JP2000023086A - Photograph system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photograph system which eliminates wasting material while selecting a photograph in a good condition which matches a customer's desire, also does not take time and is not expensive. SOLUTION: A subject is photographed with a digital camera 1 and an image signal outputted from the camera 1 is stored on a hard disk 2. When plural images are stored on the disk 2, a read means 21 reads the images from the disk 2 and the images are shown in a list on the screen of a selection monitor 3. When a selector switch 22 selects a desired image among the images shown in a list on the monitor 3, it is enlarged and shown on an enlarged monitor 4 and when the image is determined to be adopted, it is shown on a determination monitor 5. The image shown on the monitor 5 is printed by a printer 6 by using silver salt photographic paper.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographic system mainly used in a photo studio.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, silver halide photography has been used in photo studios. In silver halide photography, photographic materials such as photographic films and dry plates and chemicals required for development processing are relatively expensive, and in recent years, there is a concern that various chemicals may affect the environment, and it may take time to process waste liquid. It is becoming. Further, silver halide photography requires processing such as printing on photographic paper and color correction, and taking a beautifully finished photo in a photo studio requires a lot of time and money.

On the other hand, there is a demand for taking a commemorative photo of a birthday or various events, or taking a photo wearing a costume that cannot be usually worn. Is required, a plurality of pictures are taken, a good one is selected from the pictures, and correction is made as necessary.

However, as described above, silver halide photography has a problem that it takes time and cost, and when a plurality of photographs are taken, the problem of time and cost becomes more remarkable.
In addition, the determination of the quality of the image is left to the photo studio, and the quality of the image and the quality of the color correction or correction may not always satisfy the customer's requirements.

[0005] To solve this kind of problem, as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 7-113733, a main camera for taking a silver halide photograph, and at least a part of the field of view of the main camera are used as images. An auxiliary camera for outputting a signal is provided, the auxiliary camera simultaneously shoots the image with the main camera, and after taking a plurality of photos, allows the customer to select a desired image from the images taken by the auxiliary camera, and It has been proposed to develop only a photo corresponding to the above and print it on photographic paper. By using this technology, it is possible to reduce the amount of developer and photographic paper used while allowing the customer to select a good photo from a plurality of photos,
The disadvantages of silver halide photography in terms of time and cost can be reduced.

[0006]

However, even if the above-described technique is used, the photographic film or the dry plate used for photographing with the main camera consumes the number of photographed images. The problem remains.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to select a good-looking photograph that meets the needs of a customer, to reduce waste of materials, and to save time and money. An object of the present invention is to provide a photographic system that does not require any cost.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing means for photographing a subject and outputting an image signal, a storage means for storing the image signal, and a series of images of a plurality of frames stored in the storage means. Reading means for reading out a frame, a selection monitor displaying a list of a plurality of frames by displaying an image of each frame read out by the reading means in each area by dividing one screen into a plurality of areas, and displaying on the selection monitor Selection operation means operated to select a desired image from the selected images, and one image for each frame selected by the selection operation means.
An enlargement monitor displayed on the screen, a determination operation means operated to select a desired image from the images displayed on the enlargement monitor, a determination monitor displaying the image selected by the determination operation means, And printing means for printing the displayed image.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the photographing means outputs an image signal of a still image.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the screen of the confirmation monitor is divided into a plurality of regions, and an image selected by the confirmation operation means is assigned to each region and displayed. Things.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first to third aspects, an image to be displayed on the confirmation monitor is selected from the image displayed on the selection monitor by using selection operation means and confirmation operation means. Thereafter, there is provided a repeat means for reading out another image to be displayed on the selected monitor from the storage means and repeating the process of selecting another image to be displayed on the confirmed monitor using the selection operation means and the confirmed operation means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image processing apparatus according to the first to fourth aspects, further comprising an image classifying means for classifying an image photographed by the photographing means into a designated type and storing the classified image in a storage means, The reading means reads the images from the storage means so that the classified images of different types are displayed on different screens of the selection monitor.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the subject is a person, and the image displayed on the enlarged monitor is subjected to image processing so that at least one of a costume and a background is processed. It is provided with a photographing content changing unit that allows selection of a plurality of types of elements, and a correcting unit that performs at least one of color correction and flaw correction on an image displayed on the enlarged monitor.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the following embodiments, a subject is a person. As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, a digital camera 1 for photographing a still image is used as a photographing unit, and an image signal photographed by the digital camera 1 is stored in a hard disk 2 as a storage unit. Here, the image signal of the digital camera 1 is always output to the photographing monitor 11, and the photographed person and the photographer can photograph while checking the image on the photographing monitor 11. That is, a moving image is displayed on the photographing monitor 11, and when the shutter of the digital camera 1 is operated at a moment when the composition and expression are good, a still image at that moment is stored in the hard disk 2. Each frame of the image stored in the hard disk 2 is assigned by the image classification means 12 a customer code for identifying the customer, a classification code for classifying the customer, and a frame code for specifying each frame.

