JP4570841B2 - Photo print providing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing a photographic print that is installed in a game center or the like, shoots a subject by inserting coins, and prints it out on a sticker, card, paper, film, or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a large number of photographic print providing apparatuses that take photographs and make sticker prints are installed in game centers and the like. In general, such a photo print providing device takes a photograph of a subject that is a user with a camera, and causes the user to perform editing input on the photographed image. Are combined, and the combined image is printed out as a photographic print.
[0003]
In such a photographic print providing apparatus, what is shown in the following Patent Document 1 is disclosed as performing printing that produces a special appearance effect. The apparatus described in Patent Document 1 prints yellow, cyan, magenta, and black with a first print head, and prints silver, gold, and the like with a second print head.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Registered utility model No. 3084265
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the color such as gold that is printed by the second print head is overprinted on top of the photographic image quality printed by yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. Ink is required for each color.
[0006]
For example, in the case where yellow, cyan, magenta, black, gold, and the like are printed with one ribbon as shown in FIG. Next to the cyan, magenta, and black ink areas, both the gold ink area and the silver ink area must be provided, and one photo print can be printed as the number of overwritten colors by the second print head increases. Therefore, the length of the print ribbon necessary for this is increased, and the print ribbon is also expensive. Further, when both gold and silver are not printed on one printing medium, the ink area for one color is completely wasted, resulting in an extremely large loss and rebounding to the printing cost.
[0007]
Further, in the case where yellow, cyan, magenta, black and gold are printed with a plurality of ribbons as shown in FIG. 2 of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, for example, when silver is printed in addition to gold, In addition to the cyan, magenta, and black ink ribbons, both a gold ink ribbon and a silver ink ribbon are required. In addition, the apparatus becomes complicated and expensive, and the printing cost increases.
[0008]
As described above, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, if the number of overwritten images other than photographic images is increased, the printing cost increases. As a practical matter, only one color of overwritten images is used simultaneously. The fact is that it was not possible.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, When first printing a handwritten image in a normal color and then printing a handwritten image in a single translucent color on top of it, the color of the displayed handwritten image and the final result obtained by printing The color of the handwritten image is the same It is an object of the present invention to provide a photographic print providing apparatus and method.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the photographic print providing apparatus of the present invention comprises: Obtained as a result of printing a photographing means for photographing a subject to generate a photographed image, a plurality of first colors, and a predetermined semi-transparent single color superimposed on the plurality of first colors, respectively. A table in which a plurality of second colors are associated; a designation unit that designates a desired second color from the plurality of second colors; and an input that accepts input of a handwritten image in response to an operation of the touch pen And a photographed image generated by the photographing means is displayed, and an input is received by the input means in a desired second color designated by the designation means, superimposed on the photographed image. Display means for displaying a handwritten image, determination means for determining a first color corresponding to a desired second color designated by the designation means with reference to the table, and photographing generated by the photographing means Print an image, and A first printing unit that prints a handwritten image received by the input unit with the first color determined by the determination unit, and a print by the first printing unit. A second printing means for printing the handwritten image accepted by the input means in the semi-transparent single color so as to be superimposed on the handwritten image And the gist of this.
[0011]
In addition, the photo print providing method of the present invention includes: A method for providing a photographic print by a computer, wherein the computer is obtained as a result of printing a plurality of first colors and a predetermined translucent single color superimposed on the plurality of first colors, respectively. A table in which a plurality of second colors are associated with each other, wherein the photographic print providing method includes a photographing step of photographing a subject with a camera to generate a photographed image, and a desired one of the plurality of second colors A designation step for designating the second color, an input step for accepting input of a handwritten image in response to an operation of the touch pen, a photographed image generated by the photographing step on the display, and a top of the photographed image A display step for displaying the handwritten image accepted in the input step in the desired second color designated in the designation step; Determining a first color corresponding to a desired second color designated by the designation step, printing a photographed image generated by the photographing step with a printer, and A first printing step of printing the handwritten image received in the input step with the first color determined in the determination step, overlaid on the photographed image, and a first printing step in the printer. A second printing step of printing the handwritten image accepted in the input step in the semi-transparent single color on the printed handwritten image. And the gist of this.
[0017]
In the present invention, There is provided a table in which a plurality of first colors and a plurality of second colors obtained as a result of printing a single translucent single color superimposed on each of the plurality of first colors are associated with each other. 2 color is designated, and the handwritten image is displayed in that color, and the first color corresponding to the desired second color is determined, the handwritten image is printed in that color, and is superimposed on the halfway The handwritten image is printed in a single transparent color. Therefore, the color of the displayed handwritten image is the same as the color of the final handwritten image obtained as a result of printing. The user can perform editing input while imagining the print result.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a photographic print providing apparatus according to the present invention. This photographic print providing apparatus is provided with various devices inside and on the surface of the housing 1. Here, for convenience of explanation, in the housing 1, the side facing the user (subject) 2 (left side in FIG. 1) is the front side of the housing 1, and the opposite side (right side in FIG. 1) is the rear side of the housing 1. Let it be the side.
