JPH10154269A - Digital data selling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To freely perform processing of digital image/sound data, by providing a controller that generally controls the operation of a selling machine, etc., based on a prescribed program and instructs users for a use operation procedure. SOLUTION: A procedure, etc., which is necessary for a fetching operation of an image and a sound is successively shown on the screen of a display device 10, and a user performs a necessary operation by using an input device 8, etc. Digital data of an image that is photographed by a CCD camera 1 is recorded on RAM 7 and also shown on the display screen 10, and also a sound which is collected by a microphone 3 is converted into digital data and later, recorded on the RAM 7 once. The user executes editing works of these image, etc., according to the instruction shown on the screen 10 by using an input device 8. Worked data is also, once recorded on the RAM 7. The digital data recorded on the RAM 7 is converted into the user's desired file format and recorded on FD 15.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital data vending machine, and more particularly to an apparatus for converting a video or audio desired by a user into digital data, recording the digitalized data on a desired recording medium, and delivering the digitalized data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the digital information boom represented by the multimedia Internet, etc., the era of personal computers becoming truly personal is considered to be near. Along with this, it is expected that a lot of information and data (images, characters, etc.) will be supplied to end consumers as digital data in the future, and various softwares are actually paid or free through public communication networks. The business that handles all information with digital data itself is developing significantly.

[0003] Typical examples are digital publishing on a CD-ROM or the like and provision of information on the Internet.
Although they can provide information easily by a method completely different from conventional publishing processes, various devices for converting the information into digital data are required. For example, when setting up a homepage on the Internet that is currently in boom, we often see images with images such as our own photos, but for that purpose,
It is necessary to read a photograph with a scanner or take a picture with a digital camera or the like and process the image data. In addition, devices such as a microphone and a sound board are required to capture and process audio data. At present, many personal computers having various functions are sold as multimedia personal computers, and many include various peripheral devices such as a mouse, a modem, and a sound board. Also,
Since various software is pre-installed so that various functions can be used immediately after purchasing a personal computer, users who enjoy the Internet and other functions are rapidly increasing.

[0004] However, when a user who owns a personal computer attempts to process video data, there are the following problems. (1) Peripheral devices such as scanners and digital cameras for capturing images are basically sold separately from personal computers, and in order to use your own photos as image data, purchase those peripheral devices. There is a need to. (2) For full-scale processing of the captured image, dedicated software for image processing (for example, applications such as “Photoshop” and “Paintshop” (both are trade names)) is required. 3) Not only does it require considerable expense to stock these peripherals and software, but it is not always easy for beginners to learn how to operate them.

On the other hand, in the field of game machines, a device that performs frame processing for adding a background or the like to an image captured by a CCD camera, prints the image in color, and outputs the image as a sticker [Atlas “Print Club” (trade name) And CC
A device for morphing an image captured by a D-camera and outputting the image to a color printer [Titado's “Cinderella Magic” (trade name)] is known. And not as digital data itself. Therefore, such printed matter given to the customer is not of a nature that can be directly used on a personal computer, but is of a level that adds a sense of play to so-called instant photography.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a built-in CC
Using a D-camera or digital camera to capture the user's face, etc., synthesize backgrounds and characters with the data, perform morphing, and insert sound recorded by the built-in microphone as sound effects, You can easily create original digital image data and digital audio data for use in multimedia such as a personal computer by applying effects, write the digital data itself to a recording medium such as a floppy disk, and Is intended to provide a completely new device for the purpose of handing over to a user (a personal computer user who does not have a digital camera or a scanner) as a product.

[0007]

An object of the present invention is to provide an input device which can be operated by a user; recording means for taking in an external video desired by the user and recording this as digital video data; Recording means for capturing a desired external sound and recording it as digital sound data; a video display device and a sound reproducing device; and the recorded digital video data and digital sound data in response to a user's operation of the input device. An editing device for recording and editing the edited digital video data and digital audio data on a desired recording medium, and delivering the data to a user; and an overall control of the operations of the above devices and means based on a predetermined program. And a control device for instructing a user on a use operation procedure through the video display device and the audio reproduction device. It was example be achieved by a digital data vending machine according to claim.

