JP2000069467A - Picture take-in device and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To fetch the player picture of a camera eye without a change in terms of hardware. SOLUTION: The device comprises a photographing camera 320 and a display part 310, which are arranged so that eyes from a player differ. The picture of the player taken for fetching is delayed for prescribed time from photographing time and it is set to be a selection picture. Then it is outputted to the display part. The selection input of the picture whose take-in is desired by the player is received. Thus, the player is not concerned about display on a display during a photographing period and the picture of the good camera eye can be photographed. For the selection picture, it is desirable that the still picture of the player is matrix-displayed. The picture of the player is photographed for plural times by leaving prescribed intervals and the selection period of the player picture can be provided in the interval of photographing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image capturing device and an information storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a video game apparatus or the like which captures a player's face or the like and generates a game screen containing the captured image. For example, in a racing game in which a plurality of players play a communication match, an image of a player's face is displayed along with a player car on the screen.

[0003] Such a game apparatus has, for example, a CCD camera 320 for capturing an image of a player above a display as shown in FIG. When the player inserts a coin, an explanation screen for capturing a face image is displayed on the display 310 prior to the game,
The player turns the CCD camera 320 according to this description and performs an operation for capturing an image.

[0004] The captured image of the player is displayed on the display 310, and the player selects a desired image and performs operations such as a decision button while viewing the displayed image. The captured player image is determined in this way, and a game screen using the captured player image is displayed after the game starts.

However, when photographing a player, a CCD
When an image captured by the camera 320 is displayed on the display 310 in real time, the player
The user looks away at the display 310 and looks at the display 310.
For this reason, an image in which the player's eyes 340 do not face the camera direction is captured. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the direction of the CCD camera 320 viewed from the player 300 (the camera line of sight 330 during shooting) and the display 310
If the direction (the line of sight 340 at which the captured image is confirmed) is different, an image in which the player's line of sight is not facing the camera is displayed on the display. For this reason, there is a problem that the captured image cannot be determined while checking the image viewed from the camera on the display. Such an image that is not viewed from the camera is often different from the captured image expected by the player, which may be a factor that impairs the willingness to participate in the game.

[0006] As a system for solving the above problem and capturing an image from the viewpoint of a camera, for example, a display 370 and a CCD camera 360 are arranged on the same optical axis 380 using a half mirror 350 as shown in FIG. Is also conceivable. However, such a change in hardware causes a problem that the size of the entire apparatus is increased and the cost of the apparatus is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to be able to capture a player's image from the viewpoint of a camera without changing hardware. An image capturing device and an information storage medium are provided.

[0008]

An image capturing device includes a camera for shooting and a display unit, wherein the camera for shooting and the display unit are arranged such that the eyes of the player with respect to the camera for shooting and the eyes of the display unit are different. A player image photographing means for photographing an image of a player to be captured by using the photographing camera; and a selecting means for selecting and inputting an image which the player desires to capture from the image of the player to be captured. Selecting image output means for outputting an image to a display unit, image capturing means for determining a captured image based on the selection image and a player's selection input, and capturing a captured image of the player; Image processing means for performing a given image processing using the image processing means, wherein the image output means for selection comprises: As can shoot player image,
The selection image is output to the display unit with a given time delay from the time of capturing the player image to be captured.

Here, the predetermined time to be delayed is preferably at least a photographing time.

[0010] The image capture means that the image is stored in an internal storage means or the like for use for a given purpose, and the image capture device performs a given image processing using the captured image.

According to the present invention, a selection image for selecting an image desired to be captured from the photographed player images is displayed on the display with a delay from the time of photographing.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a selection image output period for the player to select a captured image after the end of the player image shooting period. Therefore, the player does not have to pay attention to the display on the display during the photographing period, and can photograph an image with a good view from the camera.

Particularly, in the present embodiment, such image capturing can be realized by software. For this reason, it is possible to provide an image capturing device that can capture an image of the player's eyes from the camera without increasing the size of the entire device or increasing hardware costs.

Further, according to the present invention, the player image photographing means photographs a moving image of the player, and the selection image output means outputs the photographed moving image of the player to a display unit as a selection image. The image capturing means may determine a captured image based on an image displayed on a display unit at the timing of the selection input.

