GB2333162A

GB2333162A - Self-photography apparatus with a photocopier

Info

Publication number: GB2333162A
Application number: GB9800145A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul David Clarke
Original assignee: Photo Me International PLC
Current assignee: Photo Me International PLC
Priority date: 1998-01-07
Filing date: 1998-01-07
Publication date: 1999-07-14
Also published as: GB9800145D0

Abstract

A self-photography apparatus has a camera means 2 with an exposure zone 8 and a photocopier 4. A light sensitive carrier medium is carried by a transportation mechanism 6 to the exposure zone 8 and then to the photocopier 4 for developing and producing a print. The apparatus further has a studio area for a subject-user and a viewing screen for issuing instructions. The camera means 2 has at least one lens for viewing the subject-user through an array of mirrors. The camera means 2 may have a combination of a single lens and an array of four lens to quadruple the image.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SELF-PHOTOGRAPHY APPARATUS This invention concerns improvements in or relating to self-photography apparatus of the kind in which upon suitable payment and initiation of the apparatus a subject user may pose and obtain a self photographic portrait.

Such apparatus has been long established and examples are commonly to be seen at transport termini and other public places where they are frequently used not only for passport photographs but also for amusement.

In recent years, improvements have been made not only in the services offered to the consumer in terms of the variety of photographic results delivered but also in the quality of the photographic product. In particular, the use of video cameras and computerised imaging with the provision of pre-loaded backgrounds or foregrounds in which the subject can be set for photographic reproduction in montage form, has expanded the use of such self photography apparatus. The quality of the resultant print has also improved significantly with the use of electronic printing equipment. However, one of the remaining areas for attention in enhancing the service to the customer lies in the time scale involved in the production of the print, and whilst improvements have certainly been made with the use of dry as opposed to conventional wet development regimes, the length of time taken for the development and final delivery to the customer is still regarded as being of an unacceptable magnitude, given the prevailing preoccupation with effective time usage.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a self-photography apparatus which seeks to reduce the overall photographic time span compared with currently available apparatus of this type whilst retaining a high quality of photographic product.

According to the invention there is provided a self-photography apparatus including a studio area for a subject-user, a viewing screen for the subject-user, a camera means including at least one lens for viewing the subject-user through an array of mirrors, a transport mechanism for transporting a light sensitive carrier medium to and from an exposure zone of the camera means, a printing means for developing and producing a print from the carrier medium, and a discharge means for delivering the print to the subject-user characterised in that the printing means is a photocopier and the transport mechanism is adapted to transport the carrier medium from within the photocopier to and from the exposure zone of the camera means which is disposed externally of the photocopier.

Conveniently, the transport mechanism includes a system of driven rollers arranged in a manner to guide the medium from within the photocopier to and from the exposure zone located adjacent a lens or lens array of the camera means.

The drive for the rollers may be flexible and may be in the form of a chain or a belt, the power being suitably provided by a motor.

The transport mechanism is provided with contiguous sections which in one embodiment of the invention are formed of a transit section registering with an internal transport system of the photocopier, an intermediate section and a final section incorporating the exposure zone of the camera means. In one embodiment, the final section may extend beyond the exposure zone to incorporate a border box including a timed light arrangement for exposure of the border(s) to prevent black areas appearing on the final print.

Control means are provided to control the travel distance of the medium to ensure the correct alignment of the medium within the exposure zone such that image capture is properly achieved within the dimensions of the medium which is fed to the zone in elemental form.

The exposure zone is conveniently provided with a means for retaining the medium in a flat condition for exposure and such means may include a fan giving an appropriate degree of air pressure to maintain evenness of the surface to receive the image during exposure.

The camera means may include more than one lens and may for example include a combination of a single lens to provide a single portrait and an array of say four lenses to quadruple the image, the selection of either portraiture being at the option of the subject user of the apparatus. The camera means is conveniently mounted on a trackway and is traversable along the trackway upon command to align the relevant lens to capture the required portraiture.

