JP2006345325A - Automatic photographic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographic image to which attractive and pleasant editing is carried out even if a user does not know an operating method of editing for the photographic image. <P>SOLUTION: An automatic photographic apparatus is composed of an imaging device for photographing the user; a display device for displaying photograph image which is photographed by the imaging device; a first editing means which makes the display device display the photographic image, and carries out editing for the photographic image responding to editing operation input by the user; a second editing means which carries out predetermined editing for the photographic image, when editing is not carried out by the first editing means; and an image providing means which provides the photographic image carried out editing by the first or the second editing means to the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic photography apparatus that accepts editing of a photographic image photographed by photographing means and provides the edited photographic image to a user in the form of a printed matter.

  2. Description of the Related Art There has been known an automatic photographing apparatus that provides a user with a photographic print obtained by printing a user's photographic image taken by a photographing apparatus such as an electronic camera on a mount, or provides the user with image data.

  This automatic photography device has gained popularity over a long period of time, especially among users mainly among young people, but in order to further spread the device and improve the usage rate, Therefore, it is necessary to promote the use of the device by a user layer different from the conventional one such as a user.

  By the way, in this type of automatic photography apparatus, in many cases, the photographed image is not provided to the user as it is, but a photograph image that has been subjected to various edits according to the user's operation is provided. One of the pleasures of using this type of device is that users can create attractive and fun photo images by editing their own preferences.

  However, due to the necessity of shortening the editing time and diversifying editing modes, editing in the automatic photography device is input by a kind of unique operation. For users who use this device for the first time, There is a problem that the editing method cannot be understood immediately.

  In particular, in automatic photography apparatuses currently used, since the rotation rate of the apparatus needs to be maintained at a certain level or more, there are many restrictions on the time during which a user can input editing, and the editing method is completely different. The time limit may be exceeded without understanding.

For this reason, users tend to step forward when using this device for the first time, or feel dissatisfied with the fact that they have used it once but have not been able to edit it as desired. This is an obstacle to promoting the use of the device by a new user group.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-069404

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic photographing apparatus that can be used with peace of mind even by a user for the first time.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic photography apparatus capable of providing a photograph image that is sufficiently attractive and enjoyable for a user who does not know how to edit.

  By the way, in the above-mentioned automatic photography device, when providing the user with a print on which a photographic image is printed, the user who has received the print is printed the mail address of the manufacturer of the automatic photography device on the edge of the print. While accepting e-mails such as impressions when using the device from the manufacturer, it is an effort to increase the attachment to the device by communicating with the user by sending an event notification etc. to the user from the manufacturer side Has been done.

  However, in reality, many e-mails such as impressions and messages to manufacturers are sent from the user side, but the effects such as attracting users to use the device by e-mail from the manufacturer side are not always sufficient. It is not done.

  In general, the usage rate of automatic photo shooters tends to increase during certain periods such as Christmas, New Year, graduation season, and Golden Week, but depending on the manufacturer, more users use their products during such periods. In order to do this, we provide a service that enables editing using special symbols suitable for each period only during each period.

  However, in order to perform such a service, it is necessary to replace the image for editing every period, and it is also necessary to separately notify the user that this service is being performed. It is complicated.

  Therefore, in the present specification, as a separate invention independent of the above-described invention that can solve the second problem, a use that is transmitted to a mail address printed on a photo print provided from an automatic photo-taking apparatus. The invention of an automatic photography system that can attract users to the use of the device strongly by using the reply mail to the mail from the person, or on a specific day without performing the work of replacing the image for editing, An invention of an automatic photography system that enables editing in a mode different from that is disclosed.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and includes a photographing device for photographing a user, a display device for displaying a photographic image photographed by the photographing device, and displaying the photographic image on the display device. A first editing unit that edits the photographic image in response to an editing operation input by a user, and when the editing by the first editing unit is not performed, And a second editing means for applying a predetermined edit, and an image providing means for providing the user with the photographic image edited by the first or second editing means. It is.

  The automatic photography apparatus of the present invention further comprises an edit confirmation means for displaying the photographic image edited by the second editing means on the display device and accepting selection of cancellation of the editing by the second editing means. The image providing means is preferably configured to provide the user with the photographic image that has not been edited by the second editing means when the editing confirmation means accepts the cancellation selection. .

  The automatic photographing apparatus of the present invention sets a time limit for the input of the editing operation, and the second editing means applies the predetermined editing when the editing operation is not input within the time limit. It is preferable to configure as described above.

  The second editing means in the present invention is preferably configured to paste a frame image on the photographic image as the predetermined editing.

  The automatic photography apparatus according to the present invention includes a troublesome operation means for recording a troublesome operation, a troublesome detection means for detecting presence / absence of an input of the troublesome operation by a user, and the first editing means based on a user's operation. It is further provided with a reverse editing means that is adapted to add to the photographic image an edit in a mode different from the edit performed by the above, and on the condition that the input of the reverse operation by the user is detected by the reverse detection means. It is preferable that the back editing unit edits the photographic image based on a user's operation.

