JP2000032249A - Video printing device, and printing paper for the video printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video printing device capable of easily grasping the fashion of a user, easily preparing a printed matter satisfied by the user and allowing the user able to easily appeal himself/herself further and to provide a printing paper sheet for video printing device suitable for preserving the printed matter and excellent in portability. SOLUTION: This video printing device A is provided with a photographing device part P and a photographing chamber Q. The photographing chamber Q is provided with a back surface panel 12. The photographing device part is provided with a charge feeding port (13), a charge box 11, a video camera 3, an illumination lamp 8, a first video monitor 1 for performing display in a screen window 4 through a half mirror 5, a printer 6, a printed matter take- out port 10, a computer 7 for controlling them and an operation switch 9 for operating the computer 7. Also, as this printing paper sheet, thick tack paper sheet (T) consisting of an image printing paper layer, a thick intermediate supporting layer, a back surface supporting layer and a peeling paper layer is prepared.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video printing apparatus capable of printing an image created by selecting an arbitrary image from images prepared in advance and combining the selected image with an image of a subject. The present invention relates to a printing paper for a video printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a video printing apparatus for photographing a face by a built-in camera or the like and printing a composite image created by combining this with an image selected from a background image prepared in advance has been developed. And tourist attractions,
It has been installed and used in many places such as streets. This type of video printing apparatus has been gaining high popularity because of its ease of shooting and creation of original printed matter, with a sense of play. And various types of video printing devices are already provided,
Most of them are photo sticker printing devices that print photos in a sticker shape.

[0003]

However, the conventional video printing apparatus has the following disadvantages. With a conventional video printing device, the user first selects a background image, then shoots a portrait, and then composites them. It is not easy to grasp in advance, and as a result, in many cases, the printed matter does not always satisfy the user. Also, in order to make the matching between the image used for composition and the portrait of the user favorable, it is necessary for the user to take an appropriate pose at the time of shooting, but what pose is appropriate in the first place, Since it is difficult to imagine the image alone, it is not easy to take an appropriate pose. Further, depending on the pose, the lighting condition may be inappropriate, and matching with the user's portrait may not be preferable.

[0004] Further, when a printed material is used as a sticker, it is preferable in that a user can easily put the created sticker anywhere, but in a video printing apparatus for creating such a sticker, the created sticker is small. Since the user's face or upper body is only displayed in a small size, for example, it is not very preferable to keep the completed seal as some kind of memorial or record, or to always carry it to show it to others.

In a conventional video printing apparatus, even if a printed matter is created on the spot, the printed matter does not automatically remain on the spot in the form of an album or the like. It was difficult to appeal to others who did.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to make it easy to grasp the fashion of users and to make it easier for users to produce satisfactory printed matter. It is an object of the present invention to provide a video printing apparatus that provides an environment that makes it easy to appeal to itself, and a printing paper for a video printing apparatus that is suitable for storing printed matter and excellent in portability.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video printing apparatus for displaying and printing an image obtained by combining a previously prepared image with a portrait of a user, At least input means for inputting an operator's instruction, synthesizing image data registering means for pre-registering synthesizing image data to be synthesized with the portrait of the user, photographing means for photographing the user, Image data selecting means for selecting one or a plurality of image data for synthesis from the image data for synthesis registered in the image data registration means, and a person created by a portrait of the user photographed by the photographing means An image data synthesizing unit that edits and generates a synthesized image by synthesizing the image data and the synthesizing image data selected by the synthesizing image data selecting unit; First displaying the combined composite image
The image processing apparatus further includes a display unit, and a printing unit that prints a composite image combined by the image combining unit on a print sheet.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image printing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the combined image combined by the image combining means is stored as registered image data. Storage means; and second display means for displaying registered image data stored in the registered image data storage means, wherein the registered image data is displayed on one of the first display means and the second display means. Alternatively, it is displayed on both.

Here, as in the video printing apparatus according to the third aspect, in the video printing apparatus according to the second aspect,
From the registered image data stored in the registered image data storage unit, which is displayed by one or both of the first display unit and the second display unit, an instruction input by the operator by the input unit is input. It is a preferred embodiment to have a registered image data selecting means for selecting the registered image data selected by the operator accordingly.

Further, like the video printing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, in the video printing apparatus according to the third aspect,
A synthesized image synthesized by the image data synthesizing means,
It is also preferable to provide a selection control means for causing the registered image data storage means to register, or for the user to select one or a plurality of registered image data by the registered image data selection means, or to select only one of them. It is an embodiment.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the video printing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, one or more persons are registered in the synthesizing image data registration means in advance. In a preferred embodiment, model human / background image data in which a human model and the image data for synthesis are simultaneously captured is further registered as the image data for synthesis.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the video printing apparatus according to the fifth aspect, a portrait of a model person having one or more models posing in the image data registering means is provided. Model human image data consisting of only the image data is further registered as the image data for synthesis, and the model human image data and the partial image data for synthesis are arbitrarily selected and synthesized according to the user's preference. A model person / background image data synthesizing means for creating model person / background image data is provided.

In the video printing apparatus according to the fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention, like the video printing apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the model person / background image data or the model human image data is used for reference. It is a preferred embodiment that the user selects the image data for synthesis desired for synthesizing his / her portrait by the image data selecting means for synthesis.

[0014] In the video printing apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, like the video printing apparatus according to claim 8, a user instructs posing when shooting a portrait. Providing a pose instructing means is also a preferred embodiment.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the video printing apparatus according to any one of the second to eighth aspects, wherein the registered image data stored by the registered image storing means is arranged. First video data group creation means for creating one video data group; and registered image data stored by the registered image storage means, based on the number of times selected by the registered image data selection means. A second video data group creating means for creating a second video data group arranged side by side;
A display control means for displaying one or both of the video data group and the second video data group on the second display means.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the video printing apparatus,
10. The video printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first display means and the second display means are arranged in one.
It is characterized in that the two display means are shared.