The printing means may advantageously be a Fuji Pictrostat 50 colour processing unit provided with inter aíia two magazines, one for storing a supply of the carrier medium or donor and one for storing a supply of a receiver which constitutes the end print delivered to the subject user. Both the donor and the receiver are stored in continuous form and are in use cut to appropriate elemental form during the sequence initiated by the subject user. In use the donor is transported from the magazine and cut to form length and travels through the roller transport arrangements within the photocopier and into the transport mechanism externally thereof and through its sections to the exposure zone. Following exposure, the donor element is transported in reverse via the transport mechanism into the photocopier where it registers with a receiver element which in the meantime has been transported from its magazine, cut into length and retained in standby mode adjacent a rotatable thermal processing drum within the photocopier waiting for the donor. During its passage from the exposure zone into the photocopier the donor is treated within the confines of the photocopier with a chemical activator, for example distilled water, to initiate the necessary reaction with the receiver with which it registers at the thermal processing drum for travel in contact with the now rotating drum. The thermal treatment on the drum effects transfer of the captured image onto the receiver during its travel around and in contact with the drum.

The receiver bearing the image of the subject user, namely the print and the donor, now spent and constituting a waste product, are released separately from the drum and follow discrete paths defined by separate roller transport arrangements to the discharge means. The discharge means may advantageously comprise a frame assembly provided with a roller arrangement such that the exiting donor is carried momentarily upward within the means and then falls under gravity into a waste disposal receptacle for periodic removal, whilst the print travels from the drum through a drying zone and exits from its path into a chute for final delivery to the subject user.

The invention thus affords the capability to employ high resolution photocopier technology in a self-photography regime by providing a means of resiting the exposure zone exteriorly of the photocopier per se and diverting the normal travel path of the carrier medium to the zone by the use of the transport mechanism.

By way of example only, one embodiment of self-photography apparatus is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a part of the apparatus; Figure 2 is a view on the arrow A in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an external side view of the transport mechanism of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the mechanism shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is an end view of the mechanism shown in Figures 3 and 4; Figure 6 is a pian view of the camera assembly of the apparatus; Figure 7 is an end view of the camera assembly shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a side view of the discharge means of the apparatus; and Figure 9 is a view on the arrow B in Figure 8.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown self-photography apparatus which includes a camera assembly 2 mounted on the top of a print means in the form of a photocopier 4 provided with a transport mechanism 6 mounted exteriorly of the photocopier 4, the mechanism 6 including an exposure section 8 associated with the camera assembly 2. A discharge means 9 is also mounted at the end of the photocopier 4 for discharging a print of an image captured by the camera assembly 2. The photocopier 4 is advantageously a Fuji Pictrostat 50 colour processing unit.

A mirror 10 is shown adjacent the camera assembly 2 and is angled to project a reflected image of a subject user (not shown) the primary image being reflected from another mirror (not shown) into which the subject user in practice looks for the self-photography process. It will be appreciated that the apparatus may be housed for example in a booth (not shown) of conventional construction and includes a studio area in which the subject user poses, usually in a seated position, the studio area being provided with suitable controls and instructions on the manner in which the subject user should actuate the photographic system, following suitable payment, and pose for the self-photograph. The instructions can be visual or audible or a combination of the two.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the camera assembly 2 includes a base 20 which carries a lens array 22 comprising a single lens (not shown) and a four lens combination (not shown) either of which can be optionally selected by the subject user dependent upon the type of portraiture required. For this purpose the base 20 is reciprocally mounted on a slideway 24 along which it can traverse upon command by means of a suitable drive arrangement (not shown) including for example a belt drive.

The mirror 10 is disposed on top of the photocopier 4 in front of the camera assembly 2 and is angularly orientated such that in use it reflects an image captured by a primary mirror (not shown) into which the subject user actually looks from within the studio area. The projected light path passes through the appropriate lens array into the exposure section 8 of the transport mechanism 6.

