JP3567306B2 - Image storage system and recording medium recording the program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image storage system and a recording medium that records the program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Vending machine devices capable of issuing various printed materials for a fee are known. In these apparatuses, a photographic image taken by a digital camera is stored in a recording medium such as a memory card, the recording medium is inserted into the apparatus, and the photographic image to be printed by operating the apparatus by itself is specified. .
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if the recording medium becomes full during photography at a travel destination and an unrecorded recording medium cannot be obtained, the subsequent photography must be interrupted unless the recorded image is erased. There was no problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to make it possible to continue photographing without erasing an image recorded on the recording medium even when the recording medium becomes full during photographing.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is an image storage system that prints and stores a photographic image, in which it is specified that a photographic image recorded on a recording medium is to be printed, and a plurality of photographic images recorded on the recording medium are stored. When a desired photographic image is selected as a print target, printing means for printing the selected photographic image on a predetermined printed matter, and storage identification information for specifying the photographic image selected as the print target And a storage unit that stores the photographic image selected as the print target in association with the obtained storage identification information, and a storage identification acquired in correspondence with the photographic image when the photographic image is printed by the printing unit. Identification information printing means for printing information in accordance with the printed matter on which the photographic image is to be printed, and printing of the photographic image stored in the storage means specified When the same storage identification information as the storage identification information that is printed in accordance with the printed matter in which the photographic image to be printed is already printed is stored in association with the storage identification information And a reprinting means for reading out the stored photographic image from the storage means and printing the read out photographic image.
[0006]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a customer terminal control system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is an external view of an image printing terminal device (hereinafter, abbreviated as “terminal device”) 1 that prints an image and automatically sells the image by a customer operation. A recording medium insertion port 2 for inserting a recording medium for photographic image data (hereinafter abbreviated as “photographic image”) photographed by a digital camera is provided at an upper portion of the terminal device 1. In this embodiment, a memory card called a CF (Compact Flash) card capable of storing a photographic image of several megabytes to several tens of megabytes is used as a recording medium. As other recording media, PC cards, smart media, MOs (magneto-optical disks), FDs (floppy disks), and the like can be used.
[0007]
At another position above the terminal device 1, there is provided a charge insertion / return port 3 for inserting a printing fee in bills and coins, or returning a fee or change at the time of cancellation. At the lower part of the terminal device 1, there is provided a print photo take-out port 4 for discharging a print of a photo image. At the top of the terminal device 1, there are provided an operation unit 5 composed of various buttons for the customer to operate, and a display unit 6 for displaying a message for operation, a fee, and the like.
[0008]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control device inside the terminal device 1. The controller 7 includes a ROM that stores a program, a control unit that controls the entire terminal device 1 using the program, and various registers necessary for control. The interface (I / F) 8 detects an on / off state of each button of the operation unit 5 according to a key scan signal from the controller 7 and inputs the detected state to the controller 7. The display control unit 9 expands the image data supplied from the controller 7 on one screen, outputs the image data to the display unit 6, and displays the image data. The recording medium insertion mechanism 10 includes a mechanism for loading and unloading a memory card, a driving unit thereof, and an image reading unit that reads a photographic image recorded on the loaded memory card.
[0009]
The interface 11 controls the recording medium insertion mechanism 10 according to a control command from the controller 7, and inputs a photographic image read by the recording medium insertion mechanism 10 to the controller 7. The fee insertion / return mechanism 12 detects, sorts, and inspects inserted bills and coins, and discharges bills and coins to be returned. The interface 13 inputs the detection signal, the selection signal, and the inspection signal from the charge insertion / return mechanism 12 to the controller 7.
