JP2007147671A - Automatic photographing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic photographing device by which a photograph is rapidly and precisely taken at a camera angle as a photographer desires. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic photographing device is equipped with: a photographic camera 1 and a photographic printer 5 outputting an image taken by the photographic camera 1, and is equipped with: a camera angle adjusting mechanism 10 adjusting a camera angle to a subject M; an image simulator 20 editing and forming a plurality of sample images at different camera angles based on a subject image taken at the predetermined camera angle; a monitor 3 displaying the sample images; a camera angle control means 30 adjusting the camera angle so as to correspond to the sample image selected from the sample images; and a photographing control means 40 taking a photograph at the adjusted camera angle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic photography apparatus including a photographing camera and a photographic printer that prints out an image photographed by the photographing camera.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an automatic photograph taking apparatus, an ID photo taking apparatus including a photo camera fixed to a photo box and a photo printer that prints out an image taken by the photo camera has been proposed.

  The above-described automatic photography apparatus is configured such that a photograph image temporarily captured by the photographing camera is displayed on a monitor by operating an operation unit provided in the apparatus, and the operator is displayed on the monitor. In this way, a plurality of trials and errors were repeated while changing the shooting posture of the subject so that the photographed image of the subject was the desired camera angle, and finally a print output was obtained.

JP 2003-121916 (P2003-121916A)

  However, it is not always possible to be aware of the shooting posture that will give you a favorite photographic image, and it takes a lot of time to shoot due to trial and error, and there are many cases where you have to make a compromise while finally frustrated. there were.

  In addition, even if you have a photo proof taken at a professional photo shop, you will need to take multiple shots to get a photo that will satisfy you. There was the inconvenience of consuming and taking a lot of stress if the desired results were not obtained.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-described conventional problems, the present invention is to provide an automatic photography apparatus capable of photographing at a camera angle that suits one's preference quickly and accurately.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first characteristic configuration of the automatic photography apparatus according to the present invention is as described in claim 1 of the document of the claims, and a photographing camera and an image photographed by the photographing camera. An automatic photography apparatus comprising a photographic printer that prints out images at different camera angles based on a camera angle adjustment mechanism that adjusts a camera angle with respect to a subject and a reference subject image that is photographed at a predetermined camera angle. An image simulator that edits and generates a plurality of sample images, a monitor that displays the sample images taken by the image simulator, and a camera that corresponds to the sample image selected from the sample images displayed on the monitor with the camera angle Camera angle control means for adjusting the angle, and the camera angle control means Lies in comprising comprising a photographing control means for shooting with camera angle is adjusted by.

  According to the above configuration, since the automatic photo shoot device generates a plurality of images at different camera angles in a single shooting at a predetermined camera angle, the customer can prove the best proof for himself / herself from the plurality of images. A photographic image can be selected, and the number of photographing can be minimized. As a result, the customer can quickly obtain a favorite photograph, that is, the customer can be satisfied in a short time.

  The second feature configuration is the camera position adjustment mechanism that changes and adjusts the camera position with respect to the subject of the photographing camera, in addition to the first feature configuration described above, as described in claim 2. It is in the point which is comprised.

  According to the above-described configuration, since the photographing camera automatically moves toward the position for taking the optimum ID photo image, it is possible to take the optimum photo while the subject is stationary.

  The third feature configuration is the face configuration in which, in addition to the first or second feature configuration described above, the image simulator detects a human face component from the reference subject image. It is composed of element detection means and image processing means for editing and generating the arrangement and shape of the face component detected by the face component detection means based on the camera angle.

  According to the above-described configuration, a plurality of images at different camera angles are edited and generated based on the arrangement and shape of facial components in the subject image, so that changes in the facial expression of the subject can be reproduced as accurately as possible. It becomes possible. In addition, since it is possible to generate photographic images from various angles by only a single temporary shooting at a predetermined camera angle, it is possible to save time and labor.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic photographing apparatus capable of photographing with a camera angle that suits one's preference quickly and accurately.

  The automatic photography apparatus according to the present invention will be described below. As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic photographing apparatus includes a photographing camera 1, a seat 2 on which a subject M is seated, a monitor 3 that displays an image photographed by the photographing camera 1, and a screen of the monitor 3. An operation unit 4 configured by a touch panel arranged and a photo printer 5 that prints out an image captured by the imaging camera 1 are accommodated in an imaging box 6.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of sample images with different camera angles are edited and generated based on a camera angle adjustment mechanism 10 for adjusting a camera angle with respect to a subject and a reference subject image photographed at a predetermined camera angle. And an image simulator 20 configured to display a sample image captured by the image simulator 20 on the monitor 3 and select the camera angle from the sample images displayed on the monitor 3. The camera angle control unit 30 adjusts the camera angle corresponding to the sample image, and the shooting control unit 40 captures the camera angle adjusted by the camera angle control unit 30.

