JP5168388B2 - PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING DEVICE, PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, IMAGE EDITING PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM CONTAINING THE SAME - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, a photographic printing apparatus that edits and prints an image of a subject, a control method for the photographic printing apparatus, an image editing program, and a recording medium that records the same.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in amusement facilities such as a game center, a photography printing apparatus for taking a photograph of a user and combining the photograph with a background image and outputting it as a sticker print has been installed. Yes.

  In this photography printing apparatus, for example, after photography is performed, editing processing such as graffiti can be performed on a photographed image displayed on a display screen by a pointing device such as a touch pen. The model is widespread. With this editing processing function, the user can change, for example, the background color and pattern, and write characters and illustrations on the captured image (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Furthermore, a service is also provided in which a composite image obtained by performing editing processing on these captured images is transmitted to the user's mobile terminal, and the user can use the composite image on the mobile terminal even after using the photographic image processing apparatus. Ingenuity has been made.

JP 2000-69404 A (published on March 3, 2000) JP 10-27082 A (published January 27, 1998)

  In recent years, models capable of displaying moving images on mobile terminals have appeared one after another. Therefore, it is conceivable that the photographed print apparatus also includes image data that can be displayed as a moving image in the editing process for the purpose of generating a composite image to be transmitted to such a portable terminal.

  In this way, when editing a composite image including image data that can be displayed as a moving image, there are the following problems. Normally, a moving image is “realized by replacing a plurality of still images in order”. For example, when an object moves from right to left, the motion is realized by preparing a still image drawn on the right, a still image drawn in the middle, and a still image drawn on the left, and displaying them one by one in order. . If this is to be realized by an editing process in the photographic printing apparatus, the user needs to draw different images as described above on a plurality of editing layers. Normally, the editing time permitted to the user in the photo printing apparatus is limited to 4 to 5 minutes at most, and it is impossible to create a number of layers that can realize a sufficient movement at that time. Furthermore, in order to perform drawing so as to achieve alignment when moving (for example, drawing the trajectory and shape of an object without contradiction), a considerable skill must be possessed. Due to the above problems, it has been difficult to edit a moving image in a photo printing apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to edit an image displayed as a moving image in a photography printing apparatus in which editing processing is often permitted for a limited time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photographic printing apparatus, a photographic printing apparatus control method, an image editing program, and a recording medium recording the same.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention prints a composite image based on composite image information generated by performing an editing process on a captured image obtained by capturing a subject on a print medium, and also combines the composite image. A photo printing apparatus that provides a service for transmitting information to an external device via a communication medium, and that accepts an operation input from a user and an operation input received by the operation reception unit. Image editing means for editing the composite image information, and the composite image information comprises shooting layer data composed of photographed image data obtained by photography, and edited image data edited by the image editing means. Including at least editing layer data, and the editing layer data includes a plurality of editing layers, A partial captured image including a part is composed of the plurality of editing layers, and a moving image is displayed by switching display / non-display of each editing layer. The image editing means is selected by the user. When an editing instruction for pasting an image based on the edited image data on the specified position on the composite image based on the composite image information is received as the operation input, data of a plurality of layers included in the image data for editing is received. In addition, a process of arranging each corresponding position in a plurality of editing layers included in the editing layer data is performed.

  In addition, the control method of the photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention prints a composite image based on composite image information generated by applying editing processing to a captured image obtained by photographing a subject on a print medium, and the composite image information A method for controlling a photographic printing apparatus that provides a service to be transmitted to an external device via a communication medium, wherein the composite image information includes photographic layer data consisting of photographic image data obtained by photographing, from a user A partial captured image that includes at least edit layer data composed of edit image data that has been edited into the composite image information in response to an operation input, the edit layer data includes a plurality of edit layers, and includes at least a part of the captured image. Is composed of the above-mentioned multiple editing layers, and by switching the display / non-display of each editing layer, A step of accepting an edit instruction from the user as an operation input for pasting an image based on predetermined image data for editing selected by the user at a specified position on the composite image according to the composite image information; And a step of performing processing of arranging data of a plurality of layers included in the editing image data at respective corresponding positions in the plurality of editing layers included in the editing layer data.

  In the above configuration or method, when the editing image data is selected by the user and the pasting position is designated, the data of a plurality of layers included in the editing image data is converted into a plurality of data included in the editing layer data. It is arranged at each corresponding position in the editing layer. When the moving image is displayed by switching the display / non-display of each editing layer to the composite image information subjected to such editing processing, the editing image data is also displayed as a moving image.

  That is, according to the configuration or method described above, the user performs an editing process on an image displayed by a moving image only by a simple operation of selecting image data for editing and designating the pasting position. It becomes possible. Therefore, even in a photographic printing apparatus in which editing processing is permitted for a limited time, it is possible to perform editing processing of an image displayed on a moving image in a short time, thereby improving user satisfaction. It becomes possible.

  In addition, a partial captured image including at least a part of a captured image obtained by capturing the subject may be configured by the plurality of editing layers. As a result, it is possible not only to obtain a moving image by pasting predetermined editing image data, but also to display a desired moving image using the above-mentioned photographed image, so that user satisfaction can be further improved. It becomes.

  In the photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention, the position and / or angle of at least one of the partial captured images configured by the plurality of editing layers included in the composite image information may be changed.

  In the above configuration or method, the moving image is displayed so that the position and / or angle of the partial captured image changes. As a result, it is possible not only to obtain a moving image by pasting predetermined editing image data, but also to display a desired moving image using the above-mentioned photographed image, so that user satisfaction can be further improved. It becomes.

  The photography and printing apparatus may be realized by a computer. In this case, an image editing program for realizing the photography and printing apparatus on a computer by operating the computer as the image editing means, and A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded also falls within the scope of the present invention.

  In the photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention, as described above, a partial photographic image including at least a part of a photographic image obtained by photographing a subject is constituted by the plurality of editing layers. As a result, it is possible not only to obtain a moving image by pasting predetermined editing image data, but also to display a desired moving image using the above-mentioned photographed image, so that user satisfaction can be further improved. It has the effect of becoming.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a photographic printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the synthetic | combination image communication system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows the external appearance of the said photography photography printing apparatus. It is a front view of the editing part of the said photography printing apparatus. It is a front view of the printing part of the said photography printing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the management server system contained in the synthetic | combination image communication system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the Web server contained in the composite image communication system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in the said photography photography printing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the said management server system. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the said web server. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of synthetic | combination image information. (A)-(c) is a figure which shows an example of the image of the edit layer and imaging | photography layer which are each displayed superimposed. It is a figure which shows the synthesized image which displayed the edit layer in piles. (A) is a display screen in which one editing layer is hidden and the other editing layer is displayed, and (b) is a state in which one editing layer is displayed and the other editing layer is hidden. It is a figure which shows a display screen. (A), (b) is an example in which a plurality of partial captured images are displayed on a captured image, and a moving image display in which at least one of the position and the angle of at least one partial captured image is changed is performed. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example in which a moving image display is performed using brightness emphasis degree information. It is a figure which shows an example of an edit screen. It is a figure explaining the moving image line image data according to the input locus drawn on each edit layer. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows the example of the two edit layers contained in an edit object image, respectively. It is a figure which shows the example of the state erase | eliminated with an eraser tool. It is a figure which shows the example of the state which displayed all the some edit layers contained in the edit object image.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Overall system configuration)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the composite image communication system 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the composite image communication system 100 includes a photography printing apparatus 1..., A management server system 200, and a mobile phone (communication terminal) 300.

  The photo-taking and printing apparatus 1 has a function of taking a user's photograph (photographing function), a function of allowing the user to edit graffiti etc. on the photographed picture (editing function), and a function of printing an edited image ( Print function). Note that all these functions are not essential. For example, a configuration in which the print function is omitted may be employed.

  And the photography printing apparatus 1 provides a user with the above functions by collecting a fee from the user. In addition, a time limit is provided for each function, and the user uses each function within this time limit.

