WO2007072133A2 - Procédé et appareil pour l'impression automatique de photographies, à partir de données digitales - Google Patents

Procédé et appareil pour l'impression automatique de photographies, à partir de données digitales Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007072133A2
WO2007072133A2 PCT/IB2006/003218 IB2006003218W WO2007072133A2 WO 2007072133 A2 WO2007072133 A2 WO 2007072133A2 IB 2006003218 W IB2006003218 W IB 2006003218W WO 2007072133 A2 WO2007072133 A2 WO 2007072133A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
photographs
specific information
digital data
storage
printed
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2006/003218
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2007072133A3 (fr
Inventor
Giuseppe Gregoris
Original Assignee
G.P.E. Srl
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by G.P.E. Srl filed Critical G.P.E. Srl
Publication of WO2007072133A2 publication Critical patent/WO2007072133A2/fr
Publication of WO2007072133A3 publication Critical patent/WO2007072133A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
    • H04N1/00132—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
    • H04N1/00132—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
    • H04N1/00135—Scanning of a photographic original
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
    • H04N1/00132—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
    • H04N1/00143—Ordering
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
    • H04N1/00132—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
    • H04N1/00143—Ordering
    • H04N1/00145—Ordering from a remote location
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
    • H04N1/00132—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
    • H04N1/00169—Digital image input
    • H04N1/00172—Digital image input directly from a still digital camera or from a storage medium mounted in a still digital camera

