JP4581872B2 - Image providing apparatus, image providing system, image providing method, image providing apparatus control program, and recording medium recording the program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image providing apparatus that provides an image to a communication terminal, an image providing system, an image providing method, an image providing apparatus control program, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  Conventionally, in a photo sticker machine (photographing and printing device) that is installed in an entertainment facility such as a game center and outputs a photograph taken as a sticker, a series of processes from photographing to image editing (graffiti) and printing are performed. I went in one case. Although some photo sealing machines consist of two housings, they are essentially considered as one housing, and when the photo sealing machine first appeared, all of the above steps were performed in one place. It was broken. For this reason, the user's turnover rate is very bad, and a waiting time has occurred for a number of popular models.

  However, recently, a device for eliminating the waiting time has been incorporated into the photo sticker machine, and the above process is divided into two or more locations, so-called “double customer service” and “triple customer service”. The model called is becoming common, and the rotation rate is improved. In addition to the above steps, there are also models that include processes such as “pre-service” that is performed during the waiting time for photographing and “post-service” that is performed during the waiting time for printing the sticker paper.

  In addition, there is also a technique in which graffiti is performed on a graffiti panel that can be attached to and detached from a photo sticker and the image after the graffiti is transferred to the main body of the photo sticker (for example, see Patent Document 1). There is also a system for transferring a photographic image taken with a photo sticker to a terminal (for example, see Patent Document 2). There is also an image management system in which captured image data and the like are stored in a database and the image data can be used via a network (for example, see Patent Document 3).

On the other hand, with the improvement and popularization of mobile devices such as mobile phones (camera mobile phones) having photographing means such as digital cameras, not only photographing subjects but also being realized in photo stickers, Some have an image editing function. Furthermore, an image taken with a camera-equipped cellular phone or an image edited using the editing function can be transmitted to another cellular phone using the Internet or infrared rays. When exchanging images using a mobile phone, for example, when the transmitting side attaches an image directly to an email as an attached file and transmits the image, the receiving side can receive the image. In addition, the transmission side stores the image in the server, transmits the URL of the storage destination by e-mail or the like, and the reception side can view the image by accessing the storage destination (for example, see Patent Document 4). .
JP 2004-362046 A (released on December 24, 2004) JP 2001-245290 A (published September 7, 2001) JP 2004-206345 A (released on July 22, 2004) JP 2004-70614 A (published March 4, 2004)

  Conventionally, when a photographed image is transmitted from a photo sticker to a communication terminal such as a mobile phone, the image is transmitted to the communication terminal without performing user authentication. For this reason, for example, when shooting is performed while a plurality of people are switched, the shot image may be transmitted to a communication terminal of a user who is not shown in the shot image. This is not preferable from the viewpoint of protecting personal information. In particular, when photographing by a plurality of people, attention is necessary because they are often transmitted to a plurality of communication terminals.

  On the other hand, it is conceivable to set an ID and a password for each communication terminal in order to perform user authentication. However, in this case, it is necessary to input the ID and password for each communication terminal to the photo sticker machine, which is complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image providing apparatus and the like that can easily perform user authentication when a captured image is transmitted to a communication terminal. .

  In order to solve the above problems, an image providing apparatus according to the present invention is an image providing apparatus that provides an image to a communication terminal, and includes a photographed image obtaining unit that obtains a photographed image, and a face of the photographed image. A face recognition unit for recognizing a face image as a partial image, a feature point extraction unit for extracting a facial feature point based on the facial image, and data for identifying the facial image based on the facial feature point. Face ID creating means for creating a face ID, face ID receiving means for receiving the face ID from the communication terminal, received face ID, and face ID authentication for authenticating with the face ID created by the face ID creating means And an image sending means for sending a photographed image corresponding to the received face ID to the communication terminal when authentication is successful.

  According to the above configuration, the image providing device acquires a captured image, recognizes a face image from the acquired captured image, extracts facial feature points based on the recognized face image, and extracts the extracted facial features. A face ID is created based on the feature points, and the face ID received from the communication terminal is authenticated using the created face ID. If the authentication is successful, a captured image corresponding to the received face ID is displayed on the communication terminal. To send. Therefore, since the image providing apparatus creates a face ID used for user authentication from the captured image, it is not necessary for the user to input an ID for each user in the image providing apparatus in advance. As a result, user authentication can be easily performed when a captured image is transmitted to the communication terminal.

  The captured image acquisition means may be acquired from imaging means such as a camera, may be acquired from an external recording medium via playback means, or may be acquired from an external device via communication means. .

  The image providing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a type specifying unit that specifies a type of a face based on the feature point of the face, and the face ID creating unit determines the face ID based on the type of the face. You may create it. Here, examples of the face type include the shape and size of each organ of the face.

  In general, facial feature points have a large amount of information. For this reason, the face ID created based on the feature points of the face increases the amount of data, so that the user's identification ability is high, but the data processing is burdened. On the other hand, the type of face has a small amount of information because it is a simplified feature point of the face. For this reason, since the face ID created based on the face type has a small amount of data, the user's identification ability is lowered, and the data processing can be speeded up. Therefore, it is only necessary to select which of the facial feature points and the type is used according to the number of users to be identified.

  In the image providing apparatus according to the present invention, with respect to the photographed image acquired by the photographed image acquisition unit, a mask of a face image region other than the face image corresponding to the face ID created by the face ID creation unit is set as an image edit disabled region. It is preferable that the apparatus further includes a mask image creating unit that creates an image, and the image sending unit sends a photographed image and a mask image corresponding to the received face ID to the communication terminal. In this case, since the face image other than the face image of the user of the communication terminal cannot be edited with graffiti or the like by the mask image, falsification of personal information can be prevented.

  In addition, even the image providing system including the image providing apparatus having the above configuration and one or a plurality of communication terminals capable of communicating with the image providing apparatus can achieve the above-described effects.

  In the image providing system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the communication terminal includes a face ID acquisition unit that acquires a face ID, and transmits the acquired face ID to the image providing apparatus.

  Note that the image providing apparatus may request and acquire the face ID from the communication terminal, or the communication terminal may transmit to the image providing apparatus at a desired timing. Further, the face ID acquisition means may acquire the face ID from an input means such as a touch panel that accepts input of various information from the user. Further, the face ID acquisition unit may store the face ID acquired via the input unit in the storage unit, and acquire the face ID from the storage unit at an appropriate timing. In this case, the user only needs to input the face ID once, and thereafter, the image providing apparatus can automatically search the communication terminal and automatically acquire the face ID.

  In the image providing system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the image providing apparatus and the communication terminal perform data communication by short-range wireless communication. In this case, since it is not necessary to connect the image providing apparatus and the communication terminal with a cable, the convenience of the communication terminal is improved.

  Here, as short-range wireless communication, wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth (registered trademark), IrDA (Infrared Data Association) conforming to IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11a, 11b, 11g, etc. And infrared communication.

  In the image providing system according to the present invention, it is preferable that the communication terminal includes an image editing unit that edits a captured image acquired from the image providing apparatus. In this case, the captured image can be edited on the communication terminal.

  In the image providing system according to the present invention, the communication terminal includes one master unit and one or more slave units, and the master unit receives an edited image edited by the image editing unit of the slave unit. Image collecting means for collecting, image sending means for sending edited images collected by the image collecting means to the slave unit, voting information for the edited image is acquired from the slave unit, and editing is performed based on the acquired voting information It is preferable to include image determining means for determining an image.

  In this case, since the parent device collects the edited images from the child device and can determine the edited image by voting from the child device, it is possible to select an edited image that many users have determined to be optimal. In addition, since the game of determining the edited image by voting is provided, the entertainment of the user can be enhanced. The selected edited image may be printed by, for example, a printer or a photo sticker.

