JP2004242351A - Image print supply apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print images of a large number of persons, and to supply more various images. <P>SOLUTION: Image print game devices 100A and 100B provided with cameras 2, monitors 3, control devices 5, and printing devices 6 are connected by a communication cable 10. In the device 100A, a title image from a title information supply device is composited with an image KGa photographed and edited by the camera 2 and with an image KGb transmitted from the device 100B, and the resulting image is printed by the printing device 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a video print supply device for printing and outputting a video of a photographed subject.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is a so-called print club (product name) as a video print supply device that captures an image of a subject such as a person, combines the video with a title character, a background image, and the like and prints out the image.

  However, the conventional video print supply apparatus has a problem that it is not possible for a large number of people to take a picture because the picture is taken within a limited field of view of a camera. Further, there is a limit in the composition of the image and the like, and the image provided when used as a game device is uniform.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional video print supply device, and to provide a video print supply device capable of printing a large number of people and supplying a variety of images. And

  According to the present invention, there is provided a video information supply apparatus which captures a subject and supplies video information, and an apparatus for transmitting video information captured by the video information supply apparatus to outside and / or receiving video information from outside. A communication device, a video information processing device that processes the video information, a display device that displays an image processed by the processing device, and a printing device that prints the image processed by the processing device. It is solved by.

The present invention proposes, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, to have a video editing device for editing video information, and to be able to edit each of the video information.
Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention proposes that a synthesizing device that synthesizes video information is provided, and that each of the video information can be synthesized.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention proposes that a title information supply device is provided, and that title information can be combined with each of the video information.
Furthermore, the present invention proposes, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, to print an image based on each of the video information on the same medium.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention proposes that an arbitrary image can be selected from images based on the respective pieces of video information and can be printed on the same medium.
Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention proposes that a plurality of the images can be printed.

Furthermore, the present invention proposes that the number of images to be printed can be selected in order to solve the above problem.
Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention includes the video information supply device, the communication device, the video information processing device, the display device, and the printing device as one unit, and includes a plurality of the units in one housing. It is proposed that video information can be communicated between units.

  Further, according to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the image information supply device, the communication device, the display device, and the printing device are made into one unit, and a plurality of the units are provided in one housing, and the one image is provided. We propose that the video information of each unit can be processed by the information processing device.

  Further, according to the present invention, in order to solve the above-described problems, the video information supply device, the communication device, and the display device are formed as one unit, and the plurality of units are provided in one housing, and the one video information processing device is provided. It is proposed that the image information of each unit can be processed, and that one printing device is used as a common printing device for each unit.

  Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention provides a plurality of video information supply devices for photographing a subject and supplying video information, and a video information processing device for processing video information supplied from the plurality of video information supply devices. It is proposed to have a processing device, a plurality of display devices for displaying the image processed by the processing device, and a printing device for printing the image processed by the processing device.

  According to the video print supply device of the present invention, it is possible to print the captured image and the image sent by communication, it is possible to print various images, such as when used in a game device, Added value can be increased.

According to the configuration of the second aspect, it is possible to edit the image, cut out only a necessary portion, or make a desired image.
According to the configuration of the third aspect, it is possible to print a composite of the respective images, and to provide more various images.

According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, title information such as pictures and characters can be combined, so that more diverse and interesting images can be printed.
According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, since each image can be printed on the same medium, more various and interesting images can be printed.

According to the configuration of claim 6, an arbitrary image can be selected and printed on the same medium, so that only the image desired by the user can be obtained.
According to the configuration of claim 7, a plurality of the same images can be obtained at one time.

According to the configuration of claim 8, it is possible to obtain a desired number of images by the user.
According to the configuration of the ninth aspect, the housing of each unit can be shared and the apparatus cost can be reduced.

According to the configuration of claim 10, the video of each unit can be processed by one processing device, and the cost of the device can be reduced.
According to the configuration of the eleventh aspect, the image of each unit can be printed by the common printing apparatus, so that the apparatus cost can be reduced.

  According to the configuration of the twelfth aspect, printing of various images can be realized with an inexpensive device configuration with a small number of device components.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a game machine. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration. In these figures, a CCD camera 2 and a monitor / display 3 are provided in a main body 1 of the video print game apparatus 100. A half mirror 4 is disposed between the camera 2 and the monitor 3 at an angle of 45 degrees therebetween. In FIG. 2, the housing on the left side (the front surface of the device) of the half mirror 4 is open (glass or the like is fitted as necessary), and a user (subject) standing in front of the amusement device 100 receives the half mirror 4. Through the camera 2. Then, the image displayed on the monitor 3 is visually recognized by the user via the half mirror 4.

