JP4917908B2 - Seal printing machine and print seal manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sticker printing machine and a print sticker manufacturing method.

2. Description of the Related Art A seal printing machine that prints a user's photographed image on sticker paper to create a photo sticker is known. In particular, a recent sticker printing machine not only prints a photographed image and provides it as a photo sticker, but also stamps the photographed image, attaches a frame to the photographed image, and writes handwritten characters. What has been called a “graffiti” function has become common. By using this “graffiti”, it is possible to create various kinds of edits on a photographed image to create an original photo sticker, which is very popular. Also, some sticker printing machines have a configuration in which amusement is improved by executing a simple mini game and combining a character acquired by the game with a photographed image (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).
JP 2000-147640 A

  As described above, in the seal printing machine, various ideas have been devised to make the user play repeatedly without getting bored. By the way, in a sticker printing machine, it takes several minutes to perform a graffiti on a photographed image, and then to print the image on sticker paper to create and eject a photo sticker. During this time, the user waits for the photo sticker to be completed in the vicinity of the stick printing machine, but the created photo sticker is to be seen immediately, and this waiting time is a boring time for the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a sticker printing machine, to reduce the consciousness that the user feels “waiting” for the waiting time required for the photo sticker to be discharged after shooting is finished. It is aimed.

The first invention for solving the above-described problems is
A camera (for example, the camera 1001 in FIG. 1; the photographing unit 1500 in FIG. 16), a sticker printing apparatus (for example, the printing part 1600 in FIG. 16), and a discharge mechanism for discharging sticker paper printed by the sticker printing apparatus ( For example, a sticker printing machine (for example, the sticker printing machine 1000 of FIGS. 1 and 16) provided with the discharge mechanism 1620) of FIG.
Shooting control means (for example, shooting control unit 1213 in FIG. 16) for shooting the user by controlling the camera;
A bonus image determination means (for example, a sticker creation processing unit 1210 in FIG. 16) that executes processing for determining a bonus image (for example, the piece image 70 in FIG. 8) to be printed on the sticker paper as an internal process;
Image generation means (for example, an image editing unit 1214 in FIG. 16) that generates a seal image including at least the captured image and the determined bonus image;
Print start control means (for example, the print control unit 1215 in FIG. 16) for outputting the generated seal image data to the stick printing apparatus to start stick printing;
A pseudo game simulating a game for selecting an image to be a bonus image in accordance with a user operation, and the pseudo game in which the determined bonus image is finally selected regardless of an operation input is controlled in accordance with the user operation. Pseudo game progress control means (for example, a seal creation processing unit 1210 in FIG. 16);
Game end determination means (for example, a sticker creation processing unit 1210 in FIG. 16) for determining the end of the progress-controlled pseudo game;
A discharge control means (for example, a sticker creation processing unit 1210 in FIG. 16) that causes the discharge mechanism to discharge printed sticker paper (for example, the photo sticker 100 in FIG. 10) after the end determination by the game end determination means; ,
Is a sticker printing machine.

In addition, the sixth invention,
Print sticker manufacturing method (for example, sticker printing machine (for example, sticker printing machine 1000 in FIGS. 1 and 16)) including a camera, a sticker printing apparatus, and a discharge mechanism for discharging sticker paper printed by the sticker printing apparatus 30 is a process of creating a seal in FIG.
A shooting control step (for example, step A39 in FIG. 30) for shooting the user by controlling the camera;
A bonus image determining step (for example, step A35 in FIG. 30) for executing processing for determining a bonus image to be printed on sticker paper as an internal process;
An image generation step (for example, step A41 in FIG. 30) for generating a seal image including at least the captured image and the determined bonus image;
A print start control step (for example, step A43 in FIG. 30) for outputting the generated seal image data to the seal printing apparatus to start seal printing;
A pseudo game simulating a game for selecting an image to be a bonus image in accordance with a user operation, and the pseudo game in which the determined bonus image is finally selected regardless of an operation input is controlled in accordance with the user operation. A pseudo game progress control step (for example, step A45 in FIG. 30);
A discharge control step (for example, step A57 in FIG. 30) for causing the discharge mechanism to discharge the printed sticker sheet after the progress-controlled pseudo game is completed;
Is a method for manufacturing a print sticker.

  According to the first or sixth aspect of the present invention, in the sticker printing machine, the process for determining the bonus image to be printed on the sticker paper is executed as an internal process, and the user's photographed image photographed by the camera and the bonus image determined. Is a simulated game that simulates a game in which a seal image including at least a seal image is printed on a sticker sheet and selects an image to be a bonus image according to a user operation, regardless of operation input, The pseudo game in which the finally determined bonus image is selected is controlled in accordance with the user operation, and after the pseudo game is finished, the printed sticker paper is discharged by the discharge mechanism.

  That is, after the user's shooting by the camera and a pseudo game for selecting a bonus image are performed, a sticker sheet (photo sticker) on which a sticker image including the user's shot image and the bonus image is printed is discharged. In the pseudo game, the progress control is performed so that the determined bonus image is selected. Therefore, the pseudo game can be controlled in parallel with the printing of the seal image. That is, while printing the sticker image on the sticker paper, the user can play a pseudo game to reduce the consciousness of “waiting” until the printed sticker paper is discharged. it can. Also, a bonus image is printed in addition to the user's photographed image, and this bonus image can be made to appear as if the user has selected by his / her own operation, so the user can create a photo sticker Further satisfaction can be given. Furthermore, by playing a pseudo game, game characteristics can be added to the creation of a photo sticker, and it can be made more interesting.

The second invention is the sticker printing machine of the first invention,
The sticker printing machine in which the pseudo game progress control means starts execution of the pseudo game after the start control of sticker printing by the print start control means.

  According to the second aspect, the execution of the pseudo game is started after the start control of the sticker printing. That is, since the pseudo game is executed in parallel with the sticker printing, the user does not feel the waiting time required for printing the sticker image, and feels “waiting” until the printed sticker paper is discharged. Can be reduced.

The third invention is the sticker printing machine of the first or second invention,
The bonus image determining means is a sticker printing machine that determines a single piece image as the bonus image using a predetermined random calculation from among puzzle images composed of a plurality of piece images.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, one piece image is determined as a bonus image using a predetermined random calculation from among puzzle images made up of a plurality of piece images. That is, the piece image constituting the puzzle image is printed as a bonus image. Thereby, it is possible to urge the user to collect all piece images and complete the original puzzle image, and to play repeatedly.

A fourth invention is a sticker printing machine of the third invention,
Electronic device information acquisition means (for example, for acquiring predetermined information related to the game being executed on the electronic device by communicating with a portable electronic device (for example, the portable game machine 3000 in FIG. 2) executing the game) Character communication control unit 1211 in FIG. 16; step A7) in FIG.
Puzzle image storage means (for example, storage unit 1700 in FIG. 16; character data 1721 in FIG. 21) for storing a plurality of puzzle images in association with predetermined information that can be acquired by the electronic device information acquisition means;
A puzzle image selection unit (for example, a sticker creation processing unit 1210 in FIG. 16; step A35 in FIG. 30) that selects a puzzle image corresponding to the predetermined information acquired by the electronic device information acquisition unit from the plurality of puzzle images. )When,
With
The bonus image determination means is a sticker printing machine that determines a piece image to be the bonus image from piece images constituting the puzzle image selected by the puzzle image selection means.

  According to the fourth aspect, the piece image composing the puzzle image corresponding to the acquired predetermined information is obtained by communicating with the portable electronic device, acquiring the predetermined information regarding the game being executed on the electronic device. A piece image as a bonus image is determined from among the images. That is, a piece image corresponding to the game being executed on the portable electronic device is printed. Accordingly, for example, by communicating with his / her portable electronic device such as a portable game machine, the satisfaction given to the user that his / her own original photo sticker can be created can be further enhanced.

The fifth invention is a seal printing machine of the fourth invention,
Character image storage means (for example, storage unit 1700 in FIG. 16; character data 1721 in FIG. 21) for storing character images of a plurality of characters in association with predetermined information that can be acquired by the electronic device information acquisition means;
Selection means for selecting at least one character image from the plurality of character images based on the predetermined information acquired by the electronic device information acquisition means (for example, the seal creation processing unit 1210 in FIG. 16; step in FIG. 30) A33)
With
The image generating means is a sticker printing machine that generates a sticker image further including the selected character image.

