JP3789495B2 - Image printing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to an image printing apparatus that synthesizes and prints a human face image and a background image.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A box-shaped private room (hereinafter referred to as a photo box) in which an ID photo can be obtained simply and in a short time by the operation of a subject is widely used. This photo box is equipped with a photographing device (instant photograph machine), lighting, a charge box, etc., and is installed in a place where many people gather such as a station. When using this photo box, the person to be photographed enters the box, puts a predetermined fee into the fee box, adjusts the photographing device by a predetermined simple operation, and photographs the result. Get some ID photo.
[0003]
On the other hand, in tourist spots such as leisure lands, in most cases, commemorative photography is performed against a background showing the characteristics of the tourist spot. Moreover, the face of the person to be photographed may be put in a hole in the face of a panel on which a scene, a person, etc. showing features are drawn, or a photograph may be taken while changing into a prepared outfit.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, since the photo box described above is for ID photos, the background is limited to a solid background such as white, and the photo size is also limited. Not available for
[0005]
In addition, when using a silver halide camera for shooting, it is possible to obtain a wide variety of screen sizes at the same time and freely change the background. Photographers, etc.) have to operate the camera, and further, the apparatus involved in photographing is considerably complicated. Moreover, when trying to obtain high-detail photos or large-format photos, it takes time to complete and requires a means of delivery at a later date.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image printing apparatus capable of obtaining a commemorative photo that satisfies the photographer's preference easily and in a short time with a sense of use of a photo box.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is a video camera that receives an image of a face of a subject and creates first image data, and a portrait image. And a background image and at least one of the portrait images is stored as second image data in an image in which a face portion is composed of a frame, and data in the frame of the second image data is stored in the first image data. Control means for creating third image data by replacing with one image data, a printer for printing an image indicated by the third image data, and a display means for sequentially displaying an image indicated by the third image data And an illumination adjustment means that allows the subject to adjust the color and light intensity corresponding to the background image .
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the display result of the display unit is set between the video camera and the person to be photographed without affecting the image received by the video camera. It further comprises a half mirror that reflects so that the subject can be seen.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, a position moving means for changing the position of the video camera, a movement instruction to the position moving means, and an image receiving size of the video camera are set. And an operation means for inputting a zoom instruction to be changed.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first, second, or third aspect of the invention, the storage means stores a plurality of types of second image data, and one of the second image data. And selecting means for selecting one.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 , further comprising a movable box that accommodates all the components, and photographing and printing are performed in the box. And
[0013]
[Action]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image of the subject and the background image are combined by the control means, and the combined result is printed by the printer. For this reason, a commemorative photo can be obtained easily and in a short time.
[0014]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image of the face portion of the person to be photographed is combined with the face frame portion of the background image, and the combined result is displayed on the display means and printed by the printer. In other words, since only the face is the person to be photographed and the clothes and hair style are the background human images selected, it is possible to obtain a commemorative photo with entertainment in a short time.
[0015]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the photographed person can check the composite image reflected by the half mirror in a state of facing the front, that is, in a state of viewing the video camera.
[0016]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the photographer operates the operation unit while watching the synthesized image, and adjusts the size of the face image of the photographed person received by the face frame and the video camera. In addition, since the position of the video camera can be adjusted by the position moving means, for example, it is possible to synthesize an image obtained by viewing the face portion of the subject from an angle.
[0017]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the background image desired by the subject can be selected by the selection means.
[0018]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, all the components are housed in a movable box, and photographing and printing are performed inside the box. Therefore, it can be installed outdoors and can be easily installed. be able to.
[0019]
【Example】
An image printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing the configuration and structure of this embodiment. In FIG. 1, 1 is a bench on which a subject 100 sits, and 2 is an image of a face portion mainly of the subject 100 sitting on the bench 1. A video camera for receiving images, 3 is a computer for performing various processes, 4 is a CRT (display) for displaying images, and 5 is to reflect the display image of the CRT 4 to the subject without affecting the image received by the video camera 2. Half mirror 6 is an operation unit for adjusting the position of the video camera 2, 7 is a printer for color printing of images, 7 a is a printing result output from the printer 7, 8 is a lighting device for photographing, 9 is room lighting, Reference numeral 11 denotes a charge box for identifying and storing the inserted money. This fee box 11 is installed if necessary.
[0021]
Reference numeral 10 denotes a box, which accommodates all the components described above. 7 is a perspective view of the box 10, and FIG. 8 is an external view of the inside of the box 10 as viewed from the subject 100 (see FIG. 1). One entrance door 10c is provided on the side of the box 10, Doors (not shown) for exchanging consumables and maintenance by the administrator are provided on the back. In addition, hanging hooks 10a are provided at the four corners of the upper surface of the box 10 to be suspended by a crane at the time of loading, and fixed movable casters 10b are provided at the four corners of the lower surface of the box 10, respectively. These facilitate the carrying-in and installation of the box 10.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the computer 3. In this figure, 20 is a CPU for controlling each part of the computer 3 and data processing, 21 is a control program for the CPU 20 (see FIG. 3), etc. ROM, 22 is a RAM used as a work area of the CPU 20, 23 is an HDD (hard disk drive) in which a plurality of types of background images are stored as data, and 24 is an FDD (floppy) that exchanges data with the outside of the computer 3. Disk device).