  The management server system 200 receives additional information including composite image information, which is an image obtained by performing editing processing on a captured image, and e-mail address information input from the user, from each of the photography printing apparatuses 1. In addition, the server system performs a process of transmitting the composite image data to the mobile phone 300 in response to an access from the mobile phone 300. The management server system 200 and each photography printing apparatus 1 are communicatively connected by a communication medium. Examples of the communication medium include dedicated line connection, but the communication mode is not particularly limited. Similarly, the management server system 200 and each mobile phone 300 are communicably connected by a communication medium. Examples of the communication medium include a combination of a wireless telephone network and the Internet, but the communication form is not particularly limited.

  The mobile phone 300 has a telephone function based on a wireless telephone network such as a mobile telephone network or a PHS (registered trademark: Personal Handyphone System) telephone network, and information having a data communication function and an information processing function using the wireless telephone network. It is a processing terminal. Note that the information processing terminal applied to the present invention is not limited to a mobile phone, can perform data communication with the management server system 200 regardless of wired radio, and can perform information processing. Any device may be used as long as it is an information processing terminal.

  In the present embodiment, the user's mobile phone mail address is input by the user. For example, the photographic printing apparatus 1 may be provided so as to be directly readable from the mobile phone. In this case, it is assumed that the photographic printing apparatus 1 and the mobile phone 300 perform short-range wireless communication. These devices include a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) module, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module, or an infrared communication system that conforms to IEEE (Institut of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11a, 11b, 11g, etc. It is possible to have a short-range communication unit including a module for performing short-range wireless communication. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the photographic printing apparatus 1 and the mobile phone 300 may be configured to be connected by a wired connection such as a USB cable. Alternatively, the short-range wireless communication may not be performed, and the management server system 200 and the photographic printing apparatus 1 may be connected via the above-described wide area network.

(Usage form of composite image communication system)
A usage form of the composite image communication system 100 will be schematically described. The user plays a game using the photo printing apparatus 1 installed in an amusement facility or the like. In this game, the user takes a photograph and performs a process of writing the edited image on the photographed image, such as a so-called graffiti, as an editing process for the photographed image on the photograph-taking and printing apparatus 1. As part of this editing process, the user writes a desired picture or character with a dedicated pen, or selects a stamp and synthesizes the stamp pattern with the photographed image. This edited image includes a moving image, and details thereof will be described later.

  Then, the photographed print device 1 prints and outputs a composite image obtained by combining the edited image with the photographed image, so that the user can obtain the printed matter as a game result. In the composite image communication system 100, the user can transmit a composite image to the mobile phone 300. In this case, the user registers (inputs) the mail address of the mobile phone 300 in the photography / printing apparatus 1 so that the photography / printing apparatus 1 transmits the composite image information and the additional information to the management server system 200. . Here, it is assumed that the e-mail address of his / her mobile phone is registered as his / her identification information (ID) as the owner of the composite image and to receive information from the server. As described above, the user's game in the photo printing apparatus 1 is completed.

  The management server system 200 stores the composite image information and the additional information sent from the photographic printing apparatus 1 in association with each other. Then, the management server system 200 transmits an email indicating the address information of the page from which the composite image can be acquired to the user's email address. The user uses his / her mobile phone 300 to access the page of the address indicated in the received mail and obtain the composite image to display the composite image on the mobile phone 300.

  In addition, when the photographic printing apparatus 1 transmits the composite image information and the additional information to the management server system 200, it is preferable that the transmission data includes association information that enables these associations. The association information may be transmitted by being included in the data of each information, or may be transmitted separately from the data of each information.

(Appearance of photo printing device)
Next, the external configuration of the photographic printing apparatus 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). The photography printing apparatus 1 includes a photographing unit 2 that photographs a user's photograph, an editing unit 3 that allows a user to edit graffiti and the like on a photograph (photographed image), and a photograph that the user has edited. And a printing unit 4 that outputs (edited image) to a print sheet. 3A shows an appearance from the photographing unit 2 side in the photographic printing apparatus 1, and FIG. 3B shows an appearance from the editing unit 3 and the printing unit 4 side.

  FIG. 4 is a front view of the editing unit 3a. The configuration of the editing unit 3b is the same as that of the editing unit 3a, and is not shown here. The editing unit 3b is provided facing the editing unit 3a. Hereinafter, the editing unit 3 will be collectively described.

  The editing unit 3 is for executing an editing process such as graffiti on a captured image after the user finishes the shooting process by the shooting unit 2. The touch panel unit 31, the touch pen 32, and the voice output unit 33 are used for the editing unit 3. Etc. Each unit of the editing unit 3 is controlled by the control unit 10. Details of the above-described units will be described later.

  FIG. 5 is a front view of the printing unit 4. In the present embodiment, the printing unit 4 is provided on the side surfaces of the editing unit 3 a and the editing unit 3 b, and thus FIG. 5 shows the side surface of the editing unit 3. The printing unit 4 prints an edited image after the user has finished the editing process by the editing unit 3 on sticker paper, and discharges the printed sticker paper. In the present embodiment, print discharge ports 44a and 44b are provided on the side surface of the editing unit 3, and the sticker sheet of the edited image edited by the editing unit 3a is discharged from the print discharge port 44a. The sticker sheet of the edited image that has been edited in 3b is discharged from the print discharge port 44b.

  In the photographic printing apparatus 1 configured as described above, the user first enters the photographic space provided with the photographic unit 2 and executes the photographic process, and then the editing unit 3 (the editing unit 3a or the editing unit 3b). The editing process is carried out by moving to the editing space provided, and a series of processes of the game are enjoyed in such a flow that the printing unit 4 receives the photographed image or the sticker sheet on which the edited image is printed in the printing space.

  As described above, in the photographic printing apparatus 1, the photographing unit 2 and the editing unit 3 are provided in different spaces. Therefore, even when a set of users is performing editing processing in the editing unit 3, other users can start shooting processing. Thereby, it is possible to improve a rotation rate.

  The editing process in the editing unit 3 is basically provided with a time limit. On the other hand, the editing process time may be unlimited until another user enters the shooting process, and the time limit may be set for the editing process from the time when another user starts the shooting process.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the photography printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a structure including two editing units 3, and includes a first editing unit 3a and a second editing unit 3a. The editing unit 3b is installed on the opposite side. As described above, by providing more editing units 3 than photographing units 2, it is possible to disperse the processing time related to the editing process that is a bottleneck and improve the rotation rate. However, the photography printing apparatus 1 of the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration. The installation position of the editing unit 3 is not particularly limited, and the number of installations may be one editing unit 3 or three or more editing units 3 may be provided if the installation location can be secured. Good.

(Configuration of Photographic Printing Device-Overview)
Next, the operation of the control unit 10 in the photographic printing apparatus 1 and each unit of the photographic printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a photographic printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the photographic printing apparatus 1 according to the present invention includes a photographing unit 2, an editing unit 3, a printing unit 4, a control unit 10, and a recording unit 50.

  The control unit 10 comprehensively controls the operations of the above-described units included in the photographic printing apparatus 1. The control unit 10 is configured by, for example, a PC (personal computer) based computer. And operation control of various composition is performed by making a computer run a control program. This program may be in the form of reading and using what is recorded on a removable medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be in the form of reading and using what is installed on a hard disk or the like. Further, when the control unit 10 is configured to be connected to a communication network such as the Internet, a mode in which the program is downloaded via the communication network, installed on a hard disk, and the like can be considered.

  The photographic printing apparatus 1 includes a recording unit 50 that includes a nonvolatile storage device such as the hard disk described above. Examples of the contents stored in the recording unit 50 include the control program, an OS (Operating System) program, other various programs, operation setting values in the camera unit 23, and image data of captured images and edited images. Examples of the operation setting values in the camera unit 23 include white balance values set at the time of shipment of the photographic printing apparatus 1 and maintenance, various parameter values related to image processing when adjusting the contrast of the captured image, and the like. It is done.

