JP2011223299A - Automatic photograph creation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic photo creation device that allows easy selection of desired pen settings as well as reset to previously selected pen settings.SOLUTION: The automatic photo creation device has a touch panel 400 on which to perform edit operations such as for scribbling on a taken image. The display screen displays normal palette areas 402L and 402R which include tools such as stamp images as well as pen-dedicated palette areas 403L and 403R which include multiple tools 406L and 406R indicating pen types. The pen-dedicated palette allows easy selection of desired pen settings. For example, since operation inputs in the normal palette area 402L do not affect the pen-dedicated palette area 403L, pen settings that were previously selected can be easily restored.

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic photo creation apparatus, and more particularly to an automatic photo creation apparatus that takes a user with a camera and outputs a composite image generated based on the taken image as a photograph.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a photo creation device for a game in which a user is photographed with a camera and the photographed image is output as a photo sticker or a photo card. Such a play photo creation device is highly playable or entertaining, and therefore, a variety of background images and foreground images (foreground images) prepared in advance according to the user's preference are combined with images to be synthesized. In particular, many are configured so that the user can select from frame images) or draw freely using a touch pen. Since such an operation by the user is performed on the photographed image, it is called “graffiti”.

  In addition, since such a game photo creation device is often used by a plurality of users, it is configured to provide an operation screen operated by each of the plurality of users (for example, Patent Document 1). reference). In such a game-use photo creation device, the game is often played by two users. In this case, the graffiti on the photographed image is simultaneously performed by the two users. For this reason, normally, two operation screens are displayed on one touch panel as an operation display means of the editing unit for graffiti in the game photo creation device, and operation means such as two touch pens corresponding thereto are displayed on the touch panel. It is provided near the touch panel.

  The touch pen provided in the above-mentioned photo creation device for games is used for drawing letters and pictures as graffiti on the operation screen, and for selecting various menus, for example, selecting a frame image or a stamp image. . Therefore, the user repeats operations such as holding the touch pen with a dominant hand, drawing a character or a picture, selecting a stamp image or a frame image, and drawing a character or a picture.

JP 2007-67565 A

  As described above, drawing characters and pictures or repeating the operation of selecting a predetermined image can be enjoyable and troublesome for the user. However, while drawing characters and pictures, When a selection operation such as a stamp image is performed, it may not be possible to return to the previous pen settings (such as pen thickness and color) when drawing suspended characters or pictures, or it may be troublesome.

  In other words, a large number of selectable pen settings, stamp images, frame images, and the like are generally prepared in order to improve the playability of the device, and for example, the contents of the palette can be switched with a tab or the like. Is partially presented to the user. Therefore, for example, the user selects a pen setting of a desired content, selects a predetermined image by switching a palette with a tab or the like during graffiti (such as a character or a picture), and then selects a previous desired pen setting. When trying to select, it is necessary to perform an operation of switching by tabs or the like so as to become the pen setting palette contents and further searching for and selecting the desired pen setting. It can be said that such an operation is burdensome for the user. In addition, when the setting content itself is forgotten, it is difficult to return to the previous pen setting.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic photo creation apparatus that can easily select a desired pen setting and can easily return to a pen setting once selected.

1st invention produces | generates a synthesized image based on the imaging means which image | photographs a user, the GUI means which receives the said user's editing operation with respect to the picked-up image obtained by the said imaging means, and the editing operation received by the said GUI means An automatic photo creation apparatus comprising: an image processing unit that performs printing; and a printing unit that prints a composite image generated by the image processing unit as a photograph.
The GUI means includes
GUI display means;
GUI control means for displaying an operation screen for the user's editing operation on the GUI display means and receiving an input operation on the operation screen;
An input operation means for the user's editing operation comprising an operation means as a pointing device corresponding to the operation screen,
The GUI control means includes a plurality of palettes including a plurality of selectable areas for an operation corresponding to the type of editing operation performed by the input operation means and capable of replacing at least some of the plurality of selectable areas included Displaying the area on the GUI display means, and causing the GUI display means to display the type of editing operation accepted immediately before in the palette area by the input operation means,
The plurality of palette areas include a dedicated palette area including only a plurality of selectable areas according to the type of line to be drawn according to the trajectory of the input operation means, and a normal palette area different from the dedicated palette area. It is characterized by that.

According to a second invention, in the first invention,
The GUI control means is a case where the second selectable area included in the normal pallet area is selected after the first selectable area included in the dedicated pallet area is selected by the input operation means. When the editing operation corresponding to the second selectable area is finished, the second selectable area is changed from the selected state to the non-selected state, and the first selectable area is not selected. It is characterized by making a transition from a state to a selected state.

According to a third invention, in the second invention,
The second selectable area is an additional image to be combined with the photographed image, and is an area for selecting an additional image type having an area where a character to be drawn by the line can be arranged. It is characterized by being.

According to a fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions,
The GUI control means causes the GUI display means to display the type of editing operation accepted immediately before in the dedicated palette area by the input operation means and the type of editing operation accepted immediately before in the normal palette area. At the same time, the GUI display means displays the type of editing operation received later so that it can be identified.

According to a fifth invention, in the first invention,
The input operation means includes a pen-type input device that can be held by the user and provided with a switch,
The GUI control means causes the GUI display means to display the type of editing operation accepted immediately before in the dedicated palette area by the input operation means and the type of editing operation accepted immediately before in the normal palette area. In addition, according to the operation of the switch by the user, one of the types of editing operations accepted immediately before is transitioned from the selected state to the non-selected state, and the other is transitioned from the non-selected state to the selected state. It is characterized by making it.

A sixth invention is the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,
The GUI control means displays two or more of the operation screens on the GUI display means, and accepts input operations corresponding to different operation screens in parallel.
The input operation means is provided with four or more operation means as two or more pointing devices corresponding to each of the operation screens,
One of the two or more input operation means corresponding to the same operation screen is divided into two, only the selectable area included in the dedicated palette area can be selected, and the other can be selected included in the normal palette area Only the area can be selected.

A seventh invention is the sixth invention, wherein
The GUI control means accepts only one input operation when detecting simultaneous input operations from two or more input operation means corresponding to the same operation screen among the input operation means. .

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing step for photographing a user, a GUI step for accepting the user's editing operation on the photographed image obtained by the photographing step, and a composite image based on the editing operation accepted by the GUI step. An automatic photo creation method comprising: an image processing step to perform; and a printing step to print a composite image generated by the image processing step as a photo,
The GUI step includes:
A GUI control step for displaying an operation screen for the user's editing operation in the GUI display step and receiving an input operation on the operation screen;
An input operation step of accepting an editing operation of the user by an operating means as a pointing device corresponding to the operation screen,
The GUI control means includes a plurality of pallet areas including a plurality of selectable areas for an operation corresponding to a type of editing operation performed by the operation means and capable of replacing at least a part of the plurality of selectable areas included. Are displayed in the GUI display step, and the type of editing operation accepted immediately before in the palette area in the input operation step is displayed in the GUI display step.
The plurality of palette areas include a dedicated palette area including only a plurality of selectable areas according to the type of line to be drawn according to the trajectory of the operation means, and a normal palette area different from the dedicated palette area. It is characterized by.

  According to the first invention, the dedicated palette area including only a plurality of selectable areas according to the type of line to be drawn according to the path of the input operation means, and the normal palette area different from the dedicated palette area Since there are multiple pallet areas to include, you can easily select the desired pen settings in the dedicated pallet area, and even if you make an operation input to the normal pallet area, the dedicated pallet area is not affected. You can easily return to the selected pen settings.

  According to the second aspect, when the editing operation corresponding to the second selectable area is completed, the second selectable area changes from the selected state to the non-selected state, and the first selectable area is displayed. Since the region transitions from the non-selected state to the selected state, it is not necessary to reselect the first selected region after the editing operation is completed, and the operation by the user can be simplified.

  According to the third invention, the second selectable area is an area for selecting an additional image type having an area where a character to be drawn by a line can be arranged. Since it is routinely scheduled that the first selection area must be selected after the completion, it is possible to reliably simplify the operation by the user.

