JP2003189296A - Photographing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographing apparatus obtaining the photograph of a person's face being satisfied with the prescription of a detailed face size even if a user establishes an erroneous condition by nullifying a manual establishing condition and by establishing a condition provided by an automatic adjustment means. <P>SOLUTION: The photographing device has a face image photographing means for photographing the face of an object; an adjustment means for adjusting the face image obtained by photographing; and a printing means for generating the output of the face image based on a condition established by the adjustment means. The adjustment means consists of the automatic adjustment means and a manual adjustment means. The photographing device has a control means comparing the conditions established by the two adjustment means to decide the output generation by any one of the established conditions. Particularly, when the manual establishing condition is dissociated from the establishing condition provided by the automatic adjustment, the manual condition is nullified and the output is done under the automatic adjusting condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographing device for print photographs used for identification cards, student ID cards, passports, resumes, etc.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Photographing devices for ID photographs are very useful because they can obtain photographic prints of a predetermined size in a short time after inserting coins or bills. A photographing device for an identification photograph is such that a user enters a box-shaped photographing box, sits on a chair, and the user himself / herself operates the photographer to photograph a plurality of images on a sheet-shaped recording medium of a predetermined size. The recorded print photograph is obtained.

A print photograph obtained by such a photographing device may be used for a purpose such as a passport photograph for defining the size of a face on the photograph in detail. Then, to meet these detailed regulations, adjust the zoom ratio by matching the face to the shooting frame and set the head and chin positions to set the shooting range and print output range. There is a photographing device that has.

However, in these photographing apparatuses that use the condition setting, the user often sets the condition by mistake because the user himself / herself sets the condition. In addition, there is a problem in that a photograph that does not meet the detailed regulations is inadvertently obtained because photographing and print output are performed under such inappropriate setting conditions.

Therefore, a photographing apparatus has been introduced which allows the user to specify the range of a photographed image by an extremely simple manual operation. In this image capturing apparatus, a user operates a line called a gauge displayed on a captured image to perform positioning. That is, the user adjusts the gauge to the position of the head and chin of the captured image displayed on the screen,
The shooting range or print output range is being positioned. Then, the user takes a photograph by matching his / her face within the setting range positioned as described above at the time of photographing, and a facial photograph that can clear the detailed face size regulation can be obtained by a simple gauge operation. It is a thing.

[0006]

However, many users are not accustomed to operating the gauge, and the operation of the gauge is difficult even for people with low eyesight or who are hard to reach the operating position of the gauge. However, the current situation is that the operation of the gauges leads to inappropriate positioning that is out of the regulation. In addition, it is troublesome for the user to match the face with the shooting frame set by the gauge operation at the time of shooting. It was not possible to obtain a face photograph within the standard in a preferable photographing environment.

[0007] Further, although there is a photographing device which can automatically set the face size without the user performing a setting operation and obtain a face photograph satisfying the regulation, the parts for performing the automatic setting are very expensive. In addition, because of its precise structure and the fact that it is prone to breakdown due to dust and dirt, it is equipped with such an automatic setting function mainly for box-type imaging devices that are installed outdoors and provide inexpensive face photographs. The addition would only increase the cost and complicate the maintenance.

As described above, a photographing apparatus having a function of automatically correcting to a setting condition capable of clearing the regulation when the condition set by the user is erroneous was under development.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. In other words, if the user makes a mistake in setting and cannot obtain a photo with a face size that satisfies the standard, the function that invalidates the setting condition made by the user and automatically sets the condition that a photo that satisfies the standard can be obtained. It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device having

[0010]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The researchers of the present invention have conducted extensive studies to achieve the above-mentioned objects, and have realized that the chin of a person to be photographed automatically even though the photographic apparatus has a gauge-type alignment function. It also has a function to detect the position of the head and the head, and when the user's setting condition by the gauge is clearly deviated from the value by automatic detection, this setting is invalidated and shooting and print output are performed under the condition obtained by automatic detection. I found an imaging device.

