JP3401524B2 - Photo vending machine - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photo vending machine installed in a game center or the like, which photographs a user by inserting coins or the like, prints the photographed image, and sells the photographed image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a lot of photo vending machines for taking photographs and making sticker prints have been installed in game centers and the like. As such a photo vending machine, a photo vending machine as shown in FIG. 9 is generally used. This is a case 1 in which various devices are provided inside and on the front.
And a pillar 3 projecting from above and below the casing 1 to reach the back of the subject 2.

A curtain 5 serving as a background for photographing is hung on the tip portions of the support columns 3 and the case 1,
A space surrounded by the pillars 3 and the curtain 5 forms a booth for photographing the subject 2. Two lights 4 that illuminate the subject 2 in the shooting booth are attached to the upper column 3.

A camera 6 for photographing the subject 2 is provided inside the casing 1. A transparent plate 10 is fitted on the surface of the housing 1 located on the subject 2 side of the camera 6. Further, inside the casing 1, a computer device 7 is provided which receives image data from the camera 6 and performs processing such as image combination. Further, on the subject 2 side of the casing 1, a display 8 is provided for receiving an image signal such as a composite image transmitted from the computer device 7 and displaying the image.

Further, inside the casing 1, there is provided a printer 9 which receives the image data transmitted from the computer device 7 and prints the image on the print medium 15. The print medium 15 printed by the printer 9 is sent out from a delivery port 19 formed on the right side surface of the housing 1.

Further, an operation panel is provided on the front surface of the housing 1, and a controller 11 is provided on the operation panel. The controller 11 is a touch pen 12
The user 2 can touch the tip of the touch pen 12 with the surface of the display 8 to draw and input characters and figures, and input image data and stamps of characters and figures that have been input by handwriting. The image and the like are combined with the captured image of the subject 2 captured by the camera 6, displayed on the display 8, and printed on the print medium 15.

[0007]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the above photo vending machine,
After shooting in the shooting booth, handwritten images are also input. Moreover, the photographic prints discharged from the printer 9 are also sent into the shooting booth. For this reason, once the user 2 enters the shooting booth, the user takes a picture, inputs a handwritten image, and occupies the shooting booth until printing is completed. Therefore, the next user 2 cannot start photographing until the previous user 2 picks up the sent photographic print until he is out of the place, and the customer is annoyed by waiting unnecessarily. Hugging,
For stores, there was a problem that the customer turnover rate deteriorated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a photographic vending machine capable of improving the turnover ratio of customers.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a photographic vending machine of the present invention is a photographic vending machine for photographing a subject including a user and selling the photograph, and a photographing means for photographing the subject. A first housing having a first display unit, a display unit for displaying an image captured by the image capturing unit, and a second image input unit for a user to input a second image to be combined with the captured image. The gist is that it is provided with two housings, and a photo output unit that prints a composite image on a print medium and outputs the photo print is provided.

That is, the photo vending machine of the present invention has a first housing having a photographing means for photographing a subject, a display means for displaying an image photographed by the photographing means, and a user synthesizing the photographed image. A second housing having a second image input means for inputting a second image to be displayed. Photograph output means for printing the composite image on a print medium and outputting it as a photo print is provided. Therefore, the first shooting
It can be performed in the housing, and the input of the second image can be performed in the second housing. In this way, since the shooting and the input of the second image are performed in different places, the customer does not feel uncomfortable due to unnecessary waiting, and the turnover rate of the customer is significantly improved for the store.

In the photographic vending machine of the present invention, when a photographic print delivery port is provided in a portion of the second casing other than a portion facing the user who inputs the second image, The user who has finished inputting the image can wait for the finish of the photographic print at a position different from the input position of the second image. Therefore, the customer does not feel annoyed by waiting unnecessarily, and the turnover rate of the customer is significantly improved for the store.

In the photo vending machine of the present invention, when the first booth in which the subject at the time of photographing exists is provided in the first casing, or when the user who has finished photographing takes the second image in the second casing. When the second booth for input operation is provided, the user who has finished photographing in front of the first casing can move to the front of the second casing smoothly and input the second image. It Further, even if different customers simultaneously shoot and input the second image, it is difficult for the adjacent customer to be concerned. Therefore, there is less confusion due to moving the place, the customer does not feel irritated, and the turnover rate of the customer is improved for the store.

In the photo vending machine of the present invention, when the first casing and the second casing are formed in an integral casing, there is little confusion caused by moving the place, and the customer is irritated. The feeling is not felt, and the customer turnover rate is improved for the store.