[0022]
A coin insertion slot (not shown) is provided on the front surface of the casing 1, and a coin inserted in a position adjacent to the coin insertion slot in the casing 1 is detected and a detection signal is sent to the computer device 7 described later. A coin detection unit 17 (see FIG. 2) for transmission is provided. In addition, a speaker 18 (see FIG. 2) that receives a sound signal from the computer device 7 and outputs the sound and a light (not shown) that illuminates the subject 2 are provided at appropriate positions on the front surface of the housing 1.
[0023]
Behind the subject 2 is provided a back screen 3 that blocks light from the outside. The back screen 3 is supported by support frames 4 and 5 protruding from the upper and lower portions of the front surface of the housing 1. The side surface of the camera 6 of the back screen 3 is colored according to the composition method used when compositing the captured image. For example, in the case of chroma key composition, the entire inner surface of the back screen 3 is colored with an appropriate color for chroma key composition such as green and blue.
[0024]
The upper support frame 4 is provided with a ceiling portion of a resin sheet or the like, and a side wall is formed of the resin sheet over the upper and lower support frames 4 and 5. An entrance (not shown) is provided on the side wall, and a curtain or the like is suspended from the entrance to partition the internal space from the outside.
[0025]
An internal space formed by the front surface of the housing 1, the back screen 3, the ceiling, the side walls, and the like forms a booth that is a photographing area. In this example, the user 2 plays such as shooting and editing in the booth.
[0026]
Inside the housing 1 are a camera 6 that captures the subject 2 in the booth and generates a captured image, and a computer device 7 that receives an image signal of the captured image from the camera 6 and edits the image. A display 8 is provided for receiving an image signal such as a composite image transmitted from the computer device 7 to display an image or displaying an operation guide and inputting an operation. The display 8 uses, for example, a liquid crystal tablet, a touch panel, and the like, and functions as an editing input unit of the present invention. The display 8 displays a photographed image of the subject 2 photographed by the camera 6 and edits the photographed image. It accepts input of input images.
[0027]
A transparent plate 14 made of glass, plastic, or the like is fitted into a portion of the housing 1 corresponding to the front side of the camera 6. The display 8 is disposed obliquely upward toward the subject 2 so that an image displayed on the display 8 can be viewed by the user 2.
[0028]
Furthermore, an operation unit 16 is provided in the vicinity of the display 8 on the front surface of the housing 1. The operation unit 16 includes buttons, levers, and the like on which the user 2 performs various operations, and transmits operation signals to the computer device 7.
[0029]
The operation unit 16 is provided with a touch pen 12. The touch pen 12 is configured such that the tip of the touch pen 12 is brought into contact with the surface of the display 8 and an image can be input by handwriting or a stamp image can be input by drawing a character or a figure. The display 8 displays an operation guidance message, operation buttons, and the like, receives an operation input from the touch pen 12 according to the message, and transmits an operation signal to the computer device 7.
[0030]
On the display 8, a photographed image of the subject 2 photographed by the camera 6 is displayed. During shooting play, an image captured by the camera 6 is displayed on the display 8 as a live video of a moving image. In shooting play, a video at a predetermined moment is fixed as a still image while watching the live video, and the fixed still image is a target for primary editing as a captured image.
[0031]
Then, the live video is stopped by the shutter operation by operating the touch pen 12 and the operation unit 16 by the subject 2, and a captured image is generated. Such a shutter operation is repeated a plurality of times as necessary, and a plurality of photographed images can be generated and a plurality of photographed images can be targeted for editing.
[0032]
After the shooting play, the process shifts to an edit play for inputting a handwritten image or the like by the touch pen 12. In this editing play, a photographed image is displayed on the display 8, the tip of the touch pen 12 is brought into contact with the surface of the display 8, a hand-drawn image such as a character or a figure or a stamp image is input, and editing input on the photographed image is performed. It has become.
[0033]
Here, in this example, the image that the user 2 sees from the display 8 is the edited input image 43 (printed result image 45) such as the hand-drawn image or stamp image that has been edited and input, and the captured image captured by the camera 6. 39 is an image that appears to be combined with 39 (see FIG. 3).
[0034]
In the internal space of the housing 1, a printer 9 is provided that receives a composite image signal transmitted from the computer device 7 and prints the composite image on a print medium 15 to generate a photograph.
[0035]
The printer 9 includes a first print head 10 that prints a photographed image that has undergone primary editing (primary editing will be described later) on a print medium 15, and a primary print medium 15 on which the photographed image that has been primarily edited is printed. A second print head 11 that prints a secondary edited image with a semi-transparent ink whose printing result is semi-transparent is provided at the editing location.
[0036]
As the first print head 10, in this example, a thermal head that is suitable for photographic quality printing, is excellent in image quality, and can be subjected to a sublimation printing method with a relatively short printing time is preferably used. As the first print head 10, for example, an ink jet print head, a color laser print head, a TA (thermal autochrome) print head, or the like can be used.
[0037]
As the second print head 11, in particular, a thermal head capable of a melt-type printing method with extremely high sharpness uses a melt-type translucent ink that does not easily mix with the sublimation dye ink printed by the first print head 10. For this reason, it is possible to perform top coat printing while maintaining the vividness of photographic image quality. In addition, a thermal head capable of a thermal transfer printing method capable of thermally transferring special inks such as fluorescent pigment ink, pearl pigment ink, and metallic pigment ink can also be used, and a translucent ink is applied to a photograph printed by the printer 9. As long as it can be overprinted with the above, it is not particularly limited, and various types can be used.