  According to the fourth aspect, the type of editing operation accepted immediately before and the type of editing operation accepted later (active) are displayed in the dedicated palette area and the normal palette area. The user can easily identify a selectable area that is active in any of the palette areas (eg, corresponding to a tool, for example) by the display, and which selectable area of which palette is selected. It is possible to prevent the user from forgetting or making a mistake.

  According to the fifth aspect, the selection state of the type of editing operation accepted immediately before in the dedicated pallet area and the normal pallet area according to the operation of the switch provided in the pen-type input device of the operation input means. Therefore, the user can easily switch the palette at hand, and the operation becomes easier.

  According to the sixth invention, one of the two or more input operation means corresponding to the same operation screen is divided into two, and only the selectable area included in the dedicated palette area can be selected, and the other is normally Since only selectable areas included in the pallet area can be selected, the correspondence between the pallet and the input operation means is fixed. For example, when the identification display is performed, the correspondence can be simplified. Since it is recognized immediately, a plurality of input operation means can be made easier to use for the user.

  According to the seventh aspect, when simultaneous input operations from two or more input operation means corresponding to the same operation screen are detected, only one input operation is accepted. For example, the drawing response can be maintained at high speed. As a result, the user can easily use two or more input operation means.

  According to the eighth aspect, the same effect as that of the first aspect, which is an apparatus invention, can be achieved in the automatic photo creating method.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the photo production apparatus for games which is an automatic photo production apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the imaging unit in the embodiment. It is a front view of the edit unit in the said embodiment. It is a front view of the output unit in the said embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the display structure of the touchscreen for imaging operations in the said embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure which looked at the principal part of the photo production apparatus for play concerning the said embodiment from the functional surface. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the imaging | photography process in the said embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the edit process in the said embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the left operation screen process in the said edit process. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a display of the graffiti screen in the said embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a display which identifies the selection tool selected in the palette area | region in the said embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows another example of the display which identifies the selection tool selected in the palette area | region in the said embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows another example of the display which identifies the selection tool selected in the palette area | region in the said embodiment. In the said embodiment, it is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a frame image regularly scheduled to use a graffiti pen after arrange | positioning in a graffiti area | region. In the said embodiment, it is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the identification display at the time of switching to a different tab.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<1. Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of a game photo creation device that is an automatic photo creation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 1 (a) is an external side view of the play photo creation apparatus as viewed from the side, and FIG. 1 (b) is an external plan view as viewed from above. This play photo creation device accepts a shooting room 2 where a user enters, a shooting unit 3 that takes a picture of the user and receives selection of a background image and a foreground image, and an editing operation including graffiti (drawing operation) by the user. An editing unit 4 that generates a combined image combined with the photographed image and an output unit 5 that outputs the combined image are provided. FIG. 2 is a front view of the photographing unit 3, FIG. 3 is a front view of the editing unit 4, and FIG. 4 is a front view of the output unit 5. Hereinafter, the overall configuration of the game photo creation device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

  The photographing room 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the photographing unit 3 is arranged along the front surface of the photographing room 2 which is a front surface when viewed from the user entering the inside. Note that an opening for a user to enter and exit, and a light-shielding curtain that covers a part or all of the opening are provided on a part of each of the left and right side surfaces of the photographing room 2. In addition, an electric roll curtain device 25 is disposed on the rear surface, which is the rear surface when viewed from the user entering the inside of the photographing room 2.

  The photographing unit 3 includes a camera 10 as an imaging unit for photographing a user, strobes 11, 12, 13 L, 13 R, and 14 that are arranged at the top, bottom, left, and right positions of the camera 10, and below the camera 10. It is provided with a shooting operation touch panel 20 that is arranged and receives operations from a user, displays shot images, and the like.

  The camera 10 is typically a digital camera that generates a digital image signal using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), captures a user, and outputs an image signal representing the captured image. The flashes 11 to 14 emit a flash toward the user in order to obtain sufficient light for photographing. The shooting operation touch panel 20 is configured to provide an operation screen for accepting various operations by the user during shooting, and to display an image based on the image signal in real time.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a display configuration of the touch panel 20 for shooting operation. As shown in FIG. 5, the shooting operation touch panel 20 has a real-time preview area 201 for displaying a shot image in real time, a pose sample display area 202 for displaying a pose sample, and a graffiti obtained by shooting. A graffiti target image display area 203 for displaying the target image is included.

  The photographing unit 3 is built around a computer and incorporates a control device for controlling each part, an I / O control device, a network adapter for communicating with the editing unit 4, and the like. The photographing unit 3 includes a coin insertion slot 26 at the lower front side.

  The editing unit 4 is configured around a computer similar to the photographing unit 3, and includes a control device that controls each part and the like, and a network adapter that communicates with the photographing unit 3 and the like. Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the editing unit 4 is divided into two units 4a and 4b so that two sets of users can play. One of the units 4a includes an editing operation touch panel 400 that includes a graffiti area, an area for displaying a menu for graffiti, a tool, and the like and functions as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) display means, and the editing operation touch panel 400 Four touch pens 49L1, 49L2, 49R1, and 49R2 are provided as pointing devices used for the operation on the. The other unit 4b has the same configuration. Here, the unit 4a seen in the foreground in FIG. 1A is referred to as “graffiti booth A”, and the unit 4b on the opposite side (the back side in the figure) is referred to as “graffiti booth B”.

  The touch panel 400 for editing operation in the present embodiment has a display configuration in which each of the units 4a and 4b typically allows two users to simultaneously doodle. In this description, components used by the user on the left side are given reference signs including “L”, and components used by the user on the right side are assigned reference signs including “R”. ing.

  In addition, the display screen displayed on the editing operation touch panel 400 in the present embodiment is typically divided into two parts on the left and right sides so as to be suitable for the operation of two users. Hereinafter, the left operation screen of the display screen is referred to as a left operation screen, and the right operation screen is referred to as a right operation screen.

  Further, the editing operation touch panel 400 is configured to be able to simultaneously detect the operation positions of the four touch pens 49L1, 49L2, 49R1, and 49R2, and the detected operation positions are those of 49L1, 49L2, 49R1, and 49R2. It is possible to detect which of these operations is supported. For example, when a capacitive touch panel is used as the editing operation touch panel 400, simultaneous detection of such a plurality of operation positions and identification of the operated touch pen are possible.

  However, as will be described later, two touch pens for the left operation screen (hereinafter referred to as “left screen pen”) 49L1, 49L2, or two touch pens for the right operation screen (hereinafter referred to as “right screen pen”) 49R1, 49R2. Are controlled so that they cannot be used (input operation) at the same time, that is, only the touch pen that is active first (operation input is accepted first) and is continuously active can be input. . Therefore, when the touch pen is released from the screen, the touch pen becomes inactive.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the output unit 5 typically has a material image such as a Deco-mail (registered trademark) image or a composite image in which a photographed image is doodled by an infrared communication port built in a mobile phone terminal. Output operation touch panel 30 that is operated by the user when the user is transferred to the user's mobile phone terminal, and the material image or the like that is arranged below the output operation touch panel 30 is directly directed to the mobile phone terminal as an infrared signal. An infrared communication port (non-contact communication port) 31 for transmission and a speaker 32 for notifying the user of operation methods and sound effects necessary for the communication are provided. Further, the output unit 5 includes an outlet 33 for taking out a photo sticker, a photo card, or the like on which a composite image that has been edited by the editing unit 4 is printed.

  When the user wants to view the photo sticker on which the composite image is printed on the mobile phone terminal, the output operation touch panel 30 transmits the photo sticker to the mobile phone terminal having the infrared communication function (or other proximity wireless communication function). It is configured to provide an operation screen for accepting various operations necessary for this.

  Such an output unit 5 is also configured around a computer similar to the photographing unit 3, and includes a control device for controlling each part, a network adapter for communicating with the editing unit 4, etc. A network printer 35 for printing an image as a photo sticker or the like is provided.

  In the configuration as described above, after shooting in the shooting room 2, the user uses the graffiti booth A of the editing unit 4 or the touch panel 400 for the editing operation of the graffiti booth B to generate based on the shot image. Graffiti is performed on the graffiti target image. Then, the user prints the composite image generated by the graffiti by the network printer, transmits the image to the mobile phone terminal having the infrared communication function, and displays the image received by the mobile phone terminal on the terminal screen. .

