JP3753025B2 - Printed material providing apparatus, program used therefor, and printed material providing instruction method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing printed matter, a program used therefor, and an instruction method for providing a printed matter, and more specifically, an apparatus for providing printed matter used when providing a printed matter of a selected image selected by a user from a plurality of images via a communication network. The present invention also relates to a program used for this and a printed matter providing instruction method for giving an instruction when providing a printed matter of a selected image selected by a user from a plurality of images via a communication network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as this kind of printed matter providing apparatus, the user selects a plurality of images via the Internet by printing the image selected by the user with his own printer, or delivers the printed matter at the printing center. There has been proposed one that accepts the selection of whether to receive the supply of printed matter. This device for providing printed matter functions as a WEB server on the Internet, manages distribution of images and printing of images by registered users for registered users, and prints the size that users cannot print with their own printers. It manages the printing and delivery of printed materials at the center.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a device for providing printed matter, when the user changes his mind to select printing with his / her printer and desires printing and delivery at the printing center, the process up to the process before selecting to print with his / her printer is performed. I needed to go back. In this case, when the user distributes and edits the image selected for printing on his or her printer, it is necessary to redo the editing of the selected image, and the editing result is wasted and time-consuming. .
[0004]
The apparatus for providing printed matter and the method for providing printed matter of the present invention select printing with their own printer when the user changes his mind after selecting to print with his own printer and desires printing and delivery at the printing center. One of the purposes is to avoid returning to the previous process. In addition, the printed matter providing apparatus according to the present invention, when the user changes his / her mind to select printing with his / her printer and desires printing and delivery at the printing center, the editing result of the selected image performed so far One of the purposes is to effectively use for printing at the printing center. The program used for the apparatus for providing printed matter according to the present invention is to print on the user's printer when the user changes his / her mind and desires printing and delivery at the printing center after the user selects to print on the user's own printer. As a device for providing prints that can avoid returning to the process prior to selection, or when the user changes his mind when he / she chooses to print with his / her printer and desires printing and delivery at the print center It is an object of the present invention to function as an apparatus for providing printed matter that can be used effectively for printing at a printing center with the edited result of a selected image.
[0005]
[Means for solving the problems and their functions and effects]
The printed matter providing apparatus of the present invention, the program used therefor, and the printed matter providing instruction method employ the following means in order to achieve at least a part of the above-described object.
[0006]
The apparatus for providing printed matter of the present invention comprises:
A printed matter providing apparatus used when providing a printed matter of a selected image selected by a user from a plurality of images via a communication network,
A distribution print providing that provides the user with a printed matter of the selected image by managing the delivery of the selected image to the user and the printing of the selected image by the user, or a printed matter obtained by printing the selected image. First selection accepting means for accepting a first selection of print delivery provision for providing a user with a print of the selected image by delivering;
An image distribution unit that distributes the selected image and / or an image obtained by adjusting the selected image to the user when the distribution print provision is received as the first selection by the first selection receiving unit;
The first selection accepting means accepts the delivery print provision, and before the user prints the selected image or the adjusted image, the instruction to print the selected image or the print delivery provision A second selection receiving means for receiving a selection of 2;
When the print delivery provision is accepted as the first selection by the first selection accepting means or when the print delivery provision is accepted as the second selection by the second selection accepting means, Print delivery instruction output means for outputting instructions for printing and delivery;
It is a summary to provide.
[0007]
In the printed matter providing apparatus of the present invention, the second selection receiving unit manages the distribution of the selected image to the user and the printing of the distributed selected image by the user by the first selection receiving unit. Distribution print provision to provide the printed matter to the user is accepted as the first selection, and before the selected image or an image obtained by adjusting the selected image is printed by the user, the selected image is printed or the selected image is printed. Even when a change is made to change to print delivery provision after selecting delivery print provision, the second selection of print delivery provision for providing the user with the print image of the selected image is received by delivering the printed matter. There is no need to return to the process before the first selection is accepted. In the printed matter providing apparatus according to the present invention, when the distribution selection is received as the first selection by the first selection receiving unit, the selected image or the image obtained by adjusting the selected image is distributed to the user side. When the print delivery provision is accepted as the first selection by the first selection accepting means or when the print delivery provision is accepted as the second selection by the second selection accepting means, the selected image is output by the print delivery instruction output means. An instruction to print and deliver is output.
