JPH1078620A - Method and system for ordering and delivering digital print - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a high-quality print without going to a DP (simultaneous printing) store. SOLUTION: Image data is image-processed on a personal computer. Printing order data concerning the image data image-processed is inputted. By connecting to the data base of a print-finisher by using the personal computer, the image data and the printing order data are transferred to a work station for acceptance. The print-finisher decides a printer to be used and a printing time in this printer based on the printing designation data of the printing order data. A printing order is decided in every printer based on the printing time and data designating the desired date of the deliver. Each printer forms the prints according to the printing order based on the digital image data and the printing order data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a method and system for ordering and delivering digital prints.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a current photographic print system, in order to develop and print a photographed film, the photograph is taken to a DP (simultaneous print) reception shop or the like to request DP processing.
The print has been received after the delivery date and time specified at the time of reception.

[0003]

Therefore, it is necessary to go to a DP reception shop twice for requesting and receiving a process, which is troublesome. In recent years, convenience stores that are open 24 hours a day have become widespread, and such stores have become capable of accepting 24 hours of developing and printing photographs. However, even if the reception is possible for 24 hours, since the lab is open during normal business hours, this does not shorten the final delivery time.

In recent years, personal computers (hereinafter referred to as personal computers), digital cameras, scanners, etc. have become popular and sophisticated, and image processing has been performed on personal computers.
Digital printing is performed by an ink jet printer, a thermal printer, or the like for personal use. However, it is difficult to expect high-quality printing with these personal-use printers, and there is a problem that the printing cost increases when the purchase of the printer is considered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and makes it easy to order, receive, and create prints, and can easily receive high-quality prints without going to a reception shop. It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital print order delivery method and system.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for ordering and delivering digital prints, comprising the steps of: sending an order to the digital image data and print order data corresponding to the digital image data; The print order data is transmitted to the reception processing means, and the print order data is print instruction data indicating a print size and the number of prints, a delivery date desired date and time instruction data indicating a desired date and time of a print delivery date, and a delivery method instruction indicating a print delivery method. Data and orderer identification data for identifying the orderer, the orderer stores the digital image data and the print order data in a storage device by a reception processing device, and the reception processing device The print order of each print order data is determined based on the digital image data and the print order data. Create a print by the serial print order, one in which it was to deliver the print to the purchaser on the basis of the print order data. The reception processing device specifies a printer to be used based on a print size,
Preferably, the print order is determined for each of the specified printers. Further, when receiving the new print order data, the reception processing device preferably changes the print order based on the print order data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital print ordering / delivery system, comprising: input means for digital image data; print instruction data for displaying the input digital image data for image processing; An information processing device for inputting print order data having delivery date desired date and time instruction data indicating a desired print delivery date and time, delivery method instruction data indicating a print delivery method, and orderer identification data for identifying an orderer; Means for transferring digital image data and print order data subjected to image processing, receiving processing means for receiving and processing the transferred digital image data and print order data, and storing the received digital image data and print order data Storage device and print order data Process management for determining the printer to be used and the print time in this printer based on the print instruction data, determining the print order for each of the printers based on the print time and the desired date of delivery date instruction data, and managing the process of each printer. Means, and a digital printer for creating a print based on the print order from the digital image data and the print order data stored in the storage device. The input means, the information processing device, and the data transfer means are provided on the orderer side. The reception processing means, the storage device, the process management means, and the digital printer are provided on the orderer side. As the information processing device, a personal computer having an image processing function is preferable. Note that a digital camera or the like may be provided with an image processing function and used as the information processing device.

[0008] The information processing apparatus includes:
Send temporary order data consisting of image data size, print order data of print order data, and desired date of delivery date,
The reception processing means calculates a print delivery date and a print fee based on the provisional order data, transfers the data to the orderer, and transfers the print order data including the print order data and the digital image data to the orderer. It is preferable that the print order data is stored in a storage device when the print job has occurred, the process management is performed based on the print order data, and a print instruction is sent to the digital printer. Further, it is preferable that the process management means, when receiving new print order data, change the print order based on the print order data.

[0009]

The digital image data is input to the information processing device from a digital camera, a scanner, a computer graphics device (CG), a video capture, or the like. The orderer operates the information processing apparatus to display the input image data on the display, and performs image processing while watching the image data. Further, the user inputs print order data for printing the image data. The print order data includes print instruction data indicating a print size and the number of prints, desired delivery date and time instruction data indicating a desired date and time of a print delivery date, delivery method instruction data indicating a print delivery method, and identification of the orderer. And the orderer identification data for the ordering, and these are sequentially input. Instead of simply arranging the data to form the print order data, the print order data may be a combination of the data and encoded.

