JP4952072B2 - PHOTOGRAPHY IMAGE SYNTHESIS DEVICE, PHOTOGRAPHY IMAGE SYNTHESIS DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, CONTROL PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is installed in, for example, a game center, and controls a photographed image composition device and a photographed image composition device that prints a photograph of a user's face and figure and transmits image data to a mobile phone or the like. The present invention relates to a method, a control program, and a recording medium. Specifically, the present invention relates to a photographed image composition device, a control method for the photographed image composition device, a control program, and a storage medium that allow a user to select a composite image that is easily combined with a photographed image in a short time. is there.

  Conventionally, in amusement facilities such as game centers, a photographed image synthesizing apparatus that takes a photograph of a user and combines the photograph with a background image and outputs it as a sticker print has been installed. Yes.

  FIG. 19 shows a game flow from shooting to photo printing by a conventional photo shooting image composition apparatus. As shown in FIG. 19, first, the user performs shooting in a shooting space (S1). Then, the user performs editing such as graffiti and brightness adjustment, background image synthesis, and the like on the captured image generated by the capturing in S1 (S2). The edited image after editing is output as a sticker print (S3), and the game ends.

  Here, in the editing process of S2, in particular, the brightness and color tone of the captured image displayed on the display screen are corrected by a pointing device such as a touch pen, the background image is synthesized, and a graffiti or stamp is added. The user can play a variety of image editing such as doing. The user tends to play with emphasis on editing rather than shooting.

FIG. 20 shows a flow of an editing game performed in the conventional editing space. As shown in FIG. 20, when shooting in the shooting space is completed, the user then moves to the editing space and selects an editing target image to be edited from the shot images (S11). Then, editing operations such as brightness and color tone correction, background image composition, and graffiti are performed on the selected image to be edited (S12). Here, the edited image edited by the user can be displayed on the display unit before printing so that the image and finish can be confirmed (S13), and the user proceeds to the next step (for example, printing step). If this is desired (YES in S14), the editing process is terminated and the process proceeds to the next step. If the user is not satisfied with the finish (NO in S14), the process returns to the editing process in S12.

  In the series of game processes from shooting to printing, especially in the editing process, the types of processing vary widely, such as correction of brightness and color tone, composition of background images, addition of graffiti and stamps, and user creativity. Is the most playable process. Therefore, it is common for the user to repeat editing until the user likes it. This causes time to pass and causes a decrease in the rotation rate.

  Therefore, in order to increase the user's turnover rate in the photographed image composition device and improve the profit rate on the store side, how to shorten the editing process becomes a problem.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that the editing process is further divided into a plurality of processes, and the work space is also divided, thereby dispersing the residence time in the editing process, thereby avoiding a decrease in the rotation rate. An image photographing / editing apparatus is disclosed.

  A conventional photo sticker is installed in an amusement facility, amusement facility, or the like, and one shooting is completed in a series of steps including a shooting process including shooting settings, an editing process, and a printing process including print settings. Since a time limit is provided for each process in the series of flows, the time that can be spent for shooting and editing is limited. Within the limited time mentioned above, the photo sticker creates a picture to be printed by combining the background image and foreground image with the user based on the photographed image of the subject, and applying a graffiti such as a stamp or pen to the synthesized image. is doing.

  In recent years, as user demand for image editing increases, background images such as background colors and aura images, and images for compositing such as frame images and item images for graffiti such as stamps and pens, have different types and designs. A wide variety. In addition, a photographic sticker machine has been developed to provide a sticker of a photographed image with a high degree of user satisfaction and image perfection within a limited time.

  In Patent Document 2, in a process of combining a frame or background image stored as image data in a recording device and a captured video captured by a camera, the captured video and the frame are displayed in real time even when the frames are switched. A photographic print presentation apparatus for combining and displaying is disclosed.

In the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, it is shown that the background and the frame are set in advance in a predetermined combination, and the images to be combined can be switched in combination units. By performing switching input in combination units, the possibility of the user selecting an inappropriate combination is reduced, and unnecessary operations can be omitted, so the time given to the user can be increased or the play time can be shortened. It is shown that the rotation rate can be improved by setting.
Japanese Patent No. 3794696 (issued March 1, 2006) JP 2004-159158 A (released on June 3, 2004)

  However, the image photographing / editing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has the following problems.

  That is, even if the editing process is divided into a plurality of processes, only the flow shown in FIG. 20 is executed in each editing process. For this reason, the image to be edited is selected, and the user performs image editing on one photographed image, and repeats the work of changing and confirming the edited image until the desired image is obtained. Therefore, in each editing step, editing is repeated until the user likes it, which causes a problem that the rotation rate decreases.

  Further, the photographic print presentation apparatus described in Patent Document 2 has the following problems.

  In other words, the frame or background image to be combined with the captured video is presented by switching in combination units, so that an image classified for each combination can be presented, but when selecting the same image again, which combination Since it is not known at a glance whether the image selected earlier is present, there is a problem that it is difficult to select the image after the second time. Even if the user wishes to select another image, the user prefers the same combination tendency, so the same image as the previous one is selected unintentionally, and the canceling operation takes time. The problem also arises.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to easily select a desired composition image when a user selects a composition image to be combined with a captured image. A photographed image composition device, a control method for the photographed image composition device, a control program, and a recording medium are realized.

  In order to solve the above problem, a photographed image composition device according to the present invention is a photographed image composition device that combines and outputs a photographed image obtained by photographing a subject and a composition image selected by a user, Selection candidate output means for outputting a plurality of selection candidates for specifying a synthesis image, user selection means for causing the user to select one of the output selection candidates, and selection related to the selection candidate selected by the user Selection history recording means for recording a history, and the selection candidate output means outputs the selection candidates based on the selection history.

  In order to solve the above problems, a control method for a photographed image composition apparatus according to the present invention controls a photographed image composition apparatus that combines and outputs a photographed image obtained by photographing a subject and a composition image selected by a user. A selection candidate output step for outputting a plurality of selection candidates for specifying the image for synthesis, a user selection step for causing a user to select one of the output selection candidates, and a user selection A selection history recording step for recording a selection history related to the selection candidate, and the selection candidate output step outputs the selection candidate based on the selection history.

  According to the above configuration or method, when a photographed image obtained by photographing a subject is generated, selection candidates including an image for synthesis are presented, the user is allowed to select, and the selection history of the selected selection candidate is recorded. The selection candidate output means refers to the selection history and outputs the reference information of the selection history when outputting the already selected selection candidates.

  Here, the reference information may be, for example, selected information indicating that the selection candidate has been selected in the past, or popular information indicating how much the other user has used the selection candidate for image synthesis. May be. In the following description, the selected information is described as reference information.

  As a result, the selection candidates that have already been selected in a series of steps can be presented to the user in an easy-to-understand manner, so that the user can easily recognize the selection result so far, and the user can select the next composite image. It is possible to realize a photographed image synthesizing apparatus that can be facilitated.

  Specific examples of the above composite images include, for example, background images such as landscapes, figures, figures, background colors, back screens, back curtains, auras, characters, mascots, stamps, frames, borders, handwritings, etc. Foreground images such as figures and characters can be used. Instead of combining the above foreground or background image with the photographed image, image parameters such as color gradation, color tone, brightness, saturation, and hue of the photographed image may be set. The image may be processed by sharpening, edge extraction, trimming, etc., and an effect added.

  Note that a synthesis image used for direct synthesis may be output as a selection candidate, or a sample image obtained by synthesizing a synthesis image and an image obtained by photographing a model may be output. Further, the composition image may be classified into a plurality of groups, the group may be output as a selection candidate, and the user may select one of the composition images by selecting.

  As described above, since the user can easily recognize the selection result so far, the user can reduce the time required for selecting the next composite image. This makes it possible to shorten the time required for the editing process, which was a bottleneck for the entire game, which is spent before moving on to the next process, thus reducing the overall time required for the game and improving the turnover rate. It becomes possible to make it. Along with this, the profitability on the store side where the photographed image synthesizing apparatus is installed is improved.

  In the photographed image composition apparatus, the selection candidate output means may output a selection candidate that has already been selected as a selected selection candidate.

  According to the above configuration, the selected selection candidates can be grasped at a glance, so that the selection candidates that have already been selected are not selected again by mistake, and the loss of user selection time due to selection mistakes is reduced. Can be made. The selected selection candidate may be output with selected information indicating that it has been selected added to the selection candidate, or may be output separately from the selection candidate.