In the case where the photo vending machine of the present invention is constructed so that the photographing by the photographing means of the first casing and the input of the second image by the second image inputting means of the second casing can be performed at the same time. In addition, when the second image is input to the captured image captured by the capturing means, the next user can capture the image, so that the customer does not feel irritated and the turnover rate of the customer for the store. Is improved.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

1 and 2 are views showing an embodiment of a photo vending machine according to the present invention. This photo vending machine has a first housing 1a provided with various devices inside and on the front,
Similarly, the second housing 1b is provided with various devices inside, on the front and on the side. Hereinafter, the side facing the subject 2 is the “front surface” of each of the housings 1a and 1b, the opposite side is the “rear surface”, and the side surface on the right side of the subject 2 is each of the housings 1a and 1b.
"Right side" and the opposite side is called "left side".

A box-shaped frame 3 is assembled on the front surfaces of the first and second casings 1a and 1b so as to surround the back of the subject 2 (a part thereof is shown by a chain line in FIG. 1). Case 1
a The area surrounded by the frame 3 in front is the first area where the subject 2 enters
The booth 14a is formed, and the portion surrounded by the frame 3 in front of the second housing 1b forms the second booth 14b in which the subject 2 enters.

The first case 1a and the second case 1b are provided adjacent to each other, and the first booth 14a and the second case 1b are provided.
The booth 14b is also provided adjacently. A curtain 5 (not shown in FIG. 1) is hung on the upper frame of each of the frames 3, and the first booth 14a and the second booth 14b are surrounded by the curtain 5 and are independent to some extent. It is designed to form a space.

A camera 6 for photographing the subject 2 is provided inside the first casing 1a. The first housing 1a
On the surface of the camera 6 located on the object 2 side, the transparent plate 10
Is fitted. Further, a light 4 for illuminating the subject 2 being photographed is provided above the first housing 1a.

Further, on the object 2 side of the first casing 1a, there is provided a first display 8a for receiving and displaying an image signal taken by the camera 6. First above
A CRT device or the like is used as the display 8a,
The photographed image is displayed so that it can be easily seen by the user 2 during photographing, and it is easy to confirm the preview.

Further, on the front surface of the first casing 1a, there is provided a shutter button 13 for fixing a picked-up image picked up by the camera 6 at a predetermined timing to obtain a picked-up image as a still image. . Further, a cancel button 20 is provided on the front surface of the first housing 1a for re-shooting when a photographed image fixed as a still image by the operation of the shutter button 13 is disliked. Further, on the front surface of the first housing 1a, a coin insertion slot 18 for inserting a coin as a consideration is provided.

Further, the coin slot 1 inside the first casing 1a
A coin detector 17 (see FIG. 3) that detects the inserted coin and transmits a detection signal to the computer device 7 described later is provided at a position adjacent to 8. Further, a speaker (not shown) for receiving and outputting a sound signal from the computer device 7 is provided at an appropriate position on the front surface of the housing 1.

On the other hand, inside the second casing 1b, there is provided a computer device 7 which receives image data from the camera 6 and performs processes such as fixing images and combining images. Further, on the front surface of the second housing 1b, there is provided a second display 8b for displaying a captured image or the like fixed at a predetermined shutter timing. A liquid crystal tablet or the like is used as the second display 8b, and as described later, it is possible to input data while displaying images and information.

Further, an operation panel is provided on the front surface of the second casing 1b, and the controller 11 is provided on the operation panel.
(See FIG. 3) are provided. The controller 11
Includes a touch pen 12, and the user 2 taps (slightly taps) the surface of the second display 8b with the touch pen 12 according to the operation instruction displayed on the second display 8b. It is sent to the device 7 and various operations such as selection of a sheet layout are performed.

Further, the touch pen 12 is designed so that the tip of the touch pen 12 can be brought into contact with the surface of the second display 8b to draw and input characters and figures. The stamp image and the like are displayed on the second display 8b after being combined with the captured image of the subject 2 fixed by the camera 6.

Further, inside the second casing 1b, the image data transmitted from the computer device 7 is received,
A printer 9 for printing this image on the print medium 15 is provided. Print medium 15 printed by this printer 9
Is sent out from a delivery port 19 formed on the left side surface of the second housing 1b.

