JP3058026U - Camera focus device and video print game device using it - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera autofocus device for photographing a subject placed on a photographing table and a video print play device using the same, wherein a protective glass is provided in front of a camera taking lens. When provided, it is possible to prevent the focal length from being erroneously adjusted to the protective glass, and to correctly focus even when the subject is a three-dimensional object. SOLUTION: When the apparatus enters an operation state, an initial value of a focal length is read from a storage means, and a focus of a photographing lens of a camera 5 is set up at the focal length. As a result, the focal length of the subject 16 placed on the photographing table 4 is adjusted, and erroneous focus adjustment is not performed even if the protective light-transmitting member 15 is dirty or dusty. When the object placed on the imaging table 4 is a three-dimensional object, the three-dimensional object can be focused.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

 The present invention provides a camera focusing device for photographing an arbitrary object placed on a table, and a focusing device provided with the focusing device. The image created by combining the image photographed by the camera with the subject image of the player himself is created. The present invention also relates to a video print game device having a function of recording and outputting on a sticker.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an autofocus device for a camera, a device that receives light transmitted through a photographing lens and performs focus detection of a subject existing in a central region and a subject present in a peripheral region of a photographing screen (for example, See JP-A-4-214514). Also, when shooting the same subject from the same position, to reduce the time required for focusing, even if the power is turned off once, the focus lens can be controlled to be close to the focus position when the power is turned on. (See, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-229846).

When a camera having such an auto-focus function is applied to, for example, a video print game apparatus capable of printing a desired video on a seal and providing the video to a player, the camera is usually provided in front of a photographing lens of the camera. In addition, a light transmitting member for protection (hereinafter referred to as a protective glass) is provided. Therefore, the autofocus function of the camera focuses on the subject image that enters through the protective glass. In addition, as a video print game apparatus, a subject image desired by a player is captured using a camera, and this image is combined with frame image data prepared in advance as a background image to create a composite image, which is then displayed on a CRT. And prints the composite image using a video printer (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3028327).

[0004]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in a camera autofocusing apparatus in which a protective glass is provided in front of a photographing lens as described above, in particular, a camera mounts a subject placed on a photographing table. When shooting from a close position, if the protective glass is dirty or has dust or fingerprints attached, it will focus on this protective glass and cause incorrect focus. If a camera that captures an object placed on such an imaging stand has a fixed focus, the image will be out of focus if the object is a three-dimensional object.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and is an auto-focusing device for a camera for photographing a subject placed on a photographing table, which is provided in front of a photographing lens of the camera. When a protective glass is provided, it is possible to prevent the focal length from being set to the protective glass by mistake, and to automatically focus even when the subject is a three-dimensional object. It is an object of the present invention to provide a focus device and a video print game device using the same.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to a camera focusing device having an autofocus function for photographing a subject placed on a photographing table through a light transmitting member for protection. Storage means for storing an initial value of the focal length preset so that the focal length matches the mounted subject; and reading out the initial value of the focal length from the storage means when the apparatus is in operation. Focusing set-up means for setting up the focus of the camera's taking lens at this focal length; and focal length adjusting means for setting the focus of the taking lens to an arbitrary focal length instead of the setup by the focusing set-up means. It is provided with.

In this configuration, when the apparatus is in the operating state, the focusing setup unit reads out the initial value of the focal length from the storage unit and sets up the focus of the photographing lens of the camera at the focal length. As a result, the focal length of the subject placed on the photographing table is adjusted, and erroneous focus adjustment is not performed even if the protective light-transmitting member is dirty or dusty. In addition, the focal length adjusting means focuses the photographing lens to an arbitrary focal length instead of the setup by the focusing setup means. Therefore, even if the subject placed on the photographing table is a three-dimensional object, the focal length can be correctly focused. Be adjusted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the camera focusing apparatus according to the first aspect, the initial value of the focal length stored in the storage means is set on the photographing table at the time of factory shipment or on the photographing table. This data is obtained by focusing a photographic lens on a planar object placed on top. In this configuration, an initial value for focusing on the imaging stand for each camera is stored in the storage unit.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a camera focusing device according to the first aspect, and a second camera for photographing a subject image of a player himself / herself separate from the camera (first camera). An image synthesizing means for synthesizing at least the subject image photographed by the first camera and the player's own subject image photographed by the second camera to create a composite image; Recording means for recording the synthesized image on a sticker and providing it to the player. In this configuration, the first camera shoots an image of the subject placed on the shooting table with the same focal length, and the second camera shoots the subject image of the player himself, and synthesizes the image. A composite image is created by combining these two subject images by means, and the combined image is recorded on the sticker by the recording means. Here, the player can bring an arbitrary object, for example, a favorite photograph, a printed material, or the like, and obtain a sticker recording a composite image of the image and the subject image of the player himself.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the video print game apparatus according to the third aspect, further comprising storage means for storing frame image data, wherein the player's own subject photographed by the second camera is provided. As the image to be combined with the image, any one of frame image data stored in the storage means or a subject image taken by the first camera can be selected. In this configuration, the player's own subject image captured by the second camera is combined with the frame image data stored in the storage means, or the player's own subject image captured by the second camera is combined. Either the combination with the subject image captured by the first camera can be selected.

