JP2006229533A - Device for making electronic album - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To speedily and easily make an electronic album as well as perform printing at a store for finishing photographic prints where photographs can be received. <P>SOLUTION: At the photographic print store where a film scanning machine 1, a silver salt type color printer 3, a digital data input machine 4, etc., are arranged, an album making terminal machine 10 is connected through an interface section 21. This album making terminal machine 10 is provided with a photograph base where a photograph, a title card, a handwritten card, etc., are mounted, a read portion which reads a photograph etc., as a raw-material image, a liquid crystal display portion which displays the raw-material images and album images to be edited, a control portion which controls the image read and the creation of album images, etc., and the album images formed by the album making terminal machine 10 can be printed by the color printer 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is an electronic album creation device, particularly a new device that is arranged in a photo print finishing shop or arranged as a photo album creation / printing machine at a special place, and freely edits / creates an electronic album by reading photos and card information Concerning the configuration of

Conventionally, there are albums in which photos taken in various scenes are pasted on paper mounts. Recently, with the spread of IT devices such as personal computers, digital cameras, and scanners, digital photos are stored on personal computers. Is stored electronically, and an electronic album is created with dedicated software or the like. According to such an electronic album, it is possible to view and enjoy images in which memories such as travel and events are expressed without deterioration in image quality.
Japanese Patent No. 3122900 JP 2004-201051 A

  However, when creating an electronic album with an IT device such as a personal computer or a scanner, it is necessary to acquire knowledge of the IT device such as a personal computer or dedicated album creation software, which is time consuming and troublesome. If you are not good at handling personal computers, you may not be interested in creating electronic albums.

  Also, at photo print finishing (photo development and printing) shops, you can print (develop and burn) photos taken with a camera using film, or print (print) digital photos taken with a digital camera. However, it is convenient if an album image can be freely created when a photo is received at such a store.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to make it possible to receive a photograph for creating and printing an electronic album even when the user is not good at handling a personal computer or has no time to acquire knowledge of a personal computer or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic album creating apparatus that can be quickly and easily performed at a photo print finishing shop or the like.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electronic album creating apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 includes a photo stand on which various cards including photographs and handwritten cards (characters, marks, illustrations, drawings, etc. handwritten) are placed; An image reading unit (for example, using a CCD) for electronically reading a photograph and a card placed on a photo stand as a material image, and a material image read by the image reading unit are displayed. A display unit for displaying an album image composed of a combination, an operation unit for performing a reading operation by the image reading unit and an operation for editing and creating a material image displayed on the display unit as an album image; Based on the operation, the image reading unit performs reading control, album image creation control on the display unit, and album image print control. Interface of the created album image information to the printer (silver salt printer, automatic printer, commercial printer, color laser printer, ink jet printer, etc.) located in the photo print finishing shop or print finishing special site And an interface unit for sending via the interface.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that all of the above components are arranged in a photo print finishing shop or as a special album creation / printing machine.
The invention according to claim 3 assigns individual information to the title card, recognizes the title described on the title card by the title card individual information as the title of each album image in the electronic album, and An album image is stored in association with title card individual information.
The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the photo stand is provided with guide means for arranging a photo or card for reading at a predetermined position. As this guide means, a guide pin or a linear member can be used.

  According to the above configuration, an album image can be freely created by handwriting a title on a title card and an arbitrary message on a handwritten card in addition to a received print photo at a photo print finishing shop, for example. it can. That is, when a photograph, a title card, a handwritten card, or the like placed on a photo stand is read as an electronic image by the image reading unit, these electronic images are stored in the internal memory and simultaneously displayed on the display unit. The above-mentioned title card has individual information attached and the title is handwritten or printed. In addition to the above handwritten card, a card on which an illustration or the like is printed can be used. It is possible to freely read information, messages, and the like that are useful for browsing as material images.

  In the display section, a material screen (screen area) for displaying photos and card material images and an album screen (screen area) for displaying album images are set, and the material selected from the material screen is selected. An electronic album image is created by pasting an image in an arbitrary arrangement in the album screen for each page, and is stored in an internal hard disk or the like. The album image data created in this way is output to the printer via the interface, so that it can be immediately printed back by the silver halide method or the like.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 2, each title card on which a title of a series of album images is written is identified by individual information such as a barcode and an IC tag. A plurality of material images are associated with each other, and the title image is automatically pasted as a title on the album screen. Therefore, when browsing or reading an electronic album image, the album image of the title can be searched immediately by placing the title card on the photo stand for recognition.