<2. Functional configuration>
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the play photo creating apparatus according to the present embodiment as seen from the functional aspect. As shown in FIG. 6, this game photo creation device functionally has a shooting processing unit 7 for mainly performing a process of shooting a user (shooting process), and a user's graffiti mainly for a graffiti target image. Edit processing unit 8 for editing the graffiti target image according to the operation, and output the graffiti target image subjected to the editing process as a photo sticker or the like, or output it to a mobile phone terminal using infrared communication And an output processing unit 9 that performs processing (output processing).

  The imaging processing unit 7 includes a first control unit 70, an imaging unit 71, a first display / operation unit 72, an I / O control unit 73, an illumination unit 74, and a first communication unit 75. It is configured. The edit processing unit 8 includes a second control unit 80, second display / operation units 81 and 82, and a second communication unit 83. The output processing unit 9 includes a third control unit 90, a third display / operation unit 91, a print output unit 92, an audio output unit 93, a non-contact communication unit 94, and a third communication unit 95. It is constituted by. The first, second, and third communication units 75, 83, and 95 that are network adapters can communicate with each other via a network 6 that is a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The imaging unit 71 corresponds to the camera 10 configured using an imaging element such as a CCD, and captures an image in real time and outputs an image signal representing the image (captured image). This image signal is input to the first control unit 70 and temporarily stored as photographed image data in its internal memory. The captured image data is supplied as a captured image signal from the first control unit 70 to the first display / operation unit 72, and a captured image based on the captured image signal is displayed in real time.

  The first display / operation unit 72 corresponds to the shooting operation touch panel 20 and is used for selecting a background image and a foreground image to be combined with a shot image and determining a layout of a photo to be output. The user's operation and shutter operation are accepted. Signals indicating these operations are input to the first control unit 70 as operation signals. Here, when a predetermined process for photographing the user (corresponding to the selected photographing menu) is started, guidance for the user is displayed on the first display / operation unit 72, and thereafter Based on an instruction from the first control unit 70, a flash is emitted from the flashes 11 to 14 in the shooting direction of the camera 10 after a predetermined time of about several seconds. At that time, an image signal output from the imaging unit 71 as a signal representing a photographed image of the user is input to the first control unit 70, a memory in the first control unit 70, a hard disk device as an auxiliary storage device, or the like. Stored as captured image data.

  The illumination unit 74 corresponds to the strobes 11, 12, 13 L, 13 R, and 14 disposed at the top, bottom, left, and right positions of the camera 10, and is turned on / off by the I / O control unit 73 based on an instruction from the first control unit 70. Turning off and dimming are controlled. The I / O control unit 73 corresponds to an I / O control device built in the photographing unit 3, and controls the illumination unit 74 based on an instruction from the first control unit 70. Further, an input signal such as a detection signal from a coin detection unit (not shown) described later is transferred to the first control unit 70. The first communication unit 75 corresponds to a network adapter built in the photographing unit 3 and functions as an interface for data transmission / reception via the network 6.

  The first control unit 70 is built in the photographing unit 3 and corresponds to a control device mainly composed of a computer including a CPU, a memory, a frame buffer, a timer, an auxiliary storage device and the like, and is stored in a predetermined memory stored in an internal memory. When the CPU executes the program, an instruction is given to each unit as described above in order to control each unit based on the operation signal or the like input as described above. A graffiti target image is generated based on the photographed image. The generated graffiti target image is written in the frame buffer and displayed on the first display / operation unit 72. Further, the first control unit 70 generates a composite image that is an image in which a predetermined background image or foreground image is drawn on the graffiti target image. The generated composite image is displayed on the first display / operation unit 72 by being written in the frame buffer. When the shooting and the generation of the composite image are completed in this way, the generated composite image is appropriately selected according to the input operation of the user, and then the second corresponding to the editing unit 4 via the first communication unit 75. It is sent to the control unit 80.

  In addition to the above-described components, the photographing unit 3 is further provided with a coin detection unit (not shown) for detecting coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 26 in the photographing unit 3, and the first control unit 70 includes Based on the detection result of the coin detection unit, each unit is controlled so as to allow the user to play with the present photo creation device, such as shooting, selection of the background image and foreground image, and graffiti for a predetermined time. Since the detection operation by the coin detection unit and the control operation by the first control unit 70 based on the detection result are the same as those of the conventional game photo creation device and are well known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The second control unit 80 is a built-in editing unit 4 and corresponds to a control device that is configured around a computer including a CPU, a memory, a frame buffer, an auxiliary storage device, and the like, and is a predetermined program stored in an internal memory. Is executed by the CPU to perform overall control related to the editing process. In addition, the second control unit 80 generates a composite image that is an image obtained by drawing a predetermined image on the graffiti target image based on an operation signal for performing graffiti processing on the captured image sent from the first control unit 70. Generate. The generated composite image is displayed on the corresponding second display / operation unit 81 or 82 in accordance with a user instruction. When the generation of the composite image as described above is completed, the composite image is sent to the output unit 5. If the print output unit 92 is outputting another composite image, a message to that effect is displayed and sent after waiting for completion.

  The second display / operation units 81 and 82 correspond to the editing operation touch panel 400 functioning as a graffiti GUI display means, and accept user operations using a touch pen. The second communication unit 83 corresponds to a network adapter built in the editing unit 4 and functions as an interface for data transmission / reception via the network 6.

  The third control unit 90 is built in the output unit 5 and corresponds to a control device mainly composed of a computer including a CPU, a memory, a frame buffer, a timer, an auxiliary storage device, and the like, and is stored in an internal memory. When the CPU executes a predetermined program, overall control relating to output processing is performed. The third control unit 90 stores the composite image sent from the second control unit 80 in the memory as composite image data. The print output unit 92 corresponds to the network printer 35 built in the output unit, and prints a plurality of composite image data stored in the memory as a photo sticker (or photo card) (appropriately laid out). The printed photo sticker or the like is taken out from an outlet 33 provided at the lower front of the output unit 5.

  Further, the third control unit 90 can start printing processing such as a photo sticker based on the composite image sent from the editing unit 4 and simultaneously download the composite image data created by the user to the mobile phone terminal. As described above, an operation screen for accepting a user's input operation is displayed on the third display / operation unit 91. The third display / operation unit 91 corresponds to the output operation touch panel 30 and functions as an input unit that inputs the received input operation to the third control unit 90 as an operation signal.

  Based on the input operation signal, the third control unit 90 issues an instruction to the non-contact communication unit 94 to transmit image data to the user's mobile phone terminal. The non-contact communication unit 94 corresponds to the infrared communication port 31. The image data is directly transmitted from the non-contact communication unit 94 to the user's mobile phone terminal as a non-contact communication infrared signal. The third communication unit 95 corresponds to a network adapter built in the output unit 5 and functions as an interface for data transmission / reception via the network 6.

  Here, the third control unit 90 writes a demo image (demonstration image) or a mini game image stored in advance in the auxiliary storage device in the frame buffer while the input operation is not performed. Is displayed on the third display / operation unit 91. The audio output unit 93 corresponds to the speaker 32. The audio output unit 93 explains the input operation method to the user in conjunction with the operation screen displayed on the third display / operation unit 91, and the third display / operation unit 91 displays a demo image or a mini game. Play music, sound effects, etc. when displayed.

  Here, the predetermined program executed in each control device is provided by, for example, a DVD-ROM which is a recording medium on which the program is recorded. That is, a DVD-ROM as a recording medium for the predetermined program is attached to a DVD-ROM driving device built in the control device as an auxiliary storage device, and the predetermined program is read from the DVD-ROM as an auxiliary storage device. Installed on the hard disk drive. The predetermined program may be provided via a recording medium (CD-ROM or the like) other than a DVD-ROM or a communication line. Then, when an operation for starting the present photo creating device is performed, the predetermined program installed in the hard disk device is transferred to the memory in the control device and temporarily stored therein, It is executed by the CPU. Thereby, the control process of each part by the control device is realized.

