JP2002016786A - Quiz print and its generating method, and quiz marking method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a quiz marking method where a factor of a quiz is integrated in a photo print so as to enhance the amusement performance and induce customers to visit a laboratory for further ordering. SOLUTION: This invention provides the quiz print, its generating method and the quiz marking method that are characterized by that a quiz print that reproduces an image scene corresponding to receiving a print order from a customer and includes a quiz, has areas resulting from dividing the image scene and one quiz area or more set as the quiz area from the areas, and the quiz area results from applying one revision processing such as image synthesis, form revision and color or density revision or more to the image scene.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a quiz print in which an entertaining element is added to a photographic print in which an input image is reproduced, a method for producing the quiz print, and a quiz scoring method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various types of cameras and photographic prints are on the market, and are used for various purposes. In particular, as a recreational print, an image obtained by photographing a subject posing in front of the camera and performing image synthesis with a background pattern, a character, and the like, a still image arranged on each small screen obtained by dividing the same screen into multiple parts, The so-called “Purikura (Print Club)” that prints out as a sticker
(Registered trademark) is widely used. This is used, for example, to peel off a sticker on which an individual image is printed from a multi-divided print sheet of the same screen, and to attach it to a user's belongings or the like. Various types of such “pre-cleaner” products have been developed, but the mainstream is to create an image by combining it with a template image of various characters and the like.

[0003]

However, the conventional photographic prints including the print clubs are merely synthesized with a favorite character or the like by themselves, and are not surprising. That was the end, and there was a problem that it was not yet enough for entertainment. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems. A quiz capable of improving entertainment and inviting a customer to return to a laboratory to order again by incorporating a quiz element into a photographic print. It is an object to provide a print.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a quiz print with a quiz reproducing an image scene for which a print order has been received from a customer. , And one or more quiz areas set as quiz areas from the plurality of areas, wherein the quiz area is any one of image synthesis, shape change, color or density change. A quiz print is provided, wherein one or more change processes are performed on the image scene.

[0005] Similarly, in order to solve the above problems,
A second aspect of the present invention is a method of creating a quiz print with a quiz reproducing an image scene for which a print order has been ordered from a customer, wherein one or more quiz areas are obtained from a plurality of areas obtained by dividing the image scene. And performing at least one of image synthesis, shape change, and color or density change processing on the image scene for the quiz area to create a quiz print. Provides a quiz print creation method.

[0006] When creating the quiz print,
It is preferable that customer identification information and image scene identification information relating to the image scene to be subjected to the change processing, and change processing information including the position of the area to be subjected to the change processing and the details of the change be recorded in a database.

[0007] When creating the quiz print,
With reference to the information recorded in the database,
It is preferable that the pattern of the change processing this time is not the same as the pattern of the change processing for the previous order of the customer who ordered the print.

It is preferable that the contents of the change processing are changed in accordance with a customer who orders the print or a customer of a subject person in an image scene to be subjected to the change processing.

[0009] When creating the quiz print,
It is preferable that, together with the quiz print subjected to the change processing, a print not subjected to the change processing is also created.

[0010] Similarly, in order to solve the above problems,
A third aspect of the present invention is created by selecting one or more areas from an image scene for which a print order has been placed by a customer so that the customer does not know them, and performing a predetermined change process on the selected areas. A quiz scoring method characterized by determining whether or not the customer's indication is correct by comparing information pointed out by the customer about the changed part with information on the change processing recorded in a database. I will provide a.