[0008]
In the printed matter providing apparatus of the present invention, the print delivery instruction output means may be means for outputting the instruction to the printing apparatus via a communication line. In this way, it is not necessary to install the printed matter providing apparatus and the printing apparatus at the same place.
[0009]
Further, in the apparatus for providing printed matter of the present invention, the second selection accepting unit is configured to input the second selection based on a user input made on a screen provided by a user-side application software capable of communicating via the communication network. It may be a means for receiving the selection of 2. By so doing, it is possible to accept the second selection by inputting the user's input made on the screen provided by the application software on the user side via the communication network.
[0010]
In the apparatus for providing printed matter of the present invention that accepts a second selection based on a user input made on a screen provided by the user-side application software, the user-side software that manages the user-side application software Management means may be provided. By doing so, it is possible to manage the distribution of the selected image to the user and the printing of the distributed selected image by the user by managing the application on the user side. The apparatus for providing printed matter according to this aspect of the present invention may include user-side software distribution means for distributing the user-side application software. If it carries out like this, a user side application software can be distributed as what is easy to manage by a user side software management means. As a result, management of application software on the user side can be further strengthened.
[0011]
In the apparatus for providing printed matter according to the aspect of the invention including user-side software management means, the user-side application software is software capable of printing the distributed selection image, and the user-side software management means is the user-side software management means. It may be a means for managing printing of the distributed selected image by application software. In the printed matter providing apparatus according to this aspect of the present invention, the user-side application software is software for displaying and / or editing the distributed selection image, and the user-side software management means is the user-side application software. It may be a means for managing display and / or editing of the distributed selected image by software. Thus, the selected image can be edited and the editing of the selected image can be managed.
[0012]
In the printed matter providing apparatus of the present invention, the second selection accepting unit accepts the second selection based on a user input made on a screen output to the user side via the communication network. It can also be assumed. By so doing, it is possible to accept the second selection by inputting the user input made on the screen output to the user side via the communication network. In the apparatus for providing printed matter of this aspect of the present invention, the screen output to the user side via the communication network may be a screen on which the user can display and / or edit the selected image. Thus, the selected image can be edited and the editing of the selected image can be managed.
[0013]
In the printed matter providing apparatus of the present invention in which the selected image can be edited, the second delivery accepting unit accepts the print delivery provision as the second selection, and the user edits the selected image. An edit information input means for inputting edit information relating to editing of the selected image output from the user side, wherein the print delivery instruction output means is configured to select the selected image based on the edit information input by the edit information input means. It may be a means for instructing to edit, print, and deliver. In this way, re-editing of the selected image can be prevented, and the edited result can be used effectively when printing the selected image in print delivery provision. In the printed matter providing apparatus according to this aspect of the present invention, the editing information is an editing parameter for the selected image, or the editing information is incorporated with another image as an edit of the selected image. In some cases, the other incorporated image may be included as part of the information. In this way, there is no need to transfer the selected image itself from the user side.
[0014]
The program of the present invention causes a computer to function as the printed matter providing apparatus of the present invention according to any one of the above-described aspects. That is, the computer has a basic configuration and a user from a plurality of images via a communication network. An apparatus for providing a printed material used when providing a printed material of a selected selected image, and managing the distribution of the selected image to a user and the printing of the distributed selected image by the user. The first selection accepting means for accepting a first selection of a delivery print provision that provides the user with a distribution print or a print delivery provision that provides the user with a print of the selected image by delivering a printed matter obtained by printing the selected image And when the distribution print provision is accepted as the first selection by the first selection accepting means, the selected image and / or the An image distribution unit that distributes an image with the selected image adjusted to the user side and the distribution print provision received by the first selection receiving unit, and before the user selects the selected image or the image adjusted with the selected image In addition, a second selection accepting unit that accepts a second instruction to print the selected image or provide the print delivery, and the print delivery offer is accepted as the first selection by the first selection accepting unit. Or a print delivery instruction output unit that outputs an instruction to print and deliver the selected image when the print delivery provision is accepted as the second selection by the second selection accepting unit. It is made to function as.
