JP3979063B2 - Image printing apparatus, image printing system, image printing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image print system such as a print vendor, and more particularly to a print system having a function of discounting a print price by advertisement.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Traditionally, when taking a picture, there is no great advantage for the photographer even if there is a store advertisement or a field signboard in the background, but there is often a lack of balance with the surrounding background. It was normal to shoot with the camera removed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
On the other hand, from the point of view of installers such as billboard advertisements, it is advisable to put the advertisement in the composition because the advertisement is also reflected in the photograph taken, but the advertisement is out of the composition for the reasons described above. There was a problem that it was often done.
[0004]
If the photographer can be profited by some means and the advertisement can be put into the composition, the advertising effect can be expected, but no concrete means has been provided in the past.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image printing apparatus, an image printing system, an image printing method, and a program having a discount function for a print price of a photograph in which an advertisement is copied. To do.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above-described problem, an image printing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image printing apparatus that takes in image data stored in an external storage device and prints out an image.Is an imageFrom advertisement information storage means that stores advertisement information and captured image dataIt is an advertisement imageAdvertising information extraction means for extracting advertising information;A normalization means for normalizing the advertising information, which is an advertising image,Comparison means for comparing the advertisement information extracted by the advertisement information extraction means with the advertisement information stored in the advertisement information storage means, and a charge calculation means for performing a discount calculation of the printing fee based on the comparison result by the comparison means; , Provided.
[0008]
  Also,Second inventionThe image print system includes an image print apparatus that captures image data stored and stored in an external storage unit connected via a network and prints out an image, and a server.Is an imageAn advertisement information storage unit that stores advertisement information; and an advertisement information transmission unit that transmits the advertisement information stored in the advertisement information storage unit to the image print device.It is an advertisement imageAdvertising information extraction means for extracting advertising information;A normalization means for normalizing the advertising information, which is an advertising image,An advertisement information receiving means for receiving the advertisement information stored in the advertisement information storage means from the server via the network; a comparison means for comparing the advertisement information extracted by the advertisement information extracting means with the received advertisement information; Charge calculation means for performing a discount calculation of the printing charge based on the comparison result by the means.
[0009]
  Also,Third inventionThe image print system includes an image print apparatus that captures image data stored and stored in an external storage unit connected via a network and prints out an image, and a server.Is an imageFrom advertisement information storage means storing advertisement information, image data receiving means for receiving image data transmitted from the image printing apparatus via a network, and received image dataIt is an advertisement imageAdvertising information extraction means for extracting advertising information;A normalization means for normalizing the advertising information, which is an advertising image,Comparing means for comparing the advertising information extracted by the advertising information extracting means with the received advertising information, and a comparison result transmitting means for transmitting a comparison result by the comparing means to the image printing apparatus via the network, The printing apparatus includes: an image data transmitting unit that transmits captured image data to a server via a network; a comparison result receiving unit that receives a comparison result transmitted from the server; and a discount on a printing fee based on the received comparison result Charge calculation means for performing the calculation.
[0011]
  Also,4th inventionThe image printing method includes a step of capturing image data stored and stored in an external storage unit;Printing the captured image data;From captured image dataIt is an advertisement imageA process of extracting advertising information;Normalizing the extracted advertising information and normalizedPre-stored with advertising informationIs an imageThe method includes a step of comparing with advertisement information, and a step of calculating a discount on the printing fee based on the comparison result.
[0012]
  Also,5th inventionThe image print program includes the step of fetching image data stored and stored in an external storage unit;Printing the captured image data;From captured image dataIt is an advertisement imageExtracting advertising information;Normalize the extracted advertising information, and normalizedPre-stored with advertising informationIs an imageThe method includes a step of comparing with the advertisement information and a step of calculating a discount on the printing fee based on the comparison result.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
<First embodiment>
In this embodiment, when an image is printed by a stand-alone type print vendor (paid image printing apparatus), an advertisement comparison image registered in the database (advertisement information provided by the advertiser and registered in advance in the database) is copied. The printing fee is discounted for the images that are displayed.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is an external view of an embodiment of a print system with an advertisement discount function of the present invention. A print vendor 100 has an operation unit 1, a charge settlement unit 2, a short-distance communication data receiving unit 5, and a display unit 8 in front of the casing. , A memory card insertion port 16, a USB terminal 17, and a print image discharge port 19, which are fixed to a pedestal or a wall surface of a building by a fixing tool.
[0015]
The operation unit 1 is provided with a cross key 1-1, a confirmation key 1-2, a plus key 1-3 / minus key 1-4, and a print start button 1-5. In addition, the fee settlement section 2 is provided with a cash insertion slot 2-1, a card insertion slot 2-2, and a change discharge slot 2-3. The cross key 1-1 functions as a cursor movement key. When the upper end, lower end, left end, or right end of the cross of the cross key 1-1 is pressed, the cursor 61 (FIG. 3) displayed on the display unit 8 is directed upward. Move down, left or right.
[0016]
In FIG. 1, first, a user uses the memory card insertion port 16 of the print vendor 100, the USB terminal 17, or the data of the imaging device (not shown) such as a digital camera via the near field communication data receiving unit 5. Access.
