JP5278008B2 - Photography printing apparatus, photography printing apparatus control program, computer-readable recording medium, and photography printing apparatus control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographic printing device capable of quickly distributing an acquired image according to a game process to a terminal possessed by a user, without any complicated operation. <P>SOLUTION: The photographic printing device 100 performs in order the game process containing photographing processing, editing processing, and printing processing. The device 100 includes a short range wireless communication unit 160, a near field communication unit 127, a communication establishing unit 114, and a distribution control unit 115. The short range wireless communication unit 160 performs wireless communications with a mobile terminal 300. The near field communication unit 127 reads and acquires communication setup information required for the wireless communication with the mobile terminal 300 from a non-contacting version IC chip equipped at the mobile terminal 300. The communication establishing unit 114 establishes the wireless communication, based on the acquired communication setup information. The distribution control unit 115 controls to distribute an image to be distributed via the short range wireless communication unit 160. The distribution control unit 115 starts distribution, after the editing processing is completed. The communication establishing portion 114 ends the wireless communication, after a predetermined time duration is past from the end of the printing processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographic printing apparatus that distributes images to a terminal owned by a user, a photographic printing apparatus control program, a computer-readable recording medium, and a photographic printing apparatus control method.

  Conventionally, for example, in an amusement (game) facility such as a game center, a photographed image obtained by photographing a user or an edited image obtained by performing editing (doodle) such as synthesis of a background image or a foreground image on the photographed image is provided. A photo printing device that provides a series of games to print on photo sticker paper is installed and is gaining popularity.

  As a general configuration of a photo printing apparatus, there are many cases in which a shooting space for shooting a user and an editing space for editing are provided separately. That is, in the photography printing apparatus having such a configuration, when the user starts the game, the user takes a picture in the photographing space, then moves to the editing space, performs various editing on the photographed image, The edited image is printed on the photo sticker paper.

  In addition, most of photography and printing apparatuses perform charging processing for providing games because of the nature of being provided at entertainment (play) facilities. Under such circumstances, in the photo printing apparatus, it is desired to improve the profit rate as well as the user's rotation rate. For this reason, for example, in a photo printing apparatus, a certain time limit is provided for providing a game so that the game cannot continue indefinitely.

  More specifically, the photography printing apparatus starts providing the game and starts counting elapsed time by accepting the insertion of coins (price) from the user. Then, the user can enjoy a game including shooting processing within a limited time.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 8, a typical game process flow in the photo printing apparatus is illustrated as follows.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of game processing in the photo printing apparatus.

  First, the photography printing apparatus performs billing processing (S1). When a coin is inserted (YES in S1), the photographic printing apparatus starts shooting processing in the shooting space (S2). The user takes a plurality of photographs in the photographing space.

  Next, the photography printing apparatus displays an instruction to move to the editing space on a display unit or the like included in the apparatus (S3). In accordance with this instruction, the user moves to the editing space. Next, the photographic printing apparatus starts editing processing (S4). The user edits the captured image in the editing space.

  Next, the photograph printing apparatus starts a process of printing the photographed image or the edited image on the sticker paper (S5). While the printing process is being performed, the photographic printing apparatus performs a post-service process on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display screen (S6). This post-service process is a process of executing a corresponding application so that the user can play a mini game such as inputting a questionnaire while waiting for a printing process.

  Thereafter, the photographic printing apparatus guides the user to the printing space where the printed sticker sheet is discharged (S7). In accordance with this instruction, the user moves to the print space. Then, the photographic printing apparatus discharges the sticker paper printed in the printing space (S8). The above is an example of the flow of the game process provided by the photography printing apparatus.

  Further, in the photo printing apparatus, various services are provided for improving the user satisfaction with the above-described game and increasing the ability to attract customers.

  For example, a so-called image distribution service is provided in a photography printing apparatus that transmits a photographed / edited image to an information terminal owned by a user in the post-service processing. As a specific example, in a photo printing device, an input of an e-mail address is accepted from a user, and an image taken and edited based on the accepted e-mail address is distributed to an information terminal owned by the user via a server. Has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, the photographed / edited image is distributed from the photo printing apparatus to the information terminal owned by the user via wireless communication represented by Bluetooth (registered trademark) or infrared communication represented by IrDA (registered trademark). It has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3).

  In addition, in order to improve the user's turnover rate, various proposals have been made to make it possible to use a plurality of user groups in a single photo printing apparatus or to shorten the waiting time for the user. ing.

JP 2007-228439 A (published September 6, 2007) JP 2001-218176 A (published on August 10, 2001) JP 2008-61225 A (published March 13, 2008)

  However, the conventional image distribution service has a problem that the user cannot acquire an image within the time limit of the game or the game time becomes long.

  That is, in the technique of Patent Document 1, first, it is necessary to secure time for the user to input an email address within the time limit of the game. On the other hand, for example, when an e-mail address is input in the editing process, the user cannot perform sufficient editing, which causes a problem because satisfaction with the game is lowered. In addition, when the mail address is long, it is predicted that the input operation takes time. And since a mail address is a user's personal information, there is also a user who refrains from inputting such information itself.

  Further, the technique of Patent Document 2 employs a procedure in which a user selects an image to be acquired on a screen installed near a sticker paper take-out port, and receives the image at an information terminal via infrared communication or the like. As a result, users who are unfamiliar with this series of operations are limited in the number of images that can be acquired. However, if the time limit is extended so that even such a user can receive a certain number of sheets, the turn waiting time for other users increases and the user's turnover rate decreases.

  Thus, in the prior art, the game time tends to be long due to the image distribution service. This problem will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. 9 as follows. FIG. 9 is a time chart showing an example of time distribution of each process in the conventional photography printing apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 9, conventionally, after the “editing time” when the user edits an image, a “printing time” for print output by the printer has been provided. In addition, during the “printing time”, image delivery times such as “portable transmission” and “infrared transmission” are provided in parallel.

  In “portable transmission”, first, a time for “image selection” for the user to select an image to be distributed is provided, and then a time for “mail address input” is provided. When delivering images by “mobile transmission”, the time required for the user to add the “image selection” time and the “e-mail address input” time is longer than the “printing time”. There was a possibility that the rotation rate would decrease.

  In addition, in “infrared transmission”, image selection and image distribution by infrared communication are repeated, and as a result, these operation times become longer than “printing time”, and the rotation rate of the user is lowered. There was a risk of doing so.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a photograph that can quickly deliver an image obtained by a game process to a terminal possessed by a user without complicated operations. An object is to realize a photography printing apparatus, a photography printing apparatus control program, a computer-readable recording medium, and a photography printing apparatus control method.

  In order to solve the above problems, a photo print apparatus according to the present invention includes a shooting process for shooting a subject to generate a shot image, an editing process for editing the shot image to generate an edited image, In a photography printing apparatus that sequentially executes a game process including a printing process for printing an image on sticker paper, a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external terminal, the wireless communication unit, and the terminal Based on the communication setting information acquisition unit that reads out and acquires the communication setting information necessary for performing the wireless communication from the non-contact IC chip included in the terminal, and the communication setting information acquired by the communication setting information acquisition unit The wireless communication unit, communication establishing means for establishing wireless communication with the terminal, and the distribution target image including the captured image and / or the edited image are distributed via the wireless communication unit. Image distribution means for performing control, wherein the image distribution means starts the distribution after the editing process is completed, and the communication establishment means has a predetermined time after the completion of the printing process. The wireless communication by the wireless communication unit is terminated.

  In addition, in order to solve the above-described problem, the control method for the photography printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a photographing process for photographing a subject to generate a photographed image, and an editing for editing the photographed image to generate an edited image. Wireless communication provided in the apparatus for performing wireless communication with an external terminal in a method for controlling a photography printing apparatus that sequentially executes a game process including processing and printing processing for printing each image on sticker paper Communication setting information acquisition step for reading out and acquiring communication setting information necessary for the wireless communication between the terminal and the terminal from the contactless IC chip included in the terminal, and acquisition in the communication setting information acquisition step Based on the communication setting information, the wireless communication unit, a communication establishment step for establishing wireless communication with the terminal, and the wireless communication unit after the editing process is completed. Via the image distribution step for starting distribution of the distribution target image including the photographed image and / or the edited image, and communication for ending the wireless communication by the wireless communication unit after a predetermined time after the end of the printing process. And an end step.

