JP4432826B2 - Print system and print order receiving apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print system and a print order receiving apparatus for receiving a photographic print order from a customer.

With the recent spread of digital cameras, there is an increasing demand for printing image data taken with digital cameras on silver salt photographic paper or the like with a conventional photographic processing apparatus. Therefore, a service for creating a photographic print based on an image photographed by a digital camera is generally performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Here, there are various types of digital cameras, and the number of pixels of image data captured for each model is often different. In recent years, digital cameras with more than 3 million pixels capable of creating high-quality photographic prints have increased, but there are also low-price digital cameras with very few pixels. Therefore, a customer may order a photographic print based on image data with a very large number of pixels and image data with a very small number of pixels stored in a mixed state on one medium.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-75930 (FIG. 1)

  Here, when a photographic print having a large print size is created based on image data having a very small number of pixels, the number of pixels is small with respect to the print size, so that the quality of the photographic print image is degraded. The problem occurs. In order to solve such a problem, images related to image data having a pixel number that is not suitable for creation of a photo print of a print size selected by the customer are not displayed on the order screen, so that these images can be printed. It is possible that orders are not accepted. However, in this case, it is necessary to select the print size for these images again, and photo prints are created until a print size suitable for the image data of the number of pixels of these images is selected. I can't.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing system and a print order receiving apparatus capable of creating a high-quality photographic print regardless of the number of pixels of image data.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

The print system of the present invention receives a photo print order and creates a photo print. In the print system, a reading unit for reading a plurality of image data files recorded on a recording medium and the number of pixels of the received order target image Is determined to be suitable for creating a photo print of a designated print size, and the number of pixels determined to be unsuitable for creation of the photo print of the print size by the determining unit is A print size determining means for determining a print size within a proper range of the number of pixels suitable for creation from a plurality of print sizes , and an image to be ordered, and a photo print of the print size in the determining means image, said print having a number of pixels of the determined unsuitable to create And image layout means for arranging a plurality a size corresponding to the print size determined by the size determining means in the region of the print size, the image data file relating to a plurality of images arranged by the image arranging unit synthesizes, Composite image data creating means for creating composite image data corresponding to the print size.

The print order receiving device of the present invention is a print order receiving device for receiving a photo print order. The reading unit for reading a plurality of image data files recorded on a recording medium, and the number of pixels of the received order target image are: A judging means for judging whether or not it is suitable for creation of a photo print of the specified print size, and the number of pixels determined by the judging means to be unsuitable for creation of the photo print of the print size is the creation of the photo print A print size determining means for determining a print size within the appropriate range of the number of pixels suitable for the print size from among a plurality of print sizes ; an image having a number of pixels that have been determined to be unsuitable for creating the print size determination Combines the image layout means for a plurality arranged in a size corresponding to the print size determined by the stage in the region of the print size, the image data file relating to a plurality of images arranged by said image layout means, said print And composite image data creating means for creating composite image data corresponding to the size.

According to this configuration, when the number of pixels of the image related to the image data file is not suitable for creating a photo print of the designated print size, the plurality of images are arranged in the designated print size area. A photo print is created. Therefore, a high-quality photo print is created even for an image having a very small number of pixels with respect to the designated print size. Further, it is not necessary to select the print size again for an image having a small number of pixels.
In addition, according to this configuration, an appropriate print size is automatically determined for an image having a pixel number that is not suitable for creating a photo print of a designated print size, so that the quality of these images is prevented from being deteriorated. can do.
In the printing system of the present invention, the image arrangement means is a received order target image, and a plurality of types of images having the number of pixels determined to be unsuitable for creation of a photographic print of the print size by the determination means. It is preferable to select only a plurality of types of selected images within the print size area.
In the print order receiving apparatus of the present invention, the image arrangement means is a plurality of types having the number of pixels that are received ordering images and that are determined by the determination means to be unsuitable for creation of a photo print of the print size. Preferably, only the selected image is selected, and only the selected plural types of images are arranged in the print size area.

  The print system of the present invention further includes an appropriate pixel number storage unit that stores an appropriate range of pixel numbers suitable for creating a photographic print for each of a plurality of types of print sizes. When the number of pixels is within an appropriate range of the number of pixels corresponding to the print size, it is preferable to determine that the number of pixels is suitable for creating a photo print of the print size.