That is, the present invention is achieved by the constitution described below. The invention according to claim 1 is
“Face image photographing means for photographing the face of the subject, adjusting means for adjusting the face image obtained by this photographing, and outputting the face image on a recording medium based on the conditions set by the adjusting means. A photographing device having a printing means, wherein the adjusting means comprises an automatic adjusting means and a manual adjusting means, compares the conditions set by the two adjusting means, and outputs under any setting condition. An imaging apparatus having a control means for determining the above. ].

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the control means for comparing the setting conditions by the two adjusting means, that is, the automatic adjusting means and the manual adjusting means to determine the output under any one of the setting conditions is controlled by the user. When the setting condition by the operation is appropriate, the print output is performed by the manual adjusting means based on the setting condition, and when the user operation is incorrect, the print output is performed by the setting condition by the automatic adjustment. This will ensure that you can get a facial photograph that meets the size regulations.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, "the control means compares the setting conditions by the two adjusting means, and the setting condition by the manual adjusting means deviates from the setting condition by the automatic adjusting means. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the determination is made, the setting condition by the manual adjusting unit is invalidated and the output is performed under the setting condition by the automatic adjusting unit. ].

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the control means incorporated in the photographing apparatus determines that the facial photograph satisfying the regulation cannot be obtained under the user's setting condition, the printing is performed under the setting condition by automatic adjustment. By outputting, a face photograph satisfying the regulation can be surely obtained even if the user makes an incorrect condition setting.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, "the automatic adjusting means detects the top of the head of the face image obtained by the face image capturing means, and the top of the head is a first predetermined range. Face image moving means for moving the face image so as to enter the inside, point detecting means for detecting any at least one point on the face image, at least one point on the crown and the face image 3. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a face image scaling unit that scales the face image so that the distance is within a second predetermined range. ].

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when an operation error by the user occurs, the top of the head of the face image obtained by photographing is detected so that the top of the head falls within the first predetermined range. The face image is moved to, and at least one arbitrary point on the face image is detected, and the face image is changed so that the distance between the crown and at least one arbitrary point on the face image falls within the second predetermined range. Since the face size can be automatically adjusted by doubling, even if an operation error by the user occurs, it is possible to reliably obtain a face size photograph that satisfies the regulation.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, "the automatic adjusting means detects the top of the head of the face image obtained by the face image capturing means, and the top of the head is a first predetermined range. A photographing moving means for moving the photographing frame of the face image photographing means so as to enter the inside, a point detecting means for detecting at least one arbitrary point on the face image, an arbitrary portion on the crown and the face image. 3. A photographing magnification varying unit for varying the photographing magnification of the face image so that the distance to at least one point falls within a second predetermined range. The imaging device described. ].

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the user's operation error occurs, the crown of the face image is detected, and the photographing frame is set so that the crown falls within the first predetermined range. Move and detect any at least one point on the face image,
Since the automatic adjusting means for changing the shooting magnification of the face image operates so that the distance between the top of the head and any at least one point on the face image falls within the second predetermined range, the face size can be automatically adjusted. Therefore, even if an operation error by the user occurs, a face photograph satisfying the regulation can be surely obtained.

The invention according to claim 5 is that "the arbitrary point on the face image is at least one selected from the lips, the lower jaw, the nose, and the eyes. Shooting device. ].

According to the invention of claim 5, the arbitrary point on the face image is at least one selected from the lips, the lower jaw, the nose, and the eyes, and the arbitrary point on the face image is surely confirmed. And it can be detected easily.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, "the photographing device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the arbitrary point on the face image is a lip. ].

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the arbitrary point on the face image is the lip, and it is possible to more reliably and easily detect the arbitrary point on the face image.

The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that "the detection of the crown portion detects that the red component or the brightness difference in the face image exceeds a specified value. The imaging device according to item 4. ].

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the detection of the crown is performed reliably and easily by detecting that the red component or the brightness difference in the face image exceeds the specified value. Can be detected.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, "When detecting an arbitrary point on the face image, it is determined that the phase difference between the red component histogram and the green component histogram in the face image exceeds a predetermined value. The imaging device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, which detects. ].

