JP2007264630A - Automatic picture vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic picture vending machine capable of printing a colorful image of special colors through two printing processes. <P>SOLUTION: A background image is masked with a photographic image of an object, and further masked with edited images of stamp images 62 and 63 and a scribble image 64. However, masking is prohibited on a metal color area of the stamp image 63. First, the masked background image P41 is printed by a melting type thermal transfer printer head by using a metal color ink ribbon. Next, the masked background image P13, the photographic image P14 of an object, the stamp images 62 and 63 and the scribble image 64 are combined, and the composite image is printed by a sublimatic thermal transfer printer by using an ordinary color ribbon. Since the colored transparent background image is printed on the background image of the metallic color, the colorful metallic color can be expressed. Since the photographic image P14 and the edited images are directly printed on a printing medium, they are expressed in a distinct ordinary color. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photo vending apparatus, and more particularly to a photo vending apparatus that prints a photo image obtained by photographing a user on a sticker sheet to produce a photo sticker.

  Amusement facilities such as game centers are equipped with a photo vending apparatus that takes a user as a subject and photographs it with a camera, prints the photograph image on a sticker sheet, and sells it. These photo vending machines capture a photograph of a user and obtain a photographic image, display the photographic image on a tablet display, etc. An apparatus equipped with an image editing apparatus for inputting an image has become common. The edited image input by the image editing apparatus is combined with the photographic image, and the combined image is printed on a sticker sheet by a printer and provided to the user.

  In addition, the popularity of photo vending machines affects not only the user's image quality but also the richness of image editing functions. This is because the user wants to create a more original image by graffiti.

  In response to such requests from users, photo auto can create glossy and highly decorative photo stickers by making some or all of the edited images such as stamps, frames, pen-written characters and figures metallic color Sales equipment has appeared.

  A photo vending apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-63049 (Patent Document 1) includes a printer having two printer heads built therein. In this printer, a normal color image is printed by a first printer head, and a metal color image is printed thereon by a second printer head. According to this printing method, a metal color image is printed on the uppermost layer and shines brilliantly, but a silver image has a problem that only a single metal color can be expressed, such as a single silver color.

  The photo vending apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-153379 (Patent Document 2) also includes a printer with two built-in printer heads. In this printer, a normal color image is printed by a first printer head, and a colored transparent image is printed thereon by a second printer head. According to this printing method, the normal color can be expressed in more various ways, but there is a problem that the metal color cannot be expressed at all. If a metal color is further printed on a colored transparent image, the metal color can be expressed. However, there is a problem that the number of printing steps is increased and a third printer head is required.

A photo vending apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-111927 (Patent Document 3) includes two printers. The first printer prints a metal color image of the pen input image, and the second printer prints a normal color photographic image, a normal color frame image, and a normal color image of the pen input image thereon. Printing. According to this printing method, since the normal color ink has no affinity with the metal color ink, the normal color image is not printed on the metal color image. As a result, a metal color image is exposed on the surface, and the metal color can be expressed. However, there is a problem that the boundary between the normal color image and the metal color image cannot be expressed faithfully.
JP 2003-63049 A JP 2004-153379 A JP 2001-111927 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a photo vending apparatus capable of printing a colorful special color image in two printing steps.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  The photo vending apparatus according to the present invention includes a photographing unit, an edit receiving unit, a generating unit, a first printing unit, and a second printing unit. The photographing means generates a photographic image. The edit accepting unit accepts a first edited image composed of an overlap of a special color portion and a normal color portion and a second edited image composed of a normal color portion. The generating unit generates a first image by sequentially superposing a photographic image, a normal color portion of the first edited image received by the edit receiving unit, and a normal color portion of the second edited image received by the edit receiving unit. Then, the second image is generated by excluding a portion overlapping the normal color portion of the second edited image from the special color portion of the first edited image received by the edit receiving means. The first printing means prints the first image on the print medium with special color ink. The second printing unit prints the second image on the first image printed by the first printing unit with the normal color ink having transparency. The special colors mentioned here include silver, gold, and other metal colors, as well as colors that cannot be expressed by ordinary colors alone, such as fluorescent colors and marble colors. The same applies to the following.

  According to this photo vending apparatus, since the second image is printed on the first image of the special color printed by the first printing means, the second image is printed. A colorful special color image is printed in the process. Moreover, since the second edited image is printed directly on the print medium with the normal color ink, the first image of the special color is not seen through the edited image. It is expressed in clear normal colors.

  The photo vending apparatus according to the present invention includes a photographing unit, a region setting unit, a first printing unit, and a second printing unit. The photographing means photographs a subject to obtain a photographic image. The area setting means sets an area including at least a part of the photographic image obtained by the photographing means. The first printing means prints the first image in a predetermined area other than the area set by the area setting means on the print medium with the special color ink different from the normal color ink. The second printing means prints the second image on the first image printed by the first printing means with the transparent normal color ink, and also sets the area setting means on the print medium with the normal color ink. The photographic image of the area set by is printed.

  Here, the region set by the region setting means is a region where printing with special color ink is not performed in principle. Examples of such a region include a desired region including the entire subject, the subject's face and hands, and the like. There are various methods for setting such areas. For example, the chroma key technology removes the background and cuts out only the subject, or circles the subject's face or hand, etc. You may make it set as an area | region which does not perform printing by an ink. In this way, printing with special color ink is performed in a predetermined area other than the set area. The predetermined area may be the entire area other than the set area, but may be a desired area excluding the set area. It may be a region. The same applies to the following.

