JPH11352886A - System and device for producing decoration seal for compact electronic equipment, network system for producing same and server and recording medium thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select an optional pattern from the abundant patterns on the spot and to produce a seal in a short time by optionally selecting one pattern and one type out of the various kinds of patterns and types and outputting image data corresponding to the pattern and shape data corresponding to the type to a printing device. SOLUTION: Many pieces of high-resolution image data showing many kinds of picture patterns are included in an image file 42. Then, the data of the file 42 and outline data 43 are periodically and automatically updated by a server. First of all, the data selected from the file 42 and the data 43 is visualized at a display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal panel so as to be confirmed. After an outputted image is confirmed on a screen, the selected pattern is printed by a seal printing machine. Besides, it is cut so as to be fit for the shape of the housing of the designated type compact electronic equipment. Then, the decoration seal is peeled from a peeling paper and stuck to the housing of a cellular phone and the like being an object.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a portable telephone, a PH
The present invention relates to a system for creating a variety of decorative seals for decorating housings of small electronic devices (small information devices) such as portable information terminals such as S, pagers, electronic organizers and notebook personal computers, and portable MD players. That is, the present invention provides a device for producing a decorative seal for a small electronic device, a recording medium for supplying data to the device, a network system for producing a small electronic device decorative seal, a network server for delivering a small electronic device decorative seal creation data, and It is realized as a system for producing a decorative seal for small information equipment, and is suitable for use in producing a seal for decorating a housing of a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone or a PHS.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, housings (casings) of small electronic devices are often plain so as to be designed regardless of age. However, in reality, small electronic devices are prevalent mainly in the young generation. For example, in the field of mobile communication terminals, PHS (Personal
Handy-phone System) has become widespread, and there is a usage situation in which communication is attempted using this PHS.
In such a use situation, the PHS is recognized as a so-called play goods by the user, and a unique design of the housing is demanded. In order to respond to such demands, replacement housings whose shapes and patterns have been devised have hitherto been marketed, and this decorative housing has gained popularity.

[0003] However, in order to manufacture a housing with a devised shape, it is necessary to raise a special mold for that purpose and to perform molding using the mold. If you try to make it, the production cost will be expensive. In addition, a housing with a pattern by coloring the housing itself is also manufactured and sold individually with the housing with the pattern.

A mobile phone, PHS, PDA (Personal Dig)
Small information devices such as ital assistants are carried around on a daily basis, and younger generations in recent years in particular have a desire to change to a housing with a unique design according to their own lifestyle.

Therefore, conventionally, for example, a telephone seal having a wood grain design as shown in FIG. 14 is commercially available on a commercially available portable telephone. This telephone seal can change the mobile phone to a desired design simply by sticking it on the surface of the casing of the mobile phone.

[0006]

However, although the above-mentioned telephone seals are relatively inexpensive, they have limited patterns and a variety of housings for portable telephones. It is difficult for manufacturers to collect and sell all kinds of seals suitable for products. Therefore, the user of the mobile phone cannot freely select his or her favorite picture or design himself. In addition, there are many manufacturers of mobile phones, and the model of mobile phones is changing rapidly. To provide various patterns of seals for all models, about 10,000 types of seals are always available, and It is necessary to add many types of seals in response to a model change that is performed about once every six months. For these reasons, the manufacture and sale of telephone seals has not been established as a business and has hardly spread. The situation is the same for other small electronic devices other than mobile phones.

The present invention provides a decorative seal that fits into a housing (housing) of a small electronic device such as a mobile phone having various dimensions and shapes when a purchaser purchases the decorative seal from a wide variety of patterns. Can be selected on the spot and created in a short time, it is also possible to bring in your favorite design, and at any time upgrade the dimensions and shape of the housing and add / change pictures It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for producing a seal for decoration of a small electronic device that can cope with the problem.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system for producing a decorative seal for a small electronic device such as a portable telephone, a notebook personal computer, an electronic organizer, a pager, etc., which relates to data and / or pictures relating to the shape of the housing of the small electronic device. A server for periodically or upon request from a client, and a client for receiving the data, wherein the client sends data and / or picture data on the shape of the housing of the small information device to a printer / cutter. By supplying the housing, a sticker for decoration of the housing having a designated picture and having a cut line corresponding to the shape of the housing of the designated small information device is created.

Further, according to the present invention, the small information device includes:
A mobile phone device comprising at least a dial button, a liquid crystal display unit, a microphone and a speaker, wherein data on the shape of the small information device housing includes data on an outer shape of the housing, data on a position and shape of the button, and data on the display unit. A small information device including position and shape data, position and shape data of the microphone, position and shape data of the speaker, and position and shape data of a portion of the housing surface where a hole needs to be formed. This is a system for making decorative stickers.

[0010] The recording medium of the present invention further comprises a picture data file for storing various picture data for decorating the housing of the small electronic device, an outline data file for storing data relating to various shapes of the housing, and By outputting the data relating to the shape and the selected picture data to a printer / cutter, a sticker for housing decoration of the designated picture containing a cut line having a shape adapted to the housing of the designated small electronic device. Are recorded in a computer-readable form. The recording medium of the present invention is regularly delivered to a user-registered seal shop or the like, and the program file and the data are regularly updated and installed in a computer owned by each user, so that the latest information can be obtained. And an apparatus for producing a decorative seal for a small electronic device corresponding to the type of the small electronic device.