[0015]
In the program according to the present invention, the computer is provided with the printed matter providing apparatus according to any one of the above-described aspects, that is, as the basic configuration, the first selection receiving unit, the image distribution unit, and the second selection receiving unit. And a print delivery instruction output means. Therefore, the effect of the device for providing printed matter of the present invention, that is, the desire to change to print delivery provision after selecting delivery print provision is provided. In addition to the effect that it is not necessary to return to the process before the first selection is accepted even when the change occurs, the computer inputs editing information related to the editing result of the selected image and edits the selected image based on the editing information. By functioning as an apparatus for providing printed matter in a mode for outputting instructions for delivery after printing, it is possible to prevent re-editing of the selected image. Can be achieved like effects that can be effectively used when printing the selected image in the print delivery provides an editing result it is.
[0016]
The printed matter provision instruction method of the present invention includes:
A printed matter providing instruction method for giving an instruction when providing a printed matter of a selected image selected by a user from a plurality of images via a communication network,
A distribution print providing that provides the user with a printed matter of the selected image by managing the delivery of the selected image to the user and the printing of the selected image by the user, or a printed matter obtained by printing the selected image. A first selection accepting step of accepting a first selection of print delivery providing for providing the user with a print of the selected image by delivering;
An image delivery step of delivering the selected image and / or an image obtained by adjusting the selected image to the user side when the delivery print provision is accepted as the first selection by the first selection accepting step;
In the first selection receiving step, the distribution print provision is accepted, and before the user prints the selected image or the adjusted image, the instruction to print the selected image or the print delivery provision A second selection receiving step for receiving a selection of 2;
When the print delivery provision is accepted as the first selection by the first selection acceptance step or when the print delivery provision is accepted as the second selection by the second selection acceptance step, A print delivery instruction output step for outputting instructions for printing and delivery;
When the instruction for printing the selected image is accepted as the second selection in the second selection accepting step, the print for outputting the instruction for permitting printing by the user of the selected image and / or the image obtained by adjusting the selected image Permission instruction output step;
It is a summary to provide.
[0017]
In the printed matter providing instruction method of the present invention, in the second selection receiving step, the first selection receiving step manages the distribution of the selected image to the user and the printing of the distributed selected image by the user. Distribution print provision to provide the printed matter to the user is accepted as the first selection, and before the selected image or an image obtained by adjusting the selected image is printed by the user, the selected image is printed or the selected image is printed. Even when a change is made to change to print delivery provision after selecting delivery print provision, a second selection of print delivery provision for providing the user with the print image of the selected image is received by delivering the printed matter. There is no need to return to the process before the first selection is accepted. In the printed matter provision instruction method of the present invention, when the distribution print provision is accepted as the first selection in the first selection accepting step, the selected image or the image obtained by adjusting the selected image in the image delivery step is displayed on the user side. When the print delivery provision is accepted as the first selection at the first selection acceptance step or when the print delivery provision is accepted as the second selection at the second selection acceptance step, it is selected by the print delivery instruction output step. An instruction to print and deliver the image is output. When the instruction for printing the selected image is accepted as the second selection in the second selection accepting step, an instruction for permitting printing by the user of the selected image or the image obtained by adjusting the selected image is output in the print permission instruction outputting step. The
[0018]
In the printed matter providing instruction method of the present invention, the second selection receiving step is based on a user input made on a screen provided by a user side application software capable of communicating via the communication network. It is also possible to be a step for accepting selection. By so doing, it is possible to accept the second selection by inputting the user's input made on the screen provided by the application software on the user side via the communication network.
