JP5151093B2 - Photo sticker creation apparatus and method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for creating a photo sticker, and a program, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for making a photo sticker that can improve user satisfaction and improve profitability by improving entertainment. , As well as programs.

  Conventionally, a user (subject) is photographed, and the obtained subject image is edited with a pre-prepared frame image, stamp image, or handwritten line image graffiti input image, and printed on sticker paper. A photo sticker provided to a user is known.

  In such a photo sticker, one game is usually completed by shooting a subject, editing the shot image, and outputting the edited image to a photo sticker sheet. This series of games usually has a limited time for shooting and editing.

  The user must perform shooting, editing, etc. within the limited time. Previously, rather than shooting, arbitrary characters were written on multiple shot images and various stamp images were pasted. There are many users who enjoy graffiti editing by attaching them, and in many cases, photo sticker creation devices with various editing functions and diversified editing functions have been developed.

  However, in recent years, users are getting tired of editing operations and types of content, and an increasing number of users place an emphasis on shooting rather than editing, and photo sticker creation apparatuses are also required to have enhanced functions related to shooting.

  For example, there is a method of combining a photographed image obtained by photographing with a background image or a foreground image (frame image) selected from a number of images prepared in advance (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). ). In addition, there is a method of fitting a photographed image of a subject at an arbitrary position of a composition image combining a foreground image and a background image (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

  In addition, the first photographed image is erased using a touch pen (the unerased part is used as a foreground image), and the second photographed image is inserted into the erased part and combined. There is also a photo seal machine.

JP 2004-5721 A JP 2004-320077 A Noto 3062859

  However, the above-described photo sticker is a so-called game machine, and further enhancement of functions is always required from users who play games.

  In the case of a photo sticker using the method described in Patent Document 1 to Patent Document 3 as described above, the user selects a foreground image and a background image to be combined with a captured image from images prepared in advance. However, there is a fear that the user who repeatedly plays the game gets bored and the satisfaction level is lowered. Further, even for a user who plays for the first time, an image prepared in advance does not meet the user's preference, and there is a possibility that the satisfaction level is lowered.

  Furthermore, in the case of the method described in Patent Document 3, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of hierarchized image groups as a foreground or background as a synthesis image, which may increase the amount of data. This not only increases the required storage capacity, but also increases the load of the synthesis process. In addition, since the hierarchization itself is preset, the user can select between which hierarchies the photographed image is to be inserted, but the foreground portion, background, It was not possible to arbitrarily set the part to be.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and enables a user to arbitrarily set a foreground portion and a background portion of a captured image for a composition image. In this way, it is possible to improve entertainment, improve user satisfaction, and improve profitability.

An aspect of the present invention is that a user is photographed as a subject, the user performs graffiti editing input on the obtained photographed image, the image is printed on a predetermined sticker sheet, and a photo sticker is created. A photo sticker creating apparatus for providing the user with the photo sticker as an object, the accepting unit accepting the user's instruction, and the accepting unit accepting the composite image to be combined with the photographed image. and an area setting means for setting a region on the basis of an instruction of the user, and hierarchy setting means for setting a hierarchy for each set region by the area setting unit, a first photography for photographing the user as a subject and means, in accordance with the set hierarchy by the layer setting unit, wherein the synthesis image, and combining means for combining said captured image obtained by the photographing of the first imaging means, the A photo sticker creating apparatus and a printing unit and the synthesis image and the captured image to print synthetic image obtained by synthesizing the seal seat by forming means.

In this photo sticker creating apparatus, the accepting means is constituted by, for example, a GUI control unit, the area setting means is constituted by, for example, an area setting part, and the hierarchy setting means is constituted by, for example, a storage mode selecting part . For example, the first photographing unit includes a photographing processing unit, the combining unit includes, for example, a photographing photographing mode control unit , and the printing unit includes, for example, a printing processing unit.

In photo sticker creation apparatus of the present invention, a user instruction is accepted, the synthesized images to be combined with the captured image, region based on an instruction accepted user is set, set each area A hierarchy is set for the user, the user is photographed as a subject , and the composition image and the photographed image obtained by photographing are synthesized according to the set hierarchy, and the composition image and the photographed image are synthesized. The combined image is printed on the sticker sheet.

  Therefore, the photo sticker creating apparatus can allow the user to arbitrarily set the foreground portion and the background portion of the captured image for the composition image. That is, the photo sticker creating apparatus can improve operability, improve user satisfaction, and improve profitability.

  Note that the region set by the region setting means may be a part of the image for synthesis or the entire image. When the region setting unit sets the entire composition image as a region, the layer setting unit can arbitrarily set the layer of the entire composition image. On the other hand, when the region setting unit sets a part of the composition image as a region, the region setting unit selects a partial image in an arbitrary range (position, size, shape, etc.) from one composition image. An arbitrary number can be set, and the hierarchy setting means can arbitrarily set the hierarchy of each partial image.

  That is, even when the region setting unit sets the entire composition image as a region, the user can set the foreground and background of the captured image, but the region setting unit sets a part of the composition image as a region. In this case, the degree of freedom of setting is further expanded, so that the user can obtain an image more suitable for the user's own preference. Of course, if the area setting means can set both a part of the compositing image and the entire compositing image as the area, it goes without saying that the degree of freedom of setting by the user is further expanded.

  Therefore, the area setting means may set only the entire compositing image as the area, but it is desirable to set a part of the compositing image as the area, and further, a part of the compositing image and the compositing are combined. It is more desirable to be able to set all of the entire image as a region.

The area setting means can set an area specified by the user's instruction received by the receiving means as a first area, and set other than the first area as a second area .

  In this way, by arbitrarily setting the area by the erase operation, the photo sticker creating apparatus can provide an image suitable for the user's preference. In addition, the user's area setting operation is facilitated. Furthermore, the user who plays a game repeatedly can be prevented from getting bored.

The hierarchy setting means can set the first area as the background of the captured image and set the second area as the foreground of the captured image.

  By doing in this way, it is possible to synthesize a photographed image at an arbitrary position of the image for synthesis, and based on the user's free idea, for example, the user is in a candy box A composite image that looks like this can be created.

The hierarchy setting means can set the second area as a foreground or background of the photographed image and delete the first area .

  In this way, the amount of data for the erased area can be reduced in the composition image, so the storage capacity necessary for storing the composition image and the processing load using the composition image are reduced. It can be reduced.

The hierarchy setting means can set the entire area of the composition image as the background of the captured image when no area is set by the area setting means .
The reception of the user's instruction by the reception unit, the setting of the region by the region setting unit, and the layer setting of each region by the layer setting unit are performed before shooting by the first shooting unit. be able to.

  By doing so, the captured image is prevented from being hidden in the composite image in the composite image, and when the user views the composite image of the composite image and the captured image, it is the composite image. Can be easily identified.

The image capturing apparatus further includes a second photographing unit that photographs a subject and uses the obtained photographed image as the composition image, and the region setting unit sets a region in the composition image obtained by the second photographing unit. can do.

The second photographing means is constituted by, for example, a camera in the prior customer service section. As a result, the user can obtain a composite image that cannot be created by other users, for example, by creating a pre-photographed image using, for example, the user's belongings. A seal can be created.

Further comprising an acquisition means for acquiring the synthesis image supplied from another device, the area setting unit may set the area to the synthesis image obtained by the obtaining means.

  The acquisition unit is configured by, for example, a data reception unit. In this way, the user can use, for example, an image transferred from the user's mobile phone or flash memory as a composition image, and more various images can be used as the composition image. it can.

A storage unit that stores the candidate for the image for synthesis; and a selection unit that selects an image to be used as the image for synthesis from the candidates stored in the storage unit, wherein the region setting unit includes: it is possible to set the area to the image selected by the selection means.

  The storage unit is configured by, for example, a selected image recording unit, and the selection unit is configured by, for example, a selected image selection processing unit. This eliminates the need for the user to prepare a composition image.

The first photographing means performs further imaging to obtain the synthesis image, said region setting means can set an area to the synthesis image obtained by the first imaging means.
The image processing apparatus further includes a display unit configured to display a synthesis result of the synthesis image and the acquired image obtained before shooting by the first shooting unit, which is performed according to the hierarchy set by the hierarchy setting unit. it can.
The composite image obtained by the synthesizing unit further includes an editing unit that performs graffiti editing based on the user input, and the printing unit is configured to perform the graffiti editing by the editing unit. Can be printed on the seal sheet.

  By doing in this way, the photograph sticker production apparatus 1 can reduce a number of parts and can reduce cost.

The editing means can reset the hierarchy of each region in the composite image based on the user's input.

  The “background / foreground switch” button is an area of the image to be edited displayed in the image display area that is specified by the user operating with the touch pen and tapping with the touch pen. Detects whether it is a foreground image area or a background image area of the image for composition, and switches the hierarchy of the area, for example, the image that was the foreground is used as the background or the image that is the background It is a GUI button that makes the foreground. In this way, the user can easily reset the hierarchy of the area.

The editing unit can erase the display of the photographed image from the composite image displayed on the display unit based on the input of the user.

  The “eraser” button is a GUI button that erases or redisplays the captured image displayed in the image display area when the user operates the touch pen. Thereby, the part of the background image that was hidden by the captured image can be displayed.

The aspect of the present invention also captures the user as a subject, causes the user to perform graffiti editing input on the obtained captured image, prints the image on a predetermined sticker sheet, and creates a photo sticker. A photo sticker creating method of a photo sticker creating apparatus that provides the user with the photo sticker as a deliverable, the accepting step for accepting the user's instruction , and a composition image to be combined with the photographed image, wherein the area setting step of setting a region on the basis of processing said user's instruction accepted by the accepting step, the layer setting step of setting a hierarchy for each of the set by the processing region setting step area, the use party and first photographing step of photographing as a subject, in accordance with the set hierarchy by the process of the hierarchy setting step, and the synthesis image, the first Printing a synthesis step of synthesizing the said captured image obtained by the processing of the shooting step, the composite image and the captured image and the synthesis image is obtained by being synthesized by the process of the synthesis step to the sealing seat And a printing step including a printing step.

In the photo sticker creation method of the present invention, a user instruction is received, and an area is set based on the received user instruction for the composition image to be combined with the photographed image, and a hierarchy is defined for each area. Is set, the user is photographed as the subject , the composition image and the photographed image obtained by photographing are synthesized according to the set hierarchy, and the composition image obtained by synthesizing the composition image and the photographed image is obtained. An image is printed on the sticker sheet.

The program of the present invention is recorded on a predetermined recording medium, read by a drive, for example, and installed in the image printing apparatus. Recording medium, a floppy (registered trademark) disk including, for example, a disk, CD-ROM (Compact Dis c Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Dis c) an optical disk including, for example, MD (Mini Dis c) (Registration For example, a magneto-optical disk made of a trademark) or a removable medium such as a semiconductor memory.

  According to the present invention, the profitability of the photo sticker creating apparatus can be improved. In particular, profitability can be improved by improving the entertainment of the photo sticker creation play and improving the user satisfaction.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a photo sticker creating apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  The photo sticker creating apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 enhances the amusement of work such as shooting and editing, allows the user to perform such work as a game (play service), and takes the shot / edited images as photo stickers. It is a game device (play service providing device) that receives money from the user instead of providing it to the user as data.

  In the photo sticker creating game executed by the photo sticker creating apparatus 1, the user inputs the price of the game, takes a picture of himself / herself using the camera provided in the photo sticker creating apparatus 1, and displays the photographed image. On the other hand, the foreground and background are synthesized, and editing is performed using an editing function (doodle editing function) such as pen input or stamp input, so that the photographed image is designed to be rich. After the game ends, the user receives a photo sticker or the like on which the edited image is printed as a product.

  Such a photo sticker creating apparatus 1 is normally installed in a game center, a store in a sightseeing spot, or the like. That is, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 is sold to managers of those stores from, for example, manufacturers and sales companies. The manager who has purchased the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 installs the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 in a store (for example, a game center) to manage and operate the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 for general users represented by female high school students and female junior high school students. Play the created game for a fee, and make a profit by paying for it.

  Therefore, the high profit rate of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 is important for the store manager. That is, it is desirable that the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 has a high rate of return per unit time. Moreover, in the case of a normal store, the installation place of the photograph sticker production apparatus 1 is limited by restrictions, such as a floor area and a structure. Therefore, it is desirable that the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 has a high profit rate per unit floor area. Furthermore, since the size and shape of each store are usually not the same, and other game machines and the like installed together with the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 are also different, it is desirable that the degree of freedom of installation is higher.

  As a method of improving the profit rate, for example, there is a method of improving the rotation rate of the photo sticker creation game. That is, the rate of return per unit time is increased by increasing the number of games played within a predetermined time. However, if there is no user who plays the photo sticker creation game, the profitability will not improve. That is, it is also important to improve the user's expectation and satisfaction with respect to the photo sticker creation game of the photo sticker creation device 1.

  For example, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 can increase the number of users by providing a function with high expectation that a user who has never played a game wants to play. In addition, by providing a function with a high degree of satisfaction that a user who has played once thinks that “it was fun and would like to play again”, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 increases the number of users by increasing so-called repeaters. be able to. That is, the profit of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 is improved.

  For the user, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 can be broadly divided into two: playing a photo sticker creating game (photo sticker creating work) and obtaining a photo sticker as a product (finished photo sticker itself). There are two amusements.

