JP2000206591A - Method and device for photographing face image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To re-output a nondefective image without again photographing by providing a step retrieving/reading out the image of a prescribed frame suited to an output of a face image from a storage medium and the step, etc., printing/ outputting the read out image when the printed/outputted image isn't suitable. SOLUTION: When it is judged that the image isn't suited as a certifying photograph a person to be photographed inputs a reference number of a re- output object registered at a photographing time from a keyboard (S21), and retrieves a backup image answering to the reference number from a large capacity storage medium (S22). When the relevant image exists by such a retrieval (S23), the person to be photographed reads out all frames of the backup images to display on a display device (S25), and selects the image suited to the certifying photograph from the images of all frames, and inputs its frame number from the keyboard (S26). Then, the image answering to the inputted frame number is retrieved from the large capacity storage medium to be read out, and the read out image is printed/outputted (S27).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a face image taking method and a face image taking method for taking a face image of a person to be photographed for the purpose of creating a photograph for identification to be attached to an identification card or various licenses. The present invention relates to an image capturing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, in this type of face image photographing apparatus, when a photographed person is photographed, it is determined by a human system whether or not the image is normal, and an image which is not suitable as an output photograph such as a blink of an eye. If so, measures such as retaking were performed.

[0003]

However, if the photographing cycle is as fast as several seconds, the load of the operator (photographer) of the photographing apparatus at the time of photographing is large in the above-described human-based determination, and the determination is further erroneous. The probability is also higher.

[0004] In particular, when an erroneous judgment is made after photographing and printing out with a wrong judgment, the subject who has not already been present must be recalled and photographed again. Output media (paper, etc.) that accompanies print output
Is wastefully wasted.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a face image photographing method and a face image photographing apparatus capable of re-outputting a good-quality image without recalling the photographed person and photographing again even if a defective image is photographed. The purpose is to provide.

[0006]

A face image capturing method according to the present invention includes the steps of capturing a face image of a subject and capturing the captured image as a continuous image of a plurality of frames, and backing up the captured continuous image of a plurality of frames. Storing the image as an image, printing out an image of a predetermined frame in the stored multiple-frame continuous image, and, if the printed-out image is not appropriate, extracting the face from the stored multiple-frame continuous image. The method includes a step of selecting an image of a predetermined frame suitable for outputting an image, and a step of printing out the selected image.

Further, in the face image photographing method of the present invention, a step of photographing a face image of a subject and capturing the captured image as a continuous image of a plurality of frames, and storing the captured continuous image of the plurality of frames as a backup image. And a step of recognizing a state of the pupil from an image of a predetermined frame in the stored continuous image of the plurality of frames, and determining whether the pupil is suitable for print output of a face image. A step of printing out the image of the predetermined frame when the state is determined to be suitable for print output of the face image; and a step of determining that the state of the pupil is not suitable for print output of the face image by the determination. Causing the determination process to be performed again by using an image of a frame next to the image of the predetermined frame in the stored continuous images of the plurality of frames; and If the image is not appropriate, and selecting an image of a predetermined frame suitable for outputting of the face image from the successive images of a plurality of frames said storage, and a step of printing out the selected image.

Further, the face image photographing apparatus of the present invention captures a face image of a subject and captures the image as a continuous image of a plurality of frames, and a plurality of frames captured by the image capturing means. Image storage means for storing a continuous image as a backup image, first printout means for printing out an image of a predetermined frame in a continuous image of a plurality of frames stored in the image storage means, and this first printout An image selecting unit for selecting an image of a predetermined frame suitable for outputting a face image from a continuous image of a plurality of frames stored in the image storage unit, if the image printed and output by the unit is not appropriate; Second printout means for printing out the image selected by the means.

A face image photographing apparatus according to the present invention captures a face image of a person to be photographed and captures the image as a continuous image of a plurality of frames, and a plurality of frames captured by the image capturing means. An image storage means for storing a continuous image as a backup image; and a pupil state is recognized from an image of a predetermined frame in a continuous image of a plurality of frames stored in the image storage means, and the pupil is suitable for print output of a face image. Determining means for determining whether or not the pupil state is suitable for print output of a face image; and first print output means for printing out the image of the predetermined frame when the determination means determines that the pupil state is suitable for print output of the face image. When the determination unit determines that the state of the pupil is not suitable for the print output of the face image, the next of the image of the predetermined frame in the continuous image of the plurality of frames stored in the image storage unit And retry control means for re-perform the determination processing of the determination unit by using the image of the frame,
When the image printed and output by the first print output unit is not appropriate, an image selection for selecting an image of a predetermined frame suitable for outputting a face image from a continuous image of a plurality of frames stored in the image storage unit Means, and second printout means for printing out the image selected by the image selection means.