After this input, when a data transfer is instructed by designating a contractor, the digital image data subjected to the image processing and the print order data are transmitted to the designated trader.
The acceptance processing means of the contractor stores the digital image data and the print order data transferred from the orderer.

Instead of simply storing the transferred image data and print order data, of the print order data, provisional order data consisting of the size of the order data and image data necessary for calculating the delivery date and the charge is stored. The ordering party may send it to the order receiving party. In this case, the reception processing means calculates a print fee and a print delivery date based on the provisional order data, and transfers the data to the orderer. The orderer decides whether or not to place an order based on the fee and the delivery date, and if so, transfers the actual print order data to the reception processing means. The reception processing means stores the digital image data and the print order data in the storage device based on the transfer of the actual order data. The process management means determines the print order for each print size based on the desired delivery date and time designation data of the print order data. Then, process management is performed according to the printing order, and a print instruction is sent to the digital printer. In this case, the reception number may be determined, and the order data and the image data may be managed based on the reception number.

Each digital printer creates a print based on the print order based on the digital image data and the print order data. This print is sent to the orderer by mail or delivery to the orderer based on the delivery method instruction data of the print order data, or is directly delivered to the orderer at the orderer's store if direct delivery is selected. Further, a fee settlement process is performed based on the fee payment instruction data of the print order data. For example, automatic debit, bank transfer,
In addition to selecting payment by a credit card, a prepaid card, an electronic money card, and the like, cash payment is also selected in the case of direct delivery processing.

When sending a print to the orderer, the address is printed by the address printer. The address information is specified based on the orderer identification data, and a zip code, an address, a name, and a telephone number as necessary are printed. In the case of home delivery, a number and a barcode for identifying a home delivery service store are recorded as necessary, in addition to these addresses. In addition to the address being printed directly on the delivery bag, the address is printed on a label and then attached to the delivery bag.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a digital print order delivery system according to the present invention. A personal computer 11 is provided on the user 10 side as an orderer. In addition, on the side of the print finishing company 12 as a contractor, a reception workstation 13 and a large-capacity storage device 1 are provided.
4, printers 15, 16, and 17, a bill issuing printer 18, and a loading device 19 are provided.

As is well known, the personal computer 11 of the user 10 is composed of a personal computer main body, a keyboard, a display, a hard disk device, a modem, etc. In addition to these, a scanner 20 and a digital still camera are used as image input means. 21 are connected. A wired or wireless public telephone line 22 is connected to the modem.
The personal computer 11 is connected to a network 23 such as the Internet and a database 24 of the print finishing company 12 via the public telephone line 22.

The scanner 20 is of a flat bed type, and reads image data from a reflection original such as a print photograph or a printed matter. Further, a film scanner may be used as the scanner, and in this case, image data is read from the photographic film. The personal computer has a built-in video capture board so that image data can be captured from a video tape recorder, video camera, television, or the like. Further, the image data is stored in a network 23 such as the Internet.
May be obtained from.

Image processing and order software are incorporated in the personal computer 11. This image processing and ordering software is downloaded from the database 24 of the print finishing company 12 as described later. The print finishing company 12 is selected from the company list, and the company list 25 is downloaded from the network 23. The image processing and ordering software is configured by combining a well-known image processing program and an order processing program, and can perform from image processing to ordering. In addition to the program for performing the image processing and the order processing as described above, only the order processing program may be used. In this case, the image processing is performed using commercially available image processing software.

The image processing program includes image data capture, gamma correction processing, color correction processing, trimming processing,
It performs character data insertion synthesis processing, enlargement / reduction processing, data compression processing, and the like. Then, the data compression processing format data and the image data subjected to the data compression processing are stored in a memory or the like of the personal computer as print target image data.

The order processing program performs print input data input processing and data transfer of print target image data and print order data.

In the input processing of the print order data, after specifying the image data to be printed, the print instruction data, the desired delivery date and time instruction data, the delivery method instruction data, and the charge payment method instruction are associated with the image data. Data and user identification data are input. In addition,
Once these data have been entered, they are stored, and then the print order data from the previous order is displayed on the display, so that re-entry of the common data is omitted.

The print instruction data includes a print size,
It is composed of data indicating the number of prints, a print format, and a print method. The print size indicates a size such as an E size, a L size, and a cabinet size in a silver halide photographic printer, and an A0 size in an ink jet printer or a thermal printer.
... Instructs the size such as A4 size and A6 size. The number of prints indicates the number of prints in each print size.

