JP2003103814A - Image printer and printing method, print medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print medium on which a more colorful interesting image can be printed. SOLUTION: Based on print data being fed from a CPU 101, the print control section 109 of a printer 52 controls a seal sheet supply/discharge unit 121 to feed a specified seal sheet, a color print unit 122 to perform color print, a monochromatic print unit 123 to perform monochromatic print using monochromatic print ink or sepia color print ink, and a light accumulation color print unit 124 to perform special color print using an ink containing a light accumulation pigment. Furthermore, the print control section 109 controls the seal sheet supply/discharge unit 121 to cut a printed seal sheet into a specified size and to discharge the seal thus cut through a seal take-out opening.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image printing apparatus and method, a print medium, and a program, and more particularly, to a multicolor printing section for performing multicolor printing using multicolor printing ink and a single color printing ink. Provide a print medium on which a more colorful and interesting image is printed by performing printing using a single-color printing unit that performs single-color printing and a special-color printing unit that performs special-color printing using special-color ink The present invention relates to an image printing apparatus and method, a print medium, and a program capable of performing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an image printing apparatus (for example, Print Club (trademark)) which captures an image of a user, synthesizes the image with a frame image prepared in advance, and prints the image on a sticker or the like. ing. Some of the image printing apparatuses are designed so that the user can write (edit) arbitrary characters or figures on the photographed image with an attached pen. In recent years, this editing function has become more and more multifunctional, and editing with various effects is possible.

Further, the image printing apparatus is equipped with two printers for image printing in a housing in accordance with the sophistication and multi-functionalization of the editing function, one of the printers performs sublimation printing, and the other printer. There are also those that perform melt printing of gold and silver.

[0004]

However, recently, it has been required to provide more colorful and interesting effects.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and a multicolor printing section for performing multicolor printing using multicolor printing ink, and a single color for monocolor printing using single color printing ink Printing is performed using the printing unit and the special color printing unit that performs the special color printing using the special color ink, so that it is possible to provide a print medium on which a more colorful and interesting image is printed. To do.

[0006]

An image printing apparatus of the present invention displays a photographing means for photographing a subject, an image of the subject photographed by the photographing means, and an image editing screen used for editing the image of the subject. Display control means for controlling,
Editing means for editing the image of the subject whose display is controlled by the display control means based on the image editing screen whose display is controlled by the display control means, and multi-color printing for multi-color printing using multi-color printing ink The printing unit has a single-color printing unit that performs single-color printing using the single-color printing ink, and a special-color printing unit that performs special-color printing using the special-color ink. The multi-color printing unit, the single-color printing unit, and And a printing unit that prints the image edited by the editing unit on a predetermined printing medium using the special color printing unit.

The photographing means is constituted by a photographing device, the display control means is constituted by a photographing monitor, an edit input monitor, or a captured image display section, the editing means is constituted by a CPU, and the printing means is constituted by a printer. . Also, the multicolor printing unit is composed of a color printing unit,
The single-color printing unit is composed of a single-color printing unit, and the special color printing unit is composed of a luminous color printing unit, a thermal printing unit, a raised printing unit, a plurality of special-color printing units, a lame color printing unit, or the like.

The image photographed by the photographing means is displayed by the display control means. Further, the display control means is a GUI (Graphical User Interfac) which is an image editing screen used for editing the captured image and the captured image.
e) Display the screen. The editing means edits the captured image based on the editing input by the user using the GUI screen,
The printing unit prints the image edited by the editing unit on a predetermined print medium using a multicolor printing unit, a single color printing unit, or a special color printing unit.

With the above arrangement, the user can obtain a print medium on which a more colorful and interesting image is printed.

A storage control means for controlling storage of the image of the subject photographed by the photographing means may be further provided.

The storage control means is composed of a keep image storage section.

It is possible to further include a discharging unit for discharging the print medium on which the image is printed by the printing unit.

The discharging means is composed of a seal outlet.

The color of the multicolor printing ink is yellow,
Including magenta, cyan, or black, single-color printing ink includes monochrome printing ink or sepia-color printing ink, and special color ink includes gold color ink, silver color ink, platinum color ink, and luminous Inks containing pigments, fluorescent inks, temperature indicating inks, raised printing inks or glitter inks may be included.

That is, the color printing unit prints four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and the single-color printing unit performs monochrome printing or sepia color printing. In addition, with a special color printing unit such as a phosphorescent color printing unit, gold color ink,
Printing is performed using a silver ink, a platinum ink, an ink containing a phosphorescent pigment, a fluorescent ink, a temperature indicating ink, a raised printing ink, a lame ink, or the like.

With the above arrangement, the user can obtain a print medium on which a more colorful and interesting image is printed.

The color of the ink printed in the multicolor printing section, the single color printing section, or the special color printing section may be a color other than the above-mentioned colors. For example, in the special printing section, ultra violet ink is used. Thick printing used,
Alternatively, fragrance printing or the like using ink containing fragrance may be performed.

The display control means can display the edit input made by the user using the special color in a blinking manner based on the image edit screen.

That is, when the user edits using gold, for example, the gold portion of the image displayed on the edit input monitor is displayed blinking. As a result, the image displayed on the edit input monitor can be a more colorful and interesting image.

The editing means can perform editing using a plurality of special colors in response to one editing input by the user, which is input to the image based on the image editing screen. .

When the user operates the pen button on the image edit screen and draws a straight line on the image displayed in the image display field, the gold portion printed with the gold ink and the silver ink are printed. A plurality of special color lines composed of the drawn silver parts are drawn. This allows the user to perform more colorful and interesting editing.

The editing means may edit the marble pattern using a plurality of colors in response to one editing input by the user, which is input to the image based on the image editing screen. it can.

When the user operates the pen button on the image edit screen and draws a straight line on the image displayed in the image display field, a straight line of the color selected by the user is drawn in the image display field. In the printing result printed on the sticker sheet, a straight line with a marble pattern is drawn. As a result, the user can obtain a more colorful and interesting print medium.

The printing means further comprises ink selecting means for selecting ink used in printing the image of the subject, and the printing means prints the image of the subject using the ink selected by the ink selecting means. be able to.

The ink selecting means is composed of a CPU. That is, the CPU displays the captured image color selection screen on the edit input monitor, and based on the user's instruction, sets the captured image color to color, monochrome, sepia, or a special color. Select whether or not. As a result, the user can obtain a more colorful and interesting print medium.

The ink selecting means may include a specifying means for specifying a range for selecting ink for an image of a subject.

The designation means is composed of a CPU. When the user operates the range specification button to instruct the range specification on the captured image color selection screen displayed on the edit input monitor by the CPU, the CPU displays the range specification screen on the edit input monitor. When the user designates the range and designates the ink color to be used, the CPU selects the ink color to be used for printing based on the instruction. As a result, the user can obtain a more colorful and interesting print medium.

The predetermined print medium may be a transparent color seal sheet.

For example, the seal sheet supply / discharge unit of the printer supplies the transparent seal sheet to the color printing unit, the single color printing unit, or the luminous color printing unit, and the transparent seal sheet printed by each unit is predetermined. Cut to size and discharge from the seal outlet. As a result, the user can obtain a more colorful and interesting seal sheet.

