Automatic photobooth with electronic imaging camera

An automatic picture taking system has a housing which may be in the form of a booth. The housing contains a video camera and is arranged to produce a video picture of a subject in a picture taking zone. The video picture can be converted to a print e.g. using a digital thermal color printer. The video picture is stored in memory and can be processed to give a desired composition prior to printing. The picture may consist of the image of the subject which is separated from the background using chroma keying and which is then combined with a selected electronically prestored background or foreground.

TECHNICAL FIELD
 This invention relates to a machine, particularly a coin (or token)
 operated machine, for automatic picture taking.
 BACKGROUND ART
 Automatic coin operated machines are known for taking pictures of persons
 for passport or visa photographs or for portrait or other purposes. These
 known machines comprise a booth containing an adjustable seat positioned
 in front of a box structure containing a camera concealed behind a
 reflective glass panel. After actuating the machine by insertion of a coin
 into a coin mechanism one or more photographs are automatically taken of a
 person sitting on the seat. The photographs are developed and printed by
 equipment within the box structure and prints are delivered through a slot
 in an outer wall of the booth.
 With this arrangement, due to the use of a photographic camera and a
 chemical developing and printing process, limitations are imposed, in
 practice, on the versatility of the machine and the speed with which
 prints of pictures taken can be delivered to the user.
 An object of the present invention is to provide an improved automatic
 picture taking machine with which it is possible to achieve considerable
 versatility and fast picture delivery.
 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
 According to the invention therefore there is provided an automatic picture
 taking system comprising a housing containing a camera and an automatic
 apparatus which when actuated causes the camera to take at least one
 picture of a subject located in a zone near to the housing and to provide
 a print-producing output, and a printer arranged to be operated by said
 output to produce a print of such picture, characterised in that the
 camera comprises an electronic imaging camera which produces an image
 output in the form of storable electronic data, said automatic apparatus
 includes a control system for storing and processing said data, and said
 printer is adapted to produce a print corresponding to said stored and
 processed electronic data.
 With this arrangement, due to the use of the electronic imaging camera and
 the printer, prints can be produced quickly, and there is much scope for
 versatility arising from the ability to process the electronic image data
 prior to production of the prints therefrom.
 The printer may be mounted within the housing and produced prints may be
 supplied at an outlet in the housing. Other arrangements are possible and,
 for example, the printer may be separate from the housing and may be
 connected remotely to the control system via a lead or other data-transfer
 link (e.g. a telephone link or radiation link). Further, the control
 system may supply the print-producing output as data stored on a suitable
 medium such as a magnetic card or disc or tape or solid state memory or
 other device, such data being transferred to, the printer (which may be
 remote from the housing) by physical transport of the data storage medium
 from e.g. an outlet slot in the housing to an input data reader associated
 with the printer.
 With regard to the housing this may take any suitable form.
 In one embodiment, the housing has an upstanding box structure containing
 some or all of the camera, automatic apparatus and printer, with the
 camera arranged to take the picture of the subject in said picture taking
 zone in front of a front wall or other outer wall of the box structure
 which is formed to permit taking of a picture therethrough. This outer
 wall may consist of or include a mirrored glass or other transparent panel
 or aperture through which the camera is directed at the zone.
 Conveniently the housing may be in the form of a booth with said zone
 bounded by said outer wall of the upstanding box structure and by one or
 more further walls defining therewith a partial or complete enclosure.
 However, the booth configuration is not essential and the box structure
 may stand alone with the said picture taking zone unbounded and not
 enclosed.
 Where the intended subject is a person, the housing may include a seat
 mounted in said picture taking zone and this may be height adjustable
 whereby, for example, the person can align himself with the camera, for
 example, by aligning his eyes with indications on the aforesaid outer wall
 of the box structure. It is, however, not essential to provide a height
 adjustable seat, nor even to provide a seat. In the latter respect, the
 machine may be intended for use by a person standing in front of the
 machine. Thus, the housing may be in the form of a console or booth with
 an adjacent floor area above which is located the picture taking zone,
 said floor area being a standing area whereby the system is adapted for
 the taking of a picture of a standing person.