  According to this photo vending apparatus, since the second image is printed on the first image of the special color printed by the first printing means, the second image is printed. A colorful special color image is printed in the process. Moreover, since all or part of the photographic image is printed directly on the print medium with normal color ink, the special color image does not show through under the photographic image, and the photographic image has a clear normal color. It is expressed by

  Preferably, the photo vending apparatus further includes an edit accepting unit and an image composition unit. The edit accepting means accepts an edited image in response to an input operation. The image synthesizing unit synthesizes the edited image received by the editing receiving unit on the photographic image obtained by the photographing unit to obtain a synthesized image. The second printing unit prints the synthesized image obtained by the image synthesizing unit.

  In this case, the user can input a desired edited image on the background image or the photographic image of the subject.

  Preferably, the photo vending apparatus further includes editing mask means. The edit mask means masks the first image with the edit image received by the edit accepting means.

  In this case, the first image of the special color is masked with the edited image, and the edited image is printed directly on the print medium with the normal color ink. Therefore, the first image of the special color can be seen through the edited image. The edited image is expressed in a clear normal color.

  Preferably, the photo vending apparatus further includes a mask prohibiting unit. When the edited image received by the edit receiving unit includes a special color area, the mask prohibiting unit prohibits the special color area from being masked by the editing mask unit.

  In this case, for the special color area in the edited image, the first image is not masked by the edited image, so that the special color area does not disappear and appears on the surface.

  The photographic sticker manufacturing method according to the present invention includes a photographing step, a region setting step, a first printing step, and a second printing step. In the photographing step, a subject is photographed to obtain a photographic image. In the region setting step, a region including at least a part of the photographic image obtained in the photographing step is set. In the first printing step, the first image is printed in a predetermined area other than the area set by the area setting unit on the print medium with the special color ink different from the normal color ink. In the second printing step, the second image is printed on the first image printed by the first printing step with the transparent normal color ink, and the region setting means is set on the print medium with the normal color ink. The photographic image of the area set by is printed.

  According to this method of manufacturing a photographic sticker, a colored and transparent second image is printed in the second printing step on the first image of the special color printed in the first printing step. A colorful special color image is printed in the printing process. Moreover, since all or part of the photographic image is printed directly on the print medium with normal color ink, the special color image does not show through under the photographic image, and the photographic image has a clear normal color. It is expressed by

  The photographic sticker according to the present invention is manufactured by a manufacturing method including a photographing step, an area setting step, a first printing step, and a second printing step. In the photographing step, a subject is photographed to obtain a photographic image. In the region setting step, a region including at least a part of the photographic image obtained in the photographing step is set. In the first printing step, the first image is printed in a predetermined area other than the area set by the area setting unit on the print medium with the special color ink different from the normal color ink. In the second printing step, the second image is printed on the first image printed by the first printing step with the transparent normal color ink, and the region setting means is set on the print medium with the normal color ink. The photographic image of the area set by is printed.

  The photographic sticker according to the present invention also includes a printing medium, a special color ink layer, a receiving layer for normal color ink, a first normal color ink layer having transparency, and a second photographic image. A normal color ink layer. The special color ink layer is formed on the print medium. The receiving layer is formed on the special color ink layer. The first normal color ink layer is formed on the receiving layer. The second normal color ink layer is formed on the print medium.

  According to this photographic sticker, since the receiving layer is formed on the special color ink layer, the first normal color ink layer is fixed on it with affinity. In addition, since the first normal color ink layer has transparency, a colorful special color is expressed. In addition, since the second normal color ink layer for forming the photographic image is directly formed on the print medium, the special color image does not show through the photographic image, and the photographic image is a clear normal image. Expressed in color.

  Preferably, the photographic seal further comprises a protective layer. The protective layer is formed on the special color ink layer and the first and second normal color ink layers.

  In this case, since the protective layer covers not only the normal color ink layer but also the special color ink layer, the surface of the photographic sticker becomes smooth and a more excellent decorative effect can be obtained.

  Also, the control program for a vending machine according to the present invention sets a region including at least a part of a photographic image obtained by the camera, and a step of controlling the camera so as to obtain a photographic image by photographing a subject. A step of controlling the first printer head to print the first image in a predetermined area other than the area set on the print medium with a special color ink different from the normal color ink; The second image is printed on the first image printed by the first printing step with the color ink, and the photographic image of the set area on the print medium is printed with the normal color ink. Causing the computer to execute a step of controlling the printer head.

  According to this control program, the colored and transparent second image is printed by the second printer head on the background image of the special color printed by the first printer head. A special color image is printed. In addition, since the photographic image is printed directly on the print medium with the normal color ink, the special color image does not show through the photographic image, and the photographic image is expressed in a clear normal color.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a first printing unit and a second printing unit. The first printing unit prints the first image on the print medium with the special color ink different from the normal color ink. The second printing unit prints the second image on the first image printed by the first printing unit with the normal color ink having transparency.

  According to this printing apparatus, the colored and transparent second image is printed by the second printing unit on the first image of the special color printed by the first printing unit. A colorful special color image is printed.