The image forming apparatus further comprises color selecting means for selecting a color of a predetermined print medium as the background color of the image, and the printing means comprises:
The ink of the color selected by the color selection means can be printed on the transparent seal sheet as the base color.

The color selection means is composed of a CPU. That is, the CPU displays the background color selection screen on the edit input monitor, selects the color to be colored on the transparent sticker sheet as the background color of the image based on the user's instruction, and the printer based on the selection. Color the transparent seal sheet.
As a result, the user can obtain a more colorful and interesting seal sheet.

The editing means responds to a user's edit input to the image based on the image edit screen,
The printing means may edit the image and the background color so as not to partially print the image and the background color.

The CPU performs an edit for creating a portion in which the image and the above-described base color are not printed in the printing by the printer based on the user's instruction input on the image editing screen. This allows the user to perform more colorful and interesting edits on the captured image.

In addition to the multi-color printing section for multi-color printing using the multi-color printing ink of the present invention, a single-color printing section for performing single-color printing using the single-color printing ink or a special-color ink is used. An image printing method of an image printing apparatus having a special color printing unit for performing special color printing includes a shooting control step for controlling shooting of a subject, an image of the subject whose shooting is controlled by the processing of the shooting control step, and an image of the subject. Based on the display control step for controlling the display of the image editing screen used for editing the image and the image editing screen whose display is controlled by the processing of the display controlling step, the image of the subject whose display is controlled by the processing of the display controlling step The editing step for editing the image and the multicolor printing unit, the single color printing unit, or the special color printing unit is used to convert the image whose editing is controlled by the control of the editing step into a predetermined printing medium Characterized in that it comprises a print control step of controlling the printing on.

The print medium of the present invention is characterized by being printed by the image printing method described above.

The print medium is, for example, a seal sheet composed of a predetermined number of stickers. This seal sheet is
It is possible to use a sheet having seals of the same size or a sheet having seals of various sizes. Of course, it may be one large seal. The print medium is not limited to the seal sheet, and may be paper, for example, a card such as a telephone card, a cloth such as a T-shirt, a heat transfer seal, or a large poster. .

A program of the present invention causes a computer to execute the above-described image printing method.

The program of the present invention is recorded in a predetermined recording medium, read by, for example, a drive, and installed in the image printing apparatus. The recording medium is a magnetic disk such as a floppy disk, CD-ROM (Compact D
isk Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile D
optical disk, such as isk), MD (Mini Disk) (trademark)
And the like, or a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0039]

1 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of an image printing apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied.

A coin insertion slot 21 is provided on the upper left side of the surface 11-1 of the housing 11 of the image printing apparatus 1, and the user inserts a predetermined amount of money when using the image printing apparatus 1. . Further, a photographing guidance speaker 22 is provided on the upper right side of the surface 11-1. Shooting guide speaker 22
Outputs various types of voice guidance and informs the user of a shooting method (procedure for creating a sticker).

A CRT (Cathode Ray Tu) is provided on the surface 11-2, which is located above the center of the surface 11-1 and faces upward by a predetermined angle.
be) and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The shooting monitor 23 displays a screen for guiding the shooting method and a shooting device 41 as described later.
The image of the subject captured by is displayed.

On the right side of the surface 11-2, there is a surface 11-3R which is directed obliquely upward by a predetermined angle, and the operation panel 24 is installed on that surface. The operation panel 24 includes various operation buttons operated by the user, and is operated, for example, when adjusting the zoom of the camera 42. On the operation panel 24, for example, a “◯ button” that is operated when making a decision with respect to various selections displayed on the imaging monitor 23, an “x button” that is operated when canceling the decided, shooting "+ Button" that is operated when moving the cursor or the like displayed on the monitor 23,
A "-button" and the like are arranged, and in addition, a "shooting start button" that is operated when instructing the start of shooting is appropriately arranged.

Further, on the left and right of the surface 11-2, surfaces 11-4R and 11-4L which are substantially perpendicular to the floor are provided,
Lighting devices 25-1R and 25-1L are arranged on the respective surfaces. The lighting devices 25-1R and 25-1L have light-emitting bodies (flashes) inside, and when the user instructs to start shooting, and the image captured by the camera 42 is stored as a still image (when capturing). , The subject is illuminated according to the timing.

The surface 11-5R, 1 on the upper surface of the housing 11
Similarly to the surfaces 11-4R and 11-4L, the illumination devices 25-2R and 25-2L are also arranged on the 1-5L. The lighting devices 25-2R and 25-2L have light-emitting bodies inside, and the light-emitting bodies emit light at the timing when the lighting devices 25-1R and 25-1L illuminate the subject. Lighting device 25-
The light (flash) emitted from 2R and 25-2L is reflected by the flash reflection plate 26 and illuminates the subject. That is, the flash reflection plate 26 is attached so as to be inclined in the direction in which the user in front of the housing 11 is illuminated.

A photographing device 41 is installed above the housing 11. A CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is provided on the surface of the photographing device 41 that is inclined downward by a predetermined angle.
Or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconduc
A camera 42 formed of, for example, a tor) and a captured image display unit 43 formed of a small LCD are arranged. The camera 42 captures an image of a subject, and the image (moving image) is displayed on the captured image display unit 33. Since the captured image display unit 43 is provided in the vicinity of the CCD camera 32, the user confirms his or her image displayed on the captured image display unit 43 while taking a picture with his or her line of sight directed toward the camera 42. can do.

The surface 11-6, which is the left side surface of the housing 11, is
An edit input monitor 31 including a CRT or LCD, an edit guide speaker 32, a touch pen 33, and a sticker take-out port 34 are provided.

The image photographed by the camera 42, selected as an image to be edited, and stored is displayed on the edit input monitor 31 after the user finishes the photographing process. The edit input monitor 31 has a touch panel 113 (see FIG. 8).
Are stacked, and the user operates the touch pen 33 with respect to the image displayed on the edit input monitor 31 to select an image to be edited (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as an image to be edited). You can write (input) characters and figures.

In other words, the user is a place in front of the front surface (surface 11-1) of the housing 11 (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a photographing space).
After photographing himself, the user moves to a place in front of the surface 11-6 (hereinafter referred to as an editing space as appropriate) and edits the photographed image of himself.

The edit input monitor 31 displays selection buttons of various editing tools together with the image to be edited. Then, the edit input monitor 31 uses the touch pen 33.
When written in, the edited image generated in response to the input is displayed.

The editing guidance speaker 32 outputs voice guidance for explaining the editing input method to the user.

The touch pen 33 is used for the edit input monitor 31.
When the touch panel 113 stacked on the touch panel 113 is not used for editing, it is configured according to the position detection method (for example, resistance film type, ultrasonic type, etc.) of the touch panel 113, and is provided on the surface 11-6 as shown in the figure. Be caught in.

The sticker take-out port 34 discharges a sticker sheet on which an edited image is printed, which is made up of a plurality of stickers of a predetermined number and size.

In FIG. 1, the image printing apparatus 1
In the above description, the shooting space for shooting and the editing space for editing the shot image are provided at different positions. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and shooting and editing may be performed in one space. .

A printer 52 is installed inside the housing 11 and is displayed on the edit input monitor 31. The user operates the touch pen 33 to print the edited image on the sticker sheet. The printed sticker sheet is discharged from the sticker take-out port 34.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of the image printing apparatus 1 of FIG.

