KR20020057626A - Apparatus printing a fast photo using digital camera and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A system and method for printing instant photograph using digital camera is provided to respond to various desire of a customer. CONSTITUTION: A system includes a memory(41) storing application programs for various identification photographs and background composite photographs; money identifiers(21,22) receiving notes and coins to identify amount and to examine genuineness; a monitor(30) displaying information on the various identification photographs and background composite photographs stored in the memory in graphic or text; a touchscreen(16) selecting functions on various photograph mode and ordering referring to the graphic or text displayed on the monitor; a plurality of flash lamps(13,14) flashing on an order to start photographing generated by the touchscreen; a digital camera(32) photographing a figure on the order to start photographing; a photograph printer printing the photographed figure on a photographic paper; and a microprocessor controlling operation of various devices according to photograph selection mode input to the touchscreen; and processing image data input by the digital camera to reduce or expand and outputting correspondent image data and control signal.

Description

Instant photo printing apparatus using digital camera and its method {APPARATUS PRINTING A FAST PHOTO USING DIGITAL CAMERA AND METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to an instant photographing and printing system, and in particular, by selecting all kinds of ID photographs and portrait photographs by an instant photographing printing apparatus installed in public places such as subways, government offices, etc. An instant photo printing apparatus and method using a digital camera capable of printing a person in real, reduced or enlarged according to the customer's wishes.

In general, the instant photo printing apparatus, called '3 minutes instant color' installed in public places such as subways and public offices, is a very useful device for citizens who suddenly need a photograph to print and print in minutes.

The housing of the conventional instant photo printing apparatus has a recording room of a limited form from the outside between the machine room and the side wall, and the recording room is opened to allow customers to freely enter and exit, and a curtain is installed at the front thereof. have.

An analog camera is installed inside the machinery room, and a peripheral device for operating the analog camera, that is, a computer, a printing device, a coin container and a bill storage container, is installed. It is equipped with a shooting window that allows the analog camera to see the subject (upper body of the customer), a flash lamp that lights up when shooting, a coin detector, an autism detector and a number of buttons. Height adjustable chair is installed.

When the customer is sitting at the height of the height-adjustable chair, put a certain amount into the bill detector or coin detector, select the size of the photo to be printed by using the button, and then press the shooting button. The flash fires within a few seconds, and the camera shoots the image. After the shooting is completed, the photo printed by the printing device is discharged through the photo outlet within a few minutes (usually within 3 minutes).

However, the conventional instant photo printing device constructed and operated in this way uses an analog camera and the surrounding electronic devices are also suitable for the analog camera, so that various images cannot be produced. Not only could it not be satisfied, but the print status was not satisfactory, and because the customer was able to take a picture within a short period of time without having to take proper posture after directly operating the shooting button, the picture could not be taken correctly. There was a problem that can not be obtained, eventually wasting money and time.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to select a variety of ID photos and portraits by means of an instant photo printing device, and then digitally process the person input through the camera, and to actualize, reduce or enlarge the person according to the customer's wishes. The present invention provides an instant photo printing apparatus using a digital camera and a method thereof that can meet various demands of customers by converting and printing.

1 to 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the instant photo printing apparatus according to the present invention,

3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit of the instant photo printing apparatus of FIG. 2;

4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of FIGS. 2 and 3.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

