JP6256559B2 - PHOTOGRAPHY GAME DEVICE, PHOTOGRAPHY GAME DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, AND PHOTOGRAPHY GAME DEVICE CONTROL PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a photography game device, a control method for a photography game device, and a control program for a photography game device, and in particular, a photography game device capable of photographing a large number of users, and a control of the photography game device. The present invention relates to a method and a control program for a photographic game machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art A photography game device that is installed in a game center or the like and takes an image of a device user (user) to generate an image is known. As the photo shooting game device, there is a photo sticker creation device that performs graffiti editing (writing with a pen, placing a stamp, etc.) on a photographed image and then providing it as a printed matter such as a sticker.

  Such a photography game device is often played by two users at the same time, but is not limited to play by two people, and photography that can provide play by a large number of three or more people. Amusement devices are also known.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes that in a photo sticker creating apparatus, the number of users is determined and processing relating to setting of the maximum play time of the photo sticker creating apparatus is executed according to the number of users. For example, it describes that a game can be played in a time reduction mode other than the normal mode when the number of users is small.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration of a photographic apparatus that can select and play a shooting course suitable for playing by three people or a shooting course suitable for playing by a large number of people.

  In addition, in such a photo-playing game apparatus, when a user who plays with a large number of people takes a picture, a prepared background for a large number of people can be used.

  By the way, there are users who want to create a photograph full of individuality by shooting in various poses in the play, or to take an interesting shoot for a user who plays a photography game device Many. In order to perform photographing that meets the user's request, it is preferable that the photographing space is wide from the viewpoint of ease of posing and easy adjustment of the standing position of each user. On the other hand, there is also a situation that the space where the apparatus can be installed tends to be limited in an installation store or the like.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a configuration of a photographic apparatus that secures a wide photographic space in which a subject can be used so that a variety of photographs can be taken.

  Patent Document 4 describes that, in a photo sticker creating apparatus, by devising the arrangement of units constituting the apparatus, unnecessary space in the shooting space and editing space is reduced, and the use efficiency of the installation space is improved. Has been.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228561 describes that in a photo editing / editing apparatus, it is possible to allow multiple customers and efficiently use space.

  Patent Document 6 describes that in a photo sticker creating apparatus, shooting is completed within a predetermined time limit by adjusting either the number of times of shooting or the time limit for one shooting. ing. In this apparatus, it is described that the playing method is adjusted between different shooting courses so that the playing method ends in the same time depending on the situation.

JP 2006-047824 A JP 2007-127826 A JP 2003-186103 A JP 2009-187582 A JP 2007-279285 A JP 2006-058798 A

  By the way, in such a photography game device, when a large number of players play, the satisfaction of the user who plays may be impaired in the following points.

  That is, as the number of users who play at the same time increases, the proportion of the subject in the shooting space increases, making it difficult for each user to move freely. When the user becomes difficult to move in this way, it takes time to prepare for shooting such as taking a pose for taking a picture or adjusting a standing position in accordance with framing. If it does so, possibility that an imaging will be performed in the state which is not ready for imaging | photography (shutter is cut) increases. That is, there is a possibility that shooting is performed in a state not intended by the user, and the user's satisfaction is lowered.

  In the first place, playing with a large number of people is different from playing with two people. For example, in the case of shooting with a large number of people, compared with the case of shooting with two people, in order to consider and decide which user to place and shoot, in what pose, etc. It will take a long time.

  For such problems, Patent Documents 1 to 6 described above do not disclose effective solutions. For example, in Patent Document 2, a shooting space is provided in consideration of shooting by a large number of people, but there is a limit to widening the shooting space. For this reason, it is impossible to solve the problems of playing with a large number of people, such as the difficulty of moving each user in the shooting space and the possibility of shooting failure.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and is provided with a photography game device, a photography game device control method, and a photography game device capable of improving the satisfaction of a user who plays. The purpose is to provide a control program.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a photography game device that takes a picture of a user performing a play using a camera performs two-person photography for simultaneously photographing two or less users. And a multi-person photographing unit that performs multi-person photographing for photographing three or more users at the same time, as compared with the two-person photographing. gastric number lines less than 2 persons shooting, multiplayer for photographing means, the total recording time required to perform a plurality of times multiperson shooting, total imaging time substantially required two people for photography for a plurality of times Control to be the same length .

Preferably, the multi-person photographing means controls the time required for each multi-person photographing to be longer by a predetermined time equal to the time required for one photographing for two persons .
Preferably, the two-person photographing means performs the two-person photographing as the special photographing by a number of times obtained by subtracting the number of times the multi-person photographing means performs the multi-person photographing from the number of times the two-person photographing is performed. Is a time obtained by dividing the time required for the special shooting by the number of times the multi-person shooting is performed minus the number of times the multi-person shooting is performed by the number of times the multi-person shooting is performed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a photography game apparatus for taking a picture of a user who plays using a camera performs two-person photography for simultaneously photographing two or less users. And a multi-person shooting step for performing multi-person shooting for shooting three or more users at the same time, and the multi-person shooting step performs multi-person shooting less than two-person shooting. There line multiplayer for imaging step, the total recording time required to perform a plurality of times multiperson shooting, so that substantially the same length of 2 persons photographed a plurality of times the total recording time required to perform .

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a control program for a photographic game device that takes a picture of a user who plays using a camera performs shooting for two persons that simultaneously shoot two or less users. A two-person photographing step and a multi-person photographing step for performing multi-person photographing for photographing three or more users at the same time are executed by a computer. There number lines less than use shooting multiplayer for imaging step, the total recording time required to perform a plurality of times multiperson shooting, substantially the same length as the total imaging time required for two for photography for a plurality of times To be .

  According to these inventions, shooting for a large number of people is performed such that the time for performing the shutter pre-process is longer than that for shooting for two people. Therefore, it is possible to provide a photography game device, a photography game device control method, and a photography game device control program that can improve the satisfaction of the user who plays.

It is a figure which shows the example of network connection of the photograph sticker game system in one of embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the hardware constitutions of a photograph sticker production apparatus. It is a top view which shows the hardware constitutions of a photograph sticker production apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the play using a photograph sticker production apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the front part housing | casing of a photograph sticker production apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the back part housing | casing of a photograph sticker production apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the edit output apparatus of a photograph sticker production apparatus. It is a block diagram explaining the structure regarding control of a photograph sticker production apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of basic operation | movement of a photograph sticker production apparatus. It is a sequence diagram which shows roughly operation | movement with the photo sticker production apparatus and server at the time of a user's play. It is a flowchart explaining the flow at the time of the play of external monitor reception. It is a flowchart explaining the flow at the time of the play in a photography corner. It is a 1st flowchart explaining the flow at the time of the play of graffiti reception. It is a 2nd flowchart explaining the flow at the time of the play of graffiti reception. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection screen of a play course. It is a flowchart explaining an imaging | photography sequence. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of each imaging | photography. It is a figure which shows the total imaging | photography time. It is a figure which shows the time flow at the time of imaging | photography in the modified example of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the time flow at the time of imaging | photography for many people in the modified example different from the example shown by FIG. It is a figure which shows the modified example of an imaging | photography sequence.

  Hereinafter, an example of a photo sticker game system using the photo game device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The photo sticker game system includes a photo sticker creation device (an example of a photo shooting game device) and an image providing server. The image providing server acquires a user's e-mail address (hereinafter, simply referred to as a mail address) and an image from the photo sticker creating apparatus. Then, the user can be contacted by e-mail using the mail address, and an image can be provided to each user.

