JP3548845B2 - Image printing apparatus and method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image printing apparatus, method, and program, and more particularly, to improving a user's rotation rate, shortening a waiting time, and securing sufficient time for editing a captured image to satisfy the user. The present invention relates to an image printing apparatus and method, and a program for performing the method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an image printing apparatus (for example, a print club (trademark)) that captures an image of a user, combines the image with a frame image prepared in advance, and prints the image on a sticker sheet or the like.

  Some image printing apparatuses allow a user to write (edit) an arbitrary character, graphic, or the like on a captured image with an attached pen.

  However, in an image printing apparatus capable of writing on such an image, a screen for confirming a captured image and a screen for displaying an image to be edited and performing a writing operation are configured by the same screen. . For this reason, there is a problem that a user waiting in turn must wait until the user who is using first finishes a series of processing up to editing.

  Further, in order to reduce the waiting time, there is a problem that the program of the image printing apparatus does not secure a time for performing the writing operation sufficiently to satisfy the user.

  Further, for the image printing apparatus, for example, on the game center side, the higher the turnover rate of the user is, the higher the profit rate is, which is preferable.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and by providing a space for photographing and a space for editing at different positions, it is possible to improve a user's rotation rate, shorten a waiting time for a turn, and perform editing. The work time is sufficiently secured to satisfy the user.

  In the image printing apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of editing spaces for editing a captured image are provided for one shooting space for performing shooting, and provided in the shooting space for shooting a subject. A photographing unit, a first display unit provided in the photographing space for displaying an image of the subject photographed by the photographing unit, and an image of the subject displayed as an image to be edited and accepting an edit input; A second display unit provided for each of the plurality of editing spaces, when the number of images photographed by the photographing unit reaches a predetermined number, or when a photographing end operation is performed; An image taken by the photographing means is transferred to any one of the second display means provided on each of the second display means and displayed as an edit target image, and an edit input from a user is accepted. In the shooting space, the first display means displays a screen prompting the user who has finished shooting by the shooting means to move to the editing space provided with the second display means to which the image of the subject has been transferred, In the editing space, when another user starts shooting by the photographing unit in the photographing space while the second display unit that has transferred the image of the subject receives the editing input from the user, the photographing unit And the display of the image of the subject and the reception of the edit input by the second display means are executed in parallel, and the time limit for the reception of the edit input by the second display means is set to Control means for setting the time longer than the time limit.

  The photographing means is constituted by, for example, the photographing device 31 of FIG. 1, the first display means is constituted by, for example, the photographing monitor 14 of FIG. 1, and the second display means is constituted by, for example, the editing monitor of FIG. The control unit is constituted by, for example, the CPU 81 of FIG.

  The user shoots in the shooting space using the shooting means while checking the screen displayed by the first display means. When a plurality of images are photographed in the photographing process, an image to be edited is selected from the plurality of images. Then, when the photographing process is completed, the first display means of the photographing space indicates to the user that the user moves from the photographing space to one of the editing spaces provided for one photographing space. Is displayed. The user who has moved to the editing space edits (writes) the captured image while checking the screen displayed by the second display means. At this time, the time limit for accepting editing input by the second display means is set longer than the time limit for shooting by the shooting means.

  Also, during this editing work, another user takes a picture while checking the screen displayed by the first display means.

  For example, when there is a user waiting for a turn, when the other user who has been waiting for the turn first finishes the photographing process (that is, when the editing work of the photographed image is started). , The user can start shooting.

  With the above configuration, the waiting time can be reduced, and the editing time can be sufficiently secured to satisfy the user. From the viewpoint of the administrator who manages the image printing apparatus, Also, the turnover rate of the user is improved, so that the profit rate can be improved.

  An image printing method according to the present invention includes a photographing step of photographing a subject by a photographing unit, a first display step of displaying an image of the subject photographed by the processing of the photographing step on a first display unit, and an image to be edited. A second display step of displaying an image of the subject on the second display means and accepting an edit input; and a case where the number of images photographed by the processing of the photographing step has reached a predetermined number. When the operation of ending the photographing is performed, the image photographed by the photographing step is transferred to any one of the second display means provided in each of the plurality of editing spaces to edit the image to be edited. And accepts an edit input from the user. In the shooting space, the image of the subject is displayed to the user who has completed the shooting in the shooting step. A screen prompting the user to move to the editing space provided with the second display means is displayed on the first display means, and the image of the subject is transferred in the editing space by the processing of the second display step. If another user starts shooting in the shooting step in the shooting space while receiving the editing input from the user by the second display means, shooting of the subject by the processing in the shooting step and second shooting The display of the image of the subject and the reception of the edit input by the processing of the display step are performed in parallel, and the time limit of the reception of the edit input by the processing of the second display step is reduced by the restriction of the shooting by the processing of the shooting step. And a control step of setting the time longer than the time.

  The photographing step is configured by, for example, step S6 of FIG. 6, the first display step is configured by, for example, step S7 of FIG. 6, and the second display step is configured by, for example, step S33 of FIG. You.