  First, a photography printing apparatus captures a subject to generate a captured image, an editing process for editing the captured image to generate an edited image, and a printing process for printing each image on sticker paper The structure which performs the game process containing these in order is included.

  In such a photographic printing apparatus, a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external terminal, and communication setting information necessary for the terminal to perform the wireless communication include a non-contact type that the terminal includes. A communication setting information acquisition unit that is read out and acquired from the IC chip is provided.

  For example, the communication setting information acquisition unit may perform wireless communication only within a transmission distance according to the standard of a non-contact type IC. The transmission distance is, for example, within about 2 mm, within about 10 cm, or within about 70 cm, but wireless communication may be performed only within the transmission distance between these transmission distances.

  Using such a technique, the communication setting information acquisition unit is configured to read communication setting information stored in a non-contact IC chip included in the terminal. Therefore, for example, if the user performs a terminal authentication operation such as holding the terminal over the communication setting information acquisition unit, the communication setting information acquisition unit reads and acquires the communication setting information from the non-contact type IC chip included in the terminal. it can.

  In wireless communication performed by the wireless communication unit, for example, wireless LAN (Local Area Network), ZigBee, UWB (UWB) conforming to IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11a / b / g / n, etc. Ultra Wide Band) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication standards can be used. In this case, since the transmission distance of the wireless communication is about 10 to 100 m, if the terminal possessed by the user is in the vicinity of the photography printing apparatus or in the facility where the photography printing apparatus is installed, the image is displayed. It can be delivered.

  Further, the communication establishment means establishes communication between the wireless communication unit and the terminal based on the communication setting information acquired by the communication setting information acquisition unit. In general, in the wireless communication performed by the wireless communication unit, it is necessary for the communicating parties to exchange various communication setting information with each other when starting communication. In the present invention, this communication setting information is communicated in advance. The setting information acquisition unit acquires the information.

  Then, the image distribution means for controlling distribution of the distribution target image including the photographed image and / or the edited image via the wireless communication unit starts the distribution after the editing process is completed, and the communication The establishing means ends the wireless communication by the wireless communication unit after a predetermined time after the end of the printing process. As described above, the image distribution by the photographic printing apparatus is continuously performed for a predetermined time after the end of the printing process, but the distribution is also ended when the wireless communication is ended.

  For this reason, it is possible to prevent the wireless communication unit from continuing to perform wireless communication without limitation when image distribution to the terminal cannot be performed due to a communication failure or the like. In addition, since the communication resources that have been released can be reused when the wireless communication is terminated, the communication resources can be used effectively.

  On the other hand, from the user's standpoint, it is possible to receive an image distribution service after the editing process is completed by simply performing a simple terminal authentication operation. In addition, the user can receive an image distribution service for a certain time after the printing process. Therefore, the user can receive the image distribution service for a certain period of time even after the game process is completed, for example.

  As a result, the user can save the trouble of inputting an e-mail address or operating for infrared communication, and promptly deliver the image obtained by the game process to the terminal owned by the user without any complicated operation. There is an effect that can be. Furthermore, since personal information such as an e-mail address is not input, the user can receive the image distribution service with peace of mind.

  In the photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the distribution unit starts the distribution after a predetermined time has elapsed after the printing process is completed.

  According to the above configuration, the distribution is started after a lapse of a certain time after the printing process is completed.

  For this reason, the printing process is completed for a certain period of time, and there is an effect that the user who has finished the game process can be motivated to stay within the communication range of the wireless communication unit.

  In addition, even if the game process is completed, the user is motivated to be in the facility where the photography printing apparatus is installed. For example, during this period, the user is installed in the facility. The chances of seeing other games increase. And it is anticipated that a user will play the other game installed in the facility, and the improvement of the profit by playing the game can be expected.

  In the photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention, the wireless communication unit establishes wireless communication with a plurality of the terminals, and the communication setting information acquisition unit receives the communication setting information from the plurality of terminals. The communication establishment means establishes wireless communication with the plurality of terminals, and further identifies the plurality of terminals that have established the wireless communication as a group. Distribution by the image distribution means is completed to at least one of the group identification information generating means for generating group identification information and a plurality of terminals identified as a group by the group identification information. It is preferable that the communication establishment unit terminates the wireless communication by the wireless communication unit based on the detection of the distribution completion detection unit.

  According to the above configuration, first, wireless communication is established for a plurality of terminals. Then, the group identification information generating means generates group identification information for identifying a plurality of terminals that have established wireless communication as a group. That is, a plurality of terminals can be grouped together. At this time, the distribution completion detecting means detects that the image distribution has been completed to at least one of the terminals belonging to this group, and the communication establishing means ends the wireless communication based on this. .

  Since users possessing terminals belonging to the same group are presumed to be friends or the like, one of the friend groups has received image distribution. After that, since it is only necessary for the friends to exchange images between the terminals, even if the images are distributed to only one person in the group, it is expected that the images will be distributed throughout the group.

  Further, it is not necessary to maintain wireless communication until an image is distributed to all terminals. As a result, it is possible to effectively utilize communication resources while maintaining user satisfaction.

  The photography printing apparatus according to the present invention further includes start request detection means for detecting a game process start request, and the group identification information generating means is configured to detect group identification information in response to detection by the start request detection means. Further, when the group management means for managing the generation order of the plurality of group identification information and the group identification information managed by the group management means have reached a predetermined number, the start is further started. When the request detection unit detects a start request, the request detection unit includes a group identification unit that identifies the oldest group identification information generated among the predetermined number of the group identification information, and the distribution completion detection unit includes: The image distribution means distributes to at least one of the plurality of terminals identified as a group by the group identification information specified by the group specifying means. It is preferable that detects that the completion.

  According to the above configuration, first, the start request detection unit detects a game process start request, and in response thereto, the group identification information generation unit generates group identification information. The detection of the game process start request includes, for example, detection of a billing process.

  In addition, group management means for managing the generation order of the plurality of group identification information is provided. That is, since the group management means manages the generation order of the group identification information, it can know which group identification information is generated most recently or the oldest. Further, a plurality of groups performing the game process can be identified by the group identification information.

  When the group identification information managed by the group management means has reached a predetermined number by the group specifying means, and further when the start request detecting means detects a start request, the predetermined number of the group identification information Among the information, the oldest group identification information generated is identified.

  The delivery completion detection means has completed delivery by the image delivery means to at least one of the plurality of terminals identified as a group by the group identification information identified by the group identification means. Detect that.

  In this way, by confirming the order in which the group identification information is generated, it is possible to know the group that started the game process the oldest among a plurality of groups. If at least one terminal receives image distribution for the oldest group that has started the game process, wireless communication with terminals belonging to the group can be terminated.

  As a result, it is possible to secure communication resources for distributing to terminals belonging to the group to start a new game process.

  In addition, as described above, even if the wireless communication with the terminals belonging to the group is terminated and the distribution is stopped, if one of the groups can receive the image distribution, the image is redistributed to other users. Since it is practically possible to do so, user satisfaction can be maintained to some extent.

  That is, according to the said structure, even if the user who performs a game process increases, there exists an effect that a communication resource can be used effectively, maintaining a user's satisfaction.

  In the photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention, the wireless communication unit performs wireless communication with a plurality of the terminals, and the communication setting information acquisition unit receives the communication setting information from the plurality of terminals. The communication establishing means establishes wireless communication with the plurality of terminals, and when the image has been distributed to all of the plurality of terminals, the wireless communication unit Preferably, the wireless communication by is terminated.

  When there are a plurality of terminals to which an image is to be distributed, there is no reason to maintain wireless communication after the image has been distributed to all terminals. Therefore, the image distribution unit ends the wireless communication by the wireless communication unit when the image has been distributed to all of the plurality of terminals.

  When the wireless communication is terminated, the released communication resource can be reused, so that the communication resource can be effectively used.

  In the photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the communication establishment unit receives an instruction to end the distribution from the terminal and ends the wireless communication in response to the instruction.

  According to the above configuration, image distribution can be terminated with the intention of the user who owns the terminal. As a result, the released communication resources can be reused, so that the communication resources can be used effectively.

  Further, in the photography printing apparatus according to the present invention, the terminal includes a movement detection unit that detects that the terminal has moved out of the communication range of the wireless communication, and the communication establishment unit is based on detection of the movement detection unit. It is preferable to end the wireless communication by the wireless communication unit.

