JP5230277B2 - Image providing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing means for photographing a plurality of subjects having different heights, a display means for displaying a photographed image, an operation means for selecting the displayed image, and an image providing means for outputting the selected image. Is provided.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image providing apparatus that is installed in a game center or the like and shoots a subject and prints out an image has been widely used. Such an image providing apparatus is used by various users such as couples, friends, parents and children. Here, in the conventional image providing device, since the camera and the monitor are fixedly mounted at a height for adults, when shooting with a child or the like whose face position is low and does not reach the shooting range, For example, it is necessary for a parent or other companion to have a child use a built-in step or to lift the child and place it within the shooting range. Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a video print game apparatus has been proposed in which a camera is provided at the tip of a movable arm so that the arm can be moved downward to take a picture.

Registered Utility Model No. 3071822

However, the video print game apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is also fixed at a high position. For this reason, a user with a low face position can place himself in the shooting range by moving the arm downward without the cooperation of a companion. However, in order to check the displayed image, the user can monitor from below. become a state in which look up to. In this case, it is difficult to satisfactorily confirm the self image depending on the viewing angle of the monitor. In addition, elderly people and wheelchair users with face positions similar to those of children are difficult to climb on the platform and to be lifted by their companions, so even if they are on the spot I cannot confirm my image satisfactorily. As described above, since the conventional image providing apparatus has a configuration that is not user-friendly to users with low face positions, it is difficult for these users to actively use the image providing apparatus.

  In order to solve such a problem, the present invention makes it possible for users with low face positions to be connected to each other, and even when users with low face positions are included among a plurality of users. It is an object to provide an image providing apparatus that is easy to use and friendly.

  According to the present invention, photographing means for photographing a plurality of subjects having different heights, display means for displaying the photographed images, operation means for selecting the displayed images, and an image for outputting the selected images An image providing apparatus including a providing unit, wherein the photographing unit is provided at a position lower than the first camera for photographing a subject having a high face position and a subject having a low face position. A second camera for photographing, wherein the display means comprises a first monitor and a second monitor provided at a position lower than the first monitor, and the image providing means comprises the photographing means. The user is allowed to select a desired image from the images photographed by the above and outputs the selected image.

  According to such a configuration, by providing the second camera at a position lower than the first camera, even a user with a low face position can appropriately fit within the shooting range. In addition, since the second monitor is provided at a position lower than the first monitor, the image displayed on the monitor can be confirmed from the front regardless of the viewing angle of the monitor. Thus, by adopting a user-friendly configuration, even users with low face positions can be used by all these users even when users with low face positions are included among multiple users. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image providing apparatus that is easy and friendly.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first and second monitors display at least one of images taken by the first or second camera according to a user's selection. .

  With such a configuration, a monitor for displaying an image can be selected from the first and second monitors. In addition, it is possible to select which image captured by the first and second cameras is to be displayed on the selected monitor. For example, the user can first select a first monitor and select an image to be displayed on the monitor from images taken by the first and second cameras.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the first and second monitors continuously displays respective images taken by the first and second cameras. It is. Further, all the captured images are displayed in a list, the user is allowed to select a plurality of images from the displayed images, and the images captured by the first and second cameras are continuously displayed. is there.

  With such a configuration, by continuously displaying a plurality of images taken by the first and second cameras, the user can easily confirm the images. In addition, by displaying a list of a plurality of images and allowing the user to select a desired image and then continuously displaying the images, the images are narrowed down and the images can be confirmed more easily.

  According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the operation means includes a first operation unit provided in the vicinity of the first camera or the first monitor, the second camera or the second camera. And a second operation unit provided in the vicinity of the monitor.

  With such a configuration, regardless of the height of the face position, the user can select and operate an operation unit that is easy to use.

  According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the first operation unit restricts operation of at least a part of the second operation unit.

  With such a configuration, for example, it is possible to prevent a child, a pet, or the like from mischieving the second operation unit and performing an operation unintended by the accompanying person.