[0010]
The fee management unit 14 stores data of a plurality of types of fee systems as a table. The controller 7 selects a corresponding fee system by referring to this table based on the data input from the operation unit 5. The storage unit 15 stores image data of a plurality of types of advertisement information (hereinafter abbreviated as “advertisement image”), and stores a photographic image read from a memory card mounted on the recording medium insertion mechanism 10. Remember temporarily. The image processing algorithm unit 16 executes an image processing algorithm for the photographic image and the advertisement information image. In addition, regarding this image processing algorithm, when the processing speed of the arithmetic processing unit constituting the control unit of the controller 7 is high, even if the image processing algorithm unit 16 is not provided as hardware, the storage unit 15 and the program can be used. It is also possible to realize by software by the controller 7 to be executed.
[0011]
The printer control unit 17 controls the eight connected printers 18 and outputs a print command and print data from the controller 7 to the printer 18. The print photograph discharge sensor 19 determines whether or not the printed matter printed by the printer 18 has been discharged to the print photograph take-out port 4. The interface 20 inputs the detection result of the print photograph discharge sensor 19 to the controller 7. As shown in FIG. 3, each printer 18 has an interface 22 for sending and receiving print commands and other commands to and from the printer control unit 17 and print data, and a print data storage unit 23 for temporarily storing print data. And a printing mechanism unit 24 for performing printing. The control unit 25 expands the print data supplied from the printer control unit 17 via the interface 22 into a print format, stores the print format in the print data storage unit 23, reads it out, and outputs it to the print mechanism unit 24. The transmission / reception unit 21 shown in FIG. 2 is communication means for causing the terminal device 1 to function as a communication terminal device, and is configured by a general-purpose PHS or a mobile phone, and is connected to a public communication network by a telephone number as unique identification information. I do.
[0012]
FIG. 4 shows a system configuration in which a plurality of terminal devices 1 are connected to a public communication network. Each terminal device 1 is wirelessly connected to the nearest base station 26 via the transmission / reception unit 21 shown in FIG. The plurality of base stations 26 are connected to a public communication network 27 by wire (line). A terminal management device 28 that manages each terminal device 1 is connected to the public communication network 27.
[0013]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the terminal management device 28. The communication interface 29 connects the public communication network 26 and the terminal management device 28 shown in FIG. The CPU 30 performs a calling process for each terminal device 1 via the communication interface 29 connected by the internal bus. In addition, commands and data are exchanged between the input device 31, the RAM 32, the display device 33, and the storage device 34 connected by the internal bus to control the terminal management device 28 as a whole. The input device 31 inputs an image of advertising information provided by an advertiser (hereinafter, referred to as an “advertising image”). The input advertisement image is stored in the storage device 34.
[0014]
FIG. 6 shows data of a stored image file stored in the storage device 34. The storage image file is composed of a plurality of groups of photo images, in which a corresponding photo image group is stored for each storage number as storage identification information, and a password as customer identification information is added to each photo image group. I have. That is, each photographic image group stored by the storage number and the password can be uniquely specified. The storage number is determined by the terminal management device 28, and the password is input by a customer operation at each terminal device.
[0015]
Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described based on the flow of the start button process of the terminal device shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and the flow of the main process of the terminal management device shown in FIG.
Each terminal device shifts to a flow of a start button process when a start button of the operation unit 5 is operated in a main process (not shown). First, in the flow of FIG. 7, a processing menu is displayed on the display unit 6 (step A1). This processing menu includes: 1. Memory card image print / storage menu; 2. Self-stored image recall menu There are three menus: a menu for calling other images (a menu for calling photographic images of a plurality of genres such as entertainers and athletes). Other images include pay images and free images due to copyright. When the customer selects a menu (step A2), the selection is determined.
[0016]
It is determined whether or not the menu is a menu for printing / saving a memory card image (step A2). If this menu is selected, a message for instructing insertion of a memory card is displayed (step A4). When the customer inserts the memory card (step A5), the image file in the card, that is, a plurality of photographic images is read (step A6), and its thumbnail (reduced image) is displayed (step A7). Then, an image selection menu for selecting an image to be printed is displayed (step A8). When the customer selects a menu and specifies a photographic image to be printed or stored (step A9), it is determined whether or not the selection has been completed (step A10). When the customer operates the selection end button, the selected number is displayed (step A11).