  An image providing method of an image providing apparatus according to the present invention is an image providing method in an image providing apparatus that provides an image to a communication terminal in order to solve the above-described problem. The image providing apparatus acquires a captured image, Recognize a face image, which is an image of a face portion, from the acquired captured image, extract a facial feature point based on the recognized facial image, and identify the facial image based on the extracted facial feature point A face ID that is data is created, and the face ID received from the communication terminal is authenticated by the created face ID. If the authentication is successful, a captured image corresponding to the received face ID is sent to the communication terminal. It is characterized by.

  According to the above method, the image providing apparatus acquires a captured image, recognizes a face image from the acquired captured image, extracts facial feature points based on the recognized face image, and extracts the extracted facial features. A face ID is created based on the feature points, and the face ID received from the communication terminal is authenticated using the created face ID. If the authentication is successful, a captured image corresponding to the received face ID is displayed on the communication terminal. To send. Therefore, since the image providing apparatus creates a face ID used for user authentication from the captured image, it is not necessary for the user to input an ID for each user in the image providing apparatus in advance. As a result, user authentication can be easily performed when a captured image is transmitted to the communication terminal.

  Each unit in the image providing apparatus can be executed on a computer by an image providing apparatus control program. Furthermore, by storing the image providing apparatus control program in a computer-readable recording medium, the image providing apparatus control program can be executed on any computer.

  As described above, the image providing apparatus according to the present invention creates a face ID to be used for user authentication from a photographed image, so that it is not necessary for the user to input the ID for each user in the image providing apparatus in advance. As a result, it is possible to easily perform user authentication when a captured image is transmitted to the communication terminal.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an image providing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image providing system 1 includes a photo sticker (image providing device) 2 and a communication terminal 3 capable of communicating with the photo sticker 2.

  The photo sticker 2 takes a picture of the user and, if desired, combines the photo with a background image and prints it on sticker paper. For example, the photo sticker 2 is installed in an entertainment facility such as a game center. It is what is done. On the other hand, the communication terminal 3 is owned by the user, and transmits / receives various data to / from the photo sticker 2.

  The communication terminal 3 is a portable communication terminal such as a portable PC (Personal Computer), a cellular phone, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) (registered trademark) terminal, or a portable game machine so that the user can carry it. It is desirable that In addition, communication between the communication terminal 3 and the photo sticker 2 is wireless communication using infrared rays, radio waves, etc. so that the user of the communication terminal 3 can carry and communicate with the photo sticker 2 even if the user moves. It is desirable that Furthermore, it is desirable that the communication terminal 3 can wirelessly communicate with other communication terminals 3.

  In this embodiment, the communication terminal 3 uses a portable communication terminal having a two-screen touch panel, such as a portable game machine (trade name “Nintendo DS”) marketed by Nintendo Co., Ltd. ing. In this embodiment, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) is used for communication between the photo sticker 2 and the communication terminal 3.

  In the image providing system 1 of the present embodiment, the control device 10 of the photo sticker 2 acquires a captured image from the CCD camera 13, recognizes a face image from the acquired captured image, and based on the recognized face image. The facial feature points are extracted, the face ID is created based on the extracted facial feature points, the face ID received from the communication terminal 3 is authenticated using the created face ID, and the authentication is successful. In this case, a captured image corresponding to the received face ID is sent to the communication terminal 3. Therefore, since the photo sticker 2 creates a face ID used for user authentication from the photographed image, it is not necessary for the user to input the ID for each user into the photo sticker 2 in advance. As a result, user authentication when transmitting a captured image to the communication terminal 3 can be easily performed.

  Next, the details of the configuration of the photo sticker 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the photo sticker 2 is provided with a control device 10, a storage device 11, and a communication device 12 in the main body. In addition, a CCD camera 13, a live view panel 14, a shooting processing touch panel 15, an illumination device 16, a speaker 17, and a coin processing device 18 are provided in a shooting space where a user performs shooting work. In addition, an editing processing touch panel 20 and an editing processing touch pen 21 are provided in an editing space, which is a space in which a user edits a captured image. A print processing touch panel 22, a printer 23, and a sticker paper discharge port 24 are provided in a print space in which sticker paper is printed out.

  The control device 10 controls the operation of various components of the photographic sticker 2 in an integrated manner. The control device 10 is configured by a PC (Personal Computer) -based computer, for example. And operation control of various composition is performed by making a computer run a control program.

  This program may be in the form of reading and using what is recorded on a removable medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be in the form of reading and using what is installed on a hard disk or the like. Further, when the photo sticker 2 is connected to a communication network such as the Internet, a form in which the program is downloaded via the communication network, installed on a hard disk, and the like can be considered. Details of the control device 10 of this embodiment will be described later.

  The storage device 11 stores various data and programs. The storage device 11 is configured by a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk. The contents stored in the storage device 11 include the above-described control program, OS (Operating System) program, and other various programs, operation setting values in the CCD camera 13, photographed image data of the photographed image, and editing of the edited image. For example, image data. Examples of the operation setting values in the CCD camera 13 include white balance values set at the time of shipment of the apparatus and maintenance, various parameter values relating to image processing when adjusting the brightness and darkness of a captured image, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the storage device 11 further stores mask image data, a face ID, and organ parts. Details of these data will be described later.

  The communication device 12 is for performing wireless communication with the communication terminal 3. The communication device 12 converts various data received from the control device 10 into a format suitable for data communication, and then transmits the data to the communication terminal 3 by radio waves. The communication device 12 converts various data received by radio waves from the communication terminal 3 into a data format inside the device, and then transmits the data to the control device 10.

  The CCD camera 13 shoots a subject, and is constituted by a digital camera including, for example, a lens group, a diaphragm, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) imaging device, and the like. The live view panel 14 displays a live view image taken by the CCD camera 13, and is configured by, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display).

  The photographing processing touch panel 15, the editing processing touch panel 20, and the printing processing touch panel 22 are configured by providing a touch sensor on a display surface such as a flat panel display or a CRT, and are disposed at positions where the user can easily see and operate. The The shooting process touch panel 15, the edit process touch panel 20, and the print process touch panel 22 display various messages and images in the shooting process, the image edit process, and the print process, respectively. Selection etc. are input.

  The illumination device 16 functions as illumination means for illuminating a user who is a subject. The illuminating device 16 is configured to include a fluorescent lamp that functions as illumination at the time of shooting and also functions as illumination of a shooting space at normal time, and a strobe lamp that functions as a photographic flashlight at the time of shooting. The speaker 17 outputs various voice guidance and sound effects.

  The coin processing device 18 determines whether or not a coin inserted from a coin slot (not shown) by a user as a usage fee for the photo sticker 2 is a predetermined coin. If it is determined that the coin is a predetermined coin, the coin processing device 18 notifies the control device 10 and sends out the inserted coin to a coin container (not shown) for storing coins. On the other hand, when it determines with it being coins other than a predetermined coin, the coin processing apparatus 18 sends out the inserted coin to a coin return port (not shown). In addition, when there is no money change machine for exchanging bills or coins into predetermined coins near the photo seal machine 2, a bill input port is newly provided to provide a bill processing device or a change processing device. It is desirable.

  The edit processing touch pen 21 is used by a user to perform fine operation input in image editing processing, and is disposed in the vicinity of the editing processing touch panel 20. The user can select a button to be displayed according to the progress of the process or draw an image such as a graffiti by bringing the editing process touch pen 21 into contact with the editing process touch panel 20.