When a moving image of a player is photographed and displayed as a selection image in real time, the display of the selection image is terminated at the same time as the photographing is completed, so that it takes time for the player to confirm the photographed image and select the captured image. I can't secure it.
However, according to the present invention, by delaying the captured player image and displaying it on the display, it is possible to provide time for selecting a captured image after the player image capturing period.

[0015] Therefore, the player does not need to pay attention to the display on the display during the moving image shooting period, and can shoot an image with a good camera glance. Then, it is possible to select the most suitable captured image while viewing the moving image of the self photographed after the photographing.

Further, according to the present invention, the player image photographing means photographs a moving image of the player, and the selecting image output means reproduces a plurality of still images extracted from the moving image of the player photographed as the selecting image. The image is output to a display unit, and the image capturing means determines the captured image based on the still image selected by the selection input of the player.

According to the present invention, the photographing of the player is performed with a moving image, but the selection is performed based on the moving image of the player divided into a plurality of still images. Therefore, since the player can select an optimum image from the still images, it is possible to solve a problem that the player selects an image other than the desired image due to a delay in the operation of the enter button.

Further, according to the present invention, the selection image output means includes:
As a selection image, an image in which the plurality of still images are displayed in a list is output to a display unit, and the image capturing unit is configured to perform a selection based on the still images selected by the player from among the displayed still images in the list. It is characterized in that a captured image is determined.

The list display is, for example, a case where still images are displayed in a matrix. In this way, the player can select an optimal image while comparing a plurality of images. In addition, since selection based on a plurality of images can be performed at one time, loss of time due to retake or selection a plurality of times can be prevented, and the rotation rate can be improved.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image capturing apparatus including a photographing camera and a display unit, wherein the photographing camera and the display unit are arranged so that a player's line of sight to the photographing camera is different from a line of sight to the display unit. A player image photographing means for photographing an image of a player to be captured a plurality of times at predetermined intervals by using the photographing camera; and an image of the player to be captured between the plurality of times of photographing. A selection image output unit for outputting a selection image for selecting and inputting an image desired by the player to the display unit, and a captured image determined based on the selection image and the selection input of the player; An image capturing means for capturing an image of the player; and an image processing means for performing a given image process using the captured image, The use image output means outputs a selection image including a still image based on the player image taken this time to the display unit until the player image taking means takes the next player image. .

Here, it is necessary that the predetermined interval is at least an interval that allows a player to confirm a photographed image after photographing.

As described above, if a configuration is adopted in which a player image taken a plurality of times at predetermined intervals is displayed as a still image until the next shooting and can be selected, the player desires to capture the image after the end of the player image shooting period. A selection image output period for selecting an image to be performed can be provided.
For this reason, the player does not have to pay attention to the display on the display during the shooting period, and can shoot an image with a good camera glance.

In particular, in the present embodiment, such image capturing can be realized by software, so that the entire apparatus can be made small and inexpensive.

Further, according to the present invention, the selection image output means includes:
An image in which a list of the plurality of still images is displayed as a selection image is output to a display unit, and the image capturing unit captures the image based on the still image selected by the player through the selection input from the list of still images. The image is determined.

The list display is, for example, a case where still images are displayed in a matrix. In this way, the applicant can select an optimal image while comparing a plurality of images. In addition, since selection based on a plurality of images can be performed at one time, loss of time due to retake or selection a plurality of times can be prevented, and the rotation rate can be improved.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image capturing apparatus including a photographing camera and a display unit, wherein the photographing camera and the display unit are arranged so that the eyes of the player with respect to the photographing camera are different from the eyes of the display unit. Information for capturing an image of a player to be captured using the camera for capturing, and information of an image that the player desires to capture from the image of the player to be captured. A capturing image is determined based on selection image output information for outputting a selection image for performing a selection input to the display unit, and the selection image and the player's selection input, and capture of the captured player image is performed. Information for performing, including information for performing a given image processing using the captured image, the image output information for selection, In order for the recording camera to capture a player image looking at the camera, information for outputting the selection image to the display unit with a given time delay from the time of capturing the player image to be captured is included. Features.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image capturing apparatus including a photographing camera and a display unit, wherein the photographing camera and the display unit are arranged such that the eyes of the player with respect to the photographing camera and the eyes of the display unit are different. An information storage medium for capturing an image of an image of a player to be captured a plurality of times at predetermined intervals using the capturing camera, and information between the plurality of times of capturing. Selecting image output information for outputting a selection image for selecting and inputting an image desired by the player to be captured from the image of the player to be captured to a display unit; and selecting the selection image and the player. Information for determining a captured image based on an input and capturing a captured image of the player, and a given image processing using the captured image. To output a selection image including a still image based on the currently captured player image to the display unit until the next player image is captured. Is included.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(1) First Embodiment FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams for explaining photographing and selection of a captured image in the image capturing device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3A shows a time sequence of capturing and selecting a captured image in the image capturing device according to the present embodiment, and FIGS. 3B and 3C show a player when capturing and confirming a player image, respectively. FIG.

