Image processing system, image processing method, program, and recording medium

Abstract

To enable both a transmission priority of order data and a reception priority of product data to be controlled on the basis of the usage status of a network bandwidth.SOLUTION: In an image processing system, image processing method, a program, and a recording medium according to the present invention, product data is created on the basis of order data transferred via a network. A transfer priority of current data over preceding data is determined on the basis of a determination condition of transfer priorities. When the priority of transfer of the preceding data is lower than the priority of transfer of the current data, a network status due to the transfer of the preceding data is acquired, and on the basis of the acquired network status, the transfer of the preceding data is interrupted and the transfer of the current data is started.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing system (image processing device), an image processing method, a program, and a recording medium for editing and creating print products such as postcards, photo prints, and photo books on a server on a cloud. [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional image processing devices for creating print products, the image processing function for editing the print product and creating the final print product is installed in an order receiving machine (store machine) installed in a store such as a photo shop. The print product is printed at the store, or the product data of the final print product after image processing is transmitted to a print lab via a network, and the print product is printed at the print lab.

[0003] In this case, for example, when the image processing function of the order receiving machine is updated to improve the image processing function, software for updating the image processing function must be sent to each store, and the store staff must update the image processing function. Alternatively, a worker must be dispatched to each store to update the image processing function, which requires expenses, and the image processing device cannot be used during the image processing function update. Furthermore, the order receiving machine needs a high-performance and expensive device that can perform image processing.

[0004] Here, Patent Documents 1 and 2 are prior art documents that serve as references for the present invention.

[0005] Patent document 1 describes a digital photo order processing system in which order data including order information and ordered images is sent from an ordering terminal to a center server via the Internet, the order information contained in the order data is preferentially transferred from the center server to a photo lab via the Internet, and after the order information has been transferred, the ordered images contained in the order data are transferred to the photo lab via the Internet.

[0006] Patent Document 2 describes a data communications system in which, when one of a plurality of client devices is uploading multiple files and another client device requests a data management server to view a file that has not been uploaded among the multiple files, the one client device changes a predetermined order so that the file that is the subject of the viewing request is given priority for uploading. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-346380 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2018-195039 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In order to solve the problems of conventional image processing devices, it is conceivable to use a cloud-based kiosk terminal. In this case, an order receiving machine, for example, receives order data corresponding to a user's order and transmits it to a server on the cloud via a network. Meanwhile, the server edits a print product corresponding to the order data, creates product data of the final print product, and transmits it to a store or print lab. Then, the store or print lab prints the print product corresponding to the product data.

[0009] This reduces the burden on store staff and costs, since updating the image processing function only requires updating the image processing function of the server. Also, the order receiving machine only needs to display an editing screen for causing the server to perform image processing on the display screen of a web browser, and can transmit order data and receive product data, etc., and does not need to perform image processing, so no high-performance, expensive device is required, and costs can be reduced.

[0010] However, in an image processing device using a cloud-based kiosk terminal, in order to create a print product, the store transmits order data to a server on the cloud, and the server transmits the product data to the store or print lab, so the network load is larger than that of a conventional order receiving device. If there is sufficient network bandwidth, this is not a problem, but if there is not enough bandwidth, congestion occurs in the transmission of order data and the reception of product data. In this case, problems such as longer waiting times for users to receive print products at a store can occur.

[0011] The transfer speed is uniquely determined when the combination of the sender and receiver is determined. However, even if the nominal speed is 1 Gbps (gigabits per second) in a best-effort optical line, the effective speed may be only 2 to 3 Mbps (megabits per second) depending on the region and time of day. Therefore, efficient use of the network is essential for image processing devices that use cloud-based kiosk terminals.

[0012] Moreover, in Patent Document 1, the priority order is controlled only when the order data is transferred (downloaded) from the center server to the photo lab, while in Patent Document 2, the priority order is controlled only when the file is uploaded from the client device to the data management server. In this way, in conventional image processing devices that create print products, the transfer priority order is controlled only for either downloading or uploading, regardless of the bandwidth usage of the network.

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device, an image processing method, a program, and a recording medium that can control the priority of both the transmission of order data and the reception of product data based on the network bandwidth usage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a first processor and a second processor, The first processor accepts input of order data including image data of a print product and an image to be applied to the print product; The second processor Based on the order data received from the first processor via the network, product data of a print product is generated in which the image data is applied to a print product; determining a priority of transfer of the current data including the order data or product data of the current order relative to the preceding data including the order data or product data of the preceding order based on a transfer priority determination condition; Controlling the transfer of the preceding data and the current data in accordance with the transfer priority; To provide an image processing device which switches the transfer priority so that the transfer of the preceding data is interrupted and the transfer of the current data is started when the transfer priority of the preceding data is lower than that of the current data and the usage of the network band by the transfer of the preceding data is equal to or higher than a specified threshold.

[0015] Here, it is preferable that the second processor determines the priority of transfer of the current data relative to the preceding data based on the type of print material, the number of images and the capacity of image data contained in the current data, the target completion time of the print product set for each type of print material, an operation log of network bandwidth usage at the store and print lab, and the transfer status and transfer priority of the preceding data.

[0016] It is preferable that the second processor further determines the priority of the transfer so that the priority of the transfer of order data or product data corresponding to print products printed by a printer owned by the store is higher than the priority of the transfer of order data or product data corresponding to print products printed by a printer owned by the print lab.

[0017] In addition, it is preferable that the second processor determines the priority of transfer so that the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to a print product with a first target completion time is higher than the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to a print product with a second target completion time that is longer than the first target completion time.

[0018] It is preferable that the second processor further determines the priority of transfer so that the priority of transfer of product data corresponding to print products printed by a printer owned by the print lab and delivered directly from the print lab to a store or user is higher than the priority of transfer of product data corresponding to print products forwarded from the print lab to a distribution center and delivered from the distribution center to a store or user.

[0019] It is preferable that the second processor further determines the priority of transfer so that the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to print products for which express finishing is specified among print products printed by the printers owned by the print lab is higher than the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to print products for which express finishing is not specified.

[0020] In addition, when the priority of the transfer of the current data and the priority of the transfer of the preceding data are determined to be the same, it is preferable that the second processor determines the priority of the transfer so that the order is the order in which the orders were placed.

[0021] It is preferable that the second processor further determines a transfer priority based on an operation log of the store's printer usage status so that the priority of transferring order data or product data corresponding to print products to be printed by a standby printer is higher than the priority of transferring order data or product data corresponding to print products to be printed by an operating printer.

[0022] In addition, it is preferable that the second processor determines the priority of transfer so that the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to a first print material, which has a greater number of prints per transferred image than the second print material, is higher than the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to the second print material.

[0023] It is preferable that the second processor further determines the priority of transfer so that the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to a third print product, which has a greater number of orders than the fourth print product, during a specific period of time is higher than the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to the fourth print product.

[0024] In addition, it is preferable that the second processor, based on an operation log of network bandwidth usage during a specific time period on a specific day of the week in the past, determines a transfer priority so that, if the network bandwidth usage during a specific time period on a specific day of the week in the past is above a threshold, the transfer priority of order data or product data corresponding to print products to be printed by a printer owned by the print lab during a specific time period on a current specific day of the week is given the lowest priority.

[0025] Furthermore, it is preferable that the second processor divides and transfers the image data when at least one of the volume of the image data is equal to or larger than a threshold and the network delay time is equal to or larger than a threshold.

[0026] Furthermore, when the volume of the image data is equal to or larger than a threshold value, it is preferable that the second processor determines an upper limit of the network bandwidth to be used when transferring the image data and transfers the image data.