  According to the above configuration, when the terminal moves out of the wireless communication range, the wireless communication can be terminated. Since the image can no longer be distributed to the terminal that has moved out of the communication range, in this case, the communication resources can be effectively used by terminating the wireless communication.

  In the photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the communication setting information acquisition unit is a surface provided in the own device, and is provided in the vicinity of a surface perpendicular to the floor surface. .

  If the proximity communication unit is provided by providing a plane that is horizontal to the floor of the shooting space such that the user can leave the terminal stationary, the user may forget to place the portable terminal thereon.

  According to the above configuration, since the terminal cannot be placed near the proximity communication unit, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to place the terminal.

  The photography printing apparatus may be realized by a computer. In this case, a photography printing apparatus control program for realizing a photography printing apparatus by a computer by causing the computer to operate as each of the above means and the same A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded also falls within the scope of the present invention.

  The photography printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external terminal, communication setting information necessary for the wireless communication unit and the terminal to perform the wireless communication, Based on the communication setting information acquisition unit that is read out and acquired from the non-contact type IC chip provided in the terminal, and the communication setting information acquired by the communication setting information acquisition unit, the wireless communication between the wireless communication unit and the terminal is performed. Communication establishment means for establishing, and image delivery means for controlling delivery of the delivery target image including the photographed image and / or the edited image via the wireless communication unit, and the image delivery means includes After the editing process is completed, the distribution is started, and the communication establishment unit is configured to end the wireless communication by the wireless communication unit after a predetermined time after the printing process is completed.

  In addition, the control method of the photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external terminal, and a communication that is necessary for the terminal to perform the wireless communication. Communication setting information acquisition step for reading and acquiring setting information from a non-contact type IC chip included in the terminal, and the wireless communication unit, the terminal, based on the communication setting information acquired in the communication setting information acquisition step A communication establishment step for establishing the wireless communication, and an image distribution step for starting distribution of the distribution target image including the photographed image and / or the edited image via the wireless communication unit after the editing process is completed. And a communication end step of ending the wireless communication by the wireless communication unit after a predetermined time after the end of the printing process.

  As a result, there is an effect that the image obtained by the game process can be quickly delivered to the terminal possessed by the user without complicated operation.

1, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a block diagram showing a configuration of a photographic printing apparatus. FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining establishment of communication using a handover technique. (A) is a figure which shows the external appearance from the imaging | photography part side in the photographic printing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, (b) is a figure which shows the external appearance from the edit part and the printing part side. It is a front view of the editing part with which the said photography printing apparatus is provided. It is a front view of the printing part with which the above-mentioned photography photography printing device is provided. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a process in the said photography photography printing apparatus. It is a time chart which shows the time allocation of each process in the said photography printing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a process in the conventional photography printing apparatus. It is a time chart which shows an example of the time allocation of each process in the conventional photography printing apparatus.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(Usage of photo printing device)
First, with reference to FIG. 2, a usage form of the photography printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a case where communication is established between the photo printing apparatus 100 and the mobile terminal 300 using a handover technique.

  2 provides a user with a game process including a series of processes such as a shooting process, an editing process, and a printing process. In addition, the photographic printing apparatus 100 distributes, to the portable terminal 300 in the figure, the captured image obtained in the shooting process of the game provided by the photographic printing apparatus 100 and / or the edited image obtained in the editing process. To do.

  When an image is distributed from the photographic printing apparatus 100 to the portable terminal 300, a handover technique is used to establish communication between the photographic printing apparatus 100 and the portable terminal 300.

  Here, the handover technique will be described. The handover technique is based on the read communication setting information by reading the communication setting information of the secondary communication carrier stored in the non-contact type IC between the two communication terminals communicating with the secondary communication carrier. In this technique, a P2P connection by a secondary communication carrier is established and data communication is performed.

  This handover technique is characterized in that, if communication terminals exchange communication setting information with each other at a relatively close distance in advance, communication can be performed even if the distance between the communication terminals is some distance thereafter.

  In the handover technique used in the present invention, as a non-contact IC card standard, a contact type (transmission distance is within about 2 mm), a proximity type (transmission distance is within about 10 cm), or a proximity type (transmission distance is within about 70 cm). ) Can be adopted. In other words, any wireless communication may be used as long as the transmission distance conforms to the standard of the non-contact type IC card or the non-contact type IC chip. However, the close contact type is preferable from the viewpoint of security. Since the transmission distance changes according to the change in the standard of the non-contact type IC, the transmission distance described above is only an example and does not limit the present invention. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, communication using these non-contact IC cards / chips is referred to as proximity communication.

  Note that there are a plurality of international standards (type A, B, and C technical systems) for contactless IC cards, but in the present invention, a standard conforming to any standard may be adopted. Note that the type A technology method (conformity standard ISO / IEC14443) is a standard for contactless IC cards developed by Philips. The type B technology method (conforming standard ISO / IEC14443) is capable of higher communication speed than type A. The type C technical method (conforming standard ISO / IEC18092) is a standard including FeliCa (registered trademark), and is mainly spread in Japan.

  An example of a communication standard adopted as a secondary communication carrier for establishing a P2P connection is a wireless LAN (Local Area) compliant with IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11a / b / g / n. Network), ZigBee, UWB (Ultra Wide Band), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the like, but are not limited thereto, and various communication standards can be appropriately employed.

  The transmission distance of these communication standards is about 100 m for wireless LAN, about 75 m for ZigBee, about 10 m for UWB, and about 100 m for Bluetooth, but changes according to changes in these standards. Therefore, the transmission distance described above is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention.

  Here, referring to FIG. 2 again, image distribution using the handover technique in the present embodiment will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 2A, in this embodiment, the photography printing apparatus 100 and the mobile terminal 300 each perform proximity communication 20 using a non-contact IC in order to implement the handover technique. It is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, in the present embodiment, the photography printing apparatus 100 and the portable terminal 300 are configured to be communicable by the short-range wireless communication 30 using the wireless communication method described above. . Through the short-range wireless communication 30, a photographed image and / or an edited image (distribution target image 40) to be distributed is distributed from the photographic printing apparatus 100 to the mobile terminal 300.

  That is, the photography printing apparatus 100 and the portable terminal 300 exchange the communication setting information 10 by the proximity communication 20 using the non-contact IC shown in FIG. 2A in advance, and use the communication setting information 10. The short-range wireless communication 30 shown in FIG. 2B is established. Then, the photographic printing apparatus 100 distributes the distribution target image 40 to the mobile terminal 300.

(Appearance of photo printing device)
Next, an external configuration of the photographic printing apparatus 100 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. This photographic printing apparatus 100 captures a photograph of the user. A photographing unit 120; an editing unit 130 that allows a user to edit graffiti on the photographed image (photographed image); and a printing unit 140 that outputs the photograph (edited image) edited by the user onto a print sheet. 3A shows an appearance from the photographing unit 120 side in the photographic printing apparatus 100, and FIG. 3B shows an appearance from the editing unit 130 and the printing unit 140 side. Yes.

  The space facing the imaging unit 120 is covered with a curtain unit for blocking light from the outside and serving as a background at the time of imaging, thereby forming an imaging space.

  FIG. 4 is a front view of the editing unit 130a. The configuration of the editing unit 130b is the same as that of the editing unit 130a, and is not shown here. The editing unit 130b is provided facing the editing unit 130a. Hereinafter, the editing units 130a and 130b will be collectively described as the editing unit 130.

  The editing unit 130 provides a function for performing an editing process such as graffiti on a captured image after the user finishes the shooting process in the shooting unit 120. The editing unit 130 includes a touch panel unit 131, a touch pen 132, and a voice. The output unit 133 is configured. Each unit of the editing unit 130 is controlled by the control unit (start request detecting means) 110. Details of the above-described units will be described later.

  FIG. 5 is a front view of the printing unit 140. In the present embodiment, the printing unit 140 is provided on the side surfaces of the editing unit 130 a and the editing unit 130 b, and thus FIG. 5 illustrates the side surface of the editing unit 130. The printing unit 140 prints an edited image after the user completes the editing process by the editing unit 130 on a sticker sheet, and discharges the printed sticker sheet. In the present embodiment, print discharge ports 144a and 144b are provided on the side of the editing unit 130, and the sticker sheet of the edited image edited by the editing unit 130a is discharged from the print discharge port 144a, and the editing unit 130 The sticker sheet of the edited image that has been edited in 130b is discharged from the print discharge port 144b.

