JP6650661B2 - Management server, photo sticker creation device, terminal device, image generation method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

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

  In recent years, as a service for providing an image generated by a photo sticker creating device to a user, the image is displayed on a portable terminal owned by the user together with a service for providing the user with a print sticker on which the image is printed. The service which provides to the user is spreading.

  For example, as a technique relating to editing of an image provided to a user, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique relating to an editing apparatus that arranges a certain image shot during one game on another image shot during the one game. I have.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an image providing apparatus that generates a transmission image to be transmitted as a greeting card to another person after being provided to a terminal.

JP 2013030976 A JP 2013-055628 A

  However, the related art has a problem in cooperation between an image generated by the photo sticker creating device and a communication site such as SNS (Social Networking Service) (or a communication application (communication application)). . For example, images generated by the techniques described in Patent Literatures 1 and 2 can be enjoyed by being displayed and viewed on a mobile terminal, but have a high resolution (that is, a large amount of data). It is not used easily when communicating with other users.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a management server capable of providing an image that a user can easily use in communication with another user. It is in.

  In order to solve the above problem, a management server according to an aspect of the present invention is a management server that manages an image generated by a photo sticker creating device that captures a user and generates an image, wherein the user A size information acquisition unit for acquiring size information indicating an image size corresponding to the designated service; and a new image of the image size indicated by the size information acquired by the size information acquisition unit from the image, wherein the user's face And generating means for generating at least one new image edited according to a predetermined theme.

  According to the above configuration, the generating unit generates at least one new image from the image generated by the photo sticker creating device. Thus, the photo sticker creating device can generate a high-resolution image and a new low-resolution image.

  For example, the user can browse the image and enjoy the image itself. On the other hand, since the new image has an image size according to the service specified by the user, the user can copy the new image to, for example, a service specified by the user (for example, mail and a message bulletin board (blog, SNS (Social Networking Service), murmur bulletin board, messenger application, etc.) and other communication with others can be easily used.

  Therefore, the management server can provide an image that the user can easily use in communication with another person.

  In addition, it is preferable that the management server according to one aspect of the present invention further includes a processing unit that performs predetermined processing on the new image.

  According to the above configuration, the management server can further perform predetermined processing on the new image. Accordingly, the management server can provide an image obtained by further performing predetermined processing on the new image as an image that the user can use for communication with another person. Thus, the user can enjoy communication with another person by using the unique new image that has been subjected to the predetermined processing.

  A management server according to an aspect of the present invention is a management server that manages an image generated by a photo sticker creating apparatus that captures a user and generates an image, and manages the image in association with the user. Means for managing the user's message board account in an external message board service in association with the user, and information for obtaining the image associated with the user by the user. Providing means for providing the message bulletin board account using a bulletin board service.

  According to the configuration, the management server can provide the user with information for acquiring the image through the message bulletin board service in which the user has an account. Accordingly, the management server can provide a message board having a user account to a user who does not have an e-mail address and a user who is hesitant to input an e-mail address to the photo sticker creation device and the management server. Information for acquiring the image can be provided through a service.

  In the management server according to an aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the account management means manages a message board account of the management server in the message board service in which the user has an account in association with the management server.

  According to the above configuration, the management server can transmit a message from the message board account of the management server to the message board account of the user.

  In the management server according to one aspect of the present invention, the providing unit provides an image notified from the message board account of the user to the message board account of the management server using the message board service. Preferably, in response to the instruction, information for obtaining the image is provided to the message board account of the user.

  According to the configuration, the management server receives the instruction to provide the image from the message board account of the user to the message board account of the management server, thereby acquiring the image. Information can be provided.

  A photograph sticker creating device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a photographed image generating unit that generates a photographed image by photographing a user, and an edited image generating unit that generates an edited image by performing an editing process on the photographed image. Acquiring means for acquiring a user-generated image generated in the user terminal device, and transmitting means for transmitting at least the edited image of the captured image and the edited image to the management server, The editing image generating means performs a process of combining the user-generated image and the photographed image as one of the editing processes.

  According to the above configuration, the photograph sticker creating device can be used for an editing process of applying the user-generated image to the photographed image. Therefore, the photo sticker creation device can provide the user with a more individualized edited image by using the user-generated image in the editing process.

  The terminal device according to an aspect of the present invention is a new image generated by the management server from the image generated by the photo sticker creating device that captures a user and generates an image, the service being specified by the user. Display means for displaying a new image having an image size corresponding to the image on the display unit, reception means for receiving the user's editing instruction for the image displayed on the display part, and reception of the image by the reception means Editing means for performing editing processing of the editing content indicated by the editing instruction of the user.

  According to the above configuration, the editing unit performs an editing process on the new image, the editing content indicated by the user's editing instruction received by the receiving unit. Thus, the terminal device can perform the editing process desired by the user on the new image having the image size corresponding to the service specified by the user.

  Therefore, the terminal device can provide, as an image that can be used by the user for communication with another user, a unique image in which the new image is further subjected to an editing process desired by the user. Thus, the user can enjoy communication with another person by using a unique new image that has been subjected to a desired editing process.

  An image generation method of a management server according to an embodiment of the present invention is an image generation method of a management server that manages an image generated by a photo sticker creating device that captures a user and generates an image, wherein the user A size information obtaining step of obtaining size information indicating an image size corresponding to the designated service; and a new image having the image size indicated by the size information obtained in the size information obtaining step, from the image, And generating means for generating at least one new image edited according to a predetermined theme.

  According to the configuration, the image generation method can provide the same effect as the management server.

  The management server, the photo sticker creation device, and the terminal device according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer, and in this case, the computer is the management server, the photo sticker creation device, or the terminal device. The management server, the photo sticker creation device, or the program of the terminal device that realizes the terminal device by a computer by operating as the respective units provided, and any one of them. The recorded computer-readable recording medium is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  The management server according to one embodiment of the present invention has an effect that an image that a user can easily use in communication with another user can be provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a management server according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a captured image management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing the example of composition of the appearance of the picture sticker creation device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the external appearance of the photograph sticker production device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention from other angles. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a movement of a user according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the example of composition of the photography part provided in the photograph sticker creation device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the example of composition of the background provided in the photo sticker creation device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an editing unit provided in the photo sticker creating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the example of composition of the after-sale service part with which the photograph sticker creation device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention is provided. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the photo sticker creating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of a control unit provided in the photo sticker creating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a screen transition diagram illustrating an example of a web page displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal during a member registration process according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of a series of processing from photographing to image storage according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a screen transition diagram illustrating an example of a web page displayed on a display unit of the mobile terminal during a process of storing an image in a management server according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of a series of processes related to storing an image in a mobile terminal in the captured image management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a screen transition diagram illustrating an example of a web page displayed on a display unit of the mobile terminal during a process of storing an image in the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a control unit of a mobile terminal according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing the important section composition of the management server concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention.

[Embodiment 1]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. A description of a configuration other than the configuration described in the following specific embodiment may be omitted as necessary, but when the configuration is described in another embodiment, the configuration is the same. Further, for convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as the members described in each embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the configuration shapes and dimensions such as length, size, and width described in the drawings do not reflect actual shapes and dimensions, and may be appropriately changed for clarification and simplification of the drawings. are doing.

(Photographed image management system 10)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the captured image management system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the photographed image management system 10 includes a photograph sticker creating device 1, a portable terminal 6, and a management server 4.

  The outline of the captured image management system 10 will be described below. The photographed image management system 10 provides the user with services for photographing the user, editing the image, printing the image as a photo sticker, and storing the image on an image providing site. The services of photography, image editing, and photo sticker printing are provided by a photo sticker creating device 1 installed in a store such as a game center. The image storage service is provided by a management server 4 that manages an image providing site. By operating the portable terminal 6 owned by the user, the user can save his or her captured image on the image providing site.

  In order to save images on the image providing site, prior membership registration is required. The user registers himself as a free member on the image providing site. Free members do not have to pay a membership fee, but the image provider site is limited in the number of images that can be stored. In this embodiment, the free member can save only one image in the image providing site for each game.

