JP4720685B2 - Automatic photo studio - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic photo studio that automatically captures an image of a subject (subject image) centered on a child.

  A recent child is said to have six wallets. In recent years, when the number of one child increases and one child marries and a child is born, a total of six parents and grandparents love this one child without paying attention to the money.

  Reflecting this social situation, there are an increasing number of photo studios dedicated to taking pictures of children in various parts of the country. In such a photo studio, a mother can bring a small child and have a photographer take a picture of the child, and the photograph taken can be confirmed on the spot. And if you have taken “good photos” (photos that show the cuteness of the children, photos that show the children ’s liveliness, etc.), you can order the same photos in order to send them to your grandparents. become. For this reason, the photo studio also prepares dress-ups such as princess-like dresses so that you can take pictures with a different image than usual.

  In these photo studios, professional photographers take pictures to take pictures that satisfy users. However, hiring a professional photographer increases the cost of operating a photo studio, which in turn increases the price paid by users.

  Also, it is not easy for professional photographers to take “good photos” of small children (approximately 6 years old or younger). This is because a small child may not be able to understand the meaning of the instruction even if the cameraman instructs the direction of the line of sight and the pose. This is because they usually turn in the direction, and on the contrary, their facial expressions become stiff, and they run around even when they are required to stop.

  Rather, the fact that there are strange photographers other than mothers makes it difficult for small children to relax and to take “good photos”.

  Recently, an automatic photo studio system has been proposed in order to reduce the above-described operating costs and to perform shooting in a relaxed atmosphere by eliminating other people such as a photographer.

  The automatic photo studio system is a photo studio equipped with an automatic photo studio, photo editing equipment and printing device, and users can take photos of their children without worrying about others' eyes in the auto photo studio. You can shoot and use the photo editing equipment to edit the photo you took, such as attaching a decorative frame or entering the date of the photo. And you can print just the photos you like in various sizes on the spot and take them home.

  Even in such an automatic photo studio system, it is not easy to take a photo that can be taken home as a memorial with a small child as a subject. As children turn their attention one after another to something that attracts attention, it is even more difficult to make them stand still at the shutter timing, and to make a good face and a good pose.

  In order to solve such problems, the applicants of the present application have already installed a monitor in the vicinity of the camera of the automatic shooting studio, and displayed the video of the game on this monitor to attract the attention of the child. Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-192183 proposes a method of calling a child to jump or lie down and shooting at the timing of this call.

  However, even if such a method is adopted, a small child can shoot without blurring (that is, the child keeps a substantially stationary state at the shutter timing) while staying within the shooting angle of view at the shutter timing. Probability is not high.

  For this reason, in the automatic photography studio of the automatic photo studio, in addition to the above-described method, continuous photography is performed every predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds), and 50 sheets are used every time the automatic photography studio is used. Taking a photo (image) of a degree is performed. In other words, increasing the number of shots results in an increase in the number of good photos.

  As described above, about 50 photographs (images) are taken every time the automatic photographing studio is used. In addition, a user who visits an automatic photo studio often uses an automatic photo studio several times per visit, rather than using the auto photo studio once.

  For this reason, it takes a lot of time to check a photograph taken by the user and select a favorite photograph to be edited / printed and taken home. Also, you can't display and compare hundreds of photos at once on the screen (the image gets smaller and you can't check the contents even if you forcibly display it), so for example, several photos are displayed in order. Then, the method of selecting sequentially can be considered.

  Therefore, in an automatic photo studio, for example, failed photos in which only a part of the subject is captured or failed photos in which a face is not captured are discarded as memory for selection / editing / printing (memory). Therefore, it is necessary to facilitate the selection of photos by reducing the number of useless photographed images (photos).

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to determine whether shooting has been successful in an automatic photo studio, that is, whether a child as a subject has been successfully shot in a shot image. The photographed image determined to be a failed photograph is erased from the memory, thereby facilitating the user to select a photograph (selected photographed image) and to effectively use memory resources. .

In order to achieve the above object, an automatic photo studio according to the present invention includes a shooting camera for taking a still image of a subject, memory means for storing a shot image taken by the shooting camera, and the shooting camera. It is determined whether each photographed image taken in step 1 and stored in the memory means is a success photograph or a failure photograph. If the photographed photograph is a failure photograph, the photographed image is deleted from the memory means. A success photo determination / image erasure control means, wherein the success photo determination / image erasure control means performs a process of generating a skin image portion by extracting a skin color portion of a subject from a photographed image, and generating the skin image portion If it is not possible, and if the ratio of the generated skin image portion to the entire image is less than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined by the user at the automatic photo studio that determines that the photo is a failure. A is in accordance with the specified skin exposure value imaging subject Utsushitai comprises means for determining the threshold value.

  According to the present invention, in an automatic photo studio, it is determined whether or not a child as a subject is well photographed in a photographed image. For example, a photographed image in which only a part of a child is photographed or a child's face is displayed. A photographed image that does not appear, or a photographed image where a child is approaching the edge of the field of view is determined to be a failed photo, and for a captured image that is determined to be a failed photo, this is stored in memory. Therefore, it is easy for the user to select a photo (photographed image selection), and it is possible to effectively use memory resources.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a layout diagram showing the in-store (in-house) structure of an automatic photo studio according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the present example).

  In the automatic photo studio 0101, equipments of a counter 0102, a satellite 0106, and a studio 0107 are arranged.