1: Instant photo printer 5: Machine room

7: Cinema 13, 14: Flashlight

16: Touch screen (mode selection means) 21, 22: Money identifier

30: monitor 32: digital camera

36: photo printer 40: computer body

41: memory 45: microprocessor

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographic instant printing method of photographing and printing a photograph in a limited space, comprising: selecting an ID photograph or a background synthesis photograph as a mode selection means on an initial screen of a monitor; Selecting a photo of a specific size from a plurality of sizes according to the selection of the ID photo; Selecting a size and inputting a predetermined amount of money, and continuously taking pictures at least once at a predetermined interval with a digital camera according to a photographing command of a customer; Displaying a plurality of pictures taken by the customer, respectively, wherein the customer selects an appropriate picture; Selecting the appropriate picture and optionally selecting a real, reduced or enlarged mode in a zoom mode; Digitally processing the image by reducing or enlarging the person on a horizontal axis in a designated mode according to the customer's selection; And printing a photo on photo paper after the image processing and outputting the photo.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographic instant printing method of photographing and printing a photograph in a limited space, comprising: selecting an ID photograph or a background synthesis photograph as a mode selection means on an initial screen of a monitor; Selecting a screen split mode after selecting the background composite picture; Inputting a predetermined amount of money after selecting the screen mode and continuously taking pictures at least once at a predetermined interval with a digital camera according to a photographing command of a customer; Displaying a plurality of pictures taken by the customer, respectively, wherein the customer selects an appropriate picture; Selecting the appropriate photo and then randomly selecting a specific photo background from among the presented background modes; And processing the image in a designated screen and a background mode according to the customer's selection, and then printing and outputting a photo.

In addition, the technical means of the present invention for achieving the above object, the instant photo printing system for taking pictures in a limited space and prints: a memory in which application programs for various ID pictures and background composite pictures; A money identifier for receiving bills and coins and identifying the amount and authenticity thereof; A monitor for displaying information on various ID photographs and background composite photographs stored in the memory in graphic or text form; Mode selection means for selecting and instructing functions for various picture modes with reference to graphics or text displayed on the monitor; A plurality of flash lamps for firing the flash as the power is discharged in advance by the photographing start command of the mode selection means; A digital camera which photographs a person by temporarily opening and closing the shutter by a photographing start command of the mode selection means; Photographic print means for printing a person photographed with the digital camera on a photographic paper and outputting the photograph; And controlling the operation of the general apparatus according to the picture selection mode input through the mode selection means, and processing the image data input by the digital camera in real, reduced or enlarged according to a customer's request, and then corresponding image data. And a microprocessor for outputting a control signal.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in more detail the present invention.

1 to 2 is a view showing the appearance of the instant photo printing apparatus according to the present invention, Figure 1 is an overall perspective view, Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the apparatus chamber and the devices installed in the door of the machinery room.

The housing 3 is formed by using a conventional metal plate, but on one side, the machine room 5 is formed so that various devices can be installed. On the other side, the front side is opened so that the imaging room 7 is freely accessible. Formed, but the upper side of the entrance of the recording room 7 is installed a curtain (8) and the bottom surface (9) has been installed a height adjusting chair (not shown) to adjust the height, such a structure is conventionally known Since the same structure as the instant photo printing apparatus of the more detailed description will be omitted.

The machine room 5 is provided with an upper shelf 24 at an intermediate part inside, and an intermediate shelf 25 and a lower shelf 26 are sequentially installed below the upper part of the upper shelf 24. A computer room was formed to be opened and closed by the upper side door 11, and a monitor room was formed between the upper shelf 24 and the intermediate shelf 25, and the intermediate shelf 25 and the lower shelf 26 were formed. Between and and the lower side of the lower shelf 26 to form a print chamber and a machine room to be opened and closed at the same time by one lower side door (12).

The computer room may display a variety of shooting-related guide information including the size and type of a picture to be printed with the digital camera 32 for photographing a subject and transmitting the captured image to the computer main body 40, or A computer including a touch screen 16 for inputting data was installed, and the photographing window 15 was transparent to the upper side door 11 of the machine room 5 on the same horizontal line as the lens of the digital camera 32. The upper lighting device 13 and the side lighting device 14 were formed on the upper side and both sides of the photographing window 15, respectively.

The upper lighting device 13 and the side lighting device 14 may diffusely reflect light by forming the upper lighting device room 13-1 and the side lighting device room 14-1 on the inner surface of the upper door 11. By installing ordinary flash lamps 13 and 14 on the inside of the illumination window so that the digital camera 32 illuminates light only at the moment of photographing, the camera side of the upper shelf 24 is powered by a flash lamp. Charger 34 was installed to supply and charge.

In addition, the monitor room displays the size and type of the picture to be printed from the computer main body 40 so that the customer can select the type of picture 30 and the touch screen 16, and the coin detector described later (21) and the coin storage container 21-1 and the banknote storage container 22-1 which accommodate the coins and banknotes which flow in from the banknote detector 22 were provided in one side of the monitor 30. As shown in FIG.

