Photography – Studio structure – Photo booth
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-06
2001-05-01
Mathews, Alan A. (Department: 2851)
Photography
Studio structure
Photo booth
C396S003000, C348S584000, C348S586000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226455
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging device with an illuminator for illuminating a subject, and more specifically, to an imaging device comprising a hood for reflecting a light from the illuminator as well as preventing entrance of light from the outside. The present invention further relates to an imaging device including an image synthesis device for synthesizing a subject with synthesization component-images that have been previously prepared, such as background images, foreground images, and frame images, and for outputting the result using a video printer or the like.
Generally, an outdoor-type imaging device, such as for taking certification pictures, is known to exclude influences such as incident light by conducting the imaging after a person has entered into an enclosed booth. Imaging devices used as indoor game machines, such as in an arcade, are often configured to image a person while standing next to the machine. To prevent unnecessary background light from entering into the image, or from altering the illuminating effects, the imaging device is provided with a hanging screen that surrounds the upper body of the person to form a booth.
The housing of such an imaging device is generally configured in an elongated shape that is taller than a person. The provision of the above-described hanging screen, or of any type of hood over the person, can reduce the stability of such a housing, allowing for the housing to be pulled over. To handle this problem, it is known to use a U-shaped frame having opposite ends that attach to the top of the housing
70
, where the frame includes stress-relaxing portions
72
a
in the form of coil springs, as shown in FIG.
1
(
a
). In this configuration, when the hanging screen
71
is grasped and pulled down, the pulling force is converted into a force acting in an oblique direction with respect to the housing
70
by the bending of the stress-relaxing portions
72
a
, and the frame is thereby prevented from being pulled over.
An imaging device, including an image synthesizing device, used as a game machine, may contain data in the form of a multitude of synthesization component-images, such as background images, foreground images, and frame images. When a desired component-image is selected, and when a person poses and is imaged, a synthesized image may be formed in which the selected component-image and the image of the subject are synthesized by means of a CCD camera disposed behind a half mirror. This synthesized image is then processed by a built-in video printer unit, and a plurality of synthesized images can be printed out on a sheet.
In the above-described imaging device, when the multitude of component-image data is to be changed, the change is implemented by replacing read only memory (ROM) chips. To change a ROM chip that is mounted into a socket of a substrate, a high degree of caution is necessary so as to prevent static electricity, the entry of foreign substances, or the like, from damaging the chip and substrate. Therefore, it is difficult to maintain the integrity of the machine while changing the component-image data.
Furthermore, the plurality of synthesized images that are printed out onto a sheet include only a single component-image (e.g., a background image) and a single pose of the subject. The known device does not provide for printing a plurality of varied synthesized images.
In addition, during imaging, while a subject is posing in accordance with a chosen component-image, the subject is also required to conduct an operation, such as pushing a button on the operation panel, in order to start the imaging, thereby potentially causing blurs in the resulting image.
Accordingly, the conventional imaging device does not effectively prevent the housing from being pulled over, while allowing for enhanced illumination. Additionally, the conventional imaging device is subject to difficulties in changing component-image data. Furthermore, a wide variety of synthesized images can not be provided. Also, the images are subject to blurring because the start of the imaging operation may have to be manually conducted by the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Aspects of the present invention provide for an imaging device that is capable of obtaining sufficient illumination using a hood covering the upper part of the body, while effectively preventing the housing from being pulled over. Aspects of the present invention further provide for an imaging device, including an image synthesization device, which can easily allow for a change of component-images, such as background images. Furthermore, aspects of the present invention provide for an imaging device, including an image synthesization device, that is capable of producing a wide variety of synthesized images. Additional aspects of the present invention provide for an imaging device capable of conducting the imaging process without causing blurs in the resulting image due to manipulation.
The provision of only a hanging screen leads to difficulties in enhancing the illumination, and in restricting the entrance outside light. If, for an imaging device such as that shown in FIG.
1
(
a
), an upper cover member
73
(i.e., a hood) is attached to the frame
72
, as shown in FIG.
1
(
b
), the torque applied to the frame increases, thereby causing the stress relaxation portions
72
a
to be ineffective in preventing the housing
70
from being pulled over.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, an imaging device comprises a housing containing an imaging means, a frame whose end portions are rotatably attached to an upper end of a front of the housing, a hood that is disposed above the frame and is connected to the frame, and a compressive/extendable support means (i.e., a spring) having one end fixed to the hood and the other end attached to the top of the housing, for supporting the frame and the hood so that they are approximately parallel with each other. Preferably, this first embodiment is provided an illuminating means for illuminating at least one of the side portions and the upper portion of the housing. The support means is a preferably a spring member supporting the frame and the hood so that they are approximately parallel to a portion of the housing, by urging the hood to be adjacent to the top of the housing.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the imaging device has an image-synthesis device that includes an imaging means for imaging a subject, a connecting means for detachably connecting an external storage unit storing data for a plurality of component-images that are different from each other, an image synthesizing means for synthesizing subject images imaged by the imaging means with component-images, and a supplying means for supplying the image synthesizing means with data for different component-images stored in the external storage unit while connected to the connecting means.
According to an adaptation of the second aspect of the present invention, the image synthesizing means includes a first frame memory circuit for storing the subject image data of the imaged subject, an image selecting means for successively selecting a plurality of different component-images from the external storage unit, an image synthesizer for synthesizing the subject image data that is output from the first memory with successive component-image data selected with the image selecting means to successively output synthesized image data, and a second frame memory circuit for storing the plurality of synthesized image data produced from the successive component-image data. The image synthesizing device prints the plurality of synthesized images onto one sheet, using the plurality of synthesized image data stored in the second memory.
According to another adaptation of the second aspect of the present invention, the image synthesizing device also includes an image converting means for converting colors of the synthesized image data output from the image synthesizer into monochrome.
According to yet another adaptation of
Fujimoto Kenta
Hiraoka Kazukuni
Horiguchi Hamao
Ishimoto Kouichi
Kimura Hiroaki
Mathews Alan A.
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
SNK Corporation
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