JP2003330093A - Automatic imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To photograph a good expression and, in the concrete, to prevent an expression wherein a face center part projects and to prevent a subject's glance from being strange by guiding the subject's glance to the center of a camera lens. <P>SOLUTION: A half-mirror 104 which returns reflected light to a subject A and guides transmitted light to a camera 110 and a reflecting mirror 112 which reflects and guides an input signal inputted from the subject A after being transmitted through the half-mirror 104 to the camera 110 are arranged between the subject A and camera 110, and a light emitting body diode 115 is arranged nearby the camera 110; and the half-mirror 104 is irradiated with the light emitted by the light emitting body diode 110 through the reflecting mirror 112 and the glance of the subject A is guided with an image of the light emitting body diode 115 irradiating the half-mirror 104 when the subject A is imaged. <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 automatic image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a subject with a camera and printing and outputting the picked-up image, for example, an automatic photographer installed in a station, a convenience store, or the like. Relates to an automatic image pickup device capable of taking a photograph with a better expression.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of automatic image pickup device, it is necessary to take a picture in a limited space, so that a camera is installed right behind a half mirror, for example, as shown in FIG. The composition is adopted.

However, with this configuration, the distance between the camera and the subject (user) is too short, and when a photograph taken and printed out is viewed, the central portion of the face projects and the facial expression looks just like a fisheye lens. Tend.

Further, in the conventional apparatus, as shown in FIG. 7, a user as an object looks at the light emitted from a light emitting diode (light emitting element) installed above the camera in the imaging room through a half mirror. Imaging is also performed.

Therefore, conventionally, in a photograph actually printed out, the eyes tend to face upward and the expression tends to be strange.

[0006]

As described above, in the conventional automatic image pickup apparatus, since the distance between the camera and the subject is too short, when the photograph actually printed out is seen, the center portion of the face is projected. In addition to the inconvenience of having an expression as seen with a fisheye lens, the user who is the subject takes an image by looking through the half mirror to the light emitted from a light emitting diode installed above the camera in the imaging room. Since this is done, there is an inconvenience that the eyes are turned up and the expression is strange in the photograph actually printed out.

In view of the above situation, the present invention makes it possible to take a better facial expression, specifically, to prevent the facial center portion from having a prominent facial expression, and at the same time, look at the subject from the camera lens. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic image pickup device that can be guided to the center of the camera and that can prevent the line of sight from becoming strange.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is an automatic image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a subject with a camera, printing the picked-up image, and outputting the image.
Between the subject and the camera, a half mirror that returns reflected light to the subject and guides transmitted light to the camera, and reflects light input from the subject through the half mirror to the camera. A reflecting mirror that guides the light is disposed, and a light emitting element is disposed in the vicinity of the camera, and the light emitted from the light emitting element is irradiated onto the half mirror through the reflection mirror, and the half mirror is irradiated. The eye of the subject at the time of capturing the subject is guided by the image of the light emitting element.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the light emitting element forms an image of the light emitting element on the half mirror so as to capture an image of a line of sight of the subject in a substantially downward direction. It is characterized in that it is arranged with respect to the camera such that the position is substantially below the position of the camera.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in an automatic image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a subject with a camera and printing and outputting the picked-up image, reflected light is returned to the subject between the subject and the camera. With a half mirror that guides transmitted light to the camera, and a mirror that guides transmitted light to the camera by reflecting light that is transmitted from the subject and transmitted through the half mirror to the camera, A light emitting element is disposed on the rear side of the mirror as viewed from the subject side, at a position on the mirror that reflects the light guided to the camera, and the light emitted from the light emitting element is applied to the half mirror. It is characterized in that the line of sight of the subject at the time of capturing the subject is guided to the central portion of the camera lens by the image of the light emitting element irradiated on the half mirror.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or third aspect of the present invention, the light emitting element is controlled to blink at a predetermined cycle, and the image pickup timing by the camera is controlled to a light off timing of the light emitting element. Is further provided.

