JP6326889B2 - Management server, terminal device, image generation method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a management server for managing images, a terminal device, a photo sticker creation device, and an image generation method for the management server. The present invention also relates to a program for operating a computer as an image management server, a photo sticker creating apparatus, or a terminal apparatus, and a recording medium.

  In recent years, as a service for providing a user with an image generated by a photo sticker creation apparatus, an image is displayed by displaying the image on a mobile terminal owned by the user together with a service for providing a user with a print sticker on which an image is printed. The services that provide users with the Internet are expanding. In addition, in such a service, a technique for providing a user with a new way of enjoying an image by adding further added value to the image generated by the photo sticker creating apparatus is being proposed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a center device that generates an animation for a standby screen of a mobile phone using a plurality of images generated by an image composition device.

JP 2009-210302 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, as the standby screen animation, an animation in which images generated by the image composition device are sequentially displayed as they are, and each image that is sequentially displayed in the animation are uniformly displayed. However, there is a problem in providing a new way of enjoying an image.

  Specifically, although the user does not need to select each of the plurality of images for viewing, each of the sequentially displayed images is an image itself (or a predetermined frame superimposed on the image generated by the image composition device). Is). For this reason, the technique described in Patent Document 1 cannot sufficiently provide a user with a new way of enjoying an image generated by the image composition device.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a management server that provides a user with a new way of enjoying images generated in a photo sticker creating apparatus. .

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a management server according to an aspect of the present invention associates a plurality of images generated in one or a plurality of photo sticker creation apparatuses that shoot a user and generate an image with the user. A management means for managing, and an image associated with the user by the management means, wherein a part of an image generated during a game in the photo sticker creating apparatus And generating means for generating a new image by replacing a part of another image generated during another game different from the one-time game.

  According to the above configuration, the generation unit generates a new image by replacing a part of the certain image generated in any one or a plurality of photo sticker creating apparatuses with a part of the other image. To do. The certain image and the other image may be images generated by the same photo sticker creating apparatus or may be images generated by different photo sticker creating apparatuses.

  Thereby, the management server can provide a user with an image newly generated from a plurality of images generated in different games in the photo sticker creating apparatus. Therefore, the management server can provide the user with a new way of enjoying images generated by the photo sticker creating apparatus.

  The management server according to an aspect of the present invention further includes an extraction unit that extracts a part of a user included in an image as a part of the image, and the extraction unit includes a user included in the certain image. And a part of the user included in the other image are extracted, and the generation unit extracts a part of the user included in the certain image as one part of the user included in the other image. It is preferable to generate the new image by replacing with a part.

  According to the above configuration, the generation unit extracts a part of the user (for example, the user's face or clothes) included in the certain image extracted by the face extraction unit by the face extraction unit. A new image replaced with a part of the user included in the other image is generated. Thus, the management server can provide the user with the certain image in which the face is replaced with the user's face included in the other image.

  In addition, the management server according to an aspect of the present invention provides another image having a feature similar to a predetermined feature included in the certain image from the plurality of images associated with the user by the management unit. It is preferable to further include a detecting means for detecting.

  According to the above configuration, the generation unit includes the certain image and another image having a feature similar to a predetermined feature included in the certain image, which is detected by the detection unit. The new image is generated from the image. Accordingly, the management server can generate the new image without destroying the predetermined feature included in the certain image. Therefore, the management server can provide the user with a new image obtained by replacing a part of the certain image with a part of the other image similar in characteristics to the certain image.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a terminal device according to an aspect of the present invention is managed in association with the user among a plurality of images generated in a photo sticker creation device that shoots a user and generates an image. An acquisition means for acquiring an image, and an image acquired by the acquisition means, wherein a part of an image generated during a game in the photo sticker creating apparatus is And generating means for generating a new image by replacing a part of another image generated during another game different from the one-time game.

  According to said structure, the said terminal device can have an effect similar to the management server mentioned above.

  In order to solve the above problems, a terminal device according to one aspect of the present invention captures each part of the user's face included in a photographed image photographed by a photograph sticker creation device that photographs the user and generates an image. Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating a position, face extraction means for extracting the user's face from an edited image that has been subjected to editing processing on the captured image with reference to the position information, and a plurality of face extraction means Selection accepting means for accepting a user operation for selecting at least one template from the templates, and the user's face extracted by the face extracting means as a template selected by the user's selection operation accepted by the selection accepting means And a combining means for performing a combining process for combining.

  According to said structure, the said face extraction means extracts the said user's face with reference to the said positional information. For this reason, the face extraction means enhances the face extraction accuracy even when extracting the user's face from the edited image, which is more difficult to extract the user's face than the captured image because the editing process is performed. be able to.

  The synthesizing unit performs the synthesizing process for synthesizing the user's face extracted from the edited image by the face extracting unit with the template selected by the user. Thereby, the synthesizing means can provide the user with the image subjected to the synthesizing process. Therefore, the terminal device can provide the user with a new way of enjoying the images generated by the photo sticker creating apparatus.

  In the terminal device according to an aspect of the present invention, the selection receiving unit receives a user operation for selecting one story template from a plurality of story templates, and manages a plurality of items managed in association with the user. It is preferable that image editing means for acquiring an edited image corresponding to the story of the template selected by the user operation received by the selection receiving means from the edited image is preferably provided.

  According to said structure, the said image acquisition means acquires the edit image according to the story of the template selected by the said user. Thereby, the said synthetic | combination means can perform the said synthetic | combination process, without receiving selection operation which selects the edit image used as the object of a synthesis | combination from the said user.

  In order to solve the above problems, a photo sticker creating apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention captures a user and generates a captured image, and a past image generated in the past using the user as a subject. Past image acquisition means for acquiring the captured image, wherein the captured image generation means generates the captured image by superimposing a user image obtained by capturing the user on the past image. It is said.

  According to said structure, the said picked-up image production | generation means superimposes the said picked-up image by superimposing the said user's image obtained by image | photographing the said user on the said past image acquired by the said past image acquisition means. Generate. As a result, the photographed image generating means obtains a photographed image including both the user and a past user included in the past image (for example, a photographed image as if the user photographed with the past user). Can be generated.

  Therefore, the user can enjoy an image in which the present person is photographed together with the past person. The photo sticker creating apparatus can also provide the user with a new way to enjoy the past image.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an image generation method of a management server that manages an image generated in a photo sticker creation apparatus that shoots a user and generates an image is provided. A management step of managing a plurality of images generated by photographing the user in the photo sticker creating apparatus in association with the user, and an image associated with the user in the management step. A part of a certain image generated during one game in the photo sticker creating apparatus is replaced with another image generated during one other game different from the one game. And a generation step of generating a new image by replacing it with a part of the image.

  According to said structure, the image generation method of the said management server can have an effect similar to the management server mentioned above.

  The management server, the terminal device, and the photo sticker creation device according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the computer is the management server, the terminal device, or the photo sticker creation device. The management server, the terminal device, or the program for creating the photo sticker creation device, which realizes the management server, the terminal device, or the photo sticker creation device by a computer by operating as each means provided, and recorded the program Computer-readable recording media are also within the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention has an effect of providing a user with a new way of enjoying an image generated by a photo sticker creating apparatus.

It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the management server which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the picked-up image management system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the external appearance of the photograph sticker production apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the external appearance of the photograph sticker production apparatus concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention from other angles. It is a figure explaining the movement of the user in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the imaging | photography part with which the photograph sticker production apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention is equipped. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the background part with which the photograph sticker production apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention is equipped. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the edit part with which the photograph sticker production apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention is equipped. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the aft customer service part with which the photograph sticker production apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention is equipped. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of the photograph sticker production apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the detailed structural example of the control part with which the photograph sticker production apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention is equipped. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the portable terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a screen transition figure which shows an example of the web page displayed on the display part of a portable terminal at the time of the member registration process in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the flow of a series of processes from photography to image preservation | save in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a screen transition diagram which shows an example of the web page displayed on the display part of a portable terminal at the time of the image preservation | save process to the management server in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the flow of a series of processes regarding the image preservation | save to the portable terminal in the picked-up image management system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a screen transition diagram which shows an example of the web page displayed on the display part of a portable terminal at the time of the image preservation | save process to the portable terminal in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the image management part with which the control part of the management server which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention is provided. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the control part with which the portable terminal which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention is provided.

Embodiment 1
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Descriptions of configurations other than those described in the following specific embodiments may be omitted as necessary, but are the same as those configurations when described in other embodiments. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in each embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof is omitted as appropriate. Further, the shape of the configuration described in each drawing and the dimensions such as length, size, and width do not reflect the actual shape and dimensions, but are changed as appropriate for clarity and simplification of the drawings. doing.

(Captured image management system 10)
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the captured image management system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the captured image management system 10 includes a photographic sticker creation device 1, a mobile terminal 6, and a management server 4.

  An outline of the captured image management system 10 will be described below. The captured image management system 10 provides a user with services for realizing user photography, image editing, image printing as a photo sticker, and image storage on an image providing site. Photo shooting, image editing, and photo sticker printing services are provided by the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 installed in a store such as a game center. The image storage service is provided by the management server 4 that manages the image providing site. The user can store his / her captured image in the image providing site by operating the mobile terminal 6 possessed by the user.

  In order to store images on the image providing site, prior member registration is required. The user registers himself / herself as a free member in the image providing site. Free members do not need to pay membership fees, but image providers are limited in the number of images they can store. In this embodiment, the free member can store only one image in the image providing site for each game.

  The user can change his / her member attribute from a free member to a paid member. Paid members can save an unlimited number of images on an image providing site instead of having to pay a certain membership fee continuously. In the present embodiment, all the captured images generated by a single photo shoot can be stored in the image providing site.