[0030] First coin at a timing t ₀ is turned on, a message screen for from t ₁ to the player image shooting period K1 of t ₂ is on the display FIG 4 (A) to indicate such a player image captured Is displayed. When the player looks at the camera direction according to this, the player image shooting period K
In 2 (for example, about 3 seconds), a moving image of the player is shot.

Here, for example, a display is made such that the arrow marks in FIGS. 4A and 4B flicker toward the direction in which the camera is installed (upward), and the eyes of the player are automatically turned in the camera direction. It is preferred to induce.

During the player image shooting period K2, the player's face image is shot using the CCD camera 320 (see FIG. 3B). At this time, the captured image of the player and the like are not displayed on the display, and a screen as shown in FIG. 4B is displayed. Therefore, the player does not need to pay attention to the image on the display, and FIG.
As shown in the figure, the camera line of sight 330 can be adjusted in the CCD camera direction. The captured face image of the player is S
It is written to RAM or the like. Usually, K2 is set to about 3 seconds.

[0033] When the shooting is finished, the on the display from t ₃ to select image output period K3 of t ₄ images taken during the player image shooting period K2 is displayed. That is, the image taken by the CCD camera is at least 3
It is displayed on the display in a state delayed by seconds (player image shooting period K2). The player is Fig. 3 (C)
While looking at the captured image displayed on the display as shown in FIG. 7, the user operates a confirmation button (not shown) to capture the image at the time when he / she thinks he / she likes the image.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing examples of screens for selecting images. An image as shown in FIG. 5A is displayed on the display during the selection image output period K3. Reference numeral 410 denotes a moving image of the player captured during K2, which is an image captured at K2 by looking at the camera. As indicated by messages 420 and 440, the player operates the enter button at the moment when the moving image displayed on 410 is considered to be the best as the captured image. Note that reference numeral 430 indicates the remaining time of image display.

When the enter button is operated, the image displayed at 410 at that timing is established as a captured image used in a game or the like. The fixed image 450 is displayed on the display as shown in FIG. 5B, and then the game starts.

In this way, by displaying the captured player image on the display with a delay of at least the player image capturing time, the player image capturing period K2 and the selection image output period K3 can be separated. Therefore, the player does not have to pay attention to the display on the display during the shooting period. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the photographed image from being turned downward as a result of photographing with the line of sight facing the display, and it is possible to photograph an image with a good camera line of sight.

In particular, in the present embodiment, such image capturing can be realized by software, so that the entire apparatus can be made small and inexpensive.

It should be noted that, during the period K3 shown in FIG. 3A, an image as shown in FIG. 6 may be displayed after the captured image is determined. That is, the determined captured image may be processed, and a plurality of types of player images to be displayed during the game, such as 460, 470, and 480, may be displayed, and a desired image may be selected by the player. Thereby, for example, the player can select a disguised face image, and a more interesting game can be realized.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen example of another selection image.

In the above embodiment, the selection image output period K
2 has been described as an example in which the image captured in 2 is delayed and displayed as a moving image. For example, a moving image taken as shown in FIG.
May be configured to display a matrix.
Then, the cursor 5 is placed on the photo that the player wants to capture.
By moving 00 and pressing a confirmation button or the like, the selected photo may be taken.

In this way, the player can select the most suitable image from the still images, so that the problem that the player selects an image other than the desired image due to a delay in the operation of the enter button can be solved. can do.

(2) Second Embodiment In this embodiment, the player's image is shot a plurality of times at predetermined intervals, and the player's image is shot this time until the next shot of the player image is performed. At least one still image of the player is displayed on the display from the image.

FIG. 8 shows a time sequence of image capture according to the present embodiment.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are diagrams showing examples of screens for selecting images.

