JPH10239736A - Automatic photographing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form a picture having originality, by changing the content of a frame image on a monitor screen. SOLUTION: A main frame image selection screen, a background frame image selection screen and a message frame image selection screen, where plural kinds of image patterns of the frame image are displayed to look through, are displayed in order on a monitor television 18. A player P selects the pattern of each frame image used in photographing by operating a joy stick 13 so that a cursor may be moved on the desired image pattern and depressing a decision button. The player P performs photographing to a half mirror 17. The video of the player P taken by a CCD camera 19 is displayed as a player image on the monitor television 18. The selected frame image and the player image are superimposed and outputted as a composited picture S from a video printer 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is installed in an amusement park or a game corner of a department store, etc., and shoots a subject (person) by synthesizing it with a predetermined frame.
The present invention relates to an automatic photographing machine that prints out the photographed image as a sticker, a business card, or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many automatic photographing machines have been installed in amusement parks, department store game corners, and the like. This automatic photographing machine includes a camera for photographing a player serving as a subject, a memory in which a plurality of frame images (for example, the frame image includes a heart mark, an animal character, and the like), a frame image and a camera. A monitor screen for displaying the captured video, and a printer for printing out a synthetic image obtained by superimposing the video captured by the camera and the frame image as a sticker or a business card are provided.

When using this automatic photographing apparatus, first, the player selects one favorite frame image from a plurality of preset frame image selection screens. When a frame image is selected, the selected frame image is output on a monitor screen. At the same time, an image of the player captured by the camera is displayed on the monitor screen. The player moves while looking at the monitor screen, and positions itself with respect to the frame image. When the positioning is completed, the player presses the enter button.
When a predetermined time elapses after the determination button is pressed, the photographing is completed, and a composite photograph in which the player image and the frame image overlap with each other is printed out as a sticker, a business card, or the like from the printer.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. -Since the number of the frame images is only the number stored in the memory, the photographing pattern is also limited according to the number of the frames, and there is a problem of lacking originality. Further, the frame image must be selected from among those stored in the memory in advance, and the user has no choice but to select from among the set frame images even when there is no frame image that the user wants to use. For this reason, the user may not be satisfied with the finished photograph.

[0005] Since the frame image is always displayed at the same position on the monitor screen (printed out photograph), there is a problem that it is not interesting. The selection of the frame image is performed by operating a push button type cursor key and a decision button. That is,
To select a desired image pattern from the frame image selection screen, operate the cursor key to select one from a plurality of image patterns listed on the frame image selection screen.
The mark (cursor) given to the image pattern is moved to a desired image pattern position. When the movement of the cursor is completed, an image pattern corresponding to the cursor is selected by pressing a decision button.

However, generally only two cursor keys are provided, and the cursor can be moved only in the left-right direction (or the up-down direction). Therefore, when a plurality of rows of image patterns are arranged in a plurality of rows on the image frame selection screen, there is a problem that the cursor cannot be quickly moved to a desired image pattern position.

To solve this problem, it is conceivable to provide four cursor keys (up, down, left, and right) so that the cursor can be moved in the up, down, left, and right directions. In this case, for example, after moving the cursor in the left-right direction, to change the movement direction to the up-down direction, release the cursor key that is being pressed, and press the cursor key that moves the cursor in the up-down direction I do. As a result, a desired image pattern can be selected earlier than that which allows the cursor to move in one direction. However, even in this case, when changing the moving direction of the cursor, an operation of releasing the pressed cursor key or the like is required, so that the operation of selecting the image pattern is troublesome.

Further, a configuration is conceivable in which a touch panel for selecting a desired image pattern by directly touching a monitor screen on which a frame selection screen is displayed is used. However, the touch panel has a problem that the monitor screen is easily stained and easily damaged because the hand directly touches the monitor screen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide an automatic photographing apparatus capable of producing original photographs.
A second object is to provide an automatic photographing machine capable of creating interesting photographs.

A third object is to provide an automatic photographing apparatus capable of selecting a desired image pattern from a large number of prepared frame images quickly and with a simple configuration.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a monitor screen for displaying a subject image photographed by a camera and a predetermined frame image, and a monitor screen for displaying a predetermined frame image. Output means for outputting the subject image and the frame image obtained as a composite photograph, wherein the image content of the frame image is changeable on a monitor screen. Make a summary.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the image content changing means includes a feature that a frame image can be changed to an arbitrary image content based on an operation of a player. I do.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the gist is that the image content changing means can change the position of the frame image.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the frame image is a character image, and the characters of the character image can be arbitrarily input by a player. That is the gist.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera for photographing a subject, an image pattern storage means for storing a plurality of image patterns to be superimposed on a subject image photographed by the camera, and the image pattern storage. Image pattern display means for displaying a list of image patterns stored in the means on a monitor screen, and operation by a player when selecting an arbitrary image pattern from the image patterns listed on the monitor screen Image pattern selecting means, cursor display means for moving and displaying a cursor to a position corresponding to one image pattern among a plurality of image patterns displayed on the monitor screen in accordance with an operation of the image pattern selecting means, and the cursor Overlaps one image pattern at a position corresponding to In an automatic photographing machine having an output means for outputting the combined photograph, the image pattern selecting means is constituted by a single operation member operable in any direction, and according to the operation direction of the operation member, The gist of the cursor display means is to move and display a cursor on a monitor screen.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the operating member is a lever provided so as to be tiltable in an arbitrary direction, and the cursor display means is a tilting direction of the lever. The gist is to move and display the cursor on the monitor screen.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fifth or sixth aspect, the image of the image pattern is a character image, and the image pattern display means displays a plurality of character images on a monitor screen. The gist is that the cursor moves on a plurality of character images displayed in a list on the monitor screen in accordance with the operation of the operation member.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an operation panel 1 is provided in front of a main body 11 of the automatic photographing machine.
2 are arranged. The operation panel 12 is provided with an image content changing unit, an image pattern selecting unit, and a joystick 13, a determination button 14, and a cancel button 15 that constitute operation members. A speaker 16 is arranged on the side of the operation panel 12.