In this example, the image viewed by the user 2 from the first display 8a is a captured image of the subject 2, and the image viewed from the second display 8b and the image printed by the printer 9 are captured images of the subject 2. And touch pen 1
2 is a composite of the handwritten input image and the like according to 2.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 16 is a communication portion for passing electrical wiring between the first housing 1a and the second housing 1b.

Next, the system configuration of the computer device 7 will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 3, the computer device 7 uses the touch pen 12 to input various operation signals input to the input section 35 of the second display 8b to the controller 1.
The control means 31 is provided for performing various controls according to the received operation signal. The control means 31
Upon receiving the detection signal from the coin detecting unit 17, the control of the photographing is started.

The second display 8b is provided with an input section 35 for inputting handwritten images and operation signals by the touch pen 12, and a display section 36 for displaying images and the like. The handwritten image or the like input by the touch pen 12 is stored in the pen image storage unit 32, and the data of the stored handwritten image or the like is sent to the image synthesizing unit 30 described later. The operation signal input by the touch pen 12 is sent to the control means 31 via the controller 11,
Various controls are performed.

The computer device 7 is provided with a timer 26 for measuring the inputable time of a pen-input image by the touch pen 12. The timer 26 starts the measurement almost at the same time as displaying the instruction message for starting the handwritten image by the control means 31 on the second display 8b. When the time measured by the timer 26 reaches a preset possible input time (for example, 90 seconds), input of a handwritten image or the like is stopped and the next operation is started.

A fixed image storage section 38 is provided in the computer device 7 so that the user can operate the shutter button 13 to fix the captured image as a still image at a desired shutter timing. Then, the captured image as a still image fixed in the fixed image storage unit 38 is displayed on the first display 8a.

Further, the computer device 7 is provided with a counter 25 for counting the number of times of photographing with the camera 6 by the shutter operation of the shutter button 13. The counter 25 is reset by the first coin detection by the coin detection unit 17 and starts counting.
Until the count of the counter 25 reaches a preset number of times (e.g. 4 times) that can be photographed in advance, photographing is repeated at a constant time interval to obtain a plurality of photographed images (still images).

The photographed image (still image) is displayed on the first display 8a so that the user 2 can confirm the preview. Then, on the first display 8a, a screen prompting the user to select whether or not he wants to retake the still image for which the preview has been confirmed is displayed.
When the user 2 desires to take another image, the cancel operation is performed by using the cancel button 20 and the shutter operation is performed again.

Further, the computer device 7 is provided with an image synthesizing means 30, and the still image fixed in the fixed image storage section 38 is inputted to the input section 35 of the second display 8b by the touch pen 12 to obtain a pen image. Handwritten images such as characters and figures stored in the storage unit 32 are combined. The composite image combined by the image combining means 30 is displayed on the display unit 36 of the second display 8b.

Further, the computer device 7 is provided with a transmitting / receiving means 39. The transmitting / receiving means 39 is
For example, it is connected to a communication line (NET) such as the Internet, and shot images, composite images, questionnaire responses, etc. are output to the outside via the communication line, stored in an external server, or output to a terminal device or the like for display. It can be printed and printed.

Further, the computer device 7 includes a print control section 34 for controlling printing by the printer 9. The print control unit 34 controls to print the composite image on the print medium 15 according to a predetermined sheet layout.
Here, in the display unit 36 of the second display 8b,
A message screen for displaying the position of the delivery port 19 of the print medium 15 to the user 2 is displayed.

An example of the operation of the above photo vending machine will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. here,
In FIG. 4, “S” means a step.

First, the user enters the first booth 14a in front of the first housing 1a, and while the demo screen is displayed on the first display 8a, the user 2 inserts the coins required for the coin slot 18. When it is turned on (S120), the image pickup of the subject 2 by the camera 6 is started (S140). When the image pickup is started, the imaged image is displayed as a moving image on the first display 8a in real time.

Next, the user 2 uses the first display 8a.
When the shutter button 13 is operated to input the operation signal for shutter operation after the position adjustment of the subject 2 is completed while watching the display image of (S160), the user 2 is instructed to take a pause, and then a predetermined period of time elapses. After the countdown, the captured image at a predetermined moment is fixed in the fixed image storage unit 38 (S180). At this time, the first display 8a
, The captured image at that time is displayed as a still image.

Then, the fixed still image is displayed on the first display 8a to allow the user 2 to confirm the preview, and the first display 8a indicates whether or not to retake the still image for which the preview has been confirmed. A message for prompting the selection is displayed (S200).