Preferably, when the result of the determination indicates that the customer indicates a correct answer, the correct answer points are counted, and the customer can receive a privilege in accordance with the correct answer points.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a quiz print according to the present invention, a method for producing the quiz, and a quiz scoring method will be described.
A detailed description will be given based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a digital photo printer for creating a quiz print according to the present invention. A digital photo printer 10 (hereinafter, referred to as a photo printer 10) shown in FIG. 1 basically includes a scanner (image reading device) 12 that photoelectrically reads an image captured on a photographic film, and a scanner 12 that reads the image. An image processing apparatus 14 that performs image processing (particularly, a predetermined change processing described later) of the obtained image data, and that performs operation and control of the entire photo printer 10, and modulates the image data according to the image data processed by the image processing apparatus 14. And a printer (image recording device) 16 for exposing the photosensitive material to an image with a light beam, developing it, and outputting it as a (finished) print.

The image processing apparatus 14 has an operation system 18 having a keyboard 18a and a mouse 18b for inputting (setting) various conditions, selecting and instructing processing, and instructing color / density correction. And a monitor 20 that displays an image read by the scanner 12, various operation instructions, a setting / registration screen for various conditions, and the like. Further, the image processing apparatus 14 is connected to a database 22 in which information on a change process performed on an image as described later is recorded.

The illustrated photo printer 10 photoelectrically reads an image photographed on a film such as a negative film or a reversal film by the scanner 12 and creates a print by reproducing the image. In addition to the above, an image reading apparatus for reading an image of a reflection original, an imaging device such as a digital camera or a digital video camera, a communication means such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a computer communication network, a memory card or an MO. Various types of image reading means and imaging means, such as (a magneto-optical recording medium) and a medium (recording medium) such as a photo CD;
It is also possible to receive image data carrying an image from various image data supply sources, such as an image data storage unit, and create a print in which the image is reproduced.

Hereinafter, creation of a quiz print will be described. A quiz print is a service that is provided to customers as a service in addition to regular prints.For example, a customer answers a print quiz that includes a quiz such as finding mistakes and gives a certain benefit if answered correctly. is there. Alternatively, some ingenuity is added to the print so that the user can receive a certain privilege by taking the print to a lab, for example. As quiz prints, for example, in addition to "Print for Finding Mistakes", "Find a OO Print" or a quiz printed on the back of a print, a story with a quiz element on a part of the print or the back of the print There can be various things such as outputting a certain manga and letting the customer answer the quiz or make them want to see more.

When a customer places an order for printing, for example, in the case of simultaneous printing, after the photographed film is developed, a carrier corresponding to the film is attached to a predetermined position of the scanner 12, and the film is placed on the carrier. An image is read for each frame from the film set at a predetermined position, and the image data is sent to the image processing device 14. In addition to the image data, information on the number of the read image, that is, the frame number of the read image (image data) is also sent to the image processing device 14. The frame number may be determined by the number of readings from the first frame, by reading a bar code stored on the film, or when the film is a new photographic system, It can also be determined from information.

The image data input from the scanner 12 to the image processing device 14 is first subjected to A / D conversion and LOG conversion to digital image data, and then subjected to predetermined processing such as offset correction. Then, image processing is performed according to predetermined image processing conditions. This image data is displayed on the monitor 20. The operator looks at the display on the monitor 20, confirms (verifies) the image, that is, the processing result, and, if necessary, uses the operation system 18 such as the keyboard 18a and the mouse 18b to control the color / density, gradation, and the like. It performs processing such as adjustment, synthesis processing, and partial correction.

As described above, there are many types of quiz prints. For example, a description will be given of a "print for finding mistakes" as an example. The operator looks at the image displayed on the monitor 20 and instructs the operation system 18 to randomly select a plurality of areas (quiz areas) where the original image is to be changed from a plurality of areas obtained by dividing the image scene. To choose. The selection of the quiz area may be performed automatically, not by the operator. The number of selected areas is not particularly limited, but is usually 7 when searching for an error.
It is performed in individual pieces. As the change processing, an image is synthesized by replacing a certain figure in the area with another figure,
By deforming the shape of the figure, changing the direction, changing the color and density, synthesizing a super mini size specific character image etc. in the image, or extracting the subject person in the image in particular, For example, a plurality of local changes may be made for each person.