 Especially (but not necessarily exclusively) in the case where there is a
 seat which is not height adjustable, or where no seat is provided,
 provision may be made for height adjustment of the alignment of the camera
 (e.g. by mounting the camera and/or an interposed mirror on a drive
 device). Thus, in one embodiment height adjustment is effected with a
 movable mirror, and in this case the arrangement may be such that the
 camera is directed upwardly and the movable mirror is pivotable about an
 angled position above the camera. Alternatively or additionally the camera
 may be mounted so that it is movable up and down (e.g. with a motor and
 worm drive) and/or drivably pivotable. Where a movable camera is used this
 may be directed generally horizontally directly at the picture-taking zone
 or indirectly via interposed mirrors.
 Other arrangements are also possible and thus the camera may be directed
 downwardly or in any other disposition.
 With regard to the camera this may be of any suitable kind and conveniently
 may be a scanning video camera of conventional form operating on any
 desired system. The camera may incorporate an appropriate optical system
 giving sharp focusing over a suitable range within the intended picture
 taking zone. The optical alignment of the camera with the subject in the
 zone may be direct or if desired angular via one or more interposed
 mirrors.
 With regard to the printer this is preferably a printer capable of
 producing color prints. A suitable printer is of the thermal dye transfer
 kind where thermally heated `points` defined by pins or small discrete
 zones on a surface are activated to transfer dots of color from a
 substrate to print material. Alternatively other digital data-controllable
 printers such as an ink jet-printer, a laser printer or the like capable
 of operating in monochrome or multicolour may be used. If desired two or
 more printers may be provided to minimise printing delays and/or to
 minimise `down time` whilst a supply of printing material is being
 replenished. Thus, the arrangement may be such that one printer operates
 first and operation is switched to a second printer when the first printer
 needs refilling with print material. The arrangement may also be such that
 the printers are operated at the same time e.g. to speed up production of
 duplicates. The printers may be provided at the same location or at
 different locations as desired.
 The said automatic apparatus preferably includes a coin or token (or
 similar) mechanism, that is a mechanism which has to be actuated by
 insertion of one or more coins (or equivalent credit means such as a
 coin-type token, or a note or a credit card or the like) before pictures
 can be taken.
 The control system may comprise any suitable computer system with
 appropriate data storage. Most preferably, the control system further
 includes a visual display device on which there can be displayed to the
 user a representation of an image of the subject as obtained with the
 camera. This facility may be used to assist the user in deciding whether
 or not the image is satisfactory and is to be printed, and/or for
 selection of an image from a plurality of images. Alternatively or
 additionally the facility may be used to enable the image to be modified
 prior to printing as, for example, by changing the background or
 foreground, adjusting scale (e.g. reduce, pan or zoom), moving the
 position of the image relative to a background or foreground, or by
 special effects such as distorting the image (e.g. to give a `fat` or
 `thin` or `twisted` image etc.) using optical and/or electronic
 distortion.
 By background is meant an area on which the image is superimposed. By
 foreground is meant an area having a space into which the image can be
 inserted.
 The visual display device may be a VDU screen on crt apparatus or any other
 suitable device and may be positioned on the housing in any suitable
 manner. Thus, the device may be directed into the said picture taking zone
 so that it can be readily seen in such zone. Alternatively it may be
 directed externally of the zone so that a person inspecting the device
 does not have to obstruct the zone whilst doing this. It is also possible
 to have two or more devices providing the same or different displays so
 that a person can choose which to use and/or so that one person can use
 one device for one purpose whilst another person uses another for a
 different purpose. User controls such as press buttons, a touch screen
 etc. may be provided on or adjacent the (or at least one) device. The VDU
 directed into the zone may give an actual mirror reversed image and if
 desired a control may be provided for switching between these.