  [Embodiment]

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network connection example of a photo sticker game system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  The photo sticker creating apparatus 1 includes a photo sticker game system 901 together with an image providing server (hereinafter simply referred to as a server) 601 and a mobile terminal device (hereinafter also referred to as a mobile terminal) 701 (701a, 701b). Configure. The photo sticker creating apparatus 1 is installed in various stores such as a game center. The server 601 is managed by a data center, for example. The portable terminal 701 is owned by, for example, a user (player) who plays with the photo sticker creating apparatus 1. Each device of the photo sticker game system 901 is connected to a network 801 such as the Internet. Accordingly, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 and the portable terminal 701 can communicate with the server 601 via the network 801. Note that the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 and the portable terminal 701 may be able to communicate with each other.

  The image providing server 601 is an electronic computer having a general hardware configuration, and includes a communication unit 603, a storage unit 605, a control unit 650 that controls each unit of the apparatus, and the like. The communication unit 603 connects the server 601 to the network 801 via a LAN (local information communication network) or the like. The storage unit 605 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage unit 605 stores a control program 607. The control unit 650 is constituted by, for example, a CPU and a memory. The control unit 650 controls the operation of each unit of the server 601 by executing a control program 607 and the like.

  The portable terminal 701 is, for example, a so-called feature phone or a smartphone. The portable terminal 701 includes a communication unit 703, a storage unit 705, and a control unit 750. The communication unit 703 can be connected to the network 801 through, for example, a wireless LAN or a mobile phone network. The storage unit 705 is, for example, a flash memory. The storage unit 705 stores a control program 707. The portable terminal 701 further includes an operation unit 711, a display unit 713, a camera 715, and the like. The control unit 750 is composed of, for example, a CPU and a memory. The control unit 750 controls the operation of each unit of the portable terminal 701 by executing a control program 707 and the like.

  The photo sticker creating apparatus 1 transmits image data generated at the time of play to the server 601. The server 601 stores the transmitted image data. The server 601 manages the image data in correspondence with the data of the user who transmitted the image data. The server 601 has a function of accepting access from the portable terminal 701 and the like, and publishing image data corresponding to the user who owns the portable terminal 701 to the portable terminal 701. Accordingly, the user can acquire image data stored in the server 601 using the portable terminal 701.

  [Schematic Configuration of Photo Sticker Making Apparatus 1]

  FIG. 2 is a side view showing a hardware configuration of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a hardware configuration of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 includes a front housing (imaging housing) 510, a back housing 540, and an editing output device 570. The front housing 510, the back housing 540, and the editing output device 570 are arranged side by side and used as one photo sticker creating device 1.

  The front housing 510 is provided with a prior customer service unit 520 in which an external monitor 521, a coin insertion unit 525, and the like are arranged. The pre-service section 520 is disposed on the left side surface of the front housing 510 of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 (it may be selectively disposed on one side and may be on the right side surface).

  A seal discharge port 575 is provided at the front portion of the edit output device 570. On both sides of the edit output device 570, an edit reception unit 580 having an edit monitor 581, a touch pen 583, a non-contact communication device 585, a speaker 587, and the like are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the front case 510 and the back case 540 are combined to form a shooting corner (shooting booth). Although both sides of the photographing corner are openings, the openings can be covered with a curtain (not shown). The periphery of the edit output device 570 can also be covered with a curtain (not shown). As a result, the user can play without seeing the appearance or editing screen being played by others.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a play using the photograph sticker creating apparatus 1.

  In the present embodiment, the play using the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 is roughly performed in the following four steps in order. Play is performed during operation in the normal operation mode.

  When a specified number of coins are inserted into the coin insertion unit 525 of the pre-service unit 520, play is started. In step S1, acceptance in the external monitor 521 is performed. At this time, the user stands at the position P1 shown in FIG. At this stage, before starting the play in the shooting corner, guidance and advertisement regarding various plays such as images and sheets to be shot, edited and created are given to the user. In addition, the user performs various selection operations.

  In step S2, a play at the shooting corner is performed. At this time, the user stands in the position of P2 shown in FIG. In the photographing corner, the user is photographed according to various selection operations based on the various selection operations received by the customer service unit 520. At the same time, various operations by the user are accepted, and image data that can be doodled is created.

  In step S3, graffiti acceptance is performed. At this time, the user stands at the position P3 (graffiti corner) shown in FIG. That is, the user stands so as to face either one of the left and right edit receiving units 580a and 580b. In graffiti reception, guidance regarding various selection operations is given to a user who has finished playing at the shooting corner. Then, various selection operations and graffiti operations for a seal to be output and the like performed by the user are accepted. Based on the acceptance result accepted at this time, the image printed on the sticker is processed.

  In step S4, the seal is output. At this time, the user stands at the position P4 shown in FIG. That is, the user waits for the seal to be discharged from the seal discharge port 575 in front of the seal discharge port 575. When the seal is discharged from the seal discharge port 575, a series of main plays performed in the vicinity of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 is completed.

  As described above, the play progresses while the user moves in four stages, so that the number of user groups that can use the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 per unit time is increased. That is, a maximum of five users can use the photo sticker creating apparatus 1. Since graffiti reception takes time, the two editing reception units 580a and 580b are used so that two sets of users can play the graffiti reception stage at the same time.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the front housing 510 of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an external monitor 521, a coin insertion unit 525, and a speaker 527 are provided in the pre-service section 520 of the front housing 510.

  The external monitor 521 is, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel. The external monitor 521 displays various guidance and a screen necessary for the selection operation to the user. The external monitor 521 accepts a touch operation with a user's finger or the like to select a displayed selection item or the like. The external monitor 521 can accept a so-called multi-touch operation. That is, the external monitor 521 can accept instruction inputs from one or more users at the same time. The external monitor 521 displays a demonstration screen or the like that prompts the user to start using, when the prior customer service unit 520 is not used by any user.

  The coin insertion unit 525 has a coin insertion slot and a coin return slot. The coin slot accepts the insertion of a predetermined amount of coins (for example, 400 yen) required at the start of play. The coin return port returns the inserted coin when it cannot be accepted.

  The speaker 527 outputs voices necessary for various guidance and selection operations to the user. When the advance customer service unit 520 is not used, the speaker 527 outputs a demonstration voice prompting the start of use (for example, “It is time to start playing”) or background music.

  In the portion of the front casing 510 that is in the shooting corner, a front illumination device (dome-shaped illumination device 511, upper body illumination device 512a, above-knee illumination device 512, foot illumination device 513, illumination device 514 around the camera), A camera 515, an operation monitor 517, and the like are provided.

  Each of the front lighting devices 511 to 514 includes a strobe, a fluorescent lamp, and the like. The dome-shaped illumination device 511 is on the user's upper body and back, the upper body illumination device 512a is on the user's upper body, the knee illumination device 512 is on and around the user's knee, and the foot illumination device 513 is on the user's foot and back. Each is irradiated with light. The lighting device 514 around the camera irradiates light on the user's face. It should be noted that a luggage storage area (not shown) for the user to place his / her baggage is provided at a position on the side of the above-knee lighting device 512 that does not interfere with imaging when imaging.