Further, in the face image photographing apparatus of the present invention, the judging means detects a contour position of the face from an image of a predetermined frame in a continuous image of a plurality of frames stored in the image storage means,
Based on the detected contour position of the face, a rough position area of the pupil, which is a relative position from the contour position, is calculated, and the positions of both pupils are extracted from the calculated rough position area of the pupil. The pupil state is recognized based on the position, and it is determined whether the pupil state is suitable for print output of a face image based on whether the pupil is normally opened.

Also, in the face image photographing apparatus of the present invention, the first print output means calculates a center position between the extracted pupils from the extracted positions of the pupils, and calculates a relative position from the calculated center position. Determine the image output area by calculating the position,
The image in the determined image output area is cut out from the image of the predetermined frame, and the cut out image is printed out.

Further, the face image photographing apparatus of the present invention captures a face image of a subject and captures the image as a continuous image of a plurality of frames, and a plurality of frames captured by the image capturing means. An image storage means for storing a continuous image as a backup image; and a pupil state is recognized from an image of a predetermined frame in a continuous image of a plurality of frames stored in the image storage means, and the pupil is suitable for print output of a face image A first determining unit for determining whether or not the image of the predetermined frame is printed out when the first determining unit determines that the state of the pupil is suitable for the print output of the face image. (1) when the first output means and the first determination means determine that the state of the pupil is not suitable for print output of the face image, the location in the continuous image of a plurality of frames stored in the image storage means; Retry control means for re-performing the determination processing of the determination means using the image of the frame next to the image of the frame, and counting the number of times of the retry processing by the retry control means, and defining the count value in advance A second determining means for determining whether or not the number has reached a predetermined value; and an error processing means for performing error processing when the second determining means determines that the number of times of the retry processing has reached a prescribed value; An image selecting unit for selecting an image of a predetermined frame suitable for outputting a face image from a continuous image of a plurality of frames stored in the image storage unit when the image printed and output by the first print output unit is not proper; And a second print-out unit for printing out the image selected by the image selection unit.

According to the present invention, when a face image of a subject is captured, the face image is captured as a continuous image of a plurality of frames, and the captured image is stored as a backup image. If the photographer determines that the image of the predetermined frame suitable for outputting the face image is selected from the stored continuous images of the plurality of frames and prints out the image, Even if the above operation is performed, a non-defective image can be output again without recalling the subject and retaking the image.

[0014]

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

FIG. 1 schematically shows an external configuration of a face image photographing apparatus according to the present embodiment. This face image photographing apparatus includes an illuminator 1 for illuminating a subject 5 and a subject 5
CCD as photographing means for photographing at least a face image
Video camera 2, display (monitor display) for displaying shooting conditions, operation information of photographer (operator) 8, etc.
3. A control base (control unit) 4 for processing an input image from the camera 2 and outputting the processed image to the display 3 and a built-in storage unit, etc., and a subject 5 It is composed of a chair 6 to be seated at the time of photographing, and a background plate 7 to be a background of the subject 5 at the time of photographing.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the face image photographing apparatus shown in FIG. That is, a video capture unit 9 that converts an analog signal (input image) from the camera 2 into a digital signal in real time and transfers the digital signal to a video memory, a main memory, or the like, performs image data of the video capture unit 9, and performs other drawing processing. Do,
A video acceleration unit 10 for controlling display on the display 3, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for performing various arithmetic processing and various controls on image data and others, and temporarily storing image data and arithmetic results Main memory, CPU unit 11 having an interface with various peripheral devices, external bus control unit 12 controlling an external bus (for example, SCSI, etc.) for connecting various peripheral devices, and storing various OSs, applications, control data, and the like. Storage medium 1 such as a hard disk
3, a portable storage medium (for example, a magneto-optical disk or the like) 14 for storing output data or the like of the control console 4, a reader / writer unit 15 for reading / writing data from / to the storage medium 14, an operator (photographer) The device 8 includes a keyboard 16 and a mouse 17 as input devices operated by the device 8, and a network adapter 18 for performing mutual communication with other devices on the same network.

FIG. 3 shows an input image (face image) 18 from the camera 2 and a rough pupil (eye) position area 20 which is a relative position from the face contour position 19 in the input image 18. From the approximate position area 20, the position areas 21 and 21 of both pupils
2 is extracted, and the image cutout area 24 is determined based on the relative positions of the both pupil position areas 21 and 22 with respect to the center position (coordinates) 23.
Is determined.

Hereinafter, the processing operation of this apparatus will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and FIG. The processing described below is mainly performed by using the CP in the CPU unit 11.
It is executed under the control of U.

The photographing process of this apparatus is performed by a photographer (operator) 8
Waits for the subject 5 to be ready, and the keyboard 1
The operation is started by depressing the shooting key 6.