[0023]
Reference numeral 25 denotes a VRAM that stores image data. The image receiving area temporarily stores image data supplied from the video camera 2 and image data that is the processing result of the CPU 20 (that is, image data supplied to the CRT 4). ) And a print area for storing image data for printing. Reference numeral 26 denotes a peripheral device I / F (interface) circuit, which outputs the operation information supplied from the operation unit 6 and the amount information supplied from the charge box 11 to the CPU 20 and the zoom information supplied from the CPU 20. The position movement information is output to the video camera 2 and further to a position control mechanism (not shown) for moving the position of the video camera 2.
[0024]
The ROM 21, RAM 22, HDD 23, FDD 24, VRAM 25, and peripheral device I / F 26 described above are connected to the CPU 20 via a bus 27. Further, the bus 27 is also connected to the printer 7, and print information from the CPU 20 is supplied to the printer 7 via the bus 27.
[0025]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram (top view) of the position control mechanism of the video camera 2 described above. The video camera 2 moves on a circumference centered on the subject 100 with respect to a horizontal plane (lateral direction). . Further, it moves linearly in the vertical direction (vertical direction) (not shown). By these movements, even when the perspective image of the subject 100 is received or the height (face position) is different, the subject 100 sits on the bench 1 and receives the video camera 2 at an appropriate position. Can be adjusted. The vertical and horizontal movements described above are performed by two motors (not shown) included in the position control mechanism.
[0026]
5 is a top view of the operation unit 6. In this figure, reference numeral 6a denotes a joystick lever for adjusting the position of the video camera 2 described above, and the position of the video camera 2 moves in the direction in which the lever 6a is tilted. To do. Reference numeral 6b denotes a video zooming lever which expands when the video of the subject 100 to be received is moved upward, and contracts when the video is moved downward. The joystick lever 6a is also used for selecting a background image to be described later.
[0027]
Reference numeral 6c denotes a confirmation switch, which is used to input the selection and confirmation of the subject 100 in various processes. Note that the video camera 2 automatically adjusts the focus of the video camera 2.
[0028]
Next, FIG. 6 shows a display example of the CRT 4 (FIG. 1). Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described based on this flowchart and the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0029]
First, in step SP1 of FIG. 3, a guidance display as shown in FIG. The photographed person inserts a predetermined amount of money into the fee box 11 in accordance with this guidance. In step SP2, this deposit amount is checked, and if regular deposit is made, the process proceeds to the next step SP3.
[0030]
In step SP3, a background image selection screen as shown in FIG. 6B is displayed on the CRT 4. On this selection screen, a plurality of background images such as a landscape and a person surrounded by a square frame are displayed, and in addition to these, a cancel frame is displayed. In addition, one of these background images is displayed in a state where it can be distinguished from the other by a shaded display (a method such as red display of the frame), and the displayed frame is the current selection. The target background image is shown.
[0031]
The photographed person operates the joystick lever 6a (FIG. 5) while watching the selection screen displayed on the half mirror 5 while sitting on the bench 1, switches the background image to be selected to the desired background image, and confirms the switch. Press 6c (FIG. 5) to confirm the selection. Then, in step SP5, it is checked whether or not a final background image has been determined. If so, the process proceeds to the next step SP6.
[0032]
If not determined, that is, if the selected background image is not the final background image, the process returns to step SP3, and a plurality of background images related to the background image selected in step SP4 are displayed as selection screens. On this selection screen, for example, scenery for each season of the same point of the background image selected by the previous selection (step SP4), scenery seen from different angles, scenery with different characters, and the like are displayed.
[0033]
The subject performs further selection on this selection screen (step SP4) and determines the final background image (step SP5 “Yes”). However, when the cancel frame is selected and confirmed in the above selection, the selection made in step SP4 is invalidated and the previous selection screen is displayed.
[0034]
In step SP6, as shown in FIG. 6D, the determined background image, the person and their face frame (shaded in the figure), etc. are displayed on the CRT 4. At this time, at least one person with characteristic clothes and hairstyle is displayed, and one of them has a face frame. In addition, an image of the face portion of the subject that is received by the video camera 2 is displayed in the face frame.
[0035]
That is, the CPU 20 (see FIG. 2) transfers the image data of the selected background image from the HDD 23 to the display area of the VRAM 25 and from the video camera 2 stored in the image receiving area of the VRAM to the face frame area. Transfer image data. Thereby, the image of the face portion of the subject is displayed only on the face frame portion. The data transfer to the face frame area of the VRAM 25 is performed sequentially.
[0036]
At this time, the normally lit indoor lighting 9 (see FIG. 1) is turned off, and the lighting device 8 is turned on. The subject can adjust the color and intensity of the lighting device in accordance with the selected background image.
