JP2000029099A - Photographing controller and recording medium storing photographing control processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable anyone to easily perform satisfactory photographing of image data such as merchandises without requiring practice and skill using a photographing controller which performs photographing and controlling on the image of the various kinds of goods, etc. SOLUTION: As to this photographing controller; when a photographing condition name and a photographing direction corresponding to photographing object goods J are selected and inputted at an automatic photographing control window, photographing condition values with respect to the respective control systems of a photographing box 11 and a camera 12, corresponding to the input photographing condition name and the photographing direction are read based on a photographing condition table set and stored in accordance with actual photographing operation previously performed by a professional camera man and a man of experience, the angle α of a camera pedestal 16, the height H of a goods pedestal 25, the angle β of a photographing hood 15, photographing luminance L by an illuminating unit 21, the zoom Z of the camera 12, focus F, and stop S are respectively and automatically adjusted, and attractively photographed, monitored, and displayed, then such goods data as file name, goods name, size, and a flag expressing longitudinal photographing or lateral photographing are made to correspond to the photographing image data, and stored and kept in a photographing image data memory.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographing control device for easily photographing and managing images of various and various commodities and the like, and a storage medium storing a photographing control processing program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a merchandise management system for managing a wide variety of products, individual merchandise management includes merchandise information such as a merchandise code, a merchandise name, dimensions, weight, etc., for a merchandise image obtained by photographing the merchandise. This is performed by creating, storing, and saving as a list of product management data.

[0003] Such merchandise management data is used not only by the managing party, but also in advertisements, pamphlets, catalogs, etc., or is used directly by showing it to business partners. The images need to be photographed well so as to maximize the appeal of the product.

Conventionally, such a product image is photographed by a professional photographer or by a person who is skilled in product photography, and the photographed image data includes a product code, a product name,
All kinds of product information such as dimensions and weights are manually input and compiled as product management data.

[0005]

[0005] However, the number of types and the number of products to be handled is very large in the field of product trading, especially,
In large stores such as discount stores and supermarkets, it is necessary to create such product management data by personnel other than skilled personnel such as part-timers, but in this case, it takes time and effort,
There is a problem that it is extremely difficult for a professional photographer or a skilled person to take an image of an individual product well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and is an imaging control apparatus which enables anyone to easily and easily capture image data of a product or the like without requiring familiarity or skill. And a storage medium storing a shooting control processing program.

[0007]

That is, in a first photographing control device according to the present invention, a subject arranged in a box is illuminated by a lighting device, and the subject in the box is photographed by a photographing camera. A photographing control device for a photographing box device, wherein when a photographing surface for a subject arranged in the box is designated, the photographing camera performs the designated photographing surface of the subject based on the designation of the photographing surface. The photographing camera or the subject or both are moved to a position where the subject is captured, and the designated photographing surface of the subject is photographed by the photographing camera. The camera is automatically moved to a position where the camera captures the photographing surface of the subject.

In a second photographing control device according to the present invention, a subject arranged in a box is illuminated by a lighting device in the box, and the subject in the box is photographed by a photographing camera. A photographing control device for a box device, wherein a photographing position of the photographing camera in the box according to a photographing condition value stored in a photographing condition value storage unit that stores a photographing condition value of the photographing camera in the box. Is moved, whereby the subject is photographed by the photographing camera moved in the box. Therefore, the photographing camera is automatically moved to a position for photographing the subject in accordance with a photographing condition value stored in advance. become.

Further, in a third photographing control device according to the present invention, a subject arranged in a box is illuminated by a lighting device in the box, and the subject in the box is photographed by a photographing camera. A photographing control device for a box device, wherein a monitor image of the subject captured by the photographing camera is displayed on a monitor window in a display screen of a predetermined display device, and the subject is arbitrarily selected by the photographing camera. When photographing is performed at the photographing timing, a photographed image of the subject photographed by the photographing camera is displayed in a photographed image window in the display screen, and is also stored in a predetermined image storage unit. Since at least one photographed image is displayed in a reduced size in a thumbnail window in the display screen, the photographing box device Captured image monitor display is photographed object Te is to be stored and managed automatically.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a photographing control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The photographing control device includes a photographing box 11 for photographing a product or the like as a subject, a digital camera 12 for photographing a product arranged in the photographing box 11 to obtain a product image, and a photographing box 11. And a personal computer (P) for controlling the operation of each unit in the digital camera 12 and processing various data obtained from the photographing box 11 and the digital camera 12.
C) 13.

The photographing box 11 is constructed by combining a rectangular box body 14, a photographing hood 15 attached to the front side of the box body 14, and a camera pedestal 16 attached to the tip of the photographing hood 15. Is done.

FIG. 2 shows a photographing box 1 of the photographing control device.
FIG. 1A is a view showing each movable mechanism in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 1A is a view showing the photographing box 11 in a vertical cross section, and FIG.

A photographing hood 15 combined with the photographing box 11 is rotatable about a hood shaft 18 in a vertical direction indicated by arrows a1 and a2 by a hood driving mechanism 17 provided on a side surface of the box body 14. The camera pedestal 16 is attached to a camera pedestal driving mechanism 19 provided at the end of the photographing hood 15, and a pedestal shaft 20 is attached.
Are mounted so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction indicated by arrows b1 and b2.

The horizontal top surface 14a of the box body 14
The illumination unit 21 for uniformly illuminating the inside of the box body 14 has an arrow c around a hinge 21a.
The lighting unit 21 has lighting boxes 22a, 22b
Is provided.

Further, the inclined top surface 14b of the box body 14
A reflection unit 23 for optically reflecting the photographing path from the digital camera 12 to photograph the upper surface of the photographed product J is mounted so as to be openable and closable in the direction indicated by an arrow d around the hinge 23a, This reflection unit 23
A reflection mirror 24 is provided on the inner side surface of the box.

At a position below the reflection unit 23 behind the box body 14, a product pedestal 25 for arranging the product J to be photographed is provided.

The product pedestal 25 is moved up and down in the direction indicated by the arrow f1 or in the direction indicated by the arrow f2 in a pantograph manner with the rotation of the product pedestal drive motor 26 in the directions indicated by the arrows e1 and e2. An L-shaped rear frame 27 is provided at the rear end of the stage 25a of the product pedestal 25.

The back frame 27 is mounted on the product pedestal 2.
As the stage 25a moves upward and downward in FIG. 5, the front end thereof enters and exits through the top surface opening 14c at the rearmost portion of the box body 14. At the front end of the rear frame 27, a background paper 28 is moved from the background frame 27 to the stage. 1
Background paper clips 29a, 29b are provided for hanging down along 5a.

Further, the rear end face 14d of the box body 14
The background paper clip 30 for hanging the background paper 28 when the product J to be photographed is placed directly on the bottom surface of the box body 14 for photographing without using the product base 25, Is provided.

The right side 1 of the box body 14
At a location corresponding to the commodity pedestal 25 in 4e, an operation door 31 for performing an operation of arranging and taking out the commodity J to be photographed is provided so as to be openable and closable.

On the other hand, the camera pedestal 16 is provided with an arrangement table 32 which is fixed at one of the left and right ends in a semi-fixed manner, and the horizontal state of which is set in the left and right direction by an adjusting screw 32 whose other end is abutted from below. The upper surface of the mounting table 33 is horizontal in a direction perpendicular to the photographing direction, that is,
Is provided with a bearing base 34 for receiving a horizontal support shaft.

The lower side and the right side of the digital camera 12 in the horizontal state (the lower side in the vertical state)
Camera support shafts 35a and 35b are provided parallel to the respective surfaces in a direction perpendicular to the photographing direction.
When the digital camera 12 is placed horizontally, the support shaft 35a is supported by the bearing stand 34, and when the digital camera 12 is placed vertically, the support shaft 35b is supported.
Is carried.

A bearing mechanism of the digital camera 12 with respect to the mounting base 33 of the camera pedestal 16 includes a camera orientation detection switch 3 comprising a microswitch for detecting the horizontal and vertical positions of the digital camera 12.
4a is provided.