The print format instructs special size print such as panorama print, index print, multi print, sticker print, character composite print, and monochrome print.
The seal print is affixed to a release paper, peeled off and affixed to another material, and is often used in combination with a multiprint. The printing method is silver halide photographic printer, inkjet printer, thermal printer,
This indicates another printer or the like.

The desired delivery date and time instruction data indicates the desired delivery date and time. In this embodiment, delivery within 2 hours after reception, delivery within 4 hours after reception, delivery within 6 hours after reception, delivery within 12 hours after reception, delivery within 1 day after reception, delivery within 2 days after reception Delivery is selected. In addition,
Instead of such a selection method, a method of designating a desired delivery date and time may be adopted. The delivery method instruction data indicates a delivery method, and mail, home delivery, store receipt, or the like is selected.

The fee payment method instruction data indicates the method of payment for the fee. When mailing and home delivery are desired, credit card payment, bank automatic debit, bank transfer, prepaid card or electronic money payment, and the like are provided. Selected. In addition, when the delivery of the receipt is desired, cash payment is selected in addition to the above-mentioned payment mode.

The user identification data identifies the user, and includes the user's name, address, postal code, telephone number,
It is composed of an ID number and the like. It should be noted that, by placing an order once, or by registering a user before placing an order, a series of these print order data can be placed in order 1, order 1.
Register in the order number such as Order 2, and in the case of an order later, simply enter the user ID number and password, connect to the database of the print finishing company, and enter the image data and the order number. You may.

The reception workstation 13 on the side of the print finishing company 12 has basically the same configuration as the personal computer 11 on the side of the user 10, but is composed of a high-performance and high-speed computer because of a large amount of data to be handled. It has a system configuration. This reception workstation 1
3 incorporates well-known database software, and includes a workstation 13, a storage device 14, and a modem 2.
6 constitutes a database 24. The database software corresponds to the image processing and order software of the personal computer 11. User 10
The personal computer 11 and the workstation 13 of the print finishing company 12 are connected by a wired or wireless public telephone line 22 and a modem 26, and a reception process and a process management process described later are performed.

In the digital printers 15, 16, and 17, photosensitive materials or recording materials having different paper sizes are set, and these printers 15 to 17 perform printing of different sizes. Each of the printers 15 and 16 is a silver halide color digital printer, and scans and exposes a silver halide color photosensitive material (color paper) based on digital data to print and print an image. As the color paper, a positive-positive type is used, and the color paper is printed and exposed with a positive image.

The silver halide color digital printer 15 is
As shown in FIG. 2, a printing exposure unit 30 of a scanning exposure system using a laser beam is provided, and a light beam is modulated based on image data, and the yellow, magenta, Each image is printed and exposed by scanning and exposing each photosensitive layer of cyan. The color paper 31 which has been subjected to the printing exposure is developed by a paper processor 32 and then cut off for each frame based on a cut mark, and an L size print 33 is created. Further, a back printing unit 34 is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the back printing unit 34 includes an identification number 38a and a bar code 38b thereof on the back surface of the color paper 31 corresponding to each image. The data 38 is recorded. The reception number 38a is used for collation by the operator, and the barcode 38b is used for automatic collation. In addition, the number 38c following the reception number 38a is mailed,
This is a delivery type number indicating delivery type such as home delivery, store delivery, etc., where "1" indicates mail, "2" indicates home delivery, and "3" indicates over-the-counter delivery.

The other silver halide color digital printer 1
6 is similarly configured. A cabinet-size print is set in the printer 16, and a cabinet-size print 35 is created. Also, a reception number 38a and a bar code 3 of the reception number 38a are provided on the back surface of the color paper corresponding to each image by the same device as the back printing device 34 shown in FIG.
8b and the identification data 38 including the delivery type number 38c are recorded.

The printing exposure unit 30 may use a surface exposure method or a line exposure method using a CRT or a liquid crystal display panel, in addition to a scanning exposure method using a laser beam. Instead of modulating the light beam, scanning exposure may be performed using a micromirror device. The micromirror device is configured to arrange mirrors (micromirrors) having extremely small sizes in a line or a matrix, and to control the tilt angle of each micromirror to deflect incident light.

