JP2000067121A - System and method for supporting recording of image and working of image data - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To support a service for dispatching an image recording medium to a client by transmitting image data to an image recording spot selected out of plural received image recording spots based on information specifying a delivery spot. SOLUTION: A recording spot setting block 14 of a support system 1 judges the image recording spot to transfer image data transmitted from a client based on recording specification data transmitted from access terminals 2001-200k of clients. Afterwards, when a communication block 11 receives the transmitted recording specification data by operating the access terminals 2001-200k by the clients, this is analyzed and it is commanded to the recording spot setting block 14 to set the image recording spot to transfer the image data of the client. Thus, since the image recording medium recording images can be dispatched to the client while supporting the selecting action of the client, the trouble for the client can be canceled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a support system and a support system for supporting a service for recording image data transmitted from a customer on an image recording medium or processing the transmitted image data and delivering the image data to the customer. About the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When image data of a customer obtained by reading an image from a negative film or print of a photograph with a scanner or photographing an image with a digital camera is transmitted, the image data based on the image data is transmitted. There is a service for recording on a recording medium or processing it into a calendar or the like and handing it over to a customer. In this service, for example, plain paper, special paper, cloth, pottery, etc. adjusted according to the characteristics of the ink so that the recorded image is visible may be used as the image recording medium. In this service, an image recording medium on which an image is visibly recorded is not always delivered to a customer, and a signal of image data is recorded on a floppy disk, a compact disk, a magneto-optical disk, or the like. The image recording medium may be delivered to the customer. Further, instead of recording the image data transmitted from the customer as it is, after performing a process of partially changing the image data and a process of adding data such as a calendar and a business card, the image recording medium is delivered. Sometimes.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the above-mentioned conventional service mode. The customer's image data is transmitted to one image recording station. At the image recording station, recording on the image recording medium is performed based on the image data transmitted from the customer, and the image recording medium is transported to a plurality of delivery stations from there. The image recording office and the delivery office are affiliated due to capital relations, contractual relationships, etc., so when the customer selects the delivery office, the image recording office that records the image data becomes one of the locations affiliated with the delivery office. The service is limited to the image recording station, and the content of the service is limited to the range that can be achieved by the one image recording station, and the selectable range of the customer's request is narrow.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned service, it is conceivable that the customer selects a delivery place based on the following criteria.

For example, a customer who wants to obtain an image recording medium promptly regardless of the fee wants to deliver the image recording medium at a transfer station as close as possible from home, work, commuting route, and the like. Will select a place.

[0006] In addition, a customer who wants to edit image data or specially process the image data will select a delivery place that performs such editing or processing and delivers the image recording medium.

[0007] In addition, in view of the common people's feelings, some customers would like to select a delivery place that does not cost much because they would want the image recording medium to be inexpensive.

However, in the above-described service, each image recording station performs various services according to the customer's request, but each delivery station has only information on the image recording stations that are in a business relationship. It is very difficult for a customer to select a service that meets each request from various services, and no support is provided for such a selection.

According to the present invention, an image recording medium is transmitted based on transmitted image data of a customer so as to reduce the inconvenience of the customer. And an image data processing support system, an image data processing support method, and an image data processing support method for providing a service for delivering an image recording medium on which an image is recorded to a customer.

[0010]

The object of the present invention can be solved by an image recording support system according to the present invention.
The image recording support system according to claim 1, wherein: a delivery place information transmitting means for transmitting to the customer information on a plurality of delivery places for delivering the image recording medium on which the image is recorded to the customer; Receiving means for receiving the information specifying the location, and an image record selected based on the information specifying the transfer place from among a plurality of image recording places for creating an image recording medium on which the received image data is recorded. And transmitting means for transmitting the image data.

According to the image recording support system, the customer can select a delivery place that meets the customer's request based on the transmitted information about the delivery place. Then, the image recording support system receives information on which delivery place the customer has selected, and transmits the customer's image data to an image recording place that meets the customer's request. Therefore, based on the transmitted image data of the customer, the image recording support system assists the customer in selecting the image recording medium so that the image recording medium can be delivered after satisfying the customer's request, and the image is recorded. Since the image recording medium can be delivered to the customer, the inconvenience of the customer can be eliminated.

Further, the object of the present invention can be solved by an image data processing support system according to the present invention. An image data processing support system according to claim 8, wherein a delivery place information transmitting means for transmitting to a customer information on a plurality of delivery places for delivering an image recording medium on which an image is recorded to the customer, and the image data and the customer selected. Receiving means for receiving information for specifying the transfer place, and from among a plurality of image data processing stations for creating image data processed based on the received image data, based on the information for specifying the transfer place Transmitting means for transmitting the image data to the selected image data processing place.