  In the photographic printing apparatus 100 configured as described above, the user first enters a photographic space provided with the photographic unit 120 and performs a photographic process. Thereafter, the editing unit 130 (the editing unit 130a or the editing unit 130b) is moved to an editing space where an editing process is performed, and the printing unit 140 receives a sticker image on which a photographed image or an edited image is printed in the printing space. , Enjoy the game process.

  As described above, in the photographic printing apparatus 100, the photographing unit 120 and the editing unit 130 are provided in different spaces. Therefore, even when a set of user groups is performing the editing process in the editing unit 130, other user groups can start the shooting process. Thereby, it is possible to improve a rotation rate. The user group is a group composed of a plurality of users. As a user group, the group etc. which consist of users of friends are mentioned, for example.

  In addition, in this way, the photography printing apparatus 100 configured so that a plurality of user groups can simultaneously perform each process such as photography and editing in two or more places is provided as a multiple customer type photography photography print. The apparatus 100 is called. Since the photographic printing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes the photographing unit 120 and the two editing units 130a and 130b, it is classified as a triple customer service type.

  The editing process executed by the editing unit 130 is basically provided with a time limit. On the other hand, the time related to the editing process may be unlimited until another user enters the shooting process, and a time limit may be set in the editing process from the time when another user starts the shooting process.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the photography printing apparatus 100 has a structure including two editing units 130, and includes a first editing unit 130a and a second editing unit. 130b is installed facing each other. As described above, by providing more editing units 130 than the photographing unit 120, it is possible to disperse the processing time related to the editing process that is a bottleneck and improve the rotation rate. However, the photography printing apparatus 100 of the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration. The installation position of the editing unit 130 is not particularly limited, and the number of installations may be one editing unit 130. If the installation location can be secured, three or more editing units 130 may be provided. Good.

(Configuration of photo printing device)
Next, the operation of each part of the photographic printing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the photographic printing apparatus 100. As shown in the figure, the photographic printing apparatus 100 includes a photographing unit 120, an editing unit 130, a printing unit 140, a control unit 110, a recording unit 150, and a short-range wireless communication unit (wireless communication unit) 160.

  The control unit 110 comprehensively controls the operations of the above-described units included in the photographic printing apparatus 100. The control unit 110 is configured by a PC (personal computer) -based computer, for example. And operation control of various composition is performed by making a computer run a control program. This program may be in the form of reading and using what is recorded on a removable medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be in the form of reading and using what is installed on a hard disk or the like. Further, when the control unit 110 is configured to be connected to a communication network such as the Internet, a form in which the program is downloaded via the communication network, installed on a hard disk, and the like can be considered.

  The photographic printing apparatus 100 includes a recording unit 150 configured by a nonvolatile storage device such as the hard disk described above. Examples of the contents stored in the recording unit 150 include the control program, an OS (Operating System) program, various other programs, operation setting values in the camera unit 123, image data of a captured image and an edited image, and the like. Examples of the operation setting values in the camera unit 123 include white balance values set at the time of shipment and maintenance of the photographic printing apparatus 100, various parameter values related to image processing when adjusting the brightness and the like of the captured image, and the like. Can be mentioned.

  The imaging unit 120 executes imaging processing, and includes a coin processing unit 121, an illumination unit 122, a camera unit 123, a captured image display unit 124, a camera image display unit 125, an operation unit 126, and a proximity communication unit (communication). Setting information acquisition unit) 127. Although not shown here, the photographing unit 120 may include a voice output unit for performing voice guidance so as to prompt the user to perform a predetermined operation.

  The coin processing unit 121 performs coin insertion / return processing when collecting charges from the user. When the coin processing unit 121 determines that a predetermined coin has been inserted, the coin processing unit 121 notifies the control unit 110 accordingly. And control part 110 will perform charge processing, if a notice from coin processing part 121 is received. That is, the control part 110 counts the notification from the coin process part 121, and controls various operation | movement with respect to a user according to the money | rate which the user input. However, the billing is not limited to the determination based on the coin insertion, and a billing using a so-called electronic money technique may be performed.

  The illumination unit 122 functions as a photographic flashlight such as a strobe lamp at the time of shooting, and also functions as a normal illumination. In this embodiment, a flash lamp is used as the light source, but a light source that emits continuous light, such as a fluorescent lamp, can also be used. Further, a fluorescent lamp or the like can be provided as an auxiliary light source in the vicinity of the flash lamp. By using a continuous light source or an auxiliary light source, it is possible to infer a shot at the time of shooting from a live view image before shooting.

  The camera unit 123 mainly takes a photograph of a user as a subject, and is configured by a digital camera including, for example, a lens group, a diaphragm, a CCD (charge coupled device) image sensor, and the like. The camera unit 123 is configured to be able to switch, for example, a lens group to be used and an aperture so as to be able to cope with both whole body photography and close-up photography.

  The captured image display unit 124 provides a user interface to the user, and displays various images, various operation buttons, and the like. The operation unit 126 is an input device for inputting an instruction signal for the user to perform a game operation on the photo printing apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 126 is realized as a touch panel integrated with the captured image display unit 124. That is, a GUI screen such as operation buttons is displayed on the captured image display unit 124. When the display screen of the photographed image display unit 124 is pressed by a user's finger (or a pointing device such as a touch pen), an instruction signal indicating a button or an image corresponding to the position is input to the inside of the photograph printing apparatus 100. Is done.

  The photographed image display unit 124 is configured by providing a touch panel on the surface of a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display element or a CRT, for example. By displaying the captured image captured by the camera unit 123 on the captured image display unit 124, the user can check the captured image. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 126 is configured as a touch panel provided integrally with the captured image display unit 124. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation unit 126 is provided with, for example, a numeric keypad or a cross key. It may be configured as an input device such as a remote controller or a keyboard.

  The camera image display unit 125 displays a real-time video captured by the camera unit 123, that is, a live view image before shooting. By displaying the live view image on the camera image display unit 125, the user can confirm the image in advance and start shooting.

  The proximity communication unit 127 is a communication circuit that performs proximity wireless communication with the mobile terminal 300 in proximity to the device itself, and includes, for example, a reader / writer for a non-contact type IC card (IC chip) called FeliCa (registered trademark). Is. In other words, the proximity communication unit 127 is a wireless communication unit capable of communicating and authenticating with the mobile terminal 300 that has approached itself for a predetermined distance or more.

  The proximity communication unit 127 includes a non-volatile memory (not shown) that stores minimum information used for authentication, such as various personal information such as terminal identification information of the mobile terminal 300 and electronic money information. Further, the proximity communication unit 127 acquires communication setting information of the mobile terminal 300 by performing proximity wireless communication with the mobile terminal 300, and transmits the acquired communication setting information to the communication establishment unit (communication establishment means, group identification information generation means). ) 114. The communication setting information may include identification information of the mobile terminal 300.

  Note that the proximity communication unit 127 can be provided around the coin slot of the coin processing unit 121. Further, it can be arranged around the photographed image display unit 124 and the camera image display unit 125.

  In addition, the photography printing apparatus 100 is often used by a user group composed of a plurality of users. That is, it is often seen that a plurality of users participate in play per game. As described above, when a plurality of users participating in the game each have the portable terminal 300, the communication setting information may be acquired from the portable terminal 300 possessed by each user. Specifically, a plurality of proximity communication units 127 may be provided so that a plurality of portable terminals 300 can be authenticated at the same time. Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which authentication of the mobile terminal 300 is performed one by one may be used.

  The editing unit 130 executes editing processing, and includes a touch panel unit 131, a touch pen 132, and an audio output unit 133.

  The touch panel unit 131 provides a user interface to the user, and includes an edited image display unit 131a and an operation reception unit 131b. The edited image display unit 131a displays an image to be edited in the editing process (edited image) and a result of editing the shot image (edited image). The operation accepting unit 131b accepts a user instruction signal input by using a pointing device such as a touch pen, and transmits it to the inside of the photographic printing apparatus 100.

  The touch pen 132 is used for a user to perform fine operation input on the touch panel unit 131 in image editing processing or the like, and is disposed near the touch panel unit 131. The user can select a button displayed according to the progress of the process or draw an image such as a graffiti by bringing the touch pen 132 into contact with or approaching the touch panel unit 131.

  For example, when the screen of the touch panel unit 131 is pressed with the touch pen 132, an instruction signal indicating a button or an image corresponding to the position is input into the photography printing apparatus 100. Thereby, the user can perform graffiti on the photographed image, press a stamp, or select a print target image to be printed.

