JP2006004172A - Image formation processing equipment, image formation order system, and server system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation processing equipment capable of coping efficiently with an order of mischief while securing convenience for a customer issuing an online order, an image formation order system therefor, and a server system provided in the image formation order system. <P>SOLUTION: This image (print) processing equipment 32 constituted to download an order data for photo-print preparation uploaded to the server system 1, via a network, is provided with an order data storage part 302 for storing the downloaded order data, a collation means 306 for collating an orderer data included in the order data with an orderer data selected out of the orderer data included in the order data stored in the order data storage part 302 before the download, when downloading the order data, and a notifying part 305 for issuing a notification based on a collated result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is provided in an image forming processing device that receives image forming processing order data via a network such as the Internet and performs the image forming processing, an image forming order system including the image forming processing device, and the image forming order system. Server system.

  Recently, a system (hereinafter referred to as a photographic print ordering system) for ordering creation of a photographic print (an example of an image forming process) via a network such as the Internet has gradually spread. This system can be realized by installing a server system on the Internet and installing a function for placing print orders on the network in the server system.

  For example, a customer who wants to place a print order accesses the home page of the server system using a personal computer. Then, customer information such as name and phone number is entered to register as a member, and the image data to be requested to create a photo print is uploaded from the personal computer to the server system. The customer sets the number of prints and print size for each uploaded image. In addition, a photo shop requesting creation of a photo print, a payment method, and the like are set. When these settings are completed, the order details are confirmed, and if OK, a predetermined button is clicked to confirm the order details. The confirmed order data is stored in a predetermined order data storage unit set in the server system. On the other hand, the photo shop side also uses a personal computer or the like to check whether there is order data for its own photo shop. If there is an order, the order data is downloaded by the print processing device and a photo print is created. The finished photo print is provided by the customer visiting the photo store directly or sending the photo print from the photo store to the customer's home.

  Such a photo print ordering system does not require taking a photographed negative film, a storage medium of a digital camera, or the like to a photo shop, so that convenience for customers can be improved. However, with the penetration of such a photo print ordering system, there has been a tendency to increase mischievous orders using the nature of the network. In other words, it is not possible for customers to see the face of a photo shop clerk, or for the photo shop to leave negative films, etc. The number of cases has increased. In the above, when an orderer orders using a pseudonym or the like, it is very difficult for the photo shop to determine the orderer, and the creation of a photo print is useless and damage is caused.

  The credit card prepayment method can suppress damage caused by mischievous orders, but it is not desirable to force the prepayment method to all customers, and the conventional postpay (cash payment) method has to be continued. . Conventionally, in a photo shop, a list of persons who have made an order for mischief is recorded in a memo or the like, but this imposes a burden on the operator and hinders workability. Further, since the orderer uses a different pseudonym for each order or changes the requested photo shop, it is difficult to take measures with the above method.

On the other hand, a system disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is known. This system includes a secondary terminal for authenticating the contents of an order to a customer who has ordered through a network. According to such a system, a person who has placed an order needs to input identification information to the secondary terminal in front of a clerk such as a photo shop, and therefore can prevent mischievous orders. However, this system forces the customer to move to the location where the secondary terminal is installed and to input identification information, and significantly reduces the convenience of customers who place orders online. It was.
JP 2001-215625 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the problem is that an image forming processing apparatus capable of efficiently dealing with mischievous orders while ensuring the convenience of customers who have placed orders online, and its image An object is to provide an image forming order system including a forming processing device, and a server system provided in the image forming order system.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming processing apparatus according to the present invention downloads the order data downloaded to the server system in the image forming processing apparatus configured to be downloadable via a network. An order data storage unit that stores the order data when the order data is downloaded, and orderer data included in the order data stored in the order data storage unit before the download. A collating unit that collates the selected orderer data, and a notification unit that performs notification based on the result of the collation.