  According to still another embodiment of the present invention, each of the images taken by the first and second cameras is cut out based on a predetermined area ratio and position, and each of the cut out images is obtained. Image combining means for combining the images, and the display means displays the combined image. The image processing apparatus further includes tracking means for capturing and recognizing a subject photographed by the second camera and outputting the recognized image, and the composition means photographs the output image and the first camera. And the synthesized image.

With this configuration, for example, a plurality of users have different heights and respectively captured by the first及 beauty second camera can be provided as an image. In addition, by providing the tracking function, for example, a child or pet whose behavior is not stable in front of the camera at the time of shooting can be appropriately shot.

  According to such an invention, an image providing apparatus that can be enjoyed easily by all users even if they are users with low face positions, and even when users with low face positions are included among a plurality of users. Can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, an image before the shutter is released is referred to as “moving image”, an image at the moment when the shutter is released is referred to as “still image”, and a case including both is referred to as “image”.

  FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of an image providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image providing apparatus denoted by reference numeral 1 in this figure includes a housing 2, first and second cameras 3, 4, first and second monitors 5, 6 provided on the front surface of the housing 2, coins The slot 9, the infrared communication unit 10 and the speaker 14, the print discharge unit 11 and the control unit 12 provided inside the housing 2, and the curtain 13 covering the upper outer periphery of the housing 2 (partially cut away) ). In addition, although not shown in figure, you may provide the illumination related apparatus for production.

  Each of the first and second cameras 3 and 4 is configured by a digital camera whose shooting angle can be adjusted as in the conventional image providing apparatus. These cameras 3 and 4 are controlled by the control unit 12 described later so that a still image is simultaneously photographed by one operation (shutter is released). However, the cameras 3 and 4 may be capable of performing photographing operations individually. In the illustrated example, one each of the first and second cameras 3 and 4 is provided, but a plurality of one or both may be provided. Further, these cameras 3 and 4 may be different types of cameras having different wide angles and resolutions. In the following, for convenience of explanation, an image taken with the first camera is referred to as a “first image”, and an image taken with the second camera is referred to as a “second image”.

  The first camera 3 is capable of suitably photographing mainly a subject with a high face position, and is installed in the vicinity of 140 to 160 centimeters from the ground (the bottom surface of the housing; the same applies hereinafter). In addition, the second camera 4 is capable of suitably photographing mainly a subject with a low face position, and the height of the lens center is set in the vicinity of 100 to 120 centimeters from the ground.

  Each of the first monitors 5 and 6 is a liquid crystal monitor and displays the first and second moving images in real time by the first and second cameras 3 and 4 and also a still image at the moment when the shutter is released. Is displayed for a certain time (about 3 to 5 seconds). Various operation guidance messages are also displayed to the user. These monitors 5 and 6 are preferably of a wide size type capable of displaying a list of a plurality of images. The switching of the image to be displayed can be selected by the user through operation units 7 and 8 described later. The allocation of the display image when the monitor is activated is set in advance so that the first moving image is displayed on the first monitor 5 and the second moving image is displayed on the second monitor 6.

  The first monitor 5 is located below the first camera 3 and the center of the monitor is installed in the vicinity of 120 to 140 centimeters from the ground. In this embodiment, it is installed with a slight inclination upward so that a user with a high face position can easily see. An angle adjustment function may be provided so that the angle is easy for the user to see. The second monitor 6 is installed below the second camera 4 and has a monitor center height of about 80 to 100 centimeters.

  The infrared communication unit 10 transmits the selected still image as image data to a mobile phone or the like owned by the user.

  The print discharge unit 11 prints a still image selected by the user on a sticker mount with a printer 11a built in the housing 2 and discharges it from the print discharge port 11b. Whether the image data is wirelessly transmitted using infrared communication or printed by a printer may be selected by the user for each use and for each image.

