Print order system and method

• US 7,215,433 B1
• Filed: 07/07/2000
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Tanaka, Hiroshi, Shinkai, Yasuhiro, Kawaoka, Yoshiki
• Primary Examiner(s): Popovici; Dov
• Application Number:
  US09/612,093
• Time in Patent Office: 2,496 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.5, 358/1.13, 358/1.14, 358/1.15, 358/487, 358/1.16, 358/1.17, 358/1.18, 358/1.1, 358/1.2, 358/1.3, 358/1.4, 358/1.6, 358/1.7, 358/1.8, 358/1.9, 358 111- 112, 355/40
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G03D 15/005 Order systems, e.g. printsorter
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants
• 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 1/00143 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 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00923 Variably assigning priority H04N1/0092 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/34 for coin-freed systems ; Pay systems

Abstract

A user orders prints of pictures in a relatively easy manner. In a place such as a convenience store, a print order device and a print order receiver are installed with a one-to-one correspondence therebetween. The user orders prints of images from the print order device. The contents of order are sent to the print order receiver. The receiver produces prints of pictures according to the order. A store clerk passes the prints to the user.

Claims

1. A print order system, comprising:

a print order device and a print processing device which can mutually communicate data therebetween, wherein

the print order device comprises;

a storage medium receiving device for receiving a digital storage medium;

an image data transmitting device for transmitting, to the print processing device corresponding thereto, image data representing an image to be printed, the image data being read from the received storage medium; and

an order data transmitting device for transmitting order data including a number of print copies of the image to be printed to the print processing device in correlation with the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting device, and

the print processing device comprises;

an image data receiving device for receiving the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting device of the print order device;

an order data receiving device for receiving the order data transmitted from the order data transmitting device of the print order device; and

a printer control device for controlling a printer to print an image represented by the image data received by the image data receiving device, according to the order data received by the order data receiving device,

wherein the print processing device further includes a calculating device for calculating a print end time of the printer according to the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting device of the print order device, the order data transmitted from the order data transmitting device, and an order reception state of the printer, and

wherein the print processing device further includes an end time data transmitting device for transmitting, to the print order device, data representing the print end time calculated by the calculating device, the data representing the print end time being output to a user by the print order device.

2. A print order system, comprising:

a print order device and a print processing device which can mutually communicate data therebetween, wherein

the print order device comprises;

an image data transmitting device for transmitting, to the print processing device corresponding thereto, image data representing an image to be printed; and

an order data transmitting device for transmitting order data including a number of print copies of the image to be printed to the print processing device in correlation with the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting device, and

the print processing device comprises;

an image data receiving device for receiving the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting device of the print order device;

an order data receiving device for receiving the order data transmitted from the order data transmitting device of the print order device; and

a printer control device for controlling a printer to print an image represented by the image data received by the image data receiving device, according to the order data received by the order data receiving device,

wherein the print processing device further includes a print charge calculating device for calculating a print charge according to the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting device of the print order device and the order data transmitted from the order data transmitting device.

3. A print order system, comprising:

a print order device and a print processing device which can mutually communicate data therebetween, wherein

the print order device comprises;

an image data transmitting device for transmitting, to the print processing device corresponding thereto, image data representing an image to be printed; and

an order data transmitting device for transmitting order data including a number of print copies of the image to be printed to the print processing device in correlation with the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting device, and

the print processing device comprises;

an image data receiving device for receiving the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting device of the print order device;

an order data receiving device for receiving the order data transmitted from the order data transmitting device of the print order device; and

a printer control device for controlling a printer to print an image represented by the image data received by the image data receiving device, according to the order data received by the order data receiving device,

wherein;

the printer control device controls the printer to print out in a print sequence according to a sequence of receiving of the order data by the order data receiving device;

the print order device further includes a change instruction transmitting device for transmitting an instruction to change the print sequence to the print processing device when a user of the print order device accepts a print charge associated with the print sequence change; and

the print processing device includes a print sequence changing device for changing the print sequence according to the change instruction transmitted from the change instruction transmitting device of the print order device.