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns a method and an apparatus for the automatic printing of photographs starting from digital data defining the images to be printed on said photographs .
  • Known apparatuses for the automatic printing of photographs starting from digital data normally comprise an acquisition device into which the client or operator downloads said data, and a printer device connected to the acquisition device in order to print the photographs. After printing, the photographs are inserted inside envelopes, and cataloged so they can later be collected by the client.
  • the client can pay the operator for the service directly before printing or when the photographs are collected.
  • One disadvantage of these known apparatuses is that the operations before and after printing are done in a completely manual manner and require the constant presence of operators and their continual intervention, with considerable economic costs, making it impossible for the client to download the digital data, pick up the printed photographs and/or pay for the service outside the working hours of the operators .
  • Purpose of the present invention is to perfect a method and achieve an apparatus which allow to acquire and process digital data defining images to be printed on photographs, to print, store and dispense photographs automatically, even when the operators are absent.
  • the Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.
  • a method and an apparatus according to the present invention are used for the automatic printing of photographs, starting from digital data defining the images to be printed on said photographs .
  • the apparatus according to the present invention comprises an acquisition device able to acquire the digital data, during an acquisition step of said method, and to associate them with specific information relating to said photographs, for example relating to a determinate user and/or generated automatically.
  • the apparatus according to the present invention also comprises a printer device able to print the photographs based on the digital data, during a printing step.
  • the apparatus also comprises a packing device and a storage and dispensing device.
  • the packing device is able to insert the printed photographs, during a packing step, into respective containers, and to associate the latter with identification means defined at least on the basis of the specific information so as to correlate univocally the photographs contained in each container with ' said determinate user.
  • the storage and dispensing device comprises detection means able to detect the specific information contained in the identification means, and storage means able to store the containers automatically during a storage step, at least according to said specific information.
  • the storage and dispensing device comprises, for example, selection means by means of which each determinate user can select and pick up the container containing his/her printed photographs .
  • the present invention therefore allows to acquire and process digital data, to print, store and dispense photographs completely automatically and advantageously even when the operators are absent.
  • the apparatus also comprises an electronic management unit connected to said acquisition, printer, packing, and storage and dispensing devices, which is able at least to receive the data acquired, to control and command the printing of the photographs, the definition of said identification means, and also the storage and dispensing of said containers.
  • the electronic management unit comprises electronic memorization means, in which at least the digital data and the specific information are memorized.
  • the electronic management unit allows at least to manage and verify the payment of the printing service which can be effected directly by the determinate user by means of payment means, for example of the type that reads banknotes and coins, bank and/or credit cards, associated with the acquisition device and/or the storage and dispensing device.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus according to the present invention for printing photographs
  • - fig. 2 is an example of an application of the apparatus in fig. 1;
  • - fig. 3 is a plane view of a packing device of the apparatus in fig. 1;
  • - fig. 4 is a front view of the packing device in fig. 3;
  • - fig. 5 is a schematic lateral section of a storage and dispensing device of the apparatus in fig. 1;
  • - fig. 6 is a schematic section from VI to VI of the storage and dispensing device in fig. 5;
  • - fig. 7 is a schematic section from VII to VII of the storage and dispensing device in fig. 6.
  • an apparatus 10 is used for printing photographs starting from digital data and comprises:
  • a central unit 12 (figs. 1 and 2), for example installed in a shop, comprising in turn at least one or more devices
  • a printer device 22 advantageously of the type described in the international patent application PCT/EP02/12676 in the name of the present Applicant; a packing device 24; and a storage and dispensing device 26;
  • - second remote units 18, comprising electronic calculators 31, each suitable to acquire digital data; and an electronic management unit 14, for example an electronic calculator, installed in proximity with the central unit 12, or far from it, and connected to the central unit 12, to the first and second remote units 16 and 18, for example by means of a network of calculators, in particular through Internet.
  • an electronic management unit 14 for example an electronic calculator, installed in proximity with the central unit 12, or far from it, and connected to the central unit 12, to the first and second remote units 16 and 18, for example by means of a network of calculators, in particular through Internet.
  • the electronic management unit 14 is suitable to receive the digital data relating to the photographs to be printed and specific information which is inserted by the user in order to define his/her photographic order.
  • the specific information refers to the personal data of the determinate user, the number of copies of photographs to print, and their format.
  • the specific information is also generated automatically by the electronic management unit 14 and refers to the date and place where the digital data were acquired, the overall cost of printing and the date and time when the photographs will be printed and available.
  • the electronic management unit 14 is suitable to manage the printing, movement, storage and payment of the photographs.
  • the central unit 12 is also provided with a control console 30 comprising for example an electronic calculator, and suitable for the acquisition of digital data.
  • a control console 30 comprising for example an electronic calculator, and suitable for the acquisition of digital data.
  • the acquisition devices 20, the control console 30 and the electronic calculators 31 are provided at least with:
  • USB communication interface and/or memory chip reading interface Flash memory or suchlike
  • At least one acquisition device 20 of the central unit 12 is installed on the shop window, so that it is accessible from outside the shop.
  • the central unit 12 also comprises a scansion device or scanner 21, for the acquisition of photographs, or films already developed, connected to the electronic management unit 14.
  • the acquisition devices 20, the control console 30, the electronic calculators 31 and the scanner 21, here and hereafter indicated generally as acquisition means, are connected to the electronic management unit 14, to which they send the digital data acquired.
  • the printer device 22 is connected to the electronic management unit 14, which sends the digital data to the device 22 for printing the images.
  • the packing device 24 (figs. 3 and 4), connected to the electronic management unit 14, is installed in proximity with the printer device 22 and is suitable to feed a container or blister 28 to the printer device 22.
  • the packing device 24 comprises a storage compartment 32, in which a plurality of containers 28 are disposed, an operating compartment 34, in which the container 28 to be filled with photographs is disposed, and an arm 36, able to be selectively driven to close the container 28 book-wise, and a pick-up zone 38.
