KR100587765B1 - Photo developing service method using network - Google Patents

Abstract

Photo printing service method using a communication network is published. A photo printing service method using a communication network according to the present invention is a communicable imaging apparatus, comprising: A) photographing a subject to generate image data; (B) the communicable imaging device accessing a web server via a communication network; Step C) of determining, by the positioning system, the location information of the communicable imaging device; D) receiving, by the web server, location information of the communicable imaging device; E) selecting at least one of the printing apparatuses based on the location information received by the web server; F) providing, through a communication network, image data to a printing apparatus selected from the communicable imaging apparatus; And G) in which the selected printing apparatus prints the image data into a photograph. According to the photographic print service method using the communication network of the present invention as described above, it is possible to minimize the inconvenience by requesting a print shop that is a professional printing company to directly communicate with the imaging device without a personal computer. Further, by requesting prints of photographs to a branch closest to the current location or in the direction of a destination through a communication network, a user may minimize waiting time, particularly in a branch that is required for photo prints.

Description

Photo printing service method using communication network {PHOTO DEVELOPING SERVICE METHOD USING NETWORK}             

In order to more fully understand the drawings used in the detailed description of the invention, a brief description of each drawing is provided.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a photo printing service system for realizing a photo printing service method using a communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of the communicable imaging device of FIG. 1.

3 is a schematic functional block diagram for explaining the configuration of the web server of FIG.

4A to 4B are flowcharts for explaining a method of printing a photograph using a communication network of the present invention.

5 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a printing apparatus 600 applied to a photo printing service method using a communication network of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a photo printing service method using a communication network, and more particularly, to a photo printing service method using a communication network for image data photographed by a communicable imaging device.

In recent years, a communication capable imaging apparatus attached to a mobile communication terminal (eg, a mobile phone, a PDA, etc.) in which a digital camera is built in or detachably mounted is widely used. By such a communication-capable imaging device, not only audio data but also video data can be communicated. The image data photographed by the communicable imaging device may be stored in a memory of the mobile communication terminal and then transmitted to a personal computer or a mobile communication terminal of another person.

In a communication capable imaging apparatus, image data captured by a digital camera can be transmitted to a mobile communication terminal through its connection terminal and displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) of the mobile communication terminal, and at the same time through a data input / output connector. It can be transferred to a computer and saved into various forms such as saving, editing and printing. As such, as the communicable imaging apparatus is utilized more widely, the obtained image data is more often printed as photographs rather than printed on paper.

However, according to the conventional method for printing a photograph using a communication network, after transmitting image data stored in a communicable imaging apparatus to a computer, the transferred image data is transferred to a professional printing company such as a digital photo lab and printed into a photograph. do.

Therefore, in the conventional method of printing a photo service using a communication network, it is cumbersome to mediate a personal computer. Therefore, a photo printing service cannot be requested from a professional printing company such as a digital photo lab located immediately after taking a photo. There is this. In addition, in the case of requesting photo printing by directly visiting a professional printing company such as a digital photo lab and acquiring the acquired image data, there is a problem of waiting a considerable time from the visit of the photo lab to the photo phenomenon.

An object of the present invention is to solve the problems associated with the printing of the image data obtained by the conventional communication image pickup device as described above, by requesting a phenomenon from the professional printing company that is most convenient at the current location, it can minimize the hassle The present invention provides a photo printing service method using a communication network.

One aspect of the present invention for achieving the above technical problem relates to a photo printing service method using a communication network. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of photographic print service using a communication network, a communicable imaging device including a predetermined communication network, a communication module for imaging an object to generate image data, and enabling communication, and a location where the communicable imaging device exists. A positioning system capable of identifying a web server, a web server accessible by the communicable imaging apparatus through the communication network, and a web server capable of communicating with the web server, and providing image data of the subject received as a photograph. A photo printing service method using a communication network using a plurality of printing apparatuses, the method comprising: A) generating image data by photographing the subject in the communicable imaging apparatus; B) the communicable imaging device accessing the web server through the communication network; Step C) of identifying position information of said communicable imaging device by said positioning system; D) receiving, by the web server, location information of the communicable imaging device grasped from the positioning system; E) the web server selecting the printing devices existing within a predetermined range from the communicable imaging device based on the positional information of the communicable imaging device received from the positioning system; F) transmitting, by the web server, information of the at least one selected printing device to the communicable imaging device through the communication network; Selecting, by the communicable imaging device, a printing device to request photo printing based on the received information of the at least one printing devices; Step H), wherein the web server assigns a service code for the image data to the selected printing apparatus and the communicable imaging apparatus; I) providing, by the communicable imaging device, the image data to the printing device through the communication network; And (J) printing the image data into a photograph when the service code for the image data received from the communicable image pickup apparatus is confirmed through the communication network by the selected printing apparatus. Provide a photo printing service method.
In order to fully understand the present invention, the operational advantages of the present invention, and the objects achieved by the practice of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and the contents described in the accompanying drawings. In understanding the drawings, it should be noted that like parts are intended to be represented by the same reference numerals as much as possible. In addition, in the following description, numerous specific details, such as specific processing flows, are described to provide a more general understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Incidentally, detailed descriptions of well-known functions and configurations that are determined to unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention are omitted.