 The machine described may be used to produce passport type pictures of
 persons, or portraits, or entertaining compositions where, for example, a
 person's picture is superimposed on or juxtaposed with an interesting or
 amusing background or foreground or supplementary picture or decoration or
 other supplementary representation. One or more electronically stored said
 supplementary representations may be provided whereby the said electronic
 data used to produce the print corresponds to combination of a taken
 picture with the (or one) said representation. Alternatively or
 additionally it is of course possible to provide a selectable physical
 backing e.g. curtains drawable across a back part of the picture-taking
 zone etc. Most preferably a range of electronically stored supplementary
 representations is provided with provision being made for user selection
 from the range. These representations may be stored in any suitable manner
 e.g. on hard disc and provision may be made for changing the stored range
 e.g. by downloading from floppy disc inserted into a disc drive within the
 housing or by insertion of ROM or magnetic card or other storage device or
 by connection to a remote data source via wireless link, electric cable,
 optical cable or otherwise. Provision may be made if desired for inserting
 the user's own representations e.g. on video tape. The control system may
 incorporate a monitoring device for monitoring parameters of the equipment
 e.g. frequency of usage, type of usage, money (or equivalent) taken,
 consumption of materials, attempts at tampering, failure of components
 etc. Where stored representations are provided as mentioned above the
 monitoring device may be arranged to monitor use of particular
 representations and this may be associated with a counting device whereby
 a representation may cease to be available for selection after a
 predetermined maximum number of selections for that representation has
 been reached (this being of value where monitoring for payment of
 copyright licences is required). On reaching the maximum number of
 selections the arrangement may be such that the representation may become
 available for re-selection by down loading of more `availability` for that
 representation e.g. from a `fresh` floppy disc or a partially used floppy
 disc with residual `availability`.
 The control system may also incorporate other features. For example a real
 time clock may be provided whereby monitoring of machine parameters can be
 monitored in relation to time and/or changes can be made as a function of
 time. In the latter respect for example the cost per usage can be changed
 for different times of the day and/or at different times of the week etc.
 Where data is monitored this may be stored so as to be accessible at the
 equipment (e.g. by plugging in a reader or by visually inspecting meters
 in the equipment). Alternatively or additionally the data may be provided
 on a data store (e.g. disc etc) which can be removed from the machine for
 reading elsewhere and/or the data may be made available by remote
 transmission on-line or otherwise. The data may also be made accessible by
 printing out using the said picture printer of the apparatus or an
 additional printer. Similarly, instruction data etc. may be transferable
 to the control system physically (by insertion of a disc, operation of
 switches etc.) or by remote transmission on-line or otherwise.
 The produced prints may be individual prints or combined prints, and
 printing may be effected on paper or card or on any other suitable
 material intended for any suitable purpose. The prints may be on id cards,
 postcards or any other suitable substrates. The substrate may be
 pre-formed e.g. pre-printed with associated material (e.g. a card
 pre-printed with postcard markings on one side). Alternatively or
 additionally the substrate may be printed by the system of the invention
 e.g. by the said printer. For exmaple, where id cards are being produced
 the printer may print the id information alongside the picture.
 The printed id information may be standardised and/or may comprise
 information entered e.g. by a keyboard associated with or connected to the
 apparatus.
 Alternatively or additionally the print output may be in the form of a
 video or digital or other recording of a static or moving nature. For
 example, the user may be provided with a video tape or computer disc etc
 showing the taken picture e.g. on top of a suitable background generated
 by the machine or provided by the user.
 The picture taken in the picture-taking zone may be utilised in its
 entirety to generate the finished print. Alternatively and preferably the
 picture taken may be modified by removal of portions to isolate a desired
 image, only the isolated image being used to generate the finished print
 (in combination with any electronically added supplementary representation
 as mentioned above). Isolation may be achieved in any suitable manner
 although preferably a background boundary surface is provided to said
 picture-taking zone, said boundary surface being of predetermined chroma
 characteristics and said apparatus incorporating a chroma key filter
 device whereby said subject is separated from the background boundary
 surface in said picture as taken by the camera. The boundary surface may
 be blue or green or any other suitable colour which is unlikely to appear
 significantly in the subject. Most preferably to achieve good separation
 the boundary surface is well (and evenly) illuminated. Thus, the surface
 may comprise a back-lit coloured translucent wall (e.g. formed from
 plastics such as Perspex). To achieve special affects overlay pieces of
 material in the predetermined colour may be used to blank out selected
 portions of the subject.
 The machine may incorporate automatic adjustment functions, especially
 where a chroma key is used as described above. Thus, for example, on
 power-up (or otherwise) the camera may be automatically adjusted or
 calibrated e.g. by utilisation of the known characteristics of the above
 mentioned coloured backing surface. Also, automatic height adjustment can
 be achieved (or assisted) e.g. by hunting for the separation between the
 known characteristics of the coloured backing surface and the top part (or
 boundary) of the different coloured subject.
