JP3970376B2 - Image composition printing device that outputs a killing program during printing - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image composition printing apparatus, and more particularly, to a technology for providing new customer service by flowing toward a user a time-killing program that is varied in waiting time during printing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, video print supply devices such as those disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3014733 are gaining popularity in town. This is a combination of a video camera, a video display, and a video printer. It is a machine that is operated by the user to take a picture of himself and make a facial photo sticker. Multiple types of frame patterns to be combined with face photos are converted into data and built-in. The frame image selected by the user and the face image captured by the camera can be combined and used from the video printer at any pose timing. Print.
[0003]
In this case, during printing by the video printer, a predetermined program is played in order to reduce the waiting time of the user. For example, there were a gauge that shows the progress of the printing process, a series of operation procedures explained with animation in an auto-demo style, and a style that explains how to enjoy a face photo sticker.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, these programs run during the waiting time during printing are the same every time, and regular users do not care at all and provide meaningful services for this waiting time. Not only can this be done, but even users who are operating for a short time or users who are waiting in a turn may feel that this waiting time is long.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems. The purpose of the present invention is to prepare data for a plurality of time-killing programs in an image composition printing apparatus and pick up appropriate ones from these. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image composition printing apparatus with enhanced entertainment and topicality by providing various programs that the user is interested in during the waiting time during printing by the video printer.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The image synthesis printing apparatus according to the first invention is specified by the following items (1) to (12).
(1) It is an image composition printing apparatus provided with a storage means, an operation input means, a control means, a video camera, a display, a speaker, an image composition means, and a video printer. A design database, a program database, and a program selection table are stored. (3) The design database stores a plurality of decorative design data in association with design identifiers. (4) The program database is used to kill time in association with program identifiers. A plurality of program data is stored. (5) The killing program data includes at least one of video data to be displayed on a display and audio data to be generated from a speaker. (6) The program selection table includes a plurality of designs. Describe the correspondence between identifiers and multiple program identifiers (7) Operation input means is user input (8) The control means performs a design selection process, a composite display process, a printing process, and a killing process. (9) The design selection process displays options on the display, and a plurality of decorative designs. Accepts user input specifying one decorative design data from the data, extracts the specified decorative design data from the design database,
(10) The composite display process combines the decorative design data extracted by the design selection process with the output video of the video camera by the image composition means and displays it on the display. (11) The print process instructs printing. In response to user input, the composite image displayed by the composite display process is printed on the video printer. (12) The killing process is performed by the design selection process when the composite image is printed by the video printer according to the print process. The program identifier associated with the design identifier of the specified decorative design data is extracted from the program selection table, and the killing program data corresponding to the program identifier is extracted from the program database and output.
The second invention is an image composition printing apparatus in which the specific items (6) and (12) of the first invention are replaced with the following items (a) and (b), respectively.
(A) The program selection table describes the correspondence between a plurality of attribute descriptions related to time and a plurality of program identifiers. (B) In the killing process, when a composite image is printed by a video printer according to the printing process, Based on the current date and time, one attribute description is identified from among a plurality of attribute descriptions related to the time, a program identifier associated with the identified attribute description is extracted from the program selection table, and a killing program corresponding to the program identifier is extracted. Extracting data from the program database and outputting it [0009]
In addition, the present invention can comprise means for communicating with the host device and means for receiving the killing program data distributed from the host device and storing it in the data storage means. Further, in the present invention, when a plurality of killing program data are listed as candidates for selection, the killing program data is selected at random, or from which data among those program data is selected in order. You can also choose the order of selection.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 mainly represents the configuration of an image composition printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The central processing unit 1 in the image composition printing apparatus of the present invention is a central element of the main control unit and is a computer main body including a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM. The main body of the image composition printing apparatus has a user interface operation panel 3 including a display and operation buttons. The operation panel 3 is coupled to the central processing unit 1 via an operation control unit 2. The user performs various operation inputs such as frame picture selection from the operation panel 3, and the operation content and the response information of the apparatus with respect to the operation input are displayed on the operation panel 3 or the like. The image composition printing apparatus is coupled to the host apparatus 15 via the communication line network 14, and the central processing unit 1 is connected to the communication line network 14 via the modem 13. Such a communication-compatible type image composition printing apparatus may be used, or a stand-alone type image composition printing apparatus that does not have the modem 13 may be used.