According to the invention described in claim 8, the detection of an arbitrary point on the face image means that the phase difference between the red component histogram and the green component histogram in the face image exceeds a predetermined value. By detecting, an arbitrary point on the face image can be detected reliably and easily.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, "the automatic adjustment means determines the image component amount contained in each of the right and left specific areas with the center line of the face image obtained by the face image photographing means as the axis of symmetry. An image component amount comparing means for comparing; and a face image moving means for moving the face image so that the image component amounts included in the right and left specific areas fall within a specific range based on the comparison result. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image capturing apparatus is a camera. ].

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when an operation error by the user occurs, the image component amounts included in the right and left specific areas of the center line of the face image are compared, Based on the comparison result, the face image can be automatically centered by moving the face image so that the image component amount included in the left and right specific areas falls within the specific range.

As described above, according to the present invention, it has been achieved to find out a certification photograph taking apparatus in which the output of a nonstandard face size photograph is prevented even if the user makes a mistake in the gauge operation and sets an inappropriate condition.

[0030]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a photographing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the image capturing apparatus having the box-shaped image capturing box described in the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a side view of the photographing apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the photographing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a view showing a gauge which is an example of the manual adjusting means.

As shown in FIG. 1, the photographing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is a photographing apparatus for photographing a subject 3 located in a box-shaped photographing box 2. The inside of the photographing box 2 is divided into a photographing room 5 and a device room 6 by the front panel 4.

In the photographing room 5, a chair 10 is provided on the floor 2a of the photographing box 2, and a subject 3 sits on the chair 10 to photograph the subject 3.

In the lighting room 5, indirect lighting devices 11 and 12 are provided.
Are provided on the floor 2a at the left and right rear sides of the chair 10, and the light emitting units 11a and 12a of the indirect lighting devices 11 and 12 are the chair 1
It is arranged at a position lower than the seat surface 10a of 0. The light emitting portions 11a and 12a of the indirect lighting devices 11 and 12 are provided at positions H2 and H3 that are one third or less of the ground height H1 of the central portion O1. The light emitting portions 11a and 12a of the indirect illumination devices 11 and 12 irradiate the front panel 4 so that the front panel 4 serves as a reflection surface and indirect light is incident from the front side of the subject 3.

On the upper rear side of the chair 10, the indirect lighting device 1 is provided.
3 is provided on the rear wall portion 2b of the photographing box 2. The light emitting unit 13a of the indirect illumination device 13 irradiates the ceiling 2c of the photographing box 2 so that the ceiling 2c serves as a reflecting surface, and the indirect light is incident on the subject 3 from above.

An indirect lighting device 14 is provided on the ceiling portion 2c at a position in front of the central portion O1. The light emitting portion 14a of the indirect illumination device 14 irradiates the ceiling portion 2c, and the ceiling portion 2c and the front panel 4 serve as a reflecting surface so that the indirect light strikes the subject 3 from above.

An indirect lighting device 15 is provided on the front panel 4 at a position on the front upper side of the chair 10. The light emitting portion 15a of the indirect illumination device 15 irradiates the reflecting surface 15b, and the indirect light reflected by the reflecting surface 15b is further reflected by the ceiling portion 2c and strikes the subject 3 from the front side.

Inside the apparatus room 6, there are arranged a photographing section 20 which is an image photographing means for photographing the subject 3, an illumination control section 21, a Bilbury coin mech 22, a user input section 23, a printer section 24 and a control section 25. Has been done.

The photographing section 20 includes a digital camera 200,
A mirror box 201 is arranged. The digital camera 200 has a CCD 200a, and a focus regulating lens 202 and a filter 203 having a dimming function are arranged in front of the CCD 200a. Mirror box 201
A front glass 204 is provided at a position facing the subject 3. The light incident from the front glass 204 is the half mirror 205, the filter 203, and the focus defining lens 2
Is guided to the CCD 200a of the digital camera 200 via 02, the digital camera 200 photographs the subject 3,
The subject 3 is output as an image signal.

The image of the subject 3 picked up by the digital camera 200 is displayed on the television monitor 207, and the image of the subject 3 can be viewed by the user who is the subject through the half mirror 205.
The digital camera 200, the filter controller 206, and the television monitor 207 are controlled by the shooting control unit 208.

