KR20090002294A

KR20090002294A - Kiosk apparatus with picture print function

Info

Publication number: KR20090002294A
Application number: KR1020070063124A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 배성철
Original assignee: 삼성테크윈 주식회사
Priority date: 2007-06-26
Filing date: 2007-06-26
Publication date: 2009-01-09

Abstract

It is an object of the present invention to provide a kiosk apparatus for preventing a user from leaving without retrieving the input put in order to print a photo after taking out the printed photo. In order to achieve the above object, the present invention, the main body forming the outside of the kiosk device; A monitor installed at the front of the main body to display information necessary for printing the photograph; A data storage inlet installed on one side of the main body and into which a data storage in which an image is stored is inserted; A body detector installed at the front of the main body to detect whether a user approaches; A speaker installed at one side of the main body to output a warning sound; And a speaker installed in the main body and connected to the monitor, the data storage slot and the speaker, and the user is out of a predetermined distance from the kiosk device while the data storage is inserted into the data storage slot. It provides a kiosk device having a control unit for generating a warning sound through.

Description

Kiosk apparatus with picture print function

1 is an external perspective view of a kiosk device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a kiosk device in FIG. 1.

3 is a flow chart showing a photo printing process of a kiosk device of the present invention.

4 is a flow chart illustrating in detail the feed recovery guidance process of FIG.

101; Kiosk device, 111; main body

121; Monitor, 131; Charging means

141; A data store inlet, 151; Photo outlet

161; Body detector, 171; speaker

The present invention relates to a kiosk device, and more particularly, to a kiosk device having a function of printing a photograph.

Kiosk (KIOSK) device is a kind of unmanned information terminal, and is installed in public places such as government agencies, local governments, banks, department stores and exhibition halls, and provides guidance services on various administrative procedures, product information, and how to use facilities. . The kiosk device can be said to be an unmanned comprehensive information guide device that provides a user with efficient information by providing a voice service or a moving picture realization function. Such a kiosk device is provided with a keyboard or a touch screen so that the user can conveniently search for information or obtain desired information in an interactive manner with the kiosk device, and the agencies managing the kiosk can reduce the guidance personnel.

Recently, as its use has expanded, the kiosk device provides a photo printing function in addition to the guide service. Therefore, the user is provided with the convenience of printing a photo anytime and anywhere where the kiosk device is installed by connecting the memory card storing the image to the kiosk device. In particular, when the kiosk device is connected to a web server, the user can print a picture stored in the web server by downloading an image from the web server without having to connect a memory card.

As described above, when the user prints a photo using the kiosk apparatus, when the user selects a desired photo while the memory card storing the image is inserted into the kiosk apparatus, the selected photo is printed. At this time, when the user concentrates on the photograph, the user can leave the kiosk apparatus without collecting the memory card inserted into the kiosk apparatus. The memory card stores images that are kept secret by the user, so if the memory card is lost, the user suffers a great loss.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a kiosk device for preventing a user from leaving without retrieving inputs for printing a photo after taking out the printed photo.

The present invention to achieve the above object,

A kiosk apparatus having a photo printing function, the kiosk comprising: a main body forming an outline of the kiosk apparatus; A monitor installed at the front of the main body to display information necessary for printing the photograph; A data storage inlet installed on one side of the main body and into which a data storage in which an image is stored is inserted; A body detector installed at the front of the main body to detect whether a user approaches; A speaker installed at one side of the main body to output a warning sound; And a speaker installed in the main body and connected to the monitor, the data storage slot and the speaker, and the user is out of a predetermined distance from the kiosk device while the data storage is inserted into the data storage slot. It provides a kiosk device having a control unit for generating a warning sound through.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

1 is an external perspective view of a kiosk device 101 according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the kiosk apparatus 101 includes a main body 111, a monitor 121, a charging means inlet 131, a data storage inlet 141, a photo outlet 151, a body detector 161, and the like. A speaker 171 is provided.

The main body 111 is manufactured in a specific shape and forms an outer portion of the kiosk device 101.