  In the present embodiment, the touch panel unit 131 is configured to select a distribution target image to be distributed to the mobile terminal 300. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the distribution target image selection operation may be omitted by adopting the following configuration.

  First, all captured images and edited images obtained in the game can be set as distribution target images. In addition, the photographic printing apparatus 100 can be configured to randomly select a distribution target image. Only images that meet a predetermined condition can be set as distribution target images in advance. With these configurations, the selection operation for the distribution target image can be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, two touch pens 132 are provided to facilitate image editing by a plurality of users. However, only one touch pen 132 may be provided to simplify the configuration. Yes, and more than two can be deployed for more than two users. Similarly, a plurality of touch panel units 131 can be provided.

  The voice output unit 133 outputs guidance voices and sound effects for various operations, and is provided at an appropriate position of the photographic printing apparatus 100. For example, a speaker is used as the audio output unit 133.

  The printing unit 140 executes a printing process by printing a photographed image and / or an edited image selected as a printing target, and includes an ID tag reader / writer unit 141 and a printer unit 142. A seal paper 145 and an ID tag 144 as an output medium for photographic prints are delivered to the printing unit 140 as a seal paper unit 143 as a set.

  When image data to be output is sent from the control unit 110, the printer unit 142 prints on the sticker sheet 145 based on the image data. For example, a sublimation printer is used as the printer unit 142. When a sublimation printer is used, a sublimation ink film is delivered as a set in addition to the sticker paper 145 and the ID tag 144.

  The ID tag reader / writer unit 141 reads out various identification information recorded in the ID tag 144 and outputs it to the control unit 110. The ID tag 144 is configured by an IC chip having a memory function. Examples of the identification information include a unique ID, the number of sheets, a sheet type, and ink-specific color information (when an ink film is set).

  Based on the identification information read by the ID tag reader / writer unit 141, the control unit 110 determines whether the attached sticker paper 145 and the ink film can be used in the photography printing apparatus 100, and can be used. The printer unit 142 can be operated only when That is, it is set so that only the sticker paper 145 and the ink film specified in the photo printing apparatus 100 can be used.

  Further, by counting down the number of sheets each time sticker paper is used based on the number of sheets information recorded in the ID tag 144, the remaining number of sheets can be grasped. Therefore, when the remaining number of sheets is reduced, a configuration that warns the user with a display means or the like can avoid a problem such as running out of sheets during use by the user. .

  When counting down the number of sheets, it is desirable to rewrite the sheet number information recorded in the ID tag 144. As a result, when the paper is used up, the information on the number of sheets recorded in the ID tag 144 is also zero, and the ID tag 144 can be invalidated.

  Further, by reading the paper type information recorded in the ID tag 144 and the color information unique to the ink, and correcting the color component of the image data in consideration of these, the seal paper 145 and the ink film are accurately obtained. Image output can be performed.

  As the ID tag 144, there are a non-contact type ID tag capable of performing data communication wirelessly and a contact type ID tag provided with a terminal. The ID tag reader / writer unit 141 includes these It corresponds to either one or both.

  In this embodiment, the seal sheet 145 is assumed to be a seal sheet including an adhesive sheet and a release sheet attached to the adhesive surface of the adhesive sheet, but is not limited thereto. The photographic printing apparatus 100 of the present invention can be configured to use a paper-like sheet that is a normal paper-like medium instead of the sticker paper 145.

  The short-range wireless communication unit 160 is for performing data communication with an external device such as the mobile terminal 300 via the short-range wireless communication network. In the present embodiment, the short-range wireless communication unit 160 is mainly used for the purpose of image distribution.

  The short-range wireless communication unit 160 converts various data received from the control unit 110 into a signal format that conforms to the standards of the supported short-range wireless communication network, and converts the converted signal to the short-range wireless communication network. Send. In addition, the short-range wireless communication unit 160 converts the signal received from the short-range wireless communication network into a data format inside the apparatus, and then transmits it to the control unit 110.

  Moreover, the photography printing apparatus 100 of the present invention may include a curtain unit 128. The curtain unit 128 provides a curtain as a background of the captured image. Curtains with various colors and patterns are prepared, and can be freely selected by the user at the time of shooting, or can be automatically selected by the photographic printing apparatus 100. The plurality of curtains are arranged so as to overlap the back of the shooting space (facing the shooting unit 120), and at the time of shooting, the selected curtain is installed in the foreground so that it is reflected behind the subject. The installation of the selected curtain may be executed by the background control unit 116 of the control unit 110 controlling the curtain unit 128, or may be configured to be manually performed by the user himself / herself.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although the curtain part 128 was set as the structure which provides a some curtain, it is not limited to this. One type of curtain may be installed in the curtain unit 128. In this case, if a plurality of types of background images for synthesis are prepared and the background image desired by the user is synthesized in the editing process, even if there is only one type of curtain, the user can have various preferences. Can respond.

(Details of control unit and storage unit of photography printing apparatus)
Next, the control unit 110 and the recording unit 150 of the photographic printing apparatus 100 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 110 further includes a captured image acquisition unit (image data acquisition unit) 111, an image editing unit 112, a print image creation unit 113, a communication establishment unit 114, a distribution control unit (image distribution unit, Distribution completion detection means, group management means, group identification means, movement detection means) 115 and background control unit 116. Note that the background control unit 116 is as described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  The recording unit 150 includes a photographic image recording unit 151 that records a photographic image, an editing image recording unit 152 that records an editing image such as a background image, a frame image, and a stamp image provided in image editing. Edited image information recording unit 153 for recording a print image, print image recording unit 154 for recording a print image, and communication setting information record for recording communication setting information used for communication for image distribution with the mobile terminal 300 owned by the user Part 155.

  The captured image acquisition unit 111 acquires a captured image (image data) created by capturing a subject from the camera unit 123. The captured image acquisition unit 111 records the acquired captured image in the captured image recording unit 151.

  The image editing unit 112 executes image editing on a captured image in accordance with a user operation. Examples of image editing include adding a background image and / or a frame image read from the editing image recording unit 152, adding a stamp image read from the editing image recording unit 152 to an arbitrary position, or using a touch pen. For example, adding graffiti. However, the image editing is not limited to the above-described example, and the editing is executed by the user operating any input means (input unit) connected to the photography printing apparatus 100, and the original photographed image is changed. Any processing content may be used as long as the edited image can be obtained as a result of the addition.

  The image editing unit 112 records the edited image information related to the data included in the edited image and the edited content in the edited image information recording unit 153.

  The print image creation unit 113 creates a print image in which an edit image corresponding to the size of each divided area is arranged in each of the plurality of divided areas. The size and arrangement of the edited image in the print image are usually determined by the user selecting one of a plurality of patterns, but may be determined freely by the user, It may be determined at random. The print image creation unit 113 records in the created print image recording unit 154. Then, the control unit 110 instructs the printer unit 142 to print the print image recorded in the print image recording unit 154 on the sticker sheet 145 at an appropriate timing.

  The communication establishment unit 114 acquires communication setting information of the mobile phone from the mobile terminal 300 via the proximity communication unit 127, establishes communication with the mobile terminal 300 via the short-range wireless communication unit 160, and also sets communication setting information. Is recorded in the communication setting information recording unit 155. Here, the communication establishment unit 114 may record the identification information of the mobile terminal 300 and the communication setting information acquired from the mobile terminal 300 in the communication setting information recording unit 155 in association with each other.

  This communication setting information is used when the distribution control unit 115 distributes an image to the mobile terminal 300 via the short-range wireless communication unit 160.

  Note that the communication establishment unit 114 may establish communication with the mobile terminal 300 before the distribution control unit 115 starts distribution. That is, the communication establishment unit 114 may wait for a predetermined time or a predetermined condition after acquiring the communication setting information. Then, the communication establishment unit 114 may establish communication with the portable terminal 300 after a predetermined time has elapsed or when a predetermined condition is satisfied. In this case, communication resources can be used efficiently. Examples of the predetermined condition include a case where each process is completed.

  The distribution control unit 115 controls image distribution to the mobile terminal 300 performed via the short-range wireless communication unit 160.

  Specifically, the distribution control unit 115 first reads communication setting information from the communication setting information recording unit 155. Further, the distribution control unit 115 reads the distribution target image from the captured image recording unit 151 and / or the edited image information recording unit 153. Then, the distribution control unit 115 distributes the distribution target image to the mobile terminal 300 via the short-range wireless communication unit 160 based on the read communication setting information.