Further, according to the present invention, the small information device includes:
A mobile phone device comprising at least a dial button, a liquid crystal display unit, a microphone and a speaker, wherein data on the shape of the small information device housing includes data on an outer shape of the housing, data on a position and shape of the button, and data on the display unit. A recording medium including position and shape data, position and shape data of the microphone, position and shape data of the speaker, and position and shape data of other portions where holes need to be formed on the housing surface. is there.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention comprises a computer having an auxiliary storage device, and a printing device with a cutting function (printer / cutter) connected to the computer, wherein the printing device transmits image data from the computer. data), the design represented by the data is converted to a seal sheet (adhesive paper: seal-sea).
t), and a cut line of the shape represented by the data is output from the computer by outputting shape data from the computer, and the cut line is inserted into the seal sheet. (Storage) contains a large number of image data representing various pictures and various types of small electronic devices (small electronic devices).
a plurality of shape data respectively corresponding to dimensions and shapes of a housing of the machine, and a step of arbitrarily selecting one pattern and one type from the various patterns and the various types; Outputting the image data corresponding to the selected pattern and the shape data corresponding to the selected model to the printing apparatus, the program being executable by the computer. Can be implemented as an apparatus for producing According to this device, by updating the data in the auxiliary storage device to the latest data as needed by network distribution or distribution of CD-ROM, etc., it is possible to reduce the size of small electronic devices such as mobile phones owned by the purchaser of the sticker. It is possible to create and sell on the spot a seal that is cut into a shape and a shape that fits the dimensions and that has the button position and the liquid crystal display section cut out. In addition, since the purchaser creates the seal after selecting the seal pattern according to the purchaser's preference, there is no need to manufacture and manage a large amount of inventory in advance, and a low-cost seal creation system can be provided.

The image data is generally bitmap data composed of a large number of vertical and horizontal dots or compressed data of bitmap data. In order to make a cut within the range of the printed pattern, the number of horizontal dots of the bitmap data is larger than the product of the largest horizontal width and the image resolution among the shapes represented by each shape data, and The number of dots in the vertical direction of the bitmap data may be larger than the product of the largest vertical width of the shapes represented by each shape data and the image resolution. For example, if the maximum value of the width of the sticker to be created is 2 inches, the maximum value of the vertical width is 6 inches, and the image resolution is 400 dpi, the number of horizontal dots of the bitmap image is 800 or more, and the number of vertical dots is 24.
It should be at least 00 dots. The image resolution stored in each image data can be used.
As a data format in which the image resolution is stored in the data, a Jpeg format can be given.

Preferably, the computer has an input device for setting a correction amount of a drawing position of an outline with respect to a picture when an output image is displayed on a display device. After the selected shape data is corrected based on the corrected value, the corrected shape data may be output to the printing apparatus. According to this, by providing a hole in the decorative seal corresponding to the button or the liquid crystal display unit, a main part of the picture (for example, a part where a character's face is drawn).
Can be prevented from being cut off. As the input device, it is possible to use a keyboard or a mouse that is normally connected to a personal computer. The above configuration can be realized by monitoring a predetermined key operation of a keyboard and an operation of a mouse by a process operating on a computer and performing programming of a seal creation application so that an arbitrary correction value can be set.

[0015] In the above sticker producing apparatus, it is preferable that the computer is provided with a display device for displaying an output image formed by drawing an outline corresponding to the selected model on the selected picture. According to this, the output image can be visually checked in advance before the seal is created by the printing apparatus. Note that the outline drawn in the output image can be generated using shape data corresponding to the selected model. Further, in order to perform high-definition full-color printing, the size of image data becomes very large (generally, about several hundreds of Kbytes). When the display is reduced to an appropriate size, the response becomes extremely poor. Therefore, in order to improve the response of the selection operation, a large number of low-resolution image data representing the same picture as each of the above-described image data is stored in the auxiliary storage device of the computer, and the low-resolution image data is displayed on the display device when displaying the output image. It is preferable to use resolution image data. The bitmap size of such low-resolution image data is set to 6 in the horizontal direction so that it can be appropriately displayed even at VGA resolution, which is one of the most popular screen display methods.
It is preferable that the length be 40 dots or less and the vertical direction be 480 dots or less.

When a decorative seal is created using a seal sheet on which a picture is printed in advance, the above-mentioned image data and a program for processing the data are not necessary, and a printing function is provided instead of a printing apparatus. It is also possible to use a cutting device having no.

The present invention also includes a computer having an auxiliary storage device and a printing device connected to the computer, and the printing device displays bitmap data in a predetermined format by inputting the data. And printing on the sticker sheet a number of image data representing various patterns and a number of images corresponding to the size and shape of the housing of various types of small electronic devices. Shape data, a step of arbitrarily selecting one pattern and one type from the various patterns and various types, and a step of selecting image data corresponding to the selected pattern and a shape corresponding to the selected type. Generating an output image in which a cut line is drawn on the selected pattern based on the data and the output image; A program executable by the computer, comprising: generating bitmap data conforming to the input format of the printing device; and outputting the bitmap data generated by the step to the printing device. It can be implemented as a device for producing a decorative seal for a small electronic device.
According to this device, by updating the data in the auxiliary storage device to the latest data as needed by network distribution or distribution of CD-ROM, etc., it is possible to reduce the size of small electronic devices such as mobile phones owned by the purchaser of the sticker. It is possible to create and sell on the spot a seal in which a cutout line is displayed on a portion that needs to be cutout, such as an outline of a front panel, a liquid crystal display, and buttons. Therefore, by cutting using a cutter knife or scissors along the cut line of the seal, the seal can be stuck to the surface of the small electronic device possessed by the purchaser. In addition, since the purchaser creates the seal after selecting the seal pattern according to the purchaser's preference, there is no need to manufacture and manage a large amount of inventory in advance, and a low-cost seal creation system can be provided. In addition, it is preferable that the computer also includes a display device that displays the output image, in such an apparatus for creating a seal.

