JP2006042216A - Image printer, computer and image distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image distribution system easily distributing an image acquired by an image printer to external equipment such as a portable terminal at low cost, the image printer and a computer which are components of the image distribution system which are invented in consideration of appropriate situation. <P>SOLUTION: The image printer 1 is provided with a computer system 41 which functions as a conversion means for converting the image photographed and acquired with a camera 21 into code information and a tablet display 31 (or a printer 43) which is an output means for outputting the converted code information. The portable terminal 3 photographs the outputted code information with a camera 93 and transmits the photographed code information to a server instrument 2. The server instrument 2 is provided with a communication part 84 which receives the code image transmitted from the portable terminal 3 and a CPU 81 which functions as a restoration means for restoring the received code image to an original image and transmits the restored image from the communication part 84 to the portable terminal 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image printing apparatus, a computer, and an image distribution system, and more particularly, to an image printing apparatus, a computer, and an image distribution system that can distribute an image to an external device such as a portable terminal easily at low cost.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image printing apparatus has been widely used in game centers and the like in which a subject is photographed, and the photographed image is edited by a user such as graffiti and output to a sticker-like print medium. Girls junior and senior high school students who are the main users of such image printing devices have a high percentage of mobile phones, and want to display images taken with the image printing device as their mobile phone standby screen or send them to friends There is a request.

  Therefore, in order to meet the above-described demand, the image printing apparatus accepts a user's e-mail address, transmits the captured image from the image printing apparatus to a predetermined server apparatus, and distributes the image to the e-mail address received from the server apparatus. An image distribution system has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, an image printing apparatus has been proposed that is connected to a user's mobile phone with a communication cable and transmits an image to the mobile phone via the connection cable (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2001-309108 A JP 2001-298717 A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide a communication unit for transmitting an image to the server apparatus for each image printing apparatus. In addition, there is a problem that the communication cost between the image printing apparatus and the server apparatus increases.

  Image printing devices are generally installed in relatively small stores such as downtowns, game centers, buildings, and underground shopping areas. When the means is a wireless communication system, there is a problem in that the image cannot be stably transmitted to the user's portable terminal, and the user is dissatisfied.

  Further, when the communication means is a wired communication system such as a telephone line, once the wiring is made, it becomes difficult to change the layout in the store, which is not preferable for the store operator.

  On the other hand, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, there is annoyance of connecting the user's portable terminal to the image printing apparatus, and further, the user breaks the portable terminal by connecting the portable terminal, I was worried that information stored in my mobile device might be leaked.

  In addition, in the case of wireless methods such as infrared or Bluetooth, the procedure until the transmission / reception state is established is complicated, which forces unfamiliar operations to the main users, junior and senior high school students, and makes them feel uncomfortable. There was a problem that. Furthermore, as described above, the anxiety of information leakage cannot be resolved.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the image printing apparatus converts the acquired image into code information, outputs the converted code information, and the computer as the server apparatus outputs the output code. An image obtained by receiving an image (code image) obtained by photographing information, restoring the received code image to the original image, and transmitting the restored image to the transmission source that transmitted the code image. Image distribution system capable of distributing the code image to a transmission source (for example, an external device such as a portable terminal) that has transmitted the code image at low cost and easily, an image printing apparatus and a computer that are components of the image distribution system The purpose is to provide.

  The present invention also provides an image printing apparatus capable of generating an image with high originality from an acquired image by converting the image obtained by combining the acquired image and the additional image into code information. Objective.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image printing apparatus that can reduce the time required for conversion to code information and reduce the processing load by converting an image with a reduced amount of information into code information. And

  In addition, since the present invention is configured to divide and convert an image into a plurality of pieces of code information, each piece of code information can be output in a relatively large size. An object of the present invention is to provide an image printing apparatus in which a computer as a server apparatus can reliably restore code information to an original image even when information is taken in.

  In addition, the present invention is configured to output a plurality of converted code information in a list, so that all the code information can be taken into a portable terminal with a camera, etc., only by photographing the output code information once. An object of the present invention is to provide an image printing apparatus capable of performing the above.

  In the present invention, the code information has a geometric pattern, and the code information is provided around the code information by including a code identification unit that identifies the inner area of the code information. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image printing apparatus that facilitates extraction of a code area included in information and can reliably restore code information to an original image.

  Further, according to the present invention, by providing a presentation means for presenting test code information obtained by converting a predetermined image, the user can practice code photography and can restore the image photographed in practice normally. An object of the present invention is to provide an image printing apparatus capable of verifying whether or not a code is photographed and preventing failure of code photographing.

  Also, the present invention is configured to output code information in a plurality of different sizes, so that code information having a size and resolution suitable for a camera attached to the mobile terminal is selected and photographed, and the code information is output to the mobile terminal. An object of the present invention is to provide an image printing apparatus that can reliably capture image data.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide an image printing apparatus that can effectively use the print space of the print medium by outputting the code information on the back surface of the print medium.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer capable of generating a highly original image from the restored image and distributing the code image to the transmission source by configuring the restored image to be edited. And

  In addition, the present invention is configured to extract the code area necessary for restoration from the received code image, thereby reducing the time required for restoration from the code information and reducing the code error at the time of restoration. The purpose is to provide a computer that can be used.

  An image printing apparatus according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires an image, a conversion unit that converts an image into code information in the image printing apparatus that prints an image acquired by the acquisition unit on a print medium, and the conversion unit. Output means for outputting the code information converted by.

  The image printing apparatus according to the present invention further includes: a receiving unit that displays the image and receives an input of the additional image; and a combining unit that combines the additional image received by the receiving unit with the image. The converting means converts the image synthesized by the synthesizing means into code information.

  In each of the above-described inventions, the image printing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a reduction unit that reduces the information amount of the image, and the conversion unit converts the image reduced by the reduction unit into code information. It is characterized by being.

  The image printing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in each of the above-described inventions, the conversion unit divides the image into a plurality of pieces of code information for conversion.

  The image printing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described invention, the output means outputs a plurality of code information converted by the conversion means in a list.

  In the image printing device according to the present invention, in each of the above-described inventions, the code information has a geometric pattern, and the area around the code information is identified as code information. It is characterized by comprising a code identification unit.

  The image printing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in each of the above-described inventions, the image printing apparatus further includes a presentation unit that presents test code information obtained by converting a predetermined image by the conversion unit.

  In the image printing apparatus according to the present invention, in each of the above-described inventions, the output unit outputs the code information in a plurality of different sizes.

  The image printing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in each of the above-described inventions, the output means outputs code information to the back surface of the print medium.

  The computer according to the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives an image obtained by capturing the code information output by the image printing apparatus according to each of the above-described inventions, and a restoring unit that restores the image received by the receiving unit to the original image. And a transmission means for transmitting the image restored by the restoration means to a transmission source of the image obtained by photographing the code information.

  The computer according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described invention, the computer further includes an editing means for editing the image restored by the restoring means.

  The computer according to the present invention is characterized in that, in each of the above-described inventions, the computer further includes extraction means for extracting a code region from an image obtained by photographing the code information.

  An image distribution system according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires an image, a conversion unit that converts an image acquired by the acquisition unit into code information, and an output unit that outputs the code information converted by the conversion unit. An image printing apparatus; a receiving unit that receives an image of code information output by the output unit; a restoring unit that restores an image received by the receiving unit to an original image; and an image restored by the restoring unit And a computer having a transmission means for transmitting the code information to a transmission source of the photographed image.

