JP2001309284A - Photograph providing system in facilities - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photograph providing system in a facility which allows a visitor to enjoy a photograph taken without having a self camera, purchasing a lens-fitted photographic film unit and spending time for EDP. SOLUTION: A rental camera 40 prepared in a facility is lent to a visitor for the facility. The camera 40 enables transmitting data through a portable telephone 30. An image storage device 50 stores a photographic image taken by the camera 40. The printing apparatus 70 prints the printing image of the photographic image stored in the image storage device 50 for handing it in the visitor. The photographic image, taken by the camera renter during deambulation in the facility, is transmitted to the image storage device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a rental camera system for renting a camera. In particular, the present invention relates to a rental camera system for renting rental cameras for facility visitors who use the facilities.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, people who play at an amusement park facility bring their own cameras and take pictures while carrying the cameras at various places in the facility. Each of the photographed photographs is brought to a photo shop or the like by a negative film or image data. The carried negative film or image data is developed or printed in a photo shop.

[0003]

If the photographed photograph can be printed or developed quickly and provided to the person who took the photograph, the people involved in the photographing can enjoy watching the photograph on the way back from the amusement park facility. Can be. However, it has been time-consuming until now to print a photograph. Usually, printing of a photograph or the like is performed after a predetermined number of frames or all of the film have been taken. As a result, the desire to see photos immediately was not met.

[0004] In addition, a camera must be brought from home to take a picture at an amusement park facility, so that the number of belongings increases. If you don't have a camera, you have to buy film with lenses.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a facility photograph providing system which can solve the above-mentioned problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera lent to a facility visitor of a certain facility, the camera being capable of transmitting data by wireless communication,
An image storage device that stores a photographic image taken by a camera, and a printing device that prints a print image to be delivered to a facility visitor from the photographic image stored in the image storage device. In the process of the walker walking around the facility, a photographic image taken by the camera borrower is transmitted to the image storage device.

There is further provided a lending terminal for recording the lending of the camera, which is communicably connected to the image storage device. When the lending of the camera is completed, the lending terminal informs the image storage device of the lending of the camera. Then, the image storage device may be able to receive data from the lent camera.

[0008] When the camera is returned, the lending terminal may notify the image storage device that the camera has been returned, and the image storage device may stop receiving data from the camera.

The lending of the camera may be transmitted to the image storage device by the lending terminal, and the camera may be returned to any of the lending terminals including the lending terminal to which the lending of the camera is transmitted.

[0010] The printed image may be delivered to the camera borrower in the facility. A print image corresponding to the photographic image transmitted to the image storage device by a predetermined time may be delivered to the camera lender in the facility.

The print image may be mailed to a location specified by the camera borrower.

The means for the camera to output the photographic image to the outside may be only the means for transmitting the photographic image to the image storage device.

The number of images that can be shot by the camera is set, and when the number of shots reaches the set number, delivery may be prepared.

A lending ID may be provided for each lending of the camera, the lending ID may be added to the photographic image stored in the image storage device, and the printed images may be sorted based on the lending ID.

[0015] A position detecting means for detecting the position of the camera may be provided, and the photographing operation of the camera may be enabled when it is recognized that the camera is located within a predetermined area.

A camera detector that detects the camera when the camera passes through the exit of the facility and issues an alarm may be provided.

The above summary of the present invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and a sub-combination of these features can also be an invention.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the present invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention and have the features described in the embodiments. Not all combinations are essential to the solution of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a facility photograph providing system 1 according to the present invention.
0 indicates an embodiment. Facilities 2 such as amusement parks and zoos
At 0, the rental camera 40 is rented out to facility visitors. In the facility 20, the lending terminal 60, the image storage device 5
0, a printing device 70, and a camera position detecting device 250 are provided.

The lending terminal 60 performs processing necessary for lending and returning the rental camera 40. Image storage device 50
Collects information on the rental and return of the rental camera 40, and performs storage and printing of the photographed image. The printing device 70 prints a photographic image. The camera position detecting device 250 is a device that acquires the position of the rented rental camera 40. The position detection of the rental camera 40 can be determined by, for example, the position of the relay station that has received the communication from the mobile phone 30.

The lending terminal 60, the image storage device 50, the printing device 70, and the camera position detecting device 250 can communicate with each other via a communication line. Note that a plurality of lending terminals 60 and printing devices 70 are provided. Thus, the lending terminal 60 to which the camera is lent may not be the same as the lending terminal 60 to return the camera. As a result, the convenience of facility visitors using the facility photo providing system is improved.