The registration and update of the data in the auxiliary storage device of the computer are performed by a store (user).
It can be performed by distributing data to each computer using a network, and can also be performed by each user by distributing a recording medium on which necessary data is recorded. Such a recording medium of the present invention includes a large number of image data representing various patterns, a large number of shape data describing shapes corresponding to dimensions and shapes of housings of various types of small electronic devices, and the large number of shape data. The image data corresponding to the selected pattern and the shape data corresponding to the selected type are connected to a computer while arbitrarily selecting one pattern and one type from among the patterns and many types. A computer-executable program to be output to a printing apparatus and a computer-readable program can be implemented. In order to improve the convenience of program design and data management, it is desirable to record the above-mentioned many image data and many shape data as separate files that can be identified by file names.

In the case where high-resolution image data for printing and low-resolution image data for screen display are supplied to the user, the recording medium of the present invention may be configured as follows. it can. That is, the computer-readable recording medium of the present invention includes a large number of high-resolution image data representing various patterns, a large number of low-resolution image data representing the same pattern as each high-resolution image data, and various types of small electronic devices. It is assumed that a large number of shape data respectively corresponding to the size and shape of the housing of the device and a program executable by a computer are recorded in a computer-readable manner. Here, the program may include a step of arbitrarily selecting one pattern and one model from among the many patterns and many models, and a step of selecting low-resolution image data corresponding to the selected pattern and the selected model. Displaying an output image based on the corresponding shape data by a display device connected to the computer; outputting high-resolution image data corresponding to the selected picture to a printing device connected to the computer; Outputting shape data corresponding to the model to a printing device connected to the computer;
Is included. More preferably, the large number of high-resolution image data, the low-resolution image data, and the large number of shape data are recorded as separate files each identifiable by a file name, and the high-resolution image data and the low-resolution image representing the same picture are recorded. Record the database file that associates each data file name. According to this, each data can be easily and quickly accessed by a simple program using the database file, and the degree of freedom of the file name is improved, so that the file management is further facilitated.

The format of the database file may be any format. For example, a low-resolution image data file name and a high-resolution image data file name are separated by a comma (,) in a text document, so that these data can be associated with each other. Can be described.

If the purpose is only to update the data in the computer owned by the user, the recording medium of the present invention comprises at least a number of high-resolution image data files representing various pictures, A large number of low-resolution image data files representing the same picture, a database file describing the association between the high-resolution image data file and the low-resolution image data file of the same picture, and the dimensions and dimensions of the housing of various types of small electronic devices. Any number of shape data files corresponding to the shapes may be recorded in a computer-readable manner.

Further, the present invention is suitable for constructing a system for producing a seal for decoration of a small electronic device on a network system. The present invention includes a server having an auxiliary storage device, and a client connected to the server so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. The auxiliary storage device of the server has a number of high-resolution image data representing various pictures, A large number of shape data respectively corresponding to dimensions and shapes of housings of various types of small electronic devices are stored. On the server, the image data and the shape data for distributing the image data and the shape data to the client are stored. The process is being executed, and the client outputs the image data from the client to print a picture represented by the data on a seal sheet, and outputs the shape data from the client to output the image data. With cutting function to insert cut lines of the indicated shape into the sheet A printing device is connected, and on the client, one image and one image are arbitrarily selected from among the various images and various models, and high-resolution image data corresponding to the selected image. The present invention can be implemented as a network system for creating a small electronic device decorative seal in which a process for outputting shape data corresponding to a selected model to the printing device is being executed. It should be noted that the number of processes executed on the server or the client may be one, or the above-described predetermined processing may be performed by two or more processes.

Also in the network system of the present invention, the high-resolution image data is composed of bitmap data composed of a number of vertical and horizontal dots or compressed data of the bitmap data, and the number of horizontal dots of the bitmap data is: The number of dots in the vertical direction of the bitmap data is larger than the product of the largest width and the image resolution among the shapes represented by each shape data, and the largest number of the shapes represented by each shape data. It is assumed to be larger than the product of the vertical width and the image resolution. Further, it is preferable that the client includes a display device that displays an output image formed by drawing an outline corresponding to the selected model on the selected picture. Furthermore, a large number of low-resolution image data representing the same pattern as each high-resolution image data is stored in the auxiliary storage device of the server,
When displaying the output image on the display device of the client, it is preferable to use low-resolution image data.
Furthermore, a large number of low-resolution image data are distributed collectively from the server to the client periodically or at the request of the client, and when displaying the output image on the display device of the client,
Preferably, low resolution image data stored in the client's auxiliary storage is used. According to this, the amount of data transferred from the server to the client can be reduced as much as possible during the work of selecting a picture, and necessary data can be delivered to the client while avoiding congestion of the network line. More preferably, the high-resolution image data can be transmitted from the server to the client after the selection of the pattern and the model is completed, corresponding to the pattern selected by the request from the client.

