JP4084218B2 - Automatic photography equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automatic photography apparatus that takes a photograph of a subject in a photography booth, and more particularly to an automatic photography apparatus that can control opening and closing of an entrance of a photography booth.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an automatic photographing apparatus that takes an image of a subject by photographing means such as a camera installed in a photographing booth and provides the user with the image as a photograph.
[0003]
In such an automatic photo shooter, the shooting booth is made of an opaque plate material or sheet material, and the entrance of the shooting booth is covered with an opaque curtain, etc. A space where you can enjoy taking photos without having to do it.
[0004]
In recent years, an automatic photography apparatus that can take a picture under various lighting effects by blinking a strobe light or an RGB light by automatic control has been used. Then, in order to avoid the influence of the external light on the production lighting, the photographing booth may be configured by a light-shielding plate material, a sheet material, or a curtain.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described automatic photographing apparatus, when the entrance is closed by the curtain, it is impossible to visually recognize from the outside whether the user is in the photographing booth.
[0006]
Therefore, in order for a user who wants to play to check whether the device is in an empty state, he has to turn the curtain and look into the shooting booth, but when other users are playing, In some cases, the atmosphere during shooting may be disturbed, or the effect of lighting or the like may be impaired due to external light from the gap between the curtains, which may cause inconvenience to the user who is playing.
[0007]
For this reason, there are many users who feel psychological resistance to confirm whether the device is in an empty state, even though the device is in an empty state, there are cases where the use is abandoned without confirming this, There arises a problem that the operating rate of the apparatus is lowered.
[0008]
In addition, since the shooting booth as described above provides a space independent to some extent by blocking the surrounding line of sight, the user may stay in the shooting booth after the play and occupy the device. If this is left unattended, the operating rate of the apparatus will decrease.
[0009]
Furthermore, it is inconvenient to manually open and close the curtain when entering and leaving the photography booth, and it is difficult for users with baggage to open and close the curtain. There is a problem.
[0010]
Therefore, it is possible to confirm the presence / absence of the user in the shooting booth easily from the outside without bothering the user who is playing, contributing to the improvement of the operating rate of the device, There has been a demand for the development of an automatic photography apparatus that improves the convenience for the user.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention includes a shooting booth having an entrance configured to be opened and closed by an opening / closing means, a detecting means for detecting a user entering the shooting booth, a shooting means for shooting a user, and the opening / closing means. Control means for controlling the opening and closing of the entrance and exit, and an automatic photography apparatus that executes a series of operations including photography of the user, wherein the detection means is the entry of the user by the detection means The opening / closing means is controlled so as to close the entrance / exit, and the opening / closing means is controlled to open the entrance / exit at a predetermined timing in the series of operations or after the series of operations is completed. This is an automatic photography apparatus that is characterized.
[0012]
According to the present invention, the entrance is closed when the user enters the shooting booth, and after the user leaves the shooting booth, the entrance is opened, Convenience that it is possible to easily check the availability of the device from outside without bothering or affecting the lighting effect, and also allowing the user to enter / exit without manually opening and closing the entrance / exit. Can provide.
[0013]
It should be noted that the control for opening the entrance / exit in the present invention can be performed after the completion of all the steps included in the series of operations, thereby prompting the user who has finished playing to leave the shooting booth. Further, it is possible to further improve the operation rate of the apparatus.
[0014]
On the other hand, operations such as taking photos and accepting edit inputs for shot images are performed while the user is in the shooting booth, while predetermined operations such as receiving destination inputs when performing layout input and image transmission There is an automatic photography device configured to be executed while the user is outside the photography booth, but in such an automatic photography device, the control for opening the doorway in the present invention is photography and It can also be performed at a predetermined timing in a series of operations, such as when reception of an edit input for a captured image is completed. For example, the user is guided outside the shooting booth at a predetermined timing. Effects such as being able to be performed in a natural manner can be obtained.
[0015]
As the detection means in the present invention, any means capable of detecting the user's entry into the photographing booth can be used, and the user's entry is automatically made by various sensors such as an infrared detector. In addition to what is detected, it is also possible to use what detects entry based on a predetermined operation by the user such as input of a usage fee.
[0016]
The present invention also provides a photographing booth having first and second entrances that can be opened and closed by an opening and closing means, a detecting means for detecting entry and exit of the user into the photographing booth, and photographing the user. An automatic photographing apparatus for performing a series of operations including photographing of a user. The photographing means includes: a photographing means for controlling the opening and closing means; and a control means for controlling the opening and closing means to open and close the first and second entrances. The control means controls the opening / closing means to close the first doorway when the detection means detects the user's entry, and the control means controls the predetermined timing in the series of operations or the series of actions. The opening / closing means is controlled to open the second entrance after the end of the operation, and when the detection means detects the exit of the user, the second entrance is closed and the first entrance is opened. The opening and closing means It is also possible to automatically photographing apparatus characterized by control.
