JP2007028359A - Automated photographic system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automated photographic system for playgame which can be used by a large number of people. <P>SOLUTION: A camera 22 changes a photographic direction into a horizontal direction, and photographs user sitting on a long stool 11 at a plurality of photographing times. A main body control unit 21 extracts an image, having the same size of that of a photographed image depending on the photographic direction of the camera 22 from a previously prepared wide image, and composites the extracted image as a background image to the photographed image in real time. A preview display device 14 displays a preview image containing a composited screen. The synthesized screen is recorded in the body control unit 21 with a predetermined photographic timing. The users doodle on the recorded images by using rotatably configured operating unit 13. A printer 23 arranges the post graffiti images, in the order of photographing of the camera 22 and prints them. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic photo creation device, and more particularly to an automatic photo creation device for games in which a user is photographed with a camera, a photographed image is edited such as graffiti, and the edited image is printed as a photo.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an automatic photo creation apparatus that prints an image taken by a user as a photo is known. Some automatic photo creation apparatuses are configured to have high playability for installation in game centers and the like. In such an automatic photo creation device for play, for example, a user can select a background image or a foreground image to be combined with a photographed image, or a user can freely use a pen-type input unit for a photographed image. It is designed to draw letters and pictures (hereinafter referred to as graffiti).

  Inventions related to the present invention are disclosed in the following documents. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-260260 discloses an automatic photography apparatus including a movable control mechanism capable of variably controlling at least one of a camera viewing direction, a shooting range, and a vertical position, and a camera viewing direction. An automatic photography apparatus is disclosed that continuously changes at time intervals, shoots subject images in a plurality of viewing directions, and connects the obtained subject images to one print sheet for printing. Since these devices are for taking commemorative photos at party venues and sightseeing spots, the devices do not have a graffiti function and the camera's viewing direction only changes automatically and continuously. .

Patent Document 2 discloses a photographic print providing apparatus that stores a basic image larger than a photographed image, extracts a unit image having substantially the same size as the photographed image from the basic image, and combines the extracted unit image and the photographed image. ing. Patent Document 3 discloses a photo sticker vending machine including a plurality of rotating display screens and more graffiti input means. In the devices described in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the shooting direction of the camera is fixed.
JP 2000-250126 A JP 2004-260650 A JP 2004-126405 A

  An automatic photo creation device for amusement is interesting in that it creates a photo smaller than a photo taken with an ordinary camera (for example, a photo with a stamp size). In addition to this, since it is necessary to be able to discriminate the face shown in the photograph, the number of people that can be photographed in one photograph naturally has a limit. Actually, the number of people that can be photographed in one photograph is usually about 2 to 3 people, and at most about several people.

  For this reason, the conventional automatic photo creation device for games has only a configuration for use by a small number of people (about 2 to 3 people) that can be photographed in one photo. Specifically, a narrow space is prepared for shooting and editing, and a camera with a fixed shooting direction is used for shooting a user in the space. As described above, there is a problem that the conventional automatic photo creation device for play is not suitable for use by a large number of people.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic photo creation device for play that can be used by a large number of people.

A first invention is an automatic photo creation device for creating a photograph of a user,
Photographing means for photographing a user;
A synthesizing unit that synthesizes another image to be a background image or a foreground image with the photographed image obtained by the photographing unit;
Display means for displaying a composite image obtained by the composition means;
Recording means for recording the composite image at a predetermined photographing timing;
An editing unit that receives an editing instruction for an image recorded in the recording unit from a user and displays an image being edited;
Printing means for printing the image obtained by the editing means as a photograph,
The photographing means photographs the user by changing the photographing direction to at least the horizontal direction,
The synthesizing unit extracts an image having the same size as the captured image from images wider than the captured image in accordance with the capturing direction, and combines the extracted image with the captured image as another image. It is characterized by that.

According to a second invention, in the first invention,
The recording means records a plurality of images having different shooting directions,
The printing unit prints a plurality of images recorded in the recording unit side by side in the order of the photographing direction.

According to a third invention, in the first or second invention,
Further provided is a chair on which a plurality of users can be seated simultaneously.

According to a fourth invention, in the third invention,
The photographing means is arranged at a position where a user sitting on the chair can be photographed.

According to a fifth invention, in the third invention,
The editing means is provided to be rotatable or horizontally movable at a position that can be used by a user who is seated on the chair.

A sixth invention is any one of the first to fifth inventions,
The synthesizing unit is characterized in that a process of synthesizing the other image according to a user's selection and a process of adjusting the image quality according to the user's selection are performed in real time.

In a seventh invention, in any one of the first to sixth inventions,
The display means displays the shooting conditions selected by the user when obtaining the composite image together with the composite image.

An eighth invention is an automatic photo creation method for creating a photograph of a user,
Taking a picture of the user,
Synthesizing another image to be a background image or foreground image with the captured image;
Displaying a composite image; and
Recording the composite image at a predetermined shooting timing;
Receiving an editing instruction for the recorded image from the user;
Displaying the image being edited;
Printing the edited image as a photo,
The step of photographing is to photograph the user by changing the photographing direction to at least the horizontal direction,
In the combining step, an image having the same size as the captured image is extracted from an image wider than the captured image in accordance with the capturing direction, and the extracted image is combined with the captured image as another image. It is characterized by doing.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print medium printed as a photograph by the automatic photo creating method according to the eighth aspect of the present invention.

