JP2008040679A - Self-service photo printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a self-service photo printing apparatus settling a charge by both of cash and electronic money and providing photo printing service types suited to respective settlement types at the time. <P>SOLUTION: The self-service photo printing apparatus comprises a printer unit 40 for outputting photo prints from photographed frame images inputted on the basis of a prescribed service type specifying the output form of the photo print and a charge management part 24 for managing charge processing for photo print output in the service type. A charge settlement control unit 20 deals with cash and electronic money as settlement types for charge settlement, and a presentation service type determination part 58 for determining a presentation service type to be presented to a user corresponding to the settlement type selected by the user from the service types registered in a photo service management table 57. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an image input processing unit for inputting a shot frame image read from an image storage medium, and a photo print from a shot frame image input based on a predetermined service type that defines an output form of a photo print. The present invention relates to a self-photo printing apparatus provided with a printer unit that outputs a charge and a charge settlement control unit that manages a charge process for outputting a photo print according to the service type.

  In a conventional self-photo printing device, an image desired to be printed is selected from captured images displayed by the user's input, and the purpose of printing (“high-quality print”, “quick print”, “ID photo (print ) "" Album creation (print) "etc.) is displayed as a photo print service type, and when the purpose of use is selected by the user, image processing according to the purpose of use is executed, and then a charge is displayed. The amount of money inserted into the bill insertion slot and the coin insertion slot is determined according to the charge display, and when there is change, the change is discharged to the change discharge slot, and print processing is executed (for example, Patent Document 1). reference). Since such a self-photo printing apparatus can be operated unattended, it has many advantages such as a reduction in operating personnel costs and a 24-hour operation.

  In addition to conventional currency systems such as banknotes and coins, a new digital currency system called electronic money has also appeared. Therefore, the complex self-copying machine installed in a convenience store (not only copying but also faxing) can make payments not only with cash but also with electronic money, allowing the user to freely select the form of payment. (For example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2000-006490 A (paragraph numbers 0020-0033, 0051-0058, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 5) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-072451 (paragraph numbers 0005-0009, FIGS. 2 and 4)

  In the case of self-service for photo print output, the fee varies finely according to the print size and number of prints, and also depending on the special print form such as combining multiple shot frames and other images. Are diversified, and change is likely to occur. When the change occurs, the product (photo print) cannot be sold, and the operation of the self-photo printing apparatus is stopped, resulting in business waste. For this reason, it is important to sell products (photo prints) that are unlikely to change. Adoption of billing settlement using electronic money is advantageous because no change is generated, but billing settlement cannot be limited to electronic money unless the electronic money is completely spread. In cash payments, the denominations that can be handled are limited to a certain extent, and a fee system that requires as little change as possible is required, whereas in electronic money payments, each photo can be processed in units of 1 yen. It is difficult to set the charge for the print service type so as to be optimal for both charging settlement modes (settlement types).

  In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a self-photo printing apparatus that enables payment settlement with both cash and electronic money and at the same time can provide a photo print service type suitable for each payment type. .

  In order to solve the above problems, an image input processing unit for inputting a captured frame image read from an image storage medium, and a captured frame image input based on a predetermined service type that defines an output form of a photo print In the self-photo printing apparatus, comprising: a printer unit that outputs a photo print from a charging unit; and a charging settlement control unit that manages a charging process for printing a photo print according to the service type. Presentation service type that can handle cash and electronic money as a payment type for payment and presents to the user according to the payment type selected by the user from the service types registered in the photo service management table A presentation service type determination unit for determining

  The service types here are the number of prints that pay a fee calculated according to the number of prints according to the print size, the fixed amount print that prints a predetermined number of sheets at a fixed fee, and the number of shooting frames set for each fee. This is a phrase that typically represents a special print such as a multi-print that combines images into a single print, a special editing print that synthesizes a character or background separately for a shot frame image, or an event postcard print. In the number-of-sheets print service, the charge increases or decreases depending on the number of sheets input and set, but a service type with a fixed charge is also prepared.

  Various forms of electronic money, which is a settlement type other than cash, are known, but network-type electronic money that uses a network to send and receive monetary values as digital data and monetary values are stored in an internal IC card The IC card type electronic money is typical. The electronic money in the present invention is not limited to a specific form, but those that can be settled in units of one yen are suitable.