  Further, the distribution control unit 115 may perform a process of converting the distribution target image into a data format suitable for the mobile terminal 300 when executing the distribution process of the distribution target image. Note that the conversion process may be performed in the mobile terminal 300. In this case, the conversion process in the distribution control unit 115 can be omitted.

(Processing flow in photography printing equipment)
Next, an example of a processing flow in the photographic printing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow in the photo printing apparatus 100.

  First, when a coin is inserted (YES in S11), the coin processing unit 121 determines that a predetermined coin has been inserted, and notifies the control unit 110 to that effect. Then, upon receiving the notification from the coin processing unit 121, the control unit 110 activates a shooting application so that the user can perform shooting.

  Next, the communication establishment unit 114 performs guidance display for prompting the user to perform the terminal authentication operation of the mobile terminal 300 on the camera image display unit 125 or the like (S12). In other words, the captured image display unit 124 performs a guidance display that prompts the user to hold the portable terminal 300 over the proximity communication unit 127 or to perform an operation of lightly contacting the surface of the proximity communication unit 127. In S12, guidance for prompting the terminal authentication operation may be performed by voice. In response to the user's terminal authentication operation, the communication establishment unit 114 attempts near field communication with the mobile terminal 300.

  And the communication establishment part 114 determines whether the portable terminal 300 was able to be recognized within predetermined time as a result of trying proximity communication after performing guidance display (S13). If the mobile terminal 300 cannot be recognized (NO in S13), a guidance display for prompting a terminal authentication operation is further performed (S12 is performed again).

  When mobile terminal 300 can be recognized by the terminal authentication operation of the user (YES in S13), the communication setting information of mobile terminal 300 is input to communication establishment unit 114 via proximity communication unit 127.

  The communication establishment unit 114 establishes short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal 300 based on the acquired communication setting information. Further, the communication establishment unit 114 records the acquired communication setting information in the communication setting information recording unit 155.

  Thereafter, the captured image acquisition unit 111 controls the camera unit 123 according to the user's operation, and takes a photograph of the user (S14). The user can take multiple pictures in the shooting space. At this time, the user can take a picture while visually recognizing his / her appearance displayed on the camera image display unit 125. The user selects an image to be edited from the captured images as a keep image, and the selected captured image is recorded in the captured image recording unit 151.

  Next, the control unit 110 displays an instruction to move to the editing space provided with the editing unit 130 on the camera image display unit 125 or the like (S15). In accordance with this instruction, the user moves to the editing space.

  Next, the image editing unit 112 executes an image editing process in accordance with a user operation (S16).

  Thereafter, the print image creating unit 113 creates a print image for printing the photographed image or the edited image on the sticker sheet 145, and instructs the printer unit 142 of the printing unit 140 to print the print image. In response to this command, the printer unit 142 starts print processing (S17).

  Then, the control unit 110 causes the touch panel unit 131 to display an explanation screen for image distribution processing and accepts selection of a distribution target image. Then, when the selection of the distribution target image is completed, the control unit 110 causes the touch panel unit 131 to display guidance for moving to the printing space in which the printing unit 140 is arranged (S18). The user moves to the printing space according to the guidance for moving to the printing space.

  Note that on the explanation screen for the image delivery process, after the game is over, the explanation that the image delivery will be performed within a few minutes, the explanation about the range where the image delivery can be received, and the image delivery will be performed. It may be explained that other game machines can be enjoyed as long as the distribution can be received.

  In the description of the range where image distribution can be received, for example, the communication distance may be described according to the communication method. Alternatively, it may be explained that image delivery can be received as long as it is within the range of the facility where the photography printing apparatus 100 is installed.

  Then, the printer unit 142 of the printing unit 140 executes a printing process, and discharges the sticker sheet 145 on which the photographed image and / or the edited image is printed (S19). In steps S11 to S19, the photo sticker creation game process is completed.

  In other words, the photography printing apparatus 100 can determine that the game process is completed when the printing process is completed. Here, when the sticker paper is discharged by the printing process, the photography printing apparatus 100 may determine that “the printing process has ended”, or when the next person's printing is started, It may be determined that the “printing process has been completed” has been processed.

  On the other hand, the distribution control unit 115 detects the end of the photo sticker creation game process, and after a certain time has elapsed after the end of the game process, the mobile terminal 300 with which the communication establishment unit 114 has established communication. On the other hand, the image distribution processing of the selected distribution target image is started. And the communication establishment part 114 performs the process which complete | finishes the radio | wireless communication by the said short distance radio | wireless communication part 160 after predetermined | prescribed time after completion | finish of a game process. That is, the communication establishment unit 114 ends the wireless communication after a predetermined time has elapsed after starting the image distribution process after the game process ends. When the wireless communication is finished, the image delivery processing of the delivery target image is finished.

  Here, for example, the communication establishment unit 114 starts measuring time from the time when the sticker sheet is discharged (S19), starts image distribution after 3 minutes, and then starts 10 minutes after starting time measurement. Communication for distribution processing may be terminated. That is, in this example, 7 minutes are allocated to the distribution process. During this time, the photographic printing apparatus 100 tries to deliver an image to the mobile terminal 300. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the photography printing apparatus 100 interrupts the image delivery attempt to the portable terminal 300 and prepares for another image delivery.

  According to this configuration, the photographic printing apparatus 100 does not have to keep an unlimited connection, so that resources of the communication device can be effectively used. This time may be increased or decreased as appropriate according to the performance of the short-range wireless communication unit 160.

  As described above, the photographic printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a photographing process for photographing a subject to generate a photographed image, an editing process for editing a photographed image to generate an edited image, and a sticker sheet for each image. In the photography printing apparatus 100 that sequentially executes the game process including the printing process to print on the short-range wireless communication unit 160 for performing wireless communication with the mobile terminal 100, the short-range wireless communication unit 160, Proximity communication unit 127 that reads and acquires communication setting information necessary for wireless communication with portable terminal 100 from a non-contact IC chip included in portable terminal 100, and wireless communication based on the acquired communication setting information Control for distributing the distribution target image including the photographed image and / or the edited image via the communication establishing unit 114 and the short-range wireless communication unit 160. The distribution control unit 115, the distribution control unit 115 starts distribution after the editing process ends, and the communication establishment unit 114 performs the short distance after a predetermined time after the end of the printing process. The wireless communication unit 160 is configured to end wireless communication.

  As a result, there is an effect that the image obtained by the photography printing apparatus 100 can be quickly delivered to the terminal owned by the user without any complicated operation.

  In addition, according to the configuration of the photography printing apparatus 100, it is possible to omit the subsequent customer service processing step (S6) as compared with the conventional flow shown in FIG.

(Contrast with conventional technology)
Here, the effects of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a time chart showing time distribution of each process in the photographic printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  In the photographic printing apparatus 100, after “editing time” when the user edits an image, “image selection” is received in parallel with “printing time” for print output by the printer. Then, after the “printing time” has elapsed, that is, after the editing process is completed, image distribution is performed to the mobile terminal 300 that has established a connection in advance. As described above, a configuration in which “image selection” is omitted is also possible.

  For this reason, when compared with the conventional “portable transmission”, the user does not have to perform an operation of inputting an e-mail address, and the time for “input of e-mail address” (time indicated by reference numeral 53) is omitted. Can do. As a result, it is possible to save the labor of 60 seconds required for “mail address input”.

  For this reason, compared with the conventional configuration in which the time of “mail address input” is incorporated in the editing time, it is possible to use the omitted 60 seconds for the editing time. It can be expected to improve.

  In addition, the game play time can be reduced by 15 seconds (time indicated by reference numeral 51) as compared with the conventional configuration in which the time for “mail address input” is not incorporated in the editing time. Therefore, improvement of the user's rotation rate can be expected. Specifically, 15 seconds that can be reduced corresponds to substantially 10 seconds in photographing time, and is as follows. In other words, when it takes 200 seconds for one set of customers in the past, a maximum of 18 sets (3,600 seconds ÷ 18 sets) can be received per hour (= 3,600 seconds). On the other hand, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, since it takes only 190 seconds for one set of customers, a maximum of about 19 sets of customers can be made per hour.

  Further, when compared with the conventional “infrared transmission”, it is possible to save the user from repeating the operation of image selection and image distribution by infrared communication.

