JP4591762B2 - Print accepting apparatus and print accepting method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print accepting apparatus and a print accepting method for acquiring image data stored in a storage medium and generating order data necessary for the print processing of the image data, and more specifically, printing from a plurality of storage media. The present invention relates to a reception processing method capable of acquiring power image data.

  As an apparatus for receiving image data captured by a digital camera, there is an apparatus configured to be able to perform order processing continuously over a plurality of recording media (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this Patent Document 1, after setting SmartMedia (registered trademark), compact flash (registered trademark), CD-ROM, etc. storing image data captured by a digital camera in a receiving device, the print target is displayed on the service selection screen. The image data to be processed, the print size, and the number of prints are specified and order information (order data of the present invention) is received. When order information for a different storage medium is received after this reception, after the storage medium is replaced, the service selection screen is displayed in the same manner as the processing described above, the image data to be printed, the print size, the print After specifying the number of sheets, the printing process is executed.

JP 2003-121946 A (paragraph numbers [0027] to [0039], FIG. 6)

  As an example of a conventional print device that is provided at a DP store or a convenience store as a print reception device and is operated by a user through self-service, an image displayed on a screen after a storage medium is set. There is an apparatus that executes print processing after inputting information such as the number of prints and whether or not printing is possible for each data and setting an order (generating order data). However, when printing from multiple storage media used by the same digital camera, or when printing from storage media used by a friend's digital camera in addition to the storage media used by the user's digital camera. Each time a storage medium is set, the user has to input order information and execute a print process, which takes time and processing time.

  Such inconvenience is troublesome in the case where the order data is generated for each storage medium and the print processing is executed after the order data is generated as in the reception process shown in Patent Document 1. The processing time is somewhat shortened compared to the case where it is necessary to set the order for each storage medium and execute the printing process. However, even when image data stored in a plurality of storage media is printed with the same size and the same number of prints, in the reception process described in Patent Document 1, when print processing is performed from a plurality of storage media, Since it is necessary to replace the storage medium when inputting the order data, it is necessary to repeat the replacement of the storage medium and the input of the order data, and there is room for improvement in that the operation becomes complicated and time-consuming.

  An object of the present invention is to configure a print acceptance apparatus and a print acceptance method that can generate order data without taking time and effort when performing print processing from a plurality of storage media.

A feature of the present invention is that in a print acceptance apparatus that acquires image data stored in a storage medium and generates order data necessary for print processing of the image data.
An image data acquisition unit that acquires all image data stored in the storage medium, and a display unit that displays information,
After the process of acquiring image data from a plurality of storage media by the image data acquisition unit, all the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit and the order required for the print processing of these image data are displayed on the display unit. An order screen on which a data input unit is formed is displayed, and reception processing means for generating the order data based on information input on the order screen is provided.

  With this configuration, the reception processing means acquires image data from a plurality of storage media in the image data acquisition unit, and displays an order screen on which the acquired image data and the order data input unit are formed on the display unit. Since the order data is acquired in the displayed state, it is not necessary to input the order data every time the storage medium is set, and it is not necessary to replace the storage medium in the middle of inputting the order data. Shortening is also possible. As a result, a print accepting apparatus that can generate order data without trouble when a print process is performed from a plurality of storage media has been rationally configured.

  In the present invention, as the reception processing means, an image data acquisition routine for acquiring image data by the image data acquisition unit, and an order routine for generating order data necessary for a print process of the image data acquired by the image data acquisition routine The image data acquisition routine includes a program for acquiring image data from the next storage medium after the image data acquisition unit finishes the process of acquiring image data from the previous storage medium. The processing form may be set so that information for determining whether or not to be displayed is displayed on the display unit, and the operator is requested to determine whether to execute processing for acquiring image data from the next storage medium.

  With this configuration, after the process of acquiring the image data from the previous storage medium is completed, the necessity of the process of acquiring the image data from the next storage medium is displayed on the display unit. Even when acquiring the image data, you can continue to acquire the image data from another storage medium before entering the order data. Order data can be generated.