[0027] The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a printing apparatus, comprising: an order receiving unit receiving input of order data including image data of a print product and an image to be applied to the print product; an order processing unit generating product data of a print product in which the image data is applied to a print product based on the order data received from the order receiving unit via a network; a step of determining a priority order of transfer of current data including order data or product data of a current order relative to preceding data including order data or product data of a preceding order based on a transfer priority order determination condition by a priority order determination unit; a transfer control unit controlling the transfer of the preceding data and the current data in accordance with a transfer priority order; The image processing method includes a step of switching the transfer priority order so that, when the priority order of the transfer of the preceding data is lower than the priority order of the transfer of the current data and the usage of the network bandwidth due to the transfer of the preceding data is equal to or higher than a specified threshold, the transfer of the preceding data is interrupted and the transfer of the current data is started by a transfer order switching unit.

[0028] The present invention also provides a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the image processing method described above.

[0029] Furthermore, the present invention provides a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the image processing method described above. Effect of the Invention

[0030] According to the present invention, the transfer priority for both downloads and uploads can be controlled based on the usage status of the network bandwidth, and the network bandwidth can be dynamically changed, thereby significantly shortening the time it takes to complete a print product. Also, according to the present invention, the transfer priority can be controlled both between a store and the cloud, and between a print lab and the cloud. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 11 is a conceptual diagram of an embodiment showing the difference in finishing time when priority is given to the transfer of image data for a postcard and when priority is given to the transfer of image data for a photographic print. FIG. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of an operation of the image processing device shown in FIG. 1 when transmitting order data. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of an operation of the image processing device shown in FIG. 1 when receiving product data. [Diagram 5] 1 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 7 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of an operation of the image processing device shown in FIG. 5 when transmitting order data. [Figure 7] 7 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of an operation of the image processing device shown in FIG. 5 when receiving product data. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image processing apparatus, an image processing method, a program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be described in detail below based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image processing device 10 shown in Fig. 1 is a device that uses a cloud-based kiosk terminal, and transmits (uploads) order data corresponding to a user's order from a store such as a photo shop via a network to a server on the cloud, creates product data for a print product corresponding to the order data in the server, receives (downloads) the product data from the server via the network to the store or a print lab (print production factory), and prints the print product corresponding to the product data in the store or print lab.

[0034] The image processing device 10 includes an order receiving unit 12, a store side transfer unit 14, an order management unit 16, and a store side printer 18 in a store. The image processing device 10 includes a cloud-side transfer unit 20, an order processing unit 22, a priority order determination unit 24, a transfer order rearrangement unit 26, and a transfer control unit 28 on the cloud. The image processing device 10 includes a print laboratory transfer section 30, a print management section 32, and a print laboratory printer 34 in the print laboratory. The order reception unit 12, the order management unit 16 of the store, and the print management unit 32 of the print lab are examples of the first processor of the present invention. The order processing unit 22, the priority determination unit 24, the transfer order rearrangement unit 26, and the transfer control unit 28 on the cloud are examples of the second processor of the present invention.

[0035] 1 shows only one store (order reception unit 12, store transfer unit 14, order management unit 16, and store printer 18), one server on the cloud (cloud transfer unit 20, order processing unit 22, priority determination unit 24, transfer order rearrangement unit 26, and transfer control unit 28), and one print lab (print lab transfer unit 30, print management unit 32, and print lab printer 34). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image processing device 10 may include multiple stores, may have multiple servers, or may include multiple print labs. For example, one server each can be provided in eastern Japan and western Japan, with the server in eastern Japan serving all stores in eastern Japan and the server in western Japan serving all stores in western Japan. It is also possible to set up one of the servers in eastern and western Japan to serve all stores nationwide if one of the servers in eastern and western Japan is unavailable due to a disaster, power outage, inspection, etc.

[0036] Moreover, print laboratories may include large laboratories and mini laboratories, the difference between which lies in the production capacity and delivery route of print products. Large-scale laboratories have a higher production capacity than mini-labs, and print products produced in large-scale laboratories are, for example, delivered directly to stores or users, or delivered to stores or users via a distribution base. On the other hand, print products produced at a minilab are delivered to a nearby store or directly to a user, for example. A minilab is equivalent to a store that does not have an order receiving unit 12, and the products that can be produced at a store and a minilab are generally the same.

[0037] In the store, the order reception unit 12 is connected to a store-side transfer unit 14. An order management unit 16 and a store-side printer 18 are connected to the store-side transfer unit 14 in turn. The store-side transfer unit 14 is also connected to a cloud-side transfer unit 20 via a network (global network) 36 such as the Internet and telephone lines. On the cloud, the cloud-side transfer unit 20 is connected to an order processing unit 22, and the order processing unit 22 is connected to a priority order determination unit 24. The priority order determination unit 24 is connected to a transfer order rearrangement unit 26 and a transfer control unit 28, and the transfer control unit 28 is connected to the cloud-side transfer unit 20. In the print laboratory, a print management unit 32 and a print laboratory printer 34 are connected in sequence to a print laboratory side transfer unit 30. The print laboratory side transfer unit 30 is also connected to a cloud side transfer unit 20 via a network 36.

[0038] In the store, the order receiving unit 12 is a cloud-based kiosk terminal that receives input of order data from a user, including a print material corresponding to the user's order and image data of an image to be applied to the print material. The order receiving unit 12 also transmits the order data, etc. to an order processing unit 22 on the cloud via the store-side transfer unit 14, the network 36, and the cloud-side transfer unit 20 on the cloud under the control of a transfer control unit 28 on the cloud. The print material indicates the type of material for producing various print products such as photo prints, calendars including photos, photo books (photo albums), and the like.

[0039] The store-side transfer unit 14, under the control of the order receiving unit 12 and the order management unit 16, transfers (transmits and receives) various data between the store and the cloud via the network 36. The store-side transfer unit 14, under the control of the order receiving unit 12, transmits order data, etc. to the cloud-side transfer unit 20 on the cloud, and, under the control of the order management unit 16, receives product data, etc. from the cloud-side transfer unit 20. The store transfer unit 14 also collects operation logs of the bandwidth usage status of the network 36 by the store from the store transfer unit 14 itself or from the order receiving unit 12 and order management unit 16. The store transfer unit 14 also collects operation logs of the usage status of the store printers 18 owned by the store. These operation logs are periodically transmitted to the cloud by the store transfer unit 14.

[0040] The order management unit 16 manages user orders and the printing of print products, and under the control of the transfer control unit 28, receives product data and the like from the order processing unit 22 via the cloud-side transfer unit 20, the network 36, and the store-side transfer unit 14. The order management unit 16 also causes the store-side printer 18 to print print products corresponding to the product data received via the store-side transfer unit 14.

[0041] The store-side printer 18, under the control of the order management unit 16, prints print products whose printing location is a store. The connection form of the store-side printer 18 is not particularly limited, and may be a network printer connected via a local network within the store, or a local printer connected via a connection cable such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, etc. The printing method of the store-side printer 18 is also not particularly limited, and may be a silver halide printer, inkjet printer, laser printer, etc.

[0042] Next, on the cloud, the cloud-side transfer unit 20, under the control of the order processing unit 22, transmits and receives various data between the store and the cloud, and between the print lab and the cloud, via the network 36. The cloud-side transfer unit 20 receives order data and the like from the store-side transfer unit 14 , and transmits product data and the like to the store-side transfer unit 14 or the print laboratory-side transfer unit 30 .

[0043] The order processing unit 22 receives order data and the like from the order receiving unit 12 via the store-side transfer unit 14, the network 36, and the cloud-side transfer unit 20. Furthermore, the order processing unit 22 creates product data (image data) of a print product corresponding to the order data, i.e., a print product in which the image data included in the order data is applied to a print material also included in the order data, based on the order data received via the cloud-side transfer unit 20. Furthermore, the order processing unit 22 transmits the product data and the like to the order management unit 16 of the store via the cloud-side transfer unit 20, the network 36, and the store-side transfer unit 14, or to the print management unit 32 of the print lab via the cloud-side transfer unit 20, the network 36, and the print lab-side transfer unit 30.