  Similarly, even when the previously selected candidate is selected again, the selected selection candidate can be grasped at a glance, so that the user can intentionally select the same selection candidate instantly without hesitation. As a result, the selection time can be shortened.

  In the above-described photographed image composition device, the selection candidate output unit is configured not to select a part or all of the selection candidates already selected.

  According to the above configuration, since the already selected composition image cannot be selected, it is possible to provide a photographed image composition apparatus that is unlikely to accidentally select the same composition image multiple times. As a result, the user can select more types of composite images within a limited time.

  In the photographed image synthesizing apparatus described above, the selection candidate output means does not output a part or all of the selection candidates already selected.

  According to the above configuration, when the user refers to the selection candidate, the selection candidate corresponding to the already selected image for synthesis is not displayed, so that a list of selection candidates with high visibility can be output. However, it is possible to provide a photographed image synthesizing apparatus that does not erroneously select a composition image that has already been selected. Thereby, the time which a user requires for selection can be shortened.

  In the photographed image synthesizing apparatus, the selection candidate output means adds recommended information recommended to the user based on the selection history to the selection candidate and outputs the selection candidate.

  According to the above configuration, based on the history information regarding the already selected synthesis image, the recommended synthesis image is preferentially output to the user as a recommended selection candidate. Therefore, the synthesis image that is highly likely to be selected by the user Can be preferentially output. Accordingly, it is possible to present a selection screen that allows the user to easily select a composition image desired by the user in a short time.

  The photographed image synthesizing apparatus may be realized by a computer. In this case, the photographed image synthesizing apparatus that realizes the photographed image synthesizing apparatus by a computer by operating the computer as each of the above means. These control programs and computer-readable recording media on which the control programs are recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

  The photographed image composition device according to the present invention is a photographed image composition device that composes and outputs a photographed image obtained by photographing a subject and a composition image selected by a user, and combines the photographed image with the photographed image. Selection candidate output means for outputting a selection candidate for determining an image, selection candidate determination means for determining one of the selection candidates presented to the user, and selection for recording a selection history relating to the selection candidate determined by the user A history recording unit; and a reference information output unit that outputs reference information about the selection candidate added to the selection candidate based on the selection history when the selection candidate is output.

  A control method for a photographed image composition device according to the present invention is a control method for a photographed image composition device that combines and outputs a photographed image obtained by photographing a subject and a composition image selected by a user, A step of outputting selection candidates for determining the combination image to be combined with the captured image, a step of determining one of the selection candidates presented to the user, and a selection history regarding the selection candidate determined by the user. A step of recording, and a step of adding reference information related to the selection candidate to the selection candidate and outputting the selection candidate based on the selection history when the selection candidate is output.

  Therefore, it is possible to realize a photographed image composition apparatus and a control method thereof that can output selection candidates that facilitate selection of a composition image by a user. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required for each process from photographing to printing and to improve the rotation rate of the photographed image composition apparatus.

  An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the drawings.

[Appearance of photo synthesizer]
FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are perspective views showing the appearance of the photographed image composition device 1 according to the present embodiment. This photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 includes a photographing unit 2 that photographs a user's photograph, an editing unit 3 that allows a user to edit graffiti on a photograph (photographed image), and a user edited the photograph. And an output unit 4 that outputs a photograph (edited image) as printed paper or image data. 2A shows the appearance from the photographing unit 2 side in the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1, and FIG. 2B shows the appearance from the editing unit 3 and the output unit 4 side.

  FIG. 3 is a front view of the photographing unit 2. The photographing unit 2 performs user photography. The imaging unit 2 includes a coin processing unit 21, an illumination unit 22, a camera unit 23, a captured image display unit 24, a camera image display unit 25, and the like. Further, in the present embodiment, the photographing unit 2 includes an operation unit 26 (not shown) for operating the photographing unit 2 such that the user selects a photographed image displayed on the photographed image display unit 24. .

  The photographing unit 2 can be provided with a luggage storage area 122 for storing a user's valuables such as valuables. The installation location of the luggage storage area 122 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to effectively use an empty space in the imaging unit 2.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the captured image display unit 24 and the coin processing unit 21 are installed on the right side of the camera unit 23 so as not to obstruct the angle of view of the camera unit 23. When the imaging unit 2 has a symmetrical structure with the camera unit 23 as the center, it does not interfere with the angle of view of the camera unit 23 and is symmetrical with respect to the space in which the captured image display unit 24 and the coin processing unit 21 are installed. Space (left side of the camera unit 23) can also be used widely. Therefore, the same space can be effectively used as the luggage storage area 122. In addition, since the space is a front part of the photographing and enters the user's field of view even during photographing, a crime prevention effect can be expected.

  The photographed image composition apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10 that controls various operations in the photographed image composition apparatus 1 by controlling the above-described units. Details of each of the above-described units and the control unit 10 will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is a front view of the editing unit 3a. The configuration of the editing unit 3b is the same as that of the editing unit 3a, and is not shown here. The editing unit 3b is provided facing the editing unit 3a. Hereinafter, the editing unit 3 will be collectively described.

  The editing unit 3 is for executing an editing process such as graffiti on a captured image after the user finishes the shooting process by the shooting unit 2. The touch panel unit 31, the touch pen 32, and the voice output unit 33 are used for the editing unit 3. Etc. Each unit of the editing unit 3 is controlled by the control unit 10. Details of the above-described units will be described later.

  FIG. 5 is a front view of the output unit 4. In the present embodiment, the output unit 4 is provided on the side surfaces of the editing unit 3 a and the editing unit 3 b, and thus FIG. 5 shows the side surface of the editing unit 3. The output unit 4 prints the edited image after the user completes the editing process by the editing unit 3 on a sticker sheet, and discharges the printed sticker sheet. In the present embodiment, print discharge ports 44a and 44b are provided on the side surface of the editing unit 3, and the sticker sheet of the edited image edited by the editing unit 3a is discharged from the print discharge port 44a. The sticker sheet of the edited image that has been edited in 3b is discharged from the print discharge port 44b.

  FIG. 6 is a top view of the photographed image composition device 1. In the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 configured as described above, the user first enters the photographing space 20 provided with the photographing unit 2 and executes the photographing process, and then the editing unit 3 (the editing unit 3a or the editing unit 3b). Is moved to an editing space (editing space 30a or editing space 30b) provided with a), an editing process is executed, and a sticker sheet on which a photo output by the output unit 4 is printed is received in the printing space 40, or carried Enjoy a series of game processes by sending image data to the phone. Note that X and Y shown in FIG. 6 indicate groups of users. When the user group X finishes shooting and moves to the editing space 30a, the user group Y performs shooting in the shooting space 20. The user group Y that has finished shooting moves to the editing space 30b instead of the editing space 30a and performs editing. Thereby, even if the user group X has not finished the editing process in the editing space 30a at the time when the shooting process of the user group Y that has entered later is completed, the user group Y can immediately wait without generating a waiting time. It is possible to move to the editing process.

  The photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a structure including two editing units 3 as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 6. The editing unit 3a and the second editing unit 3b are installed facing each other. Thus, by providing more editing units 3 than the imaging units 2, it is possible to disperse the processing time related to the editing process that is a bottleneck and improve the rotation rate. However, the photographed image composition apparatus 1 of the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration. The installation position of the editing unit 3 is not particularly limited, and the number of installations may be one editing unit 3 or three or more editing units 3 may be provided if the installation location can be secured. Good.

[Configuration of photographed image composition device-Overview]
Next, the operation of the control unit 10 in the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 and each part of the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.

  The photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 according to the present invention includes a photographing unit 2, an editing unit 3, an output unit 4, a control unit 10, and a recording unit 50, as shown in FIG.

  The control unit 10 comprehensively controls the operations of the above-described units included in the photographed image composition device 1. The control unit 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 control unit 10 is configured to be connected to a communication network such as the Internet, a mode in which the program is downloaded via the communication network, installed on a hard disk, and the like can be considered.

  The photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 includes a recording unit 50 configured by a nonvolatile storage device such as the hard disk described above. Examples of the contents stored in the recording unit 50 include the control program, an OS (Operating System) program, other various programs, operation setting values in the camera unit 23, and image data of captured images and edited images. Examples of operation setting values in the camera unit 23 include white balance values set at the time of shipment and maintenance of the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 and various parameter values related to image processing when adjusting the contrast of the photographed image. Can be mentioned.