A background panel 93 is installed at a position facing the front surface (surface 11-1) of the housing 11 and is separated by a predetermined distance, and the user photographs the space between the housing 11 and the background panel 93. Take a picture of yourself as a space. In addition,
A curtain frame 91 is installed horizontally on the upper surface of the housing 11, and a curtain 92 is attached to the curtain frame 91 so that the inside of the photographing space cannot be seen from the outside.

Curtain frames 94-1 and 94-2 are installed on the surface 11-6 of the housing 11 in the vertical direction, and the curtain frame 94-1 and 94-2 are installed at the tip of the curtain frame 95 facing the surface 11-6. Is attached. That is, the user inputting the edit and the image displayed on the edit input monitor 31 cannot be seen from the outside.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of each device in the photographing space. In FIG. 3, for convenience of explanation, the curtain frame 91 and the curtain 9 shown in FIG.
2, background panel 93, curtain frames 94-1 and 94
-2, and the curtain 95 are omitted.

In the shooting space, there is a shooting table 96 composed of two stairs and an upper slope, and the user can take various poses by using this shooting table 96. You can enjoy shooting. Also, the shooting table 9
In the vicinity of 6, the operation panel 2 installed in the housing 11
An operation panel 97 for the imaging stand on which the same operation buttons as those in No. 4 are arranged is installed. That is, the user
Even if the user does not approach the (operation panel 24), the operation button of the operation panel operation panel 97 can be operated to take an image.

Various information input from the operation table 97 for the imaging stand is supplied to the image printing apparatus 1 via the cable 98 under the floor.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement example when FIG. 2 is viewed from above, and the movement of the user will be described with reference to this diagram. The shaded area 23 indicates that the photographing monitor 23 is installed on that surface, and the shaded area 31 indicates that the edit input monitor 31 is installed on that surface.

In FIG. 4, a white arrow indicates the direction of travel of the user. When shooting, the user enters the shooting space between the housing 11 and the background panel 93 and uses the shooting table 96. Then take various poses and shoot.

When the shooting in the shooting space is finished, a guide screen for the editing space is displayed on the shooting monitor 23, and the user follows the guidance and participates in the shooting space as shown by the white arrow. And enter the editing space. After editing the image to be edited, the user receives the sticker sheet discharged from the sticker take-out port 34.

As described above, by providing the shooting space and the editing space at different positions, when there is a user waiting next time, that user is different from the user who has been shooting in the shooting space until then. Enter the shooting space in exchange,
You can start shooting. Therefore, the waiting time for shooting can be shortened, and at the same time, the editing time can be set longer. As a result, from the side of the administrator who manages the image printing apparatus 1, the turnover rate of the user is improved, and the profit rate is improved.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration example of the image printing apparatus 1 of FIG. Description of the parts described in FIGS. 1 to 4 will be omitted.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101
Is a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102 or RAM from the program storage unit 104.
According to the program loaded in the (Random Access Memory) 103, the entire operation of the image printing apparatus 1 is controlled by the bus 110.
Control through. The RAM 103 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 101 to execute various processes.

The program storage unit 104 comprises a hard disk and its drive and stores various programs executed by the CPU 101. The drive 105 is a magnetic disk such as a floppy disk or a hard disk,
A program stored in a recording medium such as an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or a DVD is read and supplied to the program storage unit 104 or the like via the bus 110. For example, the drive 105 supplies a new frame image to be combined with the image of the subject.

Inside the photographing device 41, a camera control unit 106 is arranged in addition to the above-mentioned camera 42 and captured image display unit 43. The camera control unit 106 is operated by the user through the operation panel 24 or the imaging stand operation panel 97.
The zoom ratio of the camera 42, the amount of light to be captured, and the like are controlled according to the adjustment request of the camera 42 input by operating the.

The keep image storage unit 107 stores a predetermined number of images selected by the user as images to be edited. For example, the keep image storage unit 107 stores up to six keep images (edit target images).

The coin processing unit 108 counts the coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 21, and when it determines that a predetermined amount of money set in advance as an image creation price has been inserted, notifies the CPU 101 of it.

The printer 52 stocks a plurality of types of seal sheets of seals divided into a predetermined number and sizes, and prints the edited image on the seal sheet selected by the user. The sticker sheet printed by the printer 52 is discharged from the sticker take-out port 34 and provided to the user.

Inside the printer 52, a seal sheet supply / discharge unit 121 for supplying a seal sheet, which is a print medium, to each printing unit described later, cutting the printed seal sheet into a predetermined size, and discharging it. A color printing unit 122 that performs color printing using inks of colors such as cyan, magenta, yellow, or black, monochrome printing using inks for monochrome printing, and sepia color printing using inks for sepia printing etc. A monochromatic printing unit 123 for performing, a phosphorescent color printing unit 12 for performing printing using an ink containing a phosphorescent pigment, a fluorescent color ink, or the like.
4 and a printer control unit 109 that controls the operation of each unit described above.

The printer control unit 109 controls the drive of each unit based on the print data supplied from the CPU 101, and causes the seal sheet supply / discharge unit 121 to supply the designated seal sheet, and the color printing unit 1
The designated printing unit of the 22, monochromatic printing unit 123, or the luminous color printing unit 124 is caused to perform printing. Further, the printer control unit 109 controls the seal sheet supply / discharge unit 121 to cut the printed seal sheet into a predetermined size, and the seal take-out port 3
Discharge via 4

In the color printing unit 122, an ink sheet 131 for color printing as shown in FIG. 6 is used as the ink. Ink sheet for color printing 1
As shown in FIG. 6, 31 is a ribbon sheet in which sublimation type thermal transfer layers composed of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are sequentially arranged in the ribbon extending direction. It is configured. Color printing unit 12
An ink sheet 1 for color printing has a print head 2 composed of a thermal head which is a heating element.
The ink, which is the solid pigment of 31, is vaporized and fixed on the print medium. The print head can adjust the heat applied to the ink of the color printing ink sheet 131, and thus the amount of the ink fixed on the print medium can be adjusted.

In the monochromatic printing unit 123, a monochromatic printing ink sheet 132 as shown in FIG. 7 is used as the ink. Ink sheet 132 for monochromatic printing
7 is composed of a ribbon sheet in which sublimation type thermal transfer layers composed of monochrome ink and sepia color ink are sequentially arranged in the extending direction of the ribbon. The single-color printing unit 123 has a print head including a thermal head that is a heating element, and vaporizes the ink, which is the solid pigment of the single-color printing ink sheet 132, to fix it on the print medium. The print head can adjust the heat applied to the ink of the single-color printing ink sheet 132, and thus the amount of the ink fixed on the print medium can be adjusted.

In the luminous color printing unit 124, ink containing a luminous pigment is used. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which ink containing a phosphorescent pigment is printed on a seal sheet. As shown in FIG. 8A, the ink containing the phosphorescent pigment printed on the seal sheet 141 in a star shape is the same as the normal ink in a bright place, but as shown in FIG. 8B,
It emits light when moved to a dark place. This is because the phosphorescent pigment absorbs ultraviolet rays in a bright place and then emits light in a dark place. When fluorescent-colored ink is used instead of the ink containing a phosphorescent pigment, it is possible to perform printing as if emitting light in a bright place.