The mechanism 6 as seen in Figure 1, 3, 4 and 5 comprises essentially three sections, namely a transit section 32 for the receipt in use of a donor element (not shown) including an inlet guide 34 leading to a primary roller array 36, an intermediate section 37 having a substantially horizontal orientation with an intermediate roller array 38, and the exposure section 8 of substantially vertical orientation with the final roller array 40. The roller arrays 36, 38 and 40 are provided with sprockets 42 driven by a chain 44 in turn powered by a motor (not shown). It will be appreciated that any suitable positive drive may be employed, for example a toothed belt may be used. An encoder (not shown) is mounted on one of the roller drive shafts and counts the revolutions to ensure accurate travel of the donor element, following entry into the transport mechanism.

The exposure section 8 of the transport mechanism 6 is provided with an electrically driven fan 46 to provide sufficient air pressure in the zone to ensure that when the donor element has travelled the requisite distance and exposure is about to occur, the donor is held flat in position to receive and capture an undistorted image of the subject user.

The discharge means 9 includes a frame 50 in which is mounted an arrangement of rollers 52 together with a delivery chute 54 therebelow. The means is so constructed as to receive the two elemental products of the photographic process, namely the waste donor and the receiver print, the waste donor in use discharging from the photocopier into the arrangement of rollers 52 with the receiver print discharging into the delivery chute 54.

In use, the subject user positions himself within the studio area of the apparatus and the following sequence of events occurs: 1. Before any coins or equivalent payment media are inserted, the apparatus displays and broadcasts the message "insert coins"; 2. The apparatus starts its cycle when the vend price has been fully paid; 3. A voice message and visual display ask the subject user to adjust the seat (not shown) to an appropriate height and to close the studio area, a curtain usually being provided for this purpose; 4. The subject user is asked to select which picture format is required, namely a single portrait or four identity/passport poses. The request is both visual and audible.

5. The camera lens array 22 is traversed if necessary so that the correct lens, single or multiple, is positioned in front of the exposure zone 8 of the transport mechanism 6.

6. The donor is fed from its magazine within the photocopier 4 and when the correct length of donor has been attained, a guillotine (not shown) within the photocopier 4 is operated to cut the donor into an elemental form.

7. The donor element is fed through a series of internal rollers and into the guide 34 of transit section 32 of the transport mechanism 6 and thence through the intermediate section and into the exposure zone 8.

8. The donor element passes over a sensor (not shown) and the encoder begins to count the revolutions.

9. When the required number of revolutions has been reached and the donor element is within the exposure zone in the correct alignment position for exposure the drive motor is stopped.

10. The fan 46 is actuated to hold the donor element flat within the exposure zone, and a strobe unit (not shown) charges capacitor packs for the flash tubes used in the photography cycle.

11. The subject user is asked visually and audibly to pose and then to press a 'Start' button within the studio area.

12. The countdown to the actual exposure is started and the LED on the camera flashes. Another audible message is broadcast to forewarn the subject user of the imminent taking of the photograph, but no visual message is given as it could be distractive.

13. When the countdown reaches 1 the camera shutter operates and when the shutter is fully open, the capacitor packs are discharged through flash tubes provided for illuminating the subject user.

14. The image of the subject user is reflected from a primary mirror onto the mirror 10 and thence through the lens(es) onto the donor element held within the exposure zone.

15. A further message and display informs the subject user that the photograph has been taken and will be delivered outside the studio area.

16. The transport mechanism 6 now operates in reverse taking the exposed donor element back into the photocopier 4.

17. The photocopier feeds the receiver from its magazine to be cut to the correct elemental length.

18. Both the exposed donor element and the receiver element travel along separate paths ready to be fed onto the heated drum of the photocopier, water having been applied to the donor element to initiate the requisite chemical reaction.