  The ink ribbon for a thermal transfer printer according to the present invention includes a substrate, a release layer, a receiving layer for normal color ink, a special color ink layer different from the normal color ink, and an adhesive layer. The release layer is formed on the substrate. The receiving layer is formed on the release layer. The special color ink layer is formed on the receiving layer. The adhesive layer is formed on the special color ink layer.

  According to this ink ribbon, the thermal transfer printer can print a special color image on a print medium, but since a receiving layer is formed on the special color ink layer, a normal color image is further formed on the special color image. Can be printed reliably.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a photo vending apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a photographing space 2 for photographing and an editing space 3 for editing a photograph image obtained by photographing. Divided. In the imaging space 2, the imaging device 4 and the back panel 5 are installed facing each other, and in the editing space 3, an image editing device 8 is installed adjacent to the imaging device 4. The shooting space 2 and the editing space 3 are separated from the outside by a side curtain 9 or the like.

  A background curtain unit 6 is provided slightly ahead of the rear panel 5. A plurality of background curtains 7 are wound and stored in the background curtain unit 6. The background curtain 7 has various colors and patterns, and at the time of photographing, one desired sheet is lowered to form the background of the subject. The background curtain 7 may be automatically lowered by being rotated by a motor or the like, but may be drawn by a user's manual operation and lowered.

  On the side of the photo vending machine 1, there are a coin insertion slot 31 for inserting coins, and a print discharge opening 51 for printing an image shot in the shooting space 2 and edited in the editing space 3 on a sticker sheet and discharging it. Is provided.

  When using this photo vending apparatus 1, the user first inserts a coin into the coin insertion slot 31. When a coin is accepted, the photo vending apparatus 1 will inform the user if it is available. In accordance with the guidance, the user enters the imaging space 2 from the open rear side and performs an imaging operation toward the imaging device 4. After the photographing is completed, the user moves to the editing space 3, and this time inputs an image editing operation toward the image editing device 8, specifically, an editing image such as a frame, stamp, pen-written character or figure.

  Referring to FIG. 3, a camera 10 is provided at the front center of the photographing apparatus 4, a photographing operation monitor 11 is provided below the camera 10, and an illumination device 13 is provided around them.

  The camera 10 photographs a user as a subject, and a digital camera is generally used. A plurality of cameras 10 may be provided, or the camera 10 may be moved or adjusted in angle.

  The shooting operation monitor 11 displays the video shot by the camera 10 in real time. Further, a transparent touch panel 12 (see FIG. 5) is pasted on the screen, and the photographing operation monitor 11 accepts a user input operation on the touch panel 12.

  The illumination device 13 is provided on the top, bottom, left, and right of the camera 10 and the ceiling, and illuminates the subject from the front. The illuminating device 13 includes an ordinary lamp illumination such as a fluorescent lamp and a flash illumination (flash) such as a strobe. The strobe emits light at the moment when the start of shooting is instructed by the user and the image captured by the camera 10 is captured as a still image, and strongly illuminates the subject.

  In addition to the above, the illumination device is also provided on the side and rear of the subject to illuminate the subject from all directions.

  Referring to FIG. 4, image editing device 8 is installed back-to-back with imaging device 4. The image editing device 8 is a device for editing a photographic image obtained by the photographing device 4. An editing operation monitor 40 is provided at the front center of the image editing apparatus 8.

  The editing operation monitor 40 displays one or more photographic images selected from photographic images taken by the camera 10. Further, a transparent touch panel 41 (see FIG. 5) is pasted on the screen, and the editing operation monitor 40 accepts a user's editing operation on the touch panel 41. On both sides of the editing operation monitor 40, a touch pen 42 for inputting an edited image on the touch panel 41 is provided. The image editing device 8 executes an image editing process on the photographic image according to the editing operation of the user.

  After the editing is completed, the photo vending apparatus 1 prints a composite image of the edited image and the photo image on a sticker sheet, discharges it from the print outlet 51, and provides it to the user.

2. Functional Configuration Referring to FIG. 5, a photo vending apparatus 1 includes a photographing computer device 101a that performs photographing processing, an image editing computer device 101b that performs image editing processing, and operating computer devices 101a and 101b. And a control board 102 that receives various instructions and controls various devices connected thereto. The photographing computer device 101a and the image editing computer device 101b are connected to each other and exchange image data and the like on a peer-to-peer basis. These function as control means of the photo vending apparatus 1.

  The computer apparatuses 101a and 101b are input with CPU (Central Processing Unit) 103a and 103b, a control program for causing the apparatus to execute a predetermined process, graphic data necessary for the process, audio data, photographed photographic image, and the like. Hard disk drives (HDD) 104a and 104b for storing edited images and memories 105a and 105b serving as temporary work areas for control programs.

  The photographing computer device 101 a executes photographing processing in the photographing space 2. Specifically, a control signal is transmitted to the control board 102 based on an instruction signal in accordance with an input operation received on the touch panel 12 by executing a shooting process program or touching a user's finger or the like. The photographing computer device 101a is connected to the camera 10, the photographing operation monitor 11, and the control board 102 and controls them.

  The image editing computer apparatus 101 b executes image editing processing and printing processing in the editing space 3. Specifically, the image editing computer apparatus 101 b executes a control program and transmits a control signal to the control board 102 in accordance with an input operation with the touch pen 42 on the touch panel 41. The image editing computer device 101b is connected to the printer 55, the editing operation monitor 40, and the control board 102 and controls them.

