JP2010225030A - Method, and system for reading image, and order device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading method and an image reading system for easily selecting a desired image from among a plurality of image data stored in media and an order device equipped with them. <P>SOLUTION: The image reading system for reading image data from media A includes: an attribute reading part 222 for reading only the attributes of image data; an attribute grouping part 223 for grouping the attributes based on the information of the read attributes; a monitor 12 for displaying the groups of the attributes; a touch panel 13 for enabling a user to select any of the displayed groups of the attributes; and an image reading part 224 for reading only the image data having the attributes of the selected group from the media A. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading method for reading image data from a medium, an image reading system, and an ordering apparatus including the same.

  At a photo store (also called a minilab store), a customer brings in digital image data, and the customer can place an order for photo prints using an ordering device installed in the store. As this ordering apparatus, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.

  The ordering operation in the image receiving apparatus of Patent Document 1 is to first read digital image data from a medium storing digital image data and display it as a frame image, then select a print target, print number, print size, predetermined This is a flow for selecting the correction processing and the like and confirming the order. You can also select a photo print finish type, such as a type that forms one photo for each frame image, or an index print that arranges multiple frame images with regularity on one photo. There is also a type called album print that is printed for final album editing.

JP 2006-103100 A

  In recent years, with the increase in capacity of media, a large amount of digital image data has been included in one medium.

  However, when a medium containing a large amount of digital image data is input to an ordering apparatus as shown in Patent Document 1, it takes a long time for the ordering apparatus to read the digital image data, causing stress to the customer. End up.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image reading method and an image reading system capable of reducing the number of image data actually read from a large number of image data stored in a medium. And providing an ordering apparatus having the same.

In order to solve the above problems, an image reading method according to the present invention includes:
An image reading method for reading image data from a medium,
Before reading the image data itself, an attribute reading step for reading only the attribute of the image data;
An attribute grouping step for grouping the attributes based on the read attribute information;
Displaying the attribute group on a display means;
A selection step that allows a user to select one of the displayed groups of attributes;
An image reading step of reading only the image data having the selected group attribute from the medium.

  The operation and effect of the image reading method having such a configuration will be described. A plurality of image data is usually stored on the medium. Examples of the image data include digital data composed of images, characters, symbols, or combinations thereof. Each image data has an attribute. Here, the attribute is information regarding image data, and includes various information such as shooting date, shooting location, editing date, total number of image data, file format, and the like.

  In the present invention, first, the image data itself is not read, only the attributes of the image data are read, and a plurality of attributes are grouped (classified) into several groups based on the read attribute information. The attribute group is divided into, for example, a shooting date and a shooting location. The group with this attribute is displayed on the display means, and the user can select one of the groups. Then, only image data having the attribute of the selected group is read from the medium. That is, according to this configuration, before reading the image data itself from the medium, only the attribute of the image data is read, and the image data having the attribute of the group is read only when the attribute is selected in units of groups. As a result, only the image data selected in units of groups from all the image data of the media is read, so compared with the case where all the image data is read from the media as it is, the image data stored in the media can be selected from a larger number. The number of image data actually read can be reduced.

  In the image reading method of the present invention, the attribute is preferably shooting date / time information and / or editing date / time information of the image data.

  According to this configuration, attributes of a plurality of image data can be grouped by shooting date and / or editing date, and only image data having a group attribute of the selected date is read from the medium. As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of image data that is actually read from a large number of image data stored in the medium.

In the image reading method of the present invention, the attribute is information on the total number of image data stored in the medium,
It is preferable to perform grouping by classifying the attributes into predetermined numbers based on the read information on the total number of image data.

  According to this configuration, since the attribute is information on the total number of image data stored in the medium, the information on the total number of image data is read, the attributes are classified into predetermined numbers, and grouped. The group is displayed on the display means, and the user can select one of the groups. As a result, attribute grouping is performed, for example, a group of 1 to 50 images from the newest shooting date, a group of 51 to 100 images from the newest shooting date, and the like. The user can select any group, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the number of image data actually read from among a large number of image data stored in the medium.