As described above, when the moving image of the subject 3 is displayed on the television monitor 207 before shooting, the rotary solenoid 204a is not driven and the filter 203 is not provided in the shooting optical path, so that the object 3 is positioned inside the box-shaped shooting box 2. The subject to be displayed can be displayed on the TV monitor 207 as a bright and easy-to-see moving image. Then, at the timing of photographing the subject 3, the rotary solenoid 204a is driven and the filter 203 is interposed in the photographing optical path to dimm the subject 3, thereby photographing the subject 3 and obtaining a photographed image of uniform brightness with accurate focus. be able to. The filter driving means 240 of this embodiment can move the ND filter 203a and the PL filter 203b to intervene in the photographing optical path with a simple structure by mechanical operation.

The illumination control section 21 includes a strobe unit 21.
0, having a sync portion 211, in synchronization with the shutter,
Light emitting unit 1 of indirect illumination device 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
1a, 12a, 13a, 14a, and 15a are made to emit light.
The light emitting parts 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, 15a include
Illumination is performed by strobe light using a xenon flash.

The Bilbury coin mech 22 is attached to the front panel 4 and sends an image pickup permission signal to the control unit 25 by inserting a coin to collect a preset charge.
If the input amount is large, change out. A receipt is also issued at the Bilbury CoinMech 22.

The user input section 23 is used for remote control of the apparatus, and includes a form selection button 230, an image pickup button 231, an image display button 232, a gauge operation handle 233, a gauge setting button 234, and a print button 23.
5 are provided. The user input unit 23 is connected to the control unit 25.

The printer section 24 prints based on an image signal obtained by the digital camera 200 under the control of the control section 25. In this embodiment, the recording medium and the image receiving material are superposed and heated to transfer the recording layer of the recording medium to the image receiving layer of the image receiving material to form an image. A thermal transfer recording system is used in which an image is transferred to form an image. In this embodiment, a sublimation type video printer is used.
Further, in the present invention, the photographing device 1 may be connected to the network 27 via the modem 209, and a print photograph may be output from a network-connected printer outside the photographing device.

The control unit 25 includes a DVD 251, an I / O control 252, and a SCSI interface (I / F).
253 and a memory 254 are provided to control the photographing unit 20, the illumination control unit 21, the Bilbury coin mech 22, and the printer unit 24.

The DVD 251 is a recording medium of a digital recording system, stores moving picture information of how to use the photographing apparatus of the present invention, and a moving picture of how to use is displayed on the television monitor 207 as necessary. . Also, DVD25
1 stores image information of an image of the subject 3 captured by the digital camera 200, and stores the stored image information for an arbitrary fixed period. Further, the storage of the image information of the image is not limited to the DVD 251, and may be stored in a storage unit such as the memory 254 or a hard disk. The I / O control 252 includes a strobe unit 210 of the lighting control unit 21, a Bilbury coin mech 22, a user input unit 23, and a shooting control unit 20.
Control is performed by exchanging information with the device 8. The SCSI interface (I / F) 253 sends image information to the printer unit 24 at high speed. The memory 254 is the CCD camera 20.
The image information photographed by 0 is temporarily stored. As described above, in the present invention, the image information temporarily stored in the memory 254 is used instead of the DVD 251 to perform reprinting. Good.

Next, the manual size adjustment applied to the photographing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which a gauge, which is an example of a manual adjusting unit, is displayed on the television monitor 207. When the user who is the subject presses the image display button, the television monitor screen 207
A gauge 207b is displayed in the horizontal direction of the screen together with the face image captured on a. The gauge 207b moves up and down on the television monitor screen 207a as shown by the arrow in conjunction with the operation of the gauge operation handle 233. The user adjusts the gauge to a predetermined position such as the crown or chin on the face image and then presses the gauge setting button 234 to complete the manual positioning.

Next, automatic face size adjustment applied to the photographing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of automatic face size adjustment, FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining detection of an arbitrary point on the parietal region and face image, FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a red component histogram for detection of the parietal region, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a green component histogram for lip detection, and FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining left-right balance of a face image.