When the image data storage memory is a memory card that can be attached to and detached from the image pickup apparatus, when the user removes the memory card from the image pickup apparatus and inserts it into the memory card insertion slot 16, the image data stored in the memory card is displayed on the print vendor 100 side. Is taken in. When the image data storage memory is a fixed memory fixed inside the imaging apparatus, the user connects the USB terminal 17 of the print vendor 100 and the USB terminal provided in the imaging apparatus with a USB cable, and the imaging apparatus side When a predetermined operation is performed, the image data stored in the fixed memory of the image pickup apparatus is transmitted to the print vendor 100 and taken into the print vendor 100 side. Further, when the imaging device is provided with a short-range communication means such as an infrared communication device or Bluetooth, the user receives the short-range communication data transmission unit provided in the imaging device and receives the short-range communication data of the print vendor 100. By performing a predetermined operation close to the unit 5, the image data stored in the storage memory of the imaging apparatus is transmitted to the print vendor 100 and taken into the print vendor 100 side. Note that the image data captured by the print vendor 100 is desirably main image data (plural) composed of image data for one frame and thumbnail images (reduced images) corresponding to the main image data. Good.
[0017]
Next, the user selects an image to be printed from thumbnail images (FIG. 3) displayed on the display unit 8. At this time, by operating the cross key 1-1 to move the cursor 61 to a desired image position and pressing the enter key 1-2, the image is selected.
[0018]
Next, the number of prints is designated by operating the plus key 1-3. At this time, if the plus key 1-3 is kept pressed, the number is incremented by one. If the plus key 1-3 is pressed too much, the number is decreased by one by pressing the minus key 1-4. Further, when the confirmation key 1-2 is pressed, the number of printed sheets is confirmed. When the number of printed sheets is determined, as shown in FIG. 3, the total after-advanced fee (total of normal fee-total of ad discount) is displayed in the fee display column of the screen.
[0019]
After performing the image selection operation and the print number designation operation for a desired image, the user enters a usage fee into the cash insertion slot 2-1 of the fee settlement section 2, or inserts a credit card or prepaid card into the card insertion slot 2-2. insert. When the user presses the print start instruction button 1-5, printing of the selected image is started, and the print image is discharged from the print image discharge port 19. When printing of each selected image is completed, if there is change when cash is inserted, the change is discharged from the change outlet 2-3. The change may be discharged before the print start instruction button 1-5 is pressed.
[0020]
Further, although the cross key 1-1 is used as the image selection key in FIG. 1, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a touch input type screen in which the touched part is a point input when the display unit 8 is touched with a finger or the like, and a thumbnail image to be displayed may be selected by pointing with a finger (in this case) The cross key 1-1 is not necessary). Further, the image data take-in port is not limited to the short-range communication data receiving unit 5, the memory card insertion port 16, and the USB terminal 17.
[0021]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the circuit configuration of the print vendor 100 shown in FIG. 1. The print vendor 100 includes an operation unit 1, a charge settlement unit 2, a memory card reading unit 3, a USB interface 4, A distance communication data receiving unit 5, a CPU 6, a program memory 7, a display unit 8, a printer 9, an advertisement image normalization unit 10, an advertisement image comparison unit 11, a database 12, and a work memory 13 are provided. Further, a network interface 14 may be provided as will be described later (second and third embodiments).
[0022]
2, the operation unit 1 includes the cross key 1-1, the enter key 1-2, the plus key 1-3 / minus key 1-4, and the print start button 1-5 shown in FIG. The operation result is converted into an electric signal and sent to the CPU 6.
[0023]
The fee settlement unit 2 detects the type and number of cash inserted from the cash input port 2-1 shown in FIG. 1, calculates the amount of input, and sends the result to the CPU 6, an input amount detection unit, a change storage unit, and the CPU 6 A cash settlement unit (not shown) comprising a change discharge mechanism for discharging change to the change discharge port 2-3 based on a change discharge instruction from the card, and when a credit card is inserted from the card insertion port 2-2 Is provided with a credit settlement section (not shown) for reading the member information stored in the card and sending it to the CPU 6 and discharging the credit card from the card insertion slot 2-2.
[0024]
The memory card reading unit 3 reads image data when a memory card storing image data is inserted into the memory card insertion slot. The USB interface 4 receives image data transmitted from an imaging device such as an external digital camera via a USB cable. The near field communication data receiving unit 5 converts the received infrared data (or wireless data) into image data.
[0025]
The CPU 6 controls the operation of the entire print vendor 100 and executes advertisement discount / image printing processing of the print vendor 100 by a control program and a dedicated program stored in the program storage memory 7.
[0026]
The program storage memory 7 comprises a memory such as a ROM, and in addition to a control program and an advertisement discount program for performing billing and advertisement discount processing to realize the advertisement discount function of the present invention, thumbnail image selection for executing thumbnail image display / selection processing A program group, such as a charge calculation / display program, such as a compressed image expansion program for expanding a program and main image data (for example, JPEG compressed image data) is stored. Further, an image reduction program for generating a thumbnail image from the received main image data when the image data to be imported from the outside is only the main image data (when there is no thumbnail image) may be stored. These programs are taken out from the program storage memory 7 by the CPU 6 in a timely manner, read into a RAM (not shown), and activated.
The display unit 8 displays thumbnail image data in image data captured from the outside by a thumbnail image selection program. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the designated number of prints and the usage fee are displayed together with the thumbnail images. The printer 9 prints and outputs a specified number of images specified by the user.
[0027]
As will be described later (FIGS. 4 to 7), the advertisement image normalization unit 10 determines whether or not an advertisement is copied on the main image, extracts the advertisement image, and normalizes the image. Further, the advertisement image comparison unit 11 compares the advertisement image normalized by the advertisement image normalization unit 10 with the image registered in the database (registered advertisement image), and determines whether or not there is a match (a case where the match rate is higher than a certain match rate). Judgment of matching).