At the upper front of the main body 11, a half mirror 17 is mounted with its mirror surface facing obliquely downward.
A monitor television 18 is provided in the main body 11 below the half mirror 17 with its screen facing upward. That is, the image on the monitor television 18 is projected forward of the main body 11 via the half mirror 17.

A CCD camera 19 is arranged in the main body 11 behind the half mirror 17 with its front part facing. When a person as a subject stands in front of the main body 11, the person is photographed by the CCD camera 19 through the half mirror 17.
A curtain 2 is provided in front of the main body 11 through a pipe 23.
4 is hanging. When performing photographing with the automatic photographing machine, the player P enters the space between the main body 11 and the curtain 24 and photographs toward the half mirror 17.

A print discharge box 20 is provided at a lower front portion of the main body 11. Behind the print discharge box 20, a thermal type video printer 21 as output means is arranged. In the present embodiment, the print paper printed by the video printer 21 includes a print sheet and a release layer laminated on the print sheet, and the print sheet and the release layer are formed of an adhesive applied to the print sheet. Are adhered so as to be peelable. That is, in the present embodiment, the paper printed by the video printer 21 is a sticker.

Next, the electrical configuration of the automatic photographing machine will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The controller 31 constituting the image content changing means, the image pattern display means, the image pattern selection means, and the cursor display means has a ROM and a RAM.
A memory 22 is connected as image pattern storage means. The controller 31 is connected with a joystick 13, a decision button 14, and a cancel button 15 arranged on the operation panel 12. Also,
The controller 16 is connected to the speaker 16, the monitor TV 18, the CCD camera 19, and the video printer 21. The controller 31 controls the driving of the speaker 16, the monitor TV 18, and the video printer 21 based on the program stored in the memory 22. The memory 22 stores a control program and a plurality of types of main frame images F1, background frame images F2, and message frame images F3. The frame images F1, F2 and F3 will be described later.

Next, the configuration of the joystick 13 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, the support frame 41 supporting the joystick 13 is
2 and fixed. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, four micro switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4 are attached to the inner wall of the support frame 41 in front, rear, left, and right. Each of the micro switches SW1 to SW4 is provided with a pusher 42 for pressing a contact (not shown) and a movable piece 43 for pressing the pusher 42 when an external force is applied. The pusher 42 is constantly urged to the side (the movable piece 43 side) that does not press the contact by the elastic force of a spring (not shown).

A shaft support plate 44 is connected to the upper surface of the support frame 41. A hemispherical concave surface 45 is formed on the shaft support plate 44. A sliding cylinder 46 whose outer peripheral surface is substantially hemispherical is slidably engaged with the concave surface 45. A shaft 47 is inserted through the sliding cylinder 46. A ball-shaped handle 4 is provided at the upper end of the shaft 47.
8 are supported. The movement of the sliding cylinder 46 toward the handle 48 is restricted by the step surface 49 of the shaft 47. A spring guide tube 50, a coil spring 51, and a support tube 52 are disposed below the shaft support plate 44, and the shaft 47 is inserted through these members. An E-ring 53 is attached to a lower end of the shaft 47. That is, the support frame 41, the sliding cylinder 46, the sliding cylinder 46, and the coil spring 5 are formed by the E-ring 53 and the step surface 49 of the shaft 47.
1. The support cylinder 52 is sandwiched. In the present embodiment, the shaft 47, the handle 48, and the like constitute an operating member, that is, the joystick 13.

As shown in FIG. 10, the support cylinder 52 is located in a space surrounded by the movable pieces 43 of the micro switches SW1 to SW4. When the handle 48 is tilted back and forth and right and left, the micro switches SW1 to SW4 located in the opposite direction to the tilt direction.
Is pressed by the support cylinder 52, and the micro switch SW1
SW4 pushes the contact. Pusher 4
2. The micro switches SW1 to S whose contacts are pressed by 2
An ON signal is output from W4 to the controller 31.

FIG. 10 (a) shows the relationship between each of the micro switches SW1 to SW4 and the support cylinder 52 when the handle 48 is in the neutral state. In the state shown in the figure, the movable piece 43 of each of the micro switches SW1 to SW4 is
Is not pressed. Therefore, in this case, no ON signal is output to the controller 31 from any of the micro switches SW1 to SW4.

FIG. 10B shows the relationship between the microswitches SW1 to SW4 and the support cylinder 52 when the handle 48 is tilted to the left. In the state shown in the figure, by tilting the handle 48 to the left, the movable piece 43 of the micro switch SW3 is pressed by the support cylinder 52, and an ON signal is output from the switch SW3 to the controller 31. When the controller 31 inputs an ON signal only from the microswitch SW3, the controller (FIG. 4,
(See FIGS. 5, 6, and 7) only in the left direction.

FIG. 10 (c) shows the relationship between the microswitches SW1 to SW4 and the support cylinder 52 in a state where the handle 48 is tilted to the right. In the state shown in the figure, the movable piece 43 of the micro switch SW1 is pressed by the support cylinder 52 by tilting the handle 48 to the right, and an ON signal is output from the switch SW1 to the controller 31. When an ON signal is input only from the microswitch SW1, the controller 31 moves the cursor only to the right.

