PROCESS AND USER INTERFACE FOR ORDERING PRINTS OF DIGITIZED PICTURE FILES AT AN ORDER STATION

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and user interface for ordering prints of digitized picture files at an order station (2). The order station (2) comprises a housing (4) open at one side in which several devices are provided, for example a monitor (10), a computer (12), a storage compartment (14) for digital cameras to which several cable guides are connected for cables for connecting digital cameras, and a document printer (16). The housing (4) is closed off to the outside by a front panel, the latter having in the area of the monitor a glass sheet with touch recognition. The invention further relates to a user interface for ordering prints of digitized picture files at an order station, said user interface being composed of a monitor and of a glass sheet with touch recognition fitted in front of the monitor, the monitor and the touch recognition of the glass sheet being controllable from a computer by the appropriate signals and data.

Description: Process and user interface for ordering prints of digitized picture files at an order station The invention relates to a process for ordering prints of digitized picture files at an order station, said order station comprising a housing open at one side, wherein the housing several devices are provided, for example a monitor, a computer, a storage compartment for digital cameras to which several cable guides are connected for cables for connecting digital cameras, and a document printer, and the housing is closed off to the outside by a front panel, the latter having in the area of the monitor a glass sheet with touch recognition. The invention further relates to a user interface for ordering prints of digitized picture files at an order station, said user interface comprising a monitor and a glass sheet with touch recognition fitted in front of the monitor, and where the monitor and the touch recognition of the glass sheet are controllable from a computer by the appropriate signals and data. In an article in FOTOwirtschaft (November 1997, pp. 58-59) and in imaging + foto contact (11/97, pp. 59-61), the company CeWe Color presents a digital station offering the opportunity to prepare prints of the pictures stored in digital cameras. The digital picture data is transmitted via a data line to a central printing station. A touchscreen is provided underneath the connecting cables for the digital cameras, the document printer and the other digital input equipment. The inputs or selections necessary for the print order can be made using the touchscreen. The print orders are sent to the dealer at whose premises the digital station is situated. It is the object of the present invention to provide a user-friendly process taking place inside an order station for putting together an order for prints of digitized picture files, which can be entered into the order station on data carriers of widely varying type, with the prints being produced in a central printing station. In addition, a user interface must be created for the process that can be simply adapted to updates or design changes and is hence particularly easy to service. This is attained in accordance with the invention by a process with the following steps of: - selecting one language that is used on a starting interface during the ordering process and that is leaded from the computer by touching an active field assigned to the required language on the glass sheet and that is displayed accordingly on the monitor; - selecting a carrier for the digitized picture files displayed by the computer on an input medium interface on the monitor, with an index interface being displayed on the monitor by the computer when an active field assigned to the required carrier on the glass sheet is touched; - selecting at least one picture to be included in the order out of the pictures dis- played on the index interface, with a format selection interface being displayed on the monitor by the computer when an active field assigned to the required picture on the glass sheet is touched; - selecting a format in the format selection interface by touching an active field assigned to the preset format on the glass sheet, and confirming the selection by touching a confirmation icon to which an active field has been assigned on the glass sheet, whereupon a number selection interface is displayed on the monitor by the computer; - inputting the number of prints for the selected picture in the number selection interface by touching active fields assigned to a key field on the glass sheet, and confirming the input by touching a confirmation icon to which an active field has been assigned on the glass sheet, whereupon an order overview interface is displayed on the monitor by the computer; - inputting the user data in the address input interface by touching active fields that are assigned to a key field on the glass sheet, and confirming the input by touching a confirmation icon to which an active field has been assigned on the glass sheet, whereupon a confirmation interface is displayed on the monitor by the computer; - confirming the order in the confirmation interface by touching a confirmation icon to which an active field has been assigned on the glass sheet, whereupon a receipt is printed out by the computer using the document printer and the order is then transmitted to a central printing station via a data line. This is furthermore achieved by a user interface by which the interface displays necessary for performing the process are filed in a memory of the computer, in that the individual interface displays necessary for performing the process are loaded from the memory of the computer and are displayed on the monitor, and in that for every interface display there is a file in the memory of the computer in which the coordinates of active fields on the glass sheet are defined for the touch recognition present on the glass sheet for the appropriate interface display depending on the process sequence. The advantage of the order station is that a user can have prints made in a simple manner from digital picture files. These digital picture files can come from pictures made with digital cameras or from conventional negative or positive films digitized specially by the order station or from films of the ADVANCED PHOTO SYSTEM. A further source of digital picture data can be a PC card, a disk drive or a zip drive. The appropriate drives are integrated directly inside a computer. The pictures are compiled by the user with the order station into a specific print order which is then electronically transmitted to a central printing station for exposure. To that end, the order station comprises several devices, such as a touchscreen, a computer, a document printer and various cables for connecting the various digital cameras. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be taken from the sub- claims. The subject-matter of the invention is described with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawing. The drawing shows in Fig. 1 a perspective view of the order station; Fig. 2 a display of the starting interface of the user interface; Fig. 3 a display of a starting interface for selecting the source of the digitized picture data; Fig. 4 a display of a camera maker interface for selecting the maker of the camera containing the digitized picture data; Fig. 5 a display of a camera interface for selecting the camera type containing the digitized picture data; Fig. 6 a display of an index interface for selecting a certain picture from whose digitized picture data a print is to be made; Fig. 7 a display of a format selection interface for selecting the format of the picture to be printed; Fig. 8 a display of a number selection interface for entering the number of prints required of a certain picture; Fig. 9 a display of an order overview interface for showing the entire print order put together by the user of the order station; Fig. 10 a display of an address input interface for entering the user data; Fig. 11 a display of a confirmation interface for confirming the order; Fig. 12 a display of an editing interface for editing a picture just assigned to the order; Fig. 13 a diagrammatic view of the receipt that a user receives after completing the order; and Fig. 14 a flow diagram illustrating the process in accordance with the invention. An order station 2 for performing the process is shown in a perspective view in Fig. 1. The order station 2 comprises a housing 4 open on one side and enclosing several devices, for example a monitor 10, a computer 12, a storage compartment 14 for digital cameras, to which compartment are attached several cable guides 15 for the cables (not shown) for connecting the digital cameras, and a document printer 16. The housing 4 is covered by a front panel 6. The front panel 6 can be designed lockable by a lock (not shown) in order to allow only an authorized person access to the interior of the housing 4. Furthermore, the front panel 6 is configured such that the devices in the interior of the housing 4 are protected against vandalism. The electrical connections from the interior of the housing 4 to the outside are achieved by a plug connector 20 to supply the necessary electric power to the devices and also to make the required communication connections to external devices or to a central printing station (not shown). The computer 12 is accessible to the user from the outside such that in addition to the supply of digitized picture data directly from the internal memory of the digital camera, the input of digitized picture data from further data carriers such as PC card, diskettes or zip drives is also possible. To that end, the appropriate drives (not shown) are integrated directly into the computer 12. A further possibility for input is a scanner (not shown) for films of the ADVANCED PHOTO SYSTEM that matches in its installation size the standard sizes of the conventional drives mentioned above. The front of the monitor 10 is a glass sheet 18 with integrated touch recognition. The glass sheet 18 protects the monitor against vandalism and the touch recognition permits certain functions or activities of the order station shown by the symbols or characters on the monitor 10 to be activated by touching the glass sheet 18. The monitor 10 displays the various user interfaces necessary for operating and using the order station and capable of being activated or deactivated by touching the glass sheet 18 at the location of an appropriate symbol. As already mentioned above, the touch recognition integrated into the glass sheet 18 regis- ters the spot touched and accordingly initiates an action assigned to that symbol by means of the computer 12. The user interface comprises several individual interfaces that can be displayed and that can be called depending on the user's inputs. Furthermore, the user re- ceives from the user interface guidance through the ordering process for the order he is working on. The individual interfaces are stored with their respective symbols in the memory (not shown) of the computer 12 provided in the order station. The individual interfaces are then called in accordance with the user's inputs. A starting interface 100 is shown in Fig. 2. Active fields are defined on the glass sheet 18 for the touch recognition. As described in greater detail below with examples, the active fields are each determined by a first starting coordinate pair Start-X and Start-Y and by a second end coordinate pair End-X and End-Y. Each of the active fields on the glass sheet 18 therefore has the form of a rectangle with four right angles. The X coordinates are defined along a width B and the Y coordinates along a height H of each individual interface. These active fields are located in front of the symbols shown on the monitor 12 that activate the subsequent individual interfaces. In the following description, the coordinates