[0017]
According to the present invention, only the first doorway is opened while the device is idle, and both the first and second doors are closed while the user is playing. When the user uses the apparatus, the second entrance is opened at the timing or after the end, and the first entrance is closed and the second entrance is opened when the user leaves the shooting booth. It is possible to obtain additional effects such as the smooth movement of the user's moving direction.
[0018]
Moreover, it is preferable that the opening / closing means in the present invention is constituted by a linear motor type curtain.
[0019]
According to such a configuration, even if the user manually opens and closes the curtain, problems such as failure of the curtain drive system can be sufficiently reduced.
[0020]
In addition, it is possible to simplify the apparatus by detecting the user's entry in the present invention based on acceptance of the usage fee.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0022]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory perspective view showing a housing portion 10 of an automatic photography apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are left and right views of the automatic photography apparatus 1, respectively. It is a side view.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1, a CCD camera 11 that captures a user, a display device 12 that displays a real-time image captured by the camera, and a touch panel for accepting an edit input for the captured image, etc. Type monitor 13 and touch pen 14, illumination device 15 for illuminating the user at the time of shooting, speaker 16 for reproducing music and guidance for the user, and coin slot 17 for accepting the usage fee are provided Infrared light receivers 18 and 19 are provided on both sides of the front of the housing for detecting the user's entrance and exit.
[0024]
The infrared receivers 18 and 19 are disposed at positions for receiving infrared rays emitted from appropriate positions of the photographing booth 30 described later, and the infrared rays are received when the user passes in front of the infrared receivers 18 and 19. By detecting that is blocked, the user's entry / exit is detected.
[0025]
Further, a set of a touch panel type monitor 20 and a touch pen 21 for receiving an input of a print layout of a photographed image is provided on the side surface of the housing 10, and a photo sticker discharge port 22 for discharging a printed photo sticker is provided below the set. Is provided.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the automatic photography apparatus 1 includes a housing 10 and a photography booth 30 connected to the housing 10, and the photography booth 30 and the housing An imaging space for accommodating a user is formed in a space surrounded by the body 10.
[0027]
The left and right sides of the shooting booth 30 are provided with entrances 31 and 32 for users to enter and leave the shooting booth, and curtain rails 33 and 34 are provided above the entrances 31 and 32. The curtains 35 and 36 suspended from the curtain rails 33 and 34 can be opened and closed based on the control of the curtain control means 61 described later.
[0028]
The shooting booth side, back, ceiling, and curtains 35, 36 are made of opaque or light-shielding materials, respectively, and the entrances 31, 32 are closed by the curtains 35, 36. Thus, it is possible to provide a shooting space in the shooting booth 30 in which the line of sight from the outside is blocked or the influence of external light on the effect lighting by the lighting device 15 or the like performed in the shooting booth 30 is reduced. It is said that.
[0029]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a curtain driving mechanism that drives the curtain 35 (36).
[0030]
As illustrated, a traction block 37 and a plurality of ring runners 38 are slidably inserted into the curtain rail 33 (34). The curtain 35 (36) is suspended via a ring runner 38, and both upper ends of the curtain 35 (36) are fixed to a fixed hook 39 on the left end of the curtain rail 33 (34) and a fixed hook 40 provided on the traction block 37. The curtain 35 (36) can be opened and closed by sliding the traction block 37.
[0031]
In the curtain rail 33 (34), a stator made up of a plurality of N magnetic pole portions and S magnetic pole portions that are alternately arranged (not shown) is embedded, and a power supply circuit that supplies power to the traction block 37 is embedded. On the other hand, a plurality of coils are embedded in the traction block 37, and a current according to the travel position of the traction block is supplied from the power supply circuit to the coil, and the thrust by the Fleming's left-hand rule by the action with the stator Is configured to generate.
[0032]
Note that the polarity of the voltage applied to the power feeding circuit can be switched based on the control of the curtain control means 61 described later, and thereby the traveling direction of the traction block 37 can be controlled.
[0033]
FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of the automatic photography apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0034]
A control unit 50 shown in FIG. 4 is provided inside the housing 10 shown in FIG. 1, and the control unit 50 includes a CPU 52, a ROM 53, a RAM 54, and an interface 55 that are connected to each other via a bus 51. . The interface 55 is connected to a hard disk 56, a CD-ROM drive 57, and an external device described later.
[0035]
The CPU 52 controls the overall operation, processing, and the like according to a program read from the CD-ROM drive 57 and installed in the hard disk 56. The ROM 53 stores a basic program for controlling the control device. The RAM 54 temporarily stores work data for the CPU 52 and inputs made by the user.
