KR100312843B1 - Method for On-line Digital Image Printing - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an online print server that provides a community for membership registration / confirmation, order / payment, digital image uploading and information exchange between members, an image management unit for storing and managing uploaded digital images, user orders and payment details. An electronic payment unit for managing an image, a security system for monitoring the online print server, an image management unit, and an electronic payment unit, an image processing unit for processing contrast, edge, and color matching of a digital image transmitted from the image management unit, in the image processing unit A main printer which receives the processed digital images and prints them centrally, a plurality of local printers provided in each region and connected to the online print server through the Internet, and the local printers for the user to select a receiving region. Save a list or map of places A method for printing digital images online using an online printing system including a receiving place database, the method comprising: receiving a digital image uploaded to an online printing server by a user through the Internet and storing the digital image in the image management unit; (B) providing a menu for selecting the size of the photo, the number of copies, the type of the input medium generating the digital image and the method of direct receipt and delivery of the courier fee to the web browser of the user who uploaded the digital image in the step (a); ; In the step (b), when the user selects the delivery method directly, the user web browser provides a list or a map indicating a place where the local printer is stored in the receiving place database, and the receiving area of the user. (C) receiving selection information and storing the selected information in the electronic payment unit; (D) storing a list of orders selected by the user in the step (b) and providing a menu for selecting a payment method; (E) storing the payment method selected by the user in the step (d) in the electronic payment unit; With respect to the digital image uploaded in step (a), the image processing unit corrects the contrast and processes edges and color matching in consideration of the type of the input medium generating the digital image selected by the user in step (b). Step (f); If the customer selects the delivery method directly to the step (b), the user inputs the digital image, the name of the user who completed the order and the size and number of the photo and the number of pictures in the step (c). (G) transmitting through a network to a local printer of a selected region for printing; And (h) printing the digital image on which the image processing is completed in the main printer in the step (f) when the customer selects a postal or courier service as a delivery method in the step (b). .

The digital image online printing method according to the present invention can provide high quality photographs by providing image processing that is not provided in the conventional Internet photoshop. That is, in addition to improving the quality of the digital image itself, the quality of the printed picture is improved by using a separate processing program that can take advantage of the characteristics of each digital camera in consideration of the characteristics of the digital camera taking the digital image. In addition, anyone without a costly output device according to the present invention can easily see a digital image photograph printed, by using a local print receipt service method to provide this, it is more efficient in time and economical than the existing delivery method Increase

Description

Method for On-line Digital Image Printing

The present invention relates to a method for printing digital images online.

Advances in semiconductor technology and image signal processing technology have led to the development of digital cameras that are simpler and more functional than conventional optical cameras, and are now replacing conventional optical cameras with the popularity of PCs and popularization of the Internet.

Digital cameras not only make it easy to store your photos, but you can freely edit them, and without the need for specialized knowledge and equipment, anyone with a PC and editing program can create an electronic album similar to an existing album. Despite the convenience of archiving and editing by such a digital camera, when a photo is actually to be output, the photo stored as a digital image must be output to a general printer. The problem that occurs in this case is that, firstly, to print a digital image using a general printer, the image quality is much lower than that displayed on the screen, and secondly, it is necessary to purchase the equipment necessary to maintain the quality of the printed image. It's very expensive.

In order to overcome the drawbacks described above, in recent years, a print service site that provides a courier service by outputting a digital image on the Internet has appeared. In general cameras, it is cumbersome to leave the film to the lab and go back to find the picture.However, if you use the Internet printing service, you can upload the digital images taken by the digital camera through the Internet and select the one you like. If you place an order, the printout of the selected image on the Internet print service site will be delivered to your home. In addition to digital images, a service for providing such a printing service has already appeared for documents requiring high quality printing.

