantially the same as that of a general-purpose computer having a network function. Information is exchanged with the plurality of media drives 11 and the touch panel 13, and the obtained image information and order information are used for print output by the printing apparatus 3. Creation of print information to be used, storage management to the hard disk 14 as a data storage unit, and control of the receipt certificate printer 15 are performed. The controller 20 employs Microsoft Corporation's Windows 2000 as an operating system (OS), and is attached by various programs included in the operation system and various programs created to operate on the operation system. Various functions required for the reception device 1 are created in cooperation with hardware.
[0011]
In this embodiment, the TCP / IP communication protocol included in this operation system is used to construct the network 2 between the receiving devices 1 and between the receiving device 1 and the printing device 3. A network protocol may be adopted. What is important here is that the hard disk 14 is opened as a network drive on the network 2, that is, print information is stored in the set shared folder, and the print device 2 and possibly other reception devices 1 receive it. To make it accessible.
[0012]
Among the functions realized by hardware and software (programs) in the controller 20 connected to an external device such as the media drive 11 and the hard disk 14 provided in the receiving apparatus 1 via the I / O interface 21. In particular, as a function related to the present invention, as shown in the functional block of FIG. 3, the image information (captured image data, etc.) captured from the medium M1 provided by the customer via the media drive 11 is processed. An image information processing unit 22 that performs image processing, an image data size acquisition unit 22a that acquires the size of image data as a print source included in the captured image information, a display control unit 23 that displays various types of information on the display 12, and a detailed description later. The print size and number of prints entered by the customer The order information processing unit 24 that generates order information from each generates a unique order ID as an example of order identification information, for example, an order number and a terminal ID that identifies the receiving device 1 every time a print order is given by a customer. In addition to the above-described terminal ID and order number, the order identification information adding unit 25, the print information creation unit 26 that creates print information including the above-described image information and order information and hierarchically stores and manages them in the shared folder of the hard disk 14. The receipt certificate issuance processing unit 27 that issues a receipt that records data such as a customer name and a print fee through the receipt certificate printer 15, the print resolution of the printing apparatus 3, and the image data size acquired by the image data size acquisition unit 22a. Will the print output have the appropriate quality with the custom print size? Print quality information determining unit 28 to determine the print quality information such emergence thereof.
[0013]
At the time of order processing in the receiving device 1, a thumbnail image (generally a small image of about 160 × 120 pixels) is extracted or generated from the image information captured through the media drive 11 by the image information processing unit 22 and displayed on the display 12. When the customer gives a print order while viewing the thumbnail image, the order information processing unit 24 generates order information.
[0014]
In addition to displaying thumbnail images on the display 12, the image data size acquired by the image data size acquisition unit 22a is also a numerical value in this embodiment, that is, in the form of the number of horizontal pixels × the number of vertical pixels, and is associated with the corresponding thumbnail image. For example, it is displayed at the lower right of the thumbnail image.
[0015]
The process of acquiring the image size of the image data included in the file from the image file as the image information is well known. For example, when the file format is Exif-JPEG, the file is opened and read. ImageWidth (image width) and ImageLength (image height) may be obtained from the TIFF header data. If the file format is 24-bit Bitmap, the file is opened and biWidth (image width) is read from the read bitmap header data. Width) and biHeight (image height) may be acquired. In the case of a format in which there is no data related to the image data size in the header, it is preferable to obtain the image data after developing it in the memory.
[0016]
As a more preferred embodiment, the print quality information determined by the print quality information determination unit 28 is also displayed in association with the corresponding thumbnail image. Such print quality is known in the field of digital printing, but can be determined from the size of image data as a print source, the print size, and the print resolution of the printing apparatus 3.
