JP2006227314A - Automatic photographing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic photographing apparatus designed such that the outlines of pose aiding devices are not imprinted on a background curtain even when a photograph is taken with the background curtain down between a subject and the pose aiding devices. <P>SOLUTION: In the automatic photographing apparatus, the pose aiding devices 14 and 15 for supporting a photographing pose of a subject is disposed in front of a rear panel 5. The background curtain 7 that can be rolled upward or unrolled down is disposed between a subject and the background panel 5. When the pose aiding devices 14 and 15 are not used, a photograph is taken with the background curtain 7 down. Since the colors of the pose aiding devices 14 and 15 are the same as the color of the background panel 5, the outlines of the pose aiding devices 14 and 15 are not imprinted on the background curtain 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic photography apparatus, and more particularly to an automatic photography apparatus provided with a posture assisting tool for supporting a photographing posture of a subject.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a number of automatic photo-taking apparatuses that take pictures and make sticker prints or the like have been installed in stores that provide games such as game centers. In such an automatic photography apparatus, in general, an image of a user, who is a subject, taken by a camera attached to the automatic photography apparatus is displayed on a tablet display or the like, and characters or figures are input with the attached touch pen. The ones with editing functions called so-called graffiti and drawing are becoming common. The edited and input image is combined with the captured image, and the combined image is printed by a printer and provided to the user.

  In addition, such an automatic photographing apparatus has been devised so that various poses can be taken because there is a user's request to obtain a more unique photograph.

  For example, an automatic photography apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-330316 (Patent Document 1) is provided with a photographing stand as a posture assisting tool for supporting the photographing posture of a subject. A staircase is formed in the lower part of the photographing stand, and a slope is formed in the upper part. The user can take a picture while leaning on this slope.

  In addition, the automatic photography apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-354298 (Patent Document 2) is provided with stairs as posture assistance tools for supporting the photographing posture of the subject. Users can take photos while sitting on the stairs or lying down. Furthermore, the publication also describes a belt-like body support device for holding the subject in a forward tilted posture, a net-like body support device for a user to hang on and hold, a swing, a suspension ring, and the like. .

  In addition, the automatic photography apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-186105 (Patent Document 3) is provided with a jungle gym as a posture assisting tool for supporting the photographing posture of the subject. The user can climb the jungle gym and take a picture. Furthermore, the publication also describes providing piles and hook-and-loop fasteners so that the user can cling to the wall.

  On the other hand, an automatic photography apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-267179 (Patent Document 4) is provided with a back and forth background curtain. This background curtain is provided behind the subject, and is lowered when necessary to be used as a background for photographing, and rolled up when not necessary.

  Although there is no document disclosing an automatic photography apparatus provided with both such a background curtain and the above-described posture assisting tool, it is assumed that photographing is performed with the background curtain lowered between the subject and the posture assisting tool. If this is the case, the outline of the posture assisting tool is reflected in the background curtain, resulting in a problem that the photo finishes poorly.

  In order to solve this problem, for example, it is conceivable to use a light-shielding curtain as a background curtain. However, there is a problem that the light-shielding curtain is thick and difficult to store. In addition, when taking a picture with the background curtain lowered, a method of storing the posture assist tool outside the shooting range is also conceivable, but a special mechanism for enabling storage must be provided, and The problem that storage takes time arises.

In Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is described that the color of the posture assisting tool is the same blue as the background in order to extract only the image of the subject using the chroma key technique. However, none of the automatic photography devices have a background curtain.
JP 2002-330316 A JP 2002-354298 A JP 2003-186105 A JP 2000-267179 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic photography apparatus that prevents the outline of a posture assistance tool from being reflected in the background curtain even when photographing is performed with the background curtain mounted between the subject and the posture assistance tool. It is.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  An automatic photography apparatus according to the present invention includes photographing means, a back panel, a background curtain, and a posture assisting tool. The photographing means photographs the subject. The back panel is provided on the opposite side of the photographing means with the subject interposed therebetween. The background curtain is provided to be freely opened and closed between the photographing means and the back panel. The posture assisting tool is provided between the back panel and the background curtain, has the same color as the back panel, and supports the posture of the subject.

  According to this automatic photography apparatus, when shooting without using the posture assisting tool, the background curtain is mounted between the subject and the posture assisting tool. Since the color of the posture assisting tool is the same as the color of the back panel, the outline of the posture assisting tool is not reflected in the background curtain.

  Preferably, the color of the surface of the posture assisting tool which is located at least within the range that can be photographed by the photographing means and faces the photographing means is the same as the color of the back panel.

  Preferably, the colors of the back panel and the posture assisting tool are all uniform.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic photo shooting apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is divided into a shooting space 2 for shooting and an editing space 3 for editing a photographic image obtained by shooting. In the shooting space 2, the shooting casing 4 and the rear panel 5 are installed facing each other, and in the editing space 3, the editing casing 8 is installed adjacent to the shooting casing 4. The shooting space 2 and the editing space 3 are separated from the outside by a side curtain 9 or the like.