  Below the monitor 3, a control device 5, a printing device (printer) 6, and a title information supply device 11 are arranged. In addition, an operation panel 7 is provided on the front of the apparatus, and the operation panel 7 is provided with operation buttons for performing various designations and operations, a coin slot, and the like. Illumination means 8 are provided on both sides of the apparatus housing above the operation panel 7. A print outlet 9 is provided on the front side of the printing apparatus. Although not shown, a power supply, a coin selector, and the like necessary for the operation of the apparatus are built in the main body 1.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system according to the present embodiment. In this figure, a case where two video print game apparatuses 100A and 100B are connected to perform information communication is described.

  First, the configuration will be described with reference to this block diagram. However, since the configuration of the device is common to both the game devices 100A and 100B, the description that overlaps with both will be omitted. In FIG. 3, the image information supply device is the above-described CCD camera 2, which captures an image of a subject while the lighting means 8 is turned on. Reference numeral 5 denotes the control device 5 described above, and can be configured to correspond to a personal computer. The control device 5 is a video information processing device that processes video information and is a control device that controls the overall control of the present amusement device. In the present embodiment, the control device 5 includes a video editing device 51, an image synthesizing device 52, and an information recording / reproducing device 53. Note that the video editing device 51, the image synthesizing device 52, and the information recording / reproducing device 53 may be configured to be included in the control device 5 as software as a program. The printing device 6 prints an image based on print information from the control device 5. The information display device 3 is the above-described monitor display 3 and displays an image based on display information from the control device 5. The title information supply device 11 is a device that supplies video information such as title characters and frame designs to be inserted into the background of the subject image. The two print game apparatuses 100A and 100B are connected by a communication cable 10. Note that each device can be connected by wireless instead of by wire. Although not shown in this figure as a communication device, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the control device 5 has a communication function.

  Here, the basic operation of the game device according to the present embodiment will be described. When a predetermined amount of coins is inserted into a coin selector (not shown), the operation of the apparatus starts, and the illuminating means 8, 8 is turned on to illuminate the user who is the subject. Next, when the user specifies a desired background image from the operation panel 7, video information of the specified background is transmitted from the title information supply device 11 to the control device 5. On the other hand, a user standing in front of the apparatus is photographed by the CCD camera 2, and the photographed image information is sent to the control device 5. In the control device 5, the image information (subject image) from the camera 2 and the image information (background image) from the title information supply device 11 are synthesized by the synthesizing device 52 and displayed on the monitor (information display device) 3. Note that the video editing by the video editing device 51 is not described here, but the video editing device 51 performs a processing process for creating a video to be transmitted by communication.

  The video (combined image) displayed on the monitor 3 is visually recognized by the user via the half mirror 4. The user adjusts his / her pose and composition in the background image while looking at the monitor screen projected on the half mirror 4, and switches the switch (not shown) provided on the operation panel 7 at a desired state. Press to instruct printing. In response to the print instruction, the control device 5 fixes the image information at the time when the switch is pressed, and prints the image information with the printing device 6.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of video print amusement devices are connected so that image information can be exchanged by communication. The operation when the two video print amusement devices 100A and 100B are connected will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 3, an original image OGa taken by the camera 2 by the device 100A is sent to the control device 5, and the video editing device 51 obtains a cutout image KGa obtained by cutting out only a necessary portion. The cut-out image KGa is sent to the synthesizing device 52, and becomes an output (Out) image when sent outside through communication. On the other hand, also in the device 100B, the original image OGb taken by the camera 2 is sent to the control device 5, and a cutout image KGb is obtained. The cut-out image KGb is also sent to the synthesizing device 52 and becomes an output (Out) image when sent outside.

  In the device 100A, its own image KGa and the input (In) image KGb sent from the device 100B are combined by the combining device 52 and displayed on the monitor 3. The user checks the display on the monitor 3, and if so, instructs printing, and prints and discharges the composite image GGa by the printing device 6. Also on the device 100B side, the image KGb of the own device and the input image KGa sent from the device 100A can be combined by the combining device 52 to obtain a combined image GGb. When obtaining the composite image GGa or GGb, the title information supply device 11 can insert a background image. It is also possible to adjust his / her pose while watching the display on the monitor 3.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows the procedure of image synthesis. In FIG. 4, an image A and an image B are photographed by respective devices (sealing machines A and B) (procedure [1]). The image A is transmitted from the device A to the device B, and the image B is transmitted from the device B to the device A (procedure [2]). Then, the image A and the image B are combined in their own devices (procedure [3]). Of course, when image synthesis is performed by only one device, there is no need to exchange images with each other, and only one-way communication is sufficient. Also, in this figure, the images synthesized in each device are shown in the same composition, but in the present embodiment, each amusement device is provided with a control device (image processing device) 5, so that a user is required for each device. Image processing and composition can be performed in a desired mode. For example, the arrangement method of each image, the type of background image, and the like can be individually set in each device.

