CN1365458A - Automatic photo forming machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The objective of this invention is to provide an automatic photo-seal dispenser which will provide optically uniform conditions throughout the entire region in the photo booth. Because it has a brightness adjustment means to adjust the brightness of the camera's output image, it will enable the image which the customer sees when he is considering a pose to match the actual image that will be photographed and printed as a photo-seal. The second illumination means to illuminate the subject of the photograph of this invention has a strobe box which illuminates the region to be photographed by means of a stroboscopic illumination unit contained in a box-like enclosure, a reflector panel which reflects the strobe light emitted by the device into the region to be photographed, and a diffusion panel which diffuses the strobe light into the region to be photographed.

Description

automatic imaging machine

field of invention

The present invention relates to an automatic photo-seal dispenser capable of giving a photo-seal that may be found in entertainment facilities such as gaming centers. Imaging is the printing out of images captured by digital cameras with a color printer. An automated imaging machine according to the invention is typically installed in a photo booth.

Background of the invention

Heretofore, automatic imaging machines installed in amusement places such as game centers as described above use fluorescent or incandescent light as their lighting devices when shooting with digital cameras. Lighting is required until the photo shoot is complete, because the person being photographed needs enough time to think about the pose when their image is displayed on the monitor. For this reason, fluorescent or incandescent light is usually used as the light source for shooting.

For this reason, it is almost impossible to obtain enough light to take a good picture with a digital camera, so this method cannot fully utilize the functions of the digital camera. Also, the brightness of the image to be printed must be corrected by software processing. Unfamiliar with the treatments required, the customer could not easily choose the optimum level of illumination.

Even though the brightness of imaging can be corrected by the processing program as described, the monitoring image on the monitor when the customer thinks about styling is very different from the actual printing image actually taken for printing imaging. Therefore, there is a demand that the lighting state when the customer thinks about styling is the same as that used when the image is actually captured.

If the strobe from the flash lighting unit is only used when the photo is actually taken, there is no light when the customer is thinking about styling before the photo is taken. This makes it difficult to consider styling.

In order to accommodate multiple people in the photo booth, there needs to be sufficient photography space and the camera has a sufficient field of view to accommodate the shapes of these people, and a light source that provides optimal conditions for the entire area is required. However, for a group shot, if someone stretches their finger or arm toward the camera in a peace pose or other gesture, that finger or arm will cast a shadow on someone's face. Depending on where people are, there is always the possibility that someone's shadow will cover someone else's face. Therefore, there is a need for lighting that can eliminate such shadows.

Contents of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic imaging machine having the following characteristics. It provides a uniform optical environment throughout the entire area of the photo booth, which includes the space for multiple poses and the field of view of the cameras. Because it has a brightness adjustment device to adjust the brightness of the camera's output image, even when the subject is illuminated by auxiliary (supplementary) lighting equipment, it can make the image seen by the customer when modeling and the actual image captured and imaged. The images are consistent. Even when the amount of flash illumination becomes low, it captures the best images to produce high-quality images. If the amount of flash illumination becomes low, it will detect this state to get the best image.

The present invention has the following salient features. The automatic imaging machine installed in the photo booth according to the present invention has: a coin handling device for detecting and processing inserted coins; an input device for inputting operation instructions; a first lighting device for giving the photo booth and image Lighting, which keeps the subject illuminated in the photo booth; a second lighting, which illuminates the subject when capturing the printed image; a camera, which captures the image of the subject; and a display, which displays the image or necessary information; a printer for printing and outputting an image of a person or group of people whose image is captured; and a control device for controlling these basic components.

The automatic imaging machine in the photo booth works in the following way: when the customer inserts the coin, the customer enters an operation command, the first and second lighting devices of the lighting illuminate the person or group of people taking pictures, and the camera captures their image. The captured image is displayed on a display device, and then the printer prints and outputs the image. The second lighting device for illuminating the subject has a strobe box which reflects the strobe light emitted by the device through a stroboscopic illumination unit contained in the box-shaped cover A reflector panel to the area to be photographed and a diffuser panel to diffuse flash light to the area to be photographed illuminate the area to be photographed.