  According to the first or eighth aspect of the present invention, even if the angle of view at the time of photographing is insufficient to photograph all users at the same time by photographing the user while changing the photographing direction to at least the horizontal direction. , All users can be photographed by multiple photographing. In addition, an image extracted from a wide image according to the shooting direction is combined with the captured image as a background image or a foreground image, and the user can edit the combined image using editing means. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an automatic photo creation apparatus with high playability that can be used by a large number of people.

  According to the second aspect, the photograph printed by the printing unit is a panoramic photograph.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, it takes a certain amount of time to shoot all the users and edit the shot images, but the user's fatigue during that time can be reduced.

  According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to obtain a photograph of a user who is seated on a chair and relaxed.

  According to the fifth aspect, a plurality of users can perform editing work while changing in a state of being seated on a chair.

  According to the sixth aspect, it is possible to obtain a photograph that suits the user's preference. Further, since the composite image is displayed on the display means, the user can confirm the performance of the photo before the photo is printed.

  According to the seventh aspect, since the photographing condition is displayed on the display means, the user can easily check and change the photographing condition.

  According to the ninth aspect, a panoramic photograph showing all users can be obtained by arranging the photographs in the horizontal direction correctly.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the exterior and interior of an automatic photo creation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. An automatic photo creation device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a booth 10, a main body device 20, and a reception device 30, and is used as an automatic photo creation device for play. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the inside of the automatic photo creation apparatus 1 is viewed from above. In FIG. 1, the front wall P and the left side wall Q of the booth 10 are removed in order to show the inside of the booth 10 in detail.

  The booth 10 is a box-shaped small room having an entrance through which people can enter and exit. The main unit 20 is arranged next to the booth 10. The receiving device 30 is provided outside the booth 10 and the main device 20 (next to the main device 20 in FIG. 1). Main device 20 and accepting device 30 are connected by a cable (not shown). The booth 10, the main body device 20, and the receiving device 30 may be formed as separate devices. Of these, two devices may be integrally formed, or three devices may be integrally formed. Also good.

  In the booth 10, a chair 11, a table 12, an operation unit 13, and a preview display device 14 are provided. A curtain 15 is hung at the entrance of the booth 10 in order to hide the inside of the booth 10. The main body device 20 includes a main body control unit 21, a camera 22, a printer 23, and a sorting device 24. The main body device 20 is provided with two take-out ports 25 and 26 for taking out a printed photograph. The reception device 30 includes a coin detection unit 31 and a reception display unit 32. The accepting device 30 is provided with a coin slot 33.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration viewed from the functional aspect of the automatic photo creation apparatus 1. The main body control unit 21 includes a CPU 41, a memory 42, a hard disk 43, a communication interface unit 44, and an input / output interface unit 45, and controls the operation of the main body device 20. An operation unit 13, a preview display device 14, a camera 22, a printer 23, a sorting device 24, a receiving device 30, and another device 27 are connected to the main body control unit 21 via an input / output interface unit 45. Other devices 27 include, for example, a device that controls the opening and closing of a curtain (not shown) hung inside the curtain 15 and the booth 10, and a device that controls a strobe (not shown). The main body control unit 21 is connected to the Internet via the communication interface unit 44.

  FIG. 4 is a view showing the appearance of the table 12 and the operation unit 13. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation unit 13 includes a flat display 51, a background selection button 52a, a brightness selection button 52b, an image mode selection button 52c, a camera rotation button 53, a shooting button 54, and two operations. It has a pen 55. A touch panel (not shown) is provided on the surface of the flat display unit 51. The operation unit 13 is fixedly provided on the upper surface of the table 12, and the table 12 is configured to be rotatable in the horizontal direction. Thereby, the operation unit 13 can be rotated in the horizontal direction. The operation unit 13 itself may be configured to be rotatable without providing the table 12. The buttons provided on the operation unit 13 are not limited to push buttons, but may be rotary input devices (for example, volume knobs, potentiometers, rotary encoders).

  A typical usage form of the automatic photo creating apparatus 1 is as follows. A plurality of users (for example, family members, friends, etc.) who wish to take pictures together form one group, and the users use the automatic photo creation apparatus 1 in units of groups. Prior to taking a picture, the user applies for photography using the reception device 30 outside the booth 10. When the user finishes the application, the user enters the booth 10 and takes a picture inside the booth 10.

  A user uses the photographing function, the graffiti function, and the printing function of the automatic photo creation device 1 using the operation unit 13 inside the booth 10. First, while viewing the preview screen displayed on the preview display device 14, the user controls the camera 22 to freely photograph the user including himself / herself. The captured image is recorded on the hard disk 43 of the main body control unit 21. Next, the user performs graffiti on the photographed image using the operation unit 13. Furthermore, the user issues a print instruction. When a printing instruction is given, the printer 23 prints the image after graffiti as a photograph. The printed photograph is discharged from either of the take-out ports 25 and 26. Note that the operation unit 13 may be operated by one user or a plurality of users in turn. In addition, instead of the user controlling the camera 22 to shoot, the camera 22 may automatically shoot the user sequentially, or the user can switch between manual shooting and automatic shooting. Also good. When the user finishes using the automatic photo creation apparatus 1, the user leaves the booth 10.