  In the present invention, the acquired image is converted into code information, and the converted code information is output. The output of the code information means displaying the code information or printing the code information. As a result, the output code information is photographed by a camera provided in a portable terminal such as a cellular phone possessed by the user. If the portable terminal has a function of restoring code information, it is possible to restore the code information captured by the camera and acquire the original image. Thus, even if the image printing apparatus is not equipped with a communication means, the acquired image can be moved to the mobile terminal side, and the manufacturing cost of the image printing apparatus is reduced and the communication cost is not required. In addition, since there is no need for communication means, there is no risk of image transmission becoming unstable due to the influence of the communication state, and conventional problems such as changing the layout of the device in the store are also solved, and The burden of is also reduced. Furthermore, since there is no need to connect with a connection cable, the user's anxiety such as failure of the mobile terminal and information leakage can be solved. In particular, when the converted code information is printed, the code information remains at hand, so that the code information can be photographed any number of times after use of the apparatus and the photographing failure can be prevented. Thereby, an image can be reliably provided to a user. Furthermore, it is possible to present a print medium on which code information is printed to a friend or the like and provide an image.

  In the present invention, the acquired image is displayed and input of an additional image is received, the received additional image is combined with the image, and the combined image is converted into code information. It becomes possible to provide the user with a composite image obtained by combining the acquired image and the additional image, and the satisfaction of the user is enhanced.

  In the present invention, by reducing the amount of image information (data amount), the time required for conversion of code information can be shortened, and the processing load on the image printing apparatus can be reduced. Furthermore, since the amount of information contained in the code information is small, it is possible to use a code that can express only a relatively small amount of information. The print medium provided by the image printing apparatus is photographed at a high resolution size (for example, 2048 × 1536) in order to improve the quality of the image, but when displayed on a mobile terminal possessed by the user, Since a very high resolution is not required (for example, 320 × 240), there is no problem even if the information amount of the acquired image is reduced.

  In the present invention, since an image is divided into a plurality of pieces of code information, the amount of information contained in one code is small, so that a code that can express only a relatively small amount of information can be used. . In addition, since the divided code information can be output in a relatively large size by dividing, the code information is stored in the original image even when the code information is captured by a low resolution camera. Can be reliably restored.

  In the present invention, by outputting a plurality of code information converted by the conversion means in a list, it is possible to capture all the code information just by photographing the code output in the list once. This is also efficient because it saves the trouble of repeating the shooting.

  In the present invention, by providing a code identification unit that identifies that the inner area around the code information is code information, the code area included in the code information can be easily extracted, The code information can be reliably restored to the original image.

  In the present invention, by presenting test code information obtained by converting a predetermined image, the user can practice code photographing and verify whether the image photographed in practice can be restored normally. This makes it possible to prevent the code shooting failure and is efficient.

  In the present invention, since the performance of the camera attached to the mobile terminal possessed by the user differs depending on the model, the user can select a size suitable for the mobile terminal by outputting code information in a plurality of different sizes. A code image with a resolution can be selected and photographed, and the code image can be reliably taken into the portable terminal.

  In the present invention, the printing space of the printing medium can be effectively used by outputting the code information on the back surface of the printing medium. That is, by printing an image related to the acquired image on the front surface of the print medium and printing a code image on the back surface, the print space of the image printed on the front surface is not reduced. Further, since the code image is divided when the image is separated between friends for each image on the print medium, privacy can be ensured.

  In the present invention, the code image obtained by photographing the code information is received, and the received test image is restored to the original image. Even when the portable terminal does not have a function of restoring code information, the code information can be restored to the original image by a computer as a server device. In this case, since the user's portable terminal does not need a function for restoring code information, the burden on the memory of the portable terminal can be reduced. Then, the restored image is transmitted to the transmission source that has transmitted the code image. As a result, the user photographs the output code information and transmits the photographed code image to the computer. For example, if an e-mail with a code image attached is sent to an e-mail address that identifies a computer, the procedure is the same as that for sending a general image mail. easy. Further, by providing conversion means for converting an image into a code image in the image printing apparatus and restoration means for restoring the code image into the original image in the computer, if there is a malfunction in each means, the performance quality of conversion or restoration can be improved. When it is desired to improve, each means can be updated without imposing a burden on the user, and it becomes easy to improve the quality of image distribution.

  In the present invention, the restored image is edited for color tone correction, the number of pixels, the resolution, the number of colors, etc., and the decoration image is synthesized, for example, so that it is excellent in image quality and optimal for a portable terminal. It is possible to provide a user with an interesting or interesting image.

  In the present invention, by extracting a code area necessary for restoration, restoration processing can be reduced and code errors at the time of restoration can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, the image printing apparatus converts the acquired image into code information, outputs the converted code information, and the computer as the server apparatus receives the code image obtained by photographing the output code information. Since the received code image is restored to the original image, and the restored image is sent to the sender that sent the code image, the acquired image can be sent at low cost and easily. Can be distributed to a source (for example, an external device such as a portable terminal).

  According to the present invention, since an image obtained by combining the acquired image and the additional image is converted into code information, an image with originality can be generated.

  According to the present invention, by adopting a configuration in which an image with a reduced amount of information is converted into code information, the time required for conversion into code information can be shortened, and the processing load can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, since the image is divided into a plurality of pieces of code information and converted, the divided pieces of code information can be output in a relatively large size. Even when the information is taken in, the computer as the server device can reliably restore the code information to the original image.

  According to the present invention, since a plurality of converted code information is output as a list, all the code information can be taken into a portable terminal with a camera, etc., by photographing the output code information only once. Can do.

  According to the present invention, the code information has a geometric pattern, and the code information is provided around the code information so as to identify the inner area of the code information. The code area included in the information can be easily extracted, and the code information can be reliably restored to the original image.

  According to the present invention, since the presentation means for presenting test code information obtained by converting a predetermined image is provided, the user can practice code photographing and can the image photographed in practice be restored normally? It is possible to verify whether or not the code shooting has failed.

  According to the present invention, since the code information is output in a plurality of different sizes, the code information having a size and resolution suitable for the camera attached to the mobile terminal is selected and photographed, and the code information is output to the mobile terminal. Can be captured reliably.

  According to the present invention, since the code information is output on the back surface of the print medium, the print space of the print medium can be used effectively.

  According to the present invention, since the restored image is edited, an image obtained by adding originality to the restored image can be distributed to the transmission source that has transmitted the code image.

  According to the present invention, since the code area necessary for restoration is extracted from the received code image, the time required for restoration from the code information can be shortened, and the code error at the time of restoration can be reduced. It produces excellent effects such as

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.

(Embodiment 1)
[Appearance of image printing device]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of an image printing apparatus according to the present invention.
The image printing apparatus 1 according to the present invention includes a housing 10 in which various devices (details will be described later) such as a computer device (41), a control unit (42), and a printer (43) are housed. The front surface of the housing 10 forms a shooting space for performing a shooting operation, and the side surface forms an editing space for performing an editing operation. A user who is a subject enters the shooting space and takes a picture in a direction facing the front of the housing 10. Then, the user moves to the editing space and edits the photographed image in the direction facing the side surface of the housing 10. The image editing is, for example, editing so-called “drawing” or “doodle”, and an additional image composed of a stamp image or text (hereinafter referred to as an editing image) is combined with the photographed image. It is processing.

First, a photographing space formed on the front side of the housing 10 will be described.
The shooting space includes a housing 10, a panel and frame material, and a background portion 11.
The background portion 11 is provided with a plurality of background curtains having different colors or patterns, and the user can appropriately select the background curtain and change the color tone of the background. In FIG. 1, one side of the shooting space is opened so that the user can easily enter and leave the shooting space. However, in order to protect the privacy of the user and to block external light, A side curtain that separates the imaging space from the outside may be provided. The background curtain is a roll-up roll curtain or the like, and is automatically set by being driven by a motor when a user operates a touch panel display (24) described later. Of course, it may be set by a user's manual operation.