  The first and second monitors 5 and 6 are constituted by touch panels in which the first and second operation units 7 and 8 are displayed and integrated on the screen. As shown in FIG. 2, the first operation unit 7 includes first monitor switching buttons 7a and 7b, second monitor switching buttons 7c and 7d, a composition button 7e, a continuous display button 7f, And a button 7g. In the first operation unit 7, these buttons are displayed on the first monitor 5 together with a predetermined operation guidance message and the like.

  The first monitor switching buttons 7a and 7b are buttons for allowing the user to select an image to be displayed on the first monitor 5 from the first and second images. For example, when the user touches the first monitor switching button 7b in the above-described initial setting state, the second image (moving image) is displayed on the first monitor 5. Further, when the user touches the first monitor switching button 7a in this state, the first moving image and the second moving image are displayed in parallel.

  The second monitor switching buttons 7c and 8c are for selecting an image to be displayed on the second monitor 6 from the first and second images. The displayed image switching operation is the same as that of the first monitor switching buttons 7a and 7b.

  The composition button 7e is for shifting the first and second moving images to the composition mode. The synthesis process will be described later.

  The continuous display button 7f is a button for switching between continuous display and normal display of a plurality of images. For example, when a moving image is displayed on the first monitor 5 or when a plurality of still images are stored in the image storage unit 17 to be described later, when the user touches the button 7f, the plurality of images are displayed as a slide show. Displayed continuously.

  The restriction button 7g is a button for restricting part or all of the input operation from the second operation unit 8. For example, when the restriction button 7g is touched, the button whose operation is restricted in the button display of the second operation unit 8 is set to be turned off.

  When the composite button 7e, the continuous display button 7f, and the limit button 7g are touched to execute respective functions, the display is switched to, for example, “OFF”.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the second operation unit 8 includes first monitor switching buttons 8a and 8b, second monitor switching buttons 8c and 8d, a composition button 8e, and a continuous display button 8f. The Since the second operation unit 8 has the same configuration as the first operation unit 7 except for the limit button 7g, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  These operation units 7 and 8 may have an operation means such as a touch pen capable of writing a background, characters and the like in addition to the plurality of buttons described above.

  FIG. 4 shows a functional block diagram of the control unit 12 of the image providing apparatus 1. The control unit 12 has a configuration in which a RAM, an external storage device such as a ROM or an HDD, and an input / output interface (I / F) are connected to a CPU (not shown) via a system bus. The external storage device stores an image storage unit 17 that stores captured still images and a computer program that performs the functions of the present invention. The input / output I / F is connected to the first and second monitors 5 and 6, the sound-related device 21, the infrared communication unit 10, and the print discharge unit 11 as output devices. Further, the first and second cameras 3 and 4, the first and second operation units 7 and 8, and the coin-related device 20 are connected as input devices, respectively. By inputting various data from the input device, the software program installed in the external storage device is called up and executed on the RAM by the CPU, thereby achieving the functions of the present invention.

  The software program includes a tracking unit 15 that recognizes and captures a subject by specifying feature information such as the face of the subject from a moving image, an image synthesis unit 16 that synthesizes a plurality of images, and the operation units 7 and 8. An operation receiving unit 18 that receives an input operation signal and an image providing unit 19 that outputs an image signal selected by the user to the infrared communication unit 10 and the print discharge unit 11 are provided. These functional units are actually independent programs, their routines, modules, and the like.

  In such a functional configuration, when the control unit 12 senses that the user has inserted a coin into the coin insertion slot 9 via the coin-related device 20, the control unit 12 is connected to the first and second cameras 3 and 4. To start movie shooting of the subject. Further, the control unit 12 displays the captured moving image on the first and second monitors 5 and 6. Here, a predetermined guidance message that allows the user to set the shooting environment such as the brightness of the image and the background color may be displayed on the first and second monitors 5 and 6.