However, these output sites uniformly process and output digital images uploaded by consumers uniformly through their own software and output hardware, so it is difficult to expect outputs for each digital image characteristic. For example, in the case of photographs taken with a digital camera, the CCD specifications of each camera vary from 1.09 million pixels to 3.33 million pixels, and the resolution varies from 620X480 to 2240X1500, and the image processing program used in the digital camera is also used. Since each company is different, even if it is printed using an internet printing service site, the quality is lower than that of a 35mm negative film. The same problem arises when using digital scanners or PCs to create digital images. Another reason for poor quality when outputting digital images is that the output paper does not use dedicated photo paper.

In addition, the problem with the Internet printing service is the delivery method. Existing internet printing service sites deliver the prints by courier. Courier service has the disadvantage of relatively high cost and long delivery time, besides being convenient for users who order digital image online printing service. In a large area such as the United States, the delivery method by courier is not advantageous, but in a narrow and well-organized area such as Korea, a more advanced delivery method is required.

An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the conventional online printing method as described above, when a customer uploads a digital image ordered for printing online, and performs image processing in consideration of the type of digital input medium of the image, It is to provide a digital image online printing method that delivers a printed photo to a customer's desired delivery method.

Figure 1 shows the overall configuration and flow of the system according to the present invention,

2 is a flowchart illustrating a digital image online printing method step by step according to the present invention;

Figure 3 illustrates the delivery method of the present invention,

Figure 4 illustrates a website providing a digital image online printing system and method according to the present invention,

5 illustrates an ordering process on a website providing a digital image online printing system and method according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10: Online print server 61: Contrast correction unit

20: Member Management Department 62: Edge Improvement Department

30: image management unit 63: color matching processing unit

40: Electronic payment unit 70: Local printer

50: security system 80: main printer

60: image processing unit 90: delivery network

In order to achieve the object as described above, the digital image online printing method according to the present invention, the present invention is an online print providing a community for membership registration / confirmation, order / payment, digital image upload and information exchange between members Server, video management unit for storing and managing uploaded digital images, electronic payment unit for managing user orders and payment history, security system for monitoring the online print server, video management unit and electronic payment unit, received from the image management unit An image processing unit that processes the contrast, edge and color matching of digital images, a main printer that receives the digital image processed by the image processing unit and prints it centrally, and is provided in each region and is provided through the online print server and the Internet. Multiple local printers and users connected A method of online printing a digital image using an online printing system including a receiving place database storing a list or a map indicating a place equipped with the local printer, so as to select a receiving area. Receiving a digital image uploaded to a printing server and storing the digital image in the image management unit (a); (B) providing a menu for selecting the size of the photo, the number of copies, the type of the input medium generating the digital image, and the method of direct receipt and delivery to the web browser of the user who uploaded the digital image in step (a); ; In the step (b), when the user selects the delivery method directly, the user web browser provides a list or a map indicating a place where the local printer is stored in the receiving place database, and the receiving area of the user. (C) receiving selection information and storing the selected information in the electronic payment unit; (D) storing a list of orders selected by the user in the step (b) and providing a menu for selecting a payment method; (E) storing the payment method selected by the user in the step (d) in the electronic payment unit; With respect to the digital image uploaded in step (a), the image processing unit corrects the contrast and processes edges and color matching in consideration of the type of the input medium generating the digital image selected by the user in step (b). Step (f); In the step (b), if the customer selects the direct delivery method, the user can enter information on the size and number of the digital image and the user's name and the photo and the number of the order in the step (d). (G) transmitting through a network to a local printer of a selected region for printing; And (h) printing the digital image on which the image processing is completed in the main printer in the step (f) when the customer selects a postal or courier service as a delivery method in the step (b). .

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to the detailed description, terms used below will be described to describe the digital image online printing system and method according to the present invention.

'Main printer' and 'local printer' are devices that print digital images into photographs, and 'main printer' is a printer that digital image printing service company owns to provide services. Means a digital color printer that can print high quality photos, and a 'local printer' means a high quality or average quality photo at a local print destination, franchise or affiliate that provides a local print collection service. It means digital color printer.