  The camera 515 captures an image of the user by releasing the shutter when shooting the user. Shooting is performed in a state in which the zoom and the shooting angle are adjusted in accordance with the shooting course selected by various operations, the whole body shooting and the up shooting, or the like. In other words, shooting by the camera 515 is performed in accordance with an instruction input reception result on the external monitor 521 or the operation monitor 517. A photograph is obtained by processing the information obtained by releasing the shutter.

  The operation monitor 517 is a liquid crystal touch panel, for example. The operation monitor 517 displays various screens and screens necessary for selection operations to the user. The operation monitor 517 accepts an instruction input by a touch operation using a user's finger or the like to select a displayed selection item or the like. When the shooting corner is not used by any user, the operation monitor 517 displays a demonstration screen that prompts the user to start use.

  In addition to these, the front housing 510 is provided with a ceiling device (not shown). The ceiling device is provided with an illumination device that illuminates the user from above, a speaker (not shown) that outputs audio necessary for various guidance and selection operations to the user, and the like. When the shooting corner is not used, the speaker outputs a demonstration sound (for example, “ready for shooting has been completed!”), Background music, or the like for prompting the start of use.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the back housing 540 of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the back housing 540 is formed so as to roughly form a U-shaped wall surface in a plan view, and covers the back surface of the photographing corner and a part of both sides. The back housing 540 is provided with a back lighting device 541. In the present embodiment, the back lighting device 541 includes a whole body lighting device (rear upper lighting device) 543, an up lighting device (front lighting device) 545, and a whole body upper lighting device (front and rear lighting devices). Lighting device) 547.

  The whole-body illumination device 543 and the whole-body upper illumination device 547 are provided with strobes and irradiate light to the whole body of the user. The up illumination device 545 includes a strobe and a grid, and mainly irradiates light near the head of the user who performs up photography, mainly on the hair.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the edit output device 570 of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the edit output device 570 includes an illumination unit 571 in addition to the seal discharge port 575 and the two edit reception units 580 (580a and 580b).

  The illumination unit 571 includes a fluorescent lamp, and performs illumination from the top of the editing monitor 581.

  In each editing reception unit 580, the editing monitor 581, the two touch pens 583, the non-contact communication device 585, and the speaker 587 are configured as follows.

  The edit monitor 581 is, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel. The edit monitor 581 displays a screen necessary for various guidance and graffiti operations to the user. The editing monitor 581 accepts an instruction input such as a selection operation of a displayed selection item or a graffiti operation performed by the user using the touch pen 583. Two touch pens 583 are provided, and two users can operate simultaneously. The edit monitor 581 can detect which touch pen 583 is used for the operation. The touch pen 583 can be held by the touch pen holder 584 when not in use.

  The speaker 587 outputs voices necessary for various guidance, selection operation, and graffiti operation to the user. When the editing output device 570 is not used, the speaker 587 outputs a demonstration voice prompting the start of use (for example, “Start graffiti”) or background music.

  The non-contact communication device 585 can perform communication based on NFC (Near Field Communication) standard (for example, communication using FeliCa (registered trademark)), for example. When the user's own portable terminal 701 is held over, the non-contact communication device 585 accesses the portable terminal 701 to obtain information (for example, the server 601) for obtaining a captured image or a composite image created by the user's play. For example). As a result, the user can use the mobile terminal 701 to access a place for obtaining a captured image or a composite image and acquire them. Note that various information may be transmitted from the portable terminal 701 to the non-contact communication device 585. Two or more non-contact communication devices 585 may be provided so that two or more users can use them simultaneously. The communication method of the non-contact communication device 585 is not limited to the above-described one, and the captured image data and the composite image data itself may be transmitted to the user terminal.

  A sheet of sticker paper (seal) for which printing has been completed is discharged to the sticker discharge port 575. The sheet is provided to a user who has finished graffiti. The sheet is printed with a composite image taken at the shooting corner and edited at the graffiti reception. If the printing of the sheet is not completed when the user arrives at the seal discharge port 575, the user waits in front of the seal discharge port 575.

  Note that a display panel may be provided near the seal discharge port 575 so that a user standing by can see it. In this case, the display panel may be configured to accept an operation related to an additional image described later. Various advertisements and guidance for users can be displayed on the display panel. On the display panel, it is possible to display which user is printing, that is, a user who has edited on the editing reception unit 580a side and a user who has performed editing on the editing reception unit 580b side.

  Further, although not shown, a light emitting display unit using, for example, an LED (light emitting diode) as a light source may be disposed near the seal discharge port 575. In this case, the light emission display unit is used to display which user is printing, that is, the user who has edited on the editing reception unit 580a side and the user who has performed editing on the editing reception unit 580b side. It may be. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of confusion such as a mistake in the sheets discharged between the two sets of users when there is only one seal discharge port 575.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration relating to control of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1.

  The photo sticker creating apparatus 1 includes a control unit (control device) 501 configured by a CPU 502, a memory 503, an image processing unit 504, a storage unit 505, a communication unit 509, and the like, such as a PC (personal computer). ing.

  The image processing unit 504 generates a photographic image to be used at the time of subsequent processing or output based on the information of the photograph taken by the camera 515, or generates an edited image according to the graffiti received by the edit receiving unit 580. Or a photographic image and an edited image are combined to generate a combined image. That is, the image processing unit 504 uses the photograph taken by the camera 515 on the sheet according to the reception result of the graffiti received by the editing reception unit 580 or the operation input reception result on the external monitor 521 or the like. Processing of an image to be printed and an image used for subsequent processing are performed, and an image is generated.

  The storage unit 505 is, for example, a flash memory or an HDD, and has a control program 507.

  The control unit 501 controls the operation of each unit of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 by the CPU 502 executing the control program 507.

  The communication unit 509 includes a PHS communication module, for example, and can connect the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 to the network 801.

  The control unit 501 controls the external monitor 521, the speaker 527, the coin control unit 525a, and the like for the advance customer service unit 520. The coin control unit 525a controls the coin insertion unit 525, confirms the coin insertion state, and notifies the control unit 501.

  The control unit 501 controls the camera 515, the operation monitor 517, the strobe control unit 530, and the like for the front case 510 and the back case 540. The strobe controller 530 controls the front lighting devices 511 to 514 and the back lighting device 541 to emit light in an appropriate manner in a timely manner.

  The control unit 501 controls the editing monitor 581, the non-contact communication device 585, the speaker 587, the printing unit 590, and the like for the editing output device 570. The printing unit 590 prints (prints) the image processed by the image processing unit 504 on a sheet, and conveys the printed sheet to the seal discharge port 575. The printing unit 590 outputs a sheet from the seal discharge port 575.

  The configuration shown in FIG. 8 shows a conceptual configuration. For example, a PC is provided on the photographing corner side (front housing 510 and back housing 540), and another PC is also provided on the graffiti corner side (editing output device 570). Functions of the unit 501 and the like may be realized.

  [Description of Operation of Photo Sticker Game System 901]

  The photo sticker creating apparatus 1 generally performs the following operation in cooperation with the server 601 and the portable terminal 701. First, with reference to FIG. 9, the basic operation of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 until the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 can execute play will be mainly described. Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the play performed using the photograph sticker game system 901 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the basic operation of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 is activated, a startup process is performed in step S21. Here, various control programs 507 are read and executed, and communication processing with the server 601 is performed as necessary. When update data, a function setting command, or the like is transmitted from the server 601 in the startup process, the control unit 501 applies it to the photo sticker creation apparatus 1. As a result, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 can be managed via the server 601. Note that such an operation may not be performed.

  In step S22, the control unit 501 displays a demonstration screen on the external monitor 521 or other monitor.