  The imaging unit 2 executes an imaging process, and includes a coin processing unit 21, an illumination unit 22, a camera unit 23, a captured image display unit 24, a camera image display unit 25, and an operation unit 26. Although not shown here, the photographing unit 2 may include a voice output unit for performing voice guidance so as to prompt the user to perform a certain operation.

  The coin processing unit 21 performs coin insertion / return processing when collecting charges from the user. When it is determined that a predetermined coin has been inserted, the control unit 10 is notified. And the control part 10 will perform an accounting process, if the notification from the coin process part 21 is received. That is, the control unit 10 counts notifications from the coin processing unit 21 and controls various operations for the user according to the amount of money that the user has inserted.

  The illumination unit 22 functions as a photographic flashlight such as a strobe lamp at the time of photographing and also functions as a normal illumination. In this embodiment, a flash lamp is used as the light source, but a light source that emits continuous light, such as a fluorescent lamp, can also be used. Further, a fluorescent lamp or the like can be provided as an auxiliary light source in the vicinity of the flash lamp. By using a continuous light source or an auxiliary light source, it is possible to infer a shot at the time of shooting from a live view image before shooting.

  The camera unit 23 mainly takes a photograph of a user as a subject, and is configured by a digital camera including, for example, a lens group, a diaphragm, a CCD (charge coupled device) image sensor, and the like. The camera unit 23 is configured to be able to switch, for example, a lens group to be used and an aperture so as to be able to cope with both whole body photography and close-up photography.

  The captured image display unit 24 provides a user interface to the user, and displays various images, various operation buttons, and the like. The operation unit 26 is an input device for inputting an instruction signal for the user to perform a game operation on the photo printing apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 26 is realized as a touch panel integrated with the captured image display unit 24. That is, a GUI screen such as operation buttons is displayed on the captured image display unit 24. When the display screen of the photographed image display unit 24 is pressed by a user's finger (or a pointing device such as a touch pen), an instruction signal indicating a button or an image corresponding to the position is input into the photograph printing apparatus 1. Is done.

  The photographed image display unit 24 is configured by providing a touch panel on the surface of a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display element or a CRT, for example. By displaying the captured image captured by the camera unit 23 on the captured image display unit 24, the user can check the captured image. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 26 is configured as a touch panel provided integrally with the captured image display unit 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation unit 26 is provided with, for example, a numeric keypad or a cross key. It may be configured as an input device such as a remote controller or a keyboard.

  The camera image display unit 25 displays a real-time video captured by the camera unit 23, that is, a live view image before shooting. By displaying the live view image on the camera image display unit 25, the user can confirm the image in advance and start shooting.

  The editing unit 3 executes an editing process, and includes a touch panel unit 31 and a touch pen 32. The editing unit 3 may further include an audio output unit 33.

  The touch panel unit 31 provides a user interface to the user, and includes an edited image display unit 31a and an operation reception unit 31b. The edited image display unit 31a displays an image to be edited (an image to be edited) in the editing process and a result (composite image) obtained by editing the captured image. The operation accepting unit 31b accepts a user instruction signal input by using a pointing device such as a touch pen and transmits it to the inside of the photographic printing apparatus 1.

  The touch pen 32 is used by a user to perform fine operation input on the touch panel unit 31 in image editing processing or the like, and is disposed near the touch panel unit 31. The user can select a button displayed according to the progress of the process or draw an image such as a graffiti by bringing the touch pen 32 into contact with or approaching the touch panel unit 31.

  For example, when the screen of the touch panel unit 31 is pressed with the touch pen 32, an instruction signal indicating a button or an image corresponding to the position is input to the inside of the photographic printing apparatus 1. Thereby, the user can perform graffiti on the photographed image, press a stamp, or select a print target image to be printed.

  In the present embodiment, two touch pens 32 are provided so that a plurality of users can easily perform image editing. However, in order to simplify the configuration, only one touch pen 32 may be provided. Yes, and more than two can be deployed for more than two users. Similarly, a plurality of touch pens 32 can be provided.

  The audio output unit 33 outputs guidance voices and sound effects for various operations, and is provided at an appropriate place of the photo print apparatus 1. For example, a speaker is used as the audio output unit 33.

  The printing unit 4 executes a printing process by printing a photographed image and / or edited image selected as a printing target, and includes an ID tag reader / writer unit 41 and a printer unit 42. A seal paper 142 and an ID tag 141 serving as a photo print output medium are delivered to the printing unit 4 as a seal paper unit 43 as a set.

  When image data to be output is sent from the control unit 10, the printer unit 42 prints on the sticker sheet 142 based on the image data. As the printer unit 42, for example, a sublimation printer is used. When a sublimation printer is used, a sublimation ink film is delivered as a set in addition to the sticker paper 142 and the ID tag 141.

  The ID tag reader / writer unit 41 reads out various pieces of identification information recorded in the ID tag 141 and outputs them to the control unit 10. The ID tag 141 is configured by an IC chip having a memory function. Examples of the identification information include a unique ID, the number of sheets, a sheet type, and ink-specific color information (when an ink film is set).

  Based on the identification information read by the ID tag reader / writer unit 41, the control unit 10 determines whether the attached sticker paper 142 and the ink film are usable in the photography printing apparatus 1, and can be used. Only when it is, the printer unit 42 can be operated. In other words, settings other than the seal paper 142 and the ink film designated in the photo printing apparatus 1 are set so that they cannot be used.

  In addition, by counting down the number of sheets each time sticker paper is used based on the information on the number of sheets recorded in the ID tag 141, the remaining number of sheets can be grasped. Therefore, when the remaining number of sheets is reduced, a configuration that warns the user with a display means or the like can avoid a problem such as running out of sheets during use by the user. .

  When counting down the number of sheets, it is desirable to rewrite the number of sheets information recorded in the ID tag 141. As a result, when the paper is used up, the paper number information recorded in the ID tag 141 is also zero, and the ID tag 141 can be invalidated.

  Further, by reading the paper type information recorded in the ID tag 141 and the color information unique to the ink, and correcting the color component of the image data in consideration of these, the seal paper 142 and the ink film are accurately obtained. Image output can be performed.

  As the ID tag 141, there are a non-contact type ID tag capable of performing wireless data communication and a contact type ID tag provided with a terminal. The ID tag reader / writer unit 41 includes It corresponds to either one or both.

  In the above example, the ID tag 141 is used to confirm whether or not the sticker paper 142 can be used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sticker paper 142 and the ink film are used. It is also possible to use a bar code printed on a packing material for packing. However, when a barcode is used, there are problems that the amount of information that can be included is small and that information cannot be rewritten by counting down the number of sheets, for example.

  In this embodiment, the seal sheet 142 is assumed to be a seal sheet including an adhesive sheet and a release sheet attached to the adhesive surface of the adhesive sheet, but is not limited thereto. The photographic printing apparatus 1 of the present invention can be configured to use a paper sheet that is a normal paper medium instead of the sticker paper 142.

  Moreover, the photography printing apparatus 1 of the present invention may include a curtain unit 27. The curtain unit 27 provides a curtain as a background of the captured image. Curtains with various colors and patterns are prepared, and can be freely selected by the user at the time of shooting, or can be automatically selected by the photo-taking and printing apparatus 1. The plurality of curtains are arranged so as to overlap the back surface of the photographing space 20 (facing the photographing unit 2) (FIGS. 2A and 2B), and at the time of photographing, the selected curtain is behind the subject. It is installed in the foreground so that it can be seen. The installation of the selected curtain may be executed by the background control unit 15 of the control unit 10 controlling the curtain unit 27, or may be configured to be manually performed by the user himself / herself.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although the curtain part 27 was set as the structure which provides a some curtain, it is not limited to this. A curtain that can be installed in the curtain unit 27 may be one type. In this case, if a plurality of types of background images for synthesis are prepared and the background image desired by the user is synthesized in the editing process, even if there is only one type of curtain, the user can have various preferences. Can respond.

