JP2005011188A - Recording medium used for print order, order reception terminal, and print order method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording medium, an order reception terminal and a print order method for simply and surely placing a print order of a desired image by using a recording medium with an image file recorded thereon and a print order sheet. <P>SOLUTION: When a recording medium 7 with the image file and version information of a print order sheet 8 recorded thereon is inserted into an order reception terminal 11, the terminal 11 reads the image file and the version information of the sheet 8 from a recording medium 7, and displays the image based on the image file in the same layout as that of the thumbnail image of the sheet 8 with reference to layout information associated with the version information. Thereby, the thumbnail image of the sheet 8 can be associated with the image displayed on the terminal 11, and the image of the print order can be specified simply and surely. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording medium, an order receiving terminal, and a print ordering method for ordering printing of an image based on an image file recorded on a recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, various services relating to photographic images have been provided. For example, in the case of a photographic image taken with a film camera, if a user takes photographic film taken to a photo shop such as a lab or an order store such as a convenience store, the photo shop develops the photographic film and then uses a scanner or the like. There is a service in which image information is read and written as an image file on a recording medium such as a CD-R or DVD-R. Also, in the case of a photographic image taken with a digital camera, a service for backing up an image file recorded on a digital camera or a recording medium for the digital camera to the recording medium is performed (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 5-182373). etc).
[0003]
On the other hand, in recent years, devices having a function of reproducing a disk-type recording medium such as a DVD player and a DVD recorder (hereinafter referred to as image reproducing devices) are on sale, and these image reproducing devices are similar to general home appliances. It is widely used because images and sounds can be reproduced with a simple operation and images can be reproduced with high definition. However, such an image playback device plays back a recording medium in which data is recorded in a dedicated format, and cannot play back a JPEG format image file, which is a general format for recording still images. . Therefore, there is a service for converting a read image file and writing it on a recording medium so that it can also be used in the above-described image reproducing device.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-182373 (page 4-6, Fig. 3)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such a service for writing an image file to a recording medium (hereinafter referred to as a recording medium writing service), a print order slip is attached to the recording medium so that the user can place a print order of a favorite photographic image. While reproducing the image file with the image reproducing device, the order information can be written on the print order form, and the print order can be ordered by bringing the print order form and the recording medium to the photo shop.
[0006]
In general, the print order form displays thumbnail images, which are reduced images based on the image file recorded on the recording medium, in a list format, and is printed on the image displayed on the personal computer or image playback device and the print order form. The order information is written in the print order form while comparing with the thumbnail image. Then, the print order form and the recording medium in which the order information is written are handed over to the clerk of the photo shop, or the image displayed on the screen is selected while viewing the print order form using the order reception terminal installed in the store. Print order.
[0007]
In this case, if the layout of the thumbnail image displayed on the print order form is the same as the layout of the image displayed on the monitor of the order receiving terminal, the image to be printed can be easily specified. However, when a print order is received using a previously received print order form, the layout of the thumbnail image of the print order form may not match the image layout displayed on the monitor of the order reception terminal. In such a case, it is necessary to check which image on the monitor corresponds to the thumbnail image to be ordered for printing, and the ordering operation becomes complicated, and there is a possibility that the wrong image is ordered.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and its main purpose is to order a desired image easily and reliably using a recording medium on which an image file is recorded and a print order form. It is an object to provide a recording medium, an order receiving terminal, and a print ordering method.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, at least the image file provided by the user and the version information of the print order form for ordering the print based on the image file are recorded on the recording medium of the present invention. Is.
[0010]
In the present invention, the version information may include a layout information of thumbnail images obtained by reducing an image based on the image file in the print order form.
[0011]
An order receiving terminal of the present invention is an order receiving terminal for ordering printing of an image based on an image file recorded on a recording medium, provided from the recording medium together with the image file and the recording medium. The reading means for reading the version information of the print order form and the layout information associated with the version information are referred to, and the image based on the image file is displayed in the same layout as the thumbnail image in the print order form. Order screen creation means for creating an order screen.
[0012]
In the present invention, the order screen creation means may be configured to extract the layout information from the version information or extract layout information corresponding to the version information with reference to a pre-recorded table. .
[0013]
The print ordering method of the present invention includes at least a recording medium on which an image file provided by a user is recorded, the print order form in which thumbnail images obtained by reducing images based on the image file are laid out, and the image An order receiving terminal for ordering print of an image based on a file, wherein the version information of the print order form is recorded together with the image file on the recording medium, and the order receiving terminal The terminal reads the image file and the version information of the print order form from the recording medium, refers to the layout information associated with the version information, and the image based on the image file is in the print order form Display the order screen displayed in the same layout as the thumbnail image It is intended.