First, when a coin is inserted at the timing of t _0, the first photographing of the player image is performed in the player image photographing period S ₁ from t ₁ to t ₂ , and as shown in FIG. still image 510 of the player is extracted from the player image selection image output period t ₃ from t ₂ H
1 is displayed on the display. Note that the number of still images extracted and displayed may be one or more. If the player determines that 510 in FIG. 9A is sufficient,
When the cursor of “Do you want to take the next image?” Is set to N and the confirmation button is pressed, 510 is determined as the captured image.

If the player does not like the 510,
If you want to capture better images next time,
Pressing the confirmation button the cursor in the Y of "Do you want the next shot", from t ₃ of t ₄ player image shooting period S2
The second shooting of the player image is performed. And FIG.
(B), the still image 520 of the player is extracted from this period captured player image is displayed on the display from t ₄ to select image output period of t ₅ H2. At this time, it is preferable that the player image 510 taken last time is also displayed as shown in FIG. 9B. This is because the player can select a favorite one after comparing the previous time with the current time. Cursor 55 to the image you prefer
Set 0 and move the cursor of “Do you want to
When the enter button is pressed, the image on which the cursor 550 is set (520 in FIG. 9B) is established as the captured image.

If the player does not like any of 510 and 520 or wants to take a better image next time, move the cursor of "Do you want to take the next image" to Y and push the enter button. When the last shot of the player image is performed from t ₅ in the player image shooting period S3 of the t _6. Then, as shown in FIG. 9 (C), the still image 530 of the player is extracted from this period captured player image is displayed on the display from t ₆ to select image output period H3 of the t _7. At this time, it is preferable to display the first and second player images 510 and 520 together as shown in FIG. 9C. This is because the player can select the most favorite image after comparing the first to third times.

As described above, if the player images shot a plurality of times at a predetermined interval are displayed as still images until the next shooting and can be selected, the player image shooting periods S1 to S3 and the selection image The output periods H1 to H3 can be separated. For this reason, during the shooting period (S
In steps 1 to 3), it is not necessary to pay attention to the display on the display. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the photographed image from being turned downward as a result of photographing with the eyes facing the display, and it is possible to photograph an image with a good camera eyes.

In particular, in the present embodiment, such image capturing can be realized by software, so that the entire apparatus can be made small and inexpensive.

In order to capture the face image of the player in front of the camera lens, the self image taken by the camera is confirmed on the display prior to or at the time of capturing the captured image, and the position of the face is determined. It is preferable to perform matching.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a technique for performing face alignment. On the display 580, a player's face 560 captured by the camera is displayed.
At this time, it is preferable to adopt a configuration in which the areas 570 corresponding to the four corners of the display are blurred. If the position of the player's face is shifted from the front of the camera, the face enters the area 570 and that part is displayed as blurred. Therefore, the player can determine the positional deviation without displaying the alignment mark or the like. Then, the user faces the camera so that the face is unintentionally displayed at the center position of the display, and a better image can be captured.

Next, an example of an embodiment in a case where the given processing performed using the embedded image is the generation of a game image will be described.

FIG. 11 shows a game device 600 when the image capturing device of the present embodiment is applied to a drive game.
It is an external view of the housing | casing of-1, 600-2 .... Each game device is formed similarly to the driver's seat of an actual racing car. Then, the player sits on the seat 618,
While watching the pseudo three-dimensional image (game screen) displayed on the display 619, the user operates a handle 614, an accelerator 615, a shift lever 616, and a brake provided on the operation unit 110 to drive a fictitious racing car. Do. Note that a plurality of independent game devices 600-
Are connected to each other via a data transmission line, and a plurality of players can play a racing game.

At the upper part of the housing of the game apparatus, CCD cameras 630-1, 630-2,... For photographing are provided. This is for capturing a captured image of the player's face and generating a game image using the captured image.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the game screen 650 displayed on the display 619 of the game device 600-1. On the game screen 650, a scene in the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from the viewpoint of the virtual player located at the driver's seat of the player car is realistically displayed. Then, the captured images 670-1, 67 of the faces of the players corresponding to the player cars 660-1, 660-2,...
0-2 ... are displayed. Therefore, a player who is playing a racing game in which a plurality of players compete is able to recognize at a glance which player is operating each player car on the screen. For this reason, the player is stimulated to compete and can enjoy a more exciting racing game.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the image capturing device of the present embodiment.

The operation section 110 is for the player to input operation data, and is provided with a handle 614, an accelerator 615, a shift lever 616, a brake and the like. It also functions as an input unit for selecting and inputting an image desired to be captured by the player from the images of the player captured by the capturing unit 120.