  The second editing means in the invention is configured to execute a process of adding the predetermined editing to the photographic image when neither the editing by the first editing means nor the editing by the reverse editing means is performed. Is preferred.

  It is preferable that the image providing means in the present invention is configured to provide a printed print of the photographic image.

The above invention is
A hint recording means for recording a hint message;
A schedule recording means for recording a mail transmission schedule;
A management device comprising a mail transmission means for transmitting a mail in which the hit message is described according to the schedule;
Photographing means for taking pictures of users;
An editing means for executing an editing process on a photographic image taken by the photographing means based on an editing operation input by a user;
Based on an editing operation input by a user, an emergency editing unit that executes an editing process on the photographic image in a mode different from the editing unit;
An automatic photography system comprising: an automatic photography apparatus comprising an image providing means for providing a user with a photographic image edited by the editing means and / or the urawaza editing means,
The automatic photography system is characterized in that the editing process by the reverse editing means is executed on condition that an operation associated with the hint message is input to the automatic photography apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, even when the user cannot edit the photo image, an attractive photo image and a fun photo image that have been edited by the second editing means are provided. Therefore, there is provided an automatic photography apparatus that can be used with peace of mind even by a user who uses the apparatus for the first time or a user who cannot input editing well.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, if the user does not like the edit made by the second editing means, it is possible to receive a photographic image without the edit.

  In addition, for example, in an automatic photographing apparatus in which a user performs an editing operation on a plurality of photographic images, the user may not be able to input editing of all photographic images within a time limit. In the invention of 3, it is possible to provide a photographic image in which editing by the second editing means is applied to a photographic image for which editing cannot be input.

  In the invention of claim 4, since the second editing means is adapted to paste the frame image on the photographic image, it is possible to provide a photographic image that has been edited with no sense of discomfort in many cases. Become.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when there is an input of an irregular operation by the user, it is possible to perform an editing in a mode different from the editing by the first editing means. By informing the user, the user can be invited to use the device.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a photographic image that has been edited by the second editing means in the first to fifth aspects in the form of a printed matter.

  In addition, according to the above-described separate invention, the user can obtain a photographic image that has been subjected to editing processing by the urawaza editing means for the first time by receiving the mail in which the hint message is described. By sending an email describing the hint message to the user, the user can be invited to use the automatic photography apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an exemplary automatic photography system 1 using the automatic photography apparatus 2 of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, in this automatic photography system 1, an automatic photography device 2, a management computer 3 owned by the manufacturer of the automatic photography device 2, etc., and a user terminal 4 such as a mobile phone or a personal computer owned by the user. And a communication network 5 such as a public telephone line or the Internet for sending and receiving mail between the management computer 3 and the user terminal 4.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory perspective view showing the configuration of the automatic photography apparatus 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3 and 4 are views of the first housing as viewed from the photographing booth 30 of the automatic photography apparatus 2. 2 is a front view of a body 10 and a front view of a jungle gym structure 43. FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the automatic photographing apparatus 2 of the present invention mainly includes a first casing 10, a second casing 20, and a photographing booth 30.

  The first housing 10 is provided with a CCD camera 11 for photographing a user and a liquid crystal monitor 12 for displaying an image photographed by the CCD camera 11 in real time, and below that, guidance for the user is displayed. Alternatively, a touch panel monitor 13 for receiving an operation input from the user is provided.

  Two horizontal bar members 14 extending in the horizontal direction protrude below the touch panel monitor 13 so that the user can put one foot on the horizontal bar member 14 or stand with both feet up. By using the horizontal bar member 14, it is possible to take a photograph with an interesting pose.

  Further, on the front surface of the first housing 10, lighting devices 15a to 15d for irradiating the user with illumination light through a half board, a speaker 16 for outputting music and sound effects, and a usage fee are provided. A coin slot 17 is provided for receiving.

  The second housing 20 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and is disposed on the back side of the first housing 10. The second casing 20 may be an individual casing physically separated from the first casing, but the first casing 10 and the second casing 20 constitute a single casing. It does not matter.

  On both side surfaces of the second housing 20, there are formed editing spaces for editing a photographic image taken by the CCD camera 11 and designating a photographic image print layout. That is, an editing space 22a in which a set of a touch panel type monitor 23 and two touch pens 24 is installed is formed on one side surface 21a of the second casing 20, and a similar touch panel type is also formed on the opposite side surface 21b. An editing space 22b in which a set of the monitor 23 and the two touch pens 24 is installed is formed, and two sets of users can perform operations such as editing at the same time.

  A frame 25 projects from the upper portion of the first housing 10 so as to surround the second housing 20, and the above-described editing spaces 22a and 22b are partitioned from the outside by suspending a curtain or the like on the frame 25. can do.