  According to the fifth aspect, at least one character image is selected from the plurality of character images based on the predetermined information acquired from the portable electronic device, and the seal further includes the selected character image A business image is generated. That is, in addition to the user's photographed image and bonus image, a character image corresponding to the game being executed on the portable electronic device is printed, and the character image may differ depending on the game situation. Thereby, the user's satisfaction with the created photo sticker can be further increased.

  According to the present invention, a sticker sheet (photo sticker) on which a sticker image including a user's photographed image and a bonus image is printed after a user's photographing with a camera and a pseudo game for selecting a bonus image is performed. Discharged. In the pseudo game, the progress control is performed so that the determined bonus image is selected. Therefore, the pseudo game can be controlled in parallel with the printing of the seal image. That is, while printing the sticker image on the sticker paper, the user can play a pseudo game to reduce the consciousness of “waiting” until the printed sticker paper is discharged. it can. Also, a bonus image is printed in addition to the user's photographed image, and this bonus image can be made to appear as if the user has selected by his / her own operation, so the user can create a photo sticker Further satisfaction can be given. Furthermore, by playing a pseudo game, game characteristics can be added to the creation of a photo sticker, and it can be made more interesting.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, a sticker printing machine, which is a commercial game machine to which the present invention is applied, will be described, but embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited thereto.

[appearance]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of a sticker printing machine 1000 according to the present embodiment. According to the figure, the sticker printing machine 1000 is an amusement device for business use installed in a store or the like, and a camera 1001 for photographing and a display 1002 are placed in front of a casing having a height higher than the height of the user. , An infrared communication unit 1004 for performing infrared communication with the speaker 1003 and the portable game machine 300, a coin insertion slot 1005 for inserting coins as game consideration, and a sticker for paying out the created photo sticker A payout opening 1006 is provided.

  The camera 1001 is an electronic still camera having an image sensor such as a CCD type or a CMOS type, and is provided at a position where a user standing in front of the housing can be photographed from the front direction.

  The display 1002 is provided so that the display surface faces the user at the height of the user's viewpoint. In addition, a touch panel is integrally formed on the display 1002 over the entire display area. The touch panel detects the touch operation position in units of dots constituting the display 1002, for example, based on a detection principle such as a pressure sensitive type, an optical type, an electrostatic type, or an electromagnetic induction type. The user can perform various operation inputs by touch operations on the display 1002 with the attached touch pen 1007 or fingers.

  The sticker printing machine 1000 includes a system board 1009 on which a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an IC memory, and the like are mounted, a printing apparatus that prints an image on sticker paper, and the like. The CPU mounted on the system board 1009 executes various processes based on programs and data read from the IC memory and the like, data received via the infrared communication unit 1004, operation signals from the touch panel, and the like. It generates screen image signals and various sound signals. Then, the generated image signal is output to the display 1002 to display a corresponding display screen, and the sound signal is output to the speaker 1003 to output the corresponding sound.

  In the sticker printing machine 1000, a photo sticker in which an image taken by the camera 1001 is printed on a predetermined sticker paper is created. Further, by performing communication with the user's portable game machine 3000, a photo sticker on which an image as if taken with the character acquired from the portable game machine 3000 can be printed.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the appearance of the portable game machine 3000. According to the figure, the portable game machine 3000 is provided with a display 3001, a button switch 3002, and a speaker 3003 on the front surface of a main body large enough to be placed on the palm of the user, Is provided with an infrared communication unit 3004 for performing infrared communication with other devices.

  The portable game machine 3000 includes a control device 3005 equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, IC memory, and the like. The CPU mounted on the control device 3005 executes various game processes based on programs and data read from the memory, operation signals from the button switch 3002, and the like, and generates image signals for game screens and sound signals for game sounds. To do. Then, the generated image signal is output to the display 3001 to display the game screen, and the sound signal is output to the speaker 3003 to output the game sound.

  In the present embodiment, a character training game is executed on the portable game machine 3000. In the character training game, the game is progressed in any one of a plurality of types of game worlds (in this embodiment, “Hakugin no Machi” and “Minami no Shima”). . The playable game world is determined for each portable game machine 3000, and it is not possible to change the game world or play a game in a plurality of game worlds with one portable game machine 3000. The game world that can be played on the portable game machine 3000 can be easily determined by the user by, for example, decorating the housing according to the game world that can be played. Yes. In addition, for each game world, a plurality of characters (in this embodiment, “18 bodies”) belonging to the game world are defined. That is, in the portable game machine 3000, in the game world defined for the game machine, a character breeding game is executed using characters belonging to the game world as breeding characters.

  Moreover, a race and an attribute are set for the breeding character as a breeding parameter for determining the character of the character. The race is determined at the start of the game, that is, at the time of the birth of the character, and does not change during the game. This race determines the appearance of the character. FIG. 3A shows an example of the race. According to FIG. 6A, there are a plurality of races such as “Group A” and “Group B”, and a plurality of characters belong to various groups.

  The occupation represents a breeding situation and is a parameter that changes as the breeding character grows. This does not depend on the character type. FIG. 2B shows an example of occupation. According to the figure, the occupation of the breeding character immediately after birth is “baby”. As the character grows, the occupation of the breeding character changes step by step to “kindergarten” and “student”. Then, when it grows up to a certain extent, it will change to one of the selected occupations, such as “florist” and “carpenter”. In addition, you may decide to use other parameters, such as age and a training level (stage), as a parameter showing this training condition.

  Further, the portable game machine 3000 is a player character used in the character training game by performing data communication with other portable game machines 3000 as one of the functions in the character training game. It has a character communication function for exchanging characters and items. Then, by using this character communication function and performing predetermined data communication with the sticker printing machine 1000, an image “taken” with the breeding character of the portable game machine 3000 in the sticker printing machine 1000. A photo sticker printed with can be created.

[Outline of creating photo stickers]
An outline of photo sticker creation in the seal printing machine 1000 will be described. First, the user inserts a predetermined amount of coins (coins) into the coin insertion slot 1005 as a game consideration in the sticker printing machine 1000. Next, the breeding character is transmitted to the sticker printing machine 1000 according to the instruction displayed on the display 1002. That is, the portable game machine 3000 is held so that the infrared communication unit 3004 faces the infrared communication unit 1004 of the seal printing machine 1000, and the portable game machine 3000 is operated to perform character communication to transmit a breeding character.

  Then, the effect that the breeding character of the portable game machine 3000 “visits” the sticker printing machine 1000 is performed. That is, in the sticker printing machine 1000, an effect in which the breeding character has appeared, such as the appearance screen of the breeding character of the portable game machine 3000, is displayed. In addition, in the portable game machine 3000, an effect that the breeding character has gone out is performed, for example, the outing screen of the breeding character is displayed.

  Subsequently, in the sticker printing machine 1000, any one of the game worlds corresponding to the received game world, that is, the game world of the portable game machine 3000 is selected. Then, a mini game for determining a character (photographed character) to be photographed with the user from among the characters belonging to the selected game world (play world) is performed. As this mini game, for example, a character search game for searching a character designated within a time limit from the screen is performed. In addition to the game world that can be played on the portable game machine 3000, the game world that can be selected includes a special game world for the sticker printing machine 1000 (in this embodiment, one type of “Uchu”). include. In addition, there is a time limit (for example, “15 seconds”) for selecting the game world. If the game world is not selected within this time limit, one time is automatically selected when the time limit is reached. The game world is selected.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a game screen in this character search game. According to the figure, a target character 91 to be searched for by the user and a plurality of character groups 90 including the target character 91 are displayed on the game screen. This target character 91 is a character belonging to the game world (play world) selected by the user. On this game screen, the user searches the character group 90 for a character that matches the target character 91 and selects it by a touch operation. When the target character 91 is found, a new target character 91 and a new character group 90 to be searched for next are displayed. This is repeated for a predetermined time.

  When the character search game ends, the found characters are displayed in a list. The user selects two characters to be photographed together from the characters displayed in the list. Thereafter, a total of three of the breeding character transmitted from the portable game machine 3000 and the two selected characters are taken as shooting characters, and shooting is performed.

  If transmission of the breeding character fails and the breeding character is not received by the sticker printing machine 1000, a character prepared in advance in the sticker printing machine 1000 is taken as a shooting character instead of the breeding character. Specifically, a predetermined number of characters belonging to each of a plurality of types of game worlds are displayed as selection candidate characters, and a character selected from these selection candidate characters is a shooting character instead of a breeding character. It is said. Then, a mini game (character search game) targeting the game world (play world) selected from the predetermined game world is performed, and the other two photographed characters are determined.