FIG. 10D shows the relationship between the micro-switches SW1 to SW4 and the support cylinder 52 when the handle 48 is tilted upward. In the state shown in the figure, the movable piece 43 of the micro switch SW2 is pressed by the support cylinder 52 by tilting the handle 48 upward, and an ON signal is output from the switch SW2 to the controller 31. When an ON signal is input only from the switch SW2, the controller 31 moves the cursor only upward.

FIG. 11A shows the relationship between the microswitches SW1 to SW4 and the support cylinder 52 in a state where the handle 48 is tilted downward. In the state shown in the figure, by tilting the handle 48 to the left, the movable piece 43 of the micro switch SW4 is pressed by the support cylinder 52, and an ON signal is output from the switch SW4 to the controller 31. When an ON signal is input only from the switch SW4, the controller 31 moves the cursor only downward.

FIG. 11B shows micro switches SW1 to SW4 in a state where the handle 48 is tilted obliquely downward to the right.
4 shows the relationship between the support cylinder 52 and the support cylinder 52. In the state shown in the figure, the movable piece 43 of the two switches of the micro switch SW1 and the micro switch SW4 is pressed by the support cylinder 52 by inclining the handle 48 obliquely downward to the right, and both switches SW1 and SW4 are turned on by the controller 31. A signal is output. The controller 31 is a micro switch S
When an ON signal is input from W1 and SW4, the cursor is moved in a diagonally lower right direction obtained by combining the right direction and the lower direction.

FIG. 11C shows micro switches SW1 to SW4 in a state where the handle 48 is tilted obliquely to the upper left.
4 shows the relationship between the support cylinder 52 and the support cylinder 52. In the state shown in the figure, the movable piece 43 of the micro switch SW2 and the micro switch SW3 is pressed by the support cylinder 52 by inclining the handle 48 to the upper left and diagonally left.
2. An ON signal is output from SW3 to the controller 31. When an ON signal is input from SW2 and SW3, the controller 31 moves the cursor diagonally upward to the left, which is a combination of the left direction and the upward direction.

Although not shown, when the handle 48 is tilted obliquely upward to the right, an ON signal is sent from the microswitch SW1 and the microswitch SW2 to the controller 3.
1 is output. The controller 31 has switches SW1,
When an ON signal is input from SW2, the cursor is moved obliquely upward to the right. When the handle 48 is tilted to the lower left, the ON signal is sent from the micro switch SW1 and the micro switch SW2 to the controller 31.
, And the controller 31 switches SW1, SW
When an ON signal is input from Step 2, the cursor is moved obliquely downward to the left.

On the monitor television 18, a main frame image selection screen A (see FIG. 4) displaying a list of image patterns f1 of a plurality of types of main frame images F1 which can be selected before the start of shooting, is also displayed before the start of shooting. A background frame image selection screen B (see FIG. 5) displaying a list of image patterns f2 of a plurality of types of selectable background frame images F2, and an image pattern f3 of a plurality of types of message frame images F3 also selectable before the start of photographing. Is displayed in a message frame image selection screen C (FIG. 6).
Are displayed in order. The player P operates the joystick 13 to select a desired image pattern f1, f
By moving the cursor onto the f2 and f3 and pressing the enter button 14, each frame image F
1, F2 and F3 patterns can be selected.

The cancel button 15 is pressed by the player P when canceling the immediately preceding operation or when re-taking an image. The video of the player P captured by the CCD camera 19 is displayed on the monitor television 18 as a player image PG described later.

The controller 31 superimposes the selected frame images F1, F2, F3 and the player image PG and outputs them as a composite photograph from the video printer 21. Here, the positional relationship between the frame images F1, F2, F3 and the player image PG will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8, the main frame image F
1 is arranged in front of the player image PG. In addition, the background frame image F2 is arranged behind the player image PG. The message frame image F3 is arranged in front of the main frame image F1 (1. the order of the message frame image F3, 2. the main frame image F1, 3. the player image PG, and 4. the background frame image F2).

When each of the frame images F1, F2, and F3 is used for shooting, the message frame image F3
The main frame image F1, the player image PG, and the background frame image F2 in the overlapping portion do not appear in the printed photo. In addition, the main frame image F1
Are not shown in the printed photo. Further, the background frame image F2 of the portion overlapping with the player image PG does not appear in the printed photo.

The player image PG is an image of only the player P. In other words, what is photographed by the CCD camera 19 is the player P and the curtain 24 behind the player P.
When you print out the photos at 1, the CCD camera 19
Is determined by the color of the curtain 24 photographed by
The part of the curtain 24 is replaced with the background frame F2.

In the present embodiment, the message frame image F3 can be moved to a desired position on the screen of the monitor television 18 by tilting the joystick 13 in an arbitrary direction. . Further, a message frame image F3 that can be combined with an arbitrary character is added to the message frame image F3.
(Arbitrary characters can be input in the portion surrounded by the square dotted line in FIG. 6). When the image pattern f3 of the message frame image F3 capable of synthesizing the arbitrary character is selected, a character selection screen (see FIG. 7) is displayed on the monitor TV 18, and the player P tilts the joystick 13 to operate. Move the cursor and select the desired hiragana characters and numbers (not shown). The characters and numbers selected here are combined with the message frame image F3.

Next, the processing operation of the controller 31 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step 101, the controller 31 displays the main frame image selection screen A on the monitor television 18. In the next step 102, it is determined whether or not the player P has selected the desired image pattern f1 from the main frame image selection screen A, and if it is determined that the selection has been made, the process proceeds to the next step 103. As shown in FIG. 4, the main frame image selection screen A also has an image pattern f1 'of "no frame", and when this "no frame" image pattern f1' is selected, The frame image F1 is not used.