  According to the electronic album creating apparatus of the present invention, even if the user is not good at handling a personal computer or has no time to acquire the knowledge of a personal computer, the electronic album creating and printing can be received at a photo print finishing shop or photo print finishing. There is an effect that it can be performed quickly and easily at a special site.

  1 to 3 show the configuration of an electronic album creating apparatus according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, in a photo print finishing shop, a film scanner unit 1a for reading image information of a film and A film scanner 1 having an image processing unit 1b that performs processing in accordance with the print size, resolution, and the like, an output unit 2 having a storage unit 2a and performing output processing, for example, a silver salt type color printer (or automatic developing and printing machine) 3 is connected to the image processing unit 1b of the film scanner 1 through the digital data input device 4 for input processing. The digital data input device 4 can be provided with an Internet connection modem and a control unit for accepting print photographs via the Internet.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B), the album creating terminal 10 has a photo stand (main body horizontal portion) that is a flat table for placing the title card Pa, the photo Pb, and the handwritten card Pc. 11. An operation unit 12 provided on the front side (lower side of the figure) of the photo stand 11, a reading unit (image reading unit) 13 for reading an image such as a photograph Pb, a liquid crystal display unit 14 including a liquid crystal display, and an illumination unit 15 is provided. The reading unit 13 includes an objective lens 13a (which may incorporate an optical zoom mechanism using a zoom lens) and a CCD 13b (which may be either an area sensor type or a line sensor type) which is a solid-state imaging device. Images in the upper reading range can be read. Although the reading unit 13 of the embodiment reads the photograph Pb and the like from an oblique direction, the reading unit 13 can be arranged right above the photo stand 11 to read the photograph Pb and the like from directly above.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the operation unit 12 includes an up / down / left / right movement key 12a, an input key 12b, an end key 12c, a peeling key (or cancel key) 12d, and a pasting key (or confirmation key) 12e. These keys 12a to 12e are used for editing operations. As shown in FIG. 3, the CCD 13b is connected with a reading processing circuit 13c for performing output processing of the read image and the like, and operations for image reading and editing creation based on the operation of the operation unit 12. A control unit (such as a microcomputer) 18 that performs control, display control on the liquid crystal display unit 14, or printer control for the color printer 3 is provided.

  The reading processing unit 13c is provided with a barcode detecting unit 19 for detecting the barcode B attached to the title card Pa read by the reading unit 13. That is, in the embodiment, in order to give a title to an album image and use it as management information for the album image, a description column (blank page column) is provided at the top and a barcode (or two-dimensional code) B is attached to the bottom. The title card Pa is used, and this barcode B is used as individual information (identification information) of each card including information indicating that it is a title card. Write or print. Therefore, when the barcode B is detected by the barcode detection unit 19, it is recognized that the card is the title card Pa, and the title image Ia described on the card Pa is automatically read, and the card Title card individual information is stored in association with a series of album images, and is used as management information for identifying and extracting individual album images. In the embodiment, a title folder is created, and material images and the like are stored in this folder. Instead of the optical identification code such as the barcode B, an electrical identification element such as an IC tag (IC chip) may be used.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus has a hard disk 20h as an internal storage medium for storing a photograph Pb, material images Ib and Ic of a handwritten card Pc, and album images, and title images Ia, An image processing unit 20 for forming an album image in which the material images Ib and Ic are arbitrarily pasted in units of pages is arranged. An interface unit 21 is provided for supplying album image data obtained by the image processing unit 20 and control signals from the control unit 18 to the digital data input device 4. Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, a CD / DVD drive unit (read / write unit) 23a and other recording media (smart media, memory stick, etc.) are provided on the front side of the photo stand (main body horizontal unit) 11. ) Media drive unit 23b, a microphone 24M for voice input, and a speaker 24S for voice output. That is, it is possible to record audio information in the electronic album at the same time as the album is created and output the audio when browsing the album.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (A), in the embodiment, a photo stand is used so that a read object such as a photograph Pb is read in a straight state (the vertical and horizontal lines of the read object are aligned vertically and horizontally). Three guide pins 27 are provided on the left side and the lower side near the center of 11. According to this guide pin 27, the title card Pa, the photo Pb, and the handwritten card Pc can be arranged in a straight position without inclination, and the reading range is limited, so that the image reading process is facilitated. . Instead of the guide pin 27, a thin linear plate or the like may be arranged along the left side and the lower side of the photograph Pb or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the liquid crystal display unit 14 is provided with a small menu screen (screen area) 14A, material screen (screen area) 14B, and album screen (screen area) 14C. That is, on the menu screen 14A, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 5B, for example, “image reading” for performing image reading, “album editing” for performing album image editing (creation), “Album browsing” for browsing an electronic album, “Print” for printing a created album image, “Recording unit” for storing the created album image in a recording medium (recording medium) such as a CD or DVD "Save to", "Read from recording section" for reading image materials stored on CD, DVD (recording media), etc. are displayed. You can choose.