[0019]
Further, in the printed matter provision instruction method of the present invention, the second selection receiving step receives the second selection based on a user input made on a screen output to the user side via the communication network. It can also be assumed. By so doing, it is possible to accept the second selection by inputting the user input made on the screen output to the user side via the communication network.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described using examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a system configuration including a printed matter providing system 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram mainly showing data exchange between the computer 22 of the user 20 and the printed matter providing system 30. It is the block diagram shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printed matter providing system 30 of the embodiment is configured by connecting a Web server 31, an editor server 32, an authoring server 33, a main image file server 34, and a database server 35 via a LAN 38. The server system distributes and prints a still image (image data) as content to the computer 22 of the user 20 via the Internet 10 based on the request of the user 20 and prints the image based on the request of the user 20. It functions as a printed matter providing site for printing at the printing center 40 via the communication line 48 and delivering it to the user 20.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 2, the computer 20 of the user 20 manages the distribution of images, the editing of images, and the printing of images downloaded from the well-known Web browser 23 and the printed material providing system 30 by the printed material providing system 30. Two application softwares with the image editor 24 are stored. The computer 22 is connected to a printer 28 capable of printing photos up to B4 size under the management of the image editor 24.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 2, the Web server 31 constituting the printed matter providing system 30 is arranged at the front end of the Internet site. The Web server 31 communicates with the Web browser 23 through a Web page created in advance and Download to the computer 22, download of images stored in the main image file server 34 arranged in the back end to the computer 22, output of search results to the computer 22 by the database server 35 also arranged in the back end, Charge / settlement processing, print order processing to the print center 40, and the like are performed.
[0023]
The editor server 32 constituting the print provision system 30 is arranged at the front end of the Internet site, like the Web server 31, and processes the request from the image editor 24 and requires the image editor 24 from the database server 35. Information to be acquired is transferred to the image editor 24. The editor server 32 cooperates with the Web server 31 to generate layout information and check settlement processing.
[0024]
The authoring server 33 constituting the printed matter providing system 30 adjusts the image from the content vendor 12 that provides the image to the thumbnail image for image selection, the preview image for preview, and the layout image for layout, and A0, A1, A main image having a size that can be resized among A system sizes such as A2 and B system sizes such as B0, B1, and B2, is adjusted, and the layout image and the main image are encrypted by a method that can be decrypted only by the image editor 24. At the same time, control data such as shop name, price, description, and usage restrictions are added, and thumbnail images, preview images, and layout images are sent to the Web server 31, and the resized main image is sent to the main image file server 34. Is registered in the database server 35.
[0025]
The printing computer 42 installed in the printing center 40 stores the same image as the resized many images stored in the image file server 34 together with its ID in an external storage device such as a hard disk (not shown). The large image printer 44 that searches the stored image based on the image ID output from the Web server 31 and the image output condition and can perform color printing up to A0 size or B0 size connected to the printing computer 42. Print the image. Note that the print center 40 delivers a printed material obtained by printing an image to the user 20 based on the delivery information of the user 20 output from the Web server 31.
[0026]
Next, the operation of the system for providing printed matter 30 of the embodiment configured as described above, particularly the processing for providing the printed matter by the Web server 31 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a printed matter providing process that is mainly executed by the Web server 31. The printed matter providing process is started when a request is made from the Web browser 23 of the computer 22 of the user 20 via the Internet 10.
[0027]
In the print providing process, first, an image selection screen 50 using a plurality of thumbnail images is output to the web browser 23 in response to a request from the web browser 23 on the user side (step S100). An example of the image selection screen 50 is shown in FIG. On the image selection screen 50 illustrated in FIG. 4, a plurality of thumbnail images SG1 to SG4 are displayed along with their brief descriptions and charges so that they can be selected. When the user 20 selects a desired thumbnail image from a plurality of thumbnail images displayed on such an image selection screen with a mouse click or the like, a preview image of the selected image is printed at home or printed at the print center 40. A preview screen including a button for selecting is output to the Web browser 23 (step S102). FIG. 5 shows an example of the preview screen. As shown in the figure, a preview image PG of the selected image is displayed on the preview screen 52 and the image format, size, and file size are displayed. A “print at home” button 54 and a “print at center” button 56 are displayed. The user can select whether printing is performed by the printer 28 connected to the computer 22 of the user 20 or printing is performed by the large printer 44 connected to the printing computer 42 of the printing center 40. It has become.
[0028]
When the user 20 selects the “print at home” button 54 on the preview screen 52 (step S104), the image editor 24 is activated when the image editor 24 exists on the computer 22 of the user 20, and the image editor 24 is displayed on the computer 22. If it does not exist, the image editor 24 is downloaded from the Web server 31 and activated (step S106). That is, when an image is selected from this computer 22 for the first time at this site and the “print at home” button 54 is selected, the image editor 24 is downloaded from the Web server 31 to the computer 22 and activated. The image editor 24 downloaded for the first time is activated. An example of a screen displayed on the computer 22 of the user 20 when the image editor 24 is downloaded is shown in FIG. Here, the activation of the image editor 24 can be executed by describing the activation of the ActiveX control in response to the selection of the “print at home” button 54 on the preview screen 52.