  The present invention may include image correction means for collectively performing correction processing on image data acquired from a plurality of storage media by the image data acquisition unit as the reception processing means.

  With this configuration, it is possible to perform correction processing for a plurality of image data at once, such as performing processing such as automatic color correction for image data acquired from a plurality of storage media. It becomes.

  In the present invention, when the image data acquisition unit acquires image data from a plurality of storage media, the reception processing unit acquires shooting date / time information of each image data, and the image data in the order of shooting date / time. May be set to display on the order screen.

  With this configuration, for example, when printing image data photographed by a plurality of digital cameras at a trip or party, after acquiring the image data from the storage medium used by each digital camera, for example, the image data from the Exif data It is possible to specify the shooting date and time and display the respective image data on the order screen in the order based on the shooting date and time, thus making it possible to perform input operations while checking the image data displayed on the order screen. . Furthermore, according to the present invention, even image data captured by a plurality of digital cameras can be printed in the order of capturing.

  The present invention is configured such that the image data acquisition unit includes a medium drive corresponding to the storage medium of different types, or a medium drive capable of acquiring image data from the storage media of different types. May be.

  With this configuration, it is possible to acquire image data from a plurality of storage media via a media drive that can acquire image data from media drives that support storage media of different types or from different types of storage media. .

The present invention provides a print acceptance method for acquiring all image data stored in a storage medium and generating order data necessary for the print processing of the image data.
After the process of acquiring the image data from the plurality of storage media in the image data acquisition unit, the input of all the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit and the order data necessary for the printing process of these image data on the display unit An order screen on which the order is formed may be displayed, and a reception process for generating the order data based on information input on the order screen may be performed.

  With this configuration, since the order data is acquired in a state where the image data acquired from the plurality of storage media in the image data acquisition unit and the order screen on which the order data input unit is formed are displayed on the display unit, It is not necessary to input the order data every time the storage medium is set, and it takes less time and the input time can be shortened. As a result, a print acceptance method capable of generating order data without taking time when performing print processing from a plurality of storage media has been rationally configured.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a reception device A (an example of reception processing means) composed of a general-purpose computer and a photo print device B that prints image data on a silver salt type photographic paper P are connected by a communication cable 1 and photograph A print system is configured.

  The accepting apparatus A includes a computer main body 10, a display 11 as a display unit, a keyboard 12 and a mouse 13 functioning as a pointing device, an exchange certificate printer 14 for printing an exchange certificate 15, and a storage medium M. And a medium drive D (an example of an image data acquisition unit) that reads data. The computer main body 10 also includes a medium drive D (an example of an image data acquisition unit) that reads data from the storage medium M.

  Although not shown in the drawings, the computer main body 10 includes basic hardware such as a microprocessor, a semiconductor memory, and a hard disk, and displays information such as icons on the display 11 using the hardware. A GUI (Graphical User Interface) type OS that realizes desired processing by selecting the displayed information with a pointing device or the like is installed. Further, the computer main body 10 acquires image data stored in the storage medium M set in the medium drive D, displays the acquired image data on the display 11 and prints it while confirming it. A program for generating order information such as size and number of prints (details will be described later) is installed.

  The medium drive D having a structure separated from the computer main body 10 includes various types of semiconductor storage media M such as an SD card (registered trademark), a compact flash (registered trademark), a memory stick (registered trademark), a CD-ROM, A drive corresponding to a disk-type storage medium M such as DVD or MO is provided, and image data stored in the storage medium can be read from these drives. The medium drive D of the computer main body can read image data from a disk-type storage medium M such as CD-ROM, DVD, etc., and the processing mode is such that image data is acquired from the storage medium M. It is also possible to set.

  Although not shown in the drawing, the photographic printing apparatus B includes an exposure unit, a development processing unit, and a drying processing unit inside a dark box-shaped casing 5, and the reception unit is connected via the communication cable 1. When the image data and the order data are transmitted from the apparatus A, the number of sheets set in the order data is set to the printing paper P having the print size set in the order data based on the order data. Are provided with a print processing system for printing image data.

