Image printing system and image printing apparatus

• US 20020033959A1
• Filed: 08/02/2001
• Published: 03/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Company Limited
• Inventors: Akai, Hiroyuki, Ohkubo, Takayuki, Ando, Jitsuhiko, Shibasaki, Naoji, Ishii, Tohru
• Application Number:
  US09/921,401
• Publication Number:
  US 20020033959A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00132 in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00137 Transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00143 Ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00175 from a still image storage medium H04N1/00172, H04N1/0018 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00188 Printing, e.g. prints or reprints H04N1/0019, H04N1/00196 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32529 of different type, e.g. internal and external devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3242 of processing required or performed, e.g. for reproduction or before recording H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 Transmission

Abstract

An image printing system is disclosed. The system comprises a main body and a backyard printing part which is connected to the main body via a line, wherein the main body comprises an image data inputting means for inputting image data, a request inputting means for inputting requests for an image to be output, a display means for displaying an image, an output content indicating data preparation means for preparing an output content indicating datum which records the image to be output and appendix conditions for the image on the basis of the input image and the input requests, an output method choice means for selecting one of instantaneous printing and backyard printing, and an instantaneous printing means which prints out an printed article of the image in accordance with the output content indicating datum when the choice at the output method choice means is the instantaneous printing, and wherein the backyard printing part prints out an printed article of the image in accordance with the output content indicating datum when the choice at the output method choice means is the backyard printing.

Claims

1. Image printing system, which comprises a main body and a backyard printing part which is connected to the main body via a line,

wherein the main body comprises an image data inputting means for inputting image data, a request inputting means for inputting requests for an image to be output, a display means for displaying an image, an output content indicating data preparation means for preparing an output content indicating datum which records the image to be output and appendix conditions for the image on the basis of the input image and the input requests, an output method choice means for selecting one of instantaneous printing and backyard printing, and an instantaneous printing means which prints out an printed article of the image in accordance with the output content indicating datum when the choice at the output method choice means is the instantaneous printing, and

wherein the backyard printing part prints out an printed article of the image in accordance with the output content indicating datum when the choice at the output method choice means is the backyard printing.

2. Image printing system according to claim 1, wherein the image data inputting means contains an image scanning device possible to scan an image directly.

3. Image printing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image datum which is input by the image data inputting means comprises an image datum of photographic image.

4. Image printing system according to one of claims 1-3, wherein the main body and the backyard print part is located in a same shop.

5. Image printing system according to one of claims 1-4, the main body and the backyard print part is connected through a network.

6. Image printing system according to one of claims 1-5, the main body further comprises a receipt note issuing means for issuing to the customer a receipt note which has a customer identity information for confirming the customer to be handed the printed article at the backyard.

7. Image printing system according to one of claim 6, wherein the backyard printing part further comprises a collation sheet printing means for printing the collation sheet which has at least a part of the customer identity information.

8. Image printing system according to one of claim 7, wherein the main body further comprises a private information inputting means for inputting the private information of the customer, and the receipt note issuing means issues a receipt note which has a customer identity information which includes the private information input at the private information inputting means, and the collation sheet printing means issues the collation sheet which has the customer identity information which includes the private information input at the private information inputting means.

9. Image printing system, which comprises an image data procurement means for obtaining image data, a request inputting means for inputting requests for an image to be output, an output content indicating data preparation means for preparing an output content indicating datum which records the image to be output and appendix conditions for the image on the basis of the obtained image and the input requests, an printing means which prints out an printed article of the image in accordance with the output content indicating datum, a certification information setting means for setting a certification information which certifies the identity of the customer to be handed the printed article, a storage means which store the printed article therein and which is possible to be looked with the certification information, and a certification information inputting means for inputting the certification information to open the locked storage means.

10. Image printing system according to claim 9, wherein the image data procurement means comprises an image data inputting means for inputting an image datum.

11. Image printing system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the indicating data preparation means comprises an editing means where the obtained image datum is processed into the image to be output.

12. Image printing system according to one of claim 9-11, wherein the certification information setting means comprises a password designating means for designating a password as one pleases.

13. Image printing system according to one of claim 9-11, wherein the certification information setting means comprises a password allocating means for automatically giving a password.

14. Image printing system according to one of claim 9-13, wherein the storage means comprises a storing box having a the door with a lock which key is the aforesaid certification information.

15. Image printing system according to one of claim 9-13, wherein the storage means comprises a plural of storing spaces and a common ejection port, wherein the each storing space can be locked independently and separately with a key which is the certification information to be set individually, and wherein the common ejection port is designed for discharging printed articles stored in any of the storing spaces.