In the image pickup apparatus according to the present invention, the user sets the positioning by manual operation using the above-mentioned gauge. However, even if an erroneous condition setting is made, the face satisfying the detailed face size regulation is satisfied. It has a function to automatically adjust the face size so that a photograph can be obtained reliably. When deciding to perform print output with automatic condition setting, it is decided by the following procedure.

After automatically detecting specific positions on the face, such as the positions of the crown and the chin, by the automatic adjustment in the photographing device,
The user operates the gauge to set the positioning conditions. The control means compares the user's setting condition with the position detected by automatic adjustment, and if the user's setting condition is set to a position different from the position detected by automatic adjustment, or if the top of the head is set, the control means "It's really okay. Is displayed on the television monitor screen 207a. Here, the warning display is automatically displayed when it is determined that the facial photograph satisfying the regulation cannot be obtained when the control unit outputs under the setting condition of the user.

After the user sees the warning display and performs the readjustment, if the position after the readjustment is the same as that before the readjustment, or if the setting is made such that it is further separated,
The control means adjusts the face size using the condition value of automatic detection, or resets the condition to a preset fixed magnification and prints out.

In this way, in the photographing apparatus according to the present invention, even if the user makes an erroneous condition setting, a facial photograph satisfying the regulation can be surely obtained.

Control unit 25 of photographing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment
4, as shown in FIG. 4, a crown detection unit 100 that detects the crown of a face image obtained by photographing, and a face image movement that moves the face image so that this crown falls within a first predetermined range. Means 101, point detection means 102 for detecting at least one arbitrary point on the face image, and face image so that the distance between the crown and at least one arbitrary point on the facial image falls within the second predetermined range. And a face image scaling means 103 for scaling.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the parietal region detecting means 100 detects the edge in the red component of the captured image in order to correspond to a face size-determined format such as a passport or a driver's license. In the detection area A, an area having a density difference is divided into two, the area ratio is calculated, the edge position in the V direction is determined as the hair edge line H, and the crown of the face image obtained by photographing is detected.

In the edge detection area B in the red component of the captured image, the point detection means 102 extracts the brightest lowest point of the area having the density difference and determines the edge position in the V direction as the lip edge line C. , Detect at least one arbitrary lip on the face image.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the face image moving means 101 moves the face image so that the top of the head falls within the first predetermined range D1 of the format in which the face size is fixed, and the face image is moved to the frame. The edge F is made to coincide with the start edge S.

The face image scaling means 103 divides the number of dots of the start edge S and the hair edge line H from the reference top margin to determine the top margin, and sets 280 dots between the edges of the hair edge line H and the lip edge line C. The size of the face image is resized according to this reduction ratio, and the face image is scaled so that the distance between the crown and any one point on the face image is within the second predetermined range D2. To do.

In this way, the crown of the face image obtained by photographing is detected, the face image is moved so that the crown falls within the first predetermined range D1, and at least one arbitrary point on the face image is detected. Is detected and the face image is scaled so that the distance between the crown and any at least one point on the face image falls within the second predetermined range D2, the face size can be automatically adjusted,
The number of people that can be photographed will increase, and there will be no mistakes due to operation mistakes.

In this embodiment, the arbitrary point on the face image is the lips, but it is at least one selected from the lips, the lower jaw, the nose, and the eyes. It can be detected easily. It is preferable that the arbitrary point on the face image is a lip because an arbitrary point on the face image can be detected more reliably and easily.

The top of the head may be detected by detecting that the red component or the brightness difference in the face image exceeds a specified value, and the top of the head can be detected reliably and easily.

Further, the detection of an arbitrary point on the face image may be performed by detecting that the phase difference between the red component histogram and the green component histogram in the face image exceeds a predetermined value.

FIG. 6 (a) shows the scanning direction of the detection of the crown, and FIG. 6 (b) shows the red component histogram of the scanning direction of the detection of the crown, with the horizontal axis representing the scan position and the vertical axis representing the luminance. Shows. In the detection of the parietal region, the image is clear when the red component data is used, and the luminance of 0 × A0 to 0 × 40 and the contrast of the red component data are the largest at the parietal region.