[0028]
The database 12 includes images (advertisement images) of signs and advertisement installations of companies that have contracted with print system operators, print vendor 100 installers, print vendor 100 sellers, lenders, or advertising agencies. Registered (stored). Also, a credit information storage area for storing a credit member number, usage date and time, usage fee, etc. when payment is made with a credit card, and the number of printed images of advertisements and the number of printed advertisement images by type are stored. An advertisement print image information storage area is secured (not shown).
[0029]
Further, the advertisement image data registered in the database 12 is image data of a predetermined size in which the vertical: horizontal size is 1: 1 in this embodiment, and the pixel density of each image is also the same.
[0030]
In this embodiment, the database 12 is stored in a medium (for example, a CD-ROM) that can be attached to and detached from the print vendor 100. When an advertisement image is updated (added, deleted, etc.), the operator of the print system and the installation of the print vendor 100 are installed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the registration advertisement image data may be taken into the print vendor 100 via a USB cable and updated by the database update program.
[0031]
The work memory 13 is used as a primary storage area for the captured image, a temporary storage area for the expanded main image, a work area for normalization processing, a work area for image comparison, and the like.
[0032]
In the present embodiment, the advertisement image normalization unit 10 and the advertisement image comparison unit 11 are configured by hardware circuits. However, the advertisement image normalization unit 10 and the advertisement image comparison unit 11 are configured by a program, stored in the program storage memory 7, and started up in a timely manner. May be. In the description of FIG. 2, the image data capturing method is the memory card reading unit 3, the USB interface 4, and the short-range communication data receiving unit 5, but is not limited thereto. Moreover, although the example provided with the memory card reading part 3, the USB interface 4, and the near field communication data receiving part 5 was shown in FIG. 2, the combination of one or two of these may be sufficient. In this case, the memory card insertion slot 16, the USB terminal 17 and the near field communication data receiving unit 5 in FIG. 1 correspond to a combination of the memory card reading unit 3, the USB interface 4 and the near field communication data receiving unit 5.
[0033]
FIG. 3 shows an example of the image selection / fee display screen displayed on the display unit 8. The image selection / fee display screen 110 includes an image selection column 111 and a fee display column 112, and the user can select an image such as a digital camera. When the data is taken into the print vendor 100, a thumbnail image is displayed in the image selection field 111. As described above (FIG. 1), the user can move the cursor 61 by operating the cross key 1-1 and the enter key 1-2, and can select a desired image. In the illustrated example, the third image from the left in the first row is selected as the print image. Note that the number “3” superimposed on the selected thumbnail image is the number of prints.
[0034]
When an image is selected and the number of printed sheets is designated, the charge display column 112 displays a total charge 62 after advertisement discount, a total 63 normal charge, and a total advertisement discount 64. This charge display is displayed by increasing the charge for each time the user presses the plus key 1-3 once in the print number designation operation, and for one sheet each time the minus key 1-4 is pressed once. Will be deducted and displayed.
[0035]
(Image normalization processing)
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main image in which an advertisement is shown. In the illustrated example, a billboard advertisement 41 is shown in the background of the main image 40 with a child as a subject. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the advertisement image extracted from the main image by the advertisement image normalization unit. In the illustrated example, the image (advertisement image) 42 of the signboard advertisement 41 shown in FIG. 4 is extracted as it is. Has been. Further, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an advertisement image after normalization by the advertisement image normalization unit. In the illustrated example, a normalized image 43 obtained by normalizing the advertisement image 42 of FIG. 5 is shown.
[0036]
(Image printing by advertising discount)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the image printing operation by the advertisement discount of the printing system with the advertisement discount function of FIG.
[0037]
In FIG. 7, when the user performs data access to an imaging device (not shown) such as a digital camera via the memory card insertion slot 16, the USB terminal 17, or the near field communication data receiving unit 5 of the print vendor 100, the thumbnail is displayed. The image data is taken into the work memory 13 via the memory card reading unit 3, the USB interface 4, or the near field communication data receiving unit 5 (step S1).
[0038]
The CPU 6 activates the thumbnail image selection program, sends the thumbnail images taken into the work memory 13 to the display unit 8, and displays them in the image selection field 111 of the image selection / fee display screen 110 as shown in FIG. S2).
[0039]
When the user operates the cross key 1-1 to designate an image to be printed out of the thumbnail images displayed on the display unit 8, and operates the enter key 1-2, the print image is selected. Further, when the user operates the plus key 1-3 / minus key 1-4, the number of printed sheets is counted up or down in the printed sheet counter. The CPU 6 holds the image number in the work memory 13 and holds (temporarily stores) the count value in association with it, and sends the count value to the display unit 8 to superimpose the count value (= number of prints) on the selected screen. To do. Further, when the user operates the confirmation key 1-2, the number of prints of the selected image is confirmed (step S3).
[0040]
The CPU 6 displays a message on the display unit 8 asking for selection of the next image (for example, “Operate the cross key to select the next image. If there is no next image, press the OK key”). The user's operation is prompted, the signal from the operation unit 1 is checked, and if the cross key 1-1 is operated, the process returns to step S3, and if the “OK key” (confirmation key 1-2) is operated, the step The process proceeds to S5 (step S4).