16. Image printing system according to one of claim 9-15, wherein the system further comprises an output method choice means for selecting one of instantaneous printing and backyard printing,

the printing means comprises an instantaneous printing means and a backyard printing means, wherein the instantaneous printing means prints out an printed article of the image in accordance with the output content indicating datum when the choice at the output method choice means is the instantaneous printing, and wherein the backyard printing means prints out an printed article of the image in accordance with the output content indicating datum when the choice at the output method choice means is the backyard printing, and

the certification information setting means sets the certification information upon the choice of the backyard printing.

17. Image printing system according to claim 16, wherein the system comprises a main body, a backyard printing part and a stoker part, wherein the main body comprises the image data procurement means, the request inputting means, the output content indicating data preparation means, the output method choice means, the instantaneous printing means, and the certification information setting means, wherein the backyard printing part comprises the backyard printing means and is connected to the main body via a line, and wherein the stocker part is equipped with the certification information inputting means.

18. Image printing system according to claim 17, wherein the main body and stocker part are connected via line.

19. Image printing system according to one of claim 16-18, wherein the main body and backyard print part and the stocker part are all installed in a same shop.

20. Image printing apparatus for printing out a photo-image photographed by a imaging device such as digital camera,

which comprises a main body and a monitor part,

wherein the main body is equipped with a printing device therein, and

wherein the monitor part is located at upper side of the main body, and displays information such as image and character. and

which is characterized by the fact that the monitor part has at least one of height adjustment function and tilt angle regulatory function.

21. Image printing apparatus for printing out a photo-image photographed by a imaging device such as digital camera,

which comprises an inlet port for inserting a recording medium, and an outlet port for discharging a output printed article, and

which is characterized by the fact that at least one of the inlet and outlet ports has an open/close-free cover.

22. Image printing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the cover is automatically opened and closed in relation to the customer'"'"'s operation of the image printing apparatus.

25. Image printing apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the image adjustment means comprise at least one of an image scaling means which is possible to be scale-up and scale-down of the image an image translocating means, an image rotating means.

26. Image printing apparatus according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the image adjustment means comprise a detecting means for detecting the transporting state of the pre-cut seal before printing, and a printing adjustment means for adjusting the printing where a deviation of the position detected by the detecting means from the standard position is calculated, and the printing position is adjusted in proportion to the calculated deviation.

27. Image printing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the detecting means detects a detection mark which is provided on the back side of the pre-cut seal.

29. Information terminal table according to claim 28, wherein the display part also has the function of the inputting part.

30. Information terminal table according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the display part has a function of turning the top and bottom of the image displayed to any direction on a designated operation.

23. Image printing apparatus for printing out a photo-image photographed by a imaging device such as digital camera,

which comprises a main body and a monitor part, wherein the main body is equipped with a printing device therein,

wherein the monitor part is located at upper side of the main body, and displays information such as image and character, and

wherein the apparatus comprises an inlet port for inserting a recording medium and an outlet port for discharging a output printed article,

which apparatus is characterized by the fact that the monitor part has at least one of height adjustment function and tilt angle regulatory function and that at least one of the inlet and outlet ports has an open/close-free cover.

24. Image printing apparatus for printing out a photo-image photographed by a imaging device such as digital camera on a pre-cut seal, which comprises a means for displaying a frame for the pre-cut of the pre-cut seal in addition to a selected image on a monitor screen, and a image adjustment means for aligning the selected image in the proper within the frame so as to print the image at a good position within the pre-cut frame.

28. Information terminal table which comprises a top board and a media reading part,

wherein the top board comprises on its upper surface a display part for displaying character and image information and an inputting part for an input operation, the upper surface being put along or almost along the horizontal, and

wherein the media reading part is provided at the lower side of the top board.

31. Information terminal table according to one of claims 28-30, wherein the display part displays, except a necessitated minimum indication, a view which is matched with the design pattern of the parts of the table other than display part and/or the interior design of a room space where the table is placed when the table is not in operation.

32. Information outputting system which comprises the information terminal table as set forth in one of claims 28-31 and an outputting device,

wherein the outputting device outputs a information which is read out at the media reading part, and

wherein an operation for outputting the information from the outputting device is done at the top board.

33. Information outputting system according to claim 32, wherein the top board further comprises a means for ordering food and/or drink.

34. Information outputting system according to claim 32 or 33, wherein the system further comprises a charge management part which manages the charge for an output from the outputting device and/or charge for the food and drink ordered.