  The detailed configuration and function of each facility will be described later. The counter 0102 is a facility for the user to issue an IC card to be used in the store and to perform accounting. Studio 0107 is an automatic photography studio equipped with a camera, lighting, background, and the like. The satellite 0106 is a facility for a user to spend time before photographing or to edit a photographed image, and includes a table on which a computer is installed and one or more chairs.

  In the automatic photo studio 0101 store, a plurality of studios 0107 and a plurality of satellites 0106 are installed so that a plurality of users can simultaneously shoot and edit images.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, a counter system 0104, a printer system 0105, and a server system 0103 including a computer system and various components connected thereto are installed near the counter 0102. Similarly, a satellite system 0110 is installed in each satellite 0106, and a studio system 0111 is installed in each studio 0107.

  In addition to the above facilities, the store has a costume shelf that stores rental costumes used for shooting, a room for changing clothes, shelves for storing small items such as stuffed animals used for shooting, toilets, shoe boxes, and bored. There are various facilities necessary for the operation of an automatic photo studio, such as a play area for children to play and a backyard for storing equipment.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the entire system configuration of the automatic photo studio according to the present embodiment. The detailed configuration of each system in FIG. 2 will be described later. The server system 0103 records various files used mainly in the entire automatic photo studio system, and provides data according to requests from other systems. It functions as a so-called file server. The counter system 0104 performs operations necessary for the operation of an automatic photo studio, such as issuance of IC cards, confirmation of printing status, and accounting. On the other hand, the satellite system 0110 and the studio system 0111 are systems mainly for users, and are used for image (photo) editing and image shooting, respectively. A printer system 0105 is a system for controlling image printing by a printer.

  Each system is configured by connecting a computer such as a PC and peripheral devices such as an IC card R / W (reader / writer), a touch panel monitor, and the like, and are connected to each other via a communication line 0114. Therefore, for example, the server system 0103 receives the operating status information of the satellite system 0110, records it in a file for managing the operating status of the automatic photo studio system, and sends it in accordance with a request from the counter system 0104. It can be displayed on a touch panel monitor of the counter system 0104.

  For the printer system 0105, the satellite system 0110, and the studio system 0111, a plurality of systems of the same type may be installed according to the number of users and the number of printed images. In the following description, the server system 0103, the counter system 0104, the printer system 0105, the satellite system 0110, and the studio system 0111 are simply referred to as “system”. In addition, when all of a plurality of systems are systems of the same application, for example, the printer system 0105, they are described as “the same type of system”.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of use of the automatic photo studio by the user in the automatic photo studio (hereinafter abbreviated as “store”) according to the present embodiment.

  When the user enters the store (S0301), first, the counter 0102 accepts it (S0302) and receives an IC card (player card). As a user, it is assumed that parents and children (especially, a user group consisting of a mother and its children) is the center, and one IC card is given to one user group. The IC card identifies a user or user group (hereinafter, even if it is a user group, it is simply described as “user” unless there is a need to clearly indicate that there are multiple users). A unique code is recorded.

  Next, the user moves to a vacant satellite 0106, sits down, and waits for a studio 0107 to be used for photographing to become available (S0303). At this time, if it is not clear how to use the store for the first time, the satellite system 0110 can be used to explain the usage.

  When a user who has used the target studio 0107 leaves, the lamp installed near the entrance of the studio 0107 indicating that the studio is in use is turned off. The user confirms that the studio 0107 can be used by turning off the light, moves to the studio 0107, and performs shooting using the studio system 0111 (S0304).

  When it is desired to continue shooting in another studio 0107 after the shooting is completed, the camera 0107 is moved after confirming that the studio 0107 can be used, and when the target studio is in use, the satellite 0106 is moved. (In the case of YES at S0305). Also, when it is desired to display and confirm the photographed image once, it is returned to the satellite 0106 (NO in S0305). At this time, it is not always necessary to return to the satellite 0106 sitting down after visiting the store, and it is sufficient to go to the satellite 0106 that is free at this time.

  In the satellite 0106, the captured image can be confirmed and selected using the satellite system 0110 (S0306). Even if a favorite image is selected, if it is desired to further shoot (YES in S0307), it is possible to shoot again in the studio 0107.

  If there is no need for additional shooting (NO in S0307), the user uses the satellite system 0110 to edit the selected image, and then selects a photo to be finally printed and prints it. (S0308).

  After the printing instruction is completed, the user stops at the counter 0102, returns the IC card, completes the accounting, receives the output photo (S0309), and exits (S0310).

  In the following, first, the detailed configuration and the like of each facility and each system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described, and then each process (reception, shooting, editing, etc.) in the flowchart of FIG. The operation will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a view of a part of the counter 0102 as viewed obliquely from above. FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are block diagrams of the server system 0103, the counter system 0104, and the printer system 0105, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a PC main body 0600 of the counter system 0104 and a PC main body 0700 of the printer system 0105 are stored in the counter table. On the counter table, a touch-type monitor 0603 for employees to perform processes such as reception, a touch-type monitor 0703 for performing processes such as additional printing, and a printer 0710a for printing / outputting photographs are placed. . Although not shown in FIG. 4, the IC cards R / W 0606a and 0606b of the counter system 0104 and the IC card R / W 0706 of the printer system 0105 are also placed on the counter table.