[0041]
When the “OK key” is operated in step S 4, the CPU 6 sequentially sends the image numbers of the selected images held in the work memory 13 to the memory card reading unit 3, the USB interface 4 or the near field communication data receiving unit 5. The main image data (compressed image data) corresponding to the image number is fetched from the memory card or the external imaging device, and when the main image data is fetched, it is stored in the work memory 13 and the compressed image expansion program is started. The main image data stored in the work memory 13 is decompressed and stored in a main image data storage area (not shown) of the work memory 13 (step S5).
[0042]
Next, the CPU 6 passes control to the advertisement normalization processing unit 10. The advertisement normalization processing unit 10 reproduces and searches the main image from the decompressed main image data, checks whether there is an advertisement image in the main image, and transitions to step S7 if there is an advertisement image. If no advertisement image is included, the process proceeds to step S9 (step S6).
[0043]
The advertisement normalization processing unit 10 extracts an advertisement image from the main image as shown in the example of FIG. 5, and normalizes the extracted advertisement image. In the normalization process, correction of the tilt of the extracted image (image tilt due to the tilt of the subject or camera at the time of shooting) and noise elimination processing were performed in order to compare with the registered advertisement image (comparison image) registered in the database. Thereafter, the extracted image after the processing is performed by size conversion for converting it into a predetermined size. The normalization process is not limited to the above-described method, and may be a known method (step S7).
[0044]
The CPU 6 passes control to the advertisement image comparison unit 11, sequentially compares the extracted normalized image of the advertisement image and the advertisement comparison image registered in the database 12, and matches one of the registered advertisement images (that is, If it is determined that the registered advertisement is shown in the main image), the number of printed sheets of the image is added to the discount number counter, and the process proceeds to step S9. If they do not match, the process simply transitions to step S9. Note that the match determination is determined as a match when the predetermined matching degree is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (for example, a matching rate of 80% or higher) (step S8).
[0045]
The CPU 6 adds the number of prints of this image to the print number counter and the discount number counter (step S9).
[0046]
The CPU 6 activates a charge calculation / display program, calculates a usage charge, a normal charge, and a discount charge, sends the calculation results to the display unit 8, and displays them in the charge display column 112 as shown in the example of FIG. Here, it can be calculated as usage charge = normal charge minus discount charge, normal charge = value of printed sheet counter × unit price, discount charge = value of discount sheet counter × unit price × (1-discount rate). Therefore, when it is determined in step S8 that the advertisement registered in the main image is captured, the usage fee is the discounted usage fee (step S10).
[0047]
The CPU 6 displays a next image selection or print start operation guide (for example, “operate the cross key to select the next image or insert the usage fee and press the print start button”) on the display unit 8. If the user presses the print start button 1-5, the process proceeds to step S12. If the cross key 1-1 is operated, the process returns to step S3 to select the next print image or the like ( Step S11).
[0048]
The CPU 6 checks the input fee amount sent from the fee settlement unit 2, and if it matches the usage fee calculated in step S10, the process proceeds to step S13. Further, when change is required, change is instructed to the fee settlement unit 2, the change is discharged from the change discharge port 2-3, and the process proceeds to step S13. In addition, the charge settlement unit 2 reads the credit member number when the credit card is inserted from the card insertion slot 2-2 and checks whether or not there is a tie-up, and in the case of the partner credit card, the credit member number, use date and time, use The charge, normal charge, discount charge, number of printed sheets, and discounted number are stored in the credit information storage area of the database 12, and if it is not a partner credit card, a message to that effect is displayed to prompt the user to insert cash. When the prepaid card is read, the frequency corresponding to the usage fee is subtracted from the frequency of the prepaid card (step S12).
[0049]
The CPU 6 starts the compression program and sequentially performs the expansion processing of the main image data designated for printing among the main image data stored in the work memory 13, and the number of prints of the image every time the expansion processing for one image is completed. The decompressed image data together with the information is sent to a print image buffer (not shown) of the printer 9 to cause the printer 9 to print the designated number of images. This operation is repeated for all the main image data stored in the work memory 13. When all printing is completed, a value obtained by counting the number of images discounted for each printing date and time (= the number of printed images with advertisements) for each type of advertisement image is stored in the advertisement print image information storage area of the database 12. The process ends (step S13).
[0050]
By the operations shown in S6 to S12 in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the print vendor 100 extracts and normalizes the advertisement image when the advertisement appears in the image designated by the user, and is registered in the database. Compared with the advertisement image, if it matches, the usage fee is discounted, so if the photographer copies the registered advertisement, the printing fee will be reduced, so the photograph of the composition including the signboard advertisement etc. that was excluded from the conventional composition The opportunity to take increases.
[0051]
In addition, since the advertisement print image information is stored in the database 12 in step S13, the print system operator reports the print results of the image on which the advertisement is shown to the installer (advertiser) such as the signboard advertisement. , It can contribute to the acquisition of advertising fees and the conclusion of advertising contracts according to the usage results.
[0052]
In the flowchart of FIG. 7, the thumbnail images are collectively fetched in step S1 and the thumbnail images fetched in step S2 are displayed. However, the thumbnail image is generated on the imaging device side in the operation of step S1. If not, it is possible to add an operation of generating thumbnail images by reducing processing while capturing the main image data, and displaying the thumbnail images generated in step S2.
[0053]
Also, in the above steps S4 to S8, if an advertisement is shown by searching the print designated print image, the image (advertisement image) is extracted and normalized, and compared with the registered advertisement image registered in the database. However, it is configured to display advertisement identification information such as a barcode in a predetermined position in advance on a billboard advertising tower or outdoor advertisement and store the advertisement identification information in a database. In this case, steps S4 to S8 are configured to determine whether or not a discount can be made by comparing the advertisement identification information registered in the database when there is advertisement identification information by searching the print designated print image. be able to.