When a negative / positive color paper is used, image data is subjected to positive / negative conversion. This positive / negative conversion is performed by the digital printer 15-
In addition to the operation performed by the image processing unit 17, the workstation 13
May be performed by the image processing unit. The image processing units of the digital printers 15 to 17 perform gamma correction and matrix correction to optimize the density and color balance of the obtained print.

The printer 17 is a known ink jet type color digital printer. This printer 17 is selected when the print method instruction data of the printer order data is the ink jet method, and A0
A print 36 of a large size such as .about.A4 size is created. For this reason, recording paper of various sizes is set in the printer 17, and the corresponding recording paper is selected according to the size specification. The printer 17 is also provided with a back printing device, and identification data including a reception number, a bar code thereof, and a delivery identification number is recorded on the back surface of the recording paper.

As shown in FIG. 1, a bill issuing printer 1
8 is a bill 3 based on the data of the workstation 13
Print 7. In addition to printing various billing items, the bill 37 records identification data 38 including a reception number, a bar code thereof, and a delivery number for collating the print with the delivery bag.

Print 3 from each of printers 15 and 16
3, 35 and the invoice 37 from the invoicing printer 18
Is sent to the print insertion unit 44 (see FIG. 4) of the loading device 19 by the sorter / accumulator 39.

As shown in FIG. 4, the loading device 19 includes a delivery bag cassette 40, a delivery bag sending section 41, a delivery bag printing section 42, a collation section 43, a print insertion section 44, and a sealing section 45. , A discharge section 46, and a discharge cassette 47. The delivery bag cassette 40 contains a large number of delivery bags 4.
8 is set. The delivery bag sending section 41 takes out only one delivery bag 48 from the delivery bag cassette 40 and sends it to the delivery bag printing section 42, the print insertion section 44, and the enclosing section 4.
5, which are sequentially fed to the discharge section 46, and are constituted by a pair of conveying belts and conveying rollers (not shown).

The delivery bag printing section 42 is composed of a printing printer. The delivery bag 48 set at the printing position is addressed to an address 49 such as an address, a name and a postal code, and a receipt number 3 is provided.
8a, a bar code 38b of the bar code and delivery identification data 38
and c.

The collating unit 43 comprises a barcode sensor (not shown) for reading the barcode 38 and a controller for collating based on signals from these barcode sensors. The first barcode sensor is provided between the printing position and the print insertion position, and reads the barcode 38 printed by the delivery bag printing unit 42. The second barcode sensor is connected to each printer 15,
Barcode 3 of each print printed by 16 back printing machines
Read 8. The third bar code sensor is the invoice 37
Read the bar code. The controller activates the print insertion unit 44 when the barcodes read by the barcode sensors match, thereby inserting one print 15, 16 and the bill 37 into the delivery bag 48. If the barcodes do not match, the controller issues an alarm and stops the loading process.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sorter / accumulator 3
Reference numeral 9 is provided at the exit side of each of the photo printers 15 and 16 and the invoicing printer 18, and prints 3 every
3, 35, and the bill 37 are collected and sent to the print insertion unit 44. This sorter / stacker 39
Is provided with a large number of storage units (bins), and prints are inserted into each of these storage units for each case, so that the prints of each case are bundled and sent to the print insertion unit 44. For this reason, barcode sensors 39a, 39b and 39c are provided at the receiving ports of the prints 33 and 35 and the bill 37, and the barcode sensors 39a to 39c read the barcode 38b. The printer 17 differs from the other printers 15 and 16 in that it handles large-size prints. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the printer 17 does not support automatic loading and is manually loaded.

The print insertion section 44 is composed of a delivery bag opening mechanism and a loading mechanism. The delivery bag opening mechanism opens the insertion port 48 a by sucking the edge near the insertion port of the delivery bag 48 with the vacuum pad 51. The input mechanism includes an input guide 52. The loading guide 52 shifts between a guide position where the insertion guide 48 enters the opened insertion port 48a and a retracted position where the insertion guide 52 is retracted from the insertion port 48a. Injection guide 52
The delivery bag 48 is taken in and out of the opening mechanism when is in the retracted position. With the input guide 52, one print 33, 35 and the bill 37 are input into the delivery bag 48 collectively. This loading is performed in addition to the drop loading by its own weight using the loading guide 52, as well as one print 33, 35.
Alternatively, the bill 37 may be forcibly inserted into the delivery bag 48 by using a gripping means such as a gripper.