  The user can change his or her member attribute from a free member to a paid member. Paid members can save unlimited images on the image provider site instead of having to pay a fixed membership fee on an ongoing basis. In the present embodiment, all of the captured images generated by one photographing can be stored in the image providing site.

  The flow from photographing 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 device 1 and play a game related to photography and image editing. The user shoots himself as a subject during the game. The user selects some images to be edited from the images generated by shooting, and edits the images as desired. Further, the user inputs his / her mail address into the photo sticker creating device 1 in order to save the image on the image providing site later.

  After the game is over, the user gets a photo sticker. On the other hand, the photo sticker creating device 1 transmits the generated image to the management server 4 in association with the input user's mail address. The management server 4 sends an e-mail to the received e-mail address to guide the user to save the received image on the image providing site. The user receives this mail on his or her mobile terminal 6. The mail describes the procedure for saving the image on the image providing site. The user performs an operation for saving an image on the mobile terminal 6 according to the procedure. As a result, the image is stored in the image storage area dedicated to the user on the image providing site.

  After storing the image in the image providing site, the user can log in to the image providing site using the mobile terminal 6 or another desired device to download the image.

(Configuration of photo sticker making 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 photograph sticker creating apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of an appearance of the photo sticker creating device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the photograph sticker creating apparatus 1 mainly includes a photographing unit 11, an editing unit 12, and a post-service unit 13. The photo sticker creating device 1 is installed in a state where the photographing unit 11 and the editing unit 12 are in contact with each other, and the editing unit 12 and the post-service unit 13 are in contact with each other.

(Photographing unit 11)
The imaging unit 11 includes an imaging unit 21 and a background unit 22. The photographing unit 21 and the background unit 22 are set apart from each other by a predetermined distance. In a shooting space that is a space formed between the shooting unit 21 and the background unit 22, shooting control is performed.

  The imaging unit 21 is a device that allows a user to perform imaging control. The photographing unit 21 enters a photographing space and is located in front of a user who performs photographing control. On a front panel 41 of the imaging unit 21 that forms a surface in front of the imaging space, a touch panel monitor or the like used by a user during imaging control is provided. Assuming that the left side is the left side and the right side is the right side when viewed from the user in the photographing space, the left side of the photographing unit 21 is constituted by the side panel 42A, and the right side is constituted by the side panel 42B.

  The background portion 22 is a plate-shaped member that is located on the back side of the user who is performing photographing control facing the front, is attached to the left end of the back panel 51, and has a plate-like shape narrower in width than the side panel 42A. And a side panel 52B (FIG. 4), which is a plate-shaped member attached to the right end of the rear panel 51 and narrower in width than the side panel 42B.

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

  The opening formed by being surrounded by the side panel 42A of the imaging unit 21, the connecting unit 23A, and the side panel 52A of the background unit 22 is the entrance G1 of the imaging space. The 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 also serves as the entrance G2 of the imaging space.

  A background curtain unit 25 is provided above the background portion 22 so as to be supported by the rear 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 photographing by a camera or the like provided in the photographing unit 21, and at the time of photographing, lowers a curtain of a color selected by a user, for example, and winds up another curtain.

  As the background curtain accommodated in the background curtain unit 25, an elevating curtain that uses a plurality of curtains as one curtain for chromaki may be prepared. In addition, a curtain for chroma is pasted on the back panel 51 which is the back of the shooting space in advance, and a plurality of types of background images for synthesis are prepared, and a background image desired by the user is added to the curtain portion in editing control described later. You may make it possible to synthesize | combine.

  An opening surrounded by the front panel 41, the connecting portion 23A, the connecting portion 23B, and the background curtain unit 25 of the photographing unit 21 is formed above the photographing space, and the ceiling strobe unit 24 is provided so as to partially cover 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 shooting space in accordance with shooting. A fluorescent lamp is provided inside the strobe constituting the ceiling strobe unit 24, and also functions as illumination of a 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 connected to the photographing unit 11 so that one side surface 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 built-in tablet monitor used by a 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 at the same time. Provided.

  The front side of the editing unit 12 is a surface perpendicular to the floor surface, and is composed of a surface 71 which is a surface substantially parallel to the side panel 42A and a slope 72 formed above the surface 71. The configuration used is provided on the slope 72. On the left side of the slope 72, a support portion 73A having a columnar shape and supporting one end of the lighting device 74 is provided. A support portion 75 for supporting the curtain rail 26 is provided on the upper surface of the support portion 73A. A support portion 73B (FIG. 4) for supporting 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 each of the rails 26A and 26B provided in parallel is fixed to the connecting portion 23A and the connecting portion 23B, and the other end is joined to both ends of the remaining one rail 26C.

  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 of the editing unit 12 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 the editing space in which the user performs editing control.

(Post-service department 13)
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the external appearance of the photo sticker creating apparatus viewed from another angle. The post-service unit 13 is a device that performs post-service and allows the user to perform operations on the post-service. The post-service includes a process of transmitting an image (including an edited image) to the management server 4, a process of causing the user to play a mini game, a process of answering a questionnaire, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the post-service unit 13 has a plate-shaped casing having a predetermined thickness, and is connected to the editing unit 12 such that the back surface is in contact with the left side surface of the editing unit 12. Provided. On the front of the after-service unit 13, a monitor with a built-in tablet used by the user when operating on the after-service unit, an outlet for discharging a seal sheet on which an image (including an edited image) is printed, and the like are provided. The space in front of the post-service section 13 is a post-service area where the user waiting for the printing on the sticker paper to complete the post-service is operated.

(User movement)
The flow of the photo sticker creation game and the accompanying movement of the user 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 shoots a photograph formed between the photographing unit 21 and the background unit 22 from the entrance G1 as shown by the outline arrow # 1 or from the entrance G2 as shown by the outline arrow # 2. The user enters the space A1, and performs photographing control using a camera and a touch panel monitor provided in the photographing unit 21.

  It should be noted that in photographing a user's image, not all photographing is necessarily performed by photographing an image to be printed on a sticker sheet, and the photographed image is transmitted to the portable terminal 6 (or can be browsed by the portable terminal 6, There is also a case where an image is shot 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 to be transmitted to the mobile terminal 6. It responds to the user's intention.

  After finishing the shooting control, the user moves out of the shooting space A1 to the editing space A2-1 using the entrance G1 as shown by the outline arrow # 3, or moves the entrance G2 as shown by the outline arrow # 4. To move out of the shooting space A1 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 space of the editing space A2-1 or the editing space A2-2 is to be moved is indicated by a screen display of a touch panel monitor of the photographing unit 21 or the like. For example, a vacant one of the two editing spaces is guided as a 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 simultaneously perform editing control.

  After the end of the editing control, printing of an image selected from the images (including the edited image) is started. During printing of the image, the user who has finished the editing control moves from the editing space A2-1 to the post-service area A3 as shown by the outline arrow # 5 when the editing control is being performed in the editing space A2-1. After receiving the customer service, perform the operation for the customer service. Also, the user who has completed the editing control moves from the editing space A2-2 to the post-service area A3 as shown by the outline arrow # 6 when performing the editing control in the editing space A2-2, and performs the post-service operation. In the space A3, the customer service is received and the operation for the customer service is performed.

  When the printing of the image is completed, the user receives the seal paper from the outlet provided in the post-service section 13 and ends the series of the photo sticker creation game.

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

(Shooting unit 21)
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the photographing unit 21 provided in the photo sticker creating device 1. The imaging 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 located in front of the user who performs the imaging control in the imaging space A1, and the side panels 42A and 42B are located on the left and right sides of the user who performs the imaging control in the imaging 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.

  A photographing / display unit 81 is provided substantially at the 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 imaging element such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), and captures an image of a user in the imaging 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 photographing instruction is given by the user, is stored as an image (still image).

  The touch panel monitor 93 provided below the camera 91 is configured by a monitor such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a touch panel laminated thereon. The touch panel monitor 93 has a function as a live view monitor for displaying a moving image captured by the camera 91 and a function for displaying various GUI (Graphical User Interface) images and accepting a user's selection operation through the touch panel. I have. The moving image after the image such as the background is synthesized is displayed on the touch panel monitor 93 as appropriate.