  Inside the counter 0102, a PC main body 0500 of the server system 0103, a monitor 0503, and a keyboard 0504 and an IC card R / W 0506 (not shown in FIG. 4) are installed.

  The PC main body of each system and its peripheral devices, and the PC main bodies of each system need only be able to communicate with each other by a wired or wireless method, and the installation location is not limited to the above-described location. In consideration of the aesthetics of the store, it should be installed at a convenient location for normal operation.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the server system 0103 includes a PC main body 0500, a monitor (server monitor) 0503, a keyboard 0504, and an IC card R / W 0506.

  Employees operate using the keyboard 0504 to create newly adopted IC cards for employees (hereinafter referred to as “operator cards”) using the IC card R / W0506, or to make system settings. Can be initially created or changed, and the operating status of each system can be displayed on the monitor 0503.

  The PC main body 0500 has a CPU 0501, a memory 0502, an image output unit 0505, a communication interface 0507, and a magnetic disk 0508. The magnetic disk 0508 records information necessary for store operation and the like.

  Each information is transmitted / received to / from other systems such as the counter system 0104 via the communication interface 0507 and the communication line 0114.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the counter system 0104. The counter system 0104 includes a PC main body 0600, a touch monitor (touch counter monitor) 0603, and IC cards R / W 0606a and 0606b. The PC main body 0600 includes a CPU 0601, a memory 0602, an image output unit 0605, a communication interface 0607, and a magnetic disk 0608.

  An employee (operator) is allowed to operate the counter system 0104 by inserting the operator card into the IC card R / W0806a, and performs an actual operation by touching the monitor 0603 with a finger. For example, it is possible to input the information of the user who has visited the store, create an IC card inserted into the IC card R / W0806b as a player card, or display the usage status of each system on the monitor 0603.

  User information or the like input by the counter system 0104 is transmitted / received to / from other systems such as the server system 0103 via the communication interface 0607 and the communication line 0114.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the printer system 0105. The printer system 0105 includes a PC main body 0700, a touch monitor (touch printer monitor) 0703, an IC card R / W 0706, and one or more printers 0710a, 0710b, and 0710c (hereinafter referred to as printer 0710a). , 0710b and 0710c are collectively referred to as a printer 0710). The reason why a plurality of printers 0710 are connected is that, in addition to the purpose of shortening the printing waiting time by performing printing in parallel using a plurality of printers 0710, printers generally distributed in the market are A3 size. For example, it is possible to print only up to a certain size. For example, a special printer is required to print the A1 plate. The PC main body 0700 includes a CPU 0701, a memory 0702, an image output unit 0705, a communication interface 0707, a magnetic disk 0708, and a printer control unit 0709.

  An employee (operator) is allowed to operate the printer system 0105 by inserting the operator card into the IC card R / W 0706, and performs an actual operation by touching the monitor 0703 with a finger. For example, it is possible to perform operations such as reprinting (redo printing) when a problem occurs during printing.

  The processing status of the printer system 0105 is transmitted / received to / from other systems such as the server system 0103 via the communication interface 0707 and the communication line 0114.

  FIG. 8 is a view of the satellite 0106 as viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the satellite system 0110.

  The satellite 0106 is a facility for a user to wait for a free space in the studio 0107 or to edit a captured image. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a circular table is divided into approximately four equal parts by a partition plate 0804, and one or more chairs and a satellite system 0110 are provided in each partitioned place. .

  In this embodiment, the PC main body 0900 of the satellite system 0110 is housed in the column 0803 of the table 0801, and the touch monitor 0903, the touch pen 0904, and the IC card R / W 0906 are attached to the upper surface 0802 of the table 0801. It has been. The PC main body 0900, the touch-type monitor 0903, the touch pen 0904, and the IC card R / W 0906 are connected to be communicable by wire or wirelessly.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the satellite system 0110 includes a PC main body 0900, a touch-type monitor (satellite monitor) 0903, a touch pen 0904, and an IC card R / W 0906. The PC main body 0900 includes a CPU 0901, a memory 0902, an image output unit 0905, a communication interface 0907, and a magnetic disk 0908.

  The user can operate using the touch pen 0904 to display the shooting method in the studio 0107 on the touch-type monitor 0903, and to perform operations such as editing of a captured image and a print instruction. Note that it is also possible to operate with a finger without using the touch pen 0904. In this case, since the touch pen is unnecessary, the cost required for the system construction can be reduced, and the touch pen does not break down or be lost. However, some users are reluctant to touch the monitor screen touched by another person's hand, so this point needs attention.

  The memory 0902 stores line drawing patterns and thicknesses used for image editing, various stamp images prepared in advance for image composition, print layout samples, various guidance messages (speech and sentence information), and the like. . These pieces of information are recorded in the magnetic disk 0508 of the server system 0103 and transferred to the satellite system 0110 as necessary when starting the satellite system 0110 or updating the recorded contents of the magnetic disk 0508. can do.

  The usage status of the satellite system 0110 is transmitted / received to / from other systems such as the server system 0103 via the communication interface 0907 and the communication line 0114.

  Next, the configuration and function of the studio 0107 will be described. Studio 0107 is intended for children of a certain age or older who can change their standing position or pose according to their parents' instructions.

  FIG. 10 is a view of the studio 0107 as viewed from obliquely above. The studio 0107 is surrounded on three sides by walls 1005a, 1005b, and 1005c so that the studio 0107 is not seen from the outside. An in-use lamp 1227 is installed on the wall 1005c in the vicinity of the entrance / exit 1006. The lamp is turned on during photographing, and the lamp is turned off when photographing is completed. Therefore, the user can know from the outside whether the studio is vacant by blinking the in-use lamp 1227.