  Furthermore, instead of sending the breeding character from the portable game machine 3000, the character can be made to appear by inputting a predetermined calling code in the sticker printing machine 1000, and the appearing character can be used as a photographed character. In this case, a mini game (character search game) is performed for characters belonging to the game world (play world) selected from the game worlds corresponding to the characters that appear, and the other two photographed characters are displayed. It is determined. The calling code is distributed to the user by, for example, printing it on a predetermined character card on which a character appearing in the character training game is printed or publishing it in a magazine.

  FIG. 5 is an example of a shooting screen displayed on the display 1002 of the stick printer 1000 during shooting. According to the figure, a preview image 10 is displayed on the shooting screen. The preview image 10 is an image simulating a unit seal image 60 to be printed. A finder image 13 is arranged at the center of the basic image 11 and further images of three photographed characters (hereinafter referred to as “characters” comprehensively). Image 15 ”) is arranged.

  The basic image 11 is an image that is a laterally expanded area of the finder image 13 and is larger than the size of the finder image 13. Here, the size of the finder image 13 is about ３ to ½ of the basic image 11. Specifically, the length of the viewfinder image 13 in the vertical direction is slightly shorter than the basic image 11 and the length in the horizontal direction is about 1/3 to 1/2. Further, among the three photographed characters, the character image 15 is a character image 15 of a breeding character arranged on the finder image 13, and the other two bodies on the basic image 11 on the left and right outside of the finder image 13. Character images 15 of the respective characters are arranged.

  Then, after a predetermined countdown indicating the shutter timing (shooting timing) is performed, shooting by the camera 1001 is executed, and the viewfinder image 13 at that time is captured as a shot image.

  Next, the photographed image is edited. Image editing includes (1) replacement of the basic image 11 and (2) graffiti. First, a basic image replacement screen for replacing the basic image 11 is displayed on the display 1002 of the sticker printing machine 1000. FIG. 6 shows an example of the basic image replacement screen. According to the figure, the basic image change image 20 and the basic image candidate 30 are displayed on the basic image replacement screen. The basic image change image 20 is an image obtained by combining the basic image 11, the captured image 14, and the character image 15. Like the preview image 10, the captured image 14 is arranged at the center of the basic image 11. A character image 15 is arranged thereon. The basic image candidate 30 is a basic image 11 that can be replaced with the basic image change image 20, and a list of reduced images of the corresponding basic image 11 is displayed. These basic image candidates 30 are images that are selected according to the breeding character.

  On the basic image replacement screen, the user selects a reduced image of a desired basic image from the basic image candidates 30 by, for example, a touch operation on the display screen. Then, the basic image 11 of the basic image change image 20 is replaced with the selected basic image 11, and the basic image change image 20 is changed. When the replacement of the basic image 11 is determined, the basic image 11 constituting the basic image change image 20 at that time, the captured image 14 and the character image 15 are synthesized, and the graffiti image 40 for the graffiti process is combined. It is said.

  Subsequently, a graffiti screen for the user to perform a graffiti operation is displayed on the display 1002 of the sticker printing machine 1000. FIG. 7 shows an example of a graffiti screen. According to the figure, a graffiti image 40 and a graffiti tool 50 are displayed on the graffiti screen. The graffiti image 40 is an image obtained by combining the basic image 11, the captured image 14, and the character image 15. The graffiti tool 50 is a tool for performing graffiti on an image, and includes a stamp 51 and a pen palette 52 here. The stamp 51 is a tool related to a stamp for arranging a mark prepared in advance in an image, and designates the type of stamp. The pen palette 52 is a tool related to a pen that can freely draw a line drawing on an image, and specifies a pen color.

  On the graffiti screen, the user selects the graffiti tool 50 and performs a graffiti operation on the graffiti image 40. When the graffiti ends, the graffiti image 40 is updated according to the performed graffiti operation, and a unit seal image 60 is obtained. Here, the end of the graffiti is determined by the end instruction from the user or the elapse of a time limit set in advance as the time for graffiti.

  When the graffiti ends, the user subsequently selects a piece image 70 to be printed (printed) together with the unit seal image 60. However, in practice, the piece image 70 to be printed together with the unit sticker image 60 is determined as an internal process, and here, the effect is as if the user has selected the piece image 70 by himself.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the piece image 70. As shown in the figure, the piece image 70 is an image obtained by combining the character image 72 with the partial background image 71, and a predetermined number (“9 bodies” in the figure) of the character images 72 are combined with the background image 74. It is the image which divided the puzzle image 73 for every character. That is, when a predetermined number of piece images 70 having a common background are combined, one puzzle image 73 is completed. In addition, two sets of piece images 70 are prepared for each game world, with a predetermined number (“9” in the figure) having a common background as one set (one set). Each set of piece images 70 is an image obtained by dividing a puzzle image 73 obtained by synthesizing an image of a character belonging to the game world with a background image 74 expressing the corresponding world view of the game world. The background image 74 is different.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a piece image selection screen. According to the figure, on the piece image selection screen, a plurality of presents 80 containing any one of the piece images 70 in the play world are displayed. When any one of these presents 80 is selected, a piece image 70 that is the contents of the selected present 80 is displayed. Thereafter, the photo sticker 100 on which an image including the piece image 70 and the unit sticker image 60 is printed is printed out from the sticker outlet 1006. In addition, there is a time limit for selecting the present 80, and the remaining time limit is displayed on the upper left of the screen. If no present 80 is selected within the time limit, one of the presents 80 is automatically selected when the time limit is reached.

  Further, until the photo sticker 100 is paid out, according to the instructions displayed on the display 1002 of the sticker printing machine 1000, character communication between the sticker printing machine 1000 and the portable game machine 3000 is executed, so that the breeding character is sealed. While the printing machine 1000 “returns” to the portable game machine 3000, a souvenir item is transmitted from the sticker printing machine 1000 to the portable game machine 3000. This souvenir item is an item according to the breeding character.

  That is, a lottery screen such as a roulette is displayed on the display 1002 of the sticker printing machine 1000 to determine a souvenir item, and the souvenir effect in which the data of the determined souvenir item is transmitted to the portable game machine 3000 is displayed. Done. Then, in the portable game machine 3000, a return effect of the breeding character is displayed, such as a return screen of the breeding character, and an acquisition screen of the souvenir item that has been transmitted is displayed. Acquiring production is performed.

[Photo sticker]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the created photographic sticker 100. The photo sticker 100 is created by printing a printing image including the unit sticker image 60 on a predetermined sticker sheet. As shown in the figure, the photo sticker 100 includes a photo sticker portion 101, a main character portion 102, an item portion 103, a main character name portion 104, and a puzzle character portion 105.

  The photo sticker portions 101 are equally divided into a predetermined number, and a unit sticker image 60 is arranged in each. In the figure, the photo sticker portion 101 is divided into four equal parts, and two types of unit sticker images 60 are arranged two by two.

  In the main character section 102, an image (illustration) of a breeding character transmitted from the portable game machine 3000 to the sticker printing machine 1000 is arranged. In the figure, the main character portion 102 is divided into two, and an image of the breeding character is arranged in each. Here, if reception of the breeding character fails in the sticker printing machine 1000, an image of the selected character is placed instead of the breeding character.

  In the item part 103, an image (illustration) of an item related to the breeding character is arranged. In the figure, the item portion 103 is divided into nine equal parts, and images of a plurality of items used in the breeding game are arranged in each. These items are items selected according to the breeding character. In the main character name portion 104, the name of the breeding character is arranged. In addition, a piece image 70 selected by the user is arranged in the puzzle character portion 105.

[Image generation]
FIG. 11 to FIG. 15 are diagrams showing images of image generation in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, each image such as the basic image change image 20 and the graffiti image 40 is generated as an image obtained by superimposing a plurality of image layers such as the basic image 11, the photographed image 14, and the character image 15.

  FIG. 11 is an image diagram of image generation at the time of shooting. According to the figure, at the time of photographing, an image obtained by superimposing the basic image 11, the finder image 13 photographed by the camera 1001 and the character image 15 is displayed as the preview image 10. When shooting by the camera 1001 is executed, the viewfinder image 13 at that time is captured as the shot image 14.

  FIG. 12 is an image diagram of image generation when a basic image is replaced. According to the figure, when the basic image is replaced, an image obtained by superimposing the basic image 11, the captured image 14, and the character image 15 is displayed as the basic image change image 20. When the replacement of the basic image 11 is instructed, the basic image 11 constituting the basic image change image 20 is replaced with the instructed basic image 11 and the basic image change image 20 is changed. When the basic image 11 is determined, as shown in FIG. 13, the basic image 11, the captured image 14, and the character image 15 constituting the basic image change image 20 at that time are combined and used for graffiti. The image 40 is used.