  The operation and effect of the image forming apparatus with this configuration will be described. Such an image forming processing device is used in an environment connected to a network such as the Internet, and a server system to which order data for image forming processing is uploaded is installed on the network. The order data includes, in addition to image data having image information, orderer data having information such as the name of the orderer. The image forming processing device downloads the order data via the network and performs image forming processing. Examples of the image forming process include creation of a photo print, recording of an image on a recording medium such as a CD-R, re-uploading to a network, and the like.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, the downloaded order data is stored in the order data storage unit. When the order data is downloaded, the orderer data included in the order data and the orderer data selected from the orderer data included in the order data stored in the order data storage unit before the download are obtained. The collation means collates, and the notification section gives notification based on the collation result. Thus, when there is an order for mischief purpose, the operator selects the orderer data related to the mischief from the orderer data included in the order data stored in the order data storage unit. When the order data is subsequently downloaded, it is possible to determine whether or not the orderer has previously made a mischievous order. As a result, the operator can avoid processing by mischievous orders and can prevent damage. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently deal with mischievous orders while ensuring customer convenience.

  In the above, an orderer data storage unit that stores the orderer data selected from the orderer data included in the order data stored in the order data storage unit in a list format, and the matching unit includes the ordering unit It is preferable that when the data is downloaded, the orderer data included in the order data is collated with the orderer data stored in the orderer data storage unit before the download.

  According to the image forming processing apparatus of this configuration, when there is an order for mischief purpose, the orderer data selected by the operator from the orderer data included in the order data stored in the order data storage unit is in a list format. Therefore, management becomes easy and exchange of orderer data with other photo stores or server systems becomes easy. Further, since the order data storage unit adds the order data every time a new order is received, the order data is stored by storing the selected orderer data in the orderer data storage unit that is separate from the order data storage unit. Order data can be added and updated in the storage unit almost without restriction. In such a case, the object of collation by the collation means is orderer data stored in the orderer data storage unit, and order data (orderer data) is added / updated in the order data storage unit. Even in this case, the matching process can be executed without any problem.

  In the above, it is preferable that the collating unit is configured so that items to be collated can be arbitrarily set.

  According to the above configuration, the verification by the verification unit can be executed in a variable manner. For example, if a mischievous ordering person tends to use a pseudonym, it can be set so that only specific items such as a telephone number and an e-mail address are collated without collating names. Further, even if the orderer's name matches as a result of the collation, the collation can be performed by setting a priority order between the items, for example, notification is not performed if the IP address is different.

  In addition, an image formation order system according to the present invention is installed on a network and configured to store uploaded image formation processing order data, and an image formation processing order uploaded to the server system. One of the image forming processing apparatuses configured to download data via a network.

  The effects of the image forming order system with this configuration will be described. First, a server system installed on a network such as the Internet accepts an order for image forming processing via the network. The orderer uploads the image data from his computer to the server system. The computer may be a personal computer or a mobile device such as a PDA or a mobile phone. Image data and other data necessary for print processing are stored in the server system as order data. On the other hand, when there is an order for its own photo shop, the photo shop side downloads the order data and performs image forming processing. According to the image forming order system of the present invention, when the order data is downloaded as described above, it is possible to check whether or not the orderer is a person who has previously made an order for mischief. Since the notification is made based on the result of the collation, it is possible to avoid damages by avoiding the processing by the mischievous order.

  In addition, a server system according to the present invention includes a server orderer data storage unit that is provided in the image formation ordering system and that stores orderer data uploaded from the image forming processing device included in the image formation ordering system. Prepare.

  The server system stores the orderer data uploaded by the photo store from the above image forming processing device in the server orderer data storage unit, so that the orderer data is stored in a plurality of photo stores connected to the network. Can be shared. In other words, each photo shop side browses and downloads the orderer data uploaded to the server system, or transfers the orderer data from the server system to each photo shop, and performs mischievous orders. You can share information about the orderer. As a result, it is possible to deal with mischievous orders more efficiently and prevent the occurrence of damage.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an image formation ordering system according to the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a photo print ordering system (corresponding to the image formation ordering system). Usually, when a photo shop is requested to create a photo print (corresponding to the image forming process), a customer directly takes a storage medium on which an image is recorded with a photographed negative film or a digital camera to the photo shop. Done in On the other hand, an online photo print ordering system in which a customer can request creation of a photo print without visiting the photo store directly is known, and the present invention also relates to this.

