TWI854019B - Image printing device and image printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is to produce original gift boxes simply and in the desired quantity. The image printing device is equipped with: an input unit for inputting user portraits, a memory unit for storing the unfolded image of the gift box, an editing and processing unit for synthesizing the user portrait on the unfolded image to produce a synthesized image, and a printer for printing the synthesized image on a paper for output. The memory unit is for storing the unfolded images of a plurality of gift boxes of different shapes or sizes. The image printing device is further equipped with: a box selection unit for accepting the selection of the shape or size of the gift box, and the editing and processing unit for synthesizing the user portrait on the unfolded image corresponding to the shape or size of the selected gift box.

Description

Image printing device and image printing method

This invention relates to a portrait printing device and an order acceptance terminal.

When giving gifts to friends, etc., they are often placed in gift boxes. There are cases where gift boxes are commercially available, and there are cases where original gifts are used. Original gift boxes are made by drawing a picture on paper or ordering from a printer.

If you draw the drawings yourself, you can only produce the necessary number of copies, but it is very time-consuming. If you order from a printer, the cost is high, and the minimum batch quantity will be more than the necessary quantity, resulting in wasted costs.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-5840

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent No. 6442924

The present invention is to provide a picture printing device and an order acceptance terminal that can easily produce original gift boxes in the desired quantity.

The image printing device of the present invention comprises: an input unit for inputting a user image, a memory unit for memorizing the unfolded image of the gift box, an editing unit for synthesizing the user image on the unfolded image to produce a synthesized image, and a printer for printing the synthesized image on a paper for output.

The order acceptance terminal of the present invention comprises: an input unit for inputting a user portrait, a memory unit for memorizing the unfolded portrait of the gift box, an editing processing unit for synthesizing the user portrait on the unfolded portrait to produce a synthesized portrait, and a communication unit for sending the synthesized portrait and the printing order to the outside.

According to the present invention, it is possible to produce original gift boxes simply and in the desired quantity.

The following describes the implementation of the present invention based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the hardware structure of the image printing device of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional diagram of the image printing device. This image printing device is capable of producing an original gift box by synthesizing the image input by the user when printing the unfolded image of the gift box on the use paper for output.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the image printing device comprises: a first touch panel 10A, a second touch panel 10B, a data input unit 11, a payment unit 12, a printer 13, a CPU (central processing unit) 14, a disk device (memory unit) 15, and a main memory 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first touch panel 10A and the second touch panel 10B are arranged vertically. The first touch panel 10A is slightly tilted so that the front side is low and the back side is high, so that input operation is easy. The second touch panel 10B is in a state of standing slightly vertically.

The first touch panel 10A and the second touch panel 10B display information including images or accept input of various instructions from the user. For example, the first touch panel 10A displays: a selection screen for inputting image data for the image printing device (for example, use of a memory medium, infrared communication from a portable terminal, or wireless communication from a smart phone), a display screen for notes, a selection screen for images to be combined on the unfolded screen of the gift box, an ordering screen for accepting the designation of the number of prints, a confirmation screen for ordering details or the amount of payment, and other basic operation screens, as well as an editing screen described later.

The data input unit 11 receives input of image data by reading image data (user image) taken by a digital camera or the like from a storage medium storing image data. The data input unit 11 has a data reading device corresponding to various storage media. Furthermore, the data input unit 11 can receive input of image data from a portable terminal through wired communication or wireless communication.

The payment unit 12 has a coin input port 12A, a bill input port 12B, and a change output port 12C disposed on the front side of the housing 1, and recognizes and counts the coins input from the coin input port 12A and the bill input port 12B, and discharges the change from the change output port 12C. The payment unit 12 may also have a checkout function using electronic money. The payment unit 12 may also have a receipt printer that prints the number of sheets, unit price, payment amount, input amount, change amount, etc. on a receipt for output.

The printer 13 is a high-resolution color printer such as a sublimation type or an inkjet type, and prints out images. The printer 13 is housed in a frame 1. As shown in FIG. 2, a transparent opening and closing door 2 is provided on the front side of the frame 1 so as to be freely openable and closable. On the inner side of the opening and closing door 2, an accumulation section (not shown) for accumulating the printed materials output by the printer 13 is provided, and if the opening and closing door 2 is opened, the printed materials accumulated in the accumulation section can be taken out. A plurality of printers 13 can be housed in the frame 1 in accordance with the type of paper used.

The disk device 15 stores: the gift box making program, the control program, the gift box shape data, the unfolding image data, and the editing item data of the stamp, etc. The disk device 15 is, for example, a hard disk drive.