According to the image data processing support system, the customer can select a delivery place that meets the customer's request based on the transmitted information on the delivery place. Then, the image data processing support system receives information on which delivery site the customer has selected, and transmits the image data of the customer to an image data processing site according to the customer's request. Therefore, according to the present image data processing support system, based on the transmitted customer image data, the customer's selection action is supported so that the customer can satisfy the customer's request and deliver the image recording medium. Can be delivered to the customer, so that the inconvenience of the customer can be eliminated.

The object of the present invention can be solved by an image recording support method according to the present invention. The image recording support method according to claim 15, wherein information on a plurality of delivery sites for delivering the image recording medium on which the image is recorded to the customer is transmitted to the customer, and the image data and the information for specifying the delivery site selected by the customer are transmitted. Among the plurality of image recording stations that create an image recording medium on which an image is recorded based on the received image data, from the plurality of image recording stations, the image recording station selected based on the information that specifies the transfer station. It is characterized by transmitting data.

According to this image recording support method, the customer can select a delivery place that meets the customer's own request based on the transmitted information about the delivery place. Then, information on which delivery place the customer has selected is received, and the customer's image data is transmitted to an image recording place that meets the customer's request. Therefore, based on the transmitted image data of the customer, the present image recording support method assists the customer in selecting the image recording medium so that the image recording medium can be delivered after satisfying the customer's request, and the image is recorded. Since the image recording medium can be delivered to the customer, the inconvenience of the customer can be eliminated.

The object of the present invention can be solved by an image data processing support method according to the present invention. The image recording support method according to claim 22, wherein the information about the plurality of delivery points for delivering the image recording medium on which the image is recorded to the customer is transmitted to the customer, and the image data and the information for specifying the delivery place selected by the customer are transmitted. Among the plurality of image data processing stations that create processed image data based on the received image data, from the plurality of image data processing stations to the image data processing station selected based on the information specifying the transfer station. Is transmitted.

According to this image data processing support method, the customer can select a delivery place that meets the customer's own request based on the transmitted information about the delivery place. And
Information on which delivery station the customer has selected is received, and the customer's image data is transmitted to an image recording station according to the customer's request. Therefore, according to the image data processing support method, based on the transmitted customer's image data, the customer's selection action is supported so that the customer can fulfill the customer's request and deliver the image recording medium, and the image is recorded. Since the image recording medium obtained can be delivered to the customer, the inconvenience of the customer can be eliminated.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a support system 1 having both an image recording support system and an image processing support system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the conceptual diagram of FIG.

The support system 1 covers a wide area and can be easily accessed by many customers. For example, the support system 1 communicates with other terminals via a network 100 such as a commercial BBS (commonly called personal computer communication) or the Internet. Communicate between

A customer who uses the support system 1 reads image data obtained by reading an image with a scanner, a CD-ROM.
The customer owns image data that can be disposed of by the customer, such as image data recorded by the customer and used freely by the customer, image data captured by a digital camera, and the like. Further, as the access terminal 200 for accessing the support system 1 via the network 100, a personal computer, a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, a PHS, or the like can be used.

The network 100 includes customers 1, 2,.
K access terminals 2001 to 200k are always or temporarily connected, and customers 1, 2,... K can access the support system 1 at any time using the respective access terminals 2001 to 200k. The support system 1 is always connected to the network 100 and can respond to requests from the access terminals 2001 to 200k.

The image recording stations 1, 2,... K are provided with various devices for recording the image data provided by the customer and transmitted from the support system 1 on the image recording medium by the recording method desired by the customer, and And one or both of various equipment for performing processing in a processing method desired by the customer, and further temporarily stores image data provided by the customer and transmitted from the support system 1 such as a hard disk. Are provided with terminals 3001 to 300k that accumulate the data. Each image recording station 1, 2
.. K may differ from each other in service content (type of image recording medium that can be handled) and processing method that can be performed (type of image processing that can be performed) depending on the equipment provided. The image recording performed at the image recording station is provided by the customer, and the image data transmitted from the support system 1 is transmitted to the
For example, storing in a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, etc.,
Forming an image on photographic paper, cloth, or the like, and processing performed in the image data processing station is a method of modifying image data provided by a customer and transmitted from the support system 1. Adding data of month, day, day of the week, etc. to the image data of the customer to process it into a calendar image; adding customer personal information to the customer's image data to process it into a business card image; customer image data To add a greeting or the like to the image, and process it into an image for a postcard with a photo such as a New Year's card. Also, the pixel density of the image data is high,
Processing to obtain coarse images based on high-quality image data with a large number of gradations, to correct defects in shooting conditions, to change the color tone, and to apply filter processing to change the shape It is. In order to perform such processing, an apparatus for providing data to be added or performing image processing is required. Therefore, processing methods that can be supported by the image recording station differ depending on the equipment provided in the image recording station. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the image recording stations 1, 2,...

