JP6969242B2 - Photographing equipment, image printing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a photography apparatus and an image printing system.

There are various image printing services that print the user's image stored in the storage unit of a smartphone or the like with a printing device on the street, and it is possible to print with the printing device installed in a convenience store or a home appliance mass retailer. be.

Further, Patent Document 1 describes a print system capable of printing image data transmitted from a communication device with a camera (mobile phone) to a server in an ID photo shooting box.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-240737

When printing with a printing device in a convenience store or a home electronics mass retailer as in the former case, there is a possibility that other people may see the image selection and printing out, which is a problem from the viewpoint of privacy protection.

On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, since the operation can be performed in the photographing box, there is no problem as described above, but it takes time to print because it is necessary to select a service and input a multi-digit order reception ID, and the system From the operator's point of view, the user's staying time may become longer and hinder the use of the photography service.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a photographic apparatus or the like capable of quickly printing an image.

The first invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a sensor for detecting a user, a photographing unit for photographing a user, a reading unit provided with illumination for reading order identification information, a printer, the sensor, and the like. the imaging unit, the reading unit, and and a control unit for controlling the printer, the control unit turns on the said lighting upon detecting the user by the sensor, the order identification information by the previous SL reader depending on the read, the process proceeds to the image printing service, print line Align the image corresponding to the previous SL order identification by the printer, photography and switches the cutting operation of the printer according to the migrated service It is a device.

When the photographic apparatus of the present invention detects a user, the lighting for reading the order identification information is turned on. Therefore, the user simply reads the order identification information and prints the image associated with the order identification information. It is possible to move to immediately, and it is possible to print quickly with no or minimal screen operation on the photography device.

After shifting to the image print service, the web-like paper is cut twice in the width direction and switched to the operation of ejecting the cut scraps between the cutting lines and one printed matter. it is desirable to operate for discharging the one printed product is cut once the web-like paper in the width direction is switchable.
By making it possible to switch the cutting operation in this way, it is possible to provide a printed matter according to the service performed by the photography apparatus, and it is also possible to suppress the discharge of cut debris that causes a defect.

It is desirable that the photography device receives the image from the server and prints it, and the reading unit reads the order identification information transmitted from the server to the user terminal.
In the present invention, since the image to be printed is recorded in the server in advance, the photographic apparatus only needs to read the order identification information transmitted to the user terminal, receive the image from the server, and print the image. It is possible to easily print by omitting the selection of the image of.

It is desirable that the photographic apparatus prints the image when the reading unit reads the order identification information before selecting the transition to the photographic service.
In the present invention, if the order identification information is read before the transition to the photography service is selected, it is determined that the image print service is to be performed, so that the trouble of selecting the image print service in the photography apparatus can be saved. ..

The second invention includes a user terminal, a server, and a photography apparatus of the first invention, wherein the user terminal has a transmission means for transmitting the image to the server, and the image corresponding to the image. The server has a receiving means for receiving the order identification information from the server, and the server transmits the recording means for recording the image and the order identification information in association with each other and the order identification information to the user terminal. The photography apparatus has an order identification information transmitting means and an image transmission means for transmitting the image corresponding to the order identification information to the photography apparatus when the order identification information is received from the photography apparatus. The image printing system is characterized in that the order identification information is transmitted to the server and the image corresponding to the order identification information is received from the server.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a photography apparatus or the like capable of quickly printing an image.

The figure which shows the image print system 1. The figure which shows the appearance of the photography apparatus 2. The figure which shows the structure of the photography apparatus 2. The figure which shows the hardware composition of the control device 20. The figure which shows the image scanner 270 of a reading part 27. The figure which shows the hardware configuration of a server 3. The figure which shows the hardware composition of a user terminal 5. A flowchart showing the procedure of the image printing method. A flowchart showing the procedure of the image printing method. An example of the top screen of the display unit 21. The figure which shows the printer 25. The figure explaining the single cut and the double cut.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1. Image print system 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image printing system 1 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which a photography device 2, a server 3, and a user terminal 5 are communicably connected via a network 6.

