JP2003288640A - Image printing device and method, printing medium unit and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform the editing in a satisfactory manner for a user. <P>SOLUTION: The user drives a photographing device 20 while confirming an image plane displayed on a photographing monitor 41, and photographs a self-image. When the photographing is finished, the user performs the editing processing to an edited image displayed on an editing monitor 61, in a case when the editing can be performed in a first editing space. After the editing processing is finished, the guide for prompting the user to select whether the additional editing processing is performed or not, is displayed on the editing monitor 61. When the user further desires to perform the editing processing, the user can perform the editing processing again by throwing the additional charge into a coin slot 65. Whereby the user can continue the editing processing to user's satisfactory. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

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 unit, and a program, and more particularly, to an image printing apparatus and method and a print medium unit that allow a user to edit an image sufficiently and satisfactorily. , And the program.

[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.

[0003]

However, in an image printing apparatus capable of writing on such an image, only a part of the plurality of photographed images can be actually edited. There is a problem that it is limited to. Therefore, there is a problem that the user cannot necessarily edit all the images that he wants to edit.

Further, the editing time set during one game is limited, and in general, there is a problem that the editing is insufficient for the user to be satisfied.
Further, in recent years, the editing functions provided in the image printing apparatus have been enhanced, and there is a problem that the user cannot use all desired editing functions in a short editing time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is intended to allow a user to edit an image sufficiently and sufficiently.

[0006]

An image printing apparatus of the present invention receives display means for displaying an image of a photographed subject as an edit target image, and input of an edit operation for the edit target image displayed by the display means. When the input acceptance means and the acceptance of the editing operation by the input acceptance means are completed, a first selection acceptance means that accepts a selection as to whether or not additional editing is to be performed, and a selection that is additionally edited by the first selection acceptance means If the payment is accepted, the payment acceptance means for accepting the payment of the additional price, and if the payment acceptance means accepts the payment of the additional fee, the input acceptance is made so as to accept the input of the editing operation for the image to be edited again. And a control means for controlling the means.

The display means is, for example, an editing monitor, the input acceptance means is, for example, a touch pen, the first selection acceptance means is, for example, a touch pen, and the payment acceptance means is, for example, It is composed of a coin slot and a coin processing unit, and the control means is composed of a CPU, for example.

[0008] After the acceptance of the editing operation by the touch pen for the image to be edited displayed on the editing monitor is completed, a guide for prompting the user to select whether to additionally edit is displayed. When the user inputs the selection to perform the additional editing, the display unit displays a guide prompting the user to pay the additional fee, and the user can know that the additional fee must be paid. After confirming the payment of the additional price from the user, the image printing apparatus causes the user to edit again.

With the above arrangement, it becomes possible for the user to perform editing until he is fully satisfied. In addition, when a plurality of images are taken, if the user cannot edit all the images in one game, the user can edit all the desired images by paying an additional fee. It becomes possible to do. Furthermore, when many types of editing functions are not available, when all of the editing functions cannot be used in one game, the user pays an additional fee to make all the editing functions desired. Can be used. This has the effect of not only making the user more satisfied, but also making more profit for the manager of the image printing apparatus.

A second selection receiving means is further provided for displaying on the display means one or more photographed images of the subject as the editing object image, and receiving the selection of the editing object image to be edited from the images. The image to be edited, the selection of which is accepted by the second selection accepting means, is displayed on the display means, and the selection is performed by the second selection accepting means on the input accepting means. An input of the editing operation for the received image can be received.

The second selection receiving means is composed of, for example, a touch pen.

With the above configuration, the user can select a desired image from a plurality of photographed images and edit it.

After the input acceptance of the editing operation by the input acceptance means is completed, the edited image created based on the editing operation is displayed on the display means together with one or more of the edit target images. You can let them do it.

With the above configuration, the user can confirm one or more images to be edited and a list of edited images.

The first selection receiving means receives a selection as to whether or not additional editing is to be performed again from the edited image displayed by the display means and one or more of the editing target images. In the payment acceptance means, the first selection acceptance means again selects from the edited image and one or more images to be edited,
When the selection for additional editing is accepted, the payment of the additional price is accepted, and the second selection accepting unit causes the edited image displayed by the displaying unit and one or more of the above-mentioned edited images to be displayed. The selection of the image to be additionally edited from the image to be edited is accepted, and the control unit receives the input of the editing operation to the image of which the selection is accepted by the second selection accepting unit. As described above, the input receiving means can be controlled.

With the above configuration, the user can perform additional editing as many times as he or she wants until he is fully satisfied. Further, by including the edited image in the options of the image to be additionally edited, the user can once add or delete graffiti to the image once additionally edited, It is possible to repeat the editing until the desired editing is done.

The display means may display the image to be edited corresponding to the edited image so that it can be identified that it has been edited.

With the above-described structure, the user can identify the edited image to be edited and the unedited image to be edited at a glance.

Creating means for creating the edited image by editing the image to be edited based on the editing operation received by the input receiving means; and storing the edited image created by the creating means. It is possible to further provide a storage means for doing so.

The creation means is composed of, for example, a CPU, and the storage means is composed of, for example, an image storage section. By doing so, the edited image can be stored.

The creating means is adapted to create an edit image to be combined with the edit target image based on the edit operation received by the input accepting means, and the storage means stores the create image. The edit image created by the means may be stored in association with the edit target image.

With the above-mentioned structure, the user can correct the edited contents of a portion of the edited image that he or she does not like.

[0023] Printing means for printing the edited image created on the basis of the editing operation received by the input receiving means on a predetermined print medium, and printing the edited image by the printing means. Ejection means for ejecting the print medium may be further provided.

The printing means is composed of, for example, a printer, and the discharging means is composed of, for example, a printed matter take-out port.

With the above configuration, the user can edit the photographed image, print the image on sticker paper, and take it home.

The control means is further provided with a reading means for reading identification information for identifying the mounted print medium, which is the predetermined print medium.
Printing on the print medium can be controlled based on the reading result by the reading unit.

The reading means is composed of, for example, an ID tag reader / writer.

By doing so, when the sticker paper is replenished to the image printing apparatus, it is possible to surely refill the sticker paper previously designated for the image printing apparatus.

The print medium unit of the present invention is a print medium unit used by the above-described image printing apparatus. The print medium unit stores a print medium on which an image is printed by the printing means and stores identification information read by the reading means. It is characterized by holding.

The image printing method of the present invention comprises a display step of displaying an image of a photographed subject as an edit target image, and an input accepting step of accepting an input of an edit operation for the edit target image displayed by the processing of the display step. When the input of the editing operation is completed by the processing of the input receiving step, the selection receiving step of receiving a selection of whether or not to perform the additional editing, and the selection of the additional editing by the processing of the selection receiving step are received, A payment acceptance step of accepting payment of the additional price, and a control step of controlling to accept the input of the editing operation to the image to be edited again when the payment of the additional price is accepted by the processing of the payment acceptance step. It is characterized by including.

A program according to 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 or a CD-ROM (Compact
Disk Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatil
Optical disk consisting of e Disk), MD (Mini-Disk)
(Trademark) or the like, or a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0033]

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

In FIG. 1, a casing 10 of the image printing apparatus 1
The imaging device 20 is installed on the upper surface 10-1 on the front side of the. This photographing device 20 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled
Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide)
A camera 21 made of semiconductor or the like and a captured image display unit 22 made of a small LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like are arranged. The camera 21 captures an image of a subject, and the image (moving image) is displayed on the captured image display unit 22. Captured image display section 2
Since 2 is provided in the vicinity of the camera 21, the user can shoot while viewing his / her image displayed on the captured image display unit 22 with his / her line of sight being substantially toward the camera 21.

On the left and right of the surface 10-1, the lighting device 3 is provided.
1 is placed. The illuminating device 31 has a light emitting body (flash) inside, and when the user gives an instruction to start shooting and the camera 21 shoots (captures) the subject, illuminates the subject at the timing. To do.

CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) is provided on the surface 10-2 below the surface 10-1 and facing upward by a predetermined angle.
An imaging monitor 41 including an LCD or LCD is installed. The shooting monitor 41 displays a screen for guiding the shooting method,
As will be described later, the image of the subject photographed by the photographing device 20 is displayed.

