JP2011223300A - Automatic photograph creation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow users to easily use multiple input means (e.g. a touch pen) that are provided for different operational screens.SOLUTION: This automatic photo creation device has a touch panel 400 on which to perform edit operations such as scribbling on a taken picture. On the display screen, selected tool display areas 425L1, 425L2, 425R1 and 425R2 indicating currently selected tools or the previous tools that were selected are displayed each at a position near where the corresponding one of four touch pens 49L1, 49L2, 49R1 and 49R2 is located. The user can thus intuitively identify the tools selected for the respective touch pens from the positional relationship and easily use the touch pens.

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.

  Here, unlike a general two-player game photo creation device, for example, a total of four operation means such as two touch pens may be provided for each person. If it does so, it will become possible to use the stamp image and frame image which were selected once, and to draw a character and a picture, without re-selecting a menu only by changing a touch pen, for example.

  In addition, according to the above configuration, of the two operation screens that are generally controlled exclusively, the two touch pens corresponding to one operation screen are held by two persons one by one, and the operation screen is Thus, each person can select a stamp image or a frame image, and can perform an operation such as drawing a character or a picture.

JP 2007-67565 A

  However, if two or more operating means are used by one person, an operation error may occur due to the misunderstanding of one operating means with the other operating means, and after using one operating means, which operating means The user may forget whether such a menu is supported (for example, which stamp image was selected). Therefore, it may be difficult for the user to use.

  Also, if operation inputs from a large number of input means are received and the corresponding processing and display are performed simultaneously, depending on the processing speed of the device, the response to the operation of each input means will be delayed, resulting in difficulty in use for the user. May be.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic photo creation apparatus that makes it easy for a user to use a plurality of input means provided corresponding to each operation screen.

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 two or more operation screens for the user's editing operation on the GUI display means and receiving input operations corresponding to different operation screens in parallel;
Four or more input operation means for the editing operation of the user, comprising operation means as two or more pointing devices corresponding to each of the operation screens,
The GUI control means causes the GUI display means to display the type of editing operation accepted immediately before by the input operation means.

According to a second invention, in the first invention,
The GUI control means is a display area associated with the input operation means and arranged at a predetermined position, and four or more selections for displaying the type of editing operation accepted immediately before A display area is displayed on the GUI display means.

According to a third invention, in the second invention,
The input operation means are arranged in order in a predetermined direction,
The GUI control means arranges the selection display areas in the order, and causes the GUI display means to display the selection display areas.

According to a fourth invention, in the third invention,
The GUI display means has a rectangular display screen,
The input operation means is provided in the vicinity of the display screen,
The GUI control means displays the selection display area at a predetermined position in the display screen and in the vicinity of the corresponding input operation means.

A fifth invention is the fourth invention,
The GUI display means is provided in a predetermined housing,
The input operation means includes
One end connected to a predetermined position of the housing, or a cable drawn from the predetermined position;
A pen-type input device provided at the other end of the cable,
The GUI control means displays the selection display area at the position near one end of the cable included in the corresponding input operation means.

A sixth invention is any one of the first to fifth inventions,
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. .

A seventh invention is the sixth invention, wherein
The GUI control unit accepts only an input operation having the longest period detected until the present time among the simultaneous input operations.

The eighth invention is the sixth or seventh invention, wherein
The GUI control means issues a warning when detecting the simultaneous input operations.

According to a ninth invention, in the first invention,
The GUI control means includes a GUI display means that includes a plurality of selectable areas corresponding to the type of editing operation performed by the input operation means, and a palette area in which at least a part of the plurality of selectable areas included can be changed. And the editing operation for the corresponding palette area by the input operation means corresponding to the palette area is accepted, and the editing operation for the palette area that does not correspond is not accepted.

A tenth invention is the ninth invention,
The GUI display means has a rectangular display screen,
The input operation means is provided in the vicinity of the display screen,
The GUI control means displays the pallet area at a predetermined position in the display screen and in the vicinity of the corresponding input operation means.

An eleventh aspect of the invention is to generate a composite image based on 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 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:
GUI display step;
A GUI control step for displaying two or more operation screens for the user's editing operation in the GUI display step and receiving input operations corresponding to different operation screens in parallel;
An input operation step by four or more input operation means for the user's editing operation, comprising operation means as two or more pointing devices corresponding to each of the operation screens,
In the GUI control step, the type of editing operation accepted immediately before in the input operation step is displayed in the GUI display step.