  The automatic photo creation apparatus 1 manages photographing, graffiti and printing by a user in a unit called “play”. One play includes shooting a plurality of times, graffiti on the photographed image, and printing the image after graffiti. When the image after the graffiti is printed as a photograph on one sheet, one play is completed. In the automatic photo creation apparatus 1, a fee per play (for example, 500 yen) is set. In addition, in order to prevent the user from shooting and graffiti for a long time without printing, the automatic photo creation device 1 determines a temporary time limit (for example, 10 minutes) per play. It has been. In principle, the user is required to finish the play within the time limit. However, when the next user does not appear, the time limit may be extended by a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes) or may be extended until the next user appears.

  When the previous user is inside the booth 10 when the application is completed, the user waits outside the booth 10 until the previous user leaves the booth 10. Thus, the booth 10 distinguishes between the user inside and the next user outside and plays the role of defining the user space.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the automatic photo creation apparatus 1 will be described in detail. In the following description, it is assumed that four users A to D form a group and use the automatic photo creation apparatus 1.

  The chair 11 provided in the booth 10 has a semicircular seat surface on which a plurality of users can be seated simultaneously. The table 12 is provided near the center of the semicircular arc when viewed from above. The height of the table 12 is several cm to several tens of cm higher than the seating surface of the chair 11. Further, as described above, the operation unit 13 is provided on the upper surface of the table 12, and the table 12 is configured to be rotatable in the horizontal direction. As described above, the operation unit 13 is provided in a rotatable manner at a position that can be used by a user who is seated on the chair 11.

  Note that the shape of the chair 11 may be arbitrary as long as a plurality of users can be seated at the same time. For example, the chair 11 may have a plurality of seating surfaces on which one person can sit. Alternatively, a plurality of chairs on which one person can sit may be provided in the booth 10 in an arc shape with the table 12 and the operation unit 13 as the center.

  The preview display device 14 is provided on the side wall R at the boundary between the booth 10 and the main body device 20. The camera 22 is provided near the preview display device 14, and preferably directly above the preview display device 14. The camera 22 is provided at a height at which a user (mainly the user's face and upper body) seated on the chair 11 inside the booth 10 can be photographed. On the preview display device 14, a preview screen (details will be described later) including an image taken by the camera 22 is displayed. By arranging the preview display device 14 and the camera 22 close to each other (particularly, the camera 22 is directly above the preview display device 14), the user can directly view the image captured by the camera 22 while facing the camera 22. Can be confirmed.

  The camera 22 has a function of changing the shooting direction to the horizontal direction (left and right swing function). The user presses a camera rotation button 53 provided on the operation unit 13 when changing the shooting direction of the camera 22. When detecting that the camera rotation button 53 has been pressed, the main body control unit 21 performs control to change the shooting direction of the camera 22. In this way, the camera 22 changes the shooting direction to the horizontal direction in accordance with an instruction from the user.

  The camera 22 only needs to have a function of changing the shooting direction to at least the horizontal direction. In addition, the camera 22 has a function of changing the shooting direction to the vertical direction (vertical swing function), for example. May be. Alternatively, the camera 22 may have a function of simultaneously changing the shooting direction between the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. The camera 22 may change the shooting direction by a predetermined angle (for example, an angle determined to be 5 degrees) each time the camera rotation button 53 is pressed. If this predetermined angle is made equal to an angle required for photographing one user sitting on the chair 11, the user to be photographed can be switched every time the camera rotation button 53 is pressed. The camera 22 may continuously change the shooting direction while the camera rotation button 53 is being pressed.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating how the camera 22 captures a user. The camera 22 is provided to photograph the users A to D seated on the chair 11, but the angle of view θ of the camera 22 photographs all the users seated on the chair 11 at the same time. Therefore, it is narrower than the angle of view required for this purpose (hereinafter referred to as the required angle of view). In the example shown in FIG. 5, the angle of view θ of the camera 22 is about half of the required angle of view. Therefore, the user presses the camera rotation button 53 as appropriate, changes the shooting direction of the camera 22 to the horizontal direction (rotates the camera 22), and performs shooting. In the example shown in FIG. 5, in order to photograph all the users A to D, it is necessary to shoot in two steps. The camera 22 photographs the users A and B with the shooting direction set to the leftmost position (FIG. 5A), and the users C and D with the shooting direction set to the rightmost position (FIG. 5B). Shoot.

  An image captured by the camera 22 (hereinafter referred to as a captured image) is input to the main body control unit 21. The main body control unit 21 performs, in real time, processing for combining a background image in accordance with the user's selection and processing for adjusting the image quality in accordance with the user's selection.

  The background image composition processing will be described with reference to FIGS. The hard disk 43 of the main body control unit 21 stores a large number of images wider than the captured image (that is, an image wider than the background image combined with one captured image; hereinafter referred to as a wide image). Yes. The height of the wide image is typically the same as the captured image. The user selects one image from among a large number of wide images by a method described later. Here, it is assumed that the wide image 61 shown in FIG. 6A is selected.