An operation panel 42 is installed on the right side of the surface 10-2. The operation panel 42 includes various operation buttons operated by the user, and for example, the camera 21
It is operated when adjusting the zoom of. On the operation panel 42, for example, a “○ button” that is operated when making a decision for the various selections displayed on the imaging monitor 41, an “x button” that is operated when canceling the decided, A "+ button", "-button", etc., which are operated when moving a cursor or the like displayed on the monitor 41, and a "shooting start button", which is operated when instructing the start of shooting, are also provided as appropriate. Will be placed.

On the surface 10-3 below the surface 10-2,
A coin slot 51 is provided on the upper left, and the user
When using the image printing apparatus 1, a predetermined amount of money is put. A speaker 52 is provided on the left and right sides of the surface 10-3. The speaker 52 outputs various kinds of voice guidance and the like, and guides the user on a shooting method (procedure for creating a sticker).

On the right side surface 10-4 of the housing 10,
Editing monitor 61 including a CRT or LCD, touch pen 6
2 and a speaker 63 are provided below which a printed matter take-out port 64 for ejecting a printed seal sheet and a coin insertion port 65 are provided.

The image photographed by the camera 21, selected as an image to be edited, and stored is displayed on the editing monitor 61 after the user finishes the photographing process. A touch panel 262 (see FIG. 8) is stacked on the editing monitor 61, and the user operates the touch pen 62 on the image displayed on the editing monitor 61 to edit the image to be edited ( Hereinafter, arbitrary characters, figures, and the like can be written (input) in the image to be edited as appropriate.

That is, the user is in front of the front surface (surface 10-1) of the housing 10 (hereinafter referred to as a photographing space).
After photographing himself, the user moves to a place in front of the surface 10-4 (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a first editing space) to edit the photographed image of himself.

The editing monitor 61 displays selection buttons for various editing tools together with the image to be edited. Then, the editing monitor 61, when written with the touch pen 62, displays the edited image generated according to the input.

The touch pen 62 uses a position detecting method (for example, a touch panel 262) of the touch panel 262 stacked on the editing monitor 61.
When the film is not used for editing, it is fixed to the projection portion provided on the surface 10-4 as shown in the figure.

The speaker 63 outputs voice guidance for explaining a method of inputting editing to the user in the first editing space.

The printed matter take-out port 64 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.

The coin insertion slot 65 accepts insertion of a predetermined amount of money when the user performs additional editing processing in the first editing space.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the upper left front side, and is a diagram showing a configuration example of the image printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 2, the casing 10 of the image printing apparatus 1
An editing monitor 71, a touch pen 72, and a speaker 73 are provided on the left side surface 10-6, and a printed matter ejection port 74 for ejecting a printed seal sheet and a coin insertion port 75 are provided below the editing monitor 71. Has been.

After the photographing process by the camera 21 is completed,
In the first editing space, when the user who has finished shooting cannot edit the image, the image selected and saved as the image to be edited is displayed on the editing monitor 71. The edit monitor 71 has a touch panel 272 (see FIG. 8).
(See reference) is stacked, and the user is
By operating the touch pen 72 with respect to the image displayed at, it is possible to write (input) arbitrary characters, figures, etc. in the image to be edited.

That is, if the user cannot perform editing in the first editing space after shooting himself / herself in the shooting space, a place in front of the surface 10-6 (hereinafter referred to as the second editing space, as appropriate). Edit) the photographed image of yourself.

Similar to the edit monitor 61, the edit monitor 71 displays an edited image generated in response to the input when the touch pen 72 writes, and the touch pen 72 is similar to the touch pen 62. , Editing monitor 7
The speaker 73 is configured according to the position detection method (for example, a resistance film type, an ultrasonic type, etc.) of the touch panel 272 that is stacked on the first touch panel 272. , The voice guidance explaining the input method of editing is output, and the edited image is printed on the printed matter outlet port 74, which is composed of a plurality of stickers of a predetermined number and size, like the printed matter outlet port 64. Eject the seal sheet. The coin insertion slot 75 receives the insertion of a predetermined amount of money when the user performs additional editing processing in the second editing space.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image printing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as viewed from the upper left rear side, and is a diagram showing a configuration example of the image printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 3, the casing 10 of the image printing apparatus 1
Lids 81 and 82 (openings 80) for maintenance and inspection of the printers 91 and 92 (see FIG. 8) are formed on the back surface 10-7 of the printer.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the image printing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 as seen from the top surface (surface 10-5).

As shown in FIG. 4, the lid member 81 is on the right side,
The lid member 82 is adapted to be opened and closed in the form of a door on the left side, and the lid members 81 and 82 constitute a part of the back surface 10-7 of the housing 10 of the image printing apparatus 1 when closed. .

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an essential part showing a state in which the lid member is opened for printer maintenance.

As shown in FIG. 5, lid members 81 and 82.
Has a key and is locked with the key when closed. The lid members 81 and 82 are fixed to the housing 10 with screws or the like, and the opening 80 is opened or closed according to the attachment or removal of the screws. Can be adopted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a printer 91 for printing an image edited by using the editing monitor 61 is installed in the housing 10. Printer 91
Is disposed on the right side surface 10-4 of the housing 10 and ejects the printed seal sheet 281-1 (see FIG. 8) from the printed matter take-out port 64. Further, a printer 92 that prints an image after being edited using the editing monitor 71 is installed in the housing 10. The printer 92 is disposed on the left side surface 10-6 of the housing 10 and ejects the printed sticker sheet 281-2 (see FIG. 8) from the printed matter take-out port 74. That is, the printers 91 and 92
Stores a plurality of types of seal sheets 281-1 and 281-2 of seals divided into a predetermined number and sizes, and prints the edited image on the seal sheet selected by the user.

When the lid members 81 and 82 are opened, the printers 91 and 92 are accessible from the outside through the large opening 80. Thereby, the lid member 81
And 82 are opened, and the seal sheets 281-1 and 281-2 are supplied to the printers 91 and 92.
The seal sheet 281-1 and the seal sheet 28
A detailed description of the replenishment method 1-2 will be given later.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an arrangement example of the image printing apparatus 1.

As shown in FIG. 6, a curtain frame 100 is attached horizontally to the upper part of the housing 10, and a curtain 101 is provided on the curtain frame 100. Curtain frame 10
0 hangs the curtain 101. Curtain 10
1 is installed so as to cover the photographing space, blocks external light, and contributes to photographing a good image.

Similarly, the upper portion of the casing 10 (face 10-4
A curtain frame 110 is attached to the upper right side) in the horizontal right direction, and a curtain 111 is provided on the curtain frame 110. The curtain frame 110 suspends the curtain 111. The curtain 111 is installed in the first editing space so as to face the surface 10-4 of the housing 10, and the editing monitor 61 is provided.
The external light reflected by is blocked, which contributes to making it easier for the user to see the image displayed on the editing monitor 61.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an arrangement example of the image printing apparatus 1, and is a view when the image printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 6 is viewed from the upper left front side.

A curtain frame 120 is attached horizontally to the upper part of the housing 10 (upper part of the surface 10-6), and a curtain 121 is provided on the curtain frame 120. The curtain frame 120 suspends the curtain 121. The curtain 121 is installed in the second editing space so as to face the surface 10-6 of the housing 10, blocks external light reflected by the editing monitor 71, and allows the user to display an image displayed on the editing monitor 71. It contributes to making it easier to see.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration example of the image printing apparatus 1. The description of the parts described in FIGS. 1 to 7 will be omitted.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201
Is a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202 or a RAM stored in the program storage unit 204.
According to the program loaded in the (Random Access Memory) 203, the entire operation of the image printing apparatus 1 is controlled by the bus 250.
Control through. The RAM 203 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 201 to execute various processes.

The program storage unit 204 comprises a hard disk and its drive and stores various programs executed by the CPU 201. The drive 220 is a magnetic disk 23 such as a floppy disk or a hard disk.
1, an optical disc 232 such as a CD-ROM or a DVD, a magneto-optical disc 233 such as an MD, or a program stored in a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory 234 is read and supplied to the program storage unit 204 or the like via the bus 250. . For example, the drive 220 supplies a new frame image to be combined with the image of the subject.