'Image processing' refers to a process of improving the quality of digital images by using certain hardware or software processing methods.

'Upload' refers to the transfer of files from one computer system to another, usually from a small computer to a large computer, and in the present invention, a digital image from a customer's computer to a printing service provider's computer. It means to move.

'Local print collection service' refers to a system that performs only image processing in the center and transmits the processed digital image to the receiving place for output by the local printer at the receiving place so that the customer can receive the photo directly. do.

'Input medium' means a means for generating a digital image. In narrow terms it means a digital camera, but broadly it includes a scanner, a graphic authoring tool used on a PC, or a means for collecting existing images via the Internet.

Figure 1 shows the overall configuration and flow of the system according to the present invention.

Input media, which are devices for generating digital images, are various as shown in FIG. 1. The most widely used digital image input means is a digital camera that has recently been widely used. Image transfer using scanners also accounts for a large portion, and digital images using computer graphics software also take up a large portion. In addition, the digital image may be collected and processed by downloading an image published on the Internet to a user's PC, an IMT-2000 mobile phone or a mobile PC capable of wireless transmission and reception.

Methods of transmitting and receiving digital images include conventional wired internet and wireless internet as a wireless data transmission / reception means such as IMT-2000.

The online print server 10 provides a means for a customer to upload a digital image over the Internet. The online print server 10 registers as a member when a customer first accesses the service, and confirms the registered information. When the online print server requests a print request, the online print server 10 may select an order and a payment method, and upload a digital image. It is also possible to provide a website that provides a service for organizing information exchanges and clubs among members. 4 shows a screen of a website provided by the online print server 10 and a menu window of a main service. The customer who ordered the digital image print may modify / edit the digital image stored in the customer computer and upload it to the online print server 10, but after uploading the unedited digital image, You can edit on the Internet using the Edit Tool. The editing tools can be provided as standalone programs, plug-ins in web browsers, or Java applets. The editing tool provided has all the functions of the existing graphic software, and as a special additional function, (1) a preview function for previewing the image processed by the image processing unit 60 according to the present invention, ( 2) It provides the function to write the contents on the front or the back of the printed picture.

The online print server 10 is a gateway of the digital image online printing system, and provides member information, order / payment information, and digital image provided by a member to the member management unit 20, the image management unit 30, and electronic payment, respectively. It functions to transmit to the unit 40 and the security system 50.

The member management unit 20 stores and manages personal information and usage records registered by the customer at the time of initial access. The member manager 20 may be internally divided into a member database and a database manager. In the case where the digital image is printed on the main print machine 80 and delivered to the customer by courier or mail according to the delivery information input by the member in the online print server 10, the name and address of the stored member are delivered to the delivery network. In the case of printing in the local printer 70, the name and order date of the customer are transmitted to the local print destination, the franchise or the affiliated company in which the local printer 70 is installed.

Image management unit 30 stores the digital image uploaded by the customer. In addition, it stores information on the print of the digital image transmitted from the online print server 10, that is, the size and number of pictures to be printed, the type of input medium, and the information on the input medium. For example, the type of the input medium and the information about the input medium is whether the input medium is a digital camera, a scanner or a PC, and the information on the input medium is a manufacturer, a type of digital camera, a scanner, or the like. The image manager 30 transmits the information together with the digital image to be printed to the main printer 80 and the local printer 70.

The electronic payment unit 40 stores the order history and payment method selected by the customer, and processes processing related to the calculation and receipt of the fee according to the order history, and confirms and stores the customer's bill payment. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is desirable to allow a customer to select a printing solution from a high quality professional print to a print having an average level of quality, and a differential fee is applied according to the quality of the printed picture. Customers can pay by wire transfer, wire transfer, electronic money or credit card. The electronic payment unit 40 is connected to the bank network to provide the above payment method.

The security system 50 checks / maintains the digital image online printing system provided by the present invention, and handles abnormal situations such as power failure or hacking.

