JP4189544B2 - How to accept print orders - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print order receiving method, a print order receiving method obtained digital image by particular digital imaging performed by photo studio and photography studios, or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when digital photography is performed with the digital camera 12 of the photo studio 10 as shown in FIG. 7, an image obtained by digital photography is displayed on the display 14 in the photo gallery immediately after the photography is completed, and the image to be printed is displayed by the user. A presentation will be given for selection.
[0003]
In the photo studio 10, image processing such as color correction, gradation correction, and trimming processing is performed on the digital image selected by the presentation by the image processing device 16. Then, along with the digital image that has been subjected to image processing, order information such as the number of prints and print size is recorded on a medium, which is sent to the developing station 20.
[0004]
At the developing station 20, the digital image received from the photo studio 10 is digitally printed by the digital printer 22 in accordance with the user's order information, and the digitally printed photo print is delivered to the photo studio 10. In some cases, the digital printer 18 in the photo studio 10 may be used for printing without using the digital printer 22 in the developing station 20.
[0005]
Conventionally, digital contents such as images and music are encrypted and recorded on a CD-ROM or the like, distributed to the user free of charge, and when the user wishes to reproduce the digital contents, the digital contents provider A digital content distribution system has been proposed in which user identification information for electronic payment is sent and a decryption key for decrypting the digital content is received from a digital content provider (Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-334172
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in digital photography performed at photo studios and photography studios, many users shoot with different poses, costumes, and backgrounds for one user, and users who are tired of photography choose more frames. It was a hard work. Also, there was a problem that presentations to people who were not on the spot could not be made, and the desired prints could be missed or reordering was required. As for the image data after shooting, in order to accept photo print orders, it is a heavy burden on the facilities and management of the photo studio to back up the image data of all the original images acquired by the shooting for a long period of time. There is a problem.
[0008]
On the other hand, if the image data of the original image is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-R and delivered to the user, there is a possibility that the user will not reorder.
[0009]
The digital content distribution system described in Patent Document 1 distributes a CD-ROM on which digital content is encrypted and recorded to the user, and when the user desires to reproduce the digital content, user identification information is provided. The digital content provider is notified and the decryption key is received from the digital content provider, so that the digital content is reproduced only for a specific user, and an image of each user's original image taken at a photo studio It is not a system that backs up data.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a large amount of digital images of each user digitally photographed at a photo studio such as a photo studio or a photo studio can be stored and stored without imposing a burden on the photo studio. can be managed, an object of the present invention is to provide a Help lint order acceptance method can also respond better to re-order of the photographic print.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention , there is provided a print order receiving method in which an image processing apparatus of a photo studio encrypts image data of an original image obtained by digital photography at the photo studio using an encryption key. And recording it on a removable recording medium provided to the user, the image processing device creates a preview image having a smaller image size than the original image from the original image, and the image data of the preview image is The step of recording on a recording medium and the information management device of the photo studio associate the identification information of the user who owns the recording medium with the encryption key used for encrypting the original image of the recording medium and manage them in a database step a desired Oh from the user is recorded on the recording medium in which the photographic studio owns the recording medium A step of accepting a print order of a final image; and when the print order is accepted by the photo studio, the information management device stores an original image of the recording medium from the database based on identification information of a user who owns the recording medium. A step of extracting an encryption key used for encrypting the image data, and the image processing device decrypting the image data of the original image ordered for printing recorded on the recording medium using the extracted encryption key. And a step of converting.
[0012]
That is, the image data of the original image obtained by digital photography at the photo studio is encrypted using the encryption key, and is recorded on a removable recording medium provided to the user. A preview image having a smaller image size than the original image is also recorded on the recording medium, and this recording medium is given to the user. Therefore, each user stores and manages the image data of the original image. The user can browse the preview image recorded on the recording medium using a personal computer or the like, but cannot use the encrypted image data of the original image.