<Outline of photo print ordering system>
The server system 1 is installed on the Internet (corresponding to the network) and constitutes the core of the photo print ordering system. The server system 1 has a function of accepting a photo print creation order via the Internet, and various software and hardware for realizing the function are installed. The server system 1 includes one or a plurality of server devices in terms of hardware. Preferably, in order to distribute the load, it is preferable to configure a plurality of server devices according to functions. For example, an order receiving server, a database server, a Web server, and the like. The network does not ask wired / wireless, and various forms can be adopted.

  A customer (orderer) can access the server system 1 via the Internet. In general, a personal computer 2 (computer) is used for access, but access by a mobile device such as a PDA or a mobile phone is also possible. In order for a customer to access the server system 1 and use the order system, it is necessary to register as a member in advance. As a member registration procedure, a publicly known one can be used. Usually, a customer's name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, etc. are registered. A customer can request a photo print order by accessing the home page of the server system 1 using the personal computer 2, opening a predetermined order page, and following a predetermined procedure such as uploading image data.

  One or a plurality of print processing devices 32 (corresponding to the image forming processing devices) are installed in the photo shop 3, and each includes a personal computer 30 (computer) and a photo processing device 31. The photo shop 3 can access the server system 1 using the personal computer 30. When a photo print order is received from the customer to the photo shop 3, the order data can be downloaded via the Internet. it can. The order data includes orderer data such as the customer's name in addition to the image data. In order for the photo shop 3 to receive a photo print order on the Internet, it is necessary to register as a member as in the case of the customer. In the photo shop 3, a photo print creation process can be performed by the photo processing device 31 using the downloaded image data. The personal computer 30 and the photographic processing apparatus 31 are connected by a communication line, and a photographic processing apparatus 31 having a known structure can be used. In the present embodiment, the term “photo shop” is not limited to a specific type of photo shop. For example, it may be in the form of a private business or a chain store. Moreover, it is not limited to a photo specialty store, and the size of the photo store is not limited to a specific one.

<Server system configuration>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the server system 1 illustrated in FIG. The transmission / reception unit 10 has a function of receiving data transmitted via the Internet and transmitting data to the Internet. The data processing unit 11 performs various processes related to data received via the transmission / reception unit 10 and data to be transmitted via the transmission / reception unit 10. For example, when the received data is analyzed and processing based on the analysis result is performed, and a home page (Web page) is requested, the corresponding home page data is extracted from the database, and the request source Send it back to your computer.

  The authentication system 12 authenticates whether or not a member is registered. In order for a customer or a photo shop to use this ordering system, it is necessary to register as a member first, and an ID and a password are given. When a customer places an order for print processing or confirms order contents, authentication based on member registration is required. Authentication is also required when a photo shop confirms the contents of an order or downloads order data. As the authentication system, a known system can be used.

  The data of the customer who has registered as a member is stored in the customer database 13. The data of the photo shop that has registered as a member is stored in the photo shop database 14. The databases 13 and 14 are controlled by the database control unit 15. Various data can be stored as customer data and photo store data.

  The Web page storage unit 16 stores Web page data including a home page (top page). By designating the URL corresponding to each page, the designated web page can be displayed on the monitor screens of the personal computers 2 and 30. Web page data is described based on HTML.

  The orderer data storage unit 17 (corresponding to the server orderer data storage unit) has a function of storing the orderer data uploaded from the photo shop 3. Orderer data uploaded from the photo store 3 will be described later. The stored orderer data is configured to be browsed and downloadable by a photo shop registered as a member. Further, the orderer data stored in the orderer data storage unit 17 may be distributed to a photo store registered in advance as a distribution destination. At this time, it is preferable that a large number of photo stores stored in the photo store database 14 are registered in groups and distributed to other photo stores belonging to the same group as the uploaded photo store. Thereby, orderer data can be shared for every chain store, for example, and management becomes easy.