[0044] The priority determination unit 24 determines the priority of transfer of current data including order data or product data of a current order relative to previous data including order data or product data of a previous order based on the transfer priority determination conditions. For example, when the image processing device 10 includes multiple stores, the priority determination unit 24 determines the priority of transfer of current data of one store that has accepted a current order relative to previous data of the multiple stores, in other words, previous data of all stores included in the image processing device 10. A prior order is one or more orders that have already been placed before the current order, and a current order is an order that has been placed at the current time. The conditions for determining the transfer priority include, but are not limited to, order information including the type of print product, the number of images and the volume of image data, the transfer status of the preceding data (being transferred or waiting to be transferred), the priority of the preceding data, the printing location of the print product (store or print lab), the target completion time of the print product (delivery date), whether the print product will be sent to a distribution center when it is delivered and the delivery time, whether express finishing at the print lab is specified, the number of images transferred and the number of prints of the print product, the number of orders for print products in a specific period of time, the bandwidth usage status of the network 36 (transfer speed or bandwidth usage), and the usage status of the store-side printer 18 owned by the store and the print lab-side printer 34 owned by the print lab (waiting or operating). The method for determining the transfer priority will be described in detail later.

[0045] The transfer order rearrangement unit 26 rearranges the transfer priority so that, as a condition for rearranging the transfer priority, for example, when the priority of the transfer of the preceding data is lower than the priority of the transfer of the current data and the bandwidth usage of the network 36 due to the transfer of the preceding data is equal to or higher than a specified threshold, the transfer order rearrangement unit 26 interrupts the transfer of the preceding data being transferred and starts the transfer of the current data. In other words, when the transfer priority of the current data is higher than that of the preceding data and the transfer of the preceding data consumes a large amount of bandwidth on the network 36, the transfer order rearrangement unit 26 temporarily suspends the transfer of the preceding data and interchanges the priority of the transfer of the preceding data and the transfer priority of the current data so that the transfer of the current data is started with priority over the transfer of the preceding data. The suspended transfer of the preceding data is resumed, for example, after the transfer of the current data is completed.

[0046] The transfer control unit 28 controls the transfer of image data by the store's order reception unit 12 and order management unit 16, and the print lab's print management unit 32, via the cloud-side transfer unit 20, so that previous data and current data are transferred between the store and the cloud, and between the print lab and the cloud, in accordance with the transfer priority determined by the priority determination unit 24. The transfer control unit 28 may control so that image data corresponding to two or more orders are transferred simultaneously when there is sufficient bandwidth in the network 36. Furthermore, when at least one of the capacity of the image data is equal to or greater than a threshold and the delay time of the network 36 is equal to or greater than a threshold, the transfer control unit 28 may divide the image data into two or more groups and transfer the image data, or may determine an upper limit of the bandwidth of the network 36 to be used when transferring the image data, or may perform both of these controls simultaneously.

[0047] The latency of the network 36 is the time it takes for a very small amount of data, such as a response request, to be sent from a sender to a receiver and for the response result to be received by the receiver from the sender, assuming that the latency is measured periodically to constantly monitor the bandwidth usage of the network 36. It is small when the bandwidth of the network 36 is sufficiently free (when the bandwidth usage is close to zero), and it is large when the bandwidth of the network 36 is congested (tight) (when the bandwidth usage is high).

[0048] Next, at the print lab, the print lab side transfer unit 30 transfers various data between the print lab and the cloud via the network 36 under the control of the print management unit 32 . The print laboratory side transfer unit 30 receives the product data and the like from the cloud side transfer unit 20 . In addition, the print laboratory side transfer unit 30 collects an operation log of the band usage status of the network 36 by the print laboratory from the print laboratory side transfer unit 30 or the print management unit 32. This operation log is periodically transmitted to the cloud by the print laboratory side transfer unit 30.

[0049] The print management unit 32 manages user orders and the printing of print products, and under the control of the transfer control unit 28, receives product data from the order processing unit 22 via the cloud-side transfer unit 20, the network 36, and the print laboratory-side transfer unit 30. The print management unit 32 also causes the print laboratory-side printer 34 to print the print products corresponding to the product data received via the print laboratory-side transfer unit 30.

[0050] The print lab side printer 34, under the control of the print management section 32, prints the print product whose printing location is the print lab. The print lab side printer 34 is also not particularly limited, and may be a network printer or a local printer, or may be a silver halide printer, an inkjet printer, a laser printer, or the like.

[0051] Next, a method for determining the transfer priority will be described.

[0052] For example, depending on the type of print material, it is determined whether the print product is printed in a store (store-produced print product) or in a print lab (lab-produced print product). The target completion time for lab-produced print products is usually one week or more, which is longer than the target completion time for store-produced print products. Therefore, it is desirable to give priority to transferring image data of in-store produced print products, which have a relatively short target finishing time. In response to this, the priority determination unit 24 can determine the priority of transfer so that the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to print products printed by the store-side printer 18 owned by the store is higher than the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to print products printed by the print lab-side printer 34 owned by the print lab.

[0053] The target completion time for print products varies depending on the type of print material, even if it is the same store-produced print product or the same lab-produced print product. For example, for store-produced print products, the target completion time for postcards and photo prints is within 10 minutes, the target completion time for calendars that include photos is within 30 minutes, and the target completion time for photo books is 1 hour. Therefore, it is desirable to give priority to transferring image data of print products for which the target finishing time is relatively short. In response to this, the priority determination unit 24 can determine the priority of transfer so that the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to a print product with a first target completion time is higher than the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to a print product with a second target completion time that is longer than the first target completion time.

[0054] Among print products produced in a lab, print products delivered from a print lab, for example, a large lab, to a store or a user via a delivery base require more delivery days than print products delivered directly from a print lab, for example, a mini lab, to a store or a user, and therefore have a longer target finishing time. Therefore, it is desirable to give priority to transferring image data of print products that are directly delivered and have a short target finishing time. In response to this, the priority determination unit 24 can determine the transfer priority so that the priority of the transfer of product data corresponding to print products printed by the print lab's print lab side printer 34 and delivered directly from the print lab to a store or user is higher than the priority of the transfer of product data corresponding to print products forwarded from the print lab to a delivery center and delivered from the delivery center to a store or user.

[0055] When ordering a print product produced in a lab, there is a service that allows the user to pay an additional fee to have the product finished in a shorter time than the default target time. In other words, the target time for finishing a print product that has been specified as express finishing is shorter than the default target time. Therefore, it is desirable to give priority to transferring image data of print products for which express finishing is specified and for which a target finishing time is short. In response to this, the priority determination unit 24 can determine the priority of transfer so that the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to print products for which express finishing is specified among print products printed by the print lab side printer 34 owned by the print lab is higher than the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to print products for which express finishing is not specified.

[0056] Print products produced in stores include print products printed by silver halide printers and print products printed by inkjet printers, laser printers, etc. For example, even if there are a large number of print products printed by silver halide printers, there may be no print products or very few print products printed by inkjet printers or laser printers. Therefore, it is desirable to give priority to transferring image data of print products printed by the stopped in-store printer 18. In response to this, the priority determination unit 24 can determine the priority of transfer based on the operation log of the usage status of the store-side printer 18 held by the store, so that the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to print products to be printed by a standby store-side printer 18 is higher than the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to print products to be printed by an operating store-side printer 18.

[0057] For example, when ordering postcards such as New Year's cards, the number of images transferred may be 1, but the number of prints may be 10, which is much greater than the number of images transferred. On the other hand, when ordering photo prints of images taken with a smartphone, digital camera, etc., it is common to order one photo print for each photo, with the number of images transferred being 10 and the number of prints also being the same, i.e., 10. In this way, the relationship between the number of transferred images and the number of printed copies varies depending on the print product. Also, since the printing time of a print product is overwhelmingly longer than the transfer time of image data, it is desirable to give priority to the transfer of image data of print products which have a smaller number of transferred images and a larger number of printed copies. In response to this, the priority determination unit 24 can determine the priority of transfer so that the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to a first print product in which the number of prints relative to the number of transferred images is greater than that of a second print product is higher than the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to a second print product in which the number of prints relative to the number of transferred images is less than that of the first print product.