Then, a rotation control system of the photographing hood 15 by the hood driving mechanism 17 in the photographing box 11, a rotation control system of the camera pedestal 16 by the camera pedestal driving mechanism 19, and an elevation control of the commodity pedestal 25 by the commodity pedestal driving motor 26. A control system for turning on / off, illuminance, and the like by the illumination unit 21 is connected to a main unit 36 of the personal computer (PC) 13 via a photographing-side data / control bus 37. ,
The control system for focus and iris (aperture) is connected to a main unit 36 of the personal computer (PC) 13 via a camera-side data / control bus 38. The hood drive mechanism 17 on the right side of the photographing box 11
Below, an interface unit 39 is provided,
In the interface unit 39, a photographing-side interface circuit (IF) 40 for controlling input / output between each driving mechanism and the like in the photographing box 11 and the personal computer (PC) 13, and a digital camera 12
Control Unit and Personal Computer (PC) 13
A camera-side interface circuit (IF) 41 for controlling input / output with the camera is provided.

On the other hand, a personal computer (PC) 1
3 is a PC main body 36, an input device 42 including a keyboard, a hand scanner 43 for reading a bar code,
The control system in the photographing box 11, the digital camera 12, and its surroundings are all composed of a personal computer (PC). The display device 44 comprises a CRT and the printing device 45 comprises a printer.
13 to the interface unit 3
9 and various data obtained by the control system in the photographing box 11, the digital camera 12, and its surroundings are all transmitted through the interface unit 39 to the personal computer (PC) 13.
Is transferred and captured.

Further, a stop switch 11S for completely stopping various drive control mechanisms on the photographing box 11 side is provided above the hood driving mechanism 17 provided on the right side surface of the photographing box 11.

FIG. 3 shows a photographing box 1 of the photographing control device.
1 is a side sectional view showing different photographing states of different products J in FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 1A shows a front photographing state of a small commodity J1 and FIG. 2B shows a top photographing state of a commodity J2. FIG. 14C is a diagram showing a bird's-eye view photographing state of the large product J3.

As shown in FIG. 3A, when the front side of the small product J1 is photographed, the stage 25a of the product pedestal 25 on which the small product J1 is mounted is driven by the product pedestal driving motor 26 to indicate the arrow f1. And the photographing hood 15 is lowered in the direction indicated by the arrow a2 by the driving of the hood driving motor 17a incorporated in the hood driving mechanism 17, so that the digital camera 12 is positioned in front of the product J1. Automatically adjusted. The camera pedestal 16 of the digital camera 12 is connected to the camera pedestal driving mechanism 19.
The digital camera 1 is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow b1 by the drive of the camera pedestal drive motor 19a built in the digital camera 1
The second focus path x is set to be horizontal and set toward the front of the small product J1, and a front image of the product J1 is captured.

As shown in FIG. 3 (B), when photographing the top surface of the commodity J2 of the normal size, the stage 25a of the commodity pedestal 25 on which the commodity J2 is mounted is driven by the commodity pedestal drive motor 26 to be a reference. Moved to the position,
The photographing hood 15 is moved to a reference position by driving a hood driving motor 17a built in the hood driving mechanism 17,
Automatic adjustment is performed so that the digital camera 12 is located in front of the product J2. Then, the camera pedestal 16 of the digital camera 12 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow b2 by the drive of the camera pedestal drive motor 19a built in the camera pedestal drive mechanism 19, and the focal path y of the digital camera 12 is transmitted to the reflection unit 23. And the reflecting mirror 2
4 and is set toward the upper surface of the product J2, and an upper surface image of the product J2 is taken.

As shown in FIG. 3 (C), when taking a bird's-eye view of the large product J3, the stage 25a of the product pedestal 25 on which the large product J3 is mounted is driven by the product pedestal drive motor 26 to the arrow f2. Is moved downward in the direction shown by, and the photographing hood 15 is raised in the direction shown by the arrow a1 by the driving of the hood driving motor 17a incorporated in the hood driving mechanism 17, and the digital camera 12 is positioned above the product J3. It is automatically adjusted as follows. Then, the camera pedestal 16 of the digital camera 12 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow b2 by the driving of the camera pedestal driving motor 19a incorporated in the camera pedestal driving mechanism 19, and the focal path z of the digital camera 12 is tilted downward. The direction is set in one direction of the product J3, and a bird's-eye view image of the product J3 is taken.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit centering on a personal computer (PC) 13 of the photographing control device.

The personal computer (PC) 13
A control unit (CPU) 46 including a computer or the like is provided.

The control unit (CPU) 46 receives various input data input via the input device 42 including a keyboard, the hand scanner 43 and the data / control buses 37 and 38 on the photographing and camera sides. RO in storage device 47
The storage device 47 activates a system program stored in advance in the M, or stores a shooting control processing program stored in an external recording medium (storage medium) 48 and various control programs received through the communication line 49 in the storage device 47. The RAM 50 is read and started, and the operation of each part of the circuit is controlled using the RAM 50 as a work memory.

The control unit (CPU) 46 includes, in addition to the input device 42, the hand scanner 43, the storage device 47, the communication line 49, and the RAM 50, a display device 44, a printing device 4, and the like.
5, and a shooting box 11 and a digital camera 12
The photographing-side interface circuit 40 and the camera-side interface circuit 41 for accessing each of the control systems are connected.

The interface circuit 40 of the photographing box 11 includes a hood driving motor 17a incorporated in a hood driving mechanism 17 for rotating the photographic hood 15 to change the hood angle β, and a stage 25 of the product pedestal 25.
and a camera pedestal drive motor built in a camera pedestal drive mechanism 19 for rotating the camera pedestal 16 to change its pedestal angle α by raising and lowering the height H of the product pedestal. 19a, the lighting unit 21, the camera direction detection switch 34a, and the stop switch 11S are connected.

In this case, the photographing hood angle β, the product pedestal height H, the camera pedestal angle α, and the photographing illuminance L are all feedback-controlled to the personal computer (PC) 13.

An image memory 52 is connected to the interface circuit 41 of the digital camera 12 via a camera control section 51 comprising a CPU, a zoom adjustment motor 53 for changing the zoom Z, and a focus F for changing. And an aperture adjustment motor 55 for changing the aperture S are connected.

In this case, the zoom Z, focus F,
The apertures S are all feedback-controlled to the personal computer (PC) 13.

As the keyboard of the input device 42, for example, the same kind of keyboard as a general-purpose personal computer is used, and is provided with ten keys, character keys, an execution key, a cursor key, various function keys, and the like.

The storage device 47 is composed of R
It has an OM, a reading device for an external recording medium (storage medium) 48 such as a floppy disk driver, and a RAM such as a hard disk device.

FIG. 5 shows the personal computer (P
C) is a diagram showing a data memory provided in a ROM and a RAM in the storage device 47 of 13).

For example, in the ROM in the storage device 47,
A program memory 47a is provided. In this program memory 47a, system program data for controlling the entire processing in the present photographing control device are stored in advance, and a product photographing process shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and a monitor shown in FIG. Display processing, captured image storage processing shown in FIG.
Control program data, which is subprogram data that governs processing in various operation modes, is also stored in advance.

The RAM in the storage device 47 includes a photographing condition table memory 47b (see FIG. 6), a rough alignment table memory 47c (see FIG. 7), a photographed image data memory 47d (see FIG. 8), and a thumbnail image. A data memory 47e (see FIG. 9) and the like are provided.

FIG. 6 shows the personal computer (P
C) is a diagram showing the data content of the imaging condition table memory 47b provided in the RAM in the storage device 47 of 13).

The photographing condition table memory 47b stores items of various commodities in individual photographing condition names (box confectionery / canned / canned /
..), And camera control values (zoom Z, focus F, aperture S) serving as references when shooting in each of three shooting directions (front / upper / overlook) for each shooting condition name;
The camera pedestal angle α, the product pedestal height H, the photographing hood angle β, and the photographing illuminance L are set and stored in advance according to actual photographing by a professional photographer or a skilled person. By specifying a shooting condition name and a shooting direction corresponding to a shooting target product, a corresponding camera control value (zoom Z, focus F, aperture S), camera base angle α, product base height H, The photographing hood angle β and the photographing illuminance L are read out as photographing conditions, and the zoom, focus, aperture,
In addition, the rotation angle α of the camera pedestal 16 in the imaging box 11, the height H of the product pedestal 25, the rotation angle β of the imaging hood 15, and the illuminance L by the illumination unit 21 are automatically adjusted to an optimal state.

FIG. 7 shows the personal computer (P
C) is a diagram showing the data content of a rough alignment table memory 47c provided in a RAM in a storage device 47 of 13).