  As shown below, the main body control unit 21 extracts an image having the same size as the captured image in accordance with the capturing direction of the camera 22 from the selected wide image. In the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the width of the wide image 61 is twice that of the captured image, corresponding to the user being photographed in two steps. When the shooting direction of the camera 22 is the leftmost (FIG. 5A), the main body control unit 21 starts from the left end of the wide image 61 and has the same size as the captured image (that is, the left half 62 of the wide image 61). Is extracted (see FIG. 6B). On the other hand, when the shooting direction of the camera 22 is the rightmost (FIG. 5B), the main body control unit 21 starts from the right end of the wide image 61 and has the same size as the captured image (that is, the right half of the wide image 61). 63) is extracted (see FIG. 6C).

  The main body control unit 21 combines the extracted image with the captured image. In the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the shooting direction of the camera 22 is the leftmost (FIG. 5A), the left half 62 of the wide image 61 is displayed in the background of the images of the users A and B. An image 64 synthesized as an image is obtained (see FIG. 6D). Further, when the shooting direction of the camera 22 is the rightmost (FIG. 5B), an image 65 is obtained by combining the right half 63 of the wide image 61 with the background image as a background image. (See FIG. 6E).

  In general, when the angle of view of the camera 22 is approximately 1 / N of the required angle of view (N is an integer equal to or greater than 2), the width of the wide image is set to N times the captured image, and the user can shoot the This is performed N times by changing the shooting direction to the horizontal direction. When the shooting direction of the camera 22 is i-th from the left (i is an integer not less than 1 and not more than N), the main body control unit 21 obtains N images obtained by dividing a wide image in the horizontal direction with respect to the shot image. The i-th image from the left is synthesized as a background image. As will be described later, the usage mode of the automatic photo creation device 1 is not limited to this example.

  Next, the image quality adjustment process will be described. The automatic photo creation device 1 has a function of switching the brightness and image mode of a captured image. The user uses the brightness selection button 52b and the image mode selection button 52c provided on the operation unit 13 to select a desired brightness and image mode. The brightness of the photographed image can be switched between, for example, “slightly dark”, “normal”, “slightly bright”, and “bright”, and the image mode of the photographed image is, for example, “sharp”, “normal”, “soft” It is assumed that switching is possible in three ways. In this case, when the brightness selection button 52b is pressed, the brightness of the captured image changes in the order of “slightly dark”, “normal”, “slightly bright”, and “bright”, and when the image mode selection button 52c is pressed, the captured image is changed. The image mode changes in the order of “sharp”, “normal”, and “soft”. The main body control unit 21 applies the brightness and image mode selected by the user to the captured image.

  An image obtained by synthesizing the background image and adjusting the image quality on the captured image is referred to as a synthesized image. After obtaining the composite image by performing the above processing, the main body control unit 21 generates a preview screen including the composite image and the shooting conditions selected by the user when obtaining the composite image, and displays the preview screen on the preview display device 14. Output. The preview display device 14 generates a preview screen generated by the main body control unit 21.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a preview screen displayed on the preview display device 14. The preview screen 70 shown in FIG. 7 includes a composite image 71, a selection guide 72, a background display 73a, a brightness display 73b, and an image mode display 73c. The composite image 71 is obtained by performing image quality adjustment on the image 64 shown in FIG. The selection guide 72 selects the user's currently selected background image (G4 in FIG. 7), the previously selected background image (G2, G3 in FIG. 7), and the user in the future. Images (G5 and G6 in FIG. 7) are presented. The background display 73a, the brightness display 73b, and the image mode display 73c respectively present the name, brightness, and image mode of the background image currently selected by the user as character strings to the user. To do.

  As described above, a large number of wide images are recorded on the hard disk 43 of the main body control unit 21 for use as a background image. The user uses the background selection button 52a provided on the operation unit 13 to select an image to be used as a background image from the recorded wide images. More specifically, when the background selection button 52a is pressed, the image displayed on the selection guide 72 is shifted by one sheet in the direction of the arrow, and the user selects the image displayed in the center of the selection guide 72. It becomes an image. For example, when the background selection button 52a is pressed once in the state shown in FIG. 7, the image selected by the user is G5.

  Since the preview screen includes a composite image obtained by performing background image synthesis and image quality adjustment on the captured image, the user can see whether the desired image is obtained by looking at the preview screen. Can be easily confirmed. Further, since the preview screen includes the shooting conditions selected by the user when obtaining the composite image, the user can appropriately press a button provided on the operation unit 13 while checking the preview screen. Shooting conditions (background image, brightness, and image mode) for obtaining a composite image can be easily switched.

  The user confirms that the desired image is obtained by looking at the preview screen, and then presses the shooting button 54 provided on the operation unit 13. The composite image obtained by the main body control unit 21 is recorded in the hard disk 43 of the main body control unit 21 when the photographing button 54 is pressed. The user changes the shooting direction of the camera 22 in the horizontal direction and takes a picture of all users including himself.