Each of the image recording stations 1, 2,... K has a business relationship with some of the delivery stations 1, 2,. But not to unrelated delivery sites.
In the figure, the dashed line indicates the transportation of the image recording medium. The image recording station 1 has a business relationship with the delivery stations 1 and 2, and the image recording station 2 has a business relationship with the delivery stations 2, 3, and 4. Archive 3
Indicates that there is a business relationship with the transfer station 3, k. The user cannot select any combination of the delivery place and the image recording place, and if the delivery place is selected with priority, the selectable image record places are limited, and the user can receive any service. If you prefer to select the image storage,
The delivery stations that can be selected are limited.

The customer places an order to receive the image recording medium at the specified delivery stations 1, 2,..., K. In the figure, the correspondence between the receiving place and the customer who received the order is indicated by a two-dot line. Delivery place 1
Then, the image recording medium is delivered to the customer 6, the delivery station 2 to the customers 1 and 2, the delivery station 3 to the customer 4, the delivery station 4 to the customers 3 and 4, and the delivery station k to the customers 3, 5, and k. The image recording medium may be received by the customer at the delivery place, or may be delivered from the delivery place to the customer.

The network 100 has image recording stations 1 and 2
The terminals 3001 to 300k such as k are always or temporarily connected, and the support system 1 can communicate with each terminal 3001 to 300k such as image data.

The support system 1 includes a memory (not shown),
A computer equipped with a hard disk (not shown), a modem (not shown), a processor (not shown), and the like.
Communicate with 300k. With this communication, the support system 1
, Information about the transfer station is transmitted to the access terminals 2001 to 200 k, and the image data transmitted from the customer,
Recording specification data indicating the delivery site, service contents, processing method, and the like selected by the customer is received by the support system 1, and these image data and recording specification data are developed in a memory and temporarily stored on a hard disk. .
The image data and the recording specification data once stored in the hard disk are transmitted to the terminals 3001 to 300k. A program for operating the support system 1 and a database described later are recorded on the hard disk, and the program and the data of the database are developed on a memory, and the processor performs processing. Since the operation of the database and the communication through the network can be realized by a known technique, a detailed description is omitted.

Next, the function of the support system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 which is a block diagram. Each block described in FIG. 2 may be realized by performing not only hardware of the support system 1 but also processing by software. In this drawing, the blocks are described for each function.

The communication block 11 comprises the support system 1
Each access terminal 200 connected to the network 100
This block communicates with the terminals 300 to 300k according to a known network protocol.

The database block 12 stores a database having a so-called relational database structure in which the following four types of management items are associated with each other.

The delivery station-recording station management item 121 is a set in which each image recording station is associated with a delivery station having a business relationship with the image recording station. In the database, data (name, number, etc.) specifying each image recording place, and data such as a name and a number specifying each delivery place are recorded as the details of the management item 121. Details related to the delivery site are associated with each other. By using the management item 121, when a customer directly selects an arbitrary delivery place, it is possible to specify one or a plurality of image recording places that have a transaction with this. In addition, when the customer selects an image recording place indirectly by preferentially selecting an arbitrary service content, it is possible to specify one or a plurality of delivery places having a transaction with the image recording place.

The delivery place location management item 122 is a set in which each delivery place is associated with the location of the delivery place. The location of the delivery place is managed in the form of a character string indicating the address, and is also managed by points on the map. As specifics of the management item 122, data (name, number, etc.) specifying each delivery place, a character string specifying the location of the delivery place,
Coordinate data indicating a point on the map is recorded,
The details about the delivery place and the details about the location of the delivery place are associated with each other. Also, map data is recorded.

The service content management item 123 is a set in which each image recording location is associated with the service content that is possible at each image recording location. The service contents available at each image recording station include, for example, electronic media (MO, DVD, CD-R).
Storage of image data in removable storage, etc., printing on photographic paper, printing on paper other than photographic paper, printing on special media such as fabrics such as T-shirts and handkerchiefs and ceramics, and photo-curing resin. Creation of applied stereoscopic images.

The database block 12 is associated with data (name, number, etc.) for specifying each image recording place and data such as a name for specifying the contents of the service as details of the management item 123 of the service contents. Has been recorded. Character strings such as "record on MO" and "create T-shirt" are recorded as data for specifying the contents of the service. The processing method and the recording method are also detailed.

