3D Printed Material Sales System, Server Equipment, and Method for Selling 3D Printed Material

Abstract

This server device enables a reduction in the time required for a 3D printed image of any desired image to reach the user, and also reduces costs and labor for vendors. [Solution] The server device comprises a first conversion means, a second conversion means, a data expansion means, a display data transmission means, and a management means. The first conversion means receives a request from a terminal to reproduce a three-dimensional printed material including image data of a selected design image, and converts the image data into three-dimensional image data. The second conversion means converts the three-dimensional image data into three-dimensional structural data. The data expansion means expands the three-dimensional structural data into two-dimensional structural data. The display data transmission means transmits display data of the three-dimensional printed material, including the two-dimensional structural data, to the terminal. When an order request is sent from the terminal, the management means manages the production of the printed material and the delivery of the produced printed material to the user based on the user's address information included in the order request and the two-dimensional structural data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a three-dimensional print sales system, a server device, and a method for selling three-dimensional prints, for example, used for selling three-dimensional prints.

Background Art

[0002] At event venues such as baseball stadiums and concert halls, photos (promos) related to event performers, that is, baseball players and artists, are sold. Recently, a service has been provided in which photos taken by professional photographers during an event are printed and sold on the same day (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

[0003] In such a service, for example, a business operator uploads the photographed images taken by a photographer to a server during the event and posts them on an image sales site. A user (a person who wishes to purchase) accesses the image sales site using a user terminal such as a smartphone owned by the user, selects an image, and purchases it by credit card payment or the like. After the payment, the server distributes a two-dimensional code for printing to the user terminal.

[0004] At the event venue, a printing terminal to which the image data of the sold images is distributed from the server is installed. After the event, the user moves to the printing terminal and holds the two-dimensional code displayed on the user terminal in front of the printing terminal. The printing terminal notifies the server of the information read from the two-dimensional code and receives the information of the image purchased by the user from the server. By printing and outputting the image based on the information received by the printing terminal from the server, the user can obtain a printed matter of the purchased image.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0006] Incidentally, with the recent development of 3D printers, it has become possible to print three-dimensional copies of photographs. Therefore, there is a strong demand for the development of a system that allows users to obtain three-dimensional copies of images they have purchased.

[0007] However, the systems disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above can only print two-dimensional materials, and furthermore, users need to travel to the location where the printing terminal is installed in order to obtain printed copies of purchased images. Also, when printing three-dimensional materials with a 3D printer, for example, the user contacts a sales company such as a customer center to request a three-dimensional print of a specific image, and a service representative travels to the location where the 3D printer is installed to perform the necessary setup work to convert the two-dimensional image data into three-dimensional image data corresponding to the three-dimensional print.

[0008] Therefore, since the majority of the work, from receiving a request from a user for a 3D print of any image to printing the 3D print, is done manually by the service staff of the vendor, users cannot immediately obtain a 3D print of any image. On the other hand, for the vendor, it is costly to predict the number of requests for 3D print output and secure a corresponding number of service staff, and there is a risk of variability in the quality of work depending on the staff member.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional print sales system, server device, and method for selling three-dimensional prints that enable the rapid and appropriate acquisition of three-dimensional prints of any image without requiring human intervention, thereby shortening the time required for three-dimensional prints to reach users and reducing costs and labor for distributors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above objective, a three-dimensional printed material sales system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a terminal usable by a user, and a server device connected to the terminal via a communication network to perform support operations for selling three-dimensional printed materials of any design image to the user. The terminal includes an image data storage means for storing a plurality of image data corresponding to different design images, a reproduction request transmission means for transmitting a reproduction request for a three-dimensional printed material including the image data of the selected design image to the server device via the communication network when an image data corresponding to an arbitrary design image is selected from the plurality of image data stored in the image data storage means and a reproduction instruction for a three-dimensional printed material is input, a display means for receiving and displaying display data of a three-dimensional printed material sent from the server device via the communication network, and a display means for the user to input an order instruction for the three-dimensional printed material information displayed by the display means. The gist of the system is that when a request is made from a terminal, the system includes an order request transmission means that transmits an order request to a server device, which includes at least the user's address information, and the server device, upon receiving a reproduction request from a terminal, includes a first conversion means that converts image data of a design image included in the reproduction request into 3D image data, a second conversion means that converts the 3D image data into 3D structural data, a data expansion means that expands the 3D structural data into 2D structural data, a display data transmission means that transmits display data of a three-dimensional printed material including the 2D structural data to the terminal, and a management means that, when an order request is sent from the terminal, manages the production of a 2D structured printed material that can be assembled into a three-dimensional printed material based on the user's address information included in the order request and the 2D structural data expanded by the data expansion means, and manages the delivery of the produced printed material to the user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a three-dimensional print sales system that enables the rapid and appropriate acquisition of three-dimensional prints of any image without requiring human intervention, thereby shortening the time required for the three-dimensional prints to reach the user and reducing costs and labor for the distributor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the three-dimensional printed material sales system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the user's terminal configuration. [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the management server configuration. [Figure 4A] This is a sequence diagram (part 1) showing an overview of the sales method for three-dimensional printed materials related to the above embodiment. [Figure 4B] This is a sequence diagram (part 2) showing an overview of the sales method for three-dimensional printed materials related to the above embodiment. [Figure 4C] This is a sequence diagram (part 3) showing an overview of the sales method for three-dimensional printed materials related to the above embodiment. [Figure 4D] This is a sequence diagram (part 4) showing an overview of the sales method for three-dimensional printed materials related to the above embodiment. [Figure 4E] This is a sequence diagram (part 5) showing an overview of the sales method for three-dimensional printed materials related to the above embodiment. [Figure 4F] This is a sequence diagram (part 6) showing an overview of the sales method for three-dimensional printed materials related to the above embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 2 shows an example of a design image stored in the image database. [Figure 6] Figure 2 shows another example of a design image stored in the image database shown in Figure 2. [Figure 7] Figure 2 shows an example of a design image with a different disassembled structure displayed by the terminal shown. [Figure 8] Figure 2 shows an example of a self-declaration form attached to a request for reproduction of a three-dimensional printed object using the terminal shown. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the detailed processing of the management server in step ST2c, as shown in Figure 4A. [Figure 10] Figure 4B shows an example of a design image processed in step ST2e. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing an example of three-dimensional image data of a design image converted in step ST2f shown in FIG. 4B. [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing an example of three-dimensional structure data of a design image converted in step ST2g shown in FIG. 4B. [Figure 13] This is a diagram showing another example of three-dimensional structure data of a design image converted in step ST2g shown in FIG. 4B. [Figure 14] This is a diagram showing an example of two-dimensional structure data of a design image developed in step ST2h shown in FIG. 4B. [Figure 15] This is a diagram showing an example of display data including two-dimensional structure data of a design image converted in step ST2i shown in FIG. 4B. [Figure 16] This is a diagram showing an example of a two-dimensional printed matter delivered to the user by step ST5a shown in FIG. 4D. [Figure 17] This is a diagram showing an example of a pedestal portion separated from the printing paper shown in FIG. 16. [Figure 18] This is a diagram showing an example of a model portion separated from the printing paper shown in FIG. 16. [Figure 19] This is a perspective view showing an example of a three-dimensional printed matter of a design image completed by assembling the pedestal portion shown in FIG. 17 and the model portion shown in FIG. 18.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that this embodiment shows an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Also, various changes or improvements can be made to this embodiment, and forms with such changes or improvements can also be included in the present invention.