  In the print order receiving apparatus of the present invention, the print order receiving apparatus further includes an appropriate pixel number storage unit that stores an appropriate range of the number of pixels suitable for creating a photo print for each of a plurality of types of print sizes, and the determination unit includes the received order object When the number of pixels of the image is within an appropriate range of the number of pixels corresponding to the designated print size, it is preferable to determine that the number of pixels is suitable for creating a photo print of the print size.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the number of pixels of each image is suitable for creating a photo print having a designated print size.

  The print system of the present invention preferably further includes image arrangement display control means for displaying a plurality of image arrangements by the image arrangement means on a display.

  The print order receiving apparatus of the present invention preferably further comprises image arrangement display control means for displaying a plurality of image arrangements by the image arrangement means on a display.

  According to this configuration, the arrangement of images in a completed photographic print can be confirmed in advance.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital image processing system including a print order receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the digital image processing system shown in FIG.

[Digital image processing system]
A digital image processing system shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of print order receiving devices R (hereinafter referred to as receiving devices R) and a digital photographic processing device P that prints image data on silver salt type photographic paper 1. And a communication network N (see FIG. 2) for accessing information between them.

  The digital image processing system is generally installed in a photo shop. In this system, a smart media SM, a compact flash (registered trademark) CF, a memory stick MS, which stores image data taken by a digital camera, A receiving device R can accept a print order based on image data from a PC card PC-C, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or MO in which image data is stored (hereinafter collectively referred to as medium M).

  In this system, the customer presents the receipt re (see FIG. 18) issued at the time of receipt to the person in charge of the photo shop at the service counter C shown in FIG. Based on the printed information, a process of handing over the completed photo print to the customer who presented the receipt re in exchange for the price is performed.

[Photo processing device P]
First, the configuration of the photo processing apparatus P will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The photographic processing apparatus P includes an apparatus main body in which an operating section Po and a developing processing section Pd arranged on a table are integrated, and a scanner unit Ps at a position separated from the apparatus main body.

  The operating section Po is equipped with an exposure system that cuts the photographic paper 1 from the photographic paper magazine 5 into a print size and supplies it to the digital exposure head 6. The operating unit Po also includes a combo drive 10 that reads information from a CD-ROM or DVD and writes information to a CD-R, and various media such as a smart media SM, CompactFlash (registered trademark) CF, and MO. A plurality of multi-drives 11 corresponding to media, a display 12 for displaying image data and various information, a keyboard 13, a mouse 14, and a control unit 15 having a microprocessor are provided.

  The control unit 15 is configured using a general-purpose computer, and can operate various software. The control unit 15 corrects the image data converted into a digital signal by the scanner unit Ps by the image processing software, and trims the image data if necessary, and the result of this processing is obtained from the semiconductor memory or the hard disk of the control unit 15. And can be transferred to the exposure head 6 when the image data is exposed on the photographic paper 1.

  Further, the development processing section Pd includes a development processing tank 7 for performing development processing of the photographic paper 1 exposed by the exposure head 6. In the development processing section Pd, the photographic paper 1 that has been subjected to the development processing in the development processing tank 7 is dried and then sent to the lateral feed conveyor 8 on the upper surface of the development processing section Pd. Then, the photographic paper 1 from the transverse feed conveyor 8 is sent to the sorting conveyor 9.

  The scanner unit Ps includes a film carrier 18 that can be exchanged with respect to the upper surface of a casing 17 having a caster at the bottom, and a photoelectric conversion unit (not shown) having a photoelectric conversion element such as an optical lens or a CCD inside the casing. ). In addition, an arm 19 that guides a light beam sent from a light source provided inside the housing via an optical fiber to the upper surface side of the film carrier 18 is provided.

  When scanning the photographic film 2, a negative film or a positive film is set on the film carrier 18, and the film carrier 18 is moved at a set speed by the light beam irradiated downward from the tip of the arm 19. The image data of each frame of the photographic film 2 is converted into a digital signal by the photoelectric conversion unit and can be transferred to the control unit 15 via the cable 20.

[Reception device R]
Next, the configuration of the receiving device R will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the receiving device R includes a liquid crystal display 23 disposed on the upper surface of the housing 21 and having the touch panel 22 formed thereon, and a plurality of media serving as media drives provided on the front surface of the housing 21. A drive 24, a thermal transfer receipt printer 25 provided on the front side of the display 21 on the upper surface of the housing 21 and issuing a receipt re, and a controller 26 built in the housing 21 are provided. . The plurality of media drives 24 correspond to each of a smart media SM, a compact flash (registered trademark) CF, a memory stick MS, a PC card PC-C that functions as an attachment of the media M, a CD-ROM, an MO, and the like. Yes.