In order to solve the above problems, an image reading system according to the present invention includes:
An image reading system for reading image data from media,
Attribute reading means for reading only the attribute of the image data;
Attribute grouping means for grouping the attributes based on the read attribute information;
Display means for displaying the group of attributes;
A selection unit that allows a user to select any one of the displayed groups of the attributes;
And image reading means for reading only the image data having the selected group attribute from the medium.

  The operation and effect of the image reading system having such a configuration is as described above.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the ordering apparatus according to the present invention is
An ordering apparatus for accepting a photo print order based on image data, comprising the above-described image reading system.

  The function and effect of the ordering apparatus having such a configuration is as described above, and the number of image data actually read out from a large number of image data stored in the medium can be reduced. The time required to read the data can be shortened, and the stress of the user who orders the photo print can be reduced.

Diagram for explaining an example of a photo processing system Diagram for explaining the functional configuration of the ordering device Order operation flowchart Diagram for explaining an example of the order operation screen Diagram for explaining an example of the order operation screen Diagram for explaining an example of the order operation screen Diagram for explaining an example of the order operation screen Diagram for explaining an example of the order operation screen Diagram for explaining an example of the order operation screen Diagram for explaining an example of the order operation screen Diagram for explaining an example of the order operation screen Diagram for explaining an example of the order operation screen Diagram for explaining an example of the order operation screen Diagram for explaining an example of the order operation screen Diagram for explaining an example of the order operation screen Diagram for explaining an example of the order operation screen Diagram for explaining an example of the order operation screen

  A preferred embodiment of an ordering apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a photo processing system installed in a photo shop. The type and number of printers installed are not limited to those shown in FIG. The number of installed image processing apparatuses 5 and ordering apparatuses 1 for receiving print orders is not limited to that shown in FIG. Each device constituting the photographic processing system is connected to each other by a network such as a LAN.

<System configuration>
This photo processing system is a system for performing image recording such as creation of a photo print and writing of an image on a storage medium. Image data relating to an order for a photographic print is stored in a storage medium (hereinafter referred to as a medium) brought by the customer. The customer can operate the ordering apparatus 1 and place an order for a photographic print based on the image data stored in the medium. Also, the image data relating to the order can be read from the negative film using a scanner (not shown). In addition, so-called online print ordering is also possible in which an orderer accesses and orders a photo shop server from a home PC or mobile terminal via the Internet. The online print order is a well-known configuration and will not be described in detail.

  The silver halide printer can create a photographic print based on the image data. When creating a photographic print, the image data for printing processed for printing is transmitted to an exposure engine, and the image is printed and exposed on a photographic photosensitive material such as paper. A photographic print can be created by developing the paper on which the image has been printed and exposed.

  The ink jet printer includes a communication unit for various data communication. This communication unit receives image data for printing from the image processing apparatus 5 and stores it in a memory. The ink jet printer has a RIP processing unit, and this RIP processing unit has a function of executing RIP processing. The RIP processing unit performs RIP processing on the print image data of the RGB image data related to the photo print processing, and develops it into grayscale data for each CMYK. Then, the printing unit performs printing processing based on gray scale data for each CMYK. The printing unit includes CMYK print heads. The print head performs one scan in the main scanning direction with respect to the intermittently conveyed paper, and ink is ejected from the ink ejection nozzles of each color and adheres to the surface of the paper during this scanning. By repeating this intermittent conveyance, main scanning operation, and ink ejection operation, an image is formed in the print area of the paper. Examples of the ink ejection method include a general piezo method in which ink is ejected from an ink ejection nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber by changing the volume of the pressure chamber filled with ink by a piezo element.