[0038]
The ink used for the translucent ink is not particularly limited, and various inks are used. For example, various organic pigments such as azo pigments, phthalocyanines, condensed polycyclic pigments, various oxides such as titanium oxide and zinc white, various hydroxides such as alumina white, various sulfides such as cadmium yellow, and chromic acid. And various inorganic pigments such as sulfate, carbonate, silicate, phosphate, arsenate, ferrocyanide, carbon, and metal powder.
[0039]
Among these, fluorescent pigments are particularly preferably used because they are overcoated on the undercoat printed by the first print head 10 and the color mixing by virtue of both printings is vivid and highly decorative. The fluorescent ink is preferably used. By doing in this way, the edit input image that appears as a result of printing the secondary edit image by the second print head 11 matches the color of the translucent fluorescent color ink by the second print head 11 and the color of the primary edit image. The edit input image that appears as a mixed color and appears as a print result can be expressed in a colorful color pattern reflecting the primary edit color pattern.
[0040]
Similarly, metallic pigment inks such as gold and silver using pearl pigments, bronze powder, aluminum powder and the like are also preferably used as ones that exhibit high decorativeness. Various phosphorescent pigments, temperature indicating pigments, and the like are also suitably used because they are decoratively excellent.
[0041]
The print medium 15 printed by the first print head 10 and the second print head 11 is sent out from a delivery port 13 formed on the front surface of the housing 1.
[0042]
Next, the system configuration of the computer device 7 will be described in detail.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 2, the computer device 7 includes a control unit 31 that controls shooting by the camera 6 and image editing, a primary editing unit 28 and a secondary editing unit 27 that perform editing on the shot image, and editing. And a print control unit 34 that controls printing of the image. The control unit 31 receives a detection signal from the coin detection unit 17, thereby generating a captured image by the camera 6, accepting an edit input for the captured image, editing a captured image based on the edit input, and an edited composite image. A series of play control such as printing is started.
[0044]
The computer device 7 is provided with a photographed image storage unit 29 for storing a photographed image as a still image obtained by photographing with the camera 6. On the other hand, the display 8 is provided with a pen input unit 35 such as a tablet in which a handwritten image or the like is input by the touch pen 12 and a display unit 36 such as a liquid crystal display panel for displaying the image or the like. At the time of editing input, the display unit 36 displays a photographed image and various editing input tools, and the user 2 selects the editing input tool with the touch pen 12 to display a hand-drawn image, a stamp image, or the like. An edit input image is input, and the input edit input is received by the pen input unit 35.
[0045]
The computer device 7 is provided with an edit input image storage unit 30 that stores an edit input image input to the pen input unit 35 by operating the touch pen 12 with respect to the pen input unit 35. . Although not shown, a stamp image storage unit for storing a stamp image edited and input by the touch pen 12 is provided. When a stamp image is designated and input by editing input, the stamp image stored therein is stored. Is read and used for editing.
[0046]
Editing of the photographed image based on the editing input performed by the touch pen 12 is performed by the primary editing unit 28 and the secondary editing unit 27 described above.
[0047]
The primary editing means 28 synthesizes the primary image generating unit 24 that generates a primary edited image separately from the captured image, and the primary edited image generated by the primary image generating unit and the captured image, and the first print head 10. And a synthesizing unit 33 that outputs the data.
[0048]
The secondary editing unit 27 generates a print result image 45 corresponding to a print result obtained by printing the secondary edited image with semi-transparent ink on the primary edited photographed image and outputs the print result image 45 to the display unit 36. The image forming apparatus includes a secondary image generation unit 25 and a conversion unit 26 that converts the print result image 45 generated by the secondary image generation unit 25 into a single color image 47 and outputs the image to the second print head 11. Yes.
[0049]
The primary editing by the primary editing means 28 and the secondary editing by the secondary editing means 27 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0050]
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 35 denotes a tablet as a pen input unit, 37 and 38 denote a first layer and a second layer, respectively, 23 denotes a third layer, and the first layer 37 and the second layer 38. , The image data is developed and processed separately on the third layer 23, and the display unit 36 has the second layer 38, the first layer 37, and the third layer 23 in order from the top. The image is displayed as if it were overlaid.
[0051]
On the third layer 23, a photographed image 40 showing the subject 2 is input and displayed. Reference numeral 39 denotes a subject image. At the stage of starting editing input, no image is input to the first layer 37 and the second layer 38. Therefore, the display unit 36 displays the photographed image 40 before editing input.
[0052]
In this state, when the tip of the touch pen 12 is brought into contact with the surface of the pen input unit 35 and an edit input image 43 such as a hand-drawn image is input, the edit input image 43 such as a hand-drawn image or a stamp image input by the edit input is displayed. Based on this, the primary image generation unit 24 of the primary editing unit 28 generates a primary edit image 46 in a portion corresponding to the edit input image 43 of the first layer 37. Further, the secondary image generation unit 25 of the secondary editing unit 27 adds a print result image 45 which is an aspect of the secondary edited image of the present invention to the portion corresponding to the edit input image 43 of the second layer 38. Generate.