[0058] For example, consider the case where 10 postcards and 10 photo prints are ordered and produced in a store. In this case, even if the same 10 print products are produced, as described above, for example, in the case of photo prints, image data of 10 different images is transferred and 10 different photo prints are printed, whereas in the case of postcards, image data of one image is transferred and the same 10 postcards are printed.

[0059] Fig. 2 is a conceptual diagram of an embodiment showing the difference in finishing time when priority is given to the transfer of postcard image data and when priority is given to the transfer of photo print image data. In Fig. 2, time passes from left to right. The conceptual diagram on the upper side of Fig. 2 shows the flow of time when priority is given to the transfer of postcard image data, and the conceptual diagram on the lower side shows the flow of time when priority is given to the transfer of photo print image data. Assume now that the postcards and photographic prints are printed by the same printer and that the printing speed is also the same.

[0060] As shown in the lower part of Fig. 2, if the transfer of image data for photo prints is prioritized, the image data for 10 images is transferred first, and then the 10 photo prints are printed. On the other hand, if image data for postcards is transferred, the image data for one image is transferred after the transfer of the image data for the photo prints is completed, and then, after the printing of the photo prints is completed, the 10 postcards are printed.

[0061] In contrast, if priority is given to the transfer of postcard image data, image data for one image is transferred first, and then the ten postcards are printed. On the other hand, if image data for photo prints is transferred, image data for the ten images is transferred after the transfer of the postcard image data is completed, and then, after the printing of the postcards is completed, the ten photo prints are printed.

[0062] In this way, when priority is given to the transfer of image data for photo prints, image data for one postcard image is transferred while ten photo prints are printed, whereas when priority is given to the transfer of image data for postcards, image data for ten photo print images is transferred while ten postcards are printed. Therefore, when priority is given to the transfer of image data for postcards, the finishing time can be shortened by the time required to transfer image data for nine images compared to when priority is given to the transfer of image data for photo prints.

[0063] Based on operation logs, etc., of the number of orders for print products by type of print material and the bandwidth usage of network 36 during a specific period in the past, such as a specific season, a specific month, a specific week, a specific day of the week, a specific date, a specific time period, etc., it is possible to predict trends in the number of orders for print products by type of print material and the bandwidth usage of network 36 during a specific period, such as the end of August. Among print products, there are seasonal print products, with the number of orders varying depending on the season. For example, there is high demand for New Year's cards and calendars containing photos in November and December. There is also a tendency for orders for photo books to increase in March during the graduation season, and for photo prints of images taken with smartphones and digital cameras to increase at the end of August when summer vacation ends. Therefore, it is desirable to give priority to transferring image data of print products for which the number of orders is large, that is, for which demand is expected to be high, during a specific period of time. In response to this, the priority determination unit 24 can determine the priority of transfer so that, during a specific period, the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to the third print product, for which the number of orders for print products is greater than the fourth print product, is higher than the priority of transfer of order data or product data corresponding to the fourth print product, for which the number of orders for print products is less than the third print product.

[0064] For example, it has been found that peak orders for photo prints of images taken with smartphones and digital cameras at the end of August were concentrated on Sundays between 1pm and 6pm. Therefore, when it is predicted that the bandwidth of network 36 will be congested during a particular time period, i.e., that the bandwidth of network 36 will be congested, it is desirable to determine the lowest priority for the transfer of image data of print materials corresponding to lab-produced print products with long target completion times, and to transfer the image data after 6 p.m., when it is predicted that the bandwidth of network 36 will not be congested, i.e., that there is sufficient bandwidth on network 36. Although a specific time period on a specific date may be used, it is more preferable to compare the number of orders for print products corresponding to each print material and the bandwidth usage of network 36 during a specific time period on a specific day of the week, such as the last Sunday in August. In response to this, the priority determination unit 24 can determine the transfer priority so that, based on the operation log of the bandwidth usage of the network 36 during a specific time period on a specific day of the week in the past, if the bandwidth usage of the network 36 during a specific time period on a specific day of the week in the past is above a threshold, the transfer priority of order data or product data corresponding to a print product to be printed by the print lab's printer 34 during a specific time period on a current specific day of the week is given the lowest priority.

[0065] A method for determining the transfer priority when two or more order receiving units 12 are connected to the order processing unit 22 (for example, when there are two or more stores) will be described. When the bandwidth of the network 36 is not congested, i.e., when the bandwidth usage of the network 36 is below a certain level at all order receiving units 12, the determination method may be the same as that when orders are received at different times at one order receiving unit 12. In contrast to this, if the bandwidth usage of the network 36 in one or more of all the order receiving units 12 is equal to or greater than a threshold, the priority of transfers can be determined taking into consideration the bandwidth usage of the network 36 that is equal to or greater than the threshold. That is, in the above-mentioned example of determining the priority of transfers of postcards and photo prints, the time required for data transfer is estimated according to the transfer speed of each order receiving unit 12, and the order in which the transmission of order data (image data) from all the order receiving units 12 and the creation of print products should be processed is compared, so that the priority of transfers can be determined even when there are two or more order receiving units 12.

[0066] Also, a method for determining the transfer priority when two or more order processing units 22 are connected to one or two or more order receiving units 12 will be described. When each order processing unit 22 has exclusive jurisdiction, such as only orders in eastern Japan or only orders in western Japan, the method of determining transfer priorities is the same as when one order processing unit 22 is connected to one or more order receiving units 12. In contrast, consider a case where two or more order receiving units 12 may transfer to any of two or more order processing units 22. In this case, as a first method, a certain order processing unit 22 (hereinafter referred to as a central order processing unit) also calculates the transfer priority of the other order processing units 22. The central order processing unit calculates the case where all order processing units 22 transmit the order data and create the print product for an order newly received by a certain order receiving unit 12, and determines the order processing unit 22 that will finish creating the print product the earliest. For a newly received order, the central order processing unit can cause the order processing unit 22 that finishes creating the print product the earliest to transmit the order data and create the print product. As a second method, when a certain order receiving unit 12 receives a new order, it calculates the end time of print product creation when each order processing unit 22 transmits the order data and creates the print product, and returns the calculation to the order receiving unit 12. The order processing unit 22 with the earliest end time can transmit the order data and create the print product for the newly received order. In both the first and second methods, the bandwidth usage of the network 36 between a given order receiving unit 12 and each order processing unit 22, the processing speed of each order processing unit 22, and the like are taken into consideration.

[0067] Next, the operation of the image processing device 10 will be described.

[0068] First, a case where order data of a current order is transmitted from a store to the cloud will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In this case, first, when a user operates the order receiving unit 12 at a store to input order data, the order receiving unit 12 accepts the input of this order data (order data for the current order) from the user (step S1). After accepting the input of the order data of the current order, the order acceptance unit 12 transmits the order information including the type of print material, the number of images, and the size of the image data included in the order data of the current order to the priority determination unit 24 on the cloud in advance (step S2). At this point, the transmission of the image data included in the order data of the current order from the store to the cloud is not started.

[0069] That is, under the control of the order receiving unit 12, the store-side transfer unit 14 transmits the order information of the current order to the cloud-side transfer unit 20 on the cloud via the network 36. In response to this, the cloud-side transfer unit 20 receives the order information of the current order from the store-side transfer unit 14 via the network 36. The order information of the current order is sent to a management server (not shown) and managed there.

[0070] Next, on the cloud, the priority determination unit 24 determines the priority of sending the order data (current data) of the current order relative to the preceding data of the preceding order based on the transfer priority determination conditions including the order information of the current order (step S3).