[0017]
Next, in the flow of FIG. 8, a message asking whether to store the selected photographic image is displayed (step A12). Then, it is determined whether or not the storage is specified (step A13). If the storage is specified, a communication connection is requested to the terminal management device (step A14), and a response of the connection approval is received from the terminal management device. (Step A15), a request for storing a photographic image is made (Step A16).
[0018]
In the main processing of FIG. 9, the terminal management device determines whether there is a communication connection request from the terminal device (step B1), and if there is a communication connection request, responds with a connection approval (step B2). ). Then, it is determined whether the storage of the photographic image is requested from the terminal device (step B3). If the request is a storage request for a photographic image, the storage device is searched for an unused storage number (step B4). Then, the storage number is transmitted to the terminal device (step B5).
[0019]
The terminal device acquires the storage number transmitted from the terminal management device in step A17 of the flow in FIG. Next, a charge system menu is displayed (step A18). The fee system menu includes: 1. paid printing; Storage only; There are three menus for free printing. When the customer selects a menu (step A19), the contents of the menu are determined (step A20). If the pay printing menu is selected, a fee corresponding to the number of prints is displayed (step A21). However, if the photographic image to be printed is another image (photograph of a celebrity or an athlete) and includes a paid image due to copyright, the fee for the paid image is added to the printing fee. To display. When the fee is entered (step A22), each photographic image is printed (step A23). At this time, if there is a storage designation, the acquired storage number is printed on the back side.
[0020]
In the print processing in step A23, the print data is simply sent to the printer control unit, and the actual print processing is performed by the printer and is different from the processing of the controller. Therefore, the processing time of step A23 is short, and the communication line is in a connected state even during this processing. That is, as soon as the transmission of the print data is completed, the process proceeds to step A24. When the transmission of the print data of all the selected photographic images is completed, it is determined whether or not there is a storage designation (step A24). If the storage is designated, a message prompting the input of the password is displayed (step A25). When the password is input (step A26), the storage number, the password, and the selected image are transmitted to the terminal management device (step A27).
[0021]
In response to this, in step B6 of FIG. 9, the terminal management device determines whether or not the storage number, the password, and the selected image have been received from the terminal device. The password is stored in the storage device (step B7). Then, a communication disconnection process with the terminal device is performed (step B8). As a result, the data of the image file shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the storage device of the terminal management device. If the selected image is not received even after the elapse of the certain time, the communication disconnection process is performed (step B8). After the communication disconnection process, the process shifts to step B1 to wait for a communication connection request from another terminal device.
[0022]
When the storage only menu is selected in step A20 of FIG. 8, the terminal device displays a storage fee corresponding to the number of photographic images to be stored (step A28). When a fee is entered (step A29), a message prompting the input of a password is displayed (step A25), as in the case of pay printing (step A25). When the password is entered (step A26), the storage number, password, and selection are displayed. The image is transmitted to the terminal management device (step A27).
After transmitting all the selected images to be stored to the terminal management device, it is determined whether or not there is a memory card (step A30), and if there is a card, it is ejected (step A31). Then, the process returns to the main processing.
[0023]
When the free print menu is selected in step A20, it is determined whether or not the selected image is another image (a photograph image of an entertainer or an athlete) and includes a paid image due to copyright. Is determined (step A32), and if a pay image is included, a fee for the pay image is required even if the printing fee is free. In this case, calculation according to the fee of each pay image is performed, and the total fee is displayed (step A33). Then, when there is a charge (step A34), the advertisement image is read (step A35). Further, the photograph image (selected image) selected for free printing is designated (step A36). Next, the advertisement image is combined with the designated photo image (step A37).