The image processing unit 60 includes a contrast correcting unit 61, an edge enhancing unit 62, and a color matching processing unit 63 to improve the print quality of the digital image.

The contrast correction unit 61 corrects pixel values of the digital image. In the digital color image, the RGB three primary colors of each pixel are represented by digital values of 0 to 255. However, when photographing with the digital camera, which is one of the input media, due to various lighting and incomplete exposure state, the pixel values are not fully utilized, and are partially biased. Accordingly, in order to solve this problem, the contrast correction unit performs a process of automatically inspecting the pixel value distribution of the digital image and correcting the pixel values.

The edge enhancer 62 sharpens the edges of the digital image to make them look sharper. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable to selectively improve only the edge so that fine contrast bends are not amplified together.

The color matching processor 63 processes color matching between the digital image generated by the input medium and the main printer 80 or the local printer 70. Even in the case of the digital camera, the color information of the subject is deformed while passing through the main printer 80 or the local printer 70, and finally, when printed as a photograph, it is very different from the original color. Therefore, the pixel values should be corrected before the main printer 80 or the local printer 70 outputs an image obtained from the digital camera so that the color of the subject and the color of the printed photograph match each other. The image processing unit processes information using an individual processing program capable of optimally printing a digital image by the input medium based on information provided from a customer. That is, the image processing is performed in consideration of the CCD specification of the digital camera in which the customer creates the image.

The local printer 70 is a digital color printer capable of printing a high quality or average quality photo provided at a local print destination, franchise or affiliate near a place where the customer will receive the photo directly. As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention includes a local print receiving service system for allowing a customer to find and receive a printed photo, which is connected through an online print server and a network such as the Internet. If the customer chooses to pick up at the time of ordering, he or she must specify the location of the local print pick up location to pick up.

The local printer 70 provides a picture of the same quality as a picture of a conventional 35mm negative film. In addition, it may be a printer that can print a photo of the same quality as the main printer 80 that can print a professional photograph of the quality necessary for the production of books, promotional materials, catalogs and the like.

The main printer 80 is a digital color printer that can output high quality photographs provided by the head office as a print machine owned by a digital image printing service company to provide a service. The present invention includes a central delivery system as well as a direct delivery method for delivery at a local print receipt location. If the customer wants high quality time even though it takes some time, after the image processing process of the digital image uploaded to the online print server is completed, it is sent to the main printer. It is delivered to the customer using the delivery network (90).

The main printer 80 mainly provides a professional photograph of the quality necessary for the production of photo books, promotional materials, catalogs and the like. In addition, it is possible to provide a photograph of a quality equivalent to a photograph of a conventional 35mm negative film.

The delivery network 90 is an existing carrier that transmits goods, such as a post office or a courier company. According to another embodiment of the present invention, an online printing system shown in FIG. 1 may be provided in each region where a local printer is provided. . In other words, in addition to the main online printing system, local printing systems are provided in various regions. In this case, since each local print system has the same configuration as the main print system, description of the components of the local print system and the operation of each component will be omitted. In such a system, the user prints the main print over the Internet. When accessing the system, it provides a menu for selecting which local images to print digital images from. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the selection of the print area is preferably performed by displaying a list or a map on the user's web browser so that the user selects the corresponding area through the map window. The user is connected to a local print server in the selected region. The user uploads a digital image to a local print server in the selected region, and image processing and image printing are performed on the print server. That is, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the work up to the image processing is performed in the main print server, and only the printing of the image is performed in the local printer. In another embodiment of the present invention, the online printing system is installed in various regions. Uploading, image processing, and image printing are performed in the region of your choice. Once the image has been printed in that region, you can receive the printed image directly from your local printing system. have.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a digital image online printing method step by step according to the present invention.

The customer is an orderer who has registered as a member to enter personal information. Personal information of the customer is stored and managed in the member management unit 20. The registered customer accesses a site providing an online print service on the Internet and uploads a digital image to be printed (s100). The customer who uploaded the digital image can edit the digital image on the site. The digital image is stored and managed in the image manager 30.