  When all the users have finished photographing, the user inputs an editing instruction using the operation unit 13 to perform graffiti on an image recorded on the hard disk 43 (hereinafter referred to as a recorded image). The operation unit 13 functions as an editing unit that receives an editing instruction for a recorded image from a user and displays an image being edited.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a graffiti screen displayed on the flat display unit 51 of the operation unit 13. As shown in FIG. 8, the graffiti screen 80 displayed on the flat display unit 51 includes a graffiti candidate image 81, a graffiti target image 82 (two graffiti target images in FIG. 8), and an edit menu 83 ( In FIG. 8, two editing menus) are included. The user selects an image from the graffiti candidate images 81 using the operation pen 55. The selected image becomes the graffiti target image 82. The user selects a command from the edit menu 83 using the operation pen 55, and gives a graffiti to the graffiti target image 82 using the selected command.

  As described above, the operation unit 13 is provided in a rotatable manner at a position that can be used by a user who is seated on the chair 11. Therefore, for example, when the user D performs graffiti, the user D can easily perform graffiti by rotating the operation unit 13 to the front of the user D as shown in FIG. In this way, if the operation unit 13 is configured to be rotatable, even if there are a plurality of users, the user can easily draw the doodle by rotating the operation unit 13 to a position where the user who performs the doodle can easily operate. It can be performed.

  In the automatic photo creating apparatus 1, the operation unit 13 is rotated in consideration that the seat surface of the chair 11 has a semicircular arc shape, and the users sitting on the chair 11 are arranged on one arc. It was decided to be possible. When the seat surface of the chair is rectangular and the users who are seated on the chair line up on a single straight line, the operation unit may be configured to be horizontally movable.

  When the user finishes the graffiti, the user inputs a print instruction by selecting a print command included in the edit menu 83. When the main body control unit 21 detects that a print instruction is input, the main body control unit 21 instructs the printer 23 to print the image after graffiti. The printer 23 prints the image after graffiti on one sheet as a photograph. At this time, the printer 23 prints the doodled images side by side in the order of the shooting direction of the camera 22.

  FIG. 10 is a view showing a photograph printed by the printer 23. The printer 23 prints a total of 16 images on one photographic sheet 90, four in the vertical direction and four in the horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the camera 22 shoots four users A to D in two times, and two images after graffiti are created based on the two captured images. In this case, of the two graffiti images, the printer 23 has the shooting direction leftward (images of users A and B taken) as the photograph 91 on the left side and the shooting direction is rightward (users). (Images taken of C and D) are printed as a photograph 92 side by side. Thereby, a panoramic photograph in which background images are continuous is obtained on the photographic sheet 90.

  Up to this point, the automatic photo creation apparatus 1 has synthesized the background image with the captured image. However, the automatic photo creation apparatus 1 uses the foreground image as the captured image instead of the background image or in addition to the background image. You may synthesize. As described above, the automatic photo creation device 1 may synthesize another image to be the background image or the foreground image with the captured image.

  In addition, the case where four users A to D are photographed in two divided into two has been described so far, but the usage mode of the automatic photo creation device 1 is not limited to the above example. . For example, even when the users A to D are photographed in the state shown in FIG. 5A, the users B and C may be photographed simultaneously by one photographing. In addition, there is no limit to the number of users who can shoot in one shooting. For example, only one of the users A to D may be photographed in one photographing (in this case, the remaining three need to be outside the angle of view of the camera 22), or once The four users A to D may be photographed by the above photographing (in this case, all of the four users need to be inside the angle of view of the camera 22).

  Further, there is no limitation on the number of users who use the automatic photo creation apparatus 1 at the same time. For example, the automatic photo creation apparatus 1 may be used by one person, or the automatic photo creation apparatus 1 may be used by more users than can be seated on the chair 11 at the same time. In addition, it is not always necessary to take a picture of a user who is seated on the chair 11, as long as the camera 22 can take a picture, a user in any state (for example, a user in a standing state, a user in a middle waist, You may take pictures of a user who is sleeping, etc.). In short, the automatic photo creation apparatus 1 provides a user with a shooting function using the camera 22, and the user is free to take what kind of photograph to use.

  Hereinafter, management of play in the automatic photo creation apparatus 1 will be described. Management of play is performed by the main device 20 and the receiving device 30. The reception display unit 32 of the reception device 30 performs screen display according to control from the main body device 20. A touch panel (not shown) that can be pressed with a finger is provided on the surface of the reception display unit 32. The automatic photo creation apparatus 1 is configured so that the user can play continuously in the booth 10 as shown below.

  When the user is outside the booth 10, the user applies for shooting using the reception device 30. At this time, the user inserts coins into the coin insertion slot 33 provided in the accepting device 30 in order to pay a play fee for one or more times according to the desired number of times of play. The coin detection unit 31 notifies the main body device 20 that a user outside the booth 10 has inserted coins. The main body device 20 enables instructions from the user inside the booth 10 only for the play fee paid when the user was outside the booth 10.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of the reception display unit 32. Until the user inserts coins into the coin insertion slot 33, for example, a screen 101 shown in FIG. The screen 101 includes an invitation screen 102 that includes a message that prompts the user to insert coins. After the user inserts coins into the coin insertion slot 33, for example, the screen 103 shown in FIG. 11B is displayed. The screen 103 includes a reception screen 104 for receiving an application for photographing. The user performs operations such as pressing a button included in the reception screen 104 with his / her finger to select data necessary for using the automatic photo creation device 1 such as selection of a shooting course and selection of music flowing during shooting. Enter.