[0017]
For example, if the image data size is 2400x1600 and the print resolution is about 300 DPI (Dots / inch), the print output size with the image quality that makes full use of the resolution of the printing device 3 is about 20x13 cm (corresponding to almost 2L version) It becomes as follows. Assuming that the same printing apparatus 3 is used (that is, the resolution is 300 DPI), the print output size of an image having an image data size of 1600 × 1200 is about 13 × 10 cm (approximately equivalent to the L plate) or less. If the medium M1 loaded into the receiving apparatus 1 contains image information of an extremely small image data size such as a thumbnail image (for example, an image data size of about 200 × 100 pixels), the print output size is about 1 cm as it is, Even if it is forcibly interpolated and printed on the L plate, the image quality will be very rough and it will not withstand viewing. For this reason, for example, it is also important to inform the customer that normal printing cannot be obtained for image information that requires interpolation processing at an interpolation rate of twice or more when printing is performed at the order print size.
[0018]
A typical example of print information stored hierarchically in the shared folder of the hard disk 14 by the function of the print information creation unit 26 is shown in FIG. As apparent from FIG. 4, in this example, the hard disk 14 as the network drive to which the drive name “L” is assigned has a shared folder whose name is the terminal name (terminal ID) of the receiving device 1, That is, “CT01” is created, and there is an “order” directory below the hierarchy. Image information is stored in a folder (= directory) whose name is a unique order number created by the order identification information adding unit 25 under that directory. (File names such as auto-0001.JPG are assigned here) and order information related to print output (file names of AUTOPRINT.MRK are assigned here) are divided into IMAGE and MISC directories, respectively. Basically, it is stored in a DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) file format. By such directory management, the person in charge of the printing apparatus 3 that has received the receipt confirms the directory to be printed from the terminal ID and the order number, and the image information as the print source is from the IMAGE directory, and Order information such as the print size and the number of prints can be easily extracted from the MISC directory. Of course, it is possible to automatically perform this information extraction operation.
[0019]
FIG. 5 shows an example of a receipt issued to the customer through the receipt certificate printer 15 based on the data created by the receipt certificate issuance processing unit 27. In this example, the receipt is substantially spelled out with a customer copy having substantially the same contents, but regarding the order contents, two orders are included in a form identified by the order number for each print size. The receipt is handed to the person in charge of the printing apparatus 2, and the customer's copy is kept by the customer. The receipt includes a customer name, customer contact information (telephone number), a terminal ID for identifying the receiving device 1 that has accepted this print order, an order number, a print size such as L and 2L, the number of prints, and the print order. Fees are recorded. Further, when a plurality of orders, for example, a print order with a different print size or a print order from a plurality of media M1, a basic charge for the second print order can be discounted or free.
[0020]
[Printer]
The photographic printing apparatus 3 will be described below. As is apparent from FIG. 1, the photographic printing apparatus 3 includes an apparatus main body having a casing 30 in which an operating section and a development processing section formed on a table are integrated, and a position separated from the apparatus main body. And a scanner unit 31. As can be understood from FIGS. 1 and 6, the apparatus main body is a digital type print in which the photographic paper 5 from the photographic paper magazine 5 a is transported and supplied by the photographic paper transport mechanism 34 in a state of being cut into a print size. An exposure section having a head 32 is provided in the lower part of the operation section, and a development processing tank 33 for developing the photographic paper exposed by the print head 32 is provided in the development processing section. After the developed photographic paper 5 is dried, the photographic paper 5 is sent to a lateral feed conveyor on the upper surface of the developing unit, and the photographic paper from the lateral feed conveyor is sent to a sorting conveyor. The print head is of a type that scans by sending a laser beam in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the photographic paper 5, but other fluorescent beam method, liquid crystal shutter method, DMD method or FOCRT. Etc. can be used. In any case, these print resolutions are about 300 DPI.
[0021]
In the operating section, a console 35 composed of a keyboard and a mouse, a monitor 36 for displaying various control information and a simulated image at the time of prejudgment, and further, image information acquired by the accepting device 1 is recorded on a recording medium, for example, A CD-R drive 38 for printing on the CD-R is arranged.
[0022]
As will be described in detail later, the print information collected from the receiving apparatus 1 is removed from the removable storage medium in preparation for a case where transfer of print information from the receiving apparatus 1 to the printing apparatus 3 is collected offline using the removable storage medium. A removable storage drive 39 for reading data from the disk is also provided.
