JP2002041632A - Device and method for ordering image print - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To relatively easily place a print order for an image. SOLUTION: An order window W1 is displayed on the display device of a computer accessible to a printer server. The order window W1 includes an area A11 for displaying user information such as an address and an area A12 for checking, the number of prints. A new window is opened and an image to be printed is designated. When image designation is finished, data representing image data user information for representing the designated image are transmitted to the printer server. The image can be ordered by using necessary minimum windows.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image print ordering apparatus and method, and a recording medium storing a program for controlling a computer of the image print ordering apparatus.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is a service for accessing a server using a client computer, transmitting image data from the client computer to the server, and printing the image on the server. In such services, input of various information such as input of orderer name, selection of images to be printed, specification of the number of prints, specification of print size, specification of receiving method of printed images, specification of payment method, etc. Is necessary. In order to input such information, windows for inputting respective information are sequentially opened on the display screen of the display device of the client computer in accordance with the information, and the corresponding information is displayed for each window. Input etc.

[0003] However, it is relatively difficult for a user unfamiliar with computer operations to open windows one after another and input information. Also, it is relatively troublesome for a user who is accustomed to operating a computer to open windows one after another and input information.

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to make it possible to order an image print relatively easily.

[0005] An image ordering apparatus according to the present invention comprises an orderer information input means for inputting orderer information, a print number information input means for inputting information relating to the number of printed images, and an orderer input by the orderer information input means. First display control means for controlling the display device to display an image print order window including an orderer information display area for displaying information and a print number information display area for displaying the information on the number of prints to be printed; Print image designating means for designating an image, image data representing an image designated by the print image designating means, data representing orderer information inputted by the orderer information inputting means, and input by the print quantity information inputting means Data representing the information on the Characterized in that it comprises means for transmitting in association with the printer server.

[0006] The present invention also provides a method suitable for the above apparatus. That is, this method includes an orderer information display area for inputting orderer information and information on the number of prints of an image and displaying the input orderer information and a print number information display area for displaying the information on the number of prints. An image print order window is displayed on the display screen of the display device, an image to be printed is designated, image data representing the designated image, data representing input orderer information, and data representing information on the number of prints. Are transmitted to the printer server in association with each other.

The present invention also provides a recording medium storing a program for controlling a computer of an image print ordering apparatus.

According to the present invention, the image print order window is displayed on the display screen of the display device. The image print order window includes the orderer information display area and the print quantity information display area. The orderer information input by the orderer information input means is displayed in the orderer information display area. The information on the number of prints input by the print number information input means is displayed in a print number information display area.

When an image to be printed is designated, image data representing the designated image, data representing the input orderer information and data representing the number of prints are transmitted from the image print ordering apparatus to the printer server. Sent.

[0010] When the data transmitted from the image print ordering apparatus is received by the printer server, the image represented by the received image data is printed by the number of prints known from the information on the number of prints. . The printed matter obtained by the printing is delivered by mail or the like to the orderer known based on the orderer information.

According to the present invention, the image print order window includes the orderer information display area and the print quantity information display area. Therefore,
The orderer information and information on the number of prints can be input by simply opening one window, and the input orderer information and information on the number of prints are displayed in the orderer information display area and the number of prints information display area. Can be. The orderer information and the number of prints can be input without opening a plurality of windows. The operation is relatively simple even for a user who is unfamiliar with computer operations.

The orderer information includes, for example, the orderer's name, address, telephone number, facsimile number, e-mail,
There are addresses. In short, any information can be used as long as it can identify the orderer.

It is preferable that a check box corresponding to the number of prints is provided in the print number information display area. The print number information input means is for the check
Checking the box will input information about the number of prints.

Just by checking the check box, the number of prints can be input. Even if the user is unfamiliar with the operation of the computer, inputting the number of prints becomes relatively easy.

[0015] A destination designation unit for designating a destination of a printed matter of an image represented by the image data transmitted to the printer server, and information on the destination designated by the destination designation unit is transmitted to the image print server. It is preferable that the display device further includes a second display control unit that controls the display device so as to display the order in the order window.

The display device is controlled so that the payment method designating means for designating the payment method of the printing fee and the information on the payment method designated by the payment method designating means are displayed in the image print order window. A third display control means may be further provided.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention and shows an outline of an image ordering system.

The image ordering system comprises a client computer 1 and a printer server 20 which can communicate with each other via a network such as the Internet.