  The HDD 104b in the image editing computer device 101b stores a control program. The HDD 104b also stores a background image, a stamp image, and the like used for an image editing process described later.

  The printer 55 prints a combined image obtained by combining the edited image with the photographic image on a print medium such as sticker paper. The printer 55 of this embodiment prints an image on sticker paper, but the print medium is not limited to sticker paper and may be another print medium.

  The touch panel 12 is stacked on the photographing operation monitor 11. The touch panel 12 detects contact of a user's finger or the like, and transmits an instruction signal corresponding to the contact to the photographing computer device 101a. The imaging operation monitor 11 displays an image transmitted from the imaging computer device 101a, specifically, a photographic image captured by the camera 10, guidance for shooting, options, and the like.

  The touch panel 41 is stacked on the editing operation monitor 40. The touch panel 41 detects the contact of the left and right touch pens 42 and transmits an instruction signal corresponding thereto to the image editing computer device 101b. The editing operation monitor 40 displays the edited image transmitted from the image editing computer apparatus 101b on the photographic image.

  In addition to the computer devices 101a and 101b, the control board 102 is connected to the strobe control unit 110, strobe 15, fluorescent lamp 14, service panel 113, printing LED 52, printing error LED 53, coin control unit 112, and voice control unit 111. Is done.

  A strobe control unit 110 is connected to the camera 10 and controls the strobe 15 to emit light according to the shutter timing of the camera 10. The audio control unit 111 is connected to the photographing computer device 101a and the image editing computer device 101b via the control board 102. The photographing speaker 16 is provided in the photographing space 2 and outputs guidance such as an operation method for photographing play, BGM, and the like based on an instruction signal provided from the photographing computer device 101a via the control board 102. The editing speaker 46 is provided in the editing space 3 and outputs guidance such as an operation method for editing play, BGM, and the like based on an instruction signal provided from the image editing computer apparatus 101b via the control board 102. .

  The image editing apparatus 8 includes at least the image editing computer apparatus 101b, the editing operation monitor 40, the touch panel 41, and the touch pen 42 in the above configuration.

3. Operation The operation of the above-described photo vending apparatus 1 is as follows.

3-1. Operation in shooting space (shooting process)
First, the operation of the photo vending apparatus 1 in the shooting space 2 will be described. The CPU 103a of the imaging computer device 101a implements this imaging process by reading the control program stored in the HDD 104a into the memory 105a and executing it.

  Referring to FIG. 6, the CPU 103a displays a title demonstration screen for prompting the use of the photo vending apparatus 1 on the photographing operation monitor 11 (S11), and monitors coin insertion in the coin control unit 112 during that time (S12). . When a predetermined number of coins are inserted during the display of the title demonstration screen (YES in S12), the CPU 103a executes predetermined shooting (S13). Specifically, the camera 10 takes a user as a subject and shoots with the background curtain 7 to obtain a photographic image.

  The user performs photographing a plurality of times according to the guidance displayed on the photographing operation monitor 11. The CPU 103a determines whether or not the number of photographing has reached a predetermined number (S14). If the predetermined number of times has not been shot (NO in S14), the CPU 103a returns to step S13 and repeats the shooting. On the other hand, if a predetermined number of times of shooting has been taken (YES in S14), the CPU 103a transfers data of a plurality of photographic images obtained by shooting to the image editing computer device 101b (S15). The CPU 103a displays on the photographing operation monitor 11 guidance for editing the image in the editing space 3, and then returns to step S11 to display the title demo screen again.

  Although the number of times of shooting is limited here, the shooting time may be limited. Also, if there is still a predetermined shooting time limit after shooting a predetermined number of times, or if the previous user is still graffitiing in the editing space 3, the shooting play can be performed until they are finished. Also good.

3-2. Operation in editing space (image editing processing and printing processing)
Next, the operation of the photo vending apparatus 1 in the editing space 3 will be described. The CPU 103b of the image editing computer device 101b reads out and executes the control program stored in the HDD 104b into the memory 105b, thereby realizing image editing processing and printing processing.

  Referring to FIG. 7, CPU 103b displays a standby screen for prompting to start from shooting play on editing operation monitor 40 (S21). When the photographing process shown in FIG. 6 is completed, the photographic image data is transferred from the photographing computer device 101a to the image editing computer device 101b, and the image editing computer device 101b receives this (S22). Subsequently, the CPU 103b executes an image editing process (S23). In the image editing process, the photographed photographic image is displayed on the editing operation monitor 40, and the user uses the touch pen 42 to make a favorite graffiti on the photographic image. Details of the image editing process will be described later.

  When the image editing process ends, a plurality of composite images obtained by superimposing the photographic image and the edited image created by the image editing process are displayed side by side on the editing operation monitor 40 (S24). The user selects an image to be printed from the displayed composite images. The CPU 103b determines an image to be printed according to the user's selection (S25).

  After determining the image to be printed, the CPU 103b selects a print layout according to the user's operation (S26), applies the selected print layout, and prints the image with the printer 55 (S27). Details of the printing process will be described later. As a result, the manufactured photo sticker is provided to the user from the print discharge port 51.

4). Details of Image Editing Process First, details of the memory 105b and the editing operation monitor 40 of the image editing computer apparatus 101b in relation to the image editing process will be described. Referring to FIG. 8, memory 105b includes first to fourth layer memories 21-24. The first to fourth layer memories 21 to 24 store image data for the first to fourth layer L1 to L4 displayed on the editing operation monitor 40, respectively.

