JPH11234603A - Video print supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide an image print supply device capable of capturing an interesting image and suitable for use as a game device. SOLUTION: A substantially semicircular camera disposing part 10 is provided on an upper part of an apparatus main body 1. A plurality of CCD cameras 11 to 15 (11 and 12 are not shown) are arranged in the camera arrangement unit 10 so as to surround a user (subject) standing in front of the operation panel 3. When a coin is inserted through the coin slot, the operation of the apparatus starts. When the photographing button 5 is pressed, each camera simultaneously shoots, prints the image on one sheet of paper, and pays out the same through the outlet 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video print supply apparatus for printing and outputting a video of a photographed subject.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a device for photographing a subject such as a person and printing and outputting the video, a coin-type photo box for certification is known. Also, there is a so-called print club (product name) as an amusement device that inserts a title, a design, or the like into the background of a photographed subject and prints out the title.

[0003]

However, in a conventional video print supply device such as a photo box for certification or a so-called print club, only a single camera outputs a video at a fixed camera angle. When a captured image is simple and used as a game device, there is a limit in terms of the fun of the image.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional video print supply apparatus and to provide a video print supply apparatus capable of shooting an interesting video and suitable for use as a game apparatus.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a plurality of photographing means arranged at different angles with respect to a subject and a printer means for printing an image photographed by the plurality of photographing means are provided. It is solved by.

Further, the present invention proposes, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, to print images which are simultaneously photographed by the plurality of photographing means. Furthermore, the present invention proposes, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, to have a control means for controlling the photographing timing of the plurality of photographing means.Further, the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, It is proposed to print the image taken by the photographing means on the same medium.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention proposes that an arbitrary image designated by a user among images photographed by the plurality of photographing means can be printed. Further, the present invention proposes, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, that the plurality of photographing units are arranged so as to surround a subject.

Further, the present invention proposes, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, to combine and print an image previously held by the plurality of photographing means and an image photographed by the plurality of photographing means. Further, the present invention proposes that the user can specify the image to be combined in order to solve the above-mentioned problem.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has display means for displaying one or more images photographed by the photographing means, and the plurality of photographing means are simultaneously displayed on the display means. It is proposed to sequentially display the captured images.

Further, the present invention proposes, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, to provide a display means for displaying an image photographed by each photographing means in the vicinity of the plurality of photographing means. Further, the present invention proposes, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, to arrange a mirror near each of the plurality of photographing means so as to project a subject photographed by each photographing means.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a game machine. The video print game apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 is roughly divided into a main body 1 and a camera arrangement section 10. The main body 1 is provided with a monitor / display 2, an operation panel 3, a print outlet 6, and the like. The operation panel 3 is provided with a coin slot 4 and a shooting button 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, five CCD cameras 11 to 15 as photographing means are arranged in the camera disposing unit 10. Under each camera, LCD monitors 21-
25 (monitors 23 to 25 are shown in FIG. 1, but monitors 21 and 22 are not shown). Also, on each camera, flashes 31 to 3 as illumination means are provided.
5 (flashes 33 to 35 are shown in FIG. 1, but flashes 31 and 32 are not shown). As a lighting means, a fluorescent lamp or the like may be used.

The five cameras 11 to 15 are arranged in a substantially semicircular shape. When a person as a subject stands in front of the operation panel 3 to operate the present apparatus, the distance between the subject and each camera is equal. It is arranged to become. Each camera 1
1 to 15 are mounted slightly downward as shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the video print game apparatus 100. As shown in this figure, a control unit 40, a printer 50, and the like are built in the main body 1 in addition to the monitor / display 2. The monitor / display 2 and the printer 50 are connected to the control unit 40, and the five cameras 11 to 15 and the liquid crystal monitors 21 to 25 of the camera arrangement unit 10 are also connected to the control unit 40. Although not shown, a power supply, a coin selector, and the like necessary for the operation of the apparatus are built in the main body 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the five CCD cameras 11 to 15 are connected to the control unit 40 and transmit video signals to the control unit 40. Each camera is also configured to send a video signal also to the liquid crystal monitors 21 to 25 arranged corresponding to each camera. As a result, an image currently captured by each camera can be displayed on a liquid crystal monitor installed below each camera. Further, a control signal is sent from the control unit 40 to each camera and the liquid crystal monitor. Further, the control unit 40 sends a video signal to be displayed to the monitor 2 and print data to the printer 50. The control unit 40 can be configured to correspond to a personal computer, and includes an input / output interface in addition to a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. By arranging the switch 41 between the camera and the liquid crystal monitor, as shown in FIG. It is also possible to switch and display a video (still image). Alternatively, it is also possible to output a display image from the control unit and display the photographed image (still image) on the liquid crystal monitors 21 to 25 without disposing the switch.

