Photobooth with improved accessibility and optical characteristics

In a photographic apparatus (1), there are included a housing (11) consisting of a pair of side panels (13, 14) and a top panel (15) provided contiguously to the side panels (13, 14) in pair, these panels defining together a photo compartment (16) in the housing (11), a photographic unit (17) provided at the rear side of the housing (11) to take a picture of an object person inside the photo compartment (16), printers (18, 19) installed to the housing (11) to print an image of the object person, captured by the photographic unit (17), onto a photographic paper and eject the photographic paper having the object image printed thereon to a photo outlet (38), and a curtain (33) provided, by hanging, on the top panel (15) at the front side, opposite to the rear side, of the housing (11) to face the photographic unit (17). One (13) of the side panels (13, 14) is formed narrower than the other (14). The housing (11) is generally flush, at the bottom thereof, with the floor surface. The area extending from the front end of the housing (11) to that of the narrower side panel (13) is an entrance (23) for the object person entering the photo chamber (16). Because of this wide entrance (23), even a person sitting on a wheelchair or using any other aid can easily enter the photo compartment (16) for photography.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a photographic apparatus for an identification picture etc.

This application claims the priority of the Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-103039 filed on Apr. 4, 2002, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND ART

FIG. 1schematically illustrates a conventional photographic, generally indicated with a reference number100, for an identification picture. As shown, the photographic apparatus100consists of a generally rectangular housing101having a photo compartment102defined therein. The housing101has built therein a photographic unit103to take a picture of a person as an object (will be referred to as “object person” hereinafter) having entered the photo compartment102, and a printer104to print out a picture taken by the photographic unit103.

Also, the housing101has an entrance105for access to inside the photo compartment102. The entrance105is provided with a shade curtain106. The photo compartment102has provided therein a chair107on which an object person sits. In addition, the photographic apparatus100has provided therein an illuminating device109to illuminate the object person. Also, a coin slot and safe (not shown), etc., are provided in the photographic apparatus100.

When an object person enters the photo compartment102of the photographic apparatus100through the entrance105and sits down on the chair107, the photographic unit103is ready for taking a picture of the object person. Then, a flash photography is made of the object person sitting on the chair107and the printer104prints out the captured image data.

In the field of medicine, however, medical personnel such as a doctor, nurse or the like has to identify each of their patients by a medical record, registration card or the like of the patient. On this account, a facial portrait is attached on such a medical record or registration card to prevent the medical personnel from mixing up their patients and taking a wrong procedure to the patient in question. The photographic apparatus100is used to make a facial portrait which is to be attached on the medical record or registration card.

Patients include ones needing a wheelchair or axillary crutches to move. The aforementioned conventional photographic apparatus100cannot be said to be suitable for such patients. That is, there is a step108between the entrance105and a floor surface110on which the apparatus100is installed, and the entrance105is designed as narrow as possible to minimize external light coming into the photo compartment102. A patient using a wheelchair or axillary crutches cannot easily enter the photo compartment102because the step108and narrow entrance105will be obstacles to such a patient.

Also, since the chair107is provided in the photo compartment102of the conventional photographic apparatus100, a patient on a wheelchair has to move himself or herself from the wheelchair to the chair107, which is very hard for the patient. Also, since the photo compartment102of the photographic apparatus100is designed to have only a necessary space for shooting a person sitting on the chair107, it is hard for the attendant of such a handicapped patient to go along with the patient into the photo compartment102for assisting the patient during photography and operating the photographic unit103for the patient.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has an object to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the related art by providing a booth-type photographic apparatus permitting even a handicapped person on a wheelchair or using any other aid to easily take an identification picture of himself or herself.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a photographic apparatus easy to be operated also by the attendant or the like of an object person.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a photographic apparatus used for the above purpose and which can be installed stably on a floor surface or the like.

The above object can be attained by providing a photographic apparatus including, according to the present invention, a housing formed from a pair of side panels and a top panel provided between the side panels in pair and having a photo compartment defined therein; a photographic means installed at the rear side of the housing for imaging an object inside the photo compartment; a printing means installed on the housing for printing the object image, captured by the photographic means, onto a photographic paper and ejecting the object image-printed photographic paper to an outlet; and a shading member installed, by hanging, to the top panel at the front side, opposite to the rear side, of the housing to face the photographic means, one of the side panels in pair of the housing being formed narrower than the other and the bottom of the housing being formed generally flush with a floor surface on which the apparatus is to be installed; and the area extending from the front end of one of the side panels to that of the other being used as an entrance through which the object is to enter the photo compartment.