  Order data is stored in the order data storage unit 18 (database). When the customer requests print processing using the personal computer 2, the order data is stored here. The order data includes image data (at least one piece of data). Image data can be stored by uploading from the customer's personal computer 2 to the server system 1. The order data includes data necessary for creating a photographic print such as the number of prints and print size for each image data. Other correction data is also set as necessary. For example, if there is an image for which red-eye correction is desired, the fact is specified. Order data is managed in units of orders.

  The order data includes orderer data relating to the customer who requested the print process. The orderer data includes the customer's name and address, telephone number, mail address, IP address, and the like. In addition, when accessed by a PDA or a mobile phone, the terminal identification number is also included. The orderer data is not limited to the data directly stored in the order data storage unit 18 but may be stored in association with the customer data stored in the customer database 13.

  The order data is further accompanied by photo shop data indicating which photo shop the print processing request is to be made. When the customer places a print order, the customer can specify the desired photo shop. The photo stores that can be specified are limited to stores that are registered as members. If you go directly to the photo store to get the finished photo print, you can specify a photo store that is convenient for your visit. It should be noted that it is preferable that a plurality of photo shops can be designated as well as one shop. For example, when a priority order is determined and a plurality of designations are made and basically a print process is performed at a first priority photo shop, and a situation where the print process cannot be performed at the first priority photo shop occurs, Print processing can be performed at a priority photo shop. Furthermore, the finish date and time (delivery date) of the photo print can be included as the order data.

<Print processing equipment>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the print processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. As described above, one or a plurality of print processing devices 32 are installed in the photo shop 3, and each includes a personal computer 30 and a photo processing device 31.

  The transmission / reception unit 300 has a function of receiving data transmitted via the Internet and transmitting data to the Internet. As a result, it is possible to access the server system 1 to which the order data has been uploaded from the customer using the browser function installed in the personal computer 30 and download the order data.

  The data processing unit 301 has a function of analyzing the received data and performing processing according to the analysis result. For example, if the received data is photo print order data, print processing described later is executed. Further, when an electronic mail related to print processing is transmitted from the server system 1, the data is stored in the mail folder 303.

  When the order data is downloaded by accessing the server system 1, the order data is stored in the order data storage unit 302. The data to be stored is the same as described above, and is data necessary for print processing such as image data, orderer data, photo shop data, and the like.

  The orderer data storage unit 304 stores orderer data arbitrarily selected by the operator from the orderer data stored in the order data storage unit 302. The operator may select an orderer who can determine that the order is a mischievous order because the orderer does not accept the finished photo print or pays the price, and the orderer data storage unit 304 can store the selected orderer. it can. The operator simply displays the orderer data stored in the order data storage unit 302 on the monitor 311, and only instructs the orderer data storage unit 304 to store it using an input unit such as a keyboard 316 or a mouse (not shown). It's okay. The selected orderer data is stored in a list format in the orderer data storage unit 304 and can be used as a so-called black list. The list is configured to be displayed on the monitor 311. When the orderer data is stored in the orderer data storage unit 304, the data can be updated and the history can be added as necessary, such as when the orderer is already stored. The orderer data stored in the orderer data storage unit 304 can be uploaded from the transmission / reception unit 300 to the server system 1 via the Internet. The uploaded orderer data is stored in the orderer data storage unit 17 of the server system 1 and can be shared by each photo shop as described above.

  The collation means 306 is provided in the data processing unit 301 and has a function of collating the orderer data included in the downloaded order data with the orderer data stored in the orderer data storage unit 304 before the download. . Thereby, it is possible to determine whether or not the customer who has placed the order is stored in the orderer data storage unit 304, that is, whether or not the customer has previously made a mischievous order. As a result of the collation, when it is determined that the orderer matches, the notification unit 305 notifies the operator.

  The collation by the collating means 306 is performed for each item such as the orderer's name and telephone number, and the items to be collated can be arbitrarily set by the operator. That is, when it is desired to set the collation conditions strictly, it can be set to notify when even one item matches. Further, in the case of an order for mischief purposes, the name, address, telephone number, etc. are often registered with random contents, so it is preferable to limit the object of collation to an IP address or terminal identification number.