In addition, in the print room, a conventional photo printer 36 is formed in communication with the photo outlet 18 so that the photo printed by the photo printer 36 is discharged through the photo outlet 18, and the lower side thereof. In order to install a power supply including the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and other mechanical devices, the lower door 12 has a transparent touch screen (see the monitor 30 on the same horizontal line with the monitor 30) 16), the touch screen 16 is formed on the outer surface of the lower door 12, the touch screen housing 17 is inclined from the upper side to the lower side and the touch screen 16 is installed on the touch screen housing 17 The customer sitting on the height-adjustable chair was able to easily touch the touch screen (16).

One side of the touch screen 16 is equipped with a conventional coin detector 21 and a bill detector 22 to detect the coins and bills that are introduced, coins passed through the coin detector 21 and the bill detector 22. The bills were dropped into the coin container 21-1 and the bill container 22-1 built in the monitor room.

On the other hand, as described above limited to the touch screen 16 as a mode selection means for selecting the information to be output to the monitor 30, the four upper and lower left and right keys and one selection key protrudes to the lower door 12 Then select the mode displayed on the monitor 30 by electrically connecting with the computer main body 40, or select the mode displayed on the monitor 30 using one up, down, left, and right stick and one selection key. Alternatively, the voice recognition device may be implemented to select a mode displayed on the monitor 30. The present invention is not limited to the touch screen 16 as a mode selection means.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram illustrating the instant photo printing apparatus of FIG. 2, wherein the touch screen 16, the flash lamps 13 and 14, the coin identifiers 21 and 22, the monitor 30, the camera 32, and the photograph are shown. It consists of a printer 36, a memory 41 and a microprocessor 45.

The memory 41 stores application programs for various ID photos and background composite photos, and the coin identifiers 21 and 22 receive bills and coins and identify the amount and authenticity thereof. The monitor 30 Is configured to display information about various ID pictures and background composite pictures stored in the memory 41 in a graphic or text, and the touch screen 16 is installed on the monitor 30 to display a graphic or text displayed on the monitor 30. It is composed of a key input unit for selecting and commanding functions for various photo modes with reference to, the flash lamps 13, 14 are to fire the flash as the power discharged by the photo shooting start command of the touch screen 16 Lamp and voltage charger 34, the digital camera 32 is configured to shoot a person by opening and closing the shutter in accordance with the command to start photographing the touch screen 16, The photo printer 36 is configured to print a person photographed by the digital camera 32 on photo paper and to discharge it to the outside, and the microprocessor 45 is a general apparatus according to the photo selection mode input through the touch screen 16. It controls the operation of the image data input to the digital camera 32 is processed in real, reduced or enlarged according to the customer's request is configured to output the corresponding image data and control signals.

In addition, the instant photo printing apparatus 1 includes a temperature controller 51 for setting an indoor temperature of an enclosed space in which a picture is taken, a heater 53 for heating the room according to the setting temperature of the temperature controller 51, And an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 59 for temporarily supplying and driving power to the general system in the event of a power failure in order to prevent the system from being down during the power failure.

In addition, reference numeral 55 denotes an indoor blower fan, and reference numeral 57 denotes a power supply unit which converts the AC 220V power input from the outside into an appropriate voltage and supplies power to the general apparatus.

In the instant photo printing device 1 made as described above, the customer enters the recording room 4 and rotates the height adjustment chair to the forward and reverse direction so that his eyes are seen through the photographing window 15. Adjust to position

Subsequently, the curtain 8 is blocked from the outside by hitting the curtain 8 and a predetermined amount is paid (input) through the coin detector 21 and the banknote detector 22 while the customer is sitting on the height adjusting chair. The computer body 40 detects this and outputs various data as images and voices according to a preset program sequence. The monitor 30 displays sample pictures of different sizes and different arrangements. Allow the customer to choose one of the sample photos.