[0014]
As described above, according to the configuration of the present invention, when the recording medium in which the image file provided by the user and the version information of the print order form are recorded is inserted into the order reception terminal, the order reception terminal displays the print order form. Since the image based on the image file is displayed in the same layout as the print order form on the display means with reference to the layout information associated with the version information, the thumbnail image of the print order form and the display means of the order receiving terminal Thus, the user can easily and reliably place a print order for a desired image while looking at the print order form.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
According to a preferred embodiment of the print ordering method of the present invention, a recording medium on which at least an image file provided by a user and version information of a print order form are recorded, and a thumbnail image obtained by reducing an image based on the image file Is displayed in a list format and an order receiving terminal, and the user inserts a recording medium into a computer device such as a personal computer or an image reproducing device such as a DVD player, and displays the slide while displaying the image. If the order information is filled in, the print order form filled with the order information and the recording medium are brought into the photo shop, and the recording medium is inserted into the order receiving terminal installed in the store, the order receiving terminal stores the image file from the recording medium. And the version information of the print order form. Or the layout information corresponding to the version specified by the version information with reference to a pre-stored table is extracted, and an image based on the image file is printed with reference to the layout information. Are displayed on the display means such as a monitor in the same layout as the thumbnail images. Therefore, the user can easily and surely place a print order for a desired image by operating the order receiving terminal while viewing the print order form.
[0016]
【Example】
In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, a print order recording medium, an order reception terminal, and a print order method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. . FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a print ordering system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing main means of an image recording apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a diagram of an order receiving terminal. It is a block diagram which shows the main means. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for obtaining the recording medium and the print order form according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a procedure for placing a print order using the recording medium and the print order form according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams showing a configuration example of a print order form, FIG. 8 is a configuration example of a screen displayed on a display unit of a personal computer or an image reproducing device, and FIG. 9 is a diagram of an order receiving terminal. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the screen displayed on a display means.
[0017]
“Still image file” used in the following description means a single independent image file, in which all pixel data is written as it is, or as data compressed without redundancy. Including those that are. For example, a format that can be displayed on a computer device such as a personal computer is generally compressed by the JPEG method, and a format that can be played back on an image playback device such as a DVD player is a Video-CD format or a DVD-Video format. However, it may be a file compressed by another method or an uncompressed file.
[0018]
The “moving image file” means data for switching and displaying an image at a certain time interval, and includes a file created based on a still image file. For example, in a file such as MPEG, the reference image data is written as independent data, and thereafter, only the difference from the reference image is recorded, and the difference 0 is stored in the still image file as the reference image. If data is recorded, a moving image file is created from a still image file. In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, “image file” refers to both “still image file” and “moving image file”.
[0019]
In addition, “slide show” generally refers to a slide (still image file) displayed continuously, but in this specification, a slide show of a still image file is mixed with a moving image file displayed. In addition, an image in which a plurality of moving image files including a moving image file created based on a still image file are continuously reproduced is also called a slide show.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 1, the print ordering system of the present embodiment includes a user 1 holding either one or both of a personal computer 2 and an image reproducing device 3, a minilab equipped with an image recording device 10 and an order receiving terminal 11, etc. The photo shop 9. The image recording apparatus 10 is a device (hereinafter, described as a digital camera) having a photography function such as a digital camera 5 or a camera-equipped mobile phone provided by the user 1, smart media, compact flash (registered trademark), An image file is read from a recording medium for the digital camera 5 (hereinafter referred to as a medium 4) such as a Memory Stick (registered trademark), an SD memory card, or a multimedia card, and a photographed photographic film 6 to read a CD-R or DVD- Write on a disk-shaped recording medium (hereinafter simply referred to as recording medium 7) such as R, DVD-RW, or DVD-RAM, or create a print order slip 8 or photo print 12. The order receiving terminal 11 includes display means such as a liquid crystal panel and CRT, and operation means such as a touch panel and a keyboard, and orders the photographic print 12 using an image based on the image file recorded on the recording medium 7. It is configured to be able to do.