  In step S23, the control unit 501 confirms whether or not to enter the test mode. For example, when a predetermined switch or the like disposed at a position accessible only to the administrator is operated, the control unit 501 determines to enter the test mode.

  In step S24, the control unit 501 confirms whether or not a consideration for playing is received.

  The control unit 501 waits while displaying the demonstration screen until it is confirmed that the consideration is accepted or the test mode is entered.

  If it is determined in step S23 that the test mode is entered, the test mode is executed in step S26. In the test mode, various functions of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 can be set by the administrator. That is, the test mode is an operation mode for function setting. When the test mode ends, the display returns to the demonstration screen again (S22).

  When it is determined in step S24 that a prescribed number of coins have been inserted into the coin insertion unit 525 and the consideration has been accepted, play is executed in step S25. The play is performed as described in FIG. When the play using the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 is completed, the process returns to the operation of step S22.

  FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram schematically showing the operations of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 and the server 601 during the user's play.

  When a user inserts a coin into the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 as described above to execute the play, the play is started. As shown in FIG. 10, in step S51, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 performs photographing and editing. That is, the external monitor reception (S1), the play at the photographing corner (S2), and the graffiti reception (S3) described in FIG. 4 are performed. The user can perform graffiti editing input in the editing stage.

  When the editing is completed, the user performs an operation for selecting an image to be acquired on the portable terminal 701 on the photo sticker creating apparatus 1. Also, an operation for inputting an e-mail address for receiving information for acquiring an image is performed.

  In step S52, the photograph sticker creating apparatus 1 associates the transmission image data based on the photograph obtained by the photographing and the mail address with each other, and transmits them to the server 601. At this time, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 transmits the transmission image together with the attribute information. As the attribute information, for example, information regarding the type of the image such as the image ID, the shooting date and time, the shooting mode and the play course name is transmitted for the transmission image.

  In step S53, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 performs printing. When printing is completed, a sheet (seal) for which printing has been completed is discharged from the seal discharge port 575.

  In step S <b> 54, the user acquires the sheet discharged to the seal discharge port 575.

  On the other hand, when data is transmitted from the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 to the server 601, the server 601 receives the transmitted information in step S55.

  In step S56, the server 601 performs database recording processing using the received information.

  The server 601 generates image data (acquisition image data) for a portable terminal based on the received transmission image data, and holds the image data in a viewable manner through an acquisition page for allowing the user to acquire the image data. The acquisition page is held so that it can be acquired from the outside by the web server function of the server 601, for example. At this time, an acquisition URL for accessing the acquisition page is generated. In step S57, the server 601 transmits an acquisition URL (acquisition page address) to the user. At this time, for example, information is transmitted to the user's portable terminal 701 by e-mail using the e-mail address transmitted from the photo sticker creating apparatus 1.

  In step S58, the user's portable terminal 701 receives the acquisition URL.

  In step S <b> 59, the user operates the mobile terminal 701 and accesses the acquired URL using a web browser or the like that operates on the mobile terminal 701.

  In step S <b> 60, the server 601 transmits the acquired page data to the portable terminal 701. At this time, the image data for portable terminal of the image browsed when the acquisition page is displayed is also transmitted to the portable terminal 701.

  In step S61, the mobile terminal 701 displays an acquisition page including an image based on the acquired acquisition page and image data. Thereby, the user can acquire the image for portable terminals from the server 601. As a result of playing, the user can receive a sheet and acquire an image for a portable terminal. Therefore, the enjoyment of playing is increased for the user.

  Next, the operation of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 in play will be specifically described. When the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 is played, the flow of each stage is, for example, as follows. Each operation is performed based on the control of the control unit 501. In each process, the display contents of the external monitor 521, the operation monitor 517, the edit monitor 581 and the like will be mainly described. However, voice guidance using the speakers 527, 587 and the like is appropriately performed along with the screen display.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the flow at the time of playing an external monitor.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when play is started, play is described in step S101. For example, by displaying an image on the external monitor 521 or outputting sound from the speaker 527, a series of play and explanation of a play course described later are performed.

  In step S102, a play course selection is accepted. In the present embodiment, there are roughly two play courses, a normal play course and a multiplayer play course. The normal play course is further divided into an “outing” course and a “daily” course according to the atmosphere of the image that can be generated. A multiplayer play course (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a “group” course) is a play course corresponding to play by more users than a normal play course. The user can select and play these play courses. The control unit 501 determines the selected play course as the play course of the play, and thereafter controls the play with a predetermined control content corresponding to the play course. The normal play course is not limited to the two courses as described above, and can be set in various ways.

  Here, “multiple people” means that the number of people is three or more. That is, in general, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 is often played as a set of two users, although there is often no limit on the number of players to be played. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the normal play course is a play course in which the shooting range of the photo by the camera 515 and the processing mode by the image processing unit 504 are set assuming that the number of users is two. is there. On the other hand, the multiplayer play course is a play course in which a shooting range and an image processing mode are set on the assumption that the number of users is three or more.

  In step S103, a name input is accepted. For example, a screen that allows the user to input a name is displayed. The entered name is used when editing graffiti or as part of a design such as a background or frame. A screen for inputting a name is displayed according to the selected play course. Specifically, since a multiplayer course is a course that is assumed to have more players than a normal play course, a screen is displayed so that a multiplayer play course can input more names than a normal play course. The For this reason, the multiplayer play course takes longer to input the name than the normal play course.

  In step S104, a screen for selecting a different background or the like depending on the course is displayed to the user who has selected the course. For example, display / guidance such as “Choose 6 backgrounds” is performed, and the user selects a desired background or sheet design.

  In step S105, the control unit 501 determines whether the shooting corner is empty (not in use).

  If the shooting corner is not empty in step S105, in step S106, the control unit 501 displays a weight screen on the external monitor 521 until it becomes empty. For example, an advertisement screen of a website that can be accessed with a mobile terminal is displayed as a weight screen.

  If the shooting corner is empty in step S105, a screen display for shooting corner guidance is performed in step S107. As a result, the user who has completed various operations in the prior customer service unit 520 is guided to the shooting corner.

  The control unit 501 performs shooting at the shooting corner using the information received by the prior customer service unit 520.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the flow at the time of play in the shooting corner.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in step S <b> 121, the control unit 501 displays a shooting start screen on the operation monitor 517. A screen prompting the user to start shooting is displayed. When the user touches the operation monitor 517, the shooting sequence is started.

  In step S122, the imaging sequence is started. Details of the shooting sequence will be described later. Image data of a photograph is obtained by the photographing sequence.

  In step S123, eye reflection selection and brightness selection are performed. Here, it is selected which of a plurality of settings (for example, five levels of settings) is to be applied while previewing the captured photograph.

  That is, in the selection of the reflection of eyes, selection of the size of the eyes of the captured image is accepted so that a sheet according to the user's image is output. In the brightness selection, the selection of the brightness of the captured image is received so that a sheet according to the user's image is output. Since the captured image displayed on the operation monitor 517 inevitably has a small face, an up-captured image with easy-to-understand changes is displayed instead of a whole-body captured image in which changes in eye size and brightness are difficult to understand. What should I do? As a result, the amount of processing required for preview display is reduced, so that the load on the control unit 501 can be reduced. At this time, the effect of the user's selection may be reflected on the whole body image that is not displayed on the operation monitor 517.

