JP4559143B2 - Photo processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographic processing apparatus for outputting a photographic print or the like based on image data recorded on a photographic film or various media.

  In recent years, small photo processing apparatuses called so-called minilabs have become widespread, and at present, the majority of photo prints are finished by this minilab.

  In a print service store such as a DPE store where a minilab is installed, it is a common service aspect that a clerk who receives a print order from a customer operates the minilab to perform printing work, but recently it has been installed in the store. Services that lend these minilabs to customers (called rental minilabs) are also appearing.

  The customer who rented the minilab can use the minilab freely during this period and can print the photographic film brought in. Further, during such work, in most cases, a store clerk or the like is not involved. Therefore, this service is convenient for customers who want to protect privacy, such as not wanting others to see the finished prints, and the demand thereof tends to increase. In addition, the DPE store and the like that provide this service also have the advantages that the work of the store clerk and the like can be reduced and personnel costs can be saved.

  However, the above-mentioned minilab is not specifically designed on the assumption that it will be rented, so its operation is not easy for customers who are using it for the first time or customers who are not familiar with photo processing technology in general. Minilabs are usually equipped with a GUI (graphical user interface) that allows most operations up to printing to be performed intuitively while looking at the operation screen displayed on the monitor. However, since it is assumed that a person who has undergone training or the like (a store clerk, etc.) operates it, it cannot be said that it is an easy operation for general customers. In addition, since information on the operation of functions that are not used at the time of rental is also displayed, it is confusing for the rented customer and not easy to use. Therefore, there are not a few cases where the store clerk is called frequently and an explanation of the operation method is requested.

  Furthermore, it is difficult for general customers to understand how to deal with simple troubles (things that can be solved on the spot, such as running out of paper) (the warnings and how to deal with them are not for beginners). When this happens, there are many cases where a store clerk is called to deal with it.

  Therefore, in the current minilab, beginners unfamiliar with the operation may refrain from renting and hinder further expansion of the demand layer. Also, for DPE stores etc. By reducing this, you will be distracted from the desire to save labor costs.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides a photo processing apparatus (minilab) that can be operated without trouble even if a rented customer is an unfamiliar person such as a beginner, and that can perform operations such as printing. The purpose is to do.

  The photographic processing apparatus according to the present invention is a photographic processing apparatus capable of outputting as print and / or image data based on a photographic film and / or image data brought in by a customer by operating according to an operation screen displayed on a monitor. In addition to a normal mode operated by a store clerk or the like, a rental mode premised on an operation by a customer is provided.

  In the photo processing apparatus having the above-described configuration, a negative film, a positive film, etc. brought in by a customer can be seen while viewing an operation screen (provided by a GUI provided in the photo processing apparatus) displayed on a monitor provided in the photo processing apparatus. For example, a small photo processing apparatus called a minilab can output prints and image data based on image data recorded on photographic film and various media (memory card, CD-ROM, etc.).

  Further, the above-mentioned photographic processing apparatus is operated normally by a store clerk or the like (a manager or an employee of a store where the photographic processing apparatus is installed) to perform output processing such as photographic prints according to customer orders. In addition to the mode (use in the normal mode), a so-called rental use mode in which a general customer who visits the store operates to perform a series of work is also assumed.

  According to the photo processing apparatus having the above configuration, since the rental mode is premised on the operation by the customer in addition to the normal mode, by switching to the rental mode at the time of the rental, it is possible to operate the parties concerned. It is possible to provide a user-friendly interface that allows non-experts, that is, general customers to easily operate the photo processing apparatus.

  In this case, in the rental mode, a configuration in which a part of functions that can be performed in the normal mode is restricted is the simplest example for realizing the user-friendly interface.

  As a specific example, a configuration that restricts an operation that is not supposed to be used at the time of rental (for example, an operation related to detailed settings of the photo processing apparatus) so that only a function desired by a customer such as print processing is enabled, etc. Is mentioned. Such regulation simplifies the operation screen, improves usability, and prevents troubles caused by erroneous operations.

  In addition, it is preferable to include a mode switching unit that switches between the normal mode and the rental mode because mode switching is easy.

  Further, from the viewpoint of the function regulation, it is preferable that only the store clerk or the like can switch the rental mode to the normal mode.

  In addition, the usage time in the rental mode can be set in advance. When the set time elapses, it is notified to the customer, and it is possible to set the selection whether to continue the use or not. This is preferable because it increases the number of employees and saves the labor of a store clerk.