  In the self-photo printing apparatus according to the present invention, the service type suitable for the payment type is presented to the user according to the payment type selected by the user. For example, when cash is selected as the settlement type, only the service type for which a fee is set so that a 1-yen coin that is not generally prepared as change is not changed is presented. Furthermore, when 10-yen coins are not treated as change, it is preferable to present only the service types for which charges are set so that 10-yen coins are not changed. On the other hand, if electronic money that can be settled in units of 1 yen is selected as the settlement type, it is possible to present a service type for which the price is set for the purpose of differentiation from other companies in units of 1 yen. . In this way, by changing the service type (fee system) presented to the user between cash settlement and electronic money settlement, it is possible to display even the service types that cannot be used due to change during cash settlement and trick the user. In addition, in electronic money settlement, discount competition in units of 1 yen can be implemented despite automatic sales.

  Some electronic money has a fixed amount of money. For this reason, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a usage limit amount determination unit that determines a usage limit amount of the electronic money is provided, and the presentation service type determination unit responds to the determined usage limit amount. The presentation service types are limited. As a result, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the charge cannot be settled because the charge exceeds the usage limit at the billing settlement stage.

  In the case of a photographic print output, the maximum number of photographic prints can be predicted from the number of frames of the shot frame image recorded on an image storage medium such as a memory card. Therefore, the service type desired by the user can be estimated, and it is convenient to narrow down the estimated service type and present it to the user. For this purpose, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a frame number calculation unit for calculating the number of frames of the shot frame image recorded in the storage medium is provided, and the presentation service type determination unit is the It is the structure which limits the presentation service kind shown to a user according to the calculated number of frames.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a print kiosk terminal as an embodiment of a self-photo printing apparatus according to the present invention. A print kiosk terminal is installed in a store such as a DP store or a convenience store, and shot frame image data (hereinafter simply referred to as a shot frame) acquired by using the still shooting function of a digital still camera, a mobile phone with a camera, or a digital movie camera. Although the image is abbreviated as an image, the image itself visualized by the photographed frame image data is also referred to as a photographed frame image within a range that does not cause confusion.) It has an electronic photo print output function for converting an image into an electronic album and storing it in a storage medium such as a DVD-R or CD-R, and various operations are performed by a user's self-service.

  This print kiosk terminal is provided with a photo processing service accepting part A in the upper part, and a billing settlement part B and a print processing part C in the lower box-shaped console. The photo processing service reception part A is shaped by an upper housing and a liquid crystal display 1 attached thereto. The liquid crystal display 1 is provided with a touch panel 2 for performing an operation input on a graphic operation screen. On the front surface of the upper housing, there are a plurality of types of media drives 3 for acquiring captured frame images from a memory card Ma such as a flash memory such as CompactFlash (trademark), SD card (trademark), and Memory Stick (trademark), and a CD- Captured frame images and CG images from disc-type recording media Mb such as R and DVD-R (in this specification, CG images are also considered as artificial captured frame images, and CG images are included in the captured frame images) And the like, and a receipt printer 5 for issuing a receipt are mounted. On the upper surface of the upper housing, there is provided a data transmission connector 6 such as a USB that enables direct transfer of a shot frame image from a camera-equipped mobile phone or a digital camera. Inside the upper housing is provided a main control unit 50 for realizing various processing functions in a photo processing service used in the print kiosk terminal.

  The billing settlement unit B includes a billing settlement panel 10 exposed on the surface of the box-shaped console. The billing settlement panel 10 is divided into a cash settlement area 10a and an electronic money settlement area 10b. In the cash settlement area 10a, a coin insertion slot 11 for inserting coins and a banknote insertion slot 12 for inserting banknotes are formed. The change payment outlet 13 is arranged at the lower part of the box-shaped console together with the photo print outlet 41. In the electronic money settlement area 10b, a communication surface 14 for transmitting data to and from non-contact type electronic money (IC card) and an electronic money card insertion slot 15 for inserting a contact type electronic money card are formed. ing. Although not shown here, a coin processor is connected to the coin inlet 11, a bill processor is connected to the bill insertion port 12, and a change processor is connected to the change outlet 13, and the communication surface 14 is connected to the communication surface 14. A contact-type electronic money processor is linked to the contactless electronic money processor / electronic money card insertion slot 15. These coin processor, bill processor, change processor, non-contact type electronic money processor, and contact type electronic money processor are controlled by the billing settlement control unit 20.