[0024]
Then, the composite image is printed (step A38). In this case as well, if there is a storage designation, the acquired storage number is printed on the back side. Next, it is determined whether or not printing of the free selected image has been completed (step A39). If there is a free selected image to be printed, the process proceeds to step A35 and the processing up to step A38 is performed. repeat. When the printing of the free selected image is completed, the process proceeds to step A24, and the processing up to step A31 is executed. However, in the case of printing another image, since no memory card is inserted, it is determined in step A30 that there is no card, and the process returns to the main processing. Therefore, there is no card ejection processing in step A31.
[0025]
If it is determined in step A3 in FIG. 7 that the menu selection is not a menu for printing / saving a memory card image, it is determined whether or not the menu is for calling a self-storage image (step A40). When this menu is selected, a message prompting entry of a storage number and a password is displayed (step A41). Then, when the storage number is input (step A42) and the password is input (step A43), a communication connection is requested to the terminal management device (step A44). Then, it is determined whether a response of the connection approval is received (step A45). When the response is received, the storage image and the storage number and the password are transmitted to the terminal management device together with the request for calling the stored image (step A46).
[0026]
After the communication with the terminal device, the terminal management device compares the password of the designated storage number with the received password if it is determined in step B9 of FIG. 9 that the request is for calling a stored image (step B9). B10). Then, it is determined whether the two passwords match (step B11). If they match, a response indicating that the password is correct (OK) is transmitted (step B12), and the requested stored image is transmitted (step B13). If the two passwords do not match, a response indicating that the password is incorrect (NG) is transmitted (step B14). Therefore, the storage image is not transmitted. After transmitting the stored image in step B13 or transmitting an NG response in step B14, the process proceeds to step B8 to perform a communication disconnection process. If it is determined in step B9 that the received image is not a request for calling a stored image but is other processing, other processing is executed (step B15), and the process proceeds to step B8 to perform communication disconnection processing.
[0027]
The terminal device determines whether or not there is an OK response to the password transmitted in step A46 in FIG. 7 (step A47), and when the OK response is received, receives the subsequent stored image. (Step A48). Then, the process proceeds to step A7 to display the thumbnail of the received stored image. Thereafter, the same processing as in the case of the memory card image print / storage menu is executed. On the other hand, if an NG response is received in step A47, a message indicating that the password is incorrect (NG) is displayed on the display unit (step A49), and the process returns to the main processing.
[0028]
In step A40, if the selected menu is not the recall of the self-stored image, that is, if the selected menu is the recall menu of another image, the image already stored in the self-device is paid image by copyright, free image. An image and a genre menu of any genre (entertainment, sports, etc.) are displayed (step A50). When the customer selects a menu (step A51), the image of the selected genre is read (step A51). Then, the process proceeds to step A7 to display the thumbnail of the received stored image. Thereafter, the same processing as in the case of the memory card image print / storage menu is executed. However, in the case of printing a stored image, since no memory card is inserted, it is determined in step A30 that there is no card, and the process returns to the main process. Therefore, there is no card ejection process in step A31.
[0029]
As described above, in the above-described embodiment, an image is transmitted from each terminal device to a terminal management device which can be connected to a plurality of terminal devices each outputting an image by a customer's operation and stored, and an arbitrary terminal is output. The stored image is called from the device and output. That is, as in the embodiment, an image stored in the terminal management device is received and printed.
Therefore, even if the recording medium becomes full during photography, subsequent photography can be continued without erasing the image recorded on the recording medium.
In addition, it is possible to simultaneously send real-time prints to be distributed to a plurality of acquaintances at different remote locations.
In addition, after returning home, you can carefully select and print the necessary items after returning home to a large number of photographic images taken in a busy place such as a travel destination. Eliminate the hassle of walking.
[0030]
Further, in the above embodiment, the terminal management device stores the image received from each terminal device together with the storage identification information (storage number), and any terminal device transmits the image received from the terminal management device together with the image received from the terminal management device. Print the received storage identification information.
Therefore, it is possible to designate a group of photographic images related to the printed photograph based on the storage number, which is convenient for organizing data of survey materials and experimental materials.