  When image data to be output is sent from the control device 10, the printer 23 prints on a sticker sheet based on the image data. For example, a sublimation printer is used as the printer 23. The sticker paper discharge port 24 is an opening for discharging sticker paper printed and output by the printer 23 to the outside.

  Next, the configuration of the control device 10 for functioning as the photo sticker 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 10 includes a charging processing unit 25, a photographing processing unit (captured image acquisition unit) 26, an image processing unit 27, and a print processing unit 28.

  The billing processing unit 25 performs billing processing when the coin processing device 18 notifies the control device 10 of the insertion of coins. When it is confirmed that the billing process has been completed normally, that is, the billing processing unit 25 counts notifications from the coin processing device 18 and a predetermined number of coins are inserted into the curing processing device 18 from the user. If it judges, the start of play operation will be notified to photography processing part 26.

  The photographing processing unit 26 performs photographing processing based on the notification from the billing processing unit 25. The photographing process is mainly performed as follows. That is, first, the number of shots and the shooting time are set. Next, shooting settings are performed. Specifically, the whole body photographing or the up photographing is selected and the photographing angle is adjusted. Next, a live view image captured by the CCD camera 13 is displayed on the live view panel 14. When the user takes a desired pose while referring to the live view image and presses the shooting button on the shooting processing touch panel 15 at a desired timing, shooting is performed after the countdown.

  Next, the photographed image data generated by the CCD camera 13 by the above photographing is received and written into the storage device 11. Then, returning to the shooting setting, the above processing operation is repeated until the set number of shots and shooting time are reached. Thereafter, the image processing unit 27 is notified of completion of the photographing process.

  The image processing unit 27 performs image editing processing based on the notification from the imaging processing unit 26. The image editing process is mainly performed as follows. That is, first, a plurality of photographed images acquired by a plurality of photographings are displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20. Next, a photographed image for editing such as graffiti is selected from the plurality of photographed images. As a result, it is possible to select an image that suits the user's preference by eliminating a photographed image that has been closed at the time of photographing or photographed in an unintentional state.

  Next, the selected photographed image is displayed on the editing processing touch panel 20, and image editing such as background image selection, color change, and graffiti is performed on the photographed image using the editing processing touch pen 21. When image editing is performed on another captured image, the edited image data is stored in the storage device 11 and the above-described image editing process is repeated. Thereafter, the print processing unit 28 is notified of completion of the image editing process.

  The print processing unit 28 performs print processing based on the notification from the image processing unit 27. The printing process is mainly performed as follows. That is, first, using the print processing touch panel 22, the user selects the number of divisions or the division pattern on the sticker paper, and the edited image edited by the image editing processing unit 27 is printed for each selected divided area. As described above, the printer 23 is controlled to print on the sticker paper. Then, the printed sticker paper is discharged from the sticker paper discharge port 24. Thereafter, the printing process is terminated, and the user's play operation is terminated.

  Next, the configuration of the communication terminal 3 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication terminal 3 includes a control unit 30, a storage unit 31, a communication unit 32, a touch panel 33, and a touch pen 34 provided in the terminal body. The control unit 30, the storage unit 31, the communication unit 32, the touch panel 33, and the touch pen 34 of the communication terminal 3 are the control device 10, the storage device 11, the communication device 12, the touch panel 15, 20, and the touch pen 34, respectively. 22 and the touch pen 21, the description thereof is omitted. Details of the control unit 30 of this embodiment will be described later.

  Next, details of the control device 10 and the storage device 11 in the photo sticker 2 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the control device 10 and the storage device 11 in the photographic sticker 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 10 includes a face recognition unit (face recognition unit, mask image creation unit) 40, a face feature point extraction unit (feature point extraction unit) 41, in addition to the imaging processing unit 26 described above. An organ parts selection unit (type identification unit) 42, a face ID creation unit (face ID creation unit) 43, an image / face ID display control unit 44, a face ID authentication unit (face ID reception unit, face ID authentication unit) 45, And an image sending unit (image sending means) 46. The storage device 11 stores captured image data, mask image data, a face ID, and an organ part group 52. Since the photographing processing unit 26 and the photographed image data are as described above, description thereof is omitted.

  The face recognition unit 40 receives photographed image data from the photographing processing unit 26 and extracts a face image to be authenticated from a photographed image based on the received photographed image data. For the extraction of the face image, a known face recognition technique such as detecting a skin color region or detecting the outline of the face can be used. In addition, the face recognition unit 40 forms a mask image for prohibiting image editing of the face image and the surrounding area of the photographed image. The face recognition unit 40 generates mask image data from the formed mask image and stores it in the storage device 11.

  The face feature point extraction unit 41 extracts face feature points from the face image extracted by the face recognition unit 40 using a known face feature point extraction technique. FIG. 4 shows a specific example of extracting facial feature points from a face image. FIG. 4A shows an example of the face image FI acquired by the face recognition unit 40. FIG. 4B shows the face feature point extraction unit 41 extracting a face feature point FC from the face image FI. The image is shown.

  The organ part selector 42 selects an appropriate organ part from the organ parts group 52 stored in the storage device 11 based on the feature points FC extracted by the face feature point extractor 41. FIG. 5 shows the structure of the organ part group 52, and FIG. 6 shows an example of the organ parts included in the organ part group 52. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, eyes, nose, and mouth are used as facial organs. Each organ is classified into 50 kinds of organ parts as shown in FIG. The organ parts are defined by the size and shape of each organ as shown in FIG.

  In addition, an organ ID for identifying the organ part is assigned to the organ part of each organ. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, an eye ID is assigned to each organ part of the eye, a nose ID is assigned to each organ part of the nose, and a mouth ID is assigned to each organ part of the mouth. An ID is assigned.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the face ID creation unit 43 creates a face ID for specifying a face image based on the organ part selected by the organ part selection unit 42. The face ID creation unit 43 stores the created face ID in the storage device 11 in association with the captured image data and the mask image data. Further, the face ID creation unit 43 transmits the created face ID to the image / face ID display control unit 44.

  In this embodiment, the face ID is obtained by combining the eye ID, nose ID, and mouth ID corresponding to the eye, nose, and mouth organ parts selected by the organ part selector 42, respectively. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 5, the organ part selector 42 selects part 1 (eye ID = 01) as the organ part of the eye and selects part 28 (nose ID = 28) as the organ part of the nose. If the part 44 (mouth ID = 44) is selected as the mouth organ part, the face ID created by the face ID creation unit 43 is “012844”.

  In this case, the total number of face IDs is 50 × 50 × 50 = 1250. On average, about 1000 people with the same face ID exist in Japan. However, in this embodiment, it is only necessary to be able to identify the user in one game (about 4 or 5 people) in the photo sticker 2, so the above-described method for creating the face ID is sufficient for the user. Be identifiable.

  When receiving the face ID from the face ID creation unit 43, the image / face ID display control unit 44 reads out the captured image data corresponding to the received face ID from the storage device 11, and the captured image based on the read captured image data and the above-described captured image data. The face ID is controlled to be displayed on the photographing processing touch panel 15. Further, the image / face ID display control unit 44 transmits the face ID to the face ID authentication unit 45 and receives the authentication result from the face ID authentication unit 45. Send face ID.

  The face ID authenticating unit 45 performs face ID authentication. Specifically, when the face ID authentication unit 45 receives the face ID from the image / face ID display control unit 44, the face ID authentication unit 45 transmits a face ID input request to the communication terminal 3 via the communication device 12, thereby 3, the face ID is acquired via the communication device 12, and it is determined whether the face ID received from the image / face ID display control unit 44 matches the face ID acquired from the communication terminal 3. . The face ID authenticating unit 45 transmits the determination result to the image / face ID display control unit 44 as an authentication result.