  In FIG. 10, the inside of the studio with the wall 1005c watermarked is drawn, but this does not indicate that the wall 1005c is a transparent wall, but is due to the necessity for drawing. The wall 1005c may be transparent glass or the like, but should normally be an opaque wall material.

  Inside the studio 0107, near one end, a camera box 1002 housing a camera for shooting 1221 and the like, and an illumination device 1222 for illuminating a user who is a subject (front strobe 1001a, right strobe 1001b, left strobe 1001c). A surface light source 1222a) that is always lit not shown in FIG. 10 is installed, and a horizont curtain 1004 and a background mechanism 1223 are installed in the vicinity of the opposite end. A space between the camera box 1002 and the horizont curtain 1004 becomes a shooting space, and a user (usually a child) who is a subject enters the shooting space and takes a pose by taking instructions from the mother and taking a picture.

  A console 1003 is placed in front of the shooting space, and a touch panel for the user (usually a mother) to determine a shooting mode to be described later and to confirm the pose of the subject. A formula operation monitor 1203 is attached.

  An IC card R / W 1206 is also attached to the console 1003. When the user inserts the player card into the IC card R / W 1206, the studio system 0111 of the studio 0107 becomes usable, and the in-use lamp 1227 lights up.

  The camera box 1002 houses a shooting camera 1221 for shooting a subject (still image shooting) and a monitor camera 1220 for shooting a subject image in real time (moving image shooting).

  The monitor camera 1220 is installed in the vicinity of the shooting camera 1221, and captures substantially the same image as the image that should be shot by the shooting camera 1221.

  The image (moving image) projected by the monitor camera 1220 is displayed on the operation monitor 1203, and the mother confirms this by checking whether the child is within the shooting angle of view. You can instruct them to move left and right or pose.

  In addition, the image projected by the monitor camera 1220 is also displayed on the confirmation monitor 1205 housed in the camera box 1002. The purpose is to show the child, who is the subject, and to attract interest.

As a background for shooting, a favorite one of a plurality of roll curtains set in the background mechanism 1223 can be selected and used, or the roll curtains are all rolled up and colored in a color that is easy to synthesize chroma keys. It is also possible to use a horizont curtain 1004 that has been made.
FIG. 11 is a simplified block diagram of the studio system 0111. As shown in FIG. The studio system 0111 includes a studio PC 1200, a monitor camera 1220, a photographing camera 1221, an operation monitor 1203, and a confirmation monitor 1205.

  An image photographed by the photographing camera 1221 is temporarily recorded on a magnetic disk or the like of the studio PC 1200 that has photographed, and transferred to the server system 0103. The studio PC 1200 is responsible for the main functions of the studio system 0111 described above.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a studio PC 1200 which is a main component of the studio system 0111 and each component connected thereto. The above-described components and the like are connected to the studio PC 1200 of the studio system 0111. The studio PC 1200 gives a shooting instruction to the CPU 1201 that controls the entire studio PC 1200 by a program stored in the memory 1202, a magnetic disk 1208 that stores various image data (for example, sample content described later), and the monitor camera 1220. Also, a monitor camera control unit 1231 that inputs a captured image (moving image), a shooting camera control unit 1232 that gives a shooting instruction to the shooting camera 1221 and inputs a shot image (still image) , A confirmation monitor image output unit 1235 for displaying a moving image of the subject on the confirmation monitor 1205, an audio output unit 1237 for outputting audio signals of various guidance messages to the speaker 1224, and various guidance messages (audio) And text information) And 1238, a timer 1225 for measuring various operating time or the like, a background mechanism control section 1236 for controlling the background mechanism 1223 includes such use during lamp controller 1244 for controlling the use of the lamp 1227.

  Image information and the like captured by the studio system 0111 are transmitted / received to / from other systems such as the server system 0103 via the communication interface 1207 and the communication line 0114.

  This is the end of the description of each system component, and hereinafter, the operation of the studio system directly related to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing performed in the studio system 0111.

  When activated, the CPU 1201 of the studio system 0111 displays a screen for prompting insertion of an IC card on the operation monitor 1203 (S1301), and waits until a player card is inserted into the IC card R / W 1206 (S1302).

  When a player card is inserted into the IC card R / W 1206, refer to the usage history of the day recorded on the IC card, and if an attempt is made to continuously shoot in the studio immediately after shooting, an error will be indicated. After the display, a screen prompting insertion of the IC card is displayed again (S1303).

  If the studio can be used, the CPU 1201 turns on the in-use lamp 1227, displays the shooting course selection screen on the operation monitor 1203, and performs shooting course selection processing (S1304).

  FIG. 14 shows a display example of the shooting course selection screen. On the shooting course selection screen, four buttons labeled “dance shooting”, “game shooting”, “pose shooting”, and “free shooting” are displayed. When the user touches one of the four buttons, the CPU 1201 displays a display corresponding to each shooting course on the operation monitor 1203 and the confirmation monitor 1205 (S1306). For “Dance Shooting”, “Game Shooting”, and “Pause Shooting”, the type is selected (S1307, S1309, S1311), shooting processing is performed (S1308, S1310, S1312), and “Free Shooting” is left as it is. A photographing process is performed (S1313).