  As the former method for improving the amusement of the photo sticker creation game, there are, for example, a multi-functional shooting function and editing functions such as graffiti, an improvement in operability, or adjustment of play time and waiting time. Examples of the latter method for improving the amusement of photo stickers include improving the quality of sticker paper, high-quality printing, and special color printing. In addition, high school girls and junior high school students who are the main users not only stick the obtained photo sticker to their property, but also exchange the photo sticker or talk about the photo sticker as a topic To do. Therefore, since this photographic sticker may also serve as an advertisement for the photographic sticker creating apparatus 1, improving the enjoyment of the photographic sticker not only improves the satisfaction of the user, Can be expected to attract more customers due to the spread of reputation, that is, to increase new users by so-called word-of-mouth.

  Although the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 has such a feature, the casing 10 is roughly divided into three units, a pre-service unit 11, a photographing unit 12, and an editing unit 13, as shown in FIG.

  The pre-service unit 11 is a unit that captures an image for composition (pre-photographing), edits the pre-photographed image (pre-edit), and the like before the steps such as photographing and editing in the photo sticker creation game. It is. The customer service unit 11 includes an upper unit 11A having a user interface such as a monitor and a touch pen, and a lower unit 11B that is a table on which a subject to be captured (previously captured) is placed.

  The photographing unit 12 has a function of photographing a subject (such as a user), and the subject is photographed in an internal space (photographing space) described later. The photographing unit 12 is roughly divided into two units, a front unit 12A and a rear unit 12B.

  The front unit 12A is a unit on the front side of the shooting space, and performs processing related to shooting of the user in the shooting space and accepts operations related to user photo sticker creation play. The pre-service unit 11 is installed adjacent to the front unit 12A. The rear unit 12B is a unit on the side that is the rear side of the shooting space, and is a unit that plays the role of the user when the front unit 12A takes a picture. The interior of the rear unit 12B is a cavity (space), and is configured as a part of a space (photographing space described later) used when the user performs photographing. Inside the rear unit 12B, a movable curtain (background curtain) used for the background, a stage used for a user to pose, and the like are provided. The background curtain used for the background may be a fixed curtain of one color such as green. In this way, by using a one-color curtain, it is possible to easily extract a subject by chroma key processing.

  The editing unit 13 is provided with a configuration (for example, a monitor, a touch panel, a touch pen, etc.) for the user to perform graffiti editing or the like on a captured image on each of two opposing surfaces.

  The casing 10 is further provided with a ceiling strobe box 14 having a built-in flash that emits strobe light toward the photographing space in accordance with the photographing timing, above the rear unit 12B. The ceiling strobe box 14 is further provided with a fluorescent lamp, and functions as illumination that constantly illuminates the photographing space (the user in the photographing space). The photographing space is simply configured as a closed space as will be described later. Therefore, it is difficult for light to enter from the outside, and the user's operability may be deteriorated because it tends to be dark. The ceiling strobe box 14 illuminates the shooting space with the illumination, thereby avoiding such a fear and improving operability. Such illumination is also provided in the front unit 12A and the rear unit 12B.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 as viewed from the editing unit 13 side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the editing unit 13 is installed adjacent to the surface of the front unit 12A opposite to the surface on the rear unit 12B side (that is, the surface on the imaging space side). On the two side surfaces of the editing unit 13 orthogonal to the front unit 12A, a first editing interface unit 13A and a second editing interface unit 13B are provided for the user to perform graffiti editing or the like on the captured image. That is, the editing unit 13 allows a plurality of sets of users who perform the photo sticker creation game to perform editing operations with the editing unit 13 facing each other in a direction orthogonal to the direction connecting the front unit 12A and the rear unit 12B. Two editing interfaces are provided so that this can be done.

  Also, on the surface of the editing unit 13 that faces the photographing unit 12, a photo sticker discharge unit 13C is provided in which the photo sticker created when the photo sticker making game is played is discharged and provided to the user. ing.

  FIG. 3 is an external view showing an installation example of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1.

  When the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 is installed in a game center or the like, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a curtain 21 is provided so as to surround the photographing unit 12 and the editing unit 13, and a photographing space where photographing work is performed or The editing space where the editing work is performed is simply enclosed, and the closeability of each space is improved. In other words, for example, the curtain 21 stabilizes the environment in each space, thereby contributing to high-quality shooting, easy viewing of the editing screen, etc., or blocking the field of view from outside each space, It is possible to perform operations such as shooting and editing without being aware of the line of sight.

  The outer surface of the curtain 21 is usually used as a place for posting advertisements, and a flashy design image representing the model name and model image of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 is printed so as to attract attention at the installation location. Is done.

  The photo sticker creating apparatus 1 as described above causes each set of users to play a photo sticker creating game. The photo sticker creating apparatus 1 can simultaneously execute a plurality of photo sticker creating games. That is, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 can cause a plurality of sets to play a photo sticker creating game at the same time. At this time, each group of users performs each work of the photo sticker creation game while moving through a plurality of spaces provided in the photo sticker creation device 1, and advances the game.

  The flow of the photo sticker creation game and the accompanying movement of the space will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 as viewed from above by the user during the game. As shown in FIG. 4, the user starts the photo sticker creation game by charging the pre-service unit 11 in the pre-service area 31, which is the area around the front of the pre-service unit 11 (user A). ). When the game is started, the user first performs a pre-customer service operation (pre-photographing or the like) toward the pre-service unit 11 in the pre-service area 31. After that, the user enters the shooting space 32 that is formed between the front unit 12 </ b> A and the rear unit 12 </ b> B, indicated by a dotted line in the drawing, from the side of the pre-service unit 11. Enter (User B).

  It is also possible to provide the customer service unit 11 on the opposite side of the front unit 12A as indicated by the dotted line. In this case, the user plays a photo sticker creation game from the person with the customer service unit 11 in advance. Start (user A ′), and after pre-service, enter the shooting space 32 from the side opposite to the side described above (user B).

  A user (user B) who enters the shooting space 32 performs a shooting operation (main shooting) for shooting himself / herself using a camera or a monitor provided in front of the front unit 12A.

  When the photographing work is completed, the user selects a keep image to be kept for editing and printing from the obtained photographed images, and follows the displayed movement guide from the photographing space 32 where the photographing work is performed. Move to the editing space indicated by the dotted line.

  A first editing space 33A is provided on the right side (in front of the first editing interface unit 13A) of the editing unit 13 as viewed from the front unit 12A, and the second editing space 33B is provided on the left side (in front of the second editing interface unit 13B). Is provided. That is, in this photo sticker creation apparatus 1, a total of two sets of users, the user (user C) of the first editing space 33A and the user (user C ') of the second editing space 33B, simultaneously edit. Work can be done. A user (user B) of the shooting space 32 is guided to a free one of the two editing spaces. When the user moves to the first editing space 33A or the second editing space 33B, the user performs a graffiti editing work. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the first editing space 33A and the second editing space 33B, they are referred to as an editing space 33.

  Thereafter, when the graffiti editing is completed, the user (user C or user C ') next performs print setting work and sets the number of divisions and the like. When printing is started, the user plays a mini game during the printing. Then, when printing is completed, the photograph sticker receiving section 34 in front of the photo sticker discharge unit 13C is moved (user D), the discharged photo sticker paper is received, and the photo sticker creation game is finished.

  In the photo sticker creation game as described above, when the user A (or user A ′) of the pre-service area 31 moves to the shooting space 32, the pre-service area 31 becomes unused. At this stage, the photo sticker creation apparatus 1 can cause a new group of users to use the pre-service area 31 and start a new photo sticker creation game. Similarly, when the user B of the shooting space 32 moves to the first editing space 33A or the second editing space 33B, the shooting space 32 becomes unused. The photographing space 32 can be used. Further, when the user C of the first editing space 33A or the user C ′ of the second editing space 33B moves to the photo sticker receiving area 34, the editing space (the first editing space 33A or the second editing space 33B). ) Is unused, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 can make a new set of users use the editing space.

  In other words, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 has the pre-service area 31, the shooting space 32, the first editing space 33 </ b> A, the second editing in order to improve the rotation rate per unit time and the unit floor area of the photo sticker creating game. Using the space 33B and the photo sticker receiving area 34, a plurality of sets of users can play a photo sticker creation game at the same time (multiple customer service can be performed).

  Next, each unit will be described along the progress of the photo sticker creation game as described above.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the advance customer service unit 11. The pre-service unit 11 accepts the input of the price for the photo sticker creation game, and causes the user to perform pre-service work, which is the first work process of the photo sticker creation game. The prior customer service unit 11 includes an upper unit 11A and a lower unit 11B, and performs shooting (previous shooting) between the two units.

  On the upper part of the front unit 11A-1 that is the side surface of the upper unit 11A opposite to the side on which the front unit 12A is adjacent, an illumination 41 that indicates the usage status of the imaging space 32 is provided. The illumination 41 is turned on when there is a user who is shooting in the shooting space 32, and is turned off when the shooting space 32 is not in use. The illumination 42 which shows the use condition of the imaging space 32 by the lighting-off like the illumination 41 is provided also in the upper part of the left side surface 11A-2 which is a left side surface toward the front surface 11A-1 of the upper unit 11A. Yes. Although illustration is omitted, similar illumination is also provided on the upper portion of the right side surface, which is the right side surface of the upper unit 11A toward the front surface 11A-1.

  The front surface 11A-1 further includes a speaker 43 that outputs guidance voice, sound effects, BGM (Back Ground Music), etc., a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). A pre-display unit 44 that receives an edit input, and a touch pen 45-1 and a touch pen 45-2 that are operated when a user inputs an instruction to an image displayed on the pre-display unit 44 are provided. A plurality of touch pens (touch pen 45-1 and touch pen 45-2) are prepared so that a plurality of users can input instructions simultaneously. Note that the touch pen 45-1 and the touch pen 45-2 are simply referred to as the touch pen 45 when it is not necessary to distinguish between them.

  On the left and right sides of the upper unit 11A, there are provided illuminations 46-1 and 46-2 that illuminate a space where photographing (pre-shooting) is performed between the upper unit 11A and the lower unit 11B. The illumination 46-1 and the illumination 46-2 illuminate the subject of the shooting (pre-shooting), partition the side of the space where the shooting (pre-shooting) is performed, and suppress the entry of external light, Contributes to the stabilization of the light environment in the space.

  A curtain 47 is provided in front of the lower side of the upper unit 11A to suppress the intrusion of external light and stabilize the light environment in a space where pre-shooting is performed.

  A pre-shooting table 51 on which an object to be pre-photographed is placed is formed on the upper surface of the lower unit 11B. In addition, a shelf 52 for placing objects is provided on the front surface 11B-1 of the lower unit 11B. Any item may be installed on the shelf 52. For example, one or more image examples (sample images that can be used as a subject to be captured), or one or more of them can be captured (pre-captured). A sample book 54, which is a printed matter (booklet) on which an example of a photographed synthesized image using the image (sample image of the synthesized result) is printed, is installed. The shelf 52 is provided with a fixed bar 53, and the sample book 54 is fixed to the fixed bar 53 via a chain 55 so as not to be stolen.

  The front unit 11B-1 of the lower unit 11B further accepts the insertion of the price for the photo sticker creation game, and if the input is other than a predetermined coin, the coin input / exhaust unit 56 for discharging it, maintenance, etc. Doors and the like are provided.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the lower surface of the upper unit 11A. As shown in FIG. 6, inside the casing of the upper unit 11A, an image sensor using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and a camera 61 using a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor are mounted on the lower surface of the upper unit 11A. 11A-3 is provided so that the subject placed on the pre-shooting stand 51 can be photographed (captured) through the photographing window 62 provided near the center of 11A-3.

  The camera 61 images a subject placed on the pre-shooting table 51 and acquires an image (moving image) (pre-acquired image). From the acquired image acquired by the camera 61, a frame image at a predetermined timing is extracted and stored as a pre-photographed image (still image) as pre-photographing.

  For example, as shown by a dotted arrow in FIG. 7, the user captures a sample book 54 that is a printed material placed on the pre-photographing stand 51 from above (pre-photographs). Needless to say, the camera 61 may be any camera other than those described above as long as it can photograph a user and obtain digital image data. Further, the number of cameras 61 is also arbitrary. In addition, the subject of the pre-shooting may be anything as long as it can be placed on the pre-shooting stand 51, and is not limited to the sample book 54 but may be a property owned by the user. .

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the sample book 54. On the surface of the sample book 54 on which an image that can be used as a subject to be pre-photographed is printed, a picture showing an example of how it is combined (area 54A), and a picture showing an example of an editing method (area) 54B), a picture (area 54C) to be photographed in advance is printed. The pre-photographed image captured by the pre-photographing is selected based on the instruction by selecting whether a part or all of the pre-photographed image is used as the foreground image or the background image or discarding by simple editing by the user. Thus, the image is combined with a photographed image obtained by photographing (main photographing) performed in the photographing space 32. By doing in this way, the user can create a more unique image than before. As described above, in the sample book 54, not only the image used as the subject for the pre-shooting but also information such as an editing method of the image and an example of the synthesis result are printed. By referring to these pieces of information, the user can easily assume the work procedure and the completed design even when the user is not accustomed to the prior customer service work, for example, when playing for the first time.