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

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a photo printing service system for realizing a photo printing service method using a communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the communicable imaging device 200 may capture the subject 100 to obtain image data. Preferably, the communicable imaging device 200 is a mobile communication terminal equipped with a digital camera.

The positioning system 300 is a device capable of determining the location of the communicable imaging device 200, and collects position information of the communicable imaging device 200. Preferably, the positioning system 300 is a Global Positioning System (GPS) using satellites. GPS was a military purpose system created by the US Department of Defense in the early 1970s to measure the position of objects on Earth. Today, however, some are open to the private sector. Using GPS, you can get information about location and time. GPS is mainly used with electronic maps (GIS) in airplanes, ships, and vehicles, and it is also used to locate people such as people and vehicles. In addition, personal handheld GPS receivers have been developed and used for self-locating during unknown exploration or military operations. Recently, portable mobile communication terminals with a built-in GPS receiver have also been developed.

On the other hand, the web server 400 is a component that controls the overall photo printing service system using the communication network of the present invention, the communicable image pickup device 200 access to the web server 400 through the communication network 500 Is possible. The communication network 500 may be a wired communication network or a wireless communication network, but in the case of a wireless communication network, the effect of the present invention is more remarkable.

In addition, the printing apparatus 600 disposed at each branch may communicate with the web server 400, and print the image data received through the communication network 500 as a photograph.

2 is a functional block diagram exemplarily illustrating a configuration of the communicable imaging device 200 of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, the communicable imaging device 200 applied to the present invention is largely composed of a digital camera unit 210 and a mobile communication terminal unit 260. As the mobile communication terminal unit 260, a conventional mobile phone, PDA, or the like may be applied.

The digital camera unit 210 is an imaging device capable of capturing the subject 100 to acquire image data. The digital camera unit 210 includes a lens 211, an imaging device 213, an A / D converter 215, and a first memory 217. ), The CPU 219, the communication port 221, and the like, and the basic configuration of a general digital camera. The lens 211 collects an image of the subject 100. The imaging device 213 is a device for capturing an image of the subject 100 and is implemented as a CCD or a CMOS sensor. The A / D converter 215 transforms an analog signal for the subject 100 acquired by the imaging device 213 into a digital signal. The first memory 217 may store image data of the subject 100. The communication port 221 transmits the image data to the mobile communication terminal 260 under the control of the CPU 219.

The mobile communication terminal unit 260 uses a power supply unit 261, a controller 263, an input / output unit 265, a communication module 267, a second memory 269, a key input unit 271, and an LCD 273. Include. The power supply means 261 supplies the power required by the communicable imaging device 200. The controller 263 controls the overall mobile communication of the mobile communication terminal 260. The input / output means 265 may communicate with the communication port 221 and the communication network 500 of the digital camera unit 210 and exchange image data or information with the web server 400. The communication module 267 controls the communicable imaging device 200 to enable mobile communication. The second memory 269 stores data transmitted to the mobile communication terminal 260. The key input means 271 may input a number or a letter through a key plate. The LCD 273 is a screen device capable of displaying image data or information.

Preferably, the digital camera unit 210 by sharing the key communication means 260 and the key input means 271 and the LCD 273, the key input means 271 of the mobile communication terminal 260. The operation is controlled by the controller 263.

3 is a schematic functional block diagram for explaining the configuration of the web server 400 of FIG. Web server 400 is a member management means 410, branch management means 420, GPS management means 430, interface means 440, database 450, GPS information receiving means 460 and control means 470 ). The member management means 410 provides a function of inputting, modifying, and deleting user information so that a user who wants to receive a photo printing service method using the communication network of the present invention can register to obtain a membership. . The branch manager 420 is a place for managing information on a branch having a print apparatus 600 applied to the photo printing service method of the present invention, and in particular, each branch is located to manage location information. do.

The GPS information receiving means 460 receives the position information of the communicable imaging device 200 which is grasped by the positioning system 300. In addition, the GPS information management means 430 manages the location information of the communicable imaging apparatus 200 received by the GPS information receiving means 460.

The interface means 440 performs an interfacing function to enable data transmission and reception through a wired or wireless communication network 500. The control means 470 uses the interface means 440 to control other elements to provide the information required from the user.