of the active fields of one embodiment are disclosed. It is obvious for a person skilled in the art that not only in this interface but in all other interfaces a different design of the respective interface and the arrangement of the active fields needed for this interface can be freely selected. The coordinates for the active fields depend on the design of the user interface or on the individual interfaces forming part of the user interface. In the embodiment shown here, the company logo 101 is in the top right-hand corner and an active field for it is defined on the glass sheet 18. When the company logo 101 or rather the previously defined active field is touched, a service routine is started. A first and a second flag 102 and 103 standing for the language used when compiling the order are provided in the lower area of the starting interface 100. When one of the two flags 102 or 103 is touched, the language associated with the appropriate flag 102 and 103 is selected and used troughout the order process. The data (start coordinate pair, end coordinate pair) for fixing the active fields is stored in a separate file for each individual interface, and this file can be called from the memory by the computer 12 depending on the activation of the respective individual interface. Once the user has decided on the language for operating the order station 2, an input medium interface 200 opens. Several active fields for the input media and two further active fields for controlling the order station 2 are provided on the glass sheet 18. In the top left-hand corner of the input medium interface 200 a first icon 201 is provided for the return to the previous starting interface 100. In the bottom left-hand corner of the input medium interface 200 is a second icon 202 for aborting the ordering process. The various input possibilities, such as a CD-ROM 203, a digital camera 204, a Zip Disk 205, a PCMCIA card 206, a film scanner 207 or a 3.5" disk 208, are displayed on the monitor 10 using appropriate symbols. If the user touches the CD-ROM 203, the Zip Disk 205, the PCMCIA card 206, the film scanner 207 or the 3.5" disk 208, the digitized picture data is read from the selected data carrier. If the user touches the digital camera however, a camera maker interface 300 (see Fig. 4) is opened. Several active fields for the various camera makers and two further active fields for controlling the order station 2 are provided on the camera maker interface 300. In the top left-hand corner of the camera maker interface 300 a first icon 301 is provided for the return to the previous input medium interface 200. In the bottom left-hand corner of the camera maker interface 300 a second icon 302 is provided for aborting the ordering process. In the embodiment shown here there are four different symbols (303, 304, 305 and 306) for the camera makers, for which appropriate active fields are superimposed on the glass sheet 18. In the following description the specification of the corner coordinates of the active fields is dis- pensed with, since its selection depends on the design of the interface that is used and hence is within the inventive skill of a person skilled in the art in this field. If the user touches the maker of his digital camera, a camera interface 400 (see Fig. 5) is opened. Several active fields for the various cameras of a maker and two further active fields for controlling the order station 2 are provided on the camera maker interface 400. In the top left-hand corner of the camera interface 400 a first icon 401 is provided for the return to the previous camera maker interface 300. In the bottom left-hand corner of the camera interface 400 a second icon 402 is provided for aborting the ordering process. In the embodiment shown here, there are six different symbols (403, 404, 405, 406, 407 and 408) for the various camera types, over which appropriate active fields are superimposed on the glass sheet 18. It is obvious that the number and position of the active fields or of the associated symbols is matched to the range available from the maker of the digital cameras. If the user touches the digital camera used by him, the digital picture data is read out and displayed on an index interface 500 (see Fig. 6). Several active fields for the various pictures present in the memory medium or in the digital camera and three further active fields for controlling the order station 2 are provided on the index interface 500. In the top left-hand corner of the index interface 500 a first icon 501 is provided for the return to the previous interface page. In the bottom left-hand corner of the index interface 500 a second icon 502 is provided for aborting the ordering process. In the top right-hand corner of the index interface 500 a third icon 503 for leafing to the following interface page is provided. In the embodiment shown here, for example, twelve of the pictures 504, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511 , 512, 513, 514 and 515 stored in the digital camera or on another data carrier can be displayed on an interface page. Appropriate active fields are superimposed on the glass sheet 18 to match the pictures displayed on the monitor 10. The user can select these pictures here and then transmit them to a central printing station for printing. If for example the user wants a print of the picture 509 (second line, second column), he simply touches this picture 509 on the index interface and a format selection interface 600 (see Fig. 7) is opened. Several active fields for preset formats are provided on the format selection interface 600 and can be selected for printing out the picture shown on the format selection interface 600 and selected in the index interface 500. In the embodiment shown here, three different formats are preset. Format and price information fields 604, 605 and 606 are displayed on the monitor 10 of the order station 2. The format and price information fields 604, 605 and 606 are provided directly adjacent