  Details of the configuration of the control unit 10 and the recording unit 50 for shortening the editing time will be described later.

  The imaging unit 2 executes an imaging process, and includes a coin processing unit 21, an illumination unit 22, a camera unit 23, a captured image display unit 24, a camera image display unit 25, and an operation unit 26. Although not shown here, the photographing unit 2 may include a voice output unit for performing voice guidance so as to prompt the user to perform a certain operation.

  The coin processing unit 21 performs processing for coins that are taken in and out at the coin insertion / return port 121 shown in FIG. The coin insertion / return slot 121 is used for the user to insert a predetermined number of coins as a usage fee for the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 and to discharge a predetermined amount of coins to be returned to the user. It is a discharge port. As shown in FIG. 3, the coin insertion / return port 121 may be provided at an appropriate position of the photographing unit 2. A coin processing unit 21 is provided inside the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 so as to communicate with the coin insertion / return port 121.

  The coin processing unit 21 determines whether or not a predetermined coin has been inserted. When it is determined that a predetermined coin has been inserted, the control unit 10 is notified, and the inserted coin is sent out to a coin container (not shown) for storing coins. On the other hand, when it is determined that a coin other than the predetermined coin has been inserted, the inserted coin is sent again to the coin insertion / return port 121.

  In addition, when there is no money change machine for changing banknotes or coins into predetermined coins near the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1, a banknote insertion slot is newly provided, a banknote processing apparatus is provided, or a change processing apparatus is provided. It is desirable to provide it.

  When the coin processing unit 21 determines that a predetermined coin has been inserted from the coin insertion / return port 121 as described above, the coin processing unit 21 notifies the control unit 10. And the control part 10 will perform an accounting process, if the notification from the coin process part 21 is received. That is, the control unit 10 counts notifications from the coin processing unit 21 and controls various operations for the user according to the amount of money that the user has inserted.

  The illumination unit 22 functions as a photographic flashlight such as a strobe lamp at the time of photographing and also functions as a normal illumination. In this embodiment, a flash lamp is used as the light source, but a light source that emits continuous light, such as a fluorescent lamp, can also be used. Further, a fluorescent lamp or the like can be provided as an auxiliary light source in the vicinity of the flash lamp. By using a continuous light source or an auxiliary light source, it is possible to infer a shot at the time of shooting from a live view image before shooting.

  The camera unit 23 mainly takes a photograph of a user as a subject, and is configured by a digital camera including, for example, a lens group, a diaphragm, a CCD (charge coupled device) image sensor, and the like. The camera unit 23 is configured to be able to switch, for example, a lens group to be used and an aperture so as to be able to cope with both whole body photography and close-up photography.

  The captured image display unit 24 provides a user interface to the user, and displays various images, various operation buttons, and the like. The operation unit 26 is an input device that inputs an instruction signal for a user to perform a game operation on the photographed image composition apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 26 is realized as a touch panel integrated with the captured image display unit 24. That is, a GUI screen such as operation buttons is displayed on the captured image display unit 24. When the display screen of the photographed image display unit 24 is pressed by a user's finger (or a pointing device such as a touch pen), an instruction signal indicating a button or an image corresponding to the position is displayed in the photographed image composition apparatus 1. Entered.

  The photographed image display unit 24 is configured by providing a touch panel on the surface of a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display element or a CRT, for example. By displaying the captured image captured by the camera unit 23 on the captured image display unit 24, the user can check the captured image. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 26 is configured as a touch panel provided integrally with the captured image display unit 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation unit 26 is provided with, for example, a numeric keypad or a cross key. It may be configured as an input device such as a remote controller or a keyboard.

  The camera image display unit 25 displays a real-time video captured by the camera unit 23, that is, a live view image before shooting. By displaying the live view image on the camera image display unit 25, the user can confirm the image in advance and start shooting.

  The editing unit 3 executes an editing process, and includes a touch panel unit 31 and a touch pen 32. The editing unit 3 may further include an audio output unit 33.

  The touch panel unit 31 provides a user interface to the user, and includes an edited image display unit 31a and an operation reception unit 31b. The edited image display unit 31a displays an image to be edited in the editing process (edited image) and a result of editing the shot image (edited image). The operation accepting unit 31b accepts a user instruction signal input by using a pointing device such as a touch pen and transmits it to the inside of the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1.

  The touch pen 32 is used by a user to perform fine operation input on the touch panel unit 31 in image editing processing or the like, and is disposed near the touch panel unit 31. The user can select a button displayed according to the progress of the process or draw an image such as a graffiti by bringing the touch pen 32 into contact with or approaching the touch panel unit 31.

  For example, when the screen of the touch panel unit 31 is pressed with the touch pen 32, an instruction signal indicating a button or an image corresponding to the position is input into the photographed image composition apparatus 1. As a result, the user can doodle the photographed image, press a stamp, select a print target image to be printed, select an image that can be viewed by sending it to a mobile phone, You can enter the destination on the phone.

  In the present embodiment, two touch pens 32 are provided so that a plurality of users can easily perform image editing. However, in order to simplify the configuration, only one touch pen 32 may be provided. Yes, and more than two can be deployed for more than two users. Similarly, a plurality of touch pens 32 can be provided.

  The voice output unit 33 outputs guidance voices and sound effects for various operations, and is provided at an appropriate position of the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1.

  The output unit 4 executes a printing process by printing a captured image and / or an edited image selected as a print target, or transmits image data to a mobile phone or the like. The data output unit 41, a printer The unit 42, the sticker unit 43, and the communication unit 44 are configured. The output unit 4 is delivered as a set as a sticker paper 142 sticker paper unit 43 serving as an output medium for photographic prints.

  When image data to be output is sent from the control unit 10, the printer unit 42 prints on the sticker sheet 142 based on the image data. As the printer unit 42, for example, a sublimation printer is used.

  Further, the data output unit 41 converts the image format of the composite image output from the control unit 10 into a data format corresponding to the mobile phone, and transmits the created image data 141 to the mobile phone via the communication unit 44. belongs to.

  Further, the photographed image composition device 1 of the present invention may include a curtain unit 27. The curtain unit 27 provides a curtain as a background of the captured image. Curtains with various colors and patterns are prepared, and can be freely selected by the user at the time of shooting, or can be automatically selected by the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1. The plurality of curtains are arranged so as to overlap the back surface of the photographing space 20 (facing the photographing unit 2) (FIGS. 2A and 2B), and at the time of photographing, the selected curtain is behind the subject. It is installed in the foreground so that it can be seen. The installation of the selected curtain may be executed by the background control unit 15 of the control unit 10 controlling the curtain unit 27, or may be configured to be manually performed by the user himself / herself.

  In addition, the above-mentioned curtain part may be comprised with multiple sheets, and it is good also as a background image combining 1 sheet or multiple sheets. Also, one type of chroma key composition curtain may be used. In this case, the composition image may be a still image or a moving image.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although the curtain part 27 was set as the structure which provides a some curtain, it is not limited to this. A curtain that can be installed in the curtain unit 27 may be one type. In this case, if a plurality of types of background images for synthesis are prepared and the background image desired by the user is synthesized in the editing process, even if there is only one type of curtain, the user can have various preferences. Can respond.

[Configuration of Photographic Image Composition Device-Details]
Next, the control unit 10 and the recording unit 50 of the photographed image composition apparatus 1 for shortening the editing process and improving the rotation rate will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 10 further includes a first image editing unit 11, a display control unit 12, a target image specifying unit 13, a reduced image generation unit 14, a background control unit 15, and a second image editing unit 16. And a history management unit 17. The recording unit 50 includes a captured image recording unit 51 that records a captured image, an edit pattern information recording unit 52 that records edit pattern information indicating the contents of image editing applied to the captured image, and an edited image recording unit 53 that records the edited image. And a print image recording unit 54 for recording an image selected as a print target image.

  The first image editing unit 11 edits a captured image captured by the camera unit 23. Specifically, the first image editing unit 11 reads (1) a captured image to be edited from the captured image recording unit 51, and (2) reads predetermined editing pattern information from the editing pattern information recording unit 52. (3) The captured image is edited according to the read editing pattern information to generate an edited image. As a result, the captured image is edited based on the editing pattern information recorded in the editing pattern information recording unit 52.