[0008] The vending machine itself is provided with a device for formatting the unused recording medium to a desired standard and providing it to a user, and recording the digital video data and digital audio data on the formatted recording medium. You may do it.

In addition, it is recommended to provide a recording medium for recording digital data of an existing illustration, a background screen, characters, and sound effects which can be synthesized with the digital image data and digital audio data fetched from outside at the time of editing. .

[0010] Furthermore, a printer for printing out edited digital video data is provided, a communication function such as a modem for Internet connection or the like is provided,
It is also possible to provide a usage fee collecting device.

As a device for capturing an external image, a CCD camera, a digital camera, a scanner or the like is used.

[0012] As a recording medium for recording digital data and delivering it to a user, a floppy disk,
Any digital R / W media (digitally readable and writable media) such as CD-R, MO, memory card, and mini disk can be used,
At present, it is most preferable to use a floppy disk which is a standard medium for personal computers.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing main components of a digital data vending machine according to the present invention, and FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows the operation. In FIG. 1, 1 is C
CD camera, 2 CCD camera interface, 3 microphone, 4 microphone interface, 5 CPU, 6 R
OM, 7 is a RAM, 8 is an input device, 9 is a video interface, 10 is a display device, 11 is an audio interface, 12 is a speaker, 13 is a floppy disk drive interface, and 14 is a floppy disk drive (hereinafter "FDD"). Reference numeral 15 denotes a floppy disk (hereinafter abbreviated as “FD”). FIG.
Although not shown in the drawings, when a coin is inserted into the device, a mechanism (FD) for ejecting a floppy disk that has been formatted or can be formatted to a desired standard when digital data is recorded later, for example, is omitted. Vendor). At present, the most widely used format, such as DOS-V, is widely used. However, the format is not limited to this, and any format desired by the user can be used as widely as possible. It is desirable. Also, the digital image data and the digital audio data are converted into a standard used by the user and can be recorded. In the ROM 6, in addition to a program for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus, digital data of existing illustrations, background screens, characters and sound effects, and other various necessary data are recorded.

Hereinafter, the operation of the digital data vending machine shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. When the user inserts a coin into the usage fee collection device, a formatted FD is sent from an FD vendor (not shown).
Is discharged in the case. Since a general 3.5-inch FD is used as a recording medium, a discrimination is made based on the type of format and the presence / absence of already-written data for the purpose of user data protection. Other than the dedicated FD that has been set, it will not be accepted. However, as long as it conforms to certain conditions, a commercially available FD that is not formatted by the user or that is formatted according to a different standard from the above can be used. Good. In this case, the fee collection device of the FD vendor and the fee collection device of the digital data are separately installed, and after the FD is checked by the digital data vending machine, the usage fee is collected. Thus, after discharging the formatted FD, the display device 10
"Please insert FD into FDD slot"
When the user inserts the FD 15 into the slot of the FDD 14, it is checked whether or not an appropriate FD has been inserted, and the process shifts to an image and audio capturing operation.

At this time, on the screen of the display device 10, procedures necessary for the operation of capturing images and voices are sequentially displayed, and voice guidance is provided from the speaker 12 as necessary. In accordance with the above, necessary operations are performed using the input device 8 and the like, and images of the user's face and other images are captured by the CCD camera 1, and voices are recorded by using the microphone 3. A scanner may be provided in addition to the CCD camera 1 so as to be able to capture image data such as photographs and illustrations brought in.

The digital data of the image photographed by the CCD camera 1 is temporarily recorded in the RAM 7 from the CCD camera interface 2 via the CPU 5 and the photographed image is displayed on the display screen 10. . The voice picked up by the microphone 3 is also converted into digital data, and then is converted to RAM via the microphone interface 4.
7 is recorded once.

Next, the user executes the editing work of these images and the like using the input device 8 in accordance with the instructions displayed on the display screen. At this time, not only the image and audio data recorded in the RAM 7 but also the data of the existing illustrations, background screens, characters, sound effects, and the like recorded in the ROM 6 are read and synthesized by the CCD camera 1 and the microphone 3. , Morphing and frame processing,
Perform desired processing such as effects. Alternatively, photographing with a CCD camera or a digital camera or image reading with a scanner may be performed a plurality of times, and these may be displayed on a display screen so that a user can select, edit, and print. The digital data of the image and sound processed in this way is also temporarily recorded in the RAM 7.