[0011]
On the other hand, a video printer 11 is inserted in a display output path connecting the display control unit 9 and the display 12. In the normal operation mode, the display output from the display control unit 9 simply passes through the video printer 11 and is supplied to the display 12 (through mode). When a freeze command signal is supplied from the central processing unit 1 to the video printer 11 in this state, the image data displayed at that time is held in the internal RAM of the video printer 11, and the held image data is used as a still image. It is displayed on the display 12 (freeze mode). When the through command signal is supplied from the central processing unit 1 to the video printer 11, the freeze mode is canceled and the through mode is returned to.
[0012]
In the freeze mode, when a print command signal is supplied from the central processing unit 1 to the video printer 11, processing for printing image data (the still image) held in the internal RAM of the video printer 11 on paper is started. At the same time, the mode returns to the through mode (it takes several tens of seconds to one minute to complete printing).
[0013]
The hard disk device 4 of the image composition printing apparatus stores a large number of decorative design data to be added to a person video photographed by the video camera 10. In general, the decorative design here is a decorative illustration designed so as to frame the periphery of the face photograph, and the decorative design data is a compression-encoded version of the illustration image. The decorative design data is created by the provider of the device, and in the case of a stand-alone type image composition printing device, as in the time-killing program data described later, it is supplied from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM. In the case of a printing device, it is distributed from the host device 15 through the communication network 14 in a timely manner. Then, the image composition printing apparatus stores the received decorative design data in the hard disk device 4, and at that time, the old data is sequentially replaced with new data.
[0014]
The central processing unit 1 reads out the decorative design data from the hard disk device 4 and decodes it, and expands the bitmap data of the decorative design on the video RAM 8. The display control unit 9 combines the decorative design in the video RAM 8 so as to fit the person image taken by the video camera 10, and supplies the combined image data to the display 12 via the video printer 11 for display. If the video printer 11 is in the above-described through mode, the composite image to be displayed is a combination of a moving image shot by the video camera 10 in a frame of a still image decoration design. When the video printer 11 enters the freeze mode, the composite image at that time is fixedly displayed on the display 12, and when a print command is given in this state, the composite image is printed. Further, the video printer 11 has a function of printing with different print colors, and the user can arbitrarily select from natural color printing mode, sepia-like printing mode, and monochrome printing mode.
[0015]
The hard disk device 4 also stores time-killed program data, which will be described later, during printing by the video printer. The central processing unit 1 reads out the dead time program data from the hard disk device 4, develops the image data in the video RAM 8 and displays it on the display 12 through the display control unit 9, and the audio data through the audio amplifier unit 6 as a speaker. 7 is output. When this time-killing program includes video and audio, the central processing unit 1 gives a command so that the video and audio are output in synchronization.
[0016]
FIG. 2 shows an example of an external perspective view of the image composition printing apparatus of the present invention. This apparatus is equipped with necessary equipment such as a video camera 10, a video printer 11, a display 12, and a half mirror for projecting the screen of the display 12 toward the user and a lighting device. Here, the video camera 10, the display 12, and the half mirror are arranged so that the person can visually recognize the screen on the display 12 in which the face of the person who is the subject in front of the shooting window 17 and the decorative design are combined. Adjust the position and angle.
[0017]
As described above, the apparatus mounted inside the image composition printing apparatus of FIG. 2 is implemented by dividing each component in the block diagram of FIG. 1 according to function, and connecting them to perform a predetermined operation. It can be done smoothly. In addition, there is a coin box serving as a charging device inside, and the user starts a dialogue process from inserting coins to giving a print command through the coin insertion slot 16.
[0018]
Next, an operation sequence at the time of photographing a person in the image composition printing apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 focusing on user operations and apparatus responses.