  The flow from photography to image storage in the photographed image management system 10 will be briefly described below. One or more users pay the price to the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 and play a game relating to photography and image editing. The user takes a picture of himself as a subject during the game. The user selects several images to be edited from the images generated by shooting and edits them as desired. Further, the user inputs his / her e-mail address to the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 in order to save the image in the image providing site later.

  After the game is over, the user gets a photo sticker. On the other hand, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 associates the generated user's email address with the generated image and transmits the image to the management server 4. The management server 4 transmits a mail for guiding the received image to be stored in the image providing site to the received mail address. The user receives this mail at his / her mobile terminal 6. The e-mail describes a procedure for storing an image on an image providing site. The user performs an operation for saving the image on the portable terminal 6 according to the procedure. As a result, the image is stored in the image storage area dedicated to the user at the image providing site.

  After the image is stored in the image providing site, the user can log in to the image providing site using the portable terminal 6 or other desired device and download the image.

(Configuration of photo sticker creation device)
The configuration and function of each device constituting the captured image management system 10 will be described in detail below. First, details of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the appearance of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 mainly includes a photographing unit 11, an editing unit 12, and a subsequent customer service unit 13. The photo sticker creating apparatus 1 is installed in a state in which the photographing unit 11 and the editing unit 12 are in contact with each other, and the editing unit 12 and the subsequent customer service unit 13 are in contact with each other.

(Shooting unit 11)
The photographing unit 11 includes a photographing unit 21 and a background unit 22. The photographing unit 21 and the background unit 22 are installed with a predetermined distance apart. Shooting control is performed in a shooting space that is a space formed between the shooting unit 21 and the background unit 22.

  The photographing unit 21 is a device that allows a user to perform photographing control. The photographing unit 21 enters the photographing space and is located in front of the user who is performing the photographing control. A front panel 41 of the photographing unit 21 that constitutes a surface in which the photographing space is desired in front is provided with a touch panel monitor used by the user during photographing control. Assuming that the left side is the left side and the right side is the right side as viewed from the user in the imaging space, the left side of the imaging unit 21 is configured by the side panel 42A, and the right side is configured by the side panel 42B.

  The background portion 22 is attached to the left end of the rear panel 51 and the rear panel 51, which are plate-like members positioned on the rear side of the user who is performing the shooting control facing the front, and has a narrower width than the side panel 42A. And a side panel 52B (FIG. 4) which is a plate-like member attached to the right end of the rear panel 51 and having a narrower width than the side panel 42B.

  The side panel 42A constituting the left side surface of the photographing unit 21 and the side panel 52A of the background unit 22 are provided on substantially the same plane, and their upper portions are connected by a connecting part 23A that is a plate-like member. Further, the side panel 42B constituting the right side surface of the photographing unit 21 and the side panel 52B of the background portion 22 are provided on substantially the same plane, and their upper portions are connected by a connecting portion 23B which is a plate-like member.

  An opening formed by being surrounded by the side panel 42 </ b> A of the photographing unit 21, the connecting part 23 </ b> A, and the side panel 52 </ b> A of the background part 22 becomes an entrance G <b> 1 of the photographing space. An opening formed by being surrounded by the side panel 42B of the imaging unit 21, the connecting unit 23B, and the side panel 52B of the background unit 22 is also an entrance G2 of the imaging space.

  The background curtain unit 25 is provided above the background portion 22 so as to be supported by the back panel 51, the side panel 52A, and the side panel 52B. The background curtain unit 25 stores a plurality of roll-up type background curtains having different colors or patterns and used for the background. The background curtain unit 25 operates in conjunction with shooting by a camera or the like provided in the shooting unit 21. At the time of shooting, for example, the curtain of the color selected by the user is lowered and the other curtains are wound up.

  As the background curtain stored in the background curtain unit 25, an elevating curtain that uses a plurality of curtains as a single curtain for curtains may be prepared. In addition, a blackboard curtain is pasted on the rear panel 51 that is the back of the shooting space, and a plurality of background images for synthesis are prepared. In editing control described later, a user-desired background image is used as a curtain portion. It may be possible to synthesize.

  An opening surrounded by the front panel 41 of the photographing unit 21, the connecting part 23A, the connecting part 23B, and the background curtain unit 25 is formed above the photographing space, and the ceiling strobe unit 24 covers the part of the opening. Provided. One end of the ceiling strobe unit 24 is fixed to the connecting portion 23A, and the other end is fixed to the connecting portion 23B. The ceiling strobe unit 24 has a built-in strobe that emits light toward the photographing space in accordance with photographing. A fluorescent lamp is provided inside the strobe constituting the ceiling strobe unit 24, and also functions as illumination of the photographing space.

(Editor 12)
The editing unit 12 is a device that allows a user to perform editing control, which is processing for editing an image obtained by shooting control. The editing unit 12 is provided so as to be connected to the photographing unit 11 so that one side surface thereof is in contact with the back surface of the front panel 41 of the photographing unit 21. The editing unit 12 is provided with a configuration such as a tablet built-in monitor used by the user during editing control.

  If the configuration of the editing unit 12 shown in FIG. 3 is a front side configuration, the configuration used for editing control is provided on the front side and the back side of the editing unit 12 so that two sets of users can edit simultaneously. Provided.

  The front side of the editing unit 12 is a surface perpendicular to the floor surface, and is composed of a surface 71 that is substantially parallel to the side panel 42A, and a slope 72 formed above the surface 71 for editing control. The configuration used is provided on the slope 72. On the left side of the slope 72, a support portion 73A that has a columnar shape and supports one end of the lighting device 74 is provided. A support portion 75 that supports the curtain rail 26 is provided on the upper surface of the support portion 73A. A support portion 73 </ b> B (FIG. 4) that supports the other end of the lighting device 74 is also provided on the right side of the slope 72.

  A curtain rail 26 is attached above the editing unit 12. The curtain rail 26 is configured by combining three rails 26A to 26C so that the shape when viewed from above is a U-shape. One end of the rails 26A and 26B provided in parallel is fixed to the connecting portion 23A and the connecting portion 23B, respectively, and both ends of the remaining one rail 26C are joined to the other end.

  A curtain is attached to the curtain rail 26 so that the inside of the space in front of the editing unit 12 and the space in front of the back cannot be seen from the outside. The space in front of the editing unit 12 and the space in front of the back of the editing unit 12 surrounded by the curtain attached to the curtain rail 26 are editing spaces in which the user performs editing control.

(Subsequent customer service department 13)
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the external appearance of the photo sticker creating apparatus as seen from another angle. The subsequent customer service unit 13 is a device that performs the subsequent customer service and allows the user to perform an operation on the subsequent customer service. Subsequent customer service includes processing for transmitting images (including edited images) to the management server 4, processing for causing a user to play a mini game, processing for answering a questionnaire, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the post-service customer unit 13 has a plate-shaped housing having a predetermined thickness, and is connected to the editing unit 12 so that the back surface thereof is in contact with the left side surface of the editing unit 12. Provided. On the front side of the post-service customer section 13, there are provided a tablet built-in monitor used by the user at the time of operation for the post-service customer, and a discharge port for discharging sticker paper on which an image (including an edited image) is printed. The space in front of the post-service section 13 is a post-service area where a user waiting for printing on the sticker paper to perform an operation on the post-service.

(User movement)
The flow of the photo sticker creation game and the accompanying user movement will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the user.

  The user of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 takes a picture formed between the photographing part 21 and the background part 22 from the entrance / exit G1 as indicated by the white arrow # 1 or from the entrance / exit G2 as indicated by the white arrow # 2. The camera enters the space A1 and performs shooting control using a camera and a touch panel monitor provided in the shooting unit 21.

  It should be noted that, in the shooting of the user's image, not all shooting is to capture an image printed on sticker paper, but for transmission to the mobile terminal 6 (or so that it can be viewed on the mobile terminal 6, In some cases, the image is taken only for transmission to the management server 4. This is because the user's preference may be different between the image to be printed and the image transmitted to the mobile terminal 6, and the user wants to take an image in consideration of transmission to the mobile terminal 6 at the time of the user's shooting. It is in response to the user's intention.

  The user who has finished the shooting control uses the doorway G1 to move out of the shooting space A1 as indicated by the white arrow # 3 and moves to the editing space A2-1 or opens the doorway G2 as indicated by the white arrow # 4. Use to move out of the shooting space A1 and move to the editing space A2-2.

  The editing space A2-1 is an editing space on the front side of the editing unit 12, and the editing space A2-2 is an editing space on the back side of the editing unit 12. Which of the editing space A2-1 and the editing space A2-2 is moved is guided by the screen display of the touch panel monitor of the photographing unit 21 or the like. For example, the empty space of the two editing spaces is guided as the destination. The user who has moved to the editing space A2-1 or the editing space A2-2 starts editing control. The user of the editing space A2-1 and the user of the editing space A2-2 can perform editing control at the same time.

  After the editing control is finished, printing of an image selected from images (including edited images) is started. During printing of the image, the user who has finished the editing control moves from the editing space A2-1 to the subsequent customer service space A3 as indicated by the white arrow # 5 when the editing control is performed in the editing space A2-1. The customer receives the subsequent customer service and performs an operation on the subsequent customer service. In addition, when editing control is performed in the editing space A2-2, the user who has finished editing control moves from the editing space A2-2 to the post-service area A3 as indicated by the white arrow # 6. In the space A3, a subsequent customer service is received and an operation is performed on the customer service.

  When the printing of the image is finished, the user receives the sticker paper from the outlet provided in the post-service section 13 and finishes a series of photo sticker creation games.

(Configuration of each member)
Next, the configuration of each member provided in the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 will be described.