  According to the first aspect, the type of editing operation accepted immediately before by each of the four or more input operation means including the operation means as two or more pointing devices corresponding to each of the operation screens is the GUI display means. Therefore, typically, the type of editing operation selected by operating means such as two or more touch pens used by the user himself / herself can be grasped without error by the above display. As a result, the user can easily use two or more operation means.

  In addition, since two or more operation means are provided for each operation screen, for example, once selected stamp images and frame images can be used again, characters, A picture can be drawn, and two or more operation means can be used by two or more users.

  According to the second invention, the display area is associated with the input operation means and is arranged at a predetermined position. The display area includes four or more types for displaying the type of editing operation accepted immediately before. Since the selection display area is displayed, the user can immediately grasp the type of editing operation selected by each input operation means simply by looking at these selection display areas displayed at fixed positions. As a result, the user can easily use two or more input operation means.

  According to the third aspect, since the selection display area is arranged in order according to the arrangement of the input operation means, the user can perform the editing operation selected by each input operation means from the arrangement order of the selection display area. Can intuitively grasp the type of As a result, the user can easily use two or more input operation means.

  According to the fourth aspect, since the selection display area is displayed at a predetermined position in the display screen and in the vicinity of the corresponding input operation means, the user can select by the input operation means from the positional relationship. The type of editing operation being performed can be grasped intuitively.

  According to the fifth aspect, since the selection display area is displayed at a position near one end of the cable included in the corresponding input operation means, the user can select the type of editing operation selected by each input operation means. Can be grasped more intuitively.

  According to the sixth aspect, when the GUI control unit detects simultaneous input operations from two or more input operation units corresponding to the same operation screen, only one input operation is accepted. The processing load can be reduced, and 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 seventh aspect of the invention, since only the input operation having the longest period detected until the present time is accepted, the input operation detected earlier is continuously accepted effectively, and the subsequent input operation is Not accepted. As a result, priority can be given to the input operation detected earlier, and the processing load of the apparatus can be reduced. For example, the drawing response can be kept at high speed.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, when simultaneous input operations are detected, a warning is given, so that the user can immediately know that the input operation means to be used cannot be used (that is, is not active). it can.

  According to the ninth invention, only the editing operation by the input operation means is accepted for the corresponding pallet area, and the editing operation for the non-corresponding pallet area is not accepted. Therefore, the correspondence relationship between the pallet area and the input operation means is The type of editing operation selected by the input operation means is immediately determined by, for example, looking at a display (highlighted frame or the like) that identifies the type of editing operation selected in the palette area. Since the determination is made, the user can easily use two or more input operation means.

  According to the tenth aspect, since the palette area is displayed in the vicinity of the corresponding input operation means, the user can intuitively determine the type of editing operation selected by the input operation means. .

  According to the eleventh aspect, the same effect as that of the first aspect of the device 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.

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.

  The four touch pens 49L1, 49L2, 49R1, and 49R2 are specifically a pen-type input device for contacting the display screen, and a cable for connecting the pen-type input device to the casing in the graffiti booth. Become. This cable is drawn into the housing from an opening provided below the editing operation touch panel 400, and the attachment position of this cable and the display screen of the editing operation touch panel 400 have a characteristic positional relationship. Details will be described later. In addition, the said cable should just function as a line which connects a pen-type input device and the said position, For example, a wire for anti-theft etc. may be sufficient.

  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 graffiti, that is, a tool for instructing editing on a (selected) graffiti target image.

  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 buttons with one of the two touch pens 49L1 and 49L2 that are paired with the left operation screen (that is, the pen tip is brought into contact with the displayed button image). By performing the operation, a plurality of graffiti tools of a corresponding type are displayed in the normal palette areas 402L and 402R.