  In step S124, the control unit 501 determines whether the graffiti corner is empty (not in use). For example, if either one of the edit reception units 580a and 580b is not being used by another user, it is determined that the graffiti corner is empty.

  If the graffiti corner is not empty in step S124, in step S125, the control unit 501 displays a weight screen on the operation monitor 517 until it becomes empty. As the weight screen, the same advertising screen as described above can be displayed.

  If the graffiti corner is empty in step S124, a graffiti corner guidance screen display is performed in step S126. As a result, the user who has completed photographing is guided to the graffiti corner. At this time, the user may be prompted to move to the appropriate one of the edit reception units 580a and 580b. For example, “Please move to the first graffiti corner on the right.”

  FIG. 13 is a first flowchart for explaining the flow during play of graffiti reception. FIG. 14 is a second flowchart for explaining the flow during play of graffiti reception.

  As illustrated in FIG. 13, when graffiti acceptance is started, the control unit 501 displays a data transfer start screen on the edit monitor 581 in step S131. Here, the image data created based on the photographed photograph is transferred from the photographing corner to the graffiti corner. Then, a screen indicating that is displayed.

  In step S132, a screen touch is accepted. Here, a touch operation on the editing monitor 581 is received using the touch pen 583. When a touch operation is performed or a predetermined time elapses, the process proceeds to the next process.

  When the touch operation is accepted, graffiti guidance is performed in step S133. The user is instructed to start the graffiti operation. For example, a message such as “Next is a graffiti!” Is displayed. Various processing is performed on the image data used for graffiti during the period in which this display is performed after the image data is transferred. When the process for the image data is completed, the process proceeds to the next process.

  In step S134, doodle editing is started. The doodle editing is performed by displaying a doodle editing screen on the editing monitor 581 and accepting an operation from the user. The graffiti editing screen includes a photographic image based on the photographed photo. The user can perform graffiti editing for each image within a predetermined time. A scribble called “pen” made by writing with the touch pen 583 by editing the graffiti, a predetermined pattern, and a pattern generated according to the input contents (name input, etc.) of the user so far Graffiti called “stamp” placed at the position designated by 583 can be performed. These graffiti are created as edited images. The composite image obtained by combining the edited image and the photographic image is an image in which graffiti is performed on the photographed photo.

  In step S135, special image selection processing is performed. In the present embodiment, the special image selection process is performed with contents corresponding to the play course. For example, at the time of playing on a normal play course, processing relating to an image generated by special shooting performed as described below is performed. On the other hand, at the time of play in a multiplayer play course, for example, processing related to other user-provided images is performed.

  In step S136, a division number selection explanation screen is displayed. You will be informed of the shift to seat design selection.

  In step S137, sheet design selection is accepted. Here, for example, the user is allowed to select the number of images to be printed per sheet. The seat design is selected according to the selected play course. For example, in a normal play course, a layout for two people (sheet design) and a multi-division layout are prepared, and a selection operation is accepted. In a multiplayer play course, a layout for 3 to 6 people and a layout for 7 to 10 people are prepared and a selection operation is accepted. The selection operation is accepted while displaying an icon or the like indicating the number of persons for each layout.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in step S138, a mobile phone transmission confirmation screen is displayed. In the present embodiment, at the time of basic play, the user's mobile terminal 701 is caused to acquire, for example, one image of a captured image or a composite image created by play and an image selected in the special image selection process. be able to.

  In step S139, a transmission image selection screen is displayed. The control unit 501 receives an operation for selecting an image to be acquired by the mobile terminal 701 from the user. The images include all images other than images set to be provided to the user free of charge, such as captured images, graffiti images that can be printed as stickers, and generated bonus images. You can select from among them. It should be noted that up to two users each select a desired image or advance to the next screen when a predetermined time used for the transmission image selection screen has elapsed. When a predetermined time elapses and a timeout occurs, the image selected at the time of timeout is selected.

  In step S140, an address input screen is displayed. Here, an input such as an e-mail address of the portable terminal 701 is accepted. When an e-mail address or the like is input, the information is transmitted to the server 601. Thereby, for example, the server 601 notifies the portable terminal 701 of a URL that enables acquisition of an image selected by the user by a method such as e-mail. The user can acquire the selected image separately sent from the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 to the server 601 by accessing the URL with the mobile terminal 701.

  On the address input screen in step S140, it is possible to select transmission by non-contact communication (NFC communication or the like). When this is selected, a non-contact communication operation screen is displayed in step S141. The control unit 501 can control the non-contact communication device 585 and transmit information such as a URL that enables the selected image to be acquired to the portable terminal 701 held over the non-contact communication device 585. The non-contact communication operation screen includes an explanation of operations to be performed by the user. The non-contact communication operation screen may be displayed until the communication with the portable terminal 701 is successful or until the “return to address input” button is operated, for example.

  When the input is completed in step S140, in step S142, the control unit 501 determines whether the printing unit (printer) 590 is free (not in use).

  If the printing unit 590 is not available in step S142, the control unit 501 displays an advertisement screen on the editing monitor 581 until it becomes available in step S143. For example, an advertisement screen such as a website similar to the above is displayed.

  If the printing unit 590 is free in step S142, printing is performed in step S144. The control unit 501 generates image data to be printed and transfers it to the printing unit 590. Thus, the seal is printed by the printing unit 590. If an error such as out of paper has occurred in the printing unit 590, a printer error screen may be displayed. At this time, contact information for maintenance is displayed.

  In step S145, the editing monitor 581 displays a graffiti booth end screen. The user is guided to wait in front of the seal discharge port 575 until printing is completed. Thereby, a seal | sticker is discharged | emitted from the seal | sticker discharge outlet 575, and a series of play is complete | finished.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a play course selection screen.

  A course selection screen 11 as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed, and a course selection operation by the user is accepted. On the course selection screen 11, three selection buttons 13, 15, and 17 are displayed. The selection buttons 13 and 15 are buttons corresponding to the normal play course. That is, the selection button 13 corresponds to the “outing” course. The selection button 15 corresponds to the “Daily” course. The selection button 17 is a button corresponding to a multiplayer play course (“group” course).

  The control unit 501 sets a play course corresponding to the selection button 13, 15, or 17 for which the selection operation has been performed as a play course for the play.

  [Explanation about shooting sequence]

  Here, in the present embodiment, the content of the play provided by the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 is slightly different depending on whether it is a normal play course or a multiplayer play course.

  In both play courses, the number of photos taken as a basic (photos obtained by normal shooting) is 6 in common, but in the normal play course, in addition to this, one special shooting is taken. However, such additional shooting is not performed in the multiplayer play course.

  In addition, “normal shooting” and “special shooting” performed in the normal play course are two-player shooting. The two-person shooting is a shooting mode suitable for shooting two or less users simultaneously. In the two-person shooting, for example, an image is taken with an angle of view and a mode suitable for capturing two users, such as a close-up photograph in which two people are lined up or a whole body photograph in which two people are accommodated (camera 515). The shutter is released). Two-person shooting is performed based on the control of the control unit 501.

  On the other hand, “normal shooting” performed in a multiplayer play course is shooting for a large number of people. Multi-person shooting is performed under the control of the control unit 501. Multi-person shooting is a shooting mode that is more suitable for simultaneously shooting three or more users than shooting for two people. In multi-person shooting, for example, a field of view or mode suitable for capturing three or more users, such as a full-body photograph in which three or more users are lined up, or an up-photo in which three or more users are lined up, down, left, or right Then, shooting is performed.