[0036]
Further, the interface 55 detects the charges inserted from the touch panel monitors 13 and 20, the touch pens 14 and 21, the illumination device 15, the illumination control device 58 that controls the speaker 16, the audio output device 59, and the coin insertion slot 17. External devices such as the coin processing unit 60, infrared light receivers 18 and 19, curtain control means 61, and printer 62 are connected, and signals can be exchanged between the CPU 52 and these devices.
[0037]
Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the operation of the automatic photography apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.
[0038]
In the initial state, the entrances 31 and 32 are opened by the curtains 35 and 36, so that the user can easily confirm that the device is empty from the outside, and without opening and closing the curtain, The entrance to the photography booth 30 can be made from the entrance 31 or 32.
[0039]
In the initial state, the automatic photographing apparatus 1 is in a standby state for entering a user's room. That is, when the user enters the photographing booth 30 from the entrance 31 or 32, the infrared rays applied to the infrared receivers 18 and 19 from a predetermined position of the photographing booth 30 are blocked by the user's body. The curtain control means 61 monitors the interruption of the received light signal in the standby state (step S1).
[0040]
When it is detected that infrared rays are blocked by the detectors 18 and 19, the curtain control means 61 determines that the user has entered the photographing booth 30 and drives the curtains 35 and 36 to close the entrances 31 and 32. (Step S2).
[0041]
Thereafter, according to a program installed in the hard disk 56, a series of photographs are taken by the CCD camera 11 under an appropriate effect by the illumination device 15 or the like (step S3).
[0042]
After a series of photography, the photographed image is displayed on the touch panel monitor 13, and an edit input for the photographed image by the touch pen 14 is accepted during a predetermined time limit (step S4).
[0043]
When the above time limit has elapsed, or when the user has made a selection to arbitrarily terminate the editing input step, the curtain control means 61 opens the entrances 31 and 32 by driving the curtains 35 and 36. The state is shifted (step S5).
[0044]
This allows the user to recognize that the step in the shooting booth has ended, and the user can leave the shooting booth 30 as it is without manually opening and closing the curtain. It becomes possible. Further, since the curtain is in an open state, the next user can easily confirm from the outside that the device is empty.
[0045]
At this time, it is also possible to notify the user of the end of the editing step and output a message prompting the user to move to the right side of the apparatus for layout input from the speaker 16 or the touch panel monitor 13. It is.
[0046]
Thereafter, the automatic photography apparatus 1 accepts input of a print layout from the touch panel monitor 20 and the touch pen 21 (step S6), and discharges a predetermined printout from the photo sticker discharge port 22 (step S7). End the operation.
[0047]
Next, with reference to FIG. 6, another operation of the automatic photography apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.
[0048]
In the initial state, the entrance / exit 31 is opened, while the entrance / exit 32 is closed by the curtain 36, so that the user can confirm that the apparatus is empty from the entrance / exit 31 side. Thus, it is possible to enter the photographing booth 30 from the entrance 31 without opening and closing the curtain.
[0049]
In the initial state, the automatic photographing apparatus 1 is in a standby state for entering a user's room. That is, when the user enters the photographing booth 30 from the entrance 31, the infrared rays irradiated to the infrared receiver 18 from a predetermined position of the photographing booth 30 are blocked by the user's body. The curtain control means 61 monitors the interruption of the received light signal in the standby state (step S11).
[0050]
When the infrared ray blocking to the detector 18 is detected, the curtain control means 61 determines that the user has entered the photographing booth 30 and drives the curtain 35 to shift the entrance 31 to a closed state ( Step S12).
[0051]
Thereafter, according to a program installed in the hard disk 56, a series of photographs are taken by the CCD camera 11 under an appropriate effect by the illumination device 15 or the like (step S13).
[0052]
After a series of photography, the photographed image is displayed on the touch panel monitor 13 and editing input for the photographed image by the touch pen 14 is accepted during a predetermined time limit (step S14).
[0053]
When the time limit has elapsed, or when the user has made a selection to arbitrarily end the editing input step, the curtain control means 61 drives the curtain 36 to shift the doorway 32 to the open state. (Step S15).
[0054]
As a result, it becomes possible for the user to naturally recognize that the user should leave the entrance / exit 32 side, and the user can be smoothly guided in the direction of the right side of the housing where the touch panel monitor 20 is provided. Become.
[0055]
At this time, it is possible to notify the user of the end of the editing step and output a message prompting the user to move to the right side of the apparatus for layout input from the speaker 16 or the touch panel monitor 13. .
[0056]
Subsequently, the automatic photography apparatus 1 shifts to a standby state for leaving the user (step S16). That is, when the user leaves the entrance 32, the infrared rays irradiated to the infrared receiver 19 from a predetermined position of the photographing booth 30 are blocked by the user's body. The curtain control means 61 monitors the interruption of the received light signal in the standby state.