  When “album edit” is selected from the menu, as shown in FIG. 5A, on the right side of the liquid crystal display unit 14, a material for displaying the image Ib of the read photo Pb or the image Ic of the handwritten card Pc. A screen (screen area) 14B is displayed, and an album screen (screen area) 14C for displaying an album image to be edited is displayed on the left side. The album screen 14C displays an area of one page of the electronic album, and an album image is stored for each page in the layout set on the screen 14C.

  The embodiment has the above-described configuration, and its operation will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 6, at the print finishing store, the user visits the store (step 101) and receives the requested print (baked) photo (step 102). An electronic album can be created by operating. In this case, the menu “image reading” [FIG. 5B] displayed on the liquid crystal display 14 of the album creating terminal 10 is selected (step 103), and the title card Pa shown in FIG. Is placed on the photo stand 11 (position guided by the guide pins 27) and the input key 12b is pressed (step 104), the reading unit 13 reads the image (step 105).

  In reading the title card Pa, the title image Ia shown in FIG. 4A is read together with the barcode B, and the barcode B is detected by the barcode detection unit 19, whereby the title card individual information is specified. A title folder is created on the hard disk 20h based on the title card individual information (step 106). The title image Ia from which the barcode B of the title card Pa is removed is stored in the title folder.

  Next, in step 107, the images of the photograph Pb and the handwritten card Pc are read, and when the photograph Pb and the handwritten card Pc are sequentially placed on the photo stand 11 guided by the guide pins 27, the input key 12b is pressed. As shown in FIGS. 4B to 4D, the photographic images Ib and Ib and the handwritten image Ic are read by the reading unit 13, and these material images Ib and Ic are stored in the title folder of the hard disk 20h. The In such image reading, the read image can be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 14 for confirmation. Thereafter, when the end key 12c is pressed, the image reading is finished and the screen returns to the initial screen.

  In the next step 108, an album image can be created by selecting “album edit” from the menu of FIG. 5B. In this album edit, as shown in FIG. The material images Ib and Ic are displayed on the material screen 14B, and in this state, editing on the album screen 14C becomes possible. That is, the title image (for example, Hokkaido travel) Ia saved by reading the title card Pa is automatically displayed at a predetermined position in the album screen 14C. Here, the image Ib of the photo Pb or the handwritten card is displayed from the material screen 14B. When an image of Pc (for example, the two are close) Ic is selected with the up / down / left / right movement key 12a and the paste key 12e is pressed, these images are sequentially displayed in the album screen 14C. At this time, if the peel key 12d is used, the pasted image can be peeled (removed) from the album screen 14C. Thereafter, when the end key 12c of the operation unit 12 is pressed, the album image pasted with the material images (Ib, Ic) is stored in the title folder of the hard disk 20h, and the initial screen is displayed again.

  In addition, by selecting “browse album” from the menu of FIG. 5B, the created album image can be browsed on the liquid crystal display unit 14 (step 109). That is, after selecting “view album”, when the title card Pa is placed on the photo stand 11 and the input key 12b is pressed, the barcode B of the title card Pa is read, and the corresponding album image is read from the hard disk 20h. The album image is read and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 14 in a two-page spread state, for example. Then, when the page turning operation is performed by the operation unit 12 or the like, the next album image is displayed, whereby the album image registered with the title card Pa can be confirmed.