  A printer 58 (FIG. 6) is disposed inside the second housing 20, and a photo discharge port provided on the back of the second housing 20 on which the edited photo image is printed by the printer 58. 26 to the user.

  The shooting booth 30 is a space surrounded by a jungle gym structure 43 arranged at a position facing the first housing 10, the side walls 31 a and 31 b and the first housing 10, and external light to the shooting booth 30 In order to limit the incidence, a light-shielding cloth or plate material is stretched over the ceiling portion 32 of the photographing booth 30, and the frame 33 projecting so as to surround the jungle gym structure 43 from the upper portions of the side walls 31 a and 31 b is provided on the frame 33. A light-shielding curtain can be suspended. Note that the gap between the side walls 31 and the jungle gym structure 43 serves as an entrance / exit 34 to the photography booth 30, and the user enters and exits the photography booth 30 by turning a curtain suspended from the frame 33. It is like that.

  In addition, a plurality of types of curtains with different colors and patterns wound in a roll shape are accommodated in the middle of the first casing 10 and the jungle gym structure 43 of the ceiling 32 of the photographing booth 30. A curtain box 35 is disposed, and according to control from the curtain control device 54 (FIG. 6), one of these curtains is rewound and deployed in the field of view of the CCD camera 11 or is wound up. By accommodating the curtain, it is possible to change the curtain used as the background every time shooting is performed.

  On the ceiling 32 of the photographing booth 30, an illumination device 36 attached so as to project from the curtain box 35 and an illumination device 37 attached so as to project from the upper part of the jungle gym structure 43 are placed. . The lighting device 36 mainly irradiates flash light to a portion from the curtain box 35 in the photographing booth 30 to the first housing 10 (hereinafter referred to as “front portion of the photographing booth 30”), and the lighting device 37 mainly serves as the photographing booth. 30 is irradiated with flash light from the curtain box 35 to the jungle gym structure 43 (hereinafter referred to as “the rear part of the imaging booth 30”).

  Further, two vertical bar members 38 passed from the upper part of the first housing 10 to the curtain box 35 and a horizontal bar member 39 passed between the vertical bar members 38 are provided on the ceiling portion 32 of the photographing booth 30. The user can take pictures in interesting poses by using the vertical bar member 38 and horizontal bar member 39, such as hanging on the vertical bar member 38 and horizontal bar member 39 in the manner of a cloud ladder. It is.

  An illuminating device 40 is disposed at a substantially middle position between the first housing 10 and the jungle gym structure 43 on both side walls 31a and 31b (substantially the same position as the curtain box 35 is disposed). Flash light from a light emitting member disposed in the apparatus 40 is irradiated from the light emitting windows 42a and 42b, and the front part and the rear part of the photographing booth 30 are respectively illuminated.

  The jungle gym structure 43 is composed of three columns 44a to 44c that are vertically arranged and a plurality of horizontal bar members 45a to 45d that are interposed between the three columns. The horizontal bar members 45a to 45d are attached to the columns 44a to 44c at different heights from the floor surface. The user can sit on the horizontal bar member 45b, hang on the horizontal bar members 45c and 45d, It is possible to take a picture in an interesting pose such as holding the bar members 45c and 45d and standing on the horizontal bar member 45b.

  Moreover, in this jungle gym structure 43, since the horizontal bar members 45a-45d have the structure which protruded toward the center of the imaging | photography booth 30, the three-dimensional utilization of the space around the jungle gym structure 43 is possible. Yes, for example, in the mode shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to perform shooting with a large number of people, which is impossible with a conventional automatic photography apparatus, and each user is interesting. It is possible to take a picture by posing.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a system configuration of the automatic photography apparatus 2.

  In the figure, a personal computer denoted by reference numeral 46 includes a CPU 48, a ROM 49, a RAM 50, and an interface (I / F) 51 that are connected to each other via a bus 47. In addition to the hard disk 52 and the CD-ROM drive 53, various external devices to be described later are connected to the interface 51.

  The hard disk 52 includes a program for controlling the overall operation and processing of the automatic photography apparatus 2, video data for reproducing video and sound from the touch panel monitors 13 and 23, and the speaker 16, and audio data. Various editing images and layout patterns used in an editing session / layout session to be described later are stored.

  The ROM 49 stores a basic program for controlling the personal computer.

  The RAM 50 temporarily stores work data such as an image to be edited and contents of editing input by the user.

  The interface 51 further includes a CCD camera 11, a liquid crystal monitor 12, touch panel monitors 13 and 23, a touch pen 24, a curtain control device 54 that controls the deployment and storage of curtains in the curtain box 35, and illumination devices 15 a to 15 d, 36, and 37. , 40, an external control device such as an acoustic control device 56 connected to the speaker 16, a coin processing device 57, a printer 58, etc. are connected, and signals are exchanged between the CPU 48 and these devices. Is possible.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration of the automatic photography system 1 including the automatic photography apparatus 2, the management computer 3, the user terminal 4, and the communication network 5.