(Photographing unit 21)
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the photographing unit 21 provided in the photo sticker creating apparatus 1. The photographing unit 21 is configured by attaching a front panel 41, a side panel 42A, and a side panel 42B to a base unit 43 having a box shape.

  The front panel 41 is positioned in front of the user who performs shooting control in the shooting space A1, and the side panel 42A and the side panel 42B are positioned on the left and right sides of the user who performs shooting control in the shooting space A1, respectively. The connecting portion 23A is fixed above the side panel 42A, and the connecting portion 23B is fixed above the side panel 42B.

  An imaging / display unit 81 is provided in the approximate center of the front panel 41. The photographing / display unit 81 includes a camera 91, a front strobe 92, and a touch panel monitor 93.

  The camera 91 is configured by an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), and photographs a user in the photographing space A1. The moving image captured by the camera 91 is displayed on the touch panel monitor 93 in real time. An image captured by the camera 91 at a predetermined timing such as when a user gives an instruction to shoot is saved as an image (still image).

  The touch panel monitor 93 provided on the lower side of the camera 91 includes a monitor such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a touch panel stacked thereon. The touch panel monitor 93 has a function as a live view monitor that displays a moving image captured by the camera 91 and a function that displays various GUI (Graphical User Interface) images and accepts a user's selection operation through the touch panel. Yes. On the touch panel monitor 93, a moving image after an image such as a background is appropriately displayed is displayed.

  On the front panel 41, an upper strobe 82 is installed on the upper side with respect to the position of the photographing / display unit 81. A left strobe 83 is installed on the left side and a right strobe 84 is installed on the right side. A lower strobe 85 is provided at a position below the photographing / display unit 81 such that a part of the upper surface of the base portion 43 protrudes.

  The upper strobe 82 irradiates the user from the upper front. The left strobe 83 irradiates the user from the left front, and the right strobe 84 irradiates the user from the right front. The lower strobe 85 irradiates the user from the lower front.

  The base unit 43 is also provided with a foot strobe 86 that irradiates the user's foot. The upper strobe 82, left strobe 83, right strobe 84, lower strobe 85, and foot strobe 86 are provided with fluorescent lamps. Used as illumination in the space A1. As will be described later, by adjusting the light emission amount of each fluorescent lamp, or by adjusting the number of fluorescent lamps to emit light, the brightness in the shooting space A1 becomes the content of the shooting control performed by the user. It is adjusted accordingly.

  On the right side of the foot strobe 86, a coin insertion / return opening 87 through which a user inserts money is provided.

  Spaces 43A and 43B formed on the left and right sides of the upper surface of the base portion 43 with the lower strobe 85 interposed therebetween are used as a luggage storage place for a user who performs shooting control to place baggage and the like. For example, near the ceiling of the front panel 41, a speaker for outputting sound such as guidance sound for shooting control, BGM (Back Ground Music), and sound effects is also provided.

(Background part 22)
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the background unit 22 provided in the photo sticker creating apparatus 1. As described above, the background curtain unit 25 is provided above the back panel 51. Near the center of the background curtain unit 25, a rear center strobe 101 that irradiates a user who is performing shooting control in the shooting space A1 from the rear center.

  A rear left strobe 102 that irradiates a user who is performing shooting control in the shooting space A1 from the left rear is provided above the rear panel 51 and on the doorway G1 side. Further, a rear right strobe 103 that irradiates the user who is performing the photographing control in the photographing space A1 from the right rear is provided above the rear panel 51 and on the entrance / exit G2 side.

(Editor 12)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the editing unit 12 provided in the photo sticker creating apparatus 1. As shown in the figure, in the editing unit 12, a tablet built-in monitor 131 is provided in the approximate center of the slope 72. A touch pen 132A is provided on the left side of the tablet built-in monitor 131, and a touch pen 132B is provided on the right side.

  The tablet built-in monitor 131 is configured by superimposing a tablet capable of inputting an operation using the touch pens 132A and 132B on a monitor such as an LCD. On the tablet built-in monitor 131, for example, an editing screen, which is a screen used for editing an image selected as an image to be edited, is displayed. When two people perform editing work simultaneously, the touch pen 132A is used by one user, and the touch pen 132B is used by the other user.

  It should be noted that the image editing performed in the editing unit 12 is not necessarily an editing on an image to be printed, but an image that is assumed to be transmitted only to the mobile terminal 6 by the user (that is, an image that is not printed). May be an edit to This is because there is a difference in user preference between an image to be printed and an image transmitted to the mobile terminal 6 and used on the web. For example, an image used for a blog or the like is printed. This is to respond to the user's intention to edit differently from the editing of the image.

(Subsequent customer service department 13)
On the left side of the editing unit 12, a post-service unit 13 is provided. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the post-service unit 13 provided in the photo sticker creating apparatus 1.

  A monitor 161 with a built-in tablet is provided at the upper center of the post-service section 13. A touch pen 162A is provided on the left side of the tablet built-in monitor 161, and a touch pen 162B is provided on the right side. Similarly to the tablet built-in monitor 131, the tablet built-in monitor 161 is configured by superimposing a tablet capable of performing an operation input using the touch pen 162A or 162B on a monitor such as an LCD. On the tablet built-in monitor 161, a screen used in a post-service process such as a mini game is displayed.

  A non-contact type IC reader / writer 163 is provided under the tablet built-in monitor 161, and a sticker paper discharge port 164 is provided under the non-contact type IC reader / writer 163. A speaker 165 is provided below the sticker paper discharge port 164.

  The non-contact type IC reader / writer 163 communicates with a non-contact type IC that is in close proximity, reads data from the non-contact type IC, and writes data to the non-contact type IC.

  In the sticker paper discharge port 164, sticker paper on which an image created by the editing space A2-1 user performing editing control is printed, or created by the editing space A2-2 user performing editing control. The sticker paper on which the image is printed is discharged. A printer is provided inside the editing unit 12, and printing of images is performed by the printer.

  The speaker 165 outputs sound such as guidance voice, BGM, and sound effects at the time of subsequent customer service.

(Internal structure of photo sticker making apparatus 1)
Next, the internal configuration of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1. The same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same structure as the structure mentioned above. The overlapping description will be omitted as appropriate.

  The control unit 201 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and executes a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 206 or a storage unit 202 to control the overall operation of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1. A storage unit 202, a communication unit 203, a drive 204, a ROM 206, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 207 are connected to the control unit 201. The control unit 201 is also connected with the components of the photographing unit 21, the editing unit 12, the post-service unit 13, and the printing unit 211.

  The storage unit 202 includes a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk or a flash memory, and stores various setting information supplied from the control unit 201. Information stored in the storage unit 202 is appropriately read out by the control unit 201.

  A communication unit 203 is an interface of a network such as the Internet, and communicates with an external device according to control by the control unit 201.

  A removable medium 205 made of an optical disk or a semiconductor memory is appropriately attached to the drive 204. The computer program and data read from the removable medium 205 by the drive 204 are supplied to the control unit 201 and stored in the storage unit 202 or installed.

  The ROM 206 stores programs and data executed by the control unit 201. The RAM 207 temporarily stores data and programs processed by the control unit 201.

  The imaging unit 21 performs processing related to the user's imaging control in the imaging space A1. The imaging unit 21 includes a coin processing unit 221, a background control unit 222, an illumination control unit 223, a camera 91, a touch panel monitor 93, and a speaker 224.

  The coin processing unit 221 detects the insertion of coins into the coin insertion / return port 87. When the coin processing unit 221 detects that a predetermined amount of coins such as 300 yen has been inserted, the coin processing unit 221 outputs an activation signal indicating that to the control unit 201.

  The background control unit 222 raises and lowers the background curtain stored in the background curtain unit 25 according to the background control signal supplied from the control unit 201. The background curtain may be manually selected by the user.

  The illumination control unit 223 controls the light emission of each strobe in the imaging space A1 according to the illumination control signal supplied from the control unit 201. As described above, in the photographing space A1, in addition to the strobe of the ceiling strobe unit 24, an upper strobe 82, a left strobe 83, a right strobe 84, a lower strobe 85, a foot strobe 86, and a background portion provided in the photographing unit 21 are provided. 22 is provided with a back center strobe 101, a back left strobe 102, and a back right strobe 103. A fluorescent lamp is also provided inside each strobe.

  In addition, the illumination control unit 223 adjusts the light emission amount of the fluorescent lamp provided in each strobe, or adjusts the number of fluorescent lamps to emit light, thereby performing the shooting control stage performed by the user. Accordingly, the brightness in the shooting space A1 is adjusted.

  The camera 91 shoots according to the control by the control unit 201 and outputs an image (image) obtained by the shooting to the control unit 201.

  The editing unit 12A performs processing related to user editing control in the editing space A2-1. The editing unit 12A includes a tablet built-in monitor 131, touch pens 132A and 132B, and a speaker 231 provided on the front side of the editing unit 12. The editing unit 12B has the same configuration as the editing unit 12A, and performs processing related to user editing control in the editing space A2-2.

  The tablet built-in monitor 131 displays an editing screen according to control by the control unit 201 and detects a user operation on the editing screen. A signal representing the content of the user's operation is supplied to the control unit 201, and the image to be edited is edited.

  The subsequent customer service section 13 performs processing related to the subsequent customer service in the subsequent customer service space A3. The subsequent customer service unit 13 includes a tablet built-in monitor 161, touch pens 162A and 162B, a non-contact type IC reader / writer 163, and a speaker 165.

  The printing unit 211 includes a printer 241 and a sticker unit 242 that are configured to perform printing control. The printer 241 prints the image or the edited image obtained by the editing control by the user on the sticker paper stored in the sticker paper unit 242 attached to the printer 241 and discharges it to the sticker paper discharge port 164. . The subsequent customer service unit 13 and the printing unit 211 that are surrounded by a one-dot chain line are configured to perform processing related to the subsequent customer service for the user in the subsequent customer service space A3.