In step 103, a background frame image selection screen B is displayed on the monitor television 18. In the next step 104, it is determined whether or not the player P has selected the desired image pattern f2 from the background frame image selection screen B, and if it is determined that the selection has been made, the process proceeds to the next step 105. As shown in FIG. 5, the background frame image selection screen B also has an image pattern f2 'of "no background".
If 2 'is selected, the background frame image F2 is not used in this routine.

In step 105, a message frame image selection screen C is displayed on the monitor television 18. In the next step 106, it is determined whether or not the player P has selected a desired image pattern f3 from the message frame image selection screen C. If it is determined that the selection has been made, the process proceeds to the next step 107. As shown in FIG. 6, the message frame selection screen C also has an image pattern f3 'of "no message", and if this "no message" image pattern f3' is selected, a message The frame image F3 is not used.

In the next step 107, the main frame image F1, the player image PG, and the message frame image F3 are superimposed and displayed on the monitor television 18. In the next step 108, when the enter button 14 is pressed, in step 109, a countdown sound ("3.2.1") is output from the speaker 16. In step 110, the player image PG at the moment when the count becomes zero is fixed, and the main frame image F1, the message frame image F3, and the player image PG are superimposed and displayed on the monitor television 18.

In step 111, it is determined whether or not the cancel button 15 has been pressed. If the cancel button 15 has been pressed, the flow returns to step 107 to repeat the subsequent processing. On the other hand, if the cancel button 15 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step 112.

In step 112, the image of the curtain 24 taken by the CCD camera 19 and the
After replacing the background frame image F2 selected in 04, the screen image of the monitor television 18 is printed out from the video printer 21 as a composite photograph,
Thereafter, the processing is temporarily terminated.

Next, the operation of the automatic photographing machine configured as described above will be described. When performing photographing with an automatic photographing machine, first, as shown in FIG. 2, the player P stands between the curtain 24 and the main body 11. Next, the player P looks at the main frame image selection screen A projected on the half mirror 17, tilts the joystick 13, moves the cursor on the desired image pattern f 1, and then presses the determination button 15. An image pattern f1 to be used in the current shooting is selected. Here, for example, it is assumed that the player P has selected the image pattern f1 indicated by the arrow α in FIG.

When the image pattern f1 relating to the main frame image F1 is selected, a background frame image selection screen B is displayed on the half mirror 17. The player P looks at the background frame image selection screen B projected on the half mirror 17, tilts the joystick 13, moves the cursor on a desired image pattern f 2, and then presses the enter button 15 to determine the current time. An image pattern f2 to be used for photographing is selected. Here, for example, the player P
It is assumed that the image pattern f2 of the pattern indicated by the arrow β is selected.

When the image pattern f2 relating to the background frame image F2 is selected, a message frame image selection screen C is displayed on the half mirror 17. Player P
Sees the message frame image selection screen C projected on the half mirror 17, tilts the joystick 13, moves the cursor on the desired image pattern f3, and then presses the determination button 15 to execute the current shooting. The image pattern f3 to be used is selected. Here, for example, it is assumed that the player P has selected the image pattern f3 indicated by the arrow γ in FIG. Next, the player P uses the joystick 13
To move the message frame image F3 corresponding to the selected image pattern f3 to a desired position. Next, a desired number, character, or the like (in the case of the currently selected message frame image F3, no character input operation is performed) is input in a blank portion of the message frame image F3.

When the selection of the input of numbers and characters is completed, the selected main frame image F is displayed on the half mirror 17.
1. The message frame image F3 in which the selected number / character is written and the player image PG captured by the CCD camera 19 are displayed. At this time, the main frame image F1 and the message frame image F3 overlap in front of the image captured by the CCD camera 19 (at this time, both the player P and the curtain 24 behind it are displayed on the monitor TV 18). It is projected in the state.

The player P moves while watching his / her image projected on the half mirror 17 so that the player P is positioned at an optimum position with respect to the main frame image F1. Then, when the optimum position is determined, the determination button 14 is pressed. Then, a countdown sound is output from the speaker 16, and the player P determines its own pause based on the countdown sound. When the countdown ends, the video (player image PG and curtain 24), main frame image F1, and message frame image F3 captured by the CCD camera 19 at the moment when the countdown ends are displayed on the half mirror 17 as still images.

When the player P likes the still image projected on the half mirror 17, the player P presses the enter button 14. When the enter button 14 is pressed, the still image projected on the half mirror 17 is printed out by the video printer 21. At this time, the controller 31 replaces the curtain 24 photographed by the CCD camera 19 with the previously selected background frame image F2 and sends the photograph S (see FIG. 13) from the video printer 21.
Print out. Photos printed out are
The print is discharged from the print discharge box 20 to the outside of the main body 11.

As described above, the photographing by the automatic photographing machine is performed. In the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained by configuring the automatic photographing machine as described above.

(1) Since the position of the message frame image F3 can be changed with respect to the screen of the monitor television 18, even when the same message frame image F3 is used for photographing, a photograph having a different atmosphere can be obtained. Become. As described above, since the position of the message frame image F3 can be changed, even if the pattern of the message frame image F3 is small, a photograph having originality and fun can be created.

(2) Since arbitrary characters can be input to the message frame image F3, a photograph with more originality and fun can be created. (3) Even when the same type of message frame image F3 is used for the same main frame image F1 and background frame image F2, as shown in (1) and (2) above, the position change or message content of the message frame image F3 is changed. By making changes, it is possible to create a variety of composite photos.

(4) Each frame image selection screen A, B, C
As a means for moving the cursor when selecting a desired image pattern f1, f2, f3 from, a joystick 13 capable of moving the cursor in four directions with one lever operation is employed. As a result, unlike the prior art that employs a push button type in which the cursor can be moved only in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction, the image pattern f
The selection operation of 1, f2 and f3 can be performed quickly.
As a result, the time from photographing preparation to photographing completion can be significantly reduced.