[0013]
On the other hand, in the photo studio, the identification information of the user who owns the recording medium and the encryption key used for encrypting the original image of the recording medium are associated and managed in a database. Therefore, the photo studio can decrypt the image data of the encrypted original image recorded on the recording medium brought by the user using the encryption key managed in the database, and can use this.
As described above, since the user can view the preview image recorded on the recording medium using a personal computer at home, the user can also order a new photo print in addition to the reprint order for the photo print. It is. If there is an image to be printed, the recording medium is brought to a photo studio and a print order is made. The print order may be placed on the network.
In addition, the photo studio takes out the user-specific encryption key from the database based on the identification information of the user who owns the recording medium, and the print ordered original recorded on the recording medium using this encryption key. Decodes image data of an image. The image data of the original image decoded in this way is used for photo printing.
[0014]
According to a second aspect of the present invention , in the print order receiving method according to the first aspect , the image processing apparatus records identification information of a user who owns the recording medium on the recording medium. Thereby, the user's encryption key managed in the database can be easily taken out.
[0015]
3. The print order receiving method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image processing device records viewer software for browsing a preview image recorded on the recording medium, on the recording medium. It is characterized by. Thus, the user can view the preview image by simply setting the recording medium in the personal computer without preparing special viewer software by himself.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention , in the print order receiving method according to the first , second, or third aspect, the recording medium is a CD, a DVD, or a memory card.
[0020]
In the print order receiving method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 as shown in claim 5, an image for performing proper print the image data of the original image by the image processing apparatus accepts a print order And a step in which the information management apparatus registers image processing information indicating the contents of the image processing in the database in association with the identification information of the user and the file name of the original image. It is said.
[0021]
That is, the photo studio performs image processing such as trimming, color correction, and retouching on the original image for which the print order has been received. The image processing information indicating the contents of the image processing is used as the user identification information and the original image. It is registered in the database in association with the file name. As a result, when a reprint order for photographic prints is received, the finish of the photographic prints can be made the same by using the image processing information registered in the database. In addition, the image processing information reflects shooting conditions, processing conditions, user preferences, and the like for each shooting station, and a user who ordered a photo print can receive a finished print including these effects any number of times. it can.
[0022]
6. The print order receiving method according to claim 5 , wherein the photo studio is image data of the original image, and image processing information indicating contents of the image processing on the image data of the original image. , And the order information indicating the contents of the print order is sent to the developing house. Note that a recording medium on which the image data of the original image is recorded may be sent to the developing station, or the image data of the original image may be transmitted via a network. Alternatively, image processing may be performed at the development site based on the image processing information, and the processed image and order information may be sent to the development site.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It will be described in detail preferred embodiments of the engagement pulp lint order receiving method according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0024]
Figure 1 is a diagram showing a workflow of the engagement pulp lint order receiving method according to the present invention.
[0025]
As shown in the figure, the photo studio 100 is provided with a digital camera 110, an image processing device 120, and an information management device 150 for digitally photographing a user.
[0026]
A photographer of the photo studio 100 operates the digital camera 110 and usually shoots several tens of images by changing the pose, costume, etc. for one user. The presentation is performed using the digital image thus digitally photographed. That is, digitally photographed digital images are sequentially displayed on the display 112 in the photo hall, and the user selects an image to be printed. Images to be printed can be uploaded to a Web server and the user can select them using a Web browser.
[0027]
The digitally captured digital image (original image) is stored in the hard disk device of the image processing device 120 via the media of the digital camera 110 or via a communication cable such as a USB cable.
[0028]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image processing apparatus 120.
[0029]
As shown in the figure, the image processing apparatus 120 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 122 that mainly controls the operation of each component, and a main memory 124 that stores a control program for the apparatus and serves as a work area when the program is executed. An operating system (OS), device drivers for peripheral devices, image processing software for performing image processing for proper printing of original images, a hard disk device 126 storing user images, etc., and a CD- An R / RW device 128, a card interface 130 having a card insertion slot to which the memory card 111 is attached and detached, a display memory 132 for temporarily storing display data, and image data, character data, etc. from the display memory 132 And monitor devices 13 such as CRT monitors and liquid crystal monitors for displaying characters and the like A keyboard 136, a mouse 138 as a position input device, a mouse controller 140 that detects the state of the mouse 138 and outputs signals such as the position of the mouse pointer on the monitor device 134 and the state of the mouse 138 to the CPU 122; The scramble / descramble unit 142, a communication interface 144, and a bus 146 that connects the above components.
