Image managing device, image managing system, image managing method, and image managing program

Abstract

To provide an image managing device capable of reducing deterioration of a design property in a living space due to arrangement of a packing body; and to provide an image managing system, an image managing method and an image managing program therefor.SOLUTION: A storage part 11 in a server device 2 stores a plurality of interior images. A control part 13 identifies an interior image in accordance with a design of a living space where a corrugated cardboard box is arranged, from the plurality of interior images stored in the storage part 11 to transmit the identified interior image to a distribution trader terminal 4 where printing of the interior image onto the corrugated cardboard box is controlled by a printing device 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image management device, an image management system, an image management method, and an image management program. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Packages such as cardboard boxes containing products purchased in bulk by consumers or products purchased as emergency supplies are sometimes stored in rooms in the consumer's home, which is the consumer's living space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-261699 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the package is placed in a living space as described above, the uniformity of the design with the surrounding furniture and the like may be lost, which may reduce the aesthetic appeal of the living space.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for constructing a chair using cardboard that also functions as an interior piece when not in use. This technique makes effective use of cardboard, but it does not alleviate the degradation of the design of the living space caused by the placement of packaging as described above.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an image management device, an image management system, an image management method, and an image management program that can reduce the reduction in the design of living space caused by the placement of packaging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an image management device is provided that includes a memory unit that stores a plurality of images, and a control unit that identifies an image from the plurality of images that corresponds to the design of the living space in which the packaging body will be placed, and transmits the identified image to a terminal device that controls printing of the image on the packaging body by a printing device.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image management system comprising an image management device and a terminal device that controls printing by a printing device, wherein the image management device comprises a memory unit that stores a plurality of images and a control unit that identifies an image from the plurality of images that corresponds to the design of the living space in which the packaging body will be placed and transmits the identified image to the terminal device, and the terminal device causes the printing device to print the image transmitted from the image management device onto the packaging body.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image management method executed by a computer, comprising the steps of identifying an image from a plurality of images that corresponds to the design of the living space in which the packaging will be placed, and transmitting the image identified in the identification step to a terminal device that controls printing of the image by a printing device.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, an image management program is provided that causes a computer to execute the steps of identifying an image from a plurality of images that corresponds to the design of the living space in which the packaging will be placed, and transmitting the image identified in the identification step to a terminal device that controls printing of the image by a printing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the deterioration of the design of the living space caused by the placement of the packaging body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a cardboard box. [Figure 3] 1(a) is a diagram showing an example of an interior image for one cardboard box, and FIG. 1(b) is a diagram showing another example of an interior image for one cardboard box. [Figure 4] 1A is a diagram showing an example of a combined image spanning multiple cardboard boxes of the same size, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing another example of a combined image spanning multiple cardboard boxes of the same size. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a combined image spanning multiple cardboard boxes, some of which are different in size from the other cardboard boxes. [Figure 6] 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the printing system shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an occupied section in which cardboard boxes on which interior images are printed are placed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent parts and components are designated by the same or equivalent reference numerals throughout the drawings.

[0014] The following embodiments are examples of devices that embody the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and the technical idea of ​​the present invention does not limit the materials, shapes, structures, arrangements, etc. of each component to those described below. The technical idea of ​​the present invention can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

[0015] 1, a printing system (corresponding to an image management system) 1 according to this embodiment includes a server device (corresponding to an image management device) 2, a consumer terminal 3, a distributor terminal (corresponding to a terminal device) 4, and a printing device 5. The consumer terminal 3 and the distributor terminal 4 are connectable to the server device 2 via a network 6 such as the Internet.

[0016] The server device 2 manages interior images to be printed on a cardboard box 7 (see FIG. 2) that is a package for storing products. The server device 2 is configured by a computer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, hard disk, etc.

[0017] 2, the cardboard box 7 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. An interior image is printed on a side surface 7a of the cardboard box 7.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the server device 2 includes a storage unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0019] The storage unit 11 stores various programs such as an image management program executed by the CPU of the control unit 13. The storage unit 11 also stores a plurality of interior images. The storage unit 11 is configured with a hard disk or the like.

[0020] The interior images stored in the storage unit 11 include an interior image for one cardboard box 7 as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b). The interior images stored in the storage unit 11 also include a combination of interior images that form a combined image, which is a single image spanning multiple cardboard boxes 7, as shown in Figures 4(a), 4(b) and 5.