  In addition, the printing unit 211 acquires the image transmitted to the management server 4 outside the margin (such as the edge of the sticker paper) in addition to printing the photographed image (or the edited image) on the sticker paper in the process related to the print control. URL (Uniform Resource Locater) and a seal ID (image acquisition ID) may be printed. The sticker ID is an identifier for uniquely identifying one or a plurality of images (including a photographed image and an edited image) generated during one game in the photo sticker creating apparatus 1. This is an identifier for acquiring the generated image. The user accesses a URL for acquiring an image and inputs a sticker ID, whereby a web page (image acquisition page) for acquiring an image generated during one game in the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 is displayed. It can be displayed on the portable terminal 6.

  This is because, for example, when receiving an e-mail address input from the user at the post-service department 13 or the like, a correct address cannot be received due to a time-out or error input, and information such as a URL for acquiring an image is transmitted to the user. This is to allow the user to acquire an image by accessing the URL printed on the sticker paper and inputting the sticker ID when the user cannot do so.

  Note that the printing unit 211 may print, for example, a predetermined mail address or a QR code (registered trademark) as the information for acquiring an image instead of the URL. When a predetermined mail address is printed, the user receives a mail describing a URL for acquiring an image from the management server 4 by sending a blank mail to the predetermined mail address. Can do. In addition, when the QR code is printed on the sticker paper, the user can directly access the image acquisition page by accessing the web page indicated by the QR code using the mobile terminal 6.

(Configuration of control unit)
FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of the control unit 201 provided in the photo sticker creating apparatus 1. As shown in this figure, the control unit 201 includes a communication control unit 311, a shooting control unit 312, an editing control unit 313, a print control unit 314, and a post-service customer control unit 315.

  The communication control unit 311 controls communication with an external device by the communication unit 203.

  The shooting control unit 312 relates to a process related to a charge inserted when starting the photo sticker creation game by the shooting unit 21 and a user shooting control in the photo sticker creation game such as shooting a user group according to the user shooting control. Control processing. The shooting control unit 312 can also generate date / time information related to the date / time when the image was shot.

  The editing control unit 313 controls processing related to user editing control in the photo sticker creation game, such as graffiti editing of images by the editing unit 12A and the editing unit 12B.

  The print control unit 314 controls processing related to user print control in the photo sticker creation game, such as sticker sheet printing by the printing unit 211.

  The post-service customer control unit 315 controls processing related to the post-service in the photo sticker creation game, such as processing to serve a user group that has finished the editing work by the post-service unit 13.

(Management server 4)
Next, details of the management server 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the management server 4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the management server 4 mainly includes a control unit 401, a storage unit 402, and a communication unit 403. The control unit 401 performs overall control of each member provided in the management server 4. The storage unit 402 stores various data used in the management server 4. The communication unit 403 communicates with other devices constituting the captured image management system 10.

(Details of control unit 401)
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the control unit 401 includes a communication control unit 411, a mail creation unit 412, a web page creation unit 413, and an image management unit 414.

(Communication control unit 411)
The communication control unit 411 controls communication by the communication unit 403.

(Mail creation unit 412)
The mail creating unit 412 creates a mail to be sent to the mail address of the user who played with the photo sticker creating apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the mail creation unit 412 creates a mail that guides the storage of an image that is transmitted to the mail address input from the communication control unit 411 using the data stored in the mail database 421. And output to the communication control unit 411.

(Web page creation unit 413)
The web page creation unit 413 creates a web page displayed on the mobile terminal 6. In the present embodiment, the web page creation unit 413 creates a web page corresponding to the access request received from the mobile terminal 6 using the data stored in the web page database 423 and outputs the web page to the communication control unit 411. . Although details will be described later, the web page creation unit 413 creates a web page corresponding to the user's membership type.

  In the following description, “page” refers to data that the management server 4 transmits to a communication terminal such as the mobile terminal 6 for display, such as a web page. The page usually includes text data and image data, and may further include audio data and moving image data.

(Image management unit 414)
The image management unit 414 manages images provided to the user through the image providing site. In the present embodiment, the image management unit 414 stores, in the image database 424, an image designated by the user among images created by the photo sticker creating apparatus 1.

(Details of storage unit 402)
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the storage unit 402 includes a mail database 421, a member database 422, a web page database 423, and an image database 424.

(Mail database 421)
The mail database 421 stores various data for creating a mail to be transmitted to the user.

(Member database 422)
The member database 422 stores various types of information related to users who are members of the image providing site. In the present embodiment, the member database 422 stores information (user specifying information) for specifying a user who uses the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 for each user. Examples of the user specifying information include a user's member ID, e-mail address, nickname, date of birth, address, member attribute, membership date, and terminal ID of a mobile terminal held by the user. Moreover, as a member attribute, a pay member, a free member, etc. can be mentioned, for example.

(Web page database 423)
The web page database 423 stores various data for creating a web page of an image providing site displayed on the mobile terminal 6.

(Image database 424)
The image database 424 stores images instructed by the user to be stored in the image providing site among the images of the user created by the photo sticker creating apparatus 1. In the image database 424, images are stored separately for each user registered as a member in the member database 422.

  Although not shown, the storage unit 402 also has a temporary storage database that temporarily stores data such as images received from the photo sticker creating apparatus 1.

(Details of communication unit 403)
In this embodiment, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 and the mobile terminal 6 are communication partners of the communication unit 403. The communication unit 403 receives data from another device or transmits data to another device under the control of the communication control unit 411.

(Mobile terminal 6)
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the mobile terminal 6 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the mobile terminal 6 mainly includes a control unit 601, a storage unit 602, a communication unit 603, an input unit 604, and a display unit 605. The control unit 601 performs overall control of each member provided in the mobile terminal 6. The storage unit 602 stores various data used in the mobile terminal 6. The mobile terminal 6 communicates with other devices constituting the captured image management system 10. The input unit 604 is a device for a user to input information to the mobile terminal 6 such as a touch panel. The display unit 605 is a device for displaying information, such as a liquid crystal display device.

(Details of control unit 601)
As illustrated in FIG. 12, the control unit 601 includes a communication control unit 611, an input control unit 612, and a display control unit 613.

  The communication control unit 611 controls communication by the communication unit 603. The input control unit 612 controls information input in the input unit 604. The display control unit 613 controls information display on the display unit 605. For example, when the display control unit 613 outputs the web page input from the communication control unit 611 to the display unit 605, the web page can be displayed on the display unit 605.

(Member registration process)
In the photographed image management system 10, a user who has registered as a member on the image providing site can save the photographed image on the image providing site. The user registers himself / herself as a free member in the image providing site according to a predetermined procedure. The procedure will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a screen transition diagram illustrating an example of a web page displayed on the display unit 605 of the mobile terminal 6 during the member registration process.

  The user accesses the image providing site using the portable terminal 6 in order to register as a member in the image providing site. As a result, the top page 1001 of the image providing site as shown in FIG. 13A is displayed on the display unit 605 of the mobile terminal 6. The top page 1001 includes at least a link image 1002 for proceeding with the member login process and a link image 1003 for proceeding with the free member registration process.

  The user operates the input unit 604 of the mobile terminal 6 to select a link image 1003 for proceeding with free member registration. As a result, the portable terminal 6 communicates with the management server 4, and as a result, the web page 1011 for free member registration as shown in FIG. 13B is displayed on the display unit 605.

  The web page 1011 includes an input form 1012 for inputting information (user specifying information) for specifying a user who is registered as a free member, and a link image 1013 for transmitting the input user specifying information to the management server 4. Including at least. The user operates the input unit 604 of the mobile terminal 6 to input various personal information such as the user's member ID, password, and email address to the input form 1012 as user identification information. The user selects the link image 1013 after completing the input of the user specifying information. As a result, the mobile terminal 6 transmits the user specifying information to the management server 4 and requests the management server 4 to register the user for free membership.

  The communication control unit 411 of the management server 4 receives the user specifying information transmitted from the mobile terminal 6 through the communication unit 403. The communication control unit 411 outputs the received user identification information to the mail creation unit 412 and instructs the mail creation unit 412 to create a member registration email. In response to this instruction, the mail creation unit 412 creates a member registration mail 1021 as shown in FIG. The member registration mail 1021 is a mail addressed to the mail address included in the received user identification information, and includes a URL 1022 to a web page indicating completion of free member registration. The mail creation unit 412 outputs the created member registration mail 1021 to the communication control unit 411. The communication control unit 411 transmits the input member registration mail 1021 to the user's mail address via the communication unit 403.

  The portable terminal 6 receives the transmitted member registration mail 1021 and displays it on the display unit 605. The user confirms the displayed member registration mail 1021 and selects the URL 1022. Thereby, the mobile terminal 6 requests the management server 4 for a web page specified by the URL 1022.

  In response to this request, the management server 4 completes free member registration. Specifically, the management server 4 creates an account area for a user (a storage area for storing member-specific data) in the member database 422, and stores the user specifying information in the account area. At this time, information indicating that the user is a free member is added to the account area. Finally, the management server 4 creates a web page indicating that the free member registration is completed and transmits it to the mobile terminal 6.

  The user can register himself / herself as a paying member in the image providing site by logging in to the image providing site by entering a member ID and password after registering a free member and following a predetermined procedure. After this registration is completed, information indicating that the user is a paid member is added to the user's account area.

(Service flow)
Next, details of the flow of services provided by the captured image management system 10 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of a series of processes from photography to image storage in the photographed image management system 10.

(photography)
As shown in FIG. 14, the user starts playing the game in the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 (step S1). Specifically, the user stands in front of the front panel 41 of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 and inserts coins having a fee required for playing the game into the coin insertion / return slot 87. The imaging control unit 312 determines whether or not a predetermined amount of coins has been inserted based on a signal supplied from the coin processing unit 221.

