JP2004040532A - Digital photograph print system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital photograph print system capable of promoting use of multiple times by utilizing information about users. <P>SOLUTION: The digital photograph print system 1 has a main image camera 21 for inputting a main image; sub-image registration unit 45 for storing image data of a plurality of limited images capable of being overlapped on the main image and disposed; a card reader/writer 11 for read and rewrite of a recording card in which information can be rewritten; an image compositing unit 47 for generating image data of a composite image obtained by compositing the limited image and the main image, which can be used according to card information read by the card reader/writer 11; a printer 37 for printing a composite image according to the edited image data; and a card information generating unit 49 for generating card information to be written into the recording card by the card reader/writer 11. The card reader/writer 11 stores card information which is newly generated in the recording card. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital photo print system that captures itself with an image capturing device such as a digital camera, reads image data of a captured image from a recording medium, and outputs an image synthesized with a desired frame or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Images taken with a digital camera or the like can be printed at home using a personal computer, a printer, or the like, instead of having to bring a film to a photo shop for printing as in the related art. In addition, a photo that has already been printed can be read by a scanner or the like to perform additional printing, enlargement, and the like.
[0003]
However, while there is a demand to process captured images more beautifully and with various ingenuity, electronic devices such as digital cameras, personal computers, printers, and scanners have made rapid progress, and new products with high performance have been developed one after another. Since it is sold, it is difficult for an individual to always create the highest quality print, and there is a limit to the sub-images such as frame images to be combined with the photographed image that can be used by the individual.
[0004]
Therefore, a digital photo print device, which is an image output device that can be installed in a relatively small space, installed in a store such as a camera store, uses a memory in which image data is recorded or a photo already printed. Input an image (hereinafter referred to as the main image) and create a composite image with an image (hereinafter referred to as a sub-image) that can be placed over the main image, such as a relatively small pattern such as a frame, a star, or a heart, A method of processing and printing an image is used.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, there are various types of digital photo printing devices as described above, and as a user, a composite image is created by using a new sub-image on another device instead of using the digital photo printing device once used. Is often interested in Therefore, in order to promote the use of a digital photo print device of the same model or the same maker a plurality of times, the superiority in function over other models and the use of multiple times bring some value to the user. There was a problem that such a device was required.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new function in a digital photo printing device, obtain an advantage over other devices, and to provide a special function according to the number of uses. It is to provide a digital photo print system that can be used.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main image input unit for inputting a main image, a limited image holding unit for holding image data of a plurality of limited images that can be arranged so as to be superimposed on the main image, Reading / writing means for reading / writing a rewritable recording medium, searching means for searching for limited image data from limited image holding means in accordance with information read by the reading / writing means, A digital photo print system includes an image editing unit that generates image data of a combined image obtained by combining an image and a printing unit that prints a combined image in accordance with the edited image data.
[0008]
Further, the information processing apparatus may further include an information creating means for creating information to be written on the recording medium by the reading and writing means, and the reading and writing means may rewrite the information held on the recording medium with newly created information. The information created by the information creating means includes at least one of identification information of a user of the digital photo print system, a date of birth, a specific date, an event describing the date, and the number of times the digital photo print system has been used. Is preferred.
[0009]
In addition to the above configuration, it may further include a display unit for performing a specific display, a charging unit for performing a charging process, and a usage time management unit for limiting the usage time according to the information read by the reading and writing unit.
[0010]
According to the above configuration, the information stored in the rewritable recording medium is updated each time the digital photo print system is used, and a special limited image can be used according to the number of uses, and the use time can be extended. , Can promote multiple uses. If the digital photo print system is used for a birthday, a special anniversary, or the like, it is possible to obtain an image containing a special message or the like that cannot be obtained in other uses.
[0011]
The image processing apparatus further includes a display unit that displays the main image and the limited image, an operation input unit that performs an operation input, and a sub-image holding unit that holds image data of a plurality of sub-images that can be arranged so as to overlap the main image. The input unit may be any one of a digital camera device, a recording medium reading device that reads image data held in a recording medium, and an image reading device that reads a printed image.
[0012]
With the above configuration, the user can perform an operation while checking the image on the display unit, and use an image captured by various devices as a main image and create a composite image with another image by an easy operation. be able to.