  Thus, in the normal play course, shooting for two people is performed a total of seven times (an example of the first number of times). On the other hand, in the multiplayer play course, the multiplayer shooting is performed a total of six times (an example of the second number of times). Of the two-person shooting performed in the normal play course, one-time two-person shooting, which is obtained by subtracting 6 times from 7 times, is performed as “special shooting”.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for describing a shooting sequence.

  Referring to FIG. 16, when the shooting sequence is started, in step S211, control unit 501 determines the type of the selected play course. If the play course is a normal play course (in the case of an “outing” course or a “daily” course), the process proceeds to step S212. On the other hand, when the play course is a multiplayer play course (when it is a “group” course), the process proceeds to step S218.

  In the normal play course, first, in step S212, the control unit 501 determines the type of the selected shooting course. In the present embodiment, as a shooting course, a shooting course in which the user is shot only up (“up only”), a shooting course in which both shooting up and whole body shooting (“up and whole body”) are performed, Can be selected. The shooting course can be selected after selecting a play course, for example, when an external monitor is received. The shooting course may be selected by the user when the shooting sequence is started.

  When the shooting course is “up only” in step S212, in step S213, normal shooting with up (two-person shooting) is performed from the first to sixth shots. That is, shooting for two people is repeated six times. At this time, before the first two-person photographing is performed, guidance to that effect (normal photographing guidance) is given to the user.

  On the other hand, when the shooting course is “up and whole body” in step S212, first, in step S213, normal shooting (up for two people) is performed from the first to the fourth shot. Thereafter, in step S215, whole body normal photographing (two-person photographing) is performed as the fifth and sixth images. In other words, in this case, after the two-person photographing is performed four times repeatedly, the whole-body photographing for two people is performed twice. Before the up-shooting and before the whole-body shooting, the explanation that the shooting is performed is given. Note that the shooting order is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

  In this way, when six two-person photographing is performed for each photographing course, then two-person photographing is performed once as special photographing. In step S216, guidance on special shooting is performed. At this time, if necessary, the user is guided to a position suitable for photographing, and the composition of the photograph to be photographed is described.

  In step S217, special shooting is performed. In the present embodiment, the special shooting is the seventh shooting for two persons in the play.

  On the other hand, in the multiplayer play course, in the step S218, the multiplayer shooting up is performed from the first to the sixth. That is, multi-person shooting is repeated six times. At this time, before the first multi-person shooting is performed, guidance to that effect is given to the user.

  Note that each shooting (two-player shooting and multi-player shooting) is performed after a predetermined pause instruction is presented to the user. The user can take a pose by referring to the pose instruction and take these pictures. Thereby, a plurality of photographic images with changes can be obtained.

  Special shooting is, for example, as follows.

  In the present embodiment, in special shooting, a photograph used for an additional image (bonus image) that can be created in addition to the sticker is obtained by playing. In the present embodiment, special shooting is always performed in a shooting mode of a predetermined mode. Specifically, for example, two-user pre-shooting is performed in which two users are arranged at predetermined positions and a photograph of each user is generated by one shooting. That is, at the time of special shooting, two predetermined areas in which two users will stand out of the angle of view of the camera 515 are image generation targets. Each user can obtain a photographic image containing only each of the user by adjusting his / her posture and position so that his / her face falls within the captured range while viewing the preview image according to the guidance.

  Note that as special shooting, special shooting may be performed in a shooting mode selected from a plurality of shooting mode options. In this case, the shooting mode selection for special shooting is performed by, for example, displaying a predetermined special shooting selection screen and receiving a selection operation by the user. The control unit 501 can perform special shooting in a selected mode based on the received content. The selection of special shooting may be performed, for example, when receiving an external monitor. Further, special shooting may be performed in a predetermined shooting mode according to a shooting course previously selected by the user among a plurality of preset shooting modes.

  There are roughly three elements of the shooting mode of special shooting: the shape of the image, the number of people, and the shooting method (special image processing). There are two types of shapes of the original image, square or rectangular, two types of whether the number of people per image is a pin (single) or plural, and whether or not the photographing method is image processing. The special shooting modes that can be provided may be set as appropriate from among these combinations, for example.

  For example, as a shooting mode for special shooting, a shooting mode in which an image is created by performing special image processing such as sepia tone or monochrome tone on a shot photo may be applicable. A stylish image is provided by automatically performing image processing by a method set in advance so as to improve the appearance. In addition, as a shooting mode for special shooting, a shooting mode for creating an image that has been subjected to special image processing such as deformation or distortion of the image may be applicable. In this shooting mode, an interesting image in a mode that cannot be predicted by the user is provided.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of each shooting.

  Shooting for two people (normal shooting, special shooting) and shooting for a large number of people are started when the shutter operation of the camera 515 is started or when an operation for prompting the user to start shooting is started. Is done. That is, when the preparation of the shutter operation is started (when light reception by the image sensor of the camera 515 is started), or an operation that prompts the user to prepare for shooting (for example, guidance of a pose that is preferable to shoot by the shooting, The timing at which the countdown operation until the shutter operation is started, or the earlier timing, is referred to as the start of shooting.

  In the present embodiment, each photographing is performed through a plurality of processes shown in FIG. The plurality of processes are roughly divided into three processes: a pre-shutter process S301, a shutter process S302, and a post-shutter process S303.

  The pre-shutter process S301 is a process including processing from the start of shooting until the start of the shutter process S302. In the pre-shutter process S301, pause display and live display are performed. Further, countdown guidance is performed at the time of imaging.

  That is, in step S311, a pose instruction for presenting a recommended pose sample is performed with voice guidance. Pause instructions are displayed on the operation monitor 517 and presented to the user in an easy-to-understand manner. In the present embodiment, it can be said that photographing is started when a pause instruction is started.

  In step S312, live display by the camera 515 is performed. In the live display, the user who performs shooting is displayed on the operation monitor 517 in order to make it easy to understand the actual captured image (such as the imaging range).

  In step S313, when the imaging timing (timing to release the shutter) approaches, countdown guidance is performed. That is, the user is notified in advance of the timing at which the shutter operation is performed. When a predetermined time elapses after the countdown guidance is started, a shutter operation is performed.

  When the pre-shutter process S301 is performed, the shutter process S302 is performed.

  That is, in step S314, imaging corresponding to the shooting course is performed at a predetermined timing. At this time, the shutter of the camera 515 is released (shutter operation), and photo data is obtained.

  In the post-shutter process S303, after the shutter process S302 is completed, until the next shooting can be started (that is, the last shooting of a single shooting or a plurality of continuous shootings). In the case of shooting, this is a process including the processing until the shooting process is completed and another process can be performed. In the post-shutter step S303, processing of information obtained by imaging and preview display are performed.

  That is, when imaging is performed, a photograph obtained by imaging is converted into image data in step S315. Until image data is generated, there is a processing wait time.

  When image data that can be previewed is generated, in step S316, preview display, which is a confirmation operation of a photographic image obtained by imaging, is performed. The user can easily confirm what kind of photograph was taken by looking at the photographic image previewed on the operation monitor 517. Note that the preview display can be performed in various ways. For example, the preview display may be displayed in a large size so that the user can be positively shown what kind of photograph has been obtained in the current shooting, or a plurality of images obtained through the shooting performed so far in the play. You may arrange it on a photograph and display the photograph obtained by this photograph so that it becomes easy to understand what kind of atmosphere the photograph has been obtained through a series of shootings.