  The controller 26 can access information with the media drive 24 and information with the touch panel 22, and can output image data to the display 23 and information to the receipt printer 25. The controller 26 includes a RAM type semiconductor memory in which a work area is formed, and a memory (not shown) as a generic name of a ROM type semiconductor memory in which programs and parameters are stored, as well as hardware or software, Alternatively, an image data storage unit 81, a parameter acquisition unit 82, a pixel number detection unit 83, an appropriate pixel number storage unit 84, a determination unit 85, and a print size determination unit are obtained by a combination of hardware and software. 86, an image placement unit 87, a composite image data creation unit 88, and a control unit 84 are formed (see FIG. 4).

  Next, the configuration of the controller 26 of the receiving device R will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the controller of the reception apparatus. In FIG. 4, only one reception device R is illustrated, but the same applies to other reception devices R.

  The image data storage unit 81 stores a plurality of image data files read by the media drive 24.

  The parameter acquisition unit 82 acquires a parameter related to the number of pixels of the image related to the image data file read by the media drive 24 from the recording medium or the image data file. For example, when an image is recorded in the EXIF format (Exchangeable Image File Format), the parameter relating to the number of pixels of each image is recorded as tag information in each image data file. Get the parameters related to the number of pixels of the image from the file. On the other hand, for example, when an image is recorded in the DPOF format (Digital Print Order Format), the parameter regarding the number of pixels of each image is stored in a file different from the image data file. The parameter relating to the number of pixels of the image is acquired from the recording medium.

  In the present embodiment, the parameters relating to the number of pixels of each image are recorded in each image data file as tag information in the EXIF format and in the recording medium so as to correspond to each image data in the DPOF format. It shall be.

  The pixel number detection unit 83 detects the number of pixels of the image related to each image data file based on the parameter related to the number of pixels of the image acquired by the parameter acquisition unit 82.

  The appropriate pixel number storage unit 84 stores, for each print size, a pixel number range suitable for creating a photo print of each print size. In the present embodiment, ranges of the appropriate number of pixels are stored for each of the card size, L size, 2L size, and six-cut size.

  The determination unit 85 determines whether or not the number of pixels of each image detected by the pixel number detection unit 83 is suitable for creating a photo print having a print size selected by the customer. That is, the determination unit 85 determines whether or not the number of pixels of each image is within the range of the appropriate number of pixels of the print size selected by the customer.

  When the determining unit 85 determines that the number of pixels of each image is not suitable for creating a photo print of the print size selected by the customer, the print size determining unit 86 sets the number of pixels of the image to the appropriate pixel. Automatically determine print sizes that are in the range of numbers. Here, in the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of print sizes in which the number of pixels is within the range of the appropriate number of pixels, the print size determining unit 86 prints the print closest to the print size selected by the customer. Decide on size.

  The image placement unit 87 selects a plurality of images determined by the determination unit 85 that the number of pixels of each image is not suitable for creating a photographic print having a print size selected by the customer. Place within the area. Here, in the image arrangement unit 87, each image is arranged in a size corresponding to the print size determined by the print size determination unit 86.

  The composite image data creating unit 88 creates images related to a plurality of images arranged by the image arranging unit 87 in order to create a photo print having a print size selected by the customer based on the image arrangement by the image arranging unit 87. Synthesize data files. Here, the image data file created by the composite image data creation unit 88 is transmitted to the photo processing apparatus.

  The control unit 84 controls display on the display 23 and causes the display 23 to display various screens when a print order is placed. The control unit 84 causes the display 23 to display a “print number setting screen” including a plurality of images related to the image data file read by the media drive 24. Further, the control unit 84 causes the display 23 to display an “image arrangement confirmation screen” indicating the arrangement of images in the completed photo print. Here, in the “image placement confirmation screen”, if there are images with a pixel number that is not suitable for creating a photo print of the print size selected by the customer, those multiple images are the prints selected by the customer. The state of being placed in the size area is displayed.

[Receiving orders at the reception device R]
Next, a procedure for accepting a print order in the accepting apparatus R will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for accepting a print order in the accepting apparatus. FIGS. 6 to 11 and FIGS. 14 to 17 are diagrams illustrating examples of display screens displayed on the display of the receiving apparatus when an order is received. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the contents stored in the appropriate pixel number storage unit. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the number of pixels of each image detected by the pixel number detection unit. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a receipt.