The monitor 121 is installed on one side of the main body 111, for example, the upper portion of the front surface of the main body 111 so that the user can easily see the screen. The monitor 121 may be installed vertically as shown in FIG. 1, but may be installed in various forms. The monitor 121 displays all information necessary for photo printing, for example, editing a photo or a selection menu for photo printing. Therefore, the user can select and print a desired picture by selecting a menu displayed on the monitor 121. The monitor 121 is preferably configured as a touch screen.

The charging means inlet 131 is preferably installed at one side of the main body 111, for example, in the middle of the front surface of the main body 111 so that the user can easily insert the charging means. Examples of the charging means include coins, bills, credit cards, and the like. As such, in order to allow various kinds of charging means to be input, the charging means inlet 131 may be separately provided for each charging means. For example, a coin inlet through which coins can be inserted, a bill inlet through which bills are inserted, and a credit card inlet through which a credit card is inserted. As the billing means, in addition to the coins, banknotes, credit cards, money substitutes such as gift certificates, checks, and the like may be used. In this way, in order for the user to print a photo in the kiosk apparatus 101, a charging means must be put into the kiosk apparatus 101, and the corresponding cost must be paid.

The data storage inlet 141 may be installed at one side of the main body 111, for example, at an upper portion of the front surface of the main body 111 so that the user may easily insert the data storage. The data storage unit is inserted into the data storage unit opening 141. The data storage device includes a memory card, a compact disc (CD), and a digital video disc (DVD). The memory card includes a Secure Digital (SD) card, a Memory Stick (MS) card, a Compact Flash (CF) card, an Extreme Digital (XD) card, a Multimedia Card (MMC), and a Smart Media (SM) card. In the data storage, images of the green bodies are stored as files, and have a structure that is small in size to facilitate portability.

Photo outlet 151 is preferably installed on one side of the main body 111, for example, the front lower portion of the main body 111. The photo printed by the photo discharge port 151 is discharged.

The body detector 161 is preferably installed at one side of the kiosk device 101, for example, in front of the main body 111. The body detector 161 detects whether a user is in front of the body 111. The body detector 161 may be configured as a proximity sensor that detects a near object.

The speaker 171 is preferably installed at one side of the main body 111, for example, the front of the main body 111. The speaker 171 outputs sound.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the kiosk apparatus 101 in FIG. Referring to FIG. 2, the kiosk device 101 includes a data storage unit 211, a network connection unit 221, a charging means check unit 231, a data storage unit read unit 241, and a main body 111. A photo print unit 251, a body sensor driver 261, an audio output unit 271, a control unit 281 and a power supply unit 291 are provided.

The data storage unit 211 is connected to the control unit 281 and stores data transmitted from the control unit 281. The data storage unit 211 includes a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory.

The network connection unit 221 is connected to the control unit 281, and is connected to an external device such as a web server (not shown) through a network such as the Internet. The network connection unit 221 interfaces the data of the control unit 281 and the data of the web server so as to be compatible. The web server stores an image file. Therefore, the user may download the image through the web server and print the picture without using the data storage device. The web server may also perform a function of checking the credit status of a credit card. Thus, the user can print a photo in the kiosk apparatus 101 using a credit card without using coins or bills.

The charging means checking unit 231 is electrically connected to the controller 281 and the charging means inlet 131 shown in FIG. 1. When the charging means is inserted into the charging means inlet (131 of FIG. 1), the charging means checking unit 231 determines what kind of charging means is inserted, for example, a coin, a bill, a check, a gift certificate or a credit card. It transfers to the control part 281 separately. The charging means checker 231 checks the amount when the charging means is a coin, a bill, a check, or a gift certificate, and transmits the amount to the control unit 281. When the charging means is a credit card, the charging means reads information about the credit card. Transfer to control unit 281. At this time, the controller 281 charges after confirming the credit state of the credit card through a web server connected to the network connection unit 221. The charging means checking unit 231 returns the remaining amount in cash for the amount exceeding the charging amount when the charging means is a coin, a bill, a check, or a gift certificate. Here, the charging means checker 231 may be configured to read information about the charging means put into the charging means inlet (131 of FIG. 1) and transmit the information to the controller 281, and perform all the charging processes in the controller 281. have.

The data store reading unit 241 is electrically connected to the control unit 281 and the data store inlet 141 shown in FIG. 1. The data storage unit reading unit 241 reads the contents of the data storage unit inserted into the data storage slot (141 of FIG. 1) and transfers the contents of the data storage unit to the control unit 281. The data storage reader 241 has a structure and a function capable of reading all kinds of data storage devices inserted into the data storage slot (141 of FIG. 1), which is obvious to those skilled in the art.