When the customer selects a particular sample from among the sample pictures displayed on the monitor 30 by the touch screen 16 and completes the selection for the predetermined options, the computer body 40 will take a picture and a comment. A counter for taking a picture is taken together and output as a voice, and the counter is completed, and the digital camera 32 firstly photographs the upper body of the customer, and when the first shooting is completed as described above, the second photographing is performed again (secondarily). A count is performed along with the comment that the operation is performed, and the shooting is completed secondarily.

After the shooting is completed two times as described above, a picture is also displayed on the monitor 30 with the comment that the shooting is completed, and then the photo outlet 18 provided in the front of the machine room 5 is opened. After a predetermined time (approximately 3 minutes) through the comment that the photograph is discharged, the customer to wait in front of the machine room 5 for a while.

The image photographed twice by the digital camera 32 is analyzed by predetermined data that the computer 40 inputs in advance, and is printed into the predetermined photograph selected by the photo printer 36 using the photographed image. The photograph printed by the photo printer 36 is discharged through the photo discharge port 18.

The present invention configured as described above is summarized as follows with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4.

First, the customer enters the photographing room, sets the posture, and then selects the ID photo or the background composite photograph by the touch screen on the initial screen of the monitor 30 (S1, S2).

If the customer selects an ID photo (S2), the microprocessor 45 displays a message to select the ID photo of a specific size from among the plurality of sizes, and the sizes of the pictures on the monitor 30 are different from each other. The batch status also displays different sample pictures and waits for the customer to select one of the sample pictures (S21).

Subsequently, when the customer selects a particular sample picture from among the sample pictures displayed on the monitor 30 by the touch screen 16 and completes the selection for the predetermined options, the customer with an instruction to input a certain amount of money. Inputs a certain amount of money to the currency identifiers 21 and 22 (S22 and S23).

The money identifiers 21 and 22 determine whether the coin or banknote is counterfeit, and if a predetermined amount is input, the user will take a picture after a few seconds through the monitor 30 and a speaker (not shown) according to the customer's photographing start command. When the count is completed by taking a picture together with a message and a comment, the digital camera 32 firstly displays the person's person with the discharge of the flash lamps 13 and 14 under the control of the microprocessor 45. After taking a picture, a count is counted along with a message and a comment that the picture is taken again after a few seconds (S24).

The microprocessor 45 displays the plurality of pictures taken above through the monitor 30 to the customer, respectively, and allows the customer to select an appropriate picture among them (S25).

Subsequently, when an appropriate picture is selected through the touch screen 16, the microprocessor 45 asks the monitor 30 whether the person is to be scaled up, down, or enlarged, and then the customer touches the screen 16. Wait to select the zoom mode through) (S26).

If the customer selects the actual size in the above, the microprocessor 45 processes the inputted human image as it is, and if the reduced or enlarged mode is selected, the microprocessor 45 reduces or reduces the person based on the horizontal axis. It will zoom in to process the image. Here, in the process of reducing or enlarging the person, it is preferable to fix the person to the vertical axis and to reduce or enlarge the image within a range of about 1% to 5% on the horizontal axis (S27).

After the image processing, the microprocessor 45 controls the photo printer to print and print the photo on the photo paper (S28).

In addition, in the process of selecting an ID photo or a background composite photo on the initial screen of the monitor 30 (S2), if the background composite photo is selected through the touch screen 16, the microprocessor 45 may monitor 30. In addition to presenting a sample picture through the) and asking whether the screen to be divided into 1 split mode or 2 split mode, and waits for the customer's selection (S31).

Subsequently, when the split screen mode is selected through the touch screen 16, the customer inputs a certain amount of money to the money identifiers 21 and 22 with an instruction to input a certain amount of money (S32).

The money identifiers 21 and 22 determine whether the coin or banknote is counterfeit, and if a predetermined amount is input (S33), a message indicating that a picture is taken after a few seconds through the monitor 30 and the speaker according to a photographing start command of the customer. And counting the photographs with comments, and when the count is completed, the digital camera 32 first photographs the person's person with the discharge of the flash lamp under the control of the microprocessor 45, and then after a few seconds. The counting is performed along with the message and the comment of photographing again, and the photographing of the customer is repeated (S34).