[0021] Combination images include those spanning multiple cardboard boxes 7 of the same size, as shown in Figures 4(a) and (b), and those spanning multiple cardboard boxes 7, some of which are different sizes from the other cardboard boxes 7, as shown in Figure 5.

[0022] For example, the three interior images in Fig. 4(a) form a combined image spanning three stacked cardboard boxes 7. Also, for example, the six interior images in Fig. 4(b) form a combined image spanning six cardboard boxes 7 stacked in two rows of three, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0023] Furthermore, the two interior images in Figure 5 form a combined image spanning two cardboard boxes 7 of different sizes, with a smaller cardboard box 7 placed on top of a larger cardboard box 7.

[0024] The storage unit 11 stores each interior image in association with the size (size of the side surface 7a) of the cardboard box 7. These interior images can be enlarged or reduced for use.

[0025] The communication unit 12 performs communication processing with external devices.

[0026] The control unit 13 controls the overall operation of the server device 2. The control unit 13 is configured to include a CPU and the like.

[0027] When performing packaging printing to print an interior image on a cardboard box 7, the control unit 13 identifies an interior image that corresponds to the design of the living space in which the cardboard box 7 will be placed from the multiple interior images stored in the storage unit 11. Then, the control unit 13 transmits the identified interior image to the logistics company terminal 4.

[0028] At this time, the control unit 13 accepts a selection of an interior image to be printed on the cardboard box 7 by a consumer who is a resident of the living space in which the cardboard box 7 is placed and who has purchased the product to be stored in the cardboard box 7. Then, the control unit 13 identifies the interior image selected by the consumer as an interior image that corresponds to the design of the living space.

[0029] The consumer terminal 3 is a terminal device used by a consumer who purchases the products contained in the cardboard box 7. The consumer terminal 3 is configured by a computer equipped with a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the consumer terminal 3 includes a storage unit 21, a display unit 22, an input unit 23, a communication unit 24, and a control unit 25.

[0031] The storage unit 21 stores various programs and the like executed by the CPU of the control unit 25. The storage unit 21 is configured with a hard disk and the like.

[0032] The display unit 22 displays various screens such as a packaging print selection screen (not shown) to be described later, etc. The display unit 22 is configured by a liquid crystal display panel or the like.

[0033] The input unit 23 receives input operations from the consumer and includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like.

[0034] The communication unit 24 performs communication processing with external devices.

[0035] The control unit 25 controls the overall operation of the consumer terminal 3. The control unit 25 is configured to include a CPU and the like.

[0036] When performing packaging printing, the control unit 25 causes the display unit 22 to display interior images transmitted from the server device 2 as candidate images that are candidates for the interior image to be printed on the cardboard box 7. Then, the control unit 25 transmits selected image information to the server device 2 that indicates the interior image selected by the consumer from the candidate images as the one to be printed on the cardboard box 7.

[0037] The distributor terminal 4 is a terminal device provided at the distributor, and is configured by a computer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like.

[0038] Here, the logistics company is a company that receives a request from a product sales company, packs the product into a cardboard box 7, and delivers it to a transportation company.

[0039] The distributor terminal 4 causes the printer 5 to print the interior image sent from the server device 2 onto the cardboard box 7.

[0040] The printing device 5 prints an interior image on the side surface 7a of the cardboard box 7. The printing device 5 is installed at a logistics company. The printing device 5 has a printing mechanism such as an inkjet head. The printing device 5 is configured to be able to print on the side surface 7a of the cardboard box 7, which is a vertical surface. Note that the printing device 5 may also be configured to print on the surface corresponding to the side surface 7a of the cardboard box 7 before assembly when that surface is in a horizontal state.

[0041] Next, the operation of the printing system 1 will be described.

[0042] When a consumer purchases a product on a product sales company's website, in step S1 of Figure 6, the control unit 13 of the server device 2 sends a package printing selection request to the consumer terminal 3 to allow the consumer to select whether or not to perform package printing.

[0043] Here, the package print selection request includes the number and size of the cardboard boxes 7 used to deliver the product to the consumer. The control unit 13 can acquire the number and size of the cardboard boxes 7 from, for example, a server on the product sales company's website.