Further, the invention of claim 5 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1 or 3, an HID lamp is used as an illumination device for illuminating the subject when the subject is imaged.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic external configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of an automatic camera 100 to which an automatic image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is applied. Then, FIG. 1A shows the automatic camera 100.
Fig. 1 (b) shows a schematic external configuration of the front view of Fig.
Shows a schematic external configuration of the front camera 100 of FIG. 1 (a) as viewed from the left side, and FIG.
1 shows a schematic external configuration of the automatic camera 100 of FIG. 1A as viewed from the right side.

As shown in FIG. 1, this automatic camera 100
Is roughly divided into an imaging room external housing unit 1 and
It is composed of a shooting space room 2.

The image pickup chamber outer casing 1 is provided with a print outlet 101, a plug 102, and a fan hood 103.

Here, the print outlet 101 is an outlet for ejecting a photograph that has been picked up and printed out for the user to take.

The plug 102 is a power supply line for supplying a power supply necessary for operating the camera 100, for example, a commercial power supply to the inside of the apparatus.

The fan hood 103 is a hood at the mouth for discharging the circulating air flow by the fan mounted inside the photographing chamber.

In the photographing space room 2, there are chairs 20.
1, a curtain 202, and a rear panel 203.

Here, the chair 201 is a chair on which a user who is a subject sits down. In this example, a chair is provided with a cylinder type lifting mechanism, and the user can arbitrarily adjust the height of the chair.

The curtain 202 shields the appearance of the room in the shooting space from the outside or blocks the light outside the shooting space.

The back panel 203 is a background portion of the user as a subject, and in this example, the user has a chair 201.
A dent is formed so that the head does not hit the wall when seated on.

The roof part 3 provided on the upper part of the photographing room 1 and the photographing space room 2 of the automatic camera 100 is provided with a fluorescent lamp-based illumination, for example, the title of the automatic camera is displayed. The display is equipped.

Further, in this example, the photographing space is the curtain 2.
02, a room surrounded by an external housing, etc. is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the shooting space is not covered with a curtain or an external housing, but is exposed to the outside. It is good.

FIG. 2 shows the automatic camera 10 shown in FIG.
Chair 201 installed in shooting room 1 of shooting room 1 of 0
It is a figure which shows the side surface of the imaging room 1 in a room when it sees from the side.

As shown in FIG. 2, the photographing room 1 in the room
A half mirror 104, a coin selector 105, an operation panel 106, a monitor 107, and a lighting unit 1 are provided on the side surface of the
And 08. Here, half mirror 10
Reference numeral 4 denotes a reflective film formed so that reflected light is returned to the object between the object and the camera 109, and transmitted light is transmitted to the camera 10.
It is a mirror for guiding to 9, and the user can grasp the image of himself from the reflected light.

The coin selector 105 selects the coin type of the inserted coins when the user inserts coins of a fee necessary for taking an ID photo and printing the photo, and selects the coin type of each coin. Store coins in the storage box according to.

The operation panel 106 is provided with various operation buttons for the user to perform various operations such as starting image pickup, selecting a photo type (category for certification, chart, etc.), and turning on / off the monitor display.

The monitor 107 displays the print image in order to notify the user of what the image actually printed is. Specifically, the image data of only the range portion having a fixed vertical and horizontal size according to the photo type is taken out and displayed. The image displayed on this monitor 18 is the same as the image actually printed out. Therefore, unlike the case where the left and right are mirrored like a mirror, it is assumed that the image will be printed out. It is possible to print out only the image you like.

The illumination unit 108 illuminates the subject (user) with light, and for example, HID (HIGH INTENSITY D).
ISCHARGE) lamp is adopted. This HID lamp has a high luminous efficiency and a luminescent color (color of light) of pure white which is as close as possible to sunlight, which is gentle to the eyes and greatly improves visibility.