  A program according to the present invention includes: a photographing control step of controlling photographing of a subject by a photographing means; and a first display for controlling display of an image of the subject whose photographing is controlled by the processing of the photographing control step on a first display means. A control step, a second display control step of displaying an image of the subject on the second display means as an image to be edited, and controlling to accept an edit input; When the number of images reaches a predetermined number set in advance, or when the operation of ending the shooting is performed, the image is displayed on one of the second display means provided in each of the plurality of editing spaces. The image captured under the control of the image capturing control step is transferred and displayed as an image to be edited, and an edit input from a user is accepted. In the meantime, the first display means prompts the user who has completed the imaging controlled by the processing of the imaging control step to move to the editing space provided with the second display means to which the image of the subject has been transferred. , And controlled by the processing of the second display control step, while receiving the editing input from the user by the second display means that has transferred the image of the subject in the editing space, When another user starts shooting controlled by the process of the shooting control step, shooting of the subject controlled by the process of the shooting control step and image of the subject controlled by the process of the second display control step are performed. The display and the reception of the edit input are executed in parallel, and the control of the reception of the edit input controlled by the processing of the second display control step is performed. Time, to execute a control step for controlling to set longer than the time limit of the imaging that is controlled by the processing of the imaging control step to the computer.

  The program of the present invention is recorded on a predetermined recording medium, read out by, for example, the drive 85 in FIG. 5, and installed in the image printing apparatus. The recording medium is a magnetic disk such as a floppy disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), an optical disk such as a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk), a magneto-optical disk such as an MD (Mini Disk), or a semiconductor. It is composed of a memory and the like.

  The photographing control step is configured by, for example, step S6 in FIG. 6, the first display control step is configured by, for example, step S7 in FIG. 6, and the second display control step is, for example, step S33 in FIG. It consists of.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while waiting time can be shortened, the time of an edit operation | work can be ensured enough so that a user may be satisfied. Further, the manager of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied can also improve the profit rate because the turnover rate of the user is improved.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration example of an image printing apparatus 1 to which the present invention has been applied.

  A coin slot 12 is provided on the upper left side of the surface 11-1 of the housing 11 of the image printing apparatus 1, and a user inserts a predetermined amount when using the image printing apparatus 1. Further, a photographing guidance speaker 13 is provided at the upper right of the surface 11-1. The photographing guidance speaker 13 outputs various kinds of voice guidance and the like, and guides the user on a photographing method (a method of making a seal).

  A photographing monitor 14 such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is installed on a surface 11-2 facing a predetermined angle above the center of the surface 11-1. . The photographing monitor 14 displays a screen for guiding a photographing method and an image of a subject photographed by the photographing device 31 as described later.

  On the right side of the surface 11-2, there is a surface 11-3R facing obliquely upward by a predetermined angle, and an operation panel 15 is provided on that surface. The operation panel 15 includes various operation buttons operated by a user, and is operated, for example, when adjusting the zoom of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera 32. The operation panel 15 includes, for example, an “O button” operated when deciding on various selections displayed on the photographing monitor 14, an “X button” operated when canceling the decided one, A "+ button", a "-button", etc., which are operated when moving a cursor or the like displayed on the monitor 14 are arranged. Be placed.

  Also, surfaces 11-4R and 11-4L substantially perpendicular to the floor are provided on the left and right of the surface 11-2, and lighting devices 16-1R and 16-1L are arranged on the respective surfaces. You. The lighting devices 16-1R and 16-1L each have a light-emitting body (flash) inside, and when the user instructs to start shooting, the image captured by the CCD camera 32 is stored as a still image (when captured). ), And irradiate the subject in accordance with the timing.

  Also, the lighting devices 16-2R and 16-2L are arranged on the upper surfaces 11-5R and 11-5L of the housing 11, similarly to the surfaces 11-4R and 11-4L. Each of the lighting devices 16-2R and 16-2L has a light-emitting body therein, and emits light at a timing at which the lighting devices 16-1R and 16-1L irradiate a subject. Light (flash) emitted from the illumination devices 16-2R and 16-2L is reflected by the flash reflector 17 and illuminates the subject. That is, the flash reflector 17 is attached to be inclined in the direction of irradiating the user in front of the housing 11.

  A photographing device 31 is installed above the housing 11. A CCD camera 32 and a captured image display unit 33 composed of a small LCD or the like are arranged on a surface of the photographing device 31 facing obliquely downward by a predetermined angle. The CCD camera 32 captures an image of the subject, and the image (moving image) is displayed on the captured image display unit 33. Since the captured image display unit 33 is provided in the vicinity of the CCD camera 32, the user can check his or her image displayed on the captured image display unit 33 while keeping his / her eyes substantially directed toward the CCD camera 32. You can shoot.

  On a surface 11-6, which is a left side surface of the housing 11, an edit input monitor 18, such as a CRT or an LCD, an edit guide speaker 19, a touch pen 20, and a seal outlet 21 are provided.

  The image photographed by the CCD camera 32 and selected as an image to be edited and stored is displayed on the edit input monitor 18 after the user completes the photographing process. A touch panel 93 (see FIG. 5) is stacked on the edit input monitor 18, and the user operates the touch pen 20 on the image displayed on the edit input monitor 18 to edit the image to be edited. Arbitrary characters, figures, and the like can be written (input) in an image (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as an image to be edited).

  That is, the user takes an image of himself / herself in a place (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a photographing space) in front of the housing 11 (the surface 11-1), and then places the user in front of the surface 11-6 (hereinafter, appropriately, the editing space). To edit the photographed image of oneself.

  The edit input monitor 18 displays selection buttons for various editing tools, as well as images to be edited. Then, when writing is performed with the touch pen 20, the editing input monitor 18 displays an edited image generated according to the input.