[Modification]
Hereinafter, a preferred modification of the photographic printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

(About the location of the proximity communication unit)
In the above embodiment, the proximity communication unit 127 is configured to perform the terminal authentication of the mobile terminal 300 after the coin is inserted in the coin processing unit 121 and the accounting process is completed. Had been deployed. That is, authentication of the mobile terminal 300 is performed in the photographing process.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the connection operation may be performed in any of the photographing process, the editing process, and the printing process, and the authentication timing of the mobile terminal 300 is not particularly limited. The proximity communication unit 127 is not limited to the photographing unit 120, and may be provided in the editing unit 130, the printing unit 140, or a place other than these. That is, the proximity communication unit 127 can be changed as appropriate according to the timing of terminal authentication.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the triple customer-type photography printing apparatus 100 has been described, but in addition to the triple customer-type configuration, a four-person customer type photo print is further provided with a “reception unit”. A device 100 is present. In such a quadruple customer-type photography printing apparatus 100, the proximity communication unit 127 may be provided in the reception unit.

(About the mode of deployment of the proximity communication unit)
In addition, if the proximity communication unit 127 is provided with a plane that is horizontal to the floor of the shooting space so that the portable terminal 300 can be stationary, the user may forget to place the portable terminal 300 on the plane. Therefore, for example, it is preferable to provide the proximity communication unit 127 at the position of the side surface in the imaging space.

  However, the proximity communication unit 127 is not limited to this, and may be provided in such a manner that the proximity communication unit 127 is embedded in a wall surface provided in the photographic printing apparatus 100. That is, the proximity communication unit 127 may be deployed in such a manner that the terminal authentication operation must be performed on the proximity communication unit 127 while the user holds the mobile terminal 300 by hand.

  As a further example, the proximity communication unit 127 may be provided on a surface that is provided in the photographic printing apparatus 100 and that is substantially perpendicular to the floor surface in the photographic space. It suffices to provide an inclination to such an extent that the portable terminal 300 cannot be deferred on the portion (surface) of the proximity communication unit 127 that holds the portable terminal 300.

  According to such a configuration, since the user cannot place the mobile terminal 300 on the surface provided in the proximity communication unit 127, the user forgets to place the mobile terminal 300 near the proximity communication unit 127, and other places. It is possible to prevent the situation of moving to.

  On the other hand, even when the proximity communication unit 127 is provided with a surface that is substantially horizontal to the floor surface of the shooting space so that the mobile terminal 300 can be kept stationary, the mobile terminal 300 is kept stationary for a certain period of time. In such a case, the fact may be notified by voice guidance or the like.

(About the case of performing customer service after the fact)
In the above-described embodiment, since the photography printing apparatus 100 is configured to authenticate the mobile terminal 300 in advance from the start of the game to the photography processing (S14), as described with reference to FIG. In the processing in the apparatus 100, the subsequent customer service process is omitted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the post-service processing is performed after the printing processing (S17) in the photographic printing apparatus. Then, instead of performing the authentication process of the mobile terminal 300 in the shooting space, the authentication process may be performed in the post-service process.

(About the mechanism to keep users in the facility)
In the present embodiment, the distribution control unit 115 detects the end of the photo sticker creation game process, and after a certain time has elapsed after the game ends, the mobile terminal 300 with which the communication establishment unit 114 has established communication. For this, image distribution processing is started.

  As a guideline for setting the fixed time, it is a time when the user does not feel “long” or “cannot wait” and sees other games installed in the facility where the photo printing apparatus 100 is installed. It is preferable to set the time so that it can be rotated. For example, time measurement may be started from the time when the sticker sheet is discharged (S19), and image distribution may be started after three minutes have elapsed.

  By setting the time in this way, the user can have an opportunity to use other games, and profits can be expected to improve by using other games.

  Also, before this fixed time elapses, coupons and other advertisements for other games installed in the facility where the photography and printing apparatus 100 is installed are distributed to the user's mobile terminal 300. Also good.

  In addition, the distribution of the coupon or the advertisement may be performed after the connection with the mobile terminal 300 is established (S13) and after the sticker is discharged (S19).

  By configuring as described above, the user can be guided to other game devices, and the user can be promoted to use other games.

  It is also possible to deliver an image immediately after the game is over. In this case, after the game of the photographic printing apparatus 100 is completed, the user can quickly acquire an image without any complicated operation, and improvement of customer satisfaction can be expected.

(Communication end timing)
Next, in the above-described configuration, the timing for ending communication for image distribution processing is controlled by time. Hereinafter, a modified example of the timing at which the photography printing apparatus 100 ends communication for image distribution processing will be described.

  First, the above timing can be set as a case where distribution processing for all users' mobile terminals 300 is completed. In this case, image delivery is reliably performed to the mobile terminals 300 of all users. In addition, since the connection is released as soon as the distribution process for all the mobile terminals 300 of all users is completed, the effect that the resources of the communication device can be effectively used when the distribution process is predicted to be completed in a relatively short time. Play. In addition, there is an advantage that images are distributed to the mobile terminals 300 of all users. On the other hand, when there is a mobile terminal 300 that does not complete image distribution for a long time due to a communication failure or the like, the connection is held without limit.

  In addition, the timing may be controlled by the number of user groups who are serving customers at the same time. Specifically, when at least one of the plurality of portable terminals 300 belonging to a certain user group completes image distribution, communication for distribution for that user group may be terminated.

  For example, in order to identify a user group, the communication establishment unit 114 may generate group identification information (group identification information) when acquiring communication setting information from a plurality of portable terminals 300. The communication setting information of the portable terminal 300 may be associated and recorded in the communication setting information recording unit 155.

  That is, in the case of such a configuration, first, when the distribution control unit 115 completes the distribution of an image to a certain mobile terminal 300, the communication setting information recording unit 155 is referred to and the communication setting information of the mobile terminal 300 is referred to. The group identification information associated with is acquired. Then, the distribution control unit 115 stops distribution to other mobile terminals 300 determined to belong to the same group based on the acquired group identification information, and performs communication for distribution processing for the mobile terminals 300 belonging to the group. Just finish.

  Accordingly, at least one user in the user group can reliably receive image delivery. Therefore, in this case, another user in the user group may acquire an image from the mobile terminal 300 of the user who has received the image distribution in the mobile terminal 300 of the user group. In this way, the image is distributed to all users in the user group.

  In this way, the timing of the distribution process can be adjusted according to the complexity of the game facility and the operating rate of the photographic printing apparatus 100.

  Specific examples include the following.

  First, in the example shown below, it is assumed that the performance of the delivery processing of the photography printing apparatus 100 can hold a connection with a maximum of four portable terminals 300 for one game. That is, it is assumed that a maximum of four people can participate in the game for one set of user groups. In addition, the number of groups that can perform distribution processing at the same time is four.

  In this case, in other words, the photographic printing apparatus 100 can maintain connection up to four user groups. Since the photographic printing apparatus 100 can hold the connection of four mobile terminals 300 for one game, the number of mobile terminals 300 per game is “4” and the number of user groups that can be served simultaneously is “4”. A total of 16 mobile terminals 300 multiplied by can be managed at a time.

  Here, it is assumed that the four user groups are A, B, C, and D, respectively, and the order in which the game is started is A, B, C, and D. In addition, it is assumed that each of the mobile terminals 300 belonging to the user groups A to D has not yet received image distribution.

  At this time, since the maximum number of user groups that can be connected to the photography printing apparatus 100 has reached four, even if a new group of user groups E tries to start a game (such as coin insertion), the photograph The photographing printing apparatus 100 does not accept the start of the game.

  On the other hand, when at least one of the mobile terminals 300 belonging to the user group A receives the image distribution from the photography printing apparatus 100, the distribution to the other terminals belonging to the user group A is stopped, and the user group A While terminating the communication for the distribution process, a terminal authentication operation may be received for the user group E so as to correspond to the distribution process for the user group E.

  With the above configuration example, the user group E can receive image distribution even when the photography and printing apparatus 100 is busy, and at least one user in the user group A can be received. It is possible to reliably deliver an image to the portable terminal 300.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which performs control which uses properly the structure which controls the said timing by time, and the structure which controls by the number of the user groups who serve simultaneously. For example, it is conceivable to use a configuration in which the normal time zone is controlled by time, and in a time zone in which the users are crowded, a configuration in which the control is performed by the number of user groups serving customers simultaneously. In addition, a configuration may be used in which the usage rate of the photographic printing apparatus 100 is monitored, and when the usage rate of the photographic printing apparatus 100 increases, the usage is controlled by the number of user groups who are serving customers at the same time. This utilization rate can be obtained from the number of users who use the photographic printing apparatus 100 per unit time.