[0017] In the image printing apparatus according to the eleventh aspect,
11. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing means includes a photographing condition and a user selects the composition image data selected by the composition image data selection means. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing angle control unit that can switch the photographing angle at the time of photographing.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the video printing apparatus,
12. The video printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an illumination unit for photographing, the lighting of which is controlled in accordance with the image data for combination selected by the image data for combination selection unit. It is characterized by having been done.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing paper for use in a video printing apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein the printing paper is at least printed. A paper layer, an intermediate support,
It is characterized by having at least a backing support, an image recording sheet having a region subjected to a half-cut treatment, and a release paper having a release adhesive adhered to the surface.

In the printing paper for an image printing device according to the thirteenth aspect, a character, a picture, or the like is printed on the back surface of the intermediate support, as in the printing paper for an image printing device according to the fourteenth aspect. At the same time, the back support is made of a transparent material, such as the print paper for a video print device according to claim 15, wherein the print paper for a video print device according to claim 13, the back surface of the intermediate support. letter,
Attaching the back support on which a picture or the like is printed is a preferred embodiment.

Further, like the printing paper for a video printing device according to claim 16, the printing paper for a video printing device according to any one of claims 13 to 15 is used, and the surface of the photographic paper layer is used. An image recording layer for image recording is formed thereon, and the image recording layer is formed of an ink jet image recording layer receiving ink jet recording ink, a molten ink image recording layer receiving molten ink, and a dye receiving dye. It is also a preferred embodiment to use either a thermal image recording layer or a thermosensitive image recording layer for performing recording by thermal light emission.

[0022] As in the video printing apparatus according to the seventeenth aspect, any one of the thirteenth to sixteenth aspects.
13. An image recording sheet having an area on which the half-cut processing has been performed can be printed on the entire area inside the area by using the printing paper for an image printing apparatus according to claim 1. Is also a preferred embodiment.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment shown here is merely an example, and is not necessarily limited to this embodiment. (Embodiment 1) An embodiment of a video printing apparatus A according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an image printing apparatus A according to this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a left side view of the image printing apparatus A, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. 2.

The image printing apparatus A includes a photographing unit P
And a photographing room Q. A back panel 12 is provided in the photographing room Q. The inside of the back panel 12 is colored with a specific color such as blue, for example, and the user M stands in front of the back panel 12 at the time of photographing. It has become. Also,
The material and the shape of the rear panel 12 shown here are not particularly defined, and even if the shape is not the one shown in the figure, the user's background does not include an extra background other than the rear panel 12 at the time of shooting. It should just be.

The photographing device section P includes a fee input port 13 for charging a fee at the start of use, a fee box 11 for storing the charged fee, and a video camera 3 as a photographing means for photographing a portrait of the user. A first video monitor which is a first display means for displaying on a screen window 4 via a half mirror 5 in order to confirm an illumination lamp 8 used at the time of photographing and a composite image 45 created as described later before printing. 1. Printer 6, which is a printing means for printing the composite image 45 on the printing paper R, a printed material outlet 1 for taking out a completed printed material
0.

In addition, a computer 7 for operating and controlling each section of the video printing apparatus A is provided. The computer 7 is operated by an operation switch 9 which is an input means for inputting an instruction of the user M.

As shown in FIG. 5, the operation switch 9 includes a selection switch 9a, a decision switch 9b, a cancel switch 9c,
However, this is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this shape. In the present embodiment,
The user M operates the computer 7 by operating the operation switch 9 in accordance with the display on the first video monitor 1 to operate and control the video printing apparatus A, as described later. For example, the user operates the operation switch 9 to use the image data to be combined as image data selecting means for selecting image data 40 to be described later.

Further, the photographing device section P is provided with a second video monitor 2, which will be described later.
It is used as second display means for displaying the composite image 45 registered in the computer 7.

The video printing apparatus A thus configured
A method of creating a composite image by the method will be briefly described. First, the user M enters the photographing room Q, enters a predetermined fee into the fee slot 13, and makes the video printing apparatus A operable. Then, the user operates the operation switch 9 to select the image data for combination 40 desired to be used, and then photographs the portrait of the user M himself with the video camera 3. In the present embodiment, model person image data, model person / background image data, and photographing pose instructing means are provided as assisting means for the user to pose when the user M shoots. Can use these data and means when necessary, and can create the composite image 45 without using them when not necessary. Whether it is used or not is determined by operating the operation switch 9. The photographed portrait is processed by the computer 7 into human image data 43, and the human image data 43 and the image data 40 for synthesis selected by the user earlier are converted to the computer 7.
To create a composite image 45. The creation of the composite image 45 will be described later in detail with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, individual data, devices, and the like required to create the composite image 45 will be described in more detail. First, the composition image data 40 will be described. The composition image data 40 is registered in the composition image data registration device 24a constituting the computer 7. The composition image data 40 includes graphic image data 41, foreground image data 42, and background image data 44, as shown in FIG. In addition, the image data for synthesis 40 is, for example, the human image data 4 so as to be harmonious when combined with the human image data 43 to form one synthesized image 45.
3 has been processed in advance, such as a blank portion.

The graphic image data 41 is an image created by writing, for example, a user's name, a message, and the like by the computer 7. The font, type, design, and the like of the characters used for this input are stored in the computer 7 in advance, and the user can select a favorite one from these.