4. A print order system, comprising:

a print order device and a print processing device which can mutually communicate data therebetween, wherein

the print order device comprises;

a storage medium receiving device for receiving a digital storage medium;

image data transmitting means for transmitting, to the print processing device corresponding thereto, image data representing an image to be printed, the image data being read from the received storage medium; and

order data transmitting means for transmitting order data including a number of print copies of the image to be printed to the print processing device in correlation with the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting means, and

the print processing device comprises;

image data receiving means for receiving the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting means of the print order device;

order data receiving means for receiving the order data transmitted from the order data transmitting means of the print order device;

printer control means for controlling a printer to print an image represented by the image data received by the image data receiving means, according to the order data received by the order data receiving means;

calculating means for calculating a print end time of the printer according to the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting device of the print order device, the order data transmitted from the order data transmitting means, and an order reception state of the printer; and

end time data transmitting means for transmitting, to the print order device, data representing the print end time calculated by the calculating means, the data representing the print end time being output to a user by the print order device.

5. A print order system, comprising:

a print order device and a print processing device which can mutually communicate data therebetween, wherein

the print order device comprises;

image data transmitting means for transmitting, to the print processing device corresponding thereto, image data representing an image to be printed; and

order data transmitting means for transmitting order data including a number of print copies of the image to be printed to the print processing device in correlation with the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting means, and

the print processing device comprises;

image data receiving means for receiving the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting means of the print order device;

order data receiving means for receiving the order data transmitted from the order data transmitting means of the print order device;

printer control means for controlling a printer to print an image represented by the image data received by the image data receiving means, according to the order data received by the order data receiving means; and

print charge calculating means for calculating a print charge according to the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting device of the print order device and the order data transmitted from the order data transmitting device.

6. A print order system, comprising:

a print order device and a print processing device which can mutually communicate data therebetween, wherein

the print order device comprises;

image data transmitting means for transmitting, to the print processing device corresponding thereto, image data representing an image to be printed; and

order data transmitting means for transmitting order data including a number of print copies of the image to be printed to the print processing device in correlation with the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting means, and

the print processing device comprises;

image data receiving means for receiving the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting means of the print order device;

order data receiving means for receiving the order data transmitted from the order data transmitting means of the print order device; and

printer control means for controlling a printer to print an image represented by the image data received by the image data receiving means, according to the order data received by the order data receiving means,

wherein;

the printer control device controls the printer to print out in a print sequence according to a sequence of receiving of the order data by the order data receiving means;

the print order device further includes change instruction transmitting means for transmitting an instruction to change the print sequence to the print processing device when a user of the print order device accepts a print charge associated with the print sequence change; and

the print processing device includes print sequence changing means for changing the print sequence according to the change instruction transmitted from the change instruction transmitting means of the print order device.

7. A print processing device which can mutually communicate data with a print order device in a print order system, the print order device receiving a digital storage medium and reading image data representing an image to be printed from the received storage medium, wherein

the image data representing an image to be printed and order data including a number of print copies of the image to be printed are transmitted in correlation with each other to the print processing device, the print processing device comprising:

an image data receiving device for receiving the image data transmitted from the print order device;

an order data receiving device for receiving the order data transmitted from the print order device;

a printer control device for controlling a printer to print an image represented by the image data received by the image data receiving device, according to the order data received by the order data receiving device;

a calculating device for calculating a print end time of the printer according to the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting device of the print order device, the order data transmitted from the order data transmitting device, and an order reception state of the printer; and

an end time data transmitting device for transmitting, to the print order device, data representing the print end time calculated by the calculating device, the data representing the print end time being output to a user by the print order device.

8. A print processing device which can mutually communicate data with a print order device in a print order system, wherein

image data representing an image to be printed and order data including a number of print copies of the image to be printed are transmitted in correlation with each other to the print processing device, the print processing device comprising:

an image data receiving device for receiving the image data transmitted from the print order device;

an order data receiving device for receiving the order data transmitted from the print order device;

a printer control device for controlling a printer to print an image represented by the image data received by the image data receiving device, according to the order data received by the order data receiving device; and

a print charge calculating device for calculating a print charge according to the image data transmitted from the print order device and the order data transmitted from the print order device.

9. A print processing device which can mutually communicate data with a print order device in a print order system, wherein

image data representing an image to be printed and order data including a number of print copies of the image to be printed are transmitted in correlation with each other to the print processing device, the print processing device comprising:

an image data receiving device for receiving the image data transmitted from the print order device;

an order data receiving device for receiving the order data transmitted from the print order device; and

a printer control device for controlling a printer to print an image represented by the image data received by the image data receiving device, according to the order data received by the order data receiving device

wherein;

the printer control device controls the printer to print out in a print sequence according to a sequence of receiving of the order data by the order data receiving device;

the print order device further includes a change instruction transmitting device for transmitting an instruction to change the print sequence to the print processing device when a user of the print order device accepts a print charge associated with the print sequence change; and

the print processing device includes a print sequence changing device for changing the print sequence according to the change instruction transmitted from the change instruction transmitting device of the print order device.