[0014] <One Embodiment> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the three-dimensional printed material sales system according to the present invention, where PC1, ..., PCn (where n is an integer) represent terminals that can be used by the user (purchaser of the three-dimensional printed material). Terminals PC1, ..., PCn may be, for example, smartphones, tablets, or personal computers.

[0015] Terminals PC1, ..., PCn are connected to a communication network NW, which in turn connects to a three-dimensional printing production company CO. The communication network NW consists of computer networks such as the Internet.

[0016] Production company CO comprises a management server 100 (an example of a server device), production equipment 200 (an example of a production system), and a delivery system 300, all interconnected via a communication network (NW). Alternatively, the management server 100, production equipment 200, and delivery system 300 may be connected via a LAN within production company CO. Furthermore, the management server 100 is connected via the communication network (NW) to a payment system 400, such as a credit card company, and processes payment for the production and delivery of the 3D printed materials with the payment system 400.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, terminals PC1, ..., PCn are equipped with a camera 11 (an example of an imaging unit), a microphone 12 for inputting user voice, a control unit 13, a storage unit 14, a display unit 15, an input unit 16, and a modem 17 for connecting to a communication network NW. When terminals PC1, ..., PCn are smartphones and tablets, the input unit 16 is provided on the display screen of the display unit 15. The storage unit 14 stores various programs used by the control unit 13. The input unit 16 is used to input various operation instructions to the control unit 13, and is also used to input selection instruction values ​​for structure, design reproduction accuracy, and finished size for the design image displayed on the display unit 15.

[0018] The control unit 13 controls the overall operation of the terminal based on various programs stored in the storage unit 14, and includes a print reproduction request transmission unit 13a (an example of a reproduction request transmission means), a print display control unit 13b (an example of a display means), a correction request transmission unit 13c (an example of a correction request transmission means), a quotation request transmission unit 13d (an example of a quotation request transmission means), and a print order request transmission unit 13e (an example of an order request transmission means). These print reproduction request transmission unit 13a, print display control unit 13b, correction request transmission unit 13c, quotation request transmission unit 13d, and print order request transmission unit 13e are realized by the control unit 13, the storage unit 14, the display unit 15, the input unit 16, and the modem 17.

[0019] The storage unit 14 is provided with an image database 14a (an example of an image data storage means). The image database 14a stores multiple image data corresponding to the design images shown in Figures 5 and 6. These multiple image data include, for example, image data of the design image captured by the camera 11, video data of the design image captured by the camera 11, 3D image data, image data included in advertising information distributed via a communication network NW, image data created by AI (artificial intelligence), PDF data, etc.

[0020] The print reproduction request transmission unit 13a receives input from the input unit 16, which selects image data corresponding to an arbitrary design image from among multiple image data stored in the image database 14a, and when a request to reproduce a three-dimensional print is received, it transmits a reproduction request to the production company CO's management server 100 via the communication network NW using the modem 17. This reproduction request includes the selected image data. The print reproduction request transmission unit 13a also has a selection instruction value input function that allows inputting at least one selection instruction value from, for example, the structure of the three-dimensional print, the degree of design reproduction, and the finished size for the selected design image data. When a request to reproduce a three-dimensional print is received, it transmits a reproduction request including the selected design image data and the selection instruction value to the management server 100 via the communication network NW.