[0037]
The subject further observes the display of the CRT 4 displayed on the half mirror 5 described above, and adjusts the position and size of the face frame and his / her face displayed in the face frame so that the joystick lever 6a ( 5) and the video zooming lever 6b is operated and adjusted (step SP7). In addition, a face image of the person to be photographed viewed from an oblique direction can be projected according to preference. For example, when the joystick lever 6a is tilted to the right side, the video camera 2 (see FIG. To do. Even in this case, the subject can operate while viewing the half mirror 5 without moving.
[0038]
Then, in step SP8, it is checked whether or not the operation is completed, that is, whether or not the confirmation switch 6c is pressed. If this switch is pressed, the process proceeds to the next step SP9. repeat.
[0039]
In step SP9, the image data stored in the display area of the VRAM 25 (FIG. 2) is transferred to the print area, and a guidance screen as shown in FIG. 6 (f) is displayed on the CRT 4. In step SP10, a print instruction is output from the CPU 20 to the printer 7, and the printer 7 performs printing based on the image data stored in the print area. This print result 7a (see FIG. 1) is output to the person to be photographed 100, and the entire process is completed.
[0040]
In step SP9, when the image data stored in the display area of the VRAM 25 (FIG. 2) is transferred to the print area, reduction printing or enlargement printing is easily performed by thinning out or interpolating the image data. . Further, by executing step SP10 a plurality of times, it is possible to output the same number of print results as desired by the photographer.
[0041]
Further, the administrator can add or update the background image data stored in the HDD 23 described above via the FDD 24 (see FIG. 2). The background image data can be added / updated via a telephone line by a modem (not shown).
[0042]
In addition, a video input terminal for supplying image data to the RAM 25 is newly provided so that it can be connected to a video device prepared by the photographed person, so that not only commemorative photography but also an image taken or recorded by the photographed person can be printed. can do.
[0043]
In the description of the above embodiment, all the components are accommodated in the box 10 and all processing such as photographing and printing is performed in the box 10. However, the box 10 is not used. It is also possible to use a corner of the room.
[0044]
In addition, this embodiment is not limited to a commemorative photo of a sightseeing spot, and may be used, for example, as a record achievement memorial by installing it at a game center or as a specific certificate or certification photo.
[0045]
[Effects of the Invention]
As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, there is an effect that a commemorative photo can be obtained easily and in a short time.
[0046]
Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, there is an effect that a commemorative photo having entertainment can be obtained easily and in a short time.
[0047]
According to the invention described in claim 3, the subject can easily check the composite image reflected by the half mirror in a state of facing the front, that is, in a state of looking straight at the video camera. An effect is obtained.
[0048]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the effect is obtained that the position and size of the image of the face of the subject and the angle at which the image is taken can be easily adjusted.
[0049]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, an effect that the background image desired by the subject can be selected can be obtained.
[0050]
Further, according to the invention described in claim 6, it is possible to install outdoors and to obtain an effect that the installation can be easily performed.
[0051]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer 3 in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a control program executed by a CPU 20 of FIG.
4 is an explanatory diagram of position control of the video camera 2 of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a top view of the operation unit 6 of FIG. 1;
6 is a view showing a display example of the CRT 4 in FIG. 1. FIG.
7 is a perspective view of the box 10 of FIG. 1. FIG.
8 is an external view of the inside of the box 10 of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Bench 2 ... Video camera 3 ... Computer 4 ... CRT
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Half mirror 6 ... Operation part 6a ... Joystick lever 6b ... Image zoom lever 6c ... Confirmation switch 7 ... Color printer 8 ... Illuminating device 9 ... Indoor lighting 10 ... Box 11 ... Fee box 10a ... Hook for suspension 10b ... Caster for movement 10c ... Door 20 ... CPU 21 ... ROM
22 ... RAM 23 ... HDD
24 ... FDD 25 ... VRAM
26: Peripheral device I / F circuit 27 ... Bus 100 ... Subject

Claims (5)

A video camera that receives an image of the face of the subject and creates first image data;
Storage means for storing, as a second image data, an image including a portrait and a background image and at least one of the portraits is composed of a frame of a face portion;
Control means for creating third image data by replacing data in a frame of the second image data with the first image data;
A printer that prints an image indicated by the third image data; a display unit that sequentially displays an image indicated by the third image data;
Illumination adjustment means that allows the subject to adjust the color and light intensity corresponding to the background image;
An image printing apparatus comprising:   A half mirror that is installed between the video camera and the person to be photographed and reflects the display result of the display means so that the person to be photographed can see without affecting the image received by the video camera; The image printing apparatus according to claim 1.   It further comprises position moving means for changing the position of the video camera, and operation means for inputting a movement instruction to the position moving means and inputting a zoom instruction for changing the image receiving size of the video camera. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The plurality of types of second image data are stored in the storage means, and further comprising a selection means for selecting one of the second image data. Or the image printing apparatus of 3.   5. The image printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a movable box that accommodates all components, and photographing and printing are performed in the box.

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