  If it is determined that the camera has been inserted, the shooting control unit 312 controls the shooting unit 21 to display the moving image of the subject captured by the camera 91 on the touch panel monitor 93 and display it in the shooting space A1 according to the shooting control by the user. The user is photographed as a subject (step S2). This photographing control is performed a plurality of times within the photographing processing time.

  In addition, as a process in the imaging control, a predetermined number of times may be taken as an image for transmission to the mobile terminal 6 instead of an image for printing on a sticker sheet. In this case, as an image suitable for an image to be transmitted to the mobile terminal 6, an image obtained by chroma-combining the image for synthesis and an image subjected to image processing such as filtering processing using a color filter are created at the time of shooting. Sometimes.

  After the photographing is finished, the photographing control unit 312 guides the user in the photographing space A1 to move to the editing space A2-1 or the editing space A2-2. This guidance is performed by displaying a guidance screen on the touch panel monitor 93 of the photographing unit 21 or by outputting voice guidance from the speaker 224.

(edit a picture)
After the end of the guidance, the editing control unit 313 controls the editing unit 12 corresponding to the editing space of the editing space A2-1 and the editing space A2-2 that is the destination of the user who has finished the shooting control. Thus, the editing unit 12 is caused to edit the image (step S3). Specifically, the editing control unit 313 causes the user to select a synthesis image to be synthesized with the image selected or acquired as the editing target image, and synthesizes the selected synthesis image with the image. The composite image is edited according to the editing operation by the user. In addition, as editing for an image for transmission to the mobile terminal 6, for example, processing such as processing for trimming an image to a predetermined size, filtering processing using a color filter, and collage synthesis processing for finishing a plurality of images as one image Can also be done.

  After the editing, the editing control unit 313 guides the user who has finished editing control in the editing space A2-1 or the editing space A2-2 to move to the post-service space A3. This guidance is performed by displaying a guidance screen on the tablet built-in monitor 131 or by outputting guidance voice from the speaker 231.

(Photo sticker printing)
After the guidance is completed, the print control unit 314 outputs the image selected by the user to the printer 241 and prints it on the sticker sheet (step S4). When printing is completed, the customer service control unit 315 displays that the printing has been completed on the tablet built-in monitor 161 so that the printer 241 can acquire images from the management server 4 and the photo sticker creation apparatus 1 in the same procedure. The sticker ID created in the photo sticker creation device 1 and image acquisition information (URL of the image acquisition site, e-mail address for acquisition, etc.) are printed out of the box, and a predetermined image is printed in the center. The sealed sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge port 164.

(Subsequent customer service)
During printing, the subsequent customer service control unit 315 controls the subsequent customer service unit 13 to control processing related to the subsequent customer service for the user who is waiting for completion of printing (step S5). Specifically, the post-service customer control unit 315 controls processing for transmitting images (including edited images) to the management server 4 in the photo sticker creation game as processing related to the post-service by the post-service customer unit 13. . At that time, the post-service control unit 315 causes the tablet built-in monitor 161 to display a mail address input screen for inputting the mail address of the user who played the game and a screen for selecting an image to be transmitted. The user uses the touch pen 162 </ b> A or the touch pen 162 </ b> B to input the currently used mail address and select an image to be transmitted to the management server 4.

(Image transmission)
The communication control unit 311 transmits the input mail address and the selected image or the image determined by the control unit 201 as a transmission target to the management server 4 through the communication unit 203 (step S6). An identifier (image ID) for uniquely identifying the image is associated with the image transmitted at this time. The communication unit 403 of the management server 4 receives the mail address, image, and image ID transmitted from the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 (step S7), and outputs them to the communication control unit 411. The communication control unit 411 stores the received image in a temporary storage database (not shown) of the storage unit 402. The stored data such as an image is continuously stored in the temporary storage database until a predetermined time limit elapses, and is automatically deleted from the temporary storage database when the time limit elapses.

  Note that the communication control unit 311 may transmit all images to the management server 4 in consideration of not only a predetermined number of images selected by the user but also a future paying member. As a result, the user can acquire all images taken in the state of the free member when the user becomes a paying member on the site after shooting in the state of the free member.

(Compose and send a guide email)
The communication control unit 411 outputs the received email address and image ID to the email creation unit 412. The mail creating unit 412 creates a guide mail that is transmitted to the mail address received from the communication control unit 411 and guides the user to save the image. The procedure is as follows. The mail creation unit 412 outputs the image ID to the web page creation unit 413 and requests the web page creation unit 413 to generate a URL 1102 indicating a web page for storing the image specified by the image ID. The web page creation unit 413 generates the requested URL 1102 and outputs it to the mail creation unit 412.

  The mail creation unit 412 acquires data for creating a guide mail from the mail database 421. Then, the guide mail 1101 shown in FIG. 15A is created using the data, the URL 1102 and the user's mail address. A URL 1102 is described in the text of the guide mail 1101. The mail creation unit 412 outputs the created guide mail 1101 to the communication control unit 411. The communication control unit 411 transmits the guide mail 1101 to the user's mail address via the communication unit 403 (step S8).

  Note that the mail creation unit 412 may transmit a guide mail including a URL indicating a web page that only allows the user to input a seal ID instead of a web page that collects the image ID and the image related to the image ID. Good. In this case, the management server 4 receives an input of a seal ID printed outside the margin of the sticker paper from the mobile terminal 6 on the web page indicated by the URL included in the guidance mail, and is transmitted to the management server 4. You may make it display the image which is.

(Request and send web page for saving images)
The communication unit 603 of the portable terminal 6 receives the transmitted guide mail 1101 (step S9) and outputs it to the communication control unit 611. The communication control unit 611 outputs the input guide mail 1101 to the display control unit 613. The display control unit 613 outputs the input guide mail 1101 to the display unit 605. The user confirms the guide mail 1101 displayed on the display unit 605, and selects the URL 1102 using the input unit 604 in order to save the image on the image providing site (step S10).

  The input control unit 612 receives a selection input from the input unit 604 and notifies the communication control unit 611 that the URL 1102 has been selected. In response to this, the communication control unit 611 requests the management server 4 for a web page corresponding to the selected URL 1102. The specific procedure is as follows. The communication control unit 611 acquires the user member ID stored in the storage unit 602, and transmits a predetermined request for providing a web page including the member ID to the management server 4 through the communication unit 603.

  The communication control unit 411 receives the transmitted request through the communication unit 403 (step S11) and outputs it to the web page creation unit 413. The web page creation unit 413 determines the member type of the user by referring to the member database 422 for the member ID included in the request (step S12). In the present embodiment, the web page creation unit 413 determines whether the user is a free member or a paid member, and creates a web page according to the determination result. If the web page creation unit 413 determines that the user is a free member, the web page creation unit 413 creates a web page 1103 for the free member to store images as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the user is a paying member, a web page 1107 for the paying member to save the image is created as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15B, the web page 1103 includes one thumbnail image 1104, a link image 1105 that prompts the user to register a paying member, and a link image 1106 for storing one image on the image providing site. Is included. If the user is a free member, the number of images that can be stored is one, and the thumbnail image 1104 is a thumbnail of the one image. Note that the single image is an image selected by the user in the photo sticker creating apparatus 1. On the other hand, when there are a plurality of images, the thumbnail image 1104 is any one of the plurality of images.

  As shown in FIG. 15C, the web page 1107 includes one thumbnail image 1104 and a link image 1108 for storing all the images.

  In this example, since the user is a free member, the web page creation unit 413 creates a web page 1103 for a free member. The web page creation unit 413 outputs the created web page 1103 to the communication control unit 411. The communication control unit 411 transmits the input web page 1103 to the mobile terminal 6 through the communication unit 403 (step S13).

(Save image)
The portable terminal 6 receives the web page 1103 through the communication unit 603 (step S14). The web page 1103 is output to the display control unit 613 via the communication control unit 611. The display control unit 613 outputs the input web page 1103 to the display unit 605. The user confirms the web page 1103 displayed on the display unit 605. When the user is a free member, even if there are a plurality of images, only one of them can be stored in the image providing site. When the user wants to save one image, the user selects the link image 1106 through the input unit 604. Note that the image to be stored is not limited to the image selected as the image to be transmitted to the mobile terminal 6 in the photo sticker creating apparatus 1, and is designated as an image to be stored in the mobile terminal 6 accessing the image providing site, for example. It may be an image.

  The input control unit 612 receives a selection input from the input unit 604 and notifies the communication control unit 611 that the link image 1106 has been selected. In response to this, the communication control unit 611 transmits an image storage instruction to the management server 4 (step S15).

  The communication control unit 411 receives the transmitted storage instruction through the communication unit 403 (step S16). As a result, the communication control unit 411 instructs the image management unit 414 to store the image. In response to this instruction, the image management unit 414 stores the user image stored in the temporary storage database in the image database 424 in association with the user member ID (step S17). At that time, if there is only one image, the image is saved. On the other hand, if there are a plurality of images, one of them (for example, an image corresponding to the thumbnail image 1104) is stored. Thereby, a series of processes shown in FIG. 14 is completed.

  Note that a user who is a free member selects the link image 1105 when he wants to save all images. In this case, a series of processing for paying member registration is performed in the captured image management system 10. When registration is completed, all images are stored in the image database 424 in association with the member ID of the user.

  In addition, the saving process when the user is a paying member is essentially the same as the saving process when the user is a free member. However, the user selects the link image 1108 included in the web page 1107. As a result, the management server 4 stores all the images in the user image storage area in the image database 424. Note that the selection of an image to be saved by the user (one image for a free member and all images for a paid member) may be accepted by the photo sticker creating apparatus 1. In this case, the image management unit 414 may store the image selected in the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 in the image database 424.