<3. Processing procedure in a photo creation device for play>
As described above, the play photo creating apparatus includes the photographing unit 3, the editing unit 4, and the output unit 5. The photographing unit 3 performs photographing processing, the editing unit 4 performs editing processing, and the output unit 5 performs output processing. It should be noted that when a certain user is playing with the photographing unit 3, another user can play with the editing unit 4, and yet another user can output a composite image with the output unit 5. ing. In other words, the game photo creation device can perform shooting processing, editing processing, and output processing in parallel. Below, the outline | summary of the procedure of an imaging | photography process, an edit process, and an output process is demonstrated.

<3.1 Shooting process>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the photographing process in the present embodiment. When the play photo creation device is not used (when no play is performed), a demonstration image is displayed on the shooting operation touch panel 20. When the user inserts a coin into the coin insertion slot 26 while displaying the demo image, play is started (step S100).

  When the play is started, the first control unit 70 accepts selection of a shooting mode by the user (step S110). In step S110, for example, image quality (specifically, one of clear image quality with high contrast, soft image quality with softness, or cool image quality with transparency) is selected, brightness is selected, Whether to shoot automatically or manually is selected. When shooting automatically, a shooting theme is selected. In this case, the first control unit 70 displays on the shooting operation touch panel 20 a screen for allowing the user to select one or more shooting themes from a plurality of shooting themes prepared in advance. The selection operation by the person is accepted. Then, the first control unit 70 acquires selection information based on a user's selection operation, and determines a combination of a frame and a background to be used for shooting based on the selected shooting theme. When shooting manually, the user can freely determine the frame and background. Then, it progresses to step S120 and imaging | photography is performed. By this shooting, the shot image data is stored in the memory of the first control unit 70.

  In step S <b> 130, a graffiti target image (an image including a captured image) generated based on the captured image is displayed on the capturing operation touch panel 20. Specifically, each time the process of step S130 is performed, graffiti target images are additionally displayed sequentially in the graffiti target image display area 203 of the photographing operation touch panel 20 shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S140, and the first control unit 70 determines whether or not a predetermined number of images have been taken. As a result of the determination, if the number of images has been shot, the process proceeds to step S150. If the number of images has not been shot, the process returns to step S120. In practice, a time limit for photographing (for example, 3 minutes) is provided.

  In step S150, an image to be actually graffitied is selected (by the user) from a plurality of graffiti subject images. Specifically, the first control unit 70 displays a list of graffiti target images on the shooting operation touch panel 20 in order to allow the user to select an image to be used for graffiti and printing, and performs a selection operation by the user. Accept. Then, the first control unit 70 sends the image selected by the user to the second control unit 80 as an actual graffiti target image. After step S150 ends, the process proceeds to step S160. In step S160, a guidance screen is displayed. Specifically, the first control unit 70 displays a screen for guiding the user to any one of the editing units 4 (4 a or 4 b) on the photographing operation touch panel 20. Thereby, the photographing process is completed.

<3.2 Editing process>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the editing process in the present embodiment. The editing process is realized by the second controller 80 operating as shown in FIG. 8 based on a predetermined program. In this editing process, after the above-described shooting process is completed, the second control unit 80 sends the graffiti target image sent from the first control unit 70 via the network (LAN) 6 (the user in step S150 in FIG. 7). (The image selected by step S200) is acquired (step S200). Thereafter, the timer 46 is set to a predetermined time (time for allowing the user to doodle), and the countdown is started (step S210).

  After the timer 46 starts counting down, the editing unit 4 accepts a graffiti operation (drawing operation) by the user (steps S220 to S228). Note that the editing unit 4 may accept an editing operation for creating a material image such as a deco-mail image in addition to an editing operation on the graffiti target image based on the photographed image.

  In accepting the graffiti operation, first, a touch pen (for the operation screen displayed on the editing operation touch panel 400 in each of the unit 4a (the graffiti booth A) and the unit 4b (the graffiti booth B) constituting the editing unit 4) is displayed. When each of the four touch pens 49L1, 49L2, 49R1, 49R2) is operated, the operation position (touched position) is detected, and a coordinate value indicating the operation position is acquired as an input coordinate value (S220). . Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the operation position of each touch pen is repeatedly detected in order at every predetermined detection cycle, and each input coordinate value is also obtained in order. When the touch pen is released from the screen, a NULL value is obtained as the input coordinate value. Therefore, the following description will be made assuming that one input coordinate value corresponding to a certain touch pen is obtained in this step S220.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the other touch pen that is paired with the (one) touch pen corresponding to the input coordinate value is active (step S222). The paired touch pens are a pair of left screen touch pens 49L1 and 49L2 and a pair of right screen touch pens 49R1 and 49R2. These paired touch pens are controlled so that they cannot be used at the same time, and touch pens that are not paired are controlled so that they can be used simultaneously. The reason why the paired touch pens are controlled so that they cannot be used at the same time is to improve the drawing response. In particular, a process for performing different drawing (for example, drawing a frame image while pasting a stamp image on a certain photographic image) on the same image has a heavy load (such as calculation and drawing), so that the drawing response is Decrease significantly. Therefore, the drawing response can be maintained at a high speed by controlling so that the paired touch pens cannot be used at the same time so that such processing is not performed.

  Since the left screen touch pens 49L1 and 49L2 and the right screen touch pens 49R1 and 49R2 are planned to be used by different users, it is not preferable to control them so that they cannot be used at the same time. Since this is a process, the load is smaller than in the case of a drawing process for the same image, and the drawing response does not deteriorate so much in some cases.

  The active touch pen is a touch pen whose operation position is detected before the paired touch pens, that is, the operation position that has been continuously detected until the present time is longer. Therefore, each touch pen becomes active when the operation position of the paired touch pens is not detected when the operation position is detected, and becomes inactive when the detected operation position is not detected. Therefore, for the above determination in step S222, whether or not each touch pen is active (or which of the paired touch pens is active) is continuously managed by the second control unit 80. The

  If the result of determination in step S222 is that the other pair of touch pens is active (the input coordinates are discarded), a warning process (S224) is executed. This warning process is a process of notifying the user that an attempt has been made to use a touch pen that cannot be used at the same time (that is, an operation input has been performed). This warning can be perceived by the user, for example, a warning sound such as a beep, a warning display such as a predetermined warning text or a change in display color, or vibration (generated by a vibrator device built in the touch pen). It is sufficient if it is performed in such a manner. By such warning processing, the user can immediately know that the touch pen to be used is not active.

  Subsequently, based on the input coordinate value, it is determined whether or not the operation position is within the left operation screen on the editing operation touch panel 400 (step S226). If the result of determination is that the operation position is within the left operation screen, left operation screen processing (S230) described later is executed.

  If the result of determination in step S226 is that the operation position is not within the left operation screen, it is further determined based on the input coordinate value whether or not the operation position is within the right operation screen of the editing operation touch panel 400 (step S226). S228). If the operation position is within the right operation screen as a result of the determination, right operation screen processing (S240) described later is executed.

  If the result of determination in step S228 is that the operation position is not within the right operation screen, the operation with the touch pen has not been performed (a NULL value has been received), or the warning process (S224), the left operation screen Assuming that either the process (S230) or the right operation screen process (S240) has been executed, the process proceeds to step S258, and it is determined based on the timer 46 whether the permitted time for the graffiti operation has ended. . As a result of the determination, if the graffiti permission time has not expired, the process returns to step S220, and the steps after step S220 described above are executed.

  The graffiti operation is accepted by repeating the processes of steps S220 to S258 in this way, and the graffiti time becomes 0 during that time. In step S258, the graffiti operation permission time has ended. If determined, the process proceeds to step S260.

  In step S260, the division pattern of the output photo is selected. Specifically, the second control unit 80 displays on the editing operation touch panel 400 a screen for allowing the user to select one of the plurality of division patterns prepared in advance, and the user can select the division pattern. The selection operation by is accepted. And the 2nd control part 80 acquires selection information based on a user's selection operation. After step S260 ends, the process proceeds to step S270.