(5) The joystick 13 is different from a mouse, a penlight, and the like in that a cord and various switches for connecting the joystick 13 to a switchboard and the like are stored in the main body. Can prevent the code from being torn. further,
Since the joystick 13 is significantly cheaper than a touch panel, the cost can be reduced.

(6) Arbitrary characters can be input to the message frame image F3, and during the character input operation, the cursor is quickly moved to a position corresponding to the arbitrary character by tilting the joystick 13 on the character selection screen. be able to.

(7) Since the message frame image F3 can also be moved in all directions by tilting the joystick 13, the time from photographing preparation to photographing completion can be further reduced.

The above embodiment may be embodied as follows. In the embodiment, the message frame image F3 can be changed to an arbitrary position with respect to the screen of the monitor television 18 by tilting the joystick 13 in an arbitrary direction. On the other hand, the present invention may be embodied by changing the position of the message frame image F3 only to a preset position.

In the above embodiment, three types of frame images, ie, the main frame image F1, the background frame image F2, and the message frame image F3, are prepared. However, the present invention may be embodied using only the message frame image F3. . Of course, even in this case, the player image P
The position of the message frame image F3 with respect to G can be changed.

In the above embodiment, only the position of the message frame image F3 can be changed with respect to the screen of the monitor TV 18, but the position of the main frame image F1 or the background frame image F2 can also be changed with respect to the screen of the monitor TV 18. It may be embodied as changeable.

In the above embodiment, the image content of the message frame image F3 is changed by changing the position or combining arbitrary characters. However, the image frame F3 may be embodied so that the direction of the message frame image F3 can be changed. .

In the above embodiment, the joystick 1
3 is tilted in an oblique direction (diagonally upper left, diagonally lower left, diagonally upper right, diagonally lower right), two micro switches SW
SW1 to SW4 are turned on, and the cursor moves to the image pattern f.
Although it is configured to move diagonally on 1, f2, and f3, the cursor may be moved only in four directions, up, down, left, and right.

In the above embodiment, the joystick 13 is used as a means for moving the cursor. However, as a means for moving the cursor, a push button used in the prior art is used. You may.

[0066]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the contents of a frame image can be changed on the monitor screen, so that the contents of the frame image can be changed even when a frame image of the same pattern is used. As a result, the finished photo becomes a different image. Thus, even if the number of frame image patterns prepared in advance is set to be small, a photograph with originality can be created.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), since the content of the frame image can be arbitrarily changed by the player, a more original photograph can be created.

According to the invention described in claim 3, according to claim 1
Alternatively, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 2, by changing the position of the frame image, a more original and interesting photograph can be created.

According to the invention of claim 4, according to claim 1,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in any one of the third to third aspects, since the frame image is a character image and the characters of the character image can be arbitrarily input by the player, a photograph with even more originality and fun is produced. be able to.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the image pattern is selected, when the cursor is moved, the cursor can be moved in an arbitrary direction by operating one operating member. Unlike the prior art that employs a push button type that can be moved only in the vertical direction, the image pattern selecting operation can be performed quickly. As a result, the time from photographing preparation to photographing completion can be significantly reduced.

According to the invention described in claim 6, according to claim 5,
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), since the operation member has a lever structure that can be freely tilted with one hand, the movement display of the cursor can be easily performed. In addition, since the operating member has a lever structure, a connection cord and various switches extending from the operating member can be stored in the main body. For example, unlike a mouse or a penlight, the cord can be torn by a player who does not care. Can be prevented. Further, by adopting the lever structure, the operation means can be made much cheaper than the touch panel, and the cost can be reduced.

According to the invention of claim 7, according to claim 5,
Alternatively, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 6, an arbitrary character can be quickly selected from a plurality of character images.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the automatic photographing machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the automatic photographing machine.

FIG. 4 is a display diagram of a main frame image selection screen.

FIG. 5 is a display diagram of a background frame image selection screen.

FIG. 6 is a display diagram of a message frame image selection screen.

FIG. 7 is a display diagram of a character selection screen.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between images.

FIG. 9 is an exploded front view of the joystick.

FIG. 10A is a partial plan cross-sectional view of the joystick in a state where a handle is at a neutral position. (B) is a partial plan sectional view of the joystick in a state where the handle is tilted to the left.
(C) is a partial plan sectional view of the joystick in a state where the handle is tilted to the right. (D) is a partial plan sectional view of the joystick in a state where the handle is tilted upward.

FIG. 11A is a partial plan sectional view of a joystick in a state where a handle is tilted downward. (B) is a partial plan cross-sectional view of the joystick in a state where the handle is tilted obliquely downward right. (C) Partial plan cross-sectional view of the joystick in a state where the handle is tilted diagonally left and up.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a controller.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a photograph printed out.

[Explanation of symbols]

13: image content changing means, image pattern selecting means, operating member, joystick constituting lever, 17 ... monitor television as monitor screen, 19 ... CCD camera as camera, 21 ... printer as output means, 2
2. Memory as image pattern storage means, 31. Controller constituting image pattern display means, image content changing means, image pattern selection means, cursor display means, P
.., A player as a subject, PG, a player image as a subject image, F1, a main frame image as a frame image, F2, a background frame image as a frame image, f1, f2, f3, an image pattern, and S, a photograph.