  The sample book 54 is printed with at least one of the above-described picture showing an example of how to synthesize, a picture showing an example of an editing method, and a picture used as a subject. What is necessary is just to print patterns other than these patterns. Further, the sample book 54 may be a single printed matter on which the above-described pattern is printed, a plurality of patterns having different contents from each other, or a printed matter consisting of a plurality of pages. Good. For example, the sample book 54 is composed of a plurality of pages, and each page is printed with a pattern having different contents, an example of how to combine the pattern, and an example of an editing method. It may be. Moreover, the electronic device etc. which display an image may be sufficient.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the front unit 12A. A front surface 12A-1 shown in FIG. 9 is a side surface facing the imaging space 32, and is a surface positioned in front of the user who performs the imaging operation. That is, the user basically performs a photographing operation in the photographing space 32 toward the front surface 12A-1 (facing the front unit 12A side).

  The front surface 12A-1 captures a subject in the photographing space 32 (performs a main photographing), and is obtained by photoelectric conversion by the camera 71 and obtained in real time (immediately) (taken). Illumination 73-1 to illumination 73-7 that illuminates the photographing display unit 72 and the photographing space 32 for displaying images and photographed images as photographing results, or emits flash light in accordance with the photographing timing by the camera 71. In addition, a luggage storage area 74-1 to a luggage storage area 74-3 are provided for storing baggage and the like of a user who is photographing.

  The camera 71 is configured by an image sensor or the like using a CCD, captures an image of a user in the imaging space 32, and acquires an image (moving image) (acquired image). From the acquired image acquired by the camera 71, a frame image at a predetermined timing is extracted and stored as a captured image (still image) as the actual shooting. For example, a camera using a CMOS sensor may be used as the camera 71 instead of the CCD. Of course, any camera other than these may be used as long as the user can be photographed and digital image data can be obtained. The number of cameras 71 is also arbitrary.

  The shooting display unit 72 includes a CRT display and an LCD, and includes an acquired image of the camera 71, an image to be combined with the shot image, a shot image stored as a shooting result, or a guide image that guides the procedure of the shooting operation, etc. It is a monitor that displays an image relating to shooting work. A colorless and transparent touch panel (for example, pressure-sensitive type or electromagnetic induction type) is superimposed on the screen of the photographing display unit 72. For example, the position information (user instruction) is tapped by tapping with a user's finger or the like. Can be entered.

  The lighting 73-1 to lighting 73-7 are composed of a plurality of lighting devices capable of fluorescent light and strobe light emission, and in order to brighten the shooting space 32 and ensure operability and safety, the shooting space 32 is always set. In order to illuminate and improve the image quality of the photographed image, the flash is emitted at a timing corresponding to the photographing timing, and the user who is photographed is irradiated with light. Hereinafter, the illumination 73-1 to the illumination 73-7 are referred to as the illumination 73 when it is necessary to distinguish them from each other.

  The luggage storage area 74-1 to the luggage storage area 74-3 are shelves that are used as storage areas for the user's baggage at the time of shooting. Each of the luggage storage area 74-1 to the luggage storage area 74-3 does not get in the way of shooting, that is, does not get in the way for the user to take a shooting pose, and the irradiation of the light of the illumination 73 It is provided in a position that does not interfere. The user can perform photographing work more comfortably by placing his / her baggage in one of the luggage storage areas 74-1 to 74-3. In the following, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the luggage storage area 74-1 to the luggage storage area 74-3, they are simply referred to as the luggage storage area 74.

  Next, the configuration of the editing unit 13 will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the editing unit 13 on the right side as viewed from the photographing unit 12 side (configuration example on the first editing space 33A side).

  In FIG. 10, a first editing interface unit 13A is provided on the right side surface. On top of that, there is provided an illumination 81 for illuminating the first editing space 33A that becomes dark because it is partitioned by the curtain 21 or the like. With this illumination 81, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 can suppress a reduction in the editing work efficiency of the user and improve the safety and security of the first editing space 33A.

  The first editing interface unit 13A is provided with an editing display unit 82, two touch pens (touch pen 83-1 and touch pen 83-2), and a speaker 84.

  The edit display unit 82 includes a CRT display and an LCD, and displays a GUI image (doodle editing input screen) and the like for editing a captured image obtained by a shooting operation in the shooting space. The graffiti edit input screen will be described later.

  A colorless and transparent touch panel (for example, pressure-sensitive type or electromagnetic induction type) is superimposed on the screen of the edit display unit 82. Further, in the vicinity of the left and right sides of the edit display section 82, touch pens 83-1 and touch pens 83-2 corresponding to the touch panel are detachably fixed to the editing unit 13 by a predetermined attachment one by one on the left and right sides. The two users can perform editing operations simultaneously by using these touch pens. In the following description, the touch pen 83-1 and the touch pen 83-2 are simply referred to as the touch pen 83 when it is not necessary to distinguish between them.

  The touch pen 83 is also electrically connected to a system installed in the editing unit 13 by wire (or wireless). The touch pen 83 operates in cooperation with a colorless and transparent touch panel superimposed on the screen of the edit display unit 82. When the user operates these touch pens 83 and taps the touch panel superimposed on the edit display unit 82 (the touch pen 83 and the touch panel are brought into contact (or close proximity)), they accept input from the user. Operates as input means.

  The speaker 84 outputs, for example, guidance sound for editing work, sound effects, BGM (Back Ground Music), or the like.

  The configuration of the editing unit 13 on the second editing space 33B side is basically the same as the configuration on the first editing space 33A side shown in FIG. In the following, the configuration example shown in FIG. 10 is also applied to the case where the configuration of the editing unit 13 on the second editing space 33B side is described.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the photo sticker discharge unit 13 </ b> C of the editing unit 13.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the photo sticker discharging unit 13C has a photo sticker created by a user who has performed editing work in the first editing space 33A (that is, the photo sticker is created by operating the first editing interface unit 13A). Photo sticker 92-1 from which the photo sticker is discharged, and a photo sticker created by the user who performed the editing work in the second editing space 33B (that is, the second editing interface unit 13B is operated). There are provided two photo sticker discharge ports, a photo sticker discharge port 91-2 through which a photo sticker) is discharged.

  A printer (not shown) is installed inside the editing unit 13, and the edited composite image created by operating the first editing interface unit 13A or the second editing interface unit 13B is sealed by the printer. Printed on paper. The photo sticker output from the printer is discharged from the photo sticker discharge port 91-1 or the photo sticker discharge port 91-2. Hereinafter, when it is necessary to distinguish between the photo sticker discharge port 91-1 and the photo sticker discharge port 91-2, they are simply referred to as the photo sticker discharge port 91.

  Next, an internal configuration example of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1. The same parts as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 12, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 includes a control device 101 that is a processing unit that controls the entire apparatus of the photo sticker creating device 1. The control device 101 includes a storage unit 102, a communication unit 103, A drive 104, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 106, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 107, a pre-serving section 111, a photographing section 112, an editing section 113, and a printer 114 are respectively connected via a predetermined bus.

  The storage unit 102 includes a non-volatile recording medium such as a hard disk or a flash memory, and stores various setting information supplied from the control device 101 in the recording medium or is recorded on the recording medium. The setting information is read out and supplied to the control device 101.

  The communication unit 103 is connected to another communication device (not shown) via an external network (not shown) such as the Internet or a public telephone line network, or simply via a communication cable (not shown). And is controlled by the control device 101 to communicate with other communication devices. For example, the communication unit 103 transmits transmission information supplied from the control device 101 to another communication device, or supplies reception information supplied from another communication device to the control device 101.

  The drive 104 includes a removable medium such as a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk), an optical disk (including a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), a magneto-optical disk, and a semiconductor memory. The computer program and data read out from the computer 105 and the data read from them are supplied to the control device 101 as needed, and stored or installed in the storage unit 102 or the like.

  The ROM 106 stores programs and data executed in the control device 101 in advance, and the ROM 106 supplies the programs and data to the control device 101 based on instructions from the control device 101. The RAM 107 temporarily holds data and programs processed by the control device 101.

  The customer service unit 111 is a block related to the customer service unit 11, and includes a coin processing unit 121, a lighting device 122, a camera 61, a prior display unit 44, a touch panel 123, a touch pen 45-1, a touch pen 45-2, and a speaker 43. .

  The coin processing unit 121 includes the above-described coin input / output unit 56 and performs processing related to coin input, sorting, and discharge. For example, when a user inserts a predetermined amount of coins into the coin insertion / ejection unit 56 as a price for the photo sticker creation game, the coin processing unit 121 calculates the amount, or based on the calculation result, An activation signal for starting a photo sticker creation game is supplied to the control device 101, and processing such as returning a change or discharging illegal coins is performed.

  The illuminating device 122 includes an illuminating device 41, an illuminating device 42, and an illuminating device 46, and based on the illumination control signal supplied from the control device 101, these devices are turned on or off, or flash light is emitted. .

  As described above, the camera 61 is provided inside the upper unit 11A, is controlled by the control device 101, and captures a subject (for example, a photograph or an accessory) placed on the pre-shooting stand 51 (pre-shooting). Do. For example, the camera 61 supplies image data of an acquired image to the control device 101 under the control of the control device 101. In addition, the camera 61 captures (pre-photographing) and obtains a pre-photographed image by operating a mechanical shutter based on a shutter control signal supplied from the control device 101. The camera 61 supplies the image data of the pre-captured image to the control device 101 as in the case of the image data of the acquired image.

  The pre-display unit 44 is a monitor provided on the front surface 11A-1 of the upper unit 11A, and displays an image based on the RGB signals supplied from the control device 101. Further, a colorless and transparent touch panel 123 is superimposed on the surface of the preliminary display unit 44. When the user operates the touch pen 45-1 or the touch pen 45-2 to tap (contact or approach) the touch panel 123, the position information is supplied to the control device 101 (not shown). The control device 101 analyzes the position information, identifies and accepts information and instructions input by the user with respect to the display image.

  The speaker 43 is provided on the front surface 11A-1 of the upper unit 11A, and outputs the sound of the sound signal supplied from the control device 101 (preliminary customer service guide sound, sound effect, BGM, or the like).

  The photographing unit 112 is a block relating to the photographing unit 12 and includes a lighting device 131, a camera 71, a photographing display unit 72, a touch panel 132, a speaker 133, a background control unit 134, and a curtain unit 135.

  The illuminating device 131 has an illuminating 73, and based on the illumination control signal supplied from the control device 101, these are turned on, turned off, or flash light is emitted.

  As described above, the camera 71 is provided in the vicinity of the center of the front surface 12A-1 of the front unit 12A, and controls the control device 101 to shoot a subject (user) in the shooting space 32. For example, the camera 71 supplies the acquired image to the control device 101 as image data under the control of the control device 101. Further, the camera 71 acquires a captured image (main photographing) by operating a mechanical shutter based on a shutter control signal supplied from the control device 101. The image data of the captured image is also supplied to the control device 101 in the same manner as the image data of the acquired image.

  The photographing display unit 72 is a monitor provided in the vicinity of the camera 71 on the front surface 12A-1 of the front unit 12A, and displays an image based on the RGB signal supplied from the control device 101. Further, a colorless and transparent touch panel 132 is superimposed on the surface of the imaging display unit 72. When the user taps (touches or approaches) the touch panel 132 using his / her finger or the like, the position information is supplied to the control device 101 (not shown). The control device 101 analyzes the position information, identifies and accepts information and instructions input by the user with respect to the display image.

  The speaker 133 is provided at a predetermined location in the imaging space 32, such as the front unit 12A, for example, and receives audio of an audio signal supplied from the control device 101 (such as shooting operation guidance sound, sound effects, or BGM). Output.

  The background control unit 134 is controlled by the control device 101 and controls the operation of the curtain unit 135 provided in the rear unit 12B. The curtain unit 135 includes a plurality of background curtains having different colors and patterns. The curtain unit 135 raises and lowers them based on the control of the background control unit 134, and the selected background curtain is moved to the inner side surface (shooting space of the rear unit 12B). 32 is hung on the side of the front unit 12 </ b> A facing the front surface 12 </ b> A- 1.

  The editing unit 113 is a block related to the editing unit 13 and includes an editing display unit 82, a touch panel 141, a touch pen 83-1, a touch pen 83-2, and a speaker 84. Actually, the editing unit 113 has the respective configurations of the first editing interface unit 13A and the second editing interface unit 13B (that is, has two configurations described above). For the sake of simplification, description will be made as a single configuration. That is, the following description is applicable to both the first editing interface unit 13A and the second editing interface unit 13B.

  The edit display unit 82 is a monitor provided in the edit interface unit, and displays an image related to editing such as an edit input GUI and a captured image corresponding to the RGB signal supplied from the control device 101. A colorless and transparent touch panel 141 is superimposed on the screen display portion of the edit display section 82. When the user operates the touch pen 83-1 or the touch pen 83-2 to tap (contact or approach) the touch panel 141, the position information is supplied to the control device 101 (not shown). The control device 101 analyzes the position information, identifies and accepts information and instructions input by the user with respect to the display image. That is, editing input for a captured image (a composite image created using the captured image) is performed using these configurations.

  The speaker 84 outputs the sound of the sound signal supplied from the control device 101 (editing work guidance sound, sound effect, BGM or the like).

  When the printer 114 acquires a print image as print data from the control device 101, the printer 114 prints the print image on the sticker sheet 152 taken out from the sticker sheet unit 151. The printer 114 discharges the printed sticker paper as a photo sticker from the photo sticker discharge port 91-1 or the photo sticker discharge port 91-2, and provides it to the user.