(Image saving to portable terminal 6)
Hereinafter, a flow of processing when an image stored in the image providing site is stored in the user's portable terminal 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of a series of processes related to image storage in the mobile terminal 6 in the captured image management system 10. FIG. 17 is a screen transition diagram illustrating an example of a web page displayed on the display unit 605 of the mobile terminal 6 during the image saving process on the mobile terminal 6.

  The user accesses the image providing site in order to log in to the image providing site. As a result, the top page 1001 of the image providing site as shown in FIG. 17A is displayed on the display unit 605 of the mobile terminal 6. The user operates the input unit 604 of the mobile terminal 6 to select a link image 1002 for proceeding with member login processing to the image providing site. The input control unit 612 receives this selection operation and notifies the communication control unit 611 that the link image 1002 has been selected. As a result, the communication control unit 611 reads the user's member ID and password from the storage unit 602, transmits them to the management server 4 via the communication unit 603, and requests the management server 4 to log in to the image providing site (step S21). . Note that when the link image 1002 is selected, the communication control unit 611 may acquire a web page for inputting the user's member ID and password. In this case, the management server 4 may accept input of the member ID and password on the web page.

  The communication control unit 411 of the management server 4 receives this request through the communication unit 403 (step S22). Next, the communication control unit 411 outputs the received member ID and password to the web page creation unit 413 and instructs the web page creation unit 413 to create the member top page 1031.

  The web page creation unit 413 determines whether or not the user is registered as a member on the image providing site by checking the input member ID and password against the member database 422. If it is determined that it is registered, data for generating the member top page 1031 is acquired from the web page database 423. The web page creation unit 413 generates a member top page 1031 as shown in FIG. 17B using the data and outputs the member top page 1031 to the communication control unit 411. The member top page 1031 includes a link image 1032 for displaying a list of user images stored in the image providing site. The communication control unit 411 transmits the member top page 1031 to the mobile terminal 6 through the communication unit 403 (step S23).

  The communication control unit 611 of the mobile terminal 6 receives the member top page 1031 through the communication unit 603. The communication control unit 611 outputs the received member top page 1031 to the display control unit 613. The display control unit 613 outputs the member top page 1031 to the display unit 605. As a result, the member top page 1031 is displayed on the display unit 605 (step S24).

  The user selects the link image 1032 by operating the input unit 604 of the mobile terminal 6 (step S25). The input control unit 612 receives this selection operation and notifies the communication control unit 611 that the link image 1032 has been selected. As a result, the communication control unit 611 transmits a request for providing a web page including a list of user images stored in the image providing site to the management server 4 through the communication unit 603.

  The communication control unit 411 of the management server 4 receives the transmitted request through the communication unit 403 (step S26). Next, the communication control unit 411 instructs the web page creation unit 413 to generate an image list page 1041 including a list of user images stored in the image database 424.

  The web page creation unit 413 acquires data for generating the image list page 1041 from the web page database 423. The web page creation unit 413 uses the data and refers to all the images of the user stored in the image database 424 to generate an image list page 1041 as shown in FIG. 411. The image list page 1041 includes a plurality of thumbnail images 1042 that individually represent all the images of the user stored in the image database 424. The communication control unit 411 transmits the image list page 1041 to the mobile terminal 6 through the communication unit 403 (step S27).

  The communication control unit 611 of the portable terminal 6 receives the image list page 1041 through the communication unit 603. The communication control unit 611 outputs the received image list page 1041 to the display control unit 613. The display control unit 613 outputs the image list page 1041 to the display unit 605. As a result, the image list page 1041 is displayed on the display unit 605 (step S28).

  The user operates the input unit 604 of the mobile terminal 6 to select a thumbnail image 1042 corresponding to an image to be stored in the mobile terminal 6 among the displayed thumbnail images 1042 (step S29). The input control unit 612 receives this selection operation and notifies the communication control unit 611 that the thumbnail image 1042 has been selected. As a result, the communication control unit 611 transmits a request for providing an image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image 1042 to the management server 4 through the communication unit 603.

  The communication control unit 411 of the management server 4 receives the transmitted request through the communication unit 403 (step S30). Next, the communication control unit 411 instructs the image management unit 414 to output the image of the user requested to be provided from the portable terminal 6 to the communication control unit 411.

  The image management unit 414 acquires the instructed image from the image database 424 and outputs the acquired image to the communication control unit 411. The communication control unit 411 transmits the input image to the mobile terminal 6 through the communication unit 403 (step S31).

  The communication control unit 611 of the portable terminal 6 receives the transmitted image through the communication unit 603 and stores it in the storage unit 602 (step S32). Thus, the image storage process on the mobile terminal 6 is completed.

  In the above description, the configuration in which the mobile terminal 6 acquires an image by logging in to the image providing site has been described as an example. However, in the present embodiment, an image can also be acquired using a seal ID. . For example, the mobile terminal 6 accesses the web page indicated by the URL printed on the sticker paper (or the URL included in the guide mail), and accepts an input operation of the sticker ID by the user, thereby obtaining the image acquisition page. To access.

  At this time, if the user is a paying member, the image acquisition page displays a list of all the images specified by the seal ID and generated during one game so that the user can select. If the user is a free member, only one image of all images specified by the seal ID may be displayed in a list so that the user can select. Further, the image acquisition page may display only one image selected in advance in the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 when the user is a free member. Note that it is preferable that only a list of edited images is displayed on the image acquisition page. For example, when there are captured images for which no edited image is generated, the edited image and the captured image for which the edited image is not generated are displayed. Images may be displayed as a list, or all edited images and captured images may be displayed as a list, and there is no particular limitation.

  The portable terminal 6 acquires an image selected by the user from the management server 4 among the images displayed as a list on the image acquisition page, and stores the acquired image in the storage unit 602. When the user is a paying member, the mobile terminal 6 manages all the images displayed in the list without accepting the user's selection operation for the images displayed in the list on the image acquisition page. And may be stored in the storage unit 602.

(New image generation)
Below, the structure which produces | generates a new image from the two or more images produced | generated in the game performed at the different timing in the management server 4 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the image management unit 414 included in the control unit 401 of the management server 4 according to the present embodiment.

(Image Management Department)
The image management unit 414 (management unit) according to the present embodiment stores a plurality of images generated in one or a plurality of photo sticker creating apparatuses (including the photo sticker creating apparatus 1) in the image database 424 in association with the user. It is managed by doing. Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the image management unit 414 according to the present embodiment includes a detection unit 441 (detection unit), an extraction unit 442 (face extraction unit), and a generation unit 443 (generation unit).

  The detecting unit 441 uses a plurality of images stored in the image database 424 in association with the same user, a certain image generated during a certain game, and the certain one game. Other images generated during another different one-time game are detected. Note that one game and one other game may be a game played on the same photo sticker creating apparatus or a game run on different photo sticker creating apparatuses. In other words, an image and another image may be images generated by the same photo sticker creating apparatus or images generated by different photo sticker creating apparatuses.

  At this time, the detection unit 441 has similar predetermined characteristics (for example, at least one of user's makeup and clothes) as certain images and other images (in this embodiment, the predetermined characteristics are similar). In such a case, it is preferable to detect a matching image (including a case where predetermined characteristics match). Whether or not a predetermined feature is similar can be determined based on whether or not a difference between a predetermined feature in one image and a predetermined feature in another image is within a predetermined range. .

  For example, when the difference between the color of the user's clothes in a certain image and the color of the user's clothes in another image is within a predetermined range on the color coordinates, the detection unit 441 It can be determined that the user's clothes in other images are similar.

  The detection unit 441 can specify the user's clothes (clothes) from each image as follows. When the chroma key mask is generated in the process of performing the chroma key process in the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 (or the management server 4), the detection unit 441 has a constant color within a predetermined range in the person area in the chroma key mask. It can also be estimated that the area occupying the ratio is an area corresponding to the user's clothes. For example, when the user included in the image wears a dark blue uniform, the detection unit 441 has a large number of dark blue pixel components in the image, and therefore, the dark blue occupies a certain ratio or more in the human region in the chroma key mask. It can be estimated that the area corresponds to the uniform worn by the user. Thereby, the detection unit 441 can specify a region on the image corresponding to the estimated region as a user's clothes.

The detection unit 441 can determine whether the user's clothes in a certain image are similar to the user's clothes in another image by specifying the user's clothes in this way. As described above, when only the person area is extracted from the image using the person's chroma key mask, the detection unit 441 makes a relatively easy determination by performing a similar determination using the color in the person area. The color can be evaluated.
Note that a known technique can be used to determine whether or not a predetermined feature included in one image and another image is similar in the detection unit 441. Omitted.

  The detection unit 441 may automatically detect both a certain image and another image, or may detect another image based on a certain image selected by a user operation, and is particularly limited. It is not something. For example, when a certain image is selected by a user operation, the detection unit 441 extracts a predetermined feature from the selected certain image and another image in which the extracted predetermined feature is similar. May be detected.

  The extraction unit 442 extracts a part of the user from the image detected by the detection unit 441. Specifically, a part of users included in a certain image and other images detected by the detection unit 441 are extracted. Here, as a part of the user, for example, the user's face, clothes, hairstyle, each part of the face, and the like can be cited. Hereinafter, a case where the extraction unit 442 extracts a user's face from an image will be described as an example.

  The generation unit 443 generates a new image by replacing a part of a certain image detected by the detection unit 441 with a part of another image. Specifically, the generation unit 443 generates a new image by replacing a user's face included in a certain image extracted by the extraction unit 442 with a user's face included in another image. At this time, the generation unit 443 preferably adjusts the image size of the user's face included in another image in accordance with the image size of the user's face included in a certain image. For example, the generation unit 443 may recognize the outline of the face by recognizing the face of the user included in each image and adjust the image size by making the area of the face portion defined by the outline constant. . Thereby, the generation unit 443 can generate a new image without a sense of incongruity.