Inside the photographing device 20, a camera control unit 205 is arranged in addition to the camera 21 and the captured image display unit 22 described above. The camera control unit 205 responds to the adjustment request of the camera 21 input by the user operating the operation panel 42, in response to the zoom ratio of the camera 21,
Controls the amount of light taken in.

The image storage section 206 stores a predetermined number of images which the user has photographed and selected as images to be edited. For example, the image storage unit 206 stores up to four edit target images. The image storage unit 206 also stores an edit image (detailed description will be given later) corresponding to the edit operation input to the edit target image, in association with the edit target image.

The coin processing unit 207 counts the coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 51, and when it determines that a predetermined amount of money set in advance as the image creation price has been inserted, notifies the CPU 201 of it. Also, the coin processing unit 2
07 counts the coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 65, and when it is determined that a predetermined amount of money that has been set in advance as the image additional editing price has been inserted, the CPU 07
To notify. Further, the coin processing unit 207 counts the coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 75, and when it determines that a predetermined amount of money set in advance as the image additional editing price has been inserted, notifies the CPU 201 of this.

The printer 91 is a part for creating an image sticker, and the image after being photographed by the camera 21 and subjected to the editing processing described later is printed on the sticker paper unit 280-1.
Printed on the seal sheet 281-1 supplied from
Output. The printer 91 prints the edited image on the seal sheet 281-1 with the specified number of divisions. The user can select and print several types of images on one sticker sheet 281-1.

The seal sheet 281-1 printed by the printer 91 is ejected from the printed matter take-out port 64 and provided to the user.

The ID tag reader / writer 208 reads the ID tag 282-1 attached to the sticker sheet unit 280-1 and notifies the CPU 201 of it. The CPU 201 stores the ID notified from the ID tag reader / writer 208 in the ROM 2 in advance.
02 or the like to determine whether or not the seal sheet 281-1 stored in the seal paper unit 280-1 is a proper seal sheet to be used by the printer 91 by comparing with the seal sheet ID stored in the seal sheet unit 280-1. Then, the printer 91 is enabled or disabled.

That is, the ID written in the ID tag 282-1 and the seal sheet I previously stored in the ROM 202 or the like.
When D matches, the CPU 201 enables the first editing space to be a game, and conversely, the ID written in the ID tag 282.
And the sticker sheet IDs stored in advance in the ROM 202 or the like do not match, the CPU 201 disables the game in the first editing space.

The sticker sheet unit 280-1 is detachable from the image printing apparatus 1, has the sticker sheet 281-1 loaded therein, and has the ID tag reader / writer 20.
ID tag 282-at a predetermined position where ID 8 can read the ID.
1 is attached. An ID corresponding to the type of the loaded seal sheet 281-1 is written in the ID tag 282-1 attached to the seal paper unit 280-1.

Printer 92, ID tag reader / writer 20
9, sticker paper unit 280-2, sticker sheet 281
-2 and the ID tag 282-2 are a printer 91, an ID tag reader / writer 208, a sticker sheet unit 280-1, a sticker sheet 281-1, and an ID tag 2, respectively.
Since the configuration is similar to that of 82-1, the description thereof will be omitted. In the following description, the sticker paper unit 280-1
If it is not necessary to individually distinguish each of the seal paper unit 280-2 and the seal paper unit 280-2,
Called 0. Further, each of the seal sheet 281-1 and the seal sheet 281-2 is collectively referred to as a seal sheet 281 when it is not necessary to individually distinguish each. Also,
Each of the ID tags 282-1 and 282-2 is collectively referred to as an ID tag 282 when it is not necessary to distinguish them individually.

There is a dedicated sticker paper depending on the model of the image printing apparatus. Therefore, conventionally, there has been a mistake that a seal sheet that is not compatible with the image printing apparatus (seal sheet for other models) is loaded into the image printing apparatus. Therefore, as described above, by providing the identification means for identifying the sticker sheet 281 dedicated to the image printing apparatus 1, the image printing apparatus 1
It is possible to identify and print the dedicated seal sheet 281. That is, the barcode of the seal sheet 281 mount or the cartridge for storing the mount,
Alternatively, an ID tag or the like is provided so that it can be identified whether it is a dedicated one. As a result, good quality seals can be used in a limited manner, and good print finish can be maintained.

The audio output control section 251 controls the speaker 52 based on the control of the CPU 201, and provides various audio guidances for explaining a photographing method and sound effects such as a shutter sound when capturing a still image. Output. Further, the audio output control unit 263 controls the speaker 63 and outputs various audio guidances for explaining an editing method and the like, sound effects generated when writing the image, and the like. Furthermore, the audio output control unit 273 is configured to use the speaker 73.
To output various voice guidances that explain editing methods and the like, and sound effects that are generated when writing an image. In this way, different sounds are output to the speaker 52, the speaker 63, and the speaker 73 as needed.

The video input / output control unit 261 is operated by the image storage unit 206 when the photographing process ends and the user starts editing.
The image to be edited, which is transferred from the computer via the bus 250, is stored in a built-in memory (not shown). Then, when an edit input is made on the touch panel 262, the video input / output control unit 261 detects the input position on the edit target image, reflects it on the edit target image, and displays it on the edit monitor 61. Although the editing monitor 61 and the touch panel 262 are shown at different positions in FIG. 8, they are actually stacked and arranged.

Similarly, the video input / output control unit 271 has a built-in memory (where the image to be edited is transferred from the image storage unit 206 via the bus 250 when the photographing process ends and the user starts editing ( (Not shown). Then, when an edit input is made on the touch panel 272, the video input / output control unit 271 detects the input position on the edit target image, reflects it on the edit target image, and displays it on the edit monitor 71. Although the editing monitor 71 and the touch panel 272 are shown in different positions in FIG. 8, they are actually stacked and arranged.

Next, with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 9 to 11, the photographing processing by the image printing apparatus 1 will be described.

First, in step S1, the CPU 201
Displays a demonstration screen (hereinafter, referred to as a demo screen) stored in the program storage unit 204 such as a shooting progress method on the shooting monitor 41 and controls the video input / output control units 261 and 271. ,
It is displayed on the editing monitors 61 and 71, respectively.

In step S2, the CPU 201 determines, based on the output from the coin processing unit 207, whether or not a predetermined price (the price for creating the seal sheet) has been input,
It displays a demo screen and waits until it determines that it has been input. On the other hand, when the CPU 201 determines that the price has been input, the process proceeds to step S3, accepts an input from the operation panel 42, and prepares for shooting such as adjustment of the camera 21 according to a user's instruction. At this time, the CPU 201 causes the photographing monitor 41 to display explanation screens for explaining various functions and photographing methods. The user adjusts the camera 21 in accordance with the explanation screen displayed on the photographing monitor 41. It should be noted that the moving image captured by the camera 21 is displayed on the captured image display unit 22 in response to the insertion of coins.

In step S4, the CPU 201 operates the operation panel 4 operated by the user to instruct the start of photographing.
The acceptance of the shooting start button of No. 2 is started, and step S5
In step 1, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed, or whether or not the user has operated the shooting start button, and it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed or that the user has operated the shooting start button. Wait until.

When it is determined that the predetermined time has passed or the user has operated the shooting start button, the CPU
201 proceeds to step S6 and displays on the photographing monitor 41.
Display the countdown indicator and shoot.
At this time, the image captured by the camera 21 is stored in the RAM 203 as a still image.

Further, the CPU 201 controls the illuminating device 31 to illuminate the subject with a flash at the time of photographing, and saves the image captured by the camera 121 at that moment as a still image. The image is stored in the image storage unit 206.

In step S7, the CPU 201 displays the confirmation screen of the image photographed in step S6 on the photographing monitor 4.
Display on 1.

Then, in step S8, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the user operates the operation panel 42 to instruct to save the photographed image as an image to be edited. If it is determined that the instruction is given, CPU2
01 proceeds to step S9, saves the image displayed on the photographing monitor 41 in the image storage unit 206, and proceeds to step S1.
Go to 0.