[0021]
In FIG. 1, the order receiving terminal 11 only orders the photo print 12 and the image recording apparatus 10 creates the recording medium 7, print order slip 8, and photo print 12. The terminal 11 may be configured to read an image file from the digital camera 5 or the medium 4 or create the recording medium 7. In FIG. 1, the print order is directly placed at the photo store 9, but the print order may be placed via an order store such as a convenience store.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram in which means related to the present embodiment are extracted from the image recording apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the image recording apparatus 10 includes version information of the print order form 8 (in this embodiment, not only information indicating the version of the print order form 8 but also thumbnail images displayed on the print order form 8. The version information storage means 10b for storing the input image file, the moving picture file creating means 10c for creating the moving picture file for displaying the input image file on the image reproducing device 3, and the print functioning as an index print. The print order form creating means 10d for creating the order form 8 is controlled by the control means 10a. The print order form creating means 10d extracts layout information from the version information or extracts layout information corresponding to the version specified by the version information by referring to a pre-stored table. An image layout setting means 10e for setting the thumbnail layout with reference to the information is provided.
[0023]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram in which means related to the present embodiment are extracted from the order receiving terminal 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the order receiving terminal 11 includes an image file recorded on the recording medium 7 and a reading unit 11 b that reads version information of the print order form 8, and an image file recorded on the recording medium 7. The control unit 11a controls a print order screen creation unit 11c that creates a screen for performing an image print order based on the display unit 11e such as a liquid crystal panel or a CRT, and an operation unit 11f such as a touch panel or a keyboard. . Further, the order reception screen creation means 11c extracts layout information from the read version information, or extracts layout information corresponding to the version specified by the version information with reference to a pre-stored table, With reference to the layout information, an image layout setting unit 11d for setting a layout of an image to be displayed on the display unit 11e is provided.
[0024]
A procedure from when the user 1 provides an image file to receiving the recording medium 7 and the print order form 8 using the print order system having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following, the case where an image file is stored in the recording medium 7 so as to be reproducible by both the personal computer 2 and the image reproducing device 3 will be described. However, the image file may be stored so that it can be reproduced by either one. .
[0025]
First, in step S101, when the user 1 brings the digital camera 5, the media 4, the photographic film 6 and the like to the photo store 9 and places a print order, in step S102, the photo store 9 uses the image recording device 10 to perform digital printing. After reading an image file from the camera 5 or the media 4 or developing the photographic film 6, the developed photographic film is scanned to read the image file. Note that all of the read image files may be recorded on the recording medium 7, but an image file in which no image is clearly captured or an image file in which the image is distorted may be excluded, and the user 1 may When the image file to be recorded is limited to 7, the image file may be read according to the instruction.
[0026]
Next, a file group to be recorded on the recording medium 7 is created. In order to make the recording medium 7 available to the personal computer 2 or the image reproducing device 3, the image reproducing device 3 creates a moving image file in step S104. A moving image file is created from a still image file using the means 10c. A method for creating a moving image file is not particularly limited. For example, a still image file is reduced to a size of about 720 pixels × 480 pixels, and a still image file of about 30 frames per second is designated at a preset slide interval. Just superimpose. Depending on the image playback device 21, a still image file such as jpeg may be displayed. In this case, only a still image file is recorded on the recording medium 7 without creating a moving image file from the playback image file. It can also be set as the structure to do.
[0027]
Then, the read image file, the moving image file created in step S104, an application such as a slide show program, an application setting file, and a music audio file to be reproduced together with the image file as necessary are recorded on the recording medium 7. However, at that time, the image reproducing device 3 cannot read depending on the recording area of the recording medium 7, and therefore, in step S 105, for example, the image reproducing device 3 is arranged inside the recording medium 7 in consideration of the data seek order. Record a group of files (movie files). For example, if recording is performed on a CD-R using MPEG1 as the image format of the moving image file, a recording medium 7 in the Video-CD format can be created, and recording is performed on the DVD-R using MPEG2 as the image format of the moving image file. For example, a DVD-Video format recording medium 7 can be created.
[0028]
Next, before recording the file group for the personal computer, the session is temporarily closed in step S106, and in step S107, the read image file, the application, the personal computer file group such as the application setting file, and the order reception. The version information of the print order form used in the terminal 11 is recorded in an area outside the file group for the image reproducing device recorded on the recording medium 7 in advance.
[0029]
Next, the image layout setting means 10e reads out the version information of the print order form 8 from the version information storage means 10b, extracts the layout information from the version information, or refers to a prestored table and uses the version information. The layout information corresponding to the specified version is extracted, the layout information is referred to, the layout of the thumbnail image is set, and the print order form creation means 17 is used to create the print order form in step S108. . This print order form is configured as shown in FIG. 6, for example, and has a layout (here, one line) in which thumbnail images 13 obtained by reducing images based on image files written on the recording medium 7 are set based on version information. A total of 18 image files are arranged in order from the left to the right with reference to the file name, shooting date and time, and the file creation date and time. An order information entry column 14 for entering order information such as the number of prints and print size (here, only the print order number) is displayed.