to the close-up of the picture 509. In the top left-hand corner of the format selection interface 600 a first icon 601 is provided for the return to the previous interface page. In the bottom left-hand corner of the format selection interface 600 a second icon 602 is provided for aborting the ordering process. Furthermore, a confirmation icon 603 is provided underneath the close-up of the picture 509. Above the picture 509 a first and a second picture alteration field 607 and 608 are provided, the first picture alteration field 607 effecting a rotation of the picture 509 to the left and the second picture alteration field 608 a rotation of the picture 509 to the right. In accordance with the description above, the first icon 601 , the second icon 602, the confirmation icon 603, the format and picture information fields 604, 605 and 606, the first picture alteration field 607 and the second picture alteration field 608 have suitable active fields superimposed over them on the glass sheet 18. When the user has made the appropriate format selection, he touches the confirmation icon 603 on the format selection interface 600 and a number selection interface 700 (Fig. 8) is opened. A numerical key field 720 is displayed on the number selection interface 700. The numerical key field 720 comprises individual number fields 706, 707, 708, 710, 711 , 712, 713, 714, 715 and 716. On the left of the key field 720 a delete key 709 is provided, by which the inputs made by the key field 720 can be deleted again. In the top left-hand corner of the number selection interface 700 a first icon 701 is provided for the return to the previous format selection interface 600. In the bottom left-hand corner of the number selection interface 700 a second icon 702 is provided for aborting the ordering process. Furthermore, a confirmation icon 703 is provided, by the actuation of which the user inputs can be confirmed. In accordance with the above description, the first icon 701 , the second icon 702, the confirmation icon 703, the number fields 706, 707, 708, 710, 711 , 712, 713, 714, 715 and 716 and the delete key 709 have suitable active fields superimposed over them on the glass sheet 18, the functions of which can be activated by touching them. On the right of the key field 720 the picture 509 to which the selection currently being processed relates is again displayed. Underneath the picture an in- terim total field 705 is displayed on the monitor 10 and shows the accumulated amount for the order made by the user. Above the key field 720 a display 704 is provided that shows the number entered by the user of the prints required from the current picture. If the user has ended the order for the current picture 509, he touches the confirmation icon 703, whereupon an order overview interface 800 (Fig. 9) is opened. The entire order compiled by the user is summarized on the order overview interface 800. To that end, the right-hand edge of the order overview interface 800 has an indication field 801 for the user, underneath it a confirmation icon 803, then a first addition icon 804 and a second addition icon 805 and finally an icon 802 for aborting the ordering process. Furthermore, the pictures currently belonging to the order are shown in a combination 806 on the order overview interface 800. The format, the number of prints, the unit price and the total price are listed for each picture. In accordance with the above description, the icon 802, the confirmation icon 803, the first addition icon 804, the second addition icon 805 and the pictures 807, 808, 809 and 810 of the current order have suitable active fields superimposed over them on the glass sheet 18, the touching of which fields activates certain functions or files in the computer 12. If the user does not wish to make any further changes to the current order, he touches the confirmation icon 803, whereupon an address input interface 900 (Fig. 10) is opened. A key field 904 is displayed on the address input interface 900, by which the user can enter personal details such as name, address and telephone number. The key field 904 comprises a plurality of small keys that resemble a conventional typewriter as regards their layout. Above the key field 904 a first field 905, a second field 906, a third field 907 and a fourth field 908 are provided in which the inputs made by the user by means of the key field 904 are displayed. In the top left- hand corner of the address input interface 900 a first icon 901 for the return to the previous interface page is provided. In the bottom left-hand corner of the address input interface 900 a second icon 902 for aborting the ordering process is provided. Furthermore, a confirmation icon 903 is provided underneath the first icon 901 and is used to confirm the correctness of the user inputs. In accordance with the above description, the first icon 901 , the second icon 902, the confirmation icon 903 and all keys of the key field 904 have suitable active fields superimposed over them on the glass sheet 18, the touching of which fields activates certain functions or files in the computer 12. If the user does not wish to make any further changes to the inputs he has made, he touches the confirmation icon 903, where- upon a confirmation interface 1000 (Fig. 11) is opened. A first icon 1001 is provided on the confirmation interface 1000 for the return to the previous interface page. In the bottom left-hand corner of the confirmation interface 1000 a second icon 1002 for aborting the ordering process is provided. Furthermore, a confirmation icon 1003 is provided bottom center of the monitor 10. In accordance with the above description, the first icon 1001 , the second icon 1002 and the confirmation icon 1003 have suitable active fields superimposed over them on the glass sheet 18, the touching of which fields can activate certain functions or files in the computer 12. If the user wishes to make the final confirma- tion, he touches the confirmation icon 1003 and a