[0030]
When a print order is accepted by the presentation, and when the original image is captured from the memory card 111 to the image processing device 120 via the card I / F 130, the operator looks at the processing image displayed on the monitor device 134. The image processing apparatus 120 is operated to perform image processing (color correction, gradation correction, trimming processing, red-eye processing, whitening processing, etc.) for performing proper printing on the original image that has received a print order.
[0031]
Thereafter, the photo studio 100 receives the image data of the original image for which the print order has been received, information on the image processing (image processing information) performed on each original image in the image processing device 120, the print size, the number of prints, etc. Are recorded on a removable recording medium, and this is sent to the developing station 200 of the customer. Note that the image data of the original image may be transmitted to the developing station 200 via a network. Further, instead of requesting the photo lab 200 to create a photo print, the image data after the image processing of the original image for which the print order has been received is sent to a printer (not shown) in the photo studio 100 where the photo print is sent. May be created.
[0032]
An image processing apparatus and a digital minilab machine 210 (not shown) are installed in the developing station 200. The image processing apparatus receives image data of an original image received from the photo studio 100 via a recording medium, and the original image. The image processing of the original image is performed based on the image processing information applied to the image, and the image processed image data and information such as the print size and the number of prints are sent to the digital minilaborator 210.
[0033]
The digital minilab machine 210 prints an image by scanning exposure with a R, G, B laser on silver salt type color paper based on the image processed image data. The photo prints created at the development station 200 are delivered directly to the home of the user 300 or delivered to the photo studio 100 that requested the print creation.
[0034]
Next, a method for managing image data of an original image obtained by digital photography at the photo studio 100 will be described.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 2, when the digital photography in the photo studio 100 is completed, the image data of the original image for each user is transferred from the memory card 111, which is the medium of the digital camera 110, to the hard disk device 126 via the card I / F 130. take in.
[0036]
From the RAW data, the image processing device 120 uses image data of the original image (in this embodiment, raw data (RAW data) of the R, G, B color filter array of the image sensor of the digital camera 110). Also create a preview image with a small image size. The image size of the preview image is, for example, a portrait length of 320 × 480 pixels (usually portrait portrait images are often taken vertically).
[0037]
Next, the RAW data for each user stored in the hard disk device 126 and the image data of the preview image created from the RAW data are recorded on the CD-R 148 (see FIG. 4) by the CD-R / RW device 128. .
[0038]
At the time of this recording, a scramble key is generated for each user from the scramble / descramble unit 142, and the scramble key is used to scramble the RAW data and record it on the CD-R 148. On the other hand, the preview image is recorded on the CD-R 148 in JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format without being scrambled. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the CD-R 148 records viewer software for viewing the preview image recorded on the CD-R 148 on a monitor of a general-purpose personal computer, and user identification information (user ID). Is done.
[0039]
The CD-R 148 thus created is handed over to the user 300 free of charge (included in the basic shooting fee at the photo studio 100).
[0040]
The user ID recorded on the CD-R 148 can be acquired from the information management apparatus 150 that manages user information and the like via the communication I / F 144, and information on the scramble key used for scramble RAW data is And sent to the information management apparatus 150 via the communication I / F 144.
[0041]
Next, the information management apparatus 150 will be described.
[0042]
The information management apparatus 150 manages user information, scramble keys, and image processing information. As shown in FIG. 3, the information management apparatus 150 mainly includes a communication interface 152, a control unit 154, an operation unit 156 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a user. User information database 158 for managing user information such as ID, address, name (name), etc., scramble key database 160 for managing scramble keys for each user, and print processing applied to RAW data in the image processing apparatus 120 And an image processing information database 162 for managing image processing information (image processing information).