On the other hand, if the CPU 201 determines in step S8 that the photographed image has not been instructed to be stored as the image to be edited, it does not store the image and proceeds to step S10.

In step S10, the CPU 201
A re-photographing confirmation screen for allowing the user to select whether or not to photograph again is displayed on the photographing monitor 41. The user can instruct re-imaging by operating and designating the operation panel 42, or can instruct termination of the imaging operation.

The CPU 201, in step S11,
It is determined whether the user has instructed re-imaging. If it is determined that the re-imaging is not instructed, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S12 and determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed or whether the termination of imaging has been instructed. When it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed and the user has not instructed the end of shooting, the CPU 201 returns to step S10 and repeats the subsequent processing.

When the predetermined time has elapsed or when it is determined that the user has instructed the end of shooting, the CPU 201 ends shooting.

When it is determined in step S11 that the user has instructed reshooting, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S13 and determines whether or not the number of remaining shootable images is one or more. When the CPU 201 counts the number of images stored in the image storage unit 206 and determines that the number of remaining shootable images is one or more, the process returns to step S3 and the subsequent processes are repeated. Also, the remaining number of possible shots is 0
If it is determined that the number of images is one, the CPU 201 ends the shooting.

The CPU 201, which has finished photographing, carries out step S
At 14, the operating states of the video input / output control unit 261 and the printer 91 are confirmed, and it is determined whether or not the editing process can be performed in the first editing space. CPU201
When it is determined that the editing process can be performed in the first editing space, the process proceeds to step S15, and the guide screen is displayed on the shooting monitor 41 in order to move the user in the shooting space to the first editing space. Display it.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of a guide screen displayed on the photographing monitor 41.

In FIG. 12, the guide screen 301 includes a sentence "Doodle here, please!" And a right-pointing arrow indicating the location of the first editing space. As a result, the user who has finished shooting can grasp the place where the editing work is performed.

The CPU 201 displaying the guide screen returns to step S1 and repeats the subsequent processing for the next user.

When it is determined in step S14 that the editing process cannot be performed in the first editing space, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S16 to check the operating states of the video input / output control unit 271 and the printer 92,
It is determined whether edit processing can be performed in the second edit space. When the CPU 201 determines that the editing process can be performed in the second editing space, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S17, and displays the guide screen on the shooting monitor 41 in order to move the user in the shooting space to the second editing space. To display.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a guide screen displayed on the photographing monitor 41.

In FIG. 13, the guide screen 302 includes a sentence "Doodle here, please!" And an arrow pointing left indicating the location of the second editing space. As a result, the user who has finished shooting can grasp the place where the editing work is performed.

The CPU 201 displaying the guide screen returns to step S1 and repeats the subsequent processing for the next user.

In step S16, in both the first editing space and the second editing space, another user is performing editing processing, or the printers 91 and 92 are not operating normally. If the user who finished shooting cannot edit the image, the CPU
The process proceeds to step S <b> 18, and the 201 causes the photographing monitor 41 to display a process selection screen as to whether or not to retake an image or to play a game.

The CPU 201 displaying the process selection screen
In step S19, it is determined whether the user has operated the operation panel 42 to instruct re-imaging. When it is determined that the re-imaging is instructed, the CPU 201 determines in step S20.
Then, a re-photographed image confirmation screen for selecting an image to be deleted from the images stored in the image storage unit 206 is displayed. The CPU 201 that has displayed the re-photographed image confirmation screen proceeds to step S21, determines whether the image to be deleted is selected by the user, and displays the re-photographed image confirmation screen until it is determined that the image has been selected. stand by.

When it is determined that the user has operated the operation panel 42 to select the image to be erased, the CPU 201 erases the selected image in step S22 and re-shoots. The CPU 201 that has re-photographed the image in step S
The procedure returns to 14 and the subsequent processing is repeated.

If it is determined in step S19 that the user has not instructed reshooting, the CPU 201
Advances to step S23, the game screen is displayed on the photographing monitor 41, and processing relating to a game such as molling is performed. When the game ends, the CPU 201 executes step S
The procedure returns to 14 and the subsequent processing is repeated.

By the processing such as re-shooting and game as described above, the user can wait the time until the editing processing without bored time.

In step S15 of FIG. 11, when the guide screen is displayed on the photographing monitor 41 and the user in the photographing space is guided to the first editing space, the CPU 201 instructs the user who has moved to the first editing space. , Edit processing is executed.

The editing process by the image printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 14 and 15.

First, in step S51, the CPU 20
1 acquires all the edit target images stored in the image storage unit 206. Then, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S52, and displays all the acquired images to be edited on the editing monitor 61 via the video input / output control unit 261 as shown in FIG. Further, the CPU 201 causes the speaker 63 to output a guidance such as “Please select a photo to be scribbled!” That prompts the user to select an image to be edited, via the voice output control unit 263.

As shown in FIG. 16, the editing monitor 6
A message "Please select a photo to be scribbled!" Is displayed above 1. Also, below the message,
On the left side, a message "It was a picture taken!" Is displayed, and on the right side, the images to be edited 501-1 to 501- are displayed.
4 (hereinafter, each of the edit target images 501-1 to 501-4 is collectively referred to as an edit target image 501 if it is not necessary to distinguish each image). The user can know that the desired image can be selected from the editing target images 501-1 to 501-4 displayed below by the message “Please select a photo to be scribbled!”. it can.

The user selects the edit target images 501-1 to 50-5.
By touching a desired edit target image of 01-4 with the touch pen 62, the edit target image 501 to be edited can be selected. In step S53, the CPU 201 waits until the user selects the edit target image 501, and when the user touches the desired edit target image 501 with the touch pen 62, the process proceeds to step S5.
4, the CPU 201 identifies the edit target image selected by the user based on the position on the touch panel 262 touched by the touch pen 62, and the video input / output control unit 2
For example, a screen as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the editing monitor 61 via the touch panel 61, and the user touches the touch pen 62.
Start accepting edit input made by operating. The user operates the touch pen 62 on the displayed image to edit the image such as graffiti.

As shown in FIG. 17, the editing monitor 6
In FIG. 2, the edit target image selected by the user is displayed in the edit input area 525. Note that FIG. 17 shows an example in which the edit target image 501-1 of FIG. 16 is selected. Also, on the left side of FIG.
A pen input button 521, a stamp button 522, an eraser button 523, and a character input button 524 are displayed in order from the top. The user can perform the corresponding editing operation by touching the button corresponding to the desired operation from the buttons with the touch pen 62.

The pen input button 521 is the touch pen 62.
This is selected when performing freehand graffiti operation via. The stamp button 522 is an edit input area 525.
Is selected when combining stamps prepared in advance. The image printing apparatus 1 stores a plurality of stamps in advance, and the stamp button 522 is the touch pen 6
When selected by 2, the stored stamp list is displayed at a predetermined position on the editing monitor 61, and the user can select a desired stamp from the list.

The eraser button 523 is selected when the editing operation once input is deleted. The character input button 524 is selected when a character of a predetermined font prepared in advance is combined with the edit input area 525.

The editing operation (graffiti) shown in FIG. 17 is an example of the editing operation, and the editing operation in the image printing apparatus 1 of the present invention is not limited to the one described above with reference to FIG. Absent.

The CPU 201 creates an edit image to be combined with the edit target image 501 in response to the edit operation input via the touch pen 62, and reflects it in real time on the edit monitor 61. In FIG. 18, the edit target image 501-displayed in the edit input area 525 of FIG. 17 is displayed.
1 and the edit image 541 displayed by being combined on the edit target image 501-1 are shown. FIG.
A shows an edit target image 501-1 and FIG. 18B shows an edit image 541. CPU201
As shown in FIG. 19, the editing image 541 is displayed in the editing input area 525 of the editing monitor 61 so that the editing image 541 is superimposed on the editing target image 501-1. As a result, the user can perform further editing while referring to the edited image.

[0117] The CPU 201 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed, displays an edited image, and accepts an input of an editing operation until it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S55.