The audio output control unit 111 controls the speaker 22 for shooting guidance based on the control of the CPU 101, and various audio guidances for explaining the shooting method and the like, for example, shutter sound when capturing a still image, etc. Output a sound effect. Then, the audio output control unit 114 controls the editing guidance speaker 32 to output various audio guidances for explaining the editing method and the like, sound effects generated when writing the image, and the like. In this way, different sounds are output to the photographing guidance speaker 22 and the editing guidance speaker 32 as needed.

The display processor 112 keeps the image stored in the keep image storage unit 1 when the photographing process is completed and the user starts editing.
The keep image transferred from 07 via the bus 110 is stored in the built-in memory 112A. Then, when an edit input is made on the touch panel 113, the display processor 112 detects the input position on the edit target image, reflects it on the edit target image, and displays it on the edit input monitor 31. Although the edit input monitor 31 and the touch panel 113 are shown in different positions in FIG. 8, they are actually stacked and arranged.

Next, referring to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 10, the image photographing process of the image printing apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 will be described. Further, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 11 to 19 as necessary.

First, in step S1, the CPU 101
The CPU 101 causes the photographing monitor 23 to display a demonstration screen (hereinafter, referred to as a demo screen) such as a shooting progress method stored in the program storage unit 104.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a demo screen displayed on the photographing monitor 23. In this display example,
The message "Please insert money" is displayed.

In step S2 of FIG. 9, the CPU 101
Determines whether or not a predetermined price (seal sheet creation price) has been input, based on the output from the coin processing unit 108, displays a demo screen and waits until it is determined that it has been input. If the CPU 101 determines that the payment has been made, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S3, and displays an explanation screen explaining various functions and a photographing method on the photographing monitor 23. It should be noted that the moving image captured by the camera 42 is displayed on the captured image display unit 43 in response to the insertion of coins.

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of an explanation screen displayed on the photographing monitor 23, which is a screen for selecting whether the image to be photographed is a vertically long image or a horizontally long image. . The message "Please select with +/- button" is displayed, and when the user operates the operation panel 24 or the "+ button" on the operation panel 97 for the imaging stand, a vertically long image is taken. When the "-button" is operated, a horizontally long image can be taken. Further, the remaining number of shootable images (the number of keep images) is displayed as “6” on the upper right of the screen.

FIG. 13 is a view showing another example of the explanation screen displayed on the photographing monitor 23. For example, it is displayed after the direction of the image to be photographed is selected in FIG.
In this example, a message "Please adjust the zoom with +/- buttons. Press the start button when ready" is displayed, and the user operates the operation panel 2
3 or by operating the “+ button” and “− button” of the operation table 97 for the imaging stand, the zoom adjustment of the camera 42 can be performed.

Returning to FIG. 9, in step S4, the CPU
When the user inputs to adjust the camera 42 according to the explanation screens shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, 101 controls the camera control unit 106 based on the input. For example, when the “+ button” is selected on the explanation screen as shown in FIG. 12, the camera control unit 106
Controls the camera 42 based on an instruction from the CPU 101 so that the captured image is a vertically long image.

In step S5, the CPU 101 determines, based on the output from the operation panel 24 or the operation table 97 for the imaging stand, whether or not the imaging start button operated at the time of starting the imaging is operated. If it is determined that the operation has not been performed, the process returns to step S3 and the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, when the CPU 101 determines that the shooting start button has been operated, the process proceeds to step S6, the countdown indicator is displayed on the shooting monitor 23, and the image shot by the camera 42 is stored at the shooting timing. To do.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the photographing monitor 23 in step S6. As shown in FIG. 14, the countdown indicator 151
Is displayed and, for example, lighting is started in order from the signal on the left side, and when the signal on the rightmost side is turned on, the image taken by the camera 32 is stored. In this example, the message "Yes, pause!" Is displayed at the same time as the timing of shooting.

When it is time to take a picture, the CPU 1
01 controls the illumination devices 25-1L and 25-1R and the illumination devices 25-2L and 25-2R to illuminate the subject with a flash, and at the same time, displays an image captured by the camera 42 as a still image. Save as
The keep image storage unit 107 stores it.

In step S7 of FIG. 9, the CPU 101
Displays the confirmation screen of the image photographed in step S7 on the photographing monitor 23.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the image confirmation screen. The image photographed in step S6 is displayed in the approximate center of the photographing monitor 23, and a message "Is this all right?"
Please press the ○ / × button. ”Is displayed. The user can select whether or not to save the displayed image as a keep image by operating the “○ button” or the “x button” on the operation panel 24 or the imaging stand operation panel 97. .

Then, the CPU 101 executes step S in FIG.
8, the operation panel 24 or the imaging stand operation panel 97
Based on the input from, it is determined whether or not it is instructed to save as a keep image, and it is not instructed ("×
If it is determined that the "button" has been operated), step S9
Proceed to step S6, the image is captured in step S6, and the keep image storage unit 10
The image stored in 7 is erased. Then, the process returns to step S3, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

If it is determined in step S8 that saving as a keep image has been selected (the "○ button" has been operated), the CPU 101 determines in step S1.
Go to 0 and add that image to the keep image.

Then, in step S11, the CPU 1
01 confirms the number of keep images stored in the keep image storage unit 107, and determines whether the remaining number of shootable images has become “0”, or the output from the operation panel 24 or the operation table 97 for the shooting table. Based on this, it is determined whether or not the "shooting end button" has been operated, and when it is determined that the remaining number of shootable images is not "0" and the "shooting end button" has not been operated, the process returns to step S3. , The same photographing process is repeatedly executed.

The CPU 101, in step S11,
When it is determined that the remaining number of shootable images has become “0” or the “shooting end button” has been operated, the process proceeds to step S12 in FIG. 10 and it is determined whether the image edit print process is being executed. When it is determined that the image edit print process is being executed, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S13, and displays on the photographing monitor 23 a selection screen as to whether or not to retake the keep image or to play the game. Let

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the selection screen displayed on the photographing monitor 23 in step S13.
In this example, a message "Please select either with +/- button and push the ○ button." Is displayed, and the user has "+ button" on the operation panel 24 or the operation table 97 for the imaging stand. It is said that it is possible to re-take the keep image by operating, and to play a game (strike the mole) by operating the "-button". By making it possible to retake a keep image or play a game during the waiting time until the editing process is performed, the waiting user can wait until the user who first performs the editing process finishes the editing process and the printing process. You can wait without getting bored.

Returning to FIG. 10, in step S14,
The CPU 101, based on the input from the operation panel 24,
It is determined whether or not the retake of the keep image is selected (in the above-described example, whether or not the “+ button” is operated),
When it is determined that the retake of the keep image is selected, the process proceeds to step S15.

The CPU 101, in step S15,
Display the selection screen of the image to be retaken on the shooting monitor 23,
Let the user choose. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting an image to be retaken. As shown in FIG. 17, the keep image stored in the keep image storage unit 107 is displayed. In the example of FIG. 17, “Which one do you want to take again?”
Use the +/- buttons to select and the ○ button to confirm. Message is displayed, and the user can operate the cursor 152 to delete one image from the keep images already taken and take the image again. In addition, the user
Before the keep image fills all the number of shootable images (in the case of the above example, before shooting "6" keep images)
When the shooting is ended by operating the “shooting end button”, the selection screen of the image to be deleted may not be displayed.