After that, the user presses the end button,
When the time is over, a list of file formats is displayed on the screen, and the user selects a desired file format from the list. At that time, the digital image data and digital audio data recorded in the RAM 7 are converted into the file format and recorded on the FD. The processed image and audio digital data recorded in the RAM 7 is converted into a desired format as described above, sent to the FDD 14 via the FDD interface 13 and recorded on the FD 15, and then "Please take out the FD. Is displayed and a voice guide is made. When the user takes out the FD 15 according to this, all the operations are completed.

The digital data vending machine according to the present invention may be installed in a personal computer shop or the like for use by a personal computer user. Alternatively, an image or the like may be created, recorded on the FD, and brought back. It is also recommended to provide a printer that prints out the edited digital video data.

Furthermore, a modem or other communication function for connecting to the Internet or the like may be provided so that connection to the Internet or the like can be made on the spot.

[0021]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, according to the present invention, even a general personal computer user who is not a enthusiast can purchase special equipment such as a digital camera and a scanner and image processing software. Digital video / audio data can be processed freely without
Processing and creating original digital data,
This data can be enjoyed on a personal computer at home. Providing a high-precision color printer, which is difficult for ordinary users to purchase, makes it possible to create clear printouts that can be used immediately, thereby meeting more demands. Further, unlike a personal computer, only limited operations are performed to some extent, so that operation methods such as shooting and processing of image data can be simplified, and complicated processing such as morphing can be performed like a game. For users who want more advanced usage, if a personal computer is used as an internal mechanism and a modem is connected, it can be used as an Internet terminal, and services such as E-MAIL are also possible. become.

Therefore, for example, the following usage method is also possible. (1) When making New Year's mail. Capture your face and combine it with zodiac images and messages to create data. If you can connect to the Internet with a built-in modem, you can mail it as a binary file. Even if no mail is sent, the data is recorded on the FD and delivered. (2) To make your own homepage. When creating your own homepage, you often want to include your own photos and illustrations, your own voice and music, etc., but all of the basic image data and audio data can be created with this device. Captures images, combines with morphing and illustrations, and performs frame processing. In addition, the voice data can capture its own voice, combine sound effects and BGM, and apply effects.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing main components of a digital data vending machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 CCD camera 2 CCD camera interface 3 Microphone 4 Microphone interface 5 CPU 6 ROM 7 RAM 8 Input device 9 Video interface 10 Display device 11 Audio interface 12 Speaker 13 Floppy disk drive interface 14 Floppy disk drive 15 Floppy disk

Claims (6)

[Claims] An input device (8) operable by a user; recording means (1, 2, 7) for capturing an external video desired by the user and recording this as digital video data;
Recording means (3, 4, 7) for capturing an external voice desired by the user and recording this as digital voice data
An image display device (9, 10) and an audio reproducing device (11, 12); an editing device for editing recorded digital video data and digital audio data in accordance with an operation of the input device (8) by a user. (5,6,7)
A device (13, 14) for recording edited digital video data and digital audio data on a desired recording medium (15) and delivering the data to a user; and operation of the above devices and means based on a predetermined program. A control device (5) for controlling the overall operation and for teaching the operating procedure to the user via the video display device and the audio reproducing device;
A digital data vending machine comprising: 2. An apparatus for formatting an unused recording medium (15) to a desired standard and providing it to a user,
2. A digital data vending machine according to claim 1, wherein said digital video data and digital audio data are recorded on said formatted recording medium (15). 3. A recording medium for recording digital data of an existing illustration, a background screen, characters, and sound effects which can be combined with the digital video data and digital audio data fetched from outside at the time of editing. Item 7. A digital data vending machine according to item 1. 4. The digital data vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a printer for printing out the edited digital video data. 5. The digital data vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a communication function. 6. The digital data vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a usage fee collecting device.