This rough alignment table memory 47b
Is a camera control value (zoom Z) serving as a reference when photographing in three photographing directions (front / upper / overlook) for each subject size in three categories of large, medium, and small. , Focus F, aperture S), camera pedestal angle α, product pedestal height H, photographing hood angle β, and photographing illuminance L are set and stored in advance according to actual photographing by a professional photographer or expert. In a mode in which shooting is manually performed, the size of a shooting target product and its shooting direction are designated, and corresponding camera control values (zoom Z, focus F, aperture S), camera pedestal angle α, product Base height H, shooting hood angle β, shooting illuminance L
Are read as the photographing conditions, and the zoom Z, focus F, and aperture S of the digital camera 12, the rotation angle α of the camera pedestal 16 in the photographing box 11, the height H of the product pedestal 25, and the rotation angle of the photographing hood 15 β, the illuminance L by the illumination unit 21 is roughly automatically adjusted.

Here, the photographing condition table memory 47
b and the respective photographing condition values for the digital camera 12 and the photographing box 11 stored in advance in the rough positioning table memory 47c are obtained when a professional photographer or a photographer skilled in product photographing actually photographs each product. The obtained rotational positions (Z, F, S) of the zoom adjustment motor 53, the focus adjustment motor 54, and the aperture adjustment motor 55 of the digital camera 12 at the time of the front photographing, the top photographing, and the overhead photographing, respectively, and the camera pedestal driving motor 19a, the setting angle (α) of the camera pedestal 16 by the product pedestal driving motor 26, the setting height (H) of the product pedestal 25 by the product pedestal driving motor 26, the setting angle (β) of the photographing hood 15 by the hood driving motor 17a, the illumination bulb by the illumination unit 21 22a, 22
The set illuminance (L) of b is stored.

FIG. 8 shows the personal computer (P
C) is a diagram showing the data content of a captured image data memory 47d provided in a RAM in a storage device 47 of 13).

In the photographed image data memory 47d, image data after photographing the product is stored in association with its file name, photographing condition value, product data, and vertical / horizontal flag, respectively. It is composed of code data generated based on the date and time of shooting of the product and an auxiliary name that is arbitrarily input. The shooting condition value is a camera control value (zoom Z, focus F, aperture S) at the time of shooting the product, a camera, The pedestal angle α, the product pedestal height H, the photographing hood angle β, and the photographing illuminance L, and the commodity data comprises commodity information such as a commodity name, size, and weight which are arbitrarily input. The horizontal flag is set to a horizontal detection state in accordance with the detection result of the camera orientation detection switch 34a provided in the bearing mechanism for the placement table 33 of the digital camera 12. In the state, it is set to "0", and in the vertical detection state, it is set to "1".

FIG. 9 shows the personal computer (P
C) is a diagram showing the data content of the thumbnail image data memory 47e provided in the RAM in the storage device 47 of 13).

This thumbnail image data memory 47e
The image data of each product photographed and stored in the photographed image data memory 47d is stored as a list of reduced photographed image data, and each reduced image data stored in the thumbnail image data memory 47e is stored in the thumbnail image data memory 47e. The photographed image data is stored in association with the photographing date and time, the file name, and the photographing resolution.

Next, the operation of the photographing control device having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a commodity photographing process (part 1) in the photographing control device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a commodity photographing process (part 2) in the photographing control device.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a monitor display process accompanying the product photographing process in the photographing control device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a photographed image storage process accompanying the product photographing process in the photographing control device.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a display state of a photographing module window G1 which is initially displayed along with the commodity photographing process in the photographing control device.

First, a personal computer (PC) 1
When the product photographing icon displayed on the third display device 44 is selected by operating the input device 42, the photographing processing program stored in the program memory 47 a in the ROM of the storage device 47 is activated. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the photographing module window G1 is displayed on the display device 44, and the R
The thumbnail image data memory 47e in AM (FIG. 9)
9) of the past product photographed images stored in the previous image photographed image data are read and stored in the thumbnail window G1a secured along the lower end of the photographing module window G1. A reduced list is displayed with the shooting date, file name, and shooting resolution for each image (steps S1, S2, S3).

The command bar G1b in the photographing module window G1 includes, for example, a photographing button Q1 for performing a shutter operation, an automatic save photographing button Q2 for instructing automatic photographing and saving, and a digital camera 1
2, a monitor mode button Q3 for instructing a monitor display of a captured image, an automatic save button Q4 for instructing to save a photographed image, a reduction button Q5 which is selectively operated as needed when editing an image, Enlarge button Q
6, a cutout button Q7, a detailed adjustment button Q8 that is operated when manually adjusting various control systems in the shooting box 11 and the digital camera 12, and the like, and an automatic control for setting a shooting mode by automatic control. A button Q9 and a manual button Q10 for setting a shooting mode by manual control are provided.

The operation door 31 of the photographing box 11 is opened, and the commodity J to be photographed is placed on the stage 25a of the commodity pedestal 25.
When the monitor mode button Q3 in the command bar G1b of the photographing module window G1 is operated with the camera mounted, the personal computer (PC) 13 disconnects the camera-side data / control bus 38 and the camera-side interface circuit (IF) 41. Via digital camera 1
A monitor request signal is transmitted to the second camera control unit 51, and the process proceeds to the monitor display process in FIG. 12 (step S4 → S5, SA1).

FIG. 15 shows a horizontal monitor window G2 displayed in association with the product photographing process in the photographing control device.
h is a diagram showing a display state before shooting adjustment of an automatic shooting control window G3.

When the monitor display process is started, the image data around the product pedestal 25 currently captured by the digital camera 12 and captured in the image memory 52 in real time is transmitted from the camera control unit 51 to the personal computer 13. The data is transferred, received by the control unit (CPU) 46, and written in the monitor image memory in the RAM 50 (step A1).

Then, the placement table 33 of the digital camera 12
The control unit (CPU) of the personal computer 13 determines whether or not the vertical orientation detection signal "1" for detecting that the camera 12 is in the vertical orientation is output from the camera orientation detection switch 34a provided in the bearing mechanism for 46
When it is determined that the digital camera 12 is not in the shooting state by the horizontal installation, that is, when the vertical installation detection signal “1” is not output, that is, as shown in FIG.
A horizontal monitor window G2h is displayed on the photographing module window G1 displayed on the display device 44.
The monitor image of the digital camera 12 written in the monitor image memory in the AM 50 is read out and displayed (step A2 → A3).

Further, a grid pattern is superimposed on the horizontal monitor window G2h on which the monitor image is displayed (step A4).

In this case, the box control systems such as the hood drive motor 17a, the product pedestal drive motor 26, the camera pedestal drive motor 19a, and the illumination unit 21 in the photographing box 11 are in an unadjusted state. Since the camera control systems such as the zoom adjustment motor 53, the focus adjustment motor 54, and the aperture adjustment motor 55 are not yet adjusted, the shooting direction and the focus of the digital camera 12 with respect to the shooting target product J placed on the product base 25 are different. The horizontal monitor window G2 is not adjusted.
In h, the current monitor image before shooting adjustment is displayed.

In step A2, the vertical orientation detection signal "1" for detecting that the camera 12 is in the vertical orientation is output from the camera orientation detection switch 34a. If it is determined that the camera is in the shooting state, the vertical setting flag "1" is stored in the work memory in the RAM 50 and the vertical setting monitor window is displayed on the shooting module window G1 displayed on the display device 44. G2v
(Not shown) is displayed, and a monitor image from the digital camera 12 is displayed in the vertical monitor window G2v (steps A2 → A5, A6). Further, the grid pattern is displayed in an overlapping manner (step A4).

In this way, as shown in FIG. 15, the monitor image around the commodity pedestal 25 by the digital camera 12 is displayed in the horizontal monitor window G2h (step SA1), and the photographing mode by the automatic control is changed. When the automatic button Q9 displayed on the command bar G1b is operated for setting, an automatic shooting control window G3 is displayed side by side with the horizontal monitor window G2h (steps S6 → S7).

The automatic photographing control window G3 is provided with a photographing condition name input area G3a, a product size input area G3b, and a photographing direction input area G3c, and also controls each control system in the photographing box 11 and the digital camera 12. A move button Q11 for instructing the start of the operation,
A detail button Q12 that is operated when finely adjusting various control systems manually, and an end button Q13 that instructs the end of shooting are provided.

When the automatic photographing control window G3 is displayed side by side in the horizontal monitor window G2h, the photographing condition table memory 47 in the RAM of the storage device 47 is displayed.
b (see FIG. 6), all the photographing condition names corresponding to the items of various commodities are read, and the automatic photographing control window is used as a candidate for the photographing condition name for specifying the commodity J to be photographed this time. A list is displayed in association with the shooting condition name input area G3a on G3 (step S8,
S9).