Preferably, the client is provided with an input device for setting a correction amount of a drawing position of an outline with respect to the picture when the output image is displayed on the display device, and the client sets the input device. After the selected shape data is corrected based on the correction value, the corrected shape data may be output to the printing apparatus. According to this, by providing a hole in the decorative seal corresponding to the button or the liquid crystal display unit, it is possible to avoid that a main part of the picture (for example, a part where the face of the character is drawn) is cut off. . The input device is
It is possible to use a keyboard or mouse that is standardly connected to a personal computer. The above configuration can be realized by monitoring a predetermined key operation of a keyboard and an operation of a mouse by a process operating on a computer and performing programming of a seal creation application so that an arbitrary correction value can be set.

When a decorative sticker is created using a seal sheet on which a picture is printed in advance, the above image data and a program for processing the data are not required. Alternatively, a cutting device having no printing function can be used.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a network server for distributing small electronic device decoration sticker creation data which can be suitably used as a file server connected to the Internet. In the present invention, a client to which a printing device for creating a decorative seal for a small electronic device is connected is a server connected so as to be capable of two-way communication, and a large number of high-resolution image data representing various patterns. A large number of low-resolution image data representing the same picture as each high-resolution image data, a large number of shape data respectively corresponding to the dimensions and shapes of housings of various types of small electronic devices, and billing information data for each client. In the central processing unit of the server, the high-resolution image data selected by the client, the low-resolution image data selected by the client, and the client Distributes the shape data selected by When high-resolution image data is distributed to the client, a process for updating the billing information data of the client is performed, and the high-resolution image data is bitmap data composed of a number of vertical and horizontal dots or the high-resolution image data. It consists of compressed data of bitmap data,
The number of horizontal dots of the high-resolution image data is larger than the product of the largest horizontal width of the shapes represented by each shape data and the image resolution of the high-resolution image data,
The number of dots in the vertical direction of the high-resolution image data is larger than the product of the largest vertical width of the shapes represented by each shape data and the image resolution of the high-resolution image data. Is composed of bitmap data composed of a number of vertical and horizontal dots or compressed data of the bitmap data. The low-resolution image data has a horizontal dot count of 640 or less and a vertical dot count of 480 or less. It can be implemented as a network server for data distribution of small electronic device decoration stickers.

According to the server of the present invention, by connecting the personal computer of each home to the Internet as a client, the server of the present invention is adapted to the housing of a small electronic device such as a portable telephone carried by the seal purchaser. It is possible to select and download the selected shape data and the desired picture data. In addition, when selecting desired picture data, a low-response image data having a small file size is downloaded from the server and displayed on the display device of the client, so that a selection operation with good response can be performed. That is, the low-resolution image data distributed by the server of the present invention is mainly used as screen display data at the time of a picture selecting operation in the client. Generally, the display screen of a personal computer that is widespread in each home is
(Number of horizontal dots) x (number of vertical dots) is 6 in the VGA standard.
40x480, 800x600 in SVGA standard, XG
According to the A standard, it is 1024 × 768. Therefore, in order to make the low-resolution image data used for screen display general-purpose, the number of horizontal dots of the low-resolution image data is set to 640 or less and the number of vertical dots is set to four.
It is preferable to be 80 or less.

Further, after the sticker purchaser's favorite picture is determined from the server of the present invention, high-resolution image data of the picture is downloaded and the sticker purchaser is output to the output image represented by the data. By adding a cutout line in black using, for example, shape data that conforms to the housing of the small electronic device possessed by the company, and outputting this output image to a color printer, a high-definition, vivid color pattern containing the cutout line Can print decorative stickers. Then, after cutting using a cutter knife or scissors along the cut line, the seal can be stuck to the housing neatly. The sales information to the seal purchaser is reliably performed by updating the billing information data in the server when the high-resolution image data is distributed, and periodically (for example, once a month). It is possible to send an invoice to the purchaser based on the.

[0029]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In order to describe the present invention in more detail, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a basic system on a user terminal (client) side of a network system (data distribution system) for decorative seal of a small information device such as a portable telephone according to the present invention.

In the figure, a sticker printing machine 1 is a color printer.
1 inkjet printer and cutting machine
It is a device condensed on a table. As such a printing press 1 (printer / cutter), for example, Roland Dee. Gee. "COLORSIGN Maker"
You can use what is already marketed under the trade name.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a network system client (clie
The computer 2 controls the sticker printing machine 1 and transmits and receives data to and from a server described later. As shown in the figure, when using the network, the client 2
Receives the data supply from the server installed in the data distribution center, and sets the billing information 4 according to the data use.
To the center. In addition, the present invention
The distribution system can be provided via the network. However, as a simple system that does not use the network, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM is periodically delivered to a sticker shop (user), and the It may be a stand-alone computer system that supports version upgrade.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are conceptual diagrams of a portable telephone decorative seal. As shown in the figure, the decorative seal 5 has a hole in the surface of the liquid crystal display portion or the dial portion, and is manually attached to the mobile phone housing by an adhesive layer. The decorative seal 5 is mainly used for decoration of the front surface of the housing, but may also be decorated on the rear surface or side surface of the housing. The seal has a release paper 6, an adhesive layer 7, and a backing portion 8 on which a picture or the like is printed. This basic structure is the same as the conventional telephone seal shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a sample in a state in which the decorative sticker created by the sticker printing machine 1 has been peeled off from the release paper and is about to be attached to the telephone housing. FIG. 5 is a sample showing the state of the seal after the seal has been removed.