[0057]
When it is detected that the infrared ray detector 19 has been cut off, the curtain control means 61 determines that the user has left the shooting booth 30 and drives the curtain 35 to shift the entrance 31 to an open state. At the same time, the curtain 36 is driven to shift the entrance 32 to a closed state (step S17).
[0058]
Thereby, the user waiting on the entrance / exit 31 side can easily confirm that the apparatus is in an empty state.
[0059]
Thereafter, the automatic photography apparatus 1 accepts input of a print layout from the touch panel monitor 20 and the touch pen 21 (step S18), and discharges a predetermined printout from the photo sticker discharge port 22 (step S19). End the operation.
[0060]
Each of the above-described embodiments has been described as an example only, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
[0061]
That is, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the entrance / exit is provided on both the left and right side surfaces of the imaging booth has been described, but the location of the entrance / exit is arbitrary, and the entrance / exit can be provided on the back of the imaging booth 30.
[0062]
Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, the case where there are two doorways has been described. However, it is possible to set one or three or more, for example, the number of doorways is one, or It is possible to open and close all the entrances and exits at the same time in the same manner as shown in FIG. 5 with three or more, and in the same manner as shown in FIG. 6 with three or more entrances and exits. Some of these can be used for entering the user, and the other part can be used for leaving the user.
[0063]
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a curtain is used as the opening / closing means has been described. However, any other opening / closing means such as an accordion door can be used.
[0064]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a user's entrance / exit is automatically detected by blocking infrared rays applied to the infrared light receivers 18 and 19, but for example, a predetermined charge has been accepted. Based on an operation performed by the user, such as detecting the user's entry based on a signal from the coin processing unit 60 or detecting the user's leaving based on reception of a predetermined input to the touch panel monitor 20. It is also possible to detect the user's entry / exit, thereby simplifying the apparatus, such as omitting one or both of the infrared detectors 18 and 19.
[0065]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the user accepts photography and editing input in a state where the user is in the photography booth, and the case where the user accepts layout input and prints out while the user is outside the photography booth. As explained above, it is possible to add, change, and delete each action that the user should take while in the shooting booth or outside the shooting booth, and the user can shoot all the actions. It is also possible to configure to be performed while in the booth.
[0066]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, it is possible to easily check the vacant state of the device from the outside without bothering the user who is playing, A person can be provided with the convenience of being able to enter and leave the room without manually opening and closing the doorway.
[0067]
Further, by performing the control for opening the entrance / exit in the present invention at an appropriate time, the user can recognize the time when the user should leave the shooting booth in a natural manner.
[0068]
In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to make the user recognize the direction in which the user should move during the operation of the automatic photography apparatus in a natural manner.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory perspective view showing a configuration of an automatic photography apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 (a) is a left side view of the automatic photography apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 (b) is an illustration of the automatic photography apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is a right view.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a curtain driving mechanism that drives a curtain 35 (36).
FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of an automatic photography apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram of an automatic photo shooting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of another operation of the automatic photography apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Automatic photography apparatus 10 Housing | casing 11 Camera 12 Display apparatus 13 Touch panel type monitor 14 Touch pen 15 Illumination device 16 Speaker 17 Coin slot 18 Infrared detector 19 Infrared detector 20 Touch panel type monitor 21 Touch pen 22 Photograph sticker discharge port 30 Photography booth 31 Entrance 32 Entrance 33 Curtain rail 34 Curtain rail 35 Curtain 36 Curtain 37 Traction block 38 Ring runner 39 Fixed hook 40 Fixed hook 50 Control unit 51 Bus 52 CPU
53 ROM
54 RAM
55 Interface 56 Hard disk 57 CD-ROM drive 58 Illumination control device 59 Audio output device 60 Coin processing unit 61 Curtain control means 62 Printer

Claims (3)

A photography booth having first and second entrances that can be opened and closed by an opening and closing means, a detection means for detecting entry and exit of the user into the photography booth, and a photography means for photographing the user And an automatic photography apparatus that performs a series of operations including photography of a user, comprising a control means for controlling the opening and closing means to open and close the first and second entrances,
The control means controls the opening / closing means so as to close the first entrance when the detection means detects a user entering the room, and a predetermined timing in the series of operations or a series of the operations. The opening / closing means is controlled to open the second entrance after the completion, and the second entrance is closed and the first entrance is opened when the detecting means detects the exit of the user. An automatic photography apparatus characterized by controlling an opening / closing means. 2. The automatic photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing means is a linear motor type curtain. Further comprising a usage fee detecting means for detecting the acceptance of usage fee, the detection means is any one of claim 1 to 2, characterized in that to detect the entry of the user based on the detection of the usage fee The automatic photography apparatus described.

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