  Next, the control device 101 will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of functional blocks included in the control apparatus 101. As shown in FIG. 13, the control device 101 uses a coin insertion acceptance processing unit 161 that performs processing related to a price (coin) inserted when starting a photo sticker creation game, and is used before shooting work and editing work. Pre-service processing unit 162 that performs processing related to pre-service work for generating a composite image for a user, shooting processing unit 163 that performs processing related to shooting work for photographing a user, etc., and editing processing that performs processing related to editing work on a captured image And a print processing unit 165 that performs processing related to image printing on the photo sticker.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the pre-service processing unit 162 is a mode selection processing unit 171 that allows the user to select a pre-service operation mode. The pre-service processing unit 162 is outside the photographing space 32 and before the main photographing in the photographing space 32. A pre-shooting processing unit 172 that performs processing related to pre-shooting performed at timing, a pre-editing processing unit 173 that performs simple editing work on a pre-shot image that is a pre-taken shot image, and a user who has finished the work A movement guidance processing unit 174 that performs processing related to movement guidance to the imaging space performed on the imaging space is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the pre-editing processing unit 173 relates to the storage of the pre-photographed image, such as whether or not to store the image of each area of the pre-photographed image divided by the pre-edit as a foreground or background. Storage mode selection unit 181 for allowing the user to select a mode, GUI display displayed on the pre-display unit 44, GUI control unit 182 that receives input / output for the display, and a region that performs processing related to division of a pre-photographed image region It includes a setting unit 183 and a storage processing unit 184 that performs processing related to data storage.

  The image capturing processing unit 163 combines the captured image obtained by the actual image capturing with the pre-captured image (part or all of the image) captured by the pre-service processing unit 162 (pre-captured). The shooting mode control unit 191 that performs processing related to the normal shooting mode control unit 192 that performs processing related to the normal shooting mode that performs main shooting in the same manner as in the past, and the user after the completion of the main shooting , A movement guidance processing unit 193 that performs processing related to movement guidance to the editing space 33, a background selection processing unit 194 that performs processing related to selection of the background and the foreground, a shooting setting processing unit 195 that performs processing related to the setting of the main shooting, It has a color analysis unit 196 that performs analysis, and a photographing processing unit 197 that performs processing related to photographing. The capture shooting mode control unit 191 and the normal shooting mode control unit 192 control the background selection processing unit 194, the shooting setting processing unit 195, the color analysis unit 196, and the shooting processing unit 197, respectively, and perform processing in each mode. .

  Next, the flow of the photo sticker creation game will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  A user who performs a photo sticker creation game first inserts coins into the coin insertion / ejection unit 56 of the customer service unit 11 in the customer service area 31 and pays for the game. If the coin insertion acceptance processing unit 161 of the control device 101 accepts such a coin insertion in step S1 and determines that a valid price has been inserted, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the pre-service processing unit 162 controls each part of the pre-service unit 11, and performs pre-service processing that allows the user of the pre-service area 31 to perform pre-service work, which is the first step of the photo sticker creation game. Run. Although details of the pre-service process will be described later, in the pre-service process, the user causes the camera 61 to take an image of the sample book 54, a photograph of the user, an accessory, etc. Obtained as a pre-photographed image that is a composite image for a photographed image obtained by photographing. Then, the user uses the touch pen 45 and the pre-display unit 44 to specify a part to be a foreground image and a part to be a background image from the obtained pre-photographed image. Perform pre-editing work.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of how images are combined. In FIG. 15A, a pre-photographed image 201 that is an image obtained by pre-editing an image obtained by pre-photographing, an edited image 202 obtained by editing work in the editing space 33, a photographed image 203 obtained by photographing work in the photographing space 32, In addition, a state in which the selection image 204 selected by the user as the background is synthesized is shown. In this way, the images are superimposed to generate a composite image 205 as shown in FIG. 15B. This composite image 205 is printed on the photo sticker.

  A pre-photographed image 201 shown in FIG. 15A is an image obtained by preediting an image obtained by pre-photographing. In the pre-photographed image 201 shown in FIG. 15, only the star-shaped hexagon is left unerased as the foreground image of the photographed image 203 obtained by the main photographing, and the other parts are erased and erased.

  Returning to FIG. 14, in the pre-service process, when the pre-service process is completed, the user is guided to move to the shooting space 32. The user moves to the shooting space 32 and advances the game. In step S3, the photographing processing unit 163 performs photographing processing on the user who has moved to the photographing space 32, and obtains a photographed image 203 and a selected image 204 (both in FIG. 15). Although details of this shooting process will be described later, the actual shooting is performed with reference to the pre-shot image 201. At that time, the user selects a selection image 204 as a background before photographing, and associates it with the pre-photographed image 201 as a composite image. Then, the imaging processing unit 163 performs actual imaging, and synthesizes the obtained captured image 203 with the synthesis image. That is, in the example of FIG. 15, the imaging processing unit 163 superimposes each image in the order of the pre-captured image 201, the captured image 203, and the selected image 204, and obtains a composite captured image.

  Returning to FIG. 14, in the shooting process, when the shooting operation is completed, the user is guided to move to the first editing space 33A or the second editing space 33B. The user moves to the guided editing space 33 and advances the game. In step S <b> 4, the editing processing unit 164 performs editing processing on the user who has moved to the first editing space 33 </ b> A or the second editing space 33 </ b> B using the editing interface unit corresponding to the space, and the editing space unit 164 Graffiti editing work such as pen input or stamp input is performed on the composite photographed image obtained by the main photographing to obtain an edited image 202 (FIG. 15).

  In the example of FIG. 15A, the edited image 202 on which a star-shaped pentagonal pattern is drawn is combined with the composite captured image so as to be superimposed at a position behind the pre-captured image 201 and in front of the captured image 203. The composite image 205 is generated.

  Returning to FIG. 14, when the graffiti editing work as described above is completed, the print processing unit 165 performs a print process of printing the image for printing obtained by the above work on the photo sticker in step S <b> 5. In step S6, the editing processing unit 164 performs mini-games, image registration, or image transfer so that the user who has finished the graffiti editing work does not get bored until the printing process ends. After-sales service processing is performed.

  When the printing process is completed, the editing processing unit 164 performs a movement guide process for moving the user to the photo sticker receiving area 34 at a predetermined timing. When the printing process is completed, the print processing unit 165 replaces the photographic sticker 210 as shown in FIG. 16, which is the sticker paper on which the image is printed in step S8, with the photographic sticker outlet 91-1, or the photographic sticker discharge. The exit 91-2 is discharged to the side corresponding to the editing space on the side where the graffiti editing work is performed, and is provided to the user as a product. When the photo sticker is discharged, the print processing unit 165 ends the photo sticker creation game for the user (the set of users).

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a photographic sticker provided to the user. As shown in FIG. 16, a plurality of composite images 205 are printed on one photo sticker 210. Usually, a plurality of types of composite images 205 are printed. In this way, the composite image 205 to be printed on the sticker paper is selected by the user before the start of the printing process, for example, in a shooting operation or an editing operation. Further, the layout at the time of printing is selected by the user from a plurality of predetermined patterns before the start of the printing process, such as pre-service work, photographing work, or editing work.

  Next, details of an example of the flow of the pre-service process executed in step S2 of FIG. 14 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 29 as necessary.

  When the pre-service unit 11 is not being used, the pre-service unit 162 (FIG. 13) displays a predetermined display such as introduction of the photo sticker creation apparatus 1 or explanation of the game procedure on the pre-display unit 44. A demonstration image is displayed, and sound and BGM corresponding to the image are output from the speaker 43.

  When the price is charged and the pre-service process is started, the pre-service process unit 162 exchanges a design image with the user on how to capture, background and foreground as shown in FIG. A guidance screen that is briefly explained here is displayed on the pre-display unit 44, and a sound corresponding to the guidance screen is output from the speaker 43 to prompt the user to prepare a subject to be photographed (a subject to be pre-photographed). .

  When the guidance screen ends or is omitted by the user's skip instruction, the mode selection processing unit 171 displays a course selection screen as shown in FIG. To select. In the case of the example in FIG. 19, the course selection screen selects a “select background” course that selects a background image or foreground image to be used without taking a picture (pre-shooting). GUI button to select the “Create background by shooting (for beginners)” course, which is a course to create background and foreground images by taking (pre-shooting) and providing guidance for beginners Alternatively, a GUI button is provided for selecting a “Creating a background by shooting” course that performs shooting (pre-shooting) to create a background or foreground image. The user selects a course to play by operating any of these GUI buttons.

  When the user inputs a course selection instruction based on the course selection screen, the mode selection processing unit 171 selects a mode of each process based on the selection instruction in step S21, and in step S22, the pre-shooting is performed. It is determined whether or not is selected. When the user selects the “Create a background by shooting (for beginners)” course or the “Create a background by shooting” course, the mode selection processing unit 171 selects pre-shooting (pre-shooting is performed). The process proceeds to step S23. The processing from step S23 to step S33 described below is processing related to pre-shooting (image capturing).

  In the following, first, the case of the “Create a background by taking a picture (for beginners)” course will be described. In the case of this course, the pre-shooting processing unit 172 displays, for example, an explanation screen as shown in FIG. 20 on the pre-display unit 44 so that the user can experience the pre-shooting work most easily. The user is prompted to use 54, and then, in step S23, for example, a pre-acquired image display that immediately displays (displays in real time) a pre-acquired image that is an acquired image obtained by the camera 61 as shown in FIG. The screen is displayed on the pre-display unit 44. Actually, a sample image of a predetermined sample book set in advance is displayed in a square frame described as “sample book sample” on this pre-acquired image display screen, and further described as “live view”. In the square frame, a pre-acquired image that is an acquired image obtained by the camera 61 is immediately displayed as a live view (moving image) (displayed in real time).

  Note that “immediate display” means that the obtained frame images are recorded on the display unit in sequence without being recorded, edited in order of frames, performing frame extraction, etc., or transmitted to other devices. Is to display. Therefore, a relatively short time lag (time difference) due to processing time such as image processing and composition processing, bus transfer time, processing waiting time, etc. from image acquisition to display is ignored, and such time difference is required. The case is also included in “immediate”.

  In the example of FIG. 21, an “enlarge” button that enlarges and displays a display image when operated by the user, and a “reduce” button that reduces and displays the display image when operated by the user are provided. Yes.

  In step S24, the pre-shooting processing unit 172 determines whether or not these GUI buttons are operated and enlargement or reduction is selected. If it is determined that the operation is performed, in step S25, based on the instruction, The display magnification of the pre-acquired image displayed as the view is changed, and the process proceeds to step S26. In addition, the movable range of this magnification is arbitrary. If it is determined in step S24 that enlargement or reduction has not been selected, the pre-shooting processing unit 172 skips step S25 and proceeds to step S26.

  In step S26, the pre-shooting processing unit 172 determines whether shooting (capturing) has been instructed or whether a predetermined time has elapsed, the shooting has not been instructed, and the predetermined time has elapsed. If it is determined that the time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S24, and the subsequent processes are repeated to continuously allow the user to set the shooting. If it is determined in step S26 that shooting has been instructed or a predetermined time has elapsed, the pre-shooting processing unit 172 advances the process to step S27 and controls the camera 61 to take a picture (pre-shooting). ) To obtain a pre-photographed image, and in step S28, a pre-photographed image confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 22, for example, is displayed on the pre-display unit 44, and the user pre-photographed by the camera 61 is displayed. Have the image checked. In the example of FIG. 22, the obtained pre-captured image is actually displayed in a square frame described as “capture result”.

  In step S29, the preliminary shooting processing unit 172 determines whether the preliminary shooting has been completed a predetermined number of times or whether editing has been selected. The number of pre-photographing is determined in advance as, for example, up to two times (or the number of pre-photographed images obtained is limited), and pre-photographing can be performed again within the limit. If it is determined in step S29 that pre-shooting has not been performed a predetermined number of times and the user has operated the “take more” button on the pre-shot image confirmation screen to instruct the continuation of the pre-shooting operation, The processing unit 172 returns the process to step S23, and continues the pre-shooting operation by repeating the subsequent processes.

  In step S29, if it is determined that the number of pre-shooting has reached the limit or the user has operated the “do not take” button on the pre-shot image confirmation screen and instructed the end of the pre-shooting, The imaging processing unit 172 advances the process to step S30. In step S30, the pre-editing processing unit 173 executes pre-editing processing that causes the user to perform editing work on the pre-photographed image. Details of the pre-editing process will be described later.

  When the pre-editing process ends, the movement guidance processing unit 174 determines whether or not the user can move to the shooting space 32 in step S31. If it is determined that there is a previous set of users in the shooting space 32 and movement is not possible, the movement guide processing unit 174 advances the process to step S32, for example, a shooting standby as shown in FIG. The screen is displayed on the pre-display unit 44, the user is put on standby, and the process returns to step S31. In Step S31, when it is determined that the shooting space 32 is not used and is movable, the movement guide processing unit 174 advances the processing to Step S33, and for example, a shooting movement guide as shown in FIG. A screen is displayed on the pre-display unit 44 to prompt the user of the pre-service area 31 to move to the shooting space 32. When the process of step S33 is completed, the pre-service customer processing unit 162 ends the pre-service service process, returns the process to step S2 of FIG. 14, and causes the processes after step S3 to be executed.

  In the case of the “Create a background by shooting” course for non-beginners, if it is determined in step S22 in FIG. 17 that pre-shooting has been selected, the pre-shooting processing unit 172 selects a subject as shown in FIG. 25, for example. A screen is displayed on the pre-display unit 44, and the user is allowed to select whether the subject is a person or an object. For example, in the subject selection screen shown in FIG. 25, when the user selects the “capture a person” button, the pre-captured image includes an image of “person”. When the “capture object” button is selected, the pre-photographed image includes an image of “thing other than a person”.