The CPU 14 functions as a control unit for controlling the first touch panel 10A, the second touch panel 10B, the payment unit 12, and the printer 13 by loading the control program in the disk device 15 into the main memory 16 and executing the control program.

In addition, the CPU 14 loads the gift box making program in the disk device 15 into the main memory 16 and executes the gift box making program. With the execution of the gift box making program, as shown in FIG. 3, the functions of the box selection unit 141, the paper type selection unit 142, the shape selection unit 143, the image selection unit 144, the editing processing unit 145 and the printing processing unit 146 can be realized. The processing of each unit is described below.

Next, the image printing method using this image printing device is explained according to the flow chart shown in Figure 4.

If the user operates the touch panel 10A and selects the gift box making mode, the box selection unit 141 will display a box type selection screen for selecting the type of gift box to be made as shown in FIG. 5 on the touch panel 10A. The "sleeve type" shown in FIG. 5 is a strip-shaped sheet wound around a box. The user selects the type of gift box to be made (step S1). The box selection unit 141 accepts the selection of the box type from the user.

The box selection unit 141 displays a box size selection screen for selecting the size of the gift box to be produced on the touch panel 10A as shown in FIG. 6. The user selects the size of the gift box to be produced (step S2). The box selection unit 141 receives the selection of the box size from the user.

The paper type selection unit 142 displays a paper type selection screen for selecting the type of paper to be used as the material of the gift box on the touch panel 10A. For example, the paper to be used is selected from standard paper, paper with a pearl or metallic luster, etc. The user selects the type of paper he wants to use (step S3). The paper type selection unit 142 receives the selection of the paper type from the user. When only one type of paper is prepared, this step is omitted.

The shape selection unit 143 displays a shape selection screen for selecting the shape of the gift box on the touch panel 10A. Various shape data of different colors or shapes are prepared in advance. The shape selection unit 143 uses the shape data and displays a plurality of candidate shapes on the shape selection screen. The user selects a favorite shape (step S4). The shape selection unit 143 receives the shape selection from the user.

The portrait selection unit 144 receives the user's selection of the user portrait to be printed on the gift box (step S5). For example, if the data input unit 11 receives the input of the portrait data from the user, the portrait selection unit displays the portrait list screen input to the first touch panel 10A. The user selects the user portrait to be printed on the gift box from the portrait list.

In the case where only one image is input from the user, the input image may be automatically selected as the image to be printed on the gift box.

The editing processing unit 145 synthesizes the shape selected in step S4 and the user image selected in step S5 on the unfolded image of the gift box corresponding to the box type and box size selected in steps S1 and S2 to create a composite image. The editing processing unit 145 displays an editing screen including a preview of the composite image as shown in FIG. 7 on the touch panel 10A. The user can operate the touch panel 10A to edit (step S6).

For example, the size or position of the user portrait G can be adjusted by pressing button B1. If button B2 is pressed, a text box can be inserted. If button B3 is pressed, a list of stamps is displayed, and the selected stamp can be inserted into the unfolded image of the gift box. In addition, the user portrait that is being synthesized can be edited by trimming.

If the editing process is completed and the actuary process using the payment unit 12 is performed, the printing process unit 146 will transmit the gift box unfolding image data synthesized with the user's portrait to the printer 13 to perform the printing process (step S7). During the actuary process, the number of prints can be specified, and the printer 13 outputs the specified number of prints. When the paper type is selected in step S3, the printer 13 prints the gift box unfolding image on the selected type of paper. From the printer 13, the printed matter P1 and P2 as shown in Figures 8 and 9 are output.

Printed material P1 is printed with an unfolded image of a pillow-shaped gift box. Printed material P2 is printed with an unfolded image of a square (quadrilateral) gift box. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the cutting line (cut-in line) CL is printed as a solid line, and the folding line FL is printed as a dotted line (dashed line). Printed materials P1 and P2 are examples of unfolded images of gift boxes that are printed out. The image printing device has unfolded image data of gift boxes of various shapes other than pillow and square shapes, and the user can choose a favorite style from various types of gift boxes.

The user uses scissors or the like to cut the printed materials P1 and P2 along the cutting lines (cutting lines) CL shown as solid lines. Paste or adhesive is applied to the upper pasting parts R1 and R2, and the gift box is assembled by folding at the folding line FL.

Thereby, it is possible to produce an original gift box printed with a user's portrait in only the desired quantity.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, although the example of the user selecting the box type (shape) or the box size is explained, the box type or the box size can also be automatically selected by the device side according to the items placed in the gift box. For example, a form is prepared in advance to associate various items stored in the gift box with the box type and box size suitable for each item. The box selection unit 141 will display the storage item selection screen as shown in Figure 10 on the touch panel 10A. The user selects the items to be stored in the gift box (items to be given to friends, etc.). The box selection unit 141 refers to the form to select the box type and box size corresponding to the items selected by the user. In this way, the user can make an original gift box that is well matched with the items to be given.