The photographic image taken by the rental camera 40 is transmitted to the mobile phone 30 and further stored in the image storage device 50.
Can be transmitted. Rental camera 40 and mobile phone 30
The transmission and reception of data between and may use a short-range wireless communication technology based on Bluetooth. The mobile phone 30 may be lent out together with the rental camera 40, or a mobile phone owned by the camera borrower may be used.

The transmission of the photographic image is performed at a predetermined time or by automatic transmission, such as when a photograph is taken, so that the camera borrower does not have to be bothered. However, image transmission by manual operation of the camera borrower is also possible.

In addition, a camera detector 200 is provided at the entrance of the facility 20. The camera detector 2 can detect a radio wave or a magnetic signal emitted from a detection signal transmission unit of the rental camera 40 described later. When detecting a signal from the rental camera 40, the camera detector 200 issues an alarm. Thereby, the rental camera 4
0 is prevented from being taken out. For example, a camera detector 2 is provided at a gate at the entrance of the facility 20, and cameras passing through the gate are monitored.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, a printing device 70 and a lending terminal 60 are connected to the image storage device 50 as a set. Various combinations are possible, such as when the image storage device 50 has the lending terminal 60 or the printing device 70, or when the lending terminal 60 and the printing device 70 are independently connected.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration of the rental camera 40 and the mobile phone 30. The rental camera 40 includes a detection signal transmission unit 210, a position signal transmission unit 220, and a power supply device 23.
0, and an image transmission unit 240.

The detection signal transmission unit 210 transmits a radio or magnetic signal to the outside of the rental camera 40.
This signal may be used for detection of the rental camera 40 by the camera detector 200.

The position signal transmitting section 220 transmits a radio or magnetic signal to the outside of the rental camera 40. This signal may be used for the position detection of the rental camera 40 by the camera position detection device 250. The rental camera 40 can take a picture when the camera position detection device 250 determines that the rental camera 40 is within a predetermined area. In this case, if the rental camera 40 is taken out of the facility, it no longer functions as a camera, so that the rental camera 40 is not intentionally taken out.

To detect the position of the rental camera 40, a GP
S (Global Positioning System) may be used.

The rental camera 40 has only a means for transmitting the photographed image to the outside of the rental camera 40 and means for transmitting the photograph image to the mobile phone 30. As a result, the taken photographic image is written on a recording medium such as a memory card and cannot be taken out of the rental camera 40, and all the photographic images are managed by the service provided by the present invention.

Further, the rental camera 40 may include a power supply device 230 in which the lending time is set in advance and the power is turned on only during lending. This is expected to have the effect of preventing theft and transmission of the print image outside the lending time.

When a photographic image is transferred from the rental camera 40 via the mobile phone 30, each rental camera 4
0 unique camera ID and camera position detecting device 20
0, the position of the rental camera 40 at the time of shooting, the shooting time, and the like are attached. This facilitates management and organization of the photographic images stored in the image storage device 50.

The mobile phone 30 has an image acquisition section 250 and an image transmission section 260.

The image acquiring section 250 acquires a photographic image taken by the rental camera 40 by using a short-range wireless communication technology based on Bluetooth. The image transmission unit 260 transmits the photographic image acquired by the image acquisition unit 250 to the image storage device 50.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the image storage device 50.
The image storage device 50 stores and manages a photographic image received from the mobile phone 30. The image storage device 50 includes a photographic image transfer unit 110, a photographic image access unit 80, a camera lending monitoring unit 140, and a camera use database 150.

The photographic image transmitting / receiving section 110 has a photographic image receiving section 120 and a photographic image transmitting section 130. The photographic image receiving unit 120 receives a photographic image from the mobile phone 30.

The photographic image transmitting section 130 transmits a photographic image for printing to the printing device 70.

The photographic image input / output unit 80 includes the image storage device 50
A photographic image is loaded and unloaded using a recording medium (not shown) included in. The photographic image input / output unit 80 includes a photographic image writing unit 90 that writes a photographic image on a recording medium, and a photographic image reading unit 100 that reads a photographic image from a recording medium.
Is provided.

The camera lending monitoring unit 140 monitors the lending and returning status of the rental camera 40. For rental and return of the rental camera 40, a camera use database described later is used.

