JP2008040746A - Self-service photograph printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To discount the price of print processing when using electronic money for the payment of the price of the print processing and selecting processing of performing charging to the electronic money. <P>SOLUTION: The self-service photo printing apparatus is provided with a print processing part for acquiring image data recorded in a medium Ma, acquiring order data based on input by a customer and performing the print processing and a charging management part 20 for settling the price of the print processing by cash or a card. In the case that a customer selects to settle the price of the print processing with the electronic money and perform charging to the electronic money together with the settlement, the charging management part 20 discounts the price of the print processing and performs the processing of charging a money amount to which the money amount of the discount is added to the electronic money. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention acquires an image data acquisition unit that acquires image data recorded on a medium, an order data acquisition unit that acquires order data necessary for print processing based on a customer instruction, and the order data acquisition unit. The present invention relates to a self-photo printing apparatus including a print processing unit that performs print processing of the image data on a print medium based on order data and a charge management unit that realizes payment for the print processing. It is related to the technology that pays the price of money with electronic money.

  As a technique similar to the self-photographic printing apparatus configured as described above, there are those shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.

  In Patent Document 1, in the main menu screen, when a customer selects a type of billing for use of a service (a type of a coin rack, a Felica card, or a Debit card) and then selects a copy as a service, The processing form is set so that the charge amount is calculated based on the number of printed sheets, the paper size, monochrome, or color. In addition, when the FAX is selected as the service, the billing amount is calculated in the same manner, and thereafter the billing process is executed by the module program. In this billing process, billing can be executed by one or more of a plurality of billing devices, and the balance of a plurality of types of billing is displayed on the balance display screen, and priority is given to a plurality of types of billing. Can be set and displayed on the payment order selection screen. Based on these displays, it is possible to select charging and set the priority of charging.

  In Patent Document 2, when a change is generated at the time of cash settlement in a vending machine, a basic processing form is set so as to perform a process of writing (charging) the change into an IC card. Specifically, a vending machine that sells merchandise includes a main control unit that performs settlement with coins, banknotes, and electronic money, and the main control unit sends the merchandise by the carry-out mechanism unit based on the operation of the product selection button. Control of discharging to the outlet and necessary display control are performed, and change of change is determined. When selling a product, a coin is inserted and then an IC card is inserted into the IC card R / W, and then a product selection button is operated to make a selection. When change is necessary for the sale of the product selected in this way, electronic money is loaded onto the IC card, and the IC card is discharged after this loading. Moreover, in this patent document 2, when returning change, the point which can choose to load to an IC card as electronic money or to return with cash is also described.

JP-A-2006-072451 (paragraph numbers [0032] to [0045], FIGS. 1 to 9) JP 2002-170151 A (paragraph numbers [0017] to [0026], [0032] FIG. 5)

  Electronic money includes what is called Edy (provided by Bit Wallet Co., Ltd.) and what is called Suica (provided as a ride card by JR East, Tokyo Monorail, etc.). It's getting on. These Edy and Suica use Felica's technology developed by Sony as a non-contact type IC card, and any electronic money can be regarded as a prepaid card that makes payment using pre-charged electronic money. It is.

  Considering the process of paying the price for the printing process on the self-photo printing device with this electronic money, the customer will be able to reduce the trouble of paying with cash, and no change will be required from the person who installed the self-photo printing device. Management becomes easy. In addition, the electronic money can be settled within the range of the charged amount by charging the electronic money in a predetermined amount in advance. Therefore, it is common for a store that can make a settlement with electronic money to be equipped with a terminal for charging. For this reason, it is also conceivable to provide a function for charging a printing apparatus similar to that described in Patent Document 2. In particular, there are mobile phones in recent years that can make payment by bringing the mobile phone close to a reader / writer in the same way as a non-contact IC card, and this type of mobile phone can also be used for charging electronic money. Can be considered.

  Assuming that the self-photo printing device installed in the store has a function capable of charging independently of the printing process, an increase in the number of customers who use it for charging without performing the printing process can be considered. . However, in order to improve the sales at the store, there is also an aspect of increasing the number of customers who use the printing process which is the original function of the self-photo printing apparatus.