  Details of the operation of the first image editing unit 11 and the editing pattern information will be described later.

  The display control unit 12 controls the captured image display unit 24 to display the captured image and / or the edited image on the captured image display unit 24. The display control unit 12 also performs control when displaying various GUI screens for the user to operate the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1.

  The display control unit 12 reads a captured image to be displayed from the captured image recording unit 51 and / or reads an edited image to be displayed from the edited image recording unit 53 and displays the captured image together with a control command such as a display layout. To the unit 24. Thereby, the photographed image and / or the edited image is displayed on the photographed image display unit 24, and the user can check the photographed / edited result.

  More specifically, for example, the first image editing unit 11 generates a plurality (for example, four types) of editing image information for a plurality of (for example, four types) editing pattern information for one captured image A. To do. At this time, the display control unit 12 can control the captured image display unit 24 to display all of the plurality of four edited images recorded in the edited image recording unit 53. A plurality of edited images rich in variations are generated for each captured image, and the user can select a target image therefrom.

  At this time, the layout of the plurality of edited images is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to display a list so that a plurality of (four) edited images are displayed at a time on the screen of the captured image display unit 24. If the display control unit 12 controls the captured image display unit 24 in this way, the user does not need to perform another operation, and the target image candidate to be used in the next step (another editing step such as a printing step or graffiti). Because it is possible to quickly check and select multiple images, the editing time can be shortened.

  Further, the display control unit 12 may control the captured image display unit 24 so that the captured image A as an original image before editing is displayed as a list simultaneously with the plurality of edited images.

  As a result, it is possible to display a list together with the edited images, including the captured images that have not been edited, as candidates for target images to be used in the next step. Therefore, when the user desires to “do not edit” by comparing the edited image with the captured image, the selection can be made immediately. That is, the step of returning to before editing can be omitted, and the processing can be simplified. As a result, the editing time can be shortened. In addition, since the confirmation of the captured image and the confirmation of the edited image can be performed at the same time using one display unit (the captured image display unit 24), the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  The target image specifying unit 13 specifies an image selected by the user from among images displayed on the captured image display unit 24 as a target image to be used in the next step. When an image displayed on the captured image display unit 24 is selected by the user via the operation unit 26, a signal indicating that the image has been selected is input to the control unit 10.

  The target image specifying unit 13 specifies the image selected by the user from the photographed image recording unit 51 or the edited image recording unit 53 based on the signal. The target image specified by the target image specifying unit 13 is recorded in the recording unit 50 as a processing target image in the next step. More specifically, if the next process is a printing process, the target image specified by the target image specifying unit 13 is recorded in the print image recording unit 54 as a print target image.

  The history management unit 17 records the selection history of the processing target image specified by the target image specifying unit 13 in the history recording unit 56 of the recording unit 50, and displays the processing target image on the editing image display unit 31a as a selection candidate. When this is done, reference information indicating that it has been selected in the past is added and output. More specifically, when the target image specifying unit 13 specifies the target image and recorded in the print image recording unit 54 of the recording unit 50 as a processing target image in the next step, the date and time when the target image was selected, The number of times, user information, selection route, image genre, and other information related to selection of the target image are recorded in the history recording unit 56 of the recording unit 50 as a selection history.

  The recorded selection history is referred to in the target image specifying process after the next time. When a new selection candidate is displayed, additional information indicating whether the selection has been selected in the past is extracted by referring to the history information. And superimposed on the selection candidate. Specifically, the selected icon, popular No. Additional information that assists the identification of the target image is output using an icon such as one icon or a new icon. Note that the method for outputting these additional information is not limited to the superimposed display of icon images, and the user may be notified using sound, vibration, or the like.

[Edit pattern information]
Next, the edit pattern information recording unit 52 will be described. The editing pattern information recording unit 52 records editing pattern information indicating the contents of image editing to be applied to the photographed image. The first image editing unit 11 adds the editing pattern information read from the editing pattern information recording unit 52 to the editing pattern information. Therefore, image editing is executed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of edit pattern information recorded in the edit pattern information recording unit 52.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, the edit pattern information recording unit 52 has a table structure in which one edit pattern information has three parameters, which form one record.

  The parameter stored in the first column C1 indicates a pattern name as identification information for identifying the edit pattern. For example, in the first line, an edit pattern named “Aura 1” is recorded.

  The parameters stored in the second column C2 indicate the background color (curtain color) of the image to which the edit pattern should be applied and the color of the background image. For example, when an edit pattern with the pattern name “Aura 2” is applied to an image, if the background color of the image to be edited is a color belonging to “pastel”, the edit pattern shown in the second line is reversed. When the color belongs to “Vivid”, the edit pattern shown in the third row is applied to the image to be edited.

  Furthermore, as shown in the 5th to 9th lines, it is also possible to prepare an edit pattern for each specific color of the background color. Thereby, for example, when an image having a red background color or a background image based on red is an image to be edited, it is possible to perform image processing using a color that stands out with respect to red.

  As described above, the first image editing unit 11 is suitable for performing only image processing suitable for the background color of the image to be edited and the background image by referring to the parameter of “background color” of the editing pattern information. It is possible to extract only edit pattern information and execute editing based on the extracted information.

  The parameter stored in the third column C3 indicates the processing content of image editing applied to the captured image. By reading the processing content associated with the editing pattern information, the first image editing unit 11 performs various image editing operations on the image to be edited, such as “Aura 1 (Aura 1 in which stars are scattered around the subject”. Glitter Aura ")", "Aura 2 (Aura in which figures such as hearts and dots are scattered around the subject)", "Aura 3 (Large contact distance between the background and the mask, connecting linear figures) , “Angular aura”, “trimming”, “color gradation correction (“ color black ”to correct two colors of one color and black)”, “background (foreground) image composition”, “brightness” Editing such as “correction” and “tone correction (sepia, monochrome, color enhancement, etc.)” can be automatically executed.

  Note that the editing pattern information referred to by the first image editing unit 11 is not limited to the above. Therefore, the first image editing unit 11 can perform various image editing other than the editing pattern described above.

  Further, the edit pattern information is not limited to the parameters shown in FIG. 7, and various information related to the edit contents may be associated with the edit pattern information.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the edit pattern information recorded in the edit pattern information recording unit 52 is shown as a table having one record for each type of edit. However, the data structure of the edit pattern information is not limited to this. . Any data structure may be used as long as the above-described various parameters are recorded in association with each editing type.

  According to the above configuration, when a photographed image is generated by photographing with the camera unit 23, the first image editing unit 11 reads the photographed image from the photographed image recording unit 51 and obtains an editing target image to be edited. (S21 in FIG. 8). Then, the editing pattern information is extracted from the editing pattern information recording unit 52, editing is executed according to the extracted editing pattern information, and one or a plurality of editing images (first editing images) are generated from the photographed image (S22). ). The edited image is recorded in the edited image recording unit 53. If an unedited captured image remains in the captured image recording unit 51 (YES in S23), the processes of S21 and S22 may be repeated.

  Subsequently, the display control unit 12 controls the captured image display unit 24 so that the edited image generated by the first image editing unit 11 is displayed on the captured image display unit 24 (S24).

  When the user selects an image that the user likes among the edited images displayed on the captured image display unit 24 (YES in S25), the target image specifying unit 13 displays the edited image selected by the user as an edited image recording unit. Search from 53 and specify (S26).

  The edited image specified by the target image specifying unit 13 as described above is recorded in a predetermined area of the recording unit 50 as the next process target image used in the next process, and the member of the control unit 10 that executes the next process (For example, the first image editing unit 11 or a print control unit (not shown)) reads out the information as necessary.

  Thereby, the editing process after shooting is automatically performed, and the editing result is displayed on the shot image display unit 24. The user only has to select a favorite image that he / she wants to use in the next process from the displayed edited images without manually adjusting the brightness and color tone.

  Therefore, it is possible to greatly shorten the editing time, shorten the overall time required for the game, and improve the rotation rate. Further, unlike the conventional process, it is not necessary to repeat the process of returning to the step before editing until the editing result is liked, and as a result, the editing time can be greatly shortened and the rotation rate can be improved.

  Further, since a plurality of edited images to which different image editing is applied can be obtained from one photographed image obtained by one photographing, the user can obtain from a plurality of edited images corresponding to one photographed image, Multiple next process target images can be selected. Therefore, it becomes possible for the user to select the next process target image more happily and conveniently.