FIG. 4 shows a sample of the camera usage database 150. In the camera usage database 150,
There are a camera lending sheet 180 for recording information about lending of the rental camera 40 and a photographic image sheet 190 for recording information about taken pictures.

In the camera lending sheet 180, a lending ID assigned to each lending process of the rental camera 40, a camera ID unique to each rental camera 40, a terminal number of the lending terminal 60 that has performed the lending process, a date and time of lending. And a column describing the terminal number of the lending terminal 60 to be returned, the date and time of the return, the presence or absence of the return, and the designation of the receiving location of the printed image.

In the photographic image sheet 190, the photographing date and time of the photographic image and the photographic ID assigned to the photographic image are recorded for each lending ID. Information on lending is obtained by referring to the lending ID on the camera lending sheet 180.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the lending terminal 60. The lending terminal 60 lends and returns the rental camera 40,
And information on the receipt of the image medium. Information on lending and returning is transmitted to the image management device 50. The lending terminal 60 includes a lending transmitting unit 152, a lending return unit 160, and a lending inquiry unit 170.

The rental transmission unit 152 is provided for the rental camera 40.
Is transmitted to the image storage device 50. Loan return section 16
0 transmits the return of the rental camera 40 to the image storage device 50. The loan inquiry unit 170 inquires of the image storage device 50 about the status of lending and returning the rental camera 40.

FIG. 6 shows a sequence chart relating to the camera lending process. In the lending terminal 60, a process of lending the camera to the camera lender is performed (S1).
0). At this time, the lending terminal 6 that performed the lending process of the camera
The terminal number of 0, the date and time of lending, the terminal number of the lending terminal 60 to which the camera is to be returned, the expected return time, and information on the designation of the receiving location of the printed image are transmitted to the image storage device 50 ( S20). The location designated as the receiving location includes the lending terminal 60 to which the camera is to be returned, the address designated by the camera lender (for example, the address of the camera lender), and designated locations inside and outside the facility.

When the image storage device 50 receives the information about the camera lending, it records the received information about the camera lending on the camera lending sheet 180, and enters a state in which a photographic image can be received (S40). The camera borrower
Photographs are taken during the activities and sightseeing of the facility (S3
0). The photographed image is transmitted to the image storage device 50 via the mobile phone 30 (S50). The transmission to the image storage device 50 is performed by manual transmission by the camera lender or automatic transmission of the facility photo providing system. When the photographic image is transmitted, information such as the camera ID of the camera that captured the photographic image and the photographing time is also transmitted. The camera lending monitoring unit 140 refers to the camera usage database 150 and determines whether or not the transmitted photographic image can be received (S52). The acceptable state is, for example, the time from when the rental camera 40 is confirmed to be rented and when the rental camera 40 is lent to when the rental camera 40 is scheduled to be returned. When in the receivable state, the transmitted photographic image is received by the photographic image receiving unit 120, and is written on the recording medium by the photographic image writing unit 90 (S60). The camera usage database 150 records information such as the transmitted camera ID and shooting time.

The photographic image reading section 100 reads the photographic image from the recording medium, and the read photographic image is transmitted to the printing device 70 by the photographic image transmitting section 130 (S70). The image storage device 50 ends the reception of the photographic image when the scheduled return time of the rental camera 40 comes (S80).

The camera borrower finishes shooting, and returns the rental camera 40 to the rental terminal 60 designated to return by the scheduled return time of the rental camera 40 (S90).
The lending terminal 60 transmits information on the return of the rental camera 40 to the image storage device 50. Image storage device 50
Records on the camera lending sheet 180 that the return has been made.

The printing device 70 prints the photographic image transmitted from the image storage device 50 (S120). The printed print image is delivered to the camera lender (S11).
0). As a delivery method of the photographic image, there are a place where the rental terminal 60 for returning the rental camera 40 is located, delivery to the home address designated by the camera borrower, a delivery place inside the facility, and a delivery place outside the facility. . If you specify the nearest station of the facility as a delivery place outside the facility, you can receive it on the way back from the facility.

The camera borrower can perform the following operations when the vicinity of the facility is designated as the place where the photograph image is to be transferred. That is, the camera renter rents the rental camera 40 at the facility 20 and takes a picture while playing at the facility with the rental camera 40. The camera borrower can quickly receive photos near the facility and enjoy the photos on the way home using the facility.