It is needless to say that a mobile phone capable of accessing the printer server 20 may be used instead of the client computer 1 as long as the printer server 20 can be accessed.

When the client computer 1 accesses the printer server 20, a window for ordering image printing is displayed on the display screen of the display device of the client computer 1. The user inputs information for ordering while looking at the window for ordering. The input information for the order and the image data representing the image to be printed are transmitted from the client computer 1 to the printer server 20. In the printer server 20, the image is printed. The printed matter obtained by printing is mailed to the user's home according to the user's specification. The details will be clear from the description below.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the client computer 1.

The entire operation of the client computer 1 is controlled by the computer 2 including the internal memory 10.

The client computer 1 has the above-mentioned order window and other windows, a display device 3 for displaying images and the like, a printer 4 for printing images and the like, a printer server 20 via a network.
And a keyboard and mouse 6 for inputting various commands and the like.

Further, the client computer 1 has an FD drive 7 for writing data on an FD (floppy disk) and reading data written on the FD, and a CD-ROM (compact disk-read only). CD-ROM drive 8 for reading data written in memory 11 and H
An HD unit 9 for writing data to D (hard disk) and reading data written to HD is included.

As will be described later, without downloading a program for ordering printing of an image from the printer server 20,
It may be stored in the CD-ROM 11 and read by the CD-ROM drive 8.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the image print ordering process performed in the client computer 1. 4 to 6 show examples of windows displayed on the display screen of the display device 3 of the client computer 1. FIG.

The client computer 1 accesses the printer server 20 via the network. Then, a program for ordering image printing is transmitted from the printer server 20 to the client computer 1.

In the client computer 1,
When the program for image print order transmitted from the printer server 20 is received, an order window W1 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display screen of the display device 3 of the client computer 1 (step 31). . This order window W1 is used by a user of the client computer 1 to order an image print.

The order window W1 includes the following areas.

Upload area A10: order window W
The information is input by the user and image data representing an image to be printed is transmitted from the client computer 1 to the printer server 20 by the user.

User information display area A11: An area for displaying information of a user who places an image print order, and the like. When the area A11 is clicked by the mouse 6, input can be performed. The user information includes the user's last name, user's name, user's address, user's postal code, and user's telephone number. When these pieces of user information are input, they are displayed in the area corresponding to the user information display area A11.

Image print service display area A12: An area for displaying the number of prints. For image printing,
So-called genuine prints (for example, those that print images using regular print paper of a company that provides image print services) and so-called low-cost prints (for example, those of companies that provide image print services) That prints an image on paper other than regular print paper). The image print / service display area A12 includes an area A13 for displaying the number of genuine prints and an area A14 for displaying the number of inexpensive prints.

In a genuine print number display area A13, a check box b11 to be checked when ordering one set of all the designated images in a size of 4 × 6 plates as described later, 4 of all images
A check box b12 that is checked when ordering two sets of prints in the size of a × 6 plate, a check box that is checked when ordering a print in a size of 4 × 6 by specifying the number of designated images. Box b13 is included. Similarly, a check box b21 is checked when one set of all designated images is ordered in a 3 × 5 size, and all designated images are 2 × 3 × 5 size. It includes a check box b22 that is checked when ordering a set print, and a check box b23 that is checked when ordering a print of 3 × 5 size by designating the designated number of images.

In the low-cost print number display area A14, a check box b31 to be checked when ordering one set of all designated images in 4 × 6 size, and all designated images to 4 × 6 size 2
Check box b32, which is checked when ordering a set print, specifying the number of designated images, 4 ×
A check box b33 that is checked when ordering prints in the size of six plates is included. Similarly,
Check box b41, which is checked when ordering one set of all specified images in a 3 × 5 size, ordering two sets of all specified images in a 3 × 5 size. A check box b42 to be checked at time is included, and a check box b43 to be checked when ordering a print of 3 × 5 size by designating the designated number of images is included.

By checking any of the check boxes b11 to b43 included in the image print service display area A12, it is possible to confirm that the designation of the image to be printed has been completed and to roughly confirm the number of prints. it can.

Other image service display area A15: For specifying a service other than the image print order. This display area A15 includes check boxes b51 and b52. The check box b51 is checked when selecting a service for storing image data representing a specified image on a CD. When the designated image is published on the web, the check box b52 is checked. The other image service display area A15 also includes a check box b53 that indicates whether a payment method has already been specified and a check box b54 that indicates whether a print reception method has already been specified. .