  As shown in the figure, the management computer 3 is composed of functional blocks of a mail transmission / reception unit 61 and a mail recording unit 62.

  The mail recording unit 62 includes an address recording unit 62a that records the source mail address of the mail received by the mail transmitting / receiving unit 61, and a plurality of keywords set in correspondence with each of a plurality of keywords recorded in the later-described operation recording unit 76d. A hint recording unit 62b for recording the hint message and a schedule unit 62c for recording the transmission time of each hint message, and the mail transmission / reception unit 61 receives the mail from the user terminal 4 every time a user terminal receives a mail. 4 is stored in the address recording unit 62a, and for each due date recorded in the schedule unit 62c, a mail describing a hint message recorded in the hint recording unit 62b is transmitted to each stored mail address. .

  The user terminal 4 includes a mail transmission / reception unit 63, and impressions when using the device addressed to the email address of the management computer 3 printed on the edge of a photo print paid out from the automatic photo-taking device 2. An e-mail describing a request to the manufacturer can be transmitted, and an e-mail including the hint message can be received from the management computer 3.

  On the other hand, the automatic photography device 2 includes a photography unit 71, a first editing unit 72a, an irregular editing unit 72b, a second editing unit 72c, an irregularity detection unit 73, an editing determination unit 74, a print image selection unit 75, and a first editing unit. The image recording unit 76 includes functional blocks of an image recording unit 76 a, a reverse image recording unit 76 b, a second edited image recording unit 76 c, a reverse operation recording unit 76 d, a flag recording unit 76 e, a layout unit 77, and a printing unit 78.

  The photograph photographing unit 71 is activated when a predetermined usage fee is charged from the coin processing device 57, and includes the CCD camera 11, the liquid crystal monitor 12, the curtain control device 54, the illumination control device 55, the acoustic control device 56, and the like. It is driven to execute one or more times of photography under various photographing atmospheres, and each photographed photograph image is recorded in the RAM 50.

  The first editing unit 72a is activated after the photography by the photography unit 71 is completed, causes the editing screen 80 shown in FIG. 8 to be displayed on the touch panel monitor 23 of the editing space 22a or 22b, and the RAM 50 within a predetermined time limit. The editing operation for the photo shoot recorded in the above is accepted from the user.

  As shown in the drawing, on the editing screen 80, a thumbnail display unit 81 that displays a plurality of photographic images taken by the photo shooting unit 71 in a reduced size, and the left and right touch pens 24 selected from the thumbnail display unit 81 are selected. Two photo display portions 82 for enlarging and displaying photographic images are provided.

  In addition, icons 83 a to 83 d on which characters “character”, “stamp”, “frame”, and “line drawing” are arranged are arranged below the thumbnail display portion 81. These icons are icons for pasting a character image, a stamp image, a frame image, and drawing a line image, respectively, and touching these icons 83a to 83d with either the left or right touch pen 24, respectively, A plurality of function buttons set corresponding to the respective icons 83a to 83d are displayed on the resource window 84, and after selecting the function buttons with the touch pen 24, touching the photographic image on the photographic display unit 82, the photographic image is displayed. Editing according to each function button is added.

  Note that an icon 83e is also arranged below the “line drawing” icon 83d. This icon is a back-to-back icon for inputting back-to-back editing, and the back-to-back detection unit 73 detects the input of a predetermined keyword. Until it is done, it is in the state of an empty icon, and even if it operates with the touch pen 24, it does not react.

  FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the resource window 84, and FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing an exemplary display of the resource window 84 when the “character” icon 83a is selected. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the resource window 84 includes a tab display section 84T that can display a plurality of tabs 84t and a button display section 84B that can display a plurality of function buttons 84b. Are arranged with function buttons 84b with character images, stamp images, or frame images in accordance with the respective icons 83a to 83d. By selecting one of the tabs 84t from the tab display portion 84T, the button display portion 84B is displayed. The function button 84b displayed on the screen can be exchanged.

  For example, in the resource window 84 when the “character” icon 83a shown in FIG. 9B is selected, the function buttons 84b with various types of character images are arranged on the button display portion 84B. Further, by selecting the tab 84t of the tab display portion 84T, the font and character type of the function button 84b displayed on the button display portion 84B can be changed.

  When a desired function button 84b is touched with the touch pen 24 and then a photographic image on the photographic display unit 82 is touched, editing for combining the character image of the function button 84b with the touched portion of the photographic image is executed.

  Also, in the upper left and right of the edit screen 80, an all erase button 85a for canceling all input edits, a plurality of partial erase buttons 85b for erasing edits in areas of different sizes, already input. A back button 86a for canceling the edit input step by step, a forward button 86b for reproducing the edit input canceled by the back button 86a step by step, and designating the size of the character image, stamp image, or line drawing to be combined with the photographic image A size button 87 is arranged, and in the center of the editing screen 80, a display unit 88 of the remaining time that can be edited by the user and an end button 89 for ending the editing input are arranged.