The first lighting means comprises commonly used lighting equipment, such as ordinary fluorescent lamps or incandescent lamps, or may comprise a combination of one of these lamps and a flashlight. This combination can also be used as an auxiliary light source (supplementary lighting 9). Cameras include digital still cameras and digital video cameras. The diffuser panel of the flashbox can consist of more than one panel.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two flash boxes can be placed symmetrically to the left and right of the camera. The orientation of the second illuminator can be chosen such that the partial illumination from the flash boxes on either side of the camera overlaps the area being photographed. In addition, the second lighting device can be arranged above the area to be photographed to illuminate the photographed subject from above.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, brightness adjusting means may be provided for adjusting the overall brightness of the image output by the camera. The brightness adjustment device for brightness adjustment can adjust the brightness of the image output displayed on the display device, and match the brightness with the image brightness degree of the actual imaging and printing, so that the image when the shape is confirmed on the display device There is no difference between the display and the image display when the image is actually printed as an image.

When it is detected that the amount of flash light is insufficient at the moment of taking pictures, the brightness adjustment device can also adjust the brightness of the image to an appropriate level.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, service life detection means may be provided for detecting the service life of the flash lighting unit in the flash box. The service life detection means for detecting the service life comprises a counter for recording the number of flashes and a comparison means for determining the number of flashes by comparing the number of flashes with a given number for predicting the service life life. The service life detecting means for detecting the service life may also comprise a light sensor which receives flash light and outputs a signal according to the amount of light received, and a comparison means for converting the output signal representing the amount of light The service life is determined in comparison with a given value for a set amount of light. After the service life detection device for detecting the service life of the flash lamp completes the detection, the service life information can be reported and displayed by the reporting device.

The constituent elements of the present invention described above are combined within a possible range.

With the present invention, the second illuminator for illuminating the printed object (to become the imaged image) is provided with a dedicated flash box having a flash lighting unit, a reflective panel and a diffuser panel. This enables a uniform light beam to be produced with a sufficient amount of light. This unit is much smaller than the umbrella reflectors commonly used in photo studios, so automated photo booths that will use this dedicated flash box can be made more compact and less expensive. Also, since the equipment requires less space, it is suitable for smaller areas.

As mentioned above, this flash box emits a sufficient amount of light in an even beam. Therefore, there can be multiple people in the shooting space of the camera's field of view. The flash box provides optical conditions within the field of view characterized by a sufficient amount of light uniformly passing through the field of view. It eliminates shadows caused by outstretched fingers or one person's shadow cast on another, thus producing high-quality imaging.

Because the second lighting device is set at a higher position and the lighting beam is emitted from the top of the head to the subject, the emitted light is dispersed by the subject's hair to create a three-dimensional effect in the photo. The printed image thus reproduces the texture of the subject's hair in a very satisfactory manner.

After the subject, such as the customer's finger, is illuminated by the first lighting device for the customer to check the shape, the brightness adjustment device for changing the brightness adjusts the image before the display device outputs the image so that its brightness is the same as that of the customer's finger. The brightness of the actual printed image matches. The system made it easy to visually verify its images, so it achieved a very satisfying shot. At this point, because the improvement reduces the likelihood of photo retakes, it shortens the time customers have to wait. It improves patron efficiency and therefore, from a gaming room operating perspective, can lead to increased revenue.

Even if the light quantity of the strobe is reduced, the brightness adjusting means for changing the brightness can adjust the brightness to an appropriate level and produce high-quality imaging.