  In the above description, the function for automatically editing the photographed image composition apparatus 1 such as color tone / brightness correction and composition for the photographed image has been described. It may have a function that allows manual editing of a stamp or a stamp.

  That is, the editing process performed on the photographed image includes (1) a first editing process automatically performed by the first image editing unit 11 and (2) a graffiti operation performed by the user in the editing space. You may divide | segment into the 2nd edit process which receives and edits based on it.

  The first editing is an editing in which the creativity of the user is not exhibited, that is, no user judgment or manual operation is required, and what part of the image is processed in accordance with the predetermined image editing processing content. Editing is automatically determined whether to change. The first image editing unit 11 executes. The content of the image editing process in the first editing may be described as editing pattern information and recorded in the editing pattern information recording unit 52 in advance. Specifically, the content of the image editing process depends on the original image data (for example, masking, for example, editing without adding a new image, such as brightness or tone correction, or adding an aura). Edits that automatically determine the location to be added, the location to be added, and shapes that are to be added in advance, such as foreground / background composition is assumed.

  The second editing is editing that exhibits the creativity of the user, that is, editing that is executed according to the processing content of the image editing determined by the user's manual operation. The second image editing unit 16 executes. Specifically, editing such as addition of graffiti with a touch pen or addition of a stamp image at an arbitrary position is assumed. The second editing is not limited to the above-described example, and the editing is executed by the user manually operating some input means (input unit) connected to the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 to change to the original image. As long as the editing can obtain a result (edited image) obtained by adding “”, any editing process may be used.

  In the present embodiment, in the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1, the first image editing unit 11 executes the first editing, and the second editing is performed by the second image editing unit 16 (second image editing unit) ( The configuration shown in FIG. 1) is executed, but is not limited to this. For example, when the first image editing unit 11 is configured to perform the first editing and the second editing and a signal from the touch panel unit 31 of the editing unit 3 is received, the second editing is performed. It is also possible to provide one image editing unit 11.

  As described above, when the editing process is divided into a plurality of parts, for example, when the editing process is divided into the first editing process and the second editing process, the edited image recording unit 53 records the first edited image. What is necessary is just to comprise by the 1st area | region, the 2nd area | region which records the 2nd edit object image used as the object of 2nd edit, and the 3rd area | region which records a 2nd edited image. Then, the first edited image edited by the first image editing unit 11 is recorded in the first area, and the display control unit 12 reads and controls to display on the captured image display unit 24. Among the displayed images, for the image selected by the user as the target image to be used in the next step (that is, the second editing step), the target image specifying unit 13 selects the second editing target from the first region. An image to be an image is specified and recorded in the second area. The second image editing unit 16 (or the first image editing unit 11) that executes the second editing applies the second editing process to the identified second editing target image with reference to the second region. Then, a second edited image is generated and stored in the third area.

  According to the above configuration, the first image editing unit 11 executes the first editing based on the editing pattern information, and the first edited image subjected to the first editing is displayed on the captured image display unit 24. Then, the user can select an image to be used in the next process, that is, the second editing process, from the images displayed on the captured image display unit 24.

  The image selected by the user is recorded as the second editing target image. When the user moves to the editing space 30 and executes the second editing step in the editing unit 3, the second image editing unit 16 (or the first image editing unit 11) reads out the second editing target image. The second editing is performed on the second editing target image.

  This allows the first image editing unit 11 of the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 to automatically execute only the first editing (which can be automated by the editing pattern information) that does not require the user's judgment or operation in the image editing process. Thus, the overall editing time can be shortened.

  Conventionally, since all editing processes are executed according to the user's judgment and manual operation, the editing time becomes longer, and as a result, the time required for the end of the game becomes longer and the rotation rate decreases. I was sorry. On the other hand, if a short time limit is provided for the editing time, a print image desired by the user cannot be obtained. That is, there is a problem in that the satisfaction of the user is sacrificed for improving the rotation rate.

  However, according to the photographed image synthesizing device 1, the editing time is shortened in the first editing process, and the room for the user's work is left in the second editing process. The editing time can be shortened without sacrificing the satisfaction of the user while maintaining the sex and entertainment.

  In the above description, the display control unit 12 is configured to control the captured image display unit 24 to display one or more edited images that have been edited. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The display control unit 12 may control the captured image display unit 24 to display a list of edited images corresponding to the captured image for each captured image.

  Specifically, in the photographed image recording unit 51 that records a photographed image before editing and the edited image recording unit 53 that records one or more edited images after editing, the edited image is the image. The display control unit 12 determines the layout of the captured image and the edited image so as to clarify the correspondence, and controls the captured image display unit 24.

  Further, the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 may further include a sample image recording unit 55 that records a sample image in the recording unit 50. The sample image is an image reflecting a printing result obtained by being photographed and edited by the photographed image synthesizing device 1, that is, a completed drawing. The user can imagine the finished product by referring to this sample image. For this reason, for example, the user can imitate a sample image at the time of photographing or editing, and obtain a finished product (its own photo sticker) close to the favorite sample image.

  The display of the sample image is realized by the display control unit 12 reading a predetermined sample image from the sample image recording unit 55 and controlling the captured image display unit 24.

  Furthermore, the display control unit 12 preferably changes the size of the image to be displayed according to the number of images displayed as a list on the screen of the captured image display unit 24. As a result, if the image size to be displayed is reduced, a large number of candidate images that are candidates for the image to be used in the next process can be displayed at a time, and the user can select an image to be used in the next process in a short time. Can do. On the other hand, if the number of images that can be displayed at one time is reduced and the size of the image to be displayed is increased by that amount, a detailed image of each image can be confirmed.

  In addition, if the display control unit 12 cannot display all candidate images at once, the display control unit 12 may determine the layout so as to scroll the page. For example, when a list of up to 40 images can be displayed on the captured image display unit 24, display data for two pages may be created as a layout for displaying 20 images on one screen. Further, when the user selects an image displayed in a list, the captured image display unit 24 may be controlled so that the image is displayed in an enlarged manner.

  Further, the display control unit 12 may identify images recommended for use in the next process from candidate images, and may control the captured image display unit 24 so that these recommended images are displayed with priority. . As a result, it is possible to provide the user with a recommended image that recommends a combination of the image and the image processing in an easy-to-understand manner.

  The method for specifying the recommended image is not particularly limited. For example, based on the color information (hue, brightness, brightness, etc.) of the additional image such as a frame or an aura, a combination (for example, a combination of a background color, a frame, and an aura) It is conceivable that information of priority order is associated and recorded for each combination. In this case, a candidate image that has been subjected to image editing using the combination with the highest priority may be specified as a recommended image.

  Alternatively, the frequency selected by the user as the next process target image is recorded for each edit pattern information, and is generated according to the edit pattern information for generating the next process target image most frequently selected by the user. Candidate images can also be specified as recommended images.

  In addition to highlighting one recommended image, the candidate images may be displayed in a ranking format by rearranging them in the recommended order based on the priority order and frequency information.

  If the captured image display unit 24 is configured with a large monitor (for example, a 17-inch monitor), a larger number of finer images can be displayed in a list, and the user can quickly confirm candidate images. Become.

[Example 1 of background selection]
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a selection screen for selecting a background color as an image for synthesis. The selection screen 80 includes a selected composition image display area 82 and a composition image list display area 90. In addition, a countdown image 86 indicating the remaining time and a reflection change button 84 are displayed at the corner of the selection screen 80.

  In the selected composition image display area 82, a composition image selected from the composition image list display area 90, here, the background color 92 is displayed. Further, by touching the background color 92 reflected in the selected composition image display area 82 again, the selected background color 92 is deselected and can be selected again. The reflection change button 84 is a button for moving to a screen for setting and changing camera shooting parameters such as brightness.

  In the synthesis image list display area 90, a list of background colors 92 as selection candidates is displayed. The compositing image list display area 90 may include vertical and horizontal scroll bars for scroll-displaying a large number of background colors 92. Further, a switching selection button may be provided so that a plurality of selection candidate groups can be switched.

  The user operates the selection display frame 96 displayed in the composite image list display area 90 using the cursor key, direction key, or the like of the operation unit 26, and selects one of the background colors 92 using the enter key or the like. To do. The background color 92 may be selected and deselected by directly touching the screen on the touch panel unit 31 without using various keys.