  In the present embodiment, the first layer memory 21 of the first layer L1 stores the data of the metal color area portion of the edited image, and the second layer memory 22 of the second layer L2 has the normal color. The image data having the front attribute is stored among the edited images, and the image data having the rear attribute among the normal color edited images is stored in the third layer memory 23 of the third layer L3. Photo image data is stored in the fourth layer memory 24 of L4. The edited image having the front attribute is, for example, a stamp, a character, a pen for writing a character, or the like, and is an edited image that is preferably displayed and input on the front. The edited image having the rear attribute is, for example, a background pen image for a background image, a background image, or the like, and is preferably an edited image displayed and input on the rear surface.

  The first layer L1 is in the foreground, and the image of the first layer L1 is displayed with priority over the images of the second to fourth layers L2 to L4, that is, with the highest priority. The second layer L2 is immediately below the first layer L1, and the image of the second layer L2 is displayed with priority over the images of the third and fourth layers L3 and L4. The third layer L3 is immediately below the second layer L2, and the image of the third layer L3 is displayed with priority over the image of the fourth layer L4. The fourth layer L4 is at the rearmost, and the image of the fourth layer L4 is displayed at the back.

  Next, details of the image editing process will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. As shown in FIG. 10A, the CPU 103b removes the background photographic image 60 from the photographic image P0 transferred from the photographing computer apparatus 101a and extracts the photographic image 61 of the subject (S31). For example, when a blue background curtain 7 is used, a blue image is removed by a chroma key technique or the like, and only an image of a color other than blue is extracted. As shown in FIG. 10B, the CPU 103b stores the extracted photographic image P14 of the subject in the fourth layer memory 24 (S32).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10B, the CPU 103b accepts a desired background image in accordance with the user's selection operation (S33). Specifically, the user touches the touch panel 41 with the touch pen 42 to select a desired background image from a plurality of types of background images prepared in advance. The background image is inserted instead of the actually photographed background photographic image, and becomes a frame surrounding the subject. Here, not only a normal color background image but also a metal color background image is prepared. The metal colors include not only a single metal color such as a single silver color, but also a colorful metal color such as a red silver color, a yellow silver color, a green silver color, or a mixed silver color. Here, a description will be given below assuming that a colorful metal background image is selected.

  The CPU 103b sets the photographic image 61 of the subject as a mask image (hereinafter referred to as “subject mask image”) (S34), and masks the background image with this subject mask image (S35). The CPU 103b stores the masked background images P11 and P13 in the first layer memory 21 and the third layer memory 23, respectively (S36, S37). The background image P11 stored in the first layer memory 21 is a metallic background image. The background image P13 stored in the third layer memory 23 is a normal color background image. The normal color of the background image P13 has transparency. Accordingly, on the editing operation monitor 40, a photographic image P14 of the subject and a composite image P10 in which a colored transparent background image P13 and a metal color background image P11 are superimposed are displayed.

  As described above, the background image is input by extracting the subject area using the chroma key technique. However, the background image may not be input using the chroma key technique. For example, the user's pen operation surrounds the subject's face or hand with a circle, and an area other than the enclosed area is input as a background image (frame image), or a background image is input at an arbitrary position. May be.

  Next, as illustrated in FIGS. 10C, 10 </ b> D, and 10 </ b> E, the CPU 103 b accepts an edited image in accordance with a user input operation (S <b> 38). Specifically, the user selects a desired stamp image from a plurality of types of stamp images prepared in advance and pastes it at a desired position, or doodles arbitrary characters, symbols, figures, etc. . Among the stamp images, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 11, there are a stamp image 62 having a normal color, a stamp image 63 having both a normal color region 63a and a metal color region 63b. In this example, the stamp images 62 and 63 are drawn on the front side of the background pen image 64, and the background pen image 64 is drawn on the back side of the stamp images 62 and 63.

  As shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D, when the input edited image (in this example, the stamp images 62 and 63) has an attribute to be placed on the front side (front side in S39), the CPU 103b is input. The edited images P22 and P32 are stored in the second layer memory 22 (S40).

  As shown in FIG. 10C, when the input edit image (stamp image 62 in this example) does not have a metal color (NO in S41), the CPU 103b converts the stamp image 62 into a mask image (hereinafter referred to as “edit mask image”). The background image P11 is further masked by this editing mask image M22 (S46). The masked background image P21 is stored in the first layer memory 21. Therefore, on the editing operation monitor 40, a composite image P20 in which the photographic image P14 of the subject, the background images P11 and P13, and the edited image P22 are superimposed is displayed. In this composite image P20, a normal color stamp image 62 is displayed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 10D and 11, when the input edited image (in this example, the stamp image 63) has a metal color (YES in S 41), the CPU 103 b determines from the stamp image 63 the metal color region. Except for 63b, the normal color area 63a of the stamp image 63 is set as an edit mask image M32 (S45), and the background image P21 is further masked by this edit mask image M32 (S46). The masked background image P31 is stored in the first layer memory 21. In the background image P31, the metal color region 63b of the stamp image 63 remains without being masked. Therefore, on the editing operation monitor 40, a composite image P30 in which the photographic image P14 of the subject, the background images P31 and P13, and the edited image P32 are superimposed is displayed. In the composite image P30, a stamp image 63 having both the normal color area 63a and the metal color area 63b is displayed.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 10E and 12, when the input edited image (in this example, the background pen image 64) has an attribute to be arranged on the rear surface (the rear surface in S39), the CPU 103b is input. The edited image P43 is stored in the third layer memory 23 (S43).