When the user information display area A11 of the order window W1 is clicked on with the mouse 6 and the user information can be entered, the user of the client computer 1 uses the keyboard 6 to enter the user's last name, first name, address, The zip code and telephone number are entered (step 32). When the user information is input, the input user information is displayed in an area corresponding to the user information display area A11.

When the user information is input, an unchecked check box among the check boxes b11 to b43 included in the image print service display area A12 is clicked by the mouse 6. Then, an image designation window W2 is displayed on the display screen of the display device 3 of the client computer 1 as shown in FIG.

The image specification window W2 includes the following areas.

Next area A21: An area clicked by the user when designation of an image is completed. When clicked, the next window appears on the display screen of the display device 3.

Close area A22: An area clicked by the user when closing the window W2.

Cancel area A23: An area clicked by the user when canceling all image designations as described later.

Directory display area A24: An area for displaying a directory structure of the client computer 1. The icon of the folder and the folder name are displayed in the display area A24 according to the directory structure. By clicking an icon or folder name of one of the folders, a thumbnail image of an image represented by the image data stored in the clicked folder is displayed in a thumbnail image list display area A25 described later. Become. In FIG. 5, the icon and folder name of the clicked folder are surrounded by a broken line.

Thumbnail image list display area A25: An area for displaying a list of thumbnail images of the images represented by the image data stored in the clicked folder. Each thumbnail image display area A26 has a thumbnail image,
A file name A27 of the image corresponding to the thumbnail image and a check box b61 are included. When the check box b61 is checked by the mouse 6, an image corresponding to the checked thumbnail image is specified.

Selected image display area A28: When a thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail image list display area A25 is clicked, an image corresponding to the clicked thumbnail image is displayed. Further, the clicked thumbnail image becomes darker than other thumbnail images to indicate that it has been clicked (indicated by hatching in FIG. 5). Selected image display area A
Since the size of the image displayed in 28 is larger than the thumbnail image, the details of the image can be confirmed.

As described above, by checking the check box b61 in the thumbnail image display area A26 displayed in the thumbnail image list display area A25,
The image to be printed is selected. When an image to be printed is selected, the user proceeds to the next area A
21 is clicked. Then, a print number input window W3 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display screen of the display device 3.

The area displayed in the print number input window W3 is the check box b11 displayed in the image print service display area A12 of the order window W1.
It changes depending on which check box is checked out of to b43. Check box b11, b1
When 2, b21, b22, b31, b32, b41 or b42 is checked, one or two sets of designated images are printed, so the number of sheets is input to the print number input window W3 as described later. Boxes b71 and b72 are not displayed. In this case, the print number input window W3 will be positioned as a window for image confirmation. When the check box b13, b23, b33 or b43 is checked, the print number input window W
3 includes each area described later.

The print number input window W3 includes the following areas.

Image display area A31: image designation window W
2 is an area for displaying the image specified. The number of areas corresponding to the number of designated images is displayed.

Below the image display area A31, a first number input box b71 and a second number input box b72 are provided.
Is displayed. By clicking on any of the number input boxes b71 and b72, the number can be input. The first number input box b71 is
This is for inputting the number of 4 × 6 plates. The second number input box b72 is for inputting the number of 3 × 5 plates.

End area A32: An area clicked by the user when input of the number of sheets is completed.

Return area A33: An area clicked by the user when displaying the previous window W2.

Cancel area A34: An area clicked by the user when canceling all the sheets input by the user.

When the designation of the image is completed in the image designation window W2 and the input of the number of prints is completed in the number-of-prints input window W3, the selection process of the image to be printed is completed (step 33).

When the process of selecting images to be printed is completed, only the order window W1 is displayed on the display screen of the display device 3, as shown in FIG. The check box checked to display the image designation window W2 on the display screen is checked.

Referring to FIG. 4, check box b53 of order window W1 is clicked. Then, a new window for designating the payment method appears on the display screen of the display device 3 in the same manner as described above. The user
Using the newly appearing window, specify whether to pay the print fee in cash or using a credit card. When the payment method is specified and the new window is closed, the check box b53 is checked. It is understood that the payment method has been specified (step 34).