The classification code is a code given to each group when a person to be photographed is changed, a background is changed, and a costume is changed for the same customer. When costumes are changed, such as kimonos and suits, a classification code is assigned to each costume. Therefore, for example, if five frames are photographed in a dress, the same classification code is assigned to these five frames. The frame code is automatically assigned to one customer code as a sequence number each time an image of one frame is taken. The customer code is composed of a customer name input using the input means 13 composed of a keyboard, an input date and a unique value for each customer. The input date and the eigenvalue are automatically generated by the image classification means 12. Therefore, even if the same customer name exists, it can be specified by the input date in most cases, and even if it cannot be specified by the input date, it is distinguished by the unique value. As described above, the information input from the input unit 13 is only the customer name and the classification, and the operation of the input unit 13 is simplified. Here, a key corresponding to a selectable costume or background is provided for classification, and a classification code corresponding to the key is automatically generated by operating the key.

Images assigned the same customer code or images assigned the same classification code are treated as a series of images. The input means 13 selects which of a customer code and a classification code is to be handled as a series of images. As described above, the image captured by the digital camera 1 is stored in the hard disk 2.
The process up to storing the image in the hard disk 2 is called a photographing process, and the process of selecting and printing a desired image from the images stored in the hard disk 2 is called a photo output process.

In the photograph output processing, an image treated as a series of images is read from the hard disk 2 by the reading means 21 and is selected by the selection monitor 3 comprising a color CRT.
Will be displayed. The screen of the selection monitor 3 is divided into a plurality of areas (for example, 4 or 9), and the image of each frame read by the reading means 21 is displayed in each area, so that a plurality of areas are displayed. A list of images is displayed. Here, if the number of frames of an image treated as a series of images is smaller than the number of screen divisions, the remaining area is blank, and if the number of frames is larger than the number of screen divisions, the image is displayed in the entire area. Then, the process proceeds to the next process. After the next process is completed, the images of the remaining frames are displayed on the selection monitor 3.

When a list of images is displayed on the selection monitor 3, a desired image can be selected by the selector switch 22 as a selection operation means. Each area of the selection monitor 3 is assigned an identification number in advance, and the selector switch 22 is provided with a key corresponding to each identification number. Therefore, when a key corresponding to a desired image among the images displayed on each area of the selection monitor 3 is operated, an image corresponding to the key is selected. The image selected by the selector switch 22 is displayed on the enlarged monitor 4 composed of a color CRT. The enlarged monitor 4 displays one frame of image on one screen.
The image is displayed in a state that is larger than the image displayed in each area obtained by dividing the screen.

The image displayed on the magnifying monitor 4 is stored in the image memory 23, and the image stored in the image memory 23 can be subjected to the following image processing. As the image processing, it is possible to change the background and costume, and perform color correction and flaw correction.