In step S55, the CPU 201
The edit image 541 created in response to the input of the edit operation in step S54 is stored in the image storage unit 206 in association with the edit target image 501.

At step S56, the CPU 201
The edit target image 501 and the edit image 541 stored in the image storage unit 206 in association with the edit target image 501.
Are superimposed to create print data. The CPU 201 that has created the print data controls the printer 91 to execute the print processing. As a result, an image in which the image of the subject and the graffiti added thereto are superimposed is printed on the sticker sheet 281. After printing, the CPU 201 ejects the sticker sheet 281 printed by the printer 91 from the printed matter take-out port 64.

The CPU 201 confirms the operation state of the printer 91 and determines whether the status of the printer 91 is normal before the printing process. When the CPU 201 determines that the print job is normal, the CPU 201 executes print processing. Printer 9
If it is determined that the status of 1 is not normal, the CPU
201 displays an error message on the editing monitor 61.

At step S57, the CPU 201
Through the video input / output control unit 261, the editing monitor 61
, The edited image 5 as shown in FIG.
51, a list of images 501 to be edited, and a screen prompting selection of additional editing are displayed. Also, the CPU 201
Causes the speaker 63 to output, through the voice output control unit 263, a guide for prompting selection of additional editing, such as “If coins are added, graffiti can be drawn again!”.

As shown in FIG. 20, the editing monitor 6
In 1, the message "Add coins and scribble again!" Is displayed above. This message allows the user to know that further editing (scribble) is possible by paying an additional fee. Below the message "You can add a coin and do graffiti again!", The message "This is a picture taken!" The same edit target images 501-1 to 50
1-4 are displayed. In addition, the image 551-1 that has already been edited has a message 55 of "Doodled" in the edited image 501-1.
4 is displayed and the user has already edited the image 501-
You can know that you did graffiti on 1.

It should be noted that in FIG. 20, the message 554 "doodled" is displayed on the already-edited image 501-1 to be edited, but if the display indicates that it has already been edited. , The message does not have to be a “doodled” message. For example, the edited image 501 to be edited may be surrounded by a thick frame, or may be displayed with a brightness different from that of the unedited image 501 to be edited.

In FIG. 20, "This is a picture taken!"
A message "It's a picture that has been scribbled!" Is displayed below the message of, and an edited image 551 edited in step S54 is displayed on the right side of the message. CPU201
Is the edit target image 50 edited from the image storage unit 206.
1-1 and the edit image 541 stored in association with the edit target image 501-1 are read out and displayed as the edited image 551 on the edit monitor 61 via the video input / output control unit 261.

At the bottom of FIG. 20, an additional edit button 55 is displayed.
2 "Doodle again" and end button 553
"End" is displayed. The user can edit the image again by touching the additional edit button 552 with the touch pen 62. Also, by touching the end button 553 with the touch pen 62, a series of games can be ended.

In step S58, the CPU 201
It is determined whether or not the additional edit button 552 has been touched by the touch pen 62, and the additional edit button 552 indicates that the touch pen 62 has been touched.
When it is determined that the end button 553 is touched with the touch pen 62, the CPU 201
Is edited via the video input / output control unit 261.
A guide for ending the game is displayed on 1, and a series of editing processing is ended.

The CPU 201 counts the time since the screen shown in FIG. 20 is displayed on the editing monitor 61, and a predetermined predetermined time (for example, 20 seconds), an additional edit button 552, And end button 553
If neither of the above can be touched with the touch pen 62,
In step S58, it is determined that the additional edit button 552 has not been operated. Then, the CPU 201 displays a guide for ending the game on the editing monitor 61 via the video input / output control unit 261, and ends the series of editing processes.

At step S58, the CPU 201
If it is determined that the additional edit button 55 has been touched, the process proceeds to step S59 in FIG.

In step S59, the CPU 201
On the editing monitor 61 via the video input / output control unit 261,
For example, as shown in FIG. 21, a guide for prompting the user to pay the additional fee is displayed. In addition, the CPU 201 causes the speaker 63 to output, via the voice output control unit 263, a guidance such as “Please insert a coin!” For prompting the insertion of an additional fee.

In FIG. 21, a message "Please insert a coin within 20 seconds!" Is displayed above the editing monitor 61. The user can know from this message that it is necessary to insert a coin from the coin insertion slot 65. "20 seconds" in this message
The display of the part of "19 seconds", "18 seconds", "17"
Count down to "0 seconds" like "seconds". When performing additional editing, the user needs to insert additional coins from the coin insertion slot 65 before the countdown ends. The other display is the same as that of FIG.

In step S60, the CPU 201
The coin processing unit 207 is monitored to determine whether or not the additional coin has been inserted. If the additional coin has not been inserted, the process proceeds to step S61, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 20 seconds) has elapsed. When it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (when the countdown has not ended), the process returns to step S60, and the processes from step S60 are repeated.

At step S61, the CPU 201
When it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (when it is determined that the countdown has ended), the processing proceeds to step S62, and the CPU 201 causes the editing monitor 61 to notify the end of the game via the video input / output control unit 261. Display the guide and finish the series of games.

If the CPU 201 determines in step S60 that an additional coin has been inserted, the process proceeds to step S63. In step S63, the CPU 201
Is edited via the video input / output control unit 261.
A guide for prompting selection of an image to be additionally edited as shown in FIG. 22, for example, is displayed at 1 to prompt the user to select an image to be additionally edited. Further, the CPU 201 causes the speaker 63 to output a guidance such as “Please select a photo to be scribbled!” That prompts the user to select an image to be edited, via the voice output control unit 263.

In FIG. 22, a message "Please select a photo for graffiti!" Is displayed above the editing monitor 61. The message allows the user to know that the image to be edited can be selected.
The other display is the same as that in FIGS. 20 and 21. The user edits the image 501- shown in FIG.
A desired image can be selected by touching with the touch pen 62 from 1 to 501-4 and the edited image 551. That is, the user does not only edit the unedited images 501-2 to 501-4,
The editing target image 501-1 that has already been edited can be edited again. Further, the edited image 551 can be added and edited.

In step S64, the CPU 201
With the touch pen 62, the edit target images 501-1 to 50-5
The process waits until an image is selected from 01-4 and the edited image 551. When the image is selected, the process returns to step S54, and the processes after step S54 are repeated. When the image selected by the user is the edited image 551 in step S64, in step S54, the CPU 201 causes the image storage unit 206 to edit the image 501-1 to be edited, which constitutes the edited image 551. And the edit image 541 is read out and displayed on the edit monitor 61, and the input of the edit operation is accepted. Then, data of the edited image 541 is newly created as a file different from the read edited image 541.

For example, the edit image forming the edited image 551 of FIG. 22 is set as the edit image A. When the edited image 551 in FIG. 22 is selected in step S64, the CPU 201 superimposes the edit image A on the edit target image 501 while retaining the file itself of the edit image A in the image storage unit 206. The selected image is displayed on the editing monitor 61 and the input of the editing operation is accepted. Then, the editing image is updated in response to the input editing operation, and after the editing is finished, the updated editing image is set as the editing image B different from the editing image A, together with the editing image A, and the same editing target. Image 501
And is stored in the image storage unit 206 in association with.

The file size of the edited image 541 is
It can be smaller than the image to be edited. Therefore, by storing the edited image 541 in the image storage unit 20 as a file different from the image to be edited 501, the storage capacity of the image storage unit 206 can be reduced.

For example, when the file size of one edit target image 501 is 2 (relative value) and the file size of the corresponding edit image is 1 (relative value), the storage capacity required for the image storage unit 206 is , "Image to be edited (2) +
Edit image (1) = 3 ”. However, when the edited image is not divided into the edit target image and the edit image and is stored in the image storage unit 206 as one image file, the file size is basically the same as the edit target image. Becomes Therefore, the storage capacity required for the image storage unit 206 is “edit target image (2) + edited image (2) = 4”, which is different from the case where the edit target image and the edit image are stored separately. It requires a larger storage capacity.