In addition, this automatic photographic machine adopts a postpaid format, and the user charges a fee when he or she picks up an image several times and checks the image, and then prints out the image he / she likes. It is a mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal construction of the photographing room 1 of the automatic camera 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, inside the photographing room 1, a monitor 107, a safe 109, a camera 110, a control section 111, a reflection mirror 112, a fan 113, a printer 114, and a light emitting diode. (Light emitting element) 115
Composed of and.

Here, the monitor 107 displays the print image to notify the user of what the image actually printed is.

The safe 109 is a box for storing the coins that have been selected and recognized by the coin selector 105 shown in FIG.

The camera 110 is a digital camera which receives an image from a subject through the half mirror 104, and picks up an image based on an input signal reflected and guided by a mirror 111 described later.

The control unit 111 centrally controls the entire automatic camera 100. Specifically, the operation panel 106,
Monitor 107, camera 110, printer 114, etc.
Further, it is electrically connected to various illumination lamps and the like to control their operations. For example, various image processing of image data captured by the camera 110 is performed.

The reflection mirror 112 reflects an input signal transmitted from the subject through the half mirror 104 and guided to the camera 110.

The fan 113 is a blower that blows air to keep the temperature inside the photographing room 1 at a constant temperature, for example, the operation guarantee temperature of the automatic camera 100.

The printer 114 has, for example, a cassette (not shown) in which a paper and an ink ribbon are integrated and detachable, and is a printing unit that prints and outputs a captured image captured by the camera 110. Yes, it is possible to output in black and white (monochrome) or color.
Sublimation type thermal transfer type is used. Furthermore, this printer 1
14 has a function of laminating the surface of the printed paper and outputting it. By this laminating process, the photograph can have durability such as complete waterproofness, stain resistance, and resistance to breakage, and can also prevent forgery.

The light emitting diode (light emitting element) 115 is
It is arranged in the vicinity of the camera 110 and emits the emitted light onto the half mirror 104 under the control of the control unit 111.

Further, in the structure of the automatic camera 100,
The distance (X) between the subject and the half mirror 104 is set from the half mirror 104 through the reflection mirror 111 to the camera 1
The optical path length to reach 09 (Y + Z) is approximately equal.

This is because a conventional automatic camera of this type has a structure for taking a picture in a limited space (space). Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a camera is installed right behind a half mirror. If you do so, the distance between the camera and the subject (user) will be too close, and when you look at the photograph that was taken and printed out, the center of the face will protrude and the facial expression will look like it was with a fisheye lens. there were.

Therefore, as described above, the above-mentioned configuration is adopted in order to maintain the distance between the camera and the subject (user) while considering the limited space and lens cost.

The reason why (X) and (Y + Z) are made substantially equal is that the same image as the image of the user on the half mirror 104 can be taken.

That is, the image on the half mirror is projected as a virtual image separated by the distance from the user to the half mirror according to the law of reflection. Therefore, if the image is taken at a distance twice the distance from the user (subject) to the half mirror, the same image as the image of the user on the half mirror 104 can be taken.

Since the reflecting mirror 112 is installed as described above, the image taken by the camera 109 is inverted by image processing and output to the printer 114, thereby correcting the image inversion by the reflecting mirror 112.

In addition to the above, the reflection mirror 112 and the camera 110 are not subjected to the image inversion correction by the image processing as described above.
It is also possible to install another reflection mirror between and and reflect the light one step further to adjust the camera position so that the light enters the camera.

In the present invention, the above-mentioned distance (X) between the subject A and the half mirror 104 is made substantially equal to the optical path length (Y + Z) from the half mirror 104 to the camera 109 via the reflection mirror 111. In the above, by installing the light emitting diode 115 as described above, the line of sight of the user (user) at the time of capturing an object (user) is guided near the center of the lens of the camera 110 by the image of the light emitting element illuminated on the half mirror 104. It becomes possible.