  In the reception device R, in a standby state, as shown in FIG. 6, a standby screen (initial screen) including the function of the reception device R, a logo mark of a photo shop, and the like is displayed (step S1). When the customer places an order for printing an image, the “service selection screen” shown in FIG. 7 is displayed by bringing the finger into contact with the touch panel 22 of the display 23 (step S2). On this screen, a print acceptance switch unit 45a for accepting prints and a media save acceptance switch unit 45b for accepting media storage are displayed together with a message “Please select a service”. Ask for a choice. When the media storage acceptance switch unit 45b is operated, the image data stored in the medium M is transferred to the photo processing device P and stored in the CD-R or MO in the photo processing device P. Although it is performed, it is basically the same processing form as the process of accepting prints, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  When the print acceptance switch unit 45a is operated while the “service selection screen” is displayed, the “media selection screen” shown in FIG. 8 is displayed (step S3). In this “media selection screen”, a plurality of switch sections 47 for selecting media are displayed together with a message “Please select media”, and the customer is asked to select. Below the “service selection screen”, a cancel button 48 for canceling the process and a return button 49 for returning to the previous process are displayed. The cancel button 48 and the return button 49 will be described later. In the processing, they are displayed at the same position and function in the same manner when operated.

  When the switch unit 47 corresponding to the media used by the customer is operated while the “media selection screen” is displayed, the “media set guidance screen” shown in FIG. 9 is displayed (step S4). ). On this screen, a specific image for setting the corresponding media is displayed together with a message “Please set the media and press the OK button”.

  The media M is set according to the “media set guidance screen”, and when the customer operates the OK button 50, the image data is read from the set media M, and the parameters regarding the number of pixels of each image are acquired ( Step S5). When reading from the set medium M is completed, the pixel number detection unit 83 detects the number of pixels of each image (step S6).

  Thereafter, the “print size selection screen” shown in FIG. 10 is displayed (step S7). Along with the message “Please select a print size”, a size designation switch unit 51 corresponding to a plurality of print sizes is displayed on this screen, and the customer is asked to make a selection. In the size designation switch 51 of the “print size selection screen”, in addition to the characters “card size”, “L size” and “2L size” indicating the print size, a numerical value indicating the print size, the print unit price and the print The basic charge etc. are displayed.

  Then, when any one of the size designation switch units 51 is operated in a state where the “print size selection screen” is displayed, the pixels of each image detected by the pixel number detection unit 83 in the determination unit 85. It is determined whether or not the number is suitable for creating a photo print of the print size selected by the customer on the “print size selection screen” (step S8). Thereafter, the “print number setting screen” shown in FIG. 11 is displayed (step S9).

  In the “number of prints setting screen” which is an order screen, the name (file number) of the file specifying the image data is displayed in the upper part of the frame 54 of each thumbnail image S, and a numerical value indicating the number of prints is displayed in the lower part of the frame 54. A number display area 55 to be displayed is provided. Further, a + button 56 for increasing the number of prints one by one and a − button 56 for decreasing the number of prints one by one are displayed at positions sandwiching the print number display area 55. Below that, an appropriate display portion 57 indicating the appropriateness of the number of pixels of each image with respect to the print size is displayed.

  Here, the “print number setting screen” when eight image data files are read by the media drive 24 and the size designation switch unit 51 corresponding to the 2L size is operated on the “print size selection screen” is shown in FIG. Shown in

  In the present embodiment, the appropriate pixel number storage unit 84 stores a range of the appropriate pixel number corresponding to each print size, as shown in FIG. That is, for example, the appropriate number of pixels for creating a card-sized photo print is less than 500,000 pixels, and the appropriate number of pixels for creating an L-size or 2L-size photo print is 500,000 to less than 3 million pixels. is there. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the pixel number detection unit 83 stores the detection results of the number of pixels of the images related to the eight image data files with the file numbers 001 to 008 read by the media drive 24. Yes.

  When a 2L size print size is selected on the “print size selection screen”, the appropriate number of pixels is 500,000 to less than 3 million pixels, as can be seen from FIG. Therefore, the number of pixels of the four images having the file numbers 001, 002, 006, and 007 in FIG. 13 is in the range of the appropriate number of pixels corresponding to the 2L size. On the other hand, the number of pixels of the four images with the file numbers 003 to 005 and 008 is not within the range of the appropriate number of pixels corresponding to the 2L size. Therefore, the appropriate display portion 57 of each frame 54 of the “print size selection screen” in FIG. 11 has the number of pixels suitable for creating a 2L size photo print for the images of file numbers 001, 002, 006, and 007. A circle mark (◯ mark) indicating that the number of pixels is not suitable for creating a 2L size photo print with respect to the images of the file numbers 003 to 005 and 008 (×) Are shown).