 The machine may include auxiliary features e.g. for user assistance,
 advertising or promotion. Thus, there may be a video display and/or audio
 sequence and/or illuminated notices etc. The machine may operate in an
 `attract` mode giving visual and/or audible explanations or promotions.
 User instructions may be given audibly during use. Separate video/audio
 presentations may be given respectively in the picture-taking zone and
 externally thereof.
 Whilst it is visualised that the picture-taking zone may be configured to
 permit picture taking of the upper part (e.g. head and shoulders) of a
 persons body (or perhaps a small group of persons) it is possible to
 arrange for a larger picture, e.g. a full length picture of a person, to
 be taken by appropriate expansion of the zone and/or by appropriate
 optical or electronic control of the camera and/or by use of multiple
 cameras etc.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
 With reference to the drawings, the machine is in the form of a
 floor-standing booth and comprises an upstanding box structure 1, an
 upstanding rear wall 2 defining a picture taking zone 3 between such wall
 2 and one wall 4 of the box structure 1, a roof 5 linking the tops of the
 rear wall 2 and the box structure 1, and a side wall 6 linking one side of
 the box structure 1 and the corresponding side edge of the rear wall 2
 thereby to close one side of the picture taking zone 3. The opposite side
 of the picture taking zone 3 may be wholly open as shown, or there may be
 an openable closure arrangement such as a curtain or a door extending
 thereacross.
 The picture taking zone 3 is dimensioned to allow at least one person to
 stand between the walls close to or in contact with the rear wall 2. The
 rear wall and the side wall are open at the lower part thereof i.e. from
 about waist height downwards. The rear wall comprises an outwardly facing
 opaque panel 7 and an inwardly facing translucent panel 8 formed from
 translucent Perspex of a `pure` blue colouration (i.e. having
 predetermined narrow `chroma key` colour characteristics). The panels 7, 8
 are spaced apart and vertical fluorescent tubes 9 are provided
 therebetween to brightly and evenly back light the panel 8.
 The wall 4 of the box-structure 1 facing the rear wall 2 contains centrally
 therein an opening covered with a glass panel 10 which is partially
 mirrored so that a proportion of light from the picture taking zone 3
 incident on the mirrored panel 10 passes through and the rest of such
 light is reflected back into the zone 3.
 The panel 10 is located generally in the middle of the wall 4, the centre
 of the panel approximately at the eye level of a person of average height
 in normal standing position.
 Beneath the panel 10 there is a window 11 through which can be seen a VDU
 screen 12 which is inclined slightly upwardly. Beneath the screen 12 there
 are user controls 13, such as press buttons on a forwardly projecting
 surface, and beneath this there is a coin mechanism slot 14 (with an
 adjacent note acceptor slot 14a). The interior of the booth can be
 illuminated by lights 27, 28, 29 (e.g. flash light) at appropriately
 positioned upper and lower locations behind openings or transparent or
 translucent panels in the wall 4.
 On a side wall 15 of the box structure 1 adjacent the open side of the
 picture taking zone 3, there is a large panel 16 containing information
 and/or advertising and beneath this there are outlets 17. There is also a
 second VDU screen 18 visible through a window 19 at the top of the panel
 16. A loudspeaker of an audio system is mounted at a convenient position.
 Within the box structure 1 there is a video camera 20 at a fixed position
 directed vertically upwards beneath a mirror 21 mounted to be pivotable
 about a horizontal axis. As shown the mirror 21 is at about 45.degree. to
 the horizontal so that it directs light to the camera 20 received
 generally horizontally through the middle of the mirrored panel 10. Also,
 there is a coin mechanism behind the slot 14, crt equipment 22 providing
 the VDU screen 12, the audio system (not shown) a control apparatus 23,
 two printers 24, 25 arranged to feed printed material through the outlets
 17 and a motor drive for pivoting the mirror 21.