[0044] Next, in step S2, the control unit 25 of the consumer terminal 3 that has received the package printing selection request displays a package printing selection screen (not shown) on the display unit 22 for selecting whether or not to perform package printing. The package printing selection screen displays a selection input field for selecting whether or not to perform package printing, as well as the number and size of cardboard boxes 7 in which the consumer will ship the products they have purchased this time. The package printing selection screen also displays additional input fields for inputting the number and size of additional cardboard boxes 7.

[0045] When the packaging printing selection screen is displayed, the consumer selects whether or not to perform packaging printing by operating the input unit 23. If the consumer desires candidate images for cardboard boxes 7 for shipping products that the consumer plans to purchase in the future, or cardboard boxes 7 with packaging printing that the consumer has received in the past, the consumer inputs the number and size of these additional cardboard boxes 7 in the additional input field.

[0046] Next, in step S3, the control unit 25 determines whether or not packaging printing has been selected.

[0047] If it is determined that packaging printing has been selected (step S3: YES), in step S3, the control unit 25 sends a candidate image request to request interior images as candidate images to the server device 2. If the number and size of additional cardboard boxes 7 have been entered on the packaging printing selection screen, the candidate image request includes the number and size of the additional cardboard boxes 7.

[0048] Next, in step S5, the control unit 13 of the server device 2 that has received the candidate image request transmits at least one candidate image to the consumer terminal 3.

[0049] Specifically, the control unit 13 selects at least one candidate image from the plurality of interior images stored in the storage unit 11 based on the number and size of the cardboard boxes 7 in which the product purchased this time by the consumer will be delivered. If there are additional cardboard boxes 7, the control unit 13 selects a candidate image based on the number and size of the cardboard boxes 7 including the additional cardboard boxes 7.

[0050] For example, if there is one cardboard box 7, the control unit 13 selects, as a candidate image, at least one interior image that corresponds to the size of the cardboard box 7 from the interior images for one cardboard box 7.

[0051] Also, for example, if there are multiple cardboard boxes 7, the control unit 13 selects, as a candidate image, each interior image of at least one combination corresponding to the number and size of the cardboard boxes 7 from multiple combinations of multiple interior images that each form a combination image.

[0052] Here, interior images that can be printed to fit the size of the cardboard box 7 by enlarging or reducing them are also selected as candidate images.

[0053] When a candidate image is selected, the control unit 13 transmits at least one interior image selected as the candidate image to the consumer terminal 3.

[0054] By transmitting the interior images as candidate images to the consumer terminal 3 as described above, the control unit 13 accepts the selection of the interior image to be printed on the cardboard box 7 by the consumer.

[0055] Next, in step S6, the control unit 25 of the consumer terminal 3 that has received the candidate images displays the candidate images on the display unit 22. Here, if the candidate images include multiple interior images that form a combined image, the control unit 25 displays each combination of the multiple interior images that form the combined image.

[0056] When the candidate images are displayed on the display unit 22, the consumer operates the input unit 23 to select an interior image to be printed on the cardboard box 7 in accordance with the design of the living space from the interior images displayed as candidate images.

[0057] For example, if the purchased item will be delivered in three cardboard boxes 7, there are no additional cardboard boxes 7, and the consumer wants to print the combined image of Figure 4(a) on the three cardboard boxes 7, the consumer selects three interior images that form the combined image of Figure 4(a).

[0058] When a consumer selects an interior image in consideration of the cardboard box 7 in which an item to be purchased in the future will be delivered, the consumer selects some of the interior images that form the combined image.

[0059] For example, suppose a consumer wants to have one of the two interior images in Fig. 5 printed on one cardboard box 7 in which the product purchased this time will be delivered and another cardboard box 7 in which products to be purchased in the future will be delivered. In this case, the consumer selects one of the two interior images in Fig. 5 as the interior image to be printed on the one cardboard box 7 in which the product purchased this time will be delivered.

[0060] Also, for example, suppose a consumer has previously received a cardboard box 7 with one of the two interior images in Fig. 5 printed on it, and wants to have the other interior image printed on the cardboard box 7 in which the currently purchased item will be delivered. In this case, the consumer selects, as the interior image to be printed on the cardboard box 7 in which the currently purchased item will be delivered, an interior image that is different from the interior image printed on the cardboard box 7 that the consumer previously received, from the two interior images in Fig. 5.

[0061] It is also possible to acquire a captured image of the living space in advance in the consumer terminal 3, and when displaying the candidate images, to display them by combining them with the captured image of the living space.