  When the image sending unit 46 receives the face ID from the image / face ID display control unit 44, the image sending unit 46 reads out the captured image data and the mask image data corresponding to the received face ID from the storage device 11 and communicates via the communication device 12. It is sent to the terminal.

  Next, details of the control unit 30 and the storage unit 31 in the communication terminal 3 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the control unit 30 and the storage unit 31 in the communication terminal 3.

  As illustrated, the control unit 30 includes a face ID acquisition unit (face ID acquisition unit) 60, an image acquisition unit 61, and an image editing unit (image editing unit) 62. The image editing unit 62 includes a layout changing unit 63. On the other hand, the storage unit 31 stores captured image data, mask image data, face ID, and edited image data.

  The face ID acquisition unit 60 acquires a face ID from the user when the user inputs the face ID on the touch panel 33. Specifically, when acquiring the face ID input request from the photo sticker 2 via the communication unit 32, the face ID acquisition unit 60 controls the touch panel 33 to display an image of the face ID input request. Next, the face ID acquisition unit 60 acquires a face ID from the user when the user operates the touch panel 33. Then, the face ID acquisition unit 60 transmits the acquired face ID to the photo sticker 2 via the communication unit 32. Thus, authentication of the face ID transmitted from the face ID acquisition unit 60 to the photo sticker 2 and the face ID stored in the photo sticker 2 is performed.

  When the authentication is successful, the face ID acquisition unit 60 stores the face ID acquired from the touch panel 33 in the storage unit 31. Note that the face ID acquisition unit 60 can also read out the face ID stored in advance in the storage unit 31 and transmit it to the photo sticker 2 via the communication unit 32.

  When the authentication is successful, the image acquisition unit 61 acquires captured image data and mask image data from the photo sticker 2 via the communication unit 32 and stores them in the storage unit 31. The face ID acquisition unit 60 or the image acquisition unit 61 preferably stores the captured image data and the mask image data in the storage unit 31 in association with the face ID. Thereby, even when a plurality of users use the communication terminal 3, the captured image data, the mask image data, and the face ID corresponding to each user can be read from the storage unit 31.

  The image editing unit 62 performs image editing processing on the image selected by the user. Note that the image editing process in the image editing unit 62 is the same as that in the image processing unit 27 of the photographic sticker 2, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The layout changing unit 63 changes the display layout on the touch panel 33 based on whether the image to be subjected to the image editing process is vertically long or horizontally long. A specific example of changing the display layout will be described later.

  Processing operations in the image providing system 1 configured as described above will be described. First, a case where one user takes a picture with the photo sticker 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 shows the flow of processing operations of the photo sticker 2 and the communication terminal 3 in the above case. 8A and 8C show images displayed on the touch panel 15 of the photographic sticker 2 in the above processing operation, and FIG. 8B shows an organ part selector of the photographic sticker 2 Reference numeral 42 denotes the selected organ part. 9A to 9C show images displayed on the touch panel 33 of the communication terminal 3 in the processing operation.

  As shown in FIG. 7, first, the photographing processing unit 26 of the photo sticker 2 performs photographing processing for one user (step S10. Hereinafter, it may be simply referred to as “S10”. The same applies to the steps).

  Next, the photo sticker 2 performs a face recognition process (S11). Specifically, first, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, the control device 10 of the photographic sticker 2 displays a captured image acquired by the above-described shooting process and an image for notifying the execution of face recognition on the touch panel 15. To display. At this time, when the user selects the “stop” button displayed at the lower right of the touch panel 15, the processing in the shooting space is terminated without performing the following processing, and the image editing processing in the editing space is continued. . Next, the face recognition unit 40 of the photo sticker 2 extracts a face image from the photographed image acquired by the photographing process, and the face feature point extraction unit 41 of the photo sticker 2 extracts the face feature point from the extracted face image. Extract.

  Next, the organ part selection unit 42 of the photo sticker 2 selects appropriate organ parts of the eyes, nose, and mouth based on the facial feature points extracted by the facial feature point extraction unit 41 (S12). FIG. 8B shows the selected organ parts arranged so as to match the captured image. In the drawing, the photographed image is shown by a broken line, and the organ parts are shown by a solid line. Note that organ arrangement data created based on the selected organ part and its geometric arrangement (position information) can also be used as the face ID.

  Next, the face ID creation unit 43 of the photo seal machine 2 creates a face ID based on the eye ID, nose ID, and mouth ID corresponding to the organ part selected by the organ part selection unit 42 (S13). In addition, the face ID creation unit 43 stores the created face ID in the storage device 11 in association with the captured image data.

  Next, the photo sticker 2 requests the communication terminal 3 to input a face ID (S14). Specifically, first, as shown in FIG. 8C, the image / face ID display control unit 44 of the photo sticker machine 2 uses the face ID created by the face ID creation unit 43 and the captured image. It is displayed on the touch panel 15. Next, the photo sticker 2 and the communication terminal 3 located near the photo sticker 2 are brought into a communicable state. Then, the face ID authentication unit 45 of the photo sticker 2 transmits a face ID input request to the communication terminal 3.

  When the communication terminal 3 receives the face ID input request from the photo sticker 2 (S20), the face ID acquisition unit 60 of the communication terminal 3 displays a face ID input request image for requesting the user to input the face ID on the touch panel. 33 is displayed. FIG. 9A shows a state in which a face ID input request image is displayed on the touch panel 33. In the present embodiment, since the communication terminal 3 has two touch panels, an image for instructing the user to input a face ID is displayed on the first touch panel 33a as shown in the figure. An image for inputting a face ID is displayed on the second touch panel 33b.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 9B, the user uses the face ID (see FIG. 8C) displayed on the touch panel 15 of the photo sticker 2 as the second touch panel 33 b of the communication terminal 3. Then, the input is performed using the touch pen 34, and the “KET” button is selected (S21). At this time, the face ID acquisition unit 60 of the communication terminal 3 transmits the face ID input from the second touch panel 33b to the photo sticker 2 (S22).

  When the photo sticker 2 receives the face ID from the communication terminal 3 (S15), the face ID authenticating unit 45 of the photo sticker 2 determines whether or not the authentication is successful, that is, the face ID created by the face ID creating unit 43. And the face ID received from the communication terminal 3 is determined (S16). If the authentication fails (if the face IDs do not match), the process returns to step S14 and the above processing operation is repeated. On the other hand, when the authentication is successful (when the face IDs match), the image sending unit 46 of the photo sticker 2 reads out the captured image data corresponding to the face ID from the storage device 11 and sends it to the communication terminal 3. Transmit (S17). Thereafter, the processing operation in the photo sticker 2 is ended.

  When the communication terminal 3 receives the captured image data from the photo sticker 2 (S23), the control unit 30 of the communication terminal 3 displays information indicating that the image is being received and a face ID, as shown in FIG. 9B. Are displayed on the first touch panel 33a. When reception of the captured image data is completed, the control unit 30 of the communication terminal 3, as shown in FIG. 9C, captures information based on the information indicating the completion of reception, the face ID, and the received captured image data. Are displayed on the first touch panel 33a.

  Next, the face ID acquisition unit 60 stores the face ID in the storage unit 31, and the image acquisition unit 61 associates the captured image data acquired from the photo sticker 2 with the face ID in the storage unit 31. Store (S24). Thereafter, the processing operation in the communication terminal 3 is terminated.