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main image input unit for inputting a main image, a limited image holding unit for holding image data of a plurality of limited images that can be arranged so as to be superimposed on the main image, and a printed watermarked image. An image reading unit to be read, a search unit that searches for image data of a limited image from a limited image holding unit according to information embedded in the watermarked image read by the image reading unit, and a main image and the searched limited image. A digital photo print system includes an image editing unit that generates image data of a synthesized image that has been synthesized, and a printing unit that prints a synthesized image in accordance with the edited image data.
[0014]
The image processing apparatus further includes: an information creating unit that creates information to be embedded as a watermark in the combined image; a watermarked combined image creating unit that embeds the information as a watermark in the combined image; and a printing unit that prints the created watermarked combined image. You can also. The information created by the information creating means includes at least one of identification information of a user of the digital photo print system, a date of birth, a specific date, an event describing the date, and the number of times the digital photo print system has been used. Is preferred.
[0015]
In addition to the above configuration, it may further include a display unit for performing a specific display, a charging unit for performing a charging process, and a usage time management unit for limiting a usage time in accordance with information embedded as a watermark in the composite image.
[0016]
According to the above configuration, the information about the user can be used by bringing the printed image to the apparatus and reading the image, and the image can be read using the image reading apparatus, so that it is not necessary to newly provide a reading and writing unit. In addition, the labor and cost for issuing a recording medium can be reduced.
[0017]
In addition, the information embedded as a watermark in the composite image is updated each time the digital photo print system is used, and special limited images can be used according to the number of uses, the use time can be extended, etc., and use multiple times is promoted. can do. If the digital photo print system is used for a birthday, a special anniversary, or the like, it is possible to obtain an image containing a special message or the like that cannot be obtained in other uses.
[0018]
The image processing apparatus further includes a display unit that displays the main image and the limited image, an operation input unit that performs an operation input, and a sub-image holding unit that holds image data of a plurality of sub-images that can be arranged so as to overlap the main image. The input unit may be any one of a digital camera device, a recording medium reading device that reads image data held in a recording medium, and an image reading device that reads a printed image.
[0019]
With the above configuration, the user can perform an operation while confirming the image on the display unit, use an image captured by various devices as a main image, and create a composite image with another image by a simple operation. be able to.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a digital photo print system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital photo print system 1.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, the digital photo print system 1 includes a card reader / writer 11, a main image camera 21, a display unit 23, an operation input unit 25, a BGM playing unit 33, an external storage device 35, a printer 37, It has a charging unit 39, a control unit 10, and the like, and further includes a strobe light 40, a speaker 81, and the like.
[0022]
The main image camera 21 is a so-called digital camera device having the user as a main subject. The image captured by the main image camera 21 is output by the printer 37 or output to the external storage device 35. The display unit 23 is a display screen including a CRT and a liquid crystal panel, and displays operation guidance, operation status, a main image, a sub image, and the like, and has a touch panel so that various operations can be performed. Is preferred.
[0023]
The operation input unit 25 is an operation member that performs various operations. The system is operated using the operation input unit 25 and the touch panel of the display unit 23. The printer 37 is an output device that prints an image, and performs printing on a seal sheet in which an adhesive layer and a release paper are laminated on the back surface, a postcard-sized photo print sheet, or the like. The sheet printed by the printer 37 may be sent to a half-cutting device (not shown) that performs a half-cut (also called a half-cut or a pre-cut) in accordance with an image printed on the sheet. The printed sheet is discharged to the outlet 31.
[0024]
The external storage device 35 includes a flexible disk device, an optical disk device, a PC card device, a smart media device, a compact flash (registered trademark) device, a mini disk device, and the like. In addition to photographing by the main image camera 21, image data stored in the external storage device 35 can be read and used as a main image. Further, the image data of the created composite image can be stored in a recording medium by the external storage device 35.
[0025]
The BGM playing section 33 is a section that plays music or the like (BGM) from the speaker 81 while the digital photo print system 1 is operating, and plays music stored in a storage section (not shown). As will be described later, when the user selects, music data stored on a recording medium (CD, MD, or the like) inserted by the user and inserted into the external storage device 35 may be reproduced. Good.