FIG. 16 shows a horizontal monitor window G2 displayed in association with the commodity photographing process in the photographing control device.
FIG. 11H is a diagram showing a display state after shooting adjustment of an automatic shooting control window G3.

For example, “box confectionery” is selected as a photographing condition name for specifying the product J to be photographed this time from among the photographing condition name candidates displayed in a list on the automatic photographing control window G3. As shown in FIG. 16, while being input and displayed in the shooting condition name input area G3a, for example, “front” is selected as the shooting direction, and after being input and displayed in the shooting direction input area G3c, the move button Q11 is operated. The shooting box 11 and the digital camera 12 corresponding to the shooting condition name “box confection” and the shooting direction “front” selected and input on the automatic shooting control window G3.
Each photographing condition value for each control system is stored in the photographing condition table memory 47b (see FIG. 6) from the zoom Z1, focus F1, aperture S1, camera pedestal angle α1, product pedestal height H1, photographing hood angle β1, and photographing. Read as illuminance L1 (steps S10, S11, S12 → S1
3).

Then, the respective photographing condition values Z1,
In accordance with F1, S1, α1, H1, β1, L1, a personal computer (PC) 13 sends a digital camera 12
Then, a control signal is transmitted to the photographing box 11, and the zoom adjustment motor 53, the focus adjustment motor 54, and the aperture adjustment motor 55 of the digital camera 12 are driven to be adjusted to the zoom Z1, the focus F1, and the aperture S1, respectively. The camera base drive motor 19a of the box 11
The product pedestal drive motor 26 and the hood drive motor 17a are driven to be adjusted to the angle α of the camera pedestal 16, the height H of the product pedestal 25, the angle β of the photographic hood 15, and the illuminance L1 of the illuminating unit 21, respectively ( Step S14).

Thus, the shooting direction and focus of the digital camera 12 on the shooting target product J placed on the product base 25 are previously set in the shooting condition table memory 47b according to the actual shooting operation by a professional cameraman or an expert. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, automatic adjustment is performed in accordance with each of the stored shooting condition values for “front” shooting of the “box confection”, and after the monitor display process in FIG. 12, the horizontal monitor window G2h is displayed. Displays a monitor image after shooting adjustment in which the front image of the product (box confectionery) J is captured with good appearance (step SA2 [A1, A2 → A3, A
4]).

As described above, the horizontal monitor window G2h on the display device 44 is used as the monitor image after the photographing adjustment in which the front image of the commodity (box confectionery) J placed on the commodity pedestal 25 in the photographing box 11 is captured with good appearance. When the auto save photographing button Q2 or the photographing button Q1 prepared in the command bar G1b is operated in a state where
A command signal for shutter operation is transmitted from the personal computer (PC) 13 to the camera control unit 51 of the digital camera 12 (step S18 [S19] → S2).
0).

Then, at the timing of a shutter operation command to the digital camera 12, the image memory 52
The captured image data of the front of the product (box confectionery) J captured and captured by the personal computer (PC) 13
The captured image data is transferred to
As shown in (5), the image is displayed in the image window G4 further superimposed on the horizontal monitor window G2h (steps S21, S22, S23).

FIG. 17 shows a horizontal monitor window G2 displayed along with the product photographing process in the photographing control device.
h and image window G4 and automatic shooting control window G
3 is a diagram showing a simultaneous display state of FIG.

Here, in step S18, the automatic save photographing button Q2 prepared on the command bar G1b is displayed.
When it is determined that is in the automatic mode in which is operated, FIG.
(Step S2)
4 → SB).

When the photographed image storing process is started, R
Based on the current date and time data managed by the clock register in the work memory in the AM 50, a file name is generated according to a predetermined algorithm (step B1).

Then, in the auxiliary name input area G1c for automatic saving provided along the upper end of the thumbnail window G1a, it is determined whether or not an auxiliary name for the image data of the photographed product J has been input. (Step B2).

Here, when it is determined that the auxiliary name for the photographed image data has not been input in the auxiliary name input area G1c at the time of the automatic storage, the auxiliary name is generated based on the photographing date and time in the step B1. The file name thus set is set as it is as a file name (step B2 → B3).

If it is determined that the auxiliary name for the photographed image data has been input in the auxiliary name input area G1c at the time of the automatic saving, the step B
In step 1, the file name generated based on the date and time of shooting and the auxiliary name input in the auxiliary name input area G1c are set as a file name (step B2 → B4).

That is, for the photographed image data of “front” of the “box confectionery”, for example, the file name generated based on the photographing date and time is [EU8BO67], and the auxiliary name [box confectionery] is entered in the auxiliary name input area G1c. A.000
[1] is input, the file name of the photographed image data is [EU8BO67 / box confectionery A.000]
1].

Then, the automatic photographing control window G3
A product data input window is displayed on the product data input window. When product information such as a product name, a size, and a weight of the photographed product J is input in the product data input window, the product information is generated and set in steps B1 to B4. File name [EU8BO67, box confectionery A.000
[1], the photographed image data of the front of the product (box confectionery) J photographed and displayed in the image window G4 in the steps S21 to S23, the photographing condition values of the control systems in the photographing box 11 and the digital camera 12 ( Z1,
F1, S1, α1,...), The input merchandise data (article name, size, weight,...), And the vertical / horizontal direction indicating the shooting direction of the digital camera 12 detected and stored along with the monitor display processing in step SA2. The flag “0” is stored in the captured image data memory 47d (see FIG. 8) in the RAM of the storage device 47 in association with each other (steps B5, B6, and B7).

In this way, in accordance with the photographed image storing process in the step SB, the photographing condition name “box confection” and the photographing direction “front” are selected and photographed image data of the front of the product (box confection) J photographed. File name [EU8BO67 •
Box confectionery A 0001], shooting condition values (Z1, F1, S
1, α1, ...), product data (product name, size, weight,
..), And stored together with the vertical / horizontal flag “0”, as shown in FIG. 18, the photographed image data is added with the photographing date, file name, and photographing resolution,
It is displayed in addition to the window G1a (step S25).

FIG. 18 shows a thumbnail window G1 displayed along with the product photographing process in the photographing control device.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an additional display state of front-side captured image data for a.

On the other hand, after the respective control systems of the photographing box 11 and the digital camera 12 have been automatically adjusted in accordance with the selected photographing condition name and photographing condition value corresponding to the photographing direction after step S14, the flow proceeds to step SA2. According to the monitor display state of the product J (see FIG. 16), or after that, according to the operation determination of the photographing button Q1 in step S19, the photographed image data is displayed in the image window G4 via steps S20 to S23. When the detailed adjustment button Q8 prepared in the command bar G1b is operated in the monitor display state in step SA2 (see FIG. 17), the control parameter adjustment window G5 (FIG. 22) is replaced with the automatic shooting control window G3. (See step S16 → S26).

The control parameter adjustment window G5 has an input area G5a for photographing condition name, an input area G5b for product size, an input area G5c for photographing direction, and zoom, focus, and aperture (iris) for the digital camera 12. And the height of the product pedestal with respect to the photographing box 11 (table), the photographing hood angle (hood),
Input area G5d for each control parameter consisting of camera pedestal angle (holder), display area G5 for current control position
e, a display area G5f of the target control position, a value input area G5g for inputting and setting the value of each parameter while reflecting the set value of the control parameter on the monitor image in real time, and further provided in the photographing box 11 and the digital camera 12. A move button Q11 for instructing the start of each control system adjustment operation, a simple button Q14 for simply setting control parameters, an end button Q13 for instructing the end of shooting are provided, and the simple button Q14 is operated. The function becomes available, and the control parameters corresponding to the product size (large, medium, small) are roughly aligned with the table 47c (FIG. 7).
Large button Q14 for automatic setting based on
a, a middle button Q14b, and a small button Q14c.

Then, in the control parameter adjustment window G5, for example, in the control parameter input area G5d, the zoom Z, focus F, aperture (iris) S and photographing box 11 for the digital camera 12 are set.
When the control parameters of the product pedestal height (table) H, the photographing hood angle (hood) β, and the camera pedestal angle (holder) α are finely adjusted and changed and input, the control parameters ( Shooting condition value) Z,
Control signals are transmitted from the personal computer (PC) 13 to the digital camera 12 and the shooting box 11 in accordance with F, S, α, H, β, and L, and the zoom adjustment motor 53 and the focus adjustment motor 5 of the digital camera 12 are transmitted.
4. The aperture adjusting motor 55 is driven to adjust the zoom Z, the focus F, and the aperture S, respectively.
The camera pedestal drive motor 19a, the product pedestal drive motor 26, and the hood drive motor 17a are driven to adjust the angle α of the camera pedestal 16, the height H of the product pedestal 25, and the angle β of the photographing hood 15, respectively ( Step S27 → S
14).