FIG. 7A shows the scan direction of the lip detection, and FIG. 7B shows the green component histogram of the scan direction of the lip detection. The horizontal axis shows the scan position and the vertical axis shows the luminance. There is. In the detection of lips, the use of green component data produces a clear image, and the brightness is higher than 0 × 4F at the lip matching portion, and the contrast of the green component data is the largest. The lips are effective as an index for defining the vertical length of the head because the lips are the largest change in the image on the centerline of the face, and the distance from the top of the head is the maximum for the face.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 25 of the present embodiment compares the image component amounts for comparing the image component amounts included in the respective right and left specific areas of the center line of the face image. Based on the comparison result, the face image moving means 101 has means 104, and moves the face image so that the amount of image components included in the left and right specific areas falls within the specific range.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, a manual image of a format in which the face size is fixed is divided into two at the center, and as shown in FIG. Points, left head area E11 and right head area E12, left face area E21 and right face area E
22, left shoulder area E31 and right shoulder area E3
In step 2, the brightness difference is compared to determine the posture state. In each brightness detection area in this human-powered image, an offset is detected by the difference between the left and right brightness levels, the direction and distance for correcting the difference are calculated, eccentricity and deformation are performed, and the image free deformation operation is performed to balance the left and right. The original image is processed so that it can be captured, and the detail image is subjected to detail recovery processing to form the final image.

In this way, the image component amounts included in the left and right specific areas of the center line of the face image are compared, and the image component amounts included in the left and right specific areas are determined based on the comparison result. By moving the face image so as to be within the specific range, the face image can be automatically set to the center. In addition, it is equipped with a function that automatically determines the center of the captured image and sets the center, and an automatic optimization function for the left-right balance when the image is taken with the shoulder and face distorted.

Next, the resize routine is started. In the resizing routine, in order to secure the final resolution, a resolution priority image frame is created, and the linear interpolation type method and RGB are used.
The average size method is resized.

The RGB average type method has a singular point A at the time of scaling.
Is superior to the color reproducibility but lacks in sharpness.

The linear interpolation type method is a method of calculating the correction coefficient by comparing the singular point A with the luminance levels of the bits above and below and at the time of enlargement / reduction, but the sharpness is good, but in consideration of the point that the color reproducibility is insufficient. When the difference in brightness among A, A ′, and A ″ is equal to or larger than a certain value, the linear interpolation type method is used.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of automatic face size adjustment. Imaging device 1 of this embodiment
The control unit 25 moves the photographing area of the facial image photographing unit configured by the photographing unit 20 so that the parietal region detecting unit 100 that detects the parietal region of the face image and the parietal region falls within the first predetermined range. The distance between the photographing frame moving means 130, the point detecting means 102 for detecting at least one arbitrary point on the face image, and the at least one arbitrary point on the face image within the second predetermined range. As described above, the photographing magnification changing means 131 for changing the photographing magnification of the face image is provided.

The crown detecting means 100 and the point detecting means 102 are constructed in the same manner as in the above-mentioned embodiment, but are taken in from the CCD camera 200 without being illuminated by the indirect illumination devices 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. The top of the face image is detected from the face image, and at least one arbitrary point on the face image is detected.

The photographing frame moving means 130 moves the photographing frame of the photographing unit 20 so that the top of the head falls within the first predetermined range,
The first predetermined range is a format in which the face size is fixed, such as a passport or a driver's license, as in the above-described embodiment.

The photographing magnification changing means 131 controls the photographing unit 20 so that the distance between the crown and at least one arbitrary point on the face image falls within the second predetermined range, and the photographing magnification of the face image is changed. The magnification is changed, and illumination is performed by the indirect illumination devices 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 to take an image.

In this way, the top of the face image is detected, the photographing frame is moved so that the top of the face image falls within the first predetermined range, and at least one arbitrary point on the face image is detected to detect the head. By changing the shooting magnification of the face image so that the distance between the top and any at least one point on the face image falls within the second predetermined range, the face size can be automatically adjusted and Increase, and there is no mistake due to operation mistake.