On the front surface of the housing 10, a camera 21, a live monitor 22, photographing speakers 23 a and 23 b, a touch panel display 24, a coin insertion slot 25, a coin discharge slot 26, and a front door 27 are provided. Yes.
The camera 21 shoots a user as a subject and generates a moving image (hereinafter referred to as video) and a still image (hereinafter simply referred to as an image). The live monitor 22 displays the video imaged by the camera 21 in real time. The shooting-side speakers 23a and 23b output a description of the BGM and the operation method by voice. The touch panel display 24 displays a demonstration image (hereinafter referred to as a demo image), a shooting operation procedure, and the like, and receives various inputs from the user. The front door 27 is an open / close door for facilitating maintenance and replacement of various devices housed inside the housing 10. Further, around the camera 21, illumination boxes 28a, 28b, and 28c incorporating fluorescent lamps and flashes are provided.

Next, the editing space formed on the side surface side of the housing 10 will be described.
The shooting space includes a housing 10, a frame material, and a side curtain 12.
A captured image is displayed on the side surface of the housing 10, and a tablet display 31 including a plurality of screens that accept editing by the user, and a plurality of touch pens 32 </ b> L and 32 </ b> R for inputting editing from the user. And an editing speaker 23c that outputs a description of the BGM and operation method to the user by voice.

  Further, a print outlet 33 is provided on the side surface of the housing 10, and a printing lamp 34 and an error lamp 35 are provided in the vicinity of the print outlet 33. When the printing lamp 34 is lit or blinking, the user is notified that the image is being printed, and when the error lamp 35 is lit or blinking, it is out of paper, out of ink, paper jam, mechanical error, etc. You are notified that an error has occurred. Note that the housing 10 is preferably provided with a ventilation fan for releasing heat inside the housing to the outside.

[Functional configuration of image printing device]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image printing apparatus according to the present invention.
The image printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a computer device 41. The computer device 41 is connected to the camera 21, the live monitor 22, the touch panel display 24, the tablet display 31, the printer 43, the control unit 42, and the like.

  In addition, the image printing apparatus 1 includes a power switch 51 that turns on and off the supply of power from an external power source (commercial AC power supply or the like), and a power control unit 52 that supplies power to various devices of the image printing apparatus 1. The power supply control unit 52 converts a voltage input from the outside into a voltage necessary for various devices and performs control for stably supplying power to the various devices.

  Further, an uninterruptible power supply (hereinafter referred to as UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply)) 53 is provided between the power supply control unit 52 and the computer apparatus 41. The UPS 53 stably supplies power to the computer device 41 by a built-in battery even when power supply from an external power supply is suddenly cut off due to a power failure or the like. That is, when the external power supply is cut off due to a power failure, the UPS 53 backs up the power supply for a while and transmits a power failure signal to the computer device 41. In the meantime, the computer device 41 carries out a procedure for terminating the computer program (hereinafter referred to as a program), and terminates the program normally. Therefore, even if the external power supply is cut off, the program will not be terminated abnormally, so that it is possible to prevent a malfunction such as a failure. Note that power may be supplied from the UPS 53 to various devices that require power.

  The computer device 41 includes a CPU 41a, a memory 41b, a storage unit 41c, and the like, and various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the image printing apparatus 1 are stored in the storage unit 41c. Specifically, a program for operating the various devices described above, graphic data and audio data necessary for executing the program, an image taken by the camera 21, an edited image, and other various images, Device drivers for controlling peripheral devices such as the printer 43 and the tablet display 31 are stored. The CPU 41a performs various functions in accordance with programs stored in the storage unit 41c. In particular, the CPU 41a functions as various means (conversion means, composition means, reduction means, etc.) in the present invention in cooperation with various devices or independently. The memory 41b is used as a work area for storing temporary data generated when the CPU 41a executes a program.

  When the power switch 51 is pressed and power is supplied to the image printing apparatus 1, the computer apparatus 41 activates the above-described program to activate the camera 21, live monitor 22, touch panel display 24, tablet display 31, and printer 43. Control. For example, the computer device 41 instructs to control the shooting timing of the camera 21 and to change the setting items of the camera 21 (for example, shutter speed, aperture value, exposure correction, white balance, etc.).

  The camera 21 is a widely used digital camera, which captures a user as a subject in real time, and the captured video is displayed on the live monitor 22 in real time. In addition, when the user presses a shutter button (not shown), the camera 21 captures a still image (hereinafter referred to as a captured image) of the user who is the subject and stores it in the storage unit 41c.

  The computer device 41 reads out the photographed image stored in the storage unit 41c and displays it on the tablet display 31, and also synthesizes the photographed image and an edited image such as “drawing” or “doodle” received through the edit play. It functions as a means and stores the synthesized image synthesized in the storage unit 41c.

  Further, the computer device 41 reduces the size of the image, cuts out the periphery or unnecessary part of the image, code-compresses the image, compresses the image by reducing the number of colors, compresses the image by reducing the image quality, etc. It functions as a reduction means for reducing the information amount of the image and reduces the image to a suitable size.

  Furthermore, the computer device 41 functions as a conversion unit that converts an image into code information, and outputs the converted code information. Specifically, an image (code image) related to the code information is displayed on the tablet display 31 or output to the printer 43.

  The printer 43 is a device for printing an image (the above-described photographed image, composite image, code image, etc.) on a print medium 44 such as paper, sticker, metal or plastic, and is a sublimation printer, a thermoautochrome system ( A printer such as a light fixing direct thermal printing system) is generally used. In the following description, it is assumed that the printer 43 prints an image on a sticker. However, the print medium 44 is not limited to a sticker and may be another print medium as described above.

  In addition, the computer device 41 transmits a control signal (such as an instruction command) to the control unit 42 based on the execution of the program and the user input received by the touch panel display 24 and the tablet display 31.

  In addition to the computer device 41 and the power supply control unit 52, the control unit 42 includes a flash control unit 61, photographing side speakers 23a and 23b, an editing side speaker 23c, a service panel 62, a coin control unit 63, a printing lamp 34, an error lamp. 35 and the background unit 11, and controls various connected devices based on a control signal transmitted from the computer device 41.

  The flash controller 61 is connected to the camera 21 and the flash 71, receives a synchronization signal corresponding to the shutter timing of the camera 21, and causes the flash 71 to emit light in synchronization with the synchronization signal. The flash control unit 61 sets the light emission intensity of the flash 71. Further, as in this example, when there are a plurality of flashes 71, the flashes 71 to emit light may be selected. Further, the fluorescent lamp 72 may be connected to the control unit 42, and the control unit 42 may set the illuminance of the fluorescent lamp 72 and the like.

  The shooting-side speakers 23a and 23b and the editing-side speaker 23c receive control signals transmitted from the computer device 41 via the control unit 42, and guide the operation of shooting and editing play of the image printing apparatus 1 and BGM, respectively. Etc. are output.

  The service panel 62 has a coin counter that counts the number of inserted coins, a print counter that counts the number of printed prints, and a volume that adjusts the volume of sound output from the photographing side speakers 23a and 23b and the editing side speaker 23c. A panel having an adjustment knob, a test button for performing a test mode, a service button for enabling the apparatus to be used without inserting coins, and the like. ) Is used when performing various settings and maintenance operations.

