Print system and handy phone

a printing system and printing phone technology, applied in the field of printing systems, can solve the problem that customers cannot have information about the status of their prints in the photo laboratory, and achieve the effect of efficiently packaging prints, convenient control of digital cameras, and efficient delivery of prints

US20050265766A1Inactive Publication Date: 2005-12-01NIKON CORP
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2005-12-01
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A print system receives an image file and a print order file from a customer, the image file having an image data area and an order data area. The print system copies information of the received print order file into the order data area of the received image file. The print system produces a print of the image data in the image file according to the information in the order data area of the image file. The print system has a printer capable of producing a print of a predetermined image data provided by a third party as well as that of the image data of the customer. The print system delivers to the customer the print ordered by the customer as well as the print of the predetermined image data. The print system selects a group of orders among all the orders in accordance with the destination of delivery for controlling the printer to give priority to the group of orders in producing the prints. The print system forbids the printer to produce the print of the image data of the same customer until a predetermined time. The order from the customer is made through a handy phone capable of controlling a digital camera through a wireless system.
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Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This application is based upon and claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-076267 filed on Mar. 17, 2000, and No. 2000-088336 filed on Mar. 28, 2000, the contents being incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a print system in which a customer transfers image data to the print system through a network and a printer in the print system produces prints of the transferred image data, and more particularly to a print system in which a customer transfers image data via a handy phone.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] A service is being provided in which a customer transmits image data to a shop using the Internet, and the image data is stored into an image storing server of the shop. Alternatively in this service, a customer carries the image data into the shop and the image data is stored into the image storing server. And the customer orders prints from among ...

Examples

first embodiment

[0029] A first embodiment of a printing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0030]FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the printing system. The printing system includes cellular phone 1 on which a customer mainly orders prints, image storing server 2 that accepts orders of prints, print server 3, delivery server 4, photo laboratories that perform printing, convenience stores at which customers receives prints, and delivery truck 6. Cellular phone 1 and image storing server 2 can be connected by radio communication and the Internet, thereby transmitting signals each other. Image storing server 2 and print server 3, print server 3 and a photo laboratory, print server 3 and delivery server 4, and delivery server 4 and a convenience store can be connected by the Internet or an intranet, thereby transmitting signals each other. Customer terminal 1 is used for transmitting image data taken by a camera such as a digital camera, or for ordering ...

second embodiment

[0054] The following explains a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a printing system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that description will be made on the arrangements of the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 16 which are different from those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and common arrangements to the two embodiments are given the same referential numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 16, the printing system includes digital camera 15 for taking a picture and capturing image data, cellular phone 1 for ordering a print, image storing server 2 for receiving a print order, print server 3, delivery server 4, a photo laboratory for performing printing, a convenience store where a customer receives prints, and a delivery truck 6 for delivering prints running between the photo laboratory and the convenience store. Cellular pho...