When the same image to be edited is edited twice, the difference becomes even more remarkable. That is, when the edit target image and the edit image are separately stored, the required storage capacity is “edit target image (2) + edit image A
(1) + edited image B (1) = 4 ”, but when saving as an edited image, the required storage capacity is“ edit target image (2) + edited image A (2) + edited image B.
(2) = 6 ”, which requires a larger storage capacity.

Further, as an advantage of separately storing the image to be edited and the edited image, it is possible to change a part of the edited image created in the previous editing process when performing additional editing. That is, when the edited image is saved as one file without dividing the image to be edited and the edited image, when the edited image is additionally edited, the edited image is a single image into which the edit input is combined. Since it has become a file, the user cannot change part of the graffiti input in the previous editing process. On the other hand, by saving the edited image and the edited image separately, the next time the user edits the edited image again, if the user wants to change some of the graffiti input in the previous editing process, Changes can be made by updating the image. Therefore, it is possible for the user to perform the desired editing process.

However, in the above description, the case where the image to be edited and the image to be edited are separately stored has been described as an example, but the present invention does not divide the image to be edited and the image to be edited and It does not deny saving as one file, but you may do so.

As described above with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 14 and 15, the editing process is performed for the user in the first editing space.

In the above description with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 14 and 15, the processing of step S56 and the processing of step S57 and subsequent steps have been described in the order of step S56 and step S57 for convenience of description. Actually, the process of step S56 and the processes of step S57 and subsequent steps proceed in parallel at the same time. That is,
The CPU 201 prints the edited image on the sticker sheet and discharges the printed matter from the printed matter take-out port 64, while executing the processing from step S57. By doing so, the user can execute the next processing, that is, additional editing, without waiting for the printing processing of the edited image on the sticker sheet.

In step S17 of FIG. 9, when the guide screen is displayed on the photographing monitor 41 and the user in the photographing space is guided to the second editing space, the CPU 201 instructs the user who has moved to the second editing space. Edit processing.

This editing process is performed by the editing monitor 71 corresponding to the editing monitor 61, the touch pen 72 corresponding to the touch pen 62, the speaker 73 corresponding to the speaker 63, and the printed matter take-out port 74 corresponding to the printed matter take-out port 64.
A coin slot 75 corresponding to the coin slot 65, a video input / output control section 271 corresponding to the video input / output control section 261, a touch panel 272 corresponding to the touch panel 262, a voice output control section 273 corresponding to the voice output control section 263, Also, the printer 92 corresponding to the printer 91 is used and executed, and its processing is basically the same as the editing processing shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, so description thereof will be omitted.

In the above, the photographing process, the editing process for the user in the first editing space, and the editing process for the user in the second editing space are performed independently and in parallel. As a result, the user's shooting process in the shooting space, the user's editing process in the first editing space, and the user's editing process in the second editing space are independently performed, and the user can be efficiently rotated. Become.

In the conventional image printing apparatus, the number of images that can be edited in one game is fixed, and even if a plurality of images to be edited are acquired, the images that can be actually edited are , Were limited to some of those images to be edited. Therefore, for example, even if the user wants to edit three images to be edited, there is a limitation that only two images to be edited can be actually edited. In recent years,
The editing function of the image printing apparatus (photo sticker vending machine) has become multifunctional, and various editing processes can be performed. In one editing process, all editing functions desired by the user can be performed. There is also the problem of not being able to use all of the.

Therefore, as described above with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 14 and 15, the user is allowed to perform additional image editing processing by paying an additional fee, so that the user can take a plurality of edited handling images 501. From -1 to 501-4, it is possible to edit all the desired images. Also, the user can use all desired editing functions.

When the additional fee is set to be the same as the fee for one game, the user, as shown in FIG.
In the case of additional editing, more time can be used for the editing process than the editing process in the first game.
That is, the graph of FIG.
Time of shooting process and editing process in the game when paying the fee for one game (that is, when the amount of coins inserted is the same in step S2 of FIG. 9 and step S60 of FIG. 15) Is shown conceptually. In FIG. 23, the time for which the image printing apparatus 1 can be used by one coin insertion is 1
It is the same up to t2 in the second game and the additional editing.

In the first game, the shooting process and the editing process have to be performed within the time period up to t2, so the time available for the editing process is t2-t1. However, in the additional editing, the user can use all the time until t2 for the editing process. Therefore, the user spends enough time to edit the image 50 to be edited.
It becomes possible to perform edit processing on 1.

Of course, the coin insertion amount of the first game and the coin insertion amount at the time of additional editing are made different,
It is also possible to set the editing processing time to a corresponding length. That is, for example, the coin insertion amount in step S2 of FIG. 9 is set to 300 yen, the coin insertion amount in step S60 of FIG. 15 is set to 200 yen, and the editing process time of the first game is the same as that of the additional editing process. It is also possible.

The user may be allowed to select the coin insertion amount for additional editing. That is, in step S59 in FIG. 15, a message is displayed on the editing monitor 61, such as "100 yen for 2 minutes, 200 yen for 4 minutes, 300 yen for 6 minutes!" It is also possible to set the editing time for additional editing according to the amount of money inserted from the coin slot 65.

Further, in the above description, for simplification of the description, the case where the number of edit target images that can be edited for one coin insertion is one has been described. This does not limit the number of edit-ready images that can be edited with one coin insertion to one. For example, the number of edit-ready images that can be edited with one coin insertion can be set to two. Of course, it is possible to make the number larger than that. Further, for example, at the start of the game, that is, when the editing process including the shooting process is performed, up to two edit-ready images can be edited, and when the additional edit is performed, three edit target images can be edited. You can also do it. In particular, in the case of additional editing, as shown in FIG.
The time for editing processing is set to a long time as compared with the editing processing for the first game. Therefore, by making it possible to edit a larger number of images to be edited than in the editing process of the first game, it is possible to make the user more satisfied.

In the above description, in the monitor display shown in FIG. 22, the user has already edited the edit target image 501-1 and the edited image 551.
Has been described as an example in which the image can be selected as the image to be edited.
Of course, it is also possible not to select -1 and the edited image 551. Further, it is possible not to display the edited image 501 and the edited image 551 that have already been edited on the editing monitor 61.

Further, in the flow charts shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the user can perform additional editing as many times as he / she pays the additional fee. It is also possible to limit it. For example, after setting the payment of the additional charge up to three times and the user makes additional edits three times,
It is also possible to forcibly end the game without accepting additional editing. For example, if a subsequent customer tries to play a game on the image printing apparatus 1 and is waiting for the user to finish the game, if the user repeatedly performs additional editing, the subsequent customer will wait for a long time. You will have to wait. Therefore, such a problem can be solved by limiting the number of times additional editing can be performed.

Furthermore, it is possible to set the number of times of additional editing that can be performed differently depending on the time zone where the number of customers is large and the time zone where the number of customers is small. That is, it is possible to set an unlimited number of additional edits in a time zone where the number of customers is small, and to limit the number of additional edits allowed to a maximum of two times in a time zone where the number of customers is large. . This setting is ROM2
02, or in the program storage unit 204, or may be set manually by the administrator of the image printing apparatus 1.

By the way, in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the printing process is performed immediately after the editing process for one game is completed, and the additional editing is also performed each time the editing process is completed. However, it is also possible to perform the print processing after the editing processing in the first game and the additional editing are all completed. Next, regarding the processing when the timing of the printing processing is different from the flowcharts of FIGS. 14 and 15,
This will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 24 and 25.

Since the processing of steps S101 to S105 in FIG. 24 is the same as the processing of steps S51 to S55 in FIG. 14, step S10 is performed.
The description of steps 1 to S105 is omitted.

In step S106, the CPU 201
Is edited via the video input / output control unit 261.
For example, as shown in FIG. 20, a list of the edited image 551 and the image to be edited 501, and a screen prompting selection of additional editing are displayed in FIG.

In step S107, the CPU 201
Determines whether or not the additional edit button 552 has been touched with the touch pen 62, and when it is determined that the additional edit button 552 has not been touched with the touch pen 62, that is, the end button 553 has been touched with the touch pen 62, the process proceeds to step. Proceed to S108.