  • the packing device 24 also comprises a feed belt 40 which allows to feed the container 28 from the storage compartment 32 to the pick-up zone 38 through the operating compartment 34.
  • the electronic management unit 14 commands a container 28 to be picked up from the storage compartment 32 and positioned in the operating compartment 34, so that a base portion 28a of the container 28, able to contain the photographs, and a covering portion 28b of the container 28 lie on the bottom of the operating compartment 34.
  • the electronic management unit 14 feeds the container 28 forward and commands the arm 36 to close the covering portion 28b book-wise over the base portion 28a.
  • the packing device 24 also associates with each container 28 an index print printed on a photograph, or a label, on which a bar code is printed.
  • the container 28 is made, for example, of plastic material, at least partly transparent, so that the index print is visible.
  • a tracking device is associated with each container 28, for example a radio frequency tracking device, which identifies it and allows to trace its position at any moment.
  • the data printed on the label, or transmitted by the tracking device comprise the data relating to the photographic order, inserted by -the user by means of data insertion devices, for example an alphanumerical keyboard, connected with said acquisition means 20, 21, 30, 31.
  • the photographs disposed in the container 28 are then transferred, for example by means of a conveyor belt 29 (fig. 2), or in any other known manner, to the storage and dispensing device 26, which is advantageously installed so as to allow the containers 28 to be picked up from both inside and outside the shop.
  • the storage and dispensing device 26 (figs. 5, 6 and 7), inside a single containing structure 42, comprises a pick-- up unit, not shown, connected to the conveyor belt 29, a rack-type store 44, a movement unit 46 and expulsion units 48.
  • expulsion units 48 there are two expulsion units 48, one for each front side of the containing structure 42.
  • the rack-type store 44 is provided with a plurality of compartments 50, each suitable to store a container 28.
  • the movement unit 46 is provided with an electronic control unit, substantially of a known type and not shown here, connected to the electronic management unit 14, a mobile tray 52 provided with a pick-up member and a bar code reader, to read the index print; these are not visible in the drawings .
  • the movement unit 46 comprises a pair of horizontal guides 54, fixed substantially parallel to each other on the base and ceiling of the containing structure 42 substantially orthogonal to the compartments 50 of the rack-type store 44, and a vertical support 56 suitable to slide on the two guides 54 and on which the mobile tray 52 is slidingly mounted.
  • the movement unit 46 is suitable to move each container 28 from the pick-up unit to a corresponding compartment 50 of the rack-type store 44, reading the bar code by means of sensors and communicating to the electronic management unit 14 the information relating to the position of the compartment 50.
  • Each expulsion unit 48 connected to the electronic management unit 14, at least partly communicates with the outside of the containing structure 42, and is suitable to make available to the specific user the container 28 relating to his/her specific photographic order.
  • the acquisition devices 20 and/or the storage and dispensing device 26 also comprise electronic payment means, for example of the type that reads banknotes and coins, bank cards and/or credit cards, in order to allow the determinate user to pay for the printing service .
  • the electronic payment means is advantageously installed so as to allow payment to be made from both inside and outside the shop.
  • the digital data are acquired by- means of the acquisition means 20, 21, 30, 31 of the central unit 12, the first remote units 16 and/or the second remote units 18.
  • the electronic management unit 14 requests the user to insert the specific information, to define a corresponding photographic order, and proposes the method of payment for printing. Payment may be made at the same time that the digital data are acquired or when the printed photographs are collected.
  • the digital data, the specific information and the method of payment are then locally memorized remotely, in memory means of the electronic management unit 14.
  • the user receives a ticket or client code, defined at least according to the photographic order.
  • the photographs are printed based on the digital data.
  • the printed photographs are inserted into the respective containers 28, with each of which the respective label is associated which correlates univocally the photographs contained in each container 28 with the determinate user.
  • the containers 28 are automatically stored at least in the storage and dispensing device 26.
  • the electronic management unit 14 When the user inserts his/her ticket, or his/her client code by means of data-insertion means associated with the storage and dispensing device 26, the latter transmits the data to the electronic management unit 14, which verifies at least whether the photographs have been printed and payment made. In the event of a positive verification, the electronic management unit 14 allows the storage and dispensing device
  • the electronic management unit 14 requests payment for the service.
  • the electronic management unit 14 is able to receive from each acquisition means 20, 21, 30, 31 the data inserted by the users and to record each new order, the relative methods of payment and delivery.
  • the apparatus 10 therefore allows to manage the printing of photographs whose digital data arrive from the remote electronic units 14 and 16, also managing the relative payments and supplying statistics concerning the printing of the photographs, the payments, etc., upon request of ' the operators .
  • the apparatus 10 and the method according to the present invention therefore allow to acquire photographs arriving from digital data both locally, by means of the central unit 12, and also remotely, by means of the first and second remote units 16 and 18, to manage the relative payment, to print the photographs, to store them and to make them available to the user in a completely automatic and integrated manner.
  • the first remote units 16 also comprise a printer device 22, so as to render the units 16 completely autonomous with respect to the central unit 12.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil (10) pour l'impression automatique de photographies à partir de données numériques définissant les images à imprimer sur les photographies, comprenant au moins : un dispositif d'acquisition (20, 21, 30, 31) pour acquérir les données numériques et associer ces dernières à des informations spécifiques concernant les photographies ; un dispositif d'imprimante (22) pour imprimer les photographies sur la base des données numériques ; un dispositif de conditionnement (24) pour insérer les photographies imprimées dans des contenants respectifs (28), et associer ces derniers à des éléments d'identification définis au moins selon les informations spécifiques et en mesure de corréler de manière univoque les photographies contenues dans chaque contenant (28) avec un utilisateur déterminé ; un dispositif de stockage et de distribution (26) pour détecter les informations spécifiques contenues dans les éléments d'identification, pour stocker les contenants (28) au moins selon les informations spécifiques et pour rendre les contenants disponibles sélectivement sur une demande dudit utilisateur déterminé.
PCT/IB2006/003218 2005-12-22 2006-11-15 Procédé et appareil pour l'impression automatique de photographies, à partir de données digitales WO2007072133A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITUD20050217 ITUD20050217A1 (it) 2005-12-22 2005-12-22 Procedimento ed apparato per stampare in modo automatico fotografie a partire da dati digitali
ITUD2005A000217 2005-12-22