print interface (not shown) is opened. The print interface informs the user how he must remove a receipt 30 issued by the document printer 16. It is also possible for the user to call an editing interface 1100 (Fig. 12). The edit- ing interface 1100 is opened by touching the picture to be edited in the order overview interface 800. A first icon 1101 for the return to the previous interface page is provided on the editing interface 1100. In the bottom left-hand corner of the editing interface 1100 a second icon 1102 for aborting the ordering process is provided. Furthermore, a format field 1103, a number field 1104 and a delete field 1105 are provided next to a display 1106 of the picture to be edited. In accordance with the above description, the first icon 1101 , the second icon 1102, the format field 1103, the number field 1104 and the delete field 1105 have suitable active fields superimposed over them on the glass sheet 18, the touching of which fields can activate certain functions or files in the computer 12. The receipt 30 issued to the user by the document printer 18 of the order station 2 is shown in Fig. 13. In accordance with an embodiment, the receipt 30 is subdivided into seven blocks. The number and the layout of the individual blocks is within the inventive skill of a person skilled in the art. A first block 31 is provided for imprinting a logo or mark. A second block 32 is provided for imprinting the name and the address of a supplier on whose premises the order station 2 stands. A third block is provided for imprinting the address of the user or of the person to whom the completed print order is to be sent. A fourth block 34 is intended for imprinting the total price of the print order. A fifth block 35 is provided for imprinting the order number. A sixth block 36 is provided for imprinting a barcode that states the total price of the order. A seventh block 37 is provided for imprinting a barcode stating the order number of the order. The process for ordering prints of digitized picture files at the order station 2 is shown in a flow diagram in Fig. 14. All selections and inputs to be made by the user during the ordering process are performed using touch recognition of active fields defined on the glass sheet 18 in front of the monitor 10. In a first step, a selection 40 is made by the user of a language to be used during the ordering process. The various languages are symbolized by the appropriate national flags. The user touches the glass sheet 18 at the location of the language selected by him and then used for the entire ordering process. The computer 12 then loads onto the monitor 10 the input medium interface 200 (see Fig. 3) from one file and the active field coordinates associated with the input medium interface 200 from another file. By means of these coordinates, the computer 12 generates the active fields on the glass sheet 18 that are defined in front of the input medium interface 300 displayed on the monitor 10. In a further step, a selection 41 is made by the user of the input medium on which the digitized picture data is stored. The appropriate input medium must be inserted by the user into a drive for that purpose or be connected by appropriate connecting cables (not shown). The computer 12 then loads the index interface 500 (Fig. 6) from a file onto the monitor 10 and displays several of those pictures present on the input medium in a matrix arrangement on the monitor 10. The active field co- ordinates associated with the matrix arrangement are called from another file. By means of these coordinates, the computer 12 generates on the glass sheet 18 the active fields that are defined and superimposed over the index interface 500 shown on the monitor 10. If the user selects during the previous step of selection 41 the digital camera as the input medium, he must perform two further steps before the index interface 500 is displayed on the monitor 10. When the digital camera is selected the computer 12 then loads onto the monitor 10 the camera maker interface 300 (Fig. 4) from a file and then displays several camera makers, for example in the form of a digital camera produced by one of these camera makers, on the monitor 10. The active field coordinates associated with the display of the camera makers are called from another file and defined on the glass sheet 18 superimposed over the camera makers displayed on the monitor 10. With a selection 41a the user selects the maker of his camera by touching the appropriate display of the camera maker. The computer 12 then loads onto the monitor 10 the camera interface 400 (Fig. 5) from a file and displays several camera types of a maker in suitable form on the monitor 10. The active field coordinates associated with the camera interface 400 are loaded from another file and the computer 12 displays on the glass sheet 18 the active fields superimposed over the displays of the individual camera types. The user then arrives with a further selection 41 b at the above-mentioned index interface 500 (Fig. 6) by touching the displayed picture of his camera type. With a selection 42 the user selects from the index interface 500 a picture (in this case picture 509) which is then included in the print order on the basis of user- specific inputs. If the user touches the display of the picture on the glass sheet, the computer 12 then loads onto the monitor 10 the format selection interface 600 (Fig. 7) from a file, with the selected picture being shown in close-up. Furthermore, format and picture information fields 604,...,606, the first and second picture al- teration fields 607 and 608 with appropriate information for the user, and a confirmation icon 603 are displayed on the monitor 10. From another file the coordinates associated with the display of the active fields are called, and the computer 12 displays on the glass sheet 18 the active fields superimposed over the display of the appropriate format selection interface 600 on the monitor 10. The user can