  FIG. 14 is an image diagram of image generation during graffiti. According to the figure, at the time of graffiti, an image in which the graffiti image 40 and the graffiti input image 17 are superimposed is displayed. The graffiti input image 17 is a stamp image or a handwritten character image by the user's graffiti operation. When the graffiti ends, the graffiti image 40 and the graffiti input image 17 are combined into a unit seal image 60 as shown in FIG. The printing image including the unit sticker image 60 is printed on the sticker paper, and the photographic sticker 100 shown as an example in FIG. 10 is created.

[Function configuration]
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the sticker printing machine 1000. According to the figure, the seal printing machine 1000 functionally includes an operation input unit 1100, a processing unit 1200, an image display unit 1330, a sound output unit 1340, a communication unit 1400, a photographing unit 1500, A printing unit 1600, a discharge mechanism 1620, and a storage unit 1700 are provided.

  The operation input unit 1100 receives an operation instruction from the user, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the processing unit 1200. In FIG. 1, a touch panel formed integrally with the display 1002 corresponds to this.

  The processing unit 1200 performs various arithmetic processes such as control of the entire seal printing machine 1000, image generation, and sound generation. This function is realized by, for example, an arithmetic device such as a CPU (CISC type or RISC type), an ASIC (gate array or the like), or a control program thereof. In FIG. 1, the CPU mounted on the system board 1009 corresponds to this.

  The processing unit 1200 includes a seal creation processing unit 1210 that performs processing related to creation of the photo sticker 100, and an image generation unit 1230 that generates image signals for various screens based on the processing results of the seal creation processing unit 1210. And a sound generator 1240 for generating sound signals of various sounds such as sound effects and BGM.

  The sticker creation processing unit 1210 includes a character communication control unit 1211, a shooting character selection unit 1212, a shooting control unit 1213, an image editing unit 1214, and a print control unit 1215, and performs processing related to the creation of the photo sticker 100. Do. Specifically, the sticker creation processing unit 1210 selects a character appearance method in accordance with a user selection operation input from the operation input unit 1100. The character printing method is prepared in the sticker printing machine 1000 for “Character communication” for making the breeding character of the portable game machine 3000 appear and “Code input” for making the corresponding character appear by inputting the calling code. There are three types of “character selection” to be selected from among existing characters.

  Also, the piece image 70 to be printed on the photo sticker 100 is determined according to the play world selected by the shooting character selection unit 1212. That is, referring to the puzzle image data 1742, for example, one piece image 70 randomly selected from the piece images 70 in the play world is set as the piece image 70 for printing.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data configuration of the puzzle image data 1742. According to the figure, the puzzle image data 1742 is generated for each game world, and a piece image ID 1742b and a piece image 1742c are stored in association with each other for each set 1742a. In the figure, each set includes nine piece images 70.

  Also, an item to be printed on the photo sticker 100 is determined according to the main character selected by the shooting character selection unit 1212. That is, with reference to the print item data 1724, among a plurality of print items prepared in advance and corresponding to the main character, for example, a predetermined number of items selected at random are set as items for printing.

  The print item data 1724 is data relating to an item (print item) printed on the photo sticker 100. FIG. 18 shows an example of the data structure of the print item data 1724. According to the figure, the print item data 1724 stores an item ID 1724a, an item image 1724b, and an applied character 1724c in association with each other. The application character 1724c is a character for which the corresponding print item can be used, and specifically stores the race and occupation of the corresponding character. Here, it is desirable that the character that can be used for each print item is a character of a race or occupation closely related to the item.

  When a breeding character is received from the portable game machine 3000, a souvenir item to be transmitted to the portable game machine 3000 is determined according to the main character. That is, referring to the souvenir item data 1725, one item selected at random from among souvenir items prepared in advance is set as a souvenir item for transmission.

  The souvenir item data 1725 is data related to a souvenir item transmitted from the sticker printing machine 1000 to the portable game machine 3000. FIG. 19 shows an example of the data structure of the souvenir item data 1725. According to the figure, the souvenir item data 1725 stores an item type 1725a, an item ID 1725b, and an item name 1725c in association with each other.

  Further, the seal creation processing unit 1210 performs a piece image selection effect process for providing an effect as if the user selected the piece image 70 when the image editing on the captured image by the image editing unit 1214 is completed. That is, a piece image selection screen (see FIG. 9) for selecting the piece image 70 is displayed on the image display unit 1330. When one of the presents 80 is selected by the user, a display as if the previously determined piece image 70 for printing is selected is performed regardless of which one is selected.

  The character communication control unit 1211 manages character communication with the portable game machine 3000. Specifically, the breeding character data transmitted from the portable game machine 3000 is received. The received breeding character data is stored in the storage unit 1700 as received character data 1726.

  FIG. 20 shows an example of the data configuration of received character data 1726. According to the figure, the received character data 1726 stores the character ID 1726a, occupation 1726b, and character name 1726c of the breeding character received from the portable game machine 3000.

  In addition, the character communication control unit 1211 transmits the item ID of the souvenir item determined for transmission to the portable game machine 3000.

  The shooting character selection unit 1212 selects a character (shooting character) to be shot with the user in accordance with the appearance method of the selected character. That is, if the appearance method of the character is “character communication”, the character communication control unit 1211 is controlled to perform data communication with the portable game machine 3000, and the breeding character received from the portable game machine 3000 is set as the main character. To do. Further, the game world to which the breeding character belongs is determined with reference to the character data 1721.

  The character data 1721 is data relating to a character that is “photographed” with the user, and this character includes characters in the game world that can be played on the portable game machine 3000. FIG. 21 shows an example of the data configuration of the character data 1721. According to the figure, character data 1721 is generated for each game world, and for each of a predetermined number (“18 bodies”) of characters belonging to the game world, a character ID 1721a, a character name 1721b, a race 1721c, and a character The image 1721d is stored in association with each other.

  Next, with reference to the game world selection table 1741, a game world that can be selected as a play world is determined based on the determined game world.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the game world selection table 1741. As shown in FIG. According to the figure, the game world selection table 1741 stores a selection table for each appearance method of characters. In other words, the selectable game world 1741b is stored in association with each game world 1741a in the portable game machine 3000 as a selection table for “during character communication”. Further, as a selection table at the time of “code input”, a selectable game world 1741d is stored in association with each game world 1741c of the character specified by the calling code. Furthermore, a game world 1741e that can be selected in the case of “non-communication”, which is another case, is stored.

  That is, the photographed character selection unit 1212 determines a selectable game world corresponding to the determined game world according to the selection table of “when character communication”.

  Thereafter, one of the determined selectable game worlds is selected according to the user's selection operation input from the operation input unit 1100, and the characters belonging to the selected game world (play world) are targeted. A mini game (character search game) is performed. As a result, the obtained characters are displayed in a list, and two characters selected according to the user's selection operation from these characters are taken as the shooting characters together with the main character.

  In addition, when reception of the breeding character from the portable game machine 3000 fails, the character data 1721 is referred to and, for example, a predetermined number of characters randomly selected from the characters belonging to each game world are selected as candidates. As a main character, one character selected from these characters according to the user's selection operation is displayed. Also, with reference to the game world selection table 1741, one of the game worlds that can be selected from the selectable game worlds defined as “not in communication” is selected according to the user's selection operation input from the operation input unit 1100. select. Then, a mini game (character search game) is performed for characters belonging to the selected game world (play world), and two characters selected according to the user's selection operation are obtained from the obtained characters. A shooting character is also used.

  If the character appearance method is “code input”, the character data 1721 is referenced to determine the character corresponding to the call code input by the user from the operation input unit 1100 and the game world to which the character belongs. The determined character is set as the main character. Further, with reference to the game world selection table 1741, a selectable game world corresponding to the determined game world is determined in accordance with a selection table defined as “at the time of code input”. Next, one of the determined game worlds is selected according to the user's selection operation, and a mini game (character search game) is performed for characters belonging to the selected game world (play world). Two characters selected according to the user's selection operation from the selected characters are taken as the shooting characters together with the main character.