[Configuration of Photographic Printing Device-Details]
Next, the control unit 10 and the recording unit 50 of the photographic printing apparatus 1 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 10 further includes a captured image acquisition unit 11, an image editing unit (image editing unit) 12, a print image generation unit (print image generation unit) 13, a communication processing unit 14, and a background control. Part 15. Since the background control unit 15 is as described above, the description thereof is omitted here.

  The recording unit 50 includes a captured image recording unit 51 that records captured images, and an editing image recording unit (image storage unit) 52 that records editing images such as background images, frame images, and stamp images provided in image editing. , An edited image information recording unit 53 that records information about the edited image, and a print image recording unit 54 that records a print image.

  The captured image acquisition unit 11 acquires a captured image created by capturing a subject from the camera unit 23. The captured image acquisition unit 11 records the acquired captured image in the captured image recording unit 51.

  The image editing unit 12 performs image editing on a captured image in accordance with a user operation. Examples of image editing include adding a background image and / or a frame image read from the editing image recording unit 52, adding a stamp image read from the editing image recording unit 52 to an arbitrary position, or using a touch pen. For example, adding graffiti. However, the image editing is not limited to the above-described example, and the editing is executed by the user operating any input means (input unit) connected to the photography / printing apparatus 1, and the original photographed image is changed. Any editing process may be used as long as the composite image can be obtained as a result of the addition.

  The image editing unit 12 records data included in the composite image information and edited image information related to the editing content in the edited image information recording unit 53.

  The print image creation unit 13 creates a print image in which an edit image corresponding to the size of each divided region is arranged in each of the plurality of divided regions. The size and arrangement of the edited image in the print image are usually determined by the user selecting one of a plurality of patterns, but may be determined freely by the user, or the photography printing apparatus 1 It may be determined at random. The print image creation unit 13 records in the created print image recording unit 54. Then, the control unit 10 instructs the printer unit 42 to print the print image recorded in the print image recording unit 54 on the sticker sheet 142 at an appropriate timing.

  The communication processing unit 14 executes communication processing with an external device via a communication interface. The communication processing unit 14 performs transmission / reception processing of the composite image information and additional information, and performs processing of converting the composite image information into an appropriate data format along with transmission / reception of the composite image information.

(Management server system configuration)
Next, the configuration of the management server system 200 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the management server system 200 includes an FTP server (image data receiving means) 201, a registration processing server (image data receiving means) 202, an image file server (image data recording means) 203, and an additional information file server 204. , A WEB server (information providing means) 205 and a mail transmission server (mail transmission means) 206 are provided.

  The FTP server 201 is a file transfer server that performs processing for receiving the composite image information and additional information sent from the photographic printing apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is used as a protocol for performing data communication with the photographic printing apparatus 1, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. Data received by the FTP server 201 is transmitted to the registration processing server 202. If a large number of photography printing apparatuses 1 are installed over a wide area, data transmission processing may be distributed by providing a plurality of FTP servers 201.

  The registration processing server 202 performs processing for transmitting the composite image information received from the FTP server 201 to the image file server 203 and transmitting additional information to the additional information file server 204. Here, when the additional information is transmitted to the additional information file server 204, the registration processing server 202 also transmits information specifying the composite image information corresponding to the additional information. As a result, the additional information file server 204 records information of a combination of the additional information and information specifying the corresponding composite image information as a database.

  Further, when transmitting the composite image information to the image file server 203, the registration processing server 202 also transmits information for specifying the user among the additional information corresponding to the composite image information. As a result, the image file server 203 records a database in which the composite image information corresponding to the user is recorded in the folder corresponding to each user. Note that the image file server 203 may generate a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the image size of the composite image indicated by the received composite image information, and store the thumbnail image in the same folder.

  In addition, the registration processing server 202 performs processing for generating an e-mail in which URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information (WEB address) for accessing the WEB server 205 is accessed for the e-mail address included in the additional information. The generated electronic mail is sent to the mail transmission server 206.

  Each of the image file server 203 and the additional information file server 204 is a file server that constructs a database based on information received from the registration processing server 202 and records / stores the database. Note that the image file server 203 and the additional information file server 204 may be realized in the form of a file server as described above, or may be an image file recording device and an additional information recording device depending on a recording medium used by the registration processing server 202. It may be configured.

  The mail transmission server 206 performs processing for transmitting the electronic mail received from the registration processing server 202. Since the mail address specified here is basically the mail address of the mobile phone 300, the mail transmission server 206 transmits the mail to the mobile phone 300.

  The WEB server 205 is a server device that provides composite image information recorded in the image file server 203 in the form of a WEB page in response to access from the mobile phone 300. Further, the WEB server 205 performs processing for reading additional information and image specifying information from the additional information file server 204 and extracting it. Details of the processing in the WEB server 205 will be described later.

  In this embodiment, the management server system 200 includes a plurality of server devices, that is, an FTP server 201, a registration processing server 202, an image file server 203, an additional information file server 204, a WEB server 205, and a mail transmission server 206. Although it is the structure provided, the function implement | achieved by several server apparatus is good also as a structure implement | achieved by the function which one server apparatus has among these server apparatuses.

(Web server configuration)
Next, the configuration of the WEB server 205 will be described below with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the WEB server 205 includes a data acquisition unit 61, a composition processing unit 62, a WEB server processing unit (information transmission / reception unit) 63, and a composition image storage unit 64.

  The WEB server processing unit 63 performs processing for providing a WEB page on the Internet. Specifically, the WEB server processing unit 63 transmits the page data of the WEB page related to the provision of the composite image data in response to the WEB access from the mobile phone 300, and the input required for the provision of the composite image data. A process of receiving information from the mobile phone 300 is performed.

  The data acquisition unit 61 receives the composite image information and additional information necessary for providing the WEB page by the WEB server processing unit 63 and the composite image information necessary for the composition processing by the composition processing unit 62 from the image file server. 203 and the additional information file server 204 are acquired.

  The composition processing unit 62 performs processing for generating composite image data provided by the WEB server processing unit 63. Specifically, the composition processing unit 62 generates composite image data in a format that can be provided by the WEB server processing unit 63 based on the composite image information. The combining process here may be performed using only the data included in the combined image information, or may be performed using the combining image data stored in the combining image storage unit 64.

(Processing flow in photography printing equipment)
Next, the operation flow of the photographic printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, as a play start acceptance process, a standby demonstration screen is displayed on the photographing process touch panel 29. The demonstration screen includes information such as the machine name, abbreviation, and outline of the photographic printing apparatus 1. In this demonstration screen, a message prompting the user to insert coins, such as “Please insert coins”, may be displayed. When a user who has entered the shooting space inserts a coin (step 1; hereinafter referred to as S1), and the charging process by the charging processing unit is completed, the demonstration screen is switched to the shooting process screen, and the reception process is completed.

  Next, in S2, a screen for allowing the user to select a shooting course is displayed on the shot image display unit 24, and an input of a shooting course selection from the user is accepted. Shooting courses include, for example, a normal shooting course (the user selects and captures a desired curtain (background color)), an automatic shooting course (automatically selects and shoots a curtain), a pose shooting course (a user completes a model sample image (completed) It is assumed that the user can select a course that the user likes.

  In S3, the user takes a plurality of pictures in the photographing space based on the photographing course. At this time, the user can take a picture while visually recognizing his / her appearance displayed on the live view display panel. In S <b> 4, the user selects an image to be edited from the captured images as a keep image, and the captured image selected here is recorded in the captured image recording unit 51. Note that the process of S4 may be omitted and all the captured images may be subject to editing processing. In this case, since the process of S4 can be omitted, the editing process can be made longer.

  Next, in S5, a game selection performed after the editing process is performed. A plurality of types of games to be selected here are prepared. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that at least a game related to processing (portable transmission) for transmitting a composite image to the mobile phone 300 is included. Examples of other games include a game related to a process of generating a decoration image that can be added to an e-mail with respect to the mobile phone 300.