The photo print unit 251 is electrically connected to the controller 281 and the photo discharge port 151 of FIG. 1. The photo print unit 251 prints the image displayed on the monitor (121 of FIG. 1) according to the instruction of the controller 281 and discharges the image to the photo discharge port (151 of FIG. 1). The photo print unit 251 may be replaced with a conventional photo printer.

The body detector driver 261 is electrically connected to the controller 281 and the body detector 161 shown in FIG. 1. The body detector driver 261 receives the output signal of the body detector 161 of FIG. 1, transmits the output signal to the controller 281, and receives the instruction of the controller 281 to drive the body detector 161 of FIG. 1.

The voice output unit 271 is electrically connected to the controller 281 and the speaker 171 illustrated in FIG. 1. The voice output unit 271 receives the output signal of the controller 281 and transmits the output signal to the speaker 171 of FIG. 1.

The controller 281 receives the output signal from the charging means checking unit 231 and displays the type, amount, and the like of the charging means inserted into the charging means inlet (131 of FIG. 1) on the monitor (121 of FIG. 1) to confirm to the user. And ask the user to choose the amount to use. At this time, when the charging means is a credit card, the controller 281 transmits data to the web server to check the credit status of the credit card. The controller 281 does not print the photograph unless the charging means is inserted into the charging means inlet 131 of FIG. 1.

The controller 281 reads a file stored in the data storage unit from the data storage unit reading unit 241, converts the file into an image, and displays the file on the monitor (121 of FIG. 1). At this time, the image displayed on the monitor (121 of FIG. 1) is displayed in the form of one sheet or thumbnail according to the selection menu. The controller 281 also provides an editing-related menu so that a user can edit a part of the image displayed on the monitor 121 (see FIG. 1).

The controller 281 instructs the photo print unit 251 to print a photo when the user selects a photo print menu displayed on the monitor 121 (FIG. 1).

The control unit 281 is a user, after the photo print job is completed, the input including the charging means and the data storage device remains in any one of the charging means inlet (131 in FIG. 1) and the data storage inlet (141 in FIG. 1). Immediately outputs a warning sound or a warning sound for collecting the input through the speaker 171 of FIG. 1 as soon as it deviates from the main body 111 of FIG. 1. Thus, after the photo print, the input remains in the main body (111 of FIG. 1), thereby preventing the user from losing his or her input.

The power supply unit 291 includes a data storage unit 211, a network connection unit 221, a charging means check unit 231, a data storage reader unit 241, a photo print unit 251, a body sensor driver 261, and a controller Supplying power for the operation of 281 is supplied.

As described above, the kiosk apparatus 101 according to the present invention warns not to lose the inputs by printing the photo, while leaving the inputs such as the charging means and the data storage device in the main body (111 of FIG. 1). Has the function of

3 is a flowchart illustrating a photo printing process of the kiosk apparatus 101 of the present invention. A photo printing process of the kiosk device 101 shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the kiosk device 101 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring to FIG. 3, the photo printing process of the kiosk apparatus 101 includes first to eighth steps 311 to 381.

In a first step 311, the control unit 281 monitors a guide phrase for inputting an input including a charging means and a data storage device into the charging means inlet 131 and the data storage device inlet 141 in order to print the photograph. Display). Here, the input guide text for the charging means may be configured to be displayed on the monitor 121 after the user selects the photo print.

In a second step 321, the charging means checking unit 231 and the data storage unit reading unit 241 check whether the input is input to the charging unit inlet 131 and the data storage unit 141.

In a third step 331, when the input is input to the charging means inlet 131 and the data storage inlet 141, the data storage reader 241 reads the contents of the data storage to the controller 281. The controller 281 stores the data in the data storage 211.

In a fourth step 341, the controller 281 converts the contents of the data storage into an image, and displays a menu for printing the image and the photo on the monitor 121.

In a fifth step 351, the user selects a photo print menu from among menus displayed on the monitor 121. If the user does not select a photo print menu, wait until the photo print is selected. If the user does not continue to select prints, all processes are terminated after a predetermined time.