  In the following, a case will be described in which shooting is performed once for one set and three types of background colors 92 can be selected. Three background colors 92 are selected in the first set, and shooting is performed three times. Similarly, in the second set, three background colors 92 are selected and photographing is performed three times.

  In this case, when the background color 92 of the first set is selected, the selected background color 92 is highlighted every time one background color 92 is selected, and the selected composition color on the left side of the composition image list display area is selected. This is reflected in the image display area 82. When the second set of background colors 92 is selected, a photographed icon 94 is displayed in the vicinity of or superimposed on the background color 92 selected in the first set. When the background color 92 is selected in the second set, the “recommended composition image” may be extracted and displayed based on the shooting history of the first set.

  In the above example, the photographed icon 94 is displayed when the background color 92 is selected. However, the present invention is not limited to the photographing process. When “background image or frame image” is used as a captured image at the time of editing, the shooting history may be displayed by displaying “used” or the like. Similarly, the use history may be displayed when the “stamp image” is used.

[Example 2 of background selection]
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another display example of a selection screen for selecting a background as an image for synthesis. The selection screen 80 includes display areas similar to those in FIG. In the selection screen 80 of FIG. 16, unlike the display example of FIG. 15, the same composition image 92 cannot be selected redundantly. Therefore, the warning icon 98 is displayed in the vicinity of the background color 92 or superimposed on the background color 92 so that the user can easily understand that the image has been taken.

  When the user operates the selection display frame 96 using the cursor key or direction key of the operation unit 26 and selects any background color 92 using the enter key or the like, the selected background is already selected. If the color is 92, the warning icon 98 may be displayed to cancel the selection, or may be displayed from the beginning. Further, when the same background color 92 is repeatedly selected in a state where it cannot be selected, it may be possible to cancel the prohibition of overlapping selection.

[Example 3 of background selection]
FIG. 17 shows still another display example of a selection screen for selecting a background as a composition image, and includes a display area similar to that in FIGS. 15 and 16. In the selection screen 80 of FIG. 17, the same background color 92 cannot be selected redundantly as in the display example of FIG. Therefore, the background color 92 that cannot be selected from the beginning is not displayed to the user. Since the background color 92 that cannot be selected is not displayed, the visibility of the compositing image list display area 90 is improved, and the user can easily select the background color 92 that has not been selected so far.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the selected selection candidate cannot be selected or an example in which the selected selection candidate is not displayed has been shown. However, the background may be selected by displaying the selected selection candidate small. According to the above configuration, the background color 92 can be grasped roughly as a reduced image, and can be displayed so that the selected candidate does not get in the way of the list.

  Moreover, although the example which cannot select the selection candidate already selected and the example which does not display were shown in the above Example, you may make a user perform background selection by changing a color tone. According to the above configuration, the background color 92 can be roughly grasped by an image of the same size, and the selected candidate is displayed in a color tone that does not interfere with, for example, sepia in the list. be able to.

  As described above, any display method may be used as long as the selected selection candidate can be distinguished from other selection candidates.

[Example of shooting image selection]
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a selection screen for selecting a photographed image such as an aura or a frame as a composition image, and includes a display area similar to that in FIGS. Here, the composition image list display area 90 is classified into three image groups of “normal”, “aura”, and “frame”. The composite image list display area 90 in FIG. 18 shows a state where the “Aura” image group is selected. In the “Aura” image group, a pose to be taken by the user is displayed in the composition image 92, and a composite image in which an image effect such as an aura is synthesized around the user. In addition, in the “frame” image group, images of frames surrounding the captured image are combined.

  Also in the compositing image list display area 90 for selecting a photographed image, a photographed icon 94 is displayed superimposed on the composition image that has been photographed in a series of photographing processes. As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the composite images that have been taken may not be selected redundantly, or the selected composite image may not be displayed.

  In the normal shooting course, only the background color can be selected. The pose shooting course is applied to normal, aura, and frame images. In addition, since the selection candidates using the model are displayed on the sample image in the pose shooting course, the user can easily imagine the shooting image.

[Modification]
The photographed image composition device 1 of the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and preferably includes a reduced image generation unit 14 (FIG. 1) that generates an image having a data size smaller than that of the photographed image.

  When a photographed image is generated by photographing by the camera unit 23, the reduced image generating unit 14 is based on the generated original photographed image and has an image (small size) having a data size smaller than the original photographed image. Photographed image).

  The small-sized captured image generated separately from the original captured image is recorded in the captured image recording unit 51 in association with the original captured image.

  Then, the first image editing unit 11 reads out and edits the small-size captured image generated by the reduced image generating unit 14 from the captured image recording unit 51, and generates an edited image.

  According to the above configuration, the reduced image generation unit 14 separately generates an editing image having a size smaller than the captured image for each captured image. The first image editing unit 11 performs an editing process on a small-sized captured image with a small size, not a captured image with a large size. The edited image generated by the first image editing unit 11 is an edited image having a smaller size than that generated when the original photographed image having a larger size is edited.

  Thereby, the load of the image editing process concerning the first image editing unit 11 is reduced. Furthermore, the load of the edited image display process on the display control unit 12 is also reduced. As a result, the image editing process is executed quickly, and the display speed of the edited image is improved.

  From the above, the processing efficiency of the entire control unit 10 is improved, and the editing time can be further shortened.

  Note that a method for generating an image with a small data size in the reduced image generation unit 14 is not particularly limited. For example, the data size of the image may be reduced by a code compression method, or the data size may be reduced by reducing the size of the image itself.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the second editing target image used in the next process (here, the second editing process) is selected from the first editing image whose image size has been reduced. Does not directly use the first edited image with the reduced image size when executing the second editing. That is, the image size of the second edited image generated by the second image editing unit 16 is not as small as the first edited image generated by the first image editing unit 11.

  Specifically, information indicating which editing pattern information is applied is recorded in association with the first edited image generated from the small-size captured image by the first image editing unit 11. The first image editing unit 11 selects the corresponding original-size captured image, the corresponding editing pattern information, and only the small-sized first edited image as the target image selected by the user and specified by the target image specifying unit 13. And the first edited image is generated while maintaining the original image size. Then, the first edited image of the original size is delivered to the second image editing unit 16 as the next process target image selected by the user. The second image editing unit 16 performs the second editing on the first edited image of the original size whose image size is not reduced, and generates a second edited image. The second edited image generated in this way is read out as necessary by a printing unit (not shown) as a print target image.

  As a result, it is possible to ensure the resolution required for the print target image when it is output on the sticker sheet. Therefore, there is no inconvenience that a rough image is printed because the image data is reduced by the reduced image generation unit 14 when output as a sticker sheet.

[Flow of processing of the photographed image composition device]
Next, the flow of game processing executed by the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 of the present invention will be described. The photographed image composition device 1 according to the present embodiment has a function for photographing a photograph of a user as a subject, a function for automatically editing the photographed photograph such as color tone / brightness correction, composition, and the like. It has at least a printing function.

  In the following, it is assumed that the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 has a function that allows the user to edit graffiti, stamps, etc. in addition to automatic editing. Here, regarding the editing performed on the photographed image, the first editing (process) automatically performed by the first image editing unit 11 of the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 is “pre-editing (process)”, and the user enters the editing space. The second editing performed manually is referred to as “main editing (process)” to be distinguished. When there is no need to distinguish between the two, they will be collectively referred to as “editing (process)”.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of game processing executed by the photographed image composition apparatus 1. FIG. 13A to FIG. 13D are diagrams showing display examples on the screen of the photographed image display unit 24 of the photographed image composition device 1. FIG. 13 (e) is a diagram showing a display example on the screen of the edited image display unit 31 a of the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1.

As shown in FIG. 9, first, the display control unit 12 of the photographed image composition apparatus 1 displays a demonstration screen on the photographed image display unit 24 installed in the photographing unit 2 of the photographing space 20 (S101) (FIG. 9). 13 (a)). In this state, when the coin processing unit 21 detects that a predetermined coin has been inserted (YES in S102), the display control unit 12 causes the photographed image display unit 24 to select a BGM that is played during the game. Is displayed (FIG. 13B), and an input of BGM selection from the user is accepted (S103). Next, the display control unit 12 displays a screen for allowing the user to select a shooting course on the shot image display unit 24 (FIG. 13C), and accepts an input of shooting course selection from the user (S104). . In this embodiment, as an example,
A: Normal shooting course (photographed by user selecting desired curtain (background color))
B: Auto shooting course (automatically selecting curtains and shooting)
C: Pause shooting course (The user selects a model sample image (completed drawing) and shoots based on it)
3 courses are prepared, and the user can select a favorite course.