[0021] In response to the transmission of the reproduction request, the print display control unit 13b receives the display data of the 3D print sent from the management server 100 via the communication network NW, and supplies the received display data to the display unit 15 for display.

[0022] When a user inputs an image correction instruction via the input unit 16 to correct the image of a 3D printed material in relation to the 3D printed material information displayed by the display unit 15, the correction request transmission unit 13c transmits a correction request, including the image correction values, via the communication network NW using the modem 17 to the management server 100 of the production company CO.

[0023] When a user inputs an estimate request via the input unit 16 for the 3D printed material information displayed by the display unit 15, the estimate request unit 13d transmits the estimate request for the 3D printed material, including the estimate conditions, to the management server 100 of the production company CO via the communication network NW using the modem 17.

[0024] The print order request transmission unit 13e transmits an order request, including the user's name and address information, to the production company CO's management server 100 via the communication network NW using the modem 17, when a user inputs an order instruction using the input unit 16, in order to acquire the three-dimensional print displayed by the display unit 15.

[0025] Meanwhile, the management server 100 provides support services for selling three-dimensional printed materials of arbitrary design images to users, and as shown in Figure 3, it comprises a modem 110, a control unit 120, a storage unit 130, and a display unit 140. The modem 110 is connected to a communication network NW and sends and receives information between the user terminals PC1, ..., PCn, the production device 200, the delivery system 300, and the payment system 400.

[0026] The memory unit 130 stores various programs used by the control unit 120, a customer database, and other data, and also includes a structure database 131. The structure database 131 stores multiple structural data of a three-dimensional printed object viewed from multiple directions, associated with a three-dimensional design image.

[0027] The control unit 120 controls the overall operation of the management server 100 based on various programs stored in the memory unit 130, and includes a 3D image conversion control unit 121 (an example of a first conversion means), a 3D structure conversion control unit 122 (an example of a second conversion means), a 2D structure unfolding control unit 123 (an example of a data unfolding means), a display data transmission control unit 124 (an example of a display data transmission means), a correction processing control unit 125 (an example of a correction processing means), an estimate processing control unit 126 (an example of an estimate processing means), a print production management unit 127 (an example of a management means), an invoice processing control unit 128 (an example of an invoice processing means), and a copyright image processing control unit 129 (an example of a copyright image processing means). The 3D image conversion control unit 121, the 3D structure conversion control unit 122, the 2D structure unfolding control unit 123, the display data transmission control unit 124, the correction processing control unit 125, the quotation processing control unit 126, the print production management unit 127, the billing processing control unit 128, and the copyright image processing control unit 129 are implemented by the modem 110, the control unit 120, the storage unit 130, and the display unit 140.

[0028] When the 3D image conversion control unit 121 receives a request to reproduce a 3D printed object from terminal PC1, ..., PCn, it converts the image data of the design image included in the reproduction request into 3D image data. The 3D structure conversion control unit 122 converts the 3D image data converted by the 3D image conversion control unit 121 into 3D structure data.

[0029] The 2D structure unfolding control unit 123 unfolds the 3D structure data converted by the 3D structure conversion control unit 122 into 2D structure data. The display data transmission control unit 124 transmits the display data of the 3D printed object, including the 2D structure data unfolded by the 2D structure unfolding control unit 123, to the requesting terminals PC1, ..., PCn via the communication network NW using the modem 110. At this time, the display data transmission control unit 124 temporarily stores the display data of the 3D printed object in the storage unit 130, associating it with the individual identification information of the user who requested the reproduction.

[0030] When a correction request is sent from terminal PC1, ..., PCn in response to the transmission of display data for a three-dimensional printed object, the correction processing control unit 125 corrects the two-dimensional structure data temporarily stored in the storage unit 130 based on the image correction values ​​included in the correction request. Then, it transmits the corrected two-dimensional structure data to the terminal PC1, ..., PCn that initiated the correction request.

[0031] When an estimate request is sent from terminal PC1, ..., PCn for the transmission of display data for a three-dimensional printed material, the estimate processing control unit 126 calculates the cost required to produce a two-dimensional printed material with a three-dimensional structure that can be assembled, based on the estimate conditions included in the estimate request, and transmits the estimate information, including the calculated cost, to the terminal PC1, ..., PCn that requested the estimate via the communication network NW using the modem 110.

[0032] When an order request is sent from terminal PC1, ..., PCn, the print production management unit 127 communicates with the production device 200 and the delivery system 300 via a communication network NW to produce a printed material with a two-dimensional structure based on the two-dimensional structure data temporarily stored in the storage unit 130, and to deliver the produced printed material to the user based on the user's address information included in the order request.

[0033] After the delivery of the two-dimensional printed materials is completed, the billing processing control unit 128 receives the user's credit card number (an example of account identification information) from terminals PC1, ..., PCn, and performs a settlement process via the communication network NW with the settlement system 400 to deduct the cost incurred for the production and delivery of the two-dimensional printed materials from the user's account.

[0034] The copyright image processing control unit 129 determines whether there is a possibility of infringement of a third party's rights based on the image data of the design image included in the reproduction request received from terminal PC1, ..., PCn. If it determines that there is a possibility of infringement and a license agreement has been concluded with the third party to allow the use of the design image, it grants permission to the 3D image conversion control unit 121 to reproduce the 3D printed material of the design image and processes the payment of the usage fee for the design image to the third party.