here make his inputs in accordance with his specific requirements. With a selection 43 of the format in the format selection interface 600, one of several preset formats can be assigned to the picture. The user here touches on the glass sheet 18 the active fields that are assigned to the format and picture information fields 604,..., 606 or to the first and second picture alteration fields 607 and 608 displayed on the monitor 10. The user then confirms the selection 42 by touching the active field displayed on the glass sheet 18 at the spot where the confirmation icon 603 is displayed on the monitor 10. The computer 12 then loads from a file the number selection interface 700 (Fig. 8). With an input 44 the user can determine the number of prints of the selected picture. Furthermore, the user obtains simultaneously with an interim total an indication of the price for that number of prints. From another file the active field coordinates associated with the number selection interface 700 are loaded and the computer 12 displays on the glass sheet 18 the active fields superimposed over the appropriate displays of the number selection interface 700. If the user touches, at the end of his input 44, the glass sheet 18 at the location of the confirmation icon 703 on the number selection interface 700, the computer 12 loads from a file the order overview interface 800 (Fig. 9) onto the monitor 10. From another file the computer 12 loads the active field coordinates associated with the order overview interface 800 and displays on the glass sheet 18 the active fields superimposed over the appropriate displays of the order overview interface 800. The layout of the order overview interface 800 and the distribution of the active fields are shown in detail in Fig. 9. In a subsequent actuation 45, the user touches the glass sheet 18 at the location of the confirmation icon 803 of the order overview interface 800. The computer 12 loads from a file onto the monitor 10 the address input interface 900 (Fig. 10). From another file the computer 12 loads the active field coordinates associated with the address input interface 900 and displays on the glass sheet 18 the active fields superimposed over the appropriate displays of the address input interface 900. The layout of the address input interface 900 and the distribution of the active fields are shown in detail in Fig. 10. An input 46 of the user data in the address input interface 900 is achieved by the user touching on the glass sheet 18 the appropriate active fields for generating an address and superimposed over the keys of the key field 904 displayed on the monitor 10. After completing the input, the user touches the glass sheet 18 at the location of the confirmation icon 903 of the address input interface 900 and the computer 12 then loads from a file the confirmation interface 1000 (Fig. 11). In the central area of the monitor 10 the confirmation icon 1003 is also displayed next to other fields. From another file the computer 12 loads the active field coordinates associated with the confirmation interface 1000 and displays on the glass sheet 18 the active fields superimposed over the appropriate displays of the confirmation interface 1000. With a confirmation 47, the user touches the glass sheet 18 at the location of the confirmation icon 1003. The computer then loads from a file the print interface (not shown) onto the monitor 10 of the order station 2. The user receives a direction to remove the receipt 30 from the document printer 16. At a cashdesk (not shown), the sixth block 36 with the barcode for the price of the order and the seventh block with the barcode 37 for the order number are scanned (other input possibilities such as keying in, scanning and keying in, are also feasible). In a further embodiment, the receipt 30 has no seventh block 37 with the barcode for the order number. As already mentioned above, the design of the receipt is within the skill of a person skilled in the art. In one embodiment, a signal is not transmitted from the cashdesk, for example, to the computer 12 of the order station 2 until the user has paid for the order at that cashdesk, whereupon a transmission 48 of the order with the defined order number to a central printing station is effected. The print order can be transmitted to the central printing station via the Internet, an ISDN line or as a package with several other orders at times where telephone charges are lower. Furthermore, it is possible for the user to transmit his order immediately to the central printing station by confirming this order, or to approve it for a later grouped transmission. As already mentioned above (see editing interface 1100), the user can select an editing step 45a. By touching the glass sheet 18 at the location of the picture to be edited in the display of the order overview interface 800, the editing interface 1100 is opened. The computer 12 loads from a file the editing interface 1100 (see Fig. 12) onto the monitor 10. From another file the computer 12 loads the active field coordinates associated with the editing interface 1100 and displays on the glass sheet 18 the active fields superimposed over the appropriate displays of the edit- ing interface 1100. The layout of the editing interface 1100 and the distribution of the active fields are shown in detail in Fig.12. If for example the user touches the glass sheet 18 in the area of the format field 1103, the computer 12 again displays the format selection interface 600 on the monitor. The user can then alter the format of the picture in accordance with the above description. If for example the user touches the glass sheet 18 in the area of the number field 1104, the number selection interface 700 is again displayed on the monitor. The user can then alter the number of prints for the picture in question in accordance with the above description. If for example the user touches the glass sheet 18 in the area of the delete field 1105, the computer 12 again displays