  In this embodiment, the timing for storing the face ID in the storage unit 31 is the timing for storing the captured image data acquired from the photo sticker 2 in the storage unit 31 (S24). Also good. For example, when the photo sticker 2 has successfully authenticated the face ID (YES in S16), the communication terminal 3 is notified of the authentication success, and the communication terminal 3 receives the notification. The face ID may be stored in the storage unit 31. The photo sticker 2 transmits the face ID together with the photographed image data to the communication terminal 3, and the photographed image data and the face ID received by the communication terminal 3 from the photo sticker 2 are stored in the storage unit 31. Also good.

  Next, a case where a plurality of users take a picture a plurality of times with the photo sticker 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the processing operation similar to the processing operation mentioned above, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 10 shows the flow of processing operations of the photo sticker 2 and the communication terminal 3 in the above case. FIG. 11A shows the organ parts selected by the organ part selector 42 of the photo sticker 2 for each face image. FIGS. 11B and 11C show the photo stickers in the above processing operation. An image displayed on the touch panel 15 of the machine 2 is shown. In addition, the image displayed on the touch panel 33 of the communication terminal 3 in the above processing operation is the same as that shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 10, first, the photographing processing unit 26 of the photo sticker 2 performs photographing processing for a plurality of users (S10).

  Next, the photo sticker 2 performs a face recognition process (S30). Specifically, first, the face recognition unit 40 of the photograph sticker 2 extracts a plurality of face images from the photographed image acquired by the photographing process, and the face of the photograph sticker 2 is extracted from each of the extracted face images. The feature point extraction unit 41 extracts facial feature points. Further, the face recognition unit 40 forms a mask image for prohibiting image editing of the face image and the surrounding area of the photographed image. A mask image is created for each of a plurality of face images extracted by the face recognition unit 40. The face recognition unit 40 generates a plurality of mask image data from the formed plurality of mask images and stores them in the storage device 11.

  Next, with respect to each face image extracted by the face recognition unit 40, the organ part selection unit 42 of the photo sticker 2 is based on the face feature points extracted by the face feature point extraction unit 41, and the eyes, nose, and mouth. The appropriate organ parts are selected (S12). FIG. 11A shows the arrangement of the organ parts selected by the organ part selector 42 so as to match the photographed image with respect to each of the four face images. In the drawing, the photographed image is shown by a broken line, and the organ parts are shown by a solid line.

  Next, for each face image, the face ID creation unit 43 of the photo sticker 2 creates a face ID based on the eye ID, nose ID, and mouth ID corresponding to the organ part selected by the organ part selection unit 42. (S13). In addition, the face ID creation unit 43 stores the created face ID in the storage device 11 in association with the mask image data and the captured image data.

  Next, the control device 10 of the photo sticker 2 repeats the above processing operation until a predetermined number of times of photographing is performed or a predetermined time has elapsed (S31). Thereafter, the image / face ID display control unit 44 of the photo sticker 2 selects a photographed image to be transmitted to the communication terminal 3 (S32). Specifically, the image / face ID display control unit 44 causes the touch panel 15 to display a selection request image that requests the user to select a captured image, as shown in FIG. In this selection request image, thumbnail images of a plurality of photographed images are displayed. If not all thumbnail images can be displayed, a part of thumbnail images may be displayed and a switching button for displaying the remaining thumbnail images may be provided.

  Next, when the user selects a desired thumbnail image, the image / face ID display control unit 44, as shown in FIG. 11C, the captured image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image and the captured image. A plurality of face images included and a plurality of face IDs respectively corresponding to the plurality of face images are displayed on the touch panel 15. Next, the photo sticker 2 and the communication terminal 3 located near the photo sticker 2 are brought into a communicable state. Then, the face ID authentication unit 45 of the photo sticker 2 transmits a face ID input request to the communication terminal 3 (S14).

  When the communication terminal 3 receives the face ID input request from the photo sticker 2 (S20), the face ID acquisition unit 60 of the communication terminal 3 uses the input of the face ID as shown in FIG. 9A. The face ID input request image requested from the person is displayed on the touch panel 33.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 9B, the terminal user sets the face ID corresponding to his / her face image among the plurality of face IDs displayed on the touch panel 15 of the photo sticker 2 to the communication terminal 3. From the touch panel 33 (S21). At this time, the face ID acquisition unit 60 of the communication terminal 3 transmits the face ID input from the touch panel 33 to the photo sticker 2 (S22).

  When the photo sticker 2 receives the face ID from the communication terminal 3 (S15), the face ID authenticating unit 45 of the photo sticker 2 determines whether the authentication is successful, that is, a plurality of pieces created by the face ID creating unit 43. It is determined whether any of the face IDs matches the face ID received from the communication terminal 3 (S16). If the authentication fails (if the face IDs do not match), the process returns to step S14 and the above processing operation is repeated. On the other hand, when the authentication is successful (when the face IDs match), the image sending unit 46 of the photo sticker 2 corresponds to the captured image data selected in step S32 and the captured image data, and The mask image data corresponding to the face ID matched in step S16 is read from the storage device 11 and transmitted to the communication terminal 3 (S33). Thereafter, the processing operation in the photo sticker 2 is ended.

  When the communication terminal 3 receives the photographed image data and the mask image data from the photo sticker 2 (S34), the control unit 30 of the communication terminal 3 indicates that an image is being received, as shown in FIG. 9B. Information and face ID are displayed on the touch panel 33. When the reception of the captured image data and the mask image data is completed, the control unit 30 of the communication terminal 3, as shown in FIG. 9C, information indicating the completion of reception, the face ID, and the received captured image data A photographed image based on the above is displayed on the upper touch panel 33.

  Next, the face ID acquisition unit 60 stores the face ID in the storage unit 31, and the image acquisition unit 61 associates the captured image data and the mask image data acquired from the photo sticker 2 with the face ID. Store in the storage unit 31 (S35). Thereafter, the processing operation in the communication terminal 3 is terminated. The mask image data is used in an image editing process for a captured image described later.

  Next, a case where a plurality of users take a picture a plurality of times with the photo sticker 2 and the photo sticker 2 automatically acquires a face ID from the communication terminal 3 and authenticates the face ID. Will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the processing operation similar to the processing operation mentioned above, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 12 shows the flow of processing operations of the photo sticker 2 and the communication terminal 3 in the above case. 13A to 13C show images displayed on the touch panel 15 of the photographic sticker 2 in the processing operation. 14A and 14B show images displayed on the touch panel 33 of the communication terminal 3 in the processing operation. In the case shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, it is assumed that the face ID is stored in the storage unit 31 of the communication terminal 3 by performing the processing operation shown in FIG. 7 or 10 in advance.

  First, the processing (S10, S30, S12, S13, S31) from the photographing processing to the photographing end determination processing shown in FIG. 12 is the same as the processing shown in FIG.

  After the photo sticker 2 has taken a predetermined number of times, or after the photo has been taken after a predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S31), the control device 10 of the photo sticker 2 performs an automatic search for the communication terminal 3. (S40). Specifically, the communication device 12 of the photo sticker 2 searches for a communication terminal 3 that exists within the communication range of the photo sticker 2 and can communicate with the photo sticker 2. This search is continued until a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds) elapses. Further, the image / face ID display control unit 44 of the photo sticker 2 displays on the touch panel 15 an image indicating that the communication terminal 3 is being searched, as shown in FIG.

  If no communicable communication terminal 3 can be found before the predetermined period has passed (NO in S41), an image indicating a search failure “no terminal nearby” as shown in FIG. Is displayed (S42). Then, it returns to step S40 and repeats the said automatic search.

  On the other hand, when a communication terminal 3 capable of communicating within a predetermined period is found (YES in S41), the face ID authentication unit 45 of the photo sticker 2 transmits a face ID acquisition request to the communication terminal 3. (S43).