FIG. 2 shows an example of "print for finding errors". FIG. 2A shows a normal print (original), and FIG. 2B shows a “print for finding a mistake” obtained by performing a change process on the original print. However, the circle as indicated by the symbol A in FIG. 2B is provided to indicate a point different from the original, and is not displayed on an actual print. The example of the “print for finding a mistake” illustrated in FIG. 2B is an orthodox one, and is a combination of graphics in the original image replaced with other graphics. Actually, "Print for Finding Mistakes" is not limited to this example, and various patterns are possible.
For example, the shape of the figure in the original image may be deformed by morphing or the like, or its color may be changed. Alternatively, it is also preferable to change the expression of the subject person from the viewpoint of improving entertainment.

Further, the image processing apparatus 14 creates a “print for finding a mistake”, and records in the database 22 information relating to a change process performed to create the “print for finding a mistake”. The information to be recorded includes a customer ID, an image file name (in the case of a new photo system, a cartridge ID and a frame number), a changed portion (a position in an image) and changed contents, image data, and the like. In addition, the total points obtained by accumulating the number of correct answers until the customer answered the quiz are recorded.

When the customer answers the quiz, these pieces of information are used to compare the customer's answer with the information recorded in the database to make an answer. Also, at the time of reprinting, it is used so that the previous quiz and the change pattern do not overlap, for example, to prevent the change position from being the same. Further, even in the case of simultaneous printing, such information is used in order to prevent the same change pattern as in the previous order.

The image data that has been subjected to the change processing is transferred to the printer 1 together with the image data that has been subjected to only normal image processing.
6 and is output from the printer 16 as a “print for finding a mistake” together with a normal print that is not changed. The “print for finding a mistake” as the quiz print may be created for all the images ordered by the customer, or may be created for only those appropriately selected from the images. The selection of the image for which the quiz print is to be made may be made appropriately by the lab receiving the order, or may be specified by the customer at the time of ordering.

The customer who has received the quiz print ("print for error") writes a circle A on the "print for error" with, for example, magic ink or the like as shown in FIG. Point out and answer. When the customer brings the quiz print in which the answer has been written to the lab, the lab reads the quiz print in which the answer has been written with a scanner, and the image processing device 14 automatically extracts the answer writing location, and the database 2
The number of correct answers is counted by comparing and collating with the information recorded in No. 2 and the number of correct answers is counted and added to the correct answer points recorded in the database 22.

When the customer answers the quiz, the method may be such that the customer can directly bring the quiz print in which the answer is written to the laboratory as described above,
You may make it send to a laboratory using FAX. Alternatively, the customer may use a personal computer to write a circle in the image of the quiz print using retouching software or the like, reply, and send the answer as digital data to the laboratory through personal computer communication.

Various methods can also be used for automatically extracting answer marks such as circles written on the quiz print by the customer as described below. For example, if a customer is asked to write in dark magic ink (registered trademark) such as black in advance, the lab reads the quiz print in which the answer is written, and then binarizes the quiz print with a certain threshold. For example, a circular answer mark can be easily extracted by morphological processing or a pattern matching method. Also, a quiz print image with the answer written,
The position and density range are adjusted between the quiz print image where the answer is not written, and the difference between the two images is taken, so that the written part is raised, and a circular shape is formed by morphological processing or pattern matching method. May be extracted.

In each of the above-described methods, a circular shape may be extracted by edge detection. Alternatively, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 9-13
The answer stamp written on the quiz print can be automatically extracted by the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8471 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-260482.

The number of correct answers is added to the correct answer points, and a privilege according to the correct answer points is provided from the lab to the customer. Benefits include discounts on fees, provision of enlarged prints, character goods, and the like. It is effective to switch the service content according to the customer layer of the customer or the customer layer of the subject person. Alternatively, a service may be requested in advance for each customer, the service may be registered, and the request may be responded to. In this way, by giving a privilege to the quiz print, the entertainment of the photograph is increased, and it is expected that the customer will place an order again with the lab, so that the business performance of the lab can be improved.