[0019]
First, when a fee is charged, the mode is switched from the idle mode in which a demonstration video such as an operation explanation is played to the portrait shooting mode (S1). Then, for example, a screen asking which genre to select from 27 types of decorative designs classified into 9 types of A, B, and C genres is displayed (S2). For example, when the user selects A, the central processing unit 1 reads out nine types of decorative design data of the corresponding classification from the hard disk device 4 and displays them on the display 12, and selects input to designate any one of them. Prompt (S3). When the user selects one decorative design to be added to the person video using the operation keys on the operation panel 3, the selected decorative design is displayed and prompts confirmation (S4). If so, a screen for inputting letters or numbers (message, today's date, birthday, etc.) to be added to the video is displayed together with the decorative design (S5). When the user inputs characters or numbers using the operation keys on the operation panel 3, the central processing unit 1 recognizes the characters or numbers as the additional display information. Then, an inquiry is made as to whether the face photo sticker is printed in the above-mentioned monochrome / color / sepia color tone (S6). If there is a selection input, a composite image obtained by combining the decorative design and the video photographed by the video camera 10 is displayed in the through mode, and an operation for printing the composite image is guided (S7). . When the user gives a freeze command at an arbitrary timing according to the guide, the composite image displayed on the display 12 is fixed (S8). If the image is acceptable, the user issues a print command, and if a different pose is desired, the user performs an operation to return to the through mode (S9).
As soon as the print command is issued, printing of the composite image is started by the video printer 11 (S10), and a time-killing program is run toward the user (S11). When printing is completed, a face photo sticker with a decorative design comes out of the print take-out port 18 (S12).
[0020]
Therefore, as described above, a process for selecting a killing program (hereinafter referred to as “program” as appropriate) to be run during printing by the video printer 11 and a table for managing program data will be described below.
[0021]
As this program, the same video / audio is not output every time as in the past, but based on information such as the decorative design selected by the user, the time of use, the number of users photographed, the installation location of the device, etc. Various programs are provided. In order to make it possible to provide such various programs, the hard disk device 4 has a plurality of program data and a table for managing these data so that desired data can be taken out as needed.
[0022]
FIG. 4 shows an example of a program data table and a program selection table.
The program selection means refers to the program selection table corresponding to the program selection criteria, reads the code of the affiliated program described in an arbitrary row of this table based on a predetermined determination, and appropriately selects from the program code Next, the program data name corresponding to this code is acquired by referring to the program data table and read out from the hard disk device 4. Of the read program data, the image data is displayed on the display 12 in the same manner as the decorative design data, and the audio data is output from the speaker 7 via the audio amplifier unit 6.
[0023]
Here, the program data table is a table that associates program data names with their program codes. A program code is assigned to each program that is likely to attract the user's interest, such as horoscope, guide map, cat, and flower. On the other hand, the program selection table is a table for associating a program selection code, each element classified according to the program selection criteria, and a code of the affiliated program corresponding to each element.
[0024]
In the program selection table (1), program data is grouped for each decorative design data. In other words, the system can provide a program suitable for the design corresponding to the decoration design selected by the user. For example, if the user selects the decorative design b, the program selecting means randomly selects from among the affiliated programs 1, 9, 17, 20, 25, 30 of the program selection code 1 in the program selection table (1) or described later. The programs are selected in order according to the selection order.
[0025]
FIG. 5 shows another example of the program selection table. The program selection table {circle around (2)} is classified according to the time of use, the program selection table {circle around (3)} is classified according to the installation location and area of the apparatus, and the program selection table {circle around (4)} is classified according to the number of photographers. In each table, the column of the affiliated program is omitted, but the corresponding program code is described in the same manner as in the program selection table (1).
[0026]
For example, if the use period is spring, the program selection means appropriately picks up program data from the programs belonging to the program selection code 1 in the program selection table (2). If the image composition printing apparatus is installed at a sightseeing spot, the program selection means appropriately picks up program data from the programs belonging to the program selection code 2 in the program selection table (3). If the number of photographers is three, the program selection means appropriately picks up program data from the programs belonging to the program selection code 3 in the program selection table (4).
[0027]
Here, when there are a plurality of programs belonging to the program selection table, the program selection table may be selected at random, and a selection order is given as to which program is selected in order. You may choose according to it. Also, any table among a plurality of tables such as program selection tables (1) to (4) may be combined and referred to when selecting by the program selection means.
[0028]
The table held in the hard disk device 4 has been described above. Management by these tables is based on the RDB (rerational database) concept, but adopts the ODB (object database) concept, Classes and methods may be used. That is, by defining a program data class and a program selection class, linking these classes, and describing a method describing a data reference procedure, desired program data can be easily picked up.