  Accordingly, the generation unit 443 can generate a new image in which a user's face included in a certain image is replaced with a user's face included in another image. In addition, since an image and another image are images associated with the same user, the affinity for generating a new image is high. Furthermore, since at least one of the user's makeup and clothes included in each image is similar in the detection unit 441, the affinity for generating a new image is high.

  Note that the determination of whether the user's makeup is similar in the detection unit 441 may be, for example, determination of whether the makeup is similar based on information about the color around the eyes. Furthermore, the detection unit 441 can determine whether the makeup is similar by evaluating the color of the lips of the user and classifying the lip images of the same color as similar images. . Further, whether or not the user's clothes are similar in the detection unit 441 is determined by estimating an image that is a part of the user and has a lot of skin color in a portion other than the face as an image of the user's clothes being a short sleeve. It can also be determined.

  Accordingly, the management server 4 can provide a new image generated using a plurality of images associated with the user.

  In the present embodiment, the other one-time game is preferably a game played before a certain one-time game is played. According to this, the management server 4 can generate a new image using an image generated by photographing a user before a certain image (that is, a user's past image).

  In addition, when a certain image is selected by a user operation, the detection unit 441 according to the present embodiment is an image that has similar user characteristics and is included in another selected image. A plurality of images may be detected.

  At this time, the web page creation unit 413 generates a page in which one image can be selected from a plurality of images that are candidates for other images extracted by the detection unit 441, and the communication control unit 411 The page may be transmitted to the user's portable terminal 6 through the communication unit 403. Then, the communication control unit 411 acquires a user selection instruction from the mobile terminal 6 through the communication unit 403.

  Accordingly, the detection unit 441 can set the image selected by the user's selection instruction as another image.

  For example, the generation unit 443 normalizes the area of the face in each image extracted by the extraction unit 442 to the same area, and combines the centers of the faces together so that the user included in a certain image It is possible to synthesize a user's face included in another image into the face. In this case, the generation unit 443 can eliminate the uncomfortable feeling of the generated image by blurring the boundary portion between the user's face included in the other combined image and a certain image in which the face is combined. Further, the generation unit 443 adjusts the face extracted from the other image (that is, inserts (replaces)) the face brightness extracted from the other image and the brightness of the part other than the face in the certain image. Composition may be performed after changing (adjusting) the brightness of the face image.

  Therefore, the management server 4 can provide the user with a new image in which the user's face included in a certain image is replaced with the user's face included in another image selected by the user as described above. it can. As a result, the user can obtain a good image (for example, good skin tone, good makeup tone, and high quality) from a plurality of images detected by the detection unit 441 (the editing process is successful). Since the image can be selected as another image, it is possible to enjoy a new image in which one's face included in one image is replaced with the face of another image with good image quality.

  In the present embodiment, the case where a new image is generated from two images (a certain image and another image) has been described as an example. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this. The management server 4 may generate a new image from three or more images.

  For example, when generating a new image from three images, the management server 4 replaces the user's face included in one image with the user's face included in the first other image, The user's hairstyle included can also be replaced with the user's hairstyle included in the second other image. Further, the management server 4 may accept a user instruction to select each of the first other image and the second other image. According to this, since the user can arbitrarily edit (customize) his / her image included in a certain image, the user can enjoy a new image obtained by editing his / her face according to his / her own preference (preference). be able to.

  Note that the generation of a new image in the management server 4 according to the present embodiment may be performed, for example, when a user instruction to generate a new image is received. For example, the management server 4 accesses the management server 4 using an image browsing application (or a general web browser or the like) for browsing images managed by the management server 4. On the other hand, a web page including a user interface (UI) for accepting a user instruction for instructing generation of a new image generated in the web page creation unit 413 is transmitted. And the management server 4 should just receive the user instruction | indication which produces | generates a new image by receiving from the portable terminal 6 user operation which selects UI in a web page.

(Mobile device)
In this embodiment, although the structure which produces | generates a new image from two or more images produced | generated in the game performed at the different timing in the management server 4 was demonstrated, it is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which a new image is generated in the mobile terminal 6 (terminal device) accessing the management server 4 using an image browsing application (or a general web browser or the like) may be employed.

  In this case, the communication control unit 611 of the control unit 601 included in the mobile terminal 6 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires an image managed in association with the user of the mobile terminal 6 from the accessing management server 4. do it.

  Further, in this modification, the control unit 601 (1) detecting means for detecting a certain image and other images from the image acquired by the communication control unit 611, and (2) extracting the user's face from the detected image. And (3) a generation unit that generates a new image from a certain image and another image.

  Thereby, the portable terminal 6 which concerns on this modification provides the new image produced | generated using the some image linked | related with the said user with respect to the user similarly to the management server 4 which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. can do.

(Other configurations)
Further, the management server 4 (or the mobile terminal 6) according to the present embodiment gradually changes a user's face included in a certain image to a user's face included in another image as a new image ( A so-called morphing image may be generated.

  According to this, the management server 4 (or the portable terminal 6) can provide the user with an image in which the user's face changes stepwise as a new image. Thereby, the user can enjoy an image in which his / her face changes step by step as a new image. For example, a user gradually rejuvenates their age while leaving an image of their current face, with a new image morphing from their current (recent) face to their past (several years ago). You can enjoy images.

  In addition, the management server 4 extracts the user's face included in the past image and the current (recent) image, and the size of the user's face included in the past image is the user's face included in the current image. Normalize to the same size as. And the management server 4 produces | generates the new image which displays the user's face contained in the past image, and the user's face contained in the present image together or in order, and the secular change of the user's face Can generate an explicitly viewable image.

  Furthermore, the management server 4 extracts a user's face from each of a plurality of images arbitrarily extracted from images for the past five years including the current image, for example, and the extracted faces are in chronological order (in ascending order). Alternatively, an animation image (a so-called flip book or an image such as a slide show) that is sequentially displayed may be generated. Thereby, the user can enjoy an animation image in which his / her face gradually rejuvenates (or gradually gets older).

[Modification]
Further, in the present embodiment, the user's image generated in the past in the photograph sticker creating apparatus 1 (or another photograph sticker creating apparatus) when performing the photographing process for photographing the user in the photograph sticker creating apparatus 1. Can also be used. The photo sticker creating apparatus 1 according to this modification will be described below.

  The communication control unit 311 included in the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 according to this modification also functions as a past image acquisition unit that acquires a past image generated in the past with the user as a subject. For example, the communication control unit 311 receives a past image from a user in the photographing space A1 of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 via a communication unit (not shown) such as a non-contact IC reader / writer that can communicate with an external device. It may be acquired, or an image managed in association with the authenticated user after performing user authentication before shooting may be acquired from the management server 4 as a past image, and is particularly limited is not.

  The photographing control unit 312 also functions as a photographed image generation unit that photographs a user and generates a photographed image. The shooting control unit 312 generates a shot image by superimposing a user image obtained by shooting the user on a past image.

  Furthermore, the photographing control unit 312 also functions as a presentation unit that presents a past image to the user by displaying the past image on the touch panel monitor 93 when photographing the user. At this time, the imaging control unit 312 can present the user's moving image captured as a moving image by the camera 91 by superimposing the moving image on the past image acquired by the communication control unit 311 and displaying it on the touch panel monitor 93. preferable. Then, the shooting control unit 312 generates a shot image in which the user's image is superimposed on the past image by shooting the user's still image with the camera 91 at a predetermined timing.

  As a result, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 can generate a photographed image as if, for example, the user photographed with the user himself / herself in the past. Therefore, the user can enjoy an image in which he / she is present together with his / her past.

  In addition, it is preferable that the imaging | photography control part 312 produces | generates a picked-up image by superimposing on the past image, after adjusting the image | photographed user's image according to the size of the past user's image in a past image. According to this, the imaging control unit 312 can generate a captured image in which the size balance between the user image and the past user image is adjusted.

  Moreover, in this modification, although the structure which produces | generates the picked-up image which the user image | photographed with the past self in the photograph sticker production apparatus 1 was demonstrated as an example, it is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a captured image is generated by superimposing the current user's image on the past image by superimposing the current user's face on the past user's face in the past image. In this case, the imaging control unit 312 may extract the user's face from the image of the user and superimpose the extracted user's face on the past user's face in the past image.

  According to this, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 can generate a captured image in which a past user's face in the past image is replaced with a current user's face.

[Embodiment 2]
The mobile terminal 6 (terminal device) according to the present embodiment may also generate a new image (including moving images and still images) by combining the image generated in the photo sticker creating device 1 with a template. it can. The mobile terminal 6 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the control unit 601 ′ included in the mobile terminal 6 according to the present embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 19, the control unit 601 ′ according to the present embodiment includes a face extraction unit 614 (face extraction unit), a position information acquisition unit 615 (position information acquisition unit), and a synthesis unit 616 (synthesis unit). The configuration is the same as that of the control unit 601 according to the first embodiment except that it is provided.

  First, the mobile terminal 6 according to the present embodiment accesses the management server 4 using an image browsing application (or a general web browser). Then, the mobile terminal 6 acquires, from the management server 4, the edited image managed in the management server 4 in association with the user of the mobile terminal 6 in the communication control unit 611. In addition, the communication control unit 611 positions each part (for example, eyes, nose, and mouth) of the user's face in the captured image corresponding to the edited image (the captured image before the edited image is subjected to the editing process). Is acquired together with the edited image.