  A background curtain unit 6 is provided slightly ahead of the rear panel 5. A plurality of background curtains 7 are wound and stored in the background curtain unit 6. The background curtain 7 has various colors and patterns, and at the time of photographing, one desired sheet is lowered to form the background of the subject. The state where the background curtain 7 is lowered is a state where the background curtain 7 is closed, and the state where the background curtain 7 is raised is a state where the background curtain 7 is opened. The background curtain 7 may be automatically lowered by being rotated by a motor or the like, but may be drawn by a user's manual operation and lowered.

  On the side of the automatic photography apparatus 1, a coin insertion slot 31 for inserting coins as a consideration for using the automatic photography apparatus 1, and an image photographed in the photographing space 2 and edited in the editing space 3 are sealed. A print discharge port 51 for printing on paper and discharging is provided.

  When using this automatic photographing apparatus 1, the user first inserts a coin into the coin insertion slot 31. When a coin is received, the automatic photography apparatus 1 will inform the user if it is available. In accordance with the guidance, the user enters the shooting space 2 from the open rear side and performs a shooting operation toward the shooting housing 4. After shooting, the user moves to the editing space 3 and performs an editing operation called drawing or graffiti toward the editing housing 8 this time.

  Referring to FIG. 3, a camera 10 is provided at the center of the front surface of the photographing housing 4, a photographing operation monitor 11 is provided below the camera 10, and an illumination device 13 is provided around them.

  The camera 10 photographs a user as a subject, and a digital camera is generally used. A plurality of cameras 10 may be provided, or the camera 10 may be moved or adjusted in angle.

  The shooting operation monitor 11 displays the video shot by the camera 10 in real time. Further, a transparent touch panel is pasted on the screen, and the photographing operation monitor 11 receives a user input operation on the touch panel.

  The illumination device 13 is provided on the top, bottom, left, and right of the camera 10 and the ceiling, and illuminates the subject from the front. The illuminating device 13 includes an ordinary lamp illumination such as a fluorescent lamp and a flash illumination (flash) such as a strobe. The strobe emits light at the moment when the start of shooting is instructed by the user and the image captured by the camera 10 is captured as a still image, and strongly illuminates the subject.

  In addition to the above, the illumination device is also provided on the side and rear of the subject to illuminate the subject from all directions.

  With reference to FIG. 4, the editing housing 8 is installed back-to-back with the photographing housing 4. An editing operation monitor 40 is provided at the front center of the editing housing 8, and touch pens 42 are provided on the left and right sides thereof.

  The editing operation monitor 40 displays a photographic image taken by the camera 10. Further, a transparent touch panel is pasted on the screen, and the editing operation monitor 40 receives a user input operation on the touch panel. When the user uses the touch pen 42 to input an image such as a frame, stamp, line drawing, or text character, the editing operation monitor 40 displays the input image superimposed on the photographic image. After the editing is completed, the automatic photography apparatus 1 prints a composite image of the input image and the photographic image on sticker paper, discharges it from the print discharge port 51, and provides it to the user.

  A plurality of editing operation monitors 40 and touch pens 42 may be provided. In this case, a plurality of users in the same group can perform editing operations simultaneously.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, posture assisting tools 14 and 15 for supporting the posture of the subject are attached to the rear panel 5. Specifically, the side plates 16 are installed on both sides of the back panel 5, and the posture assisting tools 14 and 15 are installed between the side plates 16. The posture assisting tool 14 is composed of an iron pipe, and is provided at a height of about 150 to 170 cm, which is slightly higher than the average height of the user. On the other hand, the posture assisting tool 15 is composed of an iron pipe 17 and a cylindrical cushion material 18 wound around it, and has a height of about 60 to 80 cm corresponding to the average waist height of the user. Is provided. The front surface of the back panel 5 and the surfaces of the posture assisting tools 14 and 15 are all uniformly painted with the same color.

  The surface of the cushion material 18 is preferably made of a soft and sturdy material such as vinyl leather, fur, leather, etc. that has a good touch and is not easily torn or dirty. Moreover, it is preferable that the surface of the cushion material 18 is removable and can be easily replaced when it becomes dirty.

  The user performs shooting in a desired posture by appropriately using the posture assisting tools 14 and 15 such as hanging on the posture assisting tool 14, leaning on the posture assisting tool 18, or sitting down. As a result, you can take unique photos.

  On the other hand, the background curtain unit 6 is attached above the side plate 16. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the background curtain 7 extends from the background curtain unit 6 and is lowered between the subject and the posture assisting tools 14 and 15.