That is, in order to change the background and the costume, the subject is extracted from the background, and the image extracting means 24 for separating the costume and the head of the subject so that they can be handled separately is provided. Content changing means 25
Can select a background from a plurality of types of backgrounds and can select a costume from a plurality of types of costumes.
The photographing content changing means 25 changes the background of the image displayed on the magnifying monitor 4 to the selected background, and
The image of the subject extracted in step 4 is arranged on the front side of the background. In addition, the costume selected by the photographing content changing means 25 can be arranged on the screen instead of the costume separated by the image extracting means 24. Note that a chroma key technique may be used to facilitate this type of processing. That is, when the background is set to a single color when photographing with the digital camera 1 and only the background color is deleted from the image, the subject can be easily extracted from the background. In addition, the aspect ratio of the costume to be changed by the photographing content changing unit 25 is automatically adjusted according to the body shape of the subject.

The processing of color correction and flaw correction is performed by correction means 26.
This is performed using The color correction has the same function as the color filter used at the time of printing in silver halide photography, and it is also possible to apply the filter only to the background and the costume. In addition, the filter can be applied to the entire screen or a part of the screen, and the degree of application of the filter can be changed in each part of the screen. Damage correction is basically handled automatically. This type of processing is realized by various kinds of image processing software. However, operating filters requires knowledge of photography and image processing techniques,
This operation is performed by a technician of the photo studio through dialogue with the customer. Color matching (calibration) between the display color on the screen and the print color of the printer 6 described later is always performed,
The subject is photographed in a state where the calibration has been taken. The correcting means 26 also has a function of inputting characters on the screen, and can input commemorative characters and symbols as needed. The position of the character or code can be freely specified, and the shape of the character or code can be selected from a plurality of types.

After confirming the image displayed on the enlargement monitor 4 as described above, changing the background and costumes and performing color correction as required, the selector switch 22 is used as a confirmation operation means. To select the image. That is, the selector switch 22 is provided with a key for selecting whether to adopt the image displayed on the enlarged monitor 4 or not. When adoption of the image displayed on the enlarged monitor 4 is selected, the image displayed on the enlarged monitor 4 is displayed on the confirmation monitor 5. If the image displayed on the enlargement monitor 4 is unnecessary, a non-adoption instruction may be given by the selector switch 22. The image displayed on the confirmation monitor 5 is stored in the image memory 27. The screen of the confirmation monitor 5 is divided into a plurality of regions (for example, divided into four), and an image instructed to be adopted by the selector switch 22 is assigned to each region and displayed.

According to the procedure described above, an image to be displayed on the confirmed monitor 5 is selected from the plurality of images displayed on the selected monitor 3. Here, the image displayed on the fixed monitor 5 can be selected from a plurality of frames from one screen of the selected monitor 3, and the screen of the selected monitor 3 does not change until the next switch is instructed by the selector switch 22.

When the next screen is designated by the selector switch 22, another image read from the hard disk 2 is displayed in each area of the selection monitor 3. That is, if there is a series of images that could not be displayed on one screen, that image is displayed; otherwise, another series of images is displayed. In this way, the next screen is instructed, all the images of the same customer code stored in the hard disk 2 are displayed on the selection monitor 3, and the selection of images using the selector switch 22 is repeated. That is, in the present embodiment, the selector switch 22 functions as a repeat unit.

FIG. 2 shows a procedure for selecting the above-mentioned image. For example, when the image of “C” is selected by the selector switch 22 while the screen of a1 in FIG. 2 is displayed on the selection monitor 3, the image of “C” is displayed on the enlarged monitor 4 as in b1 of FIG. Is displayed. Here, when adoption is determined by the selector switch 22, an image of “C” is displayed in one area on the confirmation monitor 5 as shown in FIG. Since a plurality of images can be selected from one screen of the selection monitor 3 with the selector switch 22, an image "E" can be selected, for example, as shown by b2 in FIG. Where "E"
If the image is unnecessary, the display on the confirmation monitor 5 is not performed by selecting the non-adoption. When the next screen is selected by the selector switch 22, another image is displayed in a list on the selection monitor 2 as shown at a2 in FIG.
To select an image. In the illustrated example, the image “N” is selected and displayed on the enlarged monitor 4. If this image is adopted, it is displayed in one area of the confirmation monitor 5.