As shown in FIG. 11a, gift box samples (samples) M of various types (shapes) and sizes can also be installed in the frame 1. On the sample M, as shown in FIG. 11b and FIG. 11c, identification information indicating the type or size is marked as coded information C1 or identification number C2. The coded information C1 is a barcode or a two-dimensional code. In the image printing device, data that associates the type or size of the gift box with the identification information is stored in advance.

The user compares the sample M and reads the coded information C1 of the sample M printed on the gift box to be made by the reader installed in the image printing device, or inputs the identification number C2 into the touch panel 10A. The box selection unit 141 selects and determines the type or size of the gift box based on the identification information input through the reader or the touch panel 10A.

The printer 13 can also print the unfolded image of the gift box on the sticker. At this time, in order to be able to peel off the peeling paper of the pasted part, it can also be perforated. By this, the gift box can be easily assembled without using paste or adhesive.

In the above embodiment, although the description is made for a portrait printing device that has a printer 13 in the frame 1 and outputs printed matter on the spot, the printer 13 may be omitted and an order receiving terminal for receiving printing orders may be provided. In this case, a communication unit is provided at the order receiving terminal, and the communication unit transmits the portrait data and order content of the gift box synthesized with the user's portrait to the printer server through a wired or wireless network. The user receives the printed matter at the window or by mail.

As the printer 13, it is preferable to use color printing of the sublimation type thermal transfer method. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the sublimation type thermal transfer printer 13, and FIG. 13 is a top view of the thermal transfer sheet 44 (ink ribbon) used by the printer 13. The printer 13 has a thermal head 40, which heats the thermal transfer sheet 44 and transfers the dye to the printing paper 45 (paper for use) for the gift box to form an image, and transfers a protective layer on the image.

A supply unit 42 formed by winding a thermal transfer sheet 44 is provided at the downstream side of the thermal head 40, and a recovery unit 41 is provided at the upstream side of the thermal head 40. The thermal transfer sheet 44 fed from the supply unit 42 passes through the thermal head 40 and is recovered in the recovery unit 41.

A freely rotatable platen roll 46 is provided at the lower side of the thermal head 40. A lifting means 43 is connected to the side of the thermal head 40, and the lifting means 43 enables the thermal head 40 to be freely lifted and lowered relative to the platen roll 46.

The thermal transfer sheet 44 has a yellow dye layer 51, a magenta dye layer 52, an indigo dye layer 53, and a protective layer 54 formed on one side in order. In addition, in addition to the dye layer or in place of the dye layer, other color material layers such as a fusible ink layer may be provided on the thermal transfer sheet 44. Furthermore, the thermal transfer sheet provided with the yellow dye layer 51, the magenta dye layer 52, and the indigo dye layer 53 and the thermal transfer sheet provided with the protective layer 54 may be independent entities.

The yellow dye layer 51, the magenta dye layer 52, and the indigo dye layer 53 are preferably made of a material having a sublimation dye melted or dispersed in the adhesive resin. The protective layer 54 is preferably made of a transparent resin material having adhesion and light resistance.

When forming an image on the printing paper 45, first, the printing paper 45 is aligned with the yellow dye layer 51. Then, the thermal head 40 is lowered toward the platen roller 46 by the lifting means 43, so that the printing paper 45 and the thermal transfer sheet 44 are sandwiched between the thermal head 40 and the platen roller 46.

Then, the printing paper 45 and the thermal transfer sheet 44 are sent to the rear side (upstream side of the thermal head 40). During this time, the yellow dye layer 51 is selectively heated in sequence by the thermal head 40 according to the unfolding image data of the gift box, and the yellow dye is transferred from the thermal transfer sheet 44 to the printing paper 45.

The thermal head 40 is lifted up by the lifting means 43 and leaves the flattening roller 46. Then, the printing paper 45 is aligned with the magenta dye layer 52. In the same way as the yellow dye is transferred, the magenta dye and the indigo dye are transferred on the printing paper 45 in sequence, and a gift box unfolding image is formed on the printing paper 45.

Next, the thermal head 40 heats the protective layer 54 of the thermal transfer sheet 44, and transfers the protective layer 54 to the printing paper 45 in a manner that covers the unfolded image of the gift box, thereby producing printed materials P1 and P2 (refer to Figures 8 and 9).