When the photographing process is started, first, in step S
In step 1, the number of retries, frame number, and other data are initialized, and the flow advances to step S2. Step S2
In step S3, an image capture processing start command is output.
Proceed to S5. In step S3, it is confirmed that the image capture processing start command has been output, and the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, the video capture unit 9
An input image (face image) 18 from the camera 2 is fetched continuously from the frame numbers “0” to “n” via the CPU 2, and a work memory (shown in FIG. No). This capture process is performed while the image capture process start command is being output. That is, when the images of frame numbers “0” to “n” are captured, the output of the image capture processing start command is stopped.

On the other hand, in step S5, the above step S
In parallel with the processing in steps S3 and S4, the process waits for the completion of the capture of the image of the corresponding frame number (for example, frame number "0", which is initialized in step S1). move on. In step S6, C
From the input image 18 of the frame number "0" stored in the work memory in the PU unit 11, the contour position 19 of the face including the hairstyle is detected, and the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, it is checked whether or not the detected contour position 19 of the face is within a predetermined range which is set in advance.
To perform error processing and return to the initial state. If it is within the specified range, the process proceeds to step S9. Step S
9, a rough position area 20 of the pupil (eye), which is a relative position thereof, is calculated from the contour position 19 of the face, and a position area 2 having the same round shape as both pupils is calculated from the rough position area 20.
Extract 1 and 22 and proceed to step S10.

In step S10, it is checked whether or not the images (pupils) of the extracted round-shaped position areas 21 and 22 are in a state suitable for print output, and if the images are printed such as blinking or blinking. If the state is not suitable for output, the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S11, it is checked whether or not the number of retries is within a predetermined value, and if it is within the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S12. Step S12
Then, the number of retries and the frame number are respectively incremented, and the process returns to step S5. That is, if the number of retries is within the specified number, the process returns to step S5, and retries are performed with the image of the next frame number "1".

If it is determined in step S11 that the number of retries is equal to or greater than the specified value, the flow advances to step S13 to perform error processing, and returns to the initial state.

If it is determined in step S10 that the image has neither blinking nor blinking and is in a state suitable for print output, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, from the position regions 21 and 22 of both pupils extracted in step S9,
A center position (coordinates) 23 between the position regions 21 and 22 is calculated, an image cutout region 24 is determined based on a relative position from the center position 23, and an image in the image cutout region 24 is cut out from the input image. Proceed to S15.

In step S15, the image cut out in step S14 is printed by the printing unit (not shown) on the subject 5
Is printed out on a recording medium (paper) together with other personal information, and the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16,
The process waits for the completion of the capture of the image of the frame number “n”, and proceeds to step S17 when the capture is completed.

In step S17, the continuous images for n frames temporarily stored in the work memory in the CPU section 11 are stored in the large-capacity storage medium 13 as backup images, and the process is terminated.

As a result of the printout in step S15, for example, the subject 5 has opened his / her mouth, turned sideways, or has made an erroneous determination in steps S9 and S10. If the photographer 8 determines that the image is not suitable as a photograph,
A suitable image is selected from the continuous images for the frame and output again. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step S21, the photographer 8
The user proceeds to step S22 by inputting a re-output symmetric reference number registered at the time of photographing from the keyboard 16, and searches the large-capacity storage medium 13 for a backup image corresponding to the reference number. As a result of this search, if there is no corresponding image (S23), the process proceeds to step S24, and a message indicating that there is no image with the corresponding number is displayed on the display unit 3.
Is displayed, and the process ends.

As a result of the above search, if there is a corresponding image (S23), the process proceeds to step S25, where all the frames of the corresponding backup image are read and displayed on the display 3, and the process proceeds to step S26. In step S26, an image suitable for the photo for certification is selected from the images of all the frames displayed on the display 3, and the frame number is input from the keyboard 16, whereby the process proceeds to step S27.

In step S27, an image corresponding to the frame number input from the keyboard 16 is retrieved from the large-capacity storage medium 13 and read out, and the read out image is printed out in the same processing as in step S15, and is re-printed. The output processing ends.

The re-output processing program described above is
Although the description has been made assuming that the terminal is located in the apparatus, the terminal may be provided in a terminal dedicated to re-output processing connected to the same network via the apparatus and the network adapter 18.

Further, the n frames of continuous images stored in the large-capacity storage medium 13 as backup are erased, for example, by obtaining information on the completion of issuance from a certification photo issuance management system separately provided on the same network. It has become so.