In this case, the shooting direction and focus of the digital camera 12 on the shooting target product J placed on the product base 25 are previously set in the shooting condition table memory 47b according to the actual shooting operation by a professional cameraman or an expert. After being automatically adjusted according to the respective shooting condition values for the “front” shooting of the stored “box confectionery”, fine adjustment is performed according to the user's preference,
After the monitor display processing in FIG. 12, the monitor image after the shooting adjustment in which the front image of the product (box confectionery) J is captured with a good appearance according to the user's preference is displayed in the horizontal monitor window G2h (step SA2 [ A1, A2 → A
3, A4]).

When the auto save photographing button Q2 or the photographing button Q1 prepared on the command bar G1b is operated, the processing proceeds to the above-mentioned steps S20 to S23,
When the photographed images after the control system adjustment of the photographing box 11 and the digital camera 12 are received and displayed in the image window G4, and in the automatic mode by the automatic save photographing button Q2, the photographed image saving processing in FIG. The photographed image data after fine adjustment, which is photographed and displayed in the image window G4, is stored in the photographed image data memory 47d in the file name [EU8BO67].
Box confectionery A 0001], shooting condition values (Z, F, S,
..), product data (article name, size, weight,...), and a vertical / horizontal flag “0” are stored and saved (step S18 [S19] → S20 to SB).

On the other hand, after the front view is displayed in the image window G4 when the photographing button Q1 is operated,
When the automatic save button Q4 is operated, each control system of the photographing box 11 and the digital camera 12 automatically adjusts according to each photographing condition value set and stored in the photographing condition table 47b (see FIG. 6) (step S4). S7 to S14)
Is performed or the control parameter adjustment window G5
Fine adjustment of each photographing condition value according to the control parameters arbitrarily set in (Steps S16 → S26, S27 →
After S14), the image data of the product J in the monitor display state in step SA2 is taken as a photographed image as it is, and through the photographed image storing process in FIG. The data is stored in the data memory 47d (see FIG. 8) (step S28 → SB).

At this time, the photographing condition value for each control system of the photographing box 11 and the digital camera 12 set by the fine adjustment using the control parameter adjusting window G5 is a photographing condition name corresponding to the photographed product J and its photographing. New shooting condition data is additionally stored in the shooting condition table 47b in association with the direction, and the shooting condition table 47b is upgraded.

Thus, the automatic photographing control window G
Shooting condition name “box confection” and shooting direction “front” in 3
Is automatically adjusted in accordance with each photographing condition value read from the photographing condition table memory 47b in accordance with the selection of, or each control system in the control parameter adjustment window G5 is automatically adjusted. By finely adjusting the control systems of the photographing box 11 and the digital camera 12 in accordance with the respective photographing condition values changed according to the arbitrary setting of (1), the product (box confectionery) J imaged with good appearance by the digital camera 12 The front image is photographed and the photographed image data memory 4
As shown in FIG. 18, the image is further stored in the thumbnail window G1a.
When an operation is performed on the photographing box 11, the state returns to the list display state of photographing condition names on the automatic photographing control window G3 in step S9 (step S15 → S
9).

Then, the automatic photographing control window G3
In, after the photographing condition name “box confectionery” and the photographing direction “upper surface” are selected, when the move button Q11 is operated,
The respective photographing condition values for the respective control systems of the photographing box 11 and the digital camera 12 corresponding to the photographing condition name “box confection” and the photographing direction “upper surface” selected and input on the automatic photographing control window G3 are the photographing conditions. From the condition table memory 47b (see FIG. 6), the zoom Z2 and the focus F
2, Aperture S2, Camera base angle α2, Product base height H
2. Photographing hood angle β2 and photographing illuminance L2 are read (steps S10, S11, S12 → S13).

Then, the respective photographing condition values Z2,
In accordance with F2, S2, α2, H2, β2, and L2, the personal computer (PC) 13 sends the digital camera 12
Then, a control signal is transmitted to the photographing box 11, and the zoom adjustment motor 53, the focus adjustment motor 54, and the aperture adjustment motor 55 of the digital camera 12 are driven to be adjusted to the zoom Z2, the focus F2, and the aperture S2, respectively. The camera base drive motor 19a of the box 11
The product pedestal drive motor 26 and the hood drive motor 17a are driven to adjust to the angle α of the camera pedestal 16, the height H of the product pedestal 25, the angle β of the photographic hood 15, and the illuminance L2 of illumination by the illumination unit 21, respectively ( Step S14).

Thus, the photographing direction and focus of the digital camera 12 on the photographed product J placed on the commodity pedestal 25 are previously set in the photographing condition table memory 47b in accordance with the actual photographing operation by a professional photographer or a skilled person. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, automatic adjustment is performed according to each of the stored shooting condition values for “upper surface” shooting of the “box confection”, and after the monitor display processing in FIG. 12, the horizontal monitor window G2h is displayed. Displays a monitor image after the shooting adjustment in which the upper surface image of the product (box confectionery) J is captured with good appearance (step SA2).

Then, when the auto save photographing button Q2 or the photographing button Q1 prepared on the command bar G1b is operated, the image data of the upper surface of the product J imaged by the digital camera 12 is received and the image window G is displayed.
In the case of the automatic mode by the automatic save photographing button Q2, the process shifts to the photographed image storing process in FIG. 13, and the image data of the upper surface of the product J photographed and displayed in the image window G4 is For example, the file name [EU8BTP4
Box sweets A.0001], shooting condition values (Z2, F2, S
2, α2, ...), product data (product name, size, weight,
..), And stored together with the vertical / horizontal flag “0” (step S18 [S19] → S20 to SB).

Then, as shown in FIG.
Is added to the thumbnail window G1a and displayed after adding the shooting date, file name, and shooting resolution, following the front shot image data already shot and saved (step S25). ).

FIG. 19 shows a thumbnail window G1 displayed along with the product photographing process in the photographing control device.
It is a figure which shows the additional display state of top surface image data with respect to a.

On the other hand, after the upper surface photographing display in the image window G4 when the photographing button Q1 is operated,
Even when the automatic save button Q4 is operated, the image data on the upper surface of the product J in the monitor display state is taken in as a photographed image as it is in step SA2, and is stored in the same manner as above through the photographed image saving process in FIG. The photographed image data memory 47d in the device 47 (see FIG. 8)
And the thumbnail window G1a
(Step S28 → SB, S2)
5).

Thereafter, when an operation is performed on the photographing box 11 in order to perform overhead view photographing of the product J,
Automatic shooting control window G3 in step S9
The display returns to the above-described shooting condition name list display state (step S
15 → S9).

Then, the automatic photographing control window G3
After the photographing condition name “box confectionery” and the photographing direction “bird's-eye view” are selected, when the move button Q11 is operated,
The respective photographing condition values for the respective control systems of the photographing box 11 and the digital camera 12 corresponding to the photographing condition name “box confection” and the photographing direction “overlook” selected and input on the automatic photographing control window G3 are the same as those of the photographing. From the condition table memory 47b (see FIG. 6), the zoom Z3 and the focus F
3, Aperture S3, Camera base angle α3, Product base height H
3, the photographing hood angle β3 and the photographing illuminance L3 are read (steps S10, S11, S12 → S13).

Then, the respective photographing condition values Z3,
In accordance with F3, S3, α3, H3, β3, and L3, the personal computer (PC) 13 converts the digital camera 12
Then, a control signal is transmitted to the photographing box 11, and the zoom adjustment motor 53, the focus adjustment motor 54, and the aperture adjustment motor 55 of the digital camera 12 are driven to be adjusted to the zoom Z3, the focus F3, and the aperture S3, respectively. The camera base drive motor 19a of the box 11
The product pedestal drive motor 26 and the hood drive motor 17a are driven to be adjusted to the angle α of the camera pedestal 16, the height H of the product pedestal 25, the angle β of the photographic hood 15, and the illuminance L3 of photography by the illumination unit 21, respectively ( Step S14).