  When a predetermined time elapses after the preview display, the next shooting can be started. When the next shooting can be started, the next process is started. That is, the control unit 501 starts taking the next photo (step S311). If it is the last shooting, the control unit 501 ends a series of shooting and ends the shooting sequence.

  Note that the preview display may not be performed every time shooting is performed, but a plurality of images may be displayed together after a predetermined number (for example, 6 images) of shooting is performed.

  In addition, the pause instruction, live display, and preview processes during shooting are performed at predetermined times, and the process automatically proceeds to the next process. As a result, the user can be photographed promptly. Each time is configured so that it can be specified in advance in a setting file, for example. Thereby, according to the installation place etc. of the photograph sticker production apparatus 1 and a user's needs, the time concerning imaging | photography can be changed easily and individually.

  Note that the processing and flow included in each of the pre-shutter process S301, the shutter process S302, and the post-shutter process S303 are not limited thereto. For example, in the pre-shutter process S301, no pause instruction or countdown guidance may be performed. The pause instruction and the live display may be performed in parallel, for example, by displaying both the live display and the pause instruction image on the operation monitor 517, or the live display is started prior to the pause instruction. You may make it do. In this case, it can be said that the start point of live display is the start of shooting. The countdown guidance may be performed in parallel with the live display or the pause display, or the countdown guidance may be started after the live display ends. In the post-shutter process, the preview display is not necessarily performed. The preview display may not be performed in one play, or the preview display may be performed in a process or process different from the post-shutter process.

  [Explanation about shooting time]

  In the present embodiment, shooting for a large number of people takes a longer time to perform the pre-shutter process than shooting for two people. Specifically, shooting for a large number of people takes a longer time from the start of live display by the camera 515 until the shutter operation is performed than shooting for two people. As a result, the shooting time required for one shooting (the time from when shooting starts until the next shooting can be started) is longer for multi-player shooting than for two-player shooting. .

  Such control is performed by the control unit 501. For example, in a setting file or the like, since the time for performing live display is set separately for multi-person shooting and two-person shooting in advance, the shutter for multi-person shooting and two-person shooting is set. You may make it the control part 501 control so that the time which performs a process differs. Also, based on the time for one of the multi-person shooting and the two-person shooting set in the setting file, the control unit 501 calculates the other time so that two shutter pre-processes are performed. The control may be performed at.

  Note that in multi-person shooting, for example, the time for performing the pre-shutter process may be increased by increasing the time for instructing the pause.

  Here, in the case where shooting for a large number of people takes longer than shooting for two people in this way, in this embodiment, the control unit 501 is required for shooting for a large number of people performed in a multiplayer play course. Control is performed so that the total shooting time is approximately the same as the total shooting time required for shooting for two people in a normal play course.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the total shooting time.

  In FIG. 18, the horizontal axis indicates the passage of time. In FIG. 18, (A) shows the total shooting time in the normal play course. (B) shows the total shooting time in a multi-player play course when shooting for a large number of people is performed so that the shooting time is the same as the shooting time for two people. (C) shows the total photographing time in the multiplayer play course in the present embodiment. (D) shows the total photographing time in the multiplayer course in the modified example of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the total shooting time (A) of seven shootings for two people (first to sixth shootings and special shootings) of the normal play course, and six shootings for the multiplayer of the multiplayer playing course. Is equal to the total photographing time (C). In FIG. 18, the time taken for extending the shooting time for multi-person shooting (difference from the time required for shooting for two people) is indicated by a thick solid line. The shooting time for each multiplayer shooting in the multiplayer play course is extended by an equal time and longer than that for two-player shooting. In other words, in the present embodiment, the control unit 501 takes the time required for each multi-player shooting for the multi-player shooting performed in the multi-player play course per one-person shooting performed in the normal play course. The time is controlled so as to be longer by the time equal to each other than the time required for.

  In other words, it becomes as follows. The shooting time for each multi-player shooting is longer than the shooting time for two-player shooting, and the time required for special shooting that is normally performed once in the play course is taken in the multi-player play course. It is the time divided by 6, which is the number of times of. In other words, in the present embodiment, when the shooting time for special shooting is represented as 6t, the difference (extended) from the shooting time for two-person shooting out of the shooting time for shooting for the multiplayer performed in the multiplayer course. Time) is t. In the multiplayer play course, the shooting is performed so that the shooting time for each multiplayer shooting is longer by the time t than the shooting time for the two-player shooting, so the total shooting in the multiplayer play course The time is equal to the total shooting time in the normal play course.

  For example, it is assumed that shooting for a large number of people is performed 6 times in a multiplayer play course, and 6 normal shootings and 3 special shootings are performed in a normal play course. At this time, assuming that the total shooting time of the three special shootings is 18t, in the multiplayer play course, the shooting time for each multiplayer shooting is 3t longer than the shooting for two people. That's fine.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the shooting time for multi-person shooting is longer than that for shooting for two people. Since the pre-shutter process in the multi-person shooting is longer than the time in the pre-shutter process in the two-person shooting, the user who performs the multi-person shooting can pose for shooting, The user's standing position, posture, etc. can be determined with ease. Therefore, a user who performs shooting for a large number of people can surely obtain a photograph taken in a desired manner, so that the satisfaction of the user who plays can be improved. In addition, when a plurality of multi-person shootings are continuously performed, it is easy to greatly change the aspect such as the composition and the standing position of each user for each shooting. Therefore, it is easy to obtain a plurality of photographs with different aspects and rich changes in one play, and the satisfaction of the user can be improved.

  In particular, in the pre-shutter process, a long period of time from when live display is started until the shutter operation is performed is ensured for multi-person shooting. Therefore, the user can prepare firmly while confirming the live display for the shutter operation.

  In general, when shooting with a large number of people, there are users who are forced to take a difficult and difficult posture. However, in the present embodiment, in the multiplayer play course, the number of times of shooting is less than that in the normal play course, which reduces the burden on the user. Since the user can easily take a plurality of necessary photos with a certain amount of space, the user's satisfaction is improved.

  Here, in general, for the photo sticker creating apparatus 1, the operating rate of the apparatus (the number of plays provided to the user with respect to the available time; sometimes the rotation rate of the apparatus) is improved. Is desirable. In addition, it is desirable for the user to ensure fairness by giving the shooting time evenly for each play. In the present embodiment, when a multiplayer play course is performed, the total shooting time can be made equal to the total shooting time of the normal play course, so that the shooting time per shooting can be increased. From this viewpoint, a high effect can be obtained. That is, it is possible to ensure a long shooting time for multi-person shooting without reducing the rotation rate of the apparatus. In addition, since a user who plays a normal play course and a user who plays a multiplayer course take approximately the same time to shoot using the camera 515, the fairness between both courses can be ensured and the number of people can be increased. A long shooting time can be secured.

  It should be noted that the multiple times of shooting in a multiplayer course need not be equal to each other in terms of making the shooting time of each shooting longer than shooting for two people. For example, for each shooting, there may be shooting for which the shooting time is lengthened, while there is shooting for which the shooting time is equivalent to shooting for two people.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 18D, the shooting time is longer than the shooting for two people only for the first shooting among the six shootings in the multiplayer play course. It may be controlled to be. As a result, the user who has moved to the shooting corner can make preparations for shooting with ease before the first shooting. Although the space for the shooting corner is limited, it is difficult to change the position of each user by switching positions between users when playing with a large number of people. However, as described above, since a sufficient preparation period is provided until shooting, the user can perform shooting in a desired manner, and can give satisfaction to the user.