The processing method management item 123a is a set in which each image recording station is associated with a processing method that can be performed in each image recording station. The processing method is a method of modifying the image data, for example, adding data such as month, day, day of the week to the customer's image data and processing it into a calendar image,
Add customer's personal information to customer's image data and process it into a business card image, add greetings etc. to the customer's image data and process it into a picture postcard with a photo such as New Year's card etc. There is. Also, it is possible to obtain a coarse image based on high-quality image data having a high pixel density of image data and a large number of gradations,
Applying a filter process for changing the color tone or changing the shape is also processing. In order to perform these processes, it is necessary to provide data to be added or a device for performing image processing.
The processing methods available at the image recording station are different.

In the database block 12, data such as data (name, number, etc.) for specifying each image recording place and data for specifying the processing method are recorded as the details of the management method 123a of the processing method. The details of the data specifying the image recording place are associated with the details of the service contents. Character strings such as "create calendar" and "create business card" are stored as data for specifying the contents of the service.

The recording method management item 123b is a set in which each image recording station is associated with a recording method that can be used in each image recording station. Recording methods include a recording method of exposing and developing photographic paper, a recording method by thermal transfer using sublimation ink, and a recording method by electrostatic photography using toner.
For example, a processor for silver halide photography is required to perform a recording method of exposing and developing photographic paper, and each printer is required to perform a recording method using thermal transfer or an electrostatic photography method. Therefore, a recording method that can be supported by the image recording station differs depending on the equipment provided in the image recording station.

In the database block 12, data such as data (name, number, etc.) for specifying each image recording place and data for specifying a recording method are recorded in the management item 123b of the recording method. The details of the data specifying the image recording place are associated with the details of the recording method. As data for specifying the recording method, character strings such as “electrostatic photograph” and “thermal transfer” are stored as data.

The delivery date management item 124 is a set that associates each image recording location with a delivery date when a service content, a processing method, a recording method, and the like are selected in each image recording location.

In the database block 12, data (name, number, etc.) for specifying each image recording place, and data such as the number of days and time for specifying the delivery date are recorded as details of the delivery date management item 124. The details of the data specifying the image recording place and the details of specifying the delivery date are associated with each other.

The fee management item 125 is a set in which each image recording location is associated with a fee when a service content, a recording method, a processing method, a delivery date, and the like are selected in each image recording location.

In the database block 12, data (name, number, etc.) for specifying each image recording place and fee data are recorded as details of the charge management item 125, and data for specifying the image recording place. And the details of the fee are associated with each other.

Using these management items 123 to 125, if the customer makes an arbitrary selection, the service,
An image recording place where a processing method, a recording method, and the like can be performed can be specified. In addition, it is possible to notify the number of days and time (delivery date to the customer) until the finish of the recorded matter and the fee.

Since the database block 12 has a relational database structure, the management items can be used in combination with each other. For example,
The delivery station-recording station management item 121 and the delivery station location management item 122 can be combined based on the details of the delivery station. Therefore, if an image recording station is specified, it has a business relationship with the specified image recording station. The location of the delivery place can be specified by address or a point on the map.

Further, since the management item 123 of the service contents and the management item 121 of the delivery place-recording place can be combined based on the specifics of the image recording place, if the customer specifies the delivery place, the delivery place and the transaction are made. It is possible to specify a related image recording place, and further specify a service content, a recording method, and a processing method that can be performed in the image recording place. The specification here is not to specify one of the details of the service content management item 123, but to specify the range of possible details at each image recording place. As described above, if the delivery place can be specified, the location of the delivery place can be specified. Other management items can also be combined with each other.

The delivery place information creation block 13 creates data to be returned to the accessing customer, and returns the data created via the network 100 and the communication block 11 to the accessing customer. The data created by the delivery place information creation block 13 and returned to the customer is data relating to the delivery place, and the data relating to each management item of the database block 12 and its details are stored in the access terminal 20 of the customer.
A list is displayed on the monitor of 01 to 200k. The customer access terminals 2001 to 200k execute customer software having a function of displaying data relating to the delivery place. With this software, each management item is monitored by the monitor of the customer access terminals 2001 to 200k. It is displayed in a list. In addition, the customer can use the software to select specific items displayed in a list using a pointing device or the like, and transmit the selection result to the support system 1 as recording specification data.

The recording place setting block 14 determines an image recording place to which the image data transmitted from the customer is to be transferred, based on the recording specification data transmitted from the access terminals 2001 to 200k of the customer.

The control block 15 controls the entire support system 1. When the communication block 11 receives an access request from the access terminals 2001 to 200k of the customer,
It instructs the delivery place information creation block 13 to create data about the delivery place, and transmits the created data about the delivery place to the access terminals 2001 to 200k of the customer via the network 100 and the communication block 11. In addition, a fee calculation module (software for calculating the fee) is transmitted to the access terminals 2001 to 200k of the customer together with the data on the delivery place. Thereafter, when the communication block 11 receives the recording specification data transmitted by the customer operating the access terminals 2001 to 200k, the communication block 11 analyzes the data and transmits the image data to which the customer image data is to be transferred to the recording place setting block 14. Command to set up a repository.