  This selection is performed in order to suppress differences in image quality (discomfort) between the two images in the editing performed when the pre-photographed image (the pre-photographed image after editing) and the main-photographed image are combined. It is used for setting of image processing performed on the image. That is, the image processing method is switched depending on whether or not “person” is included in the content of the pre-captured image. For example, if the content of the pre-captured image contains “people”, the pre-captured image and the “human” portion of the captured image are identified, the color analysis is performed on the skin portion of the “human”, and the analysis result is Based on this, image quality adjustment such as color and brightness of both images is performed so that the color and brightness of the skin portion of both images are unified. By performing such image processing, a sense of incongruity between the pre-captured image and the captured image is suppressed, and a more natural composite image can be obtained.

  On the other hand, for example, when “object” is included in the content of the pre-captured image, the image quality adjustment of the pre-captured image and the captured image is simply performed using predetermined parameters.

  When receiving a selection input for such a subject selection screen, the pre-shooting processing unit 172 advances the processing to step S23 and displays a pre-acquired image display screen. In the case of the “Create a background by shooting” course, for example, a pre-acquired image display screen as shown in FIG. Actually, a predetermined sample image other than the sample book 54 is displayed in a square frame described as “sample”.

  The processing after step S24 and the display image of the pre-display unit 44 are the same as in the course of “Creating a background by shooting (for beginners)” course.

  If it is determined in step S22 that pre-shooting has not been selected, that is, if the user has selected a “select background” course on the course selection screen, the mode selection processing unit 171 performs steps S23 through S23. The process of S30 is omitted and the process proceeds to step S31. At this time, the mode selection processing unit 171 displays a selection image selection screen as shown in FIG. 27, for example, on the pre-display unit 44 as a process of the “select background” course, and obtains the user through the actual photographing. Background image or foreground image to be combined with the captured image. When shooting (pre-shooting) is not performed, the user selects the “select background” course and selects a foreground image or background image prepared in advance instead of shooting.

  In the selection image selection screen in the example of FIG. 27, a list of candidates (a list of reduced images) of a plurality of selection images (foreground images and background images) of different patterns (colors, patterns, etc.) prepared in advance is prepared. Is displayed. Each selected image (reduced image) may be an image including a model or a human figure image in a shooting pose so that the user can easily imagine the combined result with the shot image.

  Of course, in the case of this “select background” course, it is possible to select the foreground and the background in the shooting operation performed in the shooting space 32, but in this way, the user selects the selected image during the customer service operation in advance. By doing this, it is possible to reduce the time for selecting the selected image at the time of shooting work, and in the case of this “select background” course, the number of possible shots of the main shooting can be set more than other courses. (You can increase the number of times you can shoot without extending the game play time).

  It should be noted that the list of selected images presented in the selection of selected images during customer service and the list of selected images presented in the selection of selected images in the shooting operation may be common or include different images. Alternatively, no single image may be included. The number of presentations is also arbitrary. Furthermore, even when the user does not select the maximum number of selectable images when selecting a selected image during customer service, the remaining number of selected images can be selected when selecting a selected image in the shooting operation. You may be able to do it. In addition, the user may be able to discard the selection image selected in the selection image selection during the customer service and reselect the selection image selection in the shooting operation.

  Since the process after step S31 and the display image of the prior display unit 44 are the same as in the case of other courses, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, an example of a detailed flow of the pre-editing process executed in the process of step S30 in FIG. 17 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

  When the pre-editing process is started, the GUI control unit 182 of the pre-editing process unit 173 causes the pre-display unit 44 to cause the user to edit the pre-photographed image (setting foreground and background) in step S51. For example, a pre-edit screen as shown in FIG. 29 is displayed.

  In the example of FIG. 29, actually, different pre-captured images (in this case, two images) are displayed in the rectangular frame described as “pallet”. Between the square frames described as “palette”, thumbnail images (reduced images) of the pre-photographed images are displayed for the number of pre-photographed images (two in the example of FIG. 29) (square frame). . When the user operates the touch pen 45 to select a thumbnail image, the selected pre-photographed image is displayed in a square frame describing “palette”. The user erases the pre-photographed image displayed on the pre-edit screen using the eraser tool of the GUI, so that the two areas of the pre-photographed image and the unerased part are erased. Divide into

  An “eraser” button is provided below the pre-edit screen in FIG. This is a GUI button that gives the touch pen 45 an eraser tool function when the user operates the “eraser” button using the touch pen 45. That is, when the user operates the touch pen 45 to press the “eraser” button and traces an arbitrary part of the pre-captured image with the touch pen 45, the part traced by the touch pen 45 is erased (race). Area is set as the erased area).

  Next to the “eraser” button, a “return” button for returning the above-described erase operation by one step when the user operates the touch pen 45, and an “end” button for completing the pre-editing process. Is provided.

  A “mode” button is provided below the thumbnail image display. This “mode” button is operated by the user using the touch pen 45 to switch the mode for selecting how to store the data of the erased area and the unerased area of the pre-photographed image. In the pre-photographed image, a portion erased by the above-described eraser tool is set as an erased region, and a portion that is left unerased is set as an unerased region. Whether each of the erased area and the unerased area is stored as a foreground, a background, or not stored is determined depending on the mode.

  An example of the mode will be described with reference to FIG. In the example of the mode shown in FIG. 30A, the unerased area 251 of the pre-captured image is stored so as to be the foreground image of the captured image 252. In this mode, in the composite image 253 obtained by combining the pre-captured image (the unerased area 251) and the captured image 252, the unerased area 251 (star hexagon) is displayed in front of the subject of the captured image 252.

  In the example of the mode shown in FIG. 30B, the unerased area 251 is stored so as to be the background image of the captured image 252. In this mode, the unerased area 251 (star hexagon) is displayed behind the subject of the captured image 252 in the composite image 253.

  In these modes, the data in the erased area of the pre-photographed image may be deleted. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the storage capacity necessary for storing the pre-captured image and the load of the composition process.

  In the example of the mode shown in FIG. 30C, the unerased area 251 of the pre-photographed image is stored as a foreground image and the erased area 254 is a background image with respect to the photographed image. In this mode, in the synthesized image 253, an unerased area 251 (star hexagon) is displayed in front of the subject of the captured image 252 and an erased area 254 is displayed behind the subject of the captured image 252. That is, in this mode, it is necessary to save both the erased area 254 and the unerased area 251.

  In the example of the mode shown in FIG. 30D, all the regions 255 of the pre-photographed image are erased regions and stored so as to be the background image of the photographed image 252. In this mode, in the composite image 253, an erased area (all areas 255 of the pre-captured image) is displayed behind the subject of the captured image 252.

  Returning to FIG. 28, when the pre-edit screen is displayed, in step S52, the area setting unit 183 sets all areas of the pre-captured image as unerased areas as initial settings.

  In step S53, the GUI control unit 182 determines whether or not a mode has been selected on the pre-edit screen, and if it is determined that the “mode” button has been operated and a mode has been newly selected, the process proceeds to step S54. . In step S54, the storage mode selection unit 181 switches the data storage mode to the selected mode, and the process proceeds to step S55. If it is determined in step S53 that the mode is not selected, the GUI control unit 182 omits the process of step S54 and advances the process to step S55.

  In step S55, the GUI control unit 182 determines whether or not a thumbnail image has been selected on the pre-edit screen. If it is determined that the thumbnail image has been selected, the GUI control unit 182 proceeds to step S56 and performs pre-shooting corresponding to the selected thumbnail image. The image is displayed on the palette, and the process proceeds to step S57. If it is determined in step S55 that no thumbnail image has been selected, the GUI control unit 182 skips step S56 and proceeds to step S57.

  In step S57, the GUI control unit 182 determines whether or not an erase operation has been performed on the pre-edit screen, and the touch pen 45 to which the user has assigned an eraser tool to the pre-captured image displayed on the palette. If it is determined that the erasing operation has been performed by tracing (moving the touch pen 45 while being in contact with the touch panel 123), the process proceeds to step S58.

  In step S58, the region setting unit 183 sets a portion of the pre-captured image displayed on the palette where the erase operation has been performed as an erased region. In step S59, the GUI control unit 182 combines and displays a predetermined background color on the erased portion. When the process of step S59 ends, the GUI control unit 182 advances the process to step S60. If it is determined in step S57 that the erase operation has not been performed, the GUI control unit 182 advances the process to step S60.

  In step S60, the GUI control unit 182 determines whether or not the “eraser” button on the pre-edit screen has been selected. If it is determined that the selection has been performed, the process proceeds to step S61 and the mode of the touch pen 45 is switched. . For example, when the user operates the “eraser” button when the eraser tool is not assigned to the touch pen 45, the GUI control unit 182 assigns the eraser tool to the touch pen 45. When the eraser tool is assigned to the touch pen 45, when the user traces on the pre-captured image displayed on the palette of the pre-edit screen, that portion is set as the erase area (step S58). Conversely, if an eraser tool has already been assigned to the touch pen 45, the GUI control unit 182 cancels the assignment of the eraser tool when the user operates the “eraser” button.

  When the process of step S61 ends, the GUI control unit 182 advances the process to step S62. If it is determined in step S60 that the “eraser” button is not operated, the GUI control unit 182 advances the process to step S62.

  In step S62, the GUI control unit 182 determines whether or not the “return” button has been selected on the pre-edit screen. If it is determined that the selection has been performed, the GUI control unit 182 proceeds to step S63 to perform the editing operation (erase operation). ) Is returned by one, and the process proceeds to step S64. If it is determined in step S62 that the “return” button is not operated, the GUI control unit 182 advances the process to step S64.

  In step S64, the GUI control unit 182 determines whether the “end” button has been selected on the pre-edit screen or whether a predetermined time has elapsed, the “end” button has not been operated, and If it is determined that the elapsed time has not reached the time limit, the process returns to step S53, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S64 that the user has operated the “end” button or a predetermined time has elapsed, the GUI control unit 182 advances the process to step S65. In step S65, the storage processing unit 184 stores each of the erased area and the unerased area of the pre-captured image according to the storage mode selected and set by the storage mode selection unit 181. When the data is saved, the save processing unit 184 ends the pre-editing process, returns the process to step S30 in FIG. 17, and causes the processes after step S31 to be executed.

  As described above, when the pre-editing processing unit 173 of the pre-service processing unit 162 performs the pre-editing process, the user can set or erase an arbitrary area of the pre-captured image as the foreground or background of the captured image. can do. In other words, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 can provide a composite image of a pre-photographed image that can be arbitrarily created by the user and a real-captured photographed image with the user himself as a subject, thereby improving entertainment. However, at that time, the user can arbitrarily set the foreground part and the background part of the photographed image in the composite image, thus providing a composite image more suitable for the user's own preference. Can be expected, and improvement of user satisfaction can be expected. The photo sticker creating apparatus 1 can make the user easily perform the above-described foreground and background settings by erasing work. In addition, since the photograph sticker creating apparatus 1 does not need to hierarchize the pre-photographed images until the user performs the erase operation, the storage capacity and processing load can be reduced. As described above, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 can be expected to improve profitability.

  The pre-edit screen may have a configuration other than the example shown in FIG. FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the pre-edit screen. In FIG. 31, a “revival pen” button provided below the “return” button has a function of causing the touch pen 45 to restore the erased portion of the pre-captured image by the user operating the touch pen 45. It is a GUI button to have. That is, when the user operates the touch pen 45 and presses the “revival pen” button and traces the erased portion of the pre-captured image with the touch pen 45, the image of the portion traced with the touch pen 45 is displayed. Is done. In this way, a configuration other than that described above may be added to the pre-edit screen.

  Further, the erased area may be designated by an operation other than “tracing”, for example, by designating the “range” of the area.

  FIG. 32 shows still another example of the pre-edit screen. In the case of the example of FIG. 32, a “selection pen” button is provided between two square frames described as “pallet”. The “selection pen” button is a GUI button that allows the touch pen 45 to have a function of designating the range of the erased area when operated by the user using the touch pen 45. That is, when the user operates the touch pen 45 and presses the “select pen” button to “enclose” an arbitrary portion of the pre-captured image, the image inside the encircling is erased. It is possible to specify more finely when the image is erased by tracing with the touch pen 45, but a larger range can be specified more quickly and easily by specifying the area to be erased. As described above, the method for designating the erased area may be any method. For example, a rectangular area having two vertices designated by the touch pen 45 may be designated as the area to be erased.

  As described above, by the customer service work, the user can make an image to be combined with a captured image by capturing before the actual shooting, or select a background image. be able to. Next, main photographing for acquiring a photographed image will be described. The main shooting is performed in the shooting space 32. When the user is moved to the shooting space 32 by the prior customer service process, the shooting process is started. Details of the photographing process executed in step S3 in FIG. 14 will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 35 to 45 as necessary.

  When the pre-service process is completed and the photographing process is started, the photographing processing unit 163 acquires a pre-photographed image stored in the storage unit 102 or the RAM 107 in the pre-serving process in step S81, and performs the process in step S82. Proceed. In the prior customer service process, when the “select background” course is selected, the pre-captured image is not stored and cannot be acquired. In this case, however, the process is performed without acquiring the image in step S82. Proceed to

  In step S82, the imaging processing unit 163 displays an imaging start screen as shown in FIG. 35 on the imaging display unit 72, and in step S83, determines whether to start imaging. The user who has moved into the shooting space 32 instructs to start the main shooting by touching (touching) the touch panel 132 superimposed on the shooting start screen, that is, the display screen of the shooting display unit 72 with a finger or the like. To do.