  Since the operation of the system in each course is basically the same, the case where dance shooting is selected will be described first, and then the differences in other courses will be described.

  When dance shooting is selected, the CPU 1201 displays a dance selection screen on the monitor 1203 (S1307). At this time, the confirmation monitor 1205 displays an animation screen for attracting the child's interest.

  FIG. 15 shows a display example of the dance selection screen. On the dance selection screen, there are three buttons labeled “Relaxing Yugi Course (2 to 4 years old)”, “Fun Enjoying Yugi Course (4 to 6 years old)” and “Exact Dance Course (6 years old and up)” Is displayed. When the user touches any of these three buttons, the CPU 1201 displays a shooting screen on the operation monitor 1203 and performs shooting processing (S1308). The photographing process ends when a predetermined time elapses.

  FIG. 16 shows a display example of the shooting screen. On the shooting screen, both a studio monitor video 1601 that is a sample video (sample content) showing the instructor dancing a sample dance and an in-studio video 1602 showing the child in the studio are displayed.

  The confirmation monitor 1205 displays the same video as the studio monitor video 1601.

  The video displayed on the in-studio video 1602 (as described above, the same video is also displayed on the confirmation monitor 1205) is a video (moving image) taken by the monitor camera 1220.

  The selected sample content (studio monitor image 1601 as a sample image) is recorded in advance on the magnetic disk 1208 of the studio PC 1200 of the studio system 0111. The camera designation information differs depending on the sample content. For example, after 23 seconds from the start of the video data, the instructor calls, such as “Oh, jump, ichi, ni, sang”, and then the video that the instructor jumps is If it is recorded, shooting is performed in accordance with the playback time of this video.

  In the dance shooting described above, shooting is automatically performed, that is, when shooting processing starts and the same video as the studio monitor video 1601 is displayed on the confirmation monitor 1205, the CPU 1201 continues until a predetermined time elapses. That is, shooting is continuously performed until the video of the selected sample content is completed. In general, photographing is performed for about 3 to 5 minutes.

  More specifically, the CPU 1201 shoots after a certain time (for example, after 3 seconds) when the shooting process starts, and waits until the strobe (1001a, 1001b, 1001c) is charged after the shooting is finished. And shoot again. This is repeated until the photographing process is completed.

  Because the subject is a small child, even if a nearby mother specifies a standing position or pose, it is not always possible to follow the instructions, and even if the instructor instructs jumping etc. on the sample content video, You can't act that way. For this reason, the possibility of taking a well-made photograph is increased by increasing the frequency of shooting as much as possible and continuously shooting.

  Next, the processing when “game shooting” is selected on the shooting course selection screen will be described focusing on differences from the case of dance shooting. The differences are the following two points.

  1) In “game shooting”, a game selection screen is displayed instead of a dance selection screen. As in the dance selection screen, the user can select a game suitable for the child who is the subject from a plurality of games displayed on the game selection screen according to the age of the child.

  2) When the game is selected, unlike the dance shooting, only the in-studio video 1602 showing the state of the child in the studio is displayed on the shooting screen of the operation monitor 1203. In addition, on the confirmation monitor 1205, not a video in which an instructor is shown, but a video in which a video of a child, which is a subject that is shot in a studio video 1602, is displayed on a game video. As game images, images of balloons of various colors falling one after another as shown in FIG. 17 and images of moles appearing irregularly or appearing at multiple locations on the screen are displayed. , "Now the balloon!" When a child puts his limbs on a balloon or a video of a mole, the balloon breaks or the mole turns his eyes, so the child is amused and performs various actions. As a result, it is possible to shoot a pose with lively movements of a child that cannot normally be taken.

  Next, the processing when “pose shooting” is selected on the shooting course selection screen will be described focusing on differences from the case of dance shooting. The differences are the following two points.

  1) In “pose photography”, a pose selection screen is displayed instead of a dance selection screen. As in the dance selection screen, the user can select a pose sample content suitable for the child as the subject from a plurality of poses according to the age of the child displayed on the pose selection screen.

  2) When pose shooting is selected, as with dance shooting, the shooting screen of the operation monitor 1203 includes a studio monitor video 1601 that is a sample video showing the instructor taking a sample pose, Both the in-studio video 1602 showing the child's state are displayed. Similar to the shooting screen of the operation monitor 1203, the confirmation monitor 1205 also has a studio monitor image 1601 that is a sample image showing the instructor taking a pose of the sample, and an inside of the studio that shows the child in the studio. Both images 1602 are displayed. The sample video shows the instructor standing, sitting, and lying down, and uses voice messages to encourage the child to take the same pose.

  Next, the processing when “free shooting” is selected on the shooting course selection screen will be described focusing on differences from the case of dance shooting. Differences are the following three points.

  1) In “free shooting”, a shooting screen starts without displaying a selection screen such as a dance selection screen.

  2) In the shooting process, a video shot by the monitor camera 1220 is displayed on the shooting screen of the operation monitor 1203, and two images labeled “shutter” and “triple shooting” are displayed below the video. A button is displayed. When the user presses the “shutter” button, the photographing camera 1221 performs photographing. In the case of “triple continuous shooting”, three continuous shootings are performed by the shooting camera 1221. Regardless of which button is pressed, the mother who is the user guides the child to make a good pose while viewing the display on the operation monitor 1203 or the like.