Further, the control block 15 controls to temporarily record the image data transferred from the customer on a recording medium such as a hard disk, reads out the image data recorded on the hard disk, and sets the read data by the recording place setting block 14. It instructs the communication block 11 to transmit to the image recording station.

The control block 15 manages updating of the database block 12. The update of the database is performed when an image recording place or a delivery place is added or a service content is changed, and the administrator uses the management terminal (not shown) to transmit the communication block 11 from the network 100 using a management terminal (not shown).
When update data is transmitted via the control block 15,
Commands the database block 12 to update the details.

Next, a description will be given with reference to FIG. 3 which is a plan view for explaining a state in which data relating to the delivery place is displayed in a list format on the access terminal of the customer.

The access terminals 2001 to 200k of the customer are provided with a GUI (Graphical User Int) supporting operation by a pointing device such as a mouse.
A user interface is provided in a shell based on an interface, and the data regarding the delivery place is displayed on a monitor of each of the access terminals 2001 to 200k of the customer in the form of a list in which each management item of the database block 12 and its details are listed. Is done. This data is displayed on the customer software installed in the customer access terminals 2001 to 200k, and the customer can freely select the details displayed by the customer software using a pointing device.

The screen 201 is an example of a screen displayed on the access terminals 2001 to 200k of the customer who has accessed the support system 1, and shows a state in which data relating to the delivery place is displayed by the customer software.

When the user accesses the support system 1, the upper frame 202 first stores the access terminal 20 of the customer.
This is an area where an image is displayed on a monitor (not shown) of 01 to 200 k. The image displayed in the upper frame 202 includes
A recording specification creation button 204 and other buttons are arranged.

A record specification creation button 204 is a button for requesting the support system 1 to transmit data relating to the delivery place. The customer operates the pointer 210 with a pointing device while checking the operation of the pointer 210.

The lower frame 203 is an area for displaying data relating to the delivery place. Data relating to the delivery site is transmitted from the support system 1 to the access terminals 2001 to 200k of the customer as a response to the request of the customer, and is displayed as a list 205.

In the list 205, item information 206 corresponding to the management item and item information 207 corresponding to the item are recorded in characters. The list 205 is a list displayed in a matrix of a plurality of rows × 5 columns, and the item information 206 is recorded in the uppermost row in the lower frame 203. In the first column (left end column) of the item information 206, a number specifying the delivery place is displayed as the sub-item information 207 on the second and subsequent lines, and the second column is passed as the sub-item information 207 on the second and subsequent lines. An address specifying the location of the place is displayed, a short sentence specifying the service content is displayed in the third column as detailed information 207 in the second and subsequent rows, and a specific information 207 is displayed in the fifth column in the second and subsequent rows. A number for specifying the image recording place is displayed. In the fourth column, blanks for the customer to enter the number are arranged in the second and subsequent rows. The list 205 contains the service contents that can be received by the customer when a specific delivery place is selected.
Since the data is displayed in the form of a character string specifying the content of the service of No. 3, the delivery place that satisfies the user's request can be selected. The recording method and the processing method are also displayed in the service contents.

The fee display column 208 displays a fee that the customer should pay for receiving the image recording medium as the customer's selection progresses. In the access terminals 2001 to 200k, the charge calculation module transmitted from the support system 1 is executed. The fee calculation module is software for calculating a fee to be paid by the customer and displaying the fee in the fee display column 208 every time the customer selects a specific item of the management item, and is incorporated in a part of the customer software.

The delivery date display field 214 displays the delivery date required until the customer receives the image recording medium as the customer's selection progresses. In the access terminals 2001 to 200k, the delivery date calculation module transmitted from the support system 1 is executed. The delivery date calculation module is software that calculates the delivery date until the customer receives the image recording medium and displays the delivery date in the delivery date display field 214 every time the customer selects the details of the management item. Be incorporated.

An apply button 209 is a button for instructing the support system 1 to start transmission of a customer's selection result as recording specification data, and is arranged in the lower frame 203.

In the plan view of FIG. 3, the case where the location of the delivery place is displayed as a character string of the address has been described.
The delivery place can be displayed and specified on the map 201 on the screen 201 of 001 to 200k using points on the map.

FIGS. 4 to 6 are plan views for explaining the display on the access terminal of the customer in order to specify the location of the delivery place using the points on the map.

In FIG. 4, the upper frame 202 is provided with a map selection button 211 for the customer to select a delivery place from a map. When the customer operates the map selection button 211 with a pointing device, the access terminals 2001 to 200
k issues a request to the support system 1 to transmit the data of the location map of the delivery place.