  The first editing unit 72a uses the various function buttons 84b, the edit buttons 85 to 87, and the like for each photo image that is sequentially selected from the thumbnail display unit 81 and displayed on the photo display unit 82 on the editing screen 80. Execute the specified editing process.

  The trouble detecting unit 73 detects whether any one of the keywords recorded in the trouble recording unit 76d is input during the editing session, and detects the input of any keyword. In this case, the reverse flag corresponding to the detected keyword in the flag recording unit 76e is set to ON.

  Note that the keyword input in this embodiment is the function of the character image corresponding to the spelling that constitutes the keyword in the resource window 84 (FIG. 9B) when the “character” icon 83a is selected on the editing screen 80. The input can be performed by continuously operating the button 84b.

  The trouble editing unit 72b is activated on condition that any of the trouble flags in the flag recording part 76e is set to ON, and in order to notify the user that the entry of the trouble has been enabled, the editing screen 80 The character “Urawaza” is displayed in the Urawaza icon 83e at the time, and various images (stamp images, character images, message images, etc.) recorded in the Urawaza image recording unit 76b in response to subsequent operations on the Urawaza icon 83e are displayed. Edits to be combined with each photographic image.

Here, among the images recorded in the reverse image recording unit 76b, an image that can be combined with a photographic image by the reverse image editing unit 72b is determined for each keyword detected by the reverse image detection unit 73, and the schedule described above. The mail transmission date (A) recorded in the section 62c, the hint message (B) recorded in the hint recording section 62b corresponding to each mail transmission date, and the trouble operation recording section 76d corresponding to each hint message are recorded. The correspondence relationship between the keyword (C) and the image (D) that can be edited by the trouble editing unit 72b when the trouble detecting unit 73 detects each keyword is as shown in Table 1 below, for example. .

  Therefore, in the editing using each image shown in the D column of Table 1, the user who receives the hint message in the B column described in the mail sent on the date shown in the A column inputs the keyword in the C column. It is possible to do it for the first time.

  For this reason, a special image prepared for Christmas, New Year, graduation season, etc. is recorded in the Urawaza image recording unit 76b, and hints for enabling the use of each image in a schedule according to each period. By transmitting the message to the user, the user can be invited to use the automatic photography apparatus 2.

  FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram showing the resource window 84 when the back-to-back icon 83e is operated after inputting the keyword “santa” in Table 1, and FIG. 10B shows “tatudoshi” in Table 1. It is explanatory drawing which shows the resource window 84 at the time of operating the reverse icon 83e after inputting this keyword.

In the resource window 84 shown in FIG. 10A, the characters “Christmas” are displayed in one of the tabs 84t (84t1) in the tab display portion 84T, and the image 1 in the table 1D column is displayed on the button display portion 84B. ~ image 4 are displayed function buttons _84b 1 _{~84b 4} corresponding to, by touching the touch the function button _84b 1 _{~84b 4} with the touch pen 24 to the photographic image of the photographic display unit 82, an image 1 It is possible to perform editing to combine the image 4 with a photographic image.

Similarly, in the resource window 84 shown in FIG. 10B, the characters “New Year” are displayed in one of the tabs 84t (84t2) in the tab display portion 84T, and the table 1D column is displayed in the button display portion 84B. pictures 5 are displayed function buttons _84b 5 _{~84b 8} corresponding to the image 8, by touching the touch the function button _84b 5 _{~84b 8} with the touch pen 24 to the photographic image of the photographic display unit 82, It is possible to perform editing for combining images 5 to 8 with a photographic image.

  In the tab display portion 84T of FIGS. 10A and 10B, only the tabs 84t1 and 84t2 are active, and blank tabs do not react even when operated with the touch pen 24. When the reverse detection unit 73 detects the input of a plurality of keywords, a plurality of tabs are activated corresponding to each keyword, and editing using each image in the table 1D column corresponding to each keyword becomes possible. .

  The edit determination unit 74 is activated when the above time limit expires or when the end button 88 is operated, and whether or not any editing has been performed on each photo image by the first editing unit 72a or the reverse editing unit 72b. If it is determined that no editing operation has been performed on any of the photographic images, a predetermined signal is transmitted to the second editing unit 72c and the editing confirmation unit 75a.

  The second editing unit 72c is activated when the predetermined signal is received from the editing determination unit 74, and is selected from, for example, 24 types of frame images recorded in the second edited image recording unit 76c in a predetermined order. A process of combining the frame image with each photographic image that has not been edited is executed.

  The print image selection unit 75 is activated when the time limit expires or when the end button 88 is operated, and displays a main photo selection screen 90 and a bonus photo selection screen 95 on the touch panel monitor 23, and a predetermined image is displayed. The selection of the main photographic image and the bonus photographic image used for printing in the printing unit 78 within the time limit is accepted.