[0062] Returning to Fig. 6, in step S7, the control unit 25 determines whether or not an interior image to be printed on the cardboard box 7 has been selected. If it is determined that an interior image to be printed has not been selected (step S7: NO), the control unit 25 repeats step S7.

[0063] If it is determined that an interior image to be printed has been selected (step S7: YES), in step S8, the control unit 25 transmits selected image information to the server device 2. The selected image information is information indicating the interior image selected by the consumer as the interior image to be printed on the cardboard box 7.

[0064] Next, in step S9, the control unit 13 of the server device 2 that has received the selected image information transmits to the distributor terminal 4 the interior image selected by the consumer as the interior image to be printed on the cardboard box 7.

[0065] Next, in step S10, the distributor terminal 4 that has received the interior image transmits the interior image transmitted from the server device 2 to the printing device 5, and instructs the printing device 5 to print the interior image on the cardboard box .

[0066] Next, in step S11, the printing device 5 prints an interior image on the side surface 7a of the cardboard box 7.

[0067] For example, if the interior images selected by a consumer to be printed on the cardboard box 7 are the three interior images shown in Figure 4(a), the printing device 5 prints each of the three interior images on the side surfaces 7a of the three cardboard boxes 7, one for each.

[0068] Also, for example, if the interior image selected by the consumer to be printed on the cardboard box 7 is one of the two interior images in Figure 5, the printing device 5 prints that interior image on the side 7a of one of the cardboard boxes 7.

[0069] When the printing device 5 has finished printing all of the interior images selected by the consumer, the series of operations is completed.

[0070] The cardboard box 7 on which the interior image is printed is delivered to the consumer's home by a delivery company and placed in the consumer's living space.

[0071] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, three cardboard boxes 7, each having one of the three interior images shown in FIG. 4(a) printed thereon, are stacked and arranged in a living space 31.

[0072] As described above, in the printing system 1, when performing packaging printing to print an interior image on a cardboard box 7, the control unit 13 of the server device 2 identifies an interior image that corresponds to the design of the living space in which the cardboard box 7 will be placed from multiple interior images stored in the storage unit 11. Then, the control unit 13 transmits the identified interior image to the logistics company terminal 4, which controls the printing of the interior image on the cardboard box 7 by the printing device 5.

[0073] This makes it possible to print an interior image that matches the design of the living space on the cardboard box 7 that is placed in the living space. As a result, it is possible to reduce the degradation of the design of the living space caused by placing the cardboard box 7.

[0074] Furthermore, the control unit 13 accepts the consumer's selection of an interior image to be printed on the cardboard box 7, and identifies the interior image selected by the consumer as an interior image that matches the design of the living space. This makes it possible to print an interior image that matches the preferences of the consumer who is the resident on the cardboard box 7 that will be placed in the living space.

[0075] Furthermore, in the printing system 1, the multiple interior images stored in the storage unit 11 of the server device 2 include multiple interior images that form a combined image spanning multiple cardboard boxes 7 of the same size, and multiple interior images that form a combined image spanning multiple cardboard boxes 7 where some cardboard boxes 7 are different sizes from the other cardboard boxes 7. This makes it possible to meet the needs of consumers who want to arrange multiple cardboard boxes 7 in their living space while minimizing degradation of the design of the living space.

[0076] In the above-described embodiment, candidate images are selected based on the number and size of the cardboard boxes 7 to allow the consumer to select an interior image to be printed on the cardboard boxes 7. However, candidate images may also be selected using captured images of the living space in addition to the number and size of the cardboard boxes 7.

[0077] In this case, for example, the storage unit 11 of the server device 2 stores a table that associates the design types of living spaces with interior images. Here, one type may be associated with multiple interior images, including multiple interior images that form a combination image.

[0078] The control unit 13 acquires a captured image of the consumer's living space and determines the design type of the living space based on the color distribution in the captured image, etc. Then, the control unit 13 refers to the above-mentioned table and selects candidate images based on the number and size of the cardboard boxes 7 from the interior images associated with the design type of the consumer's living space.

[0079] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 13 of the server device 2 may learn the combinations of past captured images of multiple consumers' living spaces and interior images selected by the consumers for each living space, and use the results to select candidate images from among the interior images that correspond to the design of the consumer's living space, based on the number and size of the cardboard boxes 7.