The CPU 201 counts the time after the screen shown in FIG. 20 is displayed on the editing monitor 61, and a predetermined time (for example, 20 seconds) set in advance, an additional edit button 552, And end button 553
If neither of the above can be touched with the touch pen 62,
In step S107, it is determined that the additional edit button 552 has not been operated, and the process proceeds to step S108.

In step S107, the CPU 201
However, if it is determined that the additional edit button 55 is touched,
The process proceeds to step S109 in FIG.

In step S109, the CPU 201
Is the editing monitor 61 via the video input / output control unit 261.
For example, as shown in FIG. 21, a guide for prompting the user to pay the additional fee is displayed.

In step S110, the CPU 201
Monitors the coin processing unit 207 to determine whether or not an additional coin has been inserted. If no additional coin has been inserted, the process proceeds to step S111, and a predetermined time (for example, 20
21) has elapsed, or the print button (not shown in FIG. 21, but displayed at a predetermined position on the editing monitor 61) is touch pen 62.
It is determined whether or not the touch has been performed with, and if the predetermined time has not elapsed (the countdown has not finished) and the print button has not been touched, step S1.
Returning to step 10, the processing after step S110 is repeated.

In step S111, the CPU 201
However, if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (the countdown has ended) or the print button has been touched, the process proceeds to step S108.

When the CPU 201 determines in step S110 that an additional coin has been inserted, the process proceeds to step S112. In step S112, CPU2
01 displays a guide for selecting an image to be additionally edited as shown in FIG. 22, for example, on the editing monitor 61 via the video input / output control unit 261, and prompts the user to select an image to be additionally edited. Encourage.

In step S113, the CPU 201
Waits until an image is selected from the edit target images 501-1 to 501-4 and the edited image 551 by the touch pen 62, and when the image is selected, the process returns to step S104, The processes of S104 to S106 are repeated. Then, after the additional edit is executed, in step S107, when the selection to perform the additional edit is input (additional edit button 552)
If is touched), the process proceeds to step S109 again, and the additional editing process is repeated. In this way, the additional editing is repeated. Then, after the additional editing is executed, if the selection to perform the additional editing again is not input in step S107, the process proceeds to step S108.

In step S108, the CPU 201
Is the edit target image 501 and the edit image 5 stored in the image storage unit 206 in association with the edit target image 501.
41 is superimposed to create print data. The CPU 201 that has created the print data controls the printer 91 to execute the print processing. As a result, an image in which the image of the subject and the graffiti added thereto are superimposed is printed on the sticker sheet. After printing, the CPU 201 discharges the sticker sheet printed by the printer 91 from the printed matter take-out port 64.

After that, the CPU 201 causes the video input / output control unit 261 to display a guide for ending the game on the editing monitor 61 and ends the series of editing processes.

As described above, the print processing is performed after the first editing processing and the editing processing in the additional editing are all completed, so that, for example, the edited image created in the first editing processing It is possible to print the edited image created in the additional editing on the same sticker sheet. In that case, since the user has paid the game fee for a plurality of times, the user may eject the corresponding number of sticker sheets.

In the above description of the flowcharts of FIGS. 24 and 25, the editing process for the user in the first editing space has been described as an example, but the editing process described above is the second processing. It goes without saying that it may be executed in the editing space.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing another example of the image printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

In this figure, the terminal 1 is for photographing.
A plurality of editing terminals 572 for one photographing device 571
-1 to 572-3 are provided. That is, as shown in the figure, the periphery (front side) of the photographing device 571 is the photographing space, and the periphery (front side) of each of the editing terminals 572-1 to 572-3 is the editing space.

The photographing device 571 and the editing terminals 572-1 to 572-3 are connected by cables 573-1 to 573-3, respectively, and the data of the image to be edited photographed by the photographing device 571 is processed by the photographing process. Is ended, the data is transferred to the editing terminals 572-1 to 572-3 via the cables 573-1 to 573-3. Of course, the data may be transferred wirelessly.

The user who has taken an image of himself / herself in the shooting space is the shooting monitor 41 installed in the shooting device 571.
A screen prompting the user to move to one of the editing terminals 572-1 to 572-3 is displayed on the screen, and the user moves accordingly. That is, the editing terminal 57
Identification information is set in each of 2-1 to 573, and the editing terminal 572-is displayed on the screen prompting the movement.
The identification information of 1 to 572-3 is also displayed.

For example, editing terminals 572-1 to 572
Nos. 1 to 3 are provided as the identification information in each of -3, and when the user who is editing using the editing terminal 572-1 finishes the processing, the shooting is finished in the shooting space. To the user, a message such as "You can edit with the No. 1 editing terminal" is displayed.

In general, the time required for editing processing is longer than the time required for photographing processing. In particular, when there is a user who repeats additional editing, the occupying time of the editing space of one user may become very long. Therefore, by providing a plurality of editing terminals for one image pickup device 571 in this way, the waiting time for subsequent customers can be further shortened, and at the same time, the editing processing time can be set longer. You can Further, the user can repeatedly perform additional editing without hesitating to the subsequent customers. As a result, the user can repeat the editing process until he is more satisfied, and the administrator of the image printing apparatus can
You can get more profit.

[0178] Further, even if a plurality of photographing devices 571 are installed and the photographing is completed, the user may move to the open (not used) editing terminals 572-1 to 572-3 as appropriate. Good.

By the way, if the administrator of the image printing apparatus 1 is about to run out of the seal sheet 281 loaded in the image printing apparatus 1, the new seal paper unit 28
The seal sheet 281 is replenished by replacing it with 0. When replenishing the seal sheet 281, the image printing apparatus 1
The CPU 201 can collate the ID tag 282 attached to the sticker sheet unit 280 to determine whether the refilled sticker sheet is suitable for the image printing apparatus 1. Next, referring to FIG. 27, the CPU 20
The ID detection processing of the ID tag 282 by 1 will be described. In the following description, the sticker paper unit 2
The ID detection processing of the ID tag 282-1 of 80-1 will be described.

In step S501, the CPU 201
Monitors whether or not the sticker sheet unit 280-1 is attached to a predetermined position of the image printing apparatus 1. If the sticker sheet unit 280-1 is attached, the process proceeds to step S502.

In step S502, the CPU 201
Controls the ID tag reader / writer 208 to attach the ID tag 282-1 attached to the sticker paper unit 280-1.
Read the ID of and supply it.

In step S503, the CPU 201
Is the ID tag reader / writer 2 in step S502.
08, the seal sheet ID previously stored in the ROM 202 is collated, and if both IDs are the same, the process proceeds to step S504, and the CPU 201 controls the video input / output control unit 261 to edit the image. The monitor 61 displays a message indicating that the first editing space is available (game is available).

In step S505, the CPU 201
Returns the first editing space to a normal game playable state.

In step S503, the CPU 201
However, if it is determined that the ID acquired from the ID tag reader / writer 208 and the seal sheet ID stored in the ROM 42 in advance do not match, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S506 to control the video input / output control unit 261. A message is displayed on the editing monitor 61 indicating that the first editing space is unusable (game impossible).

Then, in step S507, the CPU
In 201, the first editing space cannot be used (game is impossible)
Set to. Even in that case, if the editing process in the second editing space is possible, the image printing apparatus 1 guides the user who has finished the shooting process in the shooting space to the second editing space and executes the editing process.

Although the ID detection processing of the ID tag 282-1 of the sticker sheet unit 280-1 has been described above, the ID tag 2 of the sticker sheet unit 280-2 has been described.
The ID detection processing of 82-2 is similar to the above-described processing.

In this embodiment, the ID tag 282 is attached to the sticker paper unit 280, but
If the type of the seal sheet 281 loaded in the seal paper unit 280 can be identified, the seal sheet 281 may be identified by another method.

For example, instead of the ID tag 282, a method such as a bar code or an IC card may be used to identify the sticker paper unit 280. In addition, the shape of the mounting portion of the sticker paper unit 280 to the image printing apparatus 1 is
The image printing apparatus 1 may be different for each model, and only the suitable sticker sheet unit 280 may be attached to the image printing apparatus 1.

Further, the seal sheet 281 and the seal paper unit 280 can be configured to be separable, or can be configured integrally.