Next, FIG. 10 is a flow chart of the operation of the photographing apparatus. In this photographing apparatus 1, the user who is the subject 3 is sitting on the chair 10 and the Bilbury coin mech 22
When a charge is put into the device (step S1), the control unit 25 enables the photographing unit 20, the lighting control unit 21, and the printer unit 24 to be driven.

Next, the form selection button 230 of the user input section 23 is pressed to select a form (step S
2) Press the shooting button 231 to shoot (step S
3).

By operating this photographing button 231, the control unit 25
Controls the strobe unit 210 and the synchronization unit 211 of the lighting control unit 21, and the indirect lighting devices 11, 12, 13, 1
4, 15 light emitting parts 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, 1
The subject 3 is illuminated by causing 5a to emit light, the digital camera 200 of the photographing unit 20 photographs the subject 3, and the digital camera 200 photographs the subject 3 several times.

Next, the setting for capturing the photographed image is set (step S4). Image display button 2 by user
When you press 32, the captured face image is displayed on the TV monitor screen 20.
It is displayed on 7a. At this time, the automatic adjustment means is activated and the image is captured by automatic setting. The user adjusts the gauge with the gauge operation handle to a predetermined position on the face image,
The gauge setting button 234 is pressed to perform manual setting.

Next, the control section 25 compares the setting conditions by the automatic adjusting means and the manual adjusting means (step S
5) If the setting condition of the manual adjustment is the same as or close to the value of the automatic adjusting means and a print satisfying the regulation is obtained, the condition set by the manual adjustment is selected (step S6). If the condition for manual adjustment largely deviates from the set value obtained by automatic adjustment, the condition for manual adjustment is invalidated and the condition for automatic adjustment is selected (step S7). In this way, the image capture conditions are set and the image capture is completed (step S
8).

Image processing is performed based on the fetched setting conditions (step S9) and is temporarily stored in the above-mentioned DVD 251, the memory 254 of the control unit 25, or a storage means such as a hard disk. Here, the temporary storage refers to the time during which it is considered that the user will look at the finished print photograph and specify the reprint, and the installer can arbitrarily retain the stored image information. It is possible to set.

Image display button 23 of user input section 23
The image stored in the storage unit such as the DVD 251, the memory 254, or the hard disk is displayed on the television monitor 207 by the second operation. After confirming that the image displayed on the television monitor 207 can be viewed by the user through the half mirror 205 and the user finally agrees (step S10), the print button 235 of the user input unit 23 is pressed. Then, the image information is sent to the printer unit 24 at high speed through the SCSI interface (I / F) 253 of the control unit.

The printer unit 24 prints a plurality of images obtained by photographing the digital camera 200 a plurality of times on the same recording medium (step S11). By printing multiple images obtained by shooting multiple times on the same recording medium in this way, even if some images are in the wrong orientation, or if you have an image of a shooting failure with your eyes closed, By having an appropriate image in, it is possible to use it for identification cards, passports, etc., so that all images will not be unusable and it will be possible to obtain an image that can be used depending on the application As a result, resource saving and cost reduction are achieved. Further, in the present invention, in addition to outputting a plurality of images taken a plurality of times on the same recording medium as described above, a plurality of same images may be output on the same recording medium.

The printer section 24 superimposes the recording medium and the image receiving material on each other to apply heat to transfer the color material of the recording layer of the recording medium to the image receiving layer of the image receiving material to form an image. By obtaining a print, the cost and size of the device can be reduced. Although the thermal sublimation recording method is used as the recording method of the printer, for example, a thermal melting transfer recording method, an induced thermal ablation transfer recording method, or the like can also be used. In the induced thermal ablation transfer recording method and the like, the color material layer itself or a layer formed below the color material layer is ablated by irradiation to provide a force necessary for the transfer. On the other hand, in the thermal fusion transfer recording method, the transition is caused by the thermal melting or thermal softening of the coloring material layer by irradiation. Further, the thermal sublimation method is a recording method in which ink particles fly and transfer by thermal sublimation.

After the printing is completed and the user confirms the finish of the obtained print (step S12), it is normally completed (step S13).

After the printing is normally completed, the photographing device is in a standby state for the next photographing.