  In step S270, a guidance screen is displayed. Specifically, the second control unit 80 displays a screen for guiding the user to the output unit 5 on the editing operation touch panel 400. Thereby, the editing process ends. Next, detailed processing contents of the left operation screen processing (step S230) will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

<3.3 Left operation screen processing>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of the left operation screen process (step S230 in FIG. 8) in the editing process. In this left operation screen process, first, whether or not the input coordinate value acquired in step S220 in FIG. 8 is due to the operation of one of the left screen touch pens 49L1 and 49L2 (which of the left screen touch pens 49L1 and 49L2 is determined). Whether or not it has been input in step S300). As a result of the determination, if the input is made with the left screen touch pens 49L1, 49L2, the process proceeds to step S310. If the input is not made with the left screen touch pens 49L1, 49L2, the left operation screen processing is terminated. The process then returns to the editing process routine and proceeds to step S258 in FIG.

  In step S310, it is treated that the input operation has been performed on the left operation screen, and the type of the input operation performed on the left operation screen is determined based on the input coordinate value (identification of the input operation). ).

  In step S312, it is determined whether or not the input operation identified in step S310 is an operation of a tool in the pallet. The palettes and tools in this operation screen will be described later. If the result of determination is that the tool is in the palette, the process proceeds to step S314, where editing / image processing corresponding to the tool operation is performed, and then the left operation screen processing is terminated to enter the editing processing routine. Returning to step S258 in FIG. On the other hand, if it is not the operation of the tool in the palette, the process proceeds to step S316.

  In step S316, it is determined whether or not the input operation identified in step S310 is an operation on various operation button groups (shown in FIG. 10 described later) other than the tools in the pallet. As a result of the determination, if it is an operation on various operation button groups, the process proceeds to step S318, a process corresponding to the operation of the operated button is performed, and then the left operation screen process is terminated and the editing process routine is entered. Returning to step S258 in FIG. On the other hand, if the operation is not performed on various operation button groups, the process proceeds to step S320.

  In step S320, it is determined whether or not the input operation identified in step S310 is an operation in a graffiti area described later in the left operation screen. If the result of the determination is that the operation is within the graffiti area, the process proceeds to step S318, where graffiti and editing / image processing corresponding to the operation is performed, and then the left operation screen processing is terminated and the routine returns to the editing processing routine. , The process proceeds to step S258 in FIG. On the other hand, if the operation is not performed in the graffiti area, the input coordinate value does not correspond to any operation on the left operation screen, and the left operation screen processing is terminated as it is to return to the editing processing routine. Proceed to S258.

  The detailed procedure of the left operation screen process described above is the same as the detailed procedure of the right operation screen process, except for the difference between “right” and “left”. Description is omitted.

<4. Screen structure for editing operations>
In the game photo creation device according to the present embodiment, in order to make it easy for the user to use the four touch pens 49L1, 49L2, 49R1, and 49R2, a graffiti target image (an image including a captured image) generated based on the captured image. ) Also has a feature in the operation screen used for editing operations for graffiti and the like. Therefore, hereinafter, a display configuration in the editing operation touch panel 400 that displays the operation screen will be described.

  The left screen touch pens 49L1 and 49L2 used for operations on the editing operation touch panel 400 are arranged as corresponding pointing devices below the left operation screen, and the right screen touch pens 49R1 and 49R2 are arranged below the right operation screen, respectively. Has been.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display example by the main display / operation unit 62 when the graffiti process is performed. The graffiti screen 400 shown in the figure is divided into a left operation screen 400L and a right operation screen 400R, and a virtual image can be displayed by displaying a composite image obtained by combining a photographed image and a graffiti image corresponding thereto. Graffiti areas 401L and 401R that are possible areas, normal palette areas 402L and 402R in which a plurality of editing instructions tools 405L and 405R are displayed, and a pen dedicated palette in which a plurality of tools 406L and 406R indicating pen types are displayed Areas 403L and 403R, first to fourth thumbnail image display areas 431L, 431R to 434L and 434R for selecting a photographed image to be graffitied, and a timer display area 450 indicating the remaining time for which graffiti is possible It is included.

  Here, the editing instruction tools 405L and 405R included in the normal palette areas 402L and 402R display the type of editing operation such as stamps and frames constituting the graffiti image in a selectable manner. Is a tool for performing various graffiti, that is, a tool for instructing various editing operations on the (selected) graffiti target image. Hereinafter, an area occupied by the tool, that is, a selectable area is also expressed as a tool.

  Similarly, the tools 406L and 406R for instructing the pen types included in the pen-dedicated palette areas 403L and 403R are (virtual) pen colors and thicknesses for writing characters and pictures on the graffiti image. The type of editing operation such as the size is displayed in an image example (sample) so as to be selectable.

  Also, in the vicinity of the normal palette areas 402L and 402R, pen buttons 421L and 421R for enabling selection of a virtual graffiti pen type according to the type of graffiti, and a small image serving as a foreground for the user Stamp buttons 422L and 422R for enabling selection of the type of stamp image, frame buttons 423L and 423R for enabling selection of the type of frame image for decorating the vicinity of the captured image, and the background of the user The background buttons 424L and 424R for enabling selection of the type of background image to be displayed are displayed. The user U selects one of these various operation button groups with one of the two touch pens 49L1 and 49L2 that make a pair with respect to the left operation screen 400L (that is, the pen tip on the displayed button image). In the normal pallet areas 402L and 402R, a plurality of corresponding graffiti tools are displayed.

  The tools displayed when the pen buttons 421L and 421R are selected have the same contents as the tools displayed in the pen-dedicated palette areas 403L and 403R, and therefore correspond to the pen buttons 421L and 421R. Although the above tool may be omitted, it is preferable not to omit the tool because a different pen type can be assigned to the two touch pens paired by the user.

  In addition, a plurality of selectable tab areas 420L and 420R are provided in the vicinity of the upper sides of the normal palette areas 402L and 402R, and by selecting any one of them, a plurality of tab areas 420L and 420R associated with the selected tab area are provided. Tools 405L and 405R are displayed. For example, the user U can select a total of 36 stamp images each corresponding to 6 tab areas by selecting any one of the tab areas. Further, the pen dedicated palette areas 403L and 403R are also provided with the same tabs, and the tool can be selected in the same manner. Editing / image processing corresponding to the tool thus selected is performed (steps S312 and S314 in FIG. 9).

  The palette areas such as the normal palette areas 402L and 402R and the pen dedicated palette areas 403L and 403R are areas that collectively display a plurality of tools (or icons corresponding to similar operation commands), and An area in which a part or all of the displayed tools can be replaced so that a part of all the prepared tools is selectively displayed. Accordingly, as long as the display method selectively displays a part of a plurality of tools, for example, a method of displaying a plurality of tools 405L and 405R corresponding to a certain tab in the normal palette areas 402L and 402R as described above. Various known display methods such as a method of displaying a plurality of tools 405L and 405R by scrolling in a predetermined direction can be used.

  Further, in the vicinity of the graffiti areas 401L and 401R, there are an end button 411L and 411R for ending the graffiti, and an all deletion button 412L and 412R for erasing all the graffiti according to the type of operation for the graffiti. , One back button 413L, 413R for canceling (returning) one graffiti operation, eraser buttons 414L, 414R for partially erasing the graffiti image excluding the background image, and partial background image The background eraser buttons 415L and 415R for erasing are displayed.

  The user U can perform a desired operation corresponding to the operated button or the like by performing an operation of selecting one of these various operation button groups with the touch pen (steps S316 and S318 in FIG. 9). ). Furthermore, when the user U selects one of the plurality of tools 405L and 405R in the normal pallet areas 402L and 402R, for example, one stamp image or the kind of graffiti pen, the left operation screen 400L The desired position in the graffiti areas 401L and 401R is selected or desired by either the left screen touch pen 49L1 or 49L2 and the right operation screen 400R by the right screen touch pen 49R1 or 49R2. 9 is drawn, a stamp image is displayed at a selected position in the graffiti areas 401L and 401R, and a line along the desired locus is drawn (step S320 in FIG. 9). S322). As described above, graffiti is performed by the user.