  In this embodiment, the print processing unit C is composed of two sublimation type printer units 40, and the photographic prints discharged from each printer unit 40 are common photographic print outlets exposed on the surface of the box-shaped console. 41. By loading each printer unit 40 with a different type of print medium, for example, with a different sheet width or material, it is possible to output photographic prints of different sizes and different surface finishes without changing the print medium. Other printing methods employed in the printer unit 40 include a thermal transfer method and an inkjet method, but the present invention is not limited to a specific printing method. In addition, the printer unit 40 may be configured as a single unit, or may be configured as three units or more.

  The control system of this print kiosk terminal is shown in FIG. The main control unit 50 for managing the entire apparatus including the photo print processing includes a microprocessor (CPU) and a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, and a general-purpose OS unit for easily realizing a graphic interface. An application unit that builds various function programs using a program set supplied from the OS unit is mounted. An input / output interface for inputting / outputting information according to a command from the microprocessor includes a display 1, a touch panel 2, a media drive 3, a disk drive 4, a receipt printer 5, a data transmission connector 6, and two printer units 40. It is connected. The billing settlement control unit 20 can be constituted by a one-chip microcomputer, and its input / output interface includes a coin processor 16a, a bill processor 16b, a change processor 16c, a non-contact type electronic money processor 17a, a contact A type electronic money processor 17b is connected. The main control unit 50 and the billing settlement control unit 20 are connected so as to be able to transmit information via respective communication interfaces. Upon receiving the print fee information from the main control unit 50, the billing settlement control unit 20 inputs money by the user. It is possible to return the result of the appropriateness determination and the result of settlement by electronic money.

  Various processing functions that are mainly created by the application units of the main control unit 50 and the billing settlement control unit 20 and particularly related to the present invention will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

  An image input processing unit 52 that develops the captured frame image sent through the media drive 3, the disk drive 4, and the data transmission connector 6 in the memory 51 based on the image data format, and the captured frame image expanded in the memory 51. An image processing unit 53 that performs necessary image processing and a print data generation unit 54 that generates print data suitable for the printer unit 40 from image data that has undergone image processing are prepared. In addition, a GUI unit 55 for creating a graphic interface for realizing simple operation input using the touch panel 2 (in some cases, an input device such as a keyboard) for the graphic operation screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 1 A print management unit 56 is also provided for managing the process for outputting a desired photo print by controlling the image processing unit 53 and the print data generation unit 54 in accordance with a command instructed through the GUI unit 55.

  In the image input processing unit 52 of this embodiment, a frame number calculation for calculating the frame number of the shot frame image recorded on the image recording medium connected via the media drive 3, the disk drive 4, and the data transmission connector 6. A portion 52a is provided.

  The print management unit 56 includes a fee calculation unit 56a for calculating the fee of the service type ordered through the GUI unit 55. The fee calculated here is displayed on the display 1 through the GUI unit 55 and data. It is transferred to the billing settlement control unit 20 by transmission. The accounting settlement control unit 20 performs accounting settlement with the user based on the received fee data.

  As a functional unit constructed in the billing settlement control unit 20, a deposit determining unit 21 for determining whether or not an amount reaching the presented fee has been inserted based on a signal from the coin processor 16a or the bill processor 16b, From the change calculation unit 22, the non-contact type electronic money processor 17a and the contact type electronic money processor 17b that calculate a change for an excessive amount of money compared to the charged fee and gives a control signal to the change processor 16c. Examples include an electronic money settlement confirmation unit 23 that confirms whether electronic settlement has been properly performed based on a signal, a billing management unit 24 that manages billing settlement by either cash settlement or electronic money settlement, and the like. Further, the billing management unit 24 includes a usage limit determination unit 24a for obtaining a settlement possible amount (balance) from the electronic money deposited in the contactless electronic money communication surface 14 or the contact electronic money card insertion slot 15, A change management unit 24b is provided for managing the amount of change in denominations. The charge management unit 24 shares various information with the print management unit 56, the GUI unit 55, and the presentation service type determination unit 58 of the main control unit 50.