  The print image selection unit 75 includes an edit confirmation unit 75a. When the predetermined signal from the edit determination unit 74 is transmitted to the edit confirmation unit 75a, the edit confirmation unit 75a operates simultaneously. The selection of cancellation of editing added by the second editing unit 72c is received from the user.

  FIGS. 11A and 11B show an exemplary main photo selection screen 90 that the print image selection unit 75 displays on the touch panel monitor 23.

  As shown in the drawing, photographic images 91 a to 91 f edited by the editing units 72 a to 72 c are displayed on the main photo selection screen 90, and printing can be performed by touching the photographic images 91 a to 91 f with the touch pen 24. A main photo image with a predetermined number (for example, 5) used as the upper limit is selected, and the characters “choice” are displayed on the selected photo image (the photo image 91a in the illustrated example). Yes.

  In the example of FIG. 11 (a), only the photographic image 91a is edited by the first editing unit 72a to synthesize the character image L, the stamp image S, and the frame image F1, and the other photographic images 91b to 91f are added. Any frame selected from the frame images recorded in the second edited image recording unit 76b by the second editing unit 72c because no editing was performed by the first editing unit 72a or the reverse editing unit 72b. Editing for synthesizing the image F2 is added. In this way, even if some of the photo images cannot be edited or input due to lack of time limit for editing, etc. The frame images synthesized by the second editing unit 72c can make each photographic image fun and attractive, and give satisfaction to the user.

  Also, photographic images 91b to 91f that have not been edited by the first editing unit 72a or the reverse editing unit 72b are tagged with "add" and "remove" tags 92a and 92b by the edit confirmation unit 75a. By operating the tags 92a and 92b with the touch pen 24, the frame images F2 can be individually erased or the erased frame images F2 can be recombined. You can select the primary photographic image you want to print after making the cancellation selection.

  FIG. 11B shows the main photo selection screen 90 of FIG. 11A in which the frame image F2 is left for the photographic images 91b and 91c, and the frame image F2 is canceled for the photographic image 91d. A state in which photographic images 91a to 91d are selected as photographic images is shown.

  As shown in the drawing, the characters “choice” are displayed on the selected photographic images 91a to 91d, and the tags 92a and 92b are removed when the photographic images 91b to 91d are selected. The frame image F2 in the photographic image 91d has been deleted.

  When the OK button 93 at the lower left of the screen is operated on the main photo selection screen 90 or when the countdown display 94 of the remaining time becomes zero, the character “choice” is displayed at that time. The photographic image is selected as the main photographic image, and whether or not to cancel the synthesis of the frame image F2 is determined according to the selection status of the tags 92a and 92b at that time.

  FIG. 12 shows an exemplary extra photo selection screen 95 that the print image selection unit 75 displays on the touch panel monitor 23.

  The bonus photo selection screen 95 has basically the same configuration as that of the main photo selection screen 90. By touching the displayed photographic images 96a to 96f with the touch pen 24, a predetermined number (for example, four) is set as an upper limit. An extra photo image is selected. Note that the photographic images 96a to 96f here are the same as the photographic images 91a to 91f on the main photo selection screen 90, but since the selection of canceling the frame image F2 is not accepted here, the tags 92a and 92b are displayed. Not.

  The bonus photo images selected on the main photo selection screen 90 and the bonus photo selection screen 95 are transmitted to the layout unit 77.

  The layout unit 77 displays the division pattern selection screen 97 and the layout screen 98 on the touch panel monitor 23, and executes the acceptance of the layout setting by the user.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an exemplary division pattern selection screen 97, and FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an exemplary layout screen 98.

  As shown in FIG. 13, on the division pattern selection screen 97, a plurality of tabs 97t and a plurality of division patterns 97p prepared for each tab 97t are displayed, and the user selects the tab 97t. By selecting, different types of division patterns 97p can be displayed on the division pattern selection screen 97, and a desired division pattern 97p can be selected with the touch pen 24.

  As shown in FIG. 14, on the layout screen 98, the thumbnail portion 98 a in which the main photograph image received by the layout portion 77 from the print image selection portion 75 is displayed in a reduced size and the division pattern selected on the division pattern selection screen 97. 97p is displayed, and the main photo image to be arranged is selected from the thumbnail portion 98a with the touch pen 24, and each main photo image is laid out.

  Each of the division patterns 97p displayed when the “commemorative division” tag 97t is selected in FIG. 13 is a large-size division region 97B, a small-size division region 97S for the main photo image, and a bonus photo image. In the layout operation on the layout screen 98, only the designation of the arrangement of the main photographic image in the large size divided area 97B is accepted, and the small size divided area 97S is determined in advance. The main photographic image is automatically arranged according to a predetermined rule, and the small size divided area 97O is automatically arranged according to a predetermined rule. Time for acceptance is shortened.