Further, in this configuration, the expression on the half mirror 104 is slightly downward so that the facial expression is better than that of the camera looking straight, specifically, the facial expression of the subject (user) is not upward. The light emitting diode 115 is installed in the vicinity of the camera where the irradiated image is slightly below the camera lens.

The configuration and processing operation when the above-mentioned light emitting diode 115 is used will be described in more detail below.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration in the case of controlling the light emission of the light emitting diode 115 to guide the line of sight at the time of image pickup, and specifically, the control section 11 shown in FIG. 3 above.
1 shows an internal functional block of No. 1.

In FIG. 4, the control section 111 comprises a light emitting element lighting control means 111-1 and a camera image pickup timing control means 111-2.

Here, the light emitting element lighting control means 111-1
In order to guide the line of sight of the subject (user) at the time of capturing the subject (user) by the image (T1) of the light-emitting diode 115 illuminated on the half mirror 104, for example, the light emission is performed in response to a user's image capturing instruction. Body diode 11
5 is controlled to blink at a predetermined cycle.

Camera image pickup timing control means 111-2
In the state where the light emitting diode 115 is controlled to blink at a predetermined cycle by the control of the light emitting element lighting control means 111-1, the image pickup timing by the camera 110 is controlled at the timing when the light emitting diode 115 is turned off. To do. As a result, the light emitting diode 1
The reflected light of the emitted light of 15 will not be disturbed.

The above-mentioned blinking control of the light emitting element 115 is
It is performed during one image pickup, for example, while taking four pictures by one image pickup, and is turned off when all the image pickups are completed. Alternatively, the blinking control may be always performed including the state where no image is captured.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a processing operation procedure by the configuration of the control unit 111 shown in FIG.
Specifically, the camera image capturing timing in the camera image capturing timing control unit 111-2 of the control unit 111, that is,
The operation procedure of the shutter release timing is shown.
In this flow, the blinking control is performed during one image pickup, and is turned off when all the image pickups are completed.

As shown in FIG. 5, first, when the control section 111 detects a user's imaging instruction operation via the operation panel 106 (YES in step S101), the control section 11 is started.
The light emitting diode lighting control means 111-1 controls the light emitting diode 115 to blink at a predetermined cycle (step S).
102).

Next, in the control section 110, the light emitting diode 11 is controlled by the camera image pickup timing control means 111-2.
Detection processing of the turn-off timing of No. 5 is performed (step S
103, 103 NO → 103 YES is included). here,
When the light-off timing of the light emitting diode 115 is detected (YES in step S103), the camera 110 is controlled and the image capturing is executed (step S104).

After that, the control section 110 judges whether or not all the imaging operations for one time have been completed (step S10).
5) Here, if all the imaging is completed (YES in step S105), the blinking control by the light emitting element lighting control unit 111-1 is completed (step S106), and the process here is completed.

On the other hand, in the process of the step S105, when all the imaging for one time is not completed (NO in the step S105), the process returns to the above step S103 and the same process is performed thereafter.

With this configuration, the reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitting diode 115 does not interfere with the image pickup operation.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a modified example of the structure shown in FIG. 4, and specifically shows a case where the mounting position of the light emitting diode 115 is changed.

In FIG. 6, in this embodiment, a light-emitting body is provided on the rear side of the reflection mirror 112 when viewed from the subject A side, and on the reflection mirror 112, a portion for reflecting the light guided to the central portion of the lens of the camera 110. A diode 115 is provided. In this case, the reflection mirror 112 has a structure in which the light transmitted from the subject A and transmitted through the half mirror 104 is reflected and guided to the camera 110, and the transmitted light is guided to the half mirror 104.

As a result, the light emitted from the light emitting diode 112 is irradiated onto the half mirror 104, and the image (T2) of the light emitting diode 115 irradiated onto the half mirror 104 is used to view the line of sight of the subject. Can be guided to the center of the camera lens.

Even in this configuration, the processing procedure of FIG. 5 described above is performed.