the order overview interface 800 on the monitor 10. The picture selected for deletion is accordingly absent on the order overview interface 800. Starting from the order overview interface 800, the user can, by touching the glass sheet at the location of the first addition icon 804, again open the input medium interface 200 with the computer 12. The user can hence add digitized pictures from a further source to the print order. If the user touches the glass sheet 18 at the location of the second addition icon 805, the index interface 500 is displayed by the computer 12 on the monitor and the user can add a further picture to the print order. Regardless of which interface the user arrives at by his selection, the process in accordance with the invention is performed as described above. The glass sheet 18 is designed in one embodiment as a safety glass sheet in order to protect the order station 2 more effectively against vandalism. The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, however modifications can be carried out by those skilled in the art without leaving the scope of the claims below. Parts List order station housing front panel monitor computer storage compartment for digital cameras cable guides document printer glass sheet plug connector receipt first block second block third block fourth block fifth block sixth block seventh block selection on the starting interface selection on the input medium interface a selection of the camera maker b selection of the camera type selection on the index interface selection in the format selection interface input by touching of the confirmation icon confirmation on the order overview interface a editing input in address input interface confirmation in confirmation interface transmission of order to a printing station 0 starting interface 101 company logo 102 first flag 103 second flag 200 input medium interface 201 first icon 202 second icon 203 CD-ROM 204 digital camera 205 zip disk 3.5" 206 PCMCIA card 207 film scanner 208 diskette 300 camera maker interface 301 first icon 302 second icon 303,.. .,306 symbols for camera makers 400 camera interface 401 first icon 402 second icon 403,.. .,408 symbols for the various camera types 500 index interface 501 first icon 502 second icon 503 third icon 504,.. ..,515 display of stored pictures 600 format selection interface 601 first icon 602 second icon 603 confirmation icon 604,. ..,606 format and picture information fields 607 first picture alteration field 608 second picture alteration field 700 number selection interface 701 first icon 702 second icon 703 confirmation icon 704 display 705 interim total field 706,...,708 number fields 709 delete key 710,...,716 number fields 720 key field 800 order overview interface 801 indication field 802 icon for aborting 803 confirmation icon 804 first addition icon 805 second addition icon 806 combination 807,...,810 pictures 900 address input interface 901 first icon 902 second icon 903 confirmation icon 904 key field 905 first field 906 second field 907 third field 908 fourth field 1000 confirmation interface 1001 first icon 1002 second icon 1003 confirmation icon 1100 editing interface 1101 first icon 1102 second icon 1103 format field 1104 number field 1105 delete field 1106 display of picture to be edited B width of individual interface H height of individual interface

Claims: Claims 1. Process for ordering prints of digitized picture files at an order station (2), said order station (2) comprising a housing (4) open at one side, wherein in the housing several devices are provided, for example a monitor (10), a computer (12), a storage compartment (14) for digital cameras to which several cable guides are connected for cables for connecting digital cameras, and a document printer (16), and the housing is closed off to the outside by a front panel (6), the latter having in the area of the monitor (10) a glass sheet (18) with touch recognition, characterized by the following steps: - selecting (40) one language that is used on a starting interface (100) during the ordering process and that is loaded from the computer (12) by touching an active field assigned to the required language on the glass sheet (18) and that is displayed accordingly on the monitor (10); - selecting (41) a carrier for the digitized picture files displayed by the computer (12) on an input medium interface (200) on the monitor(10), with an index interface (500) being displayed on the monitor (10) by the computer (12) when an active field assigned to the required carrier on the glass sheet (18) is touched; - selecting (42) at least one picture (509) to be included in the order out of the pictures displayed on the index interface (500), with a format selection interface (600) being displayed on the monitor (10) by the computer (12) when an active field assigned to the required picture on the glass sheet (18) is touched; - selecting (43) a format in the format selection interface (600) by touching an active field assigned to a preset format on the glass sheet (18), and con- firmin the selection (43) by touching a confirmation icon (603) to which an active field has been assigned on the glass sheet (18), whereupon a number selection interface (700) is displayed on the monitor (10) by the com- puter (12); - inputting (44) the number of prints for the selected picture (509) in the number selection interface (700) by touching active fields assigned to a key field (720) on the glass sheet (18), and confirming the input (44) by touching a confirmation icon (703) to which an active field has been assigned on the glass sheet (18), whereupon an order overview interface (800) is displayed on the monitor (10) by the computer (12); - confirming (45) the order on the order overview interface (800) by touching a confirmation icon (803) to which an active field has been assigned on the glass sheet (18), whereupon an address input interface (900) is displayed on the monitor (10) by the computer (12); - inputting (46) the