The enclosing part 45 is glued so as to close the opening 48a of the delivery bag 48. For gluing the delivery bag 48, an adhesive such as a heat sealer is used, as well as an adhesive tape or a binding needle. The enclosed delivery bag 48 is the discharge unit 4
6 discharges to the discharge tray 47. The operator takes out the delivery bag 48 from the discharge tray 47, sorts the delivery bag 48 into mail, home delivery, and store delivery based on the delivery type number 38c of the identification data 38, and then performs each delivery process.

As shown in FIG.
2 is a database 24 for affiliated laboratories and finishers 6
0 database and network 23 or dedicated line 61
Connected through. Then, in the case of an order for print processing exceeding the processing capacity, in the case of an order for a print size or print format that cannot be processed,
In the case of a failure of Nos. To 17, the data is transferred to other affiliated laboratories or finishing companies 60, and these finishing companies 60 perform print processing and delivery processing as necessary.

The workstation 13 incorporates process management processing software. With this process management processing software, three printers 15, 1 based on the desired delivery date
Processes 6 and 17 are controlled, and printing is performed according to the printing order determined by the desired delivery date. FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows the outline of process management. First, the printer to be used and the print time in this printer are determined based on the print instruction data of the print order data. Since the print time per sheet required to print each size is known in advance, the print time in the printer is calculated by multiplying the unit print time by the number of prints. Then, in the current process management, the print order is determined by giving priority to the desired delivery date based on the delivery date desired date instruction data and the printing time.

For example, the order of the user A that is 2 days after the desired delivery date for the same print size “L”, the order of the user B that is 2 hours after the desired delivery date for the same size, and the order of the user C that is 1 day after the desired delivery date for the same size are included. In this case, the order of the print processing is prioritized on the desired date of delivery date, so that the order of users B, C, and A is set. Then, the printer 15 prints each order based on this order.

If a new order of the user D, which is four hours after the desired delivery date, is received during the printing process, the user D, the user C, and the user A give priority to the desired delivery time as described above. The print processing order is changed as follows. As a result, it is possible to perform the print processing giving priority to the delivery date. When the print processing order is changed due to a new order, the delivery date is re-checked for an order that has been received first. In this delivery date recheck, it is checked whether or not the earlier order postponed by the new order is within the desired delivery date. If this check results in an earlier order being out of time,
The start of printing a later order is delayed so that later orders do not affect the delivery date of the earlier order. If the start time of the printing is postponed and the delivery date of the subsequent order cannot be met, a message indicating that processing cannot be performed is sent to the user's personal computer.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The user 10 stores the print finishing supplier list 25 in the network 2 such as the Internet.
Obtain via 3 The list 25 is obtained by communication software or the like attached to the personal computer 11. Next, the user 10 selects the optimum print finishing company 12 from the list 25 in consideration of the nearest store, the type of print format, the fee, the delivery method, etc., and connects to the database 24 of the print finishing company 12. I do.

The workstation 13 of the finisher 12
Sends image processing and ordering software to the user 10 in response to a request to download the personal computer 11 of the connected user 10. The user 10 decompresses the downloaded image processing and order software and sends it to the personal computer 11
To install. When this installation is completed normally, a user registration menu is displayed, and user registration processing can be easily performed.

In this user registration process, the reception workstation 13 issues a user ID number and a password to the user 10, and thereafter, the user workstation
A print order is accepted by collating the D number with the password.

Next, the user 10 takes in the image data to be printed, and performs image processing using image processing and order software. The image data is input to the personal computer 11 from a scanner 20, a digital still camera 21, a digital video camera (not shown), and the like, and also an image from a television or a video tape recorder via a video capture board. Further, image data from the network 23 such as the Internet, for which printing is permitted, is also captured as image data to be printed.

The captured image data is subjected to image processing by image processing and order software. As image processing,
For example, there are gamma correction, matrix correction, character / illustration synthesis, enlargement / reduction, trimming, image synthesis, and the like. When these image processings are determined, the image data that has been subjected to the image processing is, for example, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts G).
roup) compressed. The compressed image data is stored in the personal computer 1
0 is written to a predetermined area of the RAM. The data compression method is not limited to JPEG, and other known compression methods may be used.

Next, print order data is input. The input of print order data is performed by selecting desired instruction data on a data input screen using a mouse, a keyboard, or the like. When the input of all the print order data is completed, the printer enters the data transfer mode, is connected to the work station 13 of the print finishing company 12, and first transfers the temporary print order data by data communication.

