JP6977610B2 - 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.

Patent Document 1 describes a service capable of printing a general image stored in a communication device with a camera (mobile phone) in an ID photo shooting box. In the service of Patent Document 1, an image transmitted from a communication device with a camera to a server is downloaded by a shooting box and printed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-240737

The image print service as described above may not require the user to take a picture, and is expected to be provided at a lower cost than the picture taking service in the ID photo taking box. Therefore, it is desirable to avoid limiting the provision of the photography service by the image print service as much as possible. For example, the image print service consumes the media of the shooting box (paper, ink ribbon, etc.), and if the photo shooting service cannot be provided due to this, the profit will be lost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a photography apparatus or the like that can avoid the limitation of the provision of the photography service by the image printing service.

The first invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a photographing unit that photographs a user with a camera to obtain an image, a download unit that downloads an image from a server, a printing unit that prints an image, and the printing unit. If the media remaining amount is larger than a predetermined value in the first determination of the media remaining amount determination unit, the image downloaded by the download unit is provided with the media remaining amount determination unit for determining the media remaining amount. And the image of the user photographed by the photographing unit can be printed, and when the remaining amount of the media is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the image of the user photographed by the photographing unit can be printed and downloaded by the download unit. It is a photography device characterized in that it is impossible to print the image.

The photographic apparatus of the present invention provides an image printing service and a photography service when the remaining amount of media is larger than a predetermined value based on the determination result of the remaining amount of media, and when the remaining amount of media is equal to or less than the predetermined value. By providing only the photography service among these services, it is possible to prevent the image printing service from consuming the media of the photography box, which makes it impossible to provide the photography service.

The media remaining amount determination unit makes a second determination of the media remaining amount after printing an image by the printing unit, and if the media remaining amount is equal to or less than a certain value in the second determination, that effect. It is desirable to send a notification of.
In the present invention, the remaining amount of media is determined even after the image is printed, and if the remaining amount of media is equal to or less than a certain value, the media can be replenished at an appropriate timing by notifying that fact.

It is desirable that the first determination is performed when a user is detected by the sensor of the photography apparatus and the top screen is displayed on the display unit of the photography apparatus.
In the present invention, when the user is detected by the sensor of the photography apparatus and the top screen is displayed, the first determination of the remaining amount of media is always performed, so that the remaining amount of media is actually a predetermined value. It is possible to prevent the image print service from being provided in spite of the following.

The second invention is an image printing system comprising the photography apparatus of the first invention, a user terminal, and the server, wherein the user terminal transmits an image to the server. ..

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a photography apparatus or the like that can avoid the limitation of the provision of the photography service by the image print service.

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 hardware configuration of a server 3. The figure which shows the hardware composition of a user terminal 5. The figure which shows the functional structure of the photography apparatus 2. 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 100. A flowchart showing the procedure of the image print service. A flowchart showing the procedure of the photography service.

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 the function of taking a picture of the user in the box and printing the image as an ID photo (photographing service), the photography device 2 has a function of printing the user's image transmitted from the user terminal 5 to the server 3 (photographing service). Image print 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 photographing unit 23, a lighting 24, a printer 25, a sensor 26, a curtain 27, and the like. It has a printed matter outlet 28 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 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 unit 204 is a communication interface that mediates communication via the network 6 and the like, and communicates with the server 3 and 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 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 box 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. The photography device 2 is also provided with a strobe light source 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 28. The method of the printer 25 and the number of installed printers are not particularly limited.

The sensor 26 is a sensor that detects a user who has entered the box of the photography device 2. The sensor 26 is, for example, an infrared sensor, but is not limited to this.

The curtain 27 shields the inside of the box of the photography device 2 from the outside.

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

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the server 3. As shown in FIG. 5, 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 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 unit 35 are substantially the same as those of the control unit 201, the storage unit 202, the input unit 203, and the communication 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. 6 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the user terminal 5. As shown in FIG. 6, 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 unit 55, a camera 56, an audio input / output unit 57, 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 51, the storage unit 52, the input unit 54, and the communication unit 55 are substantially the same as those of the control unit 201, the storage unit 202, the input unit 203, and the communication 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.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the photography apparatus 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the photography apparatus 2 includes a photographing unit 101, a downloading unit 102, a printing unit 103, a media remaining amount determination unit 104, and the like.