[0023]
The scanner unit 31 includes a replaceable film carrier 31a with respect to the upper surface of a casing having a caster at the bottom, and a photoelectric conversion section 31b having a photoelectric conversion element such as an optical lens or a CCD inside the casing 31b. And an arm for guiding the light beam sent from the light source 31c provided inside the housing through the optical fiber to the upper surface side of the film carrier. When scanning the photographic film M2, the negative film or the positive film is set on the film carrier 31a and irradiated from the tip of the arm while being moved at a predetermined speed by the film carrier 31a. The image information of each frame of the photographic film M2 is converted into a digital signal by the photoelectric conversion unit 31b and transferred to the apparatus main body by the light beam.
[0024]
Further, also in the printing apparatus 3, a controller 40 constituted by a general-purpose computer is built in the housing 30 as a data processing means of the printing apparatus 3. This controller 40 also uses Windows 2000 of Microsoft Corporation as an operating system (OS), and is attached by various programs that the operation system has and programs that are created to operate on the operation system. Various functions required for the printing apparatus 3 are created in cooperation with the hardware, and in particular, are connected to both receiving apparatuses 1 through the network interface 37 over the network.
[0025]
Among the functions realized by the hardware and software (program) in the controller 40, the functions particularly related to the present invention include the functions of the receiving device 1 through the network 2 as shown by the functional blocks in FIG. The print information acquired from the folder (directory) specified by the predetermined order number stored in the hard disk is divided into image information and order information, the image information is transferred to the first memory 42, and the order information is transferred to the print management unit 50. A data pre-processing unit 41 to be transferred to the first memory 42, an image processing unit 44 for performing image processing such as color correction by sequentially sending image data to the second memory 43 from the image information transferred to the first memory 42, color correction, etc. Video signals such as simulated images and other correction information as expected finished print images during pre-judgement work A video control unit 45 configured to send the image to the monitor 36, a print control unit 46 for controlling the print head 32 based on image data for which image processing has been completed, and photographic paper that is exposed by the print head 32 and developed in the development processing tank 33 5, a transport control unit 47 for controlling the photographic paper transport mechanism 34, and a formatter for formatting the image data for which image processing has been completed in accordance with the customer's request into a format for collectively writing to the CD-R in units of order numbers. Part 48 and the like. The image information acquired by the scanner unit 31 is also sent to the data preprocessing unit 41 and subjected to appropriate scanning data preprocessing, then transferred to the second memory 43 via the first memory 42, and finally. Used to make print 5.
[0026]
For the image information sent to the data pre-processing unit 41, the print management unit 50 uses the order information from the receiving device 1 and the order information input through the console 35 to obtain the print size and the number of prints as ordered. A central function for controlling the printing apparatus 3 to produce a photographic print is provided.
[0027]
[Order entry processing of the receiving device]
Next, the order input process in the accepting apparatus 1 is performed in an interactive manner with the customer using the display 12, and a flowchart for explaining the transition of the screen sequentially displayed on the display 12 is shown in FIG. The order input process will be described with reference to this flowchart.
[0028]
First, in the standby state, a standby screen including the function of the receiving apparatus 1 and the logo mark of the DP store is displayed (# 01). When the customer orders an image print, a finger is put on the touch panel 13 of the display 12. When contact is made, a “media selection screen” as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed (# 02). In this “media selection screen”, a message “Please select media” and a plurality of switches for selecting the media M1 are displayed to request the customer to select. The following processing is executed by touching the switch corresponding to the medium M1 used by the customer. A cancel button for canceling the process and a return button for returning to the previous process are displayed on the lower side of the “service selection screen”. The cancel button and the return button are also displayed at the same position in the process described later. Works the same way.
[0029]
As the next processing, a “media set guidance screen” as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed (# 03). On this screen, a message “Set media and press OK button” and the corresponding media M1 are displayed. When the customer sets the media M1 in the media drive and operates the OK button by reading the image information from the set media M1 (# 04), the next image is displayed. Processing is executed.