[0026]
The strobe light 40 is a lighting device for illuminating a subject, and a flash light emitting device or the like can be used. The entrance / exit curtain 52 serves as an entrance / exit for the user, and is provided for aptitude of photography and for ensuring privacy. The background curtain 54 is a portion that becomes a background when shooting a subject.
[0027]
The control unit 10 is a computer that controls the entire digital photo print system 1, and includes a sub-image creation unit 43, a sub-image registration unit 45, an image synthesis unit 47, a card information creation unit 49, a usage time management unit 51, a billing process. It has a portion 53 and the like.
[0028]
The sub-image creating unit 43 creates and edits a sub-image using the display unit 23 and the operation input unit 25. The sub-image registration unit 45 holds a sub-image that can be used for combining with the main image, and image data of the sub-image created by the sub-image creation unit 43. Image data of a sub-image (hereinafter referred to as a limited image) that becomes available when the number of uses reaches a predetermined number is also stored in the sub-image registration unit 45.
[0029]
The image synthesizing unit 47 synthesizes the main image with the sub-image including the limited image, trims, enlarges, reduces, and rotates the main image according to the sub-image, embeds identification data as a watermark in the image, and the like. It has the function of
[0030]
The card reader / writer 11 and the card information creation unit 49 are characteristic parts of the present embodiment. The card reader / writer 11 reads and writes information from a magnetic card, an IC card, and the like (hereinafter, referred to as a recording card). A function of issuing a recording card at the first use may be provided. Further, instead of the recording card, a portable strap or a portable sticker having a built-in RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag may be used.
[0031]
The card information creation unit 49 creates information to be written on a recording card. The information to be written includes the identification information of the user, the date of birth, the date to be recorded, the event explaining the information, the number of uses, and the like. The information is appropriately rewritten when there is a change or when the number of uses increases. When a mobile strap or a mobile sticker with a built-in RFID tag is used, the created information is written to the RFID tag.
[0032]
When the digital photo print system 1 of the model or the maker is used for the first time, a recording card is issued in advance at a store or the like where the digital photo print system 1 is provided, and the recording card is inserted into a card reader. Insert it into the writer 11. When a series of operations is completed, information to be written on the recording card is created by the card information creation unit 49, stored in the recording card by the card reader / writer 11, and ejected from the card ejection port (not shown) of the card reader / writer 11. You. At this time, a screen for inputting the date of birth of the user, a date to be recorded, an event explaining the date, or the like may be displayed on the display unit 23 and input.
[0033]
At the time of next use, the recording card brought to the card reader / writer 11 is first inserted to read the recorded information. In accordance with the recorded information, the control unit 10 displays a special message such as a word celebrating a birthday, enables the use of a limited image that can be used when the number of uses reaches a certain number, or extends the use time. Can be done.
[0034]
The use time management unit 51 is provided, for example, to start editing an image after starting an image editing operation, in order to prevent the digital photo print system 1 from being occupied by a specific user for an unnecessarily long time, thereby preventing the operating rate from decreasing. Manages time to completion. That is, after a certain period of time, a message notifying the user is displayed on the display unit 23 or notified by voice. Further, the available time may be changed according to the number of times of use read from the recording card. For example, 4 minutes can be set for the first time, 5 minutes for the 5th time, 6 minutes for the 10th time, and 7 minutes for the 20th or more times.
[0035]
The billing processing unit 53 displays the required price on the display unit 23, and the billing unit 39 performs billing processing. The settlement can be performed by a charge collection unit (not shown) such as a coin or bill insertion slot or a change discharge port. It is also possible to set so that the fee is changed according to the number of times of use by the user.
[0036]
Next, the operation of the digital photo print system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the digital photo print system 1, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a combined image of the limited image and the main image, and FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the combination of the sub image and the main image. is there.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 3, first, the user inserts a recording card into the card reader / writer 11 (step 301). At the time of the first use, the digital photo print system 1 is provided to a store or the like where the digital photo print system 1 is provided, and a recording card is issued, or if the card reader / writer 11 has a function of issuing a recording card, recording is performed using the function. Get a card. It is preferable that the power of the digital photo print system 1 is turned on by the operation of inserting the card. However, the power may be turned on by providing a power switch and operating it. It is preferable that the operation can be stopped here.