As shown in FIG. 7, the seal printing machine is a cutting machine so that an arbitrary designated pattern is color-printed on a normal seal sheet (adhesive seal) 8 'and, at the same time, can be peeled off by hand. Thus, a predetermined cut line is made in the specified shape corresponding to the size and shape of the telephone housing. Generally, this type of printing device
It is connected to a serial connection terminal of a computer and outputs image data from the computer to print a picture represented by the data on printing paper. The input data of the printing apparatus usually represents a picture in a bitmap format. The bitmap is a method of displaying a graphic as a group of dots. Each dot has color information, and it is possible to represent various patterns of a vivid color pattern by the bitmap data. In addition,
At the time of printing, if a fluorescent ink or a phosphorescent ink is used, a decorative effect that is particularly conspicuous at night can be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 5, after the seal of FIG. 4 is peeled off, the release paper remains white and exposed on the surface. FIG. 6 shows a sample of the decorative sticker of the present invention thus created, which is actually attached to a mobile phone. As shown in FIG. 18, the decorative seal may be attached to a side surface of the mobile phone housing. The pattern is printed in color.

Note that other electronic information devices are also
Although there are differences in the size of the seal and the cutting line, the basic mechanism for creating the seal is the same as described above. FIG. 15 shows an example of an electronic organizer, FIG. 16 shows an example of a pager, and FIG. 17 shows an example of a notebook computer.

FIG. 8 shows a system configuration of the network system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a server, reference numerals 12 and 13 denote clients (user terminals), and reference numeral 14 denotes a data content management center for supplying basic information to the server.

In the management center 14, an image file 16 (image data file) and an outline data file 17 to be delivered to the user terminal via the server
(Shape data file) is constantly managed, and the image file 20 and the outline data file 21 stored in the hard disk (storage device) of the server 11 are updated periodically or in response to a request from a client. As shown in FIG. 8, when the management center 14 and the server 11 are separated from each other, the data update can be performed using a network via a telephone line or a dedicated line. The Internet can be used as such a network. Server 1
The network 1 and each of the user terminals 12 and 13 are connected via networks 30 and 31 via telephone lines, but a dedicated line may be used if necessary. Further, although not shown, to a user who is not connected to the network, a CD-ROM in which data to be delivered is recorded in a computer-readable manner is delivered by mail, and each user can copy data in his / her own computer. CD-ROM delivered
The update may be performed by using.

FIG. 9 shows the server 11 and the user terminal 1
2 illustrates a flowchart for updating data with the data Nos. 2 and 13. In this example, the image file 20 and the outline data file 21 stored in the storage device of the server 11 and the image files 22 and 25 and the outline data file 23 stored in the storage device of each of the user terminals 12 and 13. 26, only new registration data that exists in the server 11 but does not exist in the user terminals 12 and 13 and data of a new date updated in the server 11 are transmitted from the server 11 to the user terminals 12 and 13. The system configuration is downloaded. When the user terminals 12 and 13 use the present system, billing is performed according to the output information 24 and 27, and the billing information 19 stored in the server 11 is collected as needed, and billing information is created to generate billing information. User terminal 1
2 and 13. As shown in FIG. 8, it is more convenient that the user terminal processes the payment information and the payment information is automatically managed by the management center. However, such an account settlement system may be replaced by another existing system.

FIG. 10 shows an overall conceptual diagram of data output in a client (user terminal). In the figure, a client program (integrated software) executed on the client manages the entire flow.

The image file 42 and the outline data file 43 correspond to the reference numerals 22 and 23 shown in FIG. These files 42 and 43 are automatically (eg, once a day) automatically updated by the server. It is also possible to configure so that data is downloaded from the server to the client in response to a request from the client without receiving the automatic update from the server.

The image file 42 and the outline data file 43 are periodically updated via the network as described above. When a network is not used, the files 42 and 43 can be updated using a CD-ROM distributed separately by mail or the like. In addition,
In order to use not only ready-made images (pictures) registered in the server but also images of original designs created by seal purchasers (end users) as shown by reference numeral 46 in FIG. An image input device such as a scanner or a CCD camera can be connected to the client computer (user terminal).

The image file 42 includes a large number of high-resolution image data representing various patterns provided by the data content creation company. It is preferable that each of the multiple image data is stored in a separate image file so that each image data can be identified by a file name. However, the multiple image data is described in a single image file. The present invention is also included in the present invention. The format of the image data is generally a bitmap format, but may be compressed data of the bitmap data. Such image compression formats include JPEG format, GIF format, PCX format, TIFF format, and TIFF format.
The arga format is known, and the image data used in the system of the present invention may be in any of these formats. Normally, when these compressed data files are read into the main memory (main memory) of the computer, they are expanded into a bitmap format by a process operating on the computer. Therefore,
By outputting the bitmap image data developed in the main storage device of the client to the printing device, it is possible to print a desired picture. Further, since the size of the high-resolution image data for output to the printing apparatus becomes very large, if this is used for confirmation display on the screen, the response will be poor. Therefore, it is preferable to create a large number of low-resolution image data representing the same picture as each high-resolution image data.