The microprocessor 45 displays the plurality of pictures taken above through the monitor 30 to the customer, respectively, and allows the customer to select an appropriate picture among them (S35).

Then, when the appropriate picture is selected through the touch screen 16, the microprocessor 45 presents a sample picture for the background screen through the monitor 30 and waits until the customer randomly selects a specific picture background ( S36).

According to the customer's choice, the microprocessor 45 processes the image in a designated screen and background mode, and then outputs a control signal to the photo printer 36 to print the photo and discharge it to the outside (S37, S38). .

While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated above, it will be apparent that the present invention may be embodied in various modifications by those skilled in the art. Such modified embodiments should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention, and such modified embodiments should fall within the appended claims of the present invention.

Therefore, in the present invention, by selecting a variety of ID photos and portraits by the instant picture printing apparatus by digital processing the person input through the camera and converts the person to the actual, reduced or enlarged size according to the customer's wishes By printing, it is possible not only to take clearer and clearer pictures, but also to change images in various ways, thereby meeting various needs of customers.

Claims (7)

In the instant photo printing method of taking a picture and printing it in a limited space: Selecting an ID photograph or a background synthesis photograph as a mode selection means on an initial screen of the monitor; Selecting a photo of a specific size from a plurality of sizes according to the selection of the ID photo; Selecting a size and inputting a predetermined amount of money, and continuously taking pictures at least once at a predetermined interval with a digital camera according to a photographing command of a customer; Displaying a plurality of pictures taken by the customer, respectively, wherein the customer selects an appropriate picture; Selecting the appropriate picture and optionally selecting a real, reduced or enlarged mode in a zoom mode; Digitally processing the image by reducing or enlarging the person on a horizontal axis in a designated mode according to the customer's selection; And And printing a photo on photo paper after the image processing and outputting the photo. The method according to claim 1, In the process of reducing or enlarging the person, the person is fixed to the vertical axis and the image is reduced or enlarged within the range of about 1% to 5% on the horizontal axis. In the instant photo printing method of taking a picture and printing in a limited space: Selecting an ID photograph or a background synthesis photograph as a mode selection means on an initial screen of the monitor; Selecting a screen split mode after selecting the background composite picture; Inputting a predetermined amount of money after selecting the screen mode and continuously taking pictures at least once at a predetermined interval with a digital camera according to a photographing command of a customer; Displaying a plurality of pictures taken by the customer, respectively, wherein the customer selects an appropriate picture; Selecting the appropriate photo and then randomly selecting a specific photo background from among the presented background modes; And And processing the image in a designated screen and a background mode according to the customer's selection, and then printing and outputting a photo. For instant photo printing systems that take and print photos in confined spaces: A memory for storing application programs for various ID photos and background composite photos; A money identifier for receiving bills and coins and identifying the amount and authenticity thereof; A monitor for displaying information on various ID photographs and background composite photographs stored in the memory in graphic or text form; Mode selection means for selecting and instructing functions for various picture modes with reference to graphics or text displayed on the monitor; A plurality of flash lamps for firing the flash as the power is discharged in advance by the photographing start command of the mode selection means; A digital camera which photographs a person by temporarily opening and closing the shutter by a photographing start command of the mode selection means; Photographic print means for printing a person photographed with the digital camera on a photographic paper and outputting the photograph; And Control the operation of the general apparatus according to the picture selection mode input through the mode selection means, and process the image data input by the digital camera in real, reduced or enlarged according to the customer's request, and then the corresponding image data and Instant photo printing apparatus using a digital camera, characterized in that the microprocessor for outputting a control signal. The method according to claim 4, The instant photo printing apparatus may further include a temperature controller for setting an indoor temperature of an enclosed space for taking a picture, and a heater for heating the room according to the set temperature of the temperature controller. Printing device. The method according to claim 4, The mode selection means, Instant photo printing device using a digital camera, characterized in that the touch screen installed on the monitor. The method according to claim 4, The instant photo printing apparatus further comprises an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to prevent the printing system from going down in case of power failure.