JP2000147641A - Automatic photographing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inexpensively and quickly obtain various high-quality photographs which answers to the desire of a customer by including a controller controlling an electronic camera and a printer and constituting as a system capable of photographing the customer himself which is an object. SOLUTION: This system is constituted of a digital still camera 1 as the electronic camera, a remote type shutter operation means 2, a monitor 3, a printer 4, a display 5 and the controller 6. In such a system, the customer positions at a photographing space, and confirms the pose of the customer himself by the monitor 3. In this case, the image pickup direction of the digital still camera 1 is adjusted. Then, the customer controls the digital still camera 1 and the printer 4, so that the pose of the customer himself decided by the monitor 3 is photographed by the digital still camera 1, and the photograph is obtained by the printer 4 based on the operation by the remote type shutter operation means 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic photographing system, and more particularly, to an automatic photographing system in which a customer who is a subject can use an electronic camera to photograph as a photographer in a photo studio, a photo studio, or the like. About the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, there has been a place called a photo studio or a photo studio for taking a commemorative photograph or the like relating to a ceremonial occasion. Also, conventionally, a photo box for certification, which mainly takes a certificate photo such as a photograph for application for a license or passport, and a sticker photo box which is installed in a playground or the like and takes a seal photo are also known.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned photo studios, photo studios, and the like, so-called professional photographers stand by, photograph by these photographers, and receive a predetermined fee a few days later. ing.

In such a photographing system, although the quality of the photograph is high and various photographs can be obtained according to the customer's request, a so-called professional photographer performs photographing.
Since it is possible to obtain a photograph that meets the wishes of the customer, there is a problem that the fee is high and there is a problem that it takes a long time to obtain the photograph.

[0005] A photographing system using a sticker photo box installed in a certificate photo box or a playground or the like is convenient in that the fee is low and the photograph can be immediately obtained, but the quality of the photograph is low. Also, the types of pictures are generally unique, and it is impossible to obtain various pictures as desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. By providing a system in which a customer who is a subject can take a photograph, the quality of the photograph is high, and various kinds of photographs according to the wishes of the customer can be obtained. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic photographing system which is advantageous in that it is possible to obtain photographs quickly while obtaining images at a low cost.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic photographing system for photographing a light image of a customer serving as a subject by an image pickup device and outputting the image from the image pickup device. An electronic camera configured to record data on a recording element, a monitor for receiving image data of a customer output from the recording element, displaying an image based on the input image data, and an output from the recording element. Image data of the customer is input, a printer that prints and outputs an image based on the input image data as a photograph, and the customer's own pose determined by the customer on the monitor, based on operation by shutter operation means,
And a control device for controlling the electronic camera and the printer so as to capture an image with the electronic camera and obtain a photograph with the printer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic photographing system according to the present invention, wherein an optical image of a customer serving as a subject is photographed by an image pickup device, and image data output from the image pickup device is recorded on a recording device. A camera, a remote-type shutter operation unit that can remotely operate a shutter of the electronic camera by the customer, and a monitor that receives customer image data output from the recording element and displays an image based on the input image data. And a printer that receives customer image data output from the recording element, prints and outputs an image based on the input image data as a photograph, and remotely controls the customer's own pose determined by the customer on a monitor. In order to take an image with an electronic camera and obtain a picture with a printer, A control device for controlling the camera and printer, characterized by being configured to include.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the automatic photographing system according to the present invention, image data of a plurality of customers output from the recording element is input, and images based on the input plurality of image data are respectively displayed on a display unit. An image display unit, wherein the control device has a function as a selection unit for selecting an image displayed on the display unit, a function of controlling a printer to print and output the image selected by the selection unit, It is characterized by having.