The foreground image data 42 is an image used for overlaying the image data 43 on the person image data 43 as shown in FIG. The background image data 44 is an image serving as a background of the person image data 43 as shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the foreground image data 42 and the background image data 44 are grouped and registered for each similar design so that the user can easily select them. That is, 32 types of designs are prepared for the foreground image data 42 and the background image data 44, respectively, and the 32 types of designs are divided into four groups, such as a landscape design group and a pop design group. Classified and registered. Eight designs are prepared for one group.

By preparing in this way, for the user M, it is better to display each of the eight designs than to display the 32 designs on the first video monitor 1 at a time, rather than displaying them at once. In addition, if a group to be used first is selected, eight types of designs can be selected, so that the time required for the selection is shortened and the selection operation can be simplified, which is preferable.

Next, model person image data and model person / background image data will be described. This is User M
When preparing the foreground image data 42 and the background image data 44 when preparing the background image data 44 for synthesis, the image of the synthesized image 45 actually prepared is easily prepared. These data are also registered in the synthesizing image data registration device 24a constituting the computer 7.

The model human image data is data in which only a human image having a pose suitable for the design of the specific image data for synthesis 40 is captured, and an image of only a face,
Various angle data of various images such as an upper body image and a whole body image are prepared. Further, it is more preferable to prepare data such as a case where there is one person and a case where there are two or more people. Also, the model person / background image data refers to the image data 4 for synthesis specific to the model person image data.
0 is also data copied together.

The model person image data is used as follows. The user M first selects and prepares the foreground image data 42 and the background image data 44, selects model human image data suitable for the selected data, and combines them to create model human / background image data. I do. Although not described in detail here, the model person / background image data creating means for creating the model person / background image data is provided in the computer 7.

Alternatively, as described above, the computer 7
Foreground image data 42 and background image data 4 prepared in
First, the model person / background image data including the model person image data corresponding to
a, the user M operates the operation switch 9 to select the foreground image data 42 and the background image data 44, and displays the model person / background image data on the first video monitor. 1, the foreground image data 42 and the background image data 44 are selected with reference to the expression or pose of the model portrait in the model person / background image data.

By performing this operation, the user M can confirm whether or not the synthesized image 45 as expected can be obtained, so that the synthesized image 45 with a high degree of satisfaction for the user M can be created. . Further, if the model person / background image data is used, the operation of selecting the foreground image data 42 and the background image data 44 and the operation of selecting the model person image data can be performed at one time. is there.

If various poses and the number of models of the model of the model person image data and the model person / background image data are prepared, it becomes a reference for posing when the user M takes a portrait. This is preferable because it is easy for the user M to take a pose suitable for the image data for synthesis 40 selected by the user M, and it is also possible to create a synthesized image 45 with a high degree of satisfaction for the user M.

In the present embodiment, when the user M poses in front of the video camera 3 for the user M who is not accustomed to portrait photographing, the user M uses voice as a photographing pose instructing means. Voice guidance means for guiding a pose is provided. This voice guidance means is provided for the model person image data selected by the user M, the model person image data selected by the computer 7 in accordance with the model person / background image data selected by the user M, or the user M Is linked with the model person / background image data created by the user, and when the user M actually starts shooting himself, the voice guidance means instructs the user M to take the same pose as the model. It is configured to perform.

The pose by the voice guidance means will be briefly described. First, when the user M selects the image data 40 for synthesis and selects a shooting mode described later, whether the user uses the voice guidance means at this stage. Select whether or not to do so. In the case of using the model person, a model person registered in advance in the image data registration unit for synthesis 24a in accordance with the synthetic image data previously selected by the user M and the photographing mode to be described later by a program of the computer 7 not described in detail here. The image data 43 or one of the image data for combination 40 is displayed as an exemplary image. Then, the computer 7 allows the user to, for example, face or body orientation, arm position,
Are guided and instructed by voice so as to be suitable for the composite image 45 which is the above-described exemplary image. When the pose is determined in this way, the process proceeds to the next stage.

If the above-described model person image data, model person / background image data, and voice guidance means are not required, the operation switch 9 is operated to omit these data and means. It is configured to take portraits.

Next, the portrait photographing of the user M and the person image data 43 will be described. User M is a video camera 3
The portrait photographed by the computer is converted into the person image data 43 by the computer 7. At this time, an extra background area is removed from the person image data 43 by a chroma key method or the like before the combining operation is performed.

Further, when photographing the user himself, according to the design of the image data 40 for synthesis and the number of users M,
The computer 7 is configured to determine the angle of view of the video camera 3. In this embodiment, FIG.
As shown in the figure, three camera angles are prepared: a zoom-up 51 for photographing only the face, a standard 52 for photographing the upper body, and a long 53 for photographing the whole body.

Further, when the user M shoots a portrait with the video camera 3, it is considered that depending on the shooting angle, the portrait may be light and dark, making it difficult to create a clear printed matter, or shading the portrait. In this embodiment, it is possible to create an effective printed matter.
An illumination lamp 8 controlled by a computer 7 is provided. That is, as the lighting means, the computer 7 outputs the selected synthesizing image data 40 and the model human image data,
Judge lighting suitable for model person, background image data, etc.,
The illumination lamp 8 is turned on so as to be adapted to the illumination.

The illumination lamp 8 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. If it is necessary to take an image in a flat state, for example, according to the design of the image data 40 for synthesis, as shown in FIG. In the case where it is necessary to turn on the illumination lamp and to perform a photographing with a shadow on the portrait mainly by lighting from the right side, the illumination lamp on the right side is turned on as shown in FIG. If lighting from the left side is required, see FIG.
The computer 7 controls the left illumination lamp to be turned on as shown in FIG. In the figure, white circles indicate illuminating lights being turned on, and black circles indicate illuminating lights being turned off. In general,
Portraits taken with flat lighting are suitable for color printing, while portraits with some shading are monochrome,
Alternatively, the lighting method is suitable for a printed material in a sepia tone, but in any case, any one of the lighting methods described above is selected according to the design of the image data for synthesis 40.

