Print order server, method of controlling same, and control program therefor

A method of controlling a print order server constructing a network print system in which print order data transmitted from a client computer of a user is received at the print order server, the received print order data is transmitted from the print order server to a computer of a laboratory, an image is printed at the laboratory based upon the print order data and a print is dispatched from the laboratory to a photo shop, said method comprising the steps of:

• converting a transmission date and time of the print order data, which has been transmitted from the client computer of the user, in the time zone of the user to a date and time in the time zone of the laboratory;
• calculating a print completion date and time in the time zone of the laboratory based upon the date and time in the time zone of the laboratory resulting from the conversion;
• calculating a provisional delivery date and time of a print in the time zone of the photo shop based upon the calculated print completion date and time in the time zone of the laboratory;
• determining whether the calculated provisional delivery date and time is before, during or after business hours of the photo shop;
• deciding that business starting time on the calculated provisional delivery date is the delivery date and time of the print in response to a determination that the calculated provisional delivery date and time is before business hours, deciding that the calculated provisional delivery date and time is the delivery date and time of the print in response to a determination that the calculated provisional delivery date and time is during business hours, and deciding that business starting time on the business day that follows the calculated provisional delivery date is the delivery date and time of the print in response to a determination that the calculated provisional delivery date and time is after business hours;
• and
• notifying the user of the delivery date and time decided.

A program of a print order server constructing a network print system in which print order data transmitted from a client computer of a user is received at the print order server, the received print order data is transmitted from the print order server to a computer of a laboratory, an image is printed at the laboratory based upon the print order data and a print is dispatched from the laboratory to a photo shop, said program controlling said print order server so as to;

• convert a transmission date and time of the print order data, which has been transmitted from the client computer of the user, in the time zone of the user to a date and time in the time zone of the laboratory;
• calculate a print completion date and time in the time zone of the laboratory based upon the date and time in the time zone of the laboratory resulting from the conversion;
• calculate a provisional delivery date and time of a print in the time zone of the photo shop based upon the calculated print completion date and time in the time zone of the laboratory;
• determine whether the calculated provisional delivery date and time is before, during or after business hours of the photo shop;
• decide that business starting time on the calculated provisional delivery date is the delivery date and time of the print in response to a determination that the calculated provisional delivery date and time is before business hours, decide that the calculated provisional delivery date and time is the delivery date and time of the print in response to a determination that the calculated provisional delivery date and time is during business hours, and decide that business starting time on the business day that follows the calculated provisional delivery date is the delivery date and time of the print in response to a determination that the calculated provisional delivery date and time is after business hours;
• and
• notify the user of the delivery date and time decided.