Then, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S16 of FIG. 10 and determines whether or not an image to be re-taken (image to be erased) is selected based on the output from the operation panel 24 or the imaging stand operation panel 97. Then, if it is determined that it has not been selected, the process returns to step S15 and waits until it is selected. The CPU 101 also executes step S16.
If it is determined that the image is selected, the step S17
When the timing for shooting is reached by controlling the keep image storage unit 107 to erase the selected image and displaying the countdown indicator 151 as described with reference to FIG. , Take a picture. After that, an image confirmation screen (FIG. 15) and the like are displayed, and the same processing as that described above is executed.

At step S18, the CPU 101
Similar to the case of step S12, it is determined whether or not the image edit print process is being executed. When it is determined that the image edit print process is being executed, the process returns to step S15, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

In step S14, the CPU 10
1 is the operation panel 24 or the operation table 97 for the imaging stand.
If it is determined that the retake of the keep image is not selected (the game (strike the round) is selected) based on the input from, the process proceeds to step S19, and the photographing monitor 23
Display the game screen on.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen (mole strike screen) displayed on the photographing monitor 23. In this example, the user can move the hammer 153 by operating the "○ button", "x button", "+ button", and "-button" on the operation panel so that the user can play the cross-hit game. There is.

Then, after the lapse of a predetermined time (or after the end of the game), the CPU 101 proceeds to step S20 of FIG. 10 to determine whether the image edit print process is being executed and to execute it. If it is determined that the process is in progress, the process returns to step S19 and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

When the CPU 101 determines in step S18 and S20 that the user who has previously taken the image is executing the image edit print processing, the CPU 101 executes step S1.
It is also possible to return to step 3 and repeat the subsequent processing. Thereby, for example, a user who is tired of the game can re-take the keep image and can wait the time until the editing space becomes available without being bored.

If it is determined in step S12, step S18, or step S20 that the image editing process is not being executed, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S21 to display the image editing guide screen on the photographing monitor 23.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the guide screen displayed in step S21. In this example,
Along with the appearance of the image printing apparatus 1, a screen prompting the user to move to the editing space with an arrow and a message "You can do graffiti (editing) sideways. Go outside and do graffiti." The user confirms this screen, exits the shooting space, and moves to the editing space. If there is a user waiting for a turn, that user enters the shooting space instead of moving out of the shooting space and moving to the editing space. You can start.

Then, in response to the guide screen displayed on the photographing monitor 23, the user who has moved to the editing space edits the keep image.

A guide screen is displayed on the photographing monitor 23,
When the predetermined time has elapsed, the CPU 101 returns to step S1 in FIG. 9 and the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed.
If another user starts the shooting process while the user who has finished shooting is performing the editing process, step S
The processing from 1 onward is executed in parallel with the image edit printing processing described later.

Next, with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 20, the image edit printing process executed for the edit space will be described.

First, in step S41, the CPU 10
1 also displays the screen on the edit input monitor 31.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the demo screen displayed on the edit input monitor 31, and the image selected as the image to be edited after being photographed is displayed on the edit input monitor 31. Please start from shooting ”message is displayed.

Returning to FIG. 20, in step S42,
The CPU 101 controls the display processor 112 so that the keep image data is transferred to the keep image storage unit 1 via the bus 110.
It is determined whether or not the data has been transferred from 07 to the display processor 112, and if it is determined that the data has not been transferred, step S4.
It returns to 1 and waits until it is determined that the data has been transferred. That is, when the processing related to shooting is finished and the processing related to editing is started, the CPU 101 transfers the keep image stored in the keep image storage unit 107 to the display processor 112. If it is determined in step S42 that the keep image data has been transferred to the display processor 112, the CP
U101 progresses to step S43 and displays processor 1
12 is controlled to store the keep image data in the memory 112A incorporated in the display processor 112.

The CPU 101 having the keep image data stored in the memory 112A executes the print setting process in step S44. Details of the print setting process will be described later with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In step S45, the CPU 101
The display processor 112 is controlled to edit the monitor 31 for input.
Display the image edit screen on.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of the image edit screen displayed on the edit input monitor 31. 22, the image edit screen 201 basically includes an image display field 211 for displaying an image to be edited, a color selection field 212 for selecting a color used by the user for editing, and an input tool ( A pen button 213 for selecting a pen as a writing tool, a character stamp button 214 for selecting a character stamp as an input tool by the user, and a pattern stamp button for selecting a pattern stamp as an input tool by the user 21
5. An eraser button 216 for selecting an eraser as an input tool when operated by the user, and an end button 217 for terminating the image editing screen 201 when operated by the user.

The eraser function, which is selected by the user by operating the eraser button 216, can be edited by the user when the image is printed on the transparent sticker sheet whose background color is colored according to the user's instruction. Not only the edited image but also the captured image and the background color may be erased. In this case, at the time of printing, the background color, the photographed image, and the edited image are not printed at all in the portion designated by the eraser function, and are rendered transparent.

Returning to FIG. 20, in step S46,
The CPU 101 controls the display processor 112, identifies various instructions input by the user with the touch pen 33 based on the input from the touch panel 113, and edits the edit target image accordingly. The CPU 101 controls the display processor 112, for example, stores the image selected as the image to be edited in the two frame buffers, and reflects the input edit on the image of one frame. Then, the CPU 101 controls the display processor 112, and when the edit is canceled (when the eraser process is input), the data of the corresponding portion of the image of the frame (the other image) in which the edit is not reflected. Is reflected in the frame of the image in which the edit is reflected, thereby canceling the edit.

In step S47, the CPU 101 controls the display processor 112 to edit the image edited based on the input from the touch panel 113 to the edit input monitor 31.
To display. That is, on the edit input monitor 31,
Of the two frame buffers described above, the image stored in the frame buffer that reflects the edit is displayed, and when the user writes, the write is reflected and displayed in real time.

At step S48, the CPU 101
Whether or not the time limit has elapsed, or the image editing screen 201
Of the end button (not shown) is operated, and when it is determined that the time limit has not elapsed and the end button is not operated, the process returns to step S46, and the subsequent processing is performed. Execute repeatedly.

When it is determined that the time limit has elapsed or the end button is operated based on the input from the touch panel 113, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S49,
Perform print processing. Details of the printing process will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The CPU 101 which has completed the printing process returns to step S41 and repeats the subsequent processes.

Details of the print setting process executed in step S44 of FIG. 20 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S61, the CPU 10
1 controls the display processor 112 to display the division number selection screen on the edit input monitor 31.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a division number selection screen displayed on the edit input monitor 31.

On the division number selection screen 231 shown in FIG. 24, the message "Please select the division number." Is displayed at the bottom of the screen, and the user touches the touch pen 33.
To move the cursor 232 and press the enter button 2
By operating 33, it is possible to select a desired number of divided seal sheets. In addition, the user is "mixed division" in which one seal sheet is divided into seals of various sizes, "32 divisions" in which one seal sheet is divided into 32 seals of the same size, 1 Divide each seal sheet into 25 seals of the same size.
A desired number of divided seal sheets can be selected from "5 divisions" and "9 divisions" in which one seal sheet is divided into nine seals of the same size. When a seal sheet can be selected from a plurality of patterns, as shown in FIG. 24,
It is indicated by arrows on the left and right of the screen. The user can scroll the screen and change the displayed seal sheet by operating the touch pen and the arrow.