19. The donor element is exactly positioned relative to the receiver element and laid face down on top, and both elements are fed onto the drum.

20. The drum revolves a number of times and the image is transferred from the donor element to the receiver element.

21. When the elements have completed their travel around and in contact with the drum, they are separated therefrom to follow discrete discharge paths.

22. Both the spent donor element, which is now waste material and the receiver element which constitutes the photographic print enter the discharge means 9 where the spent donor element is first taken up by the rollers 52 and then falls under gravity into a waste receptacle, and then the receiver print discharges into the delivery chute 54 for collection by the subject user.

23. A visual indicator (not shown) flashes a number of times to alert the subject user that the photographic print is ready.

It is to be noted that once step 18 has been reached, another subject user, ie customer, can use the apparatus and thence initiate a fresh cycle.

The novelty and the benefit of the present invention reside in the application of a photocopier printing technique to the self photography technology thereby enhancing quality and indeed improving the performance of the apparatus by speeding up the printing stage without the need for wet printing processes.

The transport mechanism of the present invention facilitates this application by enabling the diversion of the donor path from within the photocopier per se exteriorly thereof into the exposure zone of the externally mounted camera, whilst the discharge means simply and yet effectively manages the delivery of the receiver print to the subject user and the discardment of the spent donor.

It is to be understood that the apparatus of the present invention may include a booth defining the studio area, but a free standing unit without an enclosure but providing a studio area in which the subject user can pose, may equally be included within the scope of the invention which essentially resides in the use of the photocopier as the printing unit.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A self-photography apparatus including a studio area for a subject-user, a viewing screen for the subject-user through which the instructions for use are projected, a camera means including at least one lens for viewing the subject user through an array of mirrors, a transport mechanism for transporting a light sensitive carrier medium to and from an exposure zone of the camera means, a printing means for developing and producing a print from the carrier medium, and a discharge means for delivering the print to the subject user characterised in that the printing means is a photocopier and the transport mechanism is adapted to transport the carrier medium from within the photocopier to and from the exposure zone of the camera means which is disposed externally of the photocopier.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 in which the transport mechanism includes a system of driven rollers arranged in a manner to guide the medium from within the photocopier to and from the exposure zone located adjacent a lens or lens array of the camera means.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 2 in which the drive for the rollers is flexible and is in the form of a chain or a belt, the power being suitably provided by a motor.
4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the transport mechanism is provided with contiguous sections formed of a transit section registering with an internal transport system of the photocopier, an intermediate section and a final section incorporating the exposure zone of the camera means.
5. Apparatus according to Claim 4 in which the final section extends beyond the exposure zone to incorporate a border box including a timed light arrangement for exposure of the border(s) to prevent black areas appearing on the final print.
6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which control means are provided to control the travel distance of the medium to ensure the correct alignment of the medium within the exposure zone such that image capture is properly achieved within the dimensions of the medium which is fed to the zone in elemental form.
7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the exposure zone is provided with a means for retaining the medium in a flat condition for exposure.
8. Apparatus according to Claim 7 in which the means for retaining the medium in a flat condition includes a fan giving an appropriate degree of air pressure to maintain evenness of the surface to receive the image during exposure.
9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the camera means includes more than one lens.
10. Apparatus according to Claim 9 in which the camera means includes a combination of a single lens to provide a single portrait and an array of four lenses to quadruple the image, the selection of either portraiture being at the option of the subject user of the apparatus.
11. Apparatus according to Claim 10 in which the camera means is conveniently mounted on a trackway and is traversable along the trackway upon command to align the relevant lens to capture the required portraiture.
12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the discharge means comprises a frame assembly provided with a roller arrangement such that the exiting donor is carried momentarily upward within the means and then falls under gravity into a waste disposal receptacle for periodic removal, whilst the print travels into a chute provided within the discharge means for final delivery to the subject user.
13. A self-photography apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.