  If the character appearance method is “character selection”, the character data 1721 is referred to and, for example, a predetermined number of characters (for example, “3 bodies”) are randomly selected from the characters belonging to each game world. , List them as selection candidates. And the character selected according to a user's selection operation from these selection candidates is made into a main character. Also, with reference to the game world selection table 1741, one of the game worlds that can be selected from the selectable game worlds defined as “not in communication” is selected according to the user's selection operation input from the operation input unit 1100. select. Then, a mini game (character search game) is performed for characters belonging to the selected game world (play world), and two characters selected according to the user's selection operation are obtained from the obtained characters. A shooting character is also used.

  The data of the shooting character selected by the shooting character selection unit 1212 is stored in the shooting character data 1727. FIG. 23 shows an example of the data structure of the shooting character data 1727. According to the figure, the shooting character data 1727 stores character IDs of the main character and the other two characters as shooting characters.

  If the other two characters are not selected by the user, for example, the character data 1721 is referred to, and the number of characters (“2 bodies” or “1 body”) that are insufficient from among the characters belonging to the play world is referred to. A character may be randomly selected to be a photographed character, or only a selected character may be selected, and two or one photographed character may be used.

  The shooting control unit 1213 controls shooting (imaging) by the shooting unit 1500. Specifically, first, for example, a shooting screen shown in FIG. 5 as an example is displayed on the image display unit 1330. That is, with reference to the basic image data 1722, one basic image 11 corresponding to the main character is determined from a plurality of basic images 11 prepared in advance. An image obtained by superimposing the determined basic image 11, the finder image 13 obtained by the photographing unit 1500 and the character image 15 of each photographed character is used as the preview image 10 and is displayed on the image display unit 1330.

  The basic image data 1722 is data relating to the basic image 11 prepared in advance. FIG. 24 shows an example of the data configuration of the basic image data 1722. According to the figure, the basic image data 1722 stores a basic image ID 1722a, a basic image 1722b, and an applied character 1722c in association with each other. The application character 1722c is a character for which the corresponding basic image 11 can be used, and specifically stores the race and occupation of the corresponding character. Here, it is desirable that the characters that can be used for each basic image 11 are characters of races or occupations closely related to the design of the basic image 11.

  The shooting control unit 1213 extracts the basic image 11 associated with the character ID of the main character as the application character ID from the basic image 11 stored in the basic image data 1722. Then, for example, one basic image 11 is randomly selected from the extracted basic images 11.

  Then, the shooting control unit 1213 performs countdown or the like for instructing the shutter timing, and then causes the shooting unit 1500 to perform shooting at the shutter timing. Data of the shot image by the shooting unit 1500 is stored as shot image data 1731. 1700 is stored.

  Further, the shooting control unit 1213 performs shooting a plurality of times by changing the arrangement position of the character image 15 of each shooting character. In the present embodiment, four shootings are performed, and among the four shootings, the arrangement position of each character image 15 is changed between the first and second shootings in the first half and the third and fourth shootings in the second half.

  FIG. 25A is a diagram showing the configuration of the preview image 10 at the first and second shooting. According to the figure, during the first and second shooting, the character image 15a of the breeding character among the character images 15 of the respective shooting characters is on the finder image 13, and the finder image 13 is equally divided into left and right. It is arranged at a position on the right side of the center line L. Of the other two photographed characters, the character image 15b of one photographed character is on the right side of the finder image 13, and the character image 15c of the other character is on the left side of the finder image 13, respectively. It is arranged at a line-symmetrical position around the line L.

  FIG. 7B is a diagram showing the configuration of the preview image 10 at the time of the third and fourth shooting. According to the figure, at the time of the third and fourth shooting, the character image 15a of the breeding character among the character images 15 of the shooting characters is arranged on the left side of the center line L on the finder image 13. The This position is an arrangement position at the time of the first and second photographing shown in FIG. 5A and a position symmetrical with respect to the center line L. Then, the character images 15b and 15c of the other two photographed characters are arranged at positions that are interchanged with the arrangement positions at the first and second photographing shown in FIG. That is, the character image 15b is arranged on the left side of the finder image 13 and the character image 15c is arranged on the right side at a line-symmetrical position around the center line L.

  The image editing unit 1214 performs image editing on the photographed image by the photographing unit 1500 and generates a unit sticker image 60. Specifically, the basic image 11 is replaced. That is, a basic image change image 20 in which the basic image 11, the captured image 14, and the character image 15 are superimposed is generated. Further, the basic image 11 associated with the main character is extracted from the plurality of basic images 11 with reference to the basic image data 1722, and these are set as the basic image candidates 30. Then, the basic image replacement screen in which the generated basic image change image 20 and the basic image candidate 30 are arranged is displayed on the image display unit 1330 as shown in FIG. 6 as an example.

  Then, according to the user's selection instruction input from the operation input unit 1100, the basic image 11 constituting the basic image change image 20 is replaced with the selected basic image 11 and changed to the basic image change image 20.

  When the replacement of the basic image 11 is determined, the image editing unit 1214 combines the basic image 11, the captured image 14, and the character image 15 constituting the current basic image changed image 20 to create the graffiti image 40. To do. The graffiti image 40 generated here is stored in the storage unit 1700 as graffiti image data 1732.

  Next, the image editing unit 1214 performs graffiti processing on the graffiti image 40. That is, referring to the graffiti tool data 1723, the graffiti tool 50 corresponding to the main character is selected from a plurality of graffiti tools 50 prepared in advance. Then, a graffiti screen on which the graffiti image 40 and the selected graffiti tool 50 are arranged is displayed on the image display unit 1330 as shown in FIG. 7, for example.

  Here, the graffiti tool data 1723 is data relating to the graffiti tool 50 prepared in advance in the sticker printing machine 1000. FIG. 26 shows an example of the data configuration of the graffiti tool data 1723. According to the drawing, the graffiti tool data 1723 includes stamp data 1723a and pen palette data 1723e. The stamp data 1723a is data related to the stamp 51, and stores a stamp ID 1723b, a stamp image 1723c, and an applicable character 1723d in association with each other. The application character 1723d is a character that can use the corresponding stamp 51, and specifically stores the race and occupation of the corresponding character. Here, the characters that can be used for each of the stamps 51 and the pen palette 52 are preferably characters of races or occupations closely related to the design of the stamp 51 and the color image of the pen palette 52.

  The pen palette data 1723e is data related to the pen palette 52, and stores a palette ID 1723f, a pen palette 1723g, and an application character 1723h in association with each other. The pen palette 1723g stores the types of colors used in the corresponding pen palette 52. The application character 1723h is a character for which the corresponding pen palette 52 can be used, and specifically stores the race and occupation of the corresponding character.

  Then, the image editing unit 1214 causes the image display unit 1330 to display an image in which the graffiti image 40 and the graffiti input image 17 in accordance with the user's graffiti operation input from the operation input unit 1100 are overlapped. When the graffiti ends, the graffiti image 40 and the graffiti input image 17 are combined to form a unit seal image 60. The unit sticker image 60 generated here is stored in the storage unit 1700 as unit sticker image data 1733.

  The print control unit 1215 generates a printing image including the unit sticker image 60 generated by the image editing unit 1214, controls the printing unit 1600, and prints the generated printing image on a sticker sheet so as to print the photo sticker 100. To create.

  Specifically, the photo sticker 101 of the printing image is divided according to the division number instruction input from the operation input unit 1100 by the user, and the unit sticker image 60 is arranged in each. Further, referring to received character data 1726 and character data 1721, the main character image is arranged in main character portion 102 and the name of the main character is arranged in main character name portion 104. In addition, the item determined for printing is arranged in the item portion 103, and the piece image 70 determined for printing is arranged in the puzzle character portion 105. Then, the print control unit 1215 controls the printing unit 1600 to print the image for printing thus configured on a predetermined sticker sheet, thereby creating the photo sticker 100.

  The image generation unit 1230 generates a display image for displaying various screens based on the process of the seal creation processing unit 1210 and outputs an image signal of the generated image to the image display unit 1330. The image display unit 1330 displays a display screen based on the image signal from the image generation unit 1230. This function is realized by hardware such as CRT, LCD, ELD, PDP, and HMD. In FIG. 1, the display 1002 corresponds to this.

  The sound generation unit 1240 generates various sounds such as sound effects and BGM, and outputs a sound signal of the generated sound to the sound output unit 1340. The sound output unit 1340 outputs sound based on the sound signal from the sound generation unit 1240. This function is realized by, for example, a speaker. In FIG. 1, the speaker 1003 corresponds to this.

  The communication unit 1400 is mainly connected to an external device such as another portable game machine 3000, and transmits / receives data to / from the external device. This function is realized by a wireless communication module conforming to a wireless communication standard such as a wireless LAN, IrDA, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. In FIG. 1, the infrared communication unit 1004 corresponds to this.