[0038]
The card reader / writer 11 reads information (hereinafter referred to as card information) stored on the inserted recording card (step 302). Based on the read card information, it is determined whether or not it falls on an anniversary such as a user's birthday or a certain period before or after the anniversary (step 303). 23 (step 304). Here, for example, a display indicating that the number of uses has reached the number of times the limited image can be used or the number of times the use time can be extended may be displayed.
[0039]
Next, a billing process is performed (step 305). Here, a desired fee system can be realized by the billing processing unit 53 and the billing unit 39, such as discounting the fee if the date falls on an anniversary or the number of uses exceeds a predetermined number. . For example, the first use may be set at 400 yen, the fifth time at 300 yen, the 10th time at 200 yen, the 20th or more use at 100 yen, and the anniversary with an additional 100 yen. Payment can be made by a charge collection unit (not shown) such as a coin or bill insertion slot, change outlet, etc., but a fixed amount is paid in advance when a recording card is inserted, etc. May be settled by subtracting. It is preferable that the operation can be stopped here.
[0040]
When the charging process is completed, it is determined whether or not the main image is to be photographed (step 306). If the main image is not to be photographed, the brought recording medium is inserted into the external storage device 35, and the image is read and selected. (Step 307). You may bring the printed photo and read it with an image reading device (not shown) such as a scanner. When selecting an image, a thumbnail image or the like may be displayed on the display unit 23, and when a part of the image is touched, the image may be selected. When the selection is completed, the process proceeds to step 310.
[0041]
When photographing is performed, photographing is performed by the main image camera 21 (step 308). At this time, it is preferable that the strobe light is appropriately emitted. Further, the image to be shot and the countdown number at the time of shooting may be displayed on the display unit 23 in a superimposed manner. The background curtain 54 may be changed according to preference. The photographed image is stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the digital photo print system 1. At the time of this data transfer, a still image may be displayed on the display unit 23 as appropriate.
[0042]
In addition, a plurality of (for example, six) shots can be taken, displayed on the display unit 23, and a certain number of images (for example, two images) can be selected from among them (step 309). At this time, when a part of the image is touched, a frame may be displayed on the image to indicate that the image is selected, and when the same image is subsequently touched, the image may be canceled. Further, when a predetermined number of images are selected, the determination button may be enabled, and the selection may not be changed even if another image is touched. It is preferable that there is no time limit for selecting an image.
[0043]
After selecting the main image, the brightness of the selected main image is adjusted (step 310). When a plurality of main images are selected, it is preferable that the frames be switched so that the brightness can be adjusted for each image. The adjustment of the brightness can be performed, for example, in two steps for each of light and dark, with the default being the center, for a total of five steps.
[0044]
Subsequently, it is determined whether or not there is a display of a limited image, an anniversary message or the like (hereinafter collectively referred to as limited content) (step 311), and if so, it is displayed (step 312).
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 4, for example, if the image 401 displayed at this time corresponds to the user's birthday or a certain period before and after the user's birthday, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” is displayed as a message 407, The date of the day may be entered in the lower part. Also, an image of the famous person 405 can be displayed side by side with the main image 403 as a limited image.
[0046]
For example, the limited image is not used for the first use, one for the fifth use, one for the tenth use, one for the image that is considered to be more valuable, and the twentieth for five images that are considered more valuable. In the case of a day, it can be made available, such as one more. The images considered to have high value are, for example, images of popular characters, portraits of celebrities, and the like. Further, a special limited image for an anniversary such as a birthday may be prepared.
[0047]
Next, it is determined whether or not to use a sub-image other than the limited content (step 313), and if so, the sub-image is edited (step 314). Here, the synthesis of the main image and the sub-image will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A shows a state before the combination, and FIG. 5B shows a state after the combination. In image synthesis, a pattern (line A) can be freely drawn freely (also called graffiti). In this case, the pen selection unit 4a selects the pen type and the like.
[0048]
Also, the selected sub-images can be combined (stamped) so as to be pasted at the designated position. In this case, the stamp selection unit 4b is selected, a desired one is selected from the patterns displayed on the palette 4c, and the size is selected and synthesized by the size selection unit 4d (stamps ST1, ST2, etc.). .