[0035] (Methods for selling three-dimensional printed materials) Next, we will explain the procedure for selling three-dimensional printed materials using the above system. Figures 4A to 4F are schematic sequence diagrams showing the information transmission and reception operations between, for example, the user's terminal PC1, the management server 100, the production company's producer terminal CT, the production equipment 200, the delivery system 300, and the payment system 400. In Figures 4A to 4F, the information transmission and reception operations are referred to as sequences, and the processing operations of terminal PC1, management server 100, production company's producer terminal CT, production equipment 200, delivery system 300, and payment system 400 are referred to as steps.

[0036] In Figure 4A, prior to ordering a three-dimensional print, the user operates the input unit 16 to read image data of an arbitrary design image from the image database 14a of the terminal PC1, and displays the read image data on the display unit 15 (step ST1a). The arbitrary design image may be the design image D1 shown in Figure 5 (a frog in Figure 5) captured by the camera 11, or it may be one of several design images (multiple frogs in Figure 6) displayed on the screen G1 of the advertising information delivered from the advertising site on the communication network NW, namely design image D2.

[0037] The user then operates the input unit 16 of terminal PC1 to launch the application program related to the purchase of 3D printed materials stored in the memory unit 14, accesses the management server 100 via the communication network NW, and selects the structure or design reproduction degree of the design image according to the on-screen instructions downloaded from the management server 100 (step ST1b). The selected design image structure or design reproduction degree is, for example, one of the images displayed on the display unit 15, such as the image G11 of the simplified disassembled structure shown in Figure 7(a), and the image G12 of the structure obtained by further disassembling the design image (for example, a frog) shown in Figure 7(b).

[0038] Next, terminal PC1 downloads a screen for selecting the finished size of the design image from the management server 100 (step ST1c). In this state, the user selects the finished size of the design image according to the instructions on the screen downloaded from the management server 100, and terminal PC1 displays a self-declaration screen on the display unit 15 indicating whether or not the design image is copyrighted by a third party (step ST1d).

[0039] Here, if the design image is copyrighted by a third party, the user operates the input unit 16 to attach the self-declaration form shown in Figure 8 to the request for reproduction of the 3D printed material to the management server 100, and the modem 17 sends the reproduction request to the management server 100 via the communication network NW (sequence S1). The self-declaration form includes information indicating the license agreement, the customer's responsible consent signature, and that the use is subject to a license already concluded with the production company.

[0040] When the management server 100 receives a request to reproduce a 3D printed object from terminal PC1, it performs an automated rights-related check on the image data of the design image included in the reproduction request (step ST2a). The automated rights-related check checks whether the design image contains a trademark mark by searching the image data using a search engine on the communication network NW, and checks for the possibility of rights infringement based on the matching rate.

[0041] Then, based on the results of the above check, the management server 100 determines whether there is a possibility of rights infringement (step ST2b), and if it determines that there is a possibility (step ST2b: Yes), it determines whether there is a license agreement (step ST2c). As shown in Figure 9, for example, if there is a license agreement with O Land to use design images (e.g., △Like) or if there is a license agreement with S Company to use design images (e.g., YPiece) (step ST2c: Yes), the management server 100 permits the reproduction of the three-dimensional printed material (step ST2d).

[0042] In step ST2b above, if it is determined that there is no possibility of rights infringement (step ST2b: No), the management server 100 proceeds to the process in step ST2d above. On the other hand, in step ST2c above, if a license agreement has not been concluded (step ST2c: No), the management server 100 notifies the requesting user's terminal PC1 that the 3D print cannot be reproduced, along with the reason or guidance information for doing so (sequence S2). This allows the user to understand that the request to reproduce the 3D print of the design image was not accepted and to take corrective action.

[0043] In Figure 4B, the management server 100 generates side data, top / bottom data, and back data of the design image based on the design image if the image data of the design image included in the reproduction request is only the front view data G20 of the design image shown in Figure 10 (step ST2e). In other words, the management server 100 simulates generating multiple images of the design image viewed from multiple directions based on the image data of the design image included in the reproduction request. For the side data, top / bottom data, and back data of the design image, the management server 100 may use side data, top / bottom data, and back data corresponding to the design image that is pre-stored in the storage unit 130, or it may use side data, top / bottom data, and back data generated by AI-based image recognition of the design image.

[0044] Next, the management server 100 converts the 2D image data into 3D image data G30 shown in Figure 11 based on the front, side, top, bottom, and back data of the design image (step ST2f). Then, the management server 100 converts the 3D image data G30 into structural data G41, G42, G43, and G44 shown in Figure 12 (step ST2g). Structural data G41 is the structural data of the front of the design image. Structural data G42 is the structural data of the side of the design image. Structural data G43 is the structural data of the design image viewed from above. Structural data G44 is the structural data of the back of the design image.

[0045] The management server 100 then reads the front structural data G51 corresponding to the structural data G41 shown in Figure 13 from the structural database 131, reads the side structural data G52 corresponding to the structural data G42, reads the side structural data G53 corresponding to the structural data G43, and reads the side structural data G54 corresponding to the structural data G44. Combining these structural data G51, G52, G53, and G54 generates three-dimensional structural data.

[0046] Next, the management server 100 expands the 3D structure data into 2D structure data G60 shown in Figure 14 (step ST2h). Then, the management server 100 converts the 2D structure data G60 into display data G70 of the 3D printed object shown in Figure 15 (step ST2i), and transmits the display data G70 of the 3D printed object to the requesting user's terminal PC1 (sequence S3). The display data G70 of the 3D printed object includes image data G71 of the 3D printed object and the 2D structure data G72 obtained by expanding the image data G71. The management server 100 also stores the display data G70 of the 3D printed object in the storage unit 130, associating it with the user's individual identification information.