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

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

  The base unit 43 is also provided with a step flash 86 for irradiating the user's step. Fluorescent lamps are provided inside the upper strobe 82, the left strobe 83, the right strobe 84, the lower strobe 85, and the foot strobe 86, and shooting is performed together with the fluorescent lamp inside the strobe constituting the ceiling strobe unit 24. Used as illumination in the space A1. As will be described later, by adjusting the amount of light emitted from each fluorescent lamp, or by adjusting the number of fluorescent lamps to emit light, the brightness in the shooting space A1 can be changed according to the content of the shooting control performed by the user. It is adjusted as needed.

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

  Spaces 43A and 43B formed on the left and right sides of the upper surface of the base unit 43 with the lower strobe 85 interposed therebetween are used as luggage storage places for a user who performs shooting control to place luggage and the like. For example, near the ceiling of the front panel 41, a speaker that outputs sounds 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 device 1. As described above, the background curtain unit 25 is provided above the back panel 51. At substantially the center of the background curtain unit 25, a rear center strobe 101 for irradiating a user who is performing shooting control in the shooting space A1 from the rear center is mounted.

  Above the rear panel 51 and at a position on the entrance G1 side, a rear left strobe 102 for irradiating a user who is performing photographing control in the photographing space A1 from the rear left is attached. Above the rear panel 51 and on the side of the entrance G2, a rear right strobe 103 for irradiating the user who is performing the imaging control in the imaging space A1 from the rear right is attached.

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

  The tablet built-in monitor 131 is configured such that a tablet capable of performing an operation input using the touch pens 132A and 132B is provided so as to overlap a monitor such as an LCD. On the monitor 131 with a built-in tablet, 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 at the same time, the touch pen 132A is used by one user, and the touch pen 132B is used by the other user.

  Note that the editing of the image performed by the editing unit 12 is not necessarily the editing of an image to be entirely printed, and is an image in which the user assumes only transmission to the mobile terminal 6 (that is, an image that is not printed). It may be an edit to This is because there is a difference in the user's preference between the image to be printed and the 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 for responding to the user's intention to edit the image differently from the image.

(Post-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 device 1.

  A tablet built-in monitor 161 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 providing a tablet capable of performing an operation input using the touch pen 162A or 162B on a monitor such as an LCD. On the monitor 161 with a built-in tablet, 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 below the tablet built-in monitor 161, and a seal paper outlet 164 is provided below the non-contact type IC reader / writer 163. A speaker 165 is provided below the seal paper outlet 164.

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

  The seal paper discharge port 164 is a seal paper on which an image created by the user of the editing space A2-1 by performing the editing control is printed, or created by the user of the editing space A2-2 performing the editing control. The sticker paper on which the image has been 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 sounds such as guidance voice, BGM, and sound effects at the time of customer service after the fact.

(Internal Configuration of Photo Sticker Making Apparatus 1)
Next, the internal configuration of the photo sticker creating device 1 will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the photograph sticker creating device 1. The same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals. Duplicate description will be omitted as appropriate.

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

  The storage unit 202 is formed of 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. The information stored in the storage unit 202 is appropriately read by the control unit 201.

  The communication unit 203 is an interface of a network such as the Internet, and communicates with an external device under the control of the control unit 201.

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

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

  The imaging unit 21 performs a process related to a 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 insertion of a coin into the coin insertion return port 87. When detecting that a predetermined amount of coins such as 300 yen has been inserted, the coin processing unit 221 outputs an activation signal indicating the fact 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 selection of the background curtain may be manually performed by the user.

  The illumination control unit 223 controls 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 addition to the strobe of the ceiling strobe unit 24, the upper strobe 82, the left strobe 83, the right strobe 84, the lower strobe 85, the foot strobe 86, the background strobe 86, and the strobe of the ceiling strobe unit 24 are provided in the shooting space A1. A rear center strobe 101, a rear left strobe 102, and a rear right strobe 103 provided at 22 are provided. 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 inside each strobe, or adjusts the number of fluorescent lamps to emit light, so that the user can perform the shooting control stage performed by the user. The brightness in the photographing space A1 is adjusted accordingly.

  The camera 91 performs shooting under the control of the control unit 201 and outputs an image (image) obtained by shooting to the control unit 201.

  The editing unit 12A performs a process related to a user's editing control in the editing space A2-1. The editing unit 12A includes a built-in tablet 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 also 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 the control of the control unit 201, and detects a user operation on the editing screen. A signal representing the content of the user operation is supplied to the control unit 201, and the image to be edited is edited.

  The post-service unit 13 performs a process related to the post-service in the post-service space A3. The post-service unit 13 includes a monitor 161 with a built-in tablet, 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 configured to perform print control, and a seal paper unit 242. The printer 241 prints the image or the edited image obtained by the editing control by the user on the seal paper stored in the seal paper unit 242 mounted on the printer 241, and discharges the image to the seal paper discharge port 164. . The post-service unit 13 and the printing unit 211, which are surrounded by a dashed line, perform processing relating to the post-service with the user in the post-service space A3.

  Further, in the processing related to the print control, the printing unit 211 acquires the image transmitted to the management server 4 outside the margin (such as the end of the sticker sheet) in addition to printing the photographed image (or the edited image) on the sticker sheet. For example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locater) and a seal ID (image acquisition ID) may be printed. The seal 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 device 1, and the user can use the seal ID during one game. This is an identifier for acquiring the generated image. The user accesses a URL for acquiring an image and inputs a seal ID, thereby displaying a web page (image acquisition page) for acquiring an image generated during one game in the photo sticker creating device 1. It can be displayed on the portable terminal 6.

  This is because, for example, when receiving an input of an e-mail address from the user in the post-service section 13 or the like, a correct address cannot be received due to a timeout or an incorrect input, and information such as a URL for acquiring an image is transmitted to the user. This is to allow the user to obtain an image by accessing the URL printed on the sticker paper and inputting the seal ID when the user cannot perform the operation.

  Note that the printing unit 211 may print, for example, a predetermined mail address or a QR code (registered trademark) instead of the URL as information for acquiring an image. If the predetermined mail address is printed, the user sends an empty mail to the predetermined mail address to receive from the management server 4 a mail in which a URL for acquiring an image is described. Can be. Further, 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 portable 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 device 1. As shown in this figure, the control unit 201 includes a communication control unit 311, a photographing control unit 312, an editing control unit 313, a print control unit 314, and a post-service control unit 315.

  The communication control unit 311 controls communication between the communication unit 203 and an external device.

  The photographing control unit 312 relates to processing performed by the photographing unit 21 regarding a price inserted when starting the photograph sticker creating game, and photographing control of the user in the photograph sticker creating game, such as photographing a user group according to the photographing control of the user. And control the processing. The imaging control unit 312 can also generate date and time information regarding the date and time when the image was captured.

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

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

  The post-service control unit 315 controls the post-service process in the photo sticker creation game, such as the process of the post-service unit 13 serving the user group whose editing work has been completed.

(Management server 4)
Next, details of the management server 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating 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 included in the captured image management system 10.

(Details of control unit 401)
As shown 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.

(Email creation unit 412)
The e-mail creating unit 412 creates an e-mail to be sent to the e-mail address of the user who played with the photo sticker creating device 1. In the present embodiment, the mail creation unit 412 creates, using the data stored in the mail database 421, a mail that is transmitted to the mail address input from the communication control unit 411 and that guides the user to save an image. , 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 according to the access request received from the mobile terminal 6 using the data stored in the web page database 423, and outputs the created web page to the communication control unit 411. . Although details will be described later, the web page creation unit 413 creates a web page according to the user's membership type.

  In the following, a “page” refers to data that the management server 4 transmits to a communication terminal such as the mobile terminal 6 and displays, such as a web page, for example. 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 an image provided to a user through an image providing site. In the present embodiment, the image management unit 414 saves, in the image database 424, the image specified by the user among the images created by the photo sticker creation device 1.