  A medium writing device (not shown) has a function of writing image data on a medium such as a CD-R (an example of a storage medium). By transmitting the image data from the image processing device 5 to the medium writing device, the image data can be written on a medium such as a CD-R.

(Order device)
The ordering apparatus 1 is operated by a customer, and can accept image data, set order contents, and the like. The ordering apparatus 1 itself may have the function of an image forming printer. For example, a thermal sublimation type printer is incorporated. In this case, the printing process can be performed independently regardless of other devices connected to the network. When the ordering apparatus 1 does not have a built-in printer for image formation, or when a photographic print (or writing process to a medium) is performed by another printer, the image processing apparatus 5 or directly on the printer side via the network The image data to be printed is transferred to. The image processing device 5 will be described later.

  The ordering apparatus 1 includes a media driving unit 10 and can take in image data stored in various media A. Examples of the medium A include a CD-R, a storage medium for a digital camera, and an MO disk. Further, image data can be acquired from a photographic print without a photographic film by a flat bed scanner (not shown). The ordering apparatus 1 includes a monitor 12, and can display input image data on a screen. Further, the setting of order contents can be performed by the touch panel 13 provided on the monitor screen. Of course, input means such as a keyboard and a mouse may be provided.

  The ordering apparatus 1 includes a receipt certificate issuing unit 11 and prints out a receipt card when the order details are confirmed. Order details, billing information, customer information, etc. are printed on the receipt. By handing this receipt to the person in charge of the photo shop, image recording, fee payment, etc. are performed.

  The configuration of the ordering apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. The ordering apparatus 1 includes a system C and is connected to various hardware via an interface. That is, the media driving unit 10, the receipt issuing unit 11, the monitor 12, the touch panel 13, and the hard disk 14 are connected via an interface. The hard disk 14 has a function that can temporarily store image data acquired via the media driving unit 10. Also, order information can be stored in the hard disk 14. The hard disk 14 may function as a work area when the CPU is executed in addition to the function as a large-capacity storage unit. Further, a CPU or MPU (not shown) and a memory (ROM, RAM, etc.) are provided on the system C side.

  When creating a photo print with an inkjet printer, order information data including image data is sent to the network via the network interface 15 at an appropriate timing, and sent to the image processing apparatus 5 or directly to various printers. It is the structure which transmits.

  The basic processing means 20 is a function for executing basic processing commonly used for a plurality of types of order processing. Examples of basic processing include image data reading processing from a storage medium, cart management, printer operation processing, and various data transfer processing. The basic processing unit 20 has functions of, for example, a basic control unit 22 and a basic GUI unit 21.

  The function of the basic control unit 22 of the basic processing means 20 will be described below. The process of reading the image data from the media can be executed at any time during the order processing operation without depending on the order processing procedure by the service processing means.

  The detection unit 221 detects a signal indicating that the medium A has been inserted into the media driving unit 10. When the detection unit 221 detects the insertion of the medium A, the attribute reading unit (corresponding to the attribute reading unit) 222 does not read the image data itself among the image data stored in the medium A, and the attribute of each image data. Read only. The attribute is information such as shooting date, shooting location, editing date, total number of image data, file format, and the like. The attribute can be determined from the Exif data stored in association with each image data. The Exif data includes, for example, the shooting date / time of each image data, the editing date / time for each image data, thumbnail image data obtained by the reduction processing for each image data, and the like. In addition, the Exif data may include a shooting location where each image data based on GPS information was shot.

  The attributes of each image data read by the attribute reading unit 222 are classified into several groups by an attribute grouping unit (corresponding to attribute grouping means) 223 based on attribute information. For example, the attribute group is classified by shooting date based on shooting date information, classified by shooting location based on shooting location information, and classified by editing date based on editing date information. . Further, based on the total number of image data stored in the medium A and the information on the shooting date, for example, it can be classified into a group of 50 sheets from the newest shooting date. In addition, when classifying an attribute into a group, it is naturally possible to classify an attribute of one image data into an arbitrary shooting date group and simultaneously into an arbitrary shooting location group.