  When the communication terminal 3 receives the face ID acquisition request from the photo sticker 2 (S50), the face ID acquisition unit 60 of the communication terminal 3 reads the face ID stored in the storage unit 31 (S51). The face ID is transmitted to the photo sticker 2 (S52).

  When the photo sticker 2 receives the face ID from the communication terminal 3 (S15), the face ID authenticating unit 45 of the photo sticker 2 determines whether the authentication is successful, that is, a plurality of pieces created by the face ID creating unit 43. It is determined whether any of the face IDs matches the face ID received from the communication terminal 3 (S16). If the authentication fails (if the face IDs do not match), the process returns to step S40 and the above processing operation is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the authentication is successful (when the face IDs match), the image sending unit 46 of the photo sticker 2 includes all the captured image data associated with the face ID received from the communication terminal 3, and The thumbnail image data corresponding to each photographed image data and the mask image data corresponding to each photographed image data and corresponding to the face ID are read from the storage device 11 and transmitted to the communication terminal 3 (S44). Thereafter, the processing operation in the photo sticker 2 is ended.

  The communication terminal 3 receives the captured image data, thumbnail image data, and mask image data from the photo sticker 2 (S53). At this time, the control unit 30 of the communication terminal 3 causes the touch panel 33 to display information indicating that an image is being received, as illustrated in FIG. When reception of the captured image data, thumbnail image data, and mask image data is completed, the control unit 30 of the communication terminal 3 displays information indicating the completion of reception and the received plurality of thumbnails, as shown in FIG. A plurality of thumbnail images based on the image data are displayed on the touch panel 33.

  Next, the image acquisition unit 61 of the communication terminal 3 associates the captured image data, thumbnail image data, and mask image data acquired from the photo sticker 2 with the face ID stored in the storage unit 31, 31 (S54). Thereafter, the processing operation in the communication terminal 3 is terminated.

  Next, a case where the image editing unit 62 of the communication terminal 3 executes image editing processing such as color change and graffiti on a captured image will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 15 shows processing operations in the image editing mode executed by the image editing unit 62. FIG. 16 shows images displayed on the touch panels 33a and 33b when a captured image (hereinafter referred to as “edit target image”) that is an object of image editing is horizontally long. FIG. 17 shows images displayed on the touch panels 33a and 33b when the editing target image is vertically long.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, first, a selection image 70 for selecting an edit target image is displayed on the first touch panel 33 a. The selection image 70 includes a plurality of thumbnail images 71 corresponding to the plurality of photographed images (S60).

  On the other hand, an editing image 72 for performing image editing is displayed on the second touch panel 33b. The editing image 72 includes an editing target image 73 at the center. The editing target image 73 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second touch panel 33b. The editing image 72 includes various tool buttons 74 used for image editing at one end in the longitudinal direction of the touch panel 33b, and various buttons 75 corresponding to the selected tool button 74 at the other end. included.

  Next, the user uses the touch pen 34 to select a thumbnail image 71 included in the first touch panel 33a (S61). At this time, when the user selects the horizontally long thumbnail image 71a (YES in S62), as shown in FIG. 16, the horizontally long display layout is such that the user uses the touch panel 33a or 33b in the horizontally long direction. (S63). On the other hand, when the user selects the vertically long thumbnail image 71b (NO in S62), as shown in FIG. 17, the display layout for the vertically long is such that the user uses the touch panels 33a and 33b in the vertically long ( S64).

  Whether the thumbnail image 71 is horizontally long or vertically long may be determined from the display size of the image. Identification information indicating whether the thumbnail image 71 is horizontally long or vertically long is used as thumbnail image data or captured image data. It may be determined by embedding and extracting the identification information from the data.

  Here, in the case of a display layout in which the user uses the touch panels 33a and 33b horizontally regardless of whether the thumbnail image 71 selected by the user is horizontally long or vertically long, FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG. 18A, FIG. 19A, and FIG. 20A show an editing image 72 when the editing target image 73 is horizontally long. FIG. 18B and FIG. FIG. 20B and FIG. 20B show an editing image 72 when the editing target image 73 is vertically long.

  18A and 18B show display layouts when the arrangement of the tool button 74 and the various buttons 75 is changed depending on whether the editing object image 73 is vertically long or horizontally long. In the case shown in the figure, the display layout changes greatly depending on whether the editing object image 73 is horizontally long or vertically long, so that it is difficult for the user to operate the tool buttons 74 and various buttons 75.

  19A and 19B show the case where the arrangement of the editing target image 73, the tool button 74, and various buttons is fixed, and the editing target image 73 is enlarged or reduced so as to be within the display area of the touch panel 33. The display layout of is shown. In the illustrated case, since the display layout is fixed, the user can easily operate the tool buttons 74 and various buttons 75. However, as shown in FIG. 5B, the vertically long edit target image 73 is displayed in a reduced size, making it difficult for the user to edit the image.

  20A and 20B show a display layout when the arrangement of the editing target image 73, the tool button 74, and various buttons is fixed and the editing target image 73 is displayed without being reduced. In the illustrated case, since the display layout is fixed, the user can easily operate the tool buttons 74 and various buttons 75. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, even a vertically long edit target image 73 is displayed at the same magnification, and thus it is easy for the user to perform image editing work. However, since the vertically long edit target image 73 does not fit in the display area of the touch panel 33, it is necessary to scroll the edit target image 73, for example, and it is difficult to grasp the entire edit target image 73.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the image providing system 1 according to the present embodiment does not change the display layout only by rotating the communication terminal 3, and can display both vertically and horizontally long images. Since it is displayed with an appropriate size, the operability for the user is improved.

  Returning to FIG. 15, after either one of the horizontally long display layout and the vertically long display layout is selected (S62 to S64), an image editing process is performed (S65). At this time, the image editing unit 62 reads the mask image data from the storage unit 31 and limits the editable area of the image.

  FIG. 21A shows an example of a captured image, and FIG. 21B shows an example of a mask image corresponding to the captured image. The photographed image shown in FIG. 5A includes four face images, and it is assumed that the storage unit 31 of the communication terminal 3 stores the face ID corresponding to the upper left face image. In this case, in the mask image, as shown in FIG. 5B, the remaining three face images and the peripheral area (the hatched area in the figure) indicate an uneditable area.

  22A to 22C are displayed on the touch panel 33b when the image editing unit 62 performs an image editing process on the captured image and the mask image shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B. An editing image 72 is shown. As shown in FIG. 22A, image editing (addition in the example shown) is possible for the face image corresponding to the face ID stored in the storage unit 31 and the surrounding area. On the other hand, as shown in (b) of the figure, even if it is attempted to perform image editing on a face image other than the face image corresponding to the face ID and the surrounding area, it is shown in (c) of the same figure. In this way, image editing cannot be performed and an error message “You cannot graffiti because you are not your face!” Is displayed.

  As a result, the face image other than the face image of the user of the communication terminal 3 cannot be edited with the mask image, so that personal information can be prevented from being falsified.

  Returning to FIG. 15, the image editing process (S65) is continued until an end instruction is given from the user (S66). When there is an end instruction from the user, the image data being edited is stored in the storage unit 31 as edited image data. If another image is to be edited (YES in S67), the process returns to step S61 and the above processing operation is repeated. If no image editing is to be performed (NO in S67), the image editing mode is terminated. To do.

  Next, FIG. 21, FIG. 23, and FIG. 24 show a method of combining a plurality of edited images when the same photographed image is edited by a plurality of communication terminals 3 and the edited image data is transmitted to the photo sticker 2. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 23A shows an edited image edited by Mr. A, and FIG. 23B shows an edited image edited by Mr. B. FIG. 5C shows a mask image for Mr. B.