The photography device 2 is for the user to take a picture of himself / herself, for example, an ID photo taking box installed on the street. In addition to taking a picture of the user and printing the image as an ID photo (photographing service), the photography device 2 also prints the user's image transmitted from the user terminal 5 to the server 3 (image printing service).

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the photography device 2, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the photography device 2.

The photography device 2 has a box-like appearance in which a user enters and takes a picture, and has a control device 20, a display unit 21, a billing unit 22, a photography unit 23, a lighting 24, a printer 25, a print outlet 26, and the like. It has a reading unit 27, a curtain 28, a sensor 29, and the like.

The control device 20 is provided inside the photography device 2 and controls the entire processing of the photography device 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the control device 20. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 20 can be realized by a computer configured by connecting, for example, a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, an input unit 203, a communication control unit 204, and the like by a bus or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various configurations can be taken as appropriate.

The control unit 201 is composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. The CPU calls and executes a program related to the processing of the control device 20 stored in the storage medium such as the storage unit 202 and the ROM to the work area on the RAM. ROM is a non-volatile memory that permanently holds programs such as boot programs and BIOS, and data. The RAM is a volatile memory, and includes a work area used by the control unit 201 to perform various processes while temporarily holding programs and data loaded from the storage unit 202, ROM, and the like.

The storage unit 202 is a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, a flash memory, or the like, and stores a program executed by the control device 20 in a process described later, data necessary for program execution, an OS, and the like. These programs and data are read out and executed by the control unit 201 as needed.

The input unit 203 inputs various settings to the control device 20.
The communication control unit 204 is a communication interface that mediates communication via a network or the like, and communicates with a server 3 or the like.

Returning to the description of FIGS. 2 and 3. The display unit 21 is realized by a display with a touch panel or the like that also serves as an input unit of the photography device 2. The display unit 21 displays various screens related to the user's operation / selection, and accepts the user's instruction input or the like by a touch operation on the screen.

The billing unit 22 includes a coin / banknote slot, a change return slot, a receipt outlet, a receipt printer, etc. (not shown), and manages billing and issuance of receipts from users.

The photographing unit 23 is provided with a camera or the like inside the photographing window. For example, a high-resolution digital camera is used as the camera, but the camera is not limited to this.

The illumination 24 is an illumination that illuminates the entire inside of the photography apparatus 2 including the user. The illumination 24 is, for example, a surface light source that irradiates white light, and is provided above the photographing unit 23, but is not limited to this. A strobe light source is also provided in the photography apparatus 2 for a flash at the time of photography.

The printer 25 prints an image and is provided inside the photography apparatus 2. The printed matter on which the image is printed is discharged to the printed matter outlet 26. The method of the printer 25 and the number of installed printers are not particularly limited.

The reading unit 27 optically reads the two-dimensional code (order identification information) displayed on the display unit of the user terminal 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the reading unit 27 is provided with an image scanner 270 in the cover, and the image scanner 270 is also provided with an illumination 271 for reading a two-dimensional code.

The curtain 28 shields the inside of the photography device 2 from the outside.

The sensor 29 is a sensor that detects a user who has entered the photography device 2. The sensor 29 is, for example, an infrared sensor, but the sensor 29 is not limited to this.

Returning to the description of FIG. The server 3 is a server that manages images to be printed by the photography apparatus 2.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the server 3. As shown in FIG. 6, the server 3 can be realized by a computer configured by connecting, for example, a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a display unit 33, an input unit 34, a communication control unit 35, and the like by a bus or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various configurations can be taken as appropriate.

The functions of the control unit 31, the storage unit 32, the input unit 34, and the communication control unit 35 are substantially the same as those of the control unit 201, the storage unit 202, the input unit 203, and the communication control unit 204 described above. Further, the display unit 33 has a display device such as a liquid crystal panel.

The storage unit 32 stores a program for causing the server 3 to execute a process described later. Further, the input unit 34 has a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and an input device such as a numeric keypad.