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] February 28, 1997

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Full text

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Document Name] Statement

[Title of the Invention] Automatic photographing machine

[Claims]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is installed in an amusement park or a game corner of a department store, etc., and shoots a subject (person) by synthesizing it with a predetermined frame.
The present invention relates to an automatic photographing machine that prints out the photographed image as a sticker, a business card, or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many automatic photographing machines have been installed in amusement parks, department store game corners, and the like. This automatic photographing machine includes a camera for photographing a player serving as a subject, a memory in which a plurality of frame images (for example, the frame image includes a heart mark, an animal character, and the like), a frame image and a camera. A monitor screen for displaying the captured video, and a printer for printing out a synthetic image obtained by superimposing the video captured by the camera and the frame image as a sticker or a business card are provided.

When using this automatic photographing machine, first, a player selects a desired frame image from a plurality of frame images set in advance. When a frame image is selected, the selected frame image is output on a monitor screen. At the same time, an image of the player captured by the camera is displayed on the monitor screen.
The player moves while looking at the monitor screen, and positions itself with respect to the frame image. When the positioning is completed, the player presses the enter button. After a predetermined time has passed since the decision button was pressed, the photographing was completed,
A composite photograph in which the image of the player and the frame image are overlapped from the printer is printed out as a sticker, a business card, or the like.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. -Since the number of the frame images is only the number stored in the memory, the photographing pattern is also limited according to the number of the frames, and there is a problem of lacking originality. Further, the frame image must be selected from among those stored in the memory in advance, and the user has no choice but to select from among the set frame images even when there is no frame image that the user wants to use. Therefore, there is a problem for the user that the finished photograph lacks interest.

[0005] Since the frame image is always displayed at the same position on the monitor screen (printed out photograph), there is a problem that it is not interesting. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide an automatic photographing machine capable of creating a photograph having originality.

A second object is to provide an automatic photographing machine capable of producing interesting photographs.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a monitor screen for displaying a subject image photographed by a camera and a predetermined frame image, and a monitor screen for displaying a predetermined frame image. Output means for outputting the subject image and the frame image obtained as a composite photograph, wherein the image content of the frame image is changeable on a monitor screen. Make a summary.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the image content changing means includes a feature that a frame image can be changed to an arbitrary image content based on an operation of a player. I do.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the gist is that the image content changing means can change the position of the frame image.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the frame image is a character image, and the characters of the character image can be arbitrarily input by a player. That is the gist.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an operation panel 1 is provided in front of a main body 11 of the automatic photographing machine.
2 are arranged. The operation panel 12 includes a joystick 13 and an enter button 1 that constitute image content changing means.
4. A cancel button 15 is provided. A speaker 16 is arranged on the side of the operation panel 12.

A half mirror 17 is mounted in front of the upper part of the main body 11 with its mirror surface facing obliquely downward.
A monitor television 18 is provided in the main body 11 below the half mirror 17 with its screen facing upward. Accordingly, the image on the monitor television 18 is projected forward of the main body 11 via the half mirror 17.

A CCD camera 19 is arranged in the main body 11 behind the half mirror 17 with its front part facing. When a person as a subject stands in front of the main body 11, the person is photographed by the CCD camera 19 through the half mirror 17.
A curtain 2 is provided in front of the main body 11 through a pipe 23.
4 is hanging. When performing photographing with the automatic photographing machine, the player P enters the space between the main body 11 and the curtain 24 and photographs toward the half mirror 17.

A print discharge box 20 is provided at a lower front part of the main body 11. Behind the print discharge box 20, a thermal type video printer 21 as output means is arranged. In the present embodiment, the print paper printed by the video printer 21 includes a print sheet and a release layer laminated on the print sheet, and the print sheet and the release layer are formed of an adhesive applied to the print sheet. Are adhered so as to be peelable. That is, in the present embodiment, the paper printed by the video printer 21 is a sticker.

Next, the electrical configuration of the automatic photographing machine will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The memory 22 including a ROM, a RAM, and the like is connected to the controller 31 constituting the image content changing unit. The controller 31 has a joystick 13 disposed on the operation panel 12,
The enter button 14 and the cancel button 15 are connected. The controller 31 includes a speaker 16, a monitor TV 18, a CCD camera 19, and a video printer 2.
1 is connected. The controller 31 is connected to the memory 2
Speaker 1 based on the program stored in
6. Drive control of the monitor television 18 and the video printer 21. The memory 22 stores a control program and a plurality of types of main frame images F1, background frame images F2, and message frame images F3. The frame images F1, F2 and F3 will be described later.

On the monitor television 18, a main frame image selection screen A (see FIG. 4) displaying a list of image patterns f1 of a plurality of types of main frame images F1 which can be selected before the start of shooting, is also displayed before the start of shooting. A background frame image selection screen B (see FIG. 5) in which image patterns f2 of a plurality of types of selectable background frame images F2 are displayed in a list, and an image pattern f3 of a plurality of types of message frame images F3 also selectable before the start of photographing. Is displayed in a message frame image selection screen C (FIG. 6).
Are displayed in order. The player P operates the joystick 13 to select a desired image pattern f1, f
By moving a cursor (not shown) on the lines 2 and f3 and pressing the enter button 14, the pattern of each frame image F1, F2, F3 to be used in photographing can be selected.

The cancel button 15 is pressed by the player P when canceling the immediately preceding operation or when re-taking an image. The video of the player P captured by the CCD camera 19 is displayed on the monitor television 18 as a player image PG described later.

The controller 31 superimposes the selected frame images F1, F2, F3 and the player image PG and outputs them as a composite photograph from the video printer 21. Here, the positional relationship between the frame images F1, F2, F3 and the player image PG will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the main frame image F1 is a player image P
It is arranged in front of G. In addition, the background frame image F2 is arranged behind the player image PG. The message frame image F3 is arranged in front of the main frame image F1 (in order of 1. message frame image F3, 2. main frame image F1, 3. player image PG, 4. background frame image F2).