  In this photographic printing apparatus, in the exposure unit, a roll-shaped photographic paper P accommodated in a photographic paper magazine is cut into a print size, and a latent image is formed by irradiating image data with a laser beam or the like. The paper P is transported to the development processing unit, and development processing is performed by transporting the paper P in a development processing tank in the unit. Thereafter, the paper P is dried by the drying processing unit, and sent to the outside of the housing 5 to be conveyed to the belt conveyor. The processing sequence is set so that the paper is fed from 6 to the sorter 7 and stacked on a plurality of trays of the sorter 7 in order units.

  The image data received by the receiving device A via the storage medium M is transmitted to the photographic printing device B to perform the printing process. Conventionally, in the present invention, the medium drive D is used. It is characterized in that image data acquired from a plurality of storage media M is received as data that can be managed by one order data, and this image data and order data can be transmitted to the photographic printing apparatus B for print processing. It is.

  The configuration necessary for this processing can be shown as shown in FIG. That is, the computer main body 10 includes the microprocessor (CPU) and an input / output interface 21 (I / O) for inputting / outputting information to / from the microprocessor (CPU). An information input / output system for the display 11, the keyboard 12, the mouse 13, and the exchange certificate printer 14 is formed for the input / output interface 21, and an information input / output system for the medium drive D and the communication interface 22 is formed. An information input / output system for the hard disk HD is formed. The communication interface 22 is connected to the photo print apparatus B via the communication cable 1.

  A semiconductor memory 23, an operating system 24, an acceptance processing means 25, an image correction means 26, a print execution means 27, and a voucher print execution means 28 are connected to the computer main body 10 with respect to the data bus of the microprocessor CPU. ing.

  The operating system 24, the reception processing unit 25, the image correction unit 26, the print execution unit 27, and the exchange certificate print execution unit 28 are assumed to be configured by programs developed in a semiconductor memory (for example, RAM). However, it may be configured in combination with hardware such as logic. The computer main body 10 requires a control bus, an address bus, and the like in addition to the data bus in order to realize control. In order to avoid complication, the drawing shows a control bus, an address bus, Or, the interfaces are not shown.

  The reception processing means 25 includes a program that executes processing of an image data acquisition routine and an order routine. The processing by the reception processing means 25 and the processing order by the print execution means 27 can be shown as in the flowchart of FIG. This order of processing is a processing mode when image data is received and printing processing is performed by the receiving device A, and an image data acquisition routine (# 100 step) constituting the reception processing means 25 and an order routine (# 200). And a print execution routine (# 300 step) constituting the print execution means 27 is executed. The image data acquisition routine (# 100 step), order routine (# 200 step), and print execution routine (# 300 step) are all set as subroutines, and the processing is performed as follows.

  The processing of the image data acquisition routine (# 100 step) can be shown as a flowchart in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, a first guide screen 100 on which a message and an illustration for requesting the setting of the storage medium M (media) are displayed on the display 11 is displayed on the display 11 (Step # 101). When (media) is set, all image data stored in the storage medium M is acquired in a state where the second guide screen 110 shown in FIG. 2 Displayed on the image monitor unit 111 of the guide screen 110 and stored in the hard disk HD (steps # 102 and # 103).

  In this process, when the storage medium M is set for a plurality of drives, the process of automatically acquiring the image data of each storage medium M is automatically performed, and the thumbnail image of the acquired image data is displayed in the image monitor unit. The processing mode is set so that the acquired image data can be confirmed by being displayed on the screen 111.

  Next, when the acquisition of all the image data stored in the storage medium M (medium) is completed, as shown in FIG. A third guidance screen 120 to be confirmed is displayed on the display 11 (step # 104). When the storage medium M is newly set after this display, all image data stored in the newly set storage medium M is obtained by performing the processing from # 102 described above, If it is determined on the third guidance screen 120 that the acquisition is to be finished, the process proceeds to the next process.