With the individual data and devices described above, the user M can use the image printing apparatus A to create a composite image 45.
In the video printing apparatus A according to the present embodiment, for example, the user M uses this video to achieve the purpose of self-PR, for commemoration, etc. Registered as registered image data in the printing apparatus A, and the registered image data is
It is compiled as a video data group, and this is
Alternatively, the image is displayed on one or both of the second video monitors 2. At the same time, a new user M who is different from the user M who has registered the composite image 45 can select his / her favorite registered image data from the registered image data already registered, and can vote. Based on the voting results, a ranking of popular registered image data is created,
This is compiled by the computer 7 as a second video data group, and is compiled into the first video monitor 1 or the second video monitor 2.
It has the function of displaying on either one or both. By creating the ranking in this way, the user's willingness to participate is stimulated, and the installer of the video printing apparatus A can also be a clue to grasp the trend of the user.

The method of compiling the first video data group and the second video data group will be described later. By operating the operation switch 9, the user M who does not want to register can omit the registration. Is also possible.

The registered image data is stored in a registered image data storage device 24b constituting the computer 7, and the registered image data is stored in a second video monitor 2 of the video printing device A by passers-by around the video printing device A. Is always visible. Although various forms can be considered for the display method, in the present embodiment, a predetermined number, for example, the latest 100 registered image data is sequentially displayed as a first video data group from the newly registered order. It has become. Further, as a result of the voting of the user M, the registered image data which is popular
Thus, the data is compiled and displayed as a second video data group.

At the same time, the first video monitor 1
The first video data group and the second video data
In addition to displaying the video data group, the user M can freely browse the first video data group and the second video data group by operating the operation switch, and select a favorite registered image data from them. It is configured to be able to vote. It is also conceivable that the second video monitor 2 is omitted and only the first video monitor 1 is used.

As described above, in the present video printing apparatus A, the user M can register the created composite image 45 in the present video printing apparatus A or select a favorite image data from registered image data registered in the past. It is configured to be able to vote.

Therefore, next, as described above, the synthesized image 45
Or register the synthesized image 45 as registered image data in the present video printing apparatus A, and compile the registered image data as a first video data group and a second video data group.
The computer 7 for controlling the video printing apparatus A will be briefly described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

The computer 7 has a compositing image data registration device 24a, which is a compositing image data registration means, in which compositing image data 40, model person image data, model person / background image data, etc. are registered in advance. And a registered image data storage device 24b as registered image data storage means for storing a composite image 45 created by the video printing device A as registered image data.
And the portrait image data 43 of the portrait of the user M
, Selection of image data 40 for synthesis, person image data 43
The first CPU 20 for controlling the composition of the composite image 45 with the composite image data 40, printing the composite image 45 on the printing paper R, and the like, and the composite image 45 registered in the registered image data registration device 24b to the second video monitor 2. 2C for controlling display
A PU 21, a ROM 22 storing control programs for the first CPU 20 and the second CPU 21, and a first CPU 2
0, a work area of the second CPU 21, or a RAM 23 used as an image memory at the time of image processing, a removable auxiliary storage device 25 for supplying image data 40 for synthesis to the hard disk 24, etc .; (2) a monitor controller 27 that controls display of various image data to be displayed on the video monitor 2; a camera interface 26 that performs data conversion so that a video signal output from the video camera 3 can be processed by the first CPU 20 and the second CPU 21; A peripheral device interface circuit 2 that outputs operation information from the operation switch 9 and charge information supplied from the charge box 11 to the first CPU 20 and transfers a lighting control signal for the illumination lamp 8 from the first CPU 20.
8 and a printer controller 29 that controls the printer 6 that prints the composite image 45 processed by the first CPU 20.
And audio generating means 31 for generating audio, background music, and the like as needed during operation of the video printing apparatus A. The voice generating means 31 is also used as a shooting pose instructing means described later.

The above-described ROM 22, RAM 23,
The hard disk 24, the auxiliary storage device 25, the camera interface 26, the monitor controller 27, the peripheral device interface circuit 28, the printer controller 29, and the sound generating means 31 are connected to the first CPU 20 and the second CPU 21 via the bus 30 as shown in the figure. ing.

The first stored in the ROM 22
The control program of the CPU 20 and the image memory in the RAM 23 form an image synthesizing unit.

The operation control of the video printing apparatus A according to the present embodiment by the first CPU 20 of the computer 7 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The user of the image printing apparatus A enters the photographing room Q, and starts a photographing operation by inputting a predetermined fee into the fee input port 13 provided in front of the photographing device section P, and a step S1 is started. Proceed to.

In step S 1, the total amount of the input fees and a message prompting the user to shoot are displayed on the first video monitor 1. After the display, the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, it is determined whether or not the prescribed fee has been entered, and if the entry has been confirmed, the flow proceeds to step S3.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the image data 40 for synthesis is divided into several groups according to the design type of the image data for synthesis 40 so that the user can easily select the image data for synthesis 40. Then, a message is displayed on the first video monitor 1 prompting the user to select a desired group from the prepared group of the image data for composition 40, and the user operates the operation switch 9 to select a desired group. The group of the image data for combination 40 is selected. When the selection is completed, the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, the first video monitor 1
Then, the composition image data 40 belonging to the group selected in step S3 is displayed, and the user selects the favorite composition image data 40 by operating the operation switch 9. When the selection is completed, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, the user operates the operation switch 9 to determine whether or not the image data 40 for synthesis selected by himself is sufficient. If so, proceed to step S6. If a change is desired, the process returns to step S4. When the image data for combination 40 is determined in step S5, the angle of view of the video camera 3 is adjusted according to the design of the selected image data for combination 40 as described later.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, zoom up 51, standard 52,
Long (wide angle) 53 is automatically determined.