When a print instruction is given by the output instruction means 28 while a desired image is displayed on the confirmation monitor 5 as described above, the image is stored in the image memory 27 and displayed in each area of the confirmation monitor 5. The read images are read from the image memory 27 and are sequentially printed by the printer 6 as printing means. Here, the printer 6 uses a printer that prints on silver halide photographic paper, uses a printer that can print at least up to about four sheets, and has a resolution of 600 dpi.
The above is desirable.

As the storage means, the hard disk 2 is used because it is necessary to continuously shoot in a short time and high image quality is required, but the photographing process and the photograph output process can be performed in different places. Hard disk 2
May be copied to another portable medium (removable medium) such as a magneto-optical disk. It is also possible to use a semiconductor memory as the storage means, and to share the data of the hard disk 2 in a network environment so that the photographing process and the photo output process can be performed in different places. It is. If a network environment is used, data can be exchanged via a telephone line or a dedicated line.For example, in a photo studio where there is no technician with specialized knowledge, a network with a center with technicians with specialized knowledge is connected via a network. For processing such as color correction, it is possible to have the center operate.
In other words, even when performing an operation that requires specialized skills, there is no need for a technician to be present at the place, and chain stores can be easily deployed.

[0028]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing means for photographing a subject and outputting an image signal, a storage means for storing the image signal, and a reading means for reading out a series of plural images stored in the storage means. A selection monitor for displaying a list of images in a plurality of frames by displaying an image of each frame read out by the reading means in each region by dividing one screen into a plurality of regions, and selecting a desired image from the images displayed on the selection monitor Selecting operation means operated to select an image of the image, an enlargement monitor for displaying the images selected by the selection operation means on one screen one frame at a time, and selecting a desired one of the images displayed on the enlargement monitor And a print monitor for printing the image displayed on the monitor. The print monitor prints the image displayed on the monitor. To choose from a list of images, display the selected operation means-option monitor, it is possible to select an image with good projection condition from among a plurality of images to the customer. In addition, since the enlargement monitor is provided, the selected image can be enlarged and confirmed. At this stage, only the necessary image can be selected by the confirmation operation means. In this procedure, only the image selected by the confirmation operation means and displayed on the confirmation monitor is printed by the printing means, so the photographic material is only used by the printing means, which is significantly reduced compared to the number of images taken. In addition, since only the image selected by the customer as necessary is printed, there is an advantage that photographic material is not wasted. In addition, there is no need for development or enlargement processing because no silver halide photography is taken,
Moreover, since only the necessary images are printed by the printing means, the time and cost can be greatly reduced as compared with the case of taking a photograph using silver halide photography.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the photographing means outputs an image signal of a still image, which is higher than when a frame is selected from the photographing means for outputting a moving image. It is possible to obtain a quality image.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the screen of the confirmation monitor is divided into a plurality of areas, and the image selected by the confirmation operation means is assigned to each area and displayed. Yes, it is possible to select not only one image from the images displayed on the selection monitor but also a plurality of images.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first to third aspects of the present invention, after an image to be displayed on the confirmation monitor is selected by using the selection operation means and the confirmation operation means from the image displayed on the selection monitor, And a repeater for reading out another image to be displayed on the selected monitor from the storage, and repeating the process of selecting another image to be displayed on the finalized monitor by using the selector and the finalizer. Even when the number of images stored in the means is large and a list cannot be displayed in the area set on the selected monitor, the image can be displayed on the selected monitor, and a desired image can be selected from a large number of images. .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, there is provided an image classifying means for classifying an image photographed by the photographing means into a designated type and storing it in a storage means, Is to read out the images from the storage means so that the different types of classified images are displayed on different screens of the selection monitor, and when a plurality of types of images are photographed by changing the costume and the background, the photographing is performed. Since the contents can be grouped and displayed on the selected monitor, a desired image can be selected for each group (classification), and the images displayed on the selected monitor can be easily compared. In particular, when a customer selects multiple types of costumes, backgrounds, and other combinations in a photo studio and shoots multiple times for each combination, the images can be classified into images for each combination and displayed on the selection monitor. Thus, it is possible to select a desired image one by one for each combination. In this way, for example, a set fee in the form of, for example, two pictures in two kinds of combinations and four pictures in four kinds of combinations can be set, and it is possible to clearly show the charge system to the customer. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the subject is a person, and the image displayed on the enlarged monitor is subjected to image processing so that at least one element of the costume and the background is processed. It is provided with a photographing content changing unit that allows selection from a plurality of types, and a correcting unit that performs at least one of a color correction process and a flaw correction process on an image displayed on an enlarged monitor. Thereby, it is easy to change the costume and the background, and it is possible for the customer to take pictures of various combinations without changing clothes. In addition, color correction and flaw correction can also be performed under the confirmation of the customer while being displayed on the magnifying monitor, and a photograph consenting to the customer can be created by the conversation between the photo studio and the customer. In addition, by displaying the prepared costumes and backgrounds on the enlarged monitor, customers can show the image after shooting before the actual shooting by changing clothes, etc. There is an advantage that customers can easily select