  For this reason, if the self-photo printing apparatus only has a function of making payment with electronic money, there are few advantages for customers and a countermeasure is desired.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a function that enables payment with electronic money by using a payment card or a mobile phone having a payment function in a self-photo printing apparatus that is operated by a customer, and effectively uses this function. The point is to increase the sales of print processing by customers.

A feature of the present invention is that an image data acquisition unit that acquires image data recorded on a medium, an order data acquisition unit that acquires order data necessary for print processing based on a customer instruction, and an order data acquisition unit In a self-photo printing apparatus comprising a print processing unit that performs print processing of the image data on a print medium based on the acquired order data, and a charge management unit that realizes payment for the print processing,
An electronic terminal that realizes the acquisition of electronic money charged in the prepaid electronic payment means and the charging of electronic money to the electronic payment means;
When the customer uses the electronic payment means for the payment of the print processing value and charges the electronic money to the electronic payment means, the electronic money with an amount smaller than the print processing value is There is a discount processing means acquired from the electronic settlement means.

  With this configuration, when a customer performs a printing process in a self-photo printing apparatus, the value of the printing process is settled by a prepaid electronic settlement means, and the electronic money is charged to the electronic settlement means, a discount process is performed. The means acquires electronic money that is less than the price for the print process. In other words, it is not just a print process, but for customers who charge together with the print process, a substantial discount is implemented by acquiring electronic money that is less than the price for the print process. This will increase the ability to attract customers and increase sales at stores where this self-photo printing device is installed. As a result, in the self-photo printing apparatus operated by the customer himself / herself, it is possible to increase the sales of the print processing by the customer by effectively utilizing the function capable of settlement with the electronic money charged in the electronic settlement means.

  In the present invention, the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit is displayed on the display, and the data for specifying the image data to be printed, the data for the number of prints, and the data for the print size are acquired. The processing mode of the order data acquisition unit is set, and after the order data is acquired by the order data acquisition unit, notification processing means for displaying information for determining whether or not to execute the charge on the display is provided. May be.

  With this configuration, immediately after the customer stands in front of the display and performs the operation of acquiring the order data, the information is notified, so that it is required to determine whether or not the electronic settlement means needs to be charged. As a series of operations following the order data acquisition operation, necessity can be selected, and when this necessity is selected, the necessity of charging can be determined in consideration of the price of print processing.

  In the present invention, the discount processing means may calculate the amount of electronic money acquired from the electronic settlement means based on a set discount rate and a consideration for the print processing.

  With this configuration, a fixed profit rate can be secured, for example, by setting an amount discounted from the print processing value in direct proportion to the print processing value.

  The present invention may include a money acquisition unit that acquires an amount of inserted money, and a charge processing unit that charges the electronic settlement unit with electronic money corresponding to the amount acquired by the money acquisition unit.

  With this configuration, in this self-photo printing apparatus, electronic money corresponding to the amount of money put into the money acquisition unit by the customer can be charged to the electronic settlement means.

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

  This print kiosk terminal is provided with a photo processing service accepting part A at the upper part, and a billing settlement part B and a print processing part P at the lower box-shaped console.

  The photo processing service reception unit A includes a liquid crystal display 2 in the upper housing 1, and a display surface of the liquid crystal display 2 includes a touch panel 2T for performing operation input on a graphic operation screen. Yes.

  On the front surface of the upper housing 1, a plurality of types of media drives 3 (images) for acquiring captured frame images from a memory card Ma mainly composed of flash memory, such as CompactFlash (trademark), SD card (trademark), and Memory Stick (trademark). An example of a data acquisition unit) and a shot frame image or a CG image from a disc-type recording medium Mb such as a CD-R or DVD-R (in this specification, a CG image is also regarded as an artificial shot frame image, A disk drive 4 (an example of an image data acquisition unit) that acquires a frame image including a CG image) and a receipt printer 5 that issues a receipt R are provided. Further, the upper housing 1 is provided with 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. The main control unit 30 is provided in the upper housing. Is provided. The disk drive 4 also functions as a drive for writing and recording photographed frame image data on the disk type recording medium Mb.