[0011]

[Embodiment of the invention]

 Hereinafter, a video print game device provided with a camera focus device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of the video printing apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration of a shooting stand portion of the video printing apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a peripheral configuration of a computer which controls a playing function of the video printing apparatus. Show. The video print play apparatus 1 operates by inserting a coin, and creates a self-portrait by synthesizing a subject image of the player himself and a frame image designated by the player or a photographed image of a desired subject brought by the player. It has a game function to provide a sticker with this printed out to the player, and also a game function to create and register a homepage based on the data including the self-portrait, and to print out this homepage on a sticker. May be.

The video print game device 1 is a camera 2 (corresponding to a second camera in the claims) such as a video camera or a digital camera for shooting a subject image of the player himself, and the camera 2 shoots images. It has a CRT 3 for displaying a subject image and the like on a screen, a photographing table 4 formed by a concave portion 4a provided in an apparatus case, and an autofocus function for photographing a subject placed on the photographing table 4 from above. Camera 5 (corresponding to the first camera in the claims), operation keys 6 for the player to make various selection instructions, and a seal of a printer 13 (recording means) for printing a composite image, which will be described later, on a seal in color. An output port 7 and the like are provided. The apparatus 1 also includes a computer 11 having a CPU or the like for controlling a play function, a storage program such as a hard disk or the like storing a program for control and a plurality of types of frame image data as a background of video. A device 12 (storage means), a coin counter (not shown) for identifying inserted coins, and counting the amount of money are provided. Note that data such as characters and command signals may be input using a touch panel on the CRT 3 instead of the operation keys 6.

The computer 11 combines a subject image of the player photographed by the camera 2 with frame image data designated by the player and input character information, or combines the subject image of the player with the subject image. It has a signal processing function (image synthesizing means) for synthesizing with the subject image photographed by the camera 5, and the player can arbitrarily select which image to synthesize. It has a control function of displaying such a self-portrait on the screen of the CRT 3 and printing the self-portrait on a sticker by the printer 13 in color. The operation keys 6 include a mode key for selecting a mode of a game operation, a key for deciding photographing and printing, a shift key for moving a cursor displayed on the CRT 3, a cancel key, and the like.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the camera 5 is disposed above the photographing table 4, and is mounted on the photographing table 4 through a light transmitting member 15 (referred to as protective glass) for protection. This is equivalent to a proximity camera that photographs the subject 16 from above. Then, an initial value of the focal length set in advance so that the focal length matches the subject 16 placed on the imaging table 4 is stored in the storage device 12 at the factory shipment stage. When the apparatus 1 enters the play operation state, the computer 11 reads out the initial value of the focal length from the storage device 12, and sets up the focus of the photographing lens of the camera 5 to this focal length (focusing setup means). In addition, the camera 5 has a function (focal length adjusting means) for focusing the photographing lens to an arbitrary focal length in response to an instruction from the operation key 6 instead of this setup. The initial value of the focal length stored in the storage device 12 may be obtained by using a data obtained by placing a planar object on the imaging table 4 and focusing the imaging lens on this at the factory shipment stage. .

Next, the operation of the initial value setting of the focal length of the camera 5 and the operation of the image synthesizing process at the factory shipment stage in the video print game apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The initial value of the focal length of the camera 5 is set by connecting a tool called a remote commander to a data input terminal provided on the camera 5. In FIG. 4A, first, a predetermined initial value is set (# 1), and a test focus chart is placed on the imaging table 4 as a planar object (# 2), and the focus is focused on this. Thus, the focal length can be determined by the remote commander (# 3). The computer 11 stores this in the storage device 12 as an initial value of the focal length (# 4, # 5).

Regarding the image synthesizing process, in FIG. 4B, when the apparatus 1 enters a game operation and is in the image synthesizing mode (# 11), the player operates the operation keys 6 to operate the image forming table 4 When the mode in which the subject is photographed by the camera 5 is selected, the power switch of the camera 5 is turned on (# 12), and the computer 11 reads out the initial value of the focal length stored in the storage device 12, and reads the initial value. Is set to the focal length of the photographing lens of the camera 5 (# 13). As a result, the camera 5 is in a state of being focused on the photographing table 4 (bottom portion) without performing a normal focus operation, so that when the subject 16 is a flat object having a small thickness, the focus is on. Will fit. If the subject is a three-dimensional object, the player presses the cancel key (# 14) to change the focal length, and performs a normal automatic focusing operation (# 15). Thereafter, by pressing the enter key, the camera 5 performs a shooting operation (# 16).