  The attribute groups grouped by the attribute grouping unit 223 are displayed on the screen of the monitor 12 by the function of the attribute display unit 211 of the basic GUI unit 21. As an example of the display, an example in which a folder 1701 is displayed for each group as shown in FIG. Here, an example is shown in which groups by shooting date are displayed on the screen, but groups by shooting location may be displayed on the screen, or groups by shooting date and shooting location are displayed simultaneously on the screen. Or, another group may be displayed at the same time.

  The group displayed on the monitor 12 can be selected by the user using a selection unit such as the touch panel 13. Then, the image reading unit (corresponding to an image reading unit) 224 reads only the image data having the attribute of the selected group from the medium A. The read image data is stored in the hard disk 14.

  An image of the read image data is displayed on the screen of the monitor 12 by the function of the list display unit 212 of the basic GUI unit 21. FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are illustrated as an example of the display. FIG. 15 shows an example in which images of read image data are displayed in a list, and FIG. 16 shows an example in which a narrowing search for further narrowing down the images displayed in the list is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the image of the read image data is displayed in the display area 1503. When an arbitrary image in the display area 1503 is pointed (double frame 1503a), the enlarged image is displayed in the enlarged display area 1504. If the “Development” button 1505 is designated, the image displayed in the display area 1503 is reflected by the function of the development unit 226 in the order processing of the service processing unit being executed. Details thereof will be described later.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the image displayed in the display area 1503 may be further narrowed down. The refinement search unit 225 is a function that refines image data according to various refinement conditions 1501. For example, if “all” is instructed (touched) and “photo narrowing” 1502 is indicated, all images are displayed in the display area 1503. When “shooting date” is instructed, further refinement conditions “yesterday and today”, “recent week”, “recent month”, etc. (not shown) are displayed. If “narrow down” 1502 is designated, only the image of the shooting date of the last week is displayed in the display area 1503. For example, it is possible to further narrow down the image list of the image data having the attribute of the group of a certain selected shooting location by the condition of “shooting date”. The enlarged display area 1504 and the “deploy” button 1505 are the same as those in FIG.

  The service processing means 40, 50, and 60 are functions for executing order processing according to service contents. For example, normal print, album print, collage print, shuffle print, business card print, postcard print, collection print of various sizes, It is configured in units of processing for writing a photo book and various storage media. Each of the service processing units functions independently of the other service processing units, and is configured such that a change in any service processing unit does not affect the other service processing units. For example, the service processing means 40 can be configured as an order processing function for food printing, the service processing means 50 can be configured as an album printing function, and the service processing means 60 can be configured as an order processing function for collage printing. Other services can be arbitrarily added to the ordering apparatus 1.

  The service processing means 40 will be described as an example. The service processing means 40 has functions of, for example, an image processing unit (not shown), a service control unit 42, and a service GUI unit 41.

  The experience mode control unit 421 of the service control unit 42 is a function that allows the user to experience the order operation using the sample image data without using the image data of the orderer. The experience mode is set as the initial setting. The orderer can insert the medium at any time, cause the ordering apparatus 1 to read the image data, and replace it with the sample image data. The image data read and selected from the media is reflected in the ordering operation of the service processing means 40 by the function of the expansion unit 226, the image data is replaced with the sample image data, and the experience mode ends.

  The basic GUI unit 21 and the service GUI unit 41 control display contents of the order processing operation displayed on the monitor 12 and provide display screens related to various operations so that the customer can easily perform the order receiving operation. Operation screen data is stored in a memory (not shown).

  The shared library means 30 is a function for executing functions and processes that are used in common by the basic processing means 20 and the service processing means 40, 50, 60 and that do not reduce the independence of the service processing means 40, 50, 60. is there.