  When the user selects a normal shooting course (A in S104), the shooting unit 2 executes normal shooting processing (S105). When the user selects an automatic shooting course (B in S104), the shooting unit 2 executes an automatic shooting process (S106). When the user selects a pause shooting course (C in S104), the shooting unit 2 executes a pause shooting process (S107).

  Here, when the normal shooting course or the automatic shooting course is selected and the shooting process of the selected course is executed, the first image editing unit 11 pre-edits the shot image obtained in the shooting process. The process is executed (S108), and an edited image is generated. At this time, the display control unit 12 displays the captured image and / or the generated edited image, and allows the user to select a target image for the next process (here, the main editing process).

  On the other hand, when the shooting process in the pose shooting course is executed, an image shot and edited based on the model sample image is generated as a next process target image.

  As described above, when the main editing target image is specified, the display control unit 12 displays a screen for performing movement guidance on the captured image display unit 24 (S109) (FIG. 13D). At this stage, the user moves from the shooting space 20 to the editing space 30a (or editing space 30b).

  In the editing space 30, the editing unit 3 receives the user's operation and executes this editing process (S110). After the editing, when the user selects the next process (here, the printing process) target image and the print layout (number of divisions), the control unit 10 causes the output unit 4 to select the selected print target image. Image data to be output is generated (S111). Here, the desired image is printed by selecting the next process target image. However, the editing target image may be printed entirely without selecting the next process image. Based on the generated print data, the output unit 4 executes print processing or data output processing (S112). When the user selects the number of divisions, for example, the display control unit 12 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 13E on the edited image display unit 31a (editing unit 3). At this time, the display control unit 12 can control to highlight the layout or display the logo 131 so that the recommended layout can be understood. Further, assuming that the stickers divided by the user group are distributed by a plurality of people, a recommended layout may be highlighted for each number of people to be distributed. For example, if the character information 132 such as “for three people” is displayed, the user can immediately select an optimum layout according to how many people distribute the information.

  Thereafter, the control unit 10 executes a post-service process (S113). In the post-service processing, a game is played while a print image is printed, a favorite image is selected from a photographed image photographed by the photographing unit 2 or an edited image edited by the user in the editing unit 3, or a mobile phone or a mobile phone. It may be transmitted to a server on the Internet that can be browsed by telephone. By enabling browsing with a mobile phone, it can be used for a standby image of the mobile phone. When the subsequent customer service process ends, the display control unit 12 displays a movement guide for guiding the user to the print space 40 (S114). Subsequently, the output unit 4 discharges the sticker sheet on which the printed image is printed from the print discharge port 44a (or the print discharge port 44b) (S115), and ends the series of processes of the game.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of automatic shooting processing and pre-editing processing in the photographed image composition device 1. FIG. 14A to FIG. 14E are diagrams showing display examples on the screen of the captured image display unit 24 of the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1.

  When the automatic shooting course is selected by the user, the display control unit 12 controls the captured image display unit 24 to display a screen as shown in FIG. Wait for setting input (S201). Here, when a specific image / brightness is selected by the user (YES in S201), the control unit 10 adjusts the image / brightness of the imaging unit 2 so that the image is captured with the image / brightness selected by the user. (S202). If no input from the user is detected within the time limit (NO in S201), a default value is acquired (S203), and the image and brightness of the photographing unit 2 are adjusted based on the acquired default value ( S202).

  Next, the display control unit 12 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 14B and prompts the user to select a background color (curtain color) pattern (S204). In this embodiment, the background color is classified into two patterns (pastel and vivid), and the user is allowed to select one of them.

  Subsequently, the background control unit 15 selects one of the background color curtains classified into the background color pattern selected in S204 (S205), and controls the curtain unit 27 to install the selected curtain. To do.

  Here, when the sample image recording unit 55 is included in the recording unit 50 of the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1, the display control unit 12 reads a sample image having the same background color as the curtain selected in S205. Then, the read sample image may be displayed on the captured image display unit 24 (S207) (for example, FIG. 14C). Thus, the user can use the displayed sample image as a sample to imitate the pose, or to take an appropriate pose while grasping the image of the finished product, so that the user can smoothly shoot.

  Subsequently, the control unit 10 activates the camera unit 23 and displays the live view image captured by the camera unit 23 on the camera image display unit 25 (S208). It is also possible to provide the user with the sample image superimposed and transparently displayed on the live view image. In this way, the user can reproduce the pose of the sample image more accurately and start shooting.

  Subsequently, the control unit 10 displays a countdown indicator on the captured image display unit 24, performs shooting, and acquires a captured image (S209). Here, the acquired captured image may be displayed on the captured image display unit 24 to allow the user to confirm (S210) (FIG. 14D).

  Next, the first image editing unit 11 performs pre-editing on the captured image acquired in S209 (S211). Here, the first image editing unit 11 receives four pieces of editing pattern information “Aura 1 (Glitter Aura)”, “Border 1”, “Color tone correction 1 (monochrome)” shown in FIG. ”And“ color gradation correction (colored black) ”are read out and the respective edit pattern information is applied to the captured image.

  The first image editing unit 11 records the four edited images generated according to the four editing pattern information as the main editing target images in the edited image recording unit 53 (S212).

  Subsequently, the control unit 10 determines whether a predetermined number of times (for example, 8 times) of shooting has been completed or whether a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes) has elapsed (S213), and if neither is satisfied (S213). In step S215, the selected pattern recording process routine is performed (S215, details will be described later), and then the process returns to step S206 to repeat the photographing process. On the other hand, if any one of the conditions is satisfied (YES in S213), the display control unit 12 reads the pre-edited edited image performed in S211 from the edited image recording unit 53, and displays it in the captured image display unit 24. A list is displayed (S214).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of normal photographing processing and pre-editing processing in the photographed image composition device 1. The normal shooting process of FIG. 11 differs from the automatic shooting process of FIG. 10 in that the user can select a background color (curtain color) and the remaining time limit when the predetermined number of shots is reached. In the case of a predetermined number or more, it is possible to provide the user with an opportunity to perform bonus shooting. Hereinafter, differences from the automatic shooting process of FIG. 10 will be described.

  The control unit 10 adjusts the image / brightness of the photographing unit 2 in steps S301 to S303, and then proceeds to step S304. In S304, when the user selects a background color pattern from the screen of FIG. 14B, the display control unit 12 displays the screen of FIG. A background color is selected (S305). The following shooting process and pre-editing process are the same as the “automatic shooting course” process shown in FIG.

  When the pre-edited image is stored in S312, the control unit 10 determines the number of times of shooting (S313). If the number of times of shooting reaches a predetermined number (for example, 3 times) (YES in S313), then The remaining number of shootable images is determined (S314). If the number of times of photographing is less than three (NO in S313), a selection pattern recording process routine is performed (S327, details will be described later), and then the process returns to step S306 to repeat the photographing process. If it is determined in S314 that the remaining number of shootable images is 3 or more (YES in S314), the process proceeds to the second set of shooting processes. Specifically, the image and brightness are adjusted again (S301 to S303), and the process returns to step S305. As described above, when the shooting process is the second set, it may be determined whether or not the second set is performed, the step of S304 may be skipped, and the process may directly proceed to the step of S305. On the other hand, when the remaining number of shootable images is less than 3 (0) in S314 (NO in S314), the control unit 10 determines whether or not the remaining shootable time remains for a predetermined time (S315). .

  If the control unit 10 determines in S315 that there is sufficient remaining shooting time (YES), the display control unit 12 displays a bonus shooting guide screen (S317), and proceeds to bonus shooting processing. (S318 to S325).

  Here, a series of bonus shooting processes are the same as the steps S205 to S212 shown in FIG.

  When the pre-editing is completed, the control unit 10 confirms the remaining bonus shootable number and remaining shootable time, and if both the number and time satisfy the conditions (YES in S326), performs a selection pattern recording process routine ( Then, the process returns to step S317, and the bonus shooting process is repeated. On the other hand, if even one of the number / time conditions is not satisfied (NO in S326), the display control unit 12 displays a list of photographed images and / or edited images including bonus photographed images and edited images ( In step S316, the user is allowed to select the main editing target image, and the process ends. If it is determined in S315 that the shootable time is less than the predetermined time (NO), the process proceeds to S316, and the process ends.