  Note that the process of combining a plurality of edited images is performed by the image editing processing unit 27 of the photo sticker 2. Also, a certain communication terminal 3 receives edited image data from another communication terminal 3, and an edited image based on the received edited image data, an edited image based on the edited image data stored in the storage unit 31 of the own terminal, and May be combined by the image editing unit 62.

  Of the four face images included in the photographed image shown in FIG. 21A, Mr. A is a person in the upper left face image, and Mr. B is a person in the upper right face image. Therefore, Mr. A's mask image is as shown in FIG. 21B, and Mr. B's mask image is as shown in FIG. As in FIG. 21B, the shaded area of the image shown in FIG. 23C indicates an uneditable area.

  With the mask image shown in FIG. 21 (b), in Mr. A's edited image, as shown in FIG. 23 (a), images of Mr. A's face image and images other than the face images of the four people are displayed. Editing processing will be performed. On the other hand, according to the mask image shown in FIG. 23 (c), in the edited image of Mr. B, as shown in FIG. 23 (b), an area of Mr. B's face image and an area other than the face images of four people The image editing process is performed on the.

  FIGS. 24A and 24B show examples of synthesized images obtained by synthesizing the edited image of Mr. A shown in FIG. 23A and the edited image of Mr. B shown in FIG. Yes. The example of the composite image shown in FIG. 24A is a composite of two edited images. As shown in the figure, the image editing process is reflected in each of the face image of Mr. A and the face image of Mr. B. In areas other than the face images of four people, edit contents such as stamps and lines are not displayed. There is a possibility of overlapping.

  Therefore, when the editing contents overlap, as shown in FIG. 24B, it is desirable to move the editing contents so that they do not overlap, or to delete the editing contents. This can be dealt with by forming a plurality of edited images in different layers.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 25 shows a schematic configuration of the image selection system according to the present embodiment. This image selection system (image providing system) 100 is for deciding which of a plurality of edited images created by a plurality of communication terminals 3 is to be printed in a voting format. Note that the image selection system 100 of the present embodiment is configured to include the plurality of communication terminals 3 and the photo sticker 2 shown in FIG. 1, and therefore the same configuration as the configuration described in the above embodiment is the same. Reference numerals are assigned and explanations thereof are omitted.

  The plurality of communication terminals 3 can perform wireless communication with each other, but one unit serves as a parent device 3a and the other serves as a child device 3b. The master unit 3a can communicate with the photo sticker 2 wirelessly. In addition, although the main | base station 3a and the subunit | mobile_unit 3b perform radio | wireless communication via the communication part 32, the communication part 32 is abbreviate | omitted and described in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the control unit 30 of the parent device 3a includes an image collection unit (image collection unit) 110, an image selection unit (image transmission unit) 111, and an image determination unit (image determination unit) 112. It is. On the other hand, the control part 30 of the subunit | mobile_unit 3b is a structure provided with the image transmission part 120, the image acquisition part 121, the voting part 122, and the result acquisition part 123. FIG. FIGS. 26A to 26D show images displayed on the touch panel 33 of the parent device 3a, and FIGS. 27A to 27C are displayed on the touch panel 33 of the child device 3b. An image is shown.

  First, the control unit 30 of the parent device 3a causes the touch panel 33 to display the menu image shown in FIG. Here, when “voting” is selected, the mode shifts to the voting mode, and the following processing is performed.

  The image collection unit 110 of the parent device 3a searches for communication terminals 3 that can communicate. At this time, the image collection unit 110 displays the standby image shown in FIG.

  As a result of the search, when a communicable communication terminal 3 is found, the image collection unit 110 of the parent device 3a transmits an image request using the found communication terminal 3 as the child device 3b. On the other hand, when receiving the image request from the parent device 3a, the image transmission unit 120 of the child device 3b reads out the photographed image data stored in the storage unit 31 and the edited image data corresponding to the photographed image data to read the parent image. To the machine 3a. The image collection unit 110 of the parent device 3a stores the captured image data and the edited image data received from the child device 3b in the storage unit 31.

  Specifically, the image collection unit 110 of the parent device 3a acquires a face ID from the child device 3b, and searches for image data (captured image data and edited image data) corresponding to the acquired face ID. Next, the image collection unit 110 of the parent device 3a collates the searched image data with the image data stored in the child device 3b. At this time, the image collection unit 110 causes the touch panel 33 to display the image being verified as illustrated in FIG. As a result of the collation, the image collection unit 110 of the parent device 3 a requests and acquires image data stored only in the child device 3 b from the child device 3 b and stores it in the storage unit 31. Thereby, it is possible to prevent waste of communicating image data stored in both the parent device 3a and the child device 3b. Note that the image collection unit 110 of the parent device 3a executes the above-described process for all the child devices 3b that can communicate.

  Next, the image selection unit 111 of the parent device 3a reads the photographed image data stored in the storage unit 31, and displays a list of thumbnail images based on the photographed image data on the touch panel as shown in FIG. 33 is displayed. When the user of the parent device 3a selects an image via the touch panel 33 or the touch pen 34, the image selection unit 111 of the parent device 3a stores all edited image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image (photographed image). It reads from 31 and transmits to the subunit | mobile_unit 3b.

  On the other hand, when the image acquisition unit 121 of the child device 3b receives the edited image data from the parent device 3a, the second touch panel displays a list of edited images based on the received edited image data, as shown in FIG. 33b is displayed. When the user of the slave unit 3b selects an edited image via the touch panel 33 or the touch pen 34, the voting unit 122 of the slave unit 3b votes including information on the selected edited image (for example, identification information of the edited image). Data is transmitted to the base unit 3a.

  When receiving the vote data from the plurality of slave units 3b, the image determination unit 112 of the master unit 3a determines an edited image with a large number of votes as an edited image to be printed, and transmits the edited image data to the photo sealer 2 To do. The photo sticker 2 allows the user to select the number of divisions or the division pattern on the sticker paper, and an edited image based on the edited image data received from the master unit 3a is printed for each selected divided area. The printer 23 is controlled to perform printing. Thereafter, the printed photo sticker paper is discharged from the sticker paper discharge port 24.

  The image determination unit 112 of the parent device 3a transmits the determination result to the child device 3b as result data. The result acquisition unit 123 of the child device 3b receives the result data from the parent device 3a, and based on the received result data, the edited image to be printed is first displayed as shown in FIGS. 27 (b) and (c). Displayed on the touch panel 33a. When the edited image to be printed matches the edited image selected by the user of the child device 3b, the result obtaining unit 123 of the child device 3b gives a blessing as shown in FIG. The image shown is displayed on the second touch panel 33b. On the other hand, if the edited image to be printed does not match the edited image selected by the user of the child device 3b, the result acquisition unit 123 of the child device 3b disappoints as shown in FIG. The image shown is displayed on the second touch panel 33b.

  Therefore, the image selection system 100 according to the present embodiment can determine an image to be printed by voting from the users of the communication terminals 3, and therefore, an edited image determined by the majority of users as an optimum image is to be printed. You can choose. In addition, since the game of determining the edited image by voting is provided, the entertainment of the user can be enhanced.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the face ID is created from the organ parts selected by the organ part selection unit 42, but can also be created from the facial feature points extracted by the face feature point extraction unit 41. In this case, while the user's discriminating power by the face ID is improved, the processing speed is lowered by increasing the data length of the face ID.

  Face recognition can also be performed by detecting feature points of the face. In this case, the face recognition unit 40 and the face feature point extraction unit 41 can be integrated. Further, when an organ part can be selected from face recognition, the face feature point extraction unit 41 can be omitted.