  Then, while the “print number setting screen” is displayed, the number of prints of each image is set by the customer. Then, it is determined whether or not there is an image in which the number of prints is set to a non-zero number (an image for which print information has been input) and the number of pixels is not suitable for the print size selected by the customer. (Step S10).

  If an image not suitable for the print size selected by the customer is ordered (S10: YES), a print size suitable for the number of pixels of the image is determined (step S11). Then, these images are arranged in the print size area set by the customer in a size corresponding to the print size (step S12), and the “image placement confirmation screen” shown in FIG. 14 is displayed (step S12). S13).

  In the example of the present embodiment, the number of prints of all the images with the file numbers 001 to 008 is set to one on the “print number setting screen” in FIG. This includes images of file numbers 003 to 005 and 008, which are the number of pixels not suitable for creating a 2L size photo print. Therefore, for the images with the file numbers 003 to 005 and 008, the print size suitable for the number of pixels is determined. Here, as shown in FIG. 13, since the number of pixels of the images of the file numbers 003 to 005 and 008 is 350,000 pixels, the print size is determined as the card size. Therefore, the images with the file numbers 003 to 005 and 008 have a size corresponding to the print size of the card size, and as shown in the “image placement confirmation screen” in FIG.

  Here, the image arrangement in the “image arrangement confirmation screen” in FIG. 14 indicates the arrangement of the images in the completed photographic print. That is, for the four images with the file numbers 001, 002, 006, and 007, four 2L-sized photo prints including each image are created. On the other hand, for the four images with the file numbers 003 to 005 and 008, one photographic print of 2L size including each of these four images is created.

  When the “OK” button 50 is operated while the “image placement confirmation screen” is displayed, composite image data is created (step S14). Further, the “order content confirmation screen” shown in FIG. 13 is displayed (step S15). On this screen, a confirmation sheet 65 listing the details and amounts of the prints input by the customer from the reception device R is displayed together with a message “Please confirm the contents of the order”. If there is no error in the displayed contents, the OK button 50 is operated to newly generate a folder in which the ID information is added to the order information and the image data, and the information is transmitted to the photo processing apparatus P. Is done.

  When the OK button 50 is operated in a state where the “order details confirmation screen” is displayed, a “media extraction guide screen” shown in FIG. 13 is displayed (step S16). On this screen, a message “Please remove the media” is displayed. By removing the media according to this display and operating the OK button 50, the “Receipt certificate issuance guidance screen” shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. (Step S17). The message “Receipt certificate is being issued, please wait for a while” and “Please bring the receipt to the counter” are displayed on this screen. And sent out (step S18). When the receipt certificate re is issued in this way, all of the acceptance processing is completed and the screen returns to the standby screen.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the receipt re is a form in which a receipt body and a customer copy are connected. In addition to the customer name, telephone number, reception ID, terminal ID, reception date, order number, etc. Contents showing the details of the order are printed. If the photo print cannot be handed over on the same day, the receipt card body and the customer receipt are separated, and the receipt card body is left as a copy of the DP store so that the customer receipt can be handed over to the customer.

  As described above, in the digital image processing system including the receiving device R according to the present embodiment, the number of pixels of the image related to the image data file read out by the media drive 24 is a photo of the print size selected by the customer. If it is not suitable for creating a print, a photographic print is created in which these multiple images are placed within this print size area. Therefore, high-quality photographic prints are created even for images with a very small number of pixels for the print size selected by the customer. In addition, it is not necessary to select the print size again for an image with a small number of pixels.

  In addition, the determination unit 85 determines whether the number of pixels of each image is suitable for creating a photo print of the print size selected by the customer depending on whether the number of pixels of each image is within the appropriate range of the number of pixels for each print size. It is possible to easily determine whether or not.

  In addition, since an appropriate print size is automatically determined for an image having a pixel number that is not suitable for creating a photo print of a print size selected by the customer, it is possible to prevent the quality of these images from being deteriorated. it can.

  In addition, the “image placement confirmation screen” indicating the placement of a plurality of images by the image placement unit 87 allows the placement of images in a completed photographic print to be confirmed in advance.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made as long as they are described in the claims. For example, in the above-described embodiment, when there is an image in which the number of pixels of the image is not suitable for the print size selected by the customer, a plurality of different images are arranged in the print size area. If there is an image in which the number of pixels of the image is not suitable for the print size selected by the customer, a single image is placed in the print size area. A photo print may be created. Accordingly, in the above-described example, as shown in the “image placement confirmation screen” in FIG. 19, regarding the four images with the file numbers 001, 002, 006, and 007, four 2L sizes each containing one image. In addition to the four photo prints of file numbers 003 to 005 and 008, four 2L size photo prints each including four images may be created.