[0086]

According to the photographing apparatus of the present invention, when the user performs the alignment by erroneous condition setting, the manual setting condition of the user is invalidated and the setting condition by the automatic adjusting means is automatically set. By doing so, it is possible to reliably obtain a face photograph that satisfies the detailed face size regulation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a photographing device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a photographing device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a gauge that is an example of a manual adjustment unit.

FIG. 4 is a configuration block diagram of automatic face size adjustment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating detection of an arbitrary point on a parietal region and a face image.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a red component histogram for detection of the parietal region.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a green component histogram for lip detection.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating left-right balance of a face image.

FIG. 9 is a configuration block diagram of another embodiment of automatic face size adjustment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the image capturing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Imaging device 2 shooting box 3 subject 4 Front panel 5 Shooting room 6 Equipment room 10 chairs 24 Printer 25 Control unit 100 crown detection means 101 Face image moving means 102 point detection means 103 Face image scaling means 130 Moving means for shooting frame 131 Magnification changing means 207a TV monitor screen 207b gauge

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/225 H04N 5/225 Z 5C054 5/76 5/76 E 5L096 5/91 5/91 H (72 ) Inventor Koichi Iwata 1-Sakura-cho, Hino-shi, Tokyo Konica Stock Association Internal F-term (reference) 2H104 AA19 BC06 BC48 5B057 BA02 CA12 CA16 CD05 DB02 DC05 5C022 AA13 AC18 AC52 CA02 5C052 FA02 FA03 FB02 FC06 FD10 FE04 5C05 LA03 FA04 FA04 LA06 5C054 AA01 CA04 CD03 CE16 CG02 CH02 EA01 EA05 EA07 ED07 EH07 FC04 FC08 FC12 FE28 FF06 GA05 GB11 GC03 GD03 5L096 AA02 CA02 FA09

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A face image photographing means for photographing a face of a subject, an adjusting means for adjusting a face image obtained by this photographing, and a face image recording medium on a recording medium based on a condition set by the adjusting means. And a print means for outputting the above, wherein the adjusting means comprises an automatic adjusting means and a manual adjusting means, and the setting conditions are compared by comparing the conditions set by the two adjusting means. An image pickup apparatus having a control means for deciding whether to output the image. 2. The control means compares the setting conditions by the two adjusting means, and when it is determined that the setting condition by the manual adjusting means deviates from the setting condition by the automatic adjusting means, the manual adjusting means. 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting condition is set to be invalid and the output is performed under the setting condition set by the automatic adjusting unit. 3. The automatic adjusting means detects the top of the head of the face image obtained by the face image capturing means, and the face image so that the top falls within a first predetermined range. A face image moving means for moving the face image, and a point detecting means for detecting any at least one point on the face image,
A face image scaling means for scaling the face image so that the distance between the crown and any at least one point on the face image falls within a second predetermined range. The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2. 4. A crown detecting unit for detecting the crown of a face image obtained by the face image capturing unit, and the face image so that the crown falls within a first predetermined range. Photographing moving means for moving the photographing frame of the photographing means,
Point detection means for detecting at least one arbitrary point on the face image, and the face image of the face image so that the distance between the crown and at least one arbitrary point on the face image falls within a second predetermined range. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a photographing magnification changing unit that changes the photographing magnification. 5. The arbitrary points on the face image are lips, lower jaw,
The imaging device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the imaging device is at least one selected from a nose and an eye. 6. The photographing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the arbitrary point on the face image is a lip. 7. The photographing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the detection of the crown portion detects that the red component or the brightness difference in the face image exceeds a specified value. 8. The detection of an arbitrary point on the face image is performed by detecting that the phase difference between the red component histogram and the green component histogram in the face image exceeds a predetermined value. Item 7. The image capturing apparatus according to any one of Items 3 to 6. 9. An image component amount comparing device for comparing the image component amounts included in respective right and left specific areas with the center line of the face image obtained by the face image photographing device as a symmetry axis, The face image moving means for moving the face image so that the amount of image components included in the right and left specific areas falls within a specific range based on the comparison result. The imaging device described in.