  The coin control unit 63 detects the validity of the coin inserted into the coin insertion slot 25, and when a coin is inserted, transmits a notification signal indicating that the coin has been inserted to the control unit 42. In addition, the control unit 42 transmits a control signal to the coin control unit 63 according to the control signal received from the computer device 41. Based on the control signal from the control unit 42, the coin control unit 63 blocks the coin insertion slot 25 to prevent the coin from being inserted, or discharges the inserted coin to the coin discharge slot 26. For example, it is possible to prevent coins from being inserted during play.

  The printer 43 notifies the computer device 41 of each state such as out of paper, and the computer device 41 transmits a control signal corresponding to each state to the control unit 42 so that the control unit 42 receives the control signal. The lighting and blinking of the printing lamp 34 and the error lamp 35 are controlled.

  Further, the control unit 42 receives an instruction signal in accordance with an input operation for the user to select a desired background from the computer device 41 to the touch panel display 24, and the background curtain (roll screen) of the background unit 11 according to the instruction signal. The operation of the motor that drives the motor is controlled. By controlling the operation of the motor in this way, the background curtain selected by the user is automatically set.

  In addition, the component connected to the computer apparatus 41 is not limited to the form mentioned above, You may divide | segment for every function or position. Further, the computer apparatus 41 may not be configured as a single unit as in the present embodiment, and may be configured as two or more units as in the imaging process and the editing process. Further, the form of the image printing apparatus is not limited to the specific example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. That is, other functions not shown in the figure may be provided, or not all the functions shown in the figure may be provided. For example, the printer 43 may not be included in the image printing apparatus main body. In this case, the image printing apparatus may output a print control signal to the printer 43 via a dedicated line such as a LAN or wireless communication.

[Processing of image printing device]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation flow of the image printing apparatus according to the present invention.
In the present embodiment, a combined image obtained by combining a captured image and an edited image is converted (coded) into code information using a conversion unit, and the converted code information is output. Specifically, an image (code image) related to the code information is displayed on the tablet display 31 or output to the printer 43. Then, the code image is taken into the portable terminal by photographing the output code image with a camera attached to the portable terminal possessed by the user. Encoding is a process of converting a composite image into a two-dimensional code such as a barcode or QR code (R), and any code that can hold information such as data and images may be used. Of course, it is preferable to select a suitable code according to the information amount of the image. In addition, the code image preferably has a geometric pattern such as a QR code (R) so that information can be reliably identified by a camera attached to the mobile terminal. Of course, the code image may be a monochrome image such as a monochrome image or a color image composed of a plurality of colors, and is appropriately selected according to the information amount of the image.

  In the processing in the image printing apparatus 1, first, photographing processing is performed, and then editing processing is performed. When the power switch 51 is turned on, power is supplied to various devices, and the computer device 41 reads out a program stored in the storage unit 41c and executes various functions according to the read program. First, the computer device 41 checks whether or not various devices are normally connected (initial check), and performs initialization for devices that require initialization.

  The image printing apparatus 1 displays a demonstration image that prompts the user to use the image printing apparatus in the photographing space on the touch panel display 24, and outputs sound corresponding to the demonstration image from the photographing speakers 23a and 23b (step S1). ). In addition, the image printing apparatus 1 displays a standby image for making the editing operation wait in the editing space or an image for guiding the player to start playing from the shooting on the tablet display 31 and corresponding sound is displayed on the editing speaker 23c. Output from.

  In the state where the demo image is displayed, the image printing apparatus 1 monitors the insertion of coins as a consideration for the user to use the image printing apparatus (step S2). (S2: NO), the display of the demonstration image is continued. If the test button on the service panel 62 is pressed during the display of the demo image, a test mode for performing maintenance of the image printing apparatus 1 is activated.

  When a coin is inserted in S2 (S2: YES), the image printing apparatus 1 starts shooting processing (step S3). When a plurality of shooting courses are prepared, selection of the shooting course is accepted from the user before the shooting process. First, an image captured by the camera 21 is displayed on the live monitor 22 in real time. Thereby, the user can take a favorite expression and pose while watching the video displayed on the live monitor 22. Note that the video acquired by the camera 21 may be displayed on the live monitor 22 as it is, but it is preferable to perform a horizontal reversal process on the acquired video and display the video subjected to the horizontal reversal process on the live monitor 22. When the video is reversed left and right, the user's figure is displayed on the live monitor 22 in the same direction as the direction in which it is reflected in the mirror, so that the user can easily take a favorite expression and pose.

  Then, the user sequentially captures images in accordance with shooting guidance such as images displayed on the touch panel display 24 and voices output from the shooting speakers 23a and 23b. The image printing apparatus 1 transmits a shooting signal to the camera 21 when the user presses the shutter button, and the camera 21 releases the shutter in synchronization with the shooting signal, and an image is captured. The captured image (captured image) is temporarily stored in the storage unit 41 c of the computer device 41. In general, a captured image is subjected to filtering processing such as contour enhancement and noise suppression, and image processing such as color processing.

  The image printing apparatus 1 determines whether or not shooting has been completed (step S4). In this example, the user can perform a plurality of shootings, and in S4, it is determined whether or not a predetermined number of shootings have been completed by the user. If the shooting is not completed (S4: NO), the process proceeds to S3 and the shooting process is continued. On the other hand, when shooting is completed (S4: YES), a list of shot images shot by a series of shooting processes is displayed on the touch panel display 24, and shot images (hereinafter referred to as edit target images) that the user wants to edit are displayed. A selection is accepted (step S5). Note that the photographing may be automatically ended when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the photographing process.

  Then, an image relating to the test code (hereinafter referred to as a test code image) is displayed on the touch panel display 24 (step S6), and a test is performed as to whether or not the test image can be read by the portable terminal possessed by the user. When a predetermined time elapses after the test code image is displayed on the touch panel display 24, the process proceeds to the next process.

  As in the present embodiment, when the shooting space and the editing space are different in position, even if the user finishes shooting in the shooting space, another user (the previous user) performs editing work in the editing space. There is a risk that the waiting time will occur between the end of shooting and the start of editing. Therefore, while the image to be edited selected in S5 is prepared so that it can be used for editing, or while the previous user is editing in the editing space, the camera attached to the user's mobile terminal is used. A test code image is taken to verify whether the code image can be restored.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display screen on which a test code image is displayed. A test code image 101 is displayed on the left side of the display screen, and a test image 100 related to the test code image 101 is displayed on the right side. The test code image 101 is obtained by converting the test image 100 such as a test pattern image, a product logo image, and a sample image into a code image in advance, and is stored in the storage unit 41c of the computer device 41 or the like. “Shoot the code below with the camera of the mobile phone and send it to abc@xxx.jp. If the right photo is returned, it will be OK”, and it is displayed on the touch panel display 24. Guide your e-mail address and encourage sending. A time limit for display is provided, and the remaining time 120 is displayed on the screen of the touch panel display 24 so as to be easily understood by the user, and the countdown is performed.

  The user captures the test code image 101 using a camera attached to the portable terminal he possesses, attaches the captured test code image 101 to an email, and transmits the email to the displayed email address. The recipient of the e-mail (a server device described later) restores the test code image 101 attached to the received e-mail, and returns the restored image (here, the test image 100) to the mobile terminal that sent the e-mail. To do. Since the test code image 101 is obtained by coding the test image 100, if the test image 100 is displayed on the user's mobile terminal, the code image can be restored. When the test code image 101 attached to the e-mail cannot be restored, a notification mail (error mail) indicating that the test code image 101 could not be restored is returned to the portable terminal.

  Note that the timing for displaying the test code image 101 is not limited to the timing described above. Performing during the waiting time of a series of play of the user in the image printing apparatus 1 is effective in dizzying the boredom of the waiting time. For example, the test code image 101 is displayed during time-consuming processes such as the charging time of the flash 71 used for photographing and the image processing time for the photographed image, thereby reducing the boredom of the waiting time. It is possible to prevent the user from feeling.