[0029]
In the embodiment, the image editor 24 is activated with template input and paper size input on a template input screen or a paper size input screen. FIG. 7 shows an example of a template input screen, and FIG. 8 shows an example of a paper size input screen.
[0030]
When the image editor 24 is activated in this way, the layout image of the selected image and the edit permission condition are output to the web browser 23 (step S108). Edit permission conditions include reduction / enlargement range, rotation permission, combination permission, overlay permission, aspect ratio change permission, free layout permission, etc. These variant permission conditions include an on / off flag. Are output to the Web browser 23 as image information (resources) together with the layout image and other information. FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen displayed on the computer 22 when downloading image information (resource) including a layout image from the Web server 31.
[0031]
When the image information (resource) is downloaded in this manner, the image editor 24 of the computer 22 displays the layout image LG of the selected image on the edit print screen 60 illustrated in FIG. 10, and the layout image LG of the image selected by the user 20. Change to editing, sample printing, main printing, and printing at the printing center is executed (step S110). The layout image LG can be edited only for the items permitted as the editing permission condition. In the editing print screen 60 illustrated in FIG. 10, the editing buttons 61 to 66 corresponding to the items permitted as the editing permission condition. Is active, so that you can understand which items are allowed to be edited. The user 20 can edit the layout image LG within the permitted range using these edit buttons 61 to 67. The sample print is executed by clicking “print sample” on the edit print screen 60. Specifically, the sample print of the size input via the Web server 31 is downloaded from the main image file server 34, and a plurality of locations are printed. The characters “Sample” are printed over the main image. Note that the editing, sample printing, and print selection processing (step S110) by the user 20 in FIG. 3 is not the processing of the Web server 31, and the block is indicated by a broken line.
[0032]
In the edit print screen 60, in addition to editing the layout image LG and sample printing, the main print for printing the image selected by the printer 28 of the user 20 and the center print for printing the image selected at the print center and receiving the delivery. Is provided with a “main print” button 74 and a “center print” button 76.
[0033]
When the user 20 selects the “main print” button 74, the settlement processing for the fee set for printing the selected image by the printer at home is performed (step S114), and the main print is executed (step S116). ). In actual printing, specifically, in response to selection of the “real printing” button 74, the image editor 24 makes a request for actual printing to the Web server 31, and in response to this, the main image of the size input by the Web server 31 is displayed. This is performed by downloading the main image file server 34 to the computer 22 and outputting the main image downloaded by the image editor 24 to the printer 28.
[0034]
On the other hand, when the user 20 selects the “print at center” button 56 on the preview screen 52 (see FIG. 5) output in step S102 (step S104), an edit input screen for center printing is output to the web browser 23 (step S120). ), And accepts editing input within the permitted range when printing at the print center. An example of the edit input screen for center printing is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the center print editing input screen 80 displays a preview image PG of the selected image, and among the product type, size, template, paper type, and the like, the range that can be printed at the print center and the selection The range set in the set image can be edited.
[0035]
Even when the “center print” button 76 is selected from the edit print screen 60 displayed by the image editor 24 which is the application software on the user 20 side, the center print edit input screen 80 illustrated in FIG. 11 is displayed. In this case, among the items input when starting the image editor 24 and the items edited on the edit print screen 60, the range that can be printed at the print center and the range set for the selected image Displayed with the edit parameters embedded in each item. Therefore, when the user 20 changes his / her intention to print with his / her printer 28 and prints at the print center 40, the user 20 applied it to the image selected for printing with his / her printer 28. The edit can be used when printing is performed at the print center 40. That is, re-input can be avoided. Note that items that are valid only when printing is performed at the print center 40 can be input using the edit input screen 80 for center printing in which the editing result is embedded.