The outline data file 43 is provided by a data content creation company and includes a large number of shape data corresponding to dimensions and shapes of various types of mobile phones and PHS housings. It is desirable that each of the multiple shape data is stored in a separate outline data file so that each data can be identified by a file name. However, the multiple shape data is described in a single file. Those are also included in the present invention. In general, as the form of the shape data, vector data representing the outer shape of the housing and the outer edge shapes of the buttons and the liquid crystal display unit in a vector format is used. This type of vector data is widely used in plotter devices and the like.
There is an advantage that a highly accurate shape can be described with a small amount of data. When the vector data is output to the printing apparatus 1, the printing apparatus 1 is configured to cut a predetermined shape in the seal sheet along the shape represented by the vector data.

In the client hard disk (auxiliary storage device), in addition to the above data, communication with the server and control of the printing device, and selection of the model and the desired picture of the portable telephone possessed by the seal purchaser. A program for creating a decorative seal is stored. Normally, this program is stored in an executable file format, and when executed by a client computer, a process for performing a predetermined process is generated. The program includes, for example, a step of arbitrarily selecting one pattern and one type from various patterns and various types, and image data corresponding to the selected pattern and shape data corresponding to the selected type. Is output to a printing device.

The data selected from the image file 42 and the outline data file 43 is visually checked on a display device 45 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal panel. After the output image is checked on the screen, the data is selected by the sticker printing machine 47. The picture is printed and cut into a shape suitable for the housing of the designated type of small electronic device. As described above, since the cutout line has already been cut in the output decorative seal, the decorative seal is carefully peeled off from the release paper by hand and attached to the housing of the target mobile phone or the like.

Examples of these flowcharts are described in the eleventh embodiment.
This is shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart in the case of selecting an image file first and then selecting a model outline. FIG. 12 is a flowchart in the case of selecting a model outline first and then selecting an image file. Either of these selection flows may be adopted. FIG. 11 is a flowchart including an operation of selecting one of the ready-made image and the original image, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart including an operation of adding the original image to the ready-made image.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the seal making device of the present invention. The apparatus of FIG. 13 performs only the cutting of the outline on a seal on which a picture or the like has been printed. According to this system, it is possible to realize an inexpensive simplified mass-production system that performs only a cut that can be applied to any model, particularly for a popular pattern.

[0049]

According to the system for producing a decorative seal of a small electronic device according to the present invention, it is possible to immediately respond to a change in the housing of a cellular phone or the like having various dimensions and shapes, and to select any one of a variety of pictures. A decorative seal creation system for mobile phones and the like that allows you to select a picture on the spot, bring in your favorite design, and to respond to the above-mentioned housing shape and dimension upgrades and add / change pictures at any time. Can be provided.

The above-mentioned system can use a commercially available general-purpose personal computer or the Internet, does not require new capital investment, and can be realized at low cost mainly by constructing a software development and operation system. Yes,
In addition, a small electronic device housing such as a decorated telephone having a completely different design from the conventional one can be instantaneously realized at low cost, simply and easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a basic system configuration diagram on the client side of a network system for creating a decorative seal for a small electronic device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state in which a decorative seal is attached to a mobile phone.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a decorative seal for a mobile phone.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing various samples of a decorative seal created by the system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state of the pasting seal after the seal of FIG. 4 has been removed.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a sample in a state where a decorative seal created by the system of the present invention is actually attached to a mobile phone.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a printing apparatus used to create a seal according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an overall configuration diagram of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of updating data of a user terminal in the system of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an overall conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of data output in a user terminal of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a program for selecting either a ready-made image or an original image in the system of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a program for adding an original image to a ready-made image in the system of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a client computer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing a conventional telephone seal.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram of attaching a decorative sticker to an electronic organizer.

FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram of attaching a decorative seal to a pager.

FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram of attaching a decorative sticker to a notebook computer.

FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram of attaching a decorative seal to a side surface of a mobile phone.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 printing device with cutting function (printer / cutter) 2 client computer 5 decorative seal 8 'seal sheet (adhesive sheet for printing) 11 server 12, 13 client 45 display device 47 printing device

Claims (29)