[0030]
As the next processing, a “service selection screen” as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed (# 05). On this screen, a message “Please select a service” and a print acceptance switch for accepting prints and a media save acceptance switch for accepting media storage (writing service to CD-R etc.) Display and ask the customer for selection.
[0031]
If the print acceptance switch is operated while the “service selection screen” is displayed, a “print size selection screen” as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed (# 06). Along with the message “Please select the print size”, a size designation switch corresponding to multiple print sizes is displayed on this screen. The size designation switch section displays “L version” or “2L” indicating the print size. In addition to the characters “Plate”, a numerical value indicating the print size, the unit price of printing, and the basic charge for printing are displayed, and the following processing is executed by operating any one of the size designation switches.
[0032]
As the next processing, the “print number setting screen” is displayed (# 7). On this screen, a message “Please set the number of prints” and a thumbnail image created from a plurality of pieces of image information read from the medium M1 are displayed, and a cancel button is returned at the bottom of the screen. A button and a next button functioning as a display button are displayed, and an information area is displayed at a central position on the lower side of the screen. If there is a print number setting screen with further thumbnail images, the next button is used to move to the next screen, and in the case of the final screen, the OK button that is displayed is used to move to the next step. Migrate to
[0033]
An example of the print number setting screen is shown in FIG. 13, and the thumbnail image is displayed and the image data size acquired by the image data size acquisition unit 22a is in the form of horizontal pixel number × vertical pixel number to the right of the thumbnail image. It is displayed below.
[0034]
Furthermore, a configuration may be adopted in which the print quality information determined by the print quality information determination unit 28 is displayed together with the image data size or instead of the image data size. An example of such a print number setting screen is partially shown in FIG. 14, and as described above, the printing capability of the printing apparatus 3 is sufficient from the relationship between the image data size and the resolution of the printer apparatus 3. The print size that can be used for the display, that is, the recommended print size is displayed. For example, “recommended print size 2L / L” is displayed for thumbnail images whose image data size is displayed as 2048 × 1536, “no recommended print size” is displayed as thumbnail images displayed as 160 × 120, and 1600 × 1200. In the displayed thumbnail image, “recommended print size L” is displayed. If the recommended print size includes the print size selected in step # 6, the print output with the expected image quality can be obtained. If it is not included or if “None” is displayed, it is special. It is desirable to reconsider the print size except for various circumstances or to reselect different image information as the print source.
[0035]
In the initial setting of this print number setting screen, the numerical value in the lower number display area of all thumbnail images is set to “0”. When the + button is operated, the number of prints of the image increases by one, and the − button When is operated, the number of prints of the image information is decreased by 1, and the set number is displayed in the number display area.
[0036]
Note that, when media storage acceptance is selected in the “service selection screen” (# 5), image information recorded on a removable storage medium such as a CD-R is selected through an image selection screen similar to the print number setting screen. (# 8).
[0037]
When setting of the number of prints of all image information or selection of written image information is completed and the above setting or selection process is completed by operating the OK button on the corresponding screen, it is given by the customer in the current order input process Order information is created as provisional order information by the order information processing unit 24 (# 9), order input processing with a different print size or order input processing using another medium M1, and another print service ( In this case, the customer is inquired as to whether or not to perform the order input process in the media storage reception) through the “order input process end / continue selection screen” as shown in FIG. 15 (# 10).
[0038]
Here, when the continuation of the order input process is selected (YES branch at # 10), a “continuation order type selection screen” as shown in FIG. 16 is displayed at the same time. One of the order input processing with a different print size, the order input processing with another medium M1, or the order input processing with another print service is selected (# 11). If an order input process on another medium M1 is selected, the process jumps to step # 2, and if an order input process on another print service is selected, the process jumps to step # 5, with a different print size. When the order input process is selected, the process jumps to step # 6.
[0039]
Each time the order input process is completed, as schematically shown in FIG. 17, the provisional order information is linked to a process ID for specifying the order input process by the same customer in the order information processing unit. However, when the order input process is repeated a plurality of times, a plurality of provisional order information linked from one process ID is created.