  After the user completes the application for shooting, for example, a screen 105 shown in FIG. 11C is displayed. The screen 105 includes a game screen 106. When the previous user is inside the booth 10 at the time of completing the application for shooting, the user must wait outside the booth 10 until the previous user leaves the booth 10. The game screen 106 is displayed in order not to bore the waiting user.

  The reception display unit 32 displays the type of play and the expected waiting time when the previous user is inside the booth 10. In the play type display field, if the previous user is playing continuously, “continuous play” is displayed, and the previous user indicates one play (hereinafter referred to as “single play”). If it is, “playing once” is displayed. In the expected waiting time column, the remaining time during which the previous user can use the automatic photo creating apparatus 1 is displayed. This time is calculated by multiplying the number of plays according to the play fee paid by the previous user by the time limit per play and subtracting the elapsed time since the previous user started playing from the product. Calculated.

  Further, as another means for supporting the user's continuous play, the main body device 20 includes a distribution device 24. The sorting device 24 sorts the photos printed by the printer 23 according to the user's play situation. As shown in FIG. 1, the main body device 20 is provided with a takeout port 25 facing the inside of the booth 10 and a takeout port 26 facing the outside of the booth 10. According to the control from the main body control unit 21, the sorting device 24 discharges the photograph printed by the printer 23 toward the take-out port 25 in the play that is not the last of the user, and the printer 23 in the last play of the user. The printed photograph is discharged toward the takeout port 26.

  The photo discharge destination is displayed on the operation unit 13 or the preview display device 14. When a print instruction is input in a play that is not the last of the user, the operation unit 13 displays, for example, a screen 111 shown in FIG. When the user looks at the screen 111, it can be seen that the photograph should be received at the take-out port 25. On the other hand, when a print instruction is input in the last play of the user, the operation unit 13 displays the screen 112 shown in FIG. 12B, for example, and the preview display device 14 shows, for example, FIG. 12C. A screen 113 is displayed. If the user looks at the screen 112 or the screen 113, it can be understood that the photograph should be received at the outlet 26.

  In addition, instead of the above configuration, the sorting device 24 discharges the photograph printed by the printer 23 toward the take-out port 25 when the user is playing continuously, and the user performs a single play. The photograph printed by the printer 23 may be discharged toward the takeout port 26. Also in this case, it is preferable to display the photo discharge destination on the operation unit 13 or the preview display device 14.

  The configuration of the automatic photo creation device 1 has been described in detail above. Hereinafter, the operation of the main body device 20 will be described with reference to a flowchart. The main device 20 executes the reception control process shown in FIG. 13 and the play control process shown in FIG. 14 in parallel. 13 and 14 are mainly executed by the main body control unit 21.

  The main device 20 executes the reception control process shown in FIG. 13 until the user finishes playing after paying the play fee. In the reception control process, the main device 20 first waits until a new user inserts a coin into the coin insertion slot 33 (step S101). When the main unit 20 receives a notification of coin insertion from the coin detection unit 31, it counts the inserted coins and obtains the number of times of play according to the paid play fee (step S102). The number of plays obtained in step S102 is the initial value of the remaining number of plays. Next, the main device 20 waits until the play can be started (step S103). In step S103, if the previous user has already left the booth 10 and a new user has completed the application for shooting, it is determined that play can be started.

  When the play can be started, the main device 20 notifies the play control process of the number of plays obtained in step S102 (step S104). Next, the main device 20 multiplies the number of plays obtained in step S102 by the time limit per play, thereby obtaining an expected waiting time (the expected waiting time of the user next to the user who purchased the coin in step S101). ) Is calculated (step S105).

  Thereafter, the main body device 20 repeatedly executes steps S106 to S111 until it determines Yes in step S111. The main device 20 displays the expected waiting time on the reception display unit 32 (step S106). Next, the main device 20 determines whether or not one minute has passed (step S107). If one minute has elapsed, the main device 20 reduces the expected waiting time by one minute, and proceeds to step S106 (step S108).

  If one minute has not elapsed in step S106, the main device 20 determines whether or not a notification of the end of one play has been received from the play control process (step S109). If the notification has not been received, the main device 20 immediately proceeds to step S106. When the notification is received, the main device 20 reduces the remaining number of plays by 1 (step S110). Next, the main device 20 determines whether or not the remaining number of plays is 0. If the remaining number of plays is 0, the main apparatus 20 ends the process, and otherwise proceeds to step S106 (step S106). S111).

  The reception control process shown in FIG. 13 notifies the play control process of the number of plays according to the play fee paid by the user outside the booth 10, and predicts the next user outside the booth 10. A waiting time is presented. Note that if the remaining number of plays is not 0 in step S111, the main device 20 proceeds to step S105, and in step S105, the estimated waiting time may be recalculated based on the remaining number of plays after being reduced by one. Good.

  The main device 20 executes the play control process shown in FIG. 14 after the user starts playing until the user finishes playing. In the play control process, the main device 20 first initializes the system (step S201). In step S201, for example, the image taken by the previous user is deleted from the hard disk 43, and the background image, brightness, and image mode are set to predetermined initial values. Also, after step S201, the preview display device 14 displays a preview screen. Next, the main device 20 stands by until receiving the number of plays from the reception control process (step S202). The number of plays received in step S202 is an initial value of the remaining number of plays.