  When the user performs image editing exclusively on the communication terminal 3, the photo sticker 2 includes an editing space, an editing processing touch panel 20 and an editing processing touch pen 21 provided in the editing space, and a control device. The ten image processing units 27 may be omitted.

  In addition, the print processing touch panel 22, the printer 23, and the sticker paper discharge port 24 provided in the print space are devices different from the photo sticker 2 and can be used for data communication with the photo sticker 2. It can also be provided.

  Finally, each block of the photo sticker 2 and the communication terminal 3, in particular, the control device 10 and the control unit 30 may be configured by hardware logic, or may be realized by software using a CPU as follows. Good.

  That is, the control device 10 and the control unit 30 include a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program for realizing each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, and a RAM (random) that expands the program. access memory), a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. The object of the present invention is to record the program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of the control program of the control device 10 and the control unit 30, which is software that realizes the above-described functions, in a computer-readable manner. This can also be achieved by supplying the recording medium to the control device 10 and the control unit 30 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include tapes such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disks such as floppy (registered trademark) disks / hard disks, and disks including optical disks such as CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  In addition, the control device 10 and the control unit 30 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Further, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for, for example, an image providing apparatus that can appropriately transmit a captured image taken by a plurality of people to a communication terminal of a user who is a subject, and a system including the image providing apparatus.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the image provision system which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control apparatus and memory | storage device of a photograph sticker in the said image provision system. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control part and memory | storage part of a communication terminal in the said image provision system. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of a face image extracted from a photographed image, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained by extracting facial feature points from the face image. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the organ parts group memorize | stored in the memory | storage device of the said photograph sealing machine in a table form. It is a figure which shows an example of the organ parts contained in the said organ part group in a table | surface form. In the said image provision system, it is a flowchart which shows the flow of a processing operation in case one user image | photographs once with the said photograph sticker. (A) and (c) are diagrams showing images displayed on the photographic seal machine in the processing operation, and (b) are diagrams showing organ parts selected by the photographic seal machine. is there. FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams showing images displayed on the communication terminal in the processing operation. In the said image provision system, it is a flowchart which shows the flow of a processing operation in case several users image | photograph several times with the said photograph sticker. FIG. 4A is a view showing organ parts selected by the photo sticker in the processing operation for each face image, and FIGS. 5B and 5C show the photo sticker in the processing operation. It is a figure which shows the image displayed. In the image providing system, when a plurality of users take a picture a plurality of times with the photo sticker, the photo sticker automatically acquires a face ID from the communication terminal and authenticates the face ID. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the processing operation in performing. FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams showing images displayed on the photographic sticker in the processing operation. FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing images displayed on the communication terminal in the processing operation. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the processing operation in the image edit mode which the said communication terminal performs. It is a figure which shows the image displayed on the said communication terminal when the picked-up image used as the object of the said image editing is horizontally long. It is a figure which shows the image displayed on the said communication terminal when the said picked-up image is vertically long. It is a figure which shows the case where a display layout changes according to whether the said picked-up image is vertically long or horizontally long, The figure (a) has shown the case where the said picked-up image is horizontally long, (B) has shown the case where the said picked-up image is vertically long. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a case where the display layout is fixed and the captured image is enlarged or reduced so as to be within the display area. FIG. 5A shows a case where the captured image is horizontally long. FIG. 5B shows a case where the captured image is vertically long. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a case where the display layout is fixed and the captured image is displayed without being reduced. FIG. 5A shows a case where the captured image is horizontally long, and FIG. The case where the photographed image is vertically long is shown. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of a captured image, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of a mask image corresponding to the captured image. FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams illustrating editing images displayed on the touch panel of the communication terminal when image editing processing is performed on the captured image and the mask image. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an edited image edited by a certain person, and FIGS. 5B and 5C are diagrams showing an edited image and a mask image edited by another person. FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating examples of a composite image obtained by combining the two edited images. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the image selection system which is another embodiment of this invention. FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrams showing images displayed on a master unit among a plurality of communication terminals in the image selection system. FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams showing images displayed on the slave units among the plurality of communication terminals.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image providing system 2 Photo sticker (image providing device)
3 Communication Terminal 3a Master Unit 3b Slave Unit 26 Shooting Processing Unit (Captured Image Acquisition Unit)
40 Face recognition unit (face recognition means, mask image creation means)
41 face feature point extraction unit (feature point extraction means)
42 Organ parts selector (type identification means)
43 Face ID creation unit (face ID creation means)
45 Face ID authentication unit (face ID receiving means, face ID authentication means)
46 Image sending section (image sending means)
60 Face ID acquisition unit (face ID acquisition means)
62 Image Editor (Image Editor)
100 Image selection system (image provision system)
110 Image collection unit (image collection means)
111 Image selection unit (image sending means)
112 Image determination unit (image determination means)

Claims (10)

An image providing device for providing an image to a communication terminal,
A captured image acquisition means for acquiring a captured image;
Face recognition means for recognizing a face image that is an image of a face portion from the captured image;
Feature point extraction means for extracting facial feature points based on the face image;
A face ID creating means for creating a face ID that is data for identifying a face image based on the facial feature points;
A mask image creating unit that creates a mask image in which a region of a face image other than the face image corresponding to the face ID created by the face ID creating unit is an image edit impossible region with respect to the photographed image obtained by the photographed image obtaining unit; ,
Face ID receiving means for receiving the face ID from the communication terminal;
A face ID authenticating means for authenticating the received face ID with the face ID created by the face ID creating means;
When the authentication is successful, a captured image including a face image corresponding to the received face ID, and a mask image in which an area of the face image other than the face image corresponding to the received face ID with respect to the captured image is an image edit disabled region And an image sending means for sending the information to the communication terminal. Further comprising a type specifying means for specifying the type of the face based on the facial feature points;
The image providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the face ID creating unit creates the face ID based on a type of the face. An image providing system comprising: the image providing apparatus according to claim 1 ; and one or more communication terminals capable of communicating with the image providing apparatus. 4. The image providing system according to claim 3 , wherein the communication terminal includes a face ID obtaining unit that obtains a face ID, and the face providing unit obtains the acquired face ID to the image providing apparatus. The image providing system according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the image providing apparatus and the communication terminal perform data communication by short-range wireless communication. The image providing system according to claim 3 , wherein the communication terminal includes an image editing unit that edits a captured image acquired from the image providing apparatus. As the communication terminal, it comprises one parent device and one or more child devices,
The base unit is
Image collection means for collecting edited images edited by the image editing means of the slave unit;
Image sending means for sending the edited image collected by the image collecting means to the slave unit;
The image providing system according to claim 6 , further comprising image determining means for acquiring voting information for the edited image from the slave unit and determining an edited image based on the acquired voting information. An image providing method in an image providing apparatus for providing an image to a communication terminal,
The image providing device
Get the shot image,
Recognize the face image that is the image of the face part from the acquired captured image,
Based on the recognized face image, extract facial feature points,
Create a face ID, which is data for identifying a face image based on the extracted facial feature points,
For the acquired captured image, create a mask image in which the area of the face image other than the face image corresponding to the created face ID is an image edit impossible area,
The face ID received from the communication terminal is authenticated by the created face ID,
When the authentication is successful, a captured image including a face image corresponding to the received face ID, and a mask image in which an area of the face image other than the face image corresponding to the received face ID with respect to the captured image is an image edit disabled region image providing method for an image providing apparatus characterized by delivering bets to the communication terminal. An image providing apparatus control program for operating the image providing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 for causing a computer to function as each means. A computer-readable recording medium on which the image providing device control program according to claim 9 is recorded.

Images