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory view of the above.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 2 Hard disk 3 Selection monitor 4 Enlargement monitor 5 Confirmation monitor 6 Printer 11 Shooting monitor 12 Image classification means 13 Input means 21 Reading means 22 Selector switch 23 Image memory 24 Image extraction means 25 Shooting contents change means 26 Correction means 27 Image memory 28 Output instruction means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/765 H04N 5/781 510C 5/781 5/91 H 5/93 5/93 Z F term (reference 2H104 AA19 5C022 AA13 AB36 AB68 AC01 AC13 AC31 AC52 AC55 AC69 5C052 AA01 AA12 AC08 CC20 DD02 EE02 FA02 FA03 FA04 FA05 FA09 FB01 FB05 FD07 FD08 FD09 FD10 FD13 FE04 5C053 FA04 FA03 FA30 LA03 FA03 LA03 FA03 FA03

Claims (6)

[Claims] A photographing means for photographing a subject and outputting an image signal; a storage means for storing the image signal; a reading means for reading out a series of images of a plurality of frames stored in the storage means; A selection monitor that displays an image of each frame divided into regions and read by the reading unit in each region to display a list of a plurality of frames at a time, and a desired image is selected from the images displayed on the selection monitor. Selection operation means to be operated, an enlarged monitor for displaying images selected by the selection operation means on one screen one frame at a time, and a fixing operation to be operated to select a desired one of the images displayed on the enlarged monitor A photographic system comprising: means, a determination monitor for displaying an image selected by the determination operation means, and a printing means for printing the image displayed on the determination monitor. 2. The photographic system according to claim 1, wherein said photographing means outputs an image signal of a still image. 3. The photographic system according to claim 1, wherein the screen of the confirmation monitor is divided into a plurality of areas, and an image selected by the confirmation operation means is assigned to each area and displayed. . 4. An image to be displayed on the selected monitor is selected from the image displayed on the selected monitor by using the selecting operation means and the fixing operation means, and then another image to be displayed on the selected monitor is read from the storage means. 4. The photographic system according to claim 1, further comprising: a repeat unit configured to repeat a process of selecting another image to be displayed on the confirmation monitor using the selection operation unit and the confirmation operation unit. . 5. An image classifying means for classifying images photographed by said photographing means into designated types and storing the classified images in a storage means, wherein said reading means distinguishes the classified images of different types from each other on a selection monitor. 2. An image is read from a storage means so as to be displayed on a screen.
The photographic system according to claim 4. 6. A photographing content changing means for performing image processing on an image displayed on the enlargement monitor to select at least one element of a costume and a background from a plurality of types, wherein the subject is a person. The photographic system according to claim 1, further comprising a correction unit configured to perform at least one of a color correction and a flaw correction on an image displayed on the monitor.