 The control apparatus 23 comprises a microprocessor based control system 26
 which is connected to the camera 20, lighting 27-29 & 9, coin mechanism,
 printers 24, 25, audio system, crt equipment 22 and motor drive. As shown,
 the system includes devices 30 for processing color signals received from
 the camera 20, devices 31 for storing and processing image data, devices
 32 for controlling feed of image data to the crt equipment 22 to be
 displayed on the VDU screen 12, hard disc data storage 33, and a floppy
 disc drive 34.
 In use, a person enters the picture taking zone 3, and stands facing the
 mirrored panel 10. If his eyes are not level with the middle of the
 mirrored panel 10 he is required to adjust the picture-taking axis away
 from the horizontal by adjusting the angular position of the mirror, as
 described hereinafter.
 The VDU screen 12 displays information, in accordance with a programmed
 `idle mode` routine of the control system, which information indicates the
 availability of different picture taking procedures relating e.g. to
 `fantasy`, `portrait`, `identical passport prints`, `passport prints (two
 different)`. The user is asked to press one of the user controls 13 to
 select the desired option and also he has to insert a coin or coins into
 the coin slot 14 to a value corresponding to his selection as displayed on
 the VDU screen 12. The external VDU 18 may display the same idle mode
 information. Alternatively it may display different information. The audio
 system may provide information, instructions, background sounds or music
 etc.
 If any option other than fantasy is selected the user then has to select a
 background e.g. a plain color, textured background etc. The fantasy option
 is discussed later. The user then has to make a height adjustment. That
 is, a short time is allowed during which his picture, as taken with the
 camera is shown `live` on the VDU screen 12 (but not the external screen)
 and he is given the opportunity of operating a user control 13 to move the
 mirror 21 and hence centre his image on the VDU screen 12.
 The camera 20 and lighting arrangement 27-29 are then automatically
 actuated to cause a picture to be taken which is displayed frozen on the
 VDU screen 12. That is, the lighting arrangement 27-29 illuminates the
 user, and the camera 20 is actuated to take a picture of the user (head
 and shoulders portrait). There is then a pause during which the user can
 operated a control 13 to reject the picture and have another picture
 taken. The pause and the imminence of picture taking may be indicated on
 the VDU screen 12 e.g. by showing a representation of a count-down clock
 or the like.
 When the user has obtained a picture to his liking (or two or more pictures
 if the `different` option was selected) the video image data is stored in
 memory in the control apparatus 23 superimposed on the background (or
 backgrounds) already selected by the user or a neutral background if no
 selection was made. With regard to the background it will be understood
 that the pictures taken by the camera 20 include a backgound being the
 chroma key panel 8 of the back wall of the booth. This backgound is,
 however, removed from the profile of the user by electronic processing in
 known manner and is replaced with the selected (or default) plain
 background.
 Once the final picture (or pictures) has been accepted by the user he is
 given the option of inserting more credit to obtain additional prints if
 he wishes.
 The user is then asked, by instructions on the VDU screen 12, to leave the
 booth and wait outside to collect his prints. One of the printers 24, 25
 is then actuated to produce the requisite color print or prints which are
 delivered within a short period of time to the user through one of the
 outlets 17 in the outer wall of the booth. During the short period when
 the user is waiting a further user can enter the booth and use the
 machine.
 Each of the printers 24, 25 is a computer-controlled printer of the thermal
 dye transfer printer kind. The high resolution stored digital image data
 is fed to the printer (via appropriate decoding apparatus) to cause
 thermal `points` to be actuated to cause small dots of colour to be
 transferred from a dye-carrying substrate onto appropriate print paper.
 Thus, in known manner, a high resolution colour print generally of
 photographic quality is produced. When one printer runs out of material
 the other printer is then used.
 If the user selects the `fantasy` option, the procedure is as described
 above with the exception that, instead of selecting a plain background,
 the user has the option to select a background or foreground or
 supplementary picture from a range of entertaining representations. For
 example, the representations may comprise background geographical
 locations on which the person's image is to be superimposed, pictures of
 other persons etc. alongside which the persons image is to be displayed,
 or foreground pictures of scenes or persons with `cut-outs` into which the
 image is to be inserted. In this respect, different representations for
 selection may be shown successively on the VDU screen 12, or the different
 representations may be shown simultaneously side by side to a smaller
 scale, or the representations may be selectable from an index etc. The
 representations are stored electronically on the hard disc and the stored
 data can be changed or updated as desired by insertion of data via the
 floppy disc drive.