In step S 6, the user's name, message, and the like to be combined with the portrait of the user are input to the first video monitor 1.
While operating, operate the operation switch 9 to create and input,
The graphic image data 41 included in the image data for synthesis 40 is created. When the creation is completed, the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, a screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the screen window 4 via the first video monitor 1, and the user operates the operation switch 9 to select a shooting mode. The zoom lens of the video camera 3 is finely adjusted according to the selected shooting mode, as described later. Note that a program for controlling the video camera 3 is prepared in the CPU 20 in advance. After determining the shooting mode, the process proceeds to step S8.

In step S8, the user determines a pose for photographing in preparation for photographing for creating the person image data 43. Here, in the present embodiment, an inquiry as to whether or not to perform shooting guidance using the above-described shooting pose instructing means is displayed on the first video monitor 1, and the user determines whether or not it is necessary by using the operation switch 9. When it is determined that shooting guidance is to be given, a pose suitable for the image data for combination 40 selected by the user according to the shooting mode is displayed on the first video monitor 1, and at the same time, guidance is provided by voice guidance means. Provide guidance. When the preparation for shooting is completed, the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S9, as described above, the illuminating lamp suitable for photography is automatically turned on, and the portrait photography of the user M in the photography room Q is performed a predetermined number of times, for example, four times, by the self-timer method. Shoot. At the same time, the portrait of the user M photographed is processed into the person image data 43. When the photographing of the predetermined number of times ends, the process proceeds to step S10.

In step S 10, the image data 43 of the user photographed a predetermined number of times is displayed on the first video monitor 1. Then, the user operates the operation switch 9 to select a desired one from the operation switches. When the selection is completed, the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S11, the person image data 43 selected in step S10, the combining image data 40 selected in step S5, and the graphic image data 41 created in step S6 are combined and combined. An image 45 is created.

In step S12, a message is displayed on the first video monitor 1 inquiring whether or not the composite image 45 created in step S11 is to be registered in the video printing apparatus A as registered image data. Then, the user operates the operation switch 9 to determine whether or not to register. When the registration is not performed, the process proceeds to step S13, and when the registration is performed, the process proceeds to step S17.

In step S13, the newly registered composite image 45 or the composite image 45 ranked higher by popularity voting is displayed as a first video data group and a second video data group on a screen as illustrated in FIG. 1 Display on video monitor 1. The screen always displays the latest data. When the screen is displayed, the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S14, the user M operates the operation switch 9 to select and determine the favorite registered image data from the screen as shown in FIG. 12, for example.
In the present embodiment, only one can be selected, but the number that can be selected is not limited to this. When the selection is completed, the process proceeds to step S15.

In step S15, upon receiving the result of the popularity vote in step S14, the registered image data storage device 24b
The data of the second video data group is updated. When the data update ends, the process proceeds to step S16.

In step S 16, the result of the popularity vote is transferred to the second CPU 21. Upon completion of the transfer, the process proceeds to step S20.

Also, it has been described that if registration of a composite image is selected in step S12, the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the composite image 45 created by the user is registered in the registered image data storage device 24b. . When the registration is completed, the process proceeds to step S18.

In step S18, the data of the first video data group in the registered image data storage device 24b is updated based on the newly registered composite image 45. Upon completion of the data update, the process proceeds to a step S19.

In step S19, a message that data registration has been completed is displayed on first video monitor 1. When the display is made, the process proceeds to step S20.

In step S20, the composite image 45 created by the user is printed, and the printed matter is discharged from the printed matter outlet 10.

As described above, the creation of the printed matter in the video printing apparatus A according to the present embodiment is completed.

The compilation and updating of the first video data group and the second video data group are performed in parallel by the second CPU 21 simultaneously with the processing of the video printing apparatus A by the first CPU 20. The first video data group and the second video data group processed and created by the second CPU 21 are always displayed on the second video monitor 2 as described above. Therefore, next, the first video data group and the second
The control related to the display of the video data group on the second video monitor 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S21, steps S14 and S17 in the flowchart of FIG.
From the data according to the latest use situation, that is, what kind of image data 40 for synthesis is popular, what kind of shooting mode is popular, etc. The tendency is converted into data and compiled as play information, and this information is updated each time data becomes new.
Note that this step S21 is executed by displaying a ranking display described later.
Alternatively, step S21 may be omitted. When this display is completed, the process proceeds to step S22.

In step S22, the latest first video data group is displayed on the second video monitor 2 based on the play information data updated in step S21. After the display, the process proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, it is checked whether or not there is new registered image data in the registered image data storage device 24b. If there is new registered image data (D1-1),
It is displayed on the second video monitor 2 for a short time. In the present embodiment, new registered image data is displayed for a short time, but it may be omitted.
When the display is completed, the process proceeds to step S24.

In step S24, it is checked whether or not the first video data group registered in the registered image data storage device 24b is to be displayed from the beginning. If it is determined that it should be displayed, the process proceeds to step S25, and if not, the process proceeds to step S26.

In step S25, the first video data group (D1-D1) registered in the registered image data storage device 24b
2) are displayed on the second video monitor 2 for a predetermined number of times at once from the beginning or in a short time. When the display is completed, the process proceeds to step S27.