  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 where a part or all of the displayed tools can be changed 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 button groups with the touch pen (steps S316 and S318 in FIG. 9). Further, when the user U selects any one of the plurality of tools 405L and 405R in the normal pallet areas 402L and 402R, for example, one stamp image or graffiti pen type, the left operation screen is displayed. Is a left screen touch pen 49L1, 49L2, and for the right operation screen, a right screen touch pen 49R1, 49R2 is used to select a desired position in the graffiti area 401L, 401R, or a desired pen 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 (steps S320 and S322 in FIG. 9). . 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, unlike when each user holds a pen and graffiti one by one, when each user performs graffiti using two pens as in this embodiment, for example, When the user selects and draws various tools while holding the left screen touch pens 49L1 and 49L2 (or holding them one by one with both hands) on the left operation screen, which pen selects which tool The user may have forgotten or the user forgets it, or an erroneous operation may occur due to the mistake of one touch pen with the other.

  The problem with the provision of such a plurality of touch pens is that the above-mentioned advantage, that is, the stamp image that has been selected once, only by changing the touch pen (or by using both hands), without selecting the menu again. The advantage of being able to use frame images again, drawing characters and pictures, and having two pairs of touch pens that correspond to one of the operation screens. Even if there is an advantage that an operation such as selecting a stamp image or a frame image and drawing a character or a picture can be performed, it is highly desirable to be eliminated.

  Therefore, paying attention to the cable for connecting the pen-type input device constituting the four touch pens 49L1, 49L2, 49R1, and 49R2 to the casing in the graffiti booth, the position in the display screen near the attachment position of the cable is Selection tool display areas 425L1, 425L2, 425R1, and 425R2 for displaying the tool selected at present or immediately before with the corresponding touch pen in the same image example (sample) are displayed.

  As can be seen from FIG. 10, each of the selection tool display areas 425L1, 425L2, 425R1, and 425R2 is attached to any one of the corresponding four touch pens 49L1, 49L2, 49R1, and 49R2 indicated by dotted lines. It is arranged in the vicinity immediately above. Therefore, the user can intuitively understand which touch pen is in what state the tool is selected from the positional relationship.

  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 display example such as a similar image example or a text description.

<5. Effect>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the selection tool display areas 425L1, 425L2, 425R1, and 425R2 indicating the tool that is selected immediately before or immediately before are respectively located in the vicinity of the corresponding four touch pens 49L1, 49L2, 49R1, and 49R2. Since it is displayed on the display screen of the shooting operation touch panel 20 so as to be arranged, the user can intuitively grasp the tool selected by each touch pen from the positional relationship. Moreover, since control is performed such that, among the four touch pens, a pair of touch pens cannot be used at the same time, the drawing response can be maintained at high speed. From these things, since the said problem by providing a several touch pen is eliminated and the said advantage can be maintained, it can make it easy to use a several touch pen for a user.

<6. Modification>
In the above-described embodiment, the selection tool display areas 425L1, 425L2, 425R1, and 425R2 are arranged in the vicinity of the corresponding four touch pens 49L1, 49L2, 49R1, and 49R2, respectively. Therefore, for example, the selection tool display areas 425L1, 425L2, 425R1, and 425R2 may be arranged in the display screen in the same arrangement (typically the same arrangement direction) as the arrangement of the touch pens. For example, even if the selection tool display areas 425L1 and 425L2 are arranged side by side above the left operation screen 400L, if the selection tool display area 425L1 is arranged on the left side and the selection tool display area 425L2 is arranged on the right side, the above correspondence relationship Can be intuitively grasped.

  In the above embodiment, the selection tool display areas 425L1, 425L2, 425R1, and 425R2 are provided. Even if this is omitted, control is performed so that the paired touch pens cannot be used at the same time. it can. On the other hand, even when the paired touch pens are not controlled so that they cannot be used simultaneously (that is, when the four touch pens are controlled so that they can be used simultaneously), the selection tool display areas 425L1, 425L2, 425R1, and 425R2 are displayed. By providing, at least the effect that the tool selected by each touch pen can be grasped can be obtained. There is no particular problem if the processing of the apparatus is sufficiently fast.

  Here, when the selection tool display areas 425L1, 425L2, 425R1, and 425R2 are omitted, at least some display for identifying the tool selected at the present time or immediately before by the touch pen is used. It is suitable for ease of use for a person. For example, by performing an identification display in which an emphasis frame (for example, a frame with a character “left pen” attached) with a different color or shape on each touch pen is attached to a tool selected with the corresponding touch pen, A plurality of touch pens can be easily used by the user.