  As described above, the left screen touch pens 49L1 and 49L2 that are paired are controlled so that they cannot be used at the same time (specifically, an instruction by an operation for touching the screen) cannot be used. Similarly, the right screen touch pens 49R1 and 49R2 are controlled so that they cannot be used simultaneously. However, any of the left screen touch pens 49L1, 49L2 and any of the right screen touch pens 49R1, 49R2 can be operated independently. That is, one of the two users U performs a graffiti operation performed by grasping one of the left screen touch pens 49L1 and 49L2, and the other is performed by grasping either the right screen touch pen 49R1 or 49R2. The graffiti operation is performed independently of each other. Therefore, when one user is graffiti using a graffiti pen, the other user is graffiti using a graffiti pen in a different position or using a stamp image. It is possible to do.

  From this, each user uses two touch pens as in this embodiment, unlike each user holding a touch pen (pen-type input device) and performing graffiti. When graffiti is performed, for example, one user performs graffiti by selecting various tools while holding the left screen touch pens 49L1 and 49L2 with respect to the left operation screen 400L (or holding one by one with both hands). Become. In this case, the user may forget which pen is in which pallet of the tool is selected, or erroneous operation may occur due to the mistake of one touch pen with the other.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a display for identifying the tool selected immediately before by the paired left screen touch pens 49L1 and 49L2 or the right screen touch pens 49R1 and 49R2 is attached, and which of the paired touch pens is selected. A display for identifying is also attached. Hereinafter, an example of such identification display will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display example for identifying the selection tool selected in the normal palette area and the pen dedicated palette area. In the normal pallet area 402L in FIG. 11, 15 tools 405L arranged in 3 rows and 5 columns are displayed. Among them, the tool in the first row and the second column is marked with the characters “left pen”. In addition, an emphasis frame 451L composed of a thick solid line frame is provided around the tool. The characters “left pen” function as an identification display for indicating that the tool is selected by the left screen touch pen 49L1 arranged on the left side of the paired left screen touch pens 49L1 and 49L2. The emphasis frame 451L functions as an identification display for indicating that the attached tool is selected immediately before the current time and is currently selected, that is, currently active.

  This identification display mode is merely an example, and any display mode that can be distinguished from other tools, such as reversing the color of the tool, changing the shape, or displaying an animation, may be used. These identification displays may be in a non-display state until the corresponding tab is selected. When a tool in one pallet is selected, the tool with the above identification display in the other pallet is attached. May be displayed (for example, by switching tabs automatically).

  The tool in the third row and the fourth column in the normal pallet area 402L is marked with the characters “right pen”, and a previous selection frame 452L made of a dotted frame is attached around the tool. The character “right pen” functions as an identification display for indicating that the tool has been selected by the left screen touch pen 49L2 arranged on the right side of the paired left screen touch pens 49L1 and 49L2. The selection frame 452L indicates that the attached tool has been selected in the normal palette area 402L at a time point that is one time before the immediately preceding selection time point that is the beginning of the current selection state, that is, the last active time. Function as an identification display. Here, when the tool in the third row and the fourth column is selected again with the left screen touch pen 49L2 from the selection state shown in FIG. 11, the identification display changes as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a display for identifying a selection tool that has changed from the selection state illustrated in FIG. 11. The tool in the third row and the fourth column in the normal pallet area 402L in FIG. 12 is given a character “right pen”, and an emphasis frame 451L composed of a thick solid line frame is attached around the tool. Yes. Here, since the selection operation is not performed by the left screen touch pen 49L1 arranged on the left side, the other identification displays are not changed from the state shown in FIG.

  As described above, in each of the normal palette area 402L and the pen-dedicated palette area 403L, the currently selected or previously selected one is selected by the operation of the left screen touch pens 49L1 and 49L2 for any of the included tools. An identification display indicating whether or not As a result, the user can easily identify the tool that is active in any of the palette areas by the emphasis frame 451L, and also the previous active area in the pallet area that does not include the active tool. Can be easily identified by the previous selection frame 452L. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting or mistaken which tool of which pallet is selected. In addition, the letters “Left Pen” or “Right Pen” are attached to the highlight frame or the previous selection frame to easily identify whether the highlight frame or the previous selection frame corresponds to the left or right touch pen. Can do.

  In the case of a configuration in which only two touch pens are provided for each operation on the left operation screen 400L and the right operation screen 400R, these are identified by attaching the characters “left pen” or “right pen”. do not have to. However, even in this case, since it is necessary to identify whether the active tool is included in either the normal palette area 402L or the pen-dedicated palette area 403L, at least the emphasis frame 451L or an identification corresponding thereto is required. A configuration with a display is preferable. In addition, since it is necessary to identify the tool that was active last time, it is more preferable that at least the previous selection frame 452L or an identification display corresponding thereto be attached.

  Here, such an identification display is a display that can identify which tool is selected (or selected last time) in the normal palette area 402L and the pen dedicated palette area 403L, that is, is selected ( Or the display of the type of editing operation selected last time is sufficient. Therefore, it is not always necessary to add a highlight frame (or previous selection frame) in the vicinity of the selectable area as described above, and for performing the identification display as another area as shown in FIG. The structure which provides an area | region may be sufficient.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display example for identifying a tool selected in each palette area. FIG. 13 shows a selection tool display for displaying a tool selected at the present time or immediately before with the corresponding touch pen in the same image example (sample), corresponding to the above-described highlight frame or the previous selection frame. An example in which the areas 425L1, 425L2, 425R1, and 425R2 are displayed is shown. In these selection tool display areas 425L1, 425L2, 425R1, and 425R2, images showing the currently selected tool or the immediately selected tool in the corresponding palette are shown, and the selection corresponding to the currently active tool is selected. The tool display areas 425L2, 425R1 are further provided with an emphasis frame.

  In this configuration, the selection tool display areas 425L1, 425L2, 425R1, and 425R2 that do not have an emphasis frame need not have the previous selection frame. This is because the above selection tool area without an emphasis frame has an emphasis frame when the corresponding palette is active and means that it is not active at the present time. This is because it can be identified that it was selected last time. In the above configuration, the highlight frame and the previous selection frame attached to the tools in each pallet may be omitted.

  As can be seen from FIG. 13, the selection tool display areas 425L1, 425L2, 425R1, and 425R2 are arranged in the vicinity of the corresponding normal palette areas 402L and 402R and pen dedicated palette areas 403L and 403R. Therefore, the user can intuitively grasp which tool is selected in which pallet or the last selected state from the positional relationship. Of course, these positions may be separated from each other. For example, a configuration may be employed in which the user is made aware of the relevance by adding an explanatory note.

  The selected tool display areas 425L1, 425L2, 425R1, and 425R2 display the tool selected at the present time or immediately before with the corresponding touch pen in the same image example (sample) as the image example showing the tool. As long as the user can grasp the correspondence relationship, for example, it may be a similar image example or a text description.

  Further, in this embodiment, the change from the selection state shown in FIG. 11 to the selection state shown in FIG. 12 does not occur only by selecting a tool as described above, but also the normal palette area 402L and the pen dedicated palette area 403L. The region other than the tool included in these palette regions, for example, the region near the end of the palette, etc., is also generated by touching (selecting) with the left screen touch pens 49L1, 49L2. Has been. With this configuration, the above change occurs only by touching any part of the area other than the tool, such as the vicinity of the end of the pallet, without having to reselect the tool that was active last time. It becomes easier.

  Note that, as shown in FIG. 13, the above-described configuration in which the selection tool display areas 425L1, 425L2, 425R1, and 425R2 are provided also performs the above operation by touching (selecting) the portion with a touch pen in the same manner as described above. It is preferable to be configured to cause a change. Then, the operation becomes easier for the user as well.

<5. Effect>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the pen dedicated palette area 403L is provided in addition to the normal palette area 402L, desired pen settings can be easily selected, and operation input to the normal palette area 402L is possible. Since the pen-dedicated pallet area 403L is not affected even if is performed, it is possible to easily return to the previously selected pen setting.

  In particular, since an identification display indicating whether the touch pen is currently selected or last selected is attached, the user can easily identify the active tool in any of the pallet areas by the identification display. It is possible to prevent the user from forgetting or mistaken which tool of which pallet is selected.