  In the above-described embodiment, the “image placement confirmation screen” indicating the placement of a plurality of images by the image placement unit 87 is displayed, but the “image placement confirmation screen” may not be displayed.

1 is an external perspective view of a digital image processing system including a print order receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the digital image processing system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the reception apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the controller of a reception apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of reception of the print order in a reception apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows the content memorize | stored in the appropriate pixel number memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the pixel number of each image detected by the pixel number detection part. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception apparatus at the time of order reception. It is a figure which shows an example of a receipt. It is a figure which shows the other example of the display screen displayed on the display of a reception device at the time of order reception.

Explanation of symbols

R Print order receiving device P Photo processing device 22 Touch panel 23 Display 24 Media drive (reading unit)
81 Image data storage unit 82 Parameter acquisition unit 83 Pixel number detection unit 84 Appropriate pixel number storage unit (appropriate pixel number storage means)
85 Judgment part (judgment means)
86 Print size determination unit (print size determination means)
87 Image placement unit (image placement means)
88 Composite image data creation unit (composite image data creation means)
89 Control unit (image layout display control means)

Claims (8)

In a printing system that accepts photo print orders and creates photo prints,
A reading unit for reading a plurality of image data files recorded on the recording medium;
A determination means for determining whether or not the number of pixels of the received order target image is suitable for creation of a photo print of a designated print size;
A print size in which the number of pixels determined to be unsuitable for creation of a photo print of the print size by the determination means is within an appropriate range of the number of pixels suitable for creation of a photo print is determined from a plurality of types of print sizes. Print size determining means;
An image that has been accepted and is an image having the number of pixels that is determined to be unsuitable for creation of a photographic print of the print size by the determination unit, corresponding to the print size determined by the print size determination unit A plurality of image arrangement means arranged in the print size area in size,
A print system comprising: composite image data creating means for compositing image data files related to a plurality of images placed by the image placement means and creating composite image data corresponding to the print size. The image arrangement means selects only a plurality of types of images that are received ordering images and have a number of pixels determined to be unsuitable for creation of a photo print of the print size by the determination means, 2. The print system according to claim 1, wherein only the plurality of selected images are arranged in a print size area. It further comprises an appropriate pixel number storage means for storing an appropriate range of the number of pixels suitable for creating a photo print for each of a plurality of types of print sizes.
The determination means determines that the number of pixels is suitable for creating a photo print of the print size when the number of pixels of the received image to be ordered is within an appropriate range of the number of pixels corresponding to the print size. printing system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized.   The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising image arrangement display control means for displaying a plurality of image arrangements by the image arrangement means on a display. In the print order acceptance device that accepts photo print orders,
A reading unit for reading a plurality of image data files recorded on the recording medium;
A judging means for judging whether or not the number of pixels of the received order target image is suitable for creation of a photo print of the designated print size;
A print size in which the number of pixels determined to be unsuitable for creation of a photo print of the print size by the determination means is within an appropriate range of the number of pixels suitable for creation of a photo print is determined from a plurality of types of print sizes. Print size determining means;
An image that has been accepted and is an image having the number of pixels that is determined to be unsuitable for creation of a photographic print of the print size by the determination unit, corresponding to the print size determined by the print size determination unit A plurality of image arrangement means arranged in the print size area in size,
A print order receiving unit comprising: composite image data creating means for compositing image data files related to a plurality of images placed by the image placement means and creating composite image data corresponding to the print size; apparatus. The image arrangement means selects only a plurality of types of images that are received ordering images and have a number of pixels determined to be unsuitable for creation of a photo print of the print size by the determination means, 6. The print order receiving apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of selected images are arranged in a print size area. It further comprises an appropriate pixel number storage means for storing an appropriate range of the number of pixels suitable for creating a photo print for each of a plurality of types of print sizes.
When the number of pixels of the received order target image is within an appropriate range of the number of pixels corresponding to the designated print size, the number of pixels is determined to be suitable for creating a photo print of the print size. The print order receiving apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein the determination is made.   8. The print order receiving apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising image arrangement display control means for displaying a plurality of image arrangements by the image arrangement means on a display.

Images