  3) In free shooting, as described above, shooting is not automatically performed, but is performed by pressing a single shooting or triple shooting button. The photographing process ends when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start.

  Next, a method for determining whether a photographed image is a successful photograph or a failed photograph, and not leaving the failed photograph in the memory, which is commonly performed in each photographing course, will be described below.

  First, a first determination method for determining whether the photograph is a success photograph or a failure photograph will be described.

  When shooting is performed, the CPU 1201 records a shot image (still image) shot by the shooting camera 1221 in the memory 1202, cuts out only the subject from the background of the shot image, and simply masks the subject portion (hereinafter simply referred to as a mask pattern). (Described as “mask pattern”), and records this in the memory 1202. Note that a technique for cutting out a subject from the background, that is, a technique for generating a mask pattern, is widely known as a technique related to chromach synthesis and the like, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a state of studio photography in the present embodiment, and a dressed child stands in front of a background that can be combined with black and white.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically showing how the above-described mask pattern is recorded, taking FIG. 18 as an example.

  That is, FIG. 19A shows a mask pattern 1901 when the subject (child) is photographed in the state of approaching the photographing camera 1221, and FIG. 19B shows the subject being photographed. A mask pattern 1902 is shown when an image is taken away from the camera 1221. FIG. 19C shows an unmasked pattern in which the subject is outside the shooting angle of view of the shooting camera 1221 and the mask pattern is generated, but the subject portion is not obtained at all. 1903 is shown.

  After recording the mask pattern including the non-mask pattern, the CPU 1201 obtains the ratio of the mask pattern size to the entire image (captured image) (hereinafter referred to as “subject ratio”). The subject ratio can be obtained, for example, by dividing the number of pixels in the mask pattern portion by the number of pixels in the entire image.

  If the subject ratio is less than a predetermined value (hereinafter referred to as “mask pattern threshold”), the CPU 1201 regards the photograph as a failed photograph and deletes the captured image from the memory 1202. If the subject ratio is equal to or greater than the mask pattern threshold, the CPU 1201 regards the photograph as a successful photograph, and causes the memory 1202 to maintain recording of the photographed image. Then, in both the successful photo determination and the failed photo determination, the mask pattern recorded in the memory 1202 is deleted after the determination.

  For example, in FIG. 19, the subject ratio of the non-mask pattern 1903 (substantially no mask pattern) is zero. If the subject ratios of the mask pattern 1901 and the mask pattern 1902 are 0.3 and 0.05, respectively, and the mask pattern threshold is 0.2, the subject ratio of the mask pattern 1901 is equal to or greater than the mask pattern threshold. Therefore, the photographed image corresponding to the mask pattern 1901 is a successful photograph and is left in the memory 1202 record. On the other hand, since the subject ratio of the mask pattern 1902 is less than the mask pattern threshold, the photographed image corresponding to the mask pattern 1902 is a failed photograph and is deleted from the recording in the memory 1202. In addition, since the mask pattern 1903 could not be substantially generated (because the subject ratio is 0), the maskless pattern 1903 is naturally a failure photo, and the captured image corresponding to the maskless pattern 1903 is naturally a failure photo. , Deleted from the record in the memory 1202.

  The mask pattern threshold value described above may be set to a predetermined value in advance by the system, or may be changed for each shooting course or sample content. For example, when manual shooting is performed in a free shooting course, the mask pattern threshold value may be increased. On the other hand, when there is a large movement of children such as a dance course and it is difficult to take a good photo, if the mask pattern threshold value is increased, there is a possibility that the success photo may disappear, so the mask pattern threshold value may be lowered. Furthermore, if the sample content is to be shot following the call “approaching”, the mask pattern threshold is increased, and if the shot is to be shot after the call “let's go backwards”, the mask pattern threshold is set. You can lower it.

  Note that only the photographed image determined to be a successful photograph is sequentially transferred from the memory 1202 of the studio system 0111 to the server system 0103 every time it is determined to be a successful photograph, or a series of photographing in the studio 0107 is completed. The images are later transferred in a lump. After this transfer process, the photographed image is erased from the memory 1202. Therefore, not only the effective use of the memory of the studio system 0111 but also the effective use of the memory of the server system 0103 can be achieved at the same time. This also applies to the following second to fifth determination methods.

  Next, a second determination method for determining whether the photograph is a success photograph or a failure photograph will be described. When photographing is performed, the CPU 1201 records a photographed image (still image) photographed by the photographing camera 1221 in the memory 1202 and, from the photographed image, a skin color part (exposed skin part of a child as a subject). The image of only the skin color part of the subject (this can also be said to be a mask pattern (skin part mask pattern), but in order to unify the terms described in the claims, this is referred to as “skin image” below. (Denoted “part”), and this is recorded in the memory 1202.

  The skin color portion is extracted by defining a range of RGB values (or CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, blackK) values and other values that can specify other colors) of the skin color, and, for example, this RGB value range from the photographed image. This can be achieved by extracting the pixels within.

  In FIG. 20, reference numeral 2001 denotes a skin image portion of a captured image corresponding to the mask pattern 1901 in FIG. After recording the skin image portion, the CPU 1201 obtains the ratio of the size of the skin image portion in the entire image (captured image) (hereinafter referred to as “skin ratio”). The skin ratio can be obtained, for example, by dividing the number of pixels in the skin image portion by the number of pixels in the entire image.