[0043]
The control unit 154 controls and controls each unit in the information management device 150. The control unit 154 includes management software and the like. When the scramble key information used for scrambling each user's RAW data is fetched from the image processing device 120, When the scramble key information is stored in the scramble key database 160 in association with the user ID, or when image processing information for printing to be applied to each RAW data is fetched from the image processing device 120, the image processing information is stored in the user. The image processing information database 162 stores the ID and the image file name in association with each other.
[0044]
In addition, when the control unit 154 receives a user scramble key acquisition request from the image processing device 120 via the communication interface 152, the control unit 154 reads the corresponding scramble key information from the scramble key database 160 based on the user ID, When the image processing information is transferred to the image processing apparatus 120 and a request for acquiring image processing information applied to the user's RAW data is received, the corresponding image processing information is read from the image processing information database 162 based on the user ID, shooting date, and file name information. Is transferred to the image processing apparatus 120.
[0045]
5 and 6 show examples of data structures of the scramble key database 160 and the image processing information database 162, respectively.
[0046]
Next, a print order receiving method for receiving a print order from the CD-R 148 brought into the photo studio 100 by the user 300 will be described.
[0047]
The user 300 can browse the preview image recorded on the CD-R 148 by taking home the CD-R 148 created in the photo studio 100 and setting the CD-R 148 in a personal computer at home. Accordingly, the user 300 can carefully select an image to be ordered for printing at a favorite time while browsing the preview image recorded on the CD-R 148. Note that the original RAW data of the preview image cannot be opened because it is scrambled.
[0048]
When the user 300 requests the print order of the image recorded on the CD-R 148, the user 300 brings the CD-R 148 into the photo studio 100 and places the print order. The print order may be sent over the network by transmitting user information, order image file information, etc. to the photo studio 100 via the network. However, in this case as well, the CD-R 148 is stored in the photo studio. It is necessary to bring it to 100.
[0049]
In the photo studio 100, when the print order of the image recorded on the CD-R 148 brought in by the user 300 is made, the CD-R 148 is transferred to the CD-R / RW device 128 (see FIG. 2) of the image processing apparatus 120. set.
[0050]
The image processing apparatus 120 first reads the user ID recorded on the CD-R 148 by the CD-R / RW apparatus 128 and transmits a request for the user's scramble key to the information management apparatus 150 together with the user ID. As shown in FIG. 3, when the information management apparatus 150 accepts the scramble key acquisition request, the information management apparatus 150 reads the corresponding scramble key information from the scramble key database 160 based on the user ID, and transmits it to the image processing apparatus 120.
[0051]
When the scramble key is acquired from the information management device 150, the scramble / descramble unit 142 of the image processing device 120 decrypts the scrambled RAW data recorded on the CD-R 148 using the scramble key, The decrypted RAW data is temporarily stored in the hard disk device 126.
[0052]
Thereafter, the operator operates the image processing apparatus 120 to perform image processing for performing proper printing on the decoded RAW data that has received the print order. Then, the RAW data for which the print order has been received, the information on the image processing applied to the RAW data, and the order information are recorded on a recording medium, and this is sent to the developing station 200.
[0053]
Information on image processing performed on the RAW data is sent from the image processing apparatus 120 to the information management apparatus 150 together with the user ID and the image file name, and is managed in the image processing information database 162 of the information management apparatus 150.
[0054]
Note that, when an image for which print order has been placed in the photo studio 100 in the past is placed again, image processing information for the RAW data of the image is managed in the image processing information database 162 of the information management device 150. The corresponding image processing information is read from the image processing information database 162 and used. Thus, the burden on the operator who performs image processing for performing proper printing is reduced, and the user can obtain a photographic print having the same finish as the photographic print obtained by placing a print order in the past.