(Details of the storage unit 402)
As shown in FIG. 1, the storage unit 402 has 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 regarding 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 device 1 for each user. Examples of the user identification information include a member ID, a mail address, a nickname, a date of birth, an address, a member attribute, an enrollment date, and a terminal ID of a portable terminal held by the user, for example. The member attributes include, for example, paid members and free members.

(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, among the images of the user created by the photo sticker creating apparatus 1, an image instructed by the user to be saved on the image providing site. 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 for temporarily storing data such as images received from the photo sticker creating device 1.

(Details of the communication unit 403)
In the present embodiment, the photo sticker creating device 1 and the portable 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 illustrating a main configuration of the portable terminal 6 according to the first embodiment 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 totally controls 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 another device included in the captured image management system 10. The input unit 604 is a device such as a touch panel for a user to input information to the mobile terminal 6. 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 captured image management system 10, a user who has registered as a member on the image providing site can save the captured image on the image providing site. The user registers himself as a free member on 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 mobile terminal 6 in order to register as a member on the image providing site. As a result, a 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. Top page 1001 includes at least link image 1002 for advancing member login processing and link image 1003 for advancing free member registration processing.

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

  The web page 1011 includes an input form 1012 for inputting information (user specifying information) for specifying a user to be 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 types of personal information, such as the user's member ID, password, and mail address, into the input form 1012 as user identification information. After completing the input of the user identification information, the user selects the link image 1013. Thereby, the mobile terminal 6 transmits the user identification information to the management server 4 and requests the management server 4 to register the user as a free member.

  The communication control unit 411 of the management server 4 receives the user identification 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 e-mail 1021 is an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address included in the received user identification information, and includes a URL 1022 to a web page indicating completion of free membership registration. The mail creation unit 412 outputs the created member registration email 1021 to the communication control unit 411. The communication control unit 411 transmits the input member registration mail 1021 to the mail address of the user via the communication unit 403.

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

  In response to this request, the management server 4 completes the free membership registration. Specifically, the management server 4 creates an account area for the user (a storage area for storing member-specific data) in the member database 422, and stores the user identification 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 free membership registration has been completed, and transmits the web page to the mobile terminal 6.

  After registering a free member, the user can log in to the image providing site by inputting a member ID and a password, and can register himself / herself as a paying member by performing a predetermined procedure. After this registration is completed, information indicating that the user is a paying 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. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of a series of processes from photographing to image storage in the captured image management system 10.

(photography)
As shown in FIG. 14, the user starts playing a game on the photo sticker creating device 1 (step S1). Specifically, the user stands in front of the front panel 41 of the photo sticker creating device 1 and inserts coins of 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 imaging control unit 312 controls the imaging unit 21 to display the moving image of the subject captured by the camera 91 on the touch panel monitor 93 in a live view display. An image is taken of the user as a subject (step S2). This photographing control is performed a plurality of times within the photographing processing time.

  Note that, as a process in the photographing control, a predetermined number of times of photographing may be performed as photographing of an image to be transmitted to the mobile terminal 6 instead of photographing 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 performing chroma processing on 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 completed, 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.

(image editing)
After the end of the guidance, the editing control unit 313 controls the editing unit 12 corresponding to the editing space to which the user who has finished shooting control has moved among the editing spaces A2-1 and A2-2. Causes the editing unit 12 to edit the image (step S3). Specifically, the edit control unit 313 allows the user to select a composition image to be combined with the image selected or acquired as the image to be edited, and combines the selected composition image with the image. The composite image is edited according to the editing operation by the user. The editing of the image to be transmitted to the mobile terminal 6 includes, for example, a process of trimming the image to a predetermined size, a filtering process using a color filter, and a collage combining process of finishing a plurality of images as one image. Can also be performed.

  After the end of the editing, the editing control unit 313 guides the user who has finished the 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 monitor 131 with a built-in tablet or by outputting guidance voice from the speaker 231.

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

(Post-service)
During printing, the post-service control unit 315 controls the post-service unit 13 and controls the process related to post-service for the user who is waiting for the printing to be completed (step S5). Specifically, the post-service control unit 315 controls a process for transmitting an image (including an edited image) to the management server 4 in the photo sticker creation game as a process relating to the post-service by the post-service unit 13. . At that time, the post-service control unit 315 causes the tablet built-in monitor 161 to display a screen for inputting an e-mail address for inputting the e-mail address of the user who has played the game and a screen for selecting an image to be transmitted. By using the touch pen 162A or the touch pen 162B, the user inputs a mail address currently used and selects 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 as the transmission target by the control unit 201 to the management server 4 via the communication unit 203 (Step S6). The image transmitted at this time is associated with an identifier (image ID) for uniquely identifying the image. The communication unit 403 of the management server 4 receives the mail address, the image, and the image ID transmitted from the photo sticker creating device 1 (step S7), and outputs it 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 images are kept stored in the temporary storage database until a prescribed time limit elapses, and are automatically deleted from the temporary storage database when the time limit elapses.

  The communication control unit 311 may transmit not only the predetermined number of images selected by the user but also all images to the management server 4 in consideration of the case where the user will become a paying member in the future. This allows the user to acquire all the images shot in the free member state when the user becomes a paid member on the site after shooting in the free member state.

(Creating and sending invitation mail)
The communication control unit 411 outputs the received mail address and image ID to the mail creation unit 412. The mail creation unit 412 creates a guide mail that is sent to the mail address received from the communication control unit 411 and that 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 guidance mail from the mail database 421. Then, using the data, the URL 1102, and the mail address of the user, a guide mail 1101 shown in FIG. 15A is created. URL 1102 is described in the body of the guide mail 1101. The mail creation unit 412 outputs the created guidance mail 1101 to the communication control unit 411. The communication control unit 411 transmits the guidance mail 1101 to the mail address of the user 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 summarizes an image ID and an image related to the image ID. Good. In this case, the management server 4 accepts the input of the seal ID printed outside the margin of the seal paper from the portable terminal 6 on the web page indicated by the URL included in the guide mail, and transmits the seal ID to the management server 4. May be displayed.

(Request and transmission of image storage web page)
The communication unit 603 of the mobile 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 to save the image on the image providing site (step S10).

  The input control unit 612 receives the 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's member ID stored in the storage unit 602, and transmits a predetermined request including the member ID and requesting provision of a web page to the management server 4 via the communication unit 603.

  The communication control unit 411 receives the transmitted request through the communication unit 403 (Step S11), and outputs the request to the web page creation unit 413. The web page creation unit 413 determines the 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. When determining that the user is a free member, the web page creation unit 413 creates a web page 1103 for the free member to save the image, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user is a paying member, a web page 1107 for saving images by the paying member is created as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15B, the web page 1103 includes one thumbnail image 1104, a link image 1105 for prompting the user to register a paying member, and a link image 1106 for saving one image on an image providing site. Contains. If the user is a free member, only one image can be stored, so the thumbnail image 1104 is a thumbnail of the single image. The single image is an image selected by the user in the photo sticker creating device 1. On the other hand, when there are a plurality of images, the thumbnail image 1104 is a thumbnail of any 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 saving all 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 mobile terminal 6 receives the web page 1103 via 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 checks 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 device 1. For example, the image to be stored is designated as the image to be stored in the mobile terminal 6 accessing the image providing site. Image.

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

  The communication control unit 411 receives the transmitted save instruction through the communication unit 403 (step S16). Accordingly, the communication control unit 411 instructs the image management unit 414 to save the image. Upon receiving this instruction, the image management unit 414 stores the user's image stored in the temporary storage database in the image database 424 in association with the user's member ID (step S17). At this time, if there is only one image, the image is stored. On the other hand, if there are a plurality of images, any one of them (for example, an image corresponding to the thumbnail image 1104) is stored. Thus, a series of processes illustrated 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 processes for pay member registration are performed in the captured image management system 10. When the registration is completed, all the images are stored in the image database 424 in association with the user's member ID.

  The storage process when the user is a paid member is essentially the same as the above-described storage process for a free member. However, the user selects the link image 1108 included in the web page 1107. As a result, the management server 4 saves all images in the user's image storage area in the image database 424. Note that the user's selection of an image to be saved (one image for a free member, all images for a paid member) may be accepted by the photo sticker creation device 1. In this case, the image management unit 414 may save the image selected in the photo sticker creating device 1 in the image database 424.