  The billing settlement unit B discriminates coins inserted into the coin insertion hole 11 on the front of the box-shaped console 10, outputs a determination result, and pays change from the lower change payment outlet 12 based on the control signal. 13, a bill validator 15 for discriminating a bill inserted into the bill insertion hole 14 on the front of the box-shaped console 10 and outputting a discrimination result, and a contact-type settlement card Ca (electronic settlement means inserted in the card insertion hole 16 The contact type reader / writer 17 (an example of an electronic terminal) that acquires and outputs information and writes necessary information, and a contactless payment card Cb that is brought close to the antenna unit 18. A non-contact type reader / writer 19 (an example of an electronic terminal) that acquires information on (an example of an electronic payment means) and writes necessary information is provided. Billing and settlement unit 20 that functions as a money manager is provided. The coin mech 13 and the bill validator 15 constitute a money acquisition unit, and the contact reader / writer 17 and the non-contact reader / writer 19 constitute a card information acquisition unit.

  The contact-type payment card Ca and the non-contact-type payment card Cb are generic names of cards that enable payment by electrical processing, such as credit cards, prepaid cards, electronic money (a type of prepaid card), and the like. The contact-type payment card Ca refers to a card that can acquire information by reading magnetic data formed on the card, or a card that can acquire information via an electrode formed on the card. The contact-type payment card Cb has a structure including an antenna, a memory, and a control IC (a so-called IC card), and has a function that enables acquisition of information through the antenna. Further, in the present invention, a mobile phone having a function of realizing settlement by approaching a reader / writer in the same manner as a non-contact type payment card Ca (non-contact IC card) is assumed as an electronic payment unit. In the present embodiment, a form of processing corresponding to the contact-type payment card Ca and the non-contact-type payment card Cb is described.

  Note that the print kiosk terminal of the present invention does not require a customer's signature even when the payment for the print processing is performed using either the contact-type payment card Ca or the non-contact-type payment card Cb. A signless payment is assumed.

  The print processing unit P includes two sublimation type printer units 40 inside the box-shaped console 10 and photographs a paper Q (an example of a print medium) on which image data is printed in each sublimation type printer unit 40. The print outlet 41 is configured to accumulate and discharge. The photographic print outlet 41 is provided with a lid 42 made of a transparent plate that can be opened and closed by swinging around a laterally oriented axis.

  The sublimation-type printer unit 40 can output photographic prints of different sizes and different surface finishes without changing the print medium by loading different types of print media, for example, different paper sheet widths and materials. it can. Other printing methods employed in the sublimation type printer unit 40 include a thermal transfer method and an ink jet method, but the present invention does not limit a specific printing method. Further, the printer unit 40 may be composed of one unit or three or more units.

(Control configuration)
The control system of this print kiosk terminal is shown in FIG. The main control unit 30 that manages the entire apparatus including the photo print processing is an input / output interface that realizes access to information among the microprocessor (CPU), the liquid crystal display 2, the touch panel 2T, the media drive 3, the disk drive 4, and the like. (I / O), a memory 31 (RAM / ROM), a general-purpose OS 32, and an image data acquisition processing unit 33 including a program managed by the general-purpose OS 32; an order data acquisition processing unit 34; , A print output processing means 35 and a message display means 36 are provided.

  The image data acquisition processing means 33 realizes a process of acquiring a shot frame image via the media drive 3, the disk drive 4, or the data transmission connector 6 and storing it in the memory 31. The order data acquisition processing means 34 displays the acquired photographed frame image on the liquid crystal display 2, and specifies data for the photographed frame image to be printed based on an operation such as a customer touching the touch panel 2T with a finger; A process for obtaining order data composed of print number data and print size data is realized. The print output processing unit 35 controls the printer unit 40 based on the acquired photographic frame image data and order data, thereby realizing a process of printing the photographic frame image on the paper Q. The message display means 36 performs a process for displaying a message necessary for the printing process on the liquid crystal display 2.