[0054]
In step S5, the main image data corresponding to the selected print image is captured one image at a time. However, the corresponding main image data may be captured in a batch. In this case, it is desirable that the user can cancel or change the number of printed sheets while viewing the charge display.
[0055]
The advertisement comparison image is not limited to the advertisement image, and may be advertisement text data. For example, the advertisement image is extracted from the image data captured in step S5 in FIG. 7 and normalized in step S7, and is then subjected to character recognition processing. The advertisement text registered in the database in step S8 It can also be configured to compare with data. Thereby, for example, if the captured image data includes the characters “00 cola” and the text data to be compared also has “00 cola”, the discount service can be received.
[0056]
Further, although an example is shown in which the calculation in step S10 is as follows: discount fee = value of discounted number counter × unit price × (1−discount rate), it is not limited to this. For example, discount calculation may increase the number of printable sheets when an advertisement is shown. In other words, the number of free prints may be increased according to the number of advertisements that have been shown, such as printing 11 sheets at a charge of 10 sheets. Further, a point card may be issued and points may be added according to the number of advertisements that have been shown. In this case, if a point is accumulated to some extent, it is exchanged for a cash voucher or the point amount is discounted from the advertising fee.
[0057]
<Second embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the example in which the database 12 is provided in the print vendor 100 has been described. However, the external information processing connected via the network without providing the database to the print vendor 100 via the network. The apparatus can be configured to include a database having the same data configuration as the database 12.
[0058]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of another embodiment of the print system with an advertisement discount function according to the present invention. In the print system 400, a plurality of print vendors 200 are connected to a server 250 via a communication network 50 such as the Internet. Become.
[0059]
Here, the print vendor 200 adds the network interface 14 including the network data transmission / reception unit and the communication control program (stored in the program storage memory 7) to the configuration of the print vendor 100 in FIG. ing. The server 250 is connected to each print vendor 200 via the database 255 and the network 50 having the same data structure as the database 12 of FIG. In addition, a data transmission / reception unit 251 that transmits and receives data is provided.
[0060]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation after the image normalization processing by the print system with the advertisement discount function in FIG. 8, and the operations of steps T1 to T7 (not shown) during the operation on the print vendor 200 side. Is the same as the operation in steps S1 to S7 in FIG. Further, it is assumed that the print vendor 200 operates a communication control program at the time of startup, establishes a connection with the network 50, and is always connected to the network 50 within a predetermined time. In addition, you may make it always connect.
[0061]
(Operation after normalization)
When the normalized image of the main image corresponding to the image selected by the print vendor 200 is generated in step T7 (= step S7 in FIG. 7), the CPU 6 of the print vendor 200 sends the “comparison image transmission request” data to the network 50. To the server 250 (step T8).
[0062]
When the server 250 receives the comparison image transmission request from the print vendor 200 via the data transmission / reception unit 251, the server 250 reads out the advertisement comparison image registered from the database 255, and outputs one image at a predetermined timing via the data transmission / reception unit 251. Transmission is made to the print vendor 200 that is the transmission request source (of course, all advertisement images may be transmitted at once, or may be transmitted to some extent). If no registered advertisement image to be transmitted is stored in the database 50, that is, if the advertisement comparison image is completed, “comparison image end notification” data is transmitted to the print vendor 200 that is the transmission request source (step T9).
[0063]
When the print vendor 200 receives the registered advertisement image and the registered image number from the server 250, the print vendor 200 compares the received registered advertisement image with the normalized image of the extracted advertisement image and matches (that is, the registered advertisement is registered in the main image). If it is determined that the image is captured), the number of printed sheets of the image is added to the discount number counter, and the process proceeds to step T11. If they do not match, control is returned to step T 8 and “next comparison image transmission request” data is transmitted to the server 250 via the network 50. When “comparison image end notification” data is received from the server 250, the process proceeds to step T11 (step T10).
[0064]
The CPU 6 adds the number of prints of this image to the print number counter and the discount number counter (step T11).
[0065]
The CPU 6 activates a charge calculation / display program, calculates a usage charge, a normal charge, and a discount charge, sends the calculation results to the display unit 8, and displays them in the charge display column 112 as shown in the example of FIG. T12).
[0066]
The CPU 6 displays the next image selection or print start operation guidance image on the display unit 8 to prompt the user to perform an operation. When the user presses the print start button 1-5, the process proceeds to step T14, and the cross key 1-1 is operated. In this case, in order to select the next print image or the like, the process returns to step T3 (image selection print number designation operation similar to step S3 in FIG. 7: not shown) (step T13).
[0067]
The user can settle the fee with cash, a prepaid card or a credit card. Therefore, the CPU 6 checks the signal from the fee settlement unit 2 to determine the user's payment method, and when the user has settled with cash or a prepaid card, the CPU 6 proceeds to step T17 and tries to pay with a credit card. In this case, the process proceeds to step T15 (step T14).
[0068]
In the case of payment by credit card, the CPU 6 sends the credit member number, usage date, usage fee, normal fee, discount fee, number of copies printed, and the number of printed copies and the identification number of the print vendor to the server 250 via the network. Then, the process proceeds to Step T16. (Step T15).