  Each function of the system C can be realized by, for example, a computer program, a cooperative action such as a CPU and a memory, and this program is stored in a ROM (not shown). Further, the system C may be configured by a dedicated circuit, firmware, or the like, or a combination thereof. Further, the basic processing means 20 may be constituted by a dedicated circuit, firmware, or the like, and the service processing means 40, 50, 60 may be realized by a cooperative action of a computer program, a CPU, a memory, and the like.

(Image processing device)
The image processing device 5 has a function of managing image data in order units. It also has a function of controlling photo print processing and media writing processing in units of orders. Hereinafter, an example of main components of the image processing apparatus 5 will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  The image processing apparatus 5 includes order information storage means (not shown) and has a function of storing order information. Further, the image processing apparatus 5 includes order management means for managing and controlling image data and order information relating to a photo print order. The order management means can set printer settings, print order, and the like regarding print processing. In addition, regarding the print order, it has a function of displaying order information on the monitor and changing the print order.

  The order information storage means stores correction information, image data, order information, and the like set by pre-judge processing to be described later. Further, the image data may be data after image processing based on the correction information. Further, the image processing apparatus 5 includes display means such as a monitor for displaying various operation screens, and input means such as a keyboard and a mouse for various inputs.

(Judge processing)
The judgment unit has a function of executing pre-judge processing for image data. In pre-judge processing, a predetermined number of frame images can be displayed on a monitor, and print conditions can be set for each frame image. For example, a predetermined number (for example, 4 frames, 6 frames) of frame images can be displayed on the monitor, and print conditions such as the number of prints, print size, and image correction information can be set for the displayed frame images. . This pre-judge process is not necessarily performed, and the print process can be performed without the pre-judge process. The image data of the order information from the ordering apparatus 1 may be judged or not judged.

  The judgment means provides, for example, a function for inputting correction information for correcting color and density, and the input of such correction information is set as necessary. Examples of other correction information settings include special correction settings such as red-eye correction and backlight correction. The set correction information is stored in the order information storage unit in association with the image data and the order information.

  The print image data creation means performs image processing on the corresponding image data based on the correction data of the print conditions set by the judgment means and the correction information such as the print size, and print image data (RGB image data). ). The print image data creation means is exemplified by a configuration realized by a cooperative action of a computer program and hardware resources such as a CPU and a memory, and a configuration of an image processing board configured by a dedicated circuit. The image processing board includes, for example, an input memory, an image processing circuit unit, and a development memory, and predetermined image processing is performed in the image processing circuit unit. Specifically, color / density correction based on correction data such as pre-judge processing, data expansion / contraction processing according to a set print size, and the like. The print image data created here is transmitted to the printer side by communication means.

  In the case of the order information received from the ordering apparatus 1, print image data corresponding to the type of printer is created by the print image data creation means without being judged. As another embodiment, order information may be transmitted directly from the ordering apparatus 1 side to the printer side, and image data for printing may be created on the printer side.

(Photo print order processing flow)
Next, order processing will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 3 and the order operation screens of FIGS.

  The service selection screen of FIG. 4 is displayed. This is due to the function of the basic processing means 20 (step S1). The orderer instructs (touches) the “FU: DA hooder” button 401 and instructs the “service start” button 402. As a result, the detailed screen of the “FU: DA Fooder” service in FIG. 5 is displayed, and the service of “your business card” 501 is selected (step S2). A service explanation screen (not shown) is displayed (step S3), and a service activation command is issued from the basic processing means 20 to the corresponding service processing means 40 (step S4). When the “confirm cart” button 403 in FIG. 4 is designated, a cart screen as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed, and the order contents ordered for each service are displayed in a list.