Since it takes a certain period of time to print a photographic image taken by the rental camera 40, there is a case where a photograph taken immediately before returning the rental camera 40 cannot be printed and handed over to the camera lender. is there. In order to prevent this, the shooting time of the rental camera 40 can be stopped to limit the shooting time in advance. For example, up to 30 minutes before the expected return time is taken as the photographable time, and a print image corresponding to a photographic image taken within that time is reliably delivered when returning the rental camera 40.

If the photographing function is not stopped, it is guaranteed that the photographic image taken 30 minutes before the expected return time will be delivered when the rental camera 40 is returned.
A photographic image taken from 0 minutes to the time of return may be mailed to a designated location.

Sorting of print images is performed using a loan ID for each photographic image. Work such as this sorting work,
If you can do it in advance to return the rental camera 40,
Delivery work can be done smoothly. Also, a limited number is set in advance to the number of images that can be taken by the rental camera 40. In the image storage device 50, when it is confirmed that the number of shots has reached the limit number, the work required for delivery is instructed and executed. In this work, the loan I
D is used.

As described above, the rental camera 40 in the facility 20 is lent to the facility visitors,
The camera borrower who rented 0 walks around the facility 10. The photograph taken in the course of the promenade is automatically transmitted to the image storage device 50, and the print image is printed using the printing device 70. The print image commemorating the visit to the facility is promptly provided to the camera borrower. As a result, a convenient service is provided for a camera borrower, in which a print image can be obtained promptly and the camera need not be carried.

As described above, the present invention has been described using the embodiments. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It should be noted that such modified or improved embodiments may be included in the technical scope of the present invention.
It is clear from the description of the claims.

[0056]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a rental camera which can be used in a facility is provided, and a user can enjoy a printed photograph without taking the trouble of printing. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a facility photograph providing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a rental camera 40 and a mobile phone 30.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image storage device 50.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a sample of a camera usage database 150.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a lending terminal 60.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a sequence chart relating to a camera lending process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 facility photo providing system 20 facility 30 mobile phone 40 rental camera 50 image storage device 60 rental terminal 70 printing device

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Jun Nakamura 2-26-30 Nishiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo Fujisha Shin Film Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5C022 AA00 AC00 5C052 DD02 FA02 FA03 FA07 FA09 FB01 FB05 FC00 FE00 5C054 CC03 CD04 DA07 EA01 EA03 EA07 GA05 HA00

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A camera lent to a facility visitor of a certain facility, the camera capable of transmitting data by wireless communication, an image storage device storing a photographic image taken by the camera, and the image storage A printing device for printing a print image to be handed over to the facility visitor from the photographic image stored in the device, wherein the camera borrower who borrowed the camera walks around the facility, The facility photograph providing system, wherein the photograph image captured by the sender is transmitted to the image storage device. 2. A lending terminal for recording lending of the camera, which is communicably connected to the image storage device, wherein when the camera is lent, the lending terminal sends a camera to the image storage device. The facility photograph providing system according to claim 1, wherein the information storage device is notified that the image data has been lent, and the image storage device can receive data from the lent camera. 3. When the camera is returned, a notification that the camera has been returned is transmitted from the lending terminal to the image storage device, and the image storage device stops receiving data from the camera. The facility photo providing system according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The facility photograph providing system according to claim 1, wherein the print image is delivered to the camera borrower in the facility. 5. The printer according to claim 4, wherein the print image corresponding to the photographic image transmitted to the image storage device by a predetermined time is delivered to a camera borrower in the facility. Facility photo providing system. 6. The facility photograph providing system according to claim 1, wherein the print image is mailed to a place designated by a camera lender. 7. The facility photograph providing system according to claim 1, wherein the means for the camera to output the photograph image to the outside is only means for transmitting the photograph image to the image storage device. 8. The facility photograph providing system according to claim 1, wherein the number of images that can be photographed by the camera is set, and when the number of photographed images reaches the set number, transfer is prepared. 9. A lending ID is provided for each lending of the camera, the lending ID is added to the photographic image stored in the image storage device, and the print image is sorted based on the lending ID. The facility photo providing system according to claim 1, wherein: 10. A camera, comprising: position detecting means for detecting a position of the camera, wherein when the position detecting means determines that the camera is located within a predetermined area, the camera can perform a photographing operation. 2. The facility photograph providing system according to claim 1, wherein: 11. The facility photograph providing system according to claim 1, further comprising a camera detector that detects the camera when the camera passes through the exit of the facility and issues an alarm.