In the automatic photographing system according to the present invention, image data of a plurality of customers output from the recording element is inputted, and images based on the inputted plurality of image data are displayed in a list on a display unit. The control device has a function as a selection unit for selecting an image displayed on the display unit, and a function of controlling a printer to print and output the image selected by the selection unit. , Is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic photographing system according to the present invention, including storage means for inputting customer image data output from the recording element and storing the input image data in a removable storage medium. The control device is configured to control the storage unit so that the customer's own pose determined by the customer on a monitor is imaged by an electronic camera and stored in a storage medium based on an operation of a shutter operation unit. Features.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic photographing system according to the present invention, image data of a plurality of customers recorded in the recording element is inputted, and images based on the inputted plurality of image data are respectively displayed on a display unit. An image display unit, wherein the control device has a function as a selection unit for selecting an image displayed on the display unit, a function of controlling a printer to print and output the image selected by the selection unit, Controlling the storage means to store the image selected by the selection means in the storage medium.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the automatic photographing system according to the present invention, further comprising a fee display means for displaying a fee on a display unit, wherein the control device collects the fee for the photographing and displays the fee on the display unit. It is characterized by having a function of controlling the fee display means.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic photographing system according to the present invention, the control device has a function of erasing the customer's image data recorded in the recording element, and a function of operating the erasure function by the customer's own operation , Is provided.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the automatic photographing system is characterized in that the control device has a function of performing predetermined image processing on customer image data recorded in the recording element.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic photographing system according to the present invention, further comprising means for adjusting a photographing direction of the electronic camera.

The automatic photographing system according to the present invention is further characterized by further comprising a strobe.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings. The structure of an automatic photographing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

That is, the automatic photographing system is installed in an automatic photographing facility such as a photo studio, a photo studio, or the like in which a customer serving as a subject takes a photograph by himself as a photographer. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic photographing system includes a digital still camera 1 as an electronic camera, a remote shutter operation unit 2, a monitor 3, a printer 4, a display 5, and a controller 6. You. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 7 denotes a strobe.

The digital still camera 1 forms an image on a CCD as an image pickup device by optical photographing means such as a photographing lens and an aperture, and outputs image data output from the image pickup device to a recording device such as a semiconductor memory. ). Further, a CPU is connected to the memory, and the CPU controls the memory,
A predetermined process is performed on the image data output from the memory.

A plurality of such digital still cameras 1 are provided, and are installed at a plurality of positions. Further, each digital still camera 1 includes means for adjusting the imaging direction. In this case, the digital still camera 1 may be moved in the vertical direction or the three-dimensional direction to adjust the imaging direction.

The remote-type shutter operating means 2 comprises:
A customer remotely operates a shutter provided between an optical photographing unit of the digital still camera 1 and an image sensor by a customer. However, when a person other than the customer to be the subject is nearby, the person can directly operate the shutter operation means attached to the digital still camera 1. The monitor 3 receives customer image data output from the CPU of the digital still camera 1, and displays an image based on the input image data. Note that a liquid crystal projector can be used as the monitor 3. The printer 4 receives customer image data output from the CPU of the digital still camera 1 and prints and outputs an image based on the input image data as a photograph.

Here, the configuration of the controller 6 is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the controller 6 is equipped with a computer 8, and the computer 8 and the digital still camera 1,
The printer 4 and the display 5 are connected via the input / output interface 9, respectively.

The computer 8 is connected to the monitor 3 by the customer.
And a control device for controlling the digital still camera 1 and the printer 4 so as to capture the pose of the customer determined by the digital still camera 1 based on the operation of the remote-type shutter operating means 2 and obtain a photograph by the printer 4 based on the operation of the remote shutter operating means 2. Become.

The controller 6 receives image data of a plurality of customers output from the CPU of the digital still camera 1 and displays images based on the plurality of input image data as image display units of the display 5. Image display means for displaying on an image display screen, and image data of a customer output from the memory of the digital still camera 1 are input, and the input image data is freely detachable from a floppy disk (FD) or a magneto-optical disk (MO). Storage means for storing in a storage medium such as.

The computer 8 has a function as selection means for selecting an image displayed on the image display screen, and a function for controlling the printer 4 to print and output the image selected by the selection means. And a function of controlling the storage means to store the image selected by the selection means on a storage medium such as a floppy disk (FD) or a magneto-optical disk (MO).

Further, the controller 6 includes a charge display means for displaying a charge on a charge display screen as a charge display section of the display 5.
Has a function of controlling the charge display means so that the charges related to the photographing are totaled and displayed on a charge display screen.