  The service processing means 40 displays a service operation screen (step S5). Here, the ordering operation is set to the experience mode. An operation screen such as a print editing screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, and a screen operation is performed by the orderer (steps S6 and S20). Reference numeral 601a denotes an editing area of the front of the business card, and reference numeral 601b denotes an editing area on the back of the business card. Each area can be specified (touched) and edited by switching between the front and back sides. Reference numeral 604 denotes a button area for changing the print condition. For example, if a “layout” button is designated, a layout editing screen is displayed, and an arbitrary layout is selected and reflected in the display of the editing areas 601a and 601b. Can do.

  Reference numeral 602 denotes an image display area. By instructing a “pour” button 603, sample image data can be read from a memory (not shown) and displayed in a list in the image display area 602 as shown in FIG. Further, it is possible to display sample image data in the image display area 602 by drag and drop by manual selection without instructing the “pour” button 603. As shown in FIG. 8, the left top image of the image display area 602 is displayed in the business card editing areas 601a and 601b. In the display area 605, business cards using other images are displayed.

  By indicating 601c in the business card editing area, character information such as a name and an address can be input as shown in FIG. 901 shown in FIG. 9 is a button for instructing whether to display or hide the display content on the right. A character font can be selected by 902, a character color can be selected by 903, and left alignment, center alignment, and right alignment can be selected by 904. In the character editing area 905, the character size can be selected by 906, and whether or not the character is bold can be selected by 907. For example, when a “name” is designated, a character input screen is displayed so that characters can be input. The editing ends with an “OK” button 908, and the screen shifts to the screen of FIG. If the “OK” button 1001 on the screen of FIG. 10 is designated, the screen shifts to the print order content confirmation screen of FIG.

  In the center of the screen in FIG. 11, the front and back sides of the business card displayed in FIG. 10 are displayed. When the arrows 1105 and 1106 are designated, business cards of other pages (business cards displayed in the display area 605) are displayed. “Order quantity” can be entered on the screen. If the “reflect on other pages” button 1104 is designated, the number of business cards ordered on other pages is input in the same manner. The “add to cart” button 1101 is instructed (step S21), the cart registration in progress screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed, and the screen shifts to the cart screen in FIG. The cart screen display and its processing depend on the function of the basic processing means 20.

  When the “list display” button 1103 on the screen of FIG. 10 is pointed, a print order content confirmation screen for list display as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. In the display area 1201, all the business cards displayed in the display area 602 are displayed. Any desired business card can be designated, and a “display for each page” button 1204 can be designated to display the designated business card as shown in the screen of FIG. The “add to cart” button 1202 is instructed (step S21), the cart registration in progress screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed, and the screen shifts to the cart screen in FIG.

  In the cart screen of FIG. 14, the orderer confirms the order contents (step S22). Reference numeral 1401 denotes an order deletion button. 1402 is a service name. Reference numeral 1403 denotes a product display column. 1404 is product information. 1405 is the number of orders. 1406 is an individual charge. The “customer information input” button 1407 is instructed to display a customer input screen (not shown), and customer information (name, telephone number, etc.) is input (step S23). An “order confirmation” button 1408 is designated to confirm the order, and an order completion screen (not shown) is displayed (step S24). When the orderer completes the order (step S25), a receipt is issued (step S26), and the order information is output to the image processing apparatus 5 (step S27). If the order is not terminated, the process returns to step S1 to select and instruct a desired service.

  The order operation flow in the above experience mode is an order operation using the sample image data stored in the ordering apparatus 1. Even in the experience mode, the order is completed and the order information is output, and the photo print using the sample image data can be executed. In this way, you can experience the entire order operation, and by providing the finished sample product to the actually experienced orderer, you can increase the interest in the order operation by the order device and operate the order device more effectively .

(Process to read image data from media)
Hereinafter, the process of reading image data from the orderer's media will be described in detail. The ordering apparatus 1 freely sets the image reading timing from the media, and can read the image data at any time during the ordering operation. For example, image data can be read in any of the operation screens shown in FIGS.