  The camera angle adjustment mechanism 10 includes a camera position adjustment mechanism 11 that changes and adjusts the camera position of the photographing camera 1 with respect to the subject. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the camera position adjusting mechanism 11 includes a traversing mechanism 12 to which the photographing camera 1 is reciprocated between a position 1a and a position 1b, and the traversing mechanism 12. Is provided with a longitudinal mechanism 13 attached so as to reciprocate between the position 12a and the position 12b. In other words, the photographing camera 1 can exist in the internal region 14 drawn by the dotted line.

  Specifically, the photographic camera 1 is configured to face the subject M as indicated by a one-dot chain line 15 regardless of where the photographing camera 1 exists. For example, as shown in FIG. 14A, the traversing mechanism 12 is connected to an arc-shaped traversing guide rail 122 provided so that the photographing camera 1 faces the subject M via a traversing wheel 121. The photographing camera 1 is driven by a traversing drive mechanism (in this example, built in the photographing camera 1) and moves along the traversing guide rail 122. In FIG. 14A, the shape of a longitudinal guide rail 133 described later is not drawn as an arc.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14B, the longitudinal drive mechanism 131 provided integrally with the transverse guide rail 122 is connected to the subject M via the longitudinal wheels 132. The traverse guide rail 122 is driven by the traverse drive mechanism 131 along the longitudinal guide rail 133. The arcuate traverse guide rail 133 is provided so as to be opposed to each other. Moving. In FIG. 14B, the shape of the traverse guide rail 122 is not drawn as an arc.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image simulator 20 detects a face component detection unit that detects a component of a person's face based on the reference subject image photographed at the center of a vertical and horizontal movement range as a predetermined camera angle. 21, an image processing unit 22 that edits and generates the arrangement and shape of the face components detected by the face component detection unit 21 based on a camera angle, and a plurality of sample images that are edited and generated by the image processing unit 22 Is provided with an interface 23 for displaying the information on the monitor 3.

  More specifically, the face component detection means 21 extracts, for example, a face area based on density edges and color edges extracted from the image data of the reference subject image, and then stores the face area image data in advance. This is realized by using a known technique such as detecting a constituent element of a human face by evaluating a degree of coincidence with a plurality of element arrangement patterns such as prepared eyes, nose, mouth, and ear.

  How the image processing unit 22 should change the shape and arrangement of the face components of the reference subject image when the subject is photographed from a plurality of camera angles adjusted by the camera position adjustment mechanism 11 In detail, the reference subject is photographed by collating the face component of the reference subject image detected by the face component detection means 21 with the image database. An image photographed at a camera angle different from the predetermined camera angle, or an image having a facial expression different from the facial expression of the subject when the reference subject is photographed is edited and generated. That is, a plurality of pieces of image data are edited and generated from one piece of image data photographed at a predetermined camera angle.

  The operation unit 4 includes the monitor 3 and a touch panel arranged on the screen of the monitor 3, and as shown in FIG. 4, a temporary shooting execution switch for selecting a photo size and shooting the reference subject image is displayed. A provisional photographing operation screen, a plurality of sample images displayed on the monitor screen as shown in FIG. 5, a camera angle selection screen for selecting one of them, and a selection as shown in FIG. The operation control means 41 includes a computer capable of switching a main photographing operation screen on which a main photographing switch for starting main photographing at a camera angle is displayed.

  Hereinafter, a procedure for taking an ID photo with the above-described automatic photo taking apparatus will be described based on a flowchart shown in FIG.

  The customer who wants to take the ID photo sits on the seat 2 installed in the shooting box 6 and operates the provisional shooting operation screen as shown in FIG. Then, the number of images is determined (S1), and the provisional photographing execution button is pressed to perform provisional photographing (S2).

  When temporary shooting is executed, in the image simulator 20, the face component detection unit 21 detects a component of the face of a person who is a subject based on a reference subject image that is a result image shot by the temporary shooting. Then, the image processing means 22 edits and generates sample images with a plurality of different camera angles based on the detected arrangement and shape of the face components (S3). Then, a plurality of sample images edited and generated by the image processing means 22 are output to the monitor 3, and a camera angle selection screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed (S4).

  The customer selects a sample image according to the camera angle to be used in the actual photographing from the sample images displayed on the camera angle selection screen (S5). When the sample image is selected, the camera angle control means 30 operates the camera angle adjustment mechanism 10 so that the camera angle corresponding to the selected sample image is obtained (S6). Thereafter, the customer performs the main shooting on the main shooting operation screen as shown in FIG. 6 (S7).

  Another embodiment will be described below. In the above-described embodiment, the camera angle adjustment mechanism 10 has been described as including the camera position adjustment mechanism 11 that changes and adjusts the camera position of the photographing camera 1 with respect to the subject M. However, as shown in FIG. It may be configured by a sheet adjusting mechanism 12 that rotates or vertically expands and contracts the sheet.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the seat 2 is provided with a rotation mechanism 2 a and a vertical expansion / contraction mechanism 2 b, and in the adjustment of the camera angle with respect to the subject M, The relative position of the seat 2 with respect to the photographing camera 1 is adjusted to a predetermined camera angle by rotating or vertically expanding and contracting.