[0030]
The print order form 8 does not necessarily display image information. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the image specifying information 15 associated with the image based on the image file, the number of prints, the print size, etc. The order information entry field 14 for entering the order information may be set as a set and arranged in a layout set based on the version information. The print order slip 8 need not be created after the file group is recorded on the recording medium 7, and may be performed in any step after the image file is read in step S102.
[0031]
In step S109, the photo shop 9 uses the recording medium 7 on which the personal computer file group, the image reproduction device file group, and the version information of the print order slip 8 are recorded, and the layout set based on the version information. A print order form 8 on which thumbnail images 13 are arranged is provided to the user 1.
[0032]
Next, a procedure for performing a print order using the recording medium 7 and the print order form 8 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that, here, a case where the image files recorded on the recording medium 7 are displayed as a slide show (in the case of the image playback device 3, moving image files are continuously played back like a slide show) is shown, but the display method is a slide show. The present invention is not limited, and a configuration may be adopted in which a desired image file is displayed by operating the personal computer 2 or the image playback device 3 (for example, image files are designated one by one and displayed on the screen).
[0033]
First, in step S201, when the user 1 inserts the recording medium 7 into the personal computer 2 or the image reproducing device 3 at home, images based on the image files recorded on the recording medium 7 are sequentially displayed in a slide manner in step S202. At that time, only the image file may be displayed on the screen. However, in order to make the print order easier, for example, as shown in FIG. An image obtained by combining the image 17 based on the image specifying information 15 recorded in the print order form 8 may be displayed. The image specifying information 15 does not need to be displayed in the image 17 and can be displayed at an arbitrary position outside the image 17 as shown in FIG. 8B, for example. FIG. 8 shows a case where the image 17 and the image specifying information 15 based on the image file are displayed simultaneously. For example, only the image specifying information 15 is displayed before (or after) displaying the image 17. Then, only the image 17 based on the image file may be displayed thereafter (or before).
[0034]
Then, the user 1 browses the slide show, and when the image 17 for which the print order is desired is displayed in step S203, the order information entry column 14 of the thumbnail image 13 corresponding to the image 17 (in the configuration of FIG. 6) is displayed in step S204. Or the order information entry column 14 (in the case of the configuration of FIG. 7) corresponding to the image specifying information 15 displayed together with the image 17, and order information such as the number of prints and the print size is entered. Continue until the slideshow is finished.
[0035]
Next, after the order information is written in the print order form 8, the print order form 8 and the recording medium 7 are brought into the photo shop 9 and a print order is made using the order reception terminal 11 installed in the photo shop 9. Specifically, when the recording medium 7 is inserted into the slot provided in the order receiving terminal 11 in step S205, the order receiving terminal 11 uses the reading unit 11b to print the print order form together with the image file from the recording medium 7b in step S206. 8 version information is read.
[0036]
Next, the image layout setting unit 11d extracts layout information from the version information, or extracts layout information corresponding to the version specified by the version information with reference to a pre-stored table. The layout of the image to be displayed on the display unit 11e is set, and a list of images based on the image files read in accordance with the set layout is displayed in step S208. For example, a print order screen 18 as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display means, and an image 19 is displayed in the same layout as FIG. 6 or FIG.
[0037]
Here, in the conventional print ordering method, since only the image file is recorded on the recording medium 7, for example, when the print order is made using the old version of the print order form 8, the thumbnail image 13 of the print order form 8 is used. And the layout of the image 19 displayed on the print order screen 18 of the order receiving terminal 11 (for example, 4 frames per line in the print order form 8, 5 frames per line in the order receiving terminal 11, etc.) In this case, it has been necessary to identify the image to be ordered by comparing the thumbnail image 13 of the print order form 8 and the image 19 of the print order screen 18. The layout of the thumbnail image 13 of the order slip 8 matches the layout of the image 19 displayed on the print order screen 18. Since there (where both one line per five frames are), the user 1 may be selected image 19 at the same position as the thumbnail image 13, it can be remarkably easy to operate at the order receiving terminal 11.