Since the service life detection device can always detect the service life of the flashlight unit, the service life monitoring of the flashlight unit eliminates the possibility of recording in insufficient lighting conditions. This makes it possible to produce high-quality photos over a long period of time.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an automatic imaging machine according to the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a front view of an automatic imaging machine according to the present invention;

Figure 3 illustrates a view in partial cross-section of an automated imaging machine according to the present invention;

Figure 4 illustrates a side view of a cross-section of a flash box according to the present invention;

Figure 5 illustrates a front view of a cross-section of a flash box according to the invention;

Figure 6 illustrates how the flash lighting unit is illuminated in the flash box;

Figure 7 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the flash box according to the invention;

Figure 8 illustrates a block diagram providing control circuitry for the automated imager;

Fig. 9 is the flow chart of this automatic imaging machine logic;

Fig. 10 is a block diagram of a brightness adjustment device;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the brightness adjustment device, especially when parameters for adjusting brightness are preset;

Fig. 12 is a block diagram of a service life detecting device for monitoring the service life of the flash lamp;

Fig. 13 is a flow chart of the logic of the service life detection device;

Figure 14 is a partial block diagram showing another example of how a flash lighting unit is activated;

Figure 15 is a partial block diagram showing another example of a service life device;

Fig. 16 is a partial block diagram showing the inspection process of the service life device;

Figure 17 is a flow diagram showing the lifespan device logic.

Detailed description of the invention

The drawing shows a photo booth equipped with an automated imaging machine 10 such as may be found in entertainment facilities such as game rooms. In Figures 1, 2 and 3, the automatic imaging machine 10 has two digital cameras 11a and 11b, respectively above and in the middle of the center of the photo booth. The upper digital camera 11a is used to photograph the upper body or face of the subject; the middle digital camera 11b is used to photograph the entire body of the subject.

In the middle of the inclined panel in the vertical center of the automated imager 10 is the display 12, which includes a cathode ray tube. In addition to displaying the captured image, the display 12 displays an operation command and an edited image generated by a customer writing arbitrarily on the top of the captured image. The surface of the display 12 also has a touch screen used as an input device. The touch screen can be used to enter data into the displayed image.

On the panel below the display 12 are coin slots 13 and photo outlets 14, and the customer puts the paid fee (coin or paper money) into the coin slots, and the imaging is sent out from the photo outlets. On the vertical panel below the coin slot 13 is a coin return slot 15 .

To the right and left of the digital cameras 11 (11a and 11b) are flash boxes 17 (17a and 17b), which serve as secondary lighting means for illuminating the subject at the moment the camera 11 captures the image of the customer for imaging . On the outside of the flash box is a first lighting means fluorescent lamp 16 . They are kept on in photo booths and are used as an aid in illuminating the subject. Fluorescent lamps 18 are located on the left and right sides of the ceiling of the photo booth in the space-A zone in front of the camera 11. The fluorescent lamps 18 are also part of the first lighting device and serve as an auxiliary device for illuminating the subject from overhead. An overhead fluorescent lamp 18 is mounted on a frame 19 which defines the shooting area A. As shown in FIG.

Figures 4 and 5 show one 17a of the flash boxes 17 mentioned above. The flash lighting unit 22 is mounted on the bottom surface of the box 21 in the box frame 21 and attached thereto by suitable mounting parts.

The flash 22 a in the flash lighting unit 22 is installed at a certain angle (about 30 degrees) toward the inside of the flash box and at a certain angle (about 5 degrees) toward the digital camera 11 . A first diffuser panel panel 23 is placed over the flash to diffuse the flash light. The flash 22a is fixed by suitable mounting parts.

The first reflective panel 24 a is vertically installed at the center of the rear of the case 21 above the strobe lighting unit 22 . At the upper end of panel 24a is a second reflective panel 24b, the upper end of which is inclined slightly forward, and at the upper end of 24b is a third panel 24c, whose upper end is inclined further forward. These reflective panels 24 are flat, so that each plane is slightly inclined than the one below it. However, as an option, a single curved panel (composite resin) can be used.

The reflective surfaces and interior walls (especially side walls) of the reflective panels 24 (24a, 24b and 24c) of the box 21 are produced by coating them with white paint. These reflective surfaces can also be coated with silver lacquer to produce a silver screen.