  The billing and settlement unit 20 for realizing the payment for the print processing with cash or the settlement cards Ca and Cb realizes information access between the microprocessor (CPU), the coin mech 13, the bill validator 15, and the like. In addition to an input / output interface (I / O) and a memory 21 (RAM / ROM), a general-purpose OS 22 is installed, a settlement processing means 23 comprising a program managed by the general-purpose OS 22, a discount processing means 24, a notification A processing unit 25 and a charge processing unit 26 are provided.

  The settlement processing means 23 uses electronic money by using a cash settlement process 23A for realizing a settlement in cash by the coin mech 13 and the bill validator 15 and the contact type reader / writer 17 or the non-contact type reader / writer 19. Card payment processing 23B for realizing payment with a card other than the card and electronic money payment processing 23C for realizing payment with electronic money by using the contact type reader / writer 17 or the non-contact type reader / writer 19 are executed. .

  The discount processing means 24, when the customer chooses to pay for the print processing with electronic money, and further chooses to charge the electronic money, the discount processing means 24 calculates the discount amount based on the print processing consideration. In addition to the process of calculating and charging electronic money, a process of acquiring from the electronic money an amount obtained by subtracting the discount amount from the consideration is performed. The notification processing means 25 realizes a process of controlling the message display means 36 and displaying various information on the liquid crystal display 2 when performing notification in the processing of the billing settlement unit 20.

  The charge processing means 26 calculates the amount of money inserted into the coin mech 13 or the bill validator 15 with respect to the electronic money comprising the payment cards Ca and Cb set in the contact type reader / writer 17 or the non-contact type reader / writer 19. Realize the charging process.

  In this print kiosk terminal, the main control unit 30 is provided with a communication path L between the input / output interface (I / O) of the main control unit 30 and the input / output interface (I / O) of the billing settlement unit 20. Necessary information can be accessed between the unit 30 and the billing settlement unit 20, and the main control unit 30 and the billing settlement unit 20 perform processing in cooperation when performing print processing.

  In this control system, the image data acquisition processing means 33, order data acquisition processing means 34, print output processing means 35, message display means 36, settlement processing means 23, discount processing means 24, notification processing means 25, charge processing means 26. Each is configured by software, but may be configured by hardware or a combination with hardware.

  The print kiosk terminal of the present invention can charge electronic money out of the payment cards Ca and Cb, and when the payment of the print processing is made using the electronic money out of the payment cards Ca and Cb, When charging the electronic money is also performed, it is characterized in that processing for discounting the value of the print processing is performed, and these controls will be described below.

[Reception process]
The outline of the control mode of the print kiosk terminal is shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, when there is no customer operation, the initial screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 2 (step # 01). On this initial screen, a print button 45 for printing a photo and a charge button 46 for charging electronic money are displayed, and the processing is decided after the customer makes a selection by touching any button with a finger. An OK button 50 is displayed.

  On this initial screen, when a photo print process is performed, and payment (settlement) of this process is performed with electronic money, and charging is also performed, it is displayed in the message area 47 that there is a discount for the print price. . The process of displaying a message in the message area 47 is realized by the process of the notification processing means 25.

  When the customer selects the charge button 46 and operates the OK button 50 on this initial screen, charge processing is executed (steps # 02 and # 03). As an example of this charge processing, a processing form of electronic money made up of a contactless payment card Cb is set on the upper surface of the antenna unit 18 of the contactless reader / writer 19, and according to information displayed on the screen, By inserting coins into the coin insertion hole 11 of the coin mech 13 or by inserting coins into the bill insertion hole 14 of the bill burr 15, the inserted amount is charged as electronic money.

  When the customer selects the print button 45 and operates the OK button 50, a message prompting the user to set the memory card Ma or the disc type recording medium Mb is displayed on the liquid crystal display 2, and the customer follows the display. When the memory card Ma is set (the disc type recording medium Mb may be set), the shot frame image data is acquired from the memory card Ma, and thereafter, order data is acquired (# 04, # 05). Step).