  The verification process may be executed every time the order data is downloaded, or may be performed according to an operator instruction. In the former case, since all order data are checked uniformly, it is possible to avoid a printing process by a mischievous order with a relatively high probability. In the latter case, for example, a collation process can be omitted for an order that is surely not a mischief purpose, and a print process can be performed efficiently. In such a case, if the operator can determine from the contents of the order that it is a mischievous purpose, the collation is executed simply by giving an instruction on the personal computer 30 and the orderer can be confirmed.

  The notification means by the notification unit 305 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a warning sound, a warning lamp, a monitor display, and a combination thereof. Further, notification may be made by sending an e-mail to a mobile device carried by the operator. Which notification is performed can be arbitrarily set for each photo shop. The operator who has been notified can make a decision as to whether or not to cancel before creating a photo print. As a result, it is possible to efficiently deal with mischievous orders and prevent damage to the photo shop.

  Photo prints are created by the photo processing device 31. As the photographic processing apparatus 31, a known structure can be used. The image processing unit 310 has a function of performing image processing on image data and converting the image data into data suitable for print processing. For example, color / density correction processing, special processing such as red-eye correction, and enlargement processing for making data print size. For these processes, image data stored in the order data storage unit 302, data relating to the number of prints and print size, and other correction data are used.

  The photo processing apparatus 31 can process not only image data acquired via the Internet but also image data input from an image input unit 314 provided in the photo processing apparatus 31. The image input unit 314 can acquire image data from a storage medium such as a film scanner or a digital camera. The image data storage unit 315 stores the image data acquired from the image input unit 314.

  The monitor 311 can display image data and a necessary screen for print processing, and an operator can perform image processing work via an input unit such as a keyboard 316 or a numeric keypad. The exposure engine 312 has a function of printing and exposing an image on a photographic photosensitive material using the image data processed by the image processing unit 310. As the exposure engine 312, a laser engine, a PLZT engine, a CRT engine, or the like can be used as appropriate. The photographic light-sensitive material on which the image is printed and exposed is subjected to development processing and drying processing in a development / drying processing unit 313. After this processing is completed, the finished photo print is discharged outside the apparatus.

<System usage procedure>
Next, a procedure for using the photo print ordering system shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, the procedure until the customer orders the print processing will be described with reference to FIG. First, the customer uses the personal computer 2 to access the homepage (# 1). Membership registration is required to request print processing via the Internet. If the member registration has not been completed (# 2), the member registration procedure is performed (# 3). When member registration is performed, customer data is stored in the customer database 13. When you register as a member, you will be given an ID and password.

  When member registration is completed, an authentication procedure is performed (# 4). At the time of authentication, the assigned ID and password are input. When the authentication is completed, it is possible to enter a dedicated Web page given to the individual and to make a print order. When a print order is made (# 5), image data is uploaded from the personal computer 2 (# 6). Image data to be uploaded is stored in the personal computer 2 in advance. The image data can be uploaded by a known method. When the image data is uploaded, the image data is stored in a predetermined Web page, and the image can be confirmed in the form of an album.

  Next, print data is set for the uploaded image (# 7). As the print data, the number of prints and the print size are designated. Special corrections such as red-eye correction and backlight correction can be set as necessary. Next, a photo shop that requests print processing is set (# 8). The photo store can be specified anywhere as long as it is a registered photo store. It should be noted that not only one photo shop can be designated, but a plurality of can be designated in advance. For example, when there is a situation in which printing processing cannot be performed at a photo shop with the highest priority, processing can be performed at a photo shop with a lower priority.

  Next, fee payment is set (# 9). As a payment method, a credit card, cash on delivery, store payment, etc. can be set. When the necessary items have been entered, the screen moves to a confirmation page to confirm the order contents (# 10). If there are correction items in the order contents, the process returns to step # 6 to make necessary corrections. If the order contents are OK, the confirmation button is clicked to confirm the order contents (# 11). The confirmed order data is stored in the order data storage unit 18 (# 12).