  Here, in this case as well, as in the case of the stamp image 62, assuming that the background pen image 64 is an edit mask image M43 ′ and the background image P31 is further masked by the edit mask image M43 ′, it is shown in FIG. Thus, in the background image P41 ′, the metal color region 63b of the stamp image 63 is also masked and removed. Therefore, in the composite image P40 ′, the entire area of the stamp image 63 becomes a normal color. Therefore, it is necessary to prohibit masking for the metal color region 63b. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10E and FIG. 12, the CPU 103b determines whether or not a metal color region exists at the same coordinates as the background pen image 64 in the second layer L2 (S44). ).

  If a metal color area (in this example, the metal color area 63b of the stamp image 63) exists (YES in S44), the CPU 103b removes the metal color area 63b from the edit image P43 to obtain an edit mask image M43 (S45). The background image P31 is further masked by the editing mask image M43 (S46). The masked background image P41 is stored in the first layer memory 21.

  In this example, the normal color area 63a of the stamp image 63 is already masked by the edit mask image M32. Therefore, in order to avoid the overlapping mask of the normal color area 63a, not only the metal color area 63b but also the normal color area 63a is excluded. Although the edit mask image M43 is created, the normal color region 63a may be masked in an overlapping manner, and therefore the edit mask image may be created except for the metal color region 63b.

  In the background image P41, the metal color region 63b of the stamp image 63 remains without being masked. Therefore, on the editing operation monitor 40, a composite image P40 in which the photographic image P14 of the subject, the background image P41, the edited image (including the colored transparent image of the background image) P43, and the edited image P32 are displayed is displayed. Is done. In the composite image P40, a stamp image 63 having both the normal color region 63a and the metal color region 63b is displayed, and a background pen image 64 is displayed below the stamp image 63.

  On the other hand, if there is no metallic color area (NO in S44), the CPU 103b sets the edited image as an edit mask image (S42), and further masks the background image P31 with this edit mask image (S46). A masked background image (not shown) is stored in the first layer memory 21.

  In the above description, the stamp images 62 and 63 and the background pen image 64 are input on the background image. However, it is also possible to input these edited images on the photographic image of the subject.

5). Details of the Printing Process Next, details of the printer 55 will be described in relation to the printing process. Referring to FIG. 14, the printer 55 performs printing using a melt-type thermal transfer printer head 65, a sublimation-type thermal transfer printer head 66, controllers 67 and 68 that control the printer heads 65 and 66, and the printer heads 65 and 66. Buffer memories 69 and 70 for storing images are provided.

  Referring to FIG. 15, print medium 71 is first transported under melting type thermal transfer printer head 65 and then transported under sublimation type thermal transfer printer head 66. The melt-type thermal transfer printer head 65 thermally melts the pigment ink and transfers the image from the metal color ink ribbon 72 to the print medium 71. As the pigment ink, a silver or golden metallic (metallic) ink mixed with aluminum powder or bronze powder is used. The sublimation type thermal transfer printer head 66 sublimates the dye ink to transfer the image from the normal color ink ribbon 73 to the print medium 71. As the dye ink, normal color inks of cyan, magenta and yellow are used.

  Referring to FIG. 16B, an ink ribbon 72 is provided for a tape-shaped substrate 74, a release layer 75 formed on the substrate 74, and a normal color ink formed on the release layer 75. A receiving layer 76, a metallic color ink layer 77 formed on the receiving layer 76, and an adhesive layer 78 formed on the metallic color ink layer 77 are provided. Referring to FIG. 16A, the metal color ink layer 77 is formed on the entire surface of the ink ribbon 72. When the melt-type thermal transfer printer head 65 prints an image once on a single print medium 71, metal ink for one section is used.

  Referring to FIG. 17B, the normal color ink ribbon 73 includes a tape-shaped base material 79, a release layer 80 formed on the base material 79, and a normal color ink layer formed on the release layer 80. 81-84. Referring to FIG. 17A, the normal color ink layer includes a cyan ink layer 81, a magenta ink layer 82, a yellow ink layer 83, and a protective layer (OP) 84. When the sublimation thermal transfer printer head 66 prints an image once on a single print medium 71, cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink or OP for one section is used.

  Next, details of the printing process will be described with reference to FIG.

  The CPU 103b reads the metal color background image P41 from the first layer memory 21, writes it in the buffer memory 69, and instructs the controller 67 to print the metal color background image P41 (S51). In response to this command, the controller 67 controls the melt-type thermal transfer printer head 65 so as to print the metal color background image P41, whereby the melt-type thermal transfer printer head 65 prints the metal color background image P41 on the print medium 71. (S52).

  Next, the CPU 103b reads the normal color edited image P32 from the second layer memory 22, reads the normal color edited image (including the colored transparent image of the background image) P43 from the third layer memory 23, and the fourth layer. The normal color photographic image P14 is read from the memory 24, and these are combined in order to create a normal color composite image (S53).