[0055]
In this embodiment, a presentation for accepting a print order is incorporated in the workflow of the photo studio 100, but by providing the user with a CD-R that can browse images digitally photographed in the photo studio 100. Later, a print order can be accepted and the presentation can be separated from the workflow of the photo studio 100.
[0056]
Further, the image processing apparatus 120 and the information management apparatus 150 are provided separately. However, both may be integrated, and one information management apparatus 150 is shared by a plurality of image processing apparatuses 120. Also good.
[0057]
Further, in this embodiment, the CD-R is used as a recording medium provided to the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other removable recording media such as a DVD may be used. In addition, although RAW data is used as original image data, it may be in other formats such as JPEG, TIFF, BMP, etc. Further, the user can scramble the original image data by using a scramble key and scramble the original image data. The original image data may not be used with another encryption key.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the image data of each user's original image digitally photographed at a photo studio such as a photo studio or a photo studio is encrypted using an encryption key, and this is stored in a removable recording medium. Since it was recorded and provided to users, each user must store and manage a large amount of original image data by themselves, and the burden of backing up the original image data by the photo studio Can be reduced.
[0059]
In addition, since the preview image having a smaller image size than the original image is recorded on the recording medium, the user can view the preview image recorded on the recording medium using a personal computer or the like. This makes it possible to carefully select an image to be ordered for printing at a desired time.
[0060]
On the other hand, at the photo studio, when reordering, the encrypted original image data recorded on the recording medium brought by the user can be decrypted with the encryption key managed in the database and utilized. . Furthermore, the photo studio performs image processing such as trimming, color correction, and retouching on the original image for which the print order has been received. Image processing information indicating the contents of the image processing is registered in the database. Therefore, when a reprint order for photographic prints is accepted, the image processing information registered in the database can be used, and the photographic prints can have the same finish.
[Brief description of the drawings]
It shows an example of the hardware configuration of the block diagram Figure 3 the information management apparatus showing a hardware configuration example of FIG. 2 shows an image processing apparatus according to the workflow indicating the engagement pulp lint order receiving method in [1] The present invention Block diagram [Fig. 4] Image diagram of data recorded on CD-R [Fig. 5] Diagram showing scramble key database [Fig. 6] Diagram showing image processing information database [Fig. 7] Presentation for accepting conventional print order Showing the workflow of a photo studio including
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Photo studio, 110 ... Digital camera, 120 ... Image processing apparatus, 148 ... CD-R, 150 ... Information management apparatus, 200 ... Development laboratory, 210 ... Digital minilab machine, 300 ... User

Claims (6)

The image processing apparatus of the photo studio encrypts the image data of the original image obtained by digital photography at the photo studio using an encryption key, and records it on a removable recording medium provided to the user;
The image processing device creating a preview image having a smaller image size than the original image from the original image, and recording image data of the preview image on the recording medium;
The information management device of the photo studio associates the identification information of the user who owns the recording medium with the encryption key used for encrypting the original image of the recording medium and manages it in a database;
Receiving a print order of a desired original image recorded on the recording medium from a user who owns the recording medium at the photo studio;
When a print order is accepted by the photo studio, the information management device uses the encryption key used for encrypting the image data of the original image of the recording medium from the database based on the identification information of the user who owns the recording medium Taking out the step;
The image processing apparatus decrypting the image data of the original image ordered for printing recorded on the recording medium using the extracted encryption key;
A print order receiving method characterized by comprising: The print order receiving method according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus records identification information of a user who owns the recording medium on the recording medium. 3. The print order receiving method according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus records viewer software for browsing a preview image recorded on the recording medium on the recording medium. 4. The print order receiving method according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a CD, a DVD, or a memory card. The image processing apparatus performs image processing for performing proper printing on the image data of the original image for which the print order has been received, and the information management apparatus stores image processing information indicating the contents of the image processing. print order receiving method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in association with the file name of the user identification information and the original image and a step of registering in the database. The photo studio sends the image data of the original image, image processing information indicating the content of the image processing on the image data of the original image, and order information indicating the content of the print order to the development facility. The print order receiving method according to claim 5 .

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