Now, the operation of the video print game apparatus 100 configured as described above will be described. First, the user stands in front of the device 100 and inserts a predetermined coin or coin into the coin slot 4. As a result, the apparatus starts operating, an explanation of the operation is displayed on the monitor screen 2, and the illumination units 31 to 35 are turned on, and the five cameras 11 to 15 start shooting. In addition, five cameras 11 to 15 are arranged so that the distance from each camera to the subject (user) is substantially equal when the user stands in front of the apparatus so that the user can operate the operation panel. I have. Further, the control unit 40 controls the focus of each camera so as to match the subject.

When the apparatus starts operation, an explanation of the operation is displayed on the monitor screen 2 and images taken by each camera are displayed on liquid crystal monitors 21 to 25 provided below each camera. At this time, the image displayed on the LCD monitors 21 to 25 is a moving image currently being captured by each camera, and the user views the image displayed on the LCD monitors 21 to 25, and changes the expression, pose, or standing position. adjust. In addition, in order to reduce the device cost, the liquid crystal monitors 21 to 21
Instead of 25, a mirror may be arranged.

Here, on the monitor screen 2, after the operation explanation is displayed, it is also possible to switch to the image taken by any camera and display it. In addition, the user may specify (switch) a camera that displays an image displayed on the monitor screen 2. Alternatively, the images currently being photographed by the five cameras 11 to 15 may be sequentially switched and displayed on the monitor screen 2. Further, the display of the monitor screen 2 may be divided so that the images of the five cameras are simultaneously displayed.

When the user confirms the display on the liquid crystal monitors 21 to 25 and completes the adjustment of the pose and the like, the user presses the photographing button 5 on the operation panel to start the five cameras 1
1 to 15 simultaneously execute photographing. In this embodiment, 5
Simultaneous shooting by two cameras is actually performed by sequentially shooting five cameras at a high speed of about 1/60 second. The images (still images) taken simultaneously by the five cameras 11 to 15 are displayed on liquid crystal monitors 21 to 25 provided below each camera.

On the other hand, the display of the monitor screen 2 is also switched, and images (still images) simultaneously photographed by the five cameras 11 to 15 are sequentially displayed on the monitor screen 2 at predetermined time intervals. The five images sequentially displayed on the monitor screen 2 are images captured simultaneously by five cameras 11 to 15 arranged so as to surround the subject (user), that is, one subject is simultaneously captured by different cameras. This is an image taken at an angle.

When five images of one subject photographed simultaneously with different camera angles are sequentially switched and displayed on the monitor screen 2, different images of the subject are switched and displayed even though each image is a still image. It feels like a pseudo moving image. For example, a subject photographed at a different angle is represented as a pseudo moving image, such that the movement of an image is represented by flipping a series of still images. In addition, since these five images were taken at the same time, the subject did not move, and it seems as if the camera moved (the camera wrapped around the subject) at the moment when the time stopped. It gives those who have a strange sensation that a phenomenon that is impossible in reality has occurred.

When the user looks at the display on the monitor screen 2 and determines that the image is acceptable, the user presses a print button (not shown) on the operation panel to instruct printing of the image. That is, when the press of the print button 5 is input to the control unit 40, the control unit 40 performs a predetermined process required for printing on the images taken simultaneously by the five cameras 11 to 15, and prints the data. To the printer 50. The printer 50 performs printing based on the received print data, and pays out the completed print from the outlet 6.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a print image output by the video print game apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. The print shown in FIG.
Five images taken at the same time from No. 15 to No. 15 are printed in order from left to right in the form of a film and printed, and the feeling that the camera has moved instantaneously when time has stopped is represented. By attaching this continuous image to a drum of a simple projector and viewing it from a viewing window (a window in which an image of the size of one image can be seen) while rotating the drum, it is possible to enjoy an atmosphere like an animation moving image. In the case of printing in the form of a film, the images are arranged horizontally in the example of FIG. 6, but it is also possible to print such that five images are arranged in the vertical direction.

