JP4260052B2 - PRINT SYSTEM, PRINT SERVER, AND IMAGING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus having a storage means for storing image data and a communication means for transmitting the image data to the outside, and printing of image data transmitted from the image pickup apparatus connected to the image pickup apparatus via a communication network. The present invention relates to a print system including a print server, a print server used in the system, and an imaging apparatus.

  As an imaging device, a digital camera that converts subject light captured by a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD image sensor into digital image data and stores the digital image data in a storage medium such as a built-in memory or a memory card is widely used. Users of such digital cameras watch image data by downloading it to a personal computer and displaying it on a display or printing it out with a printer.

  On the other hand, digital print services that can obtain high-quality print images are widespread. As a print system that provides such a service, a digital camera is provided with a data communication function using a mobile phone or PHS, and captured image data is transmitted to a print server via a base station of a mobile communication network operator, A printer that prints image data with a high-quality color video printer in the print server has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-108753 A

  However, in the conventional print system described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to highly estimate the communication processing capacity of the print server in consideration of the case where print orders from users are concentrated. There was a problem of becoming expensive.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a print system and a print server that can reduce a communication load on the print server.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide an imaging apparatus capable of preventing an unexpected situation such as inadvertently deleting image data for which a print order has been placed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image pickup apparatus having a storage means for storing image data and a communication means for transmitting the image data to the outside, and is connected to the image pickup apparatus via a communication network. In a print system including a print server that prints image data transmitted from an imaging device, the print server, when accessed from the imaging device, determines the image according to its own communication status. A communication control means for determining a data reception time for receiving data is provided.

  The imaging apparatus preferably includes data control means for prohibiting the image data for which a print order has been placed from being deleted from the storage means before the data reception time. The imaging apparatus may be configured such that the slot for detachably holding the storage means and the storage means for storing the image data for which a print order has been placed are removed from the slot before the data reception time. It is preferable to provide an exchange restricting means that is prohibited.

  In addition, the present invention provides a printing unit for printing image data transmitted from the imaging apparatus connected to an imaging apparatus having a storage unit for storing image data and a communication unit for transmitting the image data to the outside via a communication network. The print server to be provided is provided with communication control means for determining a data reception time for receiving the image data according to its own communication status when accessed from the imaging device. .

  Furthermore, the present invention is an image pickup apparatus used in the print system according to claim 1, wherein the image data for which a print order has been placed is prohibited from being deleted from the storage means before the data reception time. It is characterized by comprising data control means.

  An exchange restricting means for prohibiting the slot for holding the storage means detachably and the storage means for storing the image data for which the print order has been placed from being removed from the slot before the data reception time. It is preferable to comprise.

  According to the print system and the print server of the present invention, when there is an access from the image pickup apparatus, the communication control unit that determines the data reception time for receiving the image data according to the communication status of the device at that time is provided. As a result, the communication load on the print server can be reduced. Therefore, it is not necessary to estimate the communication processing capacity of the print server highly, and the cost on the print server can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, it is provided with data control means for prohibiting image data for which a print order has been placed from being deleted from the storage means before the data reception time. Since the storage means for storing the image data includes an exchange restricting means for prohibiting the image data from being removed from the slot before the data reception time, it is unexpected that the image data for which a print order has been placed will be inadvertently deleted. Can be prevented.

  In FIG. 1, a print system 2 to which the present invention is applied includes a digital camera 10 and a print server 12 connected to the digital camera 10 via a communication network 11 such as the Internet or a telephone line. In the print system 2, a user of the digital camera 10 transmits image data captured by the digital camera 10 to the print server 12 via the communication network 11, prints the image data transmitted by the print server 12, and the street At a DPE store or a convenience store, a printed product is delivered to the user in exchange for a fee.

  In FIG. 2 showing the electrical configuration of the digital camera 10, the CPU 20 controls each part of the digital camera 10 via a bus 21. A release button 22 is connected to the CPU 20. The release button 22 is a two-stage push switch. When the release button 22 is lightly pressed (half-pressed) after framing of the subject image, various shooting preparation processes such as automatic exposure adjustment (AE) and automatic focus adjustment (AF) are performed. In this state, when the release button 22 is pressed once more (fully pressed), the imaging signal for one frame subjected to the imaging preparation process is converted into image data, and then image processing and compression processing described later are performed. And stored in the memory card 23.

  The imaging unit 24 includes an imaging lens that captures a subject image, a CCD image sensor that converts an optical subject image from the imaging lens into an electrical imaging signal, and the like. The signal processing unit 25 performs various signal processing such as correlated double sampling, amplification, and A / D conversion on the imaging signal output from the imaging unit 24, and converts the signal into digital image data. The image processing unit 26 performs various types of image processing such as edge enhancement, gamma correction, and white balance adjustment on the digital image data after the signal processing.

  The system memory 27 includes a ROM that stores various programs for performing a shooting sequence, and a RAM that temporarily stores various data necessary for executing the programs. The CPU 20 reads programs and data stored in the system memory 27 via the bus 21 and controls each unit of the digital camera 10 based on these.