  The setting of the usage time includes not only the setting by a store clerk (or customer) but also a case where it is automatically set (for example, 30 minutes).

  According to the photo processing apparatus of the present invention, by providing a rental mode that is assumed to be used by customers, a user interface that can be easily operated by non-experts can be provided to general customers, so that the service can be improved. The demand for rental business is expected to increase.

  Hereinafter, a photographic processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a photographic processing apparatus according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the photographic processing apparatus. The photographic processing apparatus 1 reads image data from a photographic film F or media M brought in by a customer, and performs digital image processing such as various corrections and trimming according to circumstances to generate image data for output. And a printing apparatus 2 that prints an image on the photosensitive material PA based on the image data output from the image processing apparatus 1.

  The image processing apparatus 1 includes a scanner 3 that reads an image from a photographic film F such as a negative film or a positive film, a media drive 4 that can read / write image data from / to a medium M such as a CD-ROM or a memory card, and image processing. A main controller 5 that controls the entire photographic processing apparatus including the control of the apparatus 1, a monitor 6 that displays an image read from the photographic film F and the medium M, and an input that receives an operation command from a store clerk or a general customer A device 7 is provided. It is also possible to configure the monitor 6 so that touch panel input is possible, and to accept an operation command using a customer's finger, a dedicated input pen, or the like.

  The main control device 5 includes a CPU 8 that is a main body of the control and calculation, a ROM 9a that stores a GUI program, a RAM 9b that is used as a work area for processing, and various external devices (scanner 3, media drive 4, monitor 6 and the input device 7) are provided therein.

  The printing apparatus 2 includes an exposure processing unit 11 that performs exposure processing on the photosensitive material PA based on image data that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing device 1, and a development processing unit 12 that performs development processing on the exposed photosensitive material PA. The drying processing unit 13 performs drying processing on the developed photosensitive material PA, and the sorting processing unit 14 performs sorting processing on the photosensitive material PA that has been dried and turned into a photograph.

  The exposure processing unit 11 pulls out the photosensitive material PA from the pair of magazines 15 a and 15 b and conveys it to the downstream side by the conveying roller pair 16. Then, the photosensitive material PA is exposed by an exposure device 17 including a light source 17a composed of a halogen lamp or the like and an optical shutter 17c connected to the light source 17a via an optical fiber bundle 17b.

  The development processing unit 12 performs processing such as development, bleaching, fixing, and stabilization on the photosensitive material PA.

  The drying processing unit 13 blows hot air from the hot air device 18 onto the photosensitive material PA sent from the development processing unit 12 and performs a process of drying the developer or the like attached to the photosensitive material PA.

  The sorting processing unit 14 sorts the photosensitive material PA that has been subjected to the exposure processing, the development processing, and the drying processing into large and small sizes, and the small-sized photosensitive material PA sorted by the size sorting unit, for each order. And an order sorting unit 20.

  The size sorting unit 19 discharges the photosensitive material PA having a large size to the tray 21 and conveys the photosensitive material PA having a small size to the conveyor 22. The order sorting unit 20 distributes the photosensitive material PA conveyed by the conveyor 22 to each tray 23 for each order.

  The photographic processing apparatus of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration is a small photographic processing apparatus called a “minilab”, which is installed in a print service store such as a DPE store, and an image source (photographic film F or the like) brought in by a customer. This is a device that reads image data from the medium M) and can output a photo print (silver salt print) or image data based on the read image data.

  The photo processing apparatus according to the present embodiment receives an order from a customer who has visited the print service store, and a store clerk (including a manager) finishes a photo print by operating the photo processing apparatus in accordance with the contents of the order. In addition to being used for normal services, it is also used for services that lend to customers on a time basis (rental service).

  In the rental service, the internal state (more specifically, the control state of the main control device 5) is switched from the normal state (normal mode) to the rental state (rental mode) to improve customer operability. Has unprecedented functions. Hereinafter, this feature will be described in detail.

  When a customer visits the store and offers to provide a rental service, the store clerk switches the photo processing apparatus to the rental mode. The switching can be performed via a normal mode operation screen (main screen shown in FIG. 3). Specifically, a store clerk or the like may perform an operation such as selecting and clicking a switching button (mode switching means) (not shown) provided on the main screen using the mouse 7b or the like. In addition to the switching method via the GUI, a specification for switching by a hardware operation (for example, an operation of a switch button or a switch provided in the image processing apparatus 1) can be employed.