  That is, when the acquisition of all the image data from the storage medium M is completed, the display of the second guidance screen 110 is terminated and the third guidance screen 120 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. If the storage medium M is newly set for any of the drives while the screen 120 is displayed, the storage medium M newly set is displayed with the second screen 110 displayed again. Processing to acquire image data is performed. In addition, when displaying thumbnail images on the image monitor unit 111, it is assumed that a plurality of thumbnails are switched at a high speed or displayed in a high-speed scrolling form. Since the screen is switched to the third guidance screen 120, it is difficult to confirm the acquired image data. In order to make this confirmation possible, a confirmation button or the like is displayed on the second guidance screen 110 until the confirmation button is operated. The display form may be set so that the display of the second guidance screen 110 is continued.

  Further, when the image data of all the storage media M is acquired and the end button 121 shown in the third guidance screen 120 of FIG. 9 is operated, the acquisition of the image data is ended, and all the already acquired image data Is given an order number. Thereafter, when the storage medium M is set in any one of the medium drives D, a fourth guidance screen 130 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display 11 to prompt removal of the storage medium M. Processing is performed (steps # 105 to # 107).

  When the end button 121 displayed on the screen is operated, the cursor is overlapped with the position of the button 121 by operating the mouse 13 or the keyboard 12, and the button of the mouse 13 is operated, or the keyboard 12 is returned. This means that the key is operated. In the processing described below, a common operation is required when operating the button.

  In the order routine (# 200 step), the process designation screen 140 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display 11 only when image data from a plurality of storage media M (media) is acquired (# 201 step). In addition, when image data from a plurality of storage media M (media) is acquired, if the “set order for each media” button 141 is operated on the processing designation screen 140, the storage media M is inserted into the drive. In the set order, the display order of image data (can be set as the print order) is set to the order stored in the storage medium M. When the “Shooting Date / Time Order” button 142 is operated, the shooting order of each image data is set based on the shooting date / time information stored for each image data in accordance with Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format). Sorting is performed according to the shooting order, and the display order of image data (the print order) is set.

  Next, the print size selection screen 150 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the display 11, and the operator selects one of the plurality of size buttons 151 displayed on the print size selection screen 150 (#). 202 step). If the print size requested by the operator is not displayed on the print size selection screen 150, the print size button 151 not displayed on the screen is newly displayed by operating the scroll button 152. . Each size button 151 displays a numerical value indicating a print size, a print unit price, and a basic charge for printing. By operating any of the size buttons 151, the screen is switched to the next screen, and a return button is displayed. By operating 153, it is also possible to return to the previous screen.

  As described above, when the size button 151 is operated, the order screen 160 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display 11, and the image data is displayed on the image display unit 161 of the order screen 160 (step # 203). When the image data is displayed on the image display unit 161 and the image data is acquired from the plurality of storage media M as described above, the respective image data are arranged on the image display unit 161 in the order described above. To display.

  On the order screen 160, as shown in FIG. 14, a print number increase / decrease button 162 and a number display portion 163 are displayed at a lower position of the image display portion 161. By operating the increase / decrease button 162, the image data The number of prints can be increased or decreased, and the number of prints can be confirmed on the number display portion 163. Also, at the bottom of the screen, an overall increase / decrease button 164 for simultaneously increasing / decreasing the number of prints of all image data displayed on the order screen 160, a correction button 165 for realizing correction of image data, a total number of prints and a print fee. Is displayed, a return button 167 for returning to the immediately preceding process, an OK button 168 for confirming the setting, and a scroll button 169 for scrolling the image data.

  Based on the display of the order screen 160, the image data displayed on the screen is confirmed, and whether or not printing is possible and the number of prints are set, and the print number data is obtained by such operations (step # 204). .

  When the correction button 165 is operated, although not shown in the drawing, a new correction screen is displayed and correction processing by the image correction means 36 is executed. As a whole, it is possible to collectively correct all the image data to be ordered, and when specific image data is selected, the image data can be corrected (# 205, Step # 206).