By increasing the transfer energy during the transfer of the protective layer, the surface of the protective layer becomes a matte tone with low gloss, and by reducing the transfer energy, the surface of the protective layer becomes a glossy tone with high gloss.

For example, when the surface of the protective layer after transfer is set to a matte tone, the energy applied to the thermal head 40 is adjusted to a high energy so that the glossiness of the surface of the protective layer after transfer becomes 40% or less. On the other hand, when the surface of the protective layer after transfer is set to a glossy tone (gloss state), the energy applied to the thermal head 40 is adjusted to a low energy so that the glossiness of the surface of the protective layer after transfer becomes 70% or more.

When the protective layer is transferred onto the unfolded image of the gift box, the transfer energy can be changed according to the region, so that a part can be made matte and the other part can be made glossy. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, by setting the matte part as a pattern such as text, a floating pattern W can be formed on the printed material P11. In this way, by changing the contact method of light, a gift box with a high design presented by the floating pattern W can be produced.

The image printing device can also store the data of the purpose of the gift box and the floating pattern in the disk device 15 (memory unit), and accept the user's choice of the purpose of the gift box when the gift box is made. For example, the floating pattern in the case of birthday is "Happy Birthday", and the floating pattern in the case of Valentine's Day is "Happy Valentine".

The floating pattern data corresponding to the purpose selected by the user will be notified to the printer 13. When the protective layer 54 is transferred to the printing paper 45, the printer 13 increases the transfer energy of the floating pattern portion, so that the surface of the protective layer after transfer becomes matte, and reduces the transfer energy of other portions, so that the surface of the protective layer after transfer becomes glossy.

It can also be configured to insert a floating pattern into the unfolded image of the gift box in the editing screen shown in FIG. 7. The editing processing unit 145 notifies the printer 13 of the inserted floating pattern data. When the printer 13 transfers the protective layer 54 onto the printing paper 45, it increases the transfer energy of the floating pattern part and reduces the transfer energy of other parts.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, although the example of printing the reverse fold line FL (refer to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9) as a dotted line or a dashed line is described, the reverse fold line may also be formed as a floating pattern. That is, when the protective layer 54 is transferred to the printing paper 45, the transfer energy of the reverse fold line portion is increased, so that the surface of the protective layer after transfer becomes a matte tone, and the transfer energy of the portion around the reverse fold line is reduced, so that the surface of the protective layer after transfer becomes a glossy tone.

When assembling a gift box, the user folds the printed material along the fold line formed by the floating pattern. For example, if the fold line is printed with a black dotted line, if the printed material is folded at a position slightly away from the fold line, the fold line will be very obvious in the assembled gift box, and there is a risk of damaging the design of the gift box. On the other hand, if the fold line is formed with a floating pattern, even if the printed material is folded at a position slightly away from the fold line, the fold line will not be obvious in the assembled gift box, and it will become a gift box with high design.

You can also set the glossy part to a pattern such as text, and set the other parts to matte.

Although the present invention has been described in detail using specific forms, it should be understood by the industry that various modifications can be made without departing from the intent and scope of the present invention. This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-130612 filed on July 31, 2020, and the entire text is cited by reference.

1: Frame 2: Door 10A: 1st touch panel 10B: 2nd touch panel 11: Data input section 12: Payment section 13: Printer 14: CPU 15: Disk device 16: Main memory 141: Box selection section 142: Paper type selection section 143: Shape selection section 144: Image selection section 145: Editing processing section 146: Printing processing section

[Figure 1] is a block diagram of the hardware of the image printing device of the embodiment of the present invention.

[Figure 2] is a three-dimensional image of a portrait printing device.

[Figure 3] is a functional block diagram of the image printing device.

[Figure 4] is a flow chart explaining the method of image printing.

[Figure 5] is a diagram showing an example of a box type selection screen. [Figure 6] is a diagram showing an example of a box size selection screen. [Figure 7] is a diagram showing an example of an edit screen. [Figure 8] is a diagram showing an example of a printed material. [Figure 9] is a diagram showing an example of a printed material. [Figure 10] is a diagram showing an example of a storage item selection screen. [Figure 11] Figure 11a is a three-dimensional diagram of a picture printing device with a sample installed, and Figures 11b and 11c are three-dimensional diagrams of the sample. [Figure 12] is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer. [Figure 13] is a top view of a thermal transfer sheet used in the printer. [Figure 14] is a diagram showing an example of printed matter.