[0047] When terminal PC1 receives the display data G70 for the 3D printed object from the management server 100, it supplies the display data G70 to the display unit 15 for display (step ST1e). On the display screen of the display data G70, for example, when each color button is pressed, the color scheme of the design image is adjusted accordingly, and the color scheme result is displayed. Then, terminal PC1 determines whether or not there are any correction instructions from the user (step ST1f).

[0048] In this state, suppose the user inputs a correction instruction in the input unit 16 to correct the display data G70 displayed in the display unit 15 (Step ST1f: Yes). Then, terminal PC1 adjusts the color scheme of the design image by pressing, for example, the color buttons (Step ST1g), and sends a correction request to the management server 100 via the communication network NW (Sequence S4). The correction request includes the correction value if the color tone has been corrected. If the user inputs quotation conditions in the input unit 16 in Step ST1f (Step ST1f: No), terminal PC1 proceeds to the quotation process.

[0049] When a correction request is sent from terminal PC1, the management server 100 corrects the two-dimensional structure data temporarily stored in the storage unit 130 based on the image correction values ​​included in the correction request (step ST2j). Then, it sends the corrected two-dimensional structure data to terminal PC1, the source of the correction request (sequence S5).

[0050] In Figure 4C, when terminal PC1 receives the modified 2D structure data from management server 100, it supplies the modified 2D structure data to display unit 15 for display (step ST1h). Thus, the user can confirm the modifications through this display. In this state, suppose the user inputs an estimate instruction including the estimate conditions using input unit 16 (step ST1i). Then terminal PC1 transmits the estimate request for the 3D printed material, including the estimate conditions, to management server 100 via the communication network NW using modem 17 (sequence S6).

[0051] When a quotation request is sent from terminal PC1, the management server 100 confirms the quotation process (step ST2k), calculates the cost required to produce a two-dimensional printed material with a three-dimensional structure that can be assembled from the three-dimensional printed material, and the cost required to deliver the produced printed material, based on the quotation conditions included in the quotation request (step ST2l), and transmits the quotation information, including the calculated costs, to terminal PC1, the source of the quotation request, via the communication network NW using the modem 110 (sequence S7).

[0052] When terminal PC1 receives quotation information from management server 100, it supplies the quotation information to display unit 15 for display (step ST1j). Therefore, the user can check in advance the cost required for the production of printed materials and the cost required for the delivery of the produced printed materials. In this state, suppose the user enters an order instruction using input unit 16 (step ST1k). Then terminal PC1 sends the order request to management server 100 via the communication network NW using the modem 17 (sequence S8). The order request includes the user name and the user's address information.

[0053] When an order request is sent from terminal PC1, the management server 100 processes the order (step ST2m) and sends a production request for printed materials to the production company CO's producer terminal CT via the communication network NW (sequence S9). The production request includes the two-dimensional structure data temporarily stored in the storage unit 130, and the username and user address information included in the order request.

[0054] In Figure 4D, when the creator terminal CT receives a production request from the management server 100, it supplies the 2D structure data, username, and user address information included in the production request to the display unit for display. Let's assume that the creator has now entered production instructions using the input unit (step ST3a). The creator terminal CT then transmits production execution control information to the production device 200 via the communication network NW (sequence S10). The production execution control information includes the 2D structure data, username, and user address information.

[0055] When the production device 200 receives production execution control information from the producer terminal CT, it produces a two-dimensional printed material based on the two-dimensional structure data contained in the production execution control information (step ST4a). When production is completed, it sends Ack data to the management server 100 indicating that it has been completed successfully (sequence S11). The management server 100 then manages the production status of the two-dimensional printed material based on the Ack data (step ST2n).

[0056] Next, the production device 200 automatically packages the produced 2D structured printed material for delivery (step ST4b). Once packaging is complete, it sends an Ack data to the management server 100 indicating that the process has been successfully completed (sequence S12).

[0057] Next, the production device 200 attaches a shipping label to the delivery item based on the user name and user address information included in the production execution control information (step ST4c). Once the attachment of the shipping label is complete, it sends Ack data to the management server 100 indicating that the process has been completed successfully (sequence S13).

[0058] Next, the production device 200 performs picking of the shipments for which the shipping labels have been attached (step ST4d). When picking is complete, it sends Ack data to the management server 100 indicating that it has been completed successfully (sequence S14).

[0059] Next, the production device 200 transmits collection request information to the delivery system 300 via the communication network NW to request collection (step ST4e, sequence S16). After transmitting the collection request information, it transmits Ack data to the management server 100 indicating that the process has been completed successfully (sequence S15).

[0060] When the delivery system 300 receives a collection request from the production device 200, it collects the items from the production device 200 using, for example, a drone or an unmanned automated delivery vehicle, delivers the items to the user's address by drone or automated delivery vehicle (step ST5a), and sends Ack data to the management server 100 indicating that the delivery has been completed (sequence S17).

[0061] The management server 100 manages the production status and delivery status of the two-dimensional printed materials based on the Ack data, and sends tracking information including the management results to the user's terminal PC 1 (sequence S18). When terminal PC 1 receives the tracking information from the management server 100, it supplies the tracking information to the display unit 15 for display (step ST1l). Therefore, this display allows the user to know the production status and delivery status of the two-dimensional printed materials in real time after ordering.