In step S26, an arbitrary one of the first image data group registered in the registered image data storage device 24b is removed from the remaining image data excluding the group of first image data already displayed. The registered image data (D1-2) as many as the number is collectively and sequentially placed in the second
The image is displayed on the video monitor 2. When the display is completed, the process proceeds to step S27.

In step S27, a predetermined number of registered image data (D2-1) from the top of the ranking in the second video data group created in step S15 in FIG. Second video monitor 2 by time
To be displayed. When the display is completed, the process proceeds to step S28.

In step S 28, a predetermined number of first video data groups that have been registered and that have not been displayed at this stage are grouped together at once or sequentially in a short time. To be displayed. When the display is completed, the process proceeds to step S29.

In step S29, step S27 is repeated.
Similarly to the above, the image data (D2-2) ranked higher in the second video data group is displayed on the second video monitor 2.
Here, it is conceivable to make the image data (D2-2) exactly the same as (D2-1), but (D2-1) is described as "this week's ranking" and (D2-2) is described as "last week's." It is also conceivable that the content may be changed, such as “ranking”, to attract the surrounding interest. When this display is completed, the process proceeds to step S30.

In step S30, the previous step S28
Similarly to the above, the first video data group not yet displayed is
The predetermined number is displayed on the second video monitor 2 all at once or sequentially in a short time. When the display is completed, the process proceeds to step S31.

In step S31, it is checked whether or not all the registered image data registered in the registered image data storage device 24b has been displayed to the end. If it is determined that there is still registered image data that has not been displayed, the process returns to step S30, and the remaining display is continued. If it is determined that all are displayed, the process proceeds to step S32.

In step S32, the control program of the first CPU 20 is set so that the registered image data registered in the registered image data storage device 24b is displayed again from the beginning, and the process returns to step S21.

As described above, the second CPU 21 always displays the registered image data registered in the registered image data storage device 24b on the second video monitor 2 in some form. Although the method of displaying the ranking upper image data described here will not be described in further detail, various methods other than those shown here are conceivable.

Next, the control of the video camera 3 automatically performed by the control program of the first CPU 20 in steps S4 and S5 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, the video camera 3 in step S4
The setting of the shooting angle of view of the zoom lens described above will be described with reference to FIG. 14. First, in step S41, the design style of the selected image data for combination 40 is checked. In the present embodiment, there are three design styles of the image data for synthesis 40: one in which the shooting angle of view is preferably zoomed-in, one in which the shooting angle is standard, and one in which the shooting angle is long. Has been classified. When the shooting angle of view is determined, the process proceeds to the next step. In the present embodiment, the process proceeds to step S42 when zoom-up is selected, to step S43 for standard, and to step S44 for long.

In steps S42 to S44, the zoom lens is set to a standard value at each photographing angle of view in accordance with the design of the selected compositing image data 40. When the setting is completed, the process proceeds to step S45.

In step S45, the photographing mode selected by the user M is checked. In the present embodiment,
Three shooting modes are provided: one-person shooting, two-person shooting, and three-person shooting. When the shooting mode is determined, the process proceeds to the next step. In the present embodiment, when single-person shooting is selected, step S46 is performed, when two-person shooting is performed, step S47 is performed, and when three-person shooting is performed, step S48 is performed.
Then, go to each.

In steps S46 to S48, the zoom lens of the video camera 3 is finely adjusted so as to be more suitable for each photographing angle of view.

This fine adjustment will be described with reference to FIG. 14. First, in step S46, after finely adjusting the shooting angle of view of the zoom lens of the video camera 3 for one person shooting,
Proceed to step S51.

In step S51, the design of the image data for synthesis 40 is checked again. As a result, if the design is a zoom-up type, the process proceeds to step S52, and if the design is a long type, the process proceeds to step S53.

In step S52, the angle of view of the zoom lens of the video camera 3 is finely adjusted in the zooming direction so as to have a set value suitable for single-person shooting.

In step S53, the photographing angle of view of the zoom lens of the video camera 3 is finely adjusted to the long side so as to have a set value suitable for one-person photographing.

The above step S52 or step S53
When the fine adjustment of is completed, the preparation of the zoom lens of the video camera 3 is completed, and the operation proceeds to the shooting operation.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, if the photographing angle of view determined in steps S41 to S45 is sufficient, the photographing operation is continued with the photographing angle of view of the photographing lens being kept as it is.

Also, with respect to the setting of the photographing angle of view of the zoom lens when the process proceeds to steps S47 and S48, the same control as the determination of the photographing angle of view in step S46 may be performed, except for the set values.

In this embodiment, the zoom lens is automatically adjusted as described above.
Although not described in detail here, it is also conceivable to provide means such as controlling the zoom lens by operating the operation switch 9 by the user M without performing automatic control by the computer 7.

As described above, the composite image 45 is created and printed by the video printing apparatus A according to the present invention. By the way, it is possible to print the composite image 45 on sticker paper like a conventional video printing apparatus, but in the video printing apparatus according to the present embodiment,
The composite image 45 is configured to be printed not on the sticker paper but on the printing paper R that is the thick tack paper T.

In the conventional case of performing sticker printing,
The advantage is that the finished seal can be easily applied anywhere, but on the other hand it is easily peeled off even if it is applied anywhere because it is a seal. For example, it is difficult to save the image, and the seal is small. Therefore, even if a composite image is created, the user cannot easily understand the content and cannot enjoy the image.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to eliminate these drawbacks, the printing of the composite image is performed on printing paper, which is usually called tack paper.