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007072133A2 true WO2007072133A2 (fr) 2007-06-28
WO2007072133A3 WO2007072133A3 (fr) 2008-01-03

Family

ID=38189018

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2006/003218 WO2007072133A2 (fr) 2005-12-22 2006-11-15 Procédé et appareil pour l'impression automatique de photographies, à partir de données digitales

Country Status (2)

Country Link
IT (1) ITUD20050217A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2007072133A2 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2105878A1 (fr) 2008-03-26 2009-09-30 Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd. Système de commande d'impression
EP2105896A1 (fr) * 2008-03-26 2009-09-30 Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd. Système de livraison
EP2108998A1 (fr) * 2008-03-26 2009-10-14 Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd. Système de livraison
EP2105890A3 (fr) * 2008-03-26 2010-04-21 Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd. Système de livraison

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1990004302A1 (fr) * 1988-10-07 1990-04-19 Eastman Kodak Company Procede de photo-finition avec lecteur film-video utilisant des pistes magnetiques specialisees sur le film
US5974401A (en) * 1996-09-04 1999-10-26 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Digital print order and delivery method and system
WO2000069164A2 (fr) * 1999-05-10 2000-11-16 Wireless Photo Corporation Imagerie electronique ou numerique
WO2001016651A1 (fr) * 1999-08-31 2001-03-08 Shutterfly, Inc. Systeme de classement de photographies par ordre
EP1137247A2 (fr) * 2000-01-28 2001-09-26 Eastman Kodak Company Photofinissage numérique
US6532080B1 (en) * 1997-03-25 2003-03-11 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Print ordering method, printing system and film scanner
US6646754B1 (en) * 1999-08-31 2003-11-11 Shutterfly, Inc. Backprinting image prints

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1990004302A1 (fr) * 1988-10-07 1990-04-19 Eastman Kodak Company Procede de photo-finition avec lecteur film-video utilisant des pistes magnetiques specialisees sur le film
US5974401A (en) * 1996-09-04 1999-10-26 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Digital print order and delivery method and system
US6532080B1 (en) * 1997-03-25 2003-03-11 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Print ordering method, printing system and film scanner
WO2000069164A2 (fr) * 1999-05-10 2000-11-16 Wireless Photo Corporation Imagerie electronique ou numerique
WO2001016651A1 (fr) * 1999-08-31 2001-03-08 Shutterfly, Inc. Systeme de classement de photographies par ordre
US6646754B1 (en) * 1999-08-31 2003-11-11 Shutterfly, Inc. Backprinting image prints
EP1137247A2 (fr) * 2000-01-28 2001-09-26 Eastman Kodak Company Photofinissage numérique

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2105878A1 (fr) 2008-03-26 2009-09-30 Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd. Système de commande d'impression
EP2105896A1 (fr) * 2008-03-26 2009-09-30 Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd. Système de livraison
EP2108998A1 (fr) * 2008-03-26 2009-10-14 Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd. Système de livraison
EP2105890A3 (fr) * 2008-03-26 2010-04-21 Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd. Système de livraison
EP2189937A1 (fr) 2008-03-26 2010-05-26 Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd. Druckauftragssystem

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITUD20050217A1 (it) 2007-06-23
WO2007072133A3 (fr) 2008-01-03

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