The data of the location map of the delivery place transmitted from the support system 1 is displayed in the map data display area 212 of the lower frame 203. In the present embodiment, the Japan map 212a is displayed first, and the map data display area 212 is displayed.
The prefecture name 212b is listed below the. Japan map 2
12a is displayed as image data of x dots × y dots according to the size of the area allocated to the map data display area 212. The number of vertical dots (x) and the number of horizontal dots (y) are It is also changed by the type of the terminals 2001 to 200k and the operation by the customer. Each dot belonging to the map data display area 212 can be selected by a pointing device. When selected, the displayed Japan map 212a is hidden, and a map with a smaller scale centered on a point corresponding to the dot is displayed on the map. It is displayed in the data display area 212. Further, in the present embodiment, if the listed prefecture name 212b is selected with a pointing device, the displayed Japan map is hidden, and the map of the area centered on the selected prefecture is replaced with the Japan map. It is displayed in the map data display area 212.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which a map 212c of a region centering on Tokyo is displayed in the map data display area 212, and the names of wards, municipalities 212c of Tokyo are displayed below the map data display area 212. In the map 212c, the dots belonging to the map data display area 212 and the names of the municipalities 212d can be selected with a pointing device, and by selecting, a map with a smaller scale is displayed in place of the map 212c.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which a map 212e of a region centered on Kunitachi-shi, Tokyo is displayed in the map data display area 212, and the address of the delivery place is displayed below the map data display area 212. . In the present embodiment, the map 212
e with four stars 213a, 213b, 213c, 213
d, each of which has the delivery stations 1, 2,.
It corresponds to three or five locations.

In the map 212c, the map data display area 21
Each of the dots belonging to No. 2 and the ward / municipal name 212d can be selected by a pointing device.

For example, if the customer selects the star 213a, the item 205 of the management item of the delivery place is displayed in the list 205 of FIG.
The recording specification data is created in the same manner as in the case where the second delivery station 2-7-6 Nishikicho, Tachikawa-shi, Tokyo is selected from 07.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the support system 1.

The customer accesses the support system 1 (step a1). This access includes a case where a computer or a portable terminal is used, a case where access is made via a public telephone line using a mobile phone or PHS, and a case where an access is made using a dedicated terminal installed at a request place. After accessing the support system 1, the customer operates the record specification creation button 204 to request the support system 1 to transmit data on the delivery place.

The access terminals 2001 to 200k make a request in step a1. The support system 1 creates data on the delivery place in the delivery place information creation block 13 and transmits the data on the delivery place to the customer (step b).
1).

When the support system 1 receives the data on the delivery site transmitted in step b1, the access terminal 20
Since the list 205 is displayed for 01 to 200k, the customer specifies desired items from each management item of the displayed list 205. By this specification, a delivery place where the customer picks up the image recording medium is determined. When the customer finishes the identification,
When the user presses the "ply" button 209, the image data desired to be recorded or processed on the image recording medium and the recording specification data, that is, the data indicating which delivery place has been specified and what kind of service has been specified, are stored in the access terminal. 2001
To 200 k to the support system 1. The support system 1 receives the image data and the recording specification data transmitted by the access terminals 2001 to 200k in step c1 (step c1).

The image data received in step c1 is once recorded on the hard disk of the support system 1.
On the other hand, the recording place setting block 14 analyzes the recording specification data, and sets an image recording place to which the customer's image data is to be transmitted, with reference to the delivery place-recording place management item 121. When the setting of the recording place setting block 14 is completed, the control block 15 reads out the customer's image data from the hard disk, instructs the communication block 11, and converts the read out image data and the recording specification data received from the access terminals 2001 to 200k. Terminals 3001 to 3003 of the image recording station
00k (step d1).

The support system 1 described above operates in accordance with the control of the control block 15,
Since the communication block 11 transmits the information on the delivery place created by the customer to the access terminals 2001 to 200k of the customer,
The customer can select a delivery station that meets the customer's own requirements. When the communication system 11 receives the recording specification data corresponding to the result of the customer's selection, the support system 1 sets the recording site setting block 14 according to the control of the control block 15.
Sets the image recording station or image data processing station to which the image data is transmitted, and the communication block 11 transmits the image data to the set image recording station or image data processing station. Therefore, based on the transmitted customer image data, the support system 1 assists the customer in making a selection so that the image recording medium can be delivered after satisfying the customer's request. Since the recording medium can be delivered to the customer, the inconvenience of the customer can be eliminated.

In this embodiment, an example has been described in which each functional block is executed by one computer, but each functional block may be executed by a different computer. Also, access terminals 2001-200k, terminals 3001-
The 300k may be executed by a plurality of computers. For example, when a mobile phone or a PHS is used as the access terminals 2001 to 200k, the recording specification data is transmitted from the access terminals 2001 to 200k to the support system 1, and the image data is transmitted from the data transmission terminal 200a that stores the image data of the customer. It may be transmitted to the support system 1.