  That is, since the sheet 2 moves so that the relative position of the sheet 2 with respect to the photographing camera 1 is adjusted to a position where an optimum ID photograph image can be taken, the optimum photograph can be performed while the photographing camera 1 is stationary. It becomes possible to take a picture.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the camera angle adjustment mechanism 10 includes both a camera position adjustment mechanism 11 and a sheet adjustment mechanism 12, and is configured such that both mechanisms cooperate to adjust the camera angle. It may be.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, the camera angle adjustment mechanism 10 may include a line-of-sight guidance display unit 12 in addition to the camera position adjustment mechanism 11 and / or the sheet adjustment mechanism 12.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, a window 6 is provided on the photographing line of the photographing camera 1 and the subject M. The window 6 is made of, for example, a mirror-like material capable of projecting the appearance of the subject M, and further displays a line-of-sight guide 7 that indicates the position of the line of sight with respect to the captured subject M. And When the position of the photographing camera 1 is set so that the eye guide 7 has a camera angle that matches the sample image selected by the customer on the camera angle selection screen, the eye of the subject M becomes the camera eye. Calculate and display the correct position in advance.

  For example, when a customer (subject M) selects a sample image G having a slightly horizontal angle on the camera angle selection screen shown in FIG. 5, the camera angle control means 30 takes a photograph of the subject M slightly horizontal. Since the camera angle is adjusted so that the subject M is photographed, when the window portion 6 is viewed from the subject M, the subject M appears to be slightly facing sideways as shown in FIG. Even in such a case, the eye guide 7 is displayed on the window 6 so that the eye of the subject M can be the camera eye, and the subject M is placed on the eye guide 7. By matching the line of sight, it is possible to take a picture with the camera.

  That is, the line of sight of the subject M is moved to the photographic camera due to a change in the relative position between the photographic subject 1 and the photographic camera 1 due to the movement of the photographic camera 1 or the sheet 2, a movement of the line of sight of the subject M itself, Even if it does not match 1, the eye guidance display unit 12 instructs the subject M to look at the subject M so that the eye of the subject M is aligned with the correct position. It is possible to take a photo that suits you.

  Note that the above-described embodiment is merely an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the specific configuration and the like of each block can be changed and designed as appropriate within the scope of the effects of the present invention.

Explanatory drawing of the general structure of the automatic photography device Block diagram of automatic photo shooter Illustration of the configuration of the camera position adjustment mechanism Explanatory drawing of temporary shooting operation screen Illustration of camera angle selection screen Illustration of the main shooting operation screen Flow chart for explaining the procedure for taking ID photo Block diagram of an automatic photography apparatus equipped with a sheet adjustment mechanism (A) shows the structure which looked at the sheet | seat from the upper surface in order to demonstrate rotation movement of a sheet | seat, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the structure which looked at the sheet | seat from the side surface in order to demonstrate the vertical expansion / contraction of a sheet | seat. Block diagram of an automatic photo shooter equipped with a camera position adjustment mechanism and a sheet adjustment mechanism Block diagram of an automatic photo shooter equipped with a line-of-sight guidance display unit Explanatory drawing of the general configuration of an automatic photography apparatus equipped with a line-of-sight guidance display unit Explanatory drawing of eye guidance display (A) shows the structure which looked at the camera position adjustment mechanism from the upper surface, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the structure which looked at the camera position adjustment mechanism from the side surface

Explanation of symbols

10: Camera angle adjustment mechanism 11: Camera position adjustment mechanism 12: Sheet adjustment mechanism 13: Eye guide display unit 20: Image simulator 30: Camera angle control means 40: Shooting control means 1: Shooting camera 3: Monitor 5: Photo printer

Claims (3)

An automatic photography apparatus comprising a photographing camera and a photo printer for printing out an image photographed by the photographing camera,
Photographed by a camera angle adjustment mechanism for adjusting a camera angle with respect to a subject, an image simulator for editing and generating a plurality of sample images at different camera angles based on a reference subject image photographed at a predetermined camera angle, and the image simulator A monitor that displays the sampled image, a camera angle control unit that adjusts the camera angle to a camera angle corresponding to the sample image selected from the sample image displayed on the monitor, and the camera angle control unit that adjusts the camera angle. An automatic photo photographic device comprising a photographing control means for photographing at a camera angle.   The automatic camera photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera angle adjusting mechanism is configured by a camera position adjusting mechanism for changing and adjusting a camera position with respect to a subject of the photographing camera. The image simulator edits and generates a face component detection unit that detects a human face component from the reference subject image, and an arrangement and shape of the face component detected by the face component detection unit based on a camera angle. 3. An automatic photographing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, comprising image processing means.