A second diffusion panel 26 capable of uniformly diffusing flash light reflected by the front surface of the reflection panel 24 is located on the front surface of the case 21 . It is attached to the box 21 by suitable fixing means.

The flash box 17a is configured to direct its light toward the center of the shooting area A as described above. A flash lighting unit 22 located in another flash box 17b is symmetrically placed on the other side of the digital camera 11, which directs its light (at an angle) towards the digital camera. Therefore, the light emitted from the flash box 17a and the flash box 17b is projected toward the center of the shooting area A as shown in FIG. The two beams overlap in the center of shooting area A, illuminating the subject evenly with sufficient illumination from the left and right.

Placing the flash lighting unit 22 at the bottom of the flash box 17 (inside the floor) ensures a sufficient distance between it and the second diffuser panel 26 to achieve uniform lighting.

Another example of the flash box 17 is shown in FIG. 7 . (Parts having the same function are given the same reference numerals.) In this example, the strobe light 22a of the strobe lighting unit 22 is placed in the vertical center of the box 21 . The reflective panels 24a, 24b and 24c are arranged vertically to simulate a curved surface. On the back of the diffusion panel 26 directly in front of the flashlight 22a, a reflective panel 24d is installed (eg, glued), and the size of the reflective panel 24d is the size of the area where the light of the flashlight 22a is the strongest. The reflective panel 24 is coated with silver paint so that it randomly reflects the concentrated light beam from the flash lamp 22a. The second diffusing panel 26 evenly scatters the light beam.

Because the second lighting device is set at a higher position and the lighting beam is emitted from the top of the head to the subject, the emitted light is dispersed by the subject's hair to produce a three-dimensional effect in the photo. The printed image thus reproduces the texture of the subject's hair in a very satisfactory manner.

FIG. 8 shows the control circuit in the automatic imaging machine 10. As shown in FIG. For example, the control device 30 may contain a CPU for processing calculations and control programs, a ROM for storing programs, and a RAM for storing data required for operations. So it can drive all these circuit devices.

When the flash lighting unit 22 receives an input in the form of a flash activation signal, it lights the flash 22a.

The digital camera 11 includes a camera 11a and a camera 11b. As mentioned above, the camera 11a photographs the upper body or face of the subject, and the camera 11b photographs the entire body. When the customer specifies the camera he wishes to use, the shooting operation starts. When a shutter signal is input to the selected camera, the camera performs shooting and outputs a signal (eg, image data) representing the shot image.

In addition to displaying the captured images, the display 12 also displays operation instructions and edited images generated by the customer arbitrarily writing on the top of the captured images.

The input device 31 comprises a touch screen overlaid on the display 12 . The customer is able to enter data by touching the location corresponding to the displayed image. A keyboard can also be used as an input device.

The printer 32 converts the selected captured image or an edited version thereof to a color print and outputs it as an image.

In the money handling device 33, the coin slot 13 and the coin return slot 15 are connected to each other. The device 33 determines the authenticity and inserted currency value and outputs a processing signal. Based on this signal, the control unit 30 allows the process to proceed if the correct amount of money has been inserted. If change is needed or the money must be returned, the device 33 will return the money through the coin return port 15 . In addition to coins, the device can also handle banknotes.

The control device 30 also controls the brightness adjustment device 34 for adjusting the image brightness and the service life detection device for detecting the service life of the flash box.

The brightness adjusting device 34 can change the overall brightness of the image captured by the digital camera 11 and output the changed image. Brightness can be changed in two ways. The customer inputs his desired amount of change or the control device 30 automatically adjusts the brightness of the image. When the photo booth is illuminated by fluorescent lamps 16 and 18 (darker than when illuminated by flashlights), if the brightness is automatically adjusted, the brightness can be adjusted to the brightness displayed on the display at the moment the customer chooses the shape, or the brightness can be adjusted to Brightness when the flash fires.