  If it is determined that the screen is not touched by the user and shooting is not started, the shooting processing unit 163 advances the process to step S84, and determines whether or not the remaining time of the time limit for the photo creation game is “0”. If it is determined that it is not “0”, the process returns to step S82, and the subsequent processes are repeated to stand by. That is, the imaging processing unit 163 stands by with the imaging start screen displayed on the imaging display unit 72 until the user touches or the remaining time becomes “0”.

  If it is determined in step S83 that the user who has moved to the shooting space 32 touches the screen and starts shooting, the shooting processing unit 163 advances the process to step S85.

  The flow of the shooting process is roughly explained. In the “Create a background by shooting (for beginners)” and “Create a background by shooting” course, shooting in the shooting mode using pre-shot images is predetermined. After that, the shooting in the normal shooting mode without using the pre-shot image is repeated a predetermined number of times. On the other hand, in the “select background” course, shooting in the shooting shooting mode is omitted, and shooting in the normal shooting mode is repeated a predetermined number of times. For the “Background selection” course, the number of shots that can be taken in the normal shooting mode is based on the “Create background by shooting (for beginners)” and “Create background by shooting” courses. It is possible to set a larger number than the total of the number of shoots that can be taken in the shooting mode and the number of shoots that can be taken in the normal shooting mode.

  In step S85, the photographing processing unit 163 determines whether or not a pre-photographed image exists, and the pre-photographed image in the “create a background by capturing (for beginners)” or “create a background by capturing” course. If has been created, the process proceeds to step S86. The processing from step S86 to step S96 is processing related to shooting in the shooting shooting mode.

  The shooting mode control unit 191 controls the background selection processing unit 194, and in step S86, the pre-captured image acquired in step S81 and the previously prepared selection image (foreground image or background image) are respectively combined. Thus, a composite image to be combined with the photographed image is generated, and in step S87, a list of reduced images of the composite image is displayed. For example, a selection image selection screen as shown in FIG. 36 is displayed and selected. Accept image selection. In the case of the example in FIG. 36, a list of composite images (reduced images) is displayed in two stages near the center of the selected image selection screen.

  The arrangement of the composition images is arbitrary. For example, a composite image of different pre-captured images may be displayed for each line in the composite image list on the selection image selection screen. At this time, if the number of times of pre-shooting is two, the list of images for composition is displayed in a maximum of two lines as shown in FIG. In each row of the composite image list, for example, the leftmost column displays a composite image with the unerased area of the pre-captured image as the foreground and the erased area of the pre-captured image as the background. In the column, a composite image in which the entire area of the pre-captured image is used as the background is displayed, and in each column between them, a background image (selected image) of a different color for each column is combined into the erased area. The synthesized image is displayed.

  Note that the position of the pre-captured image that has been subjected to chroma key processing may be changed. For example, when a business card is pre-photographed (captured), the position of the business card may be changed.

  The pre-photographed image is divided into an erased area and an unerased area by pre-editing, and the erased area is subjected to chroma key processing and a chroma key is set. Therefore, in this case, in the list of images for composition on the selection image selection screen, an unerased area is displayed as the foreground in the leftmost column, and chroma key processing is used as a background instead of the image of the erased area. The chroma key green color set by is displayed. At this time, the user can change the position of the unerased area in the leftmost column. By doing so, the user can move the pre-photographed image (for example, the image of the unerased area) to a desired position and perform the main photographing.

  Such a position setting can be performed by the user at the time of pre-shooting while referring to the pre-acquired image displayed on the pre-display unit 44. By enabling the position change, the user can more easily obtain an image having a composition more suitable for the user's own preference.

  The user selects an image to be used from the list of images for synthesis. When this selection is completed, the shooting shooting mode control unit 191 controls the shooting processing unit 197 and uses the selected composition image and the acquired image obtained by the camera 71 in step S88, for example, FIG. The acquired image display screen as shown in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 37, the square image described as “captured image” actually includes a composition image (pre-captured image (captured image) and selected image (foreground image or background image). The acquired image acquired by the camera 71 is immediately displayed as a live view (moving image) (displayed in real time) in a square frame described as “live view”. In this way, since the image for synthesis and the acquired image are not synthesized, the processing load is reduced. Also, by displaying the combined image and the acquired image side by side, the user can easily imagine the combined result of the combined image and the captured image, so it is easy to take an appropriate shooting pose, The user can easily obtain a photographed image as intended.

  In the case of the example in FIG. 37, the acquired image display screen is further provided with an “overlay” button. The “superimpose behind” button is a GUI button that resets the pre-captured image specified as the foreground image to the background by touching the finger because the user is a finger. As described with reference to FIG. 15A, the pre-captured image 201 is usually superimposed before the captured image 203. The user can change the order by operating a “superimpose behind” button on the acquired image display screen, and can superimpose the pre-captured image 201 on the back of the captured image. That is, the user can change the pre-captured image, which is the foreground image, to the background image by operating the “pile up” button.

  For example, in the pre-editing, if the pre-photographed image is not erased, the entire pre-photographed image becomes the foreground image, so that the entire area of the photographed image is hidden in the composite image. In such a case, the user operates the “overlay behind” button on the acquired image display screen to set the pre-captured image as the background so that the captured image is not hidden in the composite image. Can do.

  In addition, after the user operates the “superimpose behind” button and the pre-captured image that was the foreground image is switched to the background image, the “superimpose behind” button is operated by the user to operate the background image. May be changed to a “superimpose” button for switching to the foreground image.

  After the acquired image display screen is displayed on the shooting display unit 72 as described above, the shooting shooting mode control unit 191 controls the shooting processing unit 197, and after taking a countdown in step S89, shooting ( (Main shooting) is performed, and one frame image is extracted from the acquired image to obtain a still image. When the captured image is acquired, the capture imaging mode control unit 191 controls the imaging processing unit 197, and in step S90, combines the acquired captured image with the composition image to generate a captured composite image.

  In step S91, the shooting mode control unit 191 determines whether the pre-captured image is a human image including a human skin image based on the settings at the time of pre-shooting. For example, when a photograph including a human image or a hand is taken in advance, an image of human skin is included in the image. Usually, the user's image is included in the captured image. In such a case, the human skin color in the pre-captured image is reduced in order to reduce the uncomfortable feeling caused by the difference in skin color and brightness that occurs in the composite image. The image quality adjustment is performed so as to unify the brightness and brightness of human skin in the captured image.

  In the case of “Creating a background by taking a picture” course, the user selects whether a subject to be taken is a person or an object at the time of pre-shooting (see FIG. 25). Based on this selection, the shooting mode control unit 191 determines whether or not the pre-captured image is a human image including a human skin image.

  In the case of the “Create a background by shooting (for beginners)” course, it is assumed that an image of the sample book 54 is shot, so such selection is not performed. In the case of this course, the shooting shooting mode control unit 191 unconditionally determines that the pre-shot image is not a human image.

  If it is determined that the pre-captured image is a human image, the shooting mode control unit 191 advances the processing to step S92 and controls the color analysis unit 196 to recognize the human recognition and skin color for both the pre-captured image and the captured image. By recognizing, the person's skin part is specified in each image, color analysis is performed on the part, and the photographing setting processing unit 195 is controlled. Based on the analysis result, the person's skin color is unified in both images. Set image quality adjustment such as color and brightness. When color analysis is performed, the shooting mode controller 191 advances the process to step S94.

  If it is determined in step S91 that the pre-captured image is not a human image, the capture shooting mode control unit 191 advances the process to step S93, controls the shooting setting processing unit 195, and sets a predetermined fixed value. Image quality adjustment settings such as color and brightness are set using the values, and the process proceeds to step S94.

  In step S94, the shooting shooting mode control unit 191 controls the shooting setting processing unit 195 to adjust the image quality such as the color and brightness of the composite image using the setting values set by the processing of step S92 or step S93. Do.

  When the image quality adjustment is completed, the shooting shooting mode control unit 191 controls the shooting setting processing unit 195 to display a shooting image confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 38 on the shooting display unit 72 in step S95. As a result, a photographed image, actually a photographed composite image, is displayed to allow the user to confirm the photographed result. In the example of FIG. 38, actually, within a square frame described as “shooting result”, a shot composite image (pre-shot image (captured image)) and a selected image (foreground image or background image), A captured image (a composite image of a still image obtained by the camera 71) is displayed.

  In step S96, the shooting shooting mode control unit 191 determines whether or not shooting in the shooting shooting mode (steps S86 to S95) has been performed a predetermined number of times (for example, twice). If it is determined that it has not been received, the process returns to step S86, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S96 that shooting in the shooting shooting mode has been performed a predetermined number of times, the shooting shooting mode control unit 191 advances the processing to step S101 in FIG.

  Further, in step S85 of FIG. 33, for example, in the case of the “select background” course, the pre-shooting is performed in the “create background by taking (for beginners)” course and the “create background by taking” course. When it is determined that there is no pre-captured image as in the case where there is no image, the shooting processing unit 163 omits the processing related to shooting in the shooting shooting mode in steps S86 to S96, and the processing is performed in step S101 in FIG. Proceed to The processes in steps S101 to S111 in FIG. 34 are processes related to shooting in the normal shooting mode.

  In step S101 of FIG. 34, the normal shooting mode control unit 192 controls the shooting setting processing unit 195 to allow the user to select an image finish (preferred image quality) such as hue and sharpness, for example, as shown in FIG. Such an image selection screen is displayed on the imaging display unit 72, and an image selection is received. When the user selects one of them by tapping the touch panel 132 or the like, the normal shooting mode control unit 192 controls the shooting setting processing unit 195, and in step S102, the camera 71 takes a picture based on the input shot selection. Set the image quality adjustment of the image to be inserted.

  In step S103, the normal shooting mode control unit 192 controls the shooting setting processing unit 195 to allow the user to select the brightness of the image. For example, a brightness selection screen as shown in FIG. 72, and accepts brightness selection for it. When the user selects one by tapping the touch panel 132 or the like, the normal shooting mode control unit 192 controls the shooting setting processing unit 195, and in step S104, based on the input brightness selection, in the camera 71. Set the image quality adjustment for captured images.

  In step S105, the normal shooting mode control unit 192 controls the shooting setting processing unit 195 to display a selection image selection screen that displays a list of pose sample images (its reduced images), and accepts selection of a selection image. The pose sample image is a sample image showing an example of shooting a selected image (foreground or background) prepared in advance, and is an image showing a shooting result when the model takes a shooting pose corresponding to the selected image. That is, each pose sample image displayed on the selection image selection screen shows a usage example of different selection images, and the user uses the pose sample image by selecting a desired pose sample image from the list. Select the selected image. In this way, instead of displaying the selected image itself, by displaying the pose sample image including both the model image and the selected image that take a shooting pose that matches the selected image, the user can compose the composition of the shooting result. It can be easily imagined and image selection can be easily performed. The layout of the selected image selection screen is basically arbitrary, but is the same as the example shown in FIG. 36, for example.

  When the user selects one of them by tapping the touch panel 132 or the like, the normal shooting mode control unit 192 controls the shooting processing unit 197, and the selected selection image and the camera 71 are captured in step S106. The acquired images are combined to generate an acquired combined image (moving image). In step S107, the acquired combined image is presented to the user. For example, an acquired image display screen as shown in FIG. Display immediately (display in real time). That is, each frame image of the acquired image obtained by the camera 71 is sequentially combined with the selected image and displayed on the acquired image display screen as an acquired combined image.

  In the example of FIG. 41, the acquired composite image (moving image) is actually displayed in the square frame described as “live view”, and within the square frame described as “model sample image” on the left and right sides thereof. The pose sample images of the selected selected images are respectively displayed. By referring to this pose sample image, even a user unfamiliar with the photo sticker creation game can easily take a shooting pose and obtain a shot image with high satisfaction. Also, by displaying pause sample images on the left and right of the acquired composite image, even when a large number of people play a photo sticker creation game as a set, the user located on the right side of the shooting space 32 is also located on the left side. The user who does this can easily refer to the pose sample image as compared with the case where only one pose sample image is displayed.

  A plurality of pose sample images having different shooting pose patterns may be prepared for one selected image, and an image randomly selected from the images may be displayed on the acquired image display screen. . In this way, even if the same selected image is selected, a different pose sample image is displayed each time a picture is taken, so that users who play the photo sticker creation game many times (so-called regulars) will not get bored. , A decrease in satisfaction can be suppressed.

  Further, a countdown indicator for notifying the user of the photographing timing is displayed on each of the pause sample images. Thereby, even when a photo sticker creation game is played as a set by a large number of people, a user located on the right side of the shooting space 32 and a user located on the left side can easily grasp the shooting timing. it can.

  Further, the synthesized image and the acquired image of the camera 71 are not synthesized, and the acquired image (moving image) of the camera 71 is immediately displayed (displayed in real time) in the square frame described as “live view”. You may be made to do.

  After the acquired image display screen is displayed on the photographing display unit 72 as described above, the normal photographing mode control unit 192 controls the photographing processing unit 197, performs a countdown, etc. Shooting), one frame image is extracted from the acquired image to obtain a still image. When the captured image is acquired, the normal shooting mode control unit 192 controls the shooting processing unit 197, and in step S109, combines the acquired shot image and the selected image to generate a shot combined image.