  The imaging unit 1500 performs imaging in accordance with the control of the imaging control unit 1213 and outputs the captured image data to the processing unit 1200. This function is realized by a photographing lens or an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS that converts incident light that has passed through the photographing lens into a digital signal. In FIG. 1, the camera 1001 corresponds to this.

  The printing unit 1600 prints the printing image generated by the printing control unit 1215 on a predetermined sticker sheet by a predetermined printing method according to the control of the printing control unit 1215. This function is achieved by, for example, an ink jet printer, a laser printer, a sublimation printer, a thermal transfer printer, a fusion printer, a thermal printer, a photographic paper printer, an instant film printer, or a printing device or a paper feeding device, or a driver circuit thereof. Realized.

  The discharge mechanism 1620 is a transport mechanism that discharges the sticker sheet on which the print image is printed by the printing unit 1600 as a photo sticker 100 from the sticker outlet 1006 to the outside of the sticker printing machine 1000.

  The storage unit 1700 stores a system program and data for realizing various functions for causing the processing unit 1200 to control the seal printing machine 1000 in an integrated manner, and is used as a work area of the processing unit 1200. Calculation results executed by the 1200 according to various programs, input data input from the operation input unit 1100, and the like are temporarily stored. This function is realized by, for example, various IC memories, hard disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, MOs, RAMs, VRAMs, and the like. In FIG. 1, the IC memory mounted on the system board 1009 corresponds to this.

  In addition, the storage unit 1700 stores a seal creation program 1710 for causing the processing unit 1200 to function as the seal creation processing unit 1210, and includes character data 1721, basic image data 1722, and graffiti tool data 1723 as data. , Print item data 1724, souvenir item data 1725, received character data 1726, photographed character data 1727, photographed image data 1731, graffiti image data 1732, unit sticker image data 1733, and print image Data 1734, game world selection table 1741, and puzzle image data 1742 are stored.

  FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the portable game machine 3000. According to the figure, the portable game machine 3000 functionally includes an operation input unit 3100, a processing unit 3200, an image display unit 3330, a sound output unit 3340, a communication unit 3400, and a storage unit 3500. It is configured with.

  The operation input unit 3100 receives an operation instruction from the user and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the processing unit 3200. In FIG. 2, the button switch 3002 corresponds to this.

  The processing unit 3200 performs various arithmetic processes such as control of the entire portable game machine 3000, game progress, and image generation. This function is realized by, for example, an arithmetic device such as a CPU (CISC type or RISC type), an ASIC (gate array or the like), or a control program thereof. In FIG. 2, the CPU mounted on the control device 3005 corresponds to this.

  The processing unit 3200 includes a game calculation unit 3210 that mainly performs calculation processing related to the game, a character communication control unit 3220 that controls character communication with other devices, a game calculation unit 3210, and a character communication control unit 3220. An image generation unit 3230 for generating various images and their image signals based on the processing results of the processing, and a sound generation unit 3240 for generating various sounds such as sound effects and BGM and their sound signals are included.

  The game calculation unit 3210 executes various game processes based on operation signals input from the operation input unit 3100, game information (game program and game data) read from the storage unit 3500, and the like. In the present embodiment, the game calculation unit 3210 executes the breeding game process according to the game program 3511.

  The character communication control unit 3220 controls character communication for exchanging a breeding character or an item by performing predetermined data communication with another device such as the other portable game machine 3000 or the seal printing machine 1000 via the communication unit 3400. To do.

  Specifically, the breeding character is transmitted to the sticker printing machine 1000 according to the operation instruction from the user input from the operation input unit 3100. That is, referring to the breeding character data 3521, the character ID, occupation and name of the breeding character are transmitted. Then, when the breeding character is successfully transmitted, an outside appearance process is performed in which an outing screen indicating that the breeding character has gone out (going out) is displayed on the image display unit 3330.

  The breeding character data 3521 is data relating to the breeding character used in the breeding game executed on the portable game machine 3000. In FIG. 28, an example of a data structure of the breeding character data 3521 is shown. According to the figure, the breeding character data 3521 stores a character ID 3521a, a race 3521b, a current occupation 3521c, and a character name 3521d of the breeding character. The character name 3521d is a name named by the user.

  When the character communication control unit 3220 receives the souvenir item transmitted from the sticker printing machine 1000, the character communication control unit 3220 adds the received souvenir item to the owned item, updates the owned item data 3522, and acquires the item. A souvenir item acquisition process is performed such as displaying a screen indicating that the image has been displayed on the image display unit 3330.

  The owned item data 3522 is data relating to items owned by the user in the breeding character. FIG. 29 shows an example of the data configuration of the possessed item data 3522. According to the figure, the possessed item data 3522 stores an item type 3522a, an item ID 3522b, an item name 3522c, and an owned number 3522d in association with each other.

  The image generation unit 3230 generates a display image for displaying various screens based on the processing of the game calculation unit 3210 and the character communication control unit 3220, and outputs an image signal of the generated image to the image display unit 3330. The image display unit 3330 displays a display screen based on the image signal from the image generation unit 3230. This function is realized by hardware such as an LCD or an ELD. In FIG. 2, the display 3001 corresponds to this.

  The sound generation unit 3240 is realized by an arithmetic device such as a CPU or DSP and its control program, for example, generates various sounds such as sound effects and BGM, and outputs the generated sound signals to the sound output unit 3340. The sound output unit 3340 outputs sound such as BGM and sound effects based on the sound signal from the sound generation unit 3240. This function is realized by, for example, a speaker. In FIG. 2, the speaker 3003 corresponds to this.

  The communication unit 3400 is connected to an external device such as the sticker printing machine 1000 or another portable game machine 3000, and transmits / receives data to / from the external device. This function is realized by a wireless communication module conforming to a wireless communication standard such as a wireless LAN, IrDA, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. In FIG. 2, the infrared communication unit 3004 corresponds to this.

  The storage unit 3500 stores a system program for realizing various functions for causing the processing unit 3200 to control the portable game machine 3000 in an integrated manner, a program and data necessary for executing the game, and the like. Used as a work area of the processing unit 3200, temporarily stores calculation results executed by the processing unit 3200 according to various programs, input data input from the operation input unit 3100, and the like. This function is realized by, for example, various IC memories, RAM, VRAM and the like. In FIG. 2, the IC memory mounted on the control device 3005 corresponds to this.

  The storage unit 3500 also has a game program 3511 for causing the processing unit 3200 to function as the game calculation unit 3210, a character communication control program 3512 for causing the processing unit 3200 to function as the character communication control unit 3220, breeding character data 3521, and owned items. Data 3522 is stored.

[Process flow]
30 to 34 are diagrams showing a flow of a seal creation process in the present embodiment. 30 to 33 show processing executed in the sticker printing machine 1000, and FIG. 34 shows processing executed in the portable game machine 3000. This process is started when it is confirmed in the sticker printing machine 1000 that a predetermined amount of coins has been inserted into the coin insertion slot 1005 as a game consideration.

  30 and 34, first, in the sticker printing machine 1000, the sticker creation processing unit 1210 selects the appearance method of the main character according to the user's selection operation input from the operation input unit 1100 (step A1). If the selected appearance method is “character communication” (step A3: YES), for example, a predetermined instruction screen is displayed on the image display unit 1330 to instruct the user to perform character communication with the portable game machine 3000. Then, the character communication control unit 1211 establishes communication with the portable game machine 3000 (steps A5 and B1).

  Then, in portable game machine 3000, character communication control unit 3220 transmits breeding character data (character ID, occupation, and character name) to sticker printing machine 1000 in accordance with a user instruction from operation input unit 3100. (Step B3). Next, it is determined whether or not the breeding character has been successfully transmitted. If the transmission is successful (step B5: YES), an outside appearance process for producing the breeding character is performed (step B7).

  Also, in the sticker printing machine 1000, the sticker creation processing unit 1210 determines whether or not the breeding character data has been successfully received. If successful (step A7: YES), the received character is regarded as the main character. At the same time (step A9), a character appearance effect process for directing the appearance of the breeding character is performed (step A11).

  Next, the shooting character selection unit 1212 refers to the character data 1721 to determine the game world to which the received character belongs (step A13). Then, with reference to the game world selection table 1741, one of the game worlds is selected from the selectable game worlds according to the determined game world as the play world according to the user's operation input (step A15).