[0049]
The pattern displayed on the pallet 4c is registered as a sub-image in the sub-image registration unit 45, and there are many images prepared in advance. The sub-image can be edited and registered in the sub-image registration unit 45. Further, an image captured by the main image camera 21 or the like can be registered as a sub-image, or can be registered as a sub-image after further editing. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, an image obtained by synthesizing the main image 403, the limited image 405, the message 407 and the like can be further synthesized with a sub-image like a stamp 411. In addition, it is possible to display a plurality of selected main images P1 and P2, switch frames by touching a part of one of the images, and perform image synthesis.
[0050]
At this time, the use time management unit 51 may limit the time required for image editing and the like, and may change the time according to the number of uses. Preferably, the counting of the time limit starts, for example, from step 310.
[0051]
When the editing of the sub-image is completed or when the sub-image is not used, the division number of the image to be printed is selected (step 315). At this time, the division example is displayed on the display unit 23. When a part of the division example to be selected is touched, a frame is displayed on the division example to indicate that the division example is selected, and when the same division example is touched again, the division example is canceled. It may be. If another division example is touched while a frame is displayed in one division example, the division example selected earlier may be canceled and the newly selected division example may be selected. At this time, it is preferable that no time limit is provided.
[0052]
Next, the edited image is confirmed on the display unit 23 (step 316). If the user does not like the image, the process returns to step 313 to repeat the predetermined operation again. At this time, the user may be allowed to return by specifying a return operation stage.
[0053]
If the displayed image is acceptable, the image data of the image is created (step 317) and printed by the printer 37 (step 317). At this time, the created image data may be output to a recording medium inserted in the external storage device 35.
[0054]
The card information creating section 49 creates necessary card information such as the update of the user's identification information, birthday, and the number of times of use, and the card reader / writer 11 saves the card information on a recording card and discharges it. A message may be displayed on the display unit 23 so that the user does not forget the recording card. In order to prevent the recording card from being stolen, a password or the like may be stored.
[0055]
Further, it is preferable that the BGM playing section 33 plays BGM while using the digital photo print system 1. In addition, a background image may be combined with the image in addition to the limited image and the sub-image.
[0056]
As described above, according to the digital photo print system 1 according to the first embodiment, the card reader / writer 11 that reads and writes a recording card is provided, and information such as a user's anniversary and the number of uses is provided. Can be used, so that it can be differentiated from other digital photo print systems, and because limited images etc. that can be used by increasing the number of uses are prepared, it is possible to promote multiple uses .
[0057]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the digital photo print system according to the second embodiment.
[0058]
As shown in FIG. 6, the second embodiment is partially different from the first embodiment. The configuration (not shown) of the digital photo print system is the same as that of the digital photo print system 1 except that the card reader / writer 11 is unnecessary.
[0059]
In the second embodiment, first, an image printed at the last use is brought and read by an image reading device such as a scanner (step 601). This image reading device can also serve as an image reading device for inputting a main image. In this case, the card information described in the first embodiment is embedded in the printed image as a watermark. The control unit 10 analyzes and extracts the card information from the read image (step 602). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 303 in FIG. 3 to perform the same processing.
[0060]
In the second embodiment, at the time of printing, the information created by the card information creating unit 49 is embedded in the image by the image synthesizing unit 47 using a digital watermark technique, and the watermarked image is printed. At this time, the watermarked image is printed on a seal sheet in which an adhesive layer and a release paper are laminated on the back surface, a postcard-sized photo printing paper, or the like. The seal sheet on which the watermarked image is printed may be in a form that can be used as a portable sticker.
[0061]
In the digital watermarking technique for embedding identification data in an image, first, image data is divided into a plurality of small pixel blocks. Desired information is embedded by adding watermark information, which has the same size as the pixel block and indicates information to be embedded, to each of them. In the case of addition, watermark information to be embedded in a noisy part or an outline (high-frequency component) is increased so as to suppress deterioration of image quality in consideration of human visual characteristics, and is added to a smooth part (low-frequency part). Embed less information. As a result, the naked eye can hardly recognize that a watermark is included.
[0062]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, the identification information of the user, the birthday, the number of times of use, and the like are embedded as watermarks in the printed image so that they cannot be recognized by the naked eye, and are used in the next use. Because it is read, special display according to the user's anniversary, etc., limited images can be used according to the number of uses, use time is extended, so that it can be used with other digital photo print systems Can be differentiated, and multiple uses can be promoted.