[0062] Then, when the user receives the delivery from the delivery system 300 (step ST1m), they input information indicating that they have received the delivery using the input unit 16. The terminal PC 1 then transmits the information indicating that they have received the delivery to the management server 100 via the communication network NW (sequence S19). When the management server 100 receives the information indicating that they have received the delivery, it manages the delivery status based on that information (step ST2o).

[0063] In Figure 4E, after receiving information from the user indicating that it has received the delivered items, the management server 100 calculates the charges incurred for the production and delivery of the printed materials, and the usage fee for the design images if the design images are copyrighted by a third party, i.e., the total amount due (step ST2p), and notifies the user's terminal PC1 of this total amount (step ST2q, sequence S20).

[0064] When terminal PC1 receives notification information of the billing amount from the management server 100, it supplies the billing amount included in the notification information to the display unit 15 for display. In this state, suppose the user enters credit information using the input unit 16 (step ST1n). Then terminal PC1 transmits the credit information to the management server 100 via the communication network NW (sequence S21).

[0065] When the management server 100 receives credit information from terminal PC 1, it accesses the payment system 400 (step ST2r) and verifies the credit information (step ST2s). If, for example, the credit number is incorrect or the credit's expiration date has passed (step ST2s; NG), the management server 100 notifies the requesting user's terminal PC 1 of the error in the credit information (sequence S22).

[0066] On the other hand, if the credit information is correct (step ST2s; OK), the management server 100 sends payment request information for the calculated billing amount to the payment system 400 (step ST2t, sequence S23).

[0067] When the payment system 400 receives payment request information from the management server 100, it performs a payment process to deduct the invoiced amount from the user's account (step ST6a), and creates a delivery note and receipt based on the payment processing results (step ST6b). Then, the payment system 400 sends the delivery note and receipt, along with the payment completion information, to the management server 100 (sequence S24).

[0068] When the management server 100 receives payment completion information from the payment system 400 (step ST2u), it sends a notification to the user's terminal PC1 indicating that the payment has been completed (sequence S25).

[0069] In Figure 4F, when the user's terminal PC1 receives notification information from the management server 100 indicating that payment has been completed, it supplies the notification information to the display unit 15 for display (step ST1o). In this state, the user can download the delivery slip and receipt from the management server 100 or the payment system 400 using the input unit 16 as needed.

[0070] Meanwhile, the management server 100 calculates the license usage fee based on the use of the copyrighted design image (step ST2v) and processes the payment of the calculated license usage fee to the rights holder (an example of a third party) (step ST2w).

[0071] Now, let's assume the user receives the package from a drone or automated delivery vehicle and opens the packaging. Then, as shown in Figure 16, multiple sheets of printed paper P1 to Pm (where m is an integer) are found, for example, in a case.

[0072] The creation of a three-dimensional printed object of a design image using multiple printing papers P1 to Pm is performed as follows. Figures 17 and 18 are plan views illustrating the creation procedure. First, as shown in Figure 17, the user separates the base portion M10 from the printing paper P1. Next, the user folds the top portion M11 of the base portion M10 from the front to the back or from the back to the front, and the bottom portion M12 from the front to the back or from the back to the front. Then, the user rolls up the side portion M13 of the base portion M10 and adheres the side portion M13 to the top portion M11 and bottom portion M12 using adhesive or the like. The top portion M11 is provided with an adhesive tab gl1, the bottom portion M12 is provided with an adhesive tab gl2, and the side portion M13 is provided with an adhesive tab gl3. Therefore, the above adhesion can be performed easily and accurately. Thus, the three-dimensional base part M10 is completed.

[0073] Next, as shown in Figure 18, the user cuts the model part M20 from the printing paper P1. Then, the user combines parts M211 (for example, the left eye of the model), part M212 (for example, the right eye of the model), parts M221-M226, parts M231-M234, and parts M241-M247 of the model part M20 and glues them together using adhesive or the like. If parts of the model part M20 are present on the subsequent printing paper P2, the user cuts the parts of the model part M20 from the printing paper P2 and glues them to the model part M20. Thus, the three-dimensional model part M20 is completed.

[0074] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 19, the user can obtain a three-dimensional printed object of the desired design image by attaching the model part M20 to the upper surface part M11 of the base part M10.

[0075] <Effects of one embodiment> As described above, according to the above embodiment, the entire process, from the user's request to reproduce an arbitrary design image to the production of a two-dimensional printed material corresponding to the arbitrary design image and its delivery to the user, is carried out automatically via a communication network (NW) without requiring any human intervention. Therefore, manual setup work by the service personnel of the production company (CO) is completely unnecessary. Consequently, users can obtain a two-dimensional printed material corresponding to an arbitrary design image in a short amount of time, while the production company (CO) can significantly reduce the labor and costs required to produce two-dimensional printed materials. Furthermore, by assembling the obtained two-dimensional printed material, the user can obtain a three-dimensional printed material of the arbitrary design image.

[0076] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the user can confirm at least one of the structure, design reproduction accuracy, and finished size of the desired design image using the display unit 15, thereby instructing the management server 100 to reproduce the optimal three-dimensional printed version of the design image.

[0077] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, prior to the production of a two-dimensional printed material of the design image, the management server 100 sends the display data of the three-dimensional printed material to the user's terminal PC 1 and displays it on the display unit 15. As a result, the user can check the three-dimensional printed material of the design image they wish to obtain on the terminal PC 1 and can decide and instruct whether or not the image needs to be modified.