In the self-photo printing apparatus according to the present invention, the number print service for paying a fee calculated according to the number of prints for each print size, the fixed amount print service for printing a predetermined number of sheets at a fixed fee, the number set for each fee Multiple service types are available, such as a multi-print service that combines multiple shot frame images into a single print, and a special editing print service that combines characters and backgrounds separately prepared for shot frame images. There are some seeds whose fee is determined at the first selected stage and those whose fee cannot be determined until the number of prints is finally finalized. In addition, these types of services use electronic money, which can be charged and settled in units of 1 yen, and cannot be charged in units of 1 yen or in some cases 10 yen due to restrictions on change and handling denominations. Are classified according to the case of using cash as the settlement type.
Examples of such service types are shown below.
(1) Number of prints L
This is an L size arbitrary number photo print output in which the number of prints is set by the user, and the charge per photo print is 20 yen for cash settlement and 19 yen for electronic money settlement.
(2) Number of prints 2L
This is a 2L size arbitrary number photo print output in which the number of prints is set by the user, and the charge per photo print is 40 yen for cash settlement and 38 yen for electronic money settlement.
(3) 30-sheet print L
This is a flat-rate service for cash settlement limited to 30 or less L size photo prints in advance, and the charge is 500 yen.
(4) 30 sheets of print 2L
This is a flat-rate service for cash settlement limited to 30L or less 2L size photo print output in advance, and the fee is 1000 yen.
(5) 60-sheet print L
This is a flat-rate service for cash settlement limited to 60 or less L-size photo prints in advance, and the fee is 1000 yen.
(6) 2 prints of 60 sheets
This is a flat-rate service for cash settlement limited to 30L or less 2L size photo print output in advance, and the fee is 2000 yen.
(7) 25-sheet print L
This is a flat-rate service for electronic money settlement that is limited to the output of 25 or less L-size photo prints in advance, and the charge is 385 yen.
(8) 25 sheets of print 2L
This is a flat-rate service for electronic money settlement that is limited to 2L size photo print output of 25 sheets or less in advance, and the charge is 765 yen.
(9) 50-sheet print L
This is a flat-rate service for electronic money settlement that is limited to the output of 25 or less L-size photo prints in advance, and the charge is 765 yen.
(10) 50L print 2L
This is a flat-rate service for electronic money settlement limited to 50L or less 2L size photo print output in advance, and the charge is 1525 yen.
(11) 20-frame multi-print A flat-rate service for cash settlement that is synthesized so that 20 photographed frame images selected by the user can be listed and output as one large format (for example, 2L size or A4 size) photo print. The charge is 500 yen.
(12) 20-frame multi-print A fixed amount for electronic money settlement that is composed so that 20 photographed frame images selected by the user can be listed and output as one large format (for example, 2L size or A4 size) photo print. The service is 485 yen.

  Information regarding such service types is registered in the photo service management table 57 using data content items as exemplified in FIG. The data content items include a service ID that is a code for identifying the service type, the name of the service type, the type of payment to be applied, the print size to be output, the number of prints to be output, and the shooting frames assigned to one photo print The number of images, the charge, and the icon address storing an icon representing this service type. The photo service management table 57 is referred to by the presentation service type determination unit 58, and an icon is displayed on the provided service display screen of the display 1 as a service type that can be provided to the user only by the service type selected by the presentation service type determination unit 58. Will be displayed.

  The GUI unit 55 displays a billing settlement method selection screen on the display 1 as illustrated in FIG. 5 at the initial stage of the photo print service. The user operates a cash settlement button when making a payment with cash, and operates an electronic money settlement button when making a payment with electronic money, but if multiple types of electronic money can be handled, A button is provided.

  The presented service type determination unit 58 handles only service types that match the payment type from among the service types registered in the photo service management table 57 according to the payment type selected through the billing payment method selection screen. Present it to the user as a possible service type.

  For example, when the user selects cash settlement, the cash settlement selection is transmitted to the presentation service type determination unit 58 through the GUI unit 55, so the presentation service type determination unit 58 accesses the photo service management table 57 and the applicable settlement type is determined. Only the service types that are cash settlement are extracted, and an available service type presentation screen as illustrated in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display 1 for this user. In this example, only the service types that are charged in units of 10 yen are displayed. Furthermore, when it is recognized from the information from the change management unit 24a that the change of coins of 100 yen or less is insufficient, only the service type that is a multiple of 500 yen is presented. It is also possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the user who does not notice the change of change must cancel the print order at the time of payment settlement.