The apparatus 1 combines the image of the object placed on the photographing table 4 photographed by the camera 5 as described above with the image of the player himself photographed by the camera 2. Such a situation is shown in FIG. In the figure, the video taken by the camera 2 is referred to as a second camera in the claims, and is displayed as a camera (2) video, and the video taken by the camera 5 is referred to as the first camera in the claim. Since it is a camera, it is displayed as camera (1) video. Here, an example is shown in which the subject placed on the photographing table 4 is a photograph or printed matter of a building desired by the player. Such a composite video is displayed on the CRT 3 and a print sticker can be obtained by printing the composite video. As an image to be synthesized with the player's own image, frame image data stored in the storage device 12 of the device 1 is selected instead of the image captured by the camera 5 (camera (1) image). You may.

As described above, according to the device 1 of the present embodiment, when the power switch of the camera 5 is turned on (corresponding to the time when the device in the claims is turned on), the initial focal length is set. The value is read out and the focus of the photographic lens of the camera 5 is set up at this focal length. Therefore, even if the subject 16 placed on the photographic table 4 is in focus and the protective glass 15 is dirty or dirt, Focus adjustment is prevented. In addition, instead of this set-up operation, it is possible to focus the photographing lens to an arbitrary focal length, so that even if the subject 16 placed on the photographing table 4 is a three-dimensional object, correct focus adjustment can be performed. It can be carried out.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the subject image photographed by the camera 5 or the frame image data designated by the player is combined as the image to be combined with the player's own subject image captured by the camera 2. However, it may be possible to combine the subject image photographed by the camera 5 and the frame image data designated by the player. By being able to arbitrarily select such a combination of images to be combined, a variety of combinations can be increased, and the combination can be adapted to various customer preferences.

[0020]

[Effect of the invention]

 As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, even if there is a light-transmitting member for protection in front of the taking lens and the dirt and dust are attached to the taking lens, the focusing set-up means can be used on the taking table. The focal length of the subject placed on the camera is adjusted so that incorrect focus adjustment is not performed. Also, instead of the setup by the focusing setup means, the photographing lens can be focused to an arbitrary focal length by the focal length adjusting means, so that even if the subject placed on the photographing table is a three-dimensional object. , Focus correctly.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, since the initial value of the focal length for focusing on the imaging table for each camera is stored in the storage means, the camera is placed on the imaging table. It is possible to correctly focus on a planar object.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the first camera focuses on the object placed on the photographing table and shoots the subject image, and the second camera uses the player's own image. Is photographed, and a composite image of these two subject images is recorded on a sticker. Therefore, the player can bring his or her favorite subject such as a photograph or printed matter, and obtain a seal of a composite image of the image and the subject's own subject image.

According to the invention of claim 4, an image synthesized with the player's own subject image photographed by the second camera is brought by the frame image data prepared in advance or by the player. Any one of the subject images photographed by the first camera can be selected, and a variety of synthesized image stickers can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a video print game apparatus provided with a camera focus device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a photographing table portion of the video print game apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a peripheral configuration diagram of a computer that controls a game function of the video print game apparatus.

4A is a flowchart illustrating an operation of setting an initial value of a focal length of a camera 5, and FIG. 4B is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an image combining process.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a video of a subject placed on a shooting table captured by a camera 5 and a video of a player himself captured by a camera 2 are combined.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 video print game apparatus 2 camera (second camera) 4 shooting stand 5 camera (first camera) 6 operation keys 11 computer (image combining means, focusing setup means, focal length adjustment means) 12 storage device (storage means) 13) Printer (recording means) 15 Light transmissive member 16 Subject

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 5/765 H04N 5/781 510C 5/781

Claims (4)

[Utility model registration claims] 1. A focusing device for a camera having an auto-focus function for photographing a subject placed on a photographing table through a light transmitting member for protection, wherein the focal length of the subject placed on the photographing table is adjusted. Storage means for storing an initial value of a focal length set in advance so as to match; when the apparatus is in operation, an initial value of the focal length is read from the storage means, and the focal length A focus set-up means for setting up a focus; and a focal length adjusting means for setting the focus of the taking lens to an arbitrary focal length instead of the set-up by the focus set-up means. apparatus. 2. An initial value of a focal length stored in said storage means is obtained by focusing a photographing lens on a photographing table or a planar object placed on the photographing table at a factory shipment stage. 2. The camera focusing device according to claim 1, wherein the data is obtained data. 3. A focusing device for a camera according to claim 1, a second camera for photographing a subject image of a player himself / herself separate from the camera (first camera), and at least a first camera. Image synthesizing means for synthesizing the photographed subject image and the player's own subject image photographed by the second camera to create a synthesized image; and recording the image synthesized by the image synthesizing means on a sticker. And a recording means for providing to a player. 4. A storage means for storing frame image data, wherein the frame image data stored in the storage means is provided as an image to be combined with a subject image of the player himself taken by the second camera; 4. The video print game apparatus according to claim 3, wherein any one of the subject images photographed by the first camera can be selected.