Thus, the shooting direction and focus of the digital camera 12 on the shooting target product J placed on the product base 25 are previously set in the shooting condition table memory 47b according to the actual shooting operation by a professional cameraman or a skilled person. According to the stored photographing condition values for the “overlook” photographing of the “box confectionery” stored, for example, as shown in FIG. 3C, it is automatically adjusted, and after the monitor display processing in FIG. 12, the horizontal monitor window G2h Displays a monitor image after shooting adjustment in which a bird's-eye view image of the product (box confectionery) J is captured with good appearance (step SA2).

When the auto save photographing button Q2 or the photographing button Q1 prepared on the command bar G1b is operated, the bird's-eye image data of the product J photographed by the digital camera 12 is received and the image window G is displayed.
4 and is in the automatic mode by the automatic save photographing button Q2, the process proceeds to a photographed image saving process in FIG. 13, and the bird's-eye image data of the product J photographed and displayed in the image window G4 is For example, the file name [EU8BWO5
Box sweets A.0001], shooting condition values (Z3, F3, S
3, α3, ...), product data (product name, size, weight,
..), And stored together with the vertical / horizontal flag “0” (step S18 [S19] → S20 to SB).

Then, as shown in FIG.
The bird's-eye view of the captured image data is
Following the captured image data on the top side, the shooting date, file name,
Thumbnail window G1a by adding shooting resolution
Is added and displayed (step S25).

FIG. 20 shows a thumbnail window G1 displayed along with the product photographing process in the photographing control device.
It is a figure which shows the additional display state of bird's-eye shot image data with respect to a.

On the other hand, after the bird's-eye view image is displayed in the image window G4 when the photograph button Q1 is operated,
Even when the automatic save button Q4 is operated, the bird's-eye view image data of the product J in the monitor display state is taken in as it is in the step SA2 as a photographed image, and is stored in the same manner as described above through the photographed image saving process in FIG. The photographed image data memory 47d in the device 47 (see FIG. 8)
And the thumbnail window G1a
(Step S28 → SB, S2)
5).

When the detailed correction button Q16 (see FIG. 20) prepared on the command bar G1b is operated after photographing the image on the designated photographing surface of the product J, the photographing box 11 and the digital camera A detailed correction window for manually correcting the parameters (photographing condition values) of the respective control systems in 12 is displayed. By arbitrarily adjusting various control parameters (photographing condition values) in the detailed correction window, The position, image quality, hue, etc., of the photographed image in the photographed image are arbitrarily corrected in detail and adjusted.

FIG. 21 is a horizontal monitor window G2 displayed along with the product photographing process in the photographing control device.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display state before shooting adjustment of a control parameter adjustment window G5 with h.

In the monitor display processing in step SA1, the photographing box 11 and the digital camera 12
In the state where the respective control systems are not adjusted and the monitor image of the periphery of the commodity pedestal 25 by the digital camera 12 is displayed in the horizontal monitor window G2h, the command bar is set to set the shooting mode by the manual control. G1
When the manual button Q10 displayed on b is operated,
As shown in FIG. 21, the horizontal monitor window G2
h, a control parameter adjustment window G5 is displayed (step S6 → S26).

In the control parameter adjustment window G5, for example, the digital camera 12 is displayed in the control parameter input area G5d so that the monitor image of the front of the product J placed on the product pedestal 25 can be seen with good appearance.
Z, focus F, aperture (iris) S
When the control parameters of the product pedestal height (table) H, the photographing hood angle (hood) β, and the camera pedestal angle (holder) α with respect to the photographing box 11 are manually input, the respective control parameters (photographing condition values)
Control signals are transmitted from the personal computer (PC) 13 to the digital camera 12 and the shooting box 11 in accordance with Z, F, S, α, H, β, and L, and the zoom adjustment motor 53 and the focus adjustment motor of the digital camera 12 are transmitted. 54, the aperture adjusting motor 55 is driven to adjust the zoom Z, the focus F, and the aperture S, respectively, and the camera pedestal driving motor 19a, the product pedestal driving motor 26, and the hood driving motor 17a of the shooting box 11 are driven, respectively. The angle α of the camera base 16, the height H of the product base 25,
The angle is adjusted to the angle β of the photographing hood 15 (step S27)
→ S14).

In this case, the shooting direction and the focus of the digital camera 12 on the shooting target product J placed on the product pedestal 25 are manually adjusted according to the user's preference, and after the monitor display processing in FIG. On the other hand, the monitor image after the shooting adjustment in which the front image of the product (box confectionery) J is captured with good looks according to the user's preference is displayed (step SA2 [A1, A2 → A3, A4]).

FIG. 22 shows a horizontal monitor window G2 displayed in association with the product photographing process in the photographing control device.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a simultaneous display state of h and an image window G4 and a control parameter adjustment window G5.

Then, as shown in FIG. 22, when the auto save photographing button Q2 or the photographing button Q1 prepared on the command bar G1b is operated, the aforementioned steps S20 to S20 are performed.
After the processing of S23, the photographed image after the manual adjustment for the respective control systems of the photographing box 11 and the digital camera 12 is received and displayed in the image window G4, and in the case of the automatic mode by the automatic save photographing button Q2, Then, the process proceeds to the photographed image storing process in FIG.
The manually adjusted captured image data captured and displayed in the image window G4 is stored in the captured image data memory 4.
7d, the file name [EU8BO67, box confectionery A
.0001], shooting condition values (Z, F, S, α,...), Product data (product name, size, weight,...), And vertical / horizontal flag “0” are stored and saved (step S18).
[S19] → S20 to SB).

On the other hand, after the front photographing display in the image window G4 when the photographing button Q1 is operated,
When the automatic save button Q4 is operated, each control system of the photographing box 11 and the digital camera 12 performs manual adjustment according to the control parameters manually set in the control parameter adjustment window G5 (step S5).
6 → S26, S27 → S14), the image data of the product J in the monitor display state in the step SA2 is directly taken in as a photographed image, and is stored in the same manner as described above through the photographed image saving process in FIG. Device 4
The image data is stored in the captured image data memory 47d (see FIG. 8) in the memory 7 (step S28 → SB).

At this time, the photographing condition values for the respective control systems of the photographing box 11 and the digital camera 12 set by manual adjustment in the control parameter adjusting window G5 correspond to the photographing condition name and the photographing direction corresponding to the photographed product J. The new shooting condition data is additionally stored in the shooting condition table 47b in association with the shooting condition table 47b, and the shooting condition table 47b is upgraded.

In the control parameter adjustment window G5 shown in FIG. 21 and FIG.
Large button Q14a, middle button Q that functions according to the operation of
When any one of the button 14b and the small button Q14c is operated according to the size of the shooting target product J, each control parameter in the control parameter input area G5d is stored in the RAM of the storage device 47 in advance. The setting is performed according to the general positioning table 47c, and the shooting direction and the focus of the product J are roughly adjusted and set, so that the manual adjustment of each control parameter in the step S27 is simplified.

On the other hand, "image (I)" Q1 functioning as an edit button displayed along command bar G1b
5 is operated, the process proceeds to the editing process (step S
17 → SC).

In this editing process, the stored captured image data displayed in the thumbnail window G1a is read out and displayed in a window, and then “cutout”, “background removal”, “rotation”, “reversal”, “image correction”, etc. The user can perform an arbitrary editing operation by displaying and selecting a menu consisting of .The image data after the editing process is stored, for example, by operating the automatic save button Q4, through the photographed image saving process in FIG. It is updated and stored in the captured image data memory 47d in the device 47, and is also updated and displayed in the thumbnail window G1a (step S28 →
SB, S25).

Then, the automatic photographing control window G3
When the end button Q13 provided in the control parameter adjustment window G5 is operated, the shooting module window G1 itself is deleted from the display screen of the display device 44, and the above-described series of product shooting processes is ended (step S).
29 → S30).

Therefore, according to the photographing control device having the above configuration, when the photographing condition name and the photographing direction corresponding to the commodity J to be photographed are selected and input in the automatic photographing control window G3, the program is stored in the storage device 47 in advance. According to the photographing condition table 47b set and stored according to the actual photographing operation by the photographer or the expert, the photographing condition value for each control system of the photographing box 11 and the digital camera 12 corresponding to the inputted photographing condition name and photographing direction. Is read, the angle α of the camera base 16, the height H of the product base 25,
The angle β of the photographing hood 15, the photographing illuminance L by the lighting unit 21, the zoom Z, the focus F, and the aperture S of the digital camera 12 are automatically adjusted and set. On the other hand, the file name, product name,
Product data such as size, and a flag indicating whether the image is taken vertically or horizontally are stored and stored in the image data memory 47d in the storage device 47, so that, for example, in a large store such as a discount store or a supermarket. Even if the work of creating product management data is performed by personnel other than skilled personnel such as part-timers, images of individual products can be taken very easily as well as professional photographers and skilled workers, and associated with product information. Can be stored and managed.