  The editing guide speaker 19 outputs voice guidance for explaining the editing input method to the user.

  The touch pen 20 is configured in accordance with a position detection method (for example, a resistive film type, an ultrasonic type, or the like) of the touch panel 93 stacked on the edit input monitor 18, and when not used for editing, the surface 11 as shown in the figure. It is hooked on the protrusion set at -6.

  The seal take-out opening 21 discharges a seal sheet having a predetermined number and size of a plurality of seals and on which an edited image is printed.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of the image printing apparatus 1 in FIG.

  A background panel 51 is installed at a position facing the front surface (surface 11-1) of the housing 11 with a predetermined distance therebetween, and the user sets the space between the housing 11 and the background panel 51 as a shooting space. Take a picture of yourself. A curtain frame 41 is installed on the upper surface of the housing 11 in a horizontal direction, and a curtain 42 is attached to the curtain frame 41 so that the inside of the photographing space cannot be seen from the outside.

  Further, curtain frames 61 and 62 are installed on the surface 11-6 of the housing 11 in the vertical direction, and a curtain 62 is attached to the tip of the curtain frame so as to face the surface 11-6. That is, the user who is editing and the image displayed on the editing input monitor 18 are not visible from the outside.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of each device in the photographing space. 3, the curtain frame 41, the curtain 42, the background panel 51, the curtain frames 61-1 and 61-2, and the curtain 62 shown in FIG. 2 are omitted for convenience of description.

  In the photographing space, a photographing table 71 constituted by two steps and a slope on the upper part is arranged, and the user enjoys photographing by taking various poses using the photographing table 71. be able to. In addition, near the imaging table 71, an imaging table operation panel 72 in which operation buttons similar to the operation panel 15 installed in the housing 11 are arranged is installed. That is, the user can operate the operation button of the imaging table operation panel 72 to take an image without approaching the housing 11 (operation panel 15).

  Various types of information input from the imaging stand operation panel 72 are supplied to the image printing apparatus 1 via a cable 73 under the floor.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement when FIG. 2 is viewed from above, and movement of the user will be described with reference to FIG. The hatched portion 14 indicates that the photographing monitor 14 is installed on the surface, and the hatched portion 18 indicates that the edit input monitor 18 is installed on the surface.

  In FIG. 4, a white arrow indicates a traveling direction of the user, and when taking a picture, the user enters a photographing space between the housing 11 and the background panel 51 and uses the photographing table 71 to perform various operations. Take a pose and shoot.

  When the shooting in the shooting space is completed, a guide screen to the editing space is displayed on the shooting monitor 14, so that the user follows the guide and enters from the shooting space and edits as indicated by a white arrow. Enter the space. After editing the image to be edited, the user receives the seal sheet discharged from the seal outlet 21.

  In this way, by setting the shooting space and the editing space at different positions, when there is a user waiting for the next turn, the user replaces the user who was shooting in the shooting space until then. You can enter the space and start shooting. Therefore, the waiting time for shooting can be reduced, and the time for editing can be set longer. As a result, from the point of view of the administrator who manages the image printing apparatus 1, the turnover rate of the user is improved, and the profit rate is improved.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the image printing apparatus 1 in FIG. The description of the portions described in FIGS. 1 to 4 is omitted.

  The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 81 operates as a whole according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 82 or a program loaded from a program storage unit 84 into a RAM (Random Access Memory) 83. Is controlled via the bus 90. The RAM 83 also stores data necessary for the CPU 81 to execute various types of processing.

  The program storage unit 84 includes a hard disk and its drive, and stores various programs executed by the CPU 81. The drive 85 reads a program stored in a recording medium such as a magnetic disk such as a floppy disk or a hard disk, or an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or a DVD, and supplies the program to the program storage unit 84 or the like via the bus 90. For example, the drive 85 supplies a new frame image to be combined with the image of the subject.

  Inside the photographing device 31, in addition to the above-described CCD camera 32 and captured image display unit 33, a CCD camera control unit 86 is arranged. The CCD camera control unit 86 controls the zoom ratio of the CCD camera 32, the amount of light to be captured, and the like in response to an adjustment request for the CCD camera 32 input by the user operating the operation panel 15 or the imaging table operation panel 72. .

  The keep image storage unit 87 stores a predetermined number of images that the user has taken and selected as images to be edited. For example, the keep image storage unit 87 stores up to six keep images (images to be edited).

  The coin processing unit 88 counts the number of coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 21 and notifies the CPU 81 when it is determined that a predetermined amount set in advance as an image creation charge has been inserted.

  The printer 89 stocks a plurality of types of seal sheets divided into a predetermined number and size, and prints the edited image on the seal sheet selected by the user. The seal sheet printed by the printer 89 is discharged from the seal outlet 21 and provided to the user.

  The sound output control unit 91 controls the photographing guidance speaker 13 based on the control from the CPU 81, and generates various sound guidances for explaining a photographing method and the like, and sound effects such as a shutter sound when capturing a still image. Output. On the other hand, the audio output control unit 94 controls the editing guide speaker 19, and outputs various audio guidances explaining an editing method and the like, sound effects generated when writing to an image, and the like. In this way, different sounds are output to the photographing guidance speaker 13 and the editing guidance speaker 19 as needed.