(Save image to mobile terminal 6)
Hereinafter, a flow of processing when an image stored in the image providing site is stored in the mobile terminal 6 of the user 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 storing an image 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 at the time of processing for saving an image to the mobile terminal 6.

  The user accesses the image providing site to log in to the image providing site. As a result, a 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 the link image 1002 for proceeding the member login process 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. Accordingly, the communication control unit 611 reads the user's member ID and password from the storage unit 602, transmits the user ID and the password to the management server 4 through 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 obtain a web page for inputting the user's member ID and password. In this case, the management server 4 may receive the input of the member ID and the 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, communication control section 411 outputs the received member ID and password to web page creation section 413, and instructs web page creation section 413 to create member top page 1031.

  The web page creation unit 413 determines whether the user is registered as a member on the image providing site by comparing the input member ID and password with the member database 422. If it is determined that the member has been 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 by using the data, and outputs it 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 via 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. Accordingly, 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 via 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 generates an image list page 1041 as shown in FIG. 17C by using the data and referring to all the images of the user stored in the image database 424, and the communication control unit. 411. The image list page 1041 includes a plurality of thumbnail images 1042 individually representing 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 via the communication unit 403 (Step S27).

  The communication control unit 611 of the mobile terminal 6 receives the image list page 1041 via 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 the thumbnail image 1042 corresponding to the image to be stored in the mobile terminal 6 from 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. Accordingly, the communication control unit 611 transmits a request for providing an image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image 1042 to the management server 4 via the communication unit 603.

  The communication control unit 411 of the management server 4 receives the transmitted request via 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 mobile terminal 6 to the communication control unit 411.

  The image management unit 414 acquires the specified image from the image database 424, and outputs it to the communication control unit 411. The communication control unit 411 transmits the input image to the mobile terminal 6 via the communication unit 403 (Step S31).

  The communication control unit 611 of the mobile terminal 6 receives the transmitted image via the communication unit 603, and stores the received image in the storage unit 602 (Step S32). As described above, the process of storing the image in the mobile terminal 6 is completed.

  In the above description, a configuration in which the mobile terminal 6 obtains an image by logging in to the image providing site has been described as an example. However, in the present embodiment, an image may be obtained using a seal ID. . For example, the mobile terminal 6 accesses the web page indicated by the URL (or the URL included in the guide mail) printed on the sticker paper, and receives an input operation of the seal 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 images generated during one game, which are images specified by the seal ID, so that the user can select the images. When the user is a free member, only one image among all images specified by the seal ID may be displayed in a list so that the user can select it. When the user is a free member, the image acquisition page may display only one image selected in advance in the photo sticker creating device 1. It is preferable that only the edited image is displayed in a list on the image acquisition page. For example, if there is a captured image in which the edited image is not generated, the edited image and the captured image in which the edited image is not generated are displayed. Images and images may be displayed in a list, or all of the edited images and photographed images may be displayed in a list, and there is no particular limitation.

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

(Generation of new image)
A configuration in which the management server 4 according to the present embodiment generates at least one new image from an image (including an edited image) will be described with reference to FIG.

(Management server)
The communication control unit 411 according to the present embodiment also functions as a size information acquisition unit that acquires size information indicating an image size according to a service designated by a user. Here, the service is a service on a network that communicates with another person, and examples thereof include mail and a message bulletin board. The message bulletin board is an electronic bulletin board on which a plurality of users can post and view messages, and examples thereof include a blog, an SNS (Social Networking Service), a mutter bulletin board, and a messenger application. Note that the messenger application is an application that provides a service in which messages of a user and others are displayed in chronological order on a timeline.

  Specifically, the communication control unit 411 first accesses the management server 4 using an image browsing application (or a general web browser or the like) for browsing images managed in the management server 4. And a display screen for displaying a user interface (UI) for generating a new image together with the image. Here, a UI corresponding to each of the plurality of services is displayed on the display screen so that the user can select an arbitrary service.

  Next, the communication control unit 411 accepts a user's selection of a service by acquiring the user's selection instruction accepted by the mobile terminal 6.

  Upon acquiring the service selection instruction, the communication control unit 411 acquires size information corresponding to the service selected by the user. The communication control unit 411 may obtain the size information from the storage unit 402 that manages the size information corresponding to each service, or may receive the size information from an external server or the like that provides each service. May be acquired, and there is no particular limitation.

  In addition, the image management unit 414 according to the present embodiment also serves as a generation unit that generates a new image having an image size indicated by size information corresponding to a service selected by the user, from images managed in the image database 424. Function. At this time, the image management unit 414 performs a mobile selection operation via the communication control unit 411 in advance on the user's selection operation of selecting from which of the images managed in the image database 424 a new image is to be generated. It is preferable that the information is received from the terminal 6.

  As described above, since the new image is processed into an image size corresponding to the service selected by the user, for example, when the service selected by the user is mail, the user sends the new image to mail. It can be easily used as an image (for example, pictograms) sent together with the image. When the service selected by the user is a messenger application in the message bulletin board, a communication image (so-called stamp) posted on the timeline instead of (or together with) the message is easily provided. Can be used. In this way, a new image is generated with an image size corresponding to the service selected by the user, so that even when the size of an available image in each service is different, it can be easily used for communication with others. can do. Hereinafter, the new image is also referred to as a communication image.

  In addition, it is preferable that the image management unit 414 edits the user's face included in the communication image into an expression according to a predetermined theme so that the user's expression included in the original image is different. In addition, as the expression according to the predetermined theme, for example, an expression representing a message such as thanks and apology, an expression representing a message such as emotions and sadness, and a smile, a crying face representing a message such as happy, sad and angry, Expressions such as an angry face and an expressionless expression can be given. Note that the predetermined theme may be selectable by the user. When a predetermined theme desired by the user is selected by the user, the image management unit 414 converts the facial expression of the user included in the communication image into an expression according to the predetermined theme selected by the user. Perform editing processing.

  Specifically, the image management unit 414 analyzes the expression of the user included in the image, and edits the expression to a crying face or an angry face, for example, when the expression of the user is a smile. At this time, the image management unit 414 can also generate a plurality of images in which the user's facial expression is edited into different facial expressions. In this case, for example, the image management unit 414 may generate, from one image, a plurality of images in which the user's facial expression is edited into emotions, emotions, and pleasures, or edit each of the facial expressions indicating appreciation and apology. A plurality of images may be generated, or a plurality of images edited with expressions representing a smile, a crying face, an angry face, or the like may be generated.

  Note that the image management unit 414 according to the present embodiment analyzes changes in the positional relationship, mounting angle, size, and the like of each part of the face in each expression from a predetermined number of images for each of the plurality of expressions, and performs the analysis. The result may be summarized as change data in each expression of each part of the general face, and a database in which changes in each part of the face are ruled for each expression from this data may be managed. The image management unit 414 can change the facial expression by processing each part of the face included in the image to be processed in accordance with the rule of changing each part of the face managed in this database. it can.

  Note that the image management unit 414 may be able to select an image that the user wants to use from a plurality of images processed into various expressions. Further, as the expression to be processed, in addition to the expression according to the predetermined theme as described above, for example, a strange face, a non-expression face, or the like can be adopted.

  The image management unit 414 can further function as a processing unit that performs predetermined processing on the communication image. As an example of the predetermined processing, a processing for processing an image into a portrait-like image can be given, for example. At this time, for example, the image management unit 414 may perform a processing for processing the image into a portrait-like image by processing the image into an image such as a line drawing or a cartoon.

  For example, the image management unit 414 first recognizes the user's face in the communication image (or the image that is the source of the communication image), and also determines the size, center position, and attachment of each part of the face. Detect angles, etc. Then, the image management unit 414 performs a processing process of processing the image into a portrait-like image by replacing each part with a part-like image based on the size of each part of the detected face. It can be carried out.

  Further, as an example of the predetermined processing, a processing for extracting (trimming) a portion including a close-up of a user's face from an image can be given.