  Thereby, the user can select a favorite image from the photographed image and / or the pre-edited image as a main editing target image to be used in the next step (here, the main editing step). Here, since the selected edited image is an edited image that has already been automatically pre-edited or a photographed image that the user has determined that pre-editing is unnecessary, brightness and color tone are selected in this editing process. It is not necessary to spend time for correction or processing of an additional image such as an aura, and the time required for the editing process can be shortened. As a result, the rotation rate can be improved.

  Furthermore, the user can also select a target image to which a plurality of different image edits are applied with respect to a favorite captured image. In the above description, the first image editing unit 11 is configured to generate a plurality of first edited images (as many as the number of edited pattern information) to which only one edited pattern information is applied per captured image. It is not limited to this. For example, one or a plurality of first editing images to which a plurality of editing pattern information is applied may be generated for one photographed image.

  In the above-described example, the first image editing unit 11 is configured to execute the pre-editing process every time one photographed image is generated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and after all the photographing processes are completed, A configuration may be adopted in which pre-editing is collectively performed on all unedited captured images.

  In the present embodiment, the photographing course of the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 is the above-described three courses, but is not limited to this. Moreover, although the above-mentioned pre-editing process which the photography image synthesizing | combining apparatus 1 of this invention performs was demonstrated as what applies to the picked-up image after a normal imaging process (S105) and an auto shooting process (S106), it is a pause imaging | photography process. (S107) It is also possible to apply pre-editing to a subsequent captured image.

  In the above description, the game of the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 is set so that the number of shootable images ≧ the number of editable images. However, the number of shootable images ≦ the number of editable images can be set. . Thus, while providing the user with various variations of print images, the number of times of shooting can be reduced and the shooting process can be shortened, so that the rotation rate can be further improved. In addition, a shooting course that can be changed in the shooting process during the setting of the image / brightness may be provided.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for reflecting the shooting history on the combining image selection screen in the photographed image combining apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the history management unit 17 first records the background color pattern and the background curtain selected in the selection process of the selection candidates so far in the history recording unit 56 as a selection history (S401). Next, a selected icon is added to the sample image corresponding to the selection history recorded in S401 and recorded in the sample image recording unit 55 (S402). Thereafter, referring to the history recording unit 56, if the number of selected sample images corresponding to the currently recorded selection history is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, a recommendation icon is added to the sample image (S403).

  By the above process, the selection history of the composition image selected this time is recorded, the selected icon and the recommended icon are added based on the selection history, and the above icon is displayed in the next selection candidate output process. it can.

  In the above-described embodiment, as the image editing process applied to the captured image, the pre-editing process such as the brightness correction and the color tone correction based on the editing pattern information and the main editing process such as the addition of the graffiti and the stamp performed by the user have been described. However, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto. The photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 can perform general image editing processing in addition to the above-described image editing processing. Further, the photographed image composition apparatus 1 can be changed to an appropriate hardware configuration and software configuration for an arbitrary mode.

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

  Finally, each block of the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1, particularly the first image editing unit 11, the display control unit 12, and the target image specifying unit 13 may be configured by hardware logic, as follows: You may implement | achieve by software using CPU.

  That is, the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 includes a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, and a RAM (random access) that expands the program. memory), a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. An object of the present invention is a recording in which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 which is software for realizing the above-described functions is recorded so as to be readable by a computer This can also be achieved by supplying a medium to the photographed image synthesizing apparatus 1 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 a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a 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.

  Further, the photographed image composition device 1 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. Also, 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.

  The present invention can be generally applied to a photographed image synthesizing apparatus that takes a photograph and performs an editing process on the photographed image and prints it out.

It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the photographed image composition apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) And (b) is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the photography image synthesizing | combining apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a front view of the imaging | photography part of the photographed image composition apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a front view of the edit part of the photographed image composition apparatus concerning this embodiment. It is a front view of the printing part of the photography image composition device concerning this embodiment. It is a top view of the photographed image composition apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the edit pattern information recorded on the edit pattern information recording part of a photographed image composition apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the photographed image composition apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process of the game performed with a photographed image composition apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an auto shooting process and pre-editing process in a photographed image composition apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the normal imaging | photography process and the pre-editing process in a photographed image composition apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which reflects selection history on the recording of selection history, and a selection candidate list screen in said photographed image composition apparatus. (A)-(d) is a figure which shows the example of a display in the screen of the picked-up image display part of a photography image synthesizing | combining apparatus. (E) is a figure which shows the example of a display in the screen of the edit image display part of a photography image synthesizing | combining apparatus. (A)-(e) is a figure which shows the example of a display in the screen of the picked-up image display part of a photography image synthesizing | combining apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the background selection screen in said photography image synthesizing | combining apparatus. It is a figure which shows another example of a display of the background selection screen in said photography image synthesizing | combining apparatus. It is a figure which shows another example of a display of the background selection screen in said photography image synthesizing | combining apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the image selection screen in said photography image synthesizing | combining apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the game in the conventional image photographing editing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the edit process in the conventional image photographing editing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photographed image composition apparatus 2 Imaging part 3 Editing part 4 Output part 10 Control part 11 First image editing part 12 Display control part 13 Target image specific part 14 Reduced image generation part 15 Background control part 16 Second image editing part 17 History Management section (selection history recording means)
20 shooting space 21 coin processing unit 22 illumination unit 23 camera unit 24 shot image display unit (selection candidate output means)
25 Camera image display section (selection candidate output means)
26 Operation unit (user selection means)
27 Curtain part 30 Edit space 31 Touch panel part 31a Edit image display part (selection candidate output means)
31b Operation reception part (user selection means)
32 Touch pen 33 Audio output unit 40 Print space 41 Data output unit 42 Printer unit 43 Sticker paper unit 44 Communication unit 50 Recording unit 51 Captured image recording unit 52 Edit pattern information recording unit 53 Edit image recording unit 54 Print image recording unit 55 Sample image Recording unit 56 History recording unit 121 Coin insertion / return port 141 Image data 142 Sticker paper

Claims (8)

A photographic image synthesizing device that synthesizes and outputs a photographic image obtained by photographing a subject and a synthesis image selected by a user,
A selection candidate output means for outputting, as a plurality of selection candidates for the user to select, the combination image of the group selected by the user among the plurality of the synthesis images classified into a plurality of groups ;
User selection means for causing the user to select one of the output selection candidates;
Selection history recording means for recording a selection history related to the selection candidate selected by the user,
The selection candidate output means selects a plurality of selection candidates in the group selected by the user based on the selection history and selected by the user in the past and combined with the captured image as the combining image. A photographed image synthesizing apparatus that outputs selection candidates in an output form that can be distinguished from other selection candidates, or outputs the other selection candidates by excluding the selected selection candidates.   The selection candidate output means adds selected information indicating that the selection has been made to the selected selection candidate for output, or outputs the selected selection candidate separately from the other selection candidates. 2. The photographed image composition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographed image composition apparatus outputs the photographed image.   The photographed image synthesizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user selecting unit is configured not to select a part or all of the selected selection candidates.   The photographed image synthesizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection candidate output unit does not output a part or all of the selected selection candidates.   2. The photographed image synthesizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection candidate output unit adds recommended information recommended to a user based on the selection history to the selection candidate and outputs the selection information. A method for controlling a photographed image composition device that combines and outputs a photographed image obtained by photographing a subject and a composition image selected by a user,
A selection candidate output step of outputting, as a plurality of selection candidates for the user to select, the combination images of the group selected by the user among the plurality of the synthesis images classified into a plurality of groups ;
A user selection step for causing the user to select one of the output selection candidates;
A selection history recording step of recording a selection history related to the selection candidate selected by the user,
In the selection candidate output step, a plurality of selection candidates in the group selected by the user have been selected by the user in the past based on the selection history, and have been combined with the captured image as the composition image. A photographic image synthesizing apparatus that outputs selection candidates in an output form that can be distinguished from other selection candidates, or outputs the other selection candidates by excluding the selected selection candidates. Control method.   A control program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the photographed image synthesizing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program according to claim 7 is recorded.

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