The processing unit 130 performs a process of arranging a display object in an object space and a process of generating an image at a given viewpoint in the object space based on the operation data and a given program. It is. The function of this processing unit 130 is a CISC type or RISC type CPU, D
It can be realized by hardware such as an SP and an image capturing IC.

The information storage medium 190 stores programs and data. The functions of the information storage medium 190 are as follows: CD-ROM, game cassette, IC card, M
It can be realized by hardware such as O, FD, DVD, memory, and hard disk. The processing unit 130 performs various processes based on the programs and data from the information storage medium 190.

The processing section 130 includes a game calculation section 140 and an image generation section 160. Here, the game calculation unit 140
Processing for setting a game mode, processing for advancing a game, processing for determining the position and direction of a moving object such as a player car, processing for arranging a display object in an object space, and the like are performed.

The photographing section 120 is for photographing a player image to be captured, and the CCD camera 3 shown in FIG.
.. Perform the processing. The photographed image is written into an SRAM (not shown) or the like.

The image generation unit 160 includes a game calculation unit 140
Is performed to generate a game image at a given viewpoint in the object space set by. And the SRA
The image written in M or the like is textured and displayed on the display unit 17.
0, or generates an image (see FIG. 12) obtained by synthesizing the textured image and the game image.

The display section 170 displays the image generated by the image generation section 160, and corresponds to the display 619 in FIG.

The game calculation section 140 includes a selection image output control section 142 and an image capture section 144.

The image output control unit for selection 142 includes the photographing unit 1
In step 20, control is performed to output a selection image for selecting and inputting an image that the player desires to capture from the image of the player to be captured to the display unit. In the present embodiment, the selection image is displayed on the display unit with a given time delay from the time of shooting the player image to be captured so that the shooting camera of the shooting unit 120 can shoot a player image looking at the camera. Is controlled to output to The selection image output control unit 142 includes the image generation unit 1
Together with 60, it functions as a selection image output unit.

The image capturing section 144 includes the photographing section 12
The CPU determines an image to be used as a part of the game image based on the image to be captured, which is captured in step S0, and displays the captured image on the basis of the captured image.
And so on.

Next, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the device shown in the figure, a CPU 1000, a ROM 1002,
RAM 1004, information storage medium 1006, sound generation IC1
008, image generation IC 1010, I / O port 101
2 and 1014 are connected to each other via a system bus 1016 so that data can be transmitted and received therebetween. A display 1018 is connected to the image generation IC 1010, a speaker 1020 is connected to the sound generation IC 1008,
The control device 1022 is connected to the / O port 1012, and the communication device 1024 is connected to the I / O port 1014.

Further, an image capturing IC 1030 is connected to the system bus 1016, and a CCD camera 30 is connected to the image capturing IC 1030.

The information storage medium 1006 mainly stores programs, image data for expressing objects to be displayed, sound data, and the like. For example, in a home game device, a CD-R is used as an information storage medium for storing a game program and the like.
OMs, game cassettes, DVDs and the like are used. In the arcade game machine, a memory such as a ROM is used. In this case, the information storage medium 1006 is the ROM 1002.

The control device 1022 is equivalent to a game controller, an operation panel, and the like, and is a device for inputting a result of a determination made by a player in accordance with the progress of a game to the device main body.

The program stored in the information storage medium 1006, the system program (initialization information of the apparatus main body) stored in the ROM 1002, the control apparatus 102
CPU 1000 according to a signal input by
Controls the entire apparatus and performs various data processing. RAM10
Reference numeral 04 denotes storage means used as a work area or the like of the CPU 1000. The information storage medium 1006 and the ROM 10
02, or the calculation result of the CPU 1000 or the like is stored. A data structure (for example, object data structure) having a logical configuration for implementing the present embodiment is constructed on the RAM or the information storage medium.

Further, this type of device includes a sound generation IC 100
8 and an image generating IC 1010 are provided so that a suitable output of game sounds and game images can be performed.
The sound generation IC 1008 includes the information storage medium 1006 and the ROM 1
This is an integrated circuit that generates game sounds such as sound effects and background music based on the information stored in 002, and the generated game sounds are output by the speaker 1020. The image generation IC 1010 includes a RAM 1004,
An integrated circuit that generates pixel information to be output to the display 1018 based on image information sent from the ROM 1002, the information storage medium 1006, and the like. Note that a so-called head-mounted display (HMD) can also be used as the display 1018.