  The order data is data necessary for print processing, such as data for specifying photographed frame image data to be printed, data for specifying a print size, data on the number of prints, the liquid crystal display 2, the touch panel 2T, The main control unit 30 and the order data acquisition processing unit 34 function as an order data acquisition unit.

  When acquiring captured frame image data, a simple process of acquiring a plurality of captured frame image data from the memory card Ma set in the media drive 3 and recording it in the memory 31 is performed. When order data is acquired, a “print size selection screen” shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 2. On this screen, a message “Please select the print size” is displayed, a stop button 48 and a return button 49 are displayed at the bottom of the screen, and “L” or “2L” is displayed at the center of the screen. A plurality of size designation buttons 51 corresponding to a plurality of print sizes, such as “Plate”, are displayed. By operating any one of the size designation buttons 51, the process proceeds to the next process. In addition to the characters indicating the print size, the “print size selection screen” displays a numerical value indicating the print size, a print unit price, and a basic charge for printing.

  In the next processing, the “print number setting screen” shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 2. A message “Please set the number of prints” is displayed on this screen, and a plurality of captured frame images acquired from the memory card Ma or the like are listed and displayed as thumbnail images S in the center of the screen. In addition, a cancel button 48, a return button 49, and a next button 52 are displayed at the bottom of the screen, and the amount of cost required for printing is displayed in the information area DE along with the order information at the center position at the bottom of the screen. The

  The name of the file specifying the image information and the extension indicating the file type are displayed at the upper part of the frame 54 of the thumbnail image S, and the number display area 55 for displaying the numerical value indicating the number of prints at the lower part of the frame 54. Is displayed, and a + button 56 for increasing the number of prints one by one and a-button 56 for decreasing the number of prints one by one are displayed at positions sandwiching the number display area 55. Further, as described above, the cancel button 48, the return button 49, and the next button 52 are displayed on the lower side of the “print number setting screen”, and the selected print size is displayed in the information area DE. Information, the total number of prints set, the total amount of money required for printing, and the number indicating the page are all to increase the number of all prints by one + the button 57 and the whole to decrease the number of all prints by one- A button 57 is displayed.

  In this “number-of-prints setting screen”, eight thumbnail images S are displayed as one page, and the display order is set so that the shooting date or creation date of the image is the oldest and the newest is the newest. . Accordingly, eight thumbnail images from the oldest image information are displayed on the initial screen of the “print number setting screen”. When the next button 57 is operated, eight thumbnail images of the next page are displayed, and when the return button 49 is operated, the previous eight thumbnail images S are displayed. Then, after selecting the image information to be printed based on the operation of the next button 52, the OK button 50 functioning as a save button is operated instead of the next button 52 as shown in FIG. The order data is taken in, and the process proceeds to the next process.

  Thus, after acquiring order data, the process which acquires the information which identifies a customer is performed (step # 06). In this process, the “name input screen” shown in FIG. 9 and the “telephone number input screen” shown in FIG. 10 are sequentially displayed. On the “name input screen”, a message “Please input name” is displayed and an input board 63 having a name display part and a keyboard is displayed. Next, the “phone number input screen” is displayed by operating the OK button 50 after inputting the name. On this screen, a message “Please enter a phone number” is displayed, and an input board 64 having a phone number display portion and a keyboard is displayed. The customer touches the keyboard to perform an operation. By operating the OK button 50 after inputting the telephone number, the acquisition of information specifying the customer is completed.

  Next, an “order content confirmation screen” shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 2, and the confirmation of the print processing calculated as described above is displayed on this screen for confirmation. After confirmation, FIG. The “payment method list screen” shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 2 to perform processing for requesting selection of a payment method (steps # 07 and # 08).

  On the “order details confirmation screen”, a message “please confirm the contents of the order” is displayed, and a confirmation sheet 65 listing the details and amounts of the order data entered by the customer from the print kiosk terminal. Is displayed. If there is no error in the displayed contents, the “payment method list screen” shown in FIG. 12 is displayed by operating the OK button 50.