Returning to the description of FIG. The user terminal 5 is a computer terminal owned by the user, and a mobile terminal such as a smartphone can be used.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the user terminal 5. As shown in FIG. 7, the user terminal 5 is configured by connecting a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, a display unit 53, an input unit 54, a communication control unit 55, a camera 56, an audio input / output unit 57, and the like by a bus or the like. NS. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various configurations can be taken as appropriate.

The functions of the control unit 51, the storage unit 52, the input unit 54, and the communication control unit 55 are substantially the same as those of the control unit 201, the storage unit 202, the input unit 203, and the communication control unit 204 described above. Further, the display unit 53 has a display device such as a liquid crystal panel, and is provided with a touch panel as an input unit 54. The audio input / output unit 57 is a microphone, a speaker, or the like.

A dedicated application program is stored in the storage unit 52, whereby the user terminal 5 executes the process described later.

(2. Image printing method)
Next, the image printing method of this embodiment will be described. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the image printing method. Of the steps of FIGS. 8 and 9, S11 and S15 of FIG. 8 are executed by the control unit 51 of the user terminal 5, and S21 to S24 and S27 to S29 of FIG. 9 are executed by the control device 20 of the photography device 2. It is a process to do. The remaining steps are executed by the control unit 31 of the server 3.

In the present embodiment, the user first launches an application on his / her own user terminal 5, and selects an image to be printed from the images stored in the storage unit 52 on the selection screen (not shown) displayed on the display unit 53. Then, the number of prints is set, and a transmission instruction is given to the server 3. The user terminal 5 transmits the selected image and the number of prints thereof (referred to as an image or the like) to the server 3 (S11 in FIG. 8; transmission means).

The user terminal 5 can edit the image according to the user's operation, select the edited image, and send it to the server 3. Image editing includes, but is not limited to, image size, brightness, color adjustment, addition of a predetermined pattern to an image, drawing on an image, layout arrangement of a plurality of images, and the like.

When the server 3 receives an image or the like from the user terminal 5 (S12), the server 3 creates an order ID consisting of a plurality of digits for printing the image, associates the image or the like with the order ID, and records it in the storage unit 32. (S13; recording means). Further, the server 3 encodes the order ID and transmits it as a two-dimensional code to the user terminal 5 (S14; order identification information transmitting means). The user receives the two-dimensional code at the user terminal 5 (S15; receiving means). The order ID and the two-dimensional code are order identification information that identifies the image to be printed (and the number of prints thereof).

The user who prints the image heads for the photography device 2 on the street and enters the photography device 2. Then, the photography device 2 detects the user by the sensor 29 (S21 in FIG. 9), turns on the illumination 24 that illuminates the inside of the photography device 2, and activates the image scanner 270 of the reading unit 27 to activate the two-dimensional code. 271 for reading is turned on (S22).

Further, the photography device 2 causes the display unit 21 to display the top screen when the user detects it. On the top screen, a selection area 210 for selecting the transition to the photography service is displayed as outlined in FIG. 10, and it is possible to shift to the photography service by touching the selection area 210. However, in the present embodiment, the user causes the display unit 53 of the user terminal 5 to display the two-dimensional code, and as shown in FIG. 5, the user holds the display unit 53 over the reading unit 27 of the photography apparatus 2 to read the two-dimensional code A. It shall be made to. The illumination 271 of the reading unit 27 illuminates the display unit 53 of the user terminal 5 in order to enable reading of the two-dimensional code A.

If the photography device 2 reads the two-dimensional code by the reading unit 27 before the transition to the photography service is selected (S23; YES), it determines that the transition to the image print service is to be performed, and decodes the two-dimensional code. The order ID is transmitted to the server 3 (S24). On the above top screen, a message explaining that it is necessary to read the two-dimensional code when performing the image print service may be displayed.