The communication device 1024 exchanges various kinds of information used inside the game device with the outside. The communication device 1024 is connected to another game device to transmit and receive given information according to the game program. It is used for transmitting and receiving information such as a game program via a communication line.

The various processes described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13 correspond to the information storage medium 100 storing programs and data.
6. It is realized by the CPU 1000, the image generation IC 1010, the sound generation IC 1008, the image capture IC 1030, etc., which operate according to the program. Note that the image generation IC 1010, the sound generation IC 1008, and the image capture I
The processing performed by the C1030 or the like may be performed by software using the CPU 1000 or a general-purpose DSP.

FIG. 11 shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game device. In this case, the system board 1106 built in the device includes:
CPU, image generation IC, sound generation IC, image capture I
C1030 and the like are mounted. System board 1106
The memory 1108, which is the above information storage medium, stores game information for performing a game in which a plurality of moving objects compete for rank on a course displayed on a game screen. The game information includes information for outputting the image of the player captured by the imaging unit to the display unit with a given time delay,
The information includes a player image output to the display unit and information for capturing a player image captured based on the player's selection input.

Hereinafter, such information stored in the memory 1108 as described above is referred to as storage information. The stored information includes at least one of a program code, image information, sound information, shape information of a display object, table data, list data, player information, and the like for performing the various processes described above.

FIG. 15A shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a home game machine. The face of the player
The player enjoys the game by operating the game controllers 1202 and 1204 while watching the game image captured by the camera 1230 and displayed on the display 1200. In this case, the stored information is stored in a CD-ROM 1206, IC cards 1208, 1209, etc., which are information storage media detachable from the main unit.

FIG. 15B shows a host device 1300,
An example in which the present embodiment is applied to a game device including this host device 1300 and terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n connected via a communication line 1302 will be described. in this case,
The storage information is stored in an information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, or a memory that can be controlled by the host device 1300. Terminal 1304-1 ~
When 1304-n has a CPU, an image generation IC, a sound generation IC, a camera, and an image capture IC and can generate a game image and a game sound in a stand-alone manner,
From the host device 1300, a game program for generating a game image and a game sound and the like are transmitted to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-1.
It is delivered to 304-n. On the other hand, if it cannot be generated stand-alone, the host device 1300 generates a game image and game sound, transmits them to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n, and outputs them at the terminals.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but can be variously modified.

For example, the image of the player to be captured is not limited to the face and may be a full-body image, and the image displayed on the game screen may be a full-body image.

The method of capturing images is not limited to the example described in the present embodiment. For example, Japanese Patent Application No. 9-2 filed by the present applicant.
For example, an image capturing method according to 49534 may be used.

In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a racing game has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to other various games and simulation devices. For example, the present invention can be applied to a drive simulator used in a driving school. In this case, the captured image may be used to paste the instructor's face photo on the car on which the instructor is riding and paste the student's face photo on the car on which the student is riding.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the multi-player game of the present invention is performed has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to, for example, a case where each game apparatus 10 performs a single-player game. You may.

The present invention is applicable not only to home and business game machines, but also to simulators, large attraction devices in which a large number of players participate, personal computers,
The present invention can be applied to various image generating apparatuses such as a multi-player game terminal and a game board for generating a game screen.

[0085]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the arrangement of cameras and displays and the line of sight of a player.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an image capturing device using a half mirror.

FIGS. 3A to 3C are diagrams for explaining shooting and selection of a captured image in the image capturing device according to the present embodiment;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining an example of a screen for automatically guiding a player's line of sight to a camera direction;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing examples of a selection image screen; FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for realizing a more interesting game by selecting a face image disguised by processing a captured image.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen for displaying a captured moving image in a matrix as a decomposed continuous photograph;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a time sequence of image capture according to the second embodiment.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are diagrams illustrating examples of a selection screen according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of performing face alignment.

FIG. 11 is an external view of a housing of a game device when the image capturing device of the present embodiment is applied to a drive game.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen displayed on a display.