[0071] As a result, if there is no preceding data being transferred (No in step S4), the transmission of the order data of the current order has the highest priority. In response to this, the transfer control unit 28 controls the transfer of image data by the order receiving unit 12, and the order receiving unit 12 starts transmitting the order data of the current order (step S5).

[0072] On the other hand, if there is preceding data being transferred (Yes in step S4), the transfer order rearrangement unit 26 controls the rearrangement of the transfer priorities.

[0073] If the conditions for switching the transfer priority are met, i.e., if the priority of the transfer of the preceding data is lower than the priority of the transmission of the order data of the current order and the bandwidth usage of the network 36 due to the transfer of the preceding data is above a defined threshold (Yes in step S6), the transfer order switching unit 26 switches the transfer priority (step S7) so that the transfer of the preceding data is interrupted and the transmission of the order data of the current order is started.

[0074] In response to this, the transfer control unit 28 controls the transfer of image data by the order receiving unit 12, the order management unit 16, and the print management unit 32 in accordance with the transfer priority order. As a result, the transfer of the preceding data is interrupted, and the order receiving unit 12 starts transmitting the order data of the current order (step S8).

[0075] On the other hand, if the conditions for switching the transfer priority are not satisfied, i.e., if the priority of the transfer of the preceding data is higher than the priority of sending the order data of the current order, or if the bandwidth usage of the network 36 due to the transfer of the preceding data is less than a defined threshold (No in step S6), the transfer order rearrangement unit 26 does not switch the transfer priority (step S9).

[0076] Furthermore, when the priority determination unit 24 determines that the priority of transmission of the order data of the current order and the priority of transfer of the preceding data are the same, the transfer order rearrangement unit 26 determines the priority of transfer so as to match the order in which the orders were placed. In other words, when the priority of transfer of the order data of the current order and the preceding data are the same, the transfer order rearrangement unit 26 determines that the priority of transfer of the preceding data is higher than the priority of transmission of the order data of the current order, in accordance with the order in which the orders were placed.

[0077] In response to this, the transfer control unit 28 controls the transfer of image data by the order receiving unit 12, the order management unit 16, and the print management unit 32 in accordance with the transfer priority order. As a result, the transfer of the preceding data continues, and after the transfer of the preceding data is completed, the order receiving unit 12 starts transmitting the order data of the current order (step S10).

[0078] Next, based on the order data of the current order received via the cloud-side transfer unit 20, the order processing unit 22 creates product data of the print product corresponding to the order data of the current order (product data of the current order).

[0079] The control of the switching of priority is not particularly limited, but is performed, for example, when the bandwidth of the cloud-side network 36 is congested (tight). In this case, the transfer between one store A and a server on the cloud and the transfer between another store B and a server on the cloud affect each other. Therefore, when both transfers cannot be performed simultaneously, the transfer is performed from the one with the highest priority. On the other hand, if the bandwidth of the cloud network 36 is sufficiently free and not congested (tight), priority switching control is not necessary. In this case, even if there is preceding data being transferred between a certain store A and a server on the cloud, the transfer between another store B and the server on the cloud is not affected. Therefore, it is possible to transfer both at the same time.

[0080] Next, a case where product data of a current order is received from the cloud to a store or print lab will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In this case, first, a management server (not shown) transmits order information including the printing location, the number of images, and the size of image data of the print product corresponding to the order data of the current order to the priority order determination unit 24 in advance (step S21). At this point, the store or print lab does not start receiving the product data of the current order from the cloud.

[0081] Next, on the cloud, the priority decision unit 24 decides the priority of receiving the product data of the current order relative to the preceding data of the preceding order based on the transfer priority decision conditions (step S22).

[0082] As a result, if there is no preceding data being transferred (No in step S23), the reception of the product data of the current order has the highest priority. In response to this, the transfer control unit 28 controls the transfer of image data by the order management unit 16 of the store, and the order management unit 16 starts receiving product data of the current order (step S24).

[0083] On the other hand, if there is preceding data being transferred (Yes in step S23), the transfer order rearrangement unit 26 controls the rearrangement of the transfer priorities.

[0084] If the conditions for switching the transfer priority are met, i.e., if the priority of the transfer of the preceding data is lower than the priority of receiving the product data of the current order and the bandwidth usage of the network 36A due to the transfer of the preceding data is above a defined threshold (Yes in step S25), the transfer order rearrangement unit 26 switches the transfer priority (step S26) so that the transfer of the preceding data is interrupted and reception of the product data of the current order is started.

[0085] In response to this, the transfer control unit 28 controls the transfer of image data by the order receiving unit 12, the order management unit 16, and the print management unit 32 in accordance with the transfer priority order. As a result, the transfer of the preceding data is interrupted, and the order management unit 16 or the print management unit 32 starts receiving the product data of the currently ordered item (step S27).

[0086] On the other hand, if the conditions for switching the transfer priority are not satisfied, i.e., if the priority of transferring the preceding data is higher than the priority of receiving product data for the current order, or if the bandwidth usage of network 36A due to the transfer of the preceding data is less than a defined threshold (No in step S25), the transfer order rearrangement unit 26 does not switch the transfer priority (step S28).

[0087] Similarly, when the priority of receiving product data of a current order and the priority of transferring preceding data are determined to be the same, the transfer order rearrangement unit 26 determines the transfer priority so as to follow the order in which the orders were placed.

[0088] In response to this, the transfer control unit 28 controls the transfer of image data by the order receiving unit 12, the order management unit 16, and the print management unit 32 in accordance with the transfer priority order. As a result, the transfer of the preceding data continues, and the order receiving unit 12 or the print management unit 32 starts receiving the product data of the current order, for example, after the transfer of the preceding data is completed (step S29).

[0089] Here, if the printing location is a store, the cloud-side transfer unit 20 transmits the product data of the current order to the store-side transfer unit 14 via the network 36. In response to this, the store-side transfer unit 14 receives the product data of the current order from the cloud-side transfer unit 20 via the network 36.

[0090] Next, the order management unit 16 causes the in-store printer 18 to print a print product corresponding to the product data of the current order received via the in-store transfer unit 14.

[0091] On the other hand, if the printing location is a print lab, the cloud-side transfer unit 20 transmits the product data of the current order to the print lab-side transfer unit 30 via the network 36 . In response to this, the print laboratory side transfer unit 30 at the print laboratory receives the product data of the current order from the print laboratory side transfer unit 30 via the network 36 .

[0092] Next, the print management unit 32 causes the print lab printer 34 to print the print product corresponding to the product data of the current order received via the print lab transfer unit 30 .

[0093] Next, a specific configuration of the image processing apparatus of the present invention will be described.

[0094] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image processing device 10A shown in Figure 5 is equipped in a store with a product ordering IoT (Internet of Things) device 12A and a USB media reader 12B, a broadband router 14A, a Linux (registered trademark) appliance 14B and a hub 14C, an order management IoT device 16A and a printer driver 16B, a network printer 18A and a USB printer 18B. The image processing device 10A is equipped with a virtual network 20A, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) server 20B, an editing server 22A, a synthesis server 22B, an image DB (Database) 22C, an image server 24A, an image transfer queue 24B, a product information DB 24C, and an operation log DB 24D on the cloud. The image processing device 10A includes a VPN router 30A, a hub 30B, a DIC (Digital Image Controller) 32A, a PC (Printer Controller) 32B, a network printer 34A, and a silver halide printer 34B in a print lab.