  When the main device 20 receives the number of plays, it performs the following processing. The main device 20 determines whether or not the background selection button 52a has been pressed (step S203), and if it has been pressed, switches the background image to be combined with the captured image (step S204). Next, the main device 20 determines whether or not the brightness selection button 52b has been pressed (step S205), and if it has been pressed, switches the brightness applied to the captured image (step S206). Next, the main body device 20 determines whether or not the image mode selection button 52c has been pressed (step S207), and if it has been pressed, switches the image mode applied to the captured image (step S208). In steps S204, S206, and S208, the background display, brightness display, and image mode display included in the preview screen displayed on the preview display device 14 are also changed.

  Next, the main body device 20 determines whether or not the camera rotation button 53 has been pressed (step S209), and if it has been pressed, performs control to change the shooting direction of the camera 22 to the horizontal direction (step S210). ). Next, the main device 20 determines whether or not the shooting button 54 has been pressed (step S211), and if it has been pressed, combines the composite image (the background image combined with the image captured by the camera 22 and image quality adjustment). Are recorded on the hard disk 43 (step S212).

  Next, the main device 20 determines whether or not to end shooting, and if it determines not to end shooting, the process proceeds to step S203 (step S213). In step S213, it is determined that the shooting has ended when the user instructs the end of shooting using the operation unit 13, when the upper limit of the number of shots has been reached, or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of play. The

  If it is determined in step S213 that shooting has ended, the main device 20 accepts an image selection from the user (step S214). The user selects a graffiti target image from among the graffiti candidate images included in the graffiti screen displayed on the flat display unit 51 of the operation unit 13 (see FIG. 8). Next, the main device 20 performs graffiti processing on the image selected in step S214 (step S215). In step S215, the main device 20 applies the command selected from the menu included in the graffiti screen to the image recorded on the hard disk 43.

  Next, the main body device 20 determines whether or not the user has instructed re-photographing, and if instructed, proceeds to step S203 (step S216). The editing menu included in the graffiti screen includes a re-shooting command, and the user instructs the main unit 20 to re-shoot by selecting the re-shooting command. The main body device 20 executes step S216, so that the user can redo the shooting even during graffiti.

  The main body device 20 determines whether or not to end the graffiti if no re-shooting instruction is received in step S216, and proceeds to step S215 if it is determined not to end the graffiti. (Step S217). In step S217, it is determined that the graffiti has ended when the user selects a print command using the operation unit 13 or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of play.

  If it is determined in step S217 that the graffiti has ended, the main device 20 accepts selection of a division method (the number and type of photos to be printed on one photographic sheet) from the user (step S218). After the end of the graffiti is determined, a screen for selecting a division method is displayed on the flat display unit 51 of the operation unit 13. The user selects a division method using the screen. Next, the main body device 20 registers the image after graffiti in the image storage server connected via the Internet according to the user's request (step S219).

  Next, the main device 20 controls the printer 23 to print the image after graffiti as a photograph (step S220). The photograph printed by the printer 23 is, for example, discharged to the takeout port 25 in a play that is not the last of the user, and is discharged to the takeout port 26 in the last play of the user. Alternatively, the photo printed by the printer 23 is discharged to the take-out port 25 when the user is performing a continuous play, and is discharged to the take-out port 26 when the user is performing a single play. Further, in step S220, as described above, a display indicating the photo discharge destination is performed (see FIG. 12).

  Next, the main device 20 notifies the reception control process of the end of one play (step S221), and reduces the remaining number of plays by one (step S222). Next, the main device 20 determines whether or not the remaining number of plays is 0. If the remaining number of plays is 0, the main device 20 ends the process, otherwise proceeds to step S203 (step S203). S223).

  As described above, in the automatic photo creation device 1, the camera 22 changes the shooting direction to the horizontal direction and takes a picture of the user. Therefore, even if the angle of view of the camera 22 is insufficient to capture all the users at the same time, all the users can be captured by a plurality of shootings. In addition, an image extracted from the wide image according to the shooting direction is combined with the captured image as a background image, and the user can perform graffiti on the combined image using the operation unit 13. As described above, the automatic photo creation device 1 according to the present embodiment is suitable as an automatic photo creation device for games used by many people.

  Moreover, since the automatic photo creation apparatus 1 includes the chair 11 on which a plurality of users can be seated at the same time, it is possible to reduce the fatigue of the user while photographing all the users and editing the photographed images. . Further, since the camera 22 is disposed at a position where the user sitting on the chair 11 can be photographed, a photograph of the user sitting on the chair and relaxing can be obtained. In addition, since the operation unit 13 is rotatably provided at a position that can be used by a user who is seated on the chair 11, a plurality of users can perform editing work while switching while sitting on the chair. it can.

  In addition, the main body control unit 21 performs a process for synthesizing the background image according to the user's selection and a process for adjusting the image quality according to the user's selection in real time. You can get a photo. Further, since the composite image is displayed on the preview display device 14, the user can check the performance of the photo before the photo is printed. Also, since the shooting conditions are displayed on the preview display device 14, the user can easily check and change the shooting conditions. Further, the printer 23 prints a plurality of images recorded on the hard disk 43 of the main body control unit 21 side by side in the order of the shooting direction of the camera 22, so that a panoramic photograph showing all users can be obtained. .