  When the photographing process ends and the user starts editing, the display processor 92 stores the keep image transferred from the keep image storage unit 87 via the bus 90 in the internal memory 92A. Then, when an edit input is made on the touch panel 93, the display processor 92 detects the input position on the edit target image, and reflects the input position on the edit target image to display it on the edit input monitor 18. In FIG. 5, although the edit input monitor 18 and the touch panel 93 are shown at different positions, they are actually stacked and arranged.

  Next, an image printing process of the image printing apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. Further, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 8 to 19 as necessary.

  In step S <b> 1, the CPU 81 controls the display processor 92 to display a demonstration screen (hereinafter, referred to as a demonstration screen) such as a shooting progress method stored in the program storage unit 84 on the shooting monitor 14. Is displayed on the edit input monitor 18.

  FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a demonstration screen displayed on the photographing monitor 14. In this display example, a message "Please put money" is displayed. FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a demonstration screen displayed on the edit input monitor 18. The image taken and selected as an edit target image is displayed on the edit input monitor 18. Start with "message is displayed.

  In step S2, the CPU 81 determines whether or not a predetermined price (a price for creating a seal sheet) has been inserted based on the output from the coin processing unit 88, and displays a demonstration screen until it is determined that the predetermined price has been inserted. stand by. On the other hand, if the CPU 81 determines that the payment has been made, the process proceeds to step S3, and an explanation screen for explaining various functions and an imaging method is displayed on the imaging monitor 14. In addition, a moving image captured by the CCD camera 32 is displayed on the captured image display unit 33 in response to insertion of a coin.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an explanation screen displayed on the photographing monitor 14, which is a screen for selecting whether the image to be photographed is a vertically long image or a horizontally long image. Note that a message "Please select with +/- buttons" is displayed, and when the user operates the "+ button" on the operation panel 15 or the photographing table operation panel 72, a vertically long image is taken. When the "-button" is operated, a horizontally long image can be captured. In addition, the remaining number of shootable images (the number of keep images) is displayed as “6” at the upper right of the screen.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the explanation screen displayed on the photographing monitor 14, and is displayed, for example, after the direction of the image to be photographed is selected in FIG. In this example, the message "Adjust the zoom with the +/- buttons. When ready, press the start button" is displayed, and the user operates the operation panel 15 or the operation table operation panel. By operating the “+ button” and “− button” 72, the zoom adjustment of the CCD camera 32 can be performed.

  In step S4, the CPU 81 controls the CCD camera control unit 86 based on the input when the user inputs the adjustment of the CCD camera 32 according to the explanation screens shown in FIGS. I do. For example, when the “+ button” is selected on the explanation screen as shown in FIG. 10, the CCD camera control unit 86 controls the CCD camera 32 based on an instruction from the CPU 81 so that the captured image is a vertically long image. Control.

  In step S5, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the shooting start button operated when starting shooting is operated based on the output from the operation panel 15 or the operation table operation panel 72. If it is determined that there is not, the process returns to step S3, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if the CPU 81 determines that the shooting start button has been operated, the process proceeds to step S6, in which a countdown indicator is displayed on the shooting monitor 14, and when the timing for shooting is reached, the image shot by the CCD camera 32 is displayed. Remember.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the photographing monitor 14 in step S6. As shown in the figure, a countdown indicator 101 is displayed. For example, lighting starts in order from the left signal, and when the rightmost signal is turned on, an image captured by the CCD camera 32 is stored. In this example, a message of "Yes, pause!" Is displayed at the same time as the image capturing timing.

  When it is time to take a picture, the CPU 81 controls the lighting devices 16-1L and 16-1R and the lighting devices 16-2L and 16-2R to irradiate the subject with the flash, and at that moment, the CCD camera 32 The captured image is stored as a still image and stored in the keep image storage unit 87.

  In step S7, the CPU 81 causes the photographing monitor 14 to display a confirmation screen of the image photographed in step S6.

  FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of the image confirmation screen. The image photographed in step S6 is displayed almost at the center of the photographing monitor 14, and the user presses the "OK / OK" button. ”Message is displayed. The user can select whether or not to save the displayed image as a keep image by operating the “O button” or “X button” of the operation panel 15 or the imaging table operation panel 72. .

  Then, in step S8, the CPU 81 determines whether or not it is instructed to save the image as a keep image based on the input from the operation panel 15 or the operation table operation panel 72. If it is determined that the “button” has been operated), the process proceeds to step S9, where the image is taken in step S6 and the image stored in the keep image storage unit 87 is deleted. Then, the process returns to step S3, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 81 determines in step S8 that saving as a keep image has been selected (the “○ button” has been operated), the process proceeds to step S10, and the image is added to the keep image.

  Then, in step S11, the CPU 81 causes the imaging monitor 14 to display a brightness adjustment screen for adjusting the brightness of the image added as the keep image.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a brightness adjustment screen displayed on the photographing monitor 14 in step S11. In this example, an image stored as a keep image is displayed substantially at the center of the screen, and a button for specifying a brightness level is displayed below the image. At the top of the screen, a message "Adjust the brightness with the +/- buttons. If you like, press the O button." Is displayed. By operating the “+ button” or “− button” on the operation panel 72, the cursor 111 is moved to adjust the brightness. Since the keep image has been selected in step S10, as shown in the upper right of FIG. 14, the remaining number of shootable images is reduced by one, for example, to "5".

  The CPU 81 adjusts the brightness of the keep image in accordance with the input from the operation panel 15, and when the “○ button” is operated, stores the keep image in the keep image storage unit 87 at the brightness of the level, Proceed to step S12.