[0040]
When the end of the order input process is selected on the “order input process end / continue selection screen”, a “name input screen” is first displayed as part of the customer information input process (# 20). On this screen, a message saying “Please enter your name” is displayed, and an input board with a name display and keyboard is displayed. The “input screen” is displayed. This screen displays a message “Please enter your phone number” and an input board with a phone number display and keyboard (# 21). Touch the keyboard to enter your phone number. Once entered, the process proceeds to the next process.
[0041]
In this way, the customer information input process for inputting the customer name and telephone number is not an essential item for printing, so it is possible to set the processing form so that the process can be shifted to the next process even if there is no input. However, it is reasonable to set the processing mode so that the number and code generated by the receiving device are automatically input when the customer's name is not input.
[0042]
As the next processing, an “order content confirmation screen” as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed based on the provisional order information (# 22). On this screen, the message “Please confirm the contents of the order” is displayed. Since this temporary order information is used, that is, a list showing details and amounts of print output orders input by the same customer through the receiving apparatus 1 is displayed, if this display content is correct. By operating the OK button, the order information processing unit 24 integrates the provisional order information and customer information shown in FIG. 17 to create formal order information. The official order information and image information are stored in the order number directory for this print output order on the hard disk 14 (# 23). That is, the print information creation unit 26 stores the order information and image information created by the order information processing unit 24 in a directory created based on the order number assigned by the order identification information creation unit 26 (see FIG. 4). To do.
[0043]
As the next processing, a “receipt certificate issuance guidance screen” as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed (# 24). On this screen, the message “Receipt certificate is being issued, please wait for a while” and “Please bring the receipt to the counter” will be displayed. Is printed and sent out. When the receipt is issued in this way, all of the order input processing is completed and the initial screen is restored.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a printing system employing a receiving apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an external view of a receiving apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions in the controller of the accepting device.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a directory structure for storing print information in the hard disk of the accepting apparatus.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a receipt issued by the accepting device.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a printing apparatus that constitutes the printing system.
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions in the controller of the printing apparatus.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation flow during order input processing;
FIG. 9 is a display screen diagram showing a media selection screen.
FIG. 10 is a display screen diagram showing a media set guidance screen.
FIG. 11 is a display screen diagram showing a service selection screen.
FIG. 12 is a display screen diagram showing a print size selection screen.
FIG. 13 is a display screen diagram showing a print number setting screen.
FIG. 14 is a partial display screen view showing an enlarged print number setting screen.
FIG. 15 is a display screen diagram showing an order input process end / continue selection screen.
FIG. 16 is a display screen diagram showing a continue order type selection screen.
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a link relationship of provisional order information for the same customer.
FIG. 18 is a display screen diagram showing an order information confirmation screen.
FIG. 19 is a display screen showing a receipt issuance guidance screen.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Reception device
2 network
3 Printing device
12 display
13 Touch panel
20 Accepting device controller (general-purpose computer)
22 Image information processing section
24 Order Information Processing Department
26 Print information creation section
40 Printing device controller (general-purpose computer)
M1 data storage media

Claims (2)

A medium drive that reads image information from a storage medium input by a customer, and an image information processing unit that processes the image information to display an image of a plurality of image information read by the medium drive in a thumbnail image format on a display And an order information processing unit that creates order information based on an order input process in which a customer inputs a print service order for an image displayed on the display.
In order to perform the order input process continuously over a plurality of storage media, the order information processing unit is configured to input an order by the same customer every time the order input process for an image read from one storage medium is completed. Creating temporary order information to which a unique order ID is given in a form linked with one processing ID for specifying a process, and each temporary order information including image data as a print source included in the image information; A digital image characterized in that print information is created in combination, and when order input processing across the plurality of storage media is completed, a plurality of the print information is integrated to create formal order information linked from the processing ID Reception device. The digital image receiving apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the provisional order information is integrated with customer information.

Images