Further, as another example of the print image, a plurality of five images (for example, 15 sheets of 5 × 3 sets) can be printed on one sticker. Alternatively, by printing on a lenticular sheet, it is possible to make a print in which different pictures (pictures of the subject at different angles) can be seen depending on the viewing angle.

By the way, in the present embodiment, five images taken simultaneously by the five cameras 11 to 15 are printed and output. However, a configuration is adopted in which the user can specify a camera to be used for actual photographing. be able to. For example,
By photographing using only the front camera 13, it is possible to obtain a print of the same image as a conventional print club. In addition, if the photographing is performed using only the right oblique camera 12, a print of only the right oblique profile can be obtained. Of course, the same applies to the case of another camera. The camera actually used for printing is 1
Even in the case of a stand alone, other cameras (especially front camera 1)
The image captured in 3) is displayed on the LCD monitor or monitor screen 2
, It is possible to perform an operation while facing the front even when a print of the profile is obtained, and it is possible to photograph the profile without shifting the eyes.

By allowing the user to specify shooting with any number of cameras from one to five, it becomes possible to print only the images preferred by the user. In this case, it is preferable to be able to specify not only the number of cameras but also the camera to be used for shooting (printing). For example, when photographing and printing with two cameras, if the cameras 13 and 15 are designated, pictures on the front and left sides (images of the subject) can be printed. Also, if the cameras 12 and 14 are designated, it is possible to obtain diagonally right and diagonally left pictures. Of course, the same applies when three or four cameras are designated.

In this embodiment, the number of cameras is five, but the number of cameras can be arbitrarily set. In the present embodiment, a CCD camera is used. However, the type of camera is not limited to this, and a camera suitable for printing or image synthesis can be used arbitrarily. further,
As described above, a mirror can be used instead of the liquid crystal monitor provided below each camera.

If a function for supplying an additional image such as a title character and a background image is provided so as to be capable of synthesizing with a photographed image, a pseudo moving picture image or an unreal image according to the present invention can be added to the conventional print club. It is possible to supply a more interesting image by adding the background image.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The video print game apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 7 is an example in which an image is displayed using a half mirror. The same parts as those of the video print game apparatus 100 of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 7, a camera mounting portion is provided on the upper portion of the main body 1. In this embodiment, the camera mounting portion is constituted as a right camera mounting portion 10a and a left camera mounting portion 10b. Two cameras 1 are provided on the right camera mounting section 10a.
1, 12 (not shown) are arranged. Further, two cameras 14, 15 (not shown) are also arranged in the camera arrangement section 10b on the left side. One camera 13 is arranged at the upper back side of the main body 1 (see FIG. 8). The operation panel 3, the coin slot 4, and the print outlet 6 are the same as those in the above embodiment. The upper front surface of the main body 1 is an opening 7. Glass or the like may be inserted into this opening as needed.

As shown in FIG. 8, a control unit 40 and a printer 50 are arranged inside the main body 1, and a monitor and a
The display 2 is arranged upward. A half mirror 8 is provided on the monitor / display 2 in front of the camera 13. The monitor / display 2 and the camera 13 are arranged orthogonally, and the half mirror 8 is attached at 45 degrees between them. In the present embodiment, the image displayed on the monitor display 2 is visually recognized by the user via the half mirror 8. An image of the front of the user (subject) standing in front of the apparatus is a half mirror 8.
Is taken by the camera 13. The images captured by the other cameras are the same as in the above embodiment.

The operation of the present embodiment is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. However, it is possible to provide the same exciting print as the video print game apparatus 100 of the above-described embodiment.

In the present embodiment, an image of a subject and a background image (such as title characters and patterns stored in the apparatus in advance)
Is synthesized by a synthesizer (not shown) that combines a background image supplied from a background image supply device (not shown) with an image captured by each camera, and displays the synthesized image on the monitor display 2. Of course, not all the images captured by the five cameras are combined with the background image together, but the image of each camera and the background image are sequentially combined. The user may be able to specify whether or not to combine. Alternatively, the user may specify a camera to be used for composition. In this case, in this embodiment, a maximum of five synthesized images are obtained.

The user, who is the subject, visually recognizes, via the half mirror 8, the monitor screen on which his own image and the background image are combined. Then, while checking the monitor screen, the user determines his / her pose and composition in the background image, and presses a shooting button (not shown) provided on the operation panel 3. As a result, the five cameras simultaneously execute photographing, and the photographed five images (still images) are sequentially displayed on the monitor display 2 at predetermined time intervals, as in the above-described embodiment. Further, when the user presses a print button (not shown) on the operation panel, an image print command is issued, and the completed print is paid out from the outlet 6 as in the above-described embodiment.