  It should be noted that when the pose taken by the previous shooting and the next shooting changes greatly, the pre-shutter process for the next shooting may be secured relatively long. For example, in a multiplayer play course, when shooting with a slightly subtracted composition after shooting up, when the next shooting is started after shooting up, the time to perform the pre-shutter process is relatively You may make it ensure long.

  [Other variations]

  In the above-described embodiment, in the shooting for a large number of people, the time from the start of the countdown guidance to the time when the shutter operation is performed may be longer than that in the shooting for two people.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a time flow at the time of shooting in a modified example of the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 19, the time flow for two-person shooting is shown in the left column, and the time flow for multi-person shooting is shown in the right column. The vertical direction corresponds to the passage of time.

  As shown in FIG. 19, in the shooting for two people, when shooting is started, a pre-shutter process is started. After the pause display is performed for a predetermined period with narration, live display is started. After live display is performed for a predetermined period, the live display disappears (live out), and a shutter process is performed. When the shutter process is performed, image processing is performed in the post-shutter process, and after the preview display is performed for a predetermined period, the next shooting is performed.

  Here, the countdown guidance is started when a predetermined time is reached until the shutter operation when live display is performed. In photographing for two people, for example, countdown is performed at intervals of 1 second in the order of “3”, “2”, and “1”. The countdown guidance is performed, for example, by outputting a voice “3, 2, 1” by narration while displaying numbers or the like on the operation monitor 517. After 3 seconds from the start of the countdown, the shutter operation is performed when a predetermined minute period has elapsed. That is, the length from the start of the countdown until the shutter operation is performed is a period obtained by adding 3 seconds and a predetermined minute period. By performing such countdown guidance, the user can make preparations and desire the shutter operation.

  In multi-person shooting, the period for live display is longer than that for two-person shooting. The period during which the countdown guidance is performed is longer than that for two-person shooting. That is, in the multi-person shooting, the countdown is started when the time until the shutter operation becomes a predetermined time longer than the shooting for two people. In shooting for a large number of people, for example, “5”, “4”, “3”, “2”, “1” are counted down at intervals of one second. After 5 seconds from the start of the countdown, the shutter operation is performed when a predetermined minute period has elapsed. That is, the length from when the countdown starts until the shutter operation is performed is a period obtained by adding 5 seconds and a predetermined minute period.

  Note that the countdown guidance in multi-person shooting is not limited to this.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a time flow at the time of photographing for a large number of people in a modified example different from the example shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the number of numbers to be counted down may be the same for two-person shooting and multi-person shooting. That is, in the case where the period for performing live display at the time of shooting for a large number of people is extended as described above, the countdown starts when the time until the shutter operation becomes a predetermined time longer than the shooting for two people. Is done. Here, in the multi-person shooting, the countdown may be performed, for example, “3”, “2”, “1”, as in the case of shooting for two people. At this time, the interval between the counts may be longer than the time of shooting for two persons (1 second interval) (for example, the interval may be 1.7 seconds).

  In this way, when shooting for a large number of people, by increasing the time from the start of the countdown to the shutter operation, it is possible to reliably notify the user of the timing at which the shutter operation is performed, and to increase the time. It is possible to allow the user to effectively use the time for live display provided in. The user can easily grasp the time remaining until the shutter operation and can be prepared for the shutter operation, so that the satisfaction of the user can be improved.

  [Others]

  A single play course may be provided. The mode of multiple times of shooting is not limited to the above. Further, for one shooting sequence, shooting for two people and shooting for a large number of people may be mixed. When shooting multiple times in one play, how the two-player shooting and multi-player shooting are performed depends on, for example, the number of players, the play course, the shooting course, and the background to be applied by the user ( It may be determined as appropriate in accordance with the selection result such as (photographing theme) or the like, or the determination of the number of users by the photo sticker creating apparatus 1.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a modified example of the imaging sequence.

  As shown in FIG. 21, for example, in a single play, only two-person shooting is performed (NO in S411, S412), and both two-person shooting and multi-person shooting are performed ( YED, S413, and S414) may be selectable in S411. For example, after the two-person photographing is performed four times in step S413, the multi-person photographing may be performed twice in step S414. In this case, when shooting for a large number of people, the control is performed so that the time for performing the pre-shutter process is longer than that for shooting for two people. It is possible to ensure the preparation operation. Therefore, user satisfaction can be improved.

  In the case shown in FIG. 21, as shown in steps S415 and S416, both the case where only two-person shooting is performed and the case where both two-person shooting and multi-person shooting are performed, Special shooting may be performed.

  The processing in the above embodiment may be performed by software or by using a hardware circuit.

  A program for executing the processing in the above-described embodiment can be provided, or the program can be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, or a memory card and provided to the user. It may be. The program may be downloaded to the apparatus via a communication line such as the Internet. The processing described in the text in the above flowchart is executed by the CPU according to the program.

  The above embodiment should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 Photo sticker creation device (an example of a photo game device)
501 Control unit 502 CPU
503 Memory 504 Image processing unit 505 Storage unit 507 Control program 509 Communication unit 515 Camera 570 Edit output device 575 Seal discharge port 580 Edit reception unit 581 Edit monitor 583 Touch pen 585 Non-contact communication device 587 Speaker 901 Photo sticker game system

Claims (5)

A photography game device for taking a picture of a user who plays using a camera,
Two-person photographing means for performing photographing for two persons for photographing two or less users at the same time;
A multi-person photographing means for performing multi-person photographing for photographing three or more users at the same time,
The multiplayer for photography means, have the number of rows less than the 2-person shooting the multiplayer shooting,
The multi-person photographing means controls the total photographing time required for performing the multi-person photographing plural times to be substantially the same as the total photographing time required for performing the two-person photographing plural times. A photography game device. The multiplayer for imaging means, the time required for each round of the imaging multiplayer controls so that only the longer predetermined time equal to each other than the time required per one time the two-person shooting claim 1 The photography game device described in 1. The two-person photographing means performs the two-person photographing as a special photographing by the number of times obtained by subtracting the number of times the multi-person photographing means performs the multi-person photographing from the number of times the two-person photographing is performed,
The predetermined time is a time obtained by dividing the time required for the special shooting by the number obtained by subtracting the number of times the multi-person photographing is performed from the number of times the two-person photographing is performed, by the number of times the multi-person photographing is performed. The photography game device according to claim 2 . A control method of a photography game device that takes a picture of a user who plays using a camera,
A two-person shooting step for performing two-person shooting for simultaneously shooting two or less users;
A multi-person photographing step for performing multi-person photographing for photographing three or more users at the same time,
The multiplayer for imaging step, have number lines less than the multiplayer shooting the 2-person shooting,
The multi-person photographing step is such that the total photographing time required for performing the multi-person photographing plural times is substantially the same as the total photographing time required for performing the two-person photographing plural times. , A method for controlling a photography game machine. A control program for a photography game device that takes a picture of a user performing a play using a camera,
A two-person shooting step for performing two-person shooting for simultaneously shooting two or less users;
Causing the computer to execute a multi-person photographing step of performing multi-person photographing for photographing three or more users at the same time,
The multiplayer for imaging step, have number lines less than the multiplayer shooting the 2-person shooting,
The multi-person photographing step is such that the total photographing time required for performing the multi-person photographing plural times is substantially the same as the total photographing time required for performing the two-person photographing plural times. , A control program for photography game machines.

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