  These divided patterns 97p are large because one or two photographic images are laid out in a large-sized divided region 97B, and a large number of photographic images are laid out in a large number of divided regions 97S and 97O. The size of the photographic image can be used as a gift, and the remaining small-sized photographic image can be divided among users who have taken the image together.

  The printing unit 78 creates a photo print by printing each main photo image 99m, each extra photo image 99o, and the mail address 99a of the management computer according to the layout received by the layout unit 77 in the manner shown in FIG. .

  The photo print created by the printing unit 78 is paid out from the photo discharge port 26, and the user sends an e-mail from the user terminal 4 to the e-mail address 99a of the photo print, whereby the e-mail of the management computer 3 is sent. A reply mail in which a hint message is described can be received from the transmission / reception unit 61.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the automatic photography apparatus 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the CPU 48 receives a predetermined coin detection signal from the coin processing device 57, a display of a play description such as “Start shooting. After shooting, it will be graffiti at the right booth” After step S1) is performed, the photo shooting unit 71 operates to execute the following shooting sessions (steps S2 to S5).

  Upon entering a shooting session, shooting mode options such as “sky shooting mode”, “ocean shooting mode”, and “light shooting mode” are displayed on the touch panel monitor 13, and the user selects the shooting mode. (Step S2).

  Subsequently, the photography unit 71 transmits a signal for deploying any curtain in the field of view from the curtain box 35 to the curtain control device 54 or a signal for accommodating all curtains in the curtain box 35. After setting the background (step S3), the CCD camera 11 is operated with the illumination devices 15a to 15d, 36, 37, and 40 emitting light, and one to several photos are taken (step S4). Execute.

  Here, the curtains developed in step S3 and the light emission modes of the illumination devices 15a to 15d, 36, 37, and 40 in step S4 are determined in advance for each option selected in step S2. Photography takes place under different atmospheres.

  If any curtain is deployed from the curtain box 35, the user can take a picture in front of the photography booth. In this case, the horizontal bar member 14, the vertical bar member 38, An interesting pose can be taken using the horizontal bar member 39.

  When all curtains are accommodated in the curtain box 35, the user should take a picture in an interesting pose using the horizontal bar member 14, the vertical bar member 38, and the horizontal bar member 39 in front of the shooting booth. Or, it is possible to take an interesting pose using the jungle gym structure 43 at the back of the shooting booth. In addition, in the form shown in FIG. 6, about 4 to 6 users can use the jungle gym structure 43 to take a photo at a time.

  The processes in steps S3 and S4 are repeatedly performed a predetermined number of times, and a total of, for example, about 10 to 15 photographs are taken. Thereafter, all photograph images taken on the touch panel monitor 13 are displayed and used. When a person touches this with a fingertip, a predetermined number (for example, six) of photographic images to be edited are selected (step S5). Here, for example, a maximum of six photographic images can be selected.

  When the shooting session ends, an instruction for guiding a user such as “Move to the right editing space” to one of the editing spaces 22a and 22b provided on both sides of the second housing 20 is provided. After being output from the speaker 16, an editing session is executed in the editing spaces 22a and 22b that guide the user.

  In the editing session, the first editing unit 72a displays the editing screen 80 on the touch panel monitor 23, and executes the editing acceptance (step S6).

  Subsequently, the presence / absence of keyword input is determined by the reverse detection unit 73 (step S7). When the keyword input is detected in step S7, the reverse flag corresponding to the keyword detected by the flag recording unit 76e is set to ON. (Step S8).

  Subsequently, the determination of the troublesome flag (step S9) is executed, and the acceptance of the editing by the troublesome editing unit 72b (step S10) is executed on the condition that any of the troublesome flags is set to ON.

  The processes in steps S6 to S10 are repeatedly executed until the end condition due to the expiration of the time limit of the editing session or the operation of the end button 88 is satisfied. After the process (step S11) for canceling the irregularity flag is executed, the editing determination unit 74 determines whether or not editing by the first editing unit 72a or the irregularity editing unit 72b is performed (step S12), and editing. For the photographic image that has not been subjected to the editing, the second editing unit 72c performs editing for synthesizing a predetermined frame image (step S13), and then the print image selection unit 75 accepts selection of the main photographic image and the extra photographic image ( Step S14) is executed.

  Thereafter, the layout unit 77 is activated, the division pattern selection screen 97 and the layout screen 98 are displayed on the touch panel monitor 23, and the layout is accepted (step S14). Finally, the printing unit 78 follows the accepted layout. The main photo image, bonus photo image and email address are printed to create a photo print that is provided to the user.

  The present invention has been described based on the exemplary embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. is there.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the editing content executed by the second editing unit is a frame image synthesis, and the editing content executed by the urawaza editing unit is an image such as a stamp image, a frame image, or a character image. Although the case of combining has been described as an example, the content of editing executed by the second editing unit or the Urawaza editing unit is arbitrary, and editing in any other manner can be executed.