  Specifically, a tablet display 31 that is a display means used in the editing space, or another display means provided separately above the print outlet 33, and a test code image 101 is displayed on these display means after editing is completed. indicate. In this way, it is possible to eliminate the tedious waiting time until printing is completed.

  Further, a display unit on which the test code image 101 is displayed outside the image printing apparatus 1 or a printed matter on which the test code image 101 is printed is arranged on the outer surface of the image printing apparatus 1 so that the test code information is provided to the user. If presented, the waiting time before the start of use can be effectively utilized.

  In this way, by displaying or printing the test code image 101, the user can practice taking a code image using the test code image 101, and can further restore the test code image 101 taken in practice normally. It is possible to verify whether or not the code image shooting in the actual production fails.

  Then, when the display of the test code image 101 in S6 is completed, guidance for prompting the user to move to the editing space is displayed on the touch panel display 24. The user moves to the editing space according to the guidance and performs editing play. On the shooting space side, the process returns to S1 to display the demo image again and wait for the next user to play.

  The image printing apparatus 1 displays the editing target image on the tablet display 31, receives the input of the editing image such as a stamp or a pen with the touch pens 32L and 32R, and performs an editing process on the editing target image (step S7). The received edited image and the editing target image are combined to generate a combined image.

  The user can perform an edit play on the edit screen as shown in FIG. 5 within the edit time limit. The editing screen is composed of a plurality of screens, and a plurality of users can simultaneously edit with the dedicated touch pens 32L and 32R. Of course, the editing screen may be composed of a single screen. In order to make it easy for the user to understand the editing time limit, the remaining time 121 is displayed on the editing screen of the tablet display 31 and countdown is performed (the same applies hereinafter).

  The image printing apparatus 1 monitors whether the editing process has been completed. The editing process is forcibly terminated when the editing time limit is reached (remaining time = “0”) or the “end” button (see FIG. 5) displayed on the screen is touched. When the editing process is completed, a code display process (details will be described later) is performed (step S8).

  Next, a print layout selection screen for selecting a print layout is displayed on the tablet display 31 to accept selection of a print layout desired by the user (step S9). Then, a print selection screen for selecting whether or not to print a code image obtained by encoding the composite image on the print medium 44 is displayed on the tablet display 31 and selection of whether or not to print the code image on the print medium 44 is accepted. (Step S10).

  When the user selects to print the code image on the print medium 44 (S10: YES), a print image including the code is generated with the layout selected by the user (step S11). The print image is a composite image obtained by combining the image to be edited and the graffiti image (graffiti input image) arranged in the layout selected in S9. Of course, the print image may be an image to be edited, or may be both an image to be edited and a composite image (the same applies hereinafter).

  On the other hand, when the user selects not to print the code image on the print medium 44 (S10: NO), only the print image not including the code, that is, the composite image is generated with the layout selected by the user (step S12). .

  Then, the print data relating to the print image generated in S11 or S12 is transmitted to the printer 43 to start the printing process (step S13). Then, it is printed on the print medium 44 and discharged to the print outlet 33 (step S14).

  In this way, by providing the user with the print medium 44 on which the code image is printed, even if the shooting of the code image displayed on the display means such as the tablet display 31 or the touch panel display 24 fails, the code is at hand. Since the print medium 44 on which the image is printed remains, the user can calmly capture the code image after playing. Thereby, an image can be stably provided to a user. In addition, the image printing apparatus 1 can provide the image by presenting the print medium 44 on which the code image is printed to a friend who has not photographed together.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print medium on which a composite image and a code image are printed.
This figure shows the front side of the print medium 44, and the code images 102a and 102b are printed outside (in this case, the right side) the area 110 where the composite image is arranged. Since the performance of the camera attached to the mobile terminal possessed by the user varies depending on the model, the code image having a size and resolution suitable for the mobile terminal can be obtained by printing the code images 102a and 102b having a plurality of sizes. It is possible to select and shoot either 102a or 102b and reliably capture the code image into the mobile terminal.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the print medium on which the composite image and the code image are printed.
FIG. 4A shows the front side of the print medium 44, and FIG. 4B shows the back side of the print medium 44. A plurality of code images 103a, 103b,... Corresponding to one image are printed on the back surface of the print medium 44 (details will be described later). Thereby, the printing space of the printing medium 44 can be used effectively. That is, by printing the composite image on the front surface of the print medium 44 and printing the code images 103a, 103b,... On the back surface, the area 110 on the front surface where the composite image is arranged does not decrease. In addition, when the image is divided between friends for each composite image on the print medium 44, the code images 103a, 103b,... Are divided, so that privacy can be ensured.

  When the process of S14 is completed, the standby image is displayed again on the tablet display 31. Further, a voice for guiding the user in front of the printer 43 (for example, “the sticker comes out from the left”) is output from the editing speaker 23c, and the user who has finished the editing play is guided to the print outlet 33. be able to. Of course, in order to guide the user to the front of the print outlet 33, for example, a display such as “The sticker comes out from the left!” May be displayed on the tablet display 31.

  Note that the image printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a shooting space and an editing space, but may be performed in the same space. Further, the image printing apparatus may include a plurality of shooting spaces and / or a plurality of editing spaces.

[Code display process]
Next, an outline of the above-described code display process will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of code display processing of the image printing apparatus according to the present invention.

  First, as shown in FIG. 9, the image printing apparatus 1 displays a list of composite images on the tablet display 31, and allows the user to select a conversion target image (step S101). At this time, the captured image may be included in the options as the conversion target image. The image printing apparatus 1 determines whether a composite image has been selected by the user (step S102). When the composite image is not selected (S102: NO), the image printing apparatus 1 repeatedly determines whether the composite image is selected. When the composite image is selected (S102: YES), the selected composite is selected. The image is accepted as a conversion target image for code conversion (step S103).

  Then, a reduction process for reducing the information amount of the conversion target image received in S103 is performed (step S104). Reduction of the conversion target image means that the image size of the composite image is reduced to a size suitable for display on the screen of the user's portable terminal, and the amount of information can be reduced by the reduction process. For example, it includes the purpose of reducing the image size, cutting out surroundings or unnecessary parts of the image, code-compressing the image, reducing the number of colors of the image, compressing the image, and reducing the image quality.

  Then, a conversion process for converting the conversion target image into a code image is performed (step S105), and the converted code image is displayed on the tablet display 31 (step S106). Then, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the display of the code image (step S107). If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (S107: YES), the code display process is terminated.

  Thus, by reducing the information amount of the conversion target image, the time required for conversion by the conversion unit can be shortened, and the processing load of the image printing apparatus 1 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the amount of information is reduced, a code that can express only a relatively small amount of information can be used.

  Also, since the screen size of the mobile terminal possessed by the user varies, it is preferable that the code image has a plurality of image sizes so that the user can select the image size. For example, as shown in FIG. Then, images of a plurality of image sizes are displayed on the tablet display 31 so that the user selects an image of a desired image size.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display screen on which a code image is displayed.
As shown in FIG. 11, code images 104 a, 104 b, and 104 c having different sizes are displayed on the tablet display 31. In addition, in order to have any one of the displayed code images 104a, 104b, 104c photographed by the mobile terminal, “one of the codes below is photographed and sent to abc@xxx.jp. "" Is displayed on the tablet display 31. In this way, the user is allowed to photograph any one of the code images 104a, 104b, and 104c displayed on the screen with the camera of the mobile terminal, and the photographed code image is displayed on the displayed e-mail address. Prompt to send to. Since the performance such as the resolution and angle of view of the camera is different for each portable terminal, the photographing distance required for photographing the code image is different for each portable terminal. For this reason, the code images 104a, 104b, and 104c of a plurality of sizes are displayed in a list so that any type of portable terminal can be surely photographed.