  In S6, editing processing is performed on the captured image kept in S4. In this editing process, an image to be edited and various editing tools at the time of the image editing process such as graffiti are displayed on the edited image display unit 31a, and based on input instructions from the user with the touch pen 32 and the operation receiving unit 31b, Various editing processes are performed.

  In S7, it is determined whether or not the game selected in S5 is a game related to “mobile transmission”. If NO in S7, that is, if a game other than the game related to “mobile transmission” is selected, a sticker printing process is performed in S8 after the game is executed, and the process ends.

  If YES in S7, that is, if a game relating to “mobile transmission” is selected, first in S9, the communication processing unit 14 receives an input of a mail address to which the composite image is transmitted from the user. Next, the communication processing unit 14 causes the edited image display unit 31a to display a synthesized image as a still image that does not include a moving image among the plurality of synthesized images generated by the editing process, and to be transmitted from the user. Is received (S10).

  Thereafter, the communication processing unit 14 determines the model or type of the mobile phone 300 corresponding to the mail address based on the mail address input in S9, and whether the mobile phone 300 is compatible with moving image display. It is determined whether or not (S11). If YES in S11, that is, if it corresponds to moving image display, the communication processing unit 14 selects a combined image as a moving image including a moving image from among the plurality of combined images generated by the editing process. The selection input of the composite image which is displayed on 31a and should be transmitted is received from the user (S12). Thereafter, the communication processing unit 14 transmits the composite image information of the composite image selected in S10 and S12 to the management server system 200 (S13), the seal printing process is performed in S8, and the process ends.

  If NO in S11, that is, if the moving image display is not supported, the communication processing unit 14 transmits the composite image information of the composite image selected in S10 to the management server system 200 (S13), and in S8. A seal printing process is performed, and the process ends.

(Processing flow of the management server system when receiving composite image information and additional information)
Next, the flow of processing when the management server system 200 receives the composite image information and the additional information from the photographic printing apparatus 1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step S <b> 21, the FTP server 201 waits for reception of composite image information and additional information from the photographic printing apparatus 1. In S22, when the composite image information and the additional information data are received, the FTP server 201 transmits the received data to the registration processing server 202, and the registration processing server 202 receives the data from the FTP server 201. The composite image information thus transmitted is transmitted to the image file server 203, and the additional information is transmitted to the additional information file server 204. Thereby, the composite image information and the additional information are registered in the management server system 200 (S23).

  Also, the registration processing server 202 determines whether or not the additional information includes mail address information (S24). If included, the registration processing server 202 accesses the WEB server 205 for the mail address. A process of generating an electronic mail in which URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information (WEB address) is described is performed. The generated electronic mail is sent to the mail transmission server 206. Then, the mail transmission server 206 performs processing for transmitting the electronic mail received from the registration processing server 202 (S25).

(Processing flow in WEB server)
Next, the flow of processing in the WEB server will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in S <b> 31, the WEB server processing unit 63 receives a WEB access from the mobile phone 300. Here, the mobile phone 300 performs WEB access based on the WEB address described in the electronic mail received from the mail transmission server 206. Next, in S <b> 32, the WEB server processing unit 63 specifies the mobile phone 300 or the user who has accessed. The WEB server processing unit 63 acquires additional information corresponding to the accessed mobile phone 300 or user from the additional information file server 204. Based on the acquired additional information, an information page corresponding to the mobile phone 300 or the user is transmitted to the mobile phone 300 (S33).

  In the above example, it is assumed that the WEB address described in the e-mail sent from the mail transmission server 206 is a WEB address indicating an information page corresponding to the mail address of the user of the mobile phone 300. ing. That is, S32 and S33 are automatically performed by WEB access from the mobile phone 300. More specifically, the WEB server processing unit 63 acquires information that can specify the mobile phone 300 or the user by the accessed address in S32, and adds additional information corresponding to this information to the additional information file server 204. Will get from.

  On the other hand, the WEB address described in the e-mail is the WEB address of the top page of the WEB page provided by the WEB server 205, and the user can specify personal identification information such as a mail address (if necessary) on the top page. The personal information page may be accessed by inputting a password or the like. That is, in S32, the WEB server processing unit 63 acquires information that can specify the mobile phone 300 or the user from personal identification information such as an e-mail address input on the top page, and adds information corresponding to this information. Information is acquired from the additional information file server 204.

  Next, in S34, the WEB server processing unit 63 determines whether or not the accessed mobile phone 300 is a model that does not support moving image display. Here, the WEB server processing unit 63 may acquire the model information corresponding to the accessed mobile phone 300 by the processing in S32 described above, or receives the model information transmitted by the mobile phone 300 at the time of access. Or may be acquired by inputting model information by the accessing user. The above determination is made by the WEB server processing unit 63 inquiring the additional information file server 204. If YES in S34, that is, if the model is not compatible with moving image display, the WEB server processing unit 63 transmits a page for a non-moving image compatible model to the mobile phone 300 in S35. Here, the WEB server processing unit 63 reads the thumbnail image data of the composite image information corresponding to the user from the image file server 203 and transmits the thumbnail image data to the mobile phone 300 as still image state data.

  In this case, a thumbnail of a still image corresponding to at least one composite image information recorded in the image file server 203 as composite image information corresponding to the mail address of the user of the mobile phone 300 is displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone 300. An image is displayed. Here, the displayed thumbnail image is displayed in a link format. When a link of this thumbnail image is selected (S36), the composite image information corresponding to the thumbnail image is read from the image file server 203. Then, the composite image data generated based on the composite image information is transmitted to the mobile phone 300 (S37).

  Thereafter, when an instruction to change the display format is received from mobile phone 300 (YES in S38), WEB server processing unit 63 transmits composite image data whose display format has been changed in accordance with the instruction to mobile phone 300. The change in the display format is a change in the number of pixels of the composite image data. For example, a pixel number changing process such as maximum horizontal, maximum vertical, or reduced according to the size of the display screen of the mobile phone 300 can be given. By default, composite image data having the maximum number of horizontal pixels is transmitted.

  On the other hand, if NO in S34, that is, if the model is a video display compatible model, in S40, the WEB server processing unit 63 transmits a page for the video model compatible to the mobile phone 300. Here, the WEB server processing unit 63 reads out the thumbnail image data of the composite image information corresponding to the user from the image file server 203, and for those that can display the thumbnail image data as a moving image, the mobile phone To 300.

  In this case, the display screen of the mobile phone 300 includes a thumbnail including a moving image corresponding to at least one composite image information recorded in the image file server 203 as composite image information corresponding to the mail address of the user of the mobile phone 300. An image is displayed. Here, the displayed thumbnail images are displayed in a link format. When a thumbnail image that does not include a moving image is selected (YES in S42), the processing from S37 is performed.

  On the other hand, when a thumbnail image including a moving image is selected (YES in S41), the combined image information including the moving image corresponding to the thumbnail image is read from the image file server 203 and generated based on the combined image information. The image data is transmitted to the mobile phone 300 (S43). Here, the composite processing unit 62 generates composite image data in a format that can be provided by the WEB server processing unit 63 based on the composite image information. The combining process here may be performed using only the data included in the combined image information, or may be performed using the combining image data stored in the combining image storage unit 64.

(Structure of composite image information including moving images)
Next, the structure of composite image information including moving images will be described. The composite image information includes a plurality of layer data. Examples of the layer data include shooting layer data including shooting image data indicating a shooting image, editing layer data including editing image data edited by the image editing unit 12, and background layer data including background image data. It is done. It should be noted that at least one of the editing layer data and the background layer data may be included.

  In addition, at least one of the shooting layer data, the editing layer data, and the background layer data includes a plurality of layers. In the layer data including the plurality of layers, moving image display is realized by switching between display and non-display of each layer. In addition, as a display / non-display switching timing of each layer at the time of moving image display, the display period and the non-display period may all be repeated at equal intervals, or may be repeated at different intervals.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of the structure of this composite image information. In the example shown in the figure, the composite image information CP includes a background layer LB composed of background image data indicating a background image, a photographing layer LP composed of photographed image data, and two editing layers LEA and LEB composed of edited image data. It has become. When the composite image information CP having such a configuration is displayed, the background layer LB is the lowest layer, and the shooting layer LP, the editing layer LEA, and the editing layer LEB are arranged in this order toward the upper layer.