  When all the shooting environments are set, the control unit 12 displays shooting buttons (not shown) on the first and second monitors 5 and 6. When it is detected that the shooting button has been touched, a sound of a shooting signal such as countdown is notified from the speaker 14 via the sound-related device 21, and the image at the moment when the countdown ends is cut out and serialized in the image storage unit 17. Store with number. At this time, it is always monitored whether the serial number has reached the number of images that can be photographed (for example, 5 images).

  Here, when the operation accepting unit 18 senses an input of at least one of the monitor switching buttons 7a to 7d or 8a to 8d while the moving image is being captured by the first and second cameras, the control unit 12 instructs the switching. The first and second images are output to the monitors 5 and 6 according to the above.

  In addition, when the number of still images that can be shot has been taken, the operation receiving unit 18 of the control unit 12 reads all the still images stored in the image storage unit 17 and reads the first and second monitors 5 and 6. And a selection of a desired image is received from the user. When the user selects an image, the operation receiving unit 18 temporarily stores the serial number of the image in the memory and displays a selection screen (button) for the image providing method (infrared communication or print) to the user. Accept selection of the provision method. Then, the serial number of the image selected by the user and the identification symbol of the providing method are transferred to the image providing unit 19. The image providing unit 19 reads an image to be output from the image storage unit 17 according to the serial number of the received image, determines an output destination according to the identification symbol of the providing method, and outputs the read image to the infrared communication unit 10 or the print discharge To the unit 11.

  Next, a specific usage example of the image providing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The examples shown in these figures are cases where a tall adult and a short child photograph with two cameras.

  First, FIG. 5 shows a case where an adult squats down in accordance with the height of a child so that both faces are located almost in front of the second camera 4 and the monitor 6. In this case, both the first camera 3 at the higher position and the second camera 4 at the lower position can shoot the faces of two people, and the image of the favorite one can be output.

  When the user touches the second monitor switching button 8d of the second operation unit 8 (see FIG. 3) on the front face or touches the continuous display button 8f, the second front switching button 8f remains in a squatting state. The first moving image shown in FIG. 5 b and the second moving image shown in FIG. 5 c can be easily confirmed on the monitor 6. When the user wants to take a picture with the first camera 3, the direction of the first camera 3 is adjusted downward in advance.

  In addition, on the same screen as the moving image, a guidance message and a selection button for setting the shooting environment such as brightness and background are displayed, and the user sets the shooting environment according to the guidance. When all shooting environments are set, a shooting button is displayed on the screen. The user touches this shooting button as soon as his shooting system is ready. Then, a shooting cue sound such as a countdown is output from the speaker 14, and still image shooting is performed at a predetermined timing by the first and / or second cameras 3 and 4. The still image is stored in the image storage unit 17 together with the serial number, and is displayed on the second monitor 6 for a certain period of time, and then switched to the second moving image again. Such an operation is repeated until the number of still images stored in the image storage unit 17 reaches a predetermined number of shootable images (number of times) or until the user presses the output image selection button.

  When the number of still images that can be captured is reached, all the still images stored in the image storage unit 17 are displayed in a list on the first and second monitors 5 and 6. The user touches and selects a desired still image from the list displayed on the screen. At this time, when the user touches the continuous display buttons 7 f and 8 f of the first operation unit 7 or the second operation unit 8, the selected still image is continuously displayed on the first and second monitors 5 and 6. Is done. When the continuous display for a certain time or a certain number of times is completed, a determination button (not shown) for finally determining an image to be output is displayed. When the user touches this determination button, a screen for selecting a desired image providing method from infrared communication and print discharge is displayed on the second monitor 6, and the screen is selected by the image providing method selected by the user. Images are provided.

  Next, FIG. 6 shows a case where an adult and a child are both standing and their faces are positioned almost in front of the first and second cameras 3 and 4. In this case, the first camera 3 and the second camera 4 can capture each user's face and synthesize and output these images.