  Next, the CPU 103b writes the created normal color composite image into the buffer memory 70, and instructs the controller 68 to print the normal color composite image (S54). In response to this command, the controller 68 controls the sublimation type thermal transfer printer head 66 so as to print the normal color composite image, whereby the sublimation type thermal transfer printer head 66 prints the normal color composite image on the print medium 71 (S55). ).

  As a result, the same image as the composite image P40 (see FIG. 12) displayed on the editing operation monitor 40 is printed on the print medium 71, and the photographic sticker 85 shown in FIG. 19 is manufactured. FIG. 19 shows a cross-sectional view of the photographic sticker along the line III-III in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 19, a print medium 71 includes a PET sheet 86, a silicon layer 87 formed thereon, an adhesive layer 88 formed thereon, and a PET sheet 89 attached thereon. A fluorescent bleaching layer 90 formed thereon and a receiving layer 91 formed thereon are provided.

  An adhesive layer 78 is formed on the print medium 71, a metal color ink layer 77 is further formed thereon, and a receiving layer 76 is further formed thereon. These are all transferred from the metal color ink ribbon 72 by the melt type thermal transfer printer head 65, and form a metal background image and a stamp image.

  Normal color ink layers 81 to 83 are further formed on the print medium 71 on which the metallic background image and the stamp image are printed, and a protective layer 84 is further formed thereon. These are all transferred from the normal color ink ribbon 73 by the sublimation type thermal transfer printer head 66, and form normal color photographic images and edit images.

  Since the metallic background image P41 is masked by the subject photographic image P14, the stamp images 62 and 63a, and the background pen image 64, the normal color photographic image P14, the stamp images 62 and 63a, and the background pen image 64 are formed. The normal color ink layers 81 to 83 are formed directly on the print medium 71.

  The normal color ink layers 81 to 83 forming the colored transparent background image P43 are formed on the metal color ink layer 77 forming the metal color background image P41. Since the receiving layer 76 is formed on the metal color ink layer 77, the normal color ink layers 81 to 83 are reliably fixed on the metal color ink layer 77. Since the normal color background image P43 formed on the metal color background image P41 has transparency, it can express a colorful metal color instead of a single metal color.

  Further, since the metallic background image P41 is not masked in the metallic color region 63b of the stamp image 63, the colorless and transparent or colored transparent normal color ink layers 81 to 83 forming the metallic color region 63b are in the metallic color region. It is formed on the metal color ink layer 77 forming 63b.

  Then, the protective layer 84 is formed so as to cover the whole of the normal color ink layers 81 to 83. Thus, since not only the normal color image but also the metal color image is covered with the protective layer 84, the surface of the photographic sticker 85 becomes smooth, and more excellent decorative effects can be exhibited.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the colored and transparent background image is printed by the sublimation type thermal transfer printer head 66 on the metallic background image printed by the melting type thermal transfer printer head 65. Prints a colorful metal background image. In addition, since the metallic background image is masked with the subject photographic image and the subject photographic image is printed directly on the print medium 71 with the normal color ink, the metallic background image is seen under the photographic image of the subject. The photographic image is expressed in a clear normal color, and the boundary between the normal color image and the metal color image is clearly expressed. Also, the metallic background image is masked with an edited image (stamp image 62, normal color area 63a of stamp image 63, background pen image 64, etc.), and the edited image is printed directly on the print medium with normal color ink. The metallic background image does not show through the edited image, and the edited image is expressed in a clear normal color. Further, since the background image is not masked for the metal color region 63b of the stamp image 63, the metal color region 63b appears on the surface without disappearing.

  In addition, the edited image or the photographic image may not be used as a mask image as it is, but may be a mask image that is slightly smaller than the edited image. In this case, even if the position of the printing medium 71 is slightly shifted between the first printing and the second printing, the printing medium 71 is between the background image printed first and the edited image or photo image printed second. It is possible to prevent the surface from being exposed and forming a gap. In addition, when the peripheral edge of the background image or the like and the peripheral edge of the edited image or the photographic image are printed a little, the boundary between the two becomes a natural finish.

  Although the thermal transfer printer is used in the above embodiment, an ink jet printer, a laser printer, or the like may be used instead.

  While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples for carrying out the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented by appropriately modifying the above-described embodiment without departing from the spirit thereof.