  Here, the editing layer LEA is an image as shown in FIG. 12A, the editing layer LEB is an image as shown in FIG. 12B, and the shooting layer LP is an image as shown in FIG. To do. In this case, when these shooting layer LP, edit layer LEA, and edit layer LEB are displayed in this order so as to overlap each other, a composite image as shown in FIG. 13 is obtained.

  In addition, by switching display / non-display of the editing layer LEA and the editing layer LEB, a moving image display in which an image in which a plurality of stars are scattered flashes or light in an outline portion of a handwritten character image flashes is realized. Is done. FIG. 14A shows a display screen in a state where the editing layer LEA is hidden and the editing layer LEB is displayed. FIG. 14B shows the editing layer LEB hidden and the editing layer LEA displayed. The display screen in the displayed state is shown. By repeatedly performing such display / non-display switching, the moving image display as described above is realized.

  In the above example, the case where there are two editing layers is shown, but by further increasing the number of editing layers, more complicated moving image display can be realized. For example, when a character is written by handwriting by the user in the editing process, the stroke order progress at the time of character formation is recorded as a plurality of images, and these stroke order image data are included in the composite image information as a plurality of editing layers. Also good. In this case, a moving image display in which the characters are displayed in the stroke order when the characters are formed can be realized.

  Other examples of moving image display include changing the color of characters and various images, changing the position and angle of characters and various images, and the like.

  In addition, the editing layer may include image data based on the captured image data. FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B show a plurality of partial captured images as an editing layer on a basic captured image, and the position and / or angle of at least one partial captured image is the same. An example is shown in which a moving image display that changes is performed. In this case, the partial captured image is composed of a plurality of editing layers, and moving image display is realized by switching between display and non-display of each editing layer. In the example of FIG. 9A, an example is shown in which a moving image display in which the partial captured image is shaken is performed by changing the angle of at least one partial captured image. In this example, a moving image display in which the number of partial captured images to be displayed is changed in time series may be performed. In the example of FIG. 5B, a moving image display is performed in which an image obtained by combining a partially captured image and an edited image moves from the right to the left on the basic captured image.

  Further, shooting layer data including a plurality of shooting layers may be included in the composite image information, and the shot image may be displayed as a moving image. In this case, it is possible to display a moving image such as switching of the captured image, changing the position and angle of the captured image, and changing the number of displayed captured images.

  Further, background layer data including a plurality of background layers may be included in the composite image information, and the background image may be displayed as a moving image. In this case, it is possible to display a moving image such that the background color changes or the background pattern or pattern changes.

  The order of the layers in the composite image information is not limited to the above example, and can be arbitrarily changed. For example, an edit layer may be provided between the shooting layer and the background layer, or an edit layer may be provided behind the background layer.

(Video display using brightness enhancement information)
As a variation when switching between display / non-display of a plurality of editing layers, there is a method in which at least one editing layer is a brightness enhancement information layer composed of data indicating brightness enhancement information. The brightness enhancement information layer is made up of data indicating the degree of enhancing the brightness of at least one of another editing layer, shooting layer, and background layer. By switching between display and non-display of this brightness enhancement information layer, a moving image display in which the brightness of a specific area in the composite image information is switched is possible.

  FIG. 16 shows an example in which a moving image is displayed using the brightness enhancement information. In the figure, the synthesized image information CP is obtained by synthesizing the brightness enhancement information layer TP with the basic synthesized image information BCP composed of at least one image of another editing layer, shooting layer, and background layer. An example of a configuration is shown. The brightness enhancement level information layer TP is image data in which a brightness enhancement level indicating the degree of enhancement of brightness is set for each pixel of the basic composite image information BCP. In the example of the brightness enhancement level information layer TP shown in the same figure, the black area does not perform brightness enhancement, and shows that the degree of brightness enhancement increases as it approaches white.

  Whether to switch the display / non-display of the brightness enhancement information layer TP is to display the basic composite image information BCP with or without reflecting the brightness enhancement information shown in the brightness enhancement information layer TP. It is realized by switching.

An example of calculating each pixel value when displaying the brightness enhancement information is as follows.
(Pixel value of composite image information) = (1− (lightness enhancement degree)) × (pixel value of basic composite image information) + (lightness enhancement degree) × (pixel value of 30% increase in lightness of basic composite image information)
In the above formula, the brightness enhancement level takes a value of 0 to 1. When the brightness enhancement level is 0, the pixel value of the basic composite image information does not change, and the basic composite image as the brightness enhancement level approaches 1. The brightness of the information approaches the value increased by 30%. That is, the brightness can be increased in the range of 0 to 30% according to the region.

  Note that the above calculation example is merely an example, and any calculation may be performed as long as the calculation can change the brightness of each pixel of the basic composite image information.

  Further, in the above example, one editing layer is a brightness enhancement information layer composed of data indicating the degree of enhancement of the brightness of at least one of another editing layer, a shooting layer, and a background layer. However, this layer may be a change degree information layer including data indicating a change degree of a parameter capable of changing the display state of the image. Examples of such parameters include parameters for setting blur, mosaic, brightness, image enlargement / reduction, and the like.

(Editing with the video target tool)
Next, a process for generating a plurality of editing layers for realizing moving image display when the image editing unit 12 performs an editing process will be described. FIG. 17 shows an example of an editing screen displayed on the edited image display unit 31a in the editing process. As shown in the figure, the editing screen includes an editing object image display area A1, an editing tool selection area A2, an editing tool setting area A3, an eraser tool selection area A4, an editing object image selection area A5, and a movie preview button A6. It is displayed. In addition, a remaining time display area, clear of edit processing, undo, redo button, end button, and the like are displayed. In this editing screen, an editing target image display area A1, an editing tool selection area A2, an editing tool setting area A3, and an eraser tool selection area A4 so that two users can simultaneously perform editing processing. Are displayed on the left and right sides of the screen.

  In the editing target image display area A1, the photographed image selected in the editing target image selection area A5 is displayed, and editing processing such as image drawing and pasting is performed in this area. The editing tool selection area A2 is an area for receiving selection of various editing tools used in editing processing. As an editing tool, a pen tool and a handwriting tool for drawing a line image corresponding to the input locus of the user, a stamp tool and a roll tool for pasting a predetermined image at a position on the image to be edited designated by the user, and Special tools that have special effects are listed. Detailed setting of the tool selected here is performed in the editing tool setting area A3. The eraser tool selection area A4 is an area where the size of the erase area of the eraser tool for erasing the edited image added to the photographed image by the editing process is selected. The moving image preview button A6 is a button for switching between a state in which an edited image that can be displayed as a moving image is displayed as a moving image and a state in which the edited image is displayed as a still image.

  In the present embodiment, the editing tool includes a moving image target tool that enables editing of an image (moving image editing image) with movement. There are two main types of moving image target tools. The first moving image target tool corresponds to a stamp tool, a roll tool, and the like, and a predetermined moving image arrangement tool that arranges a predetermined moving image selected by the user at a position on the editing target image specified by the user. It is. The second moving image target tool corresponds to a pen tool, a handwriting tool, and the like, and is a handwritten moving image generation tool that displays a line image corresponding to a user's input locus as a moving image.

  It should be noted that which pen tool or stamp tool is to be displayed as a moving image may be configured not to be clearly shown to the user, or, for example, all the tools included in the special tool may be displayed as a moving image. . In addition, a tab “moving” may be set on the tabs arranged in the upper part of the editing tool setting area A3 (tabs where “normal” and “undecided” are arranged), and a tool that displays a moving image may be stored in the tab. .

  Drawing with the predetermined moving image placement tool is realized as follows. First, predetermined moving image data consisting of a plurality of layers is recorded for each type as editing image data in the editing image recording unit 52. Image data of a plurality of layers included in each moving image image data is composed of different image data, and moving image display is realized by switching and displaying these layers.