  When the above operation is performed by a store clerk or the like, the control state of the main control device 5 is switched to the rental mode. Then, main controller 5 causes monitor 6 to display a scheduled use time input screen as shown in FIG. The store clerk or the like inputs the scheduled use (rental) time requested by the customer via the use time input screen. The inputted scheduled use time is used for notifying the customer after the scheduled use time has elapsed, or for managing the schedule of the store (adjustment of reception of reservations, etc.). Note that the scheduled usage time does not necessarily need to be input, and display of the usage time input screen is not essential. When the input is omitted, for example, a predetermined time such as 30 minutes is set.

  Next, a channel selection screen as shown in FIG. 4B is displayed on the monitor 6 by the main controller 5. Subsequent operations are performed only by the customer.

  On the channel selection screen (FIG. 4B), it is possible to select the size and type (with / without border) desired for printing. A combination of frequently used print size (width, feed) and edge presence / absence is preset (preset) in association with a plurality of channels (CH), and this preset is displayed on the channel selection screen. Information is displayed in a list, and the customer can select a desired channel (print size and with / without border) from the list. If the desired channel does not exist in the list, the desired print size (width, feed) and border are displayed via an arbitrary setting screen (not shown) displayed by pressing the arbitrary setting button 41. A new channel (CH) can be set by the combination of / none.

  When the channel selection is completed, an image source selection screen shown in FIG. The image source selection screen is a screen for selecting one of “negative film”, “positive film”, and “media” according to the type of image source that the customer has brought in.

  When a selection is made on the image source selection screen, a screen prompting the user to set the image source shown in FIG. 5A or 5B is displayed according to the selected image source. Specifically, when negative film or positive film is selected on the image source selection screen, the screen shown in FIG. 5 (a) is displayed, and when media is selected, the screen shown in FIG. 5 (b) is displayed. Is done.

  In FIG. 5 (a), in the set position display area 51, a position for setting a film (negative film or positive film) brought in by the customer is displayed as a guide. When the customer sets the film according to the guide display, scanning is executed by the scanner 3 by automatic or simple button operation, and the image data is read. The image data read here is once developed in a predetermined area of a storage means such as the RAM 9b.

  On the other hand, in the setting position display area 52 of FIG. 5B, a position (media drive 4) where various media M (CD-ROM, memory card, etc.) brought in by the customer are set is displayed as a guide. When the customer sets (inserts) the media M in the corresponding drive of the media drive 4 according to the guide display, the contents of the image data recorded in the media M are displayed by automatic or simple button operation. Then, a file selection screen (FIG. 5C) for prompting selection of a desired file (image data) is displayed. When a file is selected by the customer, the selected file is read by the corresponding drive of the media drive 4 and once expanded in a predetermined area of the storage means such as the RAM 9b.

  When the above operation is completed, a so-called “judge screen” as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. On the judge screen, images of 6 files of the read image data are displayed as 6 frames as frame images 61, and a correction button area 62 is provided below each frame image 61. In the correction button area 62, color correction buttons 63y (for yellow component correction), 63m (for magenta component correction), 63c (for cyan component correction), a density correction button 63d and a DSA button 64 (contrast, saturation, (For correction of sharpness etc.) is arranged (displayed). The customer can perform digital image processing such as color density correction on the image data desired to be output via the judge screen.

  After digital image processing on the judge screen, the customer inputs the desired number of prints and executes printing. Here, the number of prints executed by the customer is managed by a number counter provided in the main controller 5 (specifically, the number counter is incremented every time printing is executed).

  As described above, the customer who rents the photo processing apparatus can easily execute print processing based on the brought-in image source by operating according to each operation screen displayed on the monitor 6. Further, in the rental mode, an operation screen unnecessary for the customer (such as the main screen in FIG. 3) is not displayed, so that it is possible not only to improve operability but also to prevent unnecessary trouble from occurring due to an erroneous operation. During the rental service (rental mode), the transition (transition) between the operation screens is freely performed by the customer's operation, but the transition to the main screen (FIG. 3), that is, switching to the normal mode is restricted. By means, only a store clerk or the like is possible, and it cannot be performed by the customer's operation. Such restricting means can be realized by authentication with a password, insertion of a recording medium for authentication, a key switch, or the like.

  Further, when any trouble occurs in the photo processing apparatus in the rental mode, a warning screen is displayed on the monitor 6 to notify the customer to that effect. At that time, if there is something that can be easily solved on the spot such as out of paper, a message to that effect (for example, “paper is gone” etc.) is displayed, and a guide display for the countermeasure (for example, magazine) Display of explanation diagrams etc.) By performing such guide display, even customers unfamiliar with the photographic processing apparatus can solve the trouble.