  When the posture assisting tools 14 and 15 are not used, shooting is performed with the background curtain 7 lowered. In this case, since the posture assistance tools 14 and 15 are hidden by the background curtain 7, they are not shown in the photograph. Therefore, the background curtain 7 can be photographed against the background color and pattern.

  Here, if the color of the posture assisting tools 14 and 15 is different from the color of the back panel 5, the outline of the posture assisting tools 14 and 15 is reflected in the background curtain 7, and the posture assisting tools 14 and 15 as shown by the dotted line in FIG. The outlines of the auxiliary tools 14 and 15 may be blurred in the photograph. As the cause, the background curtain 7 is not transparent, but it is thin and slightly light transmissive, and the illumination is strengthened at the moment of photographing.

  However, in the present embodiment, since the posture assisting tools 14 and 15 are the same color as the back panel 5, even if the posture assisting tools 14 and 15 can be seen through the background curtain 7, the posture assisting tools 14 and 15 are removed. It cannot be distinguished from the back panel 5. As a result, it is possible to take a good photograph in which the contours of the posture assisting tools 14 and 15 are not reflected on the background curtain 7.

  In the above embodiment, the entire surfaces of the posture assisting tools 14 and 15 have the same color as the back panel 5, but the entire surface does not have to be the same color, and is at least within a range that can be captured by the camera 10 The color of the surface facing the camera 10 may be the same as the color of the back panel 5. Therefore, the color of the back surfaces of the posture assisting tools 14 and 15 is not particularly limited.

  Further, the posture assisting tool is not limited to the one described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a columnar posture assisting tool 19 may protrude from the rear panel 5. Also in this case, the surface of the posture assisting tool 19 is made the same color as the back panel 5. The user can take a picture in a state of clinging to the rear panel 5 by putting his / her limbs on these posture assisting tools 19. Further, even when shooting is performed with the background curtain 7 lowered, the posture assisting tool 19 and the back panel 5 are the same color, so the outline of the posture assisting tool 19 does not appear in the background curtain 7. In this case as well, at least the upper surface of the columnar posture assist tool 19 may be the same color as the back panel 5, and the side surface may be any color.

  Moreover, it is not necessary to use the background curtain unit 6 provided with the several background curtain 7, You may provide one background curtain so that raising / lowering is possible. Further, the background curtain is not limited to a type that is wound up and stored, but may be a type that is slid upward, bent vertically there, and stored in the ceiling of the photographing space 2, for example. Alternatively, a type in which one or two background curtains are hung on a curtain rail and the background curtain is moved left and right may be used. In this case, the state in which the background curtain is stored on the left and right is the state in which the background curtain is opened, and the state in which the background curtain is pulled out from the left and right is the state in which the background curtain is closed. In short, a freely openable / closable background curtain may be provided between the subject and the posture assisting tool.

  Further, as described above, the surface of the posture assisting tool and the back panel may be painted with the same color, but instead, a cloth of the same fabric may be attached to these surfaces. Any color may be used. Here, it is preferable that the same color is uniform throughout, but there may be some unevenness and a ground pattern, and the same color is limited to the completely same color in which all of hue, saturation and brightness match. It is not a thing. In short, it is sufficient that the photograph obtained when the background curtain is taken down does not reflect the outline of the posture assisting tool so as to be visually identifiable on the background curtain. It is determined according to various factors such as the characteristics of lighting, the intensity of lighting, the thickness or fabric of the background curtain, and the distance between the background curtain and the posture assisting tool.

  Further, the rear panel is not limited to a plate-like one, and may be any one that partitions the shooting space from the outside and reflects it behind the subject. For example, a sheet-like vinyl material provided to surround a frame material for forming a photographing space may be used.

  While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples for carrying out the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented by appropriately modifying the above-described embodiment without departing from the spirit thereof.

It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the automatic photography apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the external appearance of the photography apparatus shown in FIG. It is a front view of the imaging | photography housing | casing shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2. It is a perspective view of the edit housing | casing shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view in the photographing space shown in FIG. 1. It is a front view of the back in the imaging | photography space shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the attitude | position assistance tool shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic photography apparatus 5 Back panel 7 Background curtain 10 Cameras 14, 15, 18, 19 Posture assistance tool

Claims (3)

Photographing means for photographing the subject;
A back panel provided on the opposite side of the photographing means across the subject;
A background curtain that can be freely opened and closed between the photographing means and the back panel;
An automatic photographing apparatus comprising: a posture assisting tool provided between the back panel and the background curtain, having the same color as the back panel, and supporting the posture of the subject. The automatic photography device according to claim 1,
The automatic photographing apparatus characterized in that the color of the surface of the posture assisting tool that is located at least within a range that can be photographed by the photographing means and that faces the photographing means is the same as the color of the back panel . The automatic photography device according to claim 1,
The automatic photographing apparatus characterized in that the colors of the back panel and the posture assisting tool are all uniform.

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