  In step S12, the CPU 81 checks the number of keep images stored in the keep image storage unit 87, and determines whether the remaining number of recordable images has become “0”, or from the operation panel 15 and the operation table 72 for the imaging stand. It is determined whether or not the “shooting end button” has been operated based on the output of the above. If it is determined that the remaining number of shootable images is not “0” and that the “shooting end button” has not been operated, Returning to S3, the same photographing process is repeatedly executed.

  If the CPU 81 determines in step S12 that the number of remaining images that can be shot has become “0” or that the “shooting end button” has been operated, the process proceeds to step S13, where the selection screen for the number of divisions of the seal sheet is displayed for shooting. It is displayed on the monitor 14. This seal sheet is composed of a combination of a plurality of seals divided into a predetermined number and size, and a plurality of types of patterns are prepared in the printer 89 in advance.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a division number selection screen displayed on the photographing monitor 14 in step S13. In this example, at the top of the screen, a message “Select the number of divisions. Select with +/- buttons and decide with ○ button” is displayed. By operating the "+ button" or the "-button", the cursor 121 can be moved to select a desired number of divided seal sheets. In addition, the user can divide one seal sheet into seals of various sizes by “mixing division”, and divide one seal sheet into 32 seals of the same size by “32 division”, From “25 divisions”, which divides one seal sheet into 25 seals each having the same size, and “9 divisions”, which divides one seal sheet into nine seals each having the same size, A desired number of divided seal sheets can be selected. When a seal sheet can be further selected from a plurality of patterns, it is indicated by arrows on the left and right sides of the screen as shown in the figure.

  Then, when the seal sheet is selected, the CPU 81 proceeds to step S14, checks the operation state of the display processor 92, and determines whether or not there is another user performing editing processing in the editing space, or The operation state is checked, and it is determined whether or not the edited image is being printed on the seal sheet. When the CPU 81 determines that the editing process has not been executed and the printing process has not been executed, the process proceeds to step S15, and a guide screen for the editing process is displayed on the photographing monitor 14.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the guidance screen displayed in step S15. In this example, a screen that prompts the user to move to the editing space with an arrow and “graffiti (editing)” together with the appearance of the image printing apparatus 1 are shown. You can do it sideways. Go outside and do graffiti. "Is displayed. The user checks this screen, exits the shooting space, and moves to the editing space. If there is a user waiting for a turn, the user enters the shooting space instead of moving to the editing space after the user who previously shoots leaves the shooting space and performs the shooting process. You can start.

  Then, in accordance with the guide screen displayed on the photographing monitor 14, the user who has moved to the editing space executes the keep image editing process in step S16.

  On the other hand, in step S14, for example, if the CPU 81 recognizes that another user who has taken the image earlier is executing the editing process in the editing space, the process proceeds to step S17 to determine whether to retake the keep image. A screen for selecting whether or not to play the game is displayed on the photographing monitor 14.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen displayed on the photographing monitor 14 in step S17. In this example, a message of “Please select one with the +/− button and press the O button.” Is displayed, and the user can use the “+ button” on the operation panel 15 or the imaging table operation panel 72. It is described that the keep image can be retaken by operating the button, and that the game (mock beating) can be executed by operating the “− button”. By allowing the user to retake a keep image or play a game during the waiting time before performing the editing process, the waiting user can wait until the user performing the editing process first finishes the editing process and the printing process. You can wait without getting bored.

  In step S18, the CPU 81 determines whether or not re-taking of the keep image has been selected (in the above example, whether or not the “+ button” has been operated) based on the input from the operation panel 15, If it is determined that re-taking the keep image has been selected, the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S19, the CPU 81 displays a screen for selecting an image to be retaken on the photographing monitor 14, and prompts the user to make a selection. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen of an image to be retaken. As shown in the figure, the keep image stored in the keep image storage unit 87 is displayed. In the example of FIG. 18, a message of “Which image do you want to retake? Press the +/− button and determine with the O button” is displayed, and the user can select from the keep images that have already been shot. One image can be erased and taken again. Note that the user ends the shooting by operating the “shooting end button” before the keep image satisfies all of the number of shootable images (in the above-described example, before shooting “six” keep images). In this case, the selection screen for the image to be deleted may not be displayed.

  Then, the CPU 81 proceeds to step S20, and determines whether or not an image to be retaken (an image to be deleted) is selected based on the output from the operation panel 15 or the operation table operation panel 72, and is not selected. If it is determined, the process returns to step S19, and waits until selected. On the other hand, if the CPU 81 determines in step S20 that an image has been selected, the process proceeds to step S21, in which the CPU 81 controls the keep image storage unit 87 to delete the selected image, and also as described with reference to FIG. An appropriate countdown indicator 101 is displayed on the photographing monitor 14, and the photographing is performed when the photographing timing comes. After that, an image confirmation screen (FIG. 13) is displayed, and the same processing as described above is executed.

  In step S22, as in step S14, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the editing process or the printing process is being performed. For example, the CPU 81 determines that the user who has previously photographed is still in the editing space. If so, the process returns to step S19, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

  On the other hand, in step S18, the CPU 81 determines that the re-taking of the keep image has not been selected (the game (mole tapping) has been selected) based on the input from the operation panel 15 or the photographing table operation panel 72. If so, the process proceeds to step S23, and the game screen is displayed on the photographing monitor 14.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game screen (a mole hitting screen) displayed on the photographing monitor 14. In this example, the user operates the “O button”, “X button”, “+ button”, and “− button” on the operation panel to move the hammer 141, thereby enabling the player to play a mole whacking game. I have.

  Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed (or after the game has ended), the CPU 81 proceeds to step S24 to determine whether or not an editing process or a printing process is being executed. If it is determined that the user who has performed is still in the editing space, the process returns to step S23, and the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed.

  When it is determined in steps S22 and S24 that the user who previously photographed is executing the editing process or the printing process, the CPU 81 returns to step S17 and repeats the subsequent processes. Is also good. Thereby, for example, a user who is tired of the game can retake the keep image, and can wait for the time until the editing process without being bored.

  In step S22 or step S24, the CPU 81 determines that the user who has been editing has finished editing while performing the reshooting process or the game process, has received the seal sheet, and has left the editing space. In this case, the process proceeds to step S15, and the subsequent processes are executed. In other words, a guidance screen for prompting the user to move to the editing space is displayed on the photographing monitor 14, and the user who confirms this moves to the editing space and executes the process of editing the keep image.

  After the image editing process is completed in step S16 and the edited image is printed on the seal sheet, the process returns to step S1, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed. If another user starts the photographing process while the user who has finished photographing is performing the editing process, the processes after step S1 are executed in parallel with the editing process in step S16.

  Next, the image editing process executed in step S16 in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

  In step S31, the display processor 92 determines whether or not the keep image data has been transferred from the keep image storage unit 87 via the bus 90, and waits until it is determined that the keep image data has been transferred. That is, when the photographing process is ended and the editing process is started, the CPU 81 causes the keep image stored in the keep image storage unit 87 to be transferred to the display processor 92. If the display processor 92 determines in step S31 that the keep image data has been transferred, the process proceeds to step S32, and stores it in the memory 92A in which it is stored.

  In step S33, the display processor 92 displays an editing screen on the editing input monitor 18.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of an edit screen displayed on the edit input monitor 18. The edit screen basically includes an edit target image display section 151, an edit target image selection section 152, an input tool selection section 153, and a time limit display section 154. In the editing target image selection unit 152, the captured keep image is displayed as a thumbnail, and the user can select the image to be edited (the image to be written) by operating the touch pen 20. The image selected as the image to be edited by the user is enlarged and displayed on the image to be edited display section 151. Buttons operated when selecting various input tools (writing tools) are displayed in the input tool selection unit 153, and the user operates the touch pen 20 to select an input tool from the buttons.

  The input tools include, for example, a "pen" used when writing characters and figures, and a "stamp" used when inputting the same characters and figures. Then, when the "pen input mode" is selected, a window for selecting the thickness of the pen and the type of pen (for example, a "crayon pen" that displays a part of a line as a crayon, such as a crayon) A window for selecting is displayed. Similarly, when "stamp input mode" is selected, a window for selecting a stamp is displayed.

  The time limit display section 154 displays a time limit set in advance as a time for performing the editing process. In this example, the remaining time is displayed as "30 seconds", and when the remaining time becomes "0 seconds", the editing process is forcibly terminated.

  In addition to those described above, below the editing screen, an image direction switching button 161 operated when switching the display of the image to be edited displayed in the vertical direction horizontally or vice versa is displayed. An eraser button 162 operated when erasing one part, a redo button 163 operated when redoing (undoing) input writing, and an erasing button 163 operated when erasing all input writing and returning to an image in which nothing has been written. A cancel button 164 and an end button 165 operated when ending the editing process are displayed.

  In step S34, based on the input from the touch panel 93, the display processor 92 identifies various instructions input by the user with the touch pen 20, and edits the edit target image accordingly. The display processor 92 stores, for example, the image selected as the image to be edited in the two frame buffers, and reflects the input editing on the image of one frame. Then, when the editing is canceled (when the eraser process is input), the display processor 92 reflects the data of the corresponding portion of the image of the frame where the editing is not reflected (the other image) to reflect the editing. The edit is canceled by reflecting it on the frame of the image to be made.

  In step S35, the display processor 92 displays the image edited based on the input from the touch panel 93 on the edit input monitor 18. That is, the edit input monitor 18 displays an image stored in the frame buffer that reflects the editing of the two frame buffers described above. When the user writes, the writing is performed in real time. It is reflected and displayed.

  In step S36, the display processor 92 determines whether the time limit has elapsed or whether the shooting end button 165 has been operated. If the time limit has not elapsed and the shooting end button 165 has been operated. If it is determined that it has not been performed, the process returns to step S34, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

  On the other hand, when the display processor 92 determines that the time limit has elapsed or that the shooting end button 165 has been operated based on an input from the touch panel 93, the process proceeds to step S37, and the edited image data is transferred via the bus 90. Then, the image is transferred to the printer 89, and the edited image is printed on each sticker of the seal sheet of the division number selected in step S13 in FIG.

  For example, in step S13 of FIG. 7, when the “28 division” (not shown) seal sheet is selected and an instruction to print all six types of images is issued, the display processor 92 performs one editing operation. The printed image is printed on four stickers. In this way, the image printed on each seal on the seal sheet may be individually selectable by the user. The printer 86 discharges the seal sheet on which the edited image is printed to the seal outlet 21. Then, the processing after step S16 in FIG. 7 is repeatedly executed. The user receives the seal sheet discharged to the seal outlet 21 and enters from the editing space.