The tack paper T, which is the printing paper R used in the video printing apparatus A according to the present embodiment, will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0112] The tack paper T is made of at least the photographic paper layer 6
2, an intermediate recording layer 63, a back support layer 64, an image recording sheet 67 having a region 72 subjected to a half-cut process, and a release paper having a release adhesive 65 adhered to the surface. 66. An image recording layer 61 for recording the composite image 45 is provided on the surface of the photographic paper layer 62. As the image recording layer 61, an ink jet image recording layer for receiving ink jet recording ink, and a molten ink image for receiving molten ink. It is conceivable to use a recording layer, a dye-type image recording layer that accepts a dye, or a thermo-sensitive image recording layer that performs recording by thermo-sensitive light emission, and the like. Will be described.

FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the tack paper T using the ink jet type image recording layer. Photographic paper layer 6
Reference numeral 2 is made of photographic paper having a thickness of 80 μm. The surface is coated with ceramic fine particles so as to have a thickness of 20 μm, and this is used as an image recording layer 61.

Below the photographic paper layer 62, a thick intermediate support layer 6 made of YUPO paper having a porous structure and a thickness of 280 μm is used.
3 are provided. In addition, pulp paper and cardboard can also be used other than Yupo paper. Further, if the trademark or picture of the present image printing apparatus A is printed on the back surface of the thick intermediate support layer 63, the printed matter can be more unique.

The lower portion of the thick intermediate support layer 63 is a transparent back support layer 64 made of polyethylene having a thickness of 50 μm.

The image recording layer 61, photographic paper layer 62,
The thick intermediate support layer 63 and the back support layer 64 are sequentially interleaved to form an image recording sheet 67. On the back surface of the image recording sheet 67, a release paper 66 having a release adhesive 65 on its surface is attached. The release paper 66 has a thickness of 5
Made of 0 μm polyethylene.

Then, the release paper 66 is placed on the image recording sheet 67.
Is attached to the image recording sheet 67, the image recording sheet 67 is subjected to a half cut, and this is used as the printing paper R.

FIG. 17 shows an example of the printing paper R thus created. In the figure, reference numeral 71 denotes the outer shape of the ink-jet tack paper. In this example, the area is about 0.01, and one corner thereof is cut to determine the printing direction. In the drawing, reference numeral 72 denotes a half-cut area. After printing is performed on the printing paper R, the paper is cut off from the half-cut area to form a card. Reference numeral 73 in the drawing denotes a printable area. By making the printable area larger than the half-cut area in this way, the card finally obtained is printed on the entire surface.

The image recording layer 61 is made of a dyeable resin such as a polyester resin or the like, and is made to have a dye-accepting image life. It is also possible to use a fusion-type thermal transfer tack paper in which the surface of the photographic paper layer 62 is coated with a material having an affinity for the hot-melt ink and having fine pores in units of microns.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, instead of providing the image recording layer 61, a thermo-auto chrome paper such as TA paper (trade name: manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) is used for the photographic paper layer 62. Is also possible.

The thermo-auto chrome paper includes a yellow coloring layer 81 and a magenta coloring layer 8 on the surface of a photographic paper layer 62 as portions which function similarly to the image recording layer 61 described above.
2. A heat-resistant protective layer 84 is provided on the outermost surface of the three-layer structure of the cyan coloring layer 83. Each of the yellow coloring layer 81, the magenta coloring layer 82, and the cyan coloring layer 83 contains a thermo-responsive microcapsule which is a coloring material of each color.

By employing TA paper as the photographic paper layer 62, a thermal recording tack paper can be directly produced.

The numerical values used in the above description are all used in the present embodiment, but are not necessarily limited to these numerical values.

By using the printing paper R thus prepared for the video printing apparatus A according to the present invention, printing is performed on a thick card in its entirety, so that it is excellent in portability, easy to store, and large and clear. It is very suitable because it can create a simple card. Further, since printing can be performed on the entire surface of the card without margins, the card can have a higher quality.

[0125]

According to the video printing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to always prepare the image data for synthesis suitable for the trend, so that the user is not tired and the utilization rate can be increased, which is preferable. is there. In addition, since model person / background image data and photography pose instructing means linked thereto are provided, users can easily grasp the image of the composite image in advance by using this model person / background image data, Since the means is provided, even if a user unfamiliar with photographing uses the image printing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to take a very natural pose, and as a result, it is possible to create a printed matter satisfying the user. Become.

Since the registered image data registered in the video printing apparatus is always displayed on the video monitor, the video monitor is also used as an electronic album overlooking the already registered composite image. Therefore, if the user registers the composite image created by himself / herself in this video printing apparatus, the user can use his / her own P
Not only is it preferable to become an R or a memorial, but also the other users can know the latest fashion and the newly registered composite image, so that users of this apparatus can have a sense of solidarity. . Further, since the user can also perform popularity voting and the like through the video monitor, the user also has a game property, that is, a video printing apparatus having more entertainment.

Further, in this video printing apparatus, the printed matter is not a sticker but a thick card and can be printed on the entire surface of the card, so that it is suitable for storage, very excellent in portability, and has a moderate size. You can clearly see what is being printed and what the image is,
preferable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a video printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the video printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation switch.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of image data for synthesis and a synthesized image.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a shooting angle of view setting of a video camera.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a lighting example of an illumination lamp.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a computer.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating control of the video printing apparatus by a first CPU.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display of a shooting mode.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of display of a first video data group or a second video data group.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating control of the video printing apparatus by the second CPU.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method of setting a shooting angle of view of a zoom lens.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of setting a shooting angle of view of a zoom lens for single-person shooting.

FIG. 16 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of tack paper using an ink jet image recording layer.

FIG. 17 is a plan view illustrating an example of a printing sheet according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating an example of printing paper using thermoauto chrome paper.