  In the above embodiment, the paired touch pens (for example, the left screen touch pens 49L1 and 49L2) are palettes (for example, the normal palette area 402L and the pen dedicated palette area 403L) displayed on the corresponding operation screen (for example, the left operation screen 400L). However, the paired touch pens may be configured to be operable only on one of the different palettes displayed on the corresponding operation screen. 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. It may be configured to be controlled so that it can be operated with respect to the pen-dedicated pallet area 403L, not the area 402L. Then, since the correspondence relationship between the palette and the touch pen is fixed, for example, if the highlight frame as an identification display attached to the selected tool is seen, the tool selected by the touch pen is immediately determined. A plurality of touch pens can be easily used by the user.

  Further, the normal pallet area 402L is arranged to be displayed near the (cable attachment position) of the left screen touch pen 49L1, and the pen dedicated pallet area 403L is displayed near the (cable attachment position) of the left screen touch pen 49L2. Therefore, the user can intuitively determine the tool selected by the touch pen from the positional relationship.

  In the above embodiment, the number of touch pens is four, but the number may be larger. Further, there are two pairs of touch pens that are controlled so that they cannot be used at the same time, but a configuration may be adopted in which three or more touch pens that are controlled so that they cannot be used at the same time are combined. Further, there may be three or more operation screens operated by the touch pens forming a pair or pair. Moreover, it may replace with the said touch pen and the well-known pointing device which can detect a coordinate simultaneously may be sufficient.

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 425L1, 425L2, 425R1, 425R2 ... Selection tool display area

Claims (11)

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 two or more operation screens for the user's editing operation on the GUI display means and receiving input operations corresponding to different operation screens in parallel;
Four or more input operation means for the editing operation of the user, comprising operation means as two or more pointing devices corresponding to each of the operation screens,
The automatic photo creation apparatus, wherein the GUI control means causes the GUI display means to display the type of editing operation accepted immediately before by the input operation means.   The GUI control means is a display area associated with the input operation means and arranged at a predetermined position, and four or more selections for displaying the type of editing operation accepted immediately before 2. The automatic photo creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a display area is displayed on the GUI display means. The input operation means are arranged in order in a predetermined direction,
3. The automatic photo creation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the GUI control unit arranges the selection display areas in the order and causes the GUI display unit to display the selection display areas. The GUI display means has a rectangular display screen,
The input operation means is provided in the vicinity of the display screen,
4. The automatic photo creation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the GUI control unit displays the selection display area at a predetermined position in the display screen and in a vicinity of a corresponding input operation unit. . The GUI display means is provided in a predetermined housing,
The input operation means includes
One end connected to a predetermined position of the housing, or a cable drawn from the predetermined position;
A pen-type input device provided at the other end of the cable,
5. The automatic photo creation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the GUI control unit displays the selection display area at the position near one end of the cable included in the corresponding input operation unit.   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 any one of claims 1 to 5.   The automatic photo creation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the GUI control unit accepts only an input operation having the longest time period detected until the present time among the simultaneous input operations.   8. The automatic photo creation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the GUI control unit issues a warning when the simultaneous input operation is detected.   The GUI control means includes a GUI display means that includes a plurality of selectable areas corresponding to the type of editing operation performed by the input operation means, and a palette area in which at least a part of the plurality of selectable areas included can be changed. The automatic photograph according to claim 1, wherein an editing operation for the corresponding pallet area by the input operation means corresponding to the pallet area is accepted, and an editing operation for the pallet area not corresponding to the pallet area is not accepted. Creation device. The GUI display means has a rectangular display screen,
The input operation means is provided in the vicinity of the display screen,
10. The automatic photo creation apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the GUI control unit displays the pallet area at a predetermined position in the display screen and in the vicinity of the corresponding input operation unit. 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:
GUI display step;
A GUI control step for displaying two or more operation screens for the user's editing operation in the GUI display step and receiving input operations corresponding to different operation screens in parallel;
An input operation step by four or more input operation means for the user's editing operation, comprising operation means as two or more pointing devices corresponding to each of the operation screens,
In the GUI control step, the type of editing operation accepted immediately before in the input operation step is displayed in the GUI display step.

Images