  In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which editing by the Urawaza editing unit can be performed on the condition of keyword input. However, the conditions for enabling editing by the Urawaza editing unit are other than keyword input. It is possible to input an operation of an arbitrary mode with respect to the automatic photography apparatus.

  In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the management computer transmits an email containing a hint message reminiscent of a keyword recorded in the trouble recording unit, to the user terminal. As long as the operation corresponds to the operation for enabling the editing by the editing unit, it may be a message for directly explaining the operation, for example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the exemplary automatic photography system containing the automatic photography apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective explanatory view showing a configuration of an automatic photography apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The front view of the 1st housing | casing in the automatic photography apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. The front view of the jungle gym structure in the automatic photography device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the exemplary usage aspect of a jungle gym structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Explanatory drawing which shows the system configuration | structure of the automatic photography apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Explanatory drawing which shows the function structure of the automatic photography system containing the automatic photography apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of an edit screen. Explanatory drawing which shows the display mode of a resource window. Explanatory drawing which shows the display mode of a resource window. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a main photograph selection screen. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a bonus photo selection screen. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a division | segmentation pattern selection screen. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a layout screen. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an exemplary photographic print configuration. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the automatic photography apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Automatic photography system, 2 ... Automatic photography device, 3 ... Management computer, 4 ... User terminal, 5 ... Communication network, 10 ... Case, 11 ... -Camera, 12 ... Liquid crystal monitor, 13 ... Touch panel monitor, 14 ... Horizontal bar member, 15a-15d ... Illumination device, 16 ... Speaker, 17 ... Coin slot, 20 ... casing, 21a, 21b ... second casing side, 22a, 22b ... editing space, 23 ... touch panel monitor, 24 ... touch pen, 25 ... frame, 26 ... Photo outlet, 30 ... shooting booth, 31a, 31b ... side wall of shooting booth, 32 ... ceiling, 33 ... frame, 34 ... entrance / exit, 35 ... curtain box, 36, 37, 40 ... Illumination device, 38 ... Bar member, 39 ... Horizontal bar member, 43 ... Jungle gym structure, 46 ... Personal computer, 47 ... Bus, 48 ... CPU, 49 ... ROM, 50 ... RAM , 51 ... interface, 52 ... hard disk, 53 ... CD-ROM drive, 54 ... curtain control device, 55 ... lighting control device, 56 ... acoustic control device, 57 ... Coin processing device, 58... Printer, 61... Mail transmission / reception unit, 62... Mail recording unit, 62 a... Address recording unit, 62 b... Hint recording unit, 62 c. ... Mail transmission / reception unit, 71... Photography unit, 72 a... First editing unit, 72 b .. Urawaza editing unit, 72 c... Second editing unit, 73.・ ・Edit determination unit, 75... Print image selection unit, 75a... Edit confirmation unit, 76a... First edit image recording unit, 76c... Second edit image recording unit, 76b. , 76d... Operation operation recording unit, 77 .. Layout unit, 78... Printing unit, 80... Edit screen, 90... Main photo selection screen, 95. ... Division pattern selection screen, 98 ... Layout screen

Claims (7)

A photographing device for photographing a user;
A display device for displaying a photographic image photographed by the photographing device;
First editing means for displaying the photographic image on the display device, and for editing the photographic image in response to an editing operation input by a user;
Second editing means for performing predetermined editing on the photographic image when editing by the first editing means is not performed;
An automatic photography apparatus comprising: an image providing unit that provides a user with the photographic image edited by the first or second editing unit. An editing confirmation unit for displaying the photographic image edited by the second editing unit on the display device and accepting a selection to cancel the editing by the second editing unit;
The image providing means provides the user with the photographic image that has not been edited by the second editing means when the editing confirmation means accepts the cancellation selection. The automatic photography apparatus described in 1. A time limit is set for the input of the editing operation,
The said 2nd edit means performs the process which adds the said predetermined edit to the said photographic image, when the said edit operation is not input within the said time limit, The Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Automatic photography device.   The automatic photography apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second editing unit pastes a frame image to the photographic image as the predetermined editing. An emergency operation means for recording an emergency operation;
An emergency detection means for detecting the presence or absence of input of the emergency operation by the user;
Based on the user's operation, further comprises an urawaza editing means adapted to add to the photographic image editing in a mode different from the editing performed by the first editing means,
The urawasawa editing unit edits the photographic image based on a user's operation on the condition that the urawasawa detecting unit detects an input of the user's operation by the user. 5. The automatic photographing apparatus according to any one of 4 above.   The second editing unit executes a process of adding the predetermined editing to the photographic image when neither editing by the first editing unit nor editing by the reverse editing unit is performed. The automatic photography apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5. The automatic image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image providing unit provides a print on which the photographic image is printed.

Images