For images whose RGB values (the 3 basic values of light) represent 256 tones, brightness adjustments are made by increasing or decreasing the tonal values of the original image. For example, the brightness of an original image can be increased by increasing its hue value by 10. If the customer indicated how he would like the brightness to be corrected, the input would correspond to a given hue value. If the brightness values that can be selected are gradually increased, the adjustment parameters for each increment can be determined in advance. The image can then be altered according to these adjustment parameters.

If brightness adjustment is to be performed automatically, a reference value for color tone (for example, the brightness when printing the image) is selected. The tone value of the image (the image used to select the styling and the image to be printed) is compared with the reference value. If the tonal value of the captured image is insufficient when compared with the reference value, the tonal value of the image is adjusted. One of the reasons why the tonal value of the printed image is darker than it is is that the amount of light emitted by the flash lamp 22a is decreasing. Monitoring the brightness of the image in terms of its tonal value thus makes it possible to also monitor the service life of the lamp 22a. The adjustment parameters or reference values may be stored in a storage unit (such as RAM) of the control device 30, or may be stored in an external storage device 36, which will be described later.

The function of the service life detection means 35, namely to monitor the service life of the strobe lamps, consists in detecting the signal that the lighting capacity is decreasing because the amount of light emitted by the strobe lamps 22a of the lighting device 22 is insufficient. For this reason, the quality (for example, excellent quality) prescribed for imaging cannot be maintained. This condition can be considered to indicate that the flash lamp has reached the end of its life, and a signal representing detection is output. The end of the service life of the flash lamp 22a can be detected using three methods. One way is to use an accumulating circuit to count the number of flashes. The second method is to specify the amount of light to be emitted by the flash 22a, and compare the amount of light emitted when taking a picture with the specified amount. A third method is to examine the hue of the RGB values to see the overall brightness of the image. In this embodiment, the accumulation circuit counts the number of flashes.

In other words, the service life detecting means 35 having the ability to detect that the service life of the strobe has expired uses a counter to list and display the number of flashes of the strobe. The counter keeps track of the number of flashes by using the shutter signal output by the control device 30 . The counted cumulative value of the number of flashes of the strobe light is stored in a designated area (for example, a storage unit) in the external storage device 36 .

The number of flashes of the strobe indicating that the service life of the strobe 22a has expired, or indicating the predetermined number of flashes and the number of flashes such that the number of flashes is reached, is stored in a designated area (storage unit) in the external storage device 36. The number of flashes will alert the user and/or owner that the flash 22a is approaching the end of its life and should be replaced.

The lifetime detecting means 35 which monitors the lifetime of the flash lamp operates in the following manner. The accumulated number of flashes is compared with the number of flashes at which the user/owner will be reminded to replace the flash. If the actual number of flashes exceeds the number of alerts, a signal is output indicating that the user/owner should be alerted. If the actual number of flashes exceeds the number of flash lifespans, a signal is output indicating that the photo booth is no longer operational. These output signals can be implemented as follows. The control device 30 can cause a warning of "replace the flash" or "the life of the flash has expired" to be displayed on the display 12, or display these warnings on the display 12 and additionally perform processing to prevent the input device 31 from operating.

Processing performed by the control device 30 of the automatic image forming machine 10 configured as described above will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 9 .

When the user inserts a specified amount of money into the coin slot 13, it is judged whether the amount of money is correct or not according to the processing signal from the money processing device 33. If it is judged that the quantity is correct, the control means 30 allows the input means 31 to operate (step n1).

The customer selects the mode he wishes to use, either upper body/face or whole body (step n2), and selects a look in shooting zone A (step n3).

Fluorescent lights 16 on the front of the photo booth and fluorescent lights 18 on the ceiling provide illumination for the customer when he chooses a look. The light is not as bright as when the flash 22a fires when the picture is taken. To compensate for this, the brightness adjustment means 34 makes the image displayed on the display 12 have the same brightness as the image to be printed. Customers can therefore check their styling using the same image as the image to be printed.