  According to the configuration described above, the management server 4 can provide an image obtained by further performing a predetermined processing on a new image as an image that the user can use for communication with another person. Thus, the user can enjoy communication with another person using the unique communication image subjected to the predetermined processing.

  Further, the image management unit 414 stores and manages the generated communication image in the image database 424. At this time, the image management unit 414 may tag the communication image with attribute information indicating the attribute of the communication image. Specifically, the image management unit 414 may tag the attribute information indicating “thanks” when the expression of the user of the communication image indicates appreciation, and the expression of the user indicates an apology. If so, the attribute information indicating “apology” may be tagged. In addition, when the expression of the user of the communication image is the joy of emotion, the communication control unit 311 may tag the attribute information indicating “joy”, and the expression of the user may be the expression of the emotion. In the case of anger, it may be tagged with attribute information indicating “anger”. Accordingly, as described later, when the user selects a communication image on the portable terminal 6, the image management unit 414 can easily search for the communication image.

  For example, when a message related to the attribute information of the communication image is present in a message input by the user using the messenger application on the mobile terminal 6, the communication image is selectively displayed on the mobile terminal 6. May be done. According to this, the user can easily select the communication image related to the input message, and can enjoy the communication with the other person more.

  In addition, the image management unit 414 of the management server 4 according to the present embodiment extracts only a person (user) from the image generated by the photo sticker creating device 1 and extracts the extracted image of the person for each user. The information may be stored in the database 424 and managed. Then, the image management unit 414 may generate a communication image from the extracted image of each person. According to this, the management server 4 can generate a communication image of each user for each person included in the image.

  Further, the image management unit 414 may provide a tab for classifying communication images for each person. Thus, the user who uses the communication image can easily select a desired communication image by referring to the tab classified for each person.

(Photo sticker making device)
In the present embodiment, a configuration in which at least one communication image is generated from an image (including an edited image) in the photo sticker creating device 1 may be adopted.

  In this case, the communication control unit 311 included in the photo sticker creating device 1 may function as size information obtaining means for obtaining size information indicating an image size corresponding to the service specified by the user. Further, the editing control unit 313 generates a communication image having an image size indicated by size information corresponding to a service selected by the user from the images (the captured image and the edited image). What is necessary is just to function as a processing means for performing a predetermined processing.

  When transmitting the communication image, the communication control unit 311 may tag the communication image with attribute information indicating the attribute of the communication image.

  Further, when a communication image is generated by the photo sticker creating device 1, the control unit 201 may determine the member attribute of the transmission destination user when the communication control unit 311 transmits the communication image. . In this case, when the control unit 201 determines that the user is a paying member, the communication control unit 311 may transmit all the communication images generated as described above to the mobile terminal 6. In addition, the communication control unit 311 automatically determines from the plurality of communication images when the control unit 201 determines that the user is a free member, and when a plurality of communication images are generated, or Only one communication image selected by the user needs to be transmitted.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, at least one of the touch panel monitor 93 and the speaker 224 functions as guidance means for guiding at least one of the user's facial expression and pose when photographing the user with the photo sticker creating device 1. May be. For example, the touch panel monitor 93 may guide the user's facial expression and pose by displaying a frame line or a sample of the body outline that guides the user's facial expression and pose. In addition, the speaker 224 may induce the user's facial expression and pose by inducing the user's facial expression and pose by voice (for example, "Please simulate crying"). At this time, it is preferable that at least one of the touch panel monitor 93 and the speaker 224 guide the user's facial expression and pose according to a predetermined theme.

  According to the above configuration, the photo sticker creating device 1 according to the present embodiment can guide the user's facial expression and pose during shooting. Accordingly, the photo sticker creating device 1 can generate an image that can be used and enjoyed in e-mail, SNS, and the like, using the user's image of the expression and the pose guided by the touch panel monitor 93 and the speaker 224. .

  In the present embodiment, the printing unit 211 prints only the image of the image generated by the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 and the image for communication on the sticker paper (in other words, the communication image is printed on the sticker paper). Will not print).

(Mobile device)
In addition, the mobile terminal 6 according to the present embodiment uses the communication image generated from the image in the photo sticker creation device 1 when creating a mail and a diary or mutter in SNS (when inputting characters and the like). ) Can be used. In this case, the input control unit 612 of the mobile terminal 6 may receive the selection of the communication image by receiving the user's flick operation in the input unit 604.

  Specifically, first, the display control unit 613 causes the display unit 605 to display a user interface (for example, a numeric keypad) which is an operation screen for receiving an input operation of a user such as characters and numbers. Then, when the input control unit 612 detects an operation of selecting a predetermined key by the user via the input unit 604, the display control unit 613 generates a photo sticker on at least one of the top, bottom, left, and right of the key selected by the user. The communication image generated in the device 1 is displayed. Then, the input control unit 612 may receive a user's flick operation via the input unit 604 to receive a communication image selection operation.

  In addition, the display control unit 613 may display characters indicating the attribute of the communication image generated by the photo sticker creating device 1 on at least one of the upper, lower, left, and right of the key selected by the user. For example, "gratitude" may be displayed above the key selected by the user, "apology" on the lower side, "happy" on the left side, and "angry" on the right side. Then, for example, when “thanks” is selected by the user's flick operation, the display control unit 613 displays a list of communication images to which attribute information indicating “thanks” is tagged on the display unit 605. Good.

(Modification)
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image (including an editing process) generated by a photo sticker creating device can be viewed on a terminal device, but cannot be newly edited. For this reason, for example, when there is an image that cannot be edited sufficiently due to a time-out (the end of the time during which editing can be performed in the photo sticker creating apparatus), the user can fully enjoy viewing these images. There is a problem that there is no.

  On the other hand, the mobile terminal 6 (terminal device) according to the present modification performs an editing process on an image (including a captured image, an edited image, and a communication image) generated by the photo sticker creating device 1. Is adopted. A mobile terminal 6 according to a modification of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a control unit 601 'of the mobile terminal 6 according to the present modification.

(Mobile device)
As shown in FIG. 18, the control unit 601 ′ according to the present modification has the same configuration as the control unit 601 according to the first embodiment, except that the control unit 601 ′ includes a processing unit 614 (editing unit).

  The display control unit 613 (display unit) displays the image generated by the photo sticker creating device 1 on the display unit 605.

  The input control unit 612 (accepting means) accepts, via the input unit 604, a user's editing instruction for an image displayed on the display unit 605.

  The processing unit 614 performs an editing process of the editing content indicated by the user's editing instruction received by the input control unit 612 on the image (including the communication image) generated by the photo sticker creating device 1.

  The image to be edited by the processing unit 614 (that is, the image displayed by the display control unit 613 on the display unit 605) is obtained from the image generated by the photo sticker creating apparatus 1 by the management server 4 (or the photo sticker creating The communication image generated in the device 1) is preferably a communication image having an image size corresponding to a service specified by the user. In this case, for example, the display control unit 613 may display the communication image (or a web page including the communication image) acquired from the management server by the communication control unit 611 on the display unit 605. According to this configuration, the user can further process the communication image by performing a desired editing process on the communication image.

  Thereby, the mobile terminal 6 further performs an editing process desired by the user on the communication image generated in the management server 4 (or the photo sticker creating device 1) as an image that the user can use for communication with another person. The provided unique communication image can be provided. Thus, the user can enjoy communication with another person using the unique communication image subjected to the desired editing processing.

  The image displayed by the display control unit 613 on the display unit 605 may be an edited image among the images generated by the photo sticker creating device 1. In this case, the user can reprocess the edited image by further performing a desired editing process on the edited image.

  The image displayed by the display control unit 613 on the display unit 605 may be a photographed image among the images generated by the photo sticker creating device 1. In this case, the user can perform a desired editing process on the photographed image that could not be edited due to time or the like in the editing process in the photo sticker creating device 1. Therefore, for example, even when an image that could not be sufficiently edited occurs due to a time-out or the like, a desired editing process can be performed on the mobile terminal 6, so that when the user browses these images, The user can enjoy browsing images sufficiently.