[0053]
In this state, an image as if the second image layer 38, the first image layer 37, and the third image layer 23 are superimposed and displayed is displayed on the display unit 36, and the captured image 40 is displayed on the display unit. A print result image 45 overlapping therewith is visible. At this time, the primary edited image 46 is hidden under the print result image 45 and cannot be seen.
[0054]
At this time, the print result image 45 generated by the secondary image generation unit 25 and input to the second image layer 38 and displayed on the display unit 36 is subjected to secondary editing with a semi-transparent ink for the primary edited photographed image. It is the image of the color corresponding to the printing result in which the image was printed. By doing so, an edited image corresponding to the print result is displayed on the display 8, and the user 2 can perform edit input while imagining the print result.
[0055]
Further, the primary edited image 46 is an undercoat color that is not generated in a portion corresponding to the edit input image 43 of the captured image 40 or a portion corresponding to the edit input image 43 of the captured image 40. An image to be changed to is generated. When the area where the edit input image 43 is input is changed to an undercoat color, a primary edit image 46 of one color can be generated, or a primary edit image 46 of a plurality of colors can also be generated.
It is also possible to generate the primary edited image 46 in a state where changes to the white color and the undercoat color are mixed.
[0056]
As described above, an image such as an undercoat color is generated as the primary edited image 46. At this stage, the primary edited image 46 is hidden under the print result image 45 and displayed on the display unit 36 as described above. It is not visible to the user 2 because it is not done.
[0057]
Next, when the editing input is completed, the combining unit 33 of the primary editing unit 28 combines the captured image 40 of the third layer 23 and the primary edited image 46 of the first layer 37 to generate a combined image 44. To do. The composite image 44 includes a subject image 39 and a primary edited image 46. On the other hand, the conversion unit 26 of the secondary editing unit 27 performs binary conversion on the second layer 38 and converts the print result image 45 into a single color image 47 which is another aspect of the secondary edited image of the present invention. .
[0058]
At this time, the second image layer 38 including the print result image 45 may be temporarily stored as an image file in the edit input image storage unit 30 upon completion of editing, and converted to a single color image 47 after a print instruction.
[0059]
When printing by the printer 9, the composite image 44 including the subject image 39 and the primary editing image 46 is printed by the first print head 10 as the first printing step, and then the single color image 47 is translucent. The ink is printed as a second printing step by the second print head 11.
[0060]
By this two-stage printing, a composite image including the subject image 39 and the primary edit image 46 is first printed on the print medium 15, and a single color image converted from the print result image 45 on the primary edit image 46. 47 is overprinted. As a result, a single color image 47 is overprinted with a semi-transparent ink on the undercoat color of the primary edit image 46, and the result of printing is a mixed-color edit input image in which the undercoat color and the semi-transparent ink are subtracted and mixed. 43 is formed.
[0061]
As described above, with respect to the primary edit image 46 corresponding to the edit input image 43, the print result obtained by printing the single color image 47 with the second print head 11 by whitening the photographed image or changing to the undercoat color is as follows. The color of the translucent ink by the second print head 11 and the color of the primary editing image 46 appear as a mixed color, and the editing input image 43 has a colorful color pattern expression reflecting the color pattern of the primary editing. It becomes possible.
[0062]
Next, the printer 9 including the first print head 10 and the second print head 11 will be described in detail. The printer 9 includes a first print head 10 and a second print head 11 as shown in FIG.
[0063]
Corresponding to the first print head 10, a first image signal input unit 19a to which an electrical image signal is input and a first image signal that is temporarily input to the first image signal input unit 19a are stored. A buffer memory 20a and a first head controller 21a for controlling the first print head 10 based on the image signal are provided.
[0064]
Corresponding to the second print head 11, a second image signal input unit 19b to which an electrical image signal is input and an image signal input to the second image signal input unit 19b are temporarily stored. A second buffer memory 20b and a second head controller 21b for controlling the second print head 11 based on the image signal are provided.
[0065]
The first print head 10 prints a composite image 44 by primary editing using the first ink ribbon 22a, and the second print head 11 prints a single color image 47 using the second ink ribbon 22b. Is done.
[0066]
The first print head 10 heats a portion necessary for printing the first ink ribbon 22a, and transfers the sublimation dye ink and the overcoating agent spread on the first ink ribbon 22a to the print medium 15. This is a compatible thermal head. Therefore, in this example, as the printing medium 15, it is desirable to use a receiving paper whose surface is coated with an appropriate resin as a receiving layer. The second print head 11 is a thermal head for melt printing that heats and heat-transfers the ink ribbon 22b on which melt-type translucent ink is spread.
[0067]
In this printer apparatus, the first and second ink ribbons 22a and 22b are printed by winding the long ink ribbon 22 in a roll shape and drawing it from the roll in the direction of arrow A. The first and second ink ribbons 22a and 22b consumed for printing are wound up in a roll shape.
[0068]
The printing medium 15 is also printed by winding the long printing medium 15 in a roll shape and pulling it out from the roll in the direction of arrow A. The printed portion (a region of a certain length at the tip) is cut with an appropriate cutter and discharged as a photographic print.