[0036]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, even if a defective image is taken, a good image can be re-output without recalling the subject and re-taking the image. An image capturing method and a face image capturing device can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an external configuration of a face image capturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of the face image photographing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining how a position region of both pupils is extracted from an input image and an image cutout region is determined based on a relative position from a center position thereof.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an image re-output process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Illumination device 2 ... Video camera 3 ... Display (monitor display) 4 ... Control stand (control part) 5 ... Subject 8 ... Photographer (operator) 9 ... Video capture part 10 ... Video acceleration section 11 CPU section 13 Large-capacity storage medium 14 Storage medium 15 Reader / writer section 16 Keyboard 17 Mouse 18 Network adapter

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/765 H04N 5/781 520A 5/781

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A step of capturing a face image of a subject and capturing the captured image as a continuous image of a plurality of frames, a step of storing the captured continuous image of the plurality of frames as a backup image, and a step of storing the stored plurality of frames. Printing out an image of a predetermined frame in the continuous image, and if the printed image is not appropriate, selecting an image of a predetermined frame suitable for outputting a face image from the stored plurality of frames of the continuous image. And a step of printing out the selected image. 2. A step of capturing a face image of a subject and capturing the captured image as a continuous image of a plurality of frames; a step of storing the captured continuous image of the plurality of frames as a backup image; A step of recognizing the state of the pupil from an image of a predetermined frame in the continuous image and determining whether the pupil is suitable for print output of the face image; If it is determined that the image of the predetermined frame is printed out, and if it is determined that the state of the pupil is not suitable for print output of the face image by the determination, the stored continuous image of the plurality of frames Re-performing the determination process using the image of the next frame of the image of the predetermined frame in Selecting an image of a predetermined frame from the successive images of the stored plurality of frames are suitable for the output of the face image, a face image photographing method comprising the steps of printing out the selected image, in that it consists of. 3. An image capturing means for capturing a face image of a subject and capturing the image as a continuous image of a plurality of frames, and an image for storing the continuous image of the plurality of frames captured by the image capturing means as a backup image. Storage means, first printout means for printing out an image of a predetermined frame in a continuous image of a plurality of frames stored in the image storage means, and an image printed and output by the first printout means If not, an image selecting means for selecting an image of a predetermined frame suitable for outputting a face image from a continuous image of a plurality of frames stored in the image storing means, and printing out the image selected by the image selecting means And a second print output unit. 4. An image capturing means for capturing a face image of a subject and capturing the image as a continuous image of a plurality of frames, and an image for storing the continuous image of the plurality of frames captured by the image capturing means as a backup image Storage means; and determination means for recognizing a state of a pupil from an image of a predetermined frame in a continuous image of a plurality of frames stored in the image storage means and determining whether the pupil is suitable for print output of a face image A first print output unit that prints out the image of the predetermined frame when the pupil state is determined to be suitable for print output of a face image by the determination unit; When it is determined that the image is not suitable for print output of the face image, the image of the frame next to the image of the predetermined frame in the continuous image of a plurality of frames stored in the image storage unit is used. Retry control means for re-performing the determination processing of the determination means; and if the image printed and output by the first print output means is not appropriate, a face image is extracted from the continuous image of a plurality of frames stored in the image storage means. A face image photographing apparatus, comprising: image selecting means for selecting an image of a predetermined frame suitable for output; and second print output means for printing out an image selected by the image selecting means. . 5. The determining means detects a contour position of a face from an image of a predetermined frame in a continuous image of a plurality of frames stored in the image storage means, and determines the contour position based on the detected contour position of the face. Calculates the approximate position area of the pupil, which is a relative position from, extracts the positions of both pupils from the calculated approximate position area of the pupil, recognizes the state of the pupil based on the extracted positions of the two pupils, 5. The face image photographing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein it is determined whether or not the pupil state is suitable for print output of the face image based on whether or not the face is normally opened. 6. An image cutout by calculating a center position between the extracted pupils from the extracted positions of the pupils, and calculating a relative position from the calculated center position. 6. An area is determined, an image in the determined image cut-out area is cut out from the image of the predetermined frame, and the cut-out image is printed out.
The facial image photographing device according to the above. 7. An image capturing means for capturing a face image of a subject and capturing the image as a continuous image of a plurality of frames, and an image for storing the continuous image of the plurality of frames captured by the image capturing means as a backup image A storage unit, and a first unit that recognizes a state of a pupil from an image of a predetermined frame in a continuous image of a plurality of frames stored in the image storage unit and determines whether the pupil is suitable for print output of a face image.
A first printout unit that prints out the image of the predetermined frame when the first determination unit determines that the pupil state is suitable for printout of a face image; When the pupil state is determined to be not suitable for print output of a face image by the first determination unit, an image of a frame next to the image of the predetermined frame in a continuous image of a plurality of frames stored in the image storage unit Retry control means for re-performing the determination processing of the determination means using: and counting the number of times of the retry processing by the retry control means, and determining whether or not the counted value has reached a prescribed value set in advance An error processing unit for performing error processing when the second determination unit determines that the number of times of the retry processing has reached a prescribed value; and An image selection unit for selecting an image of a predetermined frame suitable for outputting a face image from a plurality of frames of continuous images stored in the image storage unit if the image printed and output by the unit is not appropriate; And a second print-out means for printing out an image selected by the means.