Returning to FIG. 23, the user selects the division number screen 2
If you select the seal sheet with the number of divisions you like from 31, CP
U101 progresses to step S62 and displays processor 1
12 is controlled to display the background color selection screen on the editing monitor 31.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of the background color selection screen displayed on the edit input monitor 31.

On the background color selection screen 241 shown in FIG. 25, a message "Please select a background color." Is displayed at the bottom of the screen. Further, in the center of the screen, a picture of the seal sheet of the number of divisions selected by the user on the number of divisions selection screen 231 is displayed. Then, on the right side, a color selection field 242 for the user to select a background color is displayed. The user operates the touch pen 33 to select the color selection field 2
When a color is selected from 42, the color of the sticker sheet displayed in the center of the screen changes to the color selected by the user. Then, the user further operates the enter button 243 to select a favorite color as the background color.

The background color is the color of the sticker sheet on which the photographed image is printed. When the color selected by the user is other than white, the seal sheet supply / discharge unit 121 of the printer 52 supplies a transparent seal sheet, and the supplied seal sheet is used in the printing unit that prints the color selected by the user. , Colored. If the color selected by the user is white, the seal sheet supply / discharge unit 121 of the printer 52 supplies a normal white seal sheet.

Returning to FIG. 23, the user selects the background color selection screen 2
When the user selects a desired background color from 41, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S63 to control the display processor 112 to display the photographed image color selection screen on the editing monitor 31.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a photographed image color selection screen displayed on the edit input monitor 31.

The photographed image color selection screen 25 shown in FIG.
In No. 1, the message "Please select the color of the captured image." Is displayed at the bottom of the screen. Further, an image display field 252 is provided in the center of the screen, and the captured image before editing is displayed. On the right side, a color button 253 that is set by the user to perform color printing of the captured image displayed in the image display field 252, and a user operates the color button 253 to display in the image display field 252. The monochrome button 254 for setting the monochrome image of the captured image being displayed, and the sepia button 255 for setting the monochrome image of the captured image displayed in the image display field 252 by the user's operation. Image display field 25
2 is provided with a special color button 256 for setting to print the photographed image displayed in No. 2 in a special color and a range specification button 257 for displaying a screen for specifying a range for setting a color by a user operation. There is.

The user operates the touch pen 33 to select one of the color button 253, the monochrome button 254, the sepia color button 255, and the special color button 256 to select the color of the photographed image. When the color of the captured image is selected by the user, the image display field 25
The color of the captured image displayed in 2 changes. Further, the user can operate the range designation button 257 to designate a range for selecting a color. The user operates the touch pen 33 to operate the range selection button 257, or
When the predetermined time has elapsed, the captured image color selection screen 251 is ended.

With this, the photographed image before editing can be printed on the sticker sheet by monochrome printing, sepia color printing, special color printing, etc. in addition to the normal color printing, and the user can enjoy more colorful and interesting images. It is possible to obtain a seal sheet that is printed with a certain amount. Also, FIG.
2 in the image display field 211 of the image editing screen 201 of FIG.
6 or a captured image of a color selected by the user in FIG. 27 described later is displayed.

Returning to FIG. 23, the CPU 101 executes step S
At 64, it is determined whether the user has operated the range designation button 257 of the captured image color selection screen 251. When it is determined that the operation has been performed, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S65 and displays the range designation screen on the edit input monitor 31.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of the range designation screen 261 displayed on the edit input monitor 31.

In FIG. 27A, edit input monitor 31
At the bottom of the range designation screen 261 displayed in, the message "Please specify range" is displayed. An image display field 262 is displayed above the message, and the captured image is displayed. On the right side of the image display field 262, a color button 26 that is set by the user to perform color printing within the designated range
3. The monochrome button 26 that is set by the user to perform monochrome printing within the specified range
4. A sepia button 265 that is set by the user to print in a specified range in sepia color,
A special color button 266 that is set by the user to perform special color printing within the designated range is provided.

The user operates the touch pen 33 on the range specification screen 261 shown in FIG. 27A to specify the range on the image display field 262. When the user specifies a range, a message "Please specify a color within the range" is displayed at the bottom of the range specification screen 261 displayed on the edit input monitor 31, as shown in FIG. 27B. . When the user operates the color button 263, the monochrome button 264, the sepia button 265, or the special color button 266, the color within the range designated by the user in the image display field 262 changes accordingly. When the predetermined time has passed, the range designation screen 261 is ended.

In the photographed image color selection screen 251, when the user operates the touch pen 33 to select a color to be printed and then operates the range designation button 257, the range designated screen is within the range designated by the user. In step 261, printing is performed in the color instructed by the user, and outside the range, the photographed image color selection screen 251 is set to be printed in the color instructed by the user.

As a result, for example, a part of the photographed image is printed in color and the other is printed in monochrome, or a part of the photographed image is printed in a special color such as gold and the other is printed in sepia. The user can print the captured images in various combinations. The above-described setting of the captured image is reflected when it is displayed in the image display field 211 of the image editing screen 201 of FIG.

As described above, the user can obtain a sticker sheet on which a more colorful and interesting image is printed.

Returning to FIG. 23, when the processing ends in step S65, the CPU 101 ends the print setting processing, and the processing in FIG.
0 to step S45.

In step S64 of FIG. 23,
If it is determined that the user has not operated the range designation button, the CPU 101 ends the print setting process, and proceeds to step S45 in FIG.

Details of the printing process executed in step S49 of FIG. 20 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S81, the CPU 10
1 transfers the edited image data to the printer 52 via the bus 110, controls the printer control unit 120 of the printer 52 based on the setting created in the print setting process shown in FIG. The seal sheet supply / discharge unit 121 is made to supply the seal sheet of the division number and color (white or transparent) designated by the user.

At step S82, the CPU 101
Whether or not to perform color printing is determined based on the settings created in the print setting process shown in FIG. 23 and the edited image data. If it is determined that color printing is to be performed, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S83, controls the printer control unit 120, and performs color printing on the sticker sheet supplied by the color printing unit 122. The CPU 101 that has completed the color printing proceeds to step S84.

If it is determined in step S82 that color printing is not to be performed, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S84.

At step S84, the CPU 101
Based on the settings created in the print setting process shown in FIG. 23 and the edited image data, it is determined whether monochrome printing, sepia color printing, or other single-color printing is to be performed. When it is determined that the monochromatic printing is performed, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S85 to control the printer control unit 120 to perform monochromatic printing on the sticker sheet supplied by the monochromatic printing unit 123. CPU10 that completed single color printing
In step 1, the process proceeds to step S86.

If it is determined in step S84 that monochrome printing is not to be performed, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S84.
Proceed to 86.

In step S86, the CPU 101
Based on the setting created in the print setting process shown in FIG. 23 and the edited image data, it is determined whether or not special printing such as fluorescent color printing or luminous color printing is performed. When it is determined that the special printing is performed, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S87 to control the printer control unit 120 to perform the special color printing on the sticker sheet supplied by the luminous color printing unit 124. CPU 101 for which special color printing has finished
Proceeds to step S88.