A specific usage as a game device will be described with an example.
The user A and the user B take a picture with each of the devices 100A and 100B. After photographing, the user A or the user B confirms whether to perform image synthesis with another connected device. When image synthesis is selected, an image captured by another device (an image of the user B on the device 100A and an image of the user A on the device 100B) is displayed on the monitor 3 of each device. In the example shown in FIG. 3, an edited image (cutout image) is transmitted in each device, but an unedited video can be transmitted to another device. Further, the edited image or unedited video from another device received by each device can be configured to be editable in each device. The clipping process of the subject by the video editing device 51 can use conventionally known techniques such as chroma key, luminance information, anti-chroma key, clipping by background, and designation of an arbitrary clipping range by user operation.

  Then, it synthesizes the image sent from the other device with the image captured by the own device. Editing of a video shot by one's own device may be performed before or after communication with another device. Whether or not to edit an image to be communicated and whether to edit before or after communication can be set in any combination. Finally, the image of the user A and the image of the user B captured by the different devices are displayed on the monitor in a combined form in the respective devices. After the completion of the image synthesis, the display is shifted to a print designation screen (a print designation screen is displayed on a monitor) through a step of selecting a design (frame) to be inserted into the background or inputting a title character or the like. On the print designation screen, printing is performed by selecting a printing mode such as 8 divisions or 16 divisions on one medium (sticker).

  As a printing form, various forms can be adopted in combination of an image of oneself (an image photographed by the own apparatus), an image of the other party (an image photographed by another apparatus), and a composite image. For example, when printing is performed on one medium in 16 divisions, it is standard to print 16 identical images. It is also possible to print four images of oneself, four images of the other party, and eight images obtained by combining both images. Alternatively, it is possible to use eight images for oneself and eight composite images. Alternatively, eight images of oneself and eight images of the other party (no composite image) may be used. The method of combining the images to be printed on the medium is not limited to the example illustrated here, and can be configured so that the user can arbitrarily specify the combination.

  In this way, by connecting a plurality of devices and communicating image information, images in various forms can be printed, and when used in a game device, it can be more interesting. . For example, with a single device, up to about six people can be captured as one image by communication between two devices, whereas conventionally only up to about three people could be photographed together.

  Of course, it is possible to connect three or more cameras, and in that case, it is possible to shoot with more people. In addition to simply shooting with a large number of people, various uses are possible depending on the idea. For example, after one person has taken an image with one device, the other device also takes an image, and the images are communicated between the two devices, whereby an image in which two persons are the same in one composition (for example, Or an image in which the same person is lined up with a smiling face and a crying face), and it is also possible to supply a print that was impossible with a conventional apparatus.

  The operation procedure of the apparatus is an example. For example, after inserting a coin into each apparatus, a communication mode is selected (selection of whether or not to perform communication) first, and a frame picture is selected (background pattern or title character). Etc.), the subject may be photographed. Thereafter, a processing procedure of image editing, image confirmation on a monitor, and print output by print designation may be used. As the image editing method, several conventional techniques are conceivable as described above, but a procedure in which a user specifies a cutout range may be added.

The video print game apparatus 100 of the present embodiment functions as a normal sticker printing machine when the communication mode is not desired.
Further, as another functional form, when the communication mode is selected by inserting a coin into the device 100A in a state where the devices 100A and 100B are connected, the device 100B may be configured to be ready for communication for a certain period of time. . In this case, the image of the subject (user) of the device 100A is displayed on the monitor 3 of the device 100B as a still image or a real-time image. If a coin is inserted into the device 100B within a predetermined time and “communication” is selected, a communication mode is set. If the communication is rejected by the time-out or the apparatus 100B side, the apparatuses 100A and 100B function as independent normal sticker printing machines. Of course, it goes without saying that the same function is performed even if the device that first specifies “communication” is the device 100B.