  Then, when the setting on the order screen 160 is completed (when the OK button 168 is operated), the setting is completed, the order data is stored in the hard disk HD, and the exchange number printer 14 sets the order number and the order number. The information including the print finish date and time is printed on the exchange certificate 15 (steps # 207 and # 208). The exchange certificate 15 printed in this way is handed to the customer.

  The processing of the print execution routine (# 300 step) can be shown as in the flowchart of FIG. That is, the print execution screen 170 shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the display 11, bitmap print data is generated from the image data set as the print target, and the print size is set from the image data set as the print target. Print data having a bitmap structure corresponding to the above is generated (steps # 301 to # 303).

  Next, the print data, the order data, and the order number are transmitted to the photo print apparatus B via the communication cable 1 (Step # 304). By transmitting the data in this way, the photographic printing apparatus B starts processing of index printing and photographic printing. When this processing is completed, information indicating that the photographic printing apparatus B has finished the printing process is received. When the information is transmitted to A, the receiving apparatus A performs processing for displaying the print completion screen 180 shown in FIG. 16 on the display 11 (steps # 305 and # 306).

  After the printing is completed in this way, the customer presents the exchange certificate 15 to identify the index print and the photo print based on the order number of the exchange certificate 15, and the customer prints the index print by exchanging the fee. And photo prints.

  Further, the flow of processing when image data is acquired from a plurality of storage media M (media) and print processing can be performed as shown in FIG. That is, by setting a plurality of storage media M in the media drive D, the order routine of the reception processing means 25 acquires image data from each storage media M (stores in the hard disk HD), and the acquired image data By displaying on the display 11 in the form of thumbnails, the acquired image data can be confirmed.

  After the acquisition, if the customer needs to print in the shooting order, the image data acquisition routine sorts based on the shooting date / time information of the image data and sets the print size. After this, the order screen 160 is displayed on the display 11, the thumbnail image of the image data acquired previously is displayed on the screen, and the order data is generated by setting the number of prints of the plurality of image data. . Further, when correction is performed when setting the number of prints on the order screen 160 in this way, the image correction means 26 performs a correction process on the image data.

  When the setting of the number of prints is completed on the order screen 160, the print execution unit 27 generates print data used for index printing and print data used for printing each image data, and the photo printing apparatus together with the order data. By transmitting to B, index printing and printing of a set size are realized.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a photograph is printed from a plurality of storage media M (media) used in the same digital camera, or a photograph is taken from the storage media M used in a plurality of digital cameras in a group trip or the like. In the case of printing, after acquiring image data from a plurality of storage media M, a single order data is generated and print processing can be performed, thereby reducing processing time. In particular, in the receiving device A of the present invention, when acquiring image data, the image data being acquired is automatically acquired simply by setting a plurality of storage media M at an arbitrary timing. Can be confirmed by displaying on the display 11. And when printing, it is possible to print in the form of sorting according to the shooting date, so even when printing image data shot with multiple digital cameras during group trips etc., printing along the time axis is possible Thus, the finished print can be easily appreciated.

[Another embodiment]
In addition to the above-described embodiment, the present invention may be configured as follows (in this another embodiment, components having the same functions as those in the above-described embodiment are given the same numbers and symbols as in the embodiment). is doing).

(A) As shown in FIG. 18, a photo print system may be configured by connecting a reception-only reception device A (an example of reception processing means) and an inkjet-type photo print device B with a communication cable 1. . Also in this photo print system, the accepting apparatus A includes a control system similar to that described in the above embodiment, and is configured to perform processing in the same steps as those in the flowchart described in the above embodiment. .

  In this photo print system, the receiving device A is provided with a medium drive D for the main body 30 and a liquid crystal display 31 with a touch panel, so that the customer can perform a self-operation to accept a photo print. . In addition, the photographic printing apparatus accommodates print paper in the housing 40, prints image data on the print paper with an ink jet print head, cuts the print size, and then prints on the upper surface 41 of the housing 40. It is configured to discharge.