When each frame image F1, F2, F3 is used for photographing, the message frame image F3
The main frame image F1, the player image PG, and the background frame image F2 in the overlapping portion do not appear in the printed photo. In addition, the main frame image F1
Are not shown in the printed photo. Further, the background frame image F2 of the portion overlapping with the player image PG does not appear in the printed photo.

The player image PG is an image of only the player P. In other words, what is photographed by the CCD camera 19 is the player P and the curtain 24 behind the player P.
When you print out the photos at 1, the CCD camera 19
Is determined by the color of the curtain 24 photographed by
The part of the curtain 24 is replaced with the background frame F2.

The message frame image F3 can be moved to a desired position on the screen of the monitor television 17 by operating the joystick 13 up, down, left and right. Further, the message frame image F3 includes a message frame image F3 (an arbitrary character can be input in a portion surrounded by a square dotted line in FIG. 6) in which an arbitrary character can be synthesized. Image pattern f of message frame image F3 capable of synthesizing the arbitrary character
When 3 is selected, a character selection screen (see FIG. 7) is displayed on the monitor TV 18, and the player P operates the joystick 13 to select desired hiragana characters and numbers (not shown). The characters and numbers selected here are combined with the message frame image F3.

Next, the processing operation of the controller 31 will be described with reference to FIG.
A description will be given based on the flowchart of FIG. First, in step 101, the controller 31 displays the main frame image selection screen A on the monitor television 18. In the next step 102, it is determined whether or not the player P has selected the desired image pattern f1 from the main frame image selection screen A, and if it is determined that the selection has been made, the process proceeds to the next step 103. As shown in FIG. 4, the main frame image selection screen A also has an image pattern f1 ′ of “no frame”, and when this “no frame” image pattern f1 ′ is selected, in this routine,
The main frame image F1 is not used.

In step 103, a background frame image selection screen B is displayed on the monitor television 18. In the next step 104, it is determined whether or not the player P has selected the desired image pattern f2 from the background frame image selection screen B, and if it is determined that the selection has been made, the process proceeds to the next step 105. As shown in FIG. 5, the background frame image selection screen B also has an image pattern f2 'of "no background".
If 2 'is selected, the background frame image F2 is not used in this routine.

In step 105, a message frame image selection screen C is displayed on the monitor television 18. In the next step 106, it is determined whether or not the player P has selected a desired image pattern f3 from the message frame image selection screen C. If it is determined that the selection has been made, the process proceeds to the next step 107. As shown in FIG. 6, the message frame selection screen C also has an image pattern f3 'of "no message", and if this "no message" image pattern f3' is selected, a message The frame image F3 is not used.

In the next step 107, the main frame image F1, the player image PG and the message frame image F3 are superimposed and displayed on the monitor television 18. In the next step 108, when the enter button 14 is pressed, in step 109, a countdown sound ("3.2.1") is output from the speaker 16. In step 110, the player image PG at the moment when the count becomes zero is fixed, and the main frame image F1, the message frame image F3, and the player image PG are superimposed and displayed on the monitor television 18.

In step 111, it is determined whether or not the cancel button 15 has been pressed. If the cancel button 15 has been pressed, the flow returns to step 107 to repeat the subsequent processing. On the other hand, if the cancel button 15 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step 112.

In step 112, the image of the curtain 24 taken by the CCD camera 19 and the
After replacing the background frame image F2 selected in 04, the screen image of the monitor television 18 is printed out from the video printer 21 as a composite photograph,
Thereafter, the processing is temporarily terminated.

Next, the operation of the automatic photographing machine configured as described above will be described. When performing photographing with an automatic photographing machine, first, as shown in FIG. 2, the player P stands between the curtain 24 and the main body 11. Next, the player P looks at the main frame image selection screen A projected on the half mirror 17, and operates the joystick 13 and the enter button 14 to select a desired image pattern f1. here,
For example, it is assumed that the player P has selected the image pattern f1 indicated by the arrow α in FIG.

When the image pattern f1 relating to the main frame image F1 is selected, a background frame image selection screen B is displayed on the half mirror 17. The player P looks at the background frame image selection screen B projected on the half mirror 17 and sees the joystick 13 and the enter button 14.
To select a desired image pattern f2. Here, for example, it is assumed that the player P has selected the image pattern f2 of the pattern indicated by the arrow β in FIG.

When the image pattern f2 relating to the background frame image F2 is selected, a message frame image selection screen C is displayed on the half mirror 17. Player P
Looks at the message frame image selection screen C displayed on the half mirror 17, and operates the joystick 13 and the enter button 14 to select a desired image pattern f3. Here, for example, it is assumed that the player P has selected the image pattern f3 indicated by the arrow γ in FIG. Next, the player P operates the joystick 13 up, down, left, and right to move the message frame image F3 corresponding to the selected image pattern f3 to a desired position. Next, a desired number, character, or the like (in the case of the currently selected message frame image F3, no character input operation is performed) is input in a blank portion of the message frame image F3.

When the selection of input of numbers and characters is completed, the selected main frame image F is displayed on the half mirror 17.
1. The message frame image F3 in which the selected number / character is written and the player image PG captured by the CCD camera 19 are displayed. At this time, the main frame image F1 and the message frame image F3 overlap in front of the image captured by the CCD camera 19 (at this time, both the player P and the curtain 24 behind it are displayed on the monitor TV 18). It is projected in the state.

The player P moves while watching his / her image projected on the half mirror 17 so that the player P is positioned at an optimum position with respect to the main frame image F1. Then, when the optimum position is determined, the determination button 14 is pressed. Then, a countdown sound is output from the speaker 16, and the player P determines its own pause based on the countdown sound. When the countdown ends, the video (player image PG and curtain 24), main frame image F1, and message frame image F3 captured by the CCD camera 19 at the moment when the countdown ends are displayed on the half mirror 17 as still images.