  On the other hand, for trouble that seems to be difficult for the customer to deal with (for example, paper jam), in addition to a message to that effect (for example, “Paper jammed”, etc.) A message such as “Please call a clerk” is displayed to notify that the clerk needs to be called.

  By displaying the above warning screen and how to deal with it, ask the customer to handle simple (mild) troubles that will occur relatively frequently during the rental service. This saves the labor of the store clerk. In addition, troubles that are difficult for the customer to deal with can be immediately notified to the customer, so that the store clerk can respond quickly and improve the service.

  When the rental time elapses, a message to that effect is displayed and an operation screen (not shown) that allows the user to select whether or not to extend is displayed. Here, when the extension is desired, the customer can input a new extension time, and can continue to execute the printing operation. Instead of requiring the customer to input the extension time, if the customer wishes to extend, the specification may be such that the extension is automatically extended at a predetermined time such as 15 minutes.

  On the other hand, when the extension is not desired or cannot be extended (for example, a reservation is entered), a settlement screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. On the settlement screen, the entire rental fee is displayed and the breakdown is also displayed. In the charge setting of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the basic charge (rental time 30 minutes) + extension time (for example, charging in units of 15 minutes) + print number (count value of the number counter) × print size However, this is merely an example, and can be changed as appropriate, such as a pay-as-you-go system (charging only for the time used).

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

  For example, in the rental mode of the photo processing apparatus of the above-described embodiment, only the output of the photo print has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and index output and output to various media can be performed in the rental mode. As an example of charging in this case, the number of output sheets × unit price per sheet can be set for index output, and the number of output data (images) × unit price per image can be set for output to media.

  Further, the photo processing apparatus of the above embodiment has two types of modes, the normal mode and the rental mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the rental mode, an advanced player mode, a beginner mode, etc. The operation screen displayed on the monitor may be different according to the level of the customer's operation ability. In this case, in the beginner mode, the range that the customer can operate is narrowed, but more detailed and polite guide display is performed, while in the advanced mode, the guide display is simplified, but the operation range is widened accordingly. It is possible to increase the number of service variations.

1 is an external view of a photographic processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the photographic processing apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main screen displayed on a monitor in the embodiment. FIG. In the embodiment, it is an example of an operation screen displayed on the monitor, (A) is a diagram showing a scheduled use time input screen, (B) is a diagram showing a channel selection screen, (C) These are figures which show an image source selection screen. In the embodiment, it is an example of an operation screen displayed on a monitor, (A) is a diagram showing a screen displayed when a film is selected in FIG. 4 (C), (B) is a diagram FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed when a medium is selected in (C), and (C) is a diagram illustrating a file selection screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the judgment screen displayed on a monitor in the same embodiment. In the same embodiment, it is a figure which shows an example of a payment screen.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing apparatus, 2 ... Printing apparatus, 3 ... Scanner, 4 ... Media drive, 5 ... Main control apparatus, 6 ... Monitor, 7 ... Input device, 8 ... CPU, 9a ... ROM, 9b ... RAM, 10 ... I / O processing unit, 11 ... exposure processing unit, 12 ... development processing unit, 13 ... drying processing unit, 14 ... sorting processing unit, 15a, 15b ... magazine, 16 ... conveying roller pair, 17 ... exposure device, 17a ... light source , 17b ... Optical fiber bundle, 17c ... Optical shutter, 18 ... Hot air device, 19 ... Size sorting unit, 20 ... Order sorting unit, 21 ... Tray, 22 ... Conveyor, 41 ... Arbitrary setting button, 51, 52 ... Set position display area 61 ... Frame image, 62 ... Correction button area, 63y, 63m, 63c ... Color correction button, 63d ... Density correction button, 64 ... DSA button

Claims (5)

In a photographic processing apparatus capable of outputting prints and / or image data based on photographic film and / or image data brought in by a customer by operating according to an operation screen displayed on a monitor,
A photo processing apparatus comprising a rental mode on the premise of a customer operation in addition to a normal mode operated by a store clerk or the like.   The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the rental mode, a part of functions that can be performed in the normal mode is restricted.   The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising mode switching means for switching between the normal mode and the rental mode.   4. The photo processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein only a store clerk or the like can switch the rental mode to the normal mode.   The usage time in the rental mode can be set in advance, and when the set time elapses, the customer is notified so and the selection of whether or not to continue the use can be set. The photographic processing apparatus according to claim 1.

Images