1 is a cross-sectional side view showing an internal configuration of a photo vending apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view which shows the external appearance structure of the photograph automatic vending apparatus shown in FIG. It is a front view of the imaging device in the photograph vending apparatus shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2. It is a perspective view of the image editing apparatus in the photograph automatic vending apparatus shown in FIGS. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the photograph automatic vending apparatus shown in FIGS. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the imaging | photography process of the photograph vending apparatus shown in FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing operations of image editing processing and printing processing of the photo vending apparatus shown in FIGS. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing details of a memory and an editing operation monitor of the image editing computer device in FIG. 5. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the image edit process in FIG. FIG. 10 is a transition diagram illustrating a composite image and an image of each layer displayed on the editing operation monitor in the image editing process illustrated in FIG. 9. It is an enlarged view of FIG.10 (d). It is an enlarged view of FIG.10 (e). FIG. 11B is a diagram showing a composite image and a background image of the first layer when mask prohibition processing is not performed even when the second layer has a metal color region when inputting the background pen image of FIG. . FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing details of the printer in FIG. 5. It is a side view which shows the printing process of the printer shown in FIG. (A) is a top view of the metal color ink ribbon in FIG. 15, (b) is sectional drawing along the II line in (a). (A) is a top view of the normal color ink ribbon in FIG. 15, (b) is sectional drawing along the II-II line in (a). FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the printing process in FIG. 7. It is sectional drawing of the photographic sticker manufactured by the photographic vending apparatus shown in FIGS.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photo vending apparatus 4 Image taking apparatus 7 Background curtain 8 Image editing apparatus 10 Cameras 21 to 24 Layer memory 40 Editing operation monitor 41 Touch panel 42 Touch pen 55 Printer 60, 61 Photo image 62, 63 Stamp image 63a Normal color region 63b Metal color Area 64 Background pen image 65 Melting type thermal transfer printer head 66 Sublimation type thermal transfer printer head 67, 68 Controller 69, 70 Buffer memory 71 Print medium 72 Metal color ink ribbon 73 Normal color ink ribbon 74 Base material 75 Release layer 76 Receptive layer 77 Metal Color ink layer 78 Adhesive layer 79 Base material 80 Release layer 81-83 Normal color ink layer 84 Protective layer 85 Photo sticker 101a Computer device 101b for image editing Computer device L1-L4 for image editing Image layer P0 Photo image P10, P20, P30, P40 synthesis Image P11, P13, P21, P31, P41, P43 Background image P14 Photo image P22, P32, P43 Edit image M22, M32, M43 Edit mask image

Claims (13)

Photographing means for generating a photographic image;
Edit accepting means for accepting a first edit image composed of an overlap of a special color portion and a normal color portion and a second edit image composed of an ordinary color portion;
The first image is generated by sequentially superposing the photographic image, the normal color portion of the first edited image received by the edit receiving means, and the normal color portion of the second edited image received by the edit receiving means, Generating means for generating a second image by excluding a portion overlapping the normal color portion of the second edited image from the special color portion of the first edited image received by the edit receiving means;
First printing means for printing the first image on a print medium with special color ink;
A photo vending apparatus comprising: a second printing unit that prints the second image on a first image printed by the first printing unit with normal color ink having transparency. . Photographing means for photographing a subject and obtaining a photographic image;
Area setting means for setting an area including at least a part of the photographic image obtained by the photographing means;
First printing means for printing a first image in a predetermined area other than the area set by the area setting means on the print medium with a special color ink different from the normal color ink;
The second image is printed on the first image printed by the first printing unit with the transparent normal color ink, and the region set by the region setting unit on the print medium with the normal color ink And a second printing means for printing the photographic image. The photo vending apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:
Edit accepting means for accepting an edited image in response to an input operation;
Image synthesizing means for synthesizing the edited image accepted by the edit accepting means on the photographic image obtained by the photographing means, and obtaining a synthesized image;
2. The photo vending apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second printing means prints the composite image obtained by the image composition means. The photo vending apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:
An automatic photo vending apparatus comprising: an edit mask means for masking the first image with an edit image accepted by the edit accept means. The photo vending apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:
When the edited image received by the edit receiving means includes a special color area, the photo vending apparatus includes a mask prohibiting means for prohibiting the special color area from being masked by the edit mask means . The photo vending apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The photo vending apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the special color is a metal color. A shooting step of shooting a subject to obtain a photographic image;
A region setting step for setting a region including at least a part of the photographic image obtained by the photographing step;
A first printing step of printing a first image in a predetermined area other than the area set by the area setting means on the print medium with a special color ink different from the normal color ink;
The second image is printed on the first image printed in the first printing step with the normal color ink having transparency, and the region set by the region setting unit on the print medium with the normal color ink And a second printing step for printing the photographic image. A shooting step of shooting a subject to obtain a photographic image;
A region setting step for setting a region including at least a part of the photographic image obtained by the photographing step;
A first printing step of printing a first image in a predetermined area other than the area set by the area setting means on the print medium with a special color ink different from the normal color ink;
The second image is printed on the first image printed in the first printing step with the normal color ink having transparency, and the region set by the region setting unit on the print medium with the normal color ink And a second printing step for printing the photographic image of the photographic image. Print media;
A special color ink layer formed on the print medium;
A receiving layer formed on the special color ink layer for normal color ink;
A first normal color ink layer formed on the receiving layer and having transparency;
A photographic sticker comprising a second normal color ink layer formed on the print medium and forming a photographic image. The photographic sticker according to claim 9, further comprising:
A photographic sticker comprising a protective layer formed on the special color ink layer and the first and second normal color ink layers. Controlling the camera to shoot a subject and obtain a photographic image;
Setting an area including at least a part of a photographic image obtained by the camera;
Controlling the first printer head to print a first image in a predetermined area other than the set area on the print medium with a special color ink different from the normal color ink;
The second image is printed on the first image printed by the first printing step with the normal color ink having transparency, and the photographic image of the set area on the print medium is printed with the normal color ink. A control program for a photo vending apparatus for causing a computer to execute a step of controlling the second printer head to perform printing. First printing means for printing a first image on a print medium with a special color ink different from the normal color ink;
2. A printing apparatus comprising: a second printing unit that prints a second image on a first image printed by the first printing unit with a transparent normal color ink. A substrate;
A release layer formed on the substrate;
A receiving layer for normal color ink formed on the release layer;
A special color ink layer different from the normal color ink formed on the receiving layer;
An ink ribbon for a thermal transfer printer, comprising an adhesive layer formed on the special color ink layer.