[0069]
When the server 250 receives the credit transaction information and the print vendor identification number from the print vendor 200, the server 250 checks whether or not there is a tie-up based on the credit member number, and in the case of a tie-up credit card, the received credit information is printed in the database 255. The credit transaction information storage area allocated corresponding to the vendor identification number is stored, and a credit transaction information reception notification is transmitted to the print vendor 200 of the credit information transmission source via the network 50, and the process proceeds to step T18. If the credit card is not an affiliated credit card, a credit information non-acceptance notification is transmitted to the print vendor 200 that is the credit information transmission source via the network 50, and the process proceeds to step T18 (step T16).
[0070]
The CPU 6 checks the input fee amount sent from the fee settlement unit 2, and if it matches the usage fee calculated in step T12, the process proceeds to step T18. Further, when change is required, change is instructed to the charge settlement unit 2, the change is discharged from the change discharge port 2-3, and the process proceeds to Step T18. When the prepaid card is read, the frequency corresponding to the usage fee is subtracted from the frequency of the prepaid card, and the process proceeds to step T18 (step T17).
[0071]
The print vendor 200 transitions to step T19 when the charge collection unit 2 confirms the charge collection or receives the credit information reception notification from the server 250. When a credit information non-acceptance notification is received, a message indicating that the credit card is not a partner credit card is displayed, and cash input is prompted to return to step T14 (step T18).
[0072]
The CPU 6 of the print vendor 200 activates the compression program and sequentially performs the expansion processing of the main image data designated for printing out of the main image data stored in the work memory 13, and each time the expansion processing for one image ends. The decompressed image data is sent to the print image buffer (not shown) of the printer 9 together with the image print number information, and the printer 9 prints the specified number of images. This operation is repeated for the main image data stored in the work memory 13. When all printing is finished, the number of images discounted for each printing date and time (= number of printed images with advertisements) includes advertisement image type information (= registered image number) and a value obtained by counting advertisement images for each type. The advertisement print image information and the print vendor identification number are transmitted to the server 250 via the Internet 50 (step T19).
[0073]
When the server 250 receives the advertisement print image information and the print vendor identification number from the print vendor 200 via the Internet 50, the server 250 associates the advertisement print image information and the print vendor identification number and stores them in the database 255 (step T20).
[0074]
By the operation of the flowchart of FIG. 9, the database in which the advertisement image is registered can be shared by a plurality of print vendors, and the database can be easily updated. Further, since the usage status of each print vendor is recorded on the server side, it is not necessary to extract and collect data from the database of each print vendor as in the first embodiment.
[0075]
In the case of using a credit card, the credit information is recorded on the server side in step T15, so that the credit company can be inquired about the credit status and charged for the usage fee via the network.
[0076]
In addition, since the advertisement print image information is stored on the server side in the above step T18, the operator of the print system collects the print results of the image on which the advertisement is shown via the network and installs the signer advertisement or the like (the advertiser ) And can contribute to the acquisition of advertising fees and the conclusion of advertising contracts according to the usage results. In addition, since the advertisement image printing usage status can be edited and viewed on the server side, in this case, each advertiser can also browse its own advertising image printing usage status via the network.
[0077]
As a modification of the present embodiment, each print vendor 200 is also provided with a database (12) that stores comparison images (registered advertisement images), and the normalized advertisement image and comparison image in step T10 are used. The comparison is performed on the print vendor 200 side in the same manner as the operation in step S8 in the flowchart of FIG. 7 (first embodiment), and in the case of version upgrade, means for timely transmitting update data to the print vendor to the server 50 ( For example, the database (12) may be updated by providing a version upgrade program. With such a configuration, it is not necessary to use a network at the time of comparison, so that time can be shortened and communication costs can be saved. In this case, the comparison image reception determination and comparison image end notification reception determination operations in steps T8, T9, and T10 in the flowchart of FIG. 9 are not necessary.
Also in this embodiment, the advertisement comparison image is not limited to the advertisement image as in the first embodiment, and may be advertisement text data. Further, although an example in which the discount calculation in step T12 is calculated as discount charge = value of discounted number counter × unit price × (1−discount rate) is not limited to this, in the case of the first embodiment (step of FIG. 7) As in S10), the discount calculation may increase the number of printable sheets when an advertisement is shown, or issue a point card.
[0078]
<Third embodiment>
In the second embodiment, each print vendor 200 includes the advertisement image normalization unit 10 and the advertisement image comparison unit 11, and is configured to perform normalization processing and comparison processing on the print vendor side. A normalization unit and an advertisement image comparison unit may be provided, and normalization processing and comparison processing may be performed on the server side.
[0079]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of another embodiment of a print system with an advertisement discount function according to the present invention. In the print system 500, a plurality of print vendors 300 are connected to a server 350 via a communication network 50 such as the Internet. Become.
[0080]
10, the server 350 includes an advertisement image normalization unit 351 and an advertisement image comparison unit 352, and also includes a database 355 having the same data configuration as the database 255 of FIG. In addition, it replaces with the advertisement image normalization part 351 and the advertisement image comparison part 352, the advertisement image normalization program which performs normalization of an advertisement image, and the advertisement image comparison program which performs a coincidence determination with the normalized advertisement image and a comparison image May be stored in a program storage memory (not shown) of the server 350 and executed in a timely manner. The server 350 also includes a data transmission / reception unit 353 that transmits and receives data.