  Furthermore, it is also possible to combine images successively photographed by one device (apparatus 100A or 100B) (images alternately photographed by one camera), and a two-screen television (screen division of a monitor). It is also possible to obtain the same effect as using two monitors by utilizing the above.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.
A video print game device 300 shown in FIG. 5 is a device in which two devices are combined in one housing, and a first unit 300A and a second unit 300B are connected by a communication cable 10. The configuration and operation of each unit 300A and 300B are the same as those of the video print game apparatus 100A and 100B in the above embodiment, and the mode of communication between the two units is also the same, so further description is omitted.

  When a plurality of units are provided in one housing, the control device 5 may be controlled by one control device 5 instead of providing the control device 5 for each unit. The same applies to the printing device 6, and one printing device can be used as a common printing device for each unit. By using the control device 5 or the printing device 6 in common for each unit, the number of device components can be reduced, and the size and cost can be reduced.

Next, an embodiment of the invention will be described.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the inside of the embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system. The video print amusement apparatus 400 shown in these figures has the function of two apparatuses, but shares the parts that can be shared to reduce the apparatus cost.

  In FIG. 6, two CCD cameras 2a and 2b, two monitor displays 3a and 3b, two half mirrors 4a and 4b, and one control , One printing device 6 is built-in. Two operation panels 7a and 7b are also provided. Note that the half mirror may be a single large mirror.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the images OGa and OGb respectively captured by the cameras 2a and 2b are sent to the control device 5, and only necessary portions are extracted by the video editing device 51 to obtain cutout images KGa and KGb. The cut-out images KGa and KGb are subjected to a synthesizing process by the synthesizing device 52. At this time, a frame pattern, title characters, and the like are further supplied from the title information supply device 11 to become a synthesized image GG. The composite image GG is displayed on the monitors 3a and 3b via the information recording / reproducing device 53. When the user checks the monitor, determines the composition, etc., and instructs printing from the operation panel 7a or 7b, the image information at that time is fixed and printing is performed by the printing device 6.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a plurality of devices are not connected by communication, but, like the device connected by communication, shooting by a large number of people and printing of a video different from the conventional one can be performed. , More diverse prints can be supplied.

It is the perspective view which saw through the inside of one embodiment which applied the present invention to a game machine. It is a longitudinal section showing an internal configuration of the video print game machine. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system according to the present embodiment, illustrating a case where two video print game apparatuses are connected to perform information communication. It is a schematic diagram which shows the procedure of image synthesis. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system according to another embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a case where information communication is performed between two units. It is a see-through perspective view of a video print game device of yet another embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control type in the video print game apparatus.

Explanation of reference numerals

1 body 2 CCD camera (video information supply device)
3 monitor display (display device)
4 Half mirror 5 Control device (video information processing device)
6. Printer (printing device)
Reference Signs List 7 operation panel 8 lighting means 10 communication cable 11 title information supply device 51 video editing device 52 image synthesizing device 53 information recording / reproducing device 100, 300, 400 video print game device

Claims (12)

A video information supply device that captures a subject to supply video information, a communication device that transmits video information captured by the video information supply device to the outside, and / or receives video information from the outside, A video information processing apparatus for processing information, a display apparatus for displaying an image processed by the processing apparatus, and a printing apparatus for printing the image processed by the processing apparatus; . 2. The video print supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a video editing device for editing video information, wherein each of the video information can be edited. 3. The video print supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a synthesis device for synthesizing video information, wherein each of the video information can be synthesized. The video print supply device according to claim 3, further comprising a title information supply device, wherein title information can be combined with each of the video information. 4. The video print supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image based on each of the video information is printed on the same medium. 4. The video print supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein any one of the images based on the video information can be selected and printed on the same medium. 7. The video print supply apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of the images can be printed. The video print supply device according to claim 7, wherein the number of images to be printed can be selected. The video information supply device, the communication device, the video information processing device, the display device, and the printing device are considered as one unit, and a plurality of the units are provided in one housing, and the video information can be communicated between the units. The video print supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The video information supply device, the communication device, the display device, and the printing device are one unit, and a plurality of the units are provided in one housing, and the video information of each unit can be processed by one video information processing device. The video print supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The video information supply device, the communication device, and the display device are one unit, a plurality of the units are provided in one housing, and the video information of each unit can be processed by one video information processing device. 2. The video print supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of said printing apparatuses is a printing apparatus common to each unit. A plurality of video information supply devices for capturing video of a subject and supplying video information, a video information processing device for processing video information supplied from the plurality of video information supply devices, and displaying an image processed by the processing device A plurality of display devices, and a printing device that prints an image processed by the processing device.

Images