In the configuration of the above-described embodiment, when the above-mentioned line-of-sight guidance is actually performed, a voice announcement, a monitor display, or a sticker showing operation procedures is used to emit light from the light-emitting element onto the half mirror. A structure is provided for instructing the user to look at the image of the illuminated light emitting element.

[0069]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A half mirror that returns reflected light between the subject and the camera and guides transmitted light to the camera, and a reflection that reflects an input signal that is transmitted from the subject through the half mirror and is input to the camera. A light emitting element is provided in the vicinity of the camera while a mirror is provided, and the light emitted from the light emitting element is applied to the half mirror through the reflection mirror, and the light emitting element is applied to the half mirror. Since the line of sight of the subject at the time of imaging the subject is guided by the image of, the better expression can be taken. Specifically, it is possible to prevent the facial expression of the center of the face from appearing, and to guide the subject's eyes to the vicinity of the center of the camera lens, thereby preventing the eyes from becoming strange.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic external configuration diagram showing a configuration example of an automatic photograph machine to which an automatic image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a side surface of the photographing room of the automatic photographing machine shown in FIG. 1, as viewed from the chair side installed in the photographing space room.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a photographing room of the automatic camera shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration in a case where light emission of a light emitting diode is controlled to guide a line of sight during image pickup.

5 is a flowchart showing a processing operation procedure by the configuration of the control unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a modified example of the configuration shown in FIG. 4, specifically showing a case where the mounting position of the light emitting diode is changed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional automatic camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 ... Automatic camera, 1 ... shooting room, 2 ... shooting space room,
3 ... Roof, 101 ... Print outlet, 102 ... Insert plug, 103 ... Fan hood, 201 ... Chair, 202 ... Curtain, 203 ... Rear panel, 104 ... Half mirror,
105 ... Coin selector, 106 ... Operation panel, 107 ...
Monitor, 108 ... Illumination section, 109 ... Safe box, 110 ... Camera, 111 ... Control section, 112 ... Reflection mirror, 113 ...
Fan, 114 ... Printer, 115 ... Light emitting diode (light emitting element), 111-1 ... Light emitting element lighting control means, 1
11-2 ... Camera imaging timing control means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An automatic image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a subject with a camera and printing and outputting the picked-up image, wherein reflected light is returned to the subject and transmitted light is sent to the camera between the subject and the camera. A half mirror that guides the light and a reflection mirror that reflects light input from the subject through the half mirror and guides the light to the camera are arranged, and a light emitting element is arranged in the vicinity of the camera. The light emitted from the element is irradiated onto the half mirror through the reflection mirror, and the line of sight of the object at the time of capturing the object is guided by the image of the light emitting element irradiated onto the half mirror. Imaging device. 2. The light emitting element, in order to capture an image of the line of sight of the subject in a substantially downward direction,
2. The automatic image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup device is arranged with respect to the camera such that a position of an image of the light emitting element on the half mirror is substantially lower than a position of the camera. 3. An automatic image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a subject with a camera and printing and outputting the picked-up image, wherein reflected light is returned to the subject and transmitted light is sent to the camera between the subject and the camera. A half mirror that guides the light and a mirror that reflects light input from the subject through the half mirror and guides the light to the camera and guides the transmitted light to the half mirror are provided. A light emitting element is disposed on the rear side of the mirror at a position on the mirror that reflects light guided to the camera, and the light emitted from the light emitting element is applied to the half mirror, and the half mirror is irradiated with the light. An automatic image pickup apparatus, which guides a line of sight of the subject at the time of image pickup of the subject to a central portion of the camera lens by an image of a light emitting element irradiated. 4. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the light emitting element to blink in a predetermined cycle and controls an image pickup timing of the camera to a light emission timing of the light emitting element. Automatic imaging device. 5. The automatic image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an HID lamp is used as an illumination device that illuminates the subject when the subject is imaged.