After the shape is determined, the customer operates the input device 31 so that the input device 31 outputs a shutter signal for shooting.

The customer's mode selection and his input shutter signal cause the customer's selected digital camera 11a or 11b to start. The shutter signal is output to the selected digital camera 11 .

Based on this shutter signal, the digital camera 11 drives its shutter. Simultaneously, a start signal is output to the flash lighting unit 22, which causes the flash 22a to flash in synchronization with the shutter signal (step n4).

When a shutter signal and a synchronous video signal (ie, video data) from the digital camera 11 are input to the control device 30, the video signal is output to the display 12, and the captured video is displayed. Simultaneously, the overall brightness of the shot image is checked by a process to be described below (step n5), and the life of the flash 22a is checked by another process to be described below (step n6).

Next, using the input device 31 or the touch panel, the customer can input desired figures and characters on the displayed video. Meanwhile, if a change in the overall brightness (hue) of the captured image has been input, the image will be displayed with the new brightness (step n7).

When the customer approves the image and inputs his decision through the input device 31 (step n8), the printer 32 starts and prints the image. The image formation is output through the print outlet 14, and the process is completed (step n9).

The process of checking the brightness of the image in step n5 is performed as follows.

As can be seen from FIG. 10, when the image taken by the digital camera 11 is subjected to the brightness adjustment function 34 (step n5), the tone of the original image is analyzed, and the tone is stored in the external storage device 36 (or internal RAM). ) for comparison with the hue reference value. The quality of the tone of the original image is determined relative to this reference value. If the tone is too light or dark, it is corrected by increasing or decreasing it, and the adjusted image is output. This adjustment process is performed in the same manner as the adjustment made when the customer selects a figure illuminated by the fluorescent lamps 16 and 18 .

Data indicating an increase or decrease in tone value is stored. This data, accumulated over time, is used to check how the original image should be corrected. It will notify the user/owner when the amount of light emitted by the flash 22a begins to decrease.

When adding writing in step n7, if the user indicates that he wishes to change the overall brightness of the image, the processing is performed as follows.

As can be seen from FIG. 11, the parameters required to adjust the tone representing the increased tone value are already stored in the external storage device 36 (or internal RAM). When the customer inputs a hue value using the input device 31 to change the brightness, parameters for adjusting the brightness corresponding to the indicated value are read out, and the hue is adjusted using these parameters. Then output the edited image.

The flash life check in step n6 is as follows. As shown in FIG. 12 , the cumulative value of the number of flashes counted by the flashlight 22 a is stored in a designated area 36 b of the external storage device 36 . The number of flashes specified as the expected service life of the flash 22a and the number of flashes at which the user is approaching the service life of the flash 22a and should be replaced are stored in the designated area 36a.

As can be seen from FIG. 13, the accumulated number of flashes (accumulated value) is compared with the number representing the life of the strobe (life value). If the actual number of flashes (cumulative value) exceeds the number of times (lifetime value) representing the life of the flash, it is determined that insufficient light makes it impossible to continuously produce high-quality imaging. A signal will be output to prevent further operation so that the photo booth cannot accept input to print. A warning of the photobooth failure appears on the display 12, eg "Please replace the flash. Operation can resume after the flash has been replaced". After the customer sees, the customer notifies the staff to replace the flashlight 22a. The worker uses the input device 31 to input information that the replacement of the strobe is completed. According to this input, the stored accumulated number of flashes (accumulated value) is reset. The process returns to the beginning and the customer is allowed to proceed (steps n11, n12 and n13).

If the comparison produces information that the accumulated number of flashes (cumulative value) has not yet reached the number of times (lifetime value) representing the life of the flash, determining whether the accumulated number of flashes (cumulative value) has reached the number of flashes will prompt the user to replace The number of flashes of the strobe (warning value) (step n14). If so, a signal is output indicating that the user/owner should be reminded to replace the flash. A message such as "This flash is nearing the end of its estimated lifespan, please find a replacement flash" is delivered through the display 12 so that the user knows that he needs to find another replacement flash. When reading this display, the customer will inform the staff that he needs a new flash (steps n14 and n15).