In the above embodiment, in the control parameter adjustment window G5 for manually adjusting the photographing condition values for the respective control systems of the photographing box 11 and the digital camera 12, the individual parameters (photographing condition values) are specified. Although the numerical values are input and set, for example, as shown in FIG. 23, the settings of the zoom Z, focus F, and aperture S for the digital camera 12 are adjusted by the slider while viewing the product image displayed on the monitor. Or
A monitor type of a control parameter in which the setting of the camera pedestal angle α, the hood angle β, and the product pedestal height H with respect to the shooting box 11 is adjusted by directly displaying each model with a grab point by displaying a model diagram. The adjustment window G6 is displayed instead of the adjustment window G5,
A configuration in which manual adjustment of each photographing condition value is more realistically and easily performed may be adopted.

FIG. 23 is a view showing a monitor-type adjustment window G6 of the control parameter displayed along with the commodity photographing process in the photographing control device.

Further, as shown in FIG. 24, the actual machine state of each control system in the photographing box 11 and the digital camera 12 is graphically displayed, and all the parameters (photographing condition values) are adjusted by the slider. The slider-type adjustment window G7 for the control parameters may be displayed instead of the adjustment window G5 or G6 so that the manual adjustment of each photographing condition value can be performed more realistically and more easily.

FIG. 24 is a view showing a slider-type adjustment window G7 of the control parameter displayed along with the commodity photographing process in the photographing control device.

The method described in the above embodiment, ie, the product photographing process shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 10 and 11, the monitor display process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, and the photographed image storing process shown in the flowchart of FIG. The method uses a memory card (ROM card, RA
M card, magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD
External recording medium (storage medium) 48 such as a semiconductor memory
Can be stored and distributed. The control unit (CPU) 46, which is a computer, reads the program recorded in the external recording medium (storage medium) 48 into the storage device 47 by a data reading device corresponding to each medium, and operates according to the read program. By being controlled, the product photographing function described in the above embodiment can be realized, and the same processing can be performed by the above-described method.

The lighting unit may be arranged outside the photographing box to illuminate the inside of the box.

[0132]

As described above, according to the first photographing control device according to the present invention, the subject arranged in the box is illuminated by the lighting equipment, and the subject in the box is photographed by the photographing camera. A photographing control device for a photographing box device, wherein when a photographing surface for a subject arranged in the box is designated, the photographing camera performs the designated photographing of the subject based on the designation of the photographing surface. The photographing camera and / or the subject or both are moved to a position for capturing the surface, and the designated photographing surface of the subject is photographed by the photographing camera. The camera for use is automatically moved to a position where it captures the photographing surface of the subject.

Further, according to the second photographing control device according to the present invention, the subject arranged in the box is illuminated by the lighting equipment in the box, and the subject in the box is photographed by the photographing camera. A photographing control device for a photographing box device, wherein a photographing condition value stored in a photographing condition value storage unit that stores a photographing condition value in the box of the photographing camera is within the box of the photographing camera. Since the shooting position is moved, and thereby the subject is shot by the shooting camera moved in the box, the shooting camera is automatically moved to a position where the shooting camera shoots the subject according to a shooting condition value stored in advance. Become so.

Further, according to the third photographing control device according to the present invention, the subject arranged in the box is illuminated by the lighting equipment in the box, and the subject in the box is photographed by the photographing camera. A photographing control device for a photographing box device, wherein a monitor image of the subject monitored by the photographing camera is displayed on a monitor window in a display screen of a predetermined display device, and the photographing camera controls the subject by using the photographing camera. When photographing is performed at an arbitrary photographing timing, a photographed image of the subject photographed by the photographing camera is displayed in a photographed image window in the display screen and stored in a predetermined image storage unit. Since at least one taken image is reduced and displayed in a thumbnail window in the display screen,
The photographed image of the subject which is displayed on the monitor and photographed in the photographing box device is automatically stored and managed.

Therefore, according to the present invention, anyone can easily and easily capture and manage image data of commodities and the like without the need for familiarity or skill.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a photographing control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing each movable mechanism in a photographing box of the photographing control device, wherein FIG. 2 (A) is a diagram showing the photographing box as a vertical section, and FIG. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a comparison of each photographing state of a different product J in a photographing box of the photographing control device;
FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a front view of a small product J1, FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a top view of a product J2, and FIG. 3C is a top view of a large product J3.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit centering on a personal computer (PC) of the photographing control device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data memory provided in a ROM and a RAM in the storage device of the personal computer (PC).

FIG. 6 is a view showing data contents of a photographing condition table memory provided in a RAM in a storage device of the personal computer (PC).

FIG. 7 is a view showing data contents of a schematic positioning table memory provided in a RAM in a storage device of the personal computer (PC).

FIG. 8 is a view showing data contents of a photographed image data memory provided in a RAM in a storage device of the personal computer (PC).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing data contents of a thumbnail image data memory provided in a RAM in a storage device of the personal computer (PC).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a product photographing process (part 1) in the photographing control device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a product photographing process (part 2) in the photographing control device.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a monitor display process accompanying the product photographing process in the photographing control device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a photographed image storage process accompanying the product photographing process in the photographing control device.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a display state of a photographing module window G1 initially displayed along with a commodity photographing process in the photographing control device.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a horizontal monitor window G2h and an automatic photographing control window G3 displayed before photographing adjustment, which are displayed during the commodity photographing process in the photographing control device.

FIG. 16 is a view showing a horizontal monitor window G2h and an automatic photographing control window G3 displayed after photographing adjustment, which are displayed with the commodity photographing process in the photographing control device.

FIG. 17 is a view showing a horizontal monitor window G2h, an image window G4, and an automatic shooting control window G3 displayed simultaneously with a product shooting process in the shooting control device.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an additional display state of front-view image data with respect to a thumbnail window G1a displayed in accordance with a product shooting process in the shooting control device.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an additional display state of top surface image data with respect to a thumbnail window G1a displayed along with a product image capturing process in the image capturing control device.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an additional display state of bird's-eye shot image data with respect to a thumbnail window G1a displayed along with a product shooting process in the shooting control device.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a horizontal monitor window G2h and a control parameter adjustment window G5 displayed before shooting adjustment in the product shooting process performed by the shooting control device.

FIG. 22 is a view showing a horizontal monitor window G2h and an image window G4 and a control parameter adjustment window G5 displayed simultaneously with a product photographing process in the photographing control device.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a monitor-type adjustment window G6 of a control parameter displayed along with the product photographing process in the photographing control device.

FIG. 24 is a view showing a slider-type adjustment window G7 of a control parameter displayed along with a product photographing process in the photographing control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11: Shooting box, 11S: Stop switch, 12: Digital camera, 13: Personal computer (PC), 14: Box body, 15: Shooting hood, 16: Camera pedestal, 17: Hood drive mechanism, 17a: Hood drive motor, Reference Signs List 18 hood axis 19 camera pedestal drive mechanism 19a camera pedestal drive motor 20 pedestal axis 21 lighting unit 22a, 22b lighting bulb 23 reflecting unit 24 reflecting mirror 25 product base Reference numeral 25a: Stage, 26: Product base drive motor, 27: Back frame, 28: Background paper, 29a, 29b, 30: Background paper clip, 31: Operation door, 32: Adjustment screw, 33: Arrangement stand, 34: Bearing Stand, 34a: Camera orientation detection switch 35a, 35b: Camera support axis, 36: P Main unit, 37… shooting side data / control bus, 38… camera side data / control bus, 39… interface unit, 40… shooting side interface circuit (IF), 41… camera side interface circuit (IF), 42… input device 43, a hand scanner, 44, a display device, 45, a printing device, 46, a PC control unit (CPU), 47, a storage device, 47a, a program memory, 47b, a photographing condition table memory, 47c, a rough alignment table memory, 47d: photographed image data memory, 47e: thumbnail image data memory, 48: external recording medium (storage medium), 49: communication line, 50: RAM, 51: camera control unit, 52: image memory, 53: zoom adjustment motor, 54: Focus adjustment motor, 55: Aperture adjustment motor J: shooting target product, x, y, z: focus path, G1: shooting module window, G1a: thumbnail window, G1b: command bar, G1c: auxiliary name input area, G2h: horizontal monitor window, G3: automatic G3a: Shooting condition name input area, G3b: Product size input area, G3c: Shooting direction input area, G4: Image window, G5: Control parameter adjustment window, G5a: Shooting condition name input area, G5b: Product Size input area, G5c: shooting direction input area, G5d: control parameter input area, G5e: current control position display area, G5f: target control position display area, G5g: value input area, G6: monitor-type adjustment window, G7 ... Slider type adjustment window, Q1… Shadow button, Q2 ... Auto save shooting button, Q3 ... Monitor mode button, Q4 ... Auto save button, Q5 ... Reduce button, Q6 ... Enlarge button, Q7 ... Cut out button, Q8 ... Detailed adjustment button, Q9 ... Auto button, Q10 ... Manual button, Q11 ... move button, Q12 ... detail button, Q13 ... end button, Q14 ... simple button, Q14a ... large button, Q14b ... middle button, Q14c ... small button, Q15 ... edit button, Q16 ... detail correction button.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Yoshihiro Sato, Inventor 2-229 Sakuragaoka, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Tokyo Office (72) Inventor Naruhito Tachibana 2-229 Sakuragaoka, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Shio Computer Co., Ltd. Tokyo Office (72) Inventor Kanzo Tsuzuki 2-229 Sakuragaoka, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Tokyo Office F-term (reference) 5C022 AA13 AB12 AB15 AB21 AB62 AB66 AC00 AC01 AC27 AC69 AC74 AC77 AC78 CA07