[0095] In the store, a broadband router 14A, a Linux (registered trademark) appliance 14B, and a hub 14C are connected in sequence. The hub 14C is connected to a product ordering IoT device 12A, an order management IoT device 16A, and a network printer 18A, respectively. The product ordering IoT device 12A is connected to a USB media reader 12B, and the order management IoT device 16A is connected to a USB printer 18B. The broadband router 14A is also connected to a VPN server 20B via a network 36A. In the cloud, an image server 24A, a virtual network 20A, and a VPN server 20B are connected in sequence. The image server 24A is connected to an image transfer queue 24B, a product information DB 24C, an operation log DB 24D, and an image DB 22C. The editing server 22A and the compositing server 22B are connected to the virtual network 20A. In the print lab, a VPN router 30A, a hub 30B, and a DIC 32A are connected in sequence. The hub 30B is connected to a network printer 34A. The hub 30B and the DIC 32A are connected to a PC 32B, and the PC 32B is connected to a silver halide printer 34B. The VPN router 30A is also connected to a VPN server 20B via a network 36A.

[0096] In the store, the product order IoT device 12A is an example of the order receiving unit 12 and is configured, for example, by a personal computer, etc. One or more product order IoT devices 12A are installed in the store. The USB media reader 12B reads image data corresponding to a user's image from a recording medium such as a secure digital (SD) memory card owned by the user. The product order IoT device 12A accepts input of order data including print materials and image data read by the USB media reader 12B from a user. The product order IoT device 12A also has a function of transferring and accepting image data from a smartphone, digital camera, or the like to the product order IoT device 12A via a wired connection such as a USB cable or a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0097] The broadband router 14A, the Linux (registered trademark) appliance 14B and the hub 14C are examples of the store-side transfer unit 14, and under the control of the product ordering IoT device 12A and the order management IoT device 16A, transfer (send and receive) various types of data between the store and the cloud via the network 36A. The Linux (registered trademark) appliance 14B is in a VPN-connected state with the VPN server 20B on the cloud via the broadband router 14A and the network 36A. Order data and the like are transmitted from the product ordering IoT device 12A to the image server 24A and the like via the hub 14C, the Linux (registered trademark) appliance 14B, the broadband router 14A, the network 36A, the VPN server 20B, and the virtual network 20A. Also, the product data and the like are received by the order management IoT device 16A from the synthesis server 22B via the virtual network 20A, the VPN server 20B, the network 36A, the broadband router 14A, the Linux (registered trademark) appliance 14B, and the hub 14C. Furthermore, the Linux (registered trademark) appliance 14B collects operation logs of the store's bandwidth usage of the network 36A from the broadband router 14A and the hub 14C, or from the product ordering IoT device 12A and the order management IoT device 16A. This operation log is periodically sent to the cloud by the Linux (registered trademark) appliance 14B and stored in the operation log DB 24D under the control of the image server 24A. A VPN router may be provided instead of the broadband router 14A and the Linux (registered trademark) appliance 14B. In this case, the VPN router is in a VPN-connected state with the VPN server 20B. Order data and the like are transmitted to the image server 24A and the like via the hub 14C, the VPN router, the network 36A, the VPN server 20B, and the virtual network 20A. Also, product data and the like are received by the order management IoT device 16A from the synthesis server 22B via the virtual network 20A, the VPN server 20B, the network 36A, the VPN router, and the hub 14C.

[0098] The order management IoT device 16A is an example of the order management unit 16, and is configured, for example, by a personal computer, etc. One order management IoT device 16A is usually installed in a store. A printer driver 16B is installed in the order management IoT device 16A. The printer driver 16B controls printing by the network printer 18A and the USB printer 18B. Under the control of the printer driver 16B, the order management IoT device 16A causes the network printer 18A and the USB printer 18B to print a print product corresponding to the product data received from the synthesis server 22B.

[0099] The network printer 18A and the USB printer 18B are examples of the in-store printer 18.

[0100] Next, on the cloud, the virtual network 20A and VPN server 20B are an example of a cloud-side transfer unit 20, and under the control of the image server 24A, editing server 22A and compositing server 22B, various types of data are sent and received via network 36A between the store and the cloud, and between the print lab and the cloud. The VPN server 20B is connected to the print lab's VPN router 30A in addition to the store's Linux (registered trademark) appliance 14B via VPN. As described above, the order data, etc. is received from the store's product ordering IoT device 12A to the image server 24A, etc., and the product data, etc. is sent from the synthesis server 22B to the order management IoT device 16A, or from the synthesis server 22B to the DIC 32A via the virtual network 20A, the VPN server 20B, the network 36A, and the print lab's VPN router 30A and hub 30B. The virtual network 20A is a network that virtually connects the VPN server 20B with the image server 24A, the editing server 22A, and the compositing server 22B.

[0101] The editing server 22A, the synthesis server 22B and the image DB 22C are examples of the order processing unit 22, and under the control of the image server 24A, create product data for the print product corresponding to the order data received from the product order IoT device 12A. For example, when creating a photo book, the editing server 22A provides a UI (User Interface) screen on the screen of a web browser running on the product order IoT device 12A, which allows the user to perform editing tasks such as entering a title for the photo book, placing stamps, and changing the position, size, layout, etc. of images. The synthesis server 22B generates a synthetic image that will be the final print product based on the editing work performed by the user, and creates image data for, for example, a photo book. The image DB 22C, under the control of the image server 24A, stores image data of various images including image data included in the order data and image data of a composite image that will become the final print product.

[0102] The image server 24A, the image transfer queue 24B, the product information DB 24C, and the operation log DB 24D are examples of the priority order determination unit 24, the transfer order rearrangement unit 26, and the transfer control unit . The image transfer queue 24B stores the transfer status and transfer priority of the preceding data under the control of the image server 24A. The product information DB 24C stores various information related to print products, including the type of print product and the target finishing time of the print product set for each type of print product. The operation log DB 24D stores, under the control of the image server 24A, an operation log of the bandwidth usage status of the network 36A in the store and the print lab, an operation log of the usage status of the printers owned by the store and the print lab, and the like.

[0103] The image server 24A (priority determination unit 24) determines the priority of transfer of the current data of the current order relative to the preceding data of the preceding order based on order information including the type of print material, the number of images, and the volume of image data included in the current data, the target completion time of the print product obtained from the product information DB 24C, the operation log of the network bandwidth usage status at the store and print lab obtained from the operation log DB 24D, and the transfer status and transfer priority of the preceding data obtained from the image transfer queue 24B.

[0104] Furthermore, the image server 24A (transfer order rearrangement unit 26) rearranges the transfer priority so that the transfer of the preceding data is interrupted and the transfer of the current data is started when the priority of the transfer of the preceding data obtained from the aforementioned image transfer queue 24B is lower than the priority of the transfer of the current data and, based on the operation log of the bandwidth usage of the network 36A at the store and print lab obtained from the operation log DB 24D, the bandwidth usage of the network 36A for the transfer of the preceding data is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold.

[0105] Furthermore, the image server 24A (transfer control unit 28) controls the transfer of image data by the store's product ordering IoT device 12A and order management IoT device 16A, and the print lab's DIC 32A, so that previous data and current data are transferred between the store and the cloud, and between the print lab and the cloud, according to transfer priority.

[0106] Next, at the print lab, the VPN router 30A and the hub 30B are an example of the print lab side transfer unit 30, and under the control of the DIC 32A, transfer various types of data between the print lab and the cloud via the network 36A. As described above, the VPN router 30A is in a VPN-connected state with the VPN server 20B, and the product data and the like are received from the synthesis server 22B to the DIC 32A. The VPN router 30A also collects an operation log of the bandwidth usage status of the network 36A by the print lab from the VPN router 30A and the hub 30B, or from the DIC 32A. This operation log is periodically transmitted to the cloud by the VPN router 30A and stored in the operation log DB 24D under the control of the image server 24A.

[0107] The DIC 32A and the PC 32B are an example of the print manager 32. The DIC 32A is intermediary software for controlling printing, which receives product data from the VPN router 30A via the hub 30B, and controls the operation of the network printer 34A and the silver halide printer 34B to print the print product corresponding to the product data. Under the control of the DIC 32A, the PC 32B causes the silver halide printer 34B to print a print product corresponding to the product data.

[0108] The network printer 34A and the silver halide printer 34B are examples of the printer 34 on the print lab side.