  This “payment method list screen” includes a card selection button indicating a plurality of types of cards including credit cards and bripaid cards that can be used with this print kiosk terminal, except for electronic money, as a payment method for print processing. 71, a plurality of types of electronic money buttons 72 indicating electronic money that can be used in the print kiosk terminal, a charge button 73 for performing payment with electronic money and selecting charging at the time of payment, and cash A payment button 74 is displayed, and a message area 75 indicates that a part of the print price is discounted by charging at the time of payment (at the time of payment). The content of the message in the message area 75 is not limited to information for determining whether or not charge can be executed, but may also display the merit of performing the charge. This is realized by the processing means 25. Although not shown in the drawing, the processing form may be set so that the mobile phone is displayed on the “payment method list screen” so that the mobile phone can be selected as the payment method.

  In this screen, when the customer selects the button by touching the button with the finger, the selected button is highlighted or highlighted to indicate that it is in a selected state. Thereafter, the OK button 50 is displayed. After the OK button 50 is operated, the settlement process (step # 100) is executed.

  When displaying the “Payment method list screen”, if it is determined that the customer has previously used a payment card from the information for identifying the customer previously acquired, The payment card may be selected and displayed on the liquid crystal display 2.

  As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the settlement process (# 100 step) is set as a settlement process routine in the form of a subroutine (process by the settlement processing means 23). When it is determined that the cash settlement button 74 has been selected in this settlement processing routine, processing by the cash settlement processing 23A is executed (steps # 101 and # 102). In the cash settlement process 23A, the coins and bills inserted into the coin mech 13 and the bill burr 15 are continuously performed until the amount of coins and bills reaches the price for the printing process. It is paid out from the exit 12.

  When the customer selects a payment card other than electronic money as the payment method, processing by card payment processing 23B is executed (steps # 103 and # 104).

  Further, when the customer selects the payment with electronic money as the payment method, and does not select the charge, the processing by the electronic money payment processing 23C is performed in the same manner as the payment with the payment card other than the electronic money described above. Are executed (steps # 105 and # 106).

  In performing these processes, when the customer uses a contact-type payment card Ca, it is sufficient to insert the payment card Ca into the card insertion hole 16 of the contact reader / writer 17, but the customer does not contact the customer. When using a payment card Cb of the type, an operation for bringing the payment card Cb closer to the antenna unit 18 of the non-contact type reader / writer 19 is required. If it is determined that payment is possible by performing this operation, payment is performed at the time of this operation, and the “processing completion screen” shown in FIG. 13 is displayed to indicate to the customer that the payment has ended. It is.

  Further, when the customer selects the payment with electronic money and selects the charge, the amount to be added in the charge is calculated based on the consideration of the printing process, and the settlement guide screen shown in FIG. The message is displayed on the display 2, and in this screen, a message “Please set an electronic money card” and a message “Please insert the amount to be charged” are displayed (# 107, # 108 steps). It should be noted that when performing payment with electronic money and charging as described above, it is necessary to maintain the state where the payment card Cb is placed on the antenna unit 18 of the non-contact type reader / writer 19. A message is displayed on the screen.

  On this settlement guide screen, the amount of the print processing fee, the discount amount, and the balance of the electronic money are displayed, and the amount of money inserted into the display unit 80 is displayed. Further, the amount displayed on the display unit 80 matches the integrated value of the amount of coins inserted into the coin insertion hole 11 of the coin mech 13 and the integrated value of bills inserted into the bill insertion hole 14 of the bill burr 15. After this insertion, by operating the OK button 50, the amount of money inserted is determined, and the amount of money added in this way plus the discount amount is charged. Processing for acquiring the processing fee from the electronic money is performed (steps # 109 to # 110). After the process of acquiring the price for the printing process from the electronic money is performed in this way, a process completion screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed.

  After this settlement process (step # 100) is finished, the receipt R is printed and discharged by the receipt printer 5, the print process is executed by the printer unit 40, and the paper Q printed by the print process is taken as a photo print. It will be sent to the exit 41 (steps # 10 to # 12).