10A: 1st touch panel

10B: 2nd touch panel

11: Data input department

12: Payment Department

13: Printer

14:CPU

15: Disk device

16: Main memory

Claims (4)

A picture printing device comprises: an input unit for inputting a user's picture, a memory unit for memorizing unfolded pictures of a plurality of gift boxes of different shapes or sizes, a table for associating articles stored in the gift boxes with gift boxes of shapes or sizes suitable for storing the articles, a selection unit for accepting selections of articles stored in the gift boxes and selecting a gift box of a shape or size corresponding to the selected articles with reference to the table, an editing unit for synthesizing the user's picture on the unfolded picture corresponding to the gift box selected by the selection unit to produce a synthesized picture, and a printer for printing the synthesized picture on paper for output, wherein the synthesized picture is printed on paper for output. The printer heats the color material layer disposed on the thermal transfer sheet to form the composite image on the paper, and transfers the protective layer disposed on the thermal transfer sheet to the composite image formed on the paper, and transfers the protective layer to the composite image in a manner that the surface state of the protective layer is different at the portion corresponding to the specific pattern and the other portion, and transfers the protective layer in a manner that the portion corresponding to the specific pattern becomes a matte tone, and the other portion becomes a glossy tone with a higher gloss than the matte tone, and the specific pattern is a fold line indicating the assembling of the gift box. A picture printing device comprises: a picture input unit for inputting a user's picture, an identification information input unit for receiving input of identification information for identifying the shape or size of a sample attached to a gift box, a memory unit for memorizing unfolded pictures of a plurality of gift boxes of different shapes or sizes, a selection unit for selecting a gift box according to the input identification information, an editing unit for synthesizing the user's picture on the unfolded picture corresponding to the gift box selected by the selection unit to produce a synthesized picture, and a printer for printing the synthesized picture on a paper for output, wherein the printer is provided on a thermal transfer sheet. The color material layer on the paper is heated to form the composite image on the paper, and the protective layer provided on the thermal transfer sheet is transferred to the composite image formed on the paper, and the protective layer is transferred to the composite image in a manner that the surface state of the protective layer is different at the portion corresponding to the specific pattern and the other portion, and the protective layer is transferred in a manner that the portion corresponding to the specific pattern becomes a matte tone, and the other portion becomes a glossy tone with a higher gloss than the matte tone, and the specific pattern is a fold line indicating the assembling of the gift box. A portrait printing method uses a portrait printing device, the portrait printing device having a memory unit, the memory unit storing unfolded portraits of a plurality of gift boxes of different shapes or sizes, and a table for associating articles stored in the gift boxes with gift boxes of shapes or sizes suitable for storing the aforementioned articles. The portrait printing method comprises: a step of accepting an input of a user's portrait; a step of accepting a selection of articles stored in the gift boxes and selecting a gift box of a shape or size corresponding to the selected articles with reference to the aforementioned table; a step of synthesizing the aforementioned user portrait on the unfolded portrait corresponding to the aforementioned selected gift box to produce a synthesized portrait; and a step of printing the aforementioned synthesized portrait on a user's In the step of printing on the paper, the image printing device heats the color material layer provided on the thermal transfer sheet to form the composite image on the paper, and transfers the protective layer provided on the thermal transfer sheet to the composite image formed on the paper, and transfers the protective layer to the composite image in a manner that the surface state of the protective layer is different at the portion corresponding to the specific pattern and the other portions, and transfers the protective layer in a manner that the portion corresponding to the specific pattern becomes a matte tone, and the other portions become a glossy tone with a higher gloss than the matte tone, and the specific pattern is a fold line indicating the assembling of the gift box. A portrait printing method uses a portrait printing device, the portrait printing device having a memory unit, the memory unit storing unfolded portraits of a plurality of gift boxes of different shapes or sizes, and a table for associating articles stored in the gift boxes with gift boxes of shapes or sizes suitable for storing the aforementioned articles. The portrait printing method comprises: a step of accepting an input of a user's portrait; a step of accepting a selection of articles stored in the gift boxes and selecting a gift box of a shape or size corresponding to the selected articles with reference to the aforementioned table; a step of synthesizing the aforementioned user portrait on the unfolded portrait corresponding to the aforementioned selected gift box to produce a synthesized portrait; and a step of printing the aforementioned synthesized portrait on a user's In the step of printing on the paper, the image printing device heats the color material layer provided on the thermal transfer sheet to form the composite image on the paper, and transfers the protective layer provided on the thermal transfer sheet to the composite image formed on the paper, and transfers the protective layer to the composite image in a manner that the surface state of the protective layer is different at the portion corresponding to the specific pattern and the other portions, and transfers the protective layer in a manner that the portion corresponding to the specific pattern becomes a matte tone, and the other portions become a glossy tone with a higher gloss than the matte tone, and the specific pattern is a fold line indicating the assembling of the gift box.

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