[0109] Next, the operation of the image processing device 10A will be described.

[0110] First, a case where order data of a current order is transmitted from a store to the cloud will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In this case, first, when a user operates the product order IoT device 12A and USB media reader 12B at a store to input order data, the product order IoT device 12A accepts the input of this order data (order data for the current order) from the user (step S31). After accepting the input of the order data of the current order, the product order IoT device 12A of the store transmits the order information including the type of print material, the number of images, and the size of the image data included in the order data of the current order to the image server 24A in advance (step S32). At this point, the transmission of the image data included in the order data of the current order from the store to the cloud is not started.

[0111] That is, the order information for the current order is sent from the product order IoT device 12A via the hub 14C, the Linux (registered trademark) appliance 14B, the broadband router 14A, the network 36A and the VPN server 20B on the cloud to a management server (not shown) and managed in the management server.

[0112] Next, the image server 24A obtains the target finishing time of the print product corresponding to the type of print product included in the order data of the current order from the product information DB 24C. The image server 24A also obtains an operation log of the bandwidth usage status of the network 36A in the store and the print lab from the operation log DB 24D, and obtains the transfer status and transfer priority of the preceding data from the image transfer queue 24B.

[0113] Next, the image server 24A determines the priority of transmission of the order data of the current order relative to the preceding data of the preceding order based on the order information including the type of print material, the number of images, and the volume of image data included in the order data of the current order, the target completion time of the print product corresponding to the type of print material included in the order data of the current order, the operation log of the bandwidth usage of the network 36 at the store and the print lab, and the transfer status and transfer priority of the preceding data as conditions for determining the transfer priority (step S33).

[0114] As a result, if there is no preceding data being transferred (No in step S34), the transmission of the order data of the current order has the highest priority. In response to this, the image server 24A controls the transfer of image data by the product ordering IoT device 12A in the store, and the product ordering IoT device 12A starts sending order data for the current order, and records the transfer status and transfer priority in the image transfer queue 24B.

[0115] That is, the order data of the current order is transmitted from the product order IoT device 12A to the image server 24A on the cloud (step S35).

[0116] On the other hand, if there is preceding data being transferred (Yes in step S34), the image server 24A controls the switching of the transfer priority.

[0117] If the conditions for switching the transfer priority are met, i.e., if the priority of the transfer of the preceding data is lower than the priority of the transmission of the order data of the current order and the bandwidth usage of the network 36A due to the transfer of the preceding data is above a defined threshold (Yes in step S36), the image server 24A switches the transmission priority (step S37) so that the transfer of the preceding data is interrupted and the transmission of the order data of the current order is started. Furthermore, when the image server 24A changes the transfer priority, it updates the transfer status and transfer priority of the preceding data stored in the image transfer queue 24B by including the order data of the current order as new preceding data.

[0118] In response, the image server 24A controls the transfer of image data by the product ordering IoT device 12A in the store and the DIC 32A in the print lab according to the transfer priority. This causes the transfer of the preceding data to be interrupted, and the product order IoT device 12A starts transmitting the order data of the current order (step S38).

[0119] On the other hand, if the conditions for switching the transfer priority are not satisfied, i.e., if the priority of transferring the preceding data is higher than the priority of sending the order data of the current order, or if the bandwidth usage of the network 36A due to the transfer of the preceding data is less than a defined threshold (No in step S36), the image server 24A does not switch the transfer priority (step S39).

[0120] In addition, when the priority of sending the order data of the current order and the priority of transferring the preceding data are determined to be the same, the image server 24A determines the transfer priority so as to follow the order in which the orders were placed.

[0121] In response, the image server 24A controls the transfer of image data by the product ordering IoT device 12A in the store and the DIC 32A in the print lab according to the transfer priority. As a result, the transfer of the preceding data continues, and the product order IoT device 12A starts transmitting the order data of the current order, for example, after the transfer of the preceding data is completed (step S40).

[0122] Next, the image server 24A stores the image data included in the order data received from the product order IoT device 12A in the image DB 22C.

[0123] Next, the editing server 22A and the synthesis server 22B create product data (current data) of the print product corresponding to the order data of the current order, based on the print product included in the order data of the current order and the image data stored in the image DB 22C.

[0124] Next, the image server 24A stores the product data created by the editing server 22A and the synthesis server 22B in the image DB 22C.

[0125] Next, a case where product data of a current order is received from the cloud to a store or print lab will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, a management server (not shown) transmits order information including the print location, the number of images, and the size of image data of the print product corresponding to the order data of the current order to the image server 24A in advance (step S41). At this point, the store or print lab does not start receiving the product data of the current order from the cloud.

[0126] Next, the image server 24A obtains the target completion time for the print product from the product information DB 24C, obtains an operation log of the bandwidth usage status of the network 36A from the operation log DB 24D, and obtains the transfer status and transfer priority of the preceding data from the image transfer queue 24B.

[0127] Next, the image server 24A determines the priority of receiving the product data of the current order relative to the preceding data of the preceding order based on the transfer priority determination conditions (step S42).

[0128] As a result, if there is no preceding data being transferred (No in step S43), the reception of the product data of the current order has the highest priority. In response, the image server 24A controls the transfer of image data by the store's order management IoT device 16A, and the order management IoT device 16A starts receiving product data for the current order.

[0129] That is, product data for the current order is received from the synthesis server 22B via the virtual network 20A, the VPN server 20B, the network 36A, the broadband router 14A, the Linux (registered trademark) appliance 14B and the hub 14C to the order management IoT device 16A (step S44).

[0130] On the other hand, in step S43, if there is preceding data being transferred (Yes in step S43), the image server 24A controls the switching of the transfer priority.

[0131] If the conditions for switching the transfer priority are met, i.e., if the priority of the transfer of the preceding data is lower than the priority of receiving the product data of the current order and the bandwidth usage of the network 36A due to the transfer of the preceding data is above a defined threshold (Yes in step S45), the image server 24A switches the transfer priority so that the transfer of the preceding data is interrupted and reception of the product data of the current order is started (step S46). When the image server 24A changes the transfer priority, it updates the transfer status and transfer priority of the preceding data stored in the image transfer queue 24B.

[0132] In response to this, the image server 24A controls the transfer of image data by the store's order management IoT device 16A and the print lab's DIC 32A according to the transfer priority. This causes the transfer of the preceding data to be interrupted, and the order management IoT device 16A or the DIC 32A starts receiving product data for the current order (step S47).

[0133] On the other hand, if the conditions for switching the transfer priority are not satisfied, i.e., if the priority of transferring the preceding data is higher than the priority of receiving product data for the current order, or if the bandwidth usage of the network 36A due to the transfer of the preceding data is less than a defined threshold (No in step S45), the image server 24A does not switch the transfer priority (step S48).

[0134] Similarly, when the priority of receiving product data for a current order and the priority of transferring previous data are determined to be the same, the image server 24A determines the transfer priority so as to follow the order in which the orders were placed.

[0135] In response, the image server 24A controls the transfer of image data by the order management IoT device 16A and the print lab's DIC 32A according to the transfer priority. This allows the transfer of the preceding data to continue, and the order management IoT device 16A or the DIC 32A starts receiving product data of the current order, for example, after the transfer of the preceding data is completed (step S49).

[0136] Here, if the printing location is a store, the synthesis server 22B transmits the product data to the order management IoT device 16A of the store via the network 36A. That is, the product data is received from the synthesis server 22B on the cloud via the virtual network 20A, the VPN server 20B, the network 36A, the store's broadband router 14A, the Linux (registered trademark) appliance 14B and the hub 14C to the order management IoT device 16A.

[0137] Next, the order management IoT device 16A, under the control of the printer driver 16B, causes the network printer 18A or the USB printer 18B to print a print product corresponding to the product data received from the synthesis server 22B.