[0069]
In the first ink ribbon 22a, as shown in FIG. 4B, sublimation dye inks of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are spread on the base film 60, respectively. Ink regions 61 and overcoating regions 62 for overcoating the images printed with the sublimation dye inks are present alternately in the longitudinal direction.
[0070]
The size of each ink region 61 and overcoating region 62 is substantially the same as the printing range of a photographic print to be printed (in some cases, it may be set slightly larger than the printing range in consideration of a slight displacement of ink). ) Is set. Then, the Y, M, and C sublimation dye inks print the photographed image 40 including the primary edit image 46 recorded on the first image layer 37. After printing with the sublimation dye ink, the printing surface is printed. Overcoating is performed.
[0071]
As shown in FIG. 4C, the second ink ribbon 22b has a large number of translucent ink regions 63 in the longitudinal direction on which a fluorescent ink whose printing result is translucent is spread on the base film 60. It exists to line up. Then, the single color image 47 converted from the print result image 45 of the second image layer 38 is printed by the translucent ink.
[0072]
In this way, the composite image 44 in which the primary edit image 46 is combined with the captured image 40 is printed by the first print head 10, and is printed on the primary edit image 46 of the print medium 15 on which the composite image 44 is printed. Since the single color image 47 is printed by the second print head 11 with the ink whose result is translucent, the primary edit image 46 below the single color image 47 printed translucently by the second print head 11 is transparent. Therefore, the print result appears as a mixed color obtained by subtracting the color of the translucent ink from the second print head 11 and the color of the primary edited image 46. Therefore, even if the translucent ink by the second print head 11 has a single color, the edited input image 43 of the print result reflects the primary editing color pattern, and various color patterns depending on the primary editing state. Expression is possible.
[0073]
Here, the relationship between the color of the primary edit image 46 by the first print head 10, the color of the translucent single color image 47 printed by the second print head 11, and the color of the edit input image 43 appearing as a print result. FIG. 5 shows an example of a table indicating the above. In this example, fluorescent pink is used as the translucent ink used for the second print head 11. According to this example, when the undercoat colors of the primary editing image 46 by the first print head 10 are red, orange, yellow, yellow-green, green, blue-green, blue, purple, jet black, gray, and pure white, When a single-color image 47 is printed with translucent fluorescent pink on the primary editing image 46 of the colors of the colors, the colors are deep red, fluorescent orange, fluorescent orange, amber, flint, bellflower, and fluorescent purple. , Edo purple, okside red, fluorescent magenta, fluorescent pink. In particular, by printing the single-color image 47 with translucent fluorescent pink, the obtained subtractive color mixed colors of fluorescent color orange, fluorescent color purple, and fluorescent color pink are beautiful while maintaining high saturation. A decorative effect can be obtained.
[0074]
In this example, the change to the undercoat color that changes the color of the area where the edit input image 43 of the photographed image is input as the primary editing is shown. Although not illustrated in FIG. 5, a transparent color in which nothing is generated in a region where the edited input image 43 of the photographed image is input as primary editing is white in the primary editing portion. In this case, the color of the captured image 40 itself becomes the color of the primary edited image 46.
[0075]
The color specified in the edit input image edited and input to the pen input unit 35 of the display 8 with the touch pen 12 is the color of the print result of the table. When the primary editing by the primary editing means 28, the editing is performed. Based on the color specified in the input, the above table is used, and the result of color mixing by semi-transparent ink overprinting in the second print head 11 sets the undercoat color as the specified color, and the set undercoat color A primary edited image 46 is generated.
[0076]
In this way, the primary edited image 46 needs to be printed with an undercoat color different from the specified color specified by the edit input. By referring to the table, the undercoat corresponding to the specified color is used. The color can be set and printed by the first print head 10.
[0077]
At this time, color designation in the input operation of the edit input image 43 by the touch pen 12 is performed by selecting a pen selection button 51 (see FIG. 7) which is a color designation tool displayed on the edit input screen, as will be described later. It is. The primary editing performed based on the edit input image 43 is a result of subtractive color mixing by overcoating the single color image 47 with semi-transparent ink in the second print head 11, and the print result is displayed by the pen selection button 51. This is done with the undercoat color set to the specified color. The setting of the undercoat color at this time is determined by the above table. The primary editing image 46 is printed by the first print head 10 using the undercoat color set in the primary editing.
[0078]
By doing so, the printing result is realized as a result of subtractive color mixing of the undercoat color by the first print head 10 and the translucent ink of the second print head 11 to be overcoated on the first print head 10. The designated color of the print result can be directly designated by editing input, and the primary edited image 46 can be printed by the first print head 10 with the undercoat color corresponding to the designated color, and the print result as designated can be obtained.
[0079]
In addition, a plurality of the tables as described above are held according to the color and type of the semi-transparent ink used for the top coat printing by the second print head 11, and are switched and used according to the semi-transparent ink to be used. Also good. Thus, when the type of the second ink ribbon 22b used in the second print head 11 is changed and the type of the semi-transparent ink to be used is changed, the table is changed to the semi-transparent ink to be used. By switching to the corresponding one, it is possible to realize a print result appropriately according to the specified color.