  FIG. 15 is a view showing a state where an interior of an automatic photo creating apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is viewed from above. An automatic photo creation device 2 shown in FIG. 15 is obtained by adding one booth to the above-described automatic photo creation device 1 and includes two booths 10a and 10b, a main body device 28, and a reception device 30. . The booth 10a has the same structure as the booth 10 of the automatic photo creation apparatus 1, and the booth 10b has a structure that is symmetrical to the booth 10a. The booth 10 a is provided on the left side of the main device 28, and the booth 10 b is provided on the right side of the main device 28.

  The main body device 28 includes a main body control unit 21, two cameras 22 a and 22 b, a printer 23, and a distribution device 29. The camera 22a photographs a user inside the booth 10a, and the camera 22b photographs a user inside the booth 10b. The main body control unit 21, the printer 23, and the sorting device 29 are used by a user inside the booth 10a and a user inside the booth 10b.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the main body 28 has a take-out port 25a directed toward the inside of the booth 10a, a take-out port 25b directed toward the inside of the booth 10b, and a take-out port 26 directed toward the outside of the booth 10a and the booth 10b. And are provided. In the play that is not the last of the users inside the booth 10a, the sorting device 29 discharges the photo printed by the printer 23 toward the take-out port 25a, and in the last play of the users inside the booth 10a, The photograph printed by the printer 23 is discharged toward the takeout port 26. In addition, in the play that is not the last of the users inside the booth 10b, the sorting device 29 discharges the photo printed by the printer 23 toward the take-out port 25b, and the last play of the users inside the booth 10b. Then, the photograph printed by the printer 23 is discharged toward the takeout port 26.

  The automatic photo creation device 2 configured as described above has the same effects as the automatic photo creation device 1.

  In the above description, the booth 10 is a box-shaped small room with an entrance, but a space surrounded by curtains or the like on all sides may be used as the booth.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance and the inside of the automatic photo production apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that the inside of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 was seen from the top. It is a figure which shows the structure seen from the functional surface of the apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the table and operation unit of the apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that a camera image | photographs a user in the apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the synthesis | combination process of the background image by the apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the preview screen of the apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the graffiti screen of the apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that the operation unit rotates in the apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the photograph printed with the apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the display screen of the reception display part of the apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the display screen during printing of the apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the reception control process of the apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the play control process of the apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that the inside of the automatic photo production apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention was seen from the top.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 ... Automatic photo production apparatus 10 ... Booth 11 ... Chair 12 ... Table 13 ... Operation unit 14 ... Preview display device 15 ... Curtain 20, 28 ... Main body device 21 ... Main body control part 22 ... Camera 23 ... Printer 24, 29 ... Sorting device 25, 26 ... take-out port 27 ... other device 30 ... accepting device 31 ... coin detecting unit 32 ... accepting display unit 33 ... coin inserting port 70 ... preview screen 80 ... graffiti screen 90 ... photo sheet

Claims (9)

An automatic photo creation device that creates a photograph of a user,
Photographing means for photographing a user;
A synthesizing unit that synthesizes another image to be a background image or a foreground image with the photographed image obtained by the photographing unit;
Display means for displaying a composite image obtained by the composition means;
Recording means for recording the composite image at a predetermined photographing timing;
An editing unit that receives an editing instruction for an image recorded in the recording unit from a user and displays an image being edited;
Printing means for printing the image obtained by the editing means as a photograph,
The photographing means photographs the user by changing the photographing direction to at least the horizontal direction,
The synthesizing unit extracts an image having the same size as the captured image from images wider than the captured image in accordance with the capturing direction, and combines the extracted image with the captured image as another image. An automatic photo creation device characterized by that. The recording means records a plurality of images having different shooting directions,
2. The automatic photo creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints a plurality of images recorded in the recording unit side by side in the order of the photographing direction.   The automatic photo creation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a chair on which a plurality of users can be seated simultaneously.   4. The automatic photo creation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the photographing unit is arranged at a position where a user sitting on the chair can be photographed.   4. The automatic photo creation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the editing means is provided so as to be rotatable or horizontally movable at a position that can be used by a user sitting on the chair.   The said synthesis | combination means performs the process which synthesize | combines said another image according to a user's selection, and the process which adjusts an image quality according to a user's selection in real time, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. 5. The automatic photo creation apparatus according to any one of 5 above.   The automatic photo creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays, together with the composite image, a shooting condition selected by a user when the composite image is obtained. An automatic photo creation method for creating a photograph of a user,
Taking a picture of the user,
Synthesizing another image to be a background image or foreground image with the captured image;
Displaying a composite image; and
Recording the composite image at a predetermined shooting timing;
Receiving an editing instruction for the recorded image from the user;
Displaying the image being edited;
Printing the edited image as a photo,
The step of photographing is to photograph the user by changing the photographing direction to at least the horizontal direction,
In the combining step, an image having the same size as the captured image is extracted from an image wider than the captured image in accordance with the capturing direction, and the extracted image is combined with the captured image as another image. An automatic photo creation method characterized by:   A printing medium printed as a photograph by the automatic photo creating method according to claim 8.

Images