If the transition to the photography service is selected without reading the two-dimensional code (S23; NO), the photography apparatus 2 determines that the transition to the photography service is to be performed. After that, the process usually known as the ID photo shooting service will be performed, so the description thereof will be omitted.

When the server 3 receives the order ID (S25), the server 3 transmits an image or the like corresponding to the order ID to the photography apparatus 2 (S26; image transmission means).

When the photographic apparatus 2 receives an image or the like (S27), the photographic apparatus 2 causes the display unit 21 to display the received image and a message prompting for billing. The user confirms the image and charges the billing unit 22. Billing can be done by electronic money as well as cash, and in order to reduce the user's staying time, it is also possible to use only electronic money when performing an image printing service.

Upon receiving the charge (S28), the photography apparatus 2 prints an image by the printer 25 (S29). The number of printed images is a preset number as described above. The information indicating that the image has been printed is transmitted from the photography device 2 to the server 3 together with the above order ID and the like, and the image and the like corresponding to the order ID are deleted on the server 3.

(3. Printer 25)
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a printer 25. The printer 25 forms an image on the paper 100 by the printing device 252 while transporting the web-shaped paper 100 wound on the reel by the transport roller 251. The printed paper 100 is cut by the cutter 253 and discharged as the printed matter P to the printed matter outlet 26.

In the present embodiment, the cutting operation can be switched between the photography service and the image printing service, and in the case of the photography service, is it one between the adjacent printing areas 101 as shown in FIG. 12 (a)? The paper 100 is cut once in the width direction along the cutting line C at the place, and the printed matter P with one frame is discharged to the printed matter outlet 26 (single cut). The width direction of the paper 100 is a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper 100 (corresponding to the left-right direction in FIG. 12) in a plane.

On the other hand, in the case of the image print service according to the procedure of FIG. 9, as shown in FIG. 12 (b), the paper 100 is printed twice at two cutting lines C at or near the opposite ends of the adjacent printing areas 101. It is cut and the cut scraps 102 between the printed matter P without a frame and the cutting line C are discharged (double cut). The printed matter P is discharged to the printed matter outlet 26, and the cut waste 102 is discharged to the stacker 254 (see FIG. 11).

These cutting operations can be realized by controlling the operations of the transport roller 251 and the cutter 253 by the control device 20, and the two-dimensional code is read by the reading unit 27 before the transition to the photography service is selected as described above. When it is read, it is determined that it is an image print service, and the latter cutting operation is performed. If this is not the case, it is determined that the service is a photography service, and the former cutting operation is performed.

As described above, the photography device 2 of the present embodiment turns on the illumination 271 of the reading unit 27 when the user is detected, so that the user simply reads the two-dimensional code and is linked to the two-dimensional code. You can immediately move on to the image printing operation. Therefore, the image can be printed quickly by eliminating or minimizing the screen operation on the photography device 2. As a result, the user's staying time is reduced, which is a great advantage from the operator's point of view.

For example, as compared with the case where the user selects the photography service or the image print service and turns on the illumination 271 of the reading unit 27 when the image print service is selected, in the present embodiment, the image is displayed without going through the service selection operation. Since it can be printed, quick printing operation is possible.

In addition, the user can print an image with a familiar photography device 2, and by using a highly confidential photography device 2, a privacy protection effect can be expected.

Further, in the image printing system 1 of the present embodiment, since the image to be printed is recorded in the server 3 in advance, the photography device 2 reads the two-dimensional code transmitted to the user terminal 5 and receives the image from the server 3. , Only printing is required, and operations such as image selection in the photography apparatus 2 can be omitted, and printing can be easily performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, if the two-dimensional code is read before the transition to the photography service is selected, it is determined that the image print service is to be performed, so that the trouble of selecting the image print service can be saved.

Further, in the present embodiment, by making the cutting operation switchable as described above, it is possible to provide the printed matter P corresponding to both the photography service and the image printing service, and it is a problem that the ID photo is not double-cut. It is possible to suppress the discharge of the cut debris 102, which causes the occurrence of the above-mentioned, and reduce the maintenance load.