[0138] On the other hand, if the printing location is a print lab, the synthesis server 22B transmits the product data to the DIC 32A of the print lab via the network 36A. That is, the product data is received by the DIC 32A from the combining server 22B on the cloud via the virtual network 20A, the VPN server 20B, the network 36A, and the VPN router 30A and hub 30B of the print lab.

[0139] Next, the DIC 32A and the PC 32B cause the network printer 34A or the silver halide printer 34B to print a print product corresponding to the product data received from the composition server 22B.

[0140] In the conventional image processing device for producing print products, the transfer priority is controlled for only one of downloading and uploading, regardless of the network bandwidth usage, as described above. In contrast, in the image processing device of the present invention, the transfer priority is controlled for both downloading and uploading based on the network bandwidth usage, and the network bandwidth is dynamically changed, thereby making it possible to significantly shorten the completion time of the print product. In addition, while conventional image processing devices control the priority of transfers only between the store or the print lab, the present invention makes it possible to control the priority of transfers both between the store and the cloud, and between the print lab and the cloud.

[0141] In the device of the present invention, the hardware configuration of the processing units that perform various processes, such as the store's order reception unit 12, store-side transfer unit 14 and order management unit 16, the cloud-side transfer unit 20 on the cloud, order processing unit 22, priority determination unit 24, transfer order rearrangement unit 26 and transfer control unit 28, and the print lab-side transfer unit 30 and print management unit 32, may be dedicated hardware or various processors or computers that execute programs.

[0142] Various types of processors include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is a general-purpose processor that executes software (programs) and functions as various processing units, a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), which is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a dedicated electrical circuit, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), which is a processor having a circuit configuration designed specifically for performing specific processing.

[0143] A single processing unit may be configured with one of these various processors, or may be configured with a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types, for example, a combination of multiple FPGAs, or a combination of an FPGA and a CPU, etc. Also, multiple processing units may be configured with one of the various processors, or two or more of the multiple processing units may be combined into one processor.

[0144] For example, as typified by computers such as servers and clients, one processor is configured by combining one or more CPUs and software, and this processor functions as multiple processing units. Also, as typified by systems on chips (SoCs), there is a form in which a processor is used to realize the functions of the entire system including multiple processing units in a single IC (Integrated Circuit) chip.

[0145] Furthermore, the hardware configuration of these various processors is, more specifically, an electric circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0146] Furthermore, the method of the present invention can be implemented, for example, by a program for causing a computer to execute each of the steps. Also, a computer-readable recording medium on which this program is recorded can be provided.

[0147] Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0148] 10, 10A Image processing device 12 Order Reception Department 12A Product Order IoT Device 12B USB Media Reader 14 Store Transfer Department 14A Broadband Router 14B Linux Appliance 14C hub 16 Order Management Department 16A Order Management IoT Device 16B Printer Driver 18 Storeside printer 18A Network Printer 18B USB Printer 20 Cloud side transfer unit 20A Virtual Network 20B VPN Server 22 Order Processing Unit 22A Editing Server 22B Synthesis Server 22C Image DB 24 Priority Determination Division 24A Image Server 24B Image transfer queue 24C Product Information DB 24D Operation log DB 26 Transfer Order Swap Unit 28 Transfer control section 30 Print lab transfer section 30A VPN Router 30B hub 32 Print Management Department 32A DIC 32B PC 34 Printer at the print lab 34A Network Printer 34B Silver halide printer 36 Network

Claims

1. A first processor and a second processor, The first processor accepts input of order data including image data of an image product and an image to be applied to the image product; The second processor, Based on the order data transferred from the first processor via a network, product data of an image product in which the image data is applied to the image product is created; determining a priority of transfer of the current data including the order data or product data of the current order relative to the preceding data including the order data or product data of the preceding order based on a transfer priority determination condition; An image processing system, when the priority of the transfer of the preceding data is lower than the priority of the transfer of the current data, acquiring the network status due to the transfer of the preceding data, and interrupting the transfer of the preceding data and starting the transfer of the current data based on the acquired network status.

2. The image processing system of claim 1, wherein the second processor determines a priority of transfer of the current data relative to the preceding data based on the type of image product included in the current data, the number of images, and the capacity of the image data, the target finishing time of the image product set for each type of image product, an operation log of the bandwidth usage of the network at the store and the print lab, and the transfer status and transfer priority of the preceding data.

3. 3. The image processing system of claim 2, wherein the second processor further determines a priority of the transfer so that a priority of the transfer of order data or product data corresponding to an image product to be printed by a printer owned by the store is higher than a priority of the transfer of order data or product data corresponding to an image product to be printed by a printer owned by the print lab.

4. The image processing system of claim 2, wherein the second processor determines the priority of the transfer so that the priority of the transfer of order data or product data corresponding to an image product having a first target completion time is higher than the priority of the transfer of order data or product data corresponding to an image product having a second target completion time that is longer than the first target completion time.

5. 3. The image processing system of claim 2, wherein the second processor further determines a priority of the transfer so that, among image products printed by a printer owned by the print lab, a priority of the transfer of product data corresponding to image products delivered directly from the print lab to the store or the user is higher than a priority of the transfer of product data corresponding to image products forwarded from the print lab to a distribution center and delivered from the distribution center to the store or the user.

6. 3. The image processing system of claim 2, wherein the second processor further determines the priority of the transfer so that the priority of the transfer of order data or product data corresponding to image products for which express finishing is specified among image products printed by the printers owned by the print lab is higher than the priority of the transfer of order data or product data corresponding to image products for which express finishing is not specified.

7. 3. The image processing system of claim 2, wherein when the priority of the transfer of the current data and the priority of the transfer of the preceding data are determined to be the same priority, the second processor determines the priority of the transfer so as to follow the order in which the orders were placed.

8. 3. The image processing system of claim 2, wherein the second processor further determines a priority of the transfer based on an operation log of the usage status of the printers held by the store, so that the priority of the transfer of order data or product data corresponding to an image product to be printed by a standby printer is higher than the priority of the transfer of order data or product data corresponding to an image product to be printed by a printer in operation.

9. The image processing system of claim 2, wherein the second processor determines the priority of the transfer so that the priority of the transfer of order data or product data corresponding to a first image product having a greater number of prints relative to the number of transferred images than a second image product is higher than the priority of the transfer of order data or product data corresponding to the second image product.

10. The image processing system of claim 2, wherein the second processor further determines the priority of the transfer so that the priority of the transfer of order data or product data corresponding to a third image product, which has a greater number of orders than a fourth image product, during a specific period of time, is higher than the priority of the transfer of order data or product data corresponding to the fourth image product.

11. 3. The image processing system of claim 2, wherein the second processor determines, based on an operation log of the bandwidth usage of the network during a specific time period on a specific day of the week in the past, a threshold value or higher, so that the transfer priority of order data or product data corresponding to an image product to be printed by a printer owned by the print lab during a current specific time period on the specific day of the week is the lowest.

12. 12. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the second processor divides and transfers the image data when at least one of a capacity of the image data is equal to or greater than a threshold and a delay time of the network is equal to or greater than a threshold.

13. 13. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein when the capacity of the image data is equal to or greater than a threshold, the second processor determines an upper limit of the bandwidth of the network to be used when transferring the image data and transfers the image data.

14. An order receiving unit receives input of order data including image data of an image product and an image to be applied to the image product; an order processing unit generating product data of an image product in which the image data is applied to the image product based on order data transferred from the order receiving unit via a network; a step of determining a priority order of transfer of current data including order data or product data of a current order relative to preceding data including order data or product data of a preceding order based on a transfer priority order determination condition by a priority order determination unit; an image processing method including a step of: when a transfer order rearrangement unit determines that the transfer priority of the preceding data is lower than the transfer priority of the current data, acquiring a network status due to the transfer of the preceding data, and interrupting the transfer of the preceding data and starting the transfer of the current data based on the acquired network status.

15. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the image processing method according to claim 14.

16. 15. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the image processing method according to claim 14.

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