The computer 8 has a function of erasing the customer's image data recorded in the memory of the digital still camera 1, a function of operating the erasure function by the customer's own operation, and a function of erasing the customer's image data. And a function of performing predetermined image processing on the image data. In addition,
The display 5 is provided with a touch panel for performing various operations related to photographing.

FIG. 3 shows the arrangement of the above-described devices constituting the automatic photographing system. The controller 6, the display 5, and the printer 4 are arranged on the left side of the photographing space 10. A monitor 3 is installed in front of the photographing space 10, a digital still camera 1 is installed behind and on the right side, and a strobe 7 is installed on the left side and behind the digital still camera 1, respectively. The distance between the shooting space 10 and the digital still camera 1 is
It is preferably about 2 m or more. Further, it is preferable that the strobe 7 can obtain an output of 800 W or more in total of the two strobes.

In this system, the customer is located in the photographing space 10 and confirms his / her pose on the monitor 3. In this case, the imaging direction of the digital still camera 1 can be adjusted. Of course, the zoom operation of the digital still camera 1 is also possible. When the pause is determined, the customer remotely operates the shutter of the digital still camera 1 with the remote-type shutter operation means 2 to take a picture.

The customer shoots various poses, and all the shot images are displayed on the display 5 as a list (thumbnail display). Displaying the list in this manner facilitates comparison, and is convenient when the customer selects a favorite photo. The customer operates the touch panel of the display 5 to select a desired image, and further operates the touch panel to print a photograph of the selected image by the printer 4.

The user can operate the touch panel to select a desired image, and further operate the touch panel to store the selected image as digital data in the FD or MO. In this case, if necessary, the touch panel can be operated to enlarge or reduce the selected image.However, in order to obtain better image quality, it is not necessary to enlarge the image by operating the touch panel. It is preferable to use a zoom function attached to the digital still camera 1. In addition, image processing such as changing the background color can be performed by operating the touch panel. In addition, a function of freely drawing or erasing arbitrary pictures and characters can be added.

At this point, the usage fee is displayed on the display 5, and the customer pays the fee accordingly and receives the completed photo, FD and MO. In this way, the fees related to shooting can be totaled and displayed on the fee display screen, and a clear and reliable fee payment system can be provided.

The computer 8 has a function of erasing the customer's image data recorded in the memory of the digital still camera 1 and a function of operating the erasure function by the customer's own operation. The user himself operates the touch panel of the display 5 to delete the image data.

By providing such an image data erasing function, a situation where a customer's image is misused by another customer does not occur, and the erasing operation can be performed by the customer's own operation. Therefore, a sense of security of the customer can be obtained. By the way, in the case of a system that automatically erases the customer's image data recorded in the memory, even if it is actually erased, the customer does not perform the erasing operation himself, so there is no sense of security Can not.

It should be noted that the image processing equipment is not installed in the equipment in which the automatic photographing system is installed, and the image processing equipment is provided in another center apart from the equipment in which the automatic photographing system is installed, and The image may be processed and supplied to the customer by exchanging communication between the facility where the photographing system is installed and the center. In such a configuration, the complex image processing facility is installed in the facility where the automatic photographing system is installed. It is not necessary to install the slab, and the equipment cost is reduced.

[0037]

According to the automatic photographing system of the present invention, the customer, who is a so-called amateur, can take a photograph as a photographer himself. You can receive pictures of images. And since the necessary equipment is available, the quality of the photos is higher than that of mere amateur photos, and various types of photos can be obtained according to the wishes of the customer. In comparison, the prices are cheaper and the photos are readily available.

In this case, if an image based on a plurality of image data is displayed on the display unit and the printer is controlled to print and output a selected image among the images, it is possible to meet a customer's request. It is easy to obtain photos.

Further, if the photographed image is stored in a storage medium such as an FD or an MO, and can be obtained, the image can be reproduced later using the FD or the MO. It is possible to perform shooting with high availability for media.

In this case, an image based on a plurality of image data is displayed on the display unit, and the storage means is controlled so that the selected image is stored in the FD, MO, or the like. It becomes easy to obtain storage media such as FDs and MOs according to the conditions.