Further, in the above, the example in which the two sticker paper units 280-1 and 280-2 are installed in the image printing apparatus 1 has been described. As long as the seal sheet 281 is supplied from one sticker sheet unit to both the printer 91 and the printer 92, the sticker sheet units may be combined into one.

In the above description, an example in which two printers, the printer 91 and the printer 92, are installed in the image printing apparatus 1 has been described, but it goes without saying that only one printer may be installed in the image printing apparatus 1. It is possible.

In the above description, the print medium has been described as the seal sheet 281, but the print medium is not limited to the seal sheet 281, and may be printed on a paper of a predetermined size or a paper for posters, for example. . The photographed image data may be recorded on a recording medium such as a flexible disk prepared by the user.

Further, in the above description, the image printing apparatus 1 is provided with the two editing spaces of the first editing space and the second editing space. However, for example, the editing in the second editing space is performed. Portions related to processing, that is, the editing monitor 71, the touch pen 72, the speaker 73, the printed matter ejection port 74, the coin insertion port 75, the printer 92, the ID tag reader / writer 209, the sticker paper unit 280-2, the video input / output control unit. The 271, the touch panel 272, and the audio output control unit 273 may be installed in the image printing apparatus 1 and the editing process may be executed only in the first editing space. Further, instead of setting a different place for photographing and editing, the photographing monitor 41 may also accept the editing process.

In the above description, the image printing apparatus 1 as a photo sticker vending machine has been described as an example.
The image printing apparatus 1 of the present invention is not limited to the photo sticker vending machine. For example, a home printer or the like may have the above-mentioned function. Further, a general-purpose personal computer is connected to, for example, a digital camera, a microphone, and a printer, and a program for executing the processing performed by the image printing apparatus 1 is installed so that the functions of the image printing apparatus 1 described above are provided. 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.

[0196]

As described above, according to the present invention, the print medium on which the edited image is printed can be provided to the user.

Further, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to edit all the images desired by the user. Also,
According to the present invention, the user can use all of the editing functions that the image printing apparatus has, which he / she wants to use, and can perform more satisfactory editing processing. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to secure a sufficient time for editing processing so that the user is satisfied.

Further, according to the present invention, the administrator of the image printing apparatus can obtain a greater profit from one user. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the turnover ratio of the user and shorten the waiting time for the turn.

[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 perspective view illustrating a configuration example of a left side surface of the image printing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of a back surface of the image printing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the image printing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an essential part showing a state in which a lid member is opened.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an arrangement example of an image printing apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an arrangement example of an image printing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of an image printing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting process performed by the image printing apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting process performed by the image printing apparatus, following FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting process performed by the image printing apparatus, following FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of a guide screen.

FIG. 13 is another diagram showing a display example of a guide screen.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an editing process performed by the image printing apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an editing process performed by the image printing apparatus, the flowchart continuing from FIG.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an editing monitor.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing another example of a screen displayed on the editing monitor.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a process of image data in the editing process.

FIG. 19 is another diagram for explaining the processing of image data in the editing processing.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an editing monitor.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing another example of a screen displayed on the editing monitor.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing another example of a screen displayed on the editing monitor.

[Fig. 23] Fig. 23 is a diagram for describing the time required for the shooting process and the editing process required for the game.

FIG. 24 is another flowchart illustrating an editing process performed by the image printing apparatus.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an editing process performed by the image printing apparatus, the flowchart continuing from FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image printing apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an ID detection process of the image printing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Image printing device 20 Imaging device 21 camera 41 Monitor for photography 42 Operation panel 51 coin slot 51 52 speakers 61 Editing monitor 62 touch pen 63 speakers 64 Printed material outlet 65 coin slot 71 Editing monitor 72 Touch pen 73 speakers 74 Printed material outlet 75 coin slot 91,92 Printer 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 207 coin processing unit 251 Audio output control unit 261 Video input / output control unit 262 touch panel 263 Audio output control unit 271 Video input / output control unit 272 touch panel 273 Audio output control unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/76 H04N 5/76 E (72) Inventor Koji Maekawa Shiojiji-dori Horiirigawa Higashiiri Minamifudodo, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto Town 801 OMRON Corporation F-term (reference) 2C187 AD13 AG08 BF42 BH26 CC04 CD12 CD15 CD18 CD24 DB01 FA01 FA07 GD10 2H104 AA19 BC48 5C022 AA13 AC42 AC69 5C052 AA12 AA17 CC11 DD02 EE03 FA02 FA03 FA04 FB01 FB05 FB05 FB05 FB01 FB05 FB01 FB05

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image printing apparatus that edits an image of a photographed subject and then provides the edited image to the user, wherein the photographed image of the subject is displayed as an image to be edited. Display means, input accepting means for accepting an input of an editing operation for the image to be edited displayed by the display means, and whether additional editing is performed when the input accepting means finishes accepting the input of the editing operation A first selection receiving unit that receives a selection of whether or not to select; a payment receiving unit that receives payment of an additional price when the selection for additional editing is received by the first selection receiving unit; When the payment of the additional price is accepted, the input acceptance is performed so that the input of the editing operation to the image to be edited is accepted again. Image printing apparatus characterized by a control means for controlling the stage. 2. A second selection acceptance unit that causes the display unit to display one or more photographed images of the subject as the editing target image, and accepts the selection of the editing target image to be edited from the images. The display means displays the image to be edited, the selection of which is accepted by the second selection acceptance means, and the input acceptance means, the selection is accepted by the second selection acceptance means. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image printing apparatus receives an input of the editing operation for the image. 3. After the input acceptance of the editing operation by the input acceptance means is completed, the display means displays the edited image created based on the editing operation together with one or more of the edit target images. The image printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image is displayed. 4. The first selection accepting means selects again whether to perform additional editing from the edited image displayed by the display means and one or more of the editing target images. Acceptance, the payment acceptance means, by the first selection acceptance means,
When the selection to perform the additional editing is accepted again from the edited image and the one or more images to be edited, the payment of the additional price is accepted, and the second selection accepting unit displays the display. A selection of the image to be additionally edited is received from the edited image displayed by the means and one or more of the edit target images, and the control means receives the selection by the second selection receiving means. The image printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the input receiving unit is controlled to receive an input of the editing operation on the image. 5. The image printing according to claim 3, wherein the display unit displays the image to be edited corresponding to the edited image so that it can be identified that the image has been edited. apparatus. 6. A creation unit that edits the image to be edited to create the edited image based on the editing operation input by the input receiving unit, and the edited image created by the creating unit. The storage means for storing an image is further provided.
6. The image printing apparatus according to any one of 5 to 5. 7. The creating means creates an edit image to be combined with the edit target image based on the editing operation received by the input accepting means, and the storage means creates the edit image by the creating means. The image printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the edited image is stored in association with the image to be edited. 8. A printing unit that prints the edited image created on the basis of the editing operation, the input of which is accepted by the input accepting unit, on a predetermined print medium; and the edited image is printed by the printing unit. 8. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a discharging unit configured to discharge the printed printing medium. 9. The predetermined print medium, further comprising a reading unit for reading identification information for identifying the mounted print medium, the control unit based on a reading result by the reading unit, The image printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein printing on the print medium is controlled. 10. The image printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the print medium on which an image is printed by the printing unit is stored, and the identification information read by the reading unit is held. Print media unit. 11. An image printing method for an image printing apparatus, which edits an image of a photographed subject and then provides the edited image to the user, wherein the image of the photographed subject is edited. A display step of displaying as the target image, an input accepting step of accepting an input of an editing operation for the edit target image displayed by the processing of the displaying step, and an acceptance of the input of the editing operation by the processing of the input accepting step are completed A selection receiving step for receiving a selection of whether or not to perform additional editing, and a payment receiving step for receiving payment of an additional price when the selection for the additional editing is received by the processing of the selection receiving step, When the payment of the additional fee is accepted by the processing of the payment acceptance step, the editing is performed again. Image printing method characterized by comprising a control step of controlling to accept input of the editing operation to the elephant picture. 12. A program for causing a computer to execute the image printing method according to claim 11.