[0080] Alternatively, the process of having the consumer select an interior image to be printed on the cardboard box 7 may be omitted, and the control unit 13 of the server device 2 may use a captured image of the living space to select an interior image that corresponds to the design of the living space as the interior image to be printed on the cardboard box 7. In this case, for example, the control unit 13 may refer to the above-mentioned table and select the interior image to be printed on the cardboard box 7 from among the interior images associated with the type of design of the living space, based on the number and size of the cardboard boxes 7.

[0081] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the storage unit 11 of the server device 2 stores a plurality of interior images that form a combined image spanning a plurality of cardboard boxes 7 of the same size, and a plurality of interior images that form a combined image spanning a plurality of cardboard boxes 7 in which some of the cardboard boxes 7 are different in size from the other cardboard boxes 7. However, at least one of these may be omitted.

[0082] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the components can be modified and embodied in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be created by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all the components shown in the embodiments.

[0083] [Note] The present application discloses the following inventions.

[0084] (Appendix 1) a storage unit for storing a plurality of images; a control unit that identifies an image corresponding to a design of a living space in which the packaging body is to be placed from the plurality of images, and transmits the identified image to a terminal device that controls printing of the image on the packaging body by a printing device; An image management device comprising:

[0085] (Appendix 2) The image management device described in Appendix 1 is characterized in that the control unit accepts a selection of an image to be printed on the packaging by a resident of the living space, and identifies the image selected by the resident as an image that corresponds to the design of the living space.

[0086] (Appendix 3) The image management device described in Appendix 1 or 2, characterized in that the memory unit stores at least one of multiple images for forming a single image spanning multiple packaging bodies of the same size, and multiple images for forming a single image spanning multiple packaging bodies, some of which are different sizes from the other packaging bodies.

[0087] (Appendix 4) The image management device includes a terminal device that controls printing by a printing device, The image management device a storage unit for storing a plurality of images; a control unit that identifies an image corresponding to a design of a living space in which the package will be placed from the plurality of images and transmits the identified image to the terminal device; The terminal device 10. An image management system comprising: a printer that prints an image sent from the image management device onto a package;

[0088] (Appendix 5) 1. A computer-implemented image management method, comprising: identifying an image from the plurality of images corresponding to a design of a living space in which the package will be placed; transmitting the image identified in the identifying step to a terminal device that controls printing of the image by the printing device; 10. An image management method comprising:

[0089] (Appendix 6) identifying an image from the plurality of images corresponding to a design of a living space in which the package will be placed; transmitting the image identified in the identifying step to a terminal device that controls printing of the image by the printing device; An image management program characterized by causing a computer to execute the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1 Printing System 2. Server device 3 Consumer Devices 4 Logistics company terminal 5 Printing device 7. Cardboard Boxes 11 Storage section 12 Communications Department 13 Control Unit 21 Memory section 22 Display section 23 Input section 24 Communications Department 25 Control Unit 31 Living space

Claims

1. a storage unit for storing a plurality of images; a control unit that identifies an image corresponding to a design of a living space in which the packaging body is to be placed from the plurality of images, and transmits the identified image to a terminal device that controls printing of the image on the packaging body by a printing device; An image management device comprising:

2. The image management device described in claim 1, characterized in that the control unit accepts a selection of an image to be printed on the packaging by a resident of the living space, and identifies the image selected by the resident as an image that corresponds to the design of the living space.

3. The image management device described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the memory unit stores at least one of a plurality of images for forming a single image spanning multiple packaging bodies of the same size, and a plurality of images for forming a single image spanning multiple packaging bodies, some of which are different in size from the other packaging bodies.

4. The image management device includes a terminal device that controls printing by a printing device, The image management device a storage unit for storing a plurality of images; a control unit that identifies an image corresponding to a design of a living space in which the package will be placed from the plurality of images and transmits the identified image to the terminal device; The terminal device 2. An image management system comprising: a printer that prints an image transmitted from the image management device onto a package;

5. 1. A computer-implemented image management method, comprising: Identifying an image from the plurality of images according to a design of a living space in which the package will be placed; transmitting the image identified in the identifying step to a terminal device that controls printing of the image by the printing device; 10. An image management method comprising:

6. Identifying an image from the plurality of images according to a design of a living space in which the package will be placed; transmitting the image identified in the identifying step to a terminal device that controls printing of the image by the printing device; An image management program characterized by causing a computer to execute the above.

Images