After uploading or editing, the customer designates the size of the photo to be printed, the number of sheets to be printed, the type of the input medium, and the delivery method, and additionally selects a special process (s110). The type of the input medium is to specify whether it is an image by a digital camera or a scanner, and, in the case of a digital camera, a CCD specification and a resolution. Delivery methods include direct receipt using local print receipt service destination and postal or courier delivery by central delivery. If you choose to pick up yourself, you will be asked where to pick up the photo. Special treatments include quality grade selection, red eye treatment, or printing that selects photographs of the same quality as ordinary 35mm negative film or professional photographs equivalent to the quality required for the production of books, promotional materials, catalogs, etc. It provides a special service other than the basic printing service, such as a menu for inputting a text to be printed with the image on the front or back of the picture.

Check the order history and select a payment method (s120). Check the order history to check for errors and determine how to pay. Depending on the customer's preferences and needs, the price may vary depending on membership, delivery method, image resolution, photo size, or number of copies. Payment can be made by wire transfer, online transfer, electronic money or credit card. Order history and payment history is stored and managed in the electronic payment unit (40).

When the ordering process is completed, image processing to print-enhance the uploaded digital image is performed (S130). The image processing process includes a contrast correction step, an edge enhancement step, and a color matching step. The image processing process is performed in consideration of the CCD specification and resolution information of the digital camera.

The digital image after the image processing is transmitted to the main printer 80 or the local printer 70 of the local print receipt service destination to be printed (S140). If the customer selects the receipt and specifies the region to receive, the digital image is sent to the local printer corresponding to the receipt region of the customer. If the customer chooses central delivery, the digital image is sent to the main printer for printing. The local print receiving service destination may be configured as a network of photographic studios, or may use an existing PC room equipped with a network. In addition, since local newspaper printers and the like of daily newspapers are equipped with high-quality digital color printers, they can be designated as the local print receiving service destinations as cooperative companies.

When the printing is completed, the customer receives the printed photo (s150). The photo printed by the local printer 70 receives a customer by directly visiting a local print receiving service destination. Customers who choose central delivery will be shipped by post or courier.

3 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention in terms of a delivery method.

The digital image processed by the image processing unit 60 is transmitted to the main printer 80 or to the local printer 70 to each local print receiving service destination. The digital image transmitted to the main printer 80 is printed and delivered to the customer by mail or courier. The digital image transmitted to the local printer 70 at the local print receipt service destination is printed and directly received by the customer. The local print receiving service destination may be used as a local printer by connecting a color printer owned by an existing photo shop to the Internet. At present, PC rooms equipped with color printers can be used as a local print receipt service. In addition, it is possible to recruit a separate printout local print destination.

4 and 5 illustrate the structure and ordering method of a website providing a digital image online printing system and method according to the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates the main menu displayed on the initial screen of the web site provided by the present invention and the sub-menu appearing when one of them is selected and the flow of steps accordingly. If the member registration menu is selected, an input window for entering the personal information of the member is displayed on the screen. After completing the input, you can use the member authentication menu from the next connection. Select the member authentication menu and input ID / PASSWORD to use the online printing service provided by the present invention.

5 illustrates a process of uploading a digital image. After each digital image is uploaded by drag-and-drop, the size, number of copies, and input medium to be printed are selected in turn. Alternatively, after completing the upload, the size, number of copies, and the type of input media may be selected. Then select a delivery method.

As described above, according to the digital image online printing method according to the present invention, in addition to the conventional mail or courier delivery of the photo, the customer can directly receive a photo printed at the local printing machine provided at the local print destination. In addition, there is an advantage that the choice of customers is wider and time and economically efficient delivery can be made. In addition, by allowing the customer to input the type and specification of the digital input medium that generated the image to perform image processing for the digital input medium, there is an advantage that can improve the quality of the printed picture.