  As described above, by providing the shooting space and the editing space in different places instead of in the same place, when there is another user who is using the apparatus first, the waiting time can be reduced. . At the same time, a long time for the editing process can be secured. In addition, the turnover rate of the user is also improved on the side of the administrator of the image printing apparatus 1, so that the profit rate can be improved.

  FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating another configuration example of the image printing apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied. Parts corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the photographing monitor 14 is provided on the surface 11-2 (front side) of the housing 11, and the editing monitor 18 is provided on the surface 11-6 (side surface). In, the editing monitor 18 is installed on the surface 11-7 (back side). Along with this, an editing guide speaker 19, a touch pen 20, and a sticker outlet 21 are provided on the surface 11-7.

  FIG. 23 is a view of the arrangement of the image printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 22 as viewed from above, and movement of the user will be described with reference to FIG. The shaded portion 14 indicates that the photographing monitor 14 is arranged on the surface, and the shaded portion 18 indicates that the edit input monitor 18 is arranged on the surface.

  In FIG. 23, the white arrow indicates the traveling direction of the user, and when photographing, the user enters a photographing space provided on the front side of the housing 11 and uses the photographing table 71 to perform various operations. Take a pose and shoot.

  When the shooting in the shooting space is completed, a guide screen to the editing space on the back side of the housing 11 is displayed on the shooting monitor 14, and the user follows the guide as shown by the outlined arrow. Enter from the shooting space and enter the editing space. After editing the image to be edited, the user receives the seal sheet discharged from the seal outlet 21 and enters from the editing space. As shown in FIG. 23, the rear panel 51 is installed so as to surround the editing space, and a curtain 42A is provided at the boundary between the shooting space and the editing space. A curtain 42B is provided at the exit of the editing space so that the inside of the editing space cannot be seen from the outside.

  As described above, the image printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied can have various configurations by providing the photographing space and the editing space at different positions.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating another example of the image printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  In this figure, a plurality of editing terminals 172-1 to 172-3 are provided for one photographing device 171 which is a photographing terminal. That is, as shown in the figure, the periphery (front side) of the photographing device 171 is a photographing space, and the periphery (front side) of each of the editing terminals 172-1 to 172-3 is an editing space.

  The photographing device 171 and the editing terminals 172-1 to 172-3 are connected by cables 173-1 to 173-3, respectively, and image data (keep image data described above) photographed by the photographing device 171 is photographed. When the processing is completed, the data is appropriately transferred to the editing terminals 172-1 to 172-3 via the cables 173-1 to 173-3. Naturally, the data may be transferred wirelessly.

  The user who has taken his / her own image in the shooting space displays a screen prompting the user to move to one of the editing terminals 172-1 to 172-3 on the shooting monitor 14 installed in the shooting device 171. Move accordingly. That is, identification information is set in each of the editing terminals 172-1 to 173, and the identification information of the editing terminals 172-1 to 173-1 is also displayed on the screen prompting movement.

  For example, numbers 1 to 3 are prepared as identification information in each of the editing terminals 172-1 to 172-3, and the user editing using the editing terminal 172-1 finishes the processing. At this time, a message such as "editing can be performed with the first editing terminal" is displayed for the user who has finished shooting in the shooting space. In general, the time required for the editing process is longer than the time required for the shooting process. Thus, by providing a plurality of editing terminals for one image capturing device 171, the waiting time can be further reduced. In addition, the time for the editing process can be set longer.

  In addition, a user who has installed a plurality of photographing apparatuses 171 and has finished photographing may appropriately move to the opened (unused) editing terminals 172-1 to 172-3.

  In the above description, the seal take-out port 21 is provided below the edit input monitor 18 in the edit space. However, the space in which the seal sheet discharge port is provided may be provided at another position. For example, in the image printing apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, the seal outlet 21 is provided on the back side (the surface 11-6 side), and when the editing process is completed, a screen prompting the user to move to the back side is displayed. It is displayed on the edit input monitor 18. This makes it possible to reduce the waiting time of another user by the time required to print the edited image on the seal sheet, thereby improving the rotation rate.

  FIGS. 25A and 25B are diagrams illustrating an example of a print medium (seal sheet) created by the above-described image printing apparatus.

  FIG. 25A shows, for example, a case where the user has selected a six-divided seal sheet, and different images are printed on the respective seals on the seal sheet. That is, as described above, the user can capture a plurality of types of images to be printed as keep images, and in this example, it is assumed that six types of images are captured.

  FIG. 25B shows a case where “mixed division” is selected by the user from the selection screen of FIG. 15, for example, where two large-size stickers on a seal sheet and three Different images are printed on each set of stickers, each set having a small size sticker. That is, also in this case, the user has taken six types of images.

  As described above, the user can print a plurality of types of captured images on the seal sheet.

  Further, the print medium is not limited to the seal sheet, but may be printed on paper of a predetermined size, poster paper, or the like. The photographed image data may be recorded on a recording medium such as a floppy disk prepared by the user.