[0029]
Note that the configuration of the communication-compatible type image composition printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 can be applied to an image composition printing apparatus installed on the street, and can also be incorporated into a communication karaoke system, for example. In other words, a necessary device such as a video camera and a video printer is added to the communication karaoke terminal, and karaoke data of a large number of songs is distributed from the host device to the communication karaoke terminal, and decorative design data and time-killing program data are distributed. And stored in the hard disk device. By doing so, not only can you enjoy singing along with karaoke, you can also obtain a hard copy of the singing with a simple operation, and you can enjoy a timeless program while printing.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, in the image composition printing apparatus, by running an appropriate time-killing program during printing of a facial photograph or the like, the user does not get the same stale screen every time during the waiting time. We can provide a pleasant time.
[0031]
In particular, to provide programs that are suitable for TPO (Time, Place, Occasion) according to the type of decorative design data selected, the time and season at the time of operation, the installation location, the number of users, etc. It will be a topic for users who are operating and waiting for a turn, and will also create new interest for regular customers and enthusiasts.
[0032]
In addition, in a type of image composition printing apparatus having a network function, it is possible to easily deliver program data that is more varied as needed by distributing time-killed program data from the host device in a timely manner. In this case, a fresh program providing service can always be realized by sequentially replacing old data with new data even if a large amount of storage capacity for storing killed program data is not prepared.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram centering on main parts of an image composition printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the image composition printing apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation sequence at the time of photographing a person in the image composition printing apparatus.
FIG. 4 is an example of a program data table and a program selection table held in a storage unit of the image composition printing apparatus.
FIG. 5 is another example of the program selection table.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Central processing unit 2 Operation control unit 3 Operation panel 4 Hard disk device (data storage unit)
6 Audio amplifier section 7 Speaker 8 Video RAM
9 Display Control Unit 10 Video Camera 11 Video Printer 12 Display 15 Host Device

Claims (3)

An image composition printing apparatus specified by the following items (1) to (12).
(1) It is an image composition printing apparatus provided with a storage means, an operation input means, a control means, a video camera, a display, a speaker, an image composition means, and a video printer. A design database, a program database, and a program selection table are stored. (3) The design database stores a plurality of decorative design data in association with design identifiers. (4) The program database is used to kill time in association with program identifiers. A plurality of program data is stored. (5) The killing program data includes at least one of video data to be displayed on a display and audio data to be generated from a speaker. (6) The program selection table includes a plurality of designs. Describe the correspondence between identifiers and multiple program identifiers (7) Operation input means is user input (8) The control means performs a design selection process, a composite display process, a printing process, and a killing process. (9) The design selection process displays options on the display, and a plurality of decorative designs. Accepts user input specifying one decorative design data from the data, extracts the specified decorative design data from the design database,
(10) The composite display process combines the decorative design data extracted by the design selection process with the output video of the video camera by the image composition means and displays it on the display. (11) The print process instructs printing. In response to user input, the composite image displayed by the composite display process is printed on the video printer. (12) The killing process is performed by the design selection process when the composite image is printed by the video printer according to the print process. The program identifier associated with the design identifier of the specified decorative design data is extracted from the program selection table, and the killing program data corresponding to the program identifier is extracted from the program database and output. An image composition printing apparatus in which the invention specifying items (6) and (12) in claim 1 are replaced with the following items (a) and (b), respectively.
(A) The program selection table describes the correspondence between a plurality of attribute descriptions related to time and a plurality of program identifiers. (B) In the killing process, when a composite image is printed by a video printer according to the printing process, Based on the current date and time, one attribute description is identified from among a plurality of attribute descriptions related to the time, a program identifier associated with the identified attribute description is extracted from the program selection table, and a killing program corresponding to the program identifier is extracted. Extract data from the program database and output it In the program selection table, a plurality of program identifiers are associated with one design identifier or one attribute description related to time,
In the killing process, one program identifier was selected in a predetermined order or randomly from a plurality of program identifiers extracted from the program selection table based on one design identifier or one attribute description related to time. The image composition printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the killing time program data corresponding to the program identifier is extracted from the program database and output.

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