  First, the first and second images are respectively displayed on the first and second monitors 5 and 6 by the initial setting. In this state, when the user touches the image composition buttons 7e, 8e of the first or second operation unit 7, 8, the image composition unit 16 is activated, and the images are synthesized as shown in FIGS. 6b and 6c. In order to do this, a preset cutting frame (indicated by a dotted line in the figure) is displayed superimposed on the respective moving images displayed on the first and second monitors 5 and 6. At this time, the tracking unit 15 is also activated to extract feature information such as the contour of the face of each subject (user) and the shape / position of eyes, nose, mouth, ears, etc. from the image, and recognize the subject. This movement of the subject is captured and held while the camera is in focus. The image composition unit 16 cuts out an image from the second image shown in FIG. 6D along the cutout frame and cuts out the image from the first image in the same manner.

  Then, these two cut out images are arranged at predetermined positions as shown in FIG. 6e, and these images are displayed on the first and second monitors 5 and 6, respectively. The user may be allowed to specify a layout (up / down, left / right, large / small, etc.) for arranging a plurality of images. A guidance message and a selection button for setting the shooting environment are displayed on the same screen as the synthesized moving image. The margin generated outside the cutout frame is set in advance or a background, characters, etc. created by the user are combined at the time of this environment setting. When all the environment settings are complete, a shooting button is displayed on the screen and provided to the user by the same processing as described above.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not change the summary of invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, a case where a tall user and a short user use has been described. However, it is easy to use for various combinations of users such as owners and pets, wheelchair users and caregivers. is there.

  Further, the layout of the first and second operation units 7 and 8 can be changed as appropriate.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an image providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a layout diagram of the first operation unit. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of the second operation unit. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the image providing apparatus. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage state of the image providing apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage state of the image providing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image provision apparatus 2 ... Housing 3 ... 1st camera 4 ... 2nd camera 5 ... 1st monitor 6 ... 2nd monitor 7 ... 1st operation part 7a, 7b ... 1st monitor switching button 7c, 7d ... second monitor switching button 7e ... composite button 7f ... continuous display button 7g ... limit button 8 ... second operation unit 8a, 8b ... first monitor switching button 8c, 8d ... second monitor switching button 8g ... Composite button 8f ... Continuous display button 9 ... Coin slot 10 ... Infrared communication unit 11 ... Print discharge unit 11a ... Printer 11b ... Print discharge port 12 ... Control unit 13 ... Curtain 14 ... Speaker 15 ... Tracking unit 16 ... Image composition Unit 17 ... Image storage unit 18 ... Operation receiving unit 19 ... Image providing unit 20 ... Coin-related device 21 ... Sound-related device

Claims (5)

An imaging unit that captures a plurality of subjects having different heights, a display unit that displays captured images, an operation unit that selects a displayed image, and an image providing unit that outputs the selected image are provided. A video printing game device,
The photographing means includes a first camera and a second camera provided at a position lower than the first camera,
The display means includes a first monitor and a second monitor provided at a position lower than the first monitor,
The image providing means causes a user to select a desired image from images photographed by the photographing means, and outputs the selected image.
Said at least one monitor one of the first and second monitor state, and are not continuously display the captured respective images on the first and second camera,
Furthermore, each image captured by the first and second cameras is cut out based on a predetermined area ratio and position, and image combining means for combining the cut out images is provided.
The video print game apparatus, wherein the display means displays the synthesized image. The monitor according to claim 1,
Further, all the captured images are displayed in a list, the user is allowed to select a plurality of images from the displayed images, and the images captured by the first and second cameras are continuously displayed. A video print game device characterized by being. 2. The video print game apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the operation means includes:
And a first operation unit provided in the vicinity of the first camera or the first monitor, and a second operation unit provided in the vicinity of the second camera or the second monitor. This is a video print game device. The video print game device according to claim 1 ,
The first operation unit, the image printing game apparatus characterized in that to limit at least part of the operation of the second operating unit. The video print game device according to claim 1 ,
And tracking means for capturing and recognizing a subject photographed by the second camera,
The video print game apparatus, wherein the image composition unit is configured to compose an image output from the tracking unit and an image photographed by the first camera.

Images