[0080]
For example, in the table example described above, an example in which fluorescent pink ink is used as the second ink ribbon 22b is shown. However, a fluorescent pink color of pearl mica or metallic fluorescent pink is used as the second ink ribbon 22b. Alternatively, the second ink ribbon 22b such as fluorescent yellow, fluorescent orange, or fluorescent green can be used, and primary editing can be performed by referring to the corresponding table.
[0081]
Further, the computer device 7 is provided with an audio output circuit 32 for outputting audio from the speaker 18.
[0082]
Next, the operation of the photographic print providing apparatus will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. In the figure, “S” means a step.
[0083]
First, a demonstration screen is displayed on the display 8, and a demonstration or guidance sound is output from the speaker 18. In this demonstration screen display state, it is always waiting for coins to be inserted, and if coins are inserted, the process proceeds to the next step, and if no coins are inserted, the display of the demonstration screen is continued.
[0084]
In the demonstration screen display state, when the user 2 enters the booth, a coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot, and a coin is detected by the coin detection unit 17, the photographing play of the subject 2 by the camera 6 is started. (S1). In this photographing play, the subject 2 is imaged by the camera 6 and a captured image that is a moving image is displayed on the display 8 in real time.
[0085]
Then, after the user 2 determines the position adjustment, facial expression, and pose of the subject 2 while viewing the live video displayed on the display 8, the user performs a shutter operation by pressing the shutter button of the operation unit 16 (S2). 2 is instructed to start photographing, countdown display is performed, and a still image at a predetermined moment is fixed as a photographed image (S3).
[0086]
At this time, the display 8 displays a preview of the captured image at that time as a still image, prompts the user 2 to confirm the preview of the captured image (S4), and if the user 2 wishes to retake the image, use it. When the person 2 presses the cancel button of the operation unit 16, the process returns to step 2 to start a new photographing (S5). On the other hand, if the user 2 does not wish to re-take in step 5, if the prescribed number of shots has not been reached, the process returns to step 2 and the next shooting operation is performed (S6). If the prescribed number of shots has been reached in step 6, a guidance screen is displayed to prompt the user 2 to perform pen input with the touch pen 12, and an edit play is started (S7).
[0087]
Here, an example of the edit input screen displayed on the display 8 in the edit play is shown in FIG. In this editing input screen, reference numeral 55 denotes a drawing input unit, which displays a photographed image 40 by the camera 6. 51 designates a color, type, etc. at the time of pen input, a plurality of pen selection buttons functioning as a color designation tool of the present invention, 52 designates a stamp image at the time of stamp input, and also the color designation tool of the present invention A plurality of stamp selection buttons 53 functioning as a plurality of eraser selection buttons for selecting an erase mode for erasing an input pen image or stamp image, all of which select an input tool for drawing input It is an input reception part.
[0088]
By selecting the desired pen selection button 51 with the tip of the touch pen 12 and drawing with the tip of the touch pen 12 on the drawing input unit 55, an input operation of a hand-drawn image with the selected pen can be performed. Similarly, by selecting the desired stamp selection button 52 with the tip of the touch pen 12 and then specifying the position with the tip of the touch pen 12 in the drawing input unit 55, the selected stamp image is input and displayed at the designated location. It has become.
[0089]
Further, by selecting a desired eraser selection button 53 with the tip of the touch pen 12, it is possible to select an erase mode and erase an already input pen image or stamp image. For example, in the “Erase all” mode, all the input pen images etc. are erased. In the “Return once” mode, the one stamp image or pen image that was input immediately before is erased. In the “Normal eraser” mode, After the selection, the part touched with the tip of the touch pen 12 is erased so as to rub the eraser.
[0090]
Reference numerals 56 and 57 are switching buttons for switching the currently selected type of pen selection button and stamp selection button to those currently displayed, and searching for and using other types of pen selection buttons and stamp selection buttons. To operate. A remaining time display unit 54 displays the remaining time of the preparation play.
[0091]
Here, FIG. 8A shows an example of a screen on which the edit input image 43 is input to the photographed image 40 displayed on the drawing input unit 55. FIG. 8A shows a state in which an edit input image 43 is input to the captured image 40 including the subject image 39 by the touch pen 12 and displayed on the display unit 36 of the display 8. This example shows an example in which a rainbow of seven colors is drawn as the editing input image 43 in the back portion of the subject image 39.
[0092]
The rainbow of the above seven colors designates the color to be edited and input with the pen selection button 51 on the editing input screen shown in FIG. 7, draws one color line by hand on the surface of the display 8 with the touch pen 12, and then selects the pen. Specify a different color with the button and draw the next line.
By repeating this operation for seven colors, a seven-color rainbow edit input image 43 is input. In this manner, the edit input image 43 is input (S8).
[0093]
At this time, as shown in FIG. 8C, the primary editing image 46 generated by the primary image generation unit 24 is input to the first layer 37 (S9), and the second layer 38 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8B, the print result image 45 generated by the secondary image generation unit 25 is input (S10), and the photographed image is input to the third layer 23 as shown in FIG. 8C. 40 is entered. The print result image 45 is generated in an area that covers at least an edit input area in which edit input has been performed.