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A photographing control device for a photographing box device for illuminating a subject arranged in a box with a lighting device and photographing the subject in the box with a photographing camera, wherein the photographing control device is arranged in the box. A photographing surface designating means for designating a photographing surface for the subject, and a photographing camera at a position where the photographing camera captures the designated photographing surface of the subject based on the designation of the photographing surface by the photographing surface designating means. Or a movement control means for moving a subject or both of them, wherein the designated photographing surface of the subject is photographed by the photographing camera. 2. The photographing plane designating means according to claim 1, wherein said photographing plane designating means is a photographing plane designating means for selecting and designating any one of a plurality of photographing planes such as a front surface, a top surface, and an oblique surface of said subject. 2. The photographing control device according to 1. 3. A mirror provided above a subject in the photographing box device and having a reflection surface inclined obliquely in the direction of the photographing camera; First moving means for moving the camera for use to change the photographing angle thereof, wherein the movement control means performs the designation when the top surface of the subject is designated as the photographing surface by the photographing surface designation means. Moving control means for controlling the first moving means to move the photographing camera and change its photographing angle so that the photographing direction of the photographing camera is directed to the mirror. The photographing control device according to claim 2. 4. A photographing apparatus further comprising: a second moving unit provided in the photographing box device for moving a position of the photographing camera in a vertical direction; When the oblique surface is designated as the photographing surface, the position of the photographing camera is moved up and down by controlling the second moving means based on the designation, and the photographing direction of the photographing camera is The photographing control device according to claim 2, wherein the photographing control device is a movement control unit that controls the first moving unit to move the photographing camera to change a photographing angle thereof so as to face a subject. 5. A display control means for displaying, on a predetermined display device, a monitor image of the specified photographing surface of the subject photographed by the photographing camera on the monitor. The imaging control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. A photographing control device for a photographing box device for illuminating a subject arranged in a box with a lighting device in the box and photographing the subject in the box with a photographing camera, Photographing condition value storing means for storing photographing condition values in the box of the camera, and movement control for moving the photographing position of the photographing camera in the box in accordance with the photographing condition values stored in the photographing condition value storing means. Means for photographing the subject with the photographing camera moved in the box by the movement control means. 7. The photographing condition value according to claim 6, wherein the photographing condition value is a value designating individual conditions such as a photographing position and a photographing angle of the photographing camera in the box in the vertical direction. Shooting control device. 8. A condition pattern storage means for storing a plurality of types of the photographing condition value patterns, and a condition pattern selection means for selecting any one of the plurality of types of patterns stored in the condition pattern storage means. The photographing control device according to claim 7, further comprising: a storage control unit configured to set and store a photographing condition value of the pattern selected by the condition pattern selecting unit in the photographing condition value storing unit. 9. An individual condition value designating means for arbitrarily designating individual photographing condition values in the box of the photographing camera, and an individual condition value designating device of the photographing camera arbitrarily designated by the individual condition value designating device The photographing control apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a storage control unit configured to set and store individual photographing condition values in the box in the photographing condition value storage unit. 10. The photographing condition value is a zoom, focus, and aperture control value of the photographing camera, and the movement control means is configured to control the photographing camera in accordance with the zoom, focus, and aperture control values of the photographing camera. 7. The photographing control device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit is a movement control unit that controls zoom, focus, and aperture of the camera. 11. A photographing control device for a photographing box device for illuminating a subject arranged in a box with a lighting device in the box and photographing the subject in the box with a photographing camera, Monitor display control means for displaying a monitor image of the subject photographed by the camera for monitoring on a monitor window in a display screen of a predetermined display device; and photographing for photographing the subject at an arbitrary photographing timing by the photographing camera. Control means; photographing display control means for displaying a photographed image of the subject photographed by the photographing camera by the photographing control means in a photographed image window in the display screen; and photographing camera by the photographing control means Storage control means for storing a photographed image of the subject photographed in a predetermined image storage means, Imaging control apparatus being characterized in that includes a reduced display control means for displaying by reducing at least one of the captured images stored in the image storage means in the thumbnail window within the display screen, the. 12. The photographing control device according to claim 11, wherein the monitor window, the photographed image window, and the thumbnail window are simultaneously displayed on the display screen. 13. A photographing condition specifying means for arbitrarily specifying a condition of a photographing position of the photographing camera in the photographing box device; and Shooting position movement control means for shifting the shooting position of the shooting camera in the shooting box device,
The photographing control device according to claim 11, further comprising: 14. The photographing condition designating means is a photographing condition designating means for arbitrarily designating a condition of a photographing position of the photographing camera in the photographing box device and a condition of a photographing control value in the photographing camera. 14. The photographing control according to claim 13, further comprising camera driving control means for driving a photographing control system of the photographing camera according to a condition of a photographing control value designated by the photographing condition designating means. apparatus. 15. A camera direction detecting means for detecting a direction of the photographing camera in the photographing box device, wherein the monitor display control means comprises a monitor image of the subject photographed by the photographing camera. Is displayed on a monitor window displayed in a direction corresponding to the direction of the photographing camera detected by the camera direction detection unit in a display screen of a predetermined display device. The photographing control device according to claim 11 or 12. 16. A photographing control which can be read by a computer of a photographing box device for illuminating a subject arranged in a box with a lighting device in the box and photographing the subject in the box with a photographing camera. A storage medium storing a processing program, wherein the computer is configured to specify a shooting plane for a subject arranged in the box, and the shooting is performed based on a shooting plane specified by the shooting plane specifying unit. A camera for photographing the subject and / or a movement control means for moving the subject or both to a position where the subject captures the designated photographing surface of the subject. A storage medium storing a shooting control processing program for shooting by the camera. 17. A photographing control which can be read by a computer of a photographing box device for illuminating a subject arranged in a box with a lighting device in the box and photographing the subject in the box with a photographing camera. A storage medium storing a processing program, the computer comprising: a photographing condition value storage unit that stores a photographing condition value in the box of the photographing camera; a photographing condition value stored in the photographing condition value storage unit. A photographing control processing program for causing the photographing camera moved in the box by the movement control means to function as movement control means for moving a photographing position of the photographing camera in the box; Storage medium that stores. 18. A photographing control which can be read by a computer of a photographing box device for illuminating a subject arranged in a box with a lighting fixture in the box and photographing the subject in the box with a photographing camera. A storage medium storing a processing program, wherein the computer displays a monitor image of the subject monitored by the photographing camera in a monitor window on a display screen of a predetermined display device. A photographing control means for photographing the subject at an arbitrary photographing timing by a photographing camera; and displaying a photographed image of the subject photographed by the photographing camera by the photographing control means in a photographed image window in the display screen. Photographing display control means, before photographing by the photographing camera by the photographing control means Storage control means for storing a captured image of a subject in a predetermined image storage means; reduced display control means for reducing and displaying at least one captured image stored in the image storage means in a thumbnail window in the display screen; A storage medium storing a shooting control processing program for functioning as a computer.