The message that the flash needs to be replaced will be displayed each time the customer uses the photo booth until the number of flashes reaches the number of flashes representing the life of the flash (lifetime value). While this message is displayed, the flash can be replaced.

If the flash 22a is not to be replaced, the number of flashes is accumulated and the process goes to step n7 (step n16 and step n17).

If the strobe 22a is replaced when a message to replace the strobe 22a is displayed, and the worker inputs through the input device 31 that the strobe replacement has been completed, then according to the input (step n18), the accumulated number of flashes (accumulated value) stored in the storage unit 36b ) is reset, and the process goes to step n7.

Since the service life of the flash 22a in the flash lighting unit 22 is monitored in this way, continuous shooting cannot be performed when the amount of light decreases to be insufficient. This design ensures long-term continuous production of high-quality images.

Here the information about the service life of the flash lamp 22a and the warning to replace the flash lamp are given via the display 12; however, it is also acceptable to pass this information directly to the staff via a monitor or a light.

FIG. 14 shows another example of how the flash lighting unit 22 is activated. A flash (strobe) 41 is an integral part of the digital camera 11 . On one side of the flash lighting unit 22 is a photo detector (photo detector) 42 for detecting light from the flash lamp 41 and outputting a start signal to the flash lighting unit 22. The flash 41 flashes when a shutter signal is received from the control device 30 . When the photodetector 42 detects the flash, the flash lighting unit 22 is activated and the flash 22a flashes. The strobe lighting unit 22 can be activated in this way.

FIG. 15 shows another way of detecting the service life of the flash lamp in step n9. In this example, the amount of light is specified for determining that the flash lamp 22a has reached the end of its life. Then, the amount of light emitted when photographing is compared with a prescribed amount to detect whether or not the life of the lamp has expired.

In this example, a light detector 43 is provided for detecting the amount of light emitted by the flash lamp 22a. A signal representing the value of the current flowing through the strobe lamp 22a detected by the photodetector 43 is output to the service life detection means 35 for detecting the service life of the strobe lamp.

As shown in FIG. 16, the lifetime detecting means 35 for detecting the lifetime of the strobe lamp has current value comparing means. A current value (lifetime value) indicating that the flashlight 22a has reached the end of its useful life and a current value (warning value) indicating that the user should replace the flashlight are stored in a designated area 36c of the external storage device 36 .

As shown in FIG. 17, the device 34 for detecting the service life of the strobe lamp combines the signal representing the current value (sensing value) of the strobe lamp 22a detected by the photodetector 43 with the current value indicating that the service life of the strobe lamp 22a has expired. (service life value) for comparison. If the sensed value is lower than the service life value (step n21), it is determined that the amount of light is insufficient to continue making high-quality imaging. It outputs a signal to prevent further operation, so that the photo booth cannot accept input to print. A warning of the failure of the photo booth appears on the display 12 (step n22), such as "Please replace the flash. Operation can be resumed after the flash is replaced". After the customer sees, the customer notifies the staff to replace the flashlight 22a. The worker uses the input device 31 to input information that the replacement of the strobe has been completed (step n23). The process returns to the beginning and allows the customer to proceed further.

When the current value (sensed value) indicating that the flash lamp 22a detected by the photodetector 43 is compared with the current value (service life value) indicating that the service life of the flash lamp 22a has expired in step n21, if the sensed value If the service life value is exceeded, the device 35 determines that shooting is possible. It then compares the sensed value with a current value (warning value) indicating that the user will be reminded to replace the flash 22a (step n24). If the sensing value is lower than the warning value, a signal is output to indicate that the user should be reminded to replace the flash. A message such as "the flashlight has approached its expected service life, please find another flashlight" is transmitted through the display 12, so that the user knows that it needs to find another flashlight (step n25). When reading this display, the customer will inform the staff that he needs a new flash (steps n14 and n15).