[0094]
The drawing input unit 55 of the display 8 displays an image in which the second layer 38, the first layer 37, and the third layer 23 are overlapped in this order. Therefore, the edit input image 43 displayed on the drawing input unit 55 of the display 8 is the print result image 45 input to the second layer 38. At this stage, the print result image 45 is an image having the same color as the print result.
[0095]
On the other hand, the color of the primary edit image 46 is the specified color specified by the pen selection button 51 as the result of color mixing by the top coat printing of the print result image 45 using the translucent ink in the second print head 11. The undercoat color is set to be
The setting of the undercoat color at this time is determined by the table as described above.
[0096]
Next, it is determined whether or not the play time specified as the edit play time has come (S11). If it is within the time limit, the process returns to step 8 and the play is continued.
[0097]
If the time limit has been reached in step 12, then, as shown in FIG. 8E, 2 images including the print result image 45 of the second layer 38 are converted by the conversion unit 26 of the secondary editing means 27. Data is converted into values, and a single color image 47 is generated in the area of the print result image 45. Further, as shown in FIG. 8F, the primary editing image 46 of the first layer 37 and the captured image 40 of the third layer 23 are synthesized by the synthesis unit 33 of the primary editing unit 28, and the synthesized image 44. Is generated (S12).
[0098]
Next, a print layout selection screen is displayed on the screen, and the user 2 is prompted to select a print layout (S13). When the print layout is determined, the composite image 44 shown in FIG. 8F is printed by the first print head 10 (S14). The composite image 44 including the subject image 39 and the primary edited image 46 is printed with the first ink ribbon 22a, that is, Y, M, and C sublimation dye inks, and then overcoated on the printing surface. The primary editing image 46 is printed by the first print head 10 using the undercoat color set in the primary editing.
[0099]
When printing by the first print head 10 is completed, the single color image shown in FIG. 8E is formed on the primary edit image 46 of the print medium on which the primary edit image 46 is printed by the second print head 11. As shown in FIG. 8G, the single-color image 47 is overprinted on the primary editing image 46 to obtain a printing result in which the editing input image 43 is expressed (S15). .
[0100]
When the printing by the second print head 11 is completed, a photographic print in which a single color image 47 is printed on the composite image 44 with a translucent ink is discharged and provided to the user 2.
[0101]
As described above, according to the above-described photographic print providing apparatus and method, primary editing is performed on the edit input portion of the photographed image 40, the photographed image 40 to which the primary edit image 46 is input is printed by the first print head 10, On the printed primary editing image 46, the second print head 11 prints the single color image 47 converted from the print result image 45 with the ink whose print result is translucent, by the second print head 11. The single-color image 47 that is printed transparently shows the primary editing image 46 therethrough, so that the result of printing is that the color of the semi-transparent ink by the second print head 11 and the color of the primary editing image 46 are matched. Appears as a mixed color.
[0102]
Therefore, even if the translucent ink by the second print head 11 has a single color, the edited input image 43 of the print result reflects the primary editing color pattern, and various color patterns depending on the primary editing state. Expression is possible. In this way, by printing the single color image 47 by the single second print head 11, the expressed edit input image 43 can be expressed in various colors, and the print head can be increased or specially provided as in the conventional apparatus. The edit input image 43 can be printed and expressed in various color patterns without increasing the printing cost by creating a simple ink ribbon or increasing the waste of ink, and the color pattern of colorful edit images can be expressed at a low cost. Can be realized. Moreover, various fluorescent colors other than the fluorescent color pink can be expressed by the ink ribbon 22b of one fluorescent color pink.
[0103]
FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this example, instead of using two ink ribbons as in the above embodiment, the above-described two-step printing is realized with one ink ribbon 22.
[0104]
The ink ribbon 22 has an ink region 61 in which sublimation dye inks of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are spread on the base film 60, and the printing result is translucent. The semi-transparent ink region 63 in which the fluorescent ink to be present is spread and the overcoating region 62 for applying the overcoating on the printing surface exist so as to appear alternately in the longitudinal direction.
[0105]
The first print head 10 prints the photographed image 40 including the primary edited image 46 recorded on the first image layer 37 with the Y, M, and C sublimation dye inks. Next, in the second print head 11, the printing result image 45 recorded on the second image layer 38 is printed with the semi-transparent ink, and then the printing surface is overcoated. Other than that, it is the same as that of the said 1st Embodiment, and there exists the same effect.
[0106]
In each of the above embodiments, the primary editing image 46 printed by the first print head 10 and the single color image 47 converted from the print result image 45 printed by the second print head 11 are substantially the same size. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a single color image 47 of a large area is printed on the primary edited image 46 of a small area, or conversely, A single-color image 47 of a small area can be printed on the primary edited image 46. By doing in this way, the edit input image 43 as a printing result is printed as if it was trimmed, and a high decoration effect can be obtained.
[0107]
In each of the above embodiments, it is also possible to perform conventional editing input. In this case, the editing input image 43 is processed using only the primary editing unit 28 and printed by the secondary editing unit 27. The result image 45 is not generated. In this case, no image data or the like is generated in the second image layer 38, and the edit input image 43 is input to the first image layer 37 as the primary edit image 46 and displayed on the screen.