  When the user selects electronic money settlement, the electronic money settlement selection is transmitted to the presentation service type determination unit 58 through the GUI unit 55, so the presentation service type determination unit 58 accesses the photo service management table 57 to apply the application payment. Only service types whose types are electronic money settlement are extracted, and an available service type presentation screen as illustrated in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display 1 for this user. In this example, since electronic money can be settled in units of 1 yen, a service type that provides a discounted price in units of 1 yen is displayed.

  When electronic money is selected through the billing settlement method selection screen, the electronic money to be used is deposited in the non-contact type electronic money communication surface 14 or the contact type electronic money card slot 15, and the settlement possible amount (balance) is limited to the usage limit. When the settlement possible amount is given from the amount determination unit 24a to the presentation service type determination unit 58, it is possible to prohibit the presentation of a service type that has a charge exceeding the settlement amount.

  Further, when a process of attaching any image recording medium brought by the user as a print source to the media drive 3, the disk drive 4, or the data transmission connector 6 before displaying the available service type presentation screen, The frame number calculation unit 52a can calculate the number of frames of the shot frame image recorded on the image recording medium, and can provide it to the presentation service type determination unit 58. Therefore, the presentation service type determination unit 58 can predict how many photo prints are desired from the calculated number of frames and can limit the service types to be presented to the user based on the prediction. . For example, when only 10 frames or less are recorded on the image recording medium, there is little possibility of a fixed amount of 30 prints or 60 prints, so if only the number of prints is presented, a self-type photo printing apparatus The problem that a user who is not familiar with the selection of service types is overwhelmed.

  The process of the photo print service in the print kiosk terminal configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the photo print service described in FIG. 8 is a type of apparatus that does not have a function of limiting the type of presentation service based on the usage limit amount of electronic money or the number of frames of a shot frame image recorded on a recording medium. It is about.

  First, when the start of the photo service is instructed (# 00), a settlement type selection screen as illustrated in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display 1 and prompts the user to select a settlement type (# 01). When the user selects a payment type through the touch panel 2 (# 02 Yes branch), the presentation service type determination unit 58 accesses the photo service management table 57 and selects a service that matches the selected payment type from the registered service types. The seed is determined (# 20). For example, when electronic money is selected as the settlement type, as described above, the service type that is a fee having a fraction of one yen can be determined as the presentation service type. On the other hand, when cash is selected as the settlement type, a service type that has a fee that is at least a fraction of 10 yen or more is determined as the presentation service. Note that change information is given from the change management unit 24b, and for example, if it is recognized that there is a lack of change in 10 yen coins, the service type may cause a fraction of 10 yen. Should also be removed from the subject of presentation.

  When the presentation service type is determined by the presentation service type determination unit 58, the icon address data of the determined presentation service type is passed to the GUI unit 55, so that the presentation as shown in FIGS. An available service type presentation screen listing the service types is created as a photo print service selection screen for the user and displayed on the display 1 (# 30).

  The user selects a desired service type by looking at the photo print service selection screen displayed on the display 1 (# 40 Yes branch). When the service type is determined, using the input media selection screen displayed on the display 1, the user selects an image recording medium (memory card Ma or disk type recording medium Mb) brought as a print source, and the corresponding drive. (# 50). (Media drive 3 or disk drive 4). The shot frame image is read from the loaded image recording medium and developed in the memory 51 by the image input processing unit 52 (# 60). At this time, the image input processing unit 52 stores the thumbnail image in the memory 51 separately from the main data of the photographed frame image to be used for the purpose of displaying a list on the display 1 if the read photographed frame image includes a thumbnail image. If the thumbnail image is not included or is not appropriate, the image processing unit 53 is instructed to develop the reduced image created from this data in the memory 51 as a thumbnail image. The link relationship between the main data of the shot frame image and the thumbnail image is managed by the print management unit 56.