  Here, the mobile terminal 6 according to the present modification may perform an editing process on an image (including a communication image) stored in the storage unit 602, or may perform an image processing managed by the management server 4. May be subjected to editing processing, and there is no particular limitation. For example, when performing editing processing on an image managed by the management server 4, the mobile terminal 6 uses an image browsing application (or a general application) for browsing the image managed by the management server 4. By accessing the management server 4 using a web browser or the like, and transmitting information indicating the contents of the editing process to be performed in the processing unit 614 to the management server 4, the image managed by the management server 4 is edited. What is necessary is just to perform a process.

  Furthermore, the mobile terminal 6 according to the present modification may generate at least one communication image having a lower resolution than the image, from the image managed by the management server 4. The new image generated from the image in the present modification is not limited to the communication image, and may be, for example, a banner image or the like.

  The communication image according to this modification can also be used for communication using SNS (including the basic function of the SNS included in the image browsing application (or the basic function of the SNS provided by the management server 4)). For example, a user can communicate with another user by using a communication image by posting a communication image on a timeline of an electronic message board, which is an example of an SNS.

  At this time, a so-called graffiti (such as characters and images synthesized with the captured image in the editing process) included in the communication image is input by a user in a fixed phrase graffiti (for example, “Go to play?”) Or by the user. It is preferable that the characters can be replaced with characters. Alternatively, it is preferable to be able to superimpose a fixed phrase such as a scribble or a character input by a user on a so-called graffiti included in the communication image.

  In this case, for example, the input control unit 612 included in the control unit 601 ′ of the mobile terminal 6 accepts a user's selection operation of a standardized text doodle, a text input operation, and the like. May be reprocessed. In addition, the user's operation content received in the input control unit 612 may be transmitted from the mobile terminal 6 to the management server 4, and the communication image may be re-processed in the control unit 401 of the management server 4. is not.

  Furthermore, the processing unit 614 of the mobile terminal 6 according to the present modification may perform a process of deforming the expression of the user included in the communication image as a process of reworking the communication image. For example, when the expression of the user included in the communication image is “smile”, the processing unit 614 may deform to “crying face” or “angry face”. In addition, the processing unit 614 may sequentially generate display images so that a plurality of communication images in which the user's facial expression is deformed are sequentially displayed.

[Embodiment 2]
In the editing process of the photo sticker creating apparatus, the images that can be selected by the user as the image for synthesis (such as a stamp) to be synthesized with the photographed image are limited to the images stored in the photo sticker creating apparatus in advance. . For this reason, it is difficult for the conventional photo sticker creating apparatus to provide a user with a unique edited image. In recent years, the technology described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed, but even if another image taken during one game is used as an image for synthesis in the editing process, a unique edited image is provided to the user. Is not enough.

  In contrast, the photo sticker creating device 1 according to the present embodiment combines an image (user-generated image) generated by the user's terminal device with an image (captured image or edited image) generated by the photo sticker creating device. A configuration for performing an editing process is adopted. The photo sticker creating device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

(Photo sticker making device)
The photographing control unit 312 functions as a photographed image generating unit that photographs a user and generates a photographed image. The editing control unit 313 also functions as an edited image generating unit that generates an edited image by performing an editing process on a captured image.

  In addition, the communication control unit 311 included in the photo sticker creation device 1 according to the present embodiment functions as an acquisition unit that acquires a user-generated image generated in the user's terminal device. The communication control unit 311 also functions as a transmission unit that transmits at least the edited image to the management server 4 among the captured image and the edited image generated by the photo sticker creating device 1.

  Note that examples of the terminal device include devices owned by the user, such as a mobile terminal 6, a tablet terminal, and a digital camera. In this case, it is preferable that the photograph sticker creating apparatus 1 includes, for example, a communication unit (not shown) such as a non-contact type IC reader / writer capable of communicating with an external device in the editing unit 12. Thereby, the communication control unit 311 can acquire the user-generated image through the communication unit (not shown). Here, in the present embodiment, the user-generated image is, for example, an image of the user as a subject on the user's terminal device.

  Further, the communication control unit 311 functioning as an obtaining unit can also obtain the user-generated image from an external device such as a server on a network including the management server 4 via the communication unit 203. For example, the communication control unit 311 obtains a user-generated image from the management server 4 by storing an image generated by the user using the terminal device (for example, an image captured by the mobile terminal 6) in the management server 4 in advance. can do.

  In this case, the control unit 201 accepts an input of a member ID or the like from the user to authenticate the user (for example, determine whether the user is a registered user, determine a member attribute, and the like). May go. Thereby, the communication control unit 311 can acquire the user-generated image managed as the user-generated image of the authenticated user in the management server 4 from the management server 4.

  When acquiring the user-generated image, the communication control unit 311 may acquire only the user-generated image selected by the user. For example, the control unit 201 displays a list of a plurality of user-generated images temporarily acquired by the communication control unit 311 on the monitor 131 with a built-in tablet, and generates a desired user-generated image from the plurality of displayed user-generated images. A user operation to be selected may be accepted.

  In the present embodiment, the editing control unit 313 performs a process of synthesizing a user-generated image with a captured image (image to be edited) as one of the above-described editing processes. Specifically, the edit control unit 313 displays the user-generated image on the tablet built-in monitor 131 so as to be selectable by the user as an image for synthesis to be synthesized with the image selected as the image to be edited. Accordingly, the user operates the tablet built-in monitor 131 using the touch pen 132A or 132B to select the user-generated image as the image for synthesis, and superimposes the selected user-generated image on an arbitrary position on the image to be edited. And can be synthesized.

  Further, the editing control unit 313 can also combine the user-generated image with the captured image as a background image. In this case, the edit control unit 313 may generate the edited image by superimposing the image of the user included in the captured image on the user-generated image, for example.

  According to the above configuration, the photo sticker creation device 1 according to the present embodiment can use the user-generated image for editing processing performed on the captured image. Specifically, the photo sticker creating device 1 can perform, as one of the editing processes, a process of superimposing a user-generated image on a captured image and combining the images. Therefore, the photo sticker creating device 1 can use the user-generated image in the editing process, and can provide the user with a more individualized edited image.

(Modification)
In the second embodiment, the configuration in which the photo sticker creating device 1 can acquire the user-generated image generated in the user's terminal device and perform the editing process has been described as an example. However, the configuration is not limited to this. is not. For example, the photo sticker creating device 1 according to the present modification includes an editing material (for example, a stamp image, a frame, a graffiti template, and a , Character font, etc.). The photo sticker creating device 1 according to the present modification will be described below.

The communication control unit 311 of the photo sticker creation device 1 according to this modification acquires the editing material possessed by the user by functioning as the acquisition unit in the second embodiment. In this case, the communication control unit 311 transmits the editing material from the user's portable terminal 6 through a communication unit (not shown) such as a non-contact type IC reader / writer that can communicate with an external device provided in the editing unit 12. May be obtained. Further, the communication control unit 311
Further, the communication control unit 311 functioning as an acquisition unit can also acquire the editing material from an external device such as a server on a network including the management server 4 via the communication unit 203. In this case, the control unit 201 may authenticate the user by receiving an input such as a member ID from the user. Thereby, the communication control unit 311 can acquire the editing material managed as the editing material of the authenticated user in the management server 4 from the management server 4.

  Here, as the editing material, for example, an editing material purchased by a user at a service providing site (for example, an image providing site or the like) provided by the management server 4 may be used, or at the service providing site. Images registered as editing images that the user wants to use (such as images that the user likes) may be available, and are not particularly limited. In the latter case, for example, on a service providing site, an image that can be used on a message bulletin board provided by another server or the like may be registered as an editing image that the user wants to use. It may be possible to register an image of a favorite character or the like.

  The conventional photo sticker creation device can only perform editing using a stamp registered in advance in the photo sticker creation device or another image created in the same game in the same photo sticker creation device. The degree was low. However, as described above, the photo sticker creating device 1 according to the present modification includes a function like an open platform for editing an image, so that a user can bring in a material for editing. The user's flexibility in processing increases.