[0078] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, prior to the production of the two-dimensional printed material of the design image, the management server 100 calculates the cost required for the production of the two-dimensional printed material, the cost required for the delivery of the printed material, and the license usage fee if the desired design image is copyrighted, and sends the estimated information including the calculated costs to the terminal PC 1. Therefore, the user can check in advance the cost required for the production and delivery of the two-dimensional printed material of the desired design image on the terminal PC 1.

[0079] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, when the management server 100 generates a 3D image of the design image, it is possible to estimate in detail the shape of the 3D printed object of the design image by generating multiple images of the design image viewed from multiple directions.

[0080] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the management server 100 can generate appropriate 3D structural data in a simple procedure using multiple structural data obtained by viewing the 3D design image from multiple directions, which are stored and managed in the structural database 131.

[0081] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, by delivering the three-dimensional printed material to the user in the form of a two-dimensional printed material, the delivery system 300 can be used to deliver the material using drones, automated delivery vehicles, etc. This allows the production company CO, which has the delivery system 300, to deliver the printed material to the user in a short amount of time without requiring human intervention.

[0082] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the settlement of payments for the production and delivery of two-dimensional printed materials can also be performed automatically between the management server 100 and the settlement system 400 using the communication network NW.

[0083] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, prior to reproducing the three-dimensional printed material of the design image, the management server 100 determines whether the design image may infringe on the rights of a third party. If it is determined that there is a possibility of infringement and a license agreement has been concluded with the third party, the reproduction of the three-dimensional printed material of the design image is permitted. Therefore, appropriate three-dimensional printing processing can be performed for each design image used, and third parties can receive fees commensurate with the use of their design images.

[0084] <Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, a user can order a three-dimensional print of a design image such as flowers or landscapes, captured by the camera 11 of their terminal PC 1, from a production company CO. Alternatively, a user can order a three-dimensional print of a design image such as an airplane, captured by the camera 11 of their terminal PC 1, from a production company CO.

[0085] Furthermore, the management server 100 may be directly connected to the production device 200 via a communication network NW without connecting to the producer terminal CT. In this way, when the management server 100 receives an order request for a 3D printed material from the terminal PC1, it can automatically perform the production of the 2D printed material and its delivery to the user using the communication network NW between the production device 200 and the delivery system 300. This makes it possible to perform the production of the 2D printed material and its delivery to the user in an even shorter time, and the user can immediately obtain a 3D printed material of any design image.

[0086] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described an example in which the delivery system 300 uses drones or unmanned automated delivery vehicles to deliver printed materials to users, it is also possible for a delivery person to deliver the materials to the user.

[0087] Furthermore, the configuration of the management server 100, the configuration of terminal PCs 1, ..., and PCn, the control procedure and control content for the sales method of three-dimensional printed materials, the types of design images, etc., can also be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0088] 11 Cameras 12 microphones 13 Control Unit 13a Print reproduction request transmission unit 13b Print display control unit 13c Correction Request Transmission Unit 13d Estimate Request Transmission Section 13e Print Order Request Transmission Department 14 Storage section 14a Image Database 15 Display section 16 Input section 17 Modem 100 Management Servers 110 Modem 120 Control Unit 121-Dimensional Image Transformation Control Unit 122-dimensional structure transformation control unit 123-Dimensional Structure Development Control Unit 124 Display Data Transmission Control Unit 125 Correction Processing Control Unit 126 Estimate Processing Control Unit 127 Print Production Management Department 128 Billing Processing Control Unit 129 Copyright Image Processing Control Unit 130 Storage section 131 Structural Databases 140 Display section 200 Production equipment 300 Delivery Systems 400 Payment Systems CO Production Company CT Producer Terminal Network PC1, ..., PCn terminals

Claims

1. A terminal available to the user, and a server device connected to the terminal via a communication network, which provides support services for selling three-dimensional printed materials of any design image to the user. Equipped with, The aforementioned terminal is Image data storage means for storing multiple image data corresponding to different design images, When an image data corresponding to an arbitrary design image is selected from the plurality of image data stored in the image data storage means and a reproduction instruction for the three-dimensional printed material is input, a reproduction request transmission means transmits a reproduction request for the three-dimensional printed material, including the image data of the selected design image, to the server device via the communication network. A display means that receives and displays the display data of the three-dimensional printed material sent from the server device via the communication network, When the user inputs an order instruction for the three-dimensional printed material information displayed by the display means, an order request transmission means transmits an order request to the server device, which includes at least the user's address information. Equipped with, The server device is Upon receiving the reproduction request from the terminal, a first conversion means converts the image data of the design image included in the reproduction request into three-dimensional image data, A second conversion means for converting the aforementioned three-dimensional image data into three-dimensional structural data, A data expansion means for expanding the aforementioned three-dimensional structural data into two-dimensional structural data, A display data transmission means for transmitting the display data of the three-dimensional printed object, including the two-dimensional structural data, to the terminal, When an order request is sent from the terminal, a management means manages the production of a two-dimensional printed material that can be assembled into a three-dimensional printed material, based on the user's address information included in the order request and the two-dimensional structural data unfolded by the data unfolding means, and the delivery of the produced printed material to the user. A three-dimensional printed material sales system equipped with this feature.

2. The three-dimensional printed material sales system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of image data stored in the image data storage means of the terminal includes at least one of image data of a design image captured by the imaging unit, video data, and three-dimensional image data.