As the printing method, as in the above embodiment, a method in which images are arranged in a line in a film, a method in which images are arranged in a grid on a single sticker, and a method in which images are printed on a lenticular sheet are set. it can.

It goes without saying that the number of cameras and the installation positions are not limited to the present embodiment. Also, instead of photographing with five cameras at the same time, five cameras may perform photographing at appropriate time intervals. Alternatively, shooting may be performed by only one camera, and shooting may be performed at appropriate time intervals. If simultaneous shooting is not performed, a continuous image of frame capture can be obtained, and there is a possibility that a more interesting video effect can be obtained by moving the subject during shooting. Furthermore, it is possible to change the order in which images taken by multiple cameras are printed (arrangement of images), change the order of continuous images in frame capture, and perform various prints by using any combination of images from each camera. It becomes possible to supply.

In the above embodiments, an example having five cameras has been described, but it is needless to say that the number of cameras is not limited to five. In that case, the number of liquid crystal monitors, mirrors, and the like are also set according to the number of cameras.

[0038]

As described above, according to the video print supply apparatus of the present invention, images taken with different camera angles can be printed and supplied, so that the print is more interesting than the conventional one. Can be supplied.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to print an image photographed simultaneously by a plurality of photographing means.
Images taken from various angles can provide more interesting images.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by controlling the photographing timing of a plurality of photographing means, reliable photographing can be performed even when there are a plurality of photographing means. Claim 4
With the configuration described above, images photographed by a plurality of photographing means are printed on the same medium, so that a pseudo moving image or an unrealistic image can be printed and supplied.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, an arbitrary image designated by the user among the images photographed by the plurality of photographing means can be printed, so that only the image desired by the user can be supplied.

According to the configuration of claim 6, since the plurality of photographing means are arranged so as to surround the subject, it is possible to photograph the subject from various angles and to photograph various sides of the subject.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, an image held by a plurality of photographing means is combined with an image held in advance and printed, so that a print having a high taste can be supplied. According to the configuration of the eighth aspect, since the image to be synthesized can be specified by the user, only the image desired by the user can be synthesized.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the images photographed simultaneously by the plurality of photographing means are sequentially switched and displayed on the display means, so that it is possible to enjoy the display of a pseudo animation such as a flip-flop cartoon.

According to the tenth aspect, the display means for displaying the images taken by the respective photographing means is provided near the plurality of photographing means, so that the images photographed by the respective photographing means can be confirmed.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, by arranging a mirror near each of the plurality of photographing means so as to reflect a subject to be photographed by each photographing means, an image photographed by each photographing means can be confirmed at lower cost. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a game machine.

FIG. 2 is a plan cross-sectional view of a camera disposition portion in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal configuration of the apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of switching display of a captured image in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating an example of a print image output according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the appearance of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the apparatus according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Monitor / display 3 Operation panel 4 Coin insertion slot 6 Print exit 8 Half mirror 10 Camera installation part 11-15 CCD camera (photographing means) 21-25 Liquid crystal monitor 31-35 Illumination means 40 Control part 50 Printer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 5/76

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An image print supply apparatus comprising: a plurality of photographing means arranged at different angles with respect to a subject; and a printer means for printing images photographed by the plurality of photographing means. 2. The video print supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of photographing means print images photographed simultaneously. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling a photographing timing of said plurality of photographing means.
2. The image print supply device according to claim 1. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein images photographed by said plurality of photographing means are printed on the same medium.
2. The image print supply device according to claim 1. 5. The video print supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an arbitrary image designated by a user among the images photographed by said plurality of photographing means can be printed. 6. The video print supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of photographing units are arranged so as to surround a subject. 7. The video print supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image held by said plurality of image pickup means is combined with an image held in advance and printed. 8. The video print supply apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image to be combined can be specified by a user. 9. A display device for displaying one or a plurality of images photographed by said photographing means, wherein images photographed simultaneously by said plurality of photographing means are sequentially switched and displayed on said display means. The video print supply device according to claim 1, wherein 10. The video print supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein display means for displaying images photographed by the respective photographing means is provided near the plurality of photographing means. 11. The video print supply device according to claim 1, wherein a mirror is arranged near the plurality of photographing means so as to reflect a subject photographed by each photographing means.