  In addition, the photo sticker creating device 1 according to the present modification can bring the editing material freely by the user himself, so that the user's willingness to create (will to the editing process) can be stimulated and a more individualized edited image can be obtained. Can be provided to the user. Thus, the user can enjoy the editing process in the photo sticker creating device 1 more, and thus can enjoy the service (game) provided by the photo sticker creating device 1 more.

[Embodiment 3]
In recent years, as a service provided by a photo sticker creating device, an image generated by the photo sticker creating device is displayed on a portable terminal owned by the user together with a service of providing the user with a sticker sheet on which an image is printed. As a result, services for providing images to users have become widespread. Further, such provision of an image to a portable terminal is generally performed by transmitting information for acquiring an image to a user's e-mail address.

  However, for example, when a correct address cannot be received due to a timeout or an error input, when a user does not have an e-mail address, or when a user hesitates to input an e-mail address, the user's e-mail If the address cannot be obtained, there is a problem that information for obtaining an image cannot be sufficiently provided to the user.

  On the other hand, when providing the image generated by the photo sticker creating device 1 to the user, the management server 4 ′ according to the present invention uses information for the user to acquire the image associated with the user, The configuration provided for the message board account of the user is adopted. The management server 4 'according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the management server 4 ′ according to the present embodiment.

(Management server)
As illustrated in FIG. 19, the management server 4 ′ according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 401 ′ instead of the control unit 401 included in the management server 4 according to the first embodiment. The control unit 401 ′ according to the present embodiment includes a mail creation unit 412 ′ (providing unit) in place of the mail creation unit 412 according to the first embodiment, and an information management unit 415 (an account management unit). The configuration is the same as that of the control unit 401 according to the first embodiment, except that the control unit 401 according to the first embodiment is further provided.

  The image management unit 414 is an image management unit that manages the image generated by the photo sticker creation device 1 by storing the image in the image database 424 in association with the user (specifically, in association with the user's member ID). It is functioning.

  The information management unit 415 associates a user's message board account in an external message board service (a message board service different from the service provided in the management server 4) with the user (specifically, the user's membership). It is managed by registering it in the member database 422 (associated with the ID).

  The management server 4 may acquire the message bulletin board account of the user from the photo sticker creating device 1, for example. In this case, for example, the photo sticker creating device 1 first receives an input of a message bulletin board account from the user in the post-service section 13 or the like. Then, the photo sticker creation device 1 transmits the message bulletin board account of the user whose input has been accepted to the management server 4 ′ via the communication unit 203. As a result, the information management unit 415 can acquire the user's message bulletin board account from the photo sticker creation device 1.

  Further, the management server 4 may acquire the message bulletin board account of the user from the mobile terminal 6. For example, the control unit 401 ′ of the management server 4 ′ receives the input of the user's message bulletin board account generated by the web page creation unit 413 for the mobile terminal 6 accessing the management server 4 ′. Send Then, by accepting the message board account input from the mobile terminal 6 on the web page, the user's message board account can be acquired.

  The mail creating unit 412 ′ uses the message bulletin board service to provide the user with information for obtaining (for example, a URL indicating the storage location of the image) for obtaining an image managed in association with the user. , For the user's message board account.

  According to the above configuration, the management server 4 ′ sends, for example, a user who does not have a mail address (a mail address is not set to the mobile terminal 6) and the photograph sticker creating apparatus 1 and the management server 4 ′. Even if the user hesitates to input (notify) the e-mail address, the acquisition information can be provided through the SNS for which the user has an account.

  In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the management server 4 'has an account of the same message bulletin board as the message bulletin board for which the user has an account. In this case, the information management unit 415 only needs to manage the message bulletin board account of the management server in association with the management server. Thereby, the management server 4 'can transmit a message from the message board account of the management server 4' to the message board account of the user.

  Further, the mail creation unit 412 'of the management server 4' responds to the instruction to provide an image notified from the user's message board account to the message board account of the management server 4 'using the message board service. In addition, a configuration in which information for acquiring an image is provided to the user's message bulletin board account can be adopted. According to this, the user transmits a predetermined command (such as an instruction to provide an image) by a message from the message board account owned by the user to the message board account of the management server 4 ′, so that, for example, the album A desired image can also be acquired from a plurality of images displayed in a format that can be browsed.

[Example of software implementation]
The control blocks (especially the control unit 201, the control units 401 and 401 'and the control units 601 and 601') of the photo sticker creation device 1, the management servers 4 and 4 ', and the mobile terminal 6 are integrated circuits (IC chips) and the like. It may be realized by a formed logic circuit (hardware) or by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

  In the latter case, the photo sticker creating device 1, the management servers 4, 4 ', and the portable terminal 6 are each configured to execute a command of a program, which is software for realizing each function, and to execute the program and various data by a computer (or CPU). A ROM (Read Only Memory) or a storage device (these are referred to as “recording media”) recorded so as to be readable by the RAM, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the above-described program, and the like. Then, the object of the present invention is achieved when the computer (or CPU) reads the program from the recording medium and executes the program. As the recording medium, a “temporary tangible medium” such as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, or a programmable logic circuit can be used. Further, the program may be supplied to the computer via an arbitrary transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) capable of transmitting the program. Note that 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 embodiments described above, 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 by a photograph sticker creating apparatus in a management server.

1 Photo sticker making device 4, 4 'Management server 6 Mobile terminal (terminal device)
11 imaging unit 12 editing unit 13 post-service unit 21 imaging unit 201 control unit 311 communication control unit (acquisition means)
312 Imaging control unit (imaging image generation means)
313 Edit control unit (edit image generation means)
314 Print control unit 315 Post-service control unit 401, 401 'Control unit 402 Storage unit 403 Communication unit 411 Communication control unit (size information acquisition unit, provision unit)
412 E-mail creation unit 413 Web page creation unit 414 Image management unit (generation unit, processing unit, image management unit)
415 Information Management Department (Account Management Means)
601 control unit 602 storage unit 603 communication unit 604 input unit 605 display unit 611 communication control unit 612 input control unit (accepting means)
613 Display control unit (display means)
614 Processing unit (editing means)

Claims (8)

A management server that manages images generated by a photo sticker creating device that captures a user and generates an image,
Size information obtaining means for obtaining size information indicating an image size according to the service specified by the user;
A new image of the image size indicated by the size information obtained by the size information obtaining means, wherein the user's face has been edited to a different facial expression according to a predetermined theme from the image. Generating means for generating a plurality of
Processing means for processing an image selected by the user from among the plurality of new images into a portrait-like image. Photographed image generating means for photographing a user to generate a photographed image;
Edit image generating means for generating an edit image by performing an edit process on the photographed image,
Acquiring means for acquiring a user-generated image generated in the user terminal device,
Transmitting means for transmitting at least the edited image of the photographed image and the edited image to the management server according to claim 1;
The edited image generating means performs a process of synthesizing the user-generated image and the captured image as one of the editing processes.
A photograph sticker producing apparatus, characterized in that: A new image generated by the management server according to claim 1 from an image generated by the photo sticker creating apparatus that generates an image by photographing a user, wherein the new image has an image size corresponding to a service specified by the user. Display means for displaying a simple image on the display unit,
Receiving means for receiving the user's editing instruction for the image displayed on the display unit;
Editing means for performing, on the image, editing processing of the editing content indicated by the user's editing instruction received by the receiving means.
A terminal device characterized by the above-mentioned. An image generation method of a management server that manages an image generated in a photo sticker creating device that captures a user and generates an image,
A size information obtaining step of obtaining size information indicating an image size according to the service specified by the user;
A new image of the image size indicated by the size information acquired in the size information acquiring step, wherein the user's face is edited into a different facial expression according to a predetermined theme from the image. Generating a plurality of
A processing step of processing an image selected by the user from among the plurality of new images into a portrait-like image. A program for causing a computer to function as the management server according to claim 1 , wherein the program causes the computer to function as each of the units. A program for causing a computer to function as the photograph sticker creating device according to claim 2 , wherein the program causes the computer to function as each of the above means. A program for causing a computer to function as the terminal device according to claim 3 , wherein the program causes the computer to function as each of the means. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to any one of claims 5 to 7 is recorded.

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