[0031]
Further, in the above embodiment, any terminal device prints the image received from the terminal management device or the image input by the customer on its own device, and determines whether to add the advertisement information to the image, The image to which the advertisement information is added or the image to which the advertisement information is not added is printed according to the determination result.
Therefore, when money is insufficient at a travel destination or the like, it is possible to print the image free of charge with the addition of the advertisement information after returning home and print the photographic image without the addition of the advertisement information after returning home.
[0032]
Further, in the above embodiment, the terminal management device receives and stores the customer identification information (password) input to each terminal device together with the image received from each terminal device, and stores the image from any terminal device. When the calling of the image is requested, the transmission of the customer identification information is requested to the arbitrary terminal device, and the customer identification information received from the arbitrary terminal device is stored together with the image to be called. When the information matches the customer identification information, the image to be called is transmitted to the arbitrary terminal device.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent another person from printing his / her own storage image without permission. Furthermore, if you only give your password and storage number to the person who is authorized to print, that person can get a reprinted photo from the nearest terminal device, rather than reprinting and mailing it yourself. Can be sent quickly.
[0033]
In the above embodiment, the operation of the image storage system is performed by a program stored in advance in the terminal device 1 shown in FIG. 1 and in the terminal management device 28 shown in FIG. It is also possible to realize the invention of a medium by recording the program on a general-purpose recording medium such as a CD, an MD, and the like.
That is, the first program used for the terminal management device 28 and the second program used for each terminal device 1 are recorded on a general-purpose recording medium.
The first program includes a transmission procedure for transmitting, when a customer specifies storage of an image, the image whose storage is specified to the terminal management apparatus.
The second program includes a storage procedure for storing images received from each terminal device, and when a call for an image stored from any terminal device is requested, the image to be called is stored in the arbitrary terminal device. And a transmission procedure for transmission to the user.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when a photographic image is printed, the photographic image is automatically stored, so that the photographic image can be reprinted and printed immediately.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of an image printing terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image printing terminal device in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the printer in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system including a plurality of image printing terminal devices and a terminal management device.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a terminal management device in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a view showing data of a stored image file stored in the terminal management device.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a start button process of the image printing terminal device.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a start button process following FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a main process in the terminal management device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 image printing terminal device 26 base station 27 public communication network 28 terminal management device

Claims (2)

An image storage system for printing and storing photographic images,
When it is specified to print a photograph on a photographic image recorded on a recording medium, and when a desired photographic image is selected as a print target from a plurality of photographic images recorded on the recording medium, the selected photographic image is selected. Printing means for printing the photographic image on a predetermined printed matter,
A storage unit for acquiring storage identification information for specifying the photographic image selected as the print target, and storing the photographic image selected as the print target in association with the obtained storage identification information,
When printing the photographic image by the printing means, identification information printing means for printing the storage identification information acquired corresponding to the photographic image in accordance with the printed matter on which the photographic image is printed,
When the printing of the photographic image stored in the storage means is designated, the same storage identification information as the storage identification information printed in accordance with the printed matter in which the photographic image to be printed is already printed is input. A reprinting unit that reads a photographic image stored in association with the storage identification information from the storage unit, and prints the read photographic image;
Image storage system characterized by comprising a. On the computer,
When it is specified to print a photograph on a photographic image recorded on a recording medium, and when a desired photographic image is selected as a print target from a plurality of photographic images recorded on the recording medium, the selected photographic image is selected. A function to print the photographic image on a predetermined printed matter,
A function of acquiring storage identification information for specifying the photographic image selected as the print target, and storing the photographic image selected as the print target in association with the obtained storage identification information,
A function of printing the storage identification information acquired corresponding to the photo image in accordance with the printed matter on which the photo image is printed,
When printing of the stored photographic image is specified, when the same storage identification information as the storage identification information that is printed in accordance with the printed matter in which the photographic image to be printed is already printed is input. A function of reading a photographic image stored in association with the storage identification information, and printing the read photographic image,
And a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for executing the program is recorded.

Images