(B) When acquiring image data from a plurality of storage media M, when the storage media M are set in a plurality of drives, an input setting screen 190 shown in FIG. When the display unit 191 and the selection display unit 192 are formed and the order in which the image data is acquired among the plurality of drives displayed on the drive display unit 191 is set, the drive displayed on the drive display unit 191 is moved to the cursor. The selected order is displayed on the selection display unit 172 by operating the setting button 193, and the setting is completed by operating the OK button 195. When canceling the setting, the cancel button 194 is operated.

  With this configuration, even when image data is acquired from different types of storage media M, it is possible to acquire image data by setting the acquisition order for each drive, for example, for each drive. It is easy to print in the same order.

(C) An order routine is set so that a plurality of print sizes can be set in one order.

(D) A plurality of medium drives corresponding to the same type of storage medium are provided as the photo printing apparatus of the present invention. As described above, by providing a plurality of medium drives of the same type, for example, it is possible to further reduce the labor of operation when printing image data photographed over a plurality of storage media with the same digital camera.

  A system in which the reception apparatus and the printing apparatus are integrated may include the reception apparatus of the present invention or a reception method.

Perspective view of photo print system Block diagram of processing system Print processing flowchart Flow chart of image data acquisition routine Order routine flowchart Print execution routine flowchart The figure which shows the 1st guidance screen The figure which shows the 2nd guidance screen The figure which shows the 3rd guidance screen The figure which shows the 4th guidance screen Diagram showing the process specification screen Figure showing the print size selection screen Diagram showing the order screen Enlarged view showing the image display Figure showing the input setting screen Figure showing the print completion screen Schematic diagram showing the flow of data during print processing A perspective view of a photo print system according to another embodiment (A) Input setting screen of another embodiment (b)

Explanation of symbols

11 Display unit: Display 25 Reception processing unit 26 Image correction unit 160 Order screen D Image data acquisition unit: Medium drive M Storage medium

Claims (6)

A print accepting apparatus that acquires image data stored in a storage medium and generates order data necessary for print processing of the image data,
An image data acquisition unit that acquires all image data stored in the storage medium, and a display unit that displays information,
After the process of acquiring image data from a plurality of storage media by the image data acquisition unit, all the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit and the order required for the print processing of these image data are displayed on the display unit. A print acceptance apparatus comprising: an acceptance processing means for displaying an order screen on which a data input unit is formed and generating the order data based on information inputted on the order screen. The reception processing means is a program comprising an image data acquisition routine for acquiring image data by the image data acquisition unit, and an order routine for generating order data necessary for print processing of the image data acquired by the image data acquisition routine. With
In the image data acquisition routine, after the image data acquisition unit finishes the process of acquiring the image data from the previous storage medium, information for determining whether or not the process of acquiring the image data from the next storage medium is necessary. The print accepting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing form is set so as to request the operator to execute a process of displaying on the display unit and acquiring image data from the next storage medium.   The print acceptance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acceptance processing unit includes an image correction unit that collectively performs correction processing on image data acquired from a plurality of storage media by the image data acquisition unit.   When the image data acquisition unit acquires image data from a plurality of storage media, the reception processing unit acquires shooting date / time information of each image data, and the image data is ordered in the order of shooting date / time. The print acceptance apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a processing form is set so as to be displayed on the screen.   The image data acquisition unit is configured to include media drives corresponding to the storage media of different types, or a media drive capable of acquiring image data from the storage media of different types. The print acceptance apparatus according to 1 or 2. A print acceptance method for acquiring all image data stored in a storage medium and generating order data necessary for the print processing of the image data,
After the process of acquiring the image data from the plurality of storage media in the image data acquisition unit, the input of all the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit and the order data necessary for the printing process of these image data on the display unit A print acceptance method for performing an acceptance process of displaying an order screen on which a part is formed and generating the order data based on information input to the order screen.

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