FIG. 13 is an example of a functional block diagram of the image capturing device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the embodiment;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams for explaining examples of various types of apparatuses to which the present embodiment is applied;

[Explanation of symbols]

 110 operation unit 120 shooting unit 130 processing unit 140 game calculation unit 142 image output control unit for selection 144 image capturing unit 160 image generation unit 170 display unit 180 information storage medium

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C001 AA00 AA09 BA05 BB00 BB10 BD00 BD07 CA00 CA01 CA04 CA05 CA08 CA09 CB01 CB08 CC02 5B047 AA30 BB06 5C054 CC03 CD05 CE01 EA05 EA07 EH07 FE04 GB01 GB16 GD07 HA15

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image capturing apparatus, comprising: a photographing camera and a display unit, wherein the photographing camera and the display unit are arranged such that a line of sight of the player with respect to the photographing camera and a line of sight of the display unit are different. Image capturing means for capturing an image of a player to be captured using a camera for display, and a display unit for selecting and inputting an image desired by the player to capture from the image of the player to be captured. Selecting image output means for outputting to the selected image, determining the captured image based on the selection image and the selection input of the player, and capturing the captured image of the player; Image processing means for performing image processing of the above, wherein the image output means for selection comprises: An image capturing apparatus, wherein the selection image is output to a display unit with a predetermined delay from the time of capturing a player image to be captured so that an image can be captured. 2. The player image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the player image capturing unit captures a moving image of the player, and the selecting image output unit outputs the captured moving image of the player to a display unit as a selecting image. An image capturing device, wherein the image capturing unit determines a captured image based on an image displayed on a display unit at the timing of the selection input. 3. The player image photographing means according to claim 1, wherein the player image photographing means photographs a moving image of the player, and the selecting image output means extracts a plurality of moving images extracted from the photographed moving image of the player as selecting images. An image capturing device for outputting a still image to a display unit, wherein the image capturing unit determines a captured image based on a still image selected by a selection input of a player. 4. The selection image output unit according to claim 3, wherein the selection image output unit outputs, as a selection image, an image in which the plurality of still images are displayed as a list to a display unit, and the image capture unit outputs the list display. An image capturing apparatus characterized in that a captured image is determined based on a still image selected by a player from a selected still image by a selection input. 5. An image capturing apparatus, comprising: a photographing camera and a display unit, wherein the photographing camera and the display unit are arranged such that a line of sight of the player with respect to the photographing camera and a line of sight of the display unit are different. Image capturing means for capturing an image of a player to be captured a plurality of times at predetermined intervals using a camera, and capturing the image of the player to be captured from the image of the player to be captured during the plurality of times of capturing. A selection image output unit for outputting a selection image for performing selection input of a desired image to a display unit; a captured image is determined based on the selection image and a selection input of a player; Image capturing means for capturing the image, and image processing means for performing a given image processing using the captured image. Means for outputting a selection image including a still image based on the currently captured player image to a display unit until the player image capturing means captures the next player image. . 6. The selection image output unit according to claim 5, wherein the selection image output unit outputs an image in which the plurality of still images are displayed as a list to the display unit as the selection image, and the image capture unit displays the list image. An image capturing device for determining a captured image based on a still image selected by a player from a selected still image by a selection input. 7. An image capturing apparatus including a camera for photographing and a display unit, wherein the image capturing device in which the camera for photographing and the display unit are arranged so that the line of sight of the player with respect to the camera for photographing differs from the line of sight of the display unit. Information for capturing an image of a player to be captured by using the capturing camera; andselection input of an image that the player desires to capture from the image of the player to be captured. Selection image output information for outputting a selection image to be performed to the display unit, and a capture image determined based on the selection image and the player's selection input, for capturing the captured player image. And information for performing given image processing using the captured image, wherein the image output information for selection is In order for the camera to capture a player image looking at the camera, the information includes information for outputting the selection image to the display unit with a given time delay from the time of capturing the player image to be captured. Information storage medium. 8. An image capturing apparatus including a camera for photographing and a display unit, wherein the image capturing device in which the camera for photographing and the display unit are arranged so that the line of sight of the player with respect to the camera for photographing and the line of sight with respect to the display unit are different from each other. Information for recording an image of a player to be captured a plurality of times at predetermined intervals using the camera, and capturing the image between each of the plurality of times of capturing. Selection image output information for outputting a selection image for selecting and inputting an image that the player desires to capture from an image of the target player to the display unit; and based on the selection image and the selection input of the player. Information for determining a captured image and capturing the captured image of the player; and performing a given image processing using the captured image. The selection image output information includes information for outputting a selection image including a still image based on the currently captured player image to the display unit until the next player image is captured. An information storage medium characterized by including.