[0081]
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the circuit configuration of the print vendor 300 shown in FIG. 10. The print vendor 300 includes an operation unit 1, a charge settlement unit 2, a memory card reading unit 3, a USB interface 4, A distance communication data receiving unit 5, a CPU 6, a program storage memory 7, a display unit 8, a printer 9, a work memory 13, and a network interface 14 are provided.
[0082]
Here, the configuration of the print vendor 300 is obtained by removing the advertisement image normalization unit 10, the advertisement image comparison unit 11, and the database 12 from the configuration of the print vendor 100 shown in FIG. 2, and adding a network interface 14 including a network data transmission / reception unit. It is composed. The program storage memory 7 stores a communication control program.
[0083]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the operation after image capture by the print system with the advertisement discount function in FIG. 10. During the operation on the print vendor 300 side, the operations of steps U1 to U4 (not shown) are as shown in FIG. The operations after Steps S1 to S4 are the same, and the operations after Step U14 are the same as the operations after Step T12 of FIG.
[0084]
Further, it is assumed that the print vendor 300 moves the communication control program at the time of startup, establishes a connection with the network 50, and is always connected to the network 50 within a predetermined time.
[0085]
(Operation after importing this image data)
When an image is selected in step U4 (= step S4 in FIG. 7) (when the “OK key” is operated), the CPU 6 sequentially selects the image number of the selected image held in the work memory 13 in the memory card. The image data is sent to the reading unit 3, the USB interface 4 or the near field communication data receiving unit 5, and main image data (compressed image data) corresponding to the image number is captured from the memory card or the external imaging device (step U5).
[0086]
When the print vendor 300 fetches the main image data in step U5, the CPU 6 transmits the main image data and the identification number of the print vendor 300 to the server 350 via the network 50 (step U6).
[0087]
When the server 350 receives the main image data and the identification number of the print vendor 300 from the print vendor 300 via the data transmission / reception unit 353, the server 350 passes control to the advertisement normalization processing unit 351. The advertisement normalization processing unit 351 reproduces the main image based on the main image data obtained by expanding the main image data subjected to the expansion processing (Step U7).
[0088]
Next, the advertisement normalization processing unit 351 searches the reproduction image to check whether or not there is an advertisement image in the image. If there is an advertisement image, the process proceeds to step U9. If no advertisement image is included, the process proceeds to step U12 (step U8).
[0089]
The advertisement normalization processing unit 351 extracts an advertisement image from the main image, normalizes the extracted advertisement image by performing inclination correction, noise elimination, size conversion, and the like of the extracted advertisement image (step U9).
[0090]
Next, the server 50 passes control to the advertisement image comparison unit 352, sequentially compares the extracted normalized image of the advertisement image with the advertisement image registered in the database 355, and selects one of the registered advertisement comparison images. If it is determined that they match, the process proceeds to step U11. If they do not match, the process proceeds to step U12 (step U10).
[0091]
When the coincidence determination is made, the server 350 transmits the comparison result, for example, “advertisement image presence notification” data to the print vendor 300 of the transmission source of the main image data via the data transmission / reception unit 353 and the network 50 (step U11). .
[0092]
Further, when the advertisement is not shown and when the mismatch is determined, the comparison result, for example, the “advertisement image non-existence notification” data is sent via the data transmission / reception unit 353 and the network 50 to the print vendor of the transmission source of the main image data. It transmits to 300 (step U12).
[0093]
When receiving the “advertisement image presence notification” data from the server 350 on the print vendor 300 side that is the main image transmission source, the CPU 6 adds the number of printed sheets of the image to the discount number counter, and then proceeds to step U14. Further, upon receiving the “advertisement image non-existence notification” data from the server 350, the CPU 6 adds the number of prints of this image to the print number counter and then proceeds to step U14 (step U13). The following operations are the same as those after step T12 in FIG.
[0094]
With the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, if there is an apparatus that reads general-purpose image data as a print vendor, discount printing of images can be performed anywhere, and an increase in users can be expected. The image printing business can be established for the images captured in the above.
[0095]
Also in this embodiment, the advertisement comparison image is not limited to the advertisement image as in the first embodiment, and may be advertisement text data.
[0096]
As mentioned above, although one Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said Example, It cannot be overemphasized that various deformation | transformation implementation is possible.
[0097]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, the image printing apparatus of the first invention and2nd, 3rdAccording to the image printing system of the invention, when the image printing apparatus captures an image from the external storage unit, the printing fee is discounted when the advertising information shown in the photograph (image) is the advertising information of the contracted advertiser. Therefore, since the printing fee is reduced if the registered advertisement is copied, the user has an opportunity to take a photograph in which an advertisement such as a billboard advertisement that has been excluded from the conventional composition is included in the composition. In addition, the increase in the number of photographs in which the image composition is arranged for the operator of the image print system is expected to increase the opportunities for the user to use the image print system. You can earn money from your advertising fees and printing costs and contribute to your profit. Advertisers are also expected to benefit from advertising effects as the number of printed photos (images) with advertising information in the composition increases, so that even if they pay an advertising fee to the operator of the image printing system, it will be profitable. Therefore, an increase in the number of advertisers who contract with image print system operators can be expected.Further, since the advertisement image is extracted from the image and normalized, an advertisement with a different size such as a signboard advertisement or an advertisement image that is tilted and a comparison image stored in the advertisement information storage means are displayed. Can be compared.
[0099]
  Also,SecondAccording to the image print system of the invention, the advertisement image for version upgrade can be stored on the server side, and the stored contents of the advertisement comparison image storage means of the image printing apparatus can be updated through the network as appropriate. There is no hassle of updating. Further, since it is not necessary to use a network for comparison, time can be shortened and communication costs can be saved.