The photographing unit 101 corresponds to the photographing unit 23, and photographs a user in the box with a camera to obtain an image.

The download unit 102 downloads an image from the server 3.

The printing unit 103 corresponds to the printer 25 and prints an image on paper.

The media remaining amount determination unit 104 determines the media remaining amount of the print unit 103. Here, the medium for which the remaining amount determination by the media remaining amount determination unit 104 is used is the ink ribbon of the printer 25.

(2. Image printing method)
Next, the image printing method of this embodiment will be described. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing an outline of the procedure of the image printing method. Of the steps in FIG. 8, S11 and S15 are executed by the control unit 51 of the user terminal 5, and S12 to S14 are executed by the control unit 31 of the server 3. Further, each step in FIG. 9 is executed by the control device 20 of the photography device 2.

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).

When the server 3 receives an image or the like from the user terminal 5 (S12), the server 3 creates an order ID for printing the image, associates the image or the like with the order ID, and records the image or the like in the storage unit 32 (S13). Further, the server 3 transmits the order ID to the user terminal 5 (S14). The user receives the order ID at the user terminal 5 (S15). The order ID is order identification information that identifies an image or the like to be printed, and in S14, a two-dimensional code encoding the order ID may be transmitted to the user terminal 5.

A user who prints an image (an image transmitted to the server 3 or an image taken by the user) heads for the photography device 2 on the street and enters the box of the photography device 2. When the photographing device 2 detects the user in the box with the sensor 26 (S21 in FIG. 9), the top screen is displayed on the display unit 21, and at this time, it is determined whether or not the current remaining amount of media is larger than the predetermined value. A determination (first determination) is made (S22).

When the current remaining amount of media is larger than a predetermined value (S22; Yes), the photography apparatus 2 displays a top screen on which the transition to the photography service or the image print service can be selected (S23).

FIG. 10A is an example of the top screen 100, and a selection button 110 for selecting the transition to the photography service and a selection button 120 for selecting the transition to the image print service are displayed.

When the selection button 120 for selecting the transition to the image print service is touched (S24; image print service), the photographing device 2 shifts to the image print service process (S25), and the user in S11 described above. Prints the image transmitted to the server 3. The details of the image print service procedure will be described later.

On the other hand, when the selection button 110 for selecting the transition to the photography service is touched on the top screen 100, the photography device 2 shifts to the processing of the photography service (S24; photography service). S26), the image taken by the user is printed. The details will be described later.

On the other hand, when the photographing device 2 determines in S22 that the current remaining amount of media is equal to or less than a predetermined value (S22; No), the photographing device 2 displays a top screen that allows the photographing service to be selected and the image print service cannot be selected. Display (S27).

FIG. 10B is an example of the top screen 100, and unlike the previous case, the selection button 120 for selecting the transition to the image print service is not displayed, and the image print service cannot be selected. .. When the user touches the selection button 110 for selecting the transition to the photography service, the process proceeds to the photography service processing (S26), and the image taken by the user is printed.

When the photographing apparatus 2 prints the image transmitted to the server 3 by the user or the image taken by the user in this way, the photography apparatus 2 determines whether or not the current remaining amount of media is larger than a certain value (second determination) (S28). ..

When the current remaining amount of media is larger than a certain value (S28; Yes), the photography apparatus 2 ends the process as it is. On the other hand, when the current remaining amount of media is below a certain value (S28; No), a notification to the effect that the remaining amount of media is below a certain value is sent to the terminal of the maintenance operator (maintainer) by e-mail or the like ( S29), the process is terminated. The above constant value is the same as the above-mentioned predetermined value, but may be a value smaller than the predetermined value or a value larger than the predetermined value. Upon receiving the notification, the maintainer goes to the photography device 2 to replenish the media.

(3. Image print service)
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the image print service of S25 (see FIG. 9). S251 and S254 to 256 in FIG. 11 are executed by the control device 20 of the photography device 2, and S252 and 253 are executed by the control unit 31 of the server 3.

When shifting to the image print service, the photography apparatus 2 first displays an order ID input screen (not shown), and transmits the order ID input on the input screen to the server 3 (S251). The order ID may be input by reading the two-dimensional code with a reading unit (not shown) provided in the photography apparatus 2.