  In step S <b> 7 of the flowchart of FIG. 3, the medium is inserted into the media driving unit 10. When the detection unit 221 detects a signal indicating that it has been inserted, the attribute reading unit 222 reads the attribute of each image data (step S8). The attribute grouping unit 223 groups the attributes of the read image data (step S9). The attribute display unit 211 switches the screen display from the current operation screen to the group selection screen as shown in FIG. 15 or displays the group selection screen on the front (step S10). The orderer selects a desired group from a plurality of groups while viewing the screen of the monitor 12 (step S11). The image reading unit 224 reads only the image data having the group attribute selected by the orderer from the medium A (step S12), and the list display unit 212 reads the image data into the image display area 1503 as shown in FIG. A list of images of the image data is displayed (step S13).

  When the orderer executes an image search from the screen as shown in FIG. 16 (step S14), the search condition of 1501 is instructed, the “photo filter” button 1502 is instructed, and the search is performed (step S15-1). These are displayed in the image display area 1503 and repeated until desired image data is obtained (steps S16, S17, S18). When an arbitrary image 1503a in the image display area 1503 is pointed, the image is enlarged and displayed in the enlarged display area 1504. Note that the initial image in the enlarged display area 1504 is the top image. Next, the “development” button 1505 is instructed (step S 15-2), and all the image data displayed in the image display area 1503 is reflected in the order processing of the service processing unit 40. For example, the sample image data in the image display area 602 is replaced with the image of the front and back sample image data (step S19). When image data replacement is executed in accordance with an instruction of the “development” button 1505, the experience mode is canceled and a normal ordering operation is performed. If the user designates 1506, the image selection screen disappears and an operation screen for image reading is displayed.

(Another embodiment)
In the above embodiment, the order operation using the sample image data has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ordering apparatus can be configured to execute the order operation without using the sample image data and the customer image data. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, a print edit screen is displayed in the upper part of the screen, and an image selection screen is displayed in the lower part of the screen. In the business card image area 601d indicated by the broken line, the sample image data is not inserted. Even in this state, an operation on the print editing screen can be executed, and a character input operation such as a name in the character area 601c or an order operation in the next step can be executed. Further, the user can designate the “Development” button 1505 on the image selection screen at the bottom of the screen to read the image 1503a (enlargedly displayed in 1504) from the medium A and insert it into the business card image area 601d. Further, the image data narrowed down by the narrowing search as described above can be read into the image area 602 and the business card image area 601d.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ordering apparatus 10 Media drive part 12 Monitor 13 Touch panel 20 Basic processing means 21 Basic GUI part 211 Attribute display part 212 List display part 22 Basic control part 221 Detection part 222 Attribute reading part 223 Attribute grouping part 224 Image reading part 225 Refine search Unit 226 expansion unit 30 shared library unit 40 service processing unit 41 service GUI unit 42 service control unit 421 experience mode control unit

Claims (5)

An image reading method for reading image data from a medium,
Before reading the image data itself, an attribute reading step for reading only the attribute of the image data;
An attribute grouping step for grouping the attributes based on the read attribute information;
Displaying the attribute group on a display means;
A selection step that allows a user to select one of the displayed groups of attributes;
An image reading method, comprising: an image reading step of reading only image data having the selected group attribute from the medium.   The image reading method according to claim 1, wherein the attribute is shooting date / time information and / or editing date / time information of the image data. The attribute is information on the total number of image data stored in the medium,
The image reading method according to claim 1, wherein the attribute is classified into a predetermined number and grouped based on the read information on the total number of image data. An image reading system for reading image data from media,
Attribute reading means for reading only the attribute of the image data;
Attribute grouping means for grouping the attributes based on the read attribute information;
Display means for displaying the group of attributes;
A selection unit that allows a user to select any one of the displayed groups of the attributes;
An image reading system comprising: image reading means for reading only the image data having the selected group attribute from the medium. An ordering apparatus for receiving a photographic print order based on image data, comprising the image reading system according to claim 4.

Images