<6. Modification>
<6.1 Main First Modification>
In the above embodiment, there is no particular difference between selecting a tool included in the normal pallet areas 402L and 402R and selecting a tool included in the pen dedicated pallet areas 403L and 403R. However, unlike the above configuration, after selecting a tool included in the pen dedicated pallet areas 403L and 403R (hereinafter, this tool is referred to as a “dedicated tool”), a graffiti drawing with a graffiti pen is performed. When a tool included in the normal palette areas 402L and 402R (hereinafter referred to as “normal tool”) is selected, the selected normal tool cannot be used continuously (once during a series of operations). A control configuration is also conceivable (so that it can only be used).

  That is, when the normal tool is selected, the normal tool transitions from the non-selected state to the selected state, and the dedicated tool that was in the selected state immediately before transitions to the non-selected state. However, in the graffiti areas 401L and 401R, Once an operation that uses a normal tool (for example, an operation to combine a stamp image selected with the normal tool with a captured image) is performed, the normal tool immediately transitions from a selected state to a non-selected state, and a pen-dedicated palette area The dedicated tool that has been selected immediately before in 403L and 403R (has already transitioned to the non-selected state at the time of the operation) transitions from the non-selected state to the selected state. In this way, when the dedicated tool is used once, the selection state automatically changes, so that the dedicated tool corresponding to the graffiti pen that is frequently used is selected again (or touches the vicinity of the end of the pallet). ) No need to operate.

  In addition, after performing an operation of selecting and using a normal tool once (for example, placing a stamp image or a frame image), an image placed in the graffiti areas 401L and 401R can be obtained by using the normal tool. When using a normal tool that is routinely scheduled to write characters and the like using a graffiti pen, re-selecting the dedicated tool can be particularly troublesome for the user. The contents of such a normal tool will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a frame image in which it is routinely planned to use the graffiti pen after being placed in the graffiti area. More specifically, FIG. 14A shows an example of a frame image called a message board, and FIG. 14B shows an example of a frame image called a profile.

  The message board 461L shown in FIG. 14A is displayed in the graffiti area 401L when a corresponding tool in the normal pallet area 402L is selected and an operation of placing in the graffiti area 401L is performed. It is a frame image, and includes a date description area 465L and a character description area 466L. In the date description area 465L, characters representing the current date and time given by the clock function or calendar function inside the apparatus are automatically described. In the character description area 466L, characters, pictures, etc. are freely described by the user. Therefore, since it is certain that the user writes characters using the graffiti pen immediately after composing the message board 461L (to be pasted), it is not necessary to reselect the dedicated tool at that time, The operation can be surely simplified for the user.

  Similarly to the message board 461L, a profile 471L shown in FIG. 14B is a frame image displayed in the graffiti area 401L, and includes an item description area 475L and a character description area 476L. In this item description area 475L, items related to a predetermined profile are described, and the user describes his / her name and birthday in the character description area 476L corresponding to the item. Therefore, since it is certain that the user writes characters using the graffiti pen immediately after (pasting) composition of the profile 471L, there is no need to reselect the dedicated tool at that time. Simplification can be reliably achieved.

  It should be noted that when the normal tool is selected and used once in this way, it is in the selected state so that the user can be surely recognized that the dedicated tool that was previously selected automatically returns to the selected state. It is preferable that the identification display or the like (typically the highlight frame and the previous selection frame) also change automatically in accordance with the change in the selection state.

<6.2 Main Second Modification>
In the above embodiment, the paired touch pens (for example, the left screen touch pens 49L1 and 49L2) are displayed on the corresponding operation screen (for example, the left operation screen 400L) (here, the normal palette area 402L and the pen dedicated palette area 403L). The pair of touch pens are controlled exclusively so that they can be operated only on one of the different palettes displayed on the corresponding operation screen. It may be a configuration.

  For example, the left screen touch pen 49L1 is controlled so as to be operable with respect to the normal palette area 402L but not with respect to the pen dedicated palette area 403L. The configuration may be such that it is not operable with respect to the area 402L but is operable with respect to the pen dedicated palette area 403L. Then, since the correspondence between the two types of palettes and the two touch pens is uniquely fixed (that is, an exclusive relationship that does not interfere with each other), if you look at the emphasis frame attached to the selected tool, The tool selected by the touch pen is immediately discriminated. That is, since the correspondence between the two types of palettes and the two touch pens is uniquely fixed, if the highlight frame attached to the selected tool is identified and displayed, the tool selected by the touch pen is immediately displayed. It will be determined. Therefore, identification of the left pen or the right pen and identification display by the previous selection frame are unnecessary. Therefore, a plurality of touch pens can be more easily used by the user.

<6.3 Main Third Modification>
In the above embodiment, in order to change the tool included in the normal palette area 402L or the tool included in the pen-dedicated palette area 403L from the non-selected state to the selected state, either the pair of left screen touch pens 49L1 and 49L2 is used. It is necessary to perform an operation of selecting the tool or an operation of touching (selecting) an area in the vicinity of the end of the pallet other than the selectable area that is a tool. Instead of the control corresponding to such an operation, or together with such a control, a switch for switching a new active palette may be provided in the pen-type input device of the touch pen.

  For example, one switch may be provided near the tip of the pen-type input device and near the place where the user's finger should be attached, and the active pallet may be alternately switched each time the switch is pressed. Two pallets corresponding to the two pallets may be provided, and when one of the pallets is pressed, the pallet corresponding to the switch is activated and the other is deactivated. In addition, the active pallet may be determined according to the operation of the switch. With such a switch, the user can easily switch the pallet at hand, so that the operation becomes easier.

<6.4 Other Modifications>
In the above-described embodiment, the tool selected at a time point that is one time before the immediately preceding selection time point that is the beginning of the current selection state in the pallet is identified by the previous selection frame 452L. Instead of or together with the selection frame 452L, a tool group corresponding to the tab in the palette switched by each tab (hereinafter simply referred to as “tool group”) is selected at the time closest to the current time in the same play. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a display for identifying the selected tool (ie, the last selected tool) is attached.

  For example, in FIG. 11, among a large number of (predetermined) tool groups included in the normal palette area 402L, 15 tool groups corresponding to the second tab 420L from the left and included in the dedicated palette area 403L ( Among a large number of tool groups (predetermined), nine tool groups corresponding to the third tab from the left are displayed. When these tabs are switched to different tabs, as shown in FIG. The structure to which an identification display is attached | subjected may be sufficient.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an identification display when switching from the state illustrated in FIG. 11 to a different tab. In the normal palette area 402L in FIG. 15, the rightmost tab is selected, the displayed tool in the first row and the first column is marked with “left pen”, and the tool (image thereof). Is shown with a hatched frame 461L. In addition, the tool in the third row and the third column is marked with the characters “right pen”, and the tool (image thereof) is similarly marked with a hatched frame 461L.

  Further, the rightmost tab is also selected in the dedicated palette area 403L. The displayed tool in the first row and the third column is marked with “right pen”, and the third row and the second column. The tool is labeled with “right pen”, and each tool (image) is similarly provided with a hatched frame 462L.

  As described above, the left screen touch pens 49L1 and 49L2 are used to operate one of the tools included in the tool group selected in each tab in the normal palette area 402L and the pen dedicated palette area 403L. An identification display indicating the last selected tool (in the play) of the selected tool group is attached.

  Specifically, the second control unit 80 stores in the memory which tool of the corresponding tool group to be displayed for each tab is selected last (updated for each operation input). . Each time a different tab is selected, the last selected tool corresponding to the selected tab is determined with reference to the stored contents of the memory, and an identification display is displayed when the tool is displayed in the bullet. Control is performed so as to add a hatched line here.

  As a result, the user can easily identify the tool that was previously active (at the nearest time) among the tool group selected in any of the tabs in the pallet area by the hatched lines 461L and 462L. . Further, by attaching the characters “left pen” or “right pen”, it is possible to easily identify which one corresponds to the left or right touch pen. Of course, in a configuration in which each operation screen includes two touch pens, one by one, such character identification is not necessary.

  As described above, when an operation for selecting one of the above-described various operation button groups for switching the graffiti tool is performed, the tools displayed in the normal palette areas 402L and 402R correspond to the buttons. Therefore, the identification display may be performed for each tool group corresponding to the button. In this case, the second control unit 80 stores, in the memory, which tool of the corresponding tool group to be displayed is selected last for each of the various operation buttons and each tab. Control may be performed so that an appropriate identification display is made with reference to the stored content. Here, when the pen-dedicated pallet areas 403L and 403R or other areas are active, if an operation for selecting one of various operation button groups is performed, the normal pallet areas 402L and 402 are switched to become active. Although it is a structure, the structure which does not switch may be sufficient.