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to increase the ability to attract customers by configuring the print kiosk terminal so that not only print processing but also electronic money can be charged, and when the customer performs print processing, If the payment for the print processing is made with electronic money and the electronic money is charged in conjunction with this payment, the discount amount is calculated based on the consideration for the print processing. After charging the amount obtained by adding the discount amount to the input amount, the print processing fee is settled (acquired) from the electronic money. As a result, the amount less than the print processing fee is settled with the electronic money. This discount will increase the number of customers.

[Another embodiment]
The present invention may be configured as follows in addition to the embodiment described above.

(A) Even when only charging electronic money with this print kiosk terminal, an amount larger than the amount charged for charging (for example, when charging about 1% or more than the set amount) The processing form is set so as to charge the amount increased by a predetermined amount). Thus, the ability to attract customers is increased by setting the processing form so as to charge the increased amount of money. In addition, it is reasonable to set the percentage of this increase smaller than the percentage as a discount when charging is performed in conjunction with the printing process as described above.

(B) Instead of the processing mode in which the electronic money is charged at the print kiosk terminal, only when charging, the store clerk at the store where the print kiosk terminal is installed receives the charge at the counter or cash register. The processing mode may be set so that charging is performed via a dedicated terminal connected to the print kiosk terminal. By setting the processing mode in this way, it is possible to eliminate a customer's erroneous operation when charging.

(C) As the processing of the discount processing means 24, the discount amount is calculated based on the consideration for the print processing. For example, when the consideration for the print processing exceeds a preset amount, a fixed amount is calculated. The processing form may be set so as to set the discount amount.

(D) 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 for selecting a frame image and paying the fee is performed, and the output photo print is delivered, that is, the print processing unit C May be configured as a device independent of the photo processing service accepting unit A and the billing settlement unit B.

Perspective view showing a print kiosk terminal Block diagram showing the control system of a print kiosk terminal Flow chart showing processing of print kiosk terminal Settlement processing routine flowchart Figure showing the initial screen Figure showing the print size selection screen Figure showing the print count setting screen Figure showing the print count setting screen Figure showing the name input screen Figure showing the phone number input screen Figure showing the order confirmation screen Figure showing the payment method list screen Figure showing the processing completion screen Figure showing the payment guide screen Figure showing the processing completion screen

Explanation of symbols

2 Display (Liquid Crystal Display)
3, 4 Image data acquisition unit 13, 15 Money acquisition unit 17, 19 Electronic terminal (contact reader / writer, contactless reader / writer)
20 Billing Management Department (Billing Settlement Unit)
24 Discount processing means 25 Notification processing means Ca, Cb Electronic payment means (settlement card)
Ma media (memory card)
P Print processing section Q Print media (paper)

Claims (4)

Based on the image data acquisition unit that acquires the image data recorded on the media, the order data acquisition unit that acquires the order data necessary for the print processing based on the customer's instruction, and the order data acquired by the order data acquisition unit A self-photo printing apparatus comprising a print processing unit that performs a print process of the image data on a print medium, and a charge management unit that realizes payment for the print process,
An electronic terminal that realizes the acquisition of electronic money charged in the prepaid electronic payment means and the charging of electronic money to the electronic payment means;
When the customer uses the electronic payment means for the payment of the print processing value and charges the electronic money to the electronic payment means, the electronic money with an amount less than the print processing value is A self-photo printing apparatus comprising discount processing means acquired from electronic payment means.   The order data acquisition so as to acquire data for specifying image data to be printed, print count data, and print size data in a state where the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit is displayed on a display. And a notification processing means for displaying information for determining whether or not to execute the charge on the display after the order data is acquired by the order data acquisition unit. 1. The self-photo printing apparatus according to 1.   3. The self-photo printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discount processing unit calculates an amount of electronic money acquired from the electronic settlement unit based on a set discount rate and a consideration for the print processing.   5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a money acquisition unit that acquires an amount of inserted money, and a charge processing unit that charges the electronic settlement unit with electronic money corresponding to the amount acquired by the money acquisition unit. 2. The self-photo printing apparatus according to claim 1.

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