  When the above skin ratio is less than a predetermined value (hereinafter referred to as “skin threshold”) (including the case where the skin image portion is not extracted / generated), the CPU 1201 uses a failed photo. The captured image is deleted from the memory 1202 assuming that there is. Further, when the skin ratio is equal to or higher than the skin threshold, the CPU 1201 regards the photograph as a successful photograph and causes the memory 1202 to maintain recording of the photographed image. Then, in any of the successful photo determination and the failed photo determination, the skin image portion (skin portion mask pattern) recorded in the memory 1202 is deleted after the determination.

  The skin threshold value may be set to a predetermined value in advance by the system, or may be changed for each shooting course or sample content. For example, the skin threshold value may be increased when manual shooting is performed in a free shooting course. On the other hand, if the movement of the child is large, such as a dance course, and it is difficult to take a good picture, the skin threshold may be lowered because there is a possibility that the success photograph disappears if the skin threshold is increased. Furthermore, in the sample content, if you want to shoot following the call to “approach”, increase the skin threshold, and if you want to shoot after the call to “go down”, lower the skin threshold. That's fine.

  Next, a third determination method for determining whether the photograph is a success photograph or a failure photograph will be described. This third determination method uses the above-described second determination method in addition to the above-described first determination method.

  That is, when shooting is performed, the CPU 1201 records a shot image (still image) shot by the shooting camera 1221 in the memory 1202 and extracts and generates a mask pattern and a skin image portion of the subject portion from the shot image. This is recorded in the memory 1202. The CPU 1201 regards it as a success photograph only when the subject ratio is equal to or greater than the mask pattern threshold and the skin ratio is equal to or greater than the skin threshold, and otherwise regards it as a failure photograph. If it is determined that the photograph is a successful photograph, the memory 1202 keeps recording of the photographed image. If it is determined that the photograph is a failed photograph, the photographed image is deleted from the memory 1202. Further, in both the successful photo determination and the failed photo determination, after the determination, the mask pattern and the skin image part (skin part mask pattern) recorded in the memory 1202 are deleted.

  Also in the third determination method, the mask pattern threshold value and the skin threshold value may be set to predetermined values in advance by the system, or may be changed for each shooting course and sample content.

  Next, a fourth determination method for determining whether the photograph is a success photograph or a failure photograph will be described.

  When shooting is performed, the CPU 1201 records a shot image (still image) shot by the shooting camera 1221 in the memory 1202 and extracts and generates a mask pattern and a skin image portion of the subject portion from the shot image. This is recorded in the memory 1202. Then, the number of pixels of the skin image part is divided by the number of pixels of the mask pattern (in the example of FIGS. 19 and 20, the area of the skin image part of 1904 is divided by the area of the mask pattern of 1901). The inner skin ratio is obtained, and when the subject inner skin ratio is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (subject inner skin threshold), it is regarded as a success photograph, and otherwise it is regarded as a failure photograph. If it is determined that the photograph is a successful photograph, the memory 1202 keeps recording of the photographed image. If it is determined that the photograph is a failed photograph, the photographed image is deleted from the memory 1202. Further, in both the successful photo determination and the failed photo determination, after the determination, the mask pattern and the skin image part (skin part mask pattern) recorded in the memory 1202 are deleted.

  Also in the fourth determination method, the in-subject skin threshold value may be set to a predetermined value in advance by the system, or may be changed for each shooting course or sample content.

  Next, a fifth determination method for determining whether the photograph is a success photograph or a failure photograph will be described.

  When photographing is performed, the CPU 1201 records a photographed image (still image) photographed by the photographing camera 1221 in the memory 1202 and extracts and generates a mask pattern of a subject portion from the photographed image. Record in 1202. Then, the CPU 1201 obtains a ratio of the size of the mask pattern occupying a predetermined image center area in the image (captured image) (hereinafter referred to as “subject ratio in the center area”), and the subject in the center area. If the ratio is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (center area threshold), it is considered a successful photo, otherwise it is considered a failed photo. If it is determined that the photograph is a successful photograph, the memory 1202 keeps recording of the photographed image. If it is determined that the photograph is a failed photograph, the photographed image is deleted from the memory 1202. In addition, the mask pattern recorded in the memory 1202 is deleted after the determination regardless of whether the determination is a successful photo determination or a failed photo determination.

  FIG. 21 schematically shows a determination example using the fifth determination method. In FIG. 21, reference numeral 2101 denotes a mask pattern, and reference numeral 2102 denotes an image center area (a broken line indicating an image center area indicates a mask). Although it is partially hidden by the pattern 2101, it is a rectangular area here, for example). The subject ratio in the center area can be obtained by, for example, dividing the number of pixels of the mask pattern portion existing in the image center area 2102 by the number of pixels in the center area 2102.

  When this fifth determination method is used, a captured image in which a subject (child) is shifted toward the end of the shooting angle of view can be determined as a failed photo and deleted from the memory 1202.

  Also in the fourth determination method, the central area threshold value may be set to a constant value in advance by the system, or may be changed for each shooting course or sample content.

  It should be noted that the skin threshold used in the second to fourth determination methods described above can be set to a more appropriate value according to the degree of exposure of the skin of the child that is the subject. For example, in the photographing course selection process (S1304), a skin threshold setting screen or the like may be displayed so that the mother can set the skin threshold according to the clothes of the child at the time of photographing on the day. However, since it is not always possible for a general person to calculate the exposure ratio of the skin, for example, a list of examples of clothes and recommended setting values of the skin threshold value may be displayed on the screen and selected from these.