[0063]
Although the preferred embodiment of the digital photo print system according to the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such an example. It is obvious that a person skilled in the art can conceive various changes or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood to belong.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, a new function such as performing a special display using information about a user is provided, and an advantage over other devices can be obtained. A digital photo print system capable of utilizing a special function can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a digital photo print system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the digital photo print system 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a combined image of a limited image and a main image. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the combination of a sub image and a main image. FIG. 6 is a digital diagram according to a second embodiment. Flow chart showing the operation of the photo print system
Reference Signs List 1 digital photo print system 10 control unit 11 card reader / writer 21 main image camera 23 display unit 25 operation input unit 33 BGM performance unit 35 external storage device 37 printer 39 billing unit 43 sub image creation unit 45 sub image registration unit 47 image synthesis unit 49 Card information creation unit 51 Usage time management unit 53 Billing processing unit

Claims (18)

Main image input means for inputting a main image;
Limited image holding means for holding image data of a plurality of limited images that can be arranged to overlap with the main image,
Reading and writing means for reading and writing information on a rewritable recording medium;
Search means for searching for image data of a limited image from the limited image holding means according to the information read by the reading and writing means,
Image editing means for generating image data of a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing the main image and the searched limited image,
Printing means for printing the composite image according to the edited image data,
A digital photo print system comprising: Information creating means for creating information to be written to the recording medium by the read / write means,
Further having
2. The digital photo print system according to claim 1, wherein the read / write unit rewrites information stored in the recording medium with the created information. The information created by the information creating means includes:
Identification information of the user of the digital photo print system, date of birth, a specific date, an event explaining the date, the number of times the digital photo print system is used,
The digital photo print system according to claim 2, comprising at least one of the following. 4. The digital photo print system according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit for performing a specific display according to the information read by said read / write unit. 5. The digital photo print system according to claim 1, further comprising a charging unit for performing a charging process according to the information read by said reading / writing unit. The digital photo print system according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, further comprising a use time management unit that limits a use time according to the information read by the read / write unit. Display means for displaying the main image and the limited image,
Operation input means for performing operation input;
The digital photo print system according to claim 1, further comprising: 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main image input unit is one of a digital camera device, a recording medium reading device that reads image data held in a recording medium, and an image reading device that reads a printed image. Digital photo print system. The digital photo print system according to claim 1, further comprising a sub-image holding unit that holds image data of a plurality of sub-images that can be arranged so as to overlap with the main image. Main image input means for inputting a main image;
Limited image holding means for holding image data of a plurality of limited images that can be arranged to overlap with the main image,
Image reading means for reading the printed watermarked image;
Search means for searching for image data of a limited image from the limited image holding means according to information embedded in the watermarked image read by the image reading means,
Image editing means for generating image data of a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing the main image and the searched limited image,
Printing means for printing the composite image according to the edited image data,
A digital photo print system comprising: Information creating means for creating information to be embedded as a watermark in the composite image,
Watermarked composite image creating means for embedding the information as a watermark in the composite image,
Printing means for printing the created watermarked composite image,
The digital photo print system according to claim 10, further comprising: The information created by the information creating means includes:
Identification information of the user of the digital photo print system, date of birth, a specific date, an event explaining the date, the number of times the digital photo print system is used,
The digital photo print system according to claim 11, comprising at least one of the following. 13. The digital photo print according to claim 10, further comprising a display unit for performing a specific display in accordance with information embedded in the watermarked image read by the image reading unit. system. 14. The digital photo according to claim 10, further comprising a charging unit for performing a charging process in accordance with information embedded in the watermarked image read by the image reading unit. Printing system. 15. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a use time management unit that limits a use time according to information embedded in the watermarked image read by the image reading unit. The digital photo print system according to 1. Display means for displaying the main image and the limited image,
Operation input means for performing operation input;
The digital photo print system according to claim 10, further comprising: 11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the main image input unit is any one of a digital camera device, a recording medium reading device that reads image data stored in a recording medium, and an image reading device that reads a printed image. Digital photo print system. The digital photo print system according to claim 10, further comprising a sub-image holding unit that holds image data of a plurality of sub-images that can be arranged so as to be superimposed on the main image.

Images