  In addition, it is preferable to display a list of a plurality of code images 104a, 104b, and 104c having different sizes, so that the user can compare the size of the code images and take a code image of an optimal size. It may be a form in which codes of different sizes are sequentially displayed. Of course, an input of the model of the portable terminal may be received, and a code having a size and resolution suitable for photographing of the received portable terminal may be displayed.

  The image printing apparatus 1 having such a configuration uses the code image displayed on the display unit or the code image printed by the printing unit using the camera and the code restoration function of the mobile phone possessed by the user, It is possible to acquire an image related to shooting (captured image, composite image), and the image related to shooting can be left on the user's portable terminal even if the image printing apparatus is not equipped with communication means. Costs can be reduced.

  Further, since the image printing apparatus 1 does not require communication means, problems such as the influence of the communication state and the layout change of the apparatus in the store are solved, and the image can be provided to the user's mobile terminal. It becomes possible, and the burden on the store operator such as communication costs is reduced. Furthermore, since there is no need to connect with a connection cable, the user's anxiety such as failure of the mobile terminal and information leakage can be solved.

[Modification of Embodiment 1]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an outline of another operation flow of the image printing apparatus according to the present invention.
In the flowchart of FIG. 3, the code display process is performed after the editing is completed, but in the present modification, the code display process is performed after the printing is started. Steps S21 to S27 are the same as steps S1 to S7 in FIG. 3, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  When the editing process in S27 is completed, a print layout selection screen for selecting a print layout is displayed on the tablet display 31, and a print layout desired by the user is received (step S28). Then, print data relating to the composite image arranged in the accepted layout is transmitted to the printer 43 to start the printing process (step S29).

  When the printing process is started, the code display process described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8 is performed to provide a code for outputting an image to the portable terminal owned by the user (step S30). When printing on the print medium 44 is completed with the above-described layout, the print medium is discharged to the print outlet 33 (step S31).

  In this way, boring printing waiting time can be prevented. Furthermore, since an image can be simply transmitted to a user's portable terminal, a sense of profit can be increased.

(Embodiment 2)
A computer and an image distribution system according to the present invention as a server apparatus that distributes an image using the image printing apparatus 1 described above will be described.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image distribution system according to the present invention.

  The image distribution system according to the present invention includes an image printing apparatus 1, a server apparatus 2, and a portable terminal 3, and the server apparatus 2 and the portable terminal 3 are connected via a network N such as the Internet, a public network, or a LAN. Yes.

  The server device 2 includes a CPU 81 that controls the server device, a storage unit 82 that stores a program and various data for operating the device, a memory 83 that is a temporary work area for the program, and a network N And a communication unit 84 for performing communication connection. The CPU 81 functions as a control unit that controls the operation of each unit in accordance with a program stored in the storage unit 82. The storage unit 82 functions as storage means for storing data including a data processing program for performing data processing and a control program such as an OS. The communication unit 84 functions as a communication unit that performs communication with the mobile terminal 3 via the network N.

  The main functions of the server device 2 are a restoration function for restoring a code image, which is performed by the CPU 81 executing a program stored in the storage unit 82, to an original image, and correction, processing, and composition of the restored image. There is an editing function. Further, there are a reception function for receiving an electronic mail from the mobile terminal 3 through the communication unit 84 and a transmission function for transmitting an electronic mail to the mobile terminal 3.

  The mobile terminal 3 is a mobile phone, a PDA or the like, and is connected to a control unit 91 that controls the mobile terminal, an input unit 92 that can input a message, authentication information, and the like, a camera 93 that captures a subject, and a network N. A communication unit 94 capable of communicating with the server device 2, a storage unit 95 for storing information, and a display unit 96 for displaying an image. The storage unit 95 stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the mobile terminal 3. In addition, the user can read a code image (including a test code image) displayed on the tablet display 31 of the image printing apparatus 1 and a code image (including a test code image) printed on the print medium 44 by the printer 43 by the user. In the case of shooting with the, the shot code image is stored in the storage unit 95.

  Next, the input unit 92 accepts the creation of the email addressed to the email address described above, the control unit 91 creates an email with the code image stored in the storage unit 95 attached, and the communication unit 94 establishes the network N. To the server device 2. The server device 2 receives the electronic mail transmitted by the mobile terminal 3, restores the code image attached to the received electronic mail to the original image, and transmits it to the mobile terminal 3 (details will be described later). The transmission form is an e-mail, and the restored image can be transmitted to the mobile terminal 3 by attaching the restored image to the e-mail.

  Then, the portable terminal 3 receives the electronic mail transmitted from the server device 2 by the communication unit 94 and displays an image attached to the received electronic mail on the display unit 96. Further, the attached image may be stored in the storage unit 95 as appropriate. The processing procedure of the mobile terminal 3 described above is stored as a program in the storage unit 95, and the control unit 91 reads the program so as to function in cooperation with the above-described units or independently. Since the image printing apparatus 1 is the same as that described in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted and only the configuration of the main part is shown.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an outline of an operation flow of the server apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The code image displayed in the code display process of the image printing apparatus 1 guides the user to send it to a predetermined mail address (abc@xxx.jp). When a photograph is taken with the portable terminal 3 and the photographed code image is transmitted to the above-mentioned predetermined mail address, the photographed code image is transmitted to the server device 2.

  First, the server apparatus 2 monitors whether or not an electronic mail (hereinafter referred to as an image mail) attached with a code image has been received by the communication unit 84 (step S201). If it is determined that the image mail has been received (S201: YES), the e-mail address of the source of the received image mail (here, the mobile terminal 3) is stored in the storage unit 82 (step S202). Then, the server device 2 restores the code image attached to the received image mail to the original image (step S203).

  Then, the server device 2 determines whether or not the code image has been successfully restored (step S204). If not restored normally (S204: NO), the server device 2 sends an email indicating that the code image has not been restored normally (error) to the email address stored in S202, that is, It transmits to a transmission origin (step S205), and transfers to step S201. On the other hand, when the image is restored normally (S204: YES), the server device 2 edits the restored image using the editing unit (step S206). Then, the server device 2 transmits the image edited (corrected, processed and combined) in S206 to the e-mail address stored in S202, that is, to the transmission source (step S207), and proceeds to step S201.

  The editing function performed by the server apparatus 2 is a correction function for correcting the color tone of an image for the purpose of improving image quality, and processes the number of pixels, resolution, number of colors, and the like of an image for display in an optimal state on a user's mobile terminal. It is intended to include at least one of a processing function and a combining function for combining an image with another image. By performing such editing, it is possible to provide an image with optimum image quality for the user's mobile terminal.

  As described above, when the server device 2 restores the received code image to the original image, it is possible to provide the image to a portable terminal that does not have the function of restoring. In addition, since the user's mobile terminal does not need a function for restoring code information, even if an application for restoration is required, there is no need to import the application into the mobile terminal. Can reduce the burden on the memory.

  In addition, since the user only needs to take a code image and send the taken code image to the designated e-mail address, the procedure is similar to that for sending a general image mail. Is easy to operate and easy to accept.

  Furthermore, each means is provided by providing the image printing apparatus 1 with conversion means for converting an image relating to photographing (captured image, composite image) into a code image, and restoring means for restoring the code image into the original image in the server apparatus 2. If there is a problem, if it is desired to improve the performance quality of conversion or restoration, each means can be updated without imposing a burden on the user, and it is easy to improve the quality of image distribution.