The temporary print order data includes print instruction data, delivery date / time instruction data, and the size (data amount) of image data to be printed in the print order data.
It is composed of

Since the workstation 13 manages the total number of orders and the delivery date, the delivery date and fee for the tentative order are transmitted to the user along with the receipt number in accordance with the image size and the number of prints of the tentative order data. Forward. That is, based on the print temporary order data from the user 10, the workstation 13 calculates whether or not the desired delivery date can be met in accordance with the number of orders of other users and the processing capacity of printing, and specifies the print finishing time. The delivery time is calculated by adding the delivery processing time to the print finish time.

If the calculated delivery date exceeds the desired delivery date, the workstation 13 sends an unprocessable message to the personal computer 11 of the user 10. In this case,
The user 10 can change the desired delivery date and time and place the provisional order again, or can select to cancel the order.

When the calculated delivery date is within the desired delivery date, the workstation 13 sends the reception number and a processable message to the personal computer 11 of the user 10 and transmits the print order data to the personal computer 11.
Request to.

When the user 10 selects the order instruction after confirming the delivery date and fee, the personal computer 11 sends the actual order data to the workstation 13. This order data is composed of all the print order data and the image data to be printed. The workstation 13 is
The real order data is data-managed based on the reception number, and the real order data is stored in the storage device 14.

The workstation 13 changes the print processing order for each printer 1 based on the received contents.
The order is determined for each of 5, 16, and 17, and printing of each order is performed. For example, when a normal L-size print is designated, an L-size print 33 is created using the printer 15. When a cabinet size print is designated, a cabinet size print 35 is created using the printer 16. When an A3 size print is designated, the inkjet printer 17 is used to
An A3-size print 36 is created. If manual correction processing by the operator is selected, the workstation 13 does not perform automatic printing and selects manual printing processing during business hours. In this case, the operator performs image processing so as to optimize the density and the color balance, and performs various types of printers 15 to 17.
Are used to create prints 33, 35, 36. Also,
When a print size or print format other than the print size in automatic printing is selected, the operator performs manual print processing during business hours in the same manner.

The back printer of each of the printers 15 to 17 prints identification data 38 including a reception number 38a, a bar code 38b thereof, and a delivery number 38c on the back of the prints 31 to 33.

A bill issuing process is performed in parallel with the printing or before and after the printing. In the invoicing process,
The work station 13 uses the billing printer 18 to send a billing statement, a user name and a user ID.
The number, the reception number, and the barcode 38 thereof are printed in a predetermined format, and a bill 37 is issued.
In the case of using a bank automatic debit, a prepaid card, or the like, a delivery note may be issued instead of or in addition to the bill 37.

Next, the work station 13 uses the delivery bag printing section 42 of the loading device 19 to write the destination name 49 including the user's postal code, address, name, telephone number, and the like.
The identification data 38 including the reception number 38a, the bar code 38b thereof, and the delivery type number 38c is printed on the delivery bag 48.

Although various delivery bags 48 are prepared according to the print size, a delivery bag 48 corresponding to the most demanded print size is set in the delivery bag cassette 40 of the loading device 19. In addition, a plurality of delivery bag cassettes may be prepared, and a delivery bag may be selected and used according to the print size. Further, in the case of large-size printing such as A0 to A3, a cylindrical body may be used. In this case, in addition to automatic loading, manual loading may be performed by an operator.

Finished prints 33 and 35 and bill 3
7 indicates that the barcode 38b is read by the barcode sensors 39a to 39c in the sorter / accumulator 39,
Based on this, the same barcodes are stored in the same print storage unit, so that they are united. The prints 33, 35 and the bill 37, which are put together, are
It is inserted into the delivery bag 48 by the print insertion section 44. Before this insertion, the collation unit 43 collates the prints 33 and 35, which are put together, with the barcode of the bill 37 and the barcode 38 of the delivery bag 48. If the bar code 38b does not match as a result of the comparison, an alarm is issued and the loading process is stopped. In addition to the collation, the barcode 38b of the grouped prints is read, the address is printed on the delivery bag 48 based on the barcode 38b, and the group is put on the delivery bag 48 on which the address is printed. A print may be inserted.

The delivery bag 48 into which the prints and the like have been inserted is sealed by the enclosing section 45 and thereafter discharged to the discharge cassette 47 by the discharge section 46. The delivery bag 48 has an address 49
In addition to the above, the delivery type number 38c (see FIG. 3) is printed, so that the operator can sort by the delivery type number for processing such as mailing, home delivery, and delivery at a store. It is to be noted that, in addition to performing the sorting by the delivery type number manually, these delivery type numbers are converted into barcodes, read by a barcode sensor, and sorted into the discharge cassette 47 for each delivery type. Good.