3. The reproduction request means of the terminal comprises a selection instruction value input means for inputting at least one selection instruction value from the structure of the three-dimensional printed material, the degree of design reproduction, and the finished size for the image data of the selected design image, and when a reproduction instruction for the three-dimensional printed material is input, transmits a reproduction request for the three-dimensional printed material, including the image data of the selected design image and the selection instruction value, to the server device via the communication network, as described in claim 1.

4. The terminal further includes a correction request transmission means that, when the user inputs an image correction instruction to correct the image of a three-dimensional printed material with respect to the three-dimensional printed material information displayed by the display means, transmits a correction request including the image correction value to the server device via the communication network. The three-dimensional printed material sales system according to claim 1, further comprising a correction processing means for correcting the two-dimensional structural data unfolded by the data unfolding means based on the correction value of the image included in the correction request when the server device receives the correction request from the terminal.

5. The terminal further comprises a quotation request transmission means that transmits a quotation request for the three-dimensional printed material to the server device via the communication network when the user inputs a quotation instruction for the three-dimensional printed material information displayed by the display means. The three-dimensional printed material sales system according to claim 1, further comprising a server device that, when a quotation request is sent from the terminal, calculates the cost required to produce the two-dimensional printed material based on the quotation conditions included in the quotation request, and transmits quotation information including the calculated cost to the terminal.

6. A server device that can connect to a user's terminal via a communication network and provides support services for selling three-dimensional printed materials of any design image to the user, When a request to reproduce the three-dimensional printed material, including image data of a selected design image, is received from the terminal, a first conversion means converts the image data of the design image included in the reproduction request into three-dimensional image data, A second conversion means for converting the aforementioned three-dimensional image data into three-dimensional structural data, A data expansion means for expanding the aforementioned three-dimensional structural data into two-dimensional structural data, A display data transmission means for transmitting the display data of the three-dimensional printed object, including the two-dimensional structural data, to the terminal, When an order request for the three-dimensional printed material, including at least the user's address information, is sent from the terminal, a management means manages the production of a two-dimensional structured printed material that can be assembled into the three-dimensional printed material, and the delivery of the produced printed material to the user, based on the user's address information included in the order request and the two-dimensional structure data unfolded by the data unfolding means. A server device equipped with the following features.

7. The server device according to claim 6, wherein the first conversion means generates a plurality of images of the design image viewed from multiple directions based on the image data of the design image included in the reproduction request.

8. The server device according to claim 6, wherein the second conversion means includes a structural database that stores a plurality of structural data of the three-dimensional printed material viewed from multiple directions, associated with a three-dimensional design image, and based on the three-dimensional image data converted by the first conversion means, the plurality of structural data are read from the structural database, and the plurality of structural data read are combined to generate the three-dimensional structural data.

9. The server device according to claim 6, further comprising a correction processing means for correcting two-dimensional structural data unfolded by the data unfolding means based on correction values ​​of the image of the three-dimensional printed material included in the correction request when a correction request is sent from the terminal.

10. The server device according to claim 6, further comprising: an estimation processing means that, when an estimation request is sent from the terminal, calculates the cost required for the production of the two-dimensional printed material and the delivery of the produced printed material based on the estimation conditions included in the estimation request, and transmits estimation information including the calculated cost to the terminal.

11. When it is possible to connect with the payment settlement institution via the aforementioned communication network, The server device according to claim 6, further comprising a billing processing means that, after the completion of delivery of the two-dimensional printed material, receives the user's account identification information from the terminal and performs a settlement process with the payment settlement institution via the communication network to deduct the cost incurred for the production and delivery of the two-dimensional printed material from the user's account.

12. When a connection can be established between the production system for producing the two-dimensional printed material and the communication network, The server device according to claim 6, wherein the management means, when an order request for the three-dimensional printed material is sent from the terminal, performs processing to produce the two-dimensional printed material based on the two-dimensional structural data with respect to the production system via the communication network.

13. When the production system and the delivery system can be connected via the communication network, The server device according to claim 12, wherein when an order request for the three-dimensional printed material is sent from the terminal, the management means performs, via the communication network between the production system and the delivery system, a process for producing the two-dimensional printed material based on the two-dimensional structural data, and a process for delivering the produced printed material to the user based on the user's address information.

14. The server device according to claim 6, further comprising copyright image processing means for determining whether there is a possibility of infringement of a third party's rights based on image data of a design image included in the reproduction request received from the terminal, determining whether there is a possibility of infringement of rights, and if a license agreement has been concluded with the third party to allow the use of the design image, permitting the reproduction of a three-dimensional printed product of the design image and processing the payment of a usage fee for the design image to the third party.

15. A method for a server device, which can be connected to a user's terminal via a communication network, to provide support services for selling three-dimensional printed materials of any design image to the user, When the server device receives a request from the terminal to reproduce the three-dimensional printed material, which includes image data of the selected design image, it converts the image data of the design image included in the reproduction request into three-dimensional image data. The server device converts the three-dimensional image data into three-dimensional structural data. The server device expands the three-dimensional structural data into two-dimensional structural data. The server device transmits the display data of the three-dimensional printed object, including the two-dimensional structural data, to the terminal. When an order request for the three-dimensional printed material, including at least the user's address information, is sent from the terminal, the server device manages the production of a two-dimensional printed material that can be assembled into the three-dimensional printed material, and the delivery of the produced printed material to the user, based on the user's address information included in the order request and the two-dimensional structural data. Sales methods for three-dimensional printed materials.

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