[Description of Signs] A video printing device P shooting device section Q shooting room M user 1 first video monitor 2 second video monitor 3 video camera 4 screen window 5 half mirror 6 printer 7 computer 8 illumination lamp 9 operation switch 9a selection Switch 9b Enter switch 9c Cancel switch 10 Print outlet 11 Charge box 12 Rear panel 13 Charge inlet 20 First CPU 21 Second CPU 22 ROM 23 RAM 24 Hard disk 24a Image data registration device for synthesis 24b Registered image data storage device 25 Auxiliary storage device 26 Camera Interface 27 Monitor Controller 28 Peripheral Device Interface 29 Printer Controller 30 Bus 31 Sound Generator 40 Image Data for Synthesis 41 Graphic Image Data 42 Foreground Image Data Tab 43 Human image data 44 Background image data 45 Synthetic image 51 Image obtained by zoom-up shooting 52 Image obtained by standard shooting 53 Image obtained by long shooting R Printing paper T Tack paper 61 Image recording layer 62 Printing paper layer 63 Thick intermediate support layer 64 Back support Layer 65 Release adhesive 66 Release paper 67 Image recording sheet 71 Outline of inkjet tack paper 72 Half cut area 73 Printable area 81 Yellow coloring layer 82 Magenta coloring layer 83 Cyan coloring layer 84 Heat resistant protective layer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/76 B41M 5/26 H (72) Inventor Tadashi Noma 14-14 Toichicho, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture Tatsumi Electronics Corporation Co., Ltd.

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A video printing apparatus for displaying and printing an image prepared by combining an image prepared in advance with a portrait of a user, comprising: at least input means for inputting an instruction of an operator; Image data registering means for pre-registering image data for synthesis to be synthesized with the image data; photographing means for photographing a user; and one or more of the image data for synthesis registered in the image data registering means for synthesizing. Combining image data selecting means for selecting a plurality of combining image data; person image data created by a portrait of a user photographed by the photographing means; and combining image data selected by the combining image data selecting means. Image data combining means for editing and generating a combined image by combining image data; first display means for displaying the combined image combined by the image combining means; And characterized in that it comprises a printing unit for printing a composite image generated on the printing paper, the by forming means, the image printing apparatus. 2. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said registered image data is stored in said registered image data storage means, wherein said registered image data is stored as registered image data. And a second display means for displaying registered image data, wherein the registered image data is displayed on one or both of the first display means and the second display means. 3. The image printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the registered image stored in the registered image data storage unit is displayed by one or both of the first display unit and the second display unit. An image printing apparatus, comprising: registered image data selecting means for selecting registered image data selected by an operator in accordance with an operator's instruction input from the input means from data. 4. The video printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the combined image combined by the image data combining unit is:
The registration image data storage means, or the user selects one or a plurality of registered image data by the registered image data selection means, or a selection control means for selecting only one of them. A video printing device. 5. The video printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data registering means includes a model of one or more persons and the image data for combination. A video printing apparatus, further comprising registering model person / background image data on which image data is simultaneously captured as the image data for synthesis. 6. The video printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the composition image data registration means stores model person image data consisting only of portraits of model persons in which one or more models are posing. The model person image data is further registered as the image data for synthesis, and the model person image data and the partial image data for synthesis are arbitrarily selected and synthesized according to the user's preference to create model person / background image data. Model person
An image printing apparatus, comprising a background image data synthesizing means. 7. The video printing device according to claim 5, wherein the model person / background image data or the model person image data is referred to, and it is preferable that a user synthesizes a portrait of the user. A video printing apparatus, wherein image data for synthesis is selected by the image data selecting means for synthesis. 8. The image printing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a photographing pose instructing means for instructing a user to pose when photographing a portrait. , Video printing equipment. 9. The video printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a first video data group in which registered image data stored by said registered image storing means is arranged is created. A first image data group creating means, and a second image data group in which registered image data stored by the registered image storing means are arranged based on the number of times selected by the registered image data selecting means. Display means for displaying the first video data group and the second video data group, either or both of which are displayed on the second display means. An image printing apparatus characterized by having: 10. The method according to claim 2, wherein
Item 5. The image printing device according to Item 1, wherein the first display means and the second display means are shared by one display means. 11. The video printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing means includes: a photographing state; and a user selected by the combining image data selecting means. An image printing apparatus, comprising: a photographing field angle control unit that can switch a photographing field angle at the time of photographing according to image data for synthesis. 12. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein lighting control is performed in accordance with the combining image data selected by the combining image data selecting unit. An image printing apparatus, comprising: 13. A printing paper used in the video printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing paper is at least a photographic paper layer, an intermediate support, and a back support. When,
And a release paper having a surface to which a release adhesive is adhered, comprising: an image recording sheet having an area on which a half-cut processing has been performed; . 14. The printing paper for a video printing device according to claim 13, wherein characters, pictures, and the like are printed on the back surface of the intermediate support, and the back support is made of a transparent material at the same time. Printing paper for video printing devices. 15. The printing paper for a video printing device according to claim 13, wherein the back support on which characters, pictures, and the like are printed is adhered to the back surface of the intermediate support. Printing paper. 16. An image recording layer for recording an image is formed on the surface of the photographic paper layer using the printing paper for a video printing device according to claim 13. The image recording layer, an ink jet type image recording layer receiving an ink jet recording ink, a molten ink type image recording layer receiving a molten ink, a dye type image recording layer receiving a dye, or thermosensitive luminescence for recording by thermosensitive luminescence An image printing apparatus, wherein the image printing apparatus comprises: 17. Using the printing paper for a video printing apparatus according to claim 13, printing on an entire area inside the area of an image recording sheet having an area on which the half-cut processing has been performed. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is capable of printing.