  When specific moving image data is selected by the user, the image editing unit 12 reads out the corresponding moving image data from the editing image recording unit 52 onto the work memory. Thereafter, when the position on the editing target image is designated by the user, the image editing unit 12 converts the data of the plurality of layers included in the moving image data into the corresponding data in the plurality of editing layers included in the editing target image. Perform processing to place in position. Further, the image editing unit 12 records the information specifying the moving image data and the arrangement position information of the moving image data in the edited image information recording unit 53 as the edited image information for the corresponding editing target image.

  Drawing by the handwritten moving image generation tool is realized as follows. First, moving image line image data drawn according to a user's input locus is recorded for each type as editing image data in the editing image recording unit 52. Here, the moving image line image data includes data of a plurality of layers. The data of each layer is data for drawing different line images, and moving image display is realized by switching and displaying these layers.

  When specific moving image line image data is selected by the user, the image editing unit 12 reads the corresponding moving image line image data from the editing image recording unit 52 onto the work memory. Thereafter, when an input trajectory for the image to be edited is input by the user, the image editing unit 12 first records position information of the input trajectory in the work memory. Thereafter, the image editing unit 12 applies a line image corresponding to the position information of the input locus to each of the plurality of editing layers included in the editing target image based on the data of the plurality of layers included in the moving image line image data. Perform the placement process. Further, the image editing unit 12 records the information for specifying the moving image line image data and the position information of the input locus in the edited image information recording unit 53 as the edited image information for the corresponding editing target image.

  FIG. 18 shows a state in which moving image line image data is drawn on each editing layer in accordance with the user's input trajectory. In the example shown in the figure, when drawing input is performed by the user, line images having different designs are drawn on both the editing layer LEA and the editing layer LEB. In the example shown in the figure, a moving image display is realized by switching between a line image with a border image and a line image with no border image. In addition, as an example of the moving image display of the line image, an example in which at least one of the color, pattern, shape, position, and the like of the line image is changed can be given.

  When editing processing is performed using a tool that is not displayed on a moving image, the image editing unit 12 applies the same image corresponding to the tool that is not included in the moving image to each of a plurality of editing layers included in the editing target image. Should be arranged. As a result, even if the display / non-display of each editing layer is switched, the image corresponding to the moving image non-target tool does not change.

(Erase processing of movie editing images)
Next, a process for deleting a moving image editing image arranged on an editing target image in the editing process will be described. The photograph printing apparatus 1 is basically a main service for printing on the sticker sheet 142. That is, even in the editing process, it is necessary to be able to select a state in which the editing process is performed in a stationary state even for a moving image editing image so that the print output on the sticker sheet 142 can be imaged. . In this regard, the moving image preview button A6 shown in FIG. 17 can be used to switch between a state in which an edited image that can be displayed as a moving image is displayed as a moving image (moving image display mode) and a state in which a still image is displayed (still image display mode). It has become.

  Here, in an example of a moving image editing image, processing when the moving image editing image is deleted will be described. FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B show two editing layers included in the editing target image, respectively. When these are switched and displayed, moving image display in which the position of the star-shaped image moves is performed. In this case, if the user selects a state in which editing is performed in the state of a still image, the image shown in either one of FIG. 1 (a) or FIG. 1 (b) is displayed as an image to be edited. become.

  For example, assume that the user desires to erase all the star-shaped images when the editing target image is displayed as a still image in the state shown in FIG. In this case, the user selects the eraser tool and performs a process of deleting the star image shown in FIG. This process is shown in FIG. In the figure, an area indicated by EA indicates an area erased by an eraser tool.

  Here, the eraser tool will be described. The eraser tool is a tool that performs a process of erasing pixel information of an edited image drawn in an area of a predetermined size centered on a position designated by a user. When the eraser tool is selected by the user, the image editing unit 12 first acquires a position designated by the user. Then, the image editing unit 12 specifies a region having a predetermined size centered on the designated position, and erases the pixels of the edited image included in the region. As a result, only the pixels of the edited image in the area where the erase instruction is given by the eraser tool are erased.

  Returning to FIG. 20, when all the star-shaped images shown in FIG. 19A are erased, it is assumed that the area indicated by EA in FIG. 20 is erased by the eraser tool. Here, in FIG. 20, a star-shaped image is indicated by a broken line. This is displayed by the editing layer shown in FIG. 19B when a moving image is displayed. However, when the editing process using a still image is performed in the state shown in FIG. 19A, the broken star image is not displayed. That is, the user recognizes that all the star-shaped images have been erased by performing the erasing process shown in FIG. 20, but when a moving image is actually displayed, a broken-line star-shaped image is displayed. The video display is different from the user's intention.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the above-described problem is solved by implementing one of the following two erasing methods.

  The first erasing method is realized as follows. First, it is assumed that the editing process for the editing target image is performed in the still image display mode. In this state, when an eraser tool is selected by the user, that is, when an instruction to start pixel information erasing processing is received, the image editing unit 12 displays all of the plurality of editing layers included in the editing target image. For example, in the case of the moving picture shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, when the eraser tool is selected, the display state is as shown in FIG. By performing the erasing process with the eraser tool in this display state, it is possible to prevent occurrence of unerased edited images displayed as described above.

  When all the editing layers are displayed at the time of instructing the start of the erasing process, only a specific editing layer may be displayed depending on the state of the image of each editing layer. That is, if a specific editing layer is displayed, a state in which the image areas of all other editing layers are included is also conceivable. Therefore, the image editing unit 12 may display a specific editing layer so as to display the entire image area when all the editing layers are displayed.

  The second erasing method is realized as follows. First, it is assumed that the editing process for the editing target image is performed as a still image. In this state, when the eraser tool is selected by the user, the image editing unit 12 switches the editing target image to a moving image display state. By performing the erasing process with the eraser tool in this moving image display state, it is possible to prevent the unerased edit image displayed as described above from occurring.

  Note that the moving image display state includes a state in which all of the editing layers that are switched between display and non-display are displayed at predetermined time intervals. That is, the predetermined time interval may be the same as or different from the time interval of normal moving image display.

  When the eraser tool is switched to another editing tool, the image editing unit 12 switches to the original still image display mode. Thereby, when the process by the eraser tool is completed, it is possible to automatically return to the still image display mode without receiving a special instruction input from the user.

(Configuration as an image editing device)
In the present embodiment, the image editing unit 12 is realized as a functional block of the control unit 10 included in the photographic printing apparatus 1. However, in other information processing apparatuses, the image editing unit 12 performs the editing process as described above. By providing this, it is possible to realize an image editing apparatus. In other words, the image editing apparatus includes an edited image display unit 31a that performs display based on the composite image information, an operation reception unit 31b that receives an operation input from the user, and an operation input received by the operation reception unit 31b. The image editing unit 12 performs the editing process as described above. The image editing apparatus may include an editing image recording unit 52 and an edited image information recording unit 53.

(Reference information)
The photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention prints a composite image based on composite image information generated by performing editing processing on a photographed image obtained by photographing a subject on a print medium, and transmits the composite image information via a communication medium. A photography printing apparatus that provides a service to be transmitted to an external device, and that receives an operation input from a user and edits the composite image information according to the operation input received by the operation reception unit. Image editing means, and the composite image information includes at least shooting layer data composed of photographed image data obtained by photographing, and editing layer data composed of edited image data edited by the image editing means, The edit layer data includes multiple edit layers, and the display / hide of each edit layer can be switched. The image editing means inputs the editing instruction to paste the image based on the editing image data selected by the user on the specified position on the composite image based on the composite image information. May be configured to perform processing for arranging data of a plurality of layers included in the editing image data at respective positions in the plurality of editing layers included in the editing layer data.