In a sixth step 361, when the user selects the photo print, the charging means checking unit 231 confirms whether the charging means is inserted into the charging means inlet 131, and monitors the amount of the charging means on the monitor 121. A message is displayed on the monitor 121 asking the user whether to select the billing.

In a seventh step 371, when the user selects billing, the photo printing unit 251 prints the image selected by the user as a photo and discharges the image to the photo outlet 151. At this time, the controller 281 charges the amount necessary for the photo print, and discharges the remaining amount to the charging means inlet 131.

If the user does not select the billing, a display message to the monitor 121 to select the billing is displayed.

In an eighth step 381, an input recovery guide process is performed after photographic printing is completed. That is, since the photo printing is completed, a message for collecting the input is displayed on the monitor 121 and a warning sound is output through the speaker 171. The input recovery guide process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

4 is a flow chart illustrating in detail the input recovery guide process, the eighth step of FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to the kiosk device 101 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring to FIG. 4, the feed recovery guide process of the kiosk apparatus 101 includes first to fifth steps 411 to 451.

In a first step 411, the input recovery warning phrase is displayed on the monitor 121. That is, since the photo printing is completed, the monitor 121 displays a guide phrase to take an input including a charging means such as a credit card or an amount remaining after the charging and a data storage device.

In a second step 421, the charging means checking unit 231 and the data storage unit reading unit 241 check whether the input is in the charging unit inlet 131 or the data storage unit 141.

In a third step 431, if the remaining amount after the credit card or the charge remains in the charging means inlet 131, or if the data store remains in the data storage inlet 141, the controller 281 may operate the body detector 161. It is checked whether the user is in a state close to the main body 111 through.

If the input is not inserted into the charging means inlet 131 and the data data storage inlet 141, all processes are terminated.

In the fourth step 441, if the user remains in the state close to the main body 111, the process returns to the first step, and if not, the process proceeds to the next step.

In a fifth step 451, when the user is out of a predetermined distance from the main body 111, the speaker 171 outputs a warning sound or a warning message for collecting the input.

Therefore, the user can collect the photograph without printing the input put into the main body 111.

In addition, the kiosk apparatus 101 may input the charging means even when the user ends the photo printing process without printing the photograph in the state where the user inputs the input into the charging means inlet 131 and the data storage inlet 141. If left in the inlet 131 and the data storage inlet 141, a message for displaying the input is displayed on the monitor 121, and the user may move away from the main body 111 by a predetermined distance without collecting the input. In the case of outputting a warning sound or a warning sound to recover the input.

As described above, the kiosk apparatus 101 of the present invention can be used when the charging means remains at the charging means inlet 131 or the data storage device remains at the data storage inlet 141 after the user finishes the photo printing process. A warning message is displayed on the monitor 121 for recovering the input including the charging means and the data storage device, and if the user leaves the kiosk apparatus 101 without recovering the input, a warning sound prompting the collection of the input immediately. Sounds a warning.

Therefore, the user will not be lost the input by leaving the input in the charging means inlet 131 or the data storage inlet 141 and leaving.

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

Claims

A kiosk apparatus having a photo printing function,

A body forming an outline of the kiosk device;

A monitor installed at the front of the main body to display information necessary for printing the photograph;

A data storage inlet installed on one side of the main body and into which a data storage in which an image is stored is inserted;

A body detector installed at the front of the main body to detect whether a user approaches;

A speaker installed at one side of the main body to output a warning sound; And

It is installed inside the main body, and is connected to the monitor, the data storage slot and the speaker, and when the user deviates a predetermined distance from the kiosk device while the data storage is put into the data storage slot, through the speaker Kiosk apparatus comprising a control unit for generating a warning sound.

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a credit card slot provided at one side of the main body, wherein the controller is configured to move the speaker when the user is out of a predetermined distance from the kiosk apparatus while the credit card is inserted into the credit card slot. Kiosk device, characterized in that for generating a warning sound through.

2. The kiosk device of claim 1, wherein the data storage device comprises a memory card, a CD, a DVD.

The kiosk apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a photo discharge port installed at one side of the main body and discharging the printed photo.

The kiosk device according to claim 1, wherein the speaker repeats the warning sound 2-3 times.