If it is determined in step S86 that special printing is not to be performed, the CPU 101 determines in step S86.
Proceed to 88.

In step S88, the CPU 101
Control the printer control unit 120 to supply the seal sheet.
The ejecting unit 121 ejects the printed sticker sheet through the sticker take-out port 34. When the sticker sheet is discharged, the CPU 101 ends the printing process and proceeds to step S41 in FIG.

As described above, the photographed image is edited and printed on the sticker sheet, so that the user can obtain a more colorful and interesting sticker sheet.

In the above description, the ink containing a phosphorescent pigment or the fluorescent color ink is used as the special color printing ink in the printer 52, but the invention is not limited to this, and for example, the ink whose color changes with temperature. A certain temperature indicating ink or the like may be used.

FIG. 29 shows the image printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
It is a block diagram which shows the other example of a structure inside. Description of the parts described in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be omitted.

Thermal printing unit 281 of printer 52
Prints using temperature-sensitive ink whose color changes with temperature. The temperature-sensitive ink is an ink containing a desensitizing agent that controls color development depending on temperature. When the temperature rises, the desensitizing agent works to erase the color, and conversely, when the temperature drops, the color develops.
As a result, the color changes or the color appears in a colorless place according to the temperature change.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a seal sheet that has been subjected to thermal printing.

In FIG. 30A, the star-shaped portion of the image printed on the seal sheet 301 is subjected to thermal printing using temperature-sensitive ink. When the star-shaped part of the seal sheet 301 is heated, for example, the color of the star-shaped part changes as shown in FIG. 30B. And conversely, FIG.
In, when the star-shaped portion of the seal sheet 301 is cooled, for example, the color of the star-shaped portion changes to the original color as shown in FIG. 30A.

Further, instead of the temperature indicating ink, liquid crystal ink in which liquid crystal is microencapsulated may be used. Figure 31
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a seal sheet printed using liquid crystal ink.

In the image printed on the seal sheet 311 shown in FIG. 31A, the circular black portion is the portion printed with liquid crystal ink. This seal sheet 31
31B when the circular black portion of 1 is heated, for example.
As shown in Fig. 3, a star pattern that was previously printed by another method appears in the circular black portion.

As described above, the thermal printing is performed by using the temperature indicating ink or the liquid crystal ink, whereby the user can
It is possible to obtain a more colorful and interesting seal sheet.

In addition to the above, as the special color printing ink in the printer 52, for example, raised printing ink that expands the printed ink by heat to have a raised effect may be used.

FIG. 32 shows the image printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
It is a block diagram which shows the other example of a structure inside. Description of the parts described in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be omitted.

Raised printing unit 321 of printer 52
In the first method, powder that swells due to heat is attached to the seal sheet, and then heating is performed to perform ridge printing, which is printing that melts and expands the powder. The color of the powder can be a normal color or a special color such as transparent, gold or silver. As a result, it is possible to obtain an effect such as giving a force to the image printed on the sticker sheet.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of a sticker sheet which has been subjected to raised printing.

FIG. 33A is a view of the surface of the sticker sheet 331 on which the image has been printed, which has been subjected to the ridge printing. Figure 3
In 3A, a black elliptical pattern is raised and printed. When this seal sheet 331 is viewed from the cross-sectional direction, it can be seen that, as shown in FIG. 33B, the ridge-printed black elliptical pattern portion is bulged. In this way, by performing the printing in which the pattern is raised, it is possible to obtain an effect such as giving a force to the pattern printed on the sticker sheet.

In addition to the above-mentioned powder, an ink mixed with a foaming agent may be used as the ink for bulging printing, and the ink may be foamed and bulged by heating.

A special color printing unit for performing special color printing may be capable of printing a plurality of special colors.

FIG. 34 shows the image printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
It is a block diagram which shows the other example of a structure inside. Description of the parts described in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be omitted.

In FIG. 34, the plural special color printing unit 341 of the printer 52 is controlled by the printer controller 120 to print plural kinds of special colors. For example, the plural special color printing unit 341 has a fusion-type thermal transfer print head, and performs printing using the special color printing ink sheet 351 as shown in FIG.
In FIG. 35, the ink sheet 351 for special color printing is
It is composed of a ribbon sheet in which melt-type thermal transfer layers of gold (gold) color and silver (silver) color are sequentially arranged in the extending direction of the ribbon. Thereby, the plural special color printing unit 341 can print the inks of both gold and silver as special colors on the sticker sheet.

Further, the ink used in the plural special color printing unit 341 is not limited to the gold and silver color inks described above, but may be, for example, the fluorescent ink described above, the ink containing the phosphorescent pigment, the raised printing ink, or the like. Alternatively, any ink such as temperature indicating ink may be used. Also, any kind of ink can be used.

As a result, the user can edit the photographed image in a more colorful and interesting way.

For example, in the image edit screen 201 of FIG. 22, the user operates the touch pen 33 to operate the pen button 213, selects a color from the color selection field 212, and the image displayed in the image display field 211. When a straight line is drawn on the image, a marble pattern straight line using a plurality of colors may be drawn as shown in FIG. In this case, the color used for the marble pattern is the plural special color printing unit 3
Not only the special color printed in 41, but also the color printed in the color printing unit 122 and the color printed in the single color printing unit 123 may be used.

If the user draws a straight line using a special color on the image edit screen 201, the image display field 2
The straight line drawn in 11 is a straight line of one color, but when the edited image is printed on the sticker sheet after that, the drawn straight line is printed as a plurality of special color lines as shown in FIG. May be. In FIG. 37, the plural special color lines 371 are the same as those in the plural special color printing unit 341.
It is composed of a printed gold part 372 and a silver part 373.

As described above, the user can obtain the sticker sheet in which the photographed image is edited more colorfully and interestingly.

In addition to the colors described above, the printer 52
As the special color printing ink in, for example, lame color ink may be used.

FIG. 38 shows the image printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
It is a block diagram which shows the other example of a structure inside. Description of the parts described in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be omitted.

In FIG. 38, the lame color printing unit 381 of the printer 52 is controlled by the printer controller 120 to print a lame color. As a result, the user can obtain a sticker sheet in which the photographed image has been edited more colorfully and interestingly.

In addition, the user can edit the image edit screen 2 shown in FIG.
In 01, when a photographed image is edited using a special color such as gold or silver, the image display field 211
The special color portion displayed at may be displayed in a blinking manner as shown in FIG. In FIG. 39, the star mark 391 edited with the special color is
It is blinking and shining. As a result, the user can edit the image on the edit screen that is more colorful and interesting.

As the special color printing, other than the above-mentioned printing method, for example, flocking printing in which waste is fixed by using an adhesive, perfume printing using ink mixed with perfume, or printing when wet with water. A printing method such as water transfer printing capable of transferring the formed pattern may be used.

When a series of processes is executed by software, a program which constitutes the software is installed in a computer in which dedicated hardware is installed, or various programs are installed to perform various functions. Is installed from a network or a recording medium into a general-purpose personal computer or the like capable of executing.

In the above description, the print medium is not limited to the seal sheet, and for example, it is printed on a paper of a predetermined size, a paper for posters, a card such as a telephone card, or a cloth such as a T-shirt. You may do it.