In this way the lifetime detecting means 35 can detect the amount of light emitted by the flash lamp and monitor its lifetime.

While exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, it will be apparent that many modifications may be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope. It is therefore intended that the invention not be limited by the foregoing description or drawings, but be defined by the appended claims.

Claims (16)

1. An automatic imaging machine comprising: Currency Handling Devices for detection and handling of inserted currency; The input device is used for inputting operation instructions; a camera for capturing photographed images; a first lighting device for illuminating the image at all times; a second lighting device for illuminating the image when the camera captures the image; a display device for displaying captured images and/or necessary operational information; a printer for printing and outputting images captured by said camera; and A control device for controlling various functions of the imaging machine. Wherein, when the customer inserts currency and inputs an operation command, the first and second lighting devices illuminate the image, after which the display device displays the captured image, and the printer prints the image as output said captured images; and Wherein, the second lighting device is installed in a flash box, and the flash box includes: flash lighting unit; at least one reflective panel to reflect strobe light emitted by said strobe lighting unit; and A diffuser panel diffuses and emits said reflected flash light to the area to be photographed. 2. The automatic imaging machine according to claim 1, wherein said automatic imaging machine is provided with a pair of said flash boxes, said pair of flash boxes being symmetrically placed on the left and right sides of said camera. 3. An automatic imaging machine according to claim 2, wherein a portion of said diffuse flash light emitted by said flash box overlaps the area to be photographed. 4. The automatic imaging machine of claim 1, wherein said flash box emits said flash light overhead to enable said camera to capture stereoscopic images. 5. The automatic imaging machine of claim 1, wherein said flash lighting unit is disposed at the bottom of said flash box, and a plurality of said reflective panels face the area to be photographed. 6. The automatic imaging machine according to claim 1, wherein said flash lighting unit is disposed at the center of said flash box, and a plurality of said reflective panels face the area to be photographed. 7. The automatic imaging machine according to claim 1, wherein said first lighting device is a common fluorescent lamp or an incandescent lamp. 8. The automatic imaging machine according to claim 1, further comprising brightness adjusting means for adjusting the overall brightness of the image captured by said camera. 9. The automatic image forming machine according to claim 8, wherein said brightness adjusting means adjusts the brightness of the image displayed on said display means to match with the brightness degree of printing on the imaging actually, so that when displayed on said display means There is no difference between the image display when the modeling is confirmed by the user and the image display when the image is actually printed as an image formation. 10. The automatic imaging machine according to claim 8, wherein said brightness adjusting means adjusts the brightness of imaging to an appropriate level when insufficient amount of flash light is detected at the moment when said camera captures an image to be photographed. 11. The automatic imaging machine according to claim 1, further comprising a service life detecting device for detecting the service life of said flash lighting unit. 12. The automatic image forming machine according to claim 11, wherein said service life detection means comprises a counter which records the number of flashes and a comparison means for comparing the number of flashes with a given value for predicting the service life. The number of times is compared to determine the service life. 13. The automatic image forming machine according to claim 11, wherein said service life detecting means comprises a light sensor which receives flashlight light and outputs a signal according to the amount of light received and a comparison means which is used to represent the light by This output signal of the quantity is compared with a given value of the set light quantity to determine the service life. 14. An automatic imaging machine according to claim 11, wherein said service life detection means reports the result of detection by displaying on said display means or other reporting means. 15. An automatic imaging machine comprising: camera; monitor; printer; a first source of illumination for always illuminating the image; a second illumination source for illuminating the image while the camera is capturing the image; A brightness adjustment controller is used to adjust the brightness of the image displayed on the display to correspond to the image printed on the printer. 16. A method of producing an image comprising: illuminating the image with a first illumination source; when the image is captured by the camera, illuminating the image with a second illumination source; display the image for viewing by customers; and The brightness of the image printed to the customer is adjusted to correspond to the image seen by the customer.

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