Claims (17)

delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete Online print server that provides community for membership registration / confirmation, order / payment, digital image upload and information exchange between members, video management unit for storing and managing uploaded digital images, and user order and payment history. Security system for monitoring the electronic payment unit, the online print server, the image management unit and the electronic payment unit, an image processing unit for processing the contrast, edge and color matching of the digital image transmitted from the image management unit, digital processing by the image processing unit A main printer which receives images and prints them centrally, a plurality of local printers provided in each region and connected to the online print server through the Internet, and a place where the local printer is provided so that a user can select a receiving region A number that stores a list or map that displays In the method for printing digital images online using an online printing system including a place database, (A) receiving a digital image uploaded to an online print server by a user through the Internet and storing the digital image in the image management unit; (B) providing a menu for selecting the size of the photo, the number of copies, the type of the input medium generating the digital image, and the method of direct receipt and delivery to the web browser of the user who uploaded the digital image in step (a); ; In the step (b), if the user directly selects the delivery method, it is provided to a web browser using a list or a map indicating a place equipped with the local printer stored in the receiving place database, and the receiving area of the user. (C) receiving selection information and storing the selected information in the electronic payment unit; (D) storing a list of orders selected by the user in the step (b) and providing a menu for selecting a payment method; (E) storing the payment method selected by the user in the step (d) in the electronic payment unit; With respect to the digital image uploaded in step (a), the image processing unit corrects the contrast and processes edges and color matching in consideration of the type of the input medium generating the digital image selected by the user in step (b). Step (f); In the step (b), if the customer selects the direct delivery method, the user can enter information on the size and number of the digital image and the user's name and the photo and the number of the order in the step (d). (G) transmitting through a network to a local printer of a selected region for printing; And In the step (b), if the customer selects the postal or courier as the delivery method, characterized in that it comprises a step (h) for printing a digital image on the main printer to complete the image processing in the step (f) How to print images online. delete The method of claim 10, And in the step (b), further selecting a special process including selecting a quality grade of the picture, red-eye processing, or inserting a phrase into the picture. The method of claim 10, The input medium includes a digital camera, a scanner, a personal computer or a terminal using wireless communication. delete delete delete Online print server that provides community for member registration / confirmation, order / payment, digital image upload and information exchange between members, video management unit that stores and manages uploaded digital images, and manages order and payment history of customers. Security system for monitoring the electronic payment unit, the online print server, the image management unit and the electronic payment unit, an image processing unit for processing the contrast, edge and color matching of the digital image transmitted from the image management unit, digital processing by the image processing unit Connect to the main online printing system via the Internet and the main online printing system, including a print machine for printing images and a pick-up database that stores a list or map indicating where to print digital images and to pick up locations. In many locations In the line printing system including a plurality of local line printing system including an online print servers, video management unit, the electronic payment unit, security system, an image processing unit and printed in the main-line printing system, When the user accesses the main online printing system through the Internet, a list or map indicating a place equipped with the local printer stored in the receiving place database is displayed on the user web browser to receive the user's region selection information. Step (a); (B) connecting the user to a local online printing system of a region selected by the user in step (a); (C) receiving a digital image uploaded by a user to an online print server of a local online print system connected in the step (b) and storing the digital image in the video management unit; (D) providing a menu for selecting a size, number of copies, a type of an input medium for generating a digital image, a method of direct receipt, and a delivery method to a web browser of a user who uploaded the digital image in step (c); ; (E) storing the order details selected by the user in step (d) and storing the electronic payment section of the local online printing system to which the user is connected and selecting a payment method; Authoring the payment method selected by the user in the step (e) to the electronic settlement unit of the local online printing system to which the user is connected; With respect to the digital image uploaded in step (c), the image processing unit of the local online printing system to which the user accesses the contrast is considered in consideration of the type of the input medium generating the digital image selected by the user in step (d). (G) correcting and processing edge and color matching; And And (h) printing the digital image on which the image processing is completed in the printing machine of the local online printing system to which the user is connected in step (g).