[0108]
In each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which printing is performed by providing the first print head 10 and the second print head 11 in one printer 9 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to perform printing by connecting two printers equipped with the above, and the scope of the present invention also includes a case where two-step printing as described above is realized with one print head.
[0109]
In each of the above embodiments, the camera 6 can be a digital camera or a video camera, and is not particularly limited. In each of the above embodiments, the printing medium 15 is not particularly limited, and various materials such as paper, seals, plastic films, cards, cloth, non-woven fabric, glass plates, resin plates, and the like are used. be able to. Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which one camera 6 is provided has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of cameras 6 may be provided.
[0110]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the photographic print providing apparatus and method of the present invention, There is provided a table in which a plurality of first colors and a plurality of second colors obtained as a result of printing a single translucent single color superimposed on each of the plurality of first colors are associated with each other. 2 color is designated, and the handwritten image is displayed in that color, and the first color corresponding to the desired second color is determined, the handwritten image is printed in that color, and is superimposed on the halfway The handwritten image is printed in a single transparent color. Therefore, the color of the displayed handwritten image is the same as the color of the final handwritten image obtained as a result of printing. The user can perform editing input while imagining the print result.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of a photographic print providing apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of the photographic print providing apparatus.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a first layer and a second layer on which primary editing and secondary editing are performed.
4A is a configuration diagram showing a printer of the photographic print providing apparatus, FIG. 4B is a first ink ribbon, and FIG. 4C is a second ink ribbon.
FIG. 5 is a table showing colors of printing results obtained by overcoating by undercoating printing by a first printing head and by overcoating printing by a second printing head.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a photo print providing method of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an edit input screen.
8A is a drawing input screen on the edit input screen, FIG. 8B is a second layer, FIG. 8C is a first layer, FIG. 8D is a third layer, and FIG. 8E is converted. A single color image, (F) is an example of a composite image of a primary edited image and a captured image, and (G) is an example of a print result.
9A is a configuration diagram illustrating a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9B is an ink ribbon.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 housing
2 Subject, user, user
3 Back screen
4,5 Support frame
6 Camera
7 Computer equipment
8 display
9 Printer
10 First print head
11 Second print head
12 Touch pen
13 Outlet
14 Transparent plate
15 print media
16 Operation unit
17 Coin detector
18 Speaker
19a First image signal input section
19b Second image signal input unit
20a First buffer memory
20b Second buffer memory
21a First head controller
21b Second head controller
22 Ink ribbon
22a First ink ribbon
22b Second ink ribbon
23 3rd layer
24 Primary image generator
25 Secondary image generator
26 Conversion unit
27 Secondary editing means
28 Primary editing means
29 Captured image storage
30 Edited input image storage
31 Control unit
32 Audio output circuit
33 Synthesizer
34 Print Control Unit
35 Pen input section
36 Display
37 1st layer
38 Second layer
39 Subject image
40 images
43 Edited input image
44 Composite image
45 Print result image
46 Primary editing image
47 Single color image
51 Pen select button
52 Stamp selection button
53 Eraser selection button
54 Remaining time display
55 Drawing input section
56 button
57 Switching button
60 Base film
61 Ink area
62 Overcoating area
63 Translucent ink area

Claims (2)

Photographing means for photographing a subject and generating a photographed image;
A table associating a plurality of first colors with a plurality of second colors obtained as a result of printing a plurality of predetermined semi-transparent single colors on the plurality of first colors;
Designating means for designating a desired second color from the plurality of second colors;
An input means for receiving input of a handwritten image in response to an operation of the touch pen;
A photographed image generated by the photographing means is displayed, and a handwritten image received by the input means in the desired second color designated by the designation means is superimposed on the photographed image. Display means for displaying;
Determining means for referring to the table and determining a first color corresponding to a desired second color designated by the designation means;
The photographed image generated by the photographing means is printed, and the handwritten image received by the input means is printed in the first color determined by the determining means, superimposed on the photographed image. First printing means;
A second printing unit that prints the handwritten image received by the input unit in a semi-transparent single color on the handwritten image printed by the first printing unit; An apparatus for providing photographic prints. A method for providing a photo print by a computer,
The computer associates a plurality of first colors with a plurality of second colors obtained as a result of printing a predetermined semi-transparent single color on the plurality of first colors. Have a table
The photo print providing method includes:
A shooting step of shooting a subject with a camera to generate a shot image;
A designating step of designating a desired second color from the plurality of second colors;
An input step for accepting input of a handwritten image in response to an operation of the touch pen;
The handwritten image displayed in the input step is displayed in the desired second color designated in the designation step by displaying the photographed image generated in the photographing step on the display and overlapping the photographed image. A display step for displaying an image;
A determining step of referring to the table and determining a first color corresponding to a desired second color specified by the specifying step;
The photographed image generated by the photographing step is printed by a printer, and the handwritten image that is input in the input step is superimposed on the photographed image and is input in the input step with the first color determined in the determining step. A first printing step for printing;
And a second printing step of printing the handwritten image received in the input step in the semi-transparent single color on the handwritten image printed by the printer in the first printing step. A method for providing a photographic print.

Images