When the player P likes the still image projected on the half mirror 17, he presses the enter button 14. When the enter button 14 is pressed, the still image projected on the half mirror 17 is printed out by the video printer 21. At this time, the controller 31 replaces the curtain 24 photographed by the CCD camera 19 with the previously selected background frame image F2 and sends the photograph S (see FIG. 10) from the video printer 21.
Print out. Photos printed out are
The print is discharged from the print discharge box 20 to the outside of the main body 11.

As described above, the photographing by the automatic photographing machine is performed. In the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained by configuring the automatic photographing machine as described above.

(1) Since the position of the message frame image F3 can be changed with respect to the screen of the monitor television 18, even when the same message frame image F3 is used for photographing, a photograph with a different atmosphere is taken. Becomes
As described above, since the position of the message frame image F3 can be changed, even if the pattern of the message frame image F3 is small, a photograph having originality and fun can be created.

(2) Since arbitrary characters can be input to the message frame image F3, a photograph with more originality and fun can be created. (3) Even when the same type of message frame image F3 is used for the same main frame image F1 and background frame image F2, as shown in (1) and (2) above, the position change or message content of the message frame image F3 is changed. By making changes, it is possible to create a variety of composite photos.

The above embodiment may be embodied as follows. (1) In the above embodiment, the message frame image F3
Can be changed to an arbitrary position with respect to the screen of the monitor TV 18 by operating the joystick 13 up, down, left and right. On the other hand, the message frame image F3
May be embodied in such a way that the position is changed only to a preset position.

(2) In the above-described embodiment, three types of frame images, ie, the main frame image F1, the background frame image F2, and the message frame image F3, are prepared, but they are embodied using only the message frame image F3. Is also good. Of course, also in this case, the position of the message frame image F3 can be changed with respect to the player image PG.

(3) In the above embodiment, the position of only the message frame image F3 can be changed with respect to the screen of the monitor TV 18, but the main frame image F1 or the background frame image F2 can also be changed with respect to the screen of the monitor TV 18. May be embodied as position changeable.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the image content of the message frame image F3 is changed by changing the position or combining arbitrary characters. However, it is possible to change the direction of the message frame image F3. May be.

[0041]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the contents of a frame image can be changed on the monitor screen, so that the contents of the frame image can be changed even when a frame image of the same pattern is used. As a result, the finished photo becomes a different image. Thus, even if the number of frame image patterns prepared in advance is set to be small, a photograph with originality can be created.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), since the content of the frame image can be arbitrarily changed by the player, a more original photograph can be created.

According to the invention described in claim 3, according to claim 1
Alternatively, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 2, by changing the position of the frame image, a more original and interesting photograph can be created.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
In addition to the effects of the invention described in any one of the third to third aspects, since the frame image is a character image and the characters of the character image can be arbitrarily input by the player, a photograph with even more originality and fun is produced. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the automatic photographing machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the automatic photographing machine.

FIG. 4 is a display diagram of a main frame image selection screen.

FIG. 5 is a display diagram of a background frame image selection screen.

FIG. 6 is a display diagram of a message frame image selection screen.

FIG. 7 is a display diagram of a character selection screen.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between images.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a controller.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a photograph printed out.

[Description of Signs] 13: Joystick 1 Constituting Image Content Changing Means
7: monitor television as monitor screen, 19: CCD camera as camera, 21: printer as output means, P: player as subject, PG: player image as subject image, F1: main frame image as frame image .., F2... Background frame image as a frame image; 31... Controller constituting image content changing means; S.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 4

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 4

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 5

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 5

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 6

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 6

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 7

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 7

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 9

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 9

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG.

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 10

[Procedure amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG.

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 10]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG.

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 11]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG.

[Correction method] Deleted

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An automatic photographing system comprising: a monitor screen for displaying a subject image and a preset frame image photographed by a camera; and an output unit for outputting the subject image and the frame image projected on the monitor screen as a composite photograph. An automatic photographing apparatus, comprising: an image content changing unit that enables an image content of the frame image to be changed on a monitor screen. 2. The automatic photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image content changing means is capable of changing a frame image to arbitrary image content based on an operation of a player. 3. The automatic photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image content changing means is capable of changing a position of a frame image. 4. The automatic photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame image is a character image, and characters of the character image can be arbitrarily input by a player. 5. A camera for photographing a subject, image pattern storage means for storing a plurality of image patterns to be superimposed on a subject image photographed by the camera, and each image stored in the image pattern storage means. Image pattern display means for displaying a list of patterns on a monitor screen, image pattern selection means operated by a player when selecting an arbitrary image pattern from each of the image patterns listed on the monitor screen, Cursor display means for moving and displaying a cursor to a position corresponding to one image pattern among the plurality of image patterns displayed on the monitor screen in accordance with an operation of the image pattern selection means, and one image at a position corresponding to the cursor The pattern is superimposed on the subject image captured by the camera, An output means for outputting the image pattern as an image, wherein the image pattern selection means is constituted by a single operation member operable in an arbitrary direction, and the cursor display means is a cursor according to the operation direction of the operation member. Automatic camera that moves and displays on the monitor screen. 6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein the operation member is a lever provided so as to be tiltable in an arbitrary direction, and the cursor display means moves and displays a cursor on a monitor screen in the tilt direction of the lever. Automatic shooting machine. 7. The image of the image pattern is a character image, the image pattern display means displays a plurality of character images in a list on a monitor screen, and the cursor is displayed on the monitor screen in accordance with an operation of the operation member. The automatic photographing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the automatic photographing apparatus moves on a displayed plurality of character images.