  In step S110, the normal shooting mode control unit 192 controls the shooting processing unit 197 to display a shot image confirmation screen (for example, FIG. 38) on the shooting display unit 72, and the shot image, actually, By displaying the photographed composite image, the user is confirmed of the photographing result.

  In step S111, the normal shooting mode control unit 192 determines whether a predetermined number of times of shooting has been performed, or whether a predetermined time has elapsed. If the number of shootings and the elapsed time have not yet reached the upper limit and it is determined that shooting is possible, the normal shooting mode control unit 192 returns the process to step S105 and repeats the subsequent processes. If it is determined in step S111 that a predetermined number of times of shooting has been performed or a predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S112.

  For example, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the normal shooting mode control unit 192 causes the shooting display unit 72 to display an end notification screen as shown in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S84 in FIG. 33 that the remaining time is “0”, the imaging processing unit 163 advances the process to step S112 in FIG.

  In step S112 in FIG. 34, the image capturing processing unit 163 displays a list of photographed composite image groups (a list of reduced images) obtained by the above-described image capturing process, and displays images for graffiti editing from the list. For example, an edit target image selection screen as shown in FIG. 43 is displayed on the photographing display unit 72.

  In the example of FIG. 43, actually, different captured composite images are displayed in each square frame. The user taps and selects a desired photographed composite image on the editing target image selection screen, and taps a “decision” button to select an image for graffiti editing. In step S113, the photographing processing unit 163 stores the photographed composite image selected in this way in the storage unit 102 or the RAM 107 as an image to be edited.

  When the image to be edited is stored, the movement guide processing unit 193 determines whether or not the editing can be moved to any editing space 33 in step S114, and both the first editing space 33A and the second editing space 33B are determined. If it is determined that both are in use and cannot be moved, the process advances to step S115 to display an edit standby screen as shown in FIG. 44 on the photographing display unit 72, for example, and wait for the user. Notify When the process of step S115 ends, the movement guidance processing unit 193 returns the process to step S114 and repeats the subsequent processes.

  If it is determined in step S114 that the user can move to the first editing space 33A or the second editing space 33B, the movement guide processing unit 193 advances the processing to step S116, and displays, for example, FIG. An editing movement guide screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, and the user is notified to move to the editing space 33. When the process of step S116 ends, the movement guidance processing unit 193 ends the shooting process, returns the process to step S3 of FIG. 14, and executes the processes after step S4.

  Through the photographing process as described above, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 can generate a photographed image suitable for a pre-photographed image that is an arbitrary image created based on a user instruction in the pre-service process. As shown in FIG. 46, it is possible to more reflect the user's free ideas and obtain a composite image that suits the user's own preference.

  FIG. 46 is a diagram showing an example of how a composite image is created using the photo sticker creation apparatus 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 46A, the user shoots an empty candy box with the camera 61 (or shoots a picture or photo of an empty candy box with the camera 61) or the like, as shown in FIG. 46A. Then, a pre-photographed image 301 including an image 301A of an empty candy box is created. Next, the user erases the lid portion of the image 301A of the empty candy box by pre-editing, and the unerased area 302 (FIG. 46B) of the main body portion 302A, which is the lower portion of the image 301A, and the lid portion 303A. The area is divided into an erase area 303 (FIG. 46C). Then, the users (the user 304A and the user 304B) perform the main shooting with reference to the pre-shot image 301, for example, and obtain the shot image 304 (FIG. 46D). Then, by combining the unerased area 302 as the foreground of the photographed image 304 and combining the erased area 303 as the background of the photographed image 304, the user obtains a composite image 305 (FIG. 46E). As shown in FIG. 46E, in the composite image 305, the lid portion 303A is the background of the users 304A and 304B, and the main body portion 302A is the foreground. Therefore, it is as if the users 304A and 304B are It looks like it's in a candy box.

  Note that, for example, in the pre-editing, the user sets the entire pre-photographed image 301 as a background so that the composite image that the user 304A and the user 304B appear to be in front of the candy box image 301A is displayed. It can also be obtained. In addition, for example, in the pre-editing, by using the entire candy box image 301A as the foreground and erasing the periphery of the candy box, the user 304A and the user 304B can wear themselves from behind. It is also possible to easily obtain a composite image that starts. In this way, the user can easily synthesize the captured image at an arbitrary location in the pre-captured image.

  Therefore, since the user can freely generate a pre-photographed image and generate a photographed image accordingly, it is interesting that the developer could not conceive based on the free idea of the user. A composite image can be created.

  For example, there is a method of preparing and providing a frame image for synthesis in advance. In this case, the number of frame images is limited, and a frame image having a pattern suitable for the user's preference may be provided. It is not always possible.

  On the other hand, in the case of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1, not only the image to be synthesized but also the composition can be performed with a free composition, so that the user can obtain a synthesized image suitable for the user's own preference. it can. In addition, even a user who repeatedly plays a photo sticker creation game can be prevented from getting bored with the pattern and composition of the composite image. Furthermore, for example, by creating a pre-photographed image using a user's property, a composite image that cannot be created by other users can be obtained, and a photo sticker with a high value is created. be able to.

  Furthermore, since the topicality is improved by the effect given to the image of the photo sticker as described above, the manager of the store where the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 is installed communicates a reputation among users (so-called word-of-mouth). You can expect an increase in the number of customers.

  In the case of the method described above, the user erases unnecessary portions by pre-editing and determines the composition of the composite image before photographing processing, so that the photographing work can be performed according to the composition. And a captured image suitable for the composition process can be easily obtained.

For example, it is possible to create a stamp image before the shooting work and superimpose the stamp image on the shot image in the editing work, but in this case, the composition composition cannot be confirmed at the time of shooting. The user has to determine the composition of the composite image by arranging the stamp image in accordance with the photographed image at the time of editing work, and it is difficult to create a composite image with the intended composition. Especially for users who are unfamiliar with this photo sticker creation game, the number of work steps is increased and it becomes complicated, and there is a possibility that an image suitable for the user's preference cannot be created.
On the other hand, in the case of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1, since the photographing can be performed in accordance with the pre-photographed image whose composition is determined, the user can easily obtain a composite image suitable for the user's preference. it can.

  As described above, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 can improve the entertainment of the photo sticker making game and the photo sticker, thereby improving the satisfaction of the user and improving the profitability.

  In the pre-editing process described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 28, it has been described that the entire area of the pre-photographed image is set as an unerased area as an initial setting. In this case, the user performs an erase operation. Otherwise, the entire area becomes a foreground image. Therefore, when the user does not perform the erase operation, the region setting unit 183 of the pre-editing processing unit 173 may reset all the regions of the pre-edited image as the background image.

  An example of the flow of the pre-editing process in that case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This flowchart corresponds to the flowchart of FIG. 28, and steps S131 to S144 of FIG. 47 are basically executed in the same manner as the processes of steps S51 to S64 of FIG.

  In step S145, the area setting unit 183 determines whether or not an erased area exists for the pre-edited pre-photographed image, and the erase operation is performed on the pre-photographed image. If it is determined that the pre-captured image exists, the process proceeds to step S146, the storage processing unit 184 stores each area of the pre-captured image according to the storage mode, and the pre-photographing process ends. In step S145, if it is determined that the pre-captured image has not been erased and the erased area does not exist, the area setting unit 183 proceeds to step S147 to process the pre-captured image. The entire area is reset to the background image, the pre-captured image is stored in the storage processing unit 184, and the pre-photographing process is terminated.

  In this way, it is possible to prevent the captured image from being hidden behind the pre-captured image in the composite image, and when the user views the composite image of the edited pre-captured image and the captured image, it is combined. It can be easily identified as an image.

  In the above description, it has been described that the image (previously captured image) to be combined with the captured image of the actual capturing is generated by the prior capturing by the camera 61. However, this prior captured image is acquired by any method. For example, it may be image data supplied from another device such as a mobile phone or a flash memory device owned by the user.

  In this case, for example, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 48, in the customer service unit 111, a data receiving unit 461 that receives data from another device or a recording medium may be provided instead of the camera 61. For example, the data receiving unit 461 can attach or detach an interface that can be connected to another device that supplies the pre-captured image via a cable or the like, or a recording medium on which pre-captured image candidate data is recorded. And a drive capable of reading and writing data with respect to the mounted recording medium. That is, in this case, in advance customer service work, data transfer from another device is performed instead of pre-shooting work.

  Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 49, an image transfer acceptance processing unit 472 is provided in the pre-service processing unit 162 as an internal configuration of the control apparatus 101. This image transfer acceptance processing unit 472 acquires image data transferred from a recording medium attached to another device or drive connected to a predetermined interface, instead of pre-shooting by the camera 61, and To do. In this way, the user can use, for example, an image transferred from the user's mobile phone or flash memory as a composition image, and more various images can be used as the composition image. it can.

  Alternatively, a predetermined number of image groups may be prepared in advance, and the user may select an image from them instead of pre-shooting by the camera 61. In that case, as shown in FIG. 50, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 includes a selection image recording unit 561 in which the pre-service unit 111 provides a predetermined image as a pre-photographed image instead of the camera 61. Have. The user selects a desired image from the image group recorded in the selected image recording unit 561 instead of the pre-shooting work, and performs an erase operation on the image in the pre-editing work. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 51, a selection image selection processing unit 572 is provided in the prior customer service processing unit 162 as an internal configuration of the control device 101. The selected image selection processing unit 572 acquires image data as a pre-photographed image by causing a desired image to be selected from the group of images recorded in the selected image recording unit 561 instead of pre-photographing by the camera 61. To do. This eliminates the need for the user to prepare a composition image.

  Furthermore, for example, the camera 71 used for the main shooting in the shooting space 32 may be used for the previous shooting. In that case, as shown in FIG. 52, the prior customer service section 111 can be omitted. By doing in this way, the photograph sticker production apparatus 1 can reduce a number of parts and can reduce cost. In this case, as shown in FIG. 53, as a functional block of the control device 101, a pre-customer service processing unit 662 similar to the pre-service service processing unit 162 is provided in the photographing processing unit 163. The customer service process is executed using 71.

  Note that the above-described pre-shooting work and pre-editing work need not be performed before the shooting work and the editing work, and may be performed at any timing. Further, it may be possible to re-edit the pre-photographed image in the photographing work or the editing work. For example, FIG. 15 shows an example of the order of superimposing the pre-photographed image 201, the edited image 202, the photographed image 203, and the selected image 204, but this order can be changed in the photographing work and the editing work. It may be.

  FIG. 54 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a graffiti edit input screen displayed on the edit display unit 82.

  54, a graffiti edit input screen 700 is a GUI screen that is displayed on the edit display section 82 of the edit space 33 and accepts a graffiti edit input of a group unit user in the edit process in step S4 of FIG. In FIG. 54, the dotted line is for explaining the configuration of the graffiti edit input screen 700 for each part, and is not displayed on the actual graffiti edit input screen 700.

  The graffiti edit input screen 700 is provided with an image display area 701 and an image display area 702 in which a shot composite image corresponding to the thumbnail image selected in the thumbnail area 703 is displayed as an image to be edited. , A tool area 704 and a tool area 705 for selecting a pen tool, a stamp tool, and the like.

  The graffiti editing input screen 700 includes a graffiti editing control area 706 that is provided with buttons for controlling the progress of graffiti editing in the image display area 701, and a button for controlling the progress of graffiti editing in the image display area 702. And the like, a graffiti editing control area 707 is provided.

  In the end management area 709, the remaining time is displayed, and an end button 711 for forcibly ending the editing operation is provided.

  The “front of person” button 721 is operated by the user using the touch pen 83, so that the stamp tool is selected in the tool area 704, and the stamp image is pasted on the captured composite image displayed in the image display area 701. At this time, this is a GUI button that allows the stamp image to be pasted as the foreground image of the photographed image. Similarly, the “after person” button 722 is a GUI button that allows a stamp image to be pasted as a background image of a captured image displayed in the image display area 701.

  FIG. 55 shows an example of stamp image pasting. For example, when the stamp image 811 and the stamp image 812 are pasted on the photographed composite image 800, the user does not select and operate the “before person” button 721 and the “after person” button 722. When the photographed composite image 800 displayed in the area 701 is tapped with the touch pen 83, as shown in FIG. 55A, the stamp image 811 and the stamp image 812 are the unerased area 821 of the pre-photographed image and the person image 822 of the photographed image. It is pasted on the photographed composite image 800 so as to be displayed before any of the above. That is, the stamp image is superimposed on the top layer.

  On the other hand, for example, when the user selects the “front of person” button 721 and taps the shot composite image 800 with the touch pen 83, the stamp image 811 and the stamp image 812 are as shown in FIG. 55B. In addition, it is pasted on the composite image 800 so as to be displayed behind the unerased area 821 and in front of the person image 822 (that is, immediately before the person). That is, the stamp image is superimposed on the hierarchy between the pre-photographed image and the photographed image.

  Further, for example, when the user selects the “after person” button 722 and taps on the shot composite image 800 with the touch pen 83, the stamp image 811 and the stamp image 812 are erased as shown in FIG. 55C. It is pasted on the captured composite image 800 so as to be displayed behind the remaining area 821 and the person image 822 and before the erased area 823 which is the background (that is, immediately after the person). That is, the stamp image is superimposed on the hierarchy between the captured image and the background.