1 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of an image printing apparatus to which the present invention has been applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of the image printing apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of each device in a shooting space. It is a figure showing movement of a user. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the image printing apparatus in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the image printing apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the process of the image printing apparatus of FIG. 1 and subsequent to FIG. 6. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of the photographing monitor of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of the edit input monitor of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another display example of the photographing monitor of FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing still another display example of the photographing monitor of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of the photographing monitor of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another display example of the photographing monitor of FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing still another display example of the photographing monitor of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of the photographing monitor of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another display example of the photographing monitor of FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing still another display example of the photographing monitor of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of the photographing monitor of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another display example of the photographing monitor of FIG. 1. 5 is a flowchart illustrating another process of the image printing apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of the edit input monitor of FIG. 1. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of another image printing apparatus to which the present invention has been applied. It is a figure showing movement of a user. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image printing apparatus to which the present invention has been applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print medium created by an image printing apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 image printing device 13 photographing guidance speaker 14 photographing monitor 15 operation panel 18 editing input monitor 19 editing guidance speaker 20 touch pen 21 seal outlet 31 photographing device 32 CCD camera 81 CPU
82 ROM
83 RAM
89 Printer 91 Audio output control unit 92 Display processor 94 Audio output control unit

Claims (3)

A plurality of editing spaces, which are spaces for editing a photographed image, are provided for one photographing space, which is a space for performing photographing, and a user is allowed to perform photographing and editing of the photographed image. In an image printing apparatus that provides a seal sheet on which an image is printed to the user,
Photographing means for photographing a subject, provided in the photographing space;
A first display unit provided in the image capturing space, for displaying an image of the subject captured by the image capturing unit;
Second display means provided in each of the editing spaces, displaying an image of the subject as an image to be edited, and receiving an editing input;
When the number of the images shot by the shooting means reaches a predetermined number set in advance, or when an operation of ending shooting is performed, the second image provided in each of the plurality of editing spaces is provided. The image captured by the image capturing unit is transferred to any one of the display units and displayed as an image to be edited, and the edit input from the user is received. A screen that prompts the user who has finished shooting by the means to move to the editing space provided with the second display means to which the image of the subject has been transferred is displayed on the first display means, In the editing space, while receiving the editing input from the user by the second display unit that has transferred the image of the subject, When the user starts shooting by the shooting means, the shooting of the subject by the shooting means and the display of the image of the subject by the second display means and the reception of the editing input are executed in parallel, and An image printing apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to set a time limit for accepting the editing input by the second display unit to be longer than a time limit for the shooting by the shooting unit. A photographing space for photographing a subject, and a first display for displaying an image of the subject photographed by the photographing unit, in a photographing space which is a space for photographing, and a space for editing the photographed image In an editing space, an image of the subject is displayed as an image to be edited, and second display means for receiving an editing input is provided. A plurality of editing spaces are provided for one shooting space. In an image printing method of an image printing apparatus, which shoots, and edits a shot image, and provides the user with a seal sheet on which the edited image is printed,
A photographing step of photographing a subject by the photographing means;
A first display step of displaying, on the first display means, an image of the subject photographed by the processing of the photographing step;
A second display step of displaying an image of the subject on the second display means as an image to be edited, and receiving an edit input;
When the number of images captured by the processing of the capturing step reaches a predetermined number of images set in advance, or when an operation of ending capturing is performed, the second image provided in each of the plurality of editing spaces And transferring the image photographed by the processing of the photographing step to one of the two display means, displaying the image as an image to be edited, receiving the editing input from the user, and displaying the photographing space. In the first display means, a screen prompting the user who has completed the shooting in the processing of the shooting step to move to the editing space provided with the second display means to which the image of the subject has been transferred is provided. And the second display step transfers the image of the subject in the editing space by the process of the second display step. If another user starts shooting by the processing of the shooting step in the shooting space while receiving the editing input from the user, shooting of the subject by the processing of the shooting step and the second The display of the image of the subject and the reception of the edit input by the processing of the display step are performed in parallel, and the time limit of the reception of the edit input by the processing of the second display step is set in the shooting step. A control step of setting the time longer than the time limit of the photographing by processing. A photographing space for photographing a subject, and a first display for displaying an image of the subject photographed by the photographing unit, in a photographing space which is a space for photographing, and a space for editing the photographed image In an editing space, an image of the subject is displayed as an image to be edited, and second display means for receiving an editing input is provided. A plurality of editing spaces are provided for one shooting space. The computer that controls the image printing apparatus that shoots, and performs editing of the shot image, and provides the user with a seal sheet on which the edited image is printed,
A photographing control step of controlling photographing of a subject by the photographing means;
A first display control step of controlling display of an image of the subject whose shooting has been controlled by the processing of the shooting control step on the first display means;
A second display control step of displaying an image of the subject on the second display means as an image to be edited, and controlling to accept an edit input;
When the number of images captured under the control of the image capturing control step reaches a predetermined number or when the operation of ending the image capturing is performed, the image is provided in each of the plurality of editing spaces. Transferring the image captured under the control of the image capturing control step to any one of the second display means, and displaying the image as an image to be edited; To the editing space provided with the second display means for transferring the image of the subject to the user who has completed the shooting controlled by the process of the shooting control step in the shooting space. Is displayed on the first display means, and is controlled by the processing of the second display control step, and in the editing space, While receiving the editing input from the user by the second display unit to which the image of the subject has been transferred, another user starts shooting in the shooting space controlled by the processing of the shooting control step. In this case, the photographing of the subject controlled by the process of the photographing control step, the display of the image of the subject controlled by the process of the second display control step, and the reception of the editing input are executed in parallel. Further, control is performed such that the time limit for accepting the editing input, which is controlled by the process of the second display control step, is set longer than the time limit of the shooting controlled by the process of the shooting control step. A program that executes the control steps and.

Images