[0038]
In step S209, an image to be printed is selected (for example, when an image at the position of 2 rows and 2 columns of the print order form 8 (shaded position in FIG. 6) is to be printed, 2 rows 2 on the print order screen 18 are selected. After selecting the column position (shaded position in FIG. 9) and entering the order information in the order information entry area 20 at that position, for example, a print order button provided on the screen is pressed to place a print order. . The print order screen 18 only needs to display the image 19 in the same layout as the thumbnail image 13. The configuration of the order information entry area 20, the order information input method, the print order instruction method, and the like are as shown in FIG. It is not limited to.
[0039]
Next, in step S210, the order receiving terminal 11 sends designation information of the image file to be printed, order information such as the number of prints and print size to the image recording apparatus 10 or another printing apparatus (not shown), and the image recording apparatus 10 or the like. Then, the photographic print 12 is created according to the information, and the recording medium 7, the photographic print 12, and the new print order form 8 are provided to the user 1 in step S211.
[0040]
As described above, in this embodiment, the recording medium 7 records the version information of the print order form 8 provided in a pair with the recording medium 7 together with the image file provided by the user. The version information is read together with the image file from the recording medium 7 and the layout information is extracted from the version information, or the layout information corresponding to the version specified by the version information is extracted with reference to a pre-stored table, Since the image 19 is displayed on the display unit 11e with reference to this layout information, the user 1 places the thumbnail image 13 of the print order slip 8 and the image 19 on the display unit 11e when placing an order for printing on the order receiving terminal 11. Since it is possible to specify the image to order without comparing with It can be.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the recording medium, the order receiving terminal, and the print ordering method of the present invention, it is possible to easily and reliably place a print order using the recording medium on which the image file is recorded and the print order form. .
[0042]
The reason is that, on the recording medium, the version information of the print order form provided in a pair with the recording medium is recorded together with the image file provided by the user. Since the image is displayed on the display means with the layout set by referring to this version information, the layout of the thumbnail image of the print order form and the image layout on the print order screen of the order receiving terminal may be matched. This is because the image to be ordered can be specified without comparing the images.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a print ordering system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing main means of an image recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing main means of the order receiving terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for obtaining a recording medium and a print order form according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a print order procedure using a recording medium and a print order form according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a print order form according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another configuration example of a print order form according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a screen displayed on a personal computer or an image playback device.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a print order screen displayed on the order reception terminal.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 User 2 Personal computer 3 Image reproducing apparatus 4 Media 5 Digital camera 6 Photo film 7 Recording medium 8 Print order form 8a Completed print order form 9 Photo shop 10 Image recording apparatus 10a Control means 10b Version information storage means 10c Movie file creation means 10d Print order form creation means 10e Thumbnail image arrangement order setting means 11 Order receiving terminal 11a Control means 11b Version information reading means 11c Print order screen creation means 11d Display image arrangement order setting means 11e Display means 11f Operation means 12 Photo print 13 Thumbnail image 14 Order information entry field 15 Image specific information 16 Display screen 17 Image 18 Print order screen 19 Image 20 Order information entry area

Claims (8)

A recording medium, wherein at least an image file provided by a user and version information of a print order form for ordering an image based on the image file are recorded. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the version information includes layout information of thumbnail images obtained by reducing an image based on the image file in the print order form. An order receiving terminal for ordering printing of an image based on an image file recorded on a recording medium,
Reading means for reading the image file and version information of a print order form provided together with the recording medium from the recording medium;
Order screen creation means for creating an order screen on which an image based on the image file is displayed in the same layout as the thumbnail image in the print order slip with reference to the layout information associated with the version information An order receiving terminal characterized by comprising. 4. The order receiving terminal according to claim 3, wherein the version information includes layout information of thumbnail images obtained by reducing an image based on the image file in the print order form. 5. The order screen creation means extracts the layout information from the version information or extracts layout information corresponding to the version information by referring to a pre-recorded table. The order receiving terminal described. At least a recording medium on which an image file provided by the user is recorded;
The print order form in which thumbnail images obtained by reducing images based on the image file are laid out;
An order receiving terminal for ordering print of an image based on the image file, and a print ordering method using:
Recording the version information of the print order form together with the image file on the recording medium,
The order receiving terminal reads the image file and the version information of the print order form from the recording medium, refers to layout information associated with the version information, and an image based on the image file is A print ordering method comprising: displaying an order screen displayed in the same layout as the thumbnail image in an order form. 7. The print ordering method according to claim 6, wherein the version information includes layout information of a thumbnail image obtained by reducing an image based on the image file in the print order form. 8. The order receiving terminal extracts the layout information from the version information or extracts layout information corresponding to the version information with reference to a pre-recorded table. How to order prints.

Images