  Next, when “print” is selected from the menu of step FIG. 5B in step 110, the created album image can be printed. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the digital data of the album image is supplied to the digital data input device 4 via the interface unit 21 of the album creating terminal 10, and the image processing unit 1b passes through the digital data input device 4. Supplied to. In the image processing unit 1b, processing according to the set print size and resolution is performed, and the processed image data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 2a of the output device 2, and then the silver salt method The album image is printed for each page by the color printer 3 (step 111). The user pays a charge corresponding to the number of prints to the print finishing shop.

  When “Save to recording medium” in the menu of FIG. 5 is selected, the completed album image can be saved to a recording medium such as a CD or DVD. That is, regardless of whether the album image is printed or not, the created album image may be written on various recording media inserted in the CD / DVD drive unit 23a or the media drive unit 23b in FIG. it can. In the embodiment, an album image can be created using not only a photograph received at a print finishing store but also a digital photograph taken with a digital camera or the like. In this case, “Read from recording medium” in the menu is used. Is selected, material images such as photographs Pb are read from various recording media inserted into the CD / DVD drive unit 23a or the media drive unit 23b, and an album image is created by the album creation terminal 10 based on this. it can.

  In the above embodiment, the barcode B is used as the individual information of the title card Pa. However, instead of this, an optical identification code such as a two-dimensional code (identification pattern) may be attached. As another method for identifying the IC, an IC tag (IC chip) or the like as an electrical identification element may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the apparatus is arranged in the photo print finishing shop has been described. However, the present invention can be applied as an album creating / printing machine specially provided in a supermarket or a game center. Alternatively, the album creation terminal 10 shown in FIG. 1 may be arranged at a location away from the color printer 3 and connected to the digital data input device 4 by Internet communication or the like so that album images can be printed.

It is a figure which shows the basic composition of the electronic album production apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. The structure of the album creation terminal of an Example is shown, A figure (A) is a top view, A figure (B) is the side view which showed the inside. It is a block diagram which shows the structure containing the circuit part of the album creation terminal of an Example. It is a figure which shows the image obtained by the reading operation | movement of an Example apparatus in order. It is the figure (FIG. (A)) which shows the structure of the menu screen, material screen, and album screen which are set in the liquid crystal display part of an Example apparatus, and the enlarged view (figure (B)) of a menu screen. It is a flowchart which shows the main procedures of the user and apparatus in electronic album creation of an Example.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... film scanner machine, 2 ... output machine,
3 ... color printer, 4 ... digital data input machine,
10 ... Album creation terminal, 11 ... Photo stand,
12 ... Operation part, 13 ... Reading part,
13b ... CCD, 14 ... liquid crystal display,
18 ... control unit, 19 ... barcode detection unit,
20: Image processing unit, 20h: Hard disk,
21 ... Interface part, 27 ... Guide pin,
B ... Barcode, Pa ... Title card,
Pb ... photograph, Pc ... handwritten card.

Claims (4)

A photo stand on which various cards including photographs and handwritten cards are placed;
An image reading unit for electronically reading a photograph and a card placed on the photo stand as a material image;
A display unit that displays the material image read by the image reading unit and displays an album image composed of a combination of the material images;
An operation unit for performing a reading operation by the image reading unit and an operation of editing and creating a material image displayed on the display unit as an album image;
A control unit that performs reading control in the image reading unit, album image creation control on the display unit, and album image print control based on the operation of the operation unit;
An electronic album creating apparatus, comprising: an interface unit for sending the created album image information to a printer disposed in a photo print finishing shop or a print finishing special site.   2. The electronic album apparatus according to claim 1, wherein all of the components are arranged in a photo print finishing shop or as a special album creation / printing machine.   Individual information is given to the title cards in the above-mentioned various cards, and the titles described in the title cards are recognized as the titles of the individual album images in the electronic album by the title card individual information. 3. The electronic album apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an album image is stored in association with the information.   4. The electronic album apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photo stand is provided with guide means for arranging a photo or card for reading at a predetermined position.