[0036]
When the input by the user 20 on the edit input screen for center printing 80 (step S124) is completed and the “order to print center” button 82 displayed on the edit input screen for center printing 80 is selected by the user 20, the user 20 has selected. The fee set for printing by the image printing center 40 is settled (step S126), and an order to the printing center 40 is made (step S128). The order to the printing center 40 is performed by outputting the ID of the image selected from the Web server 31 to the printing computer 42 of the printing center 40 together with output conditions, editing information, and personal information of the user 20 for delivery. It is. The printing computer 42 of the printing center 40 to which the image ID, the output condition, and the edit information are input prepares the output condition, edits the image based on the edit information, and prints the edited image with the large printer 44. . The printed matter printed in this way is delivered to the delivery destination included in the personal information of the user 20, that is, the user 20.
[0037]
In the printed matter providing system 30 according to the embodiment described above, even when the user 20 decides to print the image selected by the user's own printer 28 and then changes his mind to print at the print center 40, the print center 40 continues to change. The process can be shifted to printing. In addition, the editing result applied to the layout image of the image that is selected to be printed by the printer 28 can be reflected within the range that can be printed at the print center and the range that is set for the selected image. . As a result, re-input by the user 20 can be avoided.
[0038]
In the embodiment, the Web server 31, the editor server 32, the authoring server 33, the main image file server 34, and the database server 35 constitute the printed matter providing system 30, but the Web server 31 has all the functions of other servers. That is, it may be configured by a single computer.
[0039]
In the printed matter providing system 30 according to the embodiment, when the printing center 40 is changed from the plan to be printed by its own printer 28 and the printing center 40 is used for printing, usable editing parameters are embedded in the editing input screen 80 for center printing. However, when free layout is possible and editing is performed in which an image owned by the user 20 is incorporated into the selected image and the image is permitted to be incorporated into the editing range when printing is performed at the print center 40. The image embedded together with the available editing parameters and the information on the position where the image is embedded are output to the Web server 31, and the image embedded in the preview image PG of the center print editing input screen 80 is resized, embedded, and displayed. Good. If editing is not permitted in printing at the printing center 40, the editing parameters may not be output to the Web server 31.
[0040]
In the embodiment, the editing of the selected image is user-side application software that is downloaded from the Web server 31 to the computer 22 of the user 20 and is managed by the print provision system 30 for image distribution, image editing, and image printing. Although it is performed by the image editor 24, it may be performed by a Web page in which image editing and image printing are managed by the printed matter providing system 30.
[0041]
In the embodiment, the present invention has been described as a printed matter providing system that prints and provides a selected image as an embodiment. However, as described above, the Web server 31 has functions of all other servers. However, it may be in the form of a device for providing printed matter, or may be in the form of a program that causes a computer to function as the device for providing printed matter. In the case of this program form, each step of the printed matter providing process described above may be programmed as each process. Of course, it may be in the form of an instruction method for printing and providing a selected image, that is, a printed matter provision instruction method.
[0042]
The embodiments of the present invention have been described using the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course you get.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a system configuration including a printed matter providing system 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing data exchange between a computer 20 of a user 20 and a system for providing printed matter 30;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a printed matter providing process that is mainly executed by a Web server 31;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image selection screen.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a preview screen.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the computer 22 of the user 20 when the image editor 24 is downloaded.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a template input screen displayed on the computer 22 of the user 20 when the image editor 24 is activated.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a paper size input screen displayed on the computer 22 of the user 20 when the image editor 24 is activated.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the computer 22 when image information (resources) including a layout image is downloaded from the Web server 31.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an edit print screen 60 displayed by the image editor 24.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a center printing edit input screen 80 output to the Web browser 23 by the Web server 31.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Internet, 20 users, 22 computers, 23 Web browser, 24 image editor, 28 printer, 30 system for providing printed matter, 31 Web server, 32 editor server, 33 authoring server, 34 image file server, 35 database server, 38 LAN , 40 printing center, 42 printing computer, 44 large printer, 50 image selection screen, 52 preview screen, 54 “print at home” button, 56 “print at center” button, 60 editing printing screen, 61-67 editing buttons 72 “Sample print” button, 74 “Main print” button, 76 “Center print” button, 80 Center print edit input screen, 82 “Order to print center” button, SG1 to SG4 thumbnail image, PG preview image PG, L G Layout image.