  FIG. 22 shows an example of a list display. When the user selects each clothing sample, the corresponding recommended setting value is set. Prior to displaying the list, if a boy, a girl, age, or the like is selected, a more appropriate list can be displayed. In this example, the recommended setting value is not displayed, but the recommended setting value may also be displayed so that the numerical value itself can be finely adjusted.

It is a layout view showing the in-store structure of an automatic photo studio according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an automatic photo studio according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the photo studio use by the user in the automatic photo studio which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which looked at the counter of the automatic photo studio which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention from diagonally upward. It is a block diagram of the server system of the automatic photo studio which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the counter system of the automatic photo studio which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram of a printer system for an automatic photo studio according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which looked at the satellite of the automatic photo studio which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention from diagonally upward. It is a block diagram of the satellite system of the automatic photo studio which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which looked at the studio of the automatic photo studio which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention from diagonally upward. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a studio system for an automatic photo studio according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a studio PC, which is a main component of a studio system, and each component connected to the studio PC in an automatic photo studio according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the process in a studio system in the automatic photo studio which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the display screen of the automatic photo studio which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the display screen of the automatic photo studio which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the display screen of the automatic photo studio which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the display screen of the automatic photo studio which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of imaging | photography in a studio in the automatic photo studio which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st determination method which determines whether it is a success photograph or a failure photograph in the automatic photo studio which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the 2nd determination method which determines whether it is a success photograph or a failure photograph in the automatic photo studio which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the 5th determination method which determines whether it is a success photograph or a failure photograph in the automatic photo studio which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the display screen of the automatic photo studio which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

0101 Automatic photo studio 0102 Counter 0103 Server system 0104 Counter system 0105 Printer system 0106 Satellite 0107 Studio 0110 Satellite system 0111 Studio system 0114 Communication line 0500 PC body of server system 0501 CPU of server system
0502 Memory (server system) 0503 (Server system) Monitor 0504 (Server system) Keyboard 0505 (Server system) Image output unit 0506 (Server system) IC card R / W
0507 Communication interface (server system) 0508 (server system) magnetic disk 0600 (counter system) PC main body 0601 (counter system) CPU
0602 Memory (for counter system) 0603 Monitor (for counter system) 0605 Image output unit (for counter system) 0606a IC card R / W (for counter system)
0606b (Counter system) IC card R / W
0607 Communication interface (counter system) 0608 Magnetic disk (counter system) 0700 PC body (printer system) 0701 CPU (printer system)
0702 Memory (printer system) 0703 (Printer system) Monitor 0705 (Printer system) Image output unit 0706 (Printer system) IC card R / W
0707 Communication interface of the printer system 0708 Magnetic disk of the printer system 0709 Printer control unit of the printer system 0710a Printer of the printer system 0710b Printer of the printer system 0710c Printer of the printer system 0801 Satellite table 0802 Satellite table top surface 0803 Satellite table support 0900 (satellite system) PC body 0901 (satellite system) CPU
0902 Memory (Satellite System) 0903 (Satellite System) Monitor 0904 (Satellite System) Touch Pen 0905 (Satellite System) Image Output Unit 0906 (Satellite System) IC Card R / W
0907 Communication interface (for satellite system) 0908 Magnetic disk (for satellite system) 1001a Front strobe 1001b Right strobe 1001c Left strobe 1002 Camera box 1003 Console 1004 Horizont curtain 1005a Outer wall at the back of studio 1005b Inner wall at the side of studio 1005c Inner wall at the front of studio 1006 Entrance 1200 Studio PC
1201 CPU (Studio PC)
1202 Memory (Studio PC) 1203 (Studio System) Operation Monitor 1205 (Studio System) Confirmation Monitor 1206 (Studio System) IC Card R / W
1207 (Studio PC) Communication Interface 1208 (Studio PC) Magnetic Disk 1220 (Studio System) Monitor Camera 1221 (Studio System) Shooting Camera 1222 (Studio System) Lighting Device 1223 (Studio System) Background Mechanism 1224 (Studio System) Speaker 1225 (Studio PC) Timer 1227 (Studio System) In Use Lamp 1231 (Studio PC) Monitor Camera Control Unit 1232 (Studio PC) Shooting Camera Control Unit 1233 (Studio PC) Illumination control unit 1234 (Studio PC) operation monitor control unit 1235 (Studio PC) confirmation monitor image output unit 1236 (Studio PC) background mechanism control unit 1237 (Studio PC) audio output Part 1238 (Studio PC) Pattern memory 1244 (Studio PC) In-use lamp control part

Claims (1)

A camera for taking still images of the subject,
Memory means for storing a photographed image photographed by the photographing camera;
It is determined whether each photographed image photographed by the photographing camera and temporarily stored in the memory means is a success photograph or a failure photograph. If the photographed photograph is a failure photograph, the photographed image is stored in the memory. A successful photo determination / image erasure control means for erasing from the means,
The successful photograph determination / image erasure control means performs a process of generating a skin image portion by extracting a skin color portion of a subject from a captured image, and when the skin image portion cannot be generated, and the generated skin image If the proportion of the entire image of the part is less than a predetermined threshold,
An automatic photo studio comprising means for determining the threshold value in accordance with a user's specification of a skin exposure level of a subject to be photographed.