When the server 3 receives the order ID (S252), the server 3 transmits an image or the like corresponding to the order ID to the photography device 2 (S253).

When the photographic apparatus 2 receives (downloads) an image or the like (S254), 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.

When the photography device 2 receives the charge (S255), the photographing device 2 prints the image downloaded in S254 by the printer 25 (S256). 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.

(4. Photography service)
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the photography service of S26 (see FIG. 9). Each step in FIG. 12 is executed by the control device 20 of the photography device 2.

After shifting to the photography service, the photography apparatus 2 first displays a menu screen for taking a picture, and various settings for taking a picture and printing the picture (for example, the number of prints, the size of the picture, and the purpose of the picture (for example). (For driver's license, passport, etc.)) is accepted on the menu screen (S261). After that, the photography device 2 displays a message prompting the display unit 21 to charge, and the user charges the charge at the charging unit 22.

Upon receiving the charge (S262), the photography apparatus 2 takes a photograph of the user (S263) and prints the photographed image by the printer 25 (S264).

As described above, the photography device 2 of the present embodiment provides an image print service and a photography service when the remaining amount of media is larger than a predetermined value according to the determination result of the remaining amount of media, and the remaining amount of media is reduced. If it is less than the specified value, by providing only the photography service among these services, it is possible to prevent the image printing service from consuming the media of the photography box, which makes it impossible to provide the photography service. ..

The above determination is always performed when the sensor 26 of the photography device 2 detects the user and displays the top screen 100, so that the image is printed even though the remaining amount of the media is actually equal to or less than the predetermined value. It is possible to prevent the service from being provided. For example, it is possible to make the above judgment periodically (for example, every hour), but in this case, if the remaining amount of media is larger than the predetermined value at the time of the previous judgment, the user visits until the next judgment. The top screen 100 of FIG. 10A is displayed, and during that time, there is a possibility that the image print service can be provided even after the media is consumed and the remaining amount of the media becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value.

Further, in the present embodiment, after printing the image, the remaining amount of media is determined again, and if the remaining amount of media is equal to or less than a certain value, the media can be replenished at a suitable timing by notifying the fact.

However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, it is not essential to determine the remaining amount of media after printing an image, and it is possible to omit it.

Further, in the present embodiment, the medium for determining the remaining amount is the ink ribbon, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be paper for printing.

Further, in the present embodiment, the top screen 100 displayed in S27 (see FIG. 9) has a selection button 110 for selecting the transition to the photography service and a selection button 120 for selecting the transition to the image print service. Of these, only the former selection button 110 is displayed (see FIG. 10B), but the latter selection button 120 is touched with a message such as "Cannot select due to insufficient media remaining". May be displayed so that it cannot be transferred to the image print service. Alternatively, although it is possible to select by touching the selection button 120, it is also possible to display a message such as "Image cannot be printed due to insufficient media remaining" and disable the image print service. be.

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, 101: Photographing unit 24: Lighting 25: Printer 26: Sensor 27: Curtain 28: Printed matter outlet 100: Top screen 102: Download unit 103: Print unit 104: Media remaining amount determination unit 110, 120: Select button

Claims (4)

The shooting unit that captures the user with a camera and obtains an image,
The download section that downloads images from the server, and
The print section that prints the image and
A media remaining amount determination unit that determines the media remaining amount of the print unit, and a media remaining amount determination unit.
Have,
In the first determination of the media remaining amount determination unit,
When the remaining amount of the media is larger than a predetermined value, it is possible to print the image downloaded by the download unit and the image captured by the user by the shooting unit.
A photography device characterized in that when the remaining amount of the media is equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is possible to print an image taken by a user in the shooting unit, and it is not possible to print an image downloaded by the download unit. The media remaining amount determination unit makes a second determination of the media remaining amount after printing an image by the printing unit, and if the media remaining amount is equal to or less than a certain value in the second determination, that effect. The photography apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification is transmitted. The first determination is according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first determination is performed when the user is detected by the sensor of the photography apparatus and the top screen is displayed on the display unit of the photography apparatus. Photographing equipment. The photography apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
With the user terminal
With the server
Have,
The user terminal is an image printing system characterized in that an image is transmitted to the server.

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