In the present specification, the steps for writing the program recorded on the recording medium are not limited to the processing performed in time series according to the order described, but may not necessarily be performed in time series. It also includes processing executed in parallel or individually.

[0183]

As described above, according to the image printing apparatus and method, the print medium, and the program of the present invention, it is possible to provide a print medium on which a more colorful and interesting image is printed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of an image printing apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of the image printing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of each device in a shooting space.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement example when FIG. 2 is viewed from above.

5 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the image printing apparatus in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an ink sheet for color printing.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an ink sheet for monochrome printing.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of printing of ink containing a phosphorescent pigment on a seal sheet.

9 is a flowchart illustrating an image capturing process of the image printing apparatus in FIG.

10 is a flowchart illustrating an image capturing process of the image printing apparatus in FIG. 1, following FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a demo screen displayed on the photographing monitor in step S1 of FIG.

12 is a diagram showing an example of an explanation screen displayed on the photographing monitor in step S3 of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the explanation screen displayed on the photographing monitor in step S4 of FIG.

14 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the photographing monitor in step S6 of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an image confirmation screen displayed on the photographing monitor in step S7 of FIG.

16 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen displayed on the photographing monitor in step S13 of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting an image to be retaken, which is displayed on the imaging monitor in step S15 of FIG.

18 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen displayed on the photographing monitor in step S19 of FIG.

19 is a diagram showing an example of a guide screen displayed on the photographing monitor in step S21 of FIG.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an image edit print process executed on an edit space.

21 is a diagram showing an example of a demo screen displayed on the edit input monitor in step S41 of FIG.

22 is a diagram showing an example of an image edit screen displayed on the edit input monitor displayed in step S45 of FIG.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating details of print setting processing executed in step S44 of FIG. 20.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a division number selection screen displayed on the edit input monitor in step S61 of FIG. 23.

25 is a diagram showing an example of a background color selection screen displayed on the edit input monitor in step S62 of FIG.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a photographed image color selection screen displayed on the edit input monitor in step S63 of FIG. 23.

27 is a diagram showing an example of a range designation screen 261 displayed on the edit input monitor in step S65 of FIG.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating details of print processing executed in step S49 of FIG.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing another example of the internal configuration of the image printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a printing example of thermal printing performed on a seal sheet.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a printing example using liquid crystal ink on a seal sheet.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing still another configuration example inside the image printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a printing example of raised printing performed on a seal sheet.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram showing still another configuration example inside the image printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an ink sheet for printing a special color.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example of a straight line of a marble pattern using a plurality of colors printed on a sticker sheet.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of special color lines printed on a sticker sheet.

38 is a block diagram showing still another configuration example inside the image printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing another example of the image edit screen displayed on the edit input monitor displayed in step S45 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Image printing device 23 Shooting monitor 31 Monitor for editing input 34 Seal outlet 41 Imager 52 printer 101 CPU 107 Keep image storage unit 112 display processor 113 touch panel 120 Printer control unit 121 Seal sheet supply / discharge unit 122 color printing unit 123 Monochromatic printing unit 124 Luminescent color printing unit 241 Background color selection screen 251 Captured image color selection screen 261 Range designation screen 281 Thermal printing unit 321 Raised printing unit 341 Multiple special color printing unit 361 marble pattern line 371 Multiple special color lines 381 Lame Color Printing Unit

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[Submission date] January 14, 2003 (2003.1.1
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   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Naohito Shiki             Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi Shioji-dori Horikawa Higashiiri Minamifudo-cho             801 OMRON Corporation (72) Inventor Hiroki Imai             Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi Shioji-dori Horikawa Higashiiri Minamifudo-cho             801 OMRON Corporation (72) Inventor Etsuko Shibata             13-2 Yamada-Hatadacho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto EXEI             I207 F-term (reference) 2C065 AB03 AB10 AD07 AF01 DC04                       DC06 DC07                 2C087 AA09 AA15 AC05 BA03 BA08                 5C052 AA12 DD04 FA02 FA03 FA06                       FB01 FC06 FE07 FE08                 5C053 FA04 FA08 LA01 LA03 LA11                 5C054 CH02 FE16 GA05 HA14

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A photographing means for photographing a subject, a display control means for controlling display of an image of the subject photographed by the photographing means and an image editing screen used for editing the image of the subject, the display. Editing means for editing the image of the subject whose display is controlled by the display control means on the basis of the image editing screen whose display is controlled by the control means, and multicolor printing using multicolor printing ink In addition to the multicolor printing section, the multicolor printing section has a single color printing section that performs single color printing using the single color printing ink, or a special color printing section that performs special color printing using the special color ink. An image printing apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints the image edited by the editing unit on a predetermined print medium using the single-color printing unit or the special-color printing unit. 2. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage control unit that controls storage of an image of the subject captured by the image capturing unit. 3. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a discharging unit that discharges the print medium on which the image is printed by the printing unit. 4. The color of the multicolor printing ink includes yellow, magenta, cyan, or black, and the single color printing ink includes monochrome printing ink or sepia color printing ink. The ink is gold color ink, silver color ink, platinum color ink, ink containing phosphorescent pigment, fluorescent color ink, temperature indicating ink, raised printing ink,
The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a glitter ink. 5. The display control means blinks and displays the edit input made by the user using the special color on the basis of the image edit screen.
The image printing apparatus according to any one of 1. 6. The editing means performs editing using a plurality of special colors in response to one editing input by the user input to the image based on the image editing screen. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image printing apparatus is an image printing apparatus. 7. The editing means edits a marble pattern using a plurality of colors in response to one editing input by the user input to the image based on the image editing screen. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image printing apparatus is an image printing apparatus. 8. An ink selection unit that selects ink used in printing the image of the subject by the printing unit, the printing unit using the ink selected by the ink selection unit. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image is printed. 9. The image printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the ink selecting unit includes a specifying unit that specifies a range in which the ink is selected for the image of the subject. 10. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined print medium is a transparent color seal sheet. 11. A color selection unit that selects a color of the predetermined print medium as a background color of the image, wherein the printing unit uses the ink of the color selected by the color selection unit as the background color. The image printing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein printing is performed on the transparent seal sheet. 12. The editing unit does not partially print the image and the base color by the printing unit in response to a user's editing input input to the image based on the image editing screen. The image printing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image printing apparatus is edited as follows. 13. A single-color printing section for performing single-color printing using the single-color printing ink, or a special-color ink, in addition to the multi-color printing section for performing multi-color printing using the multi-color printing ink. In an image printing method of an image printing apparatus having a special color printing unit for performing special color printing, a shooting control step of controlling shooting of a subject, an image of the subject whose shooting is controlled by the processing of the shooting control step, and A display control step of controlling display of an image edit screen used for editing an image of a subject, and a display by the process of the display control step based on the image edit screen whose display is controlled by the process of the display control step. An edit step of editing the image of the controlled subject; and the edit step using the multicolor printing section, the single color printing section, or the special color printing section. Image printing method which comprises a print control step of controlling the printing of the image editing is controlled by the control of up to a predetermined print medium. 14. A print medium printed by the image printing method according to claim 13. 15. A program for causing a computer to execute the image printing method according to claim 13.