[0100]
  Also,ThirdAccording to the image printing system of the invention, since the server is provided with the advertisement information storage means in which the advertisement information for comparison is registered, the advertisement information storage means of the server can be shared by a plurality of image printing apparatuses, and the image printing apparatus side Then, since it is only necessary to discount the usage fee based on the comparison result from the server and print the image, the function and configuration of the image printing apparatus can be simplified.
[0101]
  Also,4thImage printing method of the invention and5thAccording to the image print program of the invention, when the advertisement information shown in the photograph (image) is the advertisement information of the contracted advertiser, the printing fee is discounted. Therefore, since the printing fee is reduced if the user copies the advertisement, the user has an opportunity to take a photograph in which an advertisement such as a billboard advertisement which has been excluded from the conventional composition is included in the composition. Further, it is expected that the opportunity for the user to use the image print system will increase due to an increase in the number of photographs in which advertisements are composed for the operator of the image print system. For advertisers, it is expected that the greater the number of prints of photographs (images) that include advertisement information in the composition, the greater the advertising effect.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of an embodiment of a print system with an advertisement discount function according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of the print system illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an example of an image selection / fee display screen displayed on the display unit.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main image in which an advertisement is shown.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of extracting an advertisement image extracted from a main image by an advertisement image normalization unit.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an advertisement image after normalization by an advertisement image normalization unit.
7 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of an image printing operation by advertisement discount in the printing system with an advertisement discount function in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of another embodiment of the print system with an advertisement discount function of the present invention.
9 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation after image normalization processing by the print system with an advertisement discount function in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of another embodiment of a print system with an advertisement discount function of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration of the print vendor illustrated in FIG. 10;
12 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of an operation after image capture by the print system with an advertisement discount function of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
6 CPU (fee calculation means)
10 Advertising image normalization unit (advertisement information extraction means, normalization means)
11 Advertising image comparison part (comparison means)
12 database (advertising information storage means)
14 Network interface (advertisement information receiving means, image data transmitting means, comparison result receiving means)
40 images (image data, advertising information, advertising images)
42 Billboard advertisement (advertising information)
43 Normalized image (advertising information, advertising image)
50 network
100 Print vendor (image printing device)
200, 300 Print vendor (image printing device)
250, 350 servers
251 Data transmission / reception unit (advertisement information transmission means)
255 database (advertisement information storage means)
351 Advertising image normalization unit (advertisement information extraction means, normalization means)
352 Advertising image comparison unit (comparison means)
353 Data transmitter / receiver (image data receiving means, comparison result transmitting means)
355 database (advertising information storage means)
400, 500 (Image printing system)

Claims (5)

In an image printing apparatus that captures image data stored in an external storage device and prints out an image,
And advertisement information storing means for storing the advertisement information is image,
Advertising information extracting means for extracting advertising information which is an advertising image from the captured image data;
Normalization means for normalizing the advertisement information that is the advertisement image;
Comparison means for comparing the advertisement information extracted by the advertisement information extraction means with the advertisement information stored in the advertisement information storage means;
An image printing apparatus comprising: charge calculation means for performing a discount calculation of a print charge based on a comparison result by the comparison means. In an image printing system including an image printing apparatus that captures image data stored and stored in an external storage device connected via a network and prints an image, and a server,
The server
And advertisement information storing means for storing the advertisement information is image,
Advertisement information transmitting means for transmitting the advertisement information stored in the advertisement information storage means to the image printing apparatus,
The image printing apparatus includes:
Advertising information extracting means for extracting advertising information which is an advertising image from the captured image data;
Normalization means for normalizing the advertisement information that is the advertisement image;
Advertisement information receiving means for receiving advertisement information stored in the advertisement information storage means from the server via the network;
A comparison means for comparing the advertisement information extracted by the advertisement information extraction means with the received advertisement information;
An image print system comprising charge calculation means for performing a discount calculation of a print charge based on a comparison result by the comparison means. In an image printing system including an image printing apparatus that captures image data stored and stored in an external storage device connected via a network and prints an image, and a server,
The server
And advertisement information storing means for storing the advertisement information is image,
Image data receiving means for receiving image data transmitted from the image printing apparatus via the network;
Advertising information extracting means for extracting advertising information which is an advertising image from the received image data;
Normalization means for normalizing the advertisement information that is the advertisement image;
A comparison means for comparing the advertisement information extracted by the advertisement information extraction means with the received advertisement information;
A comparison result transmission means for transmitting a comparison result by the comparison means to the image printing apparatus via the network,
The image printing apparatus includes:
Image data transmitting means for transmitting the captured image data to the server via the network;
A comparison result receiving means for receiving a comparison result transmitted from the server;
An image print system comprising charge calculation means for performing a discount calculation of a print charge based on the received comparison result. Capturing image data stored and stored in an external storage unit;
Printing the captured image data;
Extracting advertising information that is an advertising image from the captured image data;
Normalizing the extracted advertisement information;
Comparing the normalized advertisement information with advertisement information that is a pre-stored image ;
And a step of calculating a printing fee discount based on the comparison result. Capturing image data stored in an external storage unit;
Printing the captured image data;
Extracting advertisement information that is an advertisement image from the captured image data;
Normalizing the extracted advertising information;
Comparing the normalized advertisement information with advertisement information that is a prestored image ;
And a step of performing a discount calculation of a printing fee based on the comparison result.

Images