  In this way, the stamp image is a foreground (for example, a pre-captured image), a foreground and a person (for example, a captured image), or a person and a background (for example, a captured image that is an image to be edited). , The selected image). The user can select the layer on which the stamp image is superimposed by using the “before person” button 721 and the “after person” button 722. The hierarchy designation method may be any method other than those described above. For example, after a stamp image is pasted on the shot composite image 800, a “before person” button 721 or “after person” is selected. By operating the button 722, the layer of the pasted stamp image may be changed. Further, the entire hierarchy of all the stamp images already pasted on the photographed composite image 800 may be changed, or the hierarchy of only the designated stamp image (for example, only the stamp image 811) may be changed. May be. That is, a stamp image may be superimposed on a plurality of layers.

  In the above description, the stamp image has been described as an example. However, the “before person” button 721 and the “after person” button 722 are not limited to this, and a graffiti image, a frame image, or the like drawn using a pen tool is not limited thereto. The hierarchy of all edited images input on the graffiti edit input screen 700 may be controlled. That is, the user can superimpose the edited image on at least one of the levels in front of the foreground, between the foreground and the person, or between the person and the background.

  The “stamp” button 723 is a button for displaying various stamp images in the tool area 704 when the user operates using the touch pen 83. Similarly, the “background” button 724 causes various background images to be displayed in the tool area 704, and the “frame” button 725 causes various frame images to be displayed in the tool area 704. The “” button 726 displays selection items such as the thickness, color, and pattern of the pen tool in the tool area 704.

  “Previous person” buttons 731 to 736 are GUI buttons for the tool area 705 (the image to be edited displayed in the image display area 702), and the functions thereof are the “front person” button 721, respectively. Or “Pen” button 726.

  The “background / foreground switch” button 741 is displayed on the image display area 702 specified by the user operating the touch pen 83 and tapping the touch pen 83. Detects whether the target image area is the foreground image area or the background image area of the composition image, and switches the hierarchy of the area.For example, the foreground image is used as the background or the background. It is a GUI button that makes the image that was there foreground. Thereby, the user can switch the hierarchy of each area | region easily.

  The display of the “background / foreground switch” button 741 may be switched according to the hierarchy of the area designated by the user. For example, when the area designated by the user is the background, “switch to foreground” is displayed, and when the area designated is the foreground, “switch to background” may be displayed. . In this way, the user can easily grasp how the hierarchy of the designated area changes by operating the “switch background / foreground” button 741.

  The “eraser” button 742 is a GUI button that erases or redisplays the captured image displayed in the image display area 701 when the user operates the touch pen 83. Thereby, the part of the background image that was hidden by the captured image can be displayed.

  The “background / foreground switch” button 751 and the “eraser” button 752 are buttons for the image to be edited displayed in the image display area 702, and the functions thereof are “background / foreground switch” button 741 and This is the same as the “Eraser” button 742.

  In this way, for example, correction of the deviation between the pre-photographed image and the pre-photographed image, change of the superposition order of each image, and new ideas that came up during the work of the user immediately It can be reflected in the image. That is, the user can create a more satisfactory composite image.

  In step S94 in FIG. 33 (in the shooting mode), image quality adjustment is performed based on the setting value set in step S92 or step S93 (that is, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 determines the degree of image quality adjustment). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user may be allowed to set the image quality adjustment as in the normal shooting mode. However, in the shooting shooting mode, since the image quality adjustment of the shot composite image is performed, it is necessary to adjust the image quality so as not to cause a sense of incongruity between the two images of the pre-shot image and the shot image. For example, the user may adjust the brightness of the other on the basis of the brightness of either the pre-captured image or the captured image constituting the captured composite image. In this way, the user can freely set the brightness of the captured composite image to a desired brightness. In addition, by using one as a reference, the user can easily perform appropriate brightness adjustment so that a sense of incongruity does not occur in the captured composite image.

  Further, the user may be able to adjust the image quality of each of the pre-photographed image and the photographed image constituting the captured composite image independently of each other. In this way, the user can freely set the brightness of the captured composite image to a desired brightness.

  In addition, when the image quality adjustment setting is input to the user as described above, for example, on the GUI screen on which the user performs image quality adjustment work, the pre-captured image and the captured image are displayed side by side without being combined, By devising such as erasing the other display while either one is selected, the operability is improved and the satisfaction of the user can be expected.

  Note that in step S6 in FIG. 14, it has been described that the post-service processing is performed on the user who has finished the editing work while the photo sticker is being printed. The image generated in this way may be transferred to another information processing apparatus such as a mobile phone designated by the user. For example, let the user specify an e-mail address to be sent and a captured image to be transmitted, attach the specified captured image to an e-mail, and send it to the e-mail address specified by the user Also good. In such a service, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 includes a pre-edited image or a pre-edited image corresponding to a captured image designated by the user, and a captured composite image (finished after graffiti editing in the editing space 33). Both of the images may be transferred to a mobile phone designated by the user (an e-mail address designated by the user). At that time, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 may further transfer the image together with the control information for alternately displaying the images on the destination portable telephone.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When the above-described series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software is installed from a network or a recording medium.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the recording medium is distributed to distribute the program to the administrator of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 separately from the apparatus main body. Disk), optical disk (including CD-ROM (compact disk-read only memory), DVD (digital versatile disk)), magneto-optical disk (including MD (mini-disk) (registered trademark)), or semiconductor memory In addition to the removable medium 105 made up of, etc., it is composed of a ROM 106 on which a program is recorded and a hard disk included in the storage unit 102 distributed to the administrator in a state of being incorporated in the apparatus main body in advance. The

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in chronological order according to the described order, but is not necessarily performed in chronological order. It also includes processes that are executed individually.

  In the above, the print medium is not limited to the sticker paper, and for example, print on a predetermined size paper, a poster paper, a card such as a telephone card, or a cloth such as a T-shirt. Also good.

  Further, in this specification, the system represents the entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses. In the above, the configuration described as one device may be divided and configured as a plurality of devices. Conversely, the configurations described above as a plurality of devices may be combined into a single device. Of course, configurations other than those described above may be added to the configuration of each device. Furthermore, if the configuration and operation of the entire system are substantially the same, a part of the configuration of a certain device may be included in the configuration of another device.

It is a perspective view which shows the example of one Embodiment of the photograph sticker production apparatus to which this invention is applied. It is a perspective view from the other angle of the photograph sticker production apparatus of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the example of installation of the photograph sticker production apparatus of FIG. It is a figure explaining a user's space movement. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a prior customer service unit. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an upper unit. It is a figure explaining the example of the mode of prior imaging | photography. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a sample book. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the front of a front unit. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the side surface of an edit unit. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the other side of an edit unit. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of a photograph sticker production apparatus. It is a functional block diagram which shows the detailed structural example of a control apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of photograph sticker creation game processing. It is a figure which shows the example of the mode of a synthesis | combination. It is a figure which shows the example of a photograph sticker. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a prior customer service process. It is a figure which shows the example of a guidance screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a course selection screen. It is a figure which shows the example of an explanatory screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a prior acquisition image display screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a pre-photographed image confirmation screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a imaging | photography standby screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a imaging | photography movement guidance screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a to-be-photographed object selection screen. It is a figure which shows the other example of a prior acquisition image display screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a selection image selection screen. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a pre-edit process. It is a figure which shows the example of a pre-editing screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the mode of a synthesis | combination. It is a figure which shows the other example of a prior edit screen. It is a figure which shows the further another example of a prior edit screen. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of an imaging | photography process. FIG. 34 is a flowchart following FIG. 33 for explaining an example of the flow of imaging processing. It is a figure which shows the example of a imaging | photography start screen. It is a figure which shows the other example of a selection image selection screen. It is a figure which shows the example of an acquired image display screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a picked-up image confirmation screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a reflection selection screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a brightness selection screen. It is a figure which shows the other example of an acquired image display screen. It is a figure which shows the example of an end notification screen. It is a figure which shows the example of an edit object image selection screen. It is a figure which shows the example of an edit standby screen. It is a figure which shows the example of an edit movement guidance screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a synthesized image. It is a flowchart explaining the other example of the flow of a pre-editing process. It is a block diagram which shows the other structural example inside a photograph sticker production apparatus. It is a functional block diagram which shows the other detailed structural example of a control apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the further another structural example inside a photograph sticker production apparatus. It is a functional block diagram which shows the further detailed example of a structure of a control apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the further another structural example inside a photograph sticker production apparatus. It is a functional block diagram which shows the further detailed example of a structure of a control apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a graffiti edit input screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the mode of a synthesis | combination of a stamp image.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photo sticker creation apparatus 11 Pre-service unit 12 Imaging unit 13 Editing unit 31 Pre-service area 44 Pre-display unit 45-1 Touch pen 45-2 Touch pen 61 Camera 71 Camera 72 Image display unit 111 Pre-service unit 112 Image capturing unit 123 Touch panel 132 Touch panel 173 Pre-edit processing unit 181 Storage mode selection unit 182 GUI control unit 183 Area setting unit 184 Storage processing unit

Claims (16)

The user is photographed as a subject, the user performs graffiti editing input on the obtained photographed image, the image is printed on a predetermined sticker sheet to create a photo sticker, and the photo sticker is used as a product. A photo sticker creation device provided to the user,
Receiving means for receiving the user's instruction ;
An area setting means for setting an area based on the user's instruction received by the receiving means for the composition image to be combined with the captured image ;
And hierarchy setting means for setting a hierarchy for each area set by said area setting means,
First photographing means for photographing the user as a subject;
In accordance with the hierarchy set by the hierarchy setting means, a synthesis means for synthesizing the composition image and the captured image obtained by photographing by the first photographing means ;
A photo sticker creating apparatus comprising: a printing unit configured to print a combined image obtained by combining the image for synthesis and the photographed image on the seal sheet by the combining unit. The area setting unit sets an area specified by the user's instruction received by the receiving unit as a first area, and sets a region other than the first area as a second area. The photo sticker making apparatus as described. The photo sticker creating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the hierarchy setting unit sets the first area as a background of the photographed image and sets the second area as a foreground of the photographed image. The photo sticker creating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the hierarchy setting unit sets the second area as a foreground or background of the captured image and deletes the first area . The photo sticker creating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the hierarchy setting unit sets the entire region of the composite image as a background of the captured image when no region is set by the region setting unit. Reception of the user's instruction by the reception unit, setting of the region by the region setting unit, and layer setting of each region by the layer setting unit are performed before shooting by the first shooting unit.
The photo sticker creating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A second photographing means for photographing a subject and using the obtained photographed image as the composition image ;
The area setting means sets an area in the composition image obtained by the second photographing means.
The photographic sticker creating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . Further comprising an acquisition means for acquiring the image for synthesis supplied from another device;
It said area setting means sets a region in the composite image obtained by the obtaining means
The photographic sticker creating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . Storage means for storing candidates for the image for synthesis;
A selection means for selecting an image to be used as the image for synthesis from the candidates stored in the storage means;
It said area setting means sets a region in an image selected by the selection means
The photographic sticker creating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . The first photographing means further performs photographing to obtain the composition image,
It said area setting means sets a region in the composite image obtained by the first photographing means
The photographic sticker making apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 . The image processing apparatus further includes a display unit configured to display a synthesis result of the synthesis image and the acquired image obtained before shooting by the first imaging unit, which is performed according to the hierarchy set by the hierarchy setting unit.
The photographic sticker creating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10. Editing means for performing graffiti editing based on the user's input on the composite image obtained by the combining means;
The printing unit prints the composite image on which the graffiti editing has been performed by the editing unit on the sticker sheet.
The photographic sticker making apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The editing unit resets the hierarchy of each region in the composite image based on the user input.
The photographic sticker making apparatus according to claim 12 . The editing unit erases the display of the photographed image from the composite image displayed on the display unit based on the input of the user.
The photographic sticker creating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13 . The user is photographed as a subject, the user performs graffiti editing input on the obtained photographed image, the image is printed on a predetermined sticker sheet to create a photo sticker, and the photo sticker is used as a product. A method of creating a photo sticker of a photo sticker creating device provided to the user,
A reception step for receiving the user's instruction ;
An area setting step for setting an area based on an instruction of the user accepted by the process of the accepting step for a composition image to be synthesized with the captured image ;
And hierarchy setting step of setting a hierarchy for each of the set by the processing region setting step region,
A first shooting step of shooting the user as a subject;
In accordance with a hierarchy set by the processing of the hierarchy setting step, a synthesis step for synthesizing the synthesis image and the captured image obtained by imaging in the first imaging step ;
A photo sticker creation method comprising: a printing step of printing a composite image obtained by combining the composite image and the captured image on the sticker sheet by the composite step processing . The user is photographed as a subject, the user performs graffiti editing input on the obtained photographed image, the image is printed on a predetermined sticker sheet to create a photo sticker, and the photo sticker is used as a product. A computer-executable program for controlling processing to be provided to the user,
A reception step for receiving the user's instruction ;
An area setting step for setting an area based on an instruction of the user accepted by the process of the accepting step for a composition image to be synthesized with the captured image ;
And hierarchy setting step of setting a hierarchy for each of the set by the processing region setting step region,
A first shooting step of shooting the user as a subject;
In accordance with a hierarchy set by the processing of the hierarchy setting step, a synthesis step for synthesizing the synthesis image and the captured image obtained by imaging in the first imaging step ;
A program that causes a computer to execute a printing step of printing a composite image obtained by combining the composite image and the captured image on the sticker sheet by the processing of the composite step .

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