(Embodiment 3)
In each of the above-described embodiments, a mode in which one image is converted into one code image has been described. However, a case in which one image is divided into a plurality of code images and converted may be used. In this case, a plurality of code images are connected at the time of restoration, and restored to the original image.

  For example, a QR code (R), which is a two-dimensional code, stores encoded data divided into a maximum of 16 QR codes (R) and restores the original data by concatenating the divided QR codes (R). can do. By dividing the QR code (R) in this way, the image can be coded even if the image has a relatively large size.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display screen on which divided code images are displayed.
As shown in FIG. 15, one image is divided into four code images 105 a, 105 b, 105 c, and 105 d and converted, and the four code images 105 a, 105 b, 105 c, and 105 d are displayed on the tablet display 31. In addition, on the tablet display 31, “Shoot so that all the lower codes can be covered!” Is displayed on the tablet display 31 so that all the displayed code images 105 a, 105 b, 105 c, 105 d are photographed by the mobile terminal 3. . In this way, it is only necessary to shoot four code images displayed (printed) in the list once, and it is efficient because it saves the trouble of repeating the shooting many times. can do.

  Thus, by dividing an image into a plurality of code images, it is possible to use a code with a small amount of information that can be expressed by the code image. In other words, if the image information amount is divided into the number of code images obtained by adding 1 to the quotient obtained by dividing the information amount of the code, the image can be coded and decoded using a code having a small amount of information. it can. In addition, since each divided code image can be displayed with a relatively large screen size or output to the print medium 44, the code image can be reliably captured and captured by a low-resolution camera. Therefore, the code error at the time of restoration can be reduced.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an outline of an operation flow of the server apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
The code image displayed in the code display process of the image printing apparatus is taken by the user's mobile terminal and is guided to the user to be transmitted to a predetermined e-mail address (abc@xxx.jp) ( When the user transmits the above-described code image to the above-described mail address, the user transmits the code image to the server device 2 (see FIG. 15).

  First, the server apparatus 2 monitors whether or not an image mail has been received by the communication unit 84 (step S301). If it is determined that the image mail has been received (S301: YES), the e-mail address of the source of the received image mail is stored in the storage unit 82 (step S302). Then, the server device 2 performs a code extraction process for extracting a code included in the code image attached to the received image mail (step S303). Details of the code extraction process will be described later.

  Then, the server device 2 determines whether or not the code extraction is successful (step S304). When it is determined that the code extraction has failed (S304: NO), the server device 2 sends an e-mail indicating guidance on the failure of the code extraction (error) to the e-mail address stored in S302, that is, It transmits to a transmission origin (step S305), and transfers to step S301. On the other hand, when it is determined that the code extraction is successful (S304: YES), the server device 2 sequentially restores the code images (step S306).

  Then, the server device 2 determines whether or not the code image has been normally restored (step S307). If not restored normally (S307: NO), the server apparatus 2 proceeds to S305 and stores an email indicating that the code image has not been restored normally (error) in S302. To the e-mail address, that is, to the sender. On the other hand, in the case of normal restoration (S307: YES), the server apparatus 2 determines whether or not the restored code image is the final code image among the plurality of divided code images ( Step S308).

  When it is determined that the code image restored in S308 is not the final code image (S308: NO), the server apparatus 2 proceeds to S306 and restores the next code image. On the other hand, when it is determined that the code image restored in S308 is the final code image (S308: YES), the server device 2 edits the restored image using the editing unit (step S309). . Then, the server apparatus 2 transmits the image edited (corrected, processed, and combined) in S309 to the e-mail address stored in S302, that is, to the transmission source (step S310), and proceeds to step S301.

  In addition, when an image is composed of a plurality of code images as in the QR code (R), it must be restored for each code image as described above. After each code image is restored, it may be rearranged and connected. However, it is efficient to restore the division numbers in order of division numbers before the restoration. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, a code identification unit is provided that surrounds each code image 105a, 105b, 105c, and 105d in a rectangular shape.

  For example, the periphery of the code image is enclosed in a rectangular shape with a different color for each division number. Specifically, the code image of division number 1 is surrounded by red. Similarly, the division number 2 is blue, the division number 3 is yellow, the division number 4 is green, the division number 5 is purple, the division number 6 is orange, etc. To do.

  In the case of a QR code (R) or the like, information is identified by the arrangement of white and black, so surrounding with colors other than white and black not included in the code improves the identification rate at the time of code extraction and restoration. It is effective. Moreover, as long as each code image can be distinguished, patterns other than colors, such as a pattern and a pattern, may be used.

  In this way, the code area included in the code image can be easily extracted, and further extracted in the order of the division number. Therefore, it is not necessary to rearrange after the restoration, and the original image can be efficiently restored. it can. In addition, when rearranging and connecting in the order of the division number after restoration, the code area included in the code image may be extracted regardless of the division number, so that each code image is surrounded by the same color, the same pattern, the same pattern, or the like. Thus, it is sufficient that the code area included in the code image can be extracted.

  In addition, if the code area of each code image can be extracted, the code identifying unit can be formed by, for example, marking the four corners by surrounding the code image with a rectangular shape without surrounding the rectangle with a rectangular shape. It may be provided. Furthermore, information other than the division number may be added to each code included in the code image by a color, a pattern, a pattern, or the like.

  Thus, when a plurality of code images are included in one image, information included in the code can be identified before restoring the code by adding information such as a division number to each code image. And extraction and restoration can be performed efficiently.

  When a plurality of code images are included in one image, it is difficult or impossible to restore the code image in the state as it is, and thus processing for extracting each code image from the image is necessary. Hereinafter, a code extraction process when two code images of division number 1 and division number 2 are included in one image and a code identification unit that distinguishes the division number by color is included around each code image will be described.

17 and 18 are flowcharts showing an outline of the code extraction process.
As shown in FIG. 19, the image includes a code image of division number 1 (rectangular portion indicated by A in the figure) and a code image of division number 2 (rectangular portion indicated by B in the drawing). To do. A broken line represents an area for each block unit. The size of one block is, for example, a predetermined number of pixels (for example, 8 pixels × 8 pixels) in both the vertical and horizontal directions. Also, the right direction of the image is the positive direction of X, the downward direction is the positive direction of Y, and the block coordinates of the upper left corner of the image are (0, 0). The size of the image is M blocks in the X direction and N blocks in the Y direction, and the pixels at the right end and the bottom end of the image are not considered.

  First, in order to detect the boundary portion of the code image A having the division number 1, the server device 2 scans for each block unit and searches for the boundary portion of the code image (step S401). Specifically, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 19, scanning is started from the block coordinate (0, 0) in the X direction, and when scanning for M blocks is completed, the Y coordinate is incremented by 1 and the block coordinate ( Scan from (1, 0) to block coordinates (1, M). Such scanning is repeated until the Y coordinate becomes N blocks.

  Then, the server device 2 determines whether or not the scanned block is a block at the boundary portion of the code image (hereinafter referred to as a boundary block) (step S402). For example, when the determination is based on whether the scanned block includes a predetermined number of colors (code identification unit) and the block does not include a predetermined number of pixels, the scanned block is not a boundary block. Is determined.