 Once a representation has been selected the user has the option of
 operating the user controls 13 to select the positioning of his picture
 profile against the representation and also to vary the scale by enlarging
 or reducing his profile relative to the representation as desired. A time
 limit may be imposed for this procedure.
 After selection of the desired composition of profile and background or
 foreground representation and before printing, the user may be given other
 purchaseable options. For example, by insertion of a further coin or coins
 and operation of appropriate user controls 13 he may be able to obtain
 prints with further background compositions and/or he may be able to
 obtain an enlarged portrait print as well as or in addition to say four
 smaller prints.
 With all of the selected options, as mentioned above, the user may be given
 a final option of purchasing further copies of produced prints.
 With the embodiment described above it is possible to obtain high quality
 prints quickly and there is considerable scope for versatility. In so far
 as at least some stages in the described procedure require user operation
 of a control 13 to initiate the next stage, it can be convenient for there
 to be a change of user or a significant change of pose between pictures in
 the same credit operation.
 It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be
 restricted to the details of the above embodiments. Thus, for example,
 although the embodiments show a relatively direct path between the line of
 sight of the user and the camera 20 and the VDU screen 12, if desired
 mirrors may be used to give angular paths of a more complicated nature and
 this may be advantageous in so far as it is required to minimise a
 particular dimension or dimensions of the machine (e.g. the base area of
 the machine).
 Moreover, with the above embodiment, the user inspects his image in the VDU
 12 to determine his pose, but, if desired in a simplified version the
 arrangement may be such that he is required to set his pose solely by
 inspection of his image in the mirror 10. Where inspection of the image
 takes place on the VDU screen 12, the image may be shown on the screen as
 taken, or electronically reversed to simulate a mirror image as desired
 and a user control may be provided to switch between such options. If
 desired where the VDU screen 12 is used for pose composition, the mirror
 10 can be omitted and replaced by an aperture or lens system etc.
 The invention is not restricted to standing arrangements and a seat,
 preferably height adjustable may be provided in the booth if required.
 Also, an enclosed booth may not be essential and, especially if chroma
 keying is not required, it may be possible to use an open arrangement
 simply using a cabinet or console or column containing the camera and
 associated equipment and in front of which the subject stands or sits.
 Instead of using the pivotable mirror 21 it is possible to use a camera
 which is movable up and down for height adjustment purposes. Illuminated
 markers or other devices may be used to indicate the correct positioning
 of the camera.
 A single control may be used for camera height adjustment. Alternatively it
 is possible to use a row of buttons or other control devices, whereby the
 user operates the control device which is level with his eyes.
 Instead of using an integrated structure it is possible to form the
 apparatus in two or more modules. In addition (or alternatively) to taking
 head and shoulders pictures the arrangement may be such that full length
 standing pictures or full seated pictures or any other pose can be taken.
 As an additional feature, a symbol or device or wording may be provided at
 eye level behind the mirrored or reflective panel 10 or elsewhere to
 attract the subjects attention prior to or during picture taking. Thus, as
 shown in FIG. 5 there may be a symbol 35 such as an arrow on the front of
 the panel 10 and a symbol 36 behind the panel which is rendered visible by
 back illumination when the user operates the appropriate control to cause
 a picture to be taken, such illumination acting to attract the user's
 attention and ensure that he looks into the camera.
 Instead of using an opaque panel 7 at the back of the booth, this may be
 translucent so that it is illuminated by the lamps 9, and advertisements
 can be provided on the outer surface thereof.
 As an additional feature, the machine may have a security arrangement
 whereby the camera is used to record any attempt at tampering with the
 machine. Thus, where an attempt is made at unauthorised entry into the
 machine or the machine is struck or other destructive action is taken, the
 camera may operate automatically to take a picture of the picture-taking
 zone or a larger zone e.g. for a predetermined period of time or until the
 action ceases etc. Thus the machine may include sensors, timers etc. The
 output of the camera may be suitably recorded for authorised retrieval.
 Provision may be made for causing the camera to scan, or enlarge its field
 of vision etc.