In step 200, when the user 2 desires to take another picture, the cancel operation is performed by operating the cancel button 20, the process returns to step 160, and the image pickup by the camera 6 and the shutter operation are performed again. If reshooting is not performed in step 200, it is confirmed whether or not the number of times of shooting of the counter 25 has reached the prescribed number of times of possible shooting (S220).

If it is determined in step 220 that the number of times the image can be taken has not been reached, the process returns to step 160, and the image pickup by the camera 6 and the shutter operation are performed again. On the other hand, in step 220, if the prescribed number of possible shots has been reached, the message "Finishing shooting. Please draw at the next booth" is displayed on the first display 8a, and the first housing 1a is displayed. The shooting operation in step 3 ends.

Next, the user 2 operates from the first booth 14a in front of the first housing 1a to the second booth 14b in front of the second housing 1b.
Input of a handwritten image or the like is started by moving to and operating the touch pen 12 (S240).

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, when the first user 2a moves to the second booth 14b and starts inputting handwritten images, the second user 2b enters the first booth 14a. Insert a coin, step 120 to step 220
Is capable of performing the shooting operation of. In this way, the photographing by the camera 6 of the first casing 1a and the second casing 1
Since the handwriting image can be input at the same time with the touch pen 12 of b, when the handwriting image is input to the captured image captured by the camera 6, the next user can start capturing. Customers will not feel irritated, and store turnover will improve.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the input screen for the handwritten image displayed on the second display 8b. In this handwritten image input screen, 21a, 21b, and 21c are icons to be tapped with the touch pen 12 when inputting a handwriting pen, a stamp image, and an alphabet character, respectively.

When inputting a handwritten image, the handwriting pen icon 21a is tapped with the tip of the touch pen 12, and then the tip of the touch pen 12 is moved to the second display 8b.
A handwritten image is input by touching the photographed image 22 displayed at to draw a picture or a character.

When inputting the stamp image, the icon 21b of the stamp image is tapped with the tip of the touch pen 12, and then the tip of the touch pen 12 is brought into contact with the photographed image 22 displayed on the second display 8b. Thus, the stamp image is input.

When inputting an alphabetic character, the alphabetic character icon 21c is tapped with the tip of the touch pen 12 and then the tip of the touch pen 12 is moved to the second position.
By touching the photographed image 22 displayed on the display 8b, the alphabetic characters are input.

In this way, as shown in FIG. 6, the handwritten image 27, the stamp image 28, etc. are input and combined on the displayed photographed image 22.

The input of the handwritten image or the like is continued until the time measured by the timer 26 reaches a predetermined inputtable time (for example, 90 seconds) set in advance (S).
260). When the prescribed allowable input time is reached in step 260, input of a handwritten image or the like is stopped, and a sheet layout for printing is selected (S280).
In the selection of the sheet layout here, a sample screen of the sheet layout is displayed on the display unit 36 of the second display 8b, and a desired sheet layout is selected by operating the touch pen 12.

Next, when the selection of the sheet layout is completed, the image data of the composite image is sent to the printer 9, and printing is started with the sheet layout selected in step 280 (S300). When printing is started, a waiting message screen indicating a place where the user 2 waits until the end of printing is displayed on the display unit 36 of the second display 8b (S320).

The standby message screen is, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in, the place where the printed photographic print is sent out from the outlet 19 (the left side surface of the second housing 1b in this example)
29 and a message saying "I am printing. Please come over this!" Then, after displaying the standby message screen for a certain period of time, a demo screen is displayed on the second display 8b,
Instead of waiting for the end of printing, the next user's handwritten image is input. After that, when printing is completed,
The printed printing medium 15 (photo print) is output.

Here, an example of the sheet layout is shown in FIG. In this example, a sticker print is output as a photographic print, where 41 is a sticker mount and 42 is a sticker.

As described above, according to the above-described photo vending machine, photographing can be performed in the first booth 14a in front of the first housing 1a, and input of handwritten images can be performed in the second booth 14b in front of the second housing 1b. it can. In this way, since the photographing and the input of the handwritten image are performed at different places, the customer does not feel uncomfortable due to unnecessary waiting, and the turnover rate of the customer is significantly improved for the store. Also, the first housing 1a
The user who has finished shooting in the previous first booth 14a can smoothly move to the front of the second booth 14b in front of the second housing 1b and input the second image. Further, even if different customers simultaneously shoot and input a handwritten image, the adjacent customer is less likely to be worried, so that confusion and the like due to moving from place to place is reduced.