  Furthermore, the identification display may be a display for identifying the previously selected tab. In this way, the user can easily select a tab. In this case, when an operation for selecting one of the various operation button groups is performed, the previously selected tab automatically transitions to the selected state, and the corresponding tool group is displayed in the palette. Also good. This configuration is preferable because the user's operation is further simplified. In a general configuration in which a tab does not automatically shift to a selected state, when a user performs an operation of selecting one of the tabs, pen dedicated palette areas 403L and 403R including the tab or a normal palette The regions 402L and 402R become active, and the tool group corresponding to the tab is displayed in the active palette.

  Furthermore, the second control unit 80 not only stores in the memory which tool was selected last (and which tab was selected), but also the selection history of the tools (and tabs) all or a predetermined number of times. You may memorize | store in memory. In this case, for example, an operation button such as a history button is provided and displayed on the operation screen, and each time the user selects the button, the stored history is referred to and one selection history is stored. The configuration may be such that the identification display of the tool or tab is changed so as to go back one by one (or every predetermined number of times), or the selection state is changed.

  The oblique lines 461L and 462L are examples of display modes. Like the highlight frame, the diagonal lines 461L and 462L are displays that can be distinguished from other tools, such as reversing colors, changing shapes, and displaying animations. Any mode may be used. Furthermore, instead of these identification displays, the corresponding tool may automatically transition to a selected state when a corresponding tab is selected.

  In the above embodiment, two operation screens are each provided with one corresponding pallet for the normal pallet areas 402L and 402R and the pen dedicated pallet areas 403L and 403R. Two or more configurations may be provided.

  In the above embodiment, the tool groups included in the normal palette areas 402L and 402R and the pen dedicated palette areas 403L and 403R (when a certain tab is selected) are uniformly (equally equal) as shown in FIG. These tool groups may be further divided into two or more different groups and displayed. For example, it is divided into two groups, each is accompanied by an explanatory note, a partition line is displayed between the two groups, and each tool is placed apart from the distance between the two groups. A configuration in which the user can recognize that the groups are separated can be considered. The number of groups may be 3 or more. If displayed in this way, the user can easily select a desired tool from the displayed tool group.

  In the above-described embodiment, the drawing response is controlled to be high speed by controlling the paired touch pens so that they cannot be used simultaneously. For example, when the processing speed of the apparatus is sufficiently high, the paired touch pens May be controlled so that the four touch pens can be used simultaneously.

  In the above embodiment, the number of touch pens is four, but the number may be larger. Further, in the present embodiment, there are two pairs of touch pens that are controlled so that they cannot be used at the same time. However, the touch pens that are controlled so that they cannot be used at the same time may be configured to form a pair. Further, there may be three or more operation screens operated by the touch pens forming a pair or pair. Further, instead of the touch pen, a known pointing device capable of detecting coordinates simultaneously (for example, a track ball, a cursor key, position determination based on a camera image, etc.) may be used.

3 ... Shooting unit 4 ... Editing unit 5 ... Output unit 6 ... Network (LAN)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Camera 20 ... Touch panel for photography operation 30 ... Touch panel for output operation 35 ... Network printer 31 ... Non-contact communication port (infrared port)
32 ... Speaker 70 ... First control unit 72 ... First display / operation unit (touch panel for photographing operation)
80 ... 2nd control part (GUI control apparatus)
81, 82: Second display / operation unit (touch panel for editing operation)
90 ... third control unit 91 ... third display / operation unit (touch panel for output operation)
92 ... Print output section (network printer)
94 ... Non-contact communication part (infrared port)
400 ... Touch panel for editing operation (GUI display means)
49L1, 49L2 ... Touch pen for left screen 49R1, 49R2 ... Touch pen for right screen 400L ... Left operation screen 400R ... Right operation screen 402L, 402R ... Normal palette area 403L, 403R ... Pen dedicated palette area 405L, 405R, 406L, 406R ... Tool 451L ... Emphasis frame 452L ... Previous selection frame

Claims (8)

Photographing means for photographing a user; GUI means for accepting the user's editing operation on a photographed image obtained by the photographing means; image processing means for generating a composite image based on the editing operation accepted by the GUI means; An automatic photo creation device comprising printing means for printing a composite image generated by the image processing means as a photograph,
The GUI means includes
GUI display means;
GUI control means for displaying an operation screen for the user's editing operation on the GUI display means and receiving an input operation on the operation screen;
An input operation means for the user's editing operation comprising an operation means as a pointing device corresponding to the operation screen,
The GUI control means includes a plurality of palettes including a plurality of selectable areas for an operation corresponding to the type of editing operation performed by the input operation means and capable of replacing at least some of the plurality of selectable areas included Displaying the area on the GUI display means, and causing the GUI display means to display the type of editing operation accepted immediately before in the palette area by the input operation means,
The plurality of palette areas include a dedicated palette area including only a plurality of selectable areas according to the type of line to be drawn according to the trajectory of the input operation means, and a normal palette area different from the dedicated palette area. An automatic photo creation device characterized by that.   The GUI control means is a case where the second selectable area included in the normal pallet area is selected after the first selectable area included in the dedicated pallet area is selected by the input operation means. When the editing operation corresponding to the second selectable area is finished, the second selectable area is changed from the selected state to the non-selected state, and the first selectable area is not selected. The automatic photo creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a transition is made from a state to a selected state.   The second selectable area is an additional image to be combined with the photographed image, and is an area for selecting an additional image type having an area where a character to be drawn by the line can be arranged. The automatic photo creating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the automatic photo creating apparatus is provided.   The GUI control means causes the GUI display means to display the type of editing operation accepted immediately before in the dedicated palette area by the input operation means and the type of editing operation accepted immediately before in the normal palette area. The automatic photograph according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the GUI display means displays on the GUI display means so that the type of editing operation accepted later can be identified. Creation device. The input operation means includes a pen-type input device that can be held by the user and provided with a switch,
The GUI control means causes the GUI display means to display the type of editing operation accepted immediately before in the dedicated palette area by the input operation means and the type of editing operation accepted immediately before in the normal palette area. In addition, according to the operation of the switch by the user, one of the types of editing operations accepted immediately before is transitioned from the selected state to the non-selected state, and the other is transitioned from the non-selected state to the selected state. The automatic photo creating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the automatic photo creating apparatus includes: The GUI control means displays two or more of the operation screens on the GUI display means, and accepts input operations corresponding to different operation screens in parallel.
The input operation means is provided with four or more operation means as two or more pointing devices corresponding to each of the operation screens,
One of the two or more input operation means corresponding to the same operation screen is divided into two, only the selectable area included in the dedicated palette area can be selected, and the other can be selected included in the normal palette area 6. The automatic photo creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only the area can be selected.   The GUI control means accepts only one input operation when detecting simultaneous input operations from two or more input operation means corresponding to the same operation screen among the input operation means. The automatic photo production apparatus according to claim 6. A photographing step for photographing a user, a GUI step for accepting the user's editing operation on a photographed image obtained by the photographing step, and an image processing step for generating a composite image based on the editing operation accepted by the GUI step; A printing step of printing a composite image generated by the image processing step as a photograph,
The GUI step includes:
A GUI control step for displaying an operation screen for the user's editing operation in the GUI display step and receiving an input operation on the operation screen;
An input operation step of accepting an editing operation of the user by an operating means as a pointing device corresponding to the operation screen,
The GUI control means includes a plurality of pallet areas including a plurality of selectable areas for an operation corresponding to a type of editing operation performed by the operation means and capable of replacing at least a part of the plurality of selectable areas included. Are displayed in the GUI display step, and the type of editing operation accepted immediately before in the palette area in the input operation step is displayed in the GUI display step.
The plurality of palette areas include a dedicated palette area including only a plurality of selectable areas according to the type of line to be drawn according to the trajectory of the operation means, and a normal palette area different from the dedicated palette area. An automatic photo creation method characterized by

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