  The nonvolatile memory 28 includes a rewritable storage medium such as an EEPROM, and records various setting information necessary for operating the digital camera 10. The various setting information is rewritten with new information when a new function is added. The frame memory 29 stores image data for one frame that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 26. The image data stored in the frame memory 29 is converted into a composite signal by the LCD driver 30 and displayed as a through image on the liquid crystal display (LCD) 31.

  The LCD 31 displays the data reception time determined by the CPU 70 of the print server 12 as will be described in detail later. Further, when an operation for deleting the image data for which the print order has been placed is performed from the memory card 23 before the data reception time, a warning message 50a as shown in FIG. 3A is displayed. Further, when an operation for removing the memory card 23 storing the image data for which the print order has been made from the memory card slot 32 is performed before the data reception time, a warning message 50b as shown in FIG. 3B is displayed. To do.

  In FIG. 2, the image compression / decompression circuit 33 performs compression processing on the image data stored in the frame memory 29 in, for example, the JPEG format when the release button 22 is fully pressed. The compressed image data is recorded on the memory card 23 via the card I / F 34.

  The memory card 23 is detachably loaded in the memory card slot 32. The memory card slot 32 is provided with a replacement restricting device 35. The exchange restricting device 35 prohibits the memory card 23 storing the image data for which the print order has been placed from being removed from the memory card slot 32 before the data reception time determined by the CPU 70 of the print server 12. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, it is provided near the insertion slot 32 a of the memory card slot 32, and is between a protruding position where the removal of the memory card 23 is prohibited and a retracted position where the removal of the memory card 23 is allowed. The pin 60 is movable.

  In FIG. 2, an operation unit 36 is a zoom operation button that changes the zoom lens of the imaging lens to the wide side or the tele side, and a menu button that is operated when a menu screen is displayed on the LCD 31 or when a selection content is determined. And a cross key for moving the cursor in the menu screen. The CPU 20 receives the operation signal of the operation unit 36 via the I / O port 37 and operates each unit of the digital camera 10 in conjunction with the received operation signal.

  The operation unit 36 is also operated when placing a print order for the image data recorded on the memory card 23. The user of the digital camera 10 operates the operation unit 36 to reproduce and display the image data recorded on the memory card 23 on the LCD 31, select image data to be printed from among them, and select the number of prints and print size. Enter various order information.

  The wireless communication I / F 38 transmits image data and various order information to the print server 12 via the wireless communication antenna 39 and receives a data reception time from the print server 12. The clock circuit 40 stores and manages the date and time set by the operation of the operation unit 36. The strobe device 41 is operated at night or indoor shooting, and the operation is controlled by a strobe control circuit 42. The power supply unit 43 supplies power to each unit of the digital camera 10.

  Tag information indicating that the print order has been completed is added to the image data for which the print order has been placed by the operation of the operation unit 36. When the image data to which the tag information is added is to be deleted from the memory card 23 before the data reception time, the CPU 20 displays a warning message 50a on the LCD 31 and prohibits the deletion of the image data. Further, the CPU 20 operates the replacement restriction device 35 to prohibit the removal of the memory card 23 from the memory card slot 32 before the data reception time, and when the operation is performed to remove from the memory card slot 32 before the data reception time, A warning message 50b is displayed on the LCD 31.

  When the time of the clock circuit 40 coincides with the data reception time, the CPU 20 operates the power supply unit 43 to automatically turn on the power of the digital camera 10, and prints the image data and order information for which the print order has been placed. Send to server 12. After the transmission of the image data and the order information, the CPU 20 cancels the operation of the image data deletion prohibition and replacement restriction device 35.

  In FIG. 5, the overall operation of the print server 12 is comprehensively controlled by the CPU 70. The CPU 70 is connected to a plurality of print units 71, an image memory 72, a ROM 73, a RAM 74, and an external communication I / F 75. The print unit 71 includes, for example, a known image printing apparatus that projects and exposes an image displayed on the LCD onto a photosensitive material, and prints out image data transmitted from the digital camera 10. The CPU 70 manages the operation states of the plurality of print units 71 and equally assigns print jobs to the plurality of print units 71 according to the operation states.

  The image memory 72 stores image data transmitted from the digital camera 10. The ROM 73 records programs and various data necessary when the print server 12 is activated. The RAM 74 stores image data order information transmitted from the digital camera 10.

  The external communication I / F 75 receives image data and order information from the digital camera 10 and transmits a data reception time to the digital camera 10. The CPU 70 monitors the communication status of the external communication I / F 75. When there is an access from the digital camera 10, the CPU 70 receives time (data) according to the communication status of the external communication I / F 75 at that time. Receive time). For example, when the communication status of the external communication I / F 75 is busy, the data reception time is shifted to a time slot that is free to some extent, such as midnight. On the other hand, if the communication status is not busy, reception of image data is accepted immediately after access.

  Next, the processing procedure of the printing system 2 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, after shooting a subject with the digital camera 10, the user operates the operation unit 36 to select image data to be ordered for printing, and inputs various order information. Then, an access signal is transmitted to the print server 12 via the wireless communication I / F 38 and the wireless communication antenna 39.