  Further, the user's portable terminal 300 may be configured to perform an operation for disconnecting the connection. In addition, when the mobile terminal 300 moves out of the communication range of the distribution process of the photography printing apparatus 100, the distribution process may be terminated. In this case, there is an effect that resources of the communication device can be effectively used.

  The timing can also be controlled by appropriately combining the above configuration examples.

(Treatment when exiting without receiving images)
Next, a procedure in the case where the image distribution process from the photo print apparatus 100 to the portable terminal 300 could not be completed will be described.

  First, when there is a user who receives at least one user in the user group, the following measures may be taken. In other words, if there is a mobile terminal 300 that has completed image distribution processing for at least one device, the mobile terminal 300 may be used as a parent device to redistribute images with the mobile terminals 300 of other users. At this time, communication with another portable terminal 300 may be established by a handover technique using the near field communication function and the near field wireless communication function of the portable terminal 300.

  In this case, there is a high possibility that the plurality of users who have played the game are still in the same facility or within a certain distance range. There is a high possibility that an image is distributed to the mobile terminal 300 and all the users belonging to the user group can acquire the image.

  In addition, a measure when one of the user groups cannot receive the distribution will be described below. As an example in this case, there is a case where all the users have gone out of the communication range of the distribution processing of the photographic printing apparatus 100 for some reason immediately after the end of the game.

  In this case, for example, a measure for providing a redistribution processing server accessible from the Internet or the like can be considered.

  Specifically, when establishing communication between the photographic printing apparatus 100 and the portable terminal 300, the photographic printing apparatus 100 issues an ID unique to the game, and the portable terminal 300 acquires this unique ID. And remember. Then, when the photography printing apparatus 100 cannot complete the image distribution process for the portable terminal 300, the image that has failed in the image distribution process is stored in the redistribution processing server, and the portable terminal 300 having the unique ID is stored. It is sufficient to accept access from.

  Then, after that, the user accesses the redistribution processing server via the Internet or the like with the portable terminal 300 and obtains an image in which the distribution processing has failed by presenting the unique ID to the redistribution processing server. can do.

  In addition, instead of storing the unique ID in the portable terminal 300, the unique ID is printed on a sticker sheet to be printed, and the user accesses the redistribution processing server with the portable terminal 300. The redistribution processing server may accept the input of the unique ID.

[Other changes]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Finally, each block of the photographic printing apparatus 100, in particular, the communication establishment unit 114 and the distribution control unit 115 may be configured by hardware logic, or may be realized by software using a CPU as follows. .

  That is, the photographic printing apparatus 100 includes a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, and a RAM (random access memory) that expands the program. ), A storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. An object of the present invention is a recording medium in which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the photographic printing apparatus 100, which is software that realizes the above-described functions, is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. Can also be achieved by reading the program code recorded on the recording medium and executing it by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, the photographic printing apparatus 100 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Also, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY Since the image obtained by the game process can be quickly delivered to the terminal possessed by the user without complicated operations, the present invention is applicable to general photography and printing apparatuses deployed in entertainment (amusement) facilities. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Communication setting information 20 Proximity communication 30 Near field communication 40 Distribution object image 100 Photographic printing apparatus 110 Control part (start request detection means)
111 photographed image acquisition unit 112 image editing unit 113 print image creation unit 114 communication establishment unit (communication establishment unit, group identification information generation unit)
115 Distribution control unit (image distribution means, distribution completion detection means, group management means, group identification means, movement detection means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 120 Image | photographing part 121 Coin process part 122 Illumination part 123 Camera part 124 Photographed image display part 125 Camera image display part 126 Operation part 127 Proximity communication part (communication setting information acquisition part)
130 (a, b) Editing unit 131 Touch panel unit 131a Edited image display unit 131b Operation receiving unit 132 Touch pen 133 Audio output unit 140 Printing unit 141 Writer unit 142 Printer unit 143 Sticker paper unit 144 ID tag 144 (a, b) Print discharge Exit 145 Sticker paper 150 Recording unit 151 Captured image recording unit 152 Editing image recording unit 153 Editing image information recording unit 154 Print image recording unit 155 Communication setting information recording unit 160 Short-range wireless communication unit (wireless communication unit)
300 Mobile terminal

Claims (9)

A game process including a shooting process for shooting a subject to generate a shot image, an editing process for editing the shot image to generate an edited image, and a printing process for printing each image on sticker paper is sequentially executed. In photography printing equipment,
A wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external terminal;
A communication setting information acquisition unit that reads and acquires communication setting information necessary for the wireless communication unit and the terminal to perform the wireless communication from a non-contact IC chip included in the terminal;
Based on the communication setting information acquired by the communication setting information acquisition unit, communication establishment means for establishing wireless communication between the wireless communication unit and the terminal,
Image delivery means for controlling the delivery of the delivery target image including the photographed image and / or the edited image via the wireless communication unit,
The image distribution means starts the distribution after the editing process is completed,
The communication establishment means ends the wireless communication by the wireless communication unit after a predetermined time after the end of the printing process ,
The wireless communication unit establishes wireless communication with a plurality of the terminals,
The communication setting information acquisition unit acquires the communication setting information from a plurality of the terminals,
The communication establishment means establishes wireless communication with the plurality of terminals,
Furthermore, group identification information generating means for generating group identification information for identifying the plurality of terminals that have established the wireless communication as a group,
A delivery completion detection means for detecting that the delivery by the image delivery means is completed for at least one of the plurality of terminals identified as a group by the group identification information;
The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication establishment unit terminates wireless communication by the wireless communication unit based on detection by the distribution completion detection unit .   The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image distribution unit starts the distribution after a lapse of a certain time after the printing process is completed. Furthermore, a start request detecting means for detecting a start request for the game process is provided,
The group identification information generation means generates group identification information in response to detection by the start request detection means,
Furthermore, group management means for managing the generation order of the plurality of group identification information,
When the group identification information managed by the group management means has reached a predetermined number, when the start request detection means detects a start request, among the predetermined number of the group identification information, the oldest A group specifying means for specifying the generated group identification information,
The delivery completion detection means completes delivery by the image delivery means to at least one of the plurality of terminals identified as a group by the group identification information identified by the group identification means. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the photographic printing apparatus is configured to detect the occurrence of the failure. The photograph according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the communication establishment unit receives an instruction to end the distribution from the terminal, and ends the wireless communication according to the instruction. Photography printing device. Comprising a movement detection means for detecting that the terminal has moved out of the communication range of the wireless communication;
It said communication establishing means, photographing and printing device according to any one of 4 the preceding claims, characterized in that to end the wireless communication by the wireless communication unit based on the detection of said movement detection means. The communication setting information acquisition unit is a surface which is provided to the own device, to the floor surface, any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is deployed in the vicinity of the vertical surface Photographic printing device described in 1. A photographic printing apparatus control program for operating the photographic printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the photographic printing apparatus control program causes a computer to function as each of the above means. A computer-readable recording medium on which the photographic printing apparatus control program according to claim 7 is recorded. A game process including a shooting process for shooting a subject to generate a shot image, an editing process for editing the shot image to generate an edited image, and a printing process for printing each image on sticker paper is sequentially executed. In the control method of the photography printing apparatus,
It performs wireless communication with a plurality of external terminals, a wireless communication unit the device itself comprises a plurality of said terminals and communication setting information necessary for performing the wireless communication, non-comprising the plurality of the terminal A communication setting information acquisition step of reading out and acquiring from the contact IC chip;
Based on the communication setting information acquired in the communication setting information acquisition step, a communication establishment step for establishing wireless communication between the wireless communication unit and the plurality of terminals,
A group identification information generating step for generating group identification information for identifying the plurality of terminals that have established the wireless communication as a group;
An image delivery step for starting delivery of the delivery target image including the captured image and / or the edited image via the wireless communication unit after the editing process is completed;
A delivery completion detecting step for detecting that the delivery in the image delivery step is completed for at least one of the plurality of terminals identified as a group by the group identification information;
And a communication end step of ending wireless communication by the wireless communication unit based on detection in the distribution completion detection step after the end of the printing process.

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