In the present embodiment, the example in which the support system 1 is constantly connected to the network 100 has been described, but the support system 1 may be temporarily connected.

In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the customer operates the display screen using the pointing device while checking the display screen, and transmits the recording specification data from the access terminals 2001 to 200 k to the support system 1. And PH
For access terminals that can only display character strings, such as S,
It is preferable that the customer software sets the recording specification data by interactive processing. Of course, the recording specification data may be set by an interactive process in an access terminal having a monitor corresponding to a shell supporting the GUI.

Further, the recording specification data is collectively input to the access terminals 2001 to 20 by operating the apply button 209.
0k to the support system 1 has been described as an example,
Each time the customer selects any item on the screen 201, a part of the recording specification data (data for each management item of the database block 12 or each item) is transmitted, and the support system 1 is operated by operating the apply button 209. On the side, the control block 15 may generate the recording specification data.

Further, the charge calculation is performed using the access terminals 2001 to 2001.
Instead of the 200k side, the support system 1 may be used to transmit data indicating the calculated charge to the access terminals 2001 to 200k. In this case, each time the customer selects any item on the screen 201, the access terminals 2001 to 200k transmit a part of the recording specification data (each management item of the database block 12 or data for each item), In response, on the support system 1 side, the control block 15 executes the charge calculation, and transmits data indicating the calculated charge to the access terminals 2001 to 200k. The access terminals 2001 to 200k display the transmitted fee on the screen 201, and operate the apply button 209 by the customer to control the control block 1 based on a part of the recording specification data already transmitted to the support system 1 side.
5 may create the recording specification data. The delivery date calculation may be performed by the support system 1 similarly to the charge calculation, and data indicating the delivery date may be transmitted to the access terminals 2001 to 200k.

In the above description, the image recording station also serves as the image data processing station. However, each of the image recording stations may operate independently. That is, the image recording station of the present invention includes at least means for recording the image data of the customer on the image recording medium, and means for receiving the image data of the customer transmitted from the support system 1, and at least one delivery station And doing business. Further, a storage unit for temporarily storing the received image data may be provided, and the received image data may be recorded on an image recording medium based on the stored image data.

The image data processing station of the present invention includes at least means for processing the image data of the customer and means for receiving the image data of the customer transmitted from the support system 1 and at least one delivery. It does business with the office. Further, a storage unit for temporarily storing the received image data may be provided, and the received image data may be recorded on an image recording medium based on the stored image data.

The delivery place of the present invention does not need to be provided with any particular equipment, and a store such as a so-called convenience store may deliver the image recording medium transported from the image recording place to the customer at the store. Alternatively, a so-called home delivery company may deliver the image recording medium to a location specified by the customer.

[0082]

According to the image recording support system of the present invention, based on the transmitted image data of the customer, the image recording medium can be delivered after satisfying the customer's request. And the customer can hand over the image recording medium on which the image is recorded to the customer, thereby eliminating the inconvenience of the customer.

According to the image data processing support system of the present invention, based on the transmitted image data of the customer, the customer can deliver the image recording medium after satisfying the request of the customer. Since the image recording medium on which the image is recorded can be delivered to the customer by supporting the selecting operation, the inconvenience of the customer can be eliminated.

According to the image recording support method of the present invention, the customer can select the image recording medium based on the transmitted image data of the customer so that the image recording medium can be delivered after satisfying the customer's request. Since the act can be supported and the image recording medium on which the image is recorded can be delivered to the customer, the inconvenience of the customer can be eliminated.

According to the image data processing support method of the present invention, the image recording medium can be handed over based on the transmitted image data of the customer so as to satisfy the customer's request and deliver the image recording medium. Since the image recording medium on which the image is recorded can be delivered to the customer by supporting the selecting operation, the inconvenience of the customer can be eliminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a support system having both an image recording support system and an image processing support system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the support system.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a state in which data relating to a delivery place is displayed in a list format on a customer access terminal.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a display displayed on a customer's access terminal in order to specify the location of a delivery place using points on a map.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a display provided on the access terminal of the customer to specify the location of the delivery place by a point on the map.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a display displayed on the access terminal of the customer in order to specify the location of the delivery place using points on a map.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image recording support system.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a form of a conventional service.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Support system 11 Communication block 12 Database block 121 Delivery station-recording station management item 122 Delivery site location management item 123a Processing method management item 123b Recording method management item 124 Delivery date management item 125 Charge management item 13 Delivery Place information creation block 14 Recording place setting block 15 Control block 100 Network 2001-200k Access terminal 201 Screen 205 List table 204 Record specification creation button 208 Charge display field 212 Map data display area 214 Delivery date display field 3001-300k Terminal