However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the present embodiment, if the two-dimensional code is read before the selection of the transition to the photography service, the operation shifts to the image print service of FIG. 9, and the operation of selecting the transition to the image print service on the display unit 21 is omitted. However, since it is possible that some users are unfamiliar with such a procedure, it may be possible to select whether to shift to the photography service or the image print service on the top screen of the display unit 21. When the transition to the image print service is selected, the photography apparatus 2 determines that the transition to the image print service is to be performed, and displays, for example, a message prompting the reading unit 27 to read the two-dimensional code on the display unit 21.

Similarly, since it is possible that there is a user who is unfamiliar with the procedure of displaying the two-dimensional code on the user terminal 5 and having the reading unit 27 read it, the order ID can be directly obtained by touching the display unit 21. You can also enter it. The order ID is transmitted to the user terminal 5 together with the two-dimensional code in S14.

However, even in these cases, the lighting 271 of the reading unit 27 is turned on when the sensor 29 detects the user, and the familiar user can immediately move to the image printing operation simply by reading the two-dimensional code with the reading unit 27. I will do it.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the image to be printed can be edited on the user terminal 5, the editing of the image on the photography device 2 can be omitted. However, in some cases, the image is edited on the photography device 2 and after editing. You may be able to print the image of. Similarly, the number of prints of the image may be reset by the photography apparatus 2.

Further, in the present embodiment, the two-dimensional code is read by the reading unit 27, but a bar code may be used instead of the two-dimensional code, and the order ID is displayed on the user terminal 5 and this is OCR ( It can also be read by Optical Character Recognition) technology. The order ID may be transmitted to the user terminal 5 in S14.

Further, it is also possible to perform operations such as disabling the image print service when the remaining amount of the paper 100 becomes less than a predetermined value so as not to interfere with the use of the ID photo service.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with various modified or modified examples within the scope of the technical idea disclosed in the present application, and these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

1: Image print system 2: Photographing device 3: Server 5: User terminal 6: Network 20: Control device 21: Display unit 22: Billing unit 23: Photographing unit 24: Lighting 25: Printer 26: Printed matter outlet 27: Reading unit 28: Curtain 29: Sensor 100: Paper 101: Printing area 102: Cut waste 251: Conveying roller 252: Printing device 253: Cutter 254: Stacker 270: Image scanner 271: Illumination

Claims (5)

Sensors that detect users and
The shooting section that shoots the user,
A reader equipped with lighting for reading order identification information,
With a printer
The sensor, the photographing unit, the reading unit, and the control unit that controls the printer.
Equipped with
The control unit
When the user is detected by the sensor, the lighting is turned on.
Depending on the reading order identification information by pre Symbol reading unit, the control proceeds to the image printing service, print line Align the image corresponding to the previous SL order identification by the printer,
A photography device characterized in that the cutting operation of the printer is switched according to the transferred service. After shifting to the image print service, the operation is switched to cutting the web-like paper twice in the width direction and ejecting the cut scraps between the cutting lines and one printed matter.
Wherein in the image printing service and another service, photographing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the switchable operation for discharging the one printed product is cut once the web-like paper in the width direction .. The photography device receives the image from the server, prints the image, and prints the image.
The photography apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reading unit reads the order identification information transmitted from the server to the user terminal. Any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the photography apparatus prints the image when the reading unit reads the order identification information before selecting the transition to the photography service. The photography device described in Crab. With the user terminal
With the server
The photography apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Have,
The user terminal is
A transmission means for transmitting the image to the server, and
A receiving means for receiving the order identification information corresponding to the image from the server, and
Have,
The server
A recording means for recording the image and the order identification information in association with each other,
An order identification information transmitting means for transmitting the order identification information to the user terminal,
An image transmission means for transmitting the image corresponding to the order identification information to the photography apparatus when the order identification information is received from the photography apparatus.
Have,
The photography device is
An image printing system characterized in that the order identification information is transmitted to the server and the image corresponding to the order identification information is received from the server.

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