Also, at the time of reprinting, a quiz print can be created by performing the same change processing as above, and a quiz print having a different pattern from the previous time is provided to the customer each time reprinting is performed. This will further enhance the entertainment and contribute to improving the performance of the laboratory. In addition, various types of quiz prints can be considered in addition to the “print for finding a mistake”. For example, somewhere in the image, a super mini size image of an anime character or actor, for example, is synthesized, and the customer is asked to search for it. In addition, a manga with a story, or a "manga print" in which a quiz-like element in the sense of a novel is added to the manga, is output. In the case of a comic print with a story, by printing the continuation of the previous time when the next order is made, customers can be returned.

In any case, the quiz print may be any one that can enhance the entertainment of the photograph and can attract customers to the lab again. It is more effective to change the contents of the quiz print in accordance with the type of customer. For example, for infants, you can increase the size of the composite pattern, use anime characters that are popular with children, or for enthusiasts, make the size of the composite pattern extremely small, making it difficult to find Good. In addition, prepare various types of quizzes and composite patterns,
It is also possible to listen to a customer request in advance and respond to the request.

As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, by providing a quiz print with a privilege to a customer, the entertainment of the photograph is increased, and the customer is returned to a lab. The business performance of the lab can be improved.

The quiz print of the present invention, the method of preparing the quiz, and the method of scoring the quiz have been described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various forms may be used without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course, improvements and changes may be made.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to increase the recreational quality of photographs, and to make it possible for customers to return to the lab by providing a service for giving a correct answer to a quiz print.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a digital photo printer for creating a quiz print according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram showing an original image before a change process according to the present embodiment is applied, and FIG. 2B is an example of a mistake finding print created by adding a change process to the original image. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital photo printer 12 Scanner 14 Image processing device 16 Printer 18 Operation system 20 Monitor 22 Database

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A quiz print with a quiz reproducing an image scene for which a print order has been ordered from a customer, comprising: a plurality of areas obtained by dividing the image scene; and a quiz area set from the plurality of areas as a quiz area. And a quiz region, wherein the quiz region is subjected to at least one of image synthesis, shape change, color or density change processing to the image scene. Quiz print to do. 2. A method for creating a quiz print with a quiz reproducing an image scene for which a print order has been ordered from a customer, wherein at least one area is designated as a quiz area from a plurality of areas obtained by dividing the image scene. A quiz print creation method, wherein the quiz area is subjected to at least one of image synthesis, shape change, and color or density change processing for the image scene to create a quiz print. . 3. When the quiz print is created, customer identification information relating to the image scene to be changed, image scene identification information, and change processing information including the position of the area to be changed and the details of the change are recorded in a database. 3. The quiz print creation method according to claim 2, wherein the quiz print is created. 4. When creating the quiz print, referring to the information recorded in the database, the pattern of the current change processing is the pattern of the change processing for the previous order of the customer who ordered the print. 4. The quiz print creation method according to claim 3, wherein the quiz print creation method does not become the same. 5. The change processing according to claim 2, wherein the contents of the change processing are changed according to a customer who orders the print or a customer of a subject person in an image scene to which the change processing is performed. How to make a quiz print. 6. The quiz print creation according to claim 2, wherein when the quiz print is created, a print without the change processing is created together with the quiz print after the change processing. Method. 7. A quiz print created by selecting one or more areas from an image scene for which a print order has been placed by a customer so as to be invisible to the customer and performing a predetermined change process on the selected areas. A quiz scoring method comprising: comparing the information pointed out by the customer with respect to the changed portion with information on the change processing recorded in a database to determine whether or not the customer pointed out is correct. 8. The quiz scoring method according to claim 7, wherein if the result of the determination indicates that the customer indicates a correct answer, the number of correct points is counted, and the customer can receive a privilege according to the correct number of points.