The print fee is settled according to the method specified by the fee payment method instruction data. For example, in the case of a prepaid card payment method, a user purchases a prepaid card at a print finishing company or the like and inputs this card ID number as print payment method instruction data, so that the workstation 13 determines the charge of this prepaid card. You can print up to the limit.

The delivery bag 48 by the delivery bag printing unit 42
As shown in FIG. 8, in addition to direct printing on the label, a label printer 65 may print a name on a label 66. In this case, the label 66 is attached to the delivery bag 48. As with the delivery bag 48, the label 66 has an address 67, a reception number 68a, a bar code 68b,
The identification data 68 including the delivery type number 68c is recorded.

A combination of the reception number and the delivery type may be recorded as a barcode. Further, a combination of the reception number and the user ID number may be recorded as a barcode. Further, a combination of the reception number, the user ID number, and the delivery type number may be recorded as a barcode. When combining these, besides simply concatenating them, the last few digits of each number,
For example, four-digit numbers may be linked, and in this case, the number of digits of the identification barcode is suppressed from increasing. Although not shown, when a delivery bag with a transparent window is used, the address printing on the delivery bag may be omitted by writing the address and the like on the bill.

The print order data may include storage period instruction data for storing image data for a predetermined period. When the storage period instruction data is input, the workstation 13 stores the image data in the storage device 14 for a specified period. During this storage period, the user can read out the image data and make corrections. When the image data is stored for a predetermined period by the storage period instruction data, this fee is added to the billing fee.

Recording medium write instruction data may be added as print order data. In this case, the designated image data is selected from a selected recording medium, for example, DVD, M
Written to O, CD, FD, etc. These image data are delivered to the user 10 when the recording medium is full or when instructed by the user 10.

The personal computer 11 stores a list of print finishing companies as a library, and can select an optimal printing finishing company from a list of printers and a list of charges and delivery dates. The print finishing supplier list 25 is always updated to the latest one by appropriately downloading it via the network 23 such as the Internet.

When the print finishing company 12 also serves as a photographic film developing station, when a negative film or the like photographed with a silver halide photographic camera is subjected to DP processing at the developing station,
An image may be captured by a film scanner and recorded in the storage device 14 as image data. In this case,
The user 10 connects to the workstation 13 of the print finishing company 12 based on the user ID number, downloads the image data, processes the downloaded image data, inputs the print order data, and orders the print.

In the above embodiment, the silver salt type color digital printers 15 and 16 and the ink jet color printer 17 are used. In addition, a color printer of a heat development transfer system, a color ink jet printer, a color thermal printer, a color laser printer, etc. May be used.
When a monochrome print is performed, a monochrome printer is used.

Image correction processing instruction data may be added as print order data. In this case, the operator observes a simulated finished image and performs image correction processing to optimize the density and color balance. .
In this case, the correction processing fee is added to the billing fee.

Post card instruction data may be added as a print format of the print order data. In this case, in addition to allowing the user to select the composite document content and the composite pattern from several types of patterns, the user may transfer the data to a print finishing company in a state where the document is composited. Further, the post card printed by the print finishing company may be mailed to the destination address by transferring the destination address list data.

In the above embodiment, after the address is printed on the delivery bag 48 using the loading device 19, the delivery bag 4
8 were automatically loaded with the prints 33, 35 and the invoice 37, but in addition to this, the address was printed on a delivery bag or label using a destination printer, and the prints 33, 35 and The bill 37 may be inserted. In this case, the delivery number may be matched with the prints 33 and 35 and the bill 37 by collating the reception number.

In the above-described embodiment, the print order is made by transferring the image data. However, in the case where the image data processed by using the recording medium is brought to a print finishing company, the print order may be made. In the same manner, print processing with delivery date priority may be performed. In this case, the input of the print order data may be performed using a personal computer at home or using a reception machine of a print finishing company.

[0075]

According to the first or fourth aspect of the present invention, since the digital image data and the print order data corresponding to the digital image data are transmitted to the contractor, it is not necessary to go to a DP reception shop or the like. In addition, the orderer can perform desired image processing. The orderer stores the digital image data and the print order data in the storage device, creates a print based on the stored digital image data and the print order data, and delivers the print to the orderer based on the print order data. Therefore, the printing process and the delivery can be automated. In addition, since reception time is not limited to business hours as in the case of store reception, reception is possible for 24 hours, so that printing can be efficiently performed in conjunction with automation of print processing, and delivery time of prints is shortened. be able to.