Further, if the system is configured to total and display the fees related to the photographing, a clear and reliable fee payment system can be provided. Further, if the customer's image data recorded in the electronic camera can be erased by the customer's own operation, the misuse of the image data can be avoided and the customer's own sense of security can be obtained.

Furthermore, if predetermined image processing can be performed on the customer's image data recorded in the memory of the electronic camera, elaborate photographs and the like that cannot be normally obtained can be obtained, and the added value is high. . Further, if a means for adjusting the imaging direction of the electronic camera is provided, it is easy to obtain a photograph in a pose that the customer prefers.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of an automatic photographing system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a controller in one embodiment of the automatic photographing system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing an arrangement of each device constituting one embodiment of the automatic photographing system according to the first embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital still camera 2 Remote shutter operation means 3 Monitor 4 Printer 5 Display 6 Controller 8 Computer

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masami Yamashita 10-3 Kitamura, Kitamura, Tottori, Ricoh Microelectronics Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kenji Katsuhara 10-3, Kitamura, Tottori, Tottori Ricoh Microelectronics, Inc. F term (reference) 2H104 AA19 BC18 BC48 5C022 AA13 AB15 AB62 AB65 AC01

Claims (11)

[Claims] An electronic camera configured to capture an optical image of a customer serving as a subject with an image sensor and record image data output from the image sensor on a recording element, and a customer output from the recording element. And a monitor for displaying an image based on the input image data, a customer image data output from the recording element being input, and printing and outputting an image based on the input image data as a photograph Printer, and the customer's own pose determined by the monitor by the customer,
A control device for controlling the electronic camera and the printer so as to capture an image with the electronic camera and obtain a photograph with the printer based on an operation of the shutter operation means. 2. An electronic camera configured to capture an optical image of a customer serving as a subject by an imaging element and record image data output from the imaging element on a recording element; Remote-type shutter operation means that can be remotely operated; a monitor to which image data of a customer output from the recording element is input and which displays an image based on the input image data; Image data is input, a printer that prints and outputs an image based on the input image data as a photograph, and the customer's own pose determined by the monitor by the customer,
Based on the operation of the remote shutter operation means,
An automatic photographing system, comprising: a control device for controlling the electronic camera and the printer so that an image is captured by the electronic camera and a photograph is obtained by the printer. 3. An image display unit to which image data of a plurality of customers output from the recording element is inputted, and an image based on the inputted plurality of image data is displayed on a display unit, respectively. A function as a selection unit for selecting an image displayed on the display unit, a function of controlling a printer to print and output the image selected by the selection unit,
The automatic photographing system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: 4. An image display unit to which image data of a plurality of customers output from the recording element is input and which displays a list of images based on the input plurality of image data on a display unit, A function as a selection unit for selecting an image displayed on the display unit, a function of controlling a printer to print and output the image selected by the selection unit,
The automatic photographing system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: 5. A storage device for receiving image data of a customer output from the recording element and storing the input image data in a removable storage medium. 2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage device is controlled so that the customer's own pose determined by the monitor is imaged by an electronic camera and stored in a storage medium based on an operation by a shutter operation device.
5. The automatic photographing system according to any one of-to 4. 6. An image display unit, to which image data of a plurality of customers recorded on the recording element is inputted, and an image based on the inputted plurality of image data is displayed on a display unit, respectively. A function as a selection unit for selecting an image displayed on the display unit, a function of controlling a printer to print and output the image selected by the selection unit,
6. The automatic photographing system according to claim 5, further comprising: a function of controlling the storage unit to store the image selected by the selection unit on a storage medium. 7. A charge display unit for displaying a charge on a display unit, wherein the control device has a function of controlling the charge display unit so that charges related to the photographing are totaled and displayed on a display unit. The automatic photographing system according to claim 1, wherein: 8. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising a function of erasing the customer's image data recorded on the recording element, and a function of operating the erasure function by the customer's own operation. The automatic photographing system according to any one of 1 to 7. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control device has a function of performing predetermined image processing on customer image data recorded on a recording element. Automatic shooting system. 10. The automatic photographing system according to claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting a photographing direction of said electronic camera. 11. The automatic photographing system according to claim 1, further comprising a strobe.