Claims (15)

A printed matter providing apparatus used when providing a printed matter of a selected image selected by a user from a plurality of images via a communication network,
A distribution print providing that provides the user with a printed matter of the selected image by managing the delivery of the selected image to the user and the printing of the selected image by the user, or a printed matter obtained by printing the selected image. First selection accepting means for accepting a first selection of print delivery provision for providing a user with a print of the selected image by delivering;
An image distribution unit that distributes the selected image and / or an image obtained by adjusting the selected image to the user when the distribution print provision is received as the first selection by the first selection receiving unit;
Editing information receiving means for receiving editing information relating to editing performed on the user side with respect to the image distributed to the user side by the image distribution means;
The first selection accepting means accepts the delivery print provision, and before the user prints the selected image or the adjusted image, the instruction to print the selected image or the print delivery provision A second selection receiving means for receiving a selection of 2;
When the print delivery provision is accepted as the first selection by the first selection accepting means, an instruction to print and deliver the selected image is output, and the print delivery provision is outputted by the second selection accepting means. Print delivery instruction output means for outputting an instruction to edit, print, and deliver the selected image based on available edit information among the edit information accepted by the edit information accepting means when accepted as the selection of 2 When,
A device for providing printed matter.   2. The printed matter providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print delivery instruction output means is means for outputting the instruction to a printing apparatus via a communication line.   2. The second selection receiving unit is a unit that receives the second selection based on a user input made on a screen provided by a user-side application software capable of communicating via the communication network. Or the apparatus for providing printed matter according to 2.   4. The printed matter providing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising user-side software management means for managing the user-side application software.   5. The printed matter providing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising user-side software distribution means for distributing the user-side application software. The apparatus for providing printed matter according to claim 4 or 5,
The application software on the user side is software capable of printing the distributed selection image,
The apparatus for providing printed matter, wherein the user-side software management means is means for managing printing of the distributed selected image by the user-side application software. The device for providing printed matter according to claim 6,
The user-side application software is software for displaying and / or editing the distributed selection image,
The apparatus for providing printed matter, wherein the user-side software management means is means for managing display and / or editing of the distributed selected image by the user-side application software.   3. The printed matter provision according to claim 1, wherein the second selection receiving unit is a unit that receives the second selection based on a user input made on a screen output to the user side via the communication network. Equipment.   The apparatus for providing printed matter according to claim 8, wherein the screen output to the user via the communication network is a screen on which the user can display and / or edit the selected image.   The apparatus for providing printed matter according to claim 1, wherein the editing information is a parameter for editing the selected image.   The apparatus for providing printed matter according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the editing information includes the incorporated other image as a part of the information when the other image is incorporated as the editing of the selected image.   A program that causes a computer to function as the printed matter providing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11. A printed matter providing instruction method for giving an instruction when providing a printed matter of a selected image selected by a user from a plurality of images via a communication network,
A distribution print providing that provides the user with a printed matter of the selected image by managing the delivery of the selected image to the user and the printing of the selected image by the user, or a printed matter obtained by printing the selected image. A first selection accepting step of accepting a first selection of print delivery providing for providing the user with a print of the selected image by delivering;
An image delivery step of delivering the selected image and / or an image obtained by adjusting the selected image to the user side when the delivery print provision is accepted as the first selection by the first selection accepting step;
An editing information receiving step for receiving editing information related to editing performed on the user side with respect to the image distributed to the user side;
In the first selection receiving step, the distribution print provision is accepted, and before the user prints the selected image or the adjusted image, the instruction to print the selected image or the print delivery provision A second selection receiving step for receiving a selection of 2;
When the print delivery provision is accepted as the first selection in the first selection acceptance step, an instruction to print and deliver the selected image is output, and the print delivery provision is performed in the second selection acceptance step. A print delivery instruction output step for outputting an instruction to edit, print, and deliver the selected image based on available edit information out of the edit information accepted by the edit information accept step When,
When the instruction for printing the selected image is accepted as the second selection in the second selection accepting step, the print for outputting the instruction for permitting printing by the user of the selected image and / or the image obtained by adjusting the selected image Permission instruction output step;
A printed matter providing instruction method.   The step of accepting the second selection is a step of accepting the second selection based on a user input made on a screen provided by user-side application software capable of communicating via the communication network. The printed matter providing instruction method described.   14. The printed matter providing instruction method according to claim 13, wherein the second selection receiving step is a step of receiving the second selection based on a user input made on a screen output to a user side via the communication network. .

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