<Procedure until print processing>
Next, the procedure from downloading order data at the photo shop 3 to creating a photo print will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in the photo store 3, the homepage is accessed using the personal computer 30 (# 20). Next, after performing the authentication procedure, the screen shifts to a dedicated page given to the photo shop 3 (# 21). In the photo shop 3, the presence / absence of an order can be confirmed on a dedicated page. For example, orders are displayed as a list in order units. The list display also displays whether or not the print process has been completed. If there is order data that has not been processed yet, the photo shop 3 downloads the order data (# 22, 23). The downloaded order data is stored in the order data storage unit 302 (# 24).

  When the order data is downloaded, the orderer data included in the order data is collated with the orderer data stored in the orderer data storage unit 304 before the download (# 25). As a result of the collation, when it is determined that the orderer matches, the notification unit notifies the operator (# 26, 27). The operator determines whether or not to continue the printing process, and can cancel the printing process if the orderer determines that the purpose is mischief (# 28, 29).

  When it is determined that the print process is to be continued, as described above, the image data, the print process (image printing exposure), the development process and the drying process are performed using the order data, and then the photographic print is completed. (# 30 to # 33). Finished photo prints are packaged and stored in a bag when customers come directly to the photo shop. For customers who wish to deliver by home delivery, work for delivery is performed.

  When the photo shop 3 finishes the print process, it notifies the server system 1 to that effect. In the server system 1, the order data that has been processed is given data indicating that it has been processed. Thereby, it is possible to recognize that the print processing has been completed for the order data.

<Another embodiment>
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the print processing device 32 includes the order data storage unit 302 that stores the downloaded order data and the orderer data storage unit 304 that stores the orderer data selected by the operator. Although shown, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the order data storage unit 302, a flag is added to the orderer data selected by the operator from the orderer data included in the order data, and the orderer data to which the flag is added is checked by the matching unit 306. A configuration that is a target of collation may be used. According to this configuration, when the order data is downloaded, the orderer data included in the order data and the orderer data included in the order data stored in the order data storage unit 302 before the download are flagged. The added orderer data is collated.

  (2) In the above-described embodiment, an example of creating a photographic print as an image forming process has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, image data subjected to image processing in a print processing device may be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-R, or may be uploaded again to a network. The recording medium is provided to the customer in the same manner as the photographic print. Further, the re-uploaded image data is provided to the customer by allowing the orderer to browse and download the image data.

Schematic diagram showing the outline of the configuration of the photo print ordering system Block diagram explaining functions of server system Block diagram explaining the functions of the print order reception system Flow chart showing the procedure when a customer orders print processing Flow chart showing the procedure when performing print processing

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Server system 2 Personal computer 3 Photo shop 10 Transmission / reception part 11 Data processing part 17 Orderer data storage part 18 Order data storage part 30 Personal computer 31 Photo processing apparatus 32 Print processing apparatus 300 Transmission / reception part 301 Data processing part 302 Order data storage part 304 Order Data storage unit 305 notification unit 306 collation means

Claims (5)

In image forming processing equipment configured to download image forming order data uploaded to a server system via a network,
An order data storage unit for storing the downloaded order data;
When the order data is downloaded, the orderer data included in the order data, and the orderer data selected from the orderer data included in the order data stored in the order data storage unit prior to the download. Matching means for matching;
An image forming processing apparatus comprising: a notification unit that performs notification based on a result of the collation. An orderer data storage unit for storing the orderer data selected from the orderer data included in the order data stored in the order data storage unit in a list format;
The collation means collates, when downloading the order data, the orderer data included in the order data and the orderer data stored in the orderer data storage unit before the download. The image forming processing apparatus according to 1.   The image forming processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the collating unit is configured to arbitrarily set items to be collated. A server system installed on the network and configured to store uploaded ordering data for image formation processing;
An image formation ordering system comprising: the image formation processing device according to claim 1, wherein the image formation processing order data uploaded to the server system can be downloaded via a network.   A server system comprising an orderer data storage unit for a server that is provided in the image formation ordering system according to claim 4 and that stores orderer data uploaded from the image forming processing device provided in the image formation ordering system.

Images