Since the print order of each print order data is determined based on the print order data, the delivery date can be reliably grasped in the case of automatic acceptance. Moreover, because the prints were created according to this print order,
Printing with priority on the delivery date becomes possible, and efficient printing processing can be performed. Further, by adjusting the delivery date according to the orderer ID number, it is possible to provide a service that is in line with the sales strategy.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the information processing apparatus on the orderer side sends to the reception processing means the provisional order data including the size of the image data, the print instruction data of the print order data, and the desired date of delivery date. The reception processing means calculates a print delivery date and a print charge based on the provisional order data, transfers the data to the orderer, and transfers the print order data including the print order data and the digital image data to the orderer. Since the print order data is stored in the storage device and the process management is performed based on the print order data,
When ordering, the delivery date can be surely known.
In addition, since it is not necessary to send image data at the time of a provisional order, there is no need to uselessly transfer image data when stopping an order due to problems such as delivery date or fee, and it is possible to efficiently place an order. it can.

When the process management means receives new print order data, it changes the print order based on the print order data, so that efficient print processing can be performed with priority on the delivery date.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a digital print order delivery system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a silver halide color digital printer used in the digital print order delivery system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of identification data recorded on the back side of a print.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a loading device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for determining the order of print processing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the digital print order delivery system of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the loading device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment in which a name is printed on a label instead of directly printing a name on a delivery bag.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 User (orderer) 11 Personal computer 12 Print finisher (orderer) 13 Workstation 14 Image file 15, 16 Silver halide color digital printer 17 Inkjet printer 18 Billing printer 19 Loading device 20 Scanner 21 Digital still camera 22 Public Telephone line 23 Network 24 Database 25 Print finisher list 33,35,36 Print 37 Invoice 38 Identification data 38a Reception number 38b Barcode 38c Delivery type number 40 Delivery bag cassette 41 Delivery bag sending section 42 Delivery bag printing section 43 Collation section 44 Print insertion part 45 Enclosure part 46 Ejection part 47 Eject cassette 48 Delivery bag

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An orderer transmits digital image data and print order data corresponding to the digital image data to a reception processing means of the orderer, wherein the print order data includes print instruction data indicating a print size and the number of prints, The delivery date and time instruction data indicating the desired date and time of the print delivery date, the delivery method instruction data indicating the print delivery method, and the orderer identification data for identifying the orderer are included. The order data is stored in a storage device by a reception processing device, the reception processing device determines a printing order of each print order data based on the print order data, and performs the printing based on the digital image data and the print order data. Create prints by order and deliver prints to the orderer based on print order data A method for ordering and delivering digital prints. 2. A digital print order delivery method, wherein the reception processing device specifies a printer to be used based on a print size, and determines the print order for each of the specified printers. 3. The reception processing device according to claim 1, wherein when receiving new print order data, the reception processing device changes a print order based on the print order data.
Or, the method of ordering and delivering the digital print described in 2. 4. Digital image data input means, input digital image data is displayed, image processing is performed, print instruction data indicating a print size and the number of prints, and a delivery date request indicating a desired date and time of a print delivery date. An information processing apparatus for inputting print order data including date and time instruction data, delivery method instruction data for instructing a print delivery method, and orderer identification data for identifying an orderer; digital image data subjected to image processing and print order data Means for transferring the digital image data and the print order data, receiving processing means for receiving and processing the transferred digital image data and print order data, a storage device for storing the received digital image data and print order data, and a print instruction for the print order data. Based on the data, the printer to be used and this A process management means for determining a print time in a linter, determining a print order based on the print time and a desired date of delivery date instruction data for each printer to be used, and managing processes of each printer; and a digital storage device stored in a storage device. A digital printer for creating a print based on the print order from image data and print order data, wherein the input means, the information processing apparatus, and the data transfer means are provided on the orderer side; An order delivery system for digital prints, wherein the management means and the digital printer are provided on the order receiving side. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step management means changes a print order based on the print time determined based on the print order data and the desired delivery date and time instruction data when new print order data is received. The digital print order delivery system according to claim 4. 6. The information processing apparatus sends tentative order data including the size of image data, print instruction data of print order data, and a desired delivery date and time to the reception processing means. Calculate the print delivery date and print fee based on the data, transfer these data to the orderer, and when the orderer sends the print order data consisting of the print order data and digital image data, the print order data 5. The digital print order delivery system according to claim 4, further comprising: storing the print order in the storage device, performing the process management based on the actual print order data, and sending a print instruction to the digital printer.