  Next, using the thumbnail images, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a pre-judge (PJ) screen listing the photographed frame images is displayed on the display 1 (# 70). Through this pre-judge screen, the user can select a photographed frame image to be processed by the print service process, set the number of prints, and in some cases, set color correction (# 80). For example, in the pre-judge screen of FIG. 9, a photographed frame image display field 71 for displaying a list of six photographed frame images (thumbnail images) in the left area, and button arrangements for color density correction and number setting in the right field area. A column 72 is arranged. In order to set the number of prints, since the number of prints is set to “0” by default, a captured frame image to be processed is selected and the increase / decrease button 73 for setting the number of copies is operated. The set number is displayed below each shot frame image. In order to perform color correction, a photographed frame image to be corrected is selected, and the “Yellow”, “Magenta”, “Cyan”, and “Density” increase / decrease buttons 74 are operated. An “N (neutral)” button 75 between the increase / decrease buttons 74 has a function of setting “no correction”.

  When the setting for the shot frame image to be processed is completed while operating the “return” button and the “next” button, the pre-judge operation is completed by operating the “OK” button (# 80 Yes branch). When the type “25-sheet print L” is selected and there are only 20 shot frames to be processed, 25 prints can be set by setting the number of prints for a plurality of desired images. Services can be used effectively. Similarly, even when “25-frame multi-print” is selected, a plurality of prints can be set for the same shot frame image (in multi-print, this means the number of frames formed in one photo print). For example, it is possible to set the number of prints of 25 sheets for one photographed frame image and to output a single photographic print in which the same photographed frame images such as sticker prints are listed. As a result, unlike a photo print in which the captured frame images read as index prints are listed, a single photo composed of user-preferred captured frame images corresponding to the number of frames specified by the fee. You can create a print, for example, you can use it as a collage-like photo print, or you can cut each image yourself and use it as a normal photo print, and you can use the photo print a new way Become.

  When the pre-judgment work is finished, a fee is calculated by the fee calculation unit 56a (# 90). In the case of “25-sheet print L” or “25-frame multi-print”, since it is a fixed-rate print, the charge can be obtained immediately. Charges are calculated according to the number of prints. The calculated fee is displayed on the display 1, and the data is transferred to the billing management unit 24, and billing settlement processing is performed by the billing settlement control unit 20 (# 100).

  This billing settlement process is well known in vending machines, and when cash settlement is selected, the deposit judgment unit 21 checks the amount of bills and coins inserted by the user and inserts them. If the amount is equal to or more than the fee, the change calculation unit 22 calculates the change and pays out the change to the change payment outlet 13. When electronic money settlement is selected and contactless electronic money is used, the contactless electronic money is brought close to the communication surface 14 for settlement processing, and when contactless electronic money card is used, the contact type An electronic money card is inserted into the electronic money card insertion slot 15 to perform settlement processing. In any case, when the payment settlement is completed, the photographed frame image is processed according to the order set through the pre-judge screen, and finally the print data is generated by the print data generation unit 54, and the printer unit 40 is driven by this print data. Then, the desired photographic print is discharged to the photographic print outlet 41 (# 110).

  Next, the process of the photo print service in a type of print kiosk terminal equipped with a function of limiting the type of presentation service based on the limit on the amount of electronic money used and the number of shot frames recorded on the recording medium is illustrated. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the start of the photo service is instructed (# 00), a settlement type selection screen as illustrated in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display 1 and prompts the user to select a settlement type (# 01). When the user selects a payment type through the touch panel 2 (# 02 Yes branch), it is checked whether the selected payment type is cash or electronic money (# 03).

  When the selected payment type is electronic money (# 03 Yes branch), the electronic money to be used is stored in the contactless electronic money communication surface 14 or the electronic money card insertion slot 15 through an appropriate screen display or voice instruction. The user is requested to be able to acquire the limit data from the electronic money (# 04). When the charge settlement control unit 20 obtains the usage limit amount data through the non-contact type electronic money processor 17a or the contact type electronic money processor 17b (# 05 Yes branch), the usage limit determination unit 24a calculates the usage limit amount. Then, it is transferred to the presentation service type determination unit 58 (# 06). If the selected settlement type is cash (# 03 No branch), the processing from step # 04 to # 06 is omitted.