  In addition, the control method of the photographic printing apparatus according to the present invention prints a composite image based on composite image information generated by applying editing processing to a captured image obtained by photographing a subject on a print medium, and the composite image information A method of controlling a photography printing apparatus that provides a service to be transmitted to an external device via a communication medium, wherein the composite image information is photography layer data composed of photographed image data obtained by photography, and the image editing Including at least editing layer data composed of edited image data edited by the means, the editing layer data includes a plurality of editing layers, and display / non-display of each editing layer is switched to display a moving image. Yes, an image based on predetermined editing image data selected by the user is combined with the composite image information. A step of accepting an editing instruction to be pasted at a specified position on the image as an operation input from the user, and a plurality of layers of data included in the editing image data corresponding to each of the plurality of editing layers included in the editing layer data And a method of performing a process of arranging at a position.

  In the above configuration or method, when the editing image data is selected by the user and the pasting position is designated, the data of a plurality of layers included in the editing image data is converted into a plurality of data included in the editing layer data. It is arranged at each corresponding position in the editing layer. When the moving image is displayed by switching the display / non-display of each editing layer to the composite image information subjected to such editing processing, the editing image data is also displayed as a moving image.

  That is, according to the configuration or method described above, the user performs an editing process on an image displayed by a moving image only by a simple operation of selecting image data for editing and designating the pasting position. It becomes possible. Therefore, even in a photographic printing apparatus in which editing processing is permitted for a limited time, it is possible to perform editing processing of an image displayed on a moving image in a short time, thereby improving user satisfaction. It becomes possible.

  The edited image data may include image data using photographed image data.

  Further, in the above-described configuration, the photography printing apparatus according to the present invention is such that the editing image data is video line image data drawn according to a user input locus, and the image editing means is When an input trajectory for a composite image is received as the operation input, the input trajectory of each of the plurality of editing layers included in the editing layer data is determined based on the data of the plurality of layers included in the video line image data. A configuration may be adopted in which a line image corresponding to the position information is arranged.

  In a photographic printing apparatus, a line image corresponding to an input trajectory input by a user is widely performed as an editing process. Making an image of an arbitrary shape by such user input as a movie is basically a very difficult task, but according to the above configuration, a movie is displayed according to the input trajectory input by the user. A line image is automatically generated. That is, according to the above configuration, it is possible to generate a line image to be displayed as a moving image only by performing the same operation as that for drawing a conventional line image.

  Further, the photography printing apparatus according to the present invention is the still image display in which the image editing means displays the composite image information as a still image in response to an operation input received by the operation receiving unit in the configuration described above. The display control may be performed by switching between the mode and the moving image display mode for displaying as a moving image.

  According to said structure, it is possible to switch the display of synthetic | combination image information with a still image display mode and a moving image display mode by the operation input from a user. Therefore, the user can perform the editing process while confirming the state of the composite image information by appropriately switching between the still image display state and the moving image display state.

  In addition, in the above-described configuration, the photo print apparatus according to the present invention has a lightness composed of data indicating a degree at which at least one layer included in the composite image information emphasizes the lightness of pixels in the other at least one layer. It is good also as a structure which is an emphasis degree information layer.

  According to said structure, the moving image display in which the brightness of the specific area | region in synthetic | combination image information switches by switching display / non-display of a brightness emphasis degree information layer is attained.

  Here, for example, in a conventional photographic printing apparatus, composite image information as a still image is generated by using two layers of a photographic image layer and an edited image layer. By simply adding a configuration for performing processing for adding the brightness enhancement information layer to the composite image information without adding any change to the editing processing itself, such a conventional photography printing apparatus is changed as in the present invention. It is possible to provide a device that generates composite image information capable of displaying a moving image. That is, according to the above configuration, it is possible to easily realize a change to a moving image compatible model by diverting a conventional photography printing apparatus.

  The photography and printing apparatus may be realized by a computer. In this case, an image editing program for realizing the photography and printing apparatus on a computer by operating the computer as the image editing means, and A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded also falls within the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the photography printing apparatus according to the present invention accepts, as the operation input, an editing instruction for pasting an image based on editing image data selected by the user on a designated position on the composite image based on the composite image information. In this case, the processing for arranging the data of the plurality of layers included in the editing image data at the corresponding positions in the plurality of editing layers included in the editing layer data is performed. As a result, even in a photographic printing apparatus in which the time for which editing processing is permitted is often limited, it is possible to perform editing processing of an image displayed as a moving image in a short time.

(Configuration by software)
The control unit 10 included in the photography printing apparatus 1 may be configured by hardware logic, or may be realized by software using a CPU as follows.

  That is, the control unit 10 includes a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, a RAM (random access memory) that expands the program, A storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data is provided. An object of the present invention is a recording medium on which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the control unit 10 which is software that realizes the above-described functions is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. This can also be achieved by supplying the control unit 10 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  The control unit 10 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Also, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be applied to a general photographic printing apparatus that shoots a photograph and performs an editing process on the photographed image and prints it out. It can also be applied to general image editing apparatuses that edit moving images.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photographic printing apparatus 2 Shooting part 3 Editing part 4 Printing part 10 Control part 11 Captured image acquisition part 12 Image editing part 13 Print image creation part 14 Communication processing part 15 Background control part 20 Shooting space 21 Coin processing part 22 Illumination part 23 Camera unit 24 Captured image display unit 25 Camera image display unit 26 Operation unit 27 Curtain unit 31 Touch panel unit 31a Edited image display unit 31b Operation reception unit 32 Touch pen 33 Audio output unit 40 Print space 41 ID tag reader / writer unit 42 Printer unit 43 Sticker Paper unit 50 Recording unit 51 Captured image recording unit 52 Editing image recording unit 53 Editing image information recording unit 54 Print image recording unit 61 Data acquisition unit 62 Composition processing unit 63 WEB server processing unit 64 Composition image storage unit 100 Composite image communication System 200 Management server system 201 TP server 202 registration processing server 203 the image file server 204 the additional information file server 205 WEB servers 206 the mail transmission server 300 mobile phone

Claims (5)

A service is provided for printing a composite image based on composite image information generated by applying editing processing to a photographed image obtained by photographing an object on a print medium and transmitting the composite image information to an external device via a communication medium. A photo printing device,
An operation accepting unit for accepting an operation input from a user;
Image editing means for editing the composite image information in response to an operation input received by the operation receiving unit,
The composite image information includes imaging layer data consisting of captured image data obtained by photography, the editing layer data consisting of the edited image data edited processed by said image editing means least,
The edit layer data includes a plurality of edit layers,
The same partial photographed image including at least a part of the photographed image is configured by the plurality of editing layers, and moving image display is performed by switching between display / non-display of each editing layer,
Said image editing means, an image of editing image data selected by the user, the editing instruction pasted into the designated position on the synthesized image by the synthesized image information, the operation reception unit by the above operation input received from a user A plurality of layers of data included in the editing image data are arranged at corresponding positions in the plurality of editing layers included in the editing layer data. .   2. The photographic printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position and / or angle of at least one of the partial captured images configured by the plurality of editing layers included in the composite image information is changed. A service is provided for printing a composite image based on composite image information generated by applying editing processing to a photographed image obtained by photographing an object on a print medium and transmitting the composite image information to an external device via a communication medium. A method for controlling a photography printing apparatus,
The composite image information includes imaging layer data consisting of captured image data obtained by photography, the editing layer data consisting of the edited image data that has been the editing process at least,
The edit layer data includes a plurality of edit layers,
The same partial photographed image including at least a part of the photographed image is configured by the plurality of editing layers, and moving image display is performed by switching between display / non-display of each editing layer,
A step of accepting as an operation input from the user an editing instruction to paste an image based on predetermined editing image data selected by the user at a designated position on the composite image based on the composite image information;
And a step of performing processing for arranging data of a plurality of layers included in the image data for editing at respective corresponding positions in the plurality of editing layers included in the editing layer data. Control method. An image editing program for operating the photographing and printing device according to claim 1 or 2, image editing program for causing a computer to function as an upper Kiga image editing means.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the image editing program according to claim 4 is recorded.

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