Next, check the order window W1.
Box b54 is clicked. Then, a new window for designating the method of receiving the printed matter appears on the display screen of the display device 3 in the same manner as described above. The user uses the new window to specify whether to receive the printed matter by mail or to go to a nearby photo shop. When the specification of the receiving method is completed and the new window is closed, the check box b54 is checked. It is found that the receiving method has been specified (step 35).

Further, if necessary, the order window W
The 1 check box b51 or b52 is checked. When the check box b51 is checked, an instruction to store the image data representing the image selected as described above on the CD is also issued to the client computer 1.
To the printer server 20. When the check box b52 is checked, an instruction to publish the image selected as described above on the web is transmitted from the client computer 1 to the printer server 20. The image is published on the web.

When the designation of the image, the designation of the payment method, and the designation of the receiving method are completed as described above, the upload area A10 is clicked by the user (step S10).
36). The image file storing the image data representing the designated image and the related information file storing the user information, the number of prints, the payment method, the data indicating the receiving method, etc. are linked to each other and transmitted to the printer server 20 ( Step 37).

When the printer server 20 receives the image file and the related information file transmitted from the client computer 1, the image represented by the image data stored in the image file is stored in the related information file. The printing is performed for the number of prints represented by the print number data. The printed matter obtained in this way is mailed to the user's home, a photo shop designated by the user, or the like based on the data indicating the receiving method. The user can receive a print of the specified image.

The user can specify the outline of the order simply by looking at the order window W1 as shown in FIG. It is possible to place an order for printing an image only by opening the minimum necessary number of windows without successively opening windows. Further, the order window W1 described above is similar to a so-called DPE bag used when developing a conventional photographic film, so that the operation method is not relatively difficult.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an outline of an image ordering system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a client computer.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an image print ordering process.

FIG. 4 is an example of a window displayed on a display device of a client computer.

FIG. 5 is an example of a window displayed on the display device of the client computer.

FIG. 6 is an example of a window displayed on the display device of the client computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Client computer 2 Computer 3 Display device 5 Modem 20 Printer server

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 3/00 651 G06F 3/00 651A H04N 5/76 H04N 5/76 EF term (Reference) 2H106 BA23 BA42 BA55 BA58 BA95 5B049 BB00 CC05 DD01 EE07 FF03 GG00 5C052 AA01 AA11 AC08 DD08 EE02 EE03 FA03 FA04 FA05 FA06 FA07 FA09 FB01 FB05 5E501 AA01 AC25 BA05 CA02 CB02 CB09 EA05 EA14 FA04 FA06 FA23

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Orderer information input means for inputting orderer information, print number information input means for inputting information on the number of printed images, and an orderer for displaying orderer information input by the orderer information input means. First display control means for controlling a display device to display an image print order window including an information display area and a print number information display area for displaying information on the number of prints, a print image designating an image to be printed Specifying means, image data representing an image designated by the print image designating means, data representing orderer information inputted by the orderer information inputting means, and print number information inputted by the print number information inputting means. Data representing information is correlated and sent to the printer server. An image print ordering device provided with a communication means. 2. A check box corresponding to the number of prints is provided in the print number information display area.
2. The image print ordering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said print number information input means inputs information relating to the number of prints by checking said check box. 3. A receiver specifying means for specifying a receiver of a printed matter of an image represented by image data transmitted to the printer server, and information on the receiver specified by the receiver specifying means, 2. The image print ordering apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising second display control means for controlling said display device so as to be displayed in an image print ordering window. 4. A display device for displaying a payment method designating means for designating a payment method of a printing fee and information on a payment method designated by the payment method designating means in the image print order window. 3. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: third display control means for controlling.
An image print ordering device according to item 1. 5. An image including orderer information and information about the number of prints of an image, including an orderer information display area for displaying the input orderer information, and a print number information display area for displaying the information about the number of prints. A print order window is displayed on the display screen of the display device, an image to be printed is specified, and image data representing the specified image, data representing input orderer information, and data representing information on the number of prints are displayed. A method for ordering image prints that is transmitted to the printer server in association with each other. 6. A program for controlling a computer of an image print ordering apparatus, comprising: an orderer information display area for inputting orderer information and information on the number of printed images, and displaying the input orderer information. An image print order window including a print number information display area for displaying information on the number of prints is displayed on a display screen of the display device, an image to be printed is designated, and image data representing the designated image is input. A recording medium storing a program for controlling a computer of an image print ordering apparatus so that data representing orderer information and data representing information on the number of prints are transmitted to a printer server in association with each other.