user data in the address input interface (900) by touching active fields that are assigned to a key field (904) on the glass sheet (18), and confirming the input (46) by touching a confirmation icon (903) to which an active field has been assigned on the glass sheet (18), whereupon a confirmation interface (1000) is displayed on the monitor (10) by the computer (12); and - confirming (47) the order in the confirmation interface (1000) by touching a confirmation icon (1003) to which an active field has been assigned on the glass sheet (18), whereupon a receipt (30) is printed out by the computer (12) using the document printer (16) and the order is then transmitted (48) to a central printing station via a data line. 2. Process according to Claim 1 , characterized in that serveral blocks (31 , 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37) are provided on the receipt (30), with the sixth block (36) bearing the imprint of a barcode that states the total price of the order and the seventh block (37) bearing the imprint of a barcode stating the order number of the order, and in that transmission (48) of th order takes place after the user has paid for the order with the specific order number at a cashdesk. 3. Process according to Claim 2, characterized in that the cashpoint comprises means for reading the two barcodes (36, 37), and in that the computer (12) receives from the cashpoint a signal that the order with the specific order number has been paid, whereupon the computer (12) releases the order with the specific order number for transmission (48). 4. Process according to Claim 1 , where the user during selection (41) selects at the input medium interface (200) the digital camera displayed by the computer (12) on the monitor (10), such that by touching the active field assigned to the symbol for the digital camera on the glass sheet (18) a camera maker interface (300) is displayable on the monitor (10) by the computer (12) characterized by the following further steps: - selecting (41a) the camera maker of the digital camera currently connected to the order station (2) by touching the active field assigned to the symbol for the digital camera on the glass sheet (18), and where a camera interface (400) is displayed on the monitor (10) by the computer (12), and - selecting (41b) the camera type of a camera maker by touching the active field assigned to the symbol for the camera type on the glass sheet (18), the index interface (500) is displayed on the monitor (10) by the computer (12). 5. Process according to Claim 1 , characterized in that editing (45a) is perform- able from the order overview interface (800) by touching a selected picture to which an active field is assigned on the glass sheet (18), whereupon an editing interface (1100) is displayable on the monitor (10) by the computer (12), in that by touching a format field (1103) to which an active field is assigned on the glass sheet (18) the format selection interface (600) is displayed on the monitor (10) by the computer (12), and in that by touching a number field (1104) to which an active field is assigned on the glass sheet (18) the number selection interface (700) is displayed on the monitor (10) by the computer (12). 6. Process according to Claim 5, characterized in that by touching a delete field (1105) to which an active field is assigned on the glass sheet (18), the selected picture can be deleted from the current order in the order overview interface (800). 7. Process according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the input medium interface (200) is displayed on the monitor (10) by the computer (12) in the order overview interface (800) by touching a first addition icon (804) to which an active field is assigned on the glass sheet (18) and hence further input media for the digital pictures of an order can be selected. 8. Process according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the index interface (500) is displayed on the monitor (10) by the computer (12) in the order overview interface (800) by touching a second addition icon (805) to which an active field is assigned on the glass sheet (18) and hence further pictures for the order can be selected. 9. Process according to one of Claim 1 to 8, characterized in that the glass sheet (18) is designed as a safety glass sheet. 10. User interface for ordering prints of digitized pictures files at an order station (2), said user interface comprising a monitor (10) and a glass sheet (18) with touch recognition fitted in front of said monitor (10), the monitor (10) and the touch recognition of the glass sheet (18) being controllable from a computer (12) by appropriate signals and data, characterized in that: the interface displays necessary for performing the process are filed in a memory of the computer (12), in that the individual interface displays necessary for performing the process are loaded from the memory of the computer (12) and are displayed on the monitor (10), and in that for every interface display there is a file in the memory of the computer (12) in which the coordinates are defined of the active fields on the glass sheet (18) for the touch recognition present on the glass sheet (18) for the appropriate interface display depending on the process sequence. 11. User interface according to Claim 10, characterized in that the coordinates of each of the active fields are determined by a first starting coordinate pair (Start-X, Start-Y) and by an end coordinate pair (End-X, End-Y). 12. User interface according to Claim 11 , characterized in that each of the active fields on the glass sheet (18) forms a rectangle with four right angles. 13. User interface according to Claim 10, characterized in that the glass sheet (18) is designed as a safety glass sheet.

Inventors: FECHER GERD, FECHER, GERD
Applicants: EASTMAN KODAK CO, EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Application year: 1999
Main classification: G06F17
IPC codes: G06Q50, G07F9, G07F17, H04N1