  On the other hand, if reception of the breeding character has failed (step A7: NO), the shooting character selection unit 1212 refers to the character data 1721 and randomly selects, for example, a predetermined number (for example, characters) belonging to each game world. , “3 bodies”) are selected and displayed as a list of selection candidates. And the character selected according to a user's selection operation from these selection candidates is made into a main character (step A25). Also, with reference to the game world selection table 1741, one of the game worlds is selected from the selectable game worlds according to the user's selection operation, and is set as the play world (step A27).

  If the character appearance method is “code input” (steps A3: NO to A17: YES), the shooting character selection unit 1212 refers to the character data 1721 and identifies the character corresponding to the input calling code. As a main character (step A19), the game world to which the character belongs is specified (step A21). Next, with reference to the game world selection table 1741, one of the game worlds that can be selected according to the specified game world is selected as a play world according to the user's operation input (step A23).

  Thereafter, the shooting character selection unit 1212 performs a mini game process (character search game) for characters belonging to the selected play world (step A31). Then, two characters selected by the user's selection operation from the obtained characters are set as the shooting characters together with the main character (step A33).

  Subsequently, the seal creation processing unit 1210 refers to the puzzle image data 1742 and selects, for example, one piece selected at random from the piece images 70 corresponding to the selected play world as the piece image 70 for printing. (Step A35). Further, with reference to the print item data 1724, for example, a predetermined number of items randomly selected from the items corresponding to the main character are set as items for printing (step A37).

  Thereafter, the photographing control unit 1213 executes photographing processing (step A39). FIG. 31 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the photographing process. According to the drawing, the shooting control unit 1213 refers to the basic image data 1722 and determines one basic image 11 corresponding to the main character from the plurality of basic images 11 prepared in advance (step C1). ). Next, a preview image 10 is generated by superimposing the determined basic image 11, the finder image 13 obtained by the photographing unit 1500, and the character image 15, and a preview screen is displayed on the image display unit 1330 (step C3). Then, the photographing unit 1500 performs photographing at a predetermined shutter timing, and the photographed image 14 is captured (step C5).

  Subsequently, the imaging control unit 1213 changes the basic image 11. That is, one basic image 11 different from the current basic image 11 is selected from a plurality of basic images 11 prepared in advance, and is set as the basic image 11 for the next photographing (step C7). Instead of changing the basic image 11 for each shooting, the basic image 11 may be changed for every predetermined number of shots (for example, twice).

  Thereafter, the photographing control unit 1213 determines whether or not a predetermined number of times of photographing has been performed, and if not (step C9: NO), returns to step C3. If a predetermined number of times of shooting has been performed (step C9: YES), a predetermined number of images to be printed are determined from all the captured images 14, and other images are deleted (step C11). When the above processing is performed, the photographing control unit 1213 ends the photographing processing.

  When the shooting process is completed, an image editing process is performed on the captured image (step A41). FIG. 32 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the image editing process. According to the figure, the image editing unit 1214 refers to the basic image data 1722 and selects a basic image 11 that is a candidate for replacement from a plurality of basic images 11 prepared in advance according to the main character. The basic image candidate 30 is set (step D1). And the basic image change image 20 which overlap | superposed the basic image 11, the picked-up image 14, and the character image 15 is produced | generated (step D3), and the produced | generated basic image change image 20 and the selected basic image candidate 30 are arrange | positioned. The frame change screen thus displayed is displayed on the image display unit 1330 (step D5).

  Next, the image editing unit 1214 selects the basic image 11 to be replaced from the basic image candidates 30 according to the user's selection instruction input from the operation input unit 1100 (step D7), and replaces the selected basic image 11 with the selected basic image 11. The image change image 20 is updated (step D9).

  Further, the image editing unit 1214 determines whether or not replacement of the basic image 11 has been determined. If not (step D11: NO), the process returns to step D7. If the replacement of the basic image 11 is determined (step D11: YES), the basic image 11, the captured image 14, and the character image 15 constituting the basic image changed image 20 are combined to form a graffiti image 40 (step). D13).

  Next, the image editing unit 1214 determines whether or not the graffiti images 40 have been generated for all the photographed images 14, and if not generated (step D15: NO), the process returns to step D3. If generated (step D15: YES), the graffiti process for each graffiti image 40 is subsequently performed.

  That is, with reference to the graffiti tool data 1723, the graffiti tool 50 corresponding to the main character is selected from the graffiti tools 50 prepared in advance (step D17). Then, a graffiti screen on which the graffiti image 40 and the selected graffiti tool 50 are arranged is displayed on the image display unit 1330 (step D19). Then, a graffiti process is performed in which the graffiti input image 17 according to the user's graffiti operation input from the operation input unit 1100 is superimposed on the graffiti image 40 (step D21). When the graffiti is completed (step D23: YES), the graffiti input image 17 is combined with the graffiti image 40 to form a unit seal image 60 (step D25).

  Subsequently, the image editing unit 1214 determines whether or not the unit sticker images 60 have been generated for all the graffiti images 40, and if not generated (step D27: NO), the process returns to step D19. If generated (step D27: YES), the image editing process is terminated.

  When the image editing process ends, the print control unit 1215 starts to execute the printing process (step A43). FIG. 33 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing during printing. According to the figure, the print control unit 1215 determines the number of unit sticker images 60 to be arranged on the photo sticker unit 101 in the photo sticker 100 in accordance with a user instruction input from the operation input unit 1100 (step E1).

  Next, a print image is generated. That is, the photo sticker unit 101 is divided into the determined number of unit sticker images 60 to be arranged, and the unit sticker images 60 are arranged in each. Further, referring to the character data 1721, an image of the main character is arranged in the main character portion 102, and text of the name of the main character is arranged in the main character name portion 104. Further, an image of the determined item for printing is arranged in the item portion 103, and a piece image 70 for printing decided is arranged in the puzzle character portion 105 (step E3). Thereafter, the print control unit 1215 causes the printing unit 1600 to start printing the generated printing image on the sticker sheet (step E5). The printing process is performed in this way.

  In addition, the seal creation processing unit 1210 performs a piece image selection effect process at the same time as the printing control unit 1215 starts the printing process. That is, the piece image selection screen (see FIG. 9) is displayed on the image display unit 1330, and an effect is provided as if the user selected the piece image 70 for printing previously determined (step A45).

  Thereafter, the sticker creation processing unit 1210 determines whether or not a character is received from the portable game machine 3000. If the character is received (step A47: YES), the souvenir item data 1725 is referred to in advance. An item to be transmitted to the portable game machine 3000 is determined from the prepared souvenir items (step A49). Next, communication with the portable game machine 3000 is established (steps A51 and B9), and the data (item ID) of the determined souvenir item is transmitted to the portable game machine 3000 (step A53).

  Then, in the portable game machine 3000, the character communication control unit 3220 receives the souvenir item data transmitted from the sticker printing machine 1000, and determines whether or not the souvenir item has been successfully received. If successful (step B11: YES), the received souvenir item is added to the possessed item, and souvenir item acquisition effect processing for directing acquisition of the souvenir item is performed (step B13). Next, it is determined whether or not the breeding character is out, and if it is out (step B15: YES), a rendering process is performed to produce a return of the breeding character (step B21).

  If reception of the souvenir item fails (step B11: NO), the character communication control unit 3220 determines whether or not the breeding character is out. If the user is out (step B17: YES), it is further determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the user has gone out (step B19: YES). Step B21).

  On the other hand, in the sticker printing machine 1000, the sticker creation processing unit 1210 determines whether or not the print processing by the print control unit 1215 has been completed. The photograph sticker 100 is discharged from the sticker outlet 1006 to the outside of the stick printer 1000 (step A57). When the above processing is performed, the seal creation processing ends.

[Action / Effect]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the sticker printing machine 1000, when the graffiti process for the user's photographed image is completed and the unit sticker image 60 is generated, the piece image to be printed together with the unit sticker image 60 is subsequently obtained. 70 selections are made. Thereafter, the photographic sticker 100 created by printing the printed image including the unit sticker image 60 and the selected piece image 70 on the sticker paper is discharged from the sticker outlet 1006. At this time, the piece image 70 to be printed is determined inside the sticker printing machine 1000. When the graffiti process ends, printing of the printing image including the unit sticker image 60 and the determined piece image 70 on the sticker paper is started and a piece image selection screen for selecting the piece image 70 (FIG. 9). The piece image 70 is displayed by the user and the piece image 70 is selected by the user. In this piece image selection screen, control is performed so that the previously determined piece image 70 is selected regardless of the user's selection. When the selection of the piece image 70 by the user is completed, the printed photo sticker 100 is discharged from the sticker outlet 1006.