  When it is determined that the scanned block is not a boundary block (S402: NO), the server apparatus 2 proceeds to S401, scans one block, and continues to search for a boundary block. On the other hand, when it is determined that the scanned block is a boundary block (S402: YES), the server device 2 sets the scanned block as a reference block (step S403). Thus, when the reference block is detected, the above-described scanning is finished. On the other hand, although not shown in the flowchart, if no boundary block is detected even after searching all (M × N) blocks, the code extraction process is terminated as an extraction error.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the reference block is a block having the smallest Y coordinate among the blocks constituting the code image, and the smallest X coordinate among the blocks having the smallest Y coordinate. Also, the position coordinates (XL1, YL1) of the upper left corner and the position coordinates (XR1, YR1) of the lower right corner of the reference block are held.

  Then, the server device 2 sets the reference block as the central block (step S404), and sequentially scans the blocks in the eight directions around the central block (step S405). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21A, the blocks adjacent to the reference block are sequentially scanned, for example, clockwise from the block above the reference block. Then, the server device 2 determines whether or not a boundary block exists in the scanned blocks in the surrounding eight directions (step S406).

  When it is determined that no boundary block exists in the scanned blocks in the eight surrounding directions (S406: NO), the server device 2 ends the code extraction process as an extraction error (step S407).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that a boundary block exists in the scanned blocks in the eight surrounding directions (S406: YES), the server device 2 marks the boundary block (step S408). Also, the position coordinates (XL2, YL2) of the upper left corner and the position coordinates (XR2, YR2) of the lower right corner are held. Here, among the blocks in the eight directions around the reference block, there are cases where a plurality of blocks are boundary blocks (here, blocks and blocks), so the block first determined to be a boundary block (here, Block) is a block to be marked in S408 (the same applies hereinafter).

  Then, the server device 2 determines whether or not the marked block is a block adjacent to the reference block (step S409). When it is determined that the marked block is not a block adjacent to the reference block (S409: NO), the server apparatus 2 sets the marked block as the central block (step S410), and proceeds to S405 to perform a similar search. repeat. However, in the second and subsequent searches, blocks that have already been marked (including the reference block) are not targeted for the search. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21 (b), when a search is performed in eight directions around the marked block, the upper left block is a reference block, so the upper left block is not a search target. And

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the marked block is a block adjacent to the reference block (S409: YES), that is, as shown in FIG. Terminates the search, and extracts a code image based on the marked block as shown in FIG. 22 (step S411).

  When the number of marked blocks (including the reference block) is n, the position coordinates of the upper left corner of the marked block are (XL1, YL1), (XL2, YL2), ..., (XLn, YLn), respectively. The position coordinates of the lower right corner are (XR1, YR1), (XR2, YR2), ..., (XRn, YRn), respectively.

  First, the minimum value XLmin is calculated from the X coordinates XL1, XL2,..., XLn of the position coordinates of the upper left corner, and the minimum value YLmin is calculated from the Y coordinates YL1, YL2,. Next, the maximum value XRmax is calculated from the X coordinates XR1, XR2,..., XRn of the position coordinates of the lower right corner, and the maximum value YRmax is calculated from the Y coordinates YR1, YR2,. Then, a rectangular area (indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 22) whose diagonal line is a straight line connecting the position coordinates (XLmin, YLmin) and the position coordinates (XRmax, YRmax) is extracted from the code image. The image is updated (stored) as a code image.

  Then, the server device 2 determines whether or not extraction of all code images has been completed (step S412). If it is determined that extraction of all code images has not been completed (S412: NO), S401 And the code image of the next division number is extracted. On the other hand, when it is determined that the extraction of all code images has been completed (S412: YES), the server device 2 ends the code extraction process. That is, when the number of divisions is 2, when the extraction of the code image A with the division number 1 is completed, the code image B with the division number 2 is similarly extracted, and the extraction of the code image B with the division number 2 is completed. Finally, the code extraction process is terminated, and the process returns to the main flow.

  In this way, by providing a code identification unit that represents the division number around the code image, it is possible to extract in the order of the division number. Further, by searching the code identification unit, it is possible to reliably extract the code image from the image even when the code image is included in the image in a tilted state. Therefore, only the code area necessary for the restoration of the code image is extracted, so that the processing load of the restoration process can be reduced and the code error at the time of restoration can be reduced.

  The processing shown in each embodiment has been described for the case where the program is recorded in a recording unit such as a hard disk built in the computer. However, the flexible disk, CD-ROM, ROM, RAM, and memory card attached to the computer are described. The program product may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as the program product and provided as a program product, and the provided program product is installed in a storage unit such as a hard disk and executed. In addition, the program product can be provided through a network such as a telecommunication line or a satellite communication line. The provided program product is installed in a storage unit such as a hard disk and executed. The program product includes the program itself and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  Moreover, it should be thought that each embodiment mentioned above is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an appearance of an image printing apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image printing apparatus according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of an operation flow of the image printing apparatus according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen on which the test code image was displayed. It is a figure which shows an edit screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the printing medium with which the synthesized image and the code image were printed. It is a figure which shows another example of the printing medium with which the synthesized image and the code image were printed. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of code display processing of the image printing apparatus according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the selection screen which selects the conversion object image. It is a figure which shows the display screen on which the code image of several image size was displayed. It is a figure which shows the display screen on which the code image was displayed. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the other operation | movement flow of the image printing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the image delivery system which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the operation | movement flow of the server apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen on which the divided | segmented code image was displayed. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the operation | movement flow of the server apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of a code extraction process. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of a code extraction process. It is a figure for demonstrating a code extraction process. It is a figure for demonstrating a code extraction process. It is a figure for demonstrating a code extraction process. It is a figure for demonstrating a code extraction process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image printing apparatus 2 Server apparatus 3 Portable terminal 21 Camera 22 Live monitor 24 Touch panel display 31 Tablet display 32L, 32R Touch pen 41 Computer apparatus 41a CPU
41b memory 41c storage unit 42 control unit 43 printer 44 print medium 81 CPU
82 storage unit 83 memory 84 communication unit 91 control unit 92 input unit 93 camera 94 communication unit 95 storage unit 96 display unit N network

Claims (13)

In an image acquisition device that acquires an image and an image printing apparatus that prints the image acquired by the acquisition device on a print medium,
Conversion means for converting the image into code information;
An image printing apparatus comprising: output means for outputting code information converted by the conversion means. Receiving means for displaying the image and receiving an input of an additional image;
A synthesis unit that synthesizes the additional image received by the reception unit with the image;
The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the converting unit converts the image combined by the combining unit into code information. A reduction means for reducing the amount of information of the image;
The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the converting unit converts the image reduced by the reducing unit into code information. The converting means includes
The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is converted into a plurality of pieces of code information. The output means includes
The image printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of code information converted by the conversion unit is output as a list. The code information has a geometric pattern,
6. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a code identification unit that identifies that an inner area around the code information is code information. 7. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a presentation unit that presents test code information obtained by converting a predetermined image by the conversion unit. The output means includes
The image printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the code information is output in a plurality of different sizes. The output means includes
The image printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein code information is output on a back surface of the print medium. Receiving means for receiving an image obtained by photographing the code information output by the image printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9;
Restoring means for restoring the image received by the receiving means to the original image;
A computer comprising: transmission means for transmitting an image restored by the restoration means to a transmission source of an image obtained by photographing the code information. The computer according to claim 10, further comprising editing means for editing the image restored by the restoring means. The computer according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising extraction means for extracting a code area from an image obtained by photographing the code information. An image printing apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires an image; a conversion unit that converts the image acquired by the acquisition unit into code information; and an output unit that outputs the code information converted by the conversion unit;
A receiving means for receiving an image obtained by photographing the code information output by the output means, a restoring means for restoring the image received by the receiving means to an original image, and an image restored by the restoring means, the code information An image distribution system comprising: a computer including a transmission unit that transmits a captured image to a transmission source.

Images