  Next, an image recording medium selection screen is displayed on the display 1 to prompt the user to select an image recording medium (memory card Ma or disk type recording medium Mb) brought as a print source (# 07). When the user mounts the brought image recording medium into the corresponding drive (media drive 3 or disk drive 4) (# 08 Yes branch), the frame number calculation unit 52a of the image input processing unit 52 is recorded on the storage medium. The number of frames of the shot frame image is calculated and transferred to the presentation service type determination unit 58 (# 09).

  The presentation service type determination unit 58 accesses the photo service management table 57, selects an appropriate service type from the registered service types, and determines it as the presentation service type (# 20). At this time, unlike the processing step based on FIG. 8, not only the settlement type as a selection condition but also the number of frames of the shot frame image recorded on the image recording medium mounted as the print source and the settlement type are electronic money. In this case, the limit amount obtained in step # 05 is also used. For example, if only 10 frames or less are recorded on the image recording medium, there is little possibility of fixed-rate 30-sheet printing or 60-sheet printing, so service types such as 30-sheet printing or 60-sheet printing should be excluded from the presentation service types. Can do. If the usage limit is 1000 yen, a service type with a fixed charge exceeding 1000 yen can be excluded from the presentation service type.

  When the presentation service type is determined by the presentation service type determination unit 58, the icon address data of the determined presentation service type is passed to the GUI unit 55, so that the presentation as shown in FIGS. An available service type presentation screen listing the service types is created as a photo print service selection screen for the user and displayed on the display 1 (# 30).

  Thereafter, the same processing as the processing steps shown in FIG. 8 is performed, but since the mounting of the recording medium in step # 50 has already been performed in step # 08, it is omitted here.

  In the process of the photo print service according to FIG. 10, the function of limiting the presentation service type from the limit of use of electronic money and the function of limiting the presentation service type from the number of frames of the shot frame images recorded on the recording medium. Although both are provided, of course, you may comprise so that either one may be provided.

  In the above description of the embodiment, the self-photo printing apparatus has been described in the form of a print kiosk terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. A mode in which an actual photo print output process is performed at a place different from the place where the process of selecting and paying the fee is performed, and the output photo print is delivered, that is, the print processing unit C performs photo processing. The service reception unit A and the billing settlement unit B may be configured as an independent device.

1 is an external view of a print kiosk terminal that is an embodiment of a self-photo printing apparatus according to the present invention. Block diagram showing the control system of a print kiosk terminal Functional block diagram showing functions of main controller and billing settlement controller Explanatory drawing explaining the data structure of the service type registered in the photo service management table Screen diagram showing an example of the billing settlement method selection screen Screen diagram showing an example of an available service type presentation screen when the payment type is cash Screen diagram showing an example of an available service type display screen when the payment type is electronic money Flow chart showing the sequence of self-print service Screen diagram showing an example of the pre-judge screen The flowchart which shows a series of flows of the self-print service in another embodiment

Explanation of symbols

20: Charge settlement control unit 21: Payment determination unit 23: Electronic money settlement confirmation unit 24: Charge management unit 24a: Usage limit determination unit 24b: Change management unit 40: Printer unit 50: Main control unit 52: Image input processing unit 52a: Number of frames calculation unit 56: Print management unit 56a: Fee calculation unit 57: Photo service management table 58: Presentation service type determination unit

Claims (3)

An image input processing unit for inputting a captured frame image read from an image storage medium, and a printer for outputting a photographic print from a captured frame image input based on a predetermined service type that defines an output form of the photographic print In a self-photo printing apparatus comprising a unit and a billing settlement control unit for managing a billing process for a photo print output by the service type,
The billing settlement control unit is capable of handling cash and electronic money as a settlement type for billing settlement, and according to the settlement type selected by the user from among the service types registered in the photo service management table A self-photoprint printing apparatus, comprising: a presentation service type determination unit that determines a presentation service type to be presented to a user. The usage limit determining unit that determines the usage limit amount of the electronic money is provided, and the presentation service type determination unit limits the presentation service type according to the determined usage limit amount. 2. The self-photo printing apparatus according to 1. A frame number calculation unit for calculating the number of frames of the shot frame image recorded in the image storage medium, and the presentation service type determination unit determines a presentation service type to be presented to the user according to the calculated frame number; 3. The self-photo printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the self-photo printing apparatus is limited.

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