  Thus, after the graffiti processing on the photographed image is finished, until the photo sticker 100 is discharged, the user is allowed to select the piece image 70 until the photo sticker 100 is discharged. It is possible to reduce the consciousness that the user feels “waiting”. Further, a bonus image is printed in addition to the photographed image of the user, and this bonus image can be made to appear as if the user has selected by his / her own operation, so that the user can further add to the photo sticker 100. Can give satisfaction

[Modification]
It should be noted that embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

(A) Transmission of the breeding character In the above-described embodiment, the breeding character is transmitted from the portable game machine 3000 to the sticker printing machine 1000, and the character ID that is the identification information of the breeding character is transmitted from the portable game machine 3000. This is realized by specifying the breeding character from the received character ID and the like in the seal printing machine 1000, but this may be transmitted from the portable game machine 3000 as character image data of the breeding character. . In this case, the sticker printing machine 1000 generates the unit sticker image 60 by combining the received character image data.

(B) Character image 15
Further, the appearance of the photographed character that “photographs” with the user may be changed. Specifically, in the sticker printing machine 1000, for each character, a plurality of images that are the same character but have different appearances (forms) such as facial expressions and clothes are prepared. Then, the character image 15 to be combined with the captured image 14 is determined according to the result (result) of the mini game for determining the captured character, for example, the number of characters found in the character search game.

(C) Souvenir item In addition, a character may be transmitted instead of a souvenir item. Specifically, for example, one character is randomly selected from characters prepared in advance in the sticker printing machine 1000, and data of the selected character is transmitted to the portable game machine 3000. Then, the portable game machine 300 is caused to appear in a breeding game executed on the portable game machine 3000 so that the character is “visited”.

(D) Shape of Piece Image 70 The shape of the piece image 70 may be a shape imitating a jigsaw puzzle. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 35, the lines that divide the puzzle image 73 are zigzag, for example, so that the position of the piece image 70 in the original puzzle image 73 can be easily grasped. .

(E) Selection of piece image 70 In the above-described embodiment, a time limit is provided for selection of the present 80 on the piece image selection screen (see FIG. 9). However, a time limit may not be provided. . In this case, the photo sticker 100 is not paid out unless the user selects any present 80 and determines the piece image 70.

  In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of presents 80 whose contents cannot be seen are displayed on the piece image selection screen (see FIG. 9), and the piece images 70 contained in the presents 80 selected by the user are printed. However, this may be realized by other forms. For example, a roulette in which a plurality of piece images 70 are arranged as an eye may be displayed, and an effect may be performed so as to determine the piece image 70 to be printed.

(F) Game to be applied In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the breeding game is executed in the portable game machine 3000, and the breeding character that is the player character is transmitted to the seal printing machine 1000. The game is not limited to a breeding game, and can be applied to any game in which player characters appear, such as an RPG (role playing game) or a fighting action game.

(G) Portable game machine 3000
In the above-described embodiment, data communication is performed between the portable game machine 3000 and the stick printer 1000 as an electronic device. However, for example, a mobile phone or a PDA has a communication function and executes a game. Any applicable electronic device can be similarly applied.

An appearance example of a seal printing machine. An appearance example of a portable game machine. Examples of races and occupations set as breeding characters. An example of a mini game screen for determining a shooting character. The example of a screen at the time of photography in a sticker printer. The example of a screen at the time of basic image replacement in a sticker printing machine. Screen example of graffiti on a sticker printing machine. Explanatory drawing of a piece image. An example of a piece image selection screen. A configuration example of a photo sticker. Schematic diagram of image generation during shooting. The schematic diagram of the image generation at the time of basic image replacement. The schematic diagram of the image generation at the time of replacement decision of a basic image. Schematic diagram of image generation during graffiti. Schematic diagram of image generation at the end of graffiti. Functional block diagram of a seal printing machine. The example of a data structure of puzzle image data. The data structural example of print item data. Data structure example of souvenir item data. Data structure example of received character data. An example of the data structure of character data. The data structural example of a game world selection table. Data structure example of shooting character data. The data structural example of basic image data. The example of a structure of a preview image. Data structure example of graffiti tool data. The functional block diagram of a portable game machine. An example of the data structure of the breeding character data. Data configuration example of owned item data. The flowchart of the sticker creation process in a sticker printing machine. The flowchart of the process at the time of imaging | photography performed during a sticker creation process. The flowchart of the image edit process performed during a sticker creation process. The flowchart of the process at the time of printing performed during a sticker creation process. The flowchart of the sticker creation process in a portable game machine. A modification of the shape of the puzzle image.

Explanation of symbols

1000 sticker printing machine 1200 processing unit 1210 sticker creation processing unit 1211 character communication control unit 1212 shooting character selection unit 1213 shooting control unit 1214 image editing unit 1215 print control unit 1400 communication unit 1500 shooting unit 1600 printing unit 1620 discharge mechanism 1700 storage unit 1710 Sticker creation program 1721 Character data 1722 Basic image data 1723 Graffiti tool data 1724 Print item data 1725 Souvenir item data 1726 Received character data 1727 Photographed character data 1731 Photographed image data 1732 Graffiti image data 1733 Unit sticker image data 1734 Image data for printing 1741 Game world selection table 1742 Puzzle image data 3000 Portable game machine 3200 Processing unit 210 game calculation section 3220 character communication controller 3230 image generating unit 3240 sound generation section 3400 communication unit 3500 storing unit 3511 game program 3512 characters communication control program 3521 breeding character data 3522 owned item data 100 photo sticker

Claims (6)

A sticker printing machine comprising a camera, a sticker printing device, and a discharge mechanism for discharging sticker paper printed by the sticker printing device,
Photographing control means for controlling the camera to photograph the user;
Bonus image determining means for executing processing for determining bonus images to be printed on sticker paper as internal processing;
Image generating means for generating a seal image including at least the captured image and the determined bonus image;
Print start control means for outputting the generated image data for sticker to the sticker printing device to start sticker printing;
A pseudo game simulating a game for selecting an image to be a bonus image in accordance with a user operation, and the pseudo game in which the determined bonus image is finally selected regardless of an operation input is controlled in accordance with the user operation. Pseudo game progress control means;
Game end determination means for determining the end of the progress-controlled pseudo game;
A discharge control means for causing the discharge mechanism to discharge the printed sticker paper after the end determination by the game end determination means;
Seal printing machine equipped with.   The sticker printing machine according to claim 1, wherein the pseudo game progress control means starts execution of the pseudo game after start control of sticker printing by the print start control means.   3. The sticker printing machine according to claim 1, wherein the bonus image determining unit determines one piece image as the bonus image by using a predetermined random calculation from among puzzle images including a plurality of piece images. Electronic device information acquisition means for acquiring predetermined information relating to the game being executed on the electronic device by communicating with a portable electronic device that executes the game;
Puzzle image storage means for storing a plurality of puzzle images in association with predetermined information that can be acquired by the electronic device information acquisition means;
A puzzle image selecting means for selecting a puzzle image corresponding to the predetermined information acquired by the electronic device information acquiring means from the plurality of puzzle images;
With
The sticker printing machine according to claim 3, wherein the bonus image determining means determines a piece image to be the bonus image from piece images constituting the puzzle image selected by the puzzle image selecting means. Character image storage means for storing a character image of each of a plurality of characters in association with predetermined information that can be acquired by the electronic device information acquisition means;
Selection means for selecting at least one character image from the plurality of character images based on the predetermined information acquired by the electronic device information acquisition means;
With
The sticker printing machine according to claim 4, wherein the image generating unit generates a sticker image further including the selected character image. A method for producing a print sticker by a stick printing machine comprising a camera, a stick printing device, and a discharge mechanism for discharging sticker paper printed by the stick printing device,
A shooting control step of shooting the user by controlling the camera;
A bonus image determination step for executing a process for determining a bonus image to be printed on the sticker paper as an internal process;
An image generation step of generating a seal image including at least the captured image and the determined bonus image;
A print start control step of outputting the generated image data for a seal to the seal printer and starting a seal print;
A pseudo game simulating a game for selecting an image to be a bonus image in accordance with a user operation, and the pseudo game in which the determined bonus image is finally selected regardless of an operation input is controlled in accordance with the user operation. A pseudo game progress control step;
A discharge control step for causing the discharge mechanism to discharge the printed sticker paper after the progress-controlled pseudo game is completed;
A method for producing a print sticker.

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