In the photo vending machine, instead of printing the composite image, the transmitting / receiving means 39 outputs it to the outside through a communication line and stores it in an external server or outputs it to a terminal device for display. Alternatively, it can be printed externally. Further, in the above photo vending machine, the computer device 7 is provided in the second housing 1b.
The computer device 7 may be provided in the first housing 1a.

In the above embodiment, the first housing 1a
Although an example in which the first housing 1a and the second housing 1b are provided is shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and a third housing or a fourth housing may be provided in addition to the first housing 1a and the second housing 1b. Alternatively, the first housing 1a and the second housing 1b may be integrally formed into one housing.

In the above embodiment, the printer 9 is of various types such as a sublimation printer, an ink jet printer, a laser printer, a thermal transfer printer, a fusion printer, a thermal printer, a photographic paper printer, an instant film printer, and the like. A printer can be applied and is not particularly limited.

Further, in the above embodiment, the example in which the photographic print to be output is the sticker print has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is intended to include the one to be output as a card or the like, and the print medium 15 It is not intended to limit the material or composition.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the shooting is started by inserting a coin, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is intended to include various aspects as long as payment is possible.
Further, these are intended to include not only the case of using them alone but also the case of using them in combination.

Further, in the above embodiment, two images, that is, the image picked up by the camera 6 and the pen input image are combined, but the present invention is not limited to this, and these images are further combined with the foreground. Alternatively, a frame image that becomes a background or the like may be combined.

Further, in the above embodiment, the camera 6
There may be used a digital camera or a video camera, and it is not particularly limited as long as it can convert a captured image into an electric signal, and various kinds can be used. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which one camera 6 is provided has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of cameras 6 may be provided.

In the above embodiment, the stamp image stored in the stamp image storage unit (not shown) is used, but the stamp image is not limited to this.
It is also possible to read and use image data stored in various storage media such as a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, and a magneto-optical disk.

[0064]

As described above, according to the photo vending machine of the present invention, photographing can be performed in the first casing and the second image can be input in the second casing. In this way, since the shooting and the input of the second image are performed in different places, the customer does not feel uncomfortable due to unnecessary waiting, and the turnover rate of the customer is significantly improved for the store.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a photo vending machine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the photo vending machine.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram of a computer device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the photo vending machine.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen for a handwritten image.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an input state of a handwritten image.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a message screen.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a composite image is output on a sticker print.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1a first housing 1b Second housing 2 subject 6 cameras 8b Second display 9 Printer 12 touch pen 14a First booth 14b Second booth 15 print media

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (56) Reference JP 2001-86288 (JP, A) JP 11-202758 (JP, A) JP 2002-287238 (JP, A) JP 9-502537 ( JP, A) Patent 3086222 (JP, B2) US Patent 6141482 (US, A) Registered utility model 3068134 (JP, U) Utility model registration 3045791 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G07F 17/26 G03B 15/00 G03B 17/53 H04N 7/18 G07B 15/00

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A photo vending machine for photographing a subject including a user and selling the photograph, the first casing having a photographing means for photographing the subject, and displaying an image photographed by the photographing means. Display means to
A second housing having a second image input means for a user to input a second image to be combined with the photographed image, and a photograph output means for printing the combined image on a print medium and outputting it as a photographic print. A photo vending machine characterized by being provided with. 2. The photo vending machine according to claim 1, wherein a photo print delivery port is provided in a portion of the second housing other than a portion facing a user who performs an input operation of the second image. 3. The photo vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the first housing is provided with a first booth in which a subject at the time of photographing exists. 4. The second user is the second user who has finished photographing.
The photo vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a second booth for inputting an image. 5. The photo vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the first housing and the second housing are integrally formed. 6. Photographing by the photographing means of the first casing,
The photo vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the second image inputting means of the second housing is configured to be able to simultaneously input the second image. 7. Photographing by the photographing means of the first casing,
The second image input means of the second housing is configured to be able to simultaneously input the second image, and other than the portion of the second housing facing the user who performs the second image input operation. 2. A photographic print delivery port is provided in the portion, and when the printing is started, a standby message screen indicating a place where the user waits until the end of the printing is displayed on the display means. The pictured vending machine shown. 8. The photo vending machine according to claim 7, wherein after displaying a standby message screen for a certain period of time, the second vending machine waits for input of the second image of the next user without waiting for the end of printing.