Claims (28)

[Claims] 1. A delivery place information transmitting means for transmitting to a customer information on a plurality of delivery places for delivering an image recording medium on which an image is recorded to a customer, and image data and information for specifying the delivery place selected by the customer. Receiving means for receiving, and transmitting the image data to an image recording station selected from among a plurality of image recording stations for creating an image recording medium on which the received image data is recorded, based on information for specifying the transfer station; An image recording support system, comprising: 2. The image recording support system according to claim 1, wherein the information on the delivery place includes a service that can be received by a customer when a specific delivery place is selected. 3. The image recording support system according to claim 2, wherein the information on the delivery place includes information on a price for the service. 4. The image recording support system according to claim 2, wherein the contents of the service include information on a recording method for recording an image on an image recording medium based on the image data. . 5. The image recording support system according to claim 2, wherein the receiving means receives information on the contents of the service selected by the customer. 6. A storage means for storing information in which the delivery place and the image recording place are associated with each other, and based on the information stored in the storage means, the transmission means for the image data is used for storing image data. And transmitting the image data to the image recording station corresponding to the selected delivery place.
6. The image recording support system according to 4 or 5. 7. The image recording support system according to claim 1, wherein the information about the delivery place includes information about the location of the delivery place. 8. A delivery place information transmitting means for transmitting to a customer information on a plurality of delivery places for delivering an image recording medium on which an image is recorded to a customer, and image data and information for specifying a delivery place selected by the customer. Receiving means for receiving, from among a plurality of image data processing stations for creating image data processed based on the received image data, to an image data processing station selected based on information for specifying the transfer station; Transmitting means for transmitting the image data. 9. The image data processing support system according to claim 8, wherein the information relating to the delivery place includes contents of a service that can be received by a customer when a specific delivery place is selected. . 10. The image data processing support system according to claim 9, wherein the information relating to the delivery place includes information relating to a price for the service. 11. The image data processing support system according to claim 9, wherein information of a processing method for processing the data is included in the contents of the service. 12. The image data processing support system according to claim 9, wherein the receiving means receives information on the contents of a service selected by the customer. 13. A storage means for storing information in which the delivery place and the image data processing place are associated with each other, and based on the information stored in the storage means, the transmission means for the image data may 13. The image data processing support system according to claim 8, wherein data is transmitted to the image data processing station corresponding to the selected delivery place. 14. The image data processing support system according to claim 8, wherein the information on the delivery place includes information on the location of the delivery place. 15. Information about a plurality of delivery points for delivering an image recording medium on which an image is recorded to the customer is transmitted to the customer,
Receiving the image data and the information for specifying the delivery place selected by the customer, and specifying the delivery place from a plurality of image recording places for creating an image recording medium on which an image is recorded based on the received image data; Transmitting the image data to an image recording station selected based on the information to be recorded. 16. The image recording support method according to claim 15, wherein the information about the delivery place includes contents of a service that a customer can receive when a specific delivery place is selected. 17. The image recording support method according to claim 16, wherein the information on the delivery place includes information on the price of the service. 18. The image recording support method according to claim 16, wherein the contents of the service include information on a recording method for recording an image on an image recording medium based on the image data. . 19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the information about the contents of the service selected by the customer is received.
19. The image recording support method according to 6, 17, or 18. 20. Information that associates the delivery place with the image recording place and stores the information based on the stored information.
The image data is transmitted to the image recording station corresponding to the selected transfer station.
20. The image recording support method according to 6, 17, 18 or 19. 21. The image recording support method according to claim 15, wherein the information on the delivery place includes information on the location of the delivery place. 22. Information about a plurality of delivery points for delivering an image recording medium on which an image is recorded to the customer is transmitted to the customer,
The image data and the information for specifying the delivery place selected by the customer are received, and the information for specifying the delivery place is selected from among a plurality of image data processing places for creating image data processed based on the received image data. Transmitting the image data to an image data processing station selected based on the image data. 23. The image data processing support method according to claim 22, wherein the information on the delivery place includes a service content that can be received by a customer when a specific delivery place is selected. . 24. The image data processing support method according to claim 23, wherein the information on the delivery place includes information on the price of the service. 25. The image data processing support method according to claim 23, wherein information on a processing method for processing the image data is included in the contents of the service. 26. The method according to claim 23, wherein information about the contents of the service selected by the customer is received.
Or the image data processing support method according to 25. 27. Information that associates the transfer station with the image data processing station, and stores the image data corresponding to the selected transfer station based on the stored information. The image data processing support method according to claim 23, 24, 25 or 26, wherein the method is transmitted to a processing place. 28. The image data processing support method according to claim 22, wherein the information relating to the delivery place includes information relating to the location of the delivery place.