[Claims] A computer having an auxiliary storage device;
A printing device with a cutting function connected to the computer, wherein the printing device outputs image data from the computer to print a pattern represented by the data on a seal sheet, and outputs shape data from the computer. By inserting a score line of the shape represented by the data into the sheet; the auxiliary storage device of the computer includes a large number of image data representing various patterns, and a small electronic device of various types. A large number of shape data respectively corresponding to the dimensions and the shape of the housing, arbitrarily selecting one pattern and one type from the various patterns and the various types, and the step corresponding to the selected pattern. A step of outputting image data and the shape data corresponding to the selected model to the printing device; Tsu and up, a program executable by said computer including, are stored; small electronic devices ornamental seal producing apparatus. 2. The image data is composed of bitmap data composed of a large number of vertical and horizontal dots or compressed data of the bitmap data, and the number of horizontal dots of the bitmap data is one of the shapes represented by each shape data. And the number of dots in the vertical direction of the bitmap data is larger than the product of the largest vertical width of the shape represented by each shape data and the image resolution. The apparatus for producing a decorative seal for a small electronic device according to claim 1, which is large. 3. The small electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the computer includes a display device that displays an output image obtained by drawing an outline corresponding to the selected model on the selected picture. Equipment for making decorative stickers. 4. A plurality of low-resolution image data representing the same pattern as each image data is stored in an auxiliary storage device of a computer, and the display device uses the low-resolution image data when displaying an output image. 3. The apparatus for producing a decorative seal for a small electronic device according to 3. 5. A computer comprising an input device for setting a correction amount of a drawing position of an outline with respect to a picture when an output image is displayed on a display device, wherein the correction value set by the input device is 5. The device according to claim 3, wherein after correcting the shape data selected based on the corrected shape data, the corrected shape data is output to the printing device. 6. A computer having an auxiliary storage device,
A printing device connected to the computer, wherein the printing device prints a picture represented by the data on a sticker sheet by inputting bitmap data in a predetermined format; The apparatus includes a large number of image data representing various patterns, a large number of shape data respectively corresponding to dimensions and shapes of housings of various types of small electronic devices, and one of the various patterns and various types. A step of arbitrarily selecting one pattern and one model, and a cutout line is drawn on the selected pattern based on the image data corresponding to the selected pattern and the shape data corresponding to the selected model. Generating an output image,
Generating bitmap data from the output image that matches the input format of the printing device;
Outputting the bitmap data generated by the step to the printing device, and a program executable by the computer; and a device for producing a decorative seal for a small electronic device. 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the computer includes a display device for displaying the output image. 8. A plurality of low-resolution image data representing the same picture as each image data is stored in a storage device of a computer, and the display device displays the output image using the low-resolution image data. 2. The apparatus for producing a decorative seal for a small electronic device according to 1. 9. A computer having an auxiliary storage device,
A cutting device connected to the computer, wherein the cutting device outputs shape data from the computer to insert a cut line having a shape represented by the data into the sheet; The apparatus includes: a large number of shape data respectively corresponding to dimensions and shapes of housings of various types of small electronic devices; a step of arbitrarily selecting one type from the various types; Outputting the corresponding shape data to the cutting device, and a program executable by the computer; and a device for producing a decorative seal for a small electronic device. 10. A large number of image data representing various patterns, a large number of shape data describing shapes respectively corresponding to dimensions and shapes of housings of various types of small electronic devices, One pattern and one model are arbitrarily selected from the models, and the image data corresponding to the selected pattern and the shape data corresponding to the selected model are output to a printing device connected to a computer. A computer-executable program and a computer-readable recording medium for storing the program. 11. The recording medium according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of image data and the plurality of shape data are recorded as separate files each of which can be identified by a file name. 12. The image data is composed of bitmap data composed of a number of vertical and horizontal dots or compressed data of bitmap data, and the number of horizontal dots of the bitmap data is determined by the shape of each shape data. The number of vertical dots of the bitmap data is larger than the product of the largest horizontal width and the image resolution, and the number of vertical dots of the bitmap data is larger than the product of the largest vertical width of the shape represented by each shape data and the image resolution. 12 or 11 is also large.
A recording medium according to claim 1. 13. A large number of high-resolution image data representing various patterns, a large number of low-resolution image data representing the same pattern as each high-resolution image data, and the size and shape of housings of various types of small electronic devices. A plurality of corresponding shape data and a computer-executable program are recorded in a computer-readable manner, and the program is configured to display one pattern and one model from among the many patterns and many models. Arbitrarily selecting; displaying, by a display device connected to a computer, an output image based on low-resolution image data corresponding to the selected picture and shape data corresponding to the selected model; Output high-resolution image data corresponding to Step a, selected and outputting a corresponding shape data to a printing device connected to the computer model, it is intended to include a computer-readable recording medium. 14. The plurality of high-resolution image data,
The low-resolution image data and a large number of shape data are recorded as separate files each of which can be identified by a file name, and a database file that associates each file name of the high-resolution image data and the low-resolution image data representing the same picture is provided. 14. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 13, which is recorded. 15. The high-resolution image data is composed of bitmap data composed of a number of vertical and horizontal dots or compressed data of the bitmap data, and the number of horizontal dots of the bitmap data is represented by each shape data. The number of vertical dots of the bitmap data is larger than the product of the largest horizontal width of the shape and the image resolution, and the number of vertical dots of the bitmap data is the maximum vertical width of the shape represented by each shape data and the image resolution. The low-resolution image data is composed of bitmap data composed of a number of vertical and horizontal dots or compressed data of the bitmap data, and the number of horizontal dots of the low-resolution image data is 640 or less. And the number of dots in the vertical direction is 4
15. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 13, wherein the recording medium is set to 80 or less. 16. A large number of high-resolution image data files representing various patterns, a large number of low-resolution image data files representing the same pattern as each high-resolution image data, a high-resolution image data file and a low-resolution image having the same pattern. A recording medium in which a database file describing association with a data file and a number of shape data files respectively corresponding to dimensions and shapes of housings of various types of small electronic devices are recorded in a computer-readable manner. 17. A server provided with an auxiliary storage device, and a client connected to the server so as to be capable of two-way communication, wherein the auxiliary storage device of the server has a large number of high-resolution image data representing various pictures, A large number of shape data respectively corresponding to dimensions and shapes of housings of various types of small electronic devices are stored. On the server, the image data and the shape data for distributing the image data and the shape data to the client are stored. The process is being executed, and the client outputs image data from the client to print a pattern represented by the data on a seal sheet, and outputs shape data from the client to output the image data. With cutting function to insert cut lines of the indicated shape into the sheet Printing device is connected, on the client, arbitrarily select one pattern and one model from the various patterns and various models, and high-resolution image data corresponding to the selected pattern. And a process for outputting the shape data corresponding to the selected model to the printing apparatus. 18. The high-resolution image data is composed of bitmap data composed of a number of vertical and horizontal dots or compressed data of the bitmap data, and the number of horizontal dots of the bitmap data is represented by each shape data. The number of vertical dots of the bitmap data is larger than the product of the largest horizontal width of the shape and the image resolution, and the number of vertical dots of the bitmap data is the maximum vertical width of the shape represented by each shape data and the image resolution. The network system for creating a small electronic device decorative seal according to claim 17, wherein the network is larger than the product. 19. The small electronic device according to claim 17, wherein the client includes a display device that displays an output image obtained by drawing an outline corresponding to the selected model on the selected picture. Network system for creating decorative seals. 20. A large number of low-resolution image data representing the same pattern as each high-resolution image data is stored in an auxiliary storage device of a server, and when displaying an output image on a display device of a client, the low-resolution image data is stored in the auxiliary storage device. 20. The network system for creating a small electronic device decorative seal according to claim 19, which is used. 21. The large number of low-resolution image data are distributed from a server to a client periodically or in response to a request from the client, and when displaying an output image on a display device of the client, 21. The network system according to claim 20, wherein the low-resolution image data stored in the auxiliary storage device is used. 22. The small electronic device decoration sticker according to claim 21, wherein the high-resolution image data corresponding to the pattern selected by the request from the client is distributed from the server to the client after the selection of the pattern and the model is completed. Network system for creation. 23. An input device for setting a correction amount of a drawing position of an outline with respect to a picture when an output image is displayed on a display device, wherein the correction value set by the input device is provided. 23. The network system for creating a decorative seal for a small electronic device according to claim 19, wherein after correcting the shape data selected based on the corrected shape data, the corrected shape data is output to the printing device. 24. A server having an auxiliary storage device, and a client connected to the server so as to be capable of two-way communication, wherein the auxiliary storage device of the server has dimensions and shapes of housings of various types of small electronic devices. Are stored on the server, a process for distributing the shape data to the client is executed on the server, and the client receives shape data from the client. A cutting device that outputs a cut line having a shape represented by the data to the seal sheet by outputting the data is connected. On the client, one of the various models is arbitrarily selected and selected. For outputting the shape data corresponding to the model to the cutting device. Small electronic devices decorative seal created for the network system but is running. 25. A client to which a printing device for creating a decorative seal for a small electronic device is connected is a server connected so as to be capable of two-way communication, and a plurality of high-resolution image data representing various pictures. A large number of low-resolution image data representing the same picture as each high-resolution image data, a large number of shape data respectively corresponding to the dimensions and shapes of housings of various types of small electronic devices, and billing information data for each client. In the central processing unit of the server, the high-resolution image data selected by the client, the low-resolution image data selected by the client, and the client in response to a request from the client. Distributes the shape data selected by When the high-resolution image data is distributed to the client, a process for updating the billing information data of the client is performed, and the high-resolution image data is bitmap data composed of a number of dots in the vertical and horizontal directions or The number of horizontal dots of the high-resolution image data is smaller than the product of the largest horizontal width of the shape represented by each shape data and the image resolution of the high-resolution image data. The number of dots in the vertical direction of the high-resolution image data is larger than the product of the largest vertical width of the shapes represented by each shape data and the image resolution of the high-resolution image data; The image data is bitmap data composed of a number of vertical and horizontal dots or the bitmap data. Compressed consists data, low resolution image transverse dot number data 640 or less and and small electronic devices ornamental seal created data delivery network server longitudinal dot number is that there is a 480 following. 26. A small electronic device comprising: a server for periodically distributing data relating to the shape and picture data of a housing of a small electronic device; and a client for periodically receiving the data, wherein the client includes a housing for the small electronic device. By supplying the data on the shape of the image and the pattern data to the printer / cutter, the cutout line corresponding to the shape of the housing of the specified small electronic device, the sticker for the housing decoration of the specified pattern, A system for creating decorative seals for small electronic devices. 27. The small electronic device is a mobile telephone device including at least a dial button, a liquid crystal display, a microphone, and a speaker, and data on a shape of the small electronic device housing is data on an outer shape of the housing, The position and shape data, the display unit position and shape data, the microphone position and shape data, the speaker position and shape data, and
27. The system for producing a decorative seal for a small electronic device according to claim 26, further comprising data of a position and a shape of a portion where a hole needs to be formed on the surface of the housing. 28. A picture data file for storing various picture data for decorating a housing of a small electronic device; an outline data file for storing data relating to various shapes of the housing; and data relating to the selected shape and the selected data. By outputting the picture data to a printer / cutter, a program file for creating a housing decoration sticking sticker of a designated picture containing a cut line of a shape adapted to a housing of a designated small electronic device And a computer-readable recording medium. 29. The small electronic device is a mobile telephone device including at least a dial button, a liquid crystal display, a microphone, and a speaker, and data on a shape of the small electronic device housing is data on an outer shape of the housing, The position and shape data, the display unit position and shape data, the microphone position and shape data, the speaker position and shape data, and
29. The recording medium according to claim 28, further comprising data of a position and a shape of a portion where a hole needs to be formed on the housing surface.