  The position information acquisition unit 615 acquires the position information acquired from the management server 4 by the communication control unit 611. In the present embodiment, a configuration for acquiring position information from the management server 4 will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the position information acquisition unit 615 may acquire a captured image corresponding to the edited image from the management server 4 and calculate the position information from the acquired captured image from the user's face included in the captured image. The position information acquisition unit 615 supplies the acquired (or calculated) position information to the face extraction unit 614.

  The face extraction unit 614 extracts the user's face from the edited image acquired by the communication control unit 611 with reference to the position information supplied from the position information acquisition unit 615. Specifically, the face extraction unit 614 first specifies the position of each part of the user's face in the captured image before the editing process is performed on the edited image from the position information. Then, the face extraction unit 614 extracts the user's face from the edited image by specifying the position of the user's face included in the edited image based on the position of each part of the specified user's face in the captured image. . In this way, by referring to the position information of the user's face in the captured image, the face extraction unit 614 can extract the user's face from the edited image that is more difficult than the captured image (because editing processing has been performed). The face extraction accuracy can also be improved when extracting the face.

  At this time, the face extraction unit 614 may extract the face of the one person as the face of the user of the mobile terminal 6 when the person included in the edited image (the subject) is one person. . Further, when there are a plurality of persons included in the edited image, the face extracting unit 614 extracts (1) a user operation for extracting the faces of the plurality of persons and selecting the user from the user of the portable terminal 6. 604, or (2) feature values (position information, shape information indicating the shape of each part of the face, The user's face of the portable terminal 6 is determined from the face of the person included in the edited image, and the determined person's face is You may extract as a user's face of the portable terminal 6. FIG.

  The input control unit 612 according to the present embodiment also functions as a selection receiving unit that receives a user operation for selecting one template from a plurality of templates via the input unit 604. At this time, the communication control unit 611 acquires a web page for displaying a list of templates from the management server 4, and the display control unit 613 may display the web page on the display unit 605. Thereby, the user of the portable terminal 6 can select a desired template from a plurality of templates displayed in a list. Note that the template may be expressed like a drawing or a cartoon by a line drawing or the like, and is not particularly limited.

  Here, the template includes a background image (or background image and foreground image) for synthesizing the edited image (in this embodiment, the user's face included in the edited image) acquired by the communication control unit 611. It is an image and includes templates for moving images and still images. As a template of a moving image, for example, a template of a moving image (including a so-called flip book and a slide show) in which a plurality of images are sequentially displayed with a certain amount of time (for example, about 0.5 seconds), and the like And a template of a moving image (including a story-like one) expressed by an animation (GIF animation, flash animation, etc.).

  Still image templates include, for example, famous paintings, interesting images, and model members that the user likes (in this embodiment, model members that are different from free members and paid members (general members) as member attributes). In the image providing site, a template including a pose of a general member who can view an image taken by a model member as a still image can be cited.

  The synthesizing unit 616 performs a synthesizing process for synthesizing the user's face extracted by the face extracting unit 614 with a template selected by the user. Specifically, the synthesizing unit 616 inserts the user's face extracted by the face extracting unit 614 into an area for inserting the human face image in the template selected by the user, thereby performing the synthesizing process. Do.

  In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the synthesizing unit 616 processes the extracted user's face in accordance with the selected template. For example, when the template is expressed like a cartoon, the synthesis unit 616 processes the extracted user's face like a cartoon by a line drawing or the like.

  According to the above-described configuration, the mobile terminal 6 according to the present embodiment uses the image browsing application (or a general web browser) to synthesize the image generated in the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 with the template. A new image can be generated.

  As a result, the mobile terminal 6 uses the images generated by the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 to create new images such as animated moving images, moving images such as slide shows, and still images such as famous paintings. Can be provided to the user. In other words, the mobile terminal 6 can provide the user with a new way of enjoying the images generated by the photo sticker creating apparatus 1. Thereby, the user can also enjoy a new image generated in the mobile terminal 6 like an album, for example.

(Automatic acquisition of edited images)
Furthermore, the communication control unit 611 according to the present embodiment acquires an edited image corresponding to a template selected by a user operation from a plurality of edited images managed in association with the user of the mobile terminal 6 in the management server 4. It preferably functions as image acquisition means.

  For example, when a template for a certain story is selected from a plurality of story templates, the communication control unit 611 performs management server 4 according to a predetermined condition associated in advance with the story of the selected template. Get the edited image from. Here, the predetermined condition includes, for example, that the user is a smiling image when the story is a fun story, and that the user is a crying image when the story is a sad story.

  Furthermore, when a moving image template is selected by the user, the mobile terminal 6 according to the present embodiment may generate a new image using a plurality of images associated with the user. In this case, the communication control unit 611 may acquire a plurality of edited images corresponding to the selected moving image template from the management server 4. As described above, by acquiring a plurality of edited images corresponding to the template selected by the user by the communication control unit 611, the mobile terminal 6 makes a new combination of images that the user does not expect from the user. Images can be provided.

  At this time, when the story of the template includes a plurality of scenes (for example, a fun scene and a sad scene), the communication control unit 611 may acquire a plurality of editing screens according to each scene. Thereby, since the portable terminal 6 can synthesize the user's face suitable for each scene of the story with the template, it is possible to generate a new image more in line with the story.

  Note that the input control unit 612 may accept a user operation for selecting a plurality of templates via the input unit 604. In this case, the composition unit 616 may combine a plurality of templates selected by the user in any order to form a template for one story. In this way, by combining a plurality of templates and generating one template, a template rich in variations can be generated, so that the user can enjoy a unique new image. Of course, the input control unit 612 may further accept a user operation for designating a combination order of a plurality of templates selected by the user.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the user's face of the mobile terminal 6 is extracted from the image and combined with the template has been described as an example. However, for example, a friend's face reflected with the user is further extracted. Then, it can be configured to be combined with the template. Thus, the user can share a new image generated by combining his / her face and the friend's face with the template with the friend, and enjoy the new image together with the friend.

  Each configuration according to the present embodiment can be used in combination with each configuration described in the first embodiment. In this case, the control unit 601 ′ of the mobile terminal 6 according to the present embodiment further generates a new image by synthesizing the new image generated by the control unit 601 according to the first embodiment with the template. You can also.

[Example of software implementation]
The control blocks (especially the control unit 201, the control unit 401, and the control units 601 and 601 ′) of the photo sticker creating apparatus 1, the management server 4, and the portable terminal 6 are logic circuits (IC chips) or the like formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like. Hardware) or software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

  In the latter case, the photo sticker creating apparatus 1, the management server 4, and the portable terminal 6 can read a program instruction that is software for realizing each function, and the program and various data can be read by a computer (or CPU). ROM (Read Only Memory) or a storage device (these are referred to as “recording media”), a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program, and the like. And the objective of this invention is achieved when a computer (or CPU) reads the said program from the said recording medium and runs it. As the recording medium, a “non-temporary tangible medium” such as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. Further, the program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) that can transmit the program. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be widely used as a photographed image management system that stores a photographed image of a user created in a photo sticker creating apparatus in a management server.

1 Photo sticker creation device 4 Management server 6 Mobile terminal (terminal device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Shooting unit 12 Editing part 13 Subsequent customer service part 21 Shooting part 93 Touch panel monitor 201 Control part 224 Speaker 311 Communication control part (Past image acquisition means)
312 Shooting control unit (shot image generation means)
313 Edit control unit 314 Print control unit 315 Subsequent customer service control unit 401 Control unit 402 Storage unit 403 Communication unit 411 Communication control unit 412 Mail creation unit 413 Web page creation unit 414 Image management unit (management means)
415 Information management department (account management means)
441 Detection unit (detection means)
442 Extraction unit (extraction means)
443 Generation Unit (Generation Unit)
601 Control unit (generation means)
601 'control unit 602 storage unit 603 communication unit 604 input unit 605 display unit 611 communication control unit (acquisition means)
612 Input control unit (selection accepting means)
613 Display control unit 614 Face extraction unit (face extraction means)
615 position information acquisition unit (position information acquisition means)
616 Combining unit (combining means)

Claims (8)

A management means for managing a plurality of images generated in one or a plurality of photo sticker creation apparatuses that shoot a user and generate an image in association with the user;
The image that is associated with the user by the management means, and that the user has selected a part of an image generated during a game in the photo sticker creating apparatus, Generating means for generating a new image by replacing a part of another image generated during the game played before the game of
A management server characterized by that. An extraction unit that extracts a part of the user included in the image as a part of the image;
The extraction means extracts a part of a user included in the certain image and a part of a user included in the other image, respectively.
The generation unit generates the new image by replacing a part of the user included in the certain image with a part of the user included in the other image.
The management server according to claim 1. Detecting means for detecting another image having a feature similar to a predetermined feature included in the certain image from the plurality of images associated with the user by the managing means;
The management server according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above. An acquisition means for acquiring an image managed in association with the user among a plurality of images generated in a photo sticker creating apparatus that shoots a user and generates an image;
An image obtained by the obtaining means, wherein a part of a certain image generated during one game in the photograph sticker creating apparatus is selected by the user from the one game . Generating means for generating a new image by replacing it with a part of another image generated during a previously played game,
A terminal device characterized by that. An image generation method of a management server that manages an image generated in a photo sticker creation device that shoots a user and generates an image,
A management step of managing a plurality of images generated by photographing the user in the photo sticker creating apparatus in association with the user;
In the management step, the user selects a part of an image that is associated with the user and is generated during a game in the photo sticker creating apparatus. Generating a new image by substituting a part of another image generated during the game performed before the game of times,
An image generation method characterized by the above.   The program for functioning a computer as a management server in any one of Claim 1 to 3, Comprising: The program for functioning a computer as said each means. A program for causing a computer to function as the terminal device according to claim 4, wherein the program causes the computer to function as each of the means. A computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to claim 6 or 7 is recorded.

Images