10. A printing method for use with a print processing device which can mutually communicate data with a print order device in a print order system, the print order device receiving a digital storage medium and reading image data representing an image to be printed from the received storage medium, wherein the image data representing an image to be printed and order data including a number of print copies of the image to be printed are transmitted in correlation with each other to the print processing device, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving the image data and the order data transmitted from the print order device;

controlling a printer to print an image represented by the image data, according to the order data;

calculating a print end time of the printer according to the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting device of the print order device, the order data transmitted from the order data transmitting device, and an order reception state of the printer; and

transmitting, to the print order device, data representing the print end time calculated by the calculating device, the data representing the print end time being output to a user by the print order device.

11. A printing method for use with a print processing device which can mutually communicate data with a print order device in a print order system, wherein image data representing an image to be printed and order data including a number of print copies of the image to be printed are transmitted in correlation with each other to the print processing device, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving the image data and the order data transmitted from the print order device;

controlling a printer to print an image represented by the image data, according to the order data; and

calculating a print charge according to the image data transmitted from the print order device and the order data transmitted from the print order device.

12. A printing method for use with a print processing device which can mutually communicate data with a print order device in a print order system, wherein image data representing an image to be printed and order data including a number of print copies of the image to be printed are transmitted in correlation with each other to the print processing device, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving the image data and the order data transmitted from the print order device;

controlling a printer to print an image represented by the image data, according to the order data, wherein the printer is controlled to print out in a print sequence according to a sequence of receiving of the order data by the order data receiving device;

receiving an instruction to change the print sequence from the print order device;

changing the print sequence according to the change instruction transmitted from the print order device; and

charging a user of the print order device a print charge associated with the print sequence change.

13. A print processing device which can mutually communicate data with a print order device in a print order system, the print order device receiving a digital storage medium and reading image data representing an image to be printed from the received storage medium, wherein

the image data representing an image to be printed and order data including a number of print copies of the image to be printed are transmitted in correlation with each other to the print processing device, the print processing device comprising:

image data receiving means for receiving the image data transmitted from the print order device;

order data receiving means for receiving the order data transmitted from the print order device;

printer control means for controlling a printer to print an image represented by the image data received by the image data receiving means, according to the order data received by the order data receiving means;

calculating means for calculating a print end time of the printer according to the image data transmitted from the image data transmitting device of the print order device, the order data transmitted from the order data transmitting means, and an order reception state of the printer; and

end time data transmitting means for transmitting, to the print order device, data representing the print end time calculated by the calculating means, the data representing the print end time being output to a user by the print order device.

14. A print processing device which can mutually communicate data with a print order device in a print order system, wherein

image data representing an image to be printed and order data including a number of print copies of the image to be printed are transmitted in correlation with each other to the print processing device, the print processing device comprising:

image data receiving means for receiving the image data transmitted from the print order device;

order data receiving means for receiving the order data transmitted from the print order device;

printer control means for controlling a printer to print an image represented by the image data received by the image data receiving means, according to the order data received by the order data receiving means; and

print charge calculating means for calculating a print charge according to the image data transmitted from the print order device and the order data transmitted from the print order device.

15. A print processing device which can mutually communicate data with a print order device in a print order system, wherein

image data representing an image to be printed and order data including a number of print copies of the image to be printed are transmitted in correlation with each other to the print processing device, the print processing device comprising:

image data receiving means for receiving the image data transmitted from the print order device;

order data receiving means for receiving the order data transmitted from the print order device; and

printer control means for controlling a printer to print an image represented by the image data received by the image data receiving means, according to the order data received by the order data receiving means,

wherein;

the printer control device controls the printer to print out in a print sequence according to a sequence of receiving of the order data by the order data receiving means;

the print order device further includes change instruction transmitting means for transmitting an instruction to change the print sequence to the print processing device when a user of the print order device accepts a print charge associated with the print sequence change; and

the print processing device includes print sequence changing means for changing the print sequence according to the change instruction transmitted from the change instruction transmitting means of the print order device.