In addition, the database 450 includes a member information DB 452 for storing member information such as personal information and subscription level information provided by the member management means 410, and a branch information DB 454 for storing information of a branch. And a location information DB 456 for storing information provided through the location checking system 300.

4A to 4B are flowcharts for explaining a method of printing a photograph using a communication network of the present invention. 4A to 4B, first, the subject 100 is photographed by the communicable imaging apparatus 200 to generate image data (step S501). Then, the communication module 267 of the communicable imaging device 200 is used to access the photo printing service site of the web server 400 that provides the photo printing service using the communication network of the present invention (step S503). Subsequently, using the communication module 267, the ID and password are checked and logged in at the photo printing service site (step S505). In the positioning system 300, the position information of the communicable imaging device 200 is grasped and provided to the web server 400 (step S509). Then, the web server 400, based on the location information of the communication-capable image pickup device 200 provided from the positioning system 300, the communication module to a plurality of branches equipped with the printing device 600 of the image data In operation S511, the display device 267 provides the LCD 273 of the communicable imaging device 200 through step 267. Preferably, the branches are presented together with the communicable imaging device 200 as a map in which its location is indicated. A user of the communicable imaging device 200 may easily identify a business store that is convenient to approach or to approach.

Subsequently, the user of the communicable image pickup apparatus 200 selects a branch to receive a photo printing service and requests a service (step S513). Then, the web server 400 gives a service code to the communicable image pickup device 200 and the branch office (S515). The image data photographed by the communicable imaging device 200 is transmitted to the selected branch through the communication module 267 and the communication network 500 (step S517). Subsequently, when the service code is input to the printing apparatus 600 of the branch office, and the printing apparatus 600 checks the service code (step S519), a print photograph of the image data is output (S521). step). In other words, when the user of the communicable imaging device 200 visits the selected branch office and inputs the service code, the printout is output.

In the photo printing service method using the communication network of the present invention, the payment for the photo printing may be performed in various ways. For example, when the service code is granted in the communicable imaging device 200, the service code may be added together with the communication fee of the communicable imaging device 200. In addition, when the service code is input to the printing apparatus 600 of the branch, the service code may be added together with the communication fee of the communicable imaging apparatus 200.

5 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a printing apparatus 600 applied to a photo printing service method using a communication network of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the printing apparatus 600 includes data receiving means 610, printing means 620, processing packaging means 630, storage means 640, code checking means 650, and control means 660. ). The data receiving unit 610 receives image data transmitted through the communication network 500. The printing means 620 prints the image data into a picture. In addition, the processing packaging means 630 makes the printed photo to an appropriate size and wraps it in a predetermined wrapping paper. The storage means 640 stores the image data to be transmitted. Then, the code checking means 650 checks whether the input service code matches the service code given to the communicable imaging device 200. The control means 660 controls the data receiving means 610, the printing means 620, the processing packaging means 630, the storage means 640, and the code checking means 650.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to one embodiment shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

According to the photographic print service method using the communication network of the present invention as described above, it is possible to minimize the inconvenience by requesting a print shop that is a professional printing company to directly communicate with the imaging device without a personal computer. Further, by requesting prints of photographs to a branch closest to the current location or in the direction of a destination through a communication network, a user may minimize waiting time, particularly in a branch that is required for photo prints.

Claims (5)

A communicable imaging device comprising a predetermined communication network, a communication module for photographing a subject to generate image data, and enabling communication; a positioning system capable of identifying a location of the communicable imaging device; and the communication A photograph using a communication network using a web server that can be accessed by the image pickup device through the communication network, and a plurality of print devices that can communicate with the web server and print and provide the image data of the subject received into a picture. In the printing service method, A) step of generating the image data by photographing the subject in the communicable imaging device; B) the communicable imaging device accessing the web server through the communication network; Step C) of identifying position information of said communicable imaging device by said positioning system; D) receiving, by the web server, location information of the communicable imaging device grasped from the positioning system; E) the web server selecting the printing devices existing within a predetermined range from the communicable imaging device based on the positional information of the communicable imaging device received from the positioning system; F) transmitting, by the web server, information of the at least one selected printing device to the communicable imaging device through the communication network; Selecting, by the communicable imaging device, a printing device to request photo printing based on the received information of the at least one printing devices; Step H), wherein the web server assigns a service code for the image data to the selected printing apparatus and the communicable imaging apparatus; I) providing, by the communicable imaging device, the image data to the printing device through the communication network; And Photographing the image data as a photograph if the service code for the image data received from the communicable image pickup apparatus is confirmed through the communication network in the selected printing apparatus. Print service method. delete delete The method of claim 1, The positioning system And a GPS (Global Positioning System) for grasping positional information of the communicable imaging device using satellites. The method of claim 1, And adding a fee for the photo printing service using the communication network to the communication fee of the communicable image pickup device.

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