  When the access signal is transmitted from the digital camera 10, the CPU 70 grasps the communication status of the external communication I / F 75 in the print server 12. When the communication status of the external communication I / F 75 is busy, the data reception time for receiving the image data is shifted to a time slot that is free to some extent, such as midnight. On the other hand, if the communication status is not busy, the current time at that time is determined as the data reception time. The data reception time determined by the CPU 70 is transmitted to the digital camera 10.

  When the data reception time is received from the print server 12, the digital camera 10 prohibits the CPU 20 from deleting the image data for which the print order has been placed if the data reception time is later than the current time. Then, the replacement restricting device 35 is operated and the removal of the memory card 23 from the memory card slot 32 is prohibited.

  When an image data deletion operation or a memory card 23 removal operation for which a print order has been placed before the data reception time is performed, a warning message 50a or 50b is displayed on the LCD 31. This process is executed until the time of the clock circuit 40 coincides with the data reception time.

  When the time of the clock circuit 40 coincides with the data reception time, the power supply unit 43 is operated by the CPU 20 and the power of the digital camera 10 is automatically turned on. Then, the image data on which the print order has been placed and the order information are transmitted to the print server 12. After the transmission of the image data and the order information, the CPU 20 cancels the image data deletion prohibition and the operation of the exchange restriction device 35. On the other hand, when the data reception time is the current time, the image data and the order information are immediately transmitted to the print server 12.

  In the print server 12, the print unit 71 is operated by the CPU 70 based on the image data received from the digital camera 10 and the order information, and the print unit 71 prints the image data.

  As described above, when the communication status of the external communication I / F 75 of the print server 12 is busy, no further reception of image data and order information from the digital camera 10 is accepted and access is relatively low. Since it is accepted later in the time zone, it is possible to reduce the communication load on the print server. Also, deletion of image data for which a print order has been placed is prohibited, and removal of the memory card 23 storing the image data for which the print order has been stored from the memory card slot 32 is prohibited. It is possible to prevent unforeseen situations such as inadvertent deletion of image data.

  Although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 for the sake of simplicity, the communication of the external communication I / F 75 of the print server 12 is performed when transmitting image data and order information for which a print order has been made during the data reception time. If the situation is busy, the CPU 70 schedules the data reception time again.

  In the above embodiment, the pin 60 has been described as an example of the exchange restricting device 35. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the insertion slot 32a of the memory card slot 32 may be closed with a lid. Good.

  Further, after deletion of image data for which a print order has been placed is prohibited and removal of the memory card 23 from the memory card slot 32 is prohibited, these operations are permitted by inputting a specific authentication number, for example. It is good also as a structure which can do.

  In the above embodiment, the digital camera 10 has been described as an example of the imaging device. However, the present invention can also be applied to other imaging devices such as a mobile phone with a camera.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of a digital camera. It is a figure showing the state which displayed the warning message on LCD, When (A) is going to delete the image data with which the print order was performed, (B) has memorize | stored the image data with which the print order was performed A case where the memory card is about to be removed from the memory card slot is shown. It is a figure which shows an example of an exchange control apparatus. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a print server. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the print system.

Explanation of symbols

2 Print System 10 Digital Camera 11 Communication Network 12 Print Server 20 CPU
23 Memory Card 24 Imaging Unit 31 Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
32 Memory Card Slot 35 Exchange Restriction Device 36 Operation Unit 38 Wireless Communication I / F
40 Clock circuit 50a, 50b Warning message 60 pin 70 CPU
71 Print section 75 External communication I / F

Claims (7)

An imaging device having storage means for storing image data, and communication means for transmitting the image data to the outside;
In a print system including a print server connected to the imaging device via a communication network and printing image data transmitted from the imaging device,
The print server includes a communication control unit that determines a data reception time for receiving the image data according to the communication status of the image server when the print server is accessed .
The image pickup apparatus includes a data control unit that prohibits the image data for which a print order has been placed from being deleted from the storage unit before the data reception time . The imaging apparatus prohibits the slot for detachably holding the storage means and the storage means for storing the image data for which a print order has been placed from being removed from the slot before the data reception time. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising an exchange restriction unit. The said data control means or the said exchange control means cancels | releases prohibition of the deletion of the said image data, or prohibition of the removal of the said memory | storage means by the input of a specific operation signal. Printing system. 4. The communication control unit according to claim 1, wherein if the communication status of the print server is busy at the determined data reception time, scheduling of the data reception time is performed again. The printing system described. An imaging apparatus used in the printing system according to claim 1,
An image pickup apparatus, comprising: a data control unit that prohibits the image data for which a print order has been placed from being deleted from the storage unit before the data reception time.   A slot for detachably holding the storage means; and an exchange restricting means for prohibiting the storage means storing the image data for which a print order has been placed from being removed from the slot before the data reception time. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: The said data control means or the said exchange control means cancels | releases prohibition of the deletion of the said image data, or removal of the said memory | storage means by the input of a specific operation signal. Imaging device.

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