Also the above object can be attained by providing a photographic apparatus including, according to the present invention, a housing formed from a pair of side panels and a top panel provided between the side panels in pair, one of the side panels in pair of the housing being formed narrower than the other, the bottom of the housing being formed generally flush with a floor surface on which the apparatus is to be installed, a photo compartment being defined inside the housing, and the area extending from the front end of one of the side panels to that of the other being used as an entrance through which the object is to enter the photo compartment; a photographic means installed at the rear side of the housing for imaging an object inside the photo compartment; a printing means installed on the housing for printing the object image, captured by the photographic means, onto a photographic paper and ejecting the object image-printed photographic paper to an outlet; a shading member installed, by hanging, to the top panel at the front side of the housing opposite to close the entrance to the photo compartment; and an operating means installed, near the photographic means, on one of the side panels of the housing.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The photographic apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring now toFIGS. 2to4, there is schematically illustrated an embodiment of the photographic apparatus according to the present invention, generally indicated with a reference number1. This photographic apparatus1is of a booth type to be installed in a hospital or the like for making a facial portrait of a patient or the like. As shown, the photographic apparatus1(will be referred to as “photo booth” hereinafter) includes a housing11as a main body. The housing11consists of a rear panel12, side panels13and14provided oppositely to each other and at opposite lateral ends of the rear panel12, and a top panel15provided between the side panels13and14and at the tops of the latter panels to cover the opening between the side panels13and14and form a ceiling of the housing11. Thus, the rear panel12, pair of side panels13and14and the top panel15define together a photo compartment16.

A person as an object (will be referred to as “object person” hereinafter) having entered the photo compartment16will be facing the rear panel12. Inside the rear panel12, there are provided an photographic unit17to take a picture of the object person, printers18and19to print the picture taken by the photographic unit17, an image processing circuit to convert image signal outputs from the photographic unit17from analog to digital, a main circuit board21having incorporated therein various electric circuits such as a control circuit to provide a system control, etc.

The above photographic unit17includes an image pick-up unit17ahaving an imaging device such as a CCD (charge-coupled device), a half-mirror17bprovided on a surface of the photo compartment16, opposite to an object person, and a light reflector17cto reflect light allowed to pass through the half-mirror17b. When taking a picture of the object person, the half-mirror17breflects light from the object person in a predetermined amount with which the object person can see his or her own face, and allows the remainder of the light to pass through. Thus, the image pick-up unit17acan capture an image of the object person.

The light having passed through the half-mirror17bis reflected by the light reflector.17ctoward the image pick-up unit17awhich will thus take a picture of the object person. An output from the image pick-up unit17ais supplied to the image processing circuit in the main circuit board21where it will digitally be processed and the resulting digital data be provided as an output to the printer18or19.

The first one (18) of the printers18and19is a main printer normally used, while the second printer19is an auxiliary printer which is to be used when the first printer18is out of order. The digital data resulted from the digital processing of the image is supplied to the first or second printer18or19where it will be printed onto a photographic paper. In addition, a power switch20a, a safe (cash box)20b, etc. are provided inside the rear panel12of the housing11.

The side panels13and14are provided integrally with the rear panel12and nearly parallel to each other. The rear panel12, side panels13and14are formed from a relatively heavy material such as steel plate so that the housing11is heavy at the lower portion thereof and can be installed stably on the floor surface2.

One (13) of the side panels13and14is formed narrower than the other side panel14. The housing11is installed with the wider side panel14placed along any wall of a room where the photo booth1is installed. The narrower side panel13has provided thereon an overturn-preventive member22which is to be connected to the floor surface2. To prevent the housing11from being falling down when pressed from the side of the side panel13, the overturn-preventive member22is screwed or otherwise secured to the floor surface2and side wall13. The other side panel14, formed wider than the side panel13, can well support the housing11even when it is pressed from the side of the side panel13.

The top panel15provided between the side panels13and14provides a ceiling of the photo compartment16. It is formed to have a length generally equal to, or somewhat larger than, the width of the wide side wall14. According to the present invention, the top panel15is formed from a resin plate such as polypropylene or the like. That is, the top panel15is formed from a material smaller in specific gravity than the material of the side panels13and14. The circumference, including the side panels13and14, of the housing11is formed from a material having a relatively larger specific gravity, such as steel plate or the like, while the top panel15provided at the top of the housing11is formed from a material having a relatively smaller specific gravity. Thus, the housing11is heavier at the lower portion thereof than at the higher portion, so that it can be installed stably on the floor surface2.

The photo compartment16is defined by the pair of side panels13and14integrally joined to the rear panel12, and the top panel15. The area extending between the front end of one (13) of the side panels13and14and that of the other side panel14is an entrance23to the photo compartment16. Thus, the entrance23can be made wider because it is defined between the side panels13and14different in width from each other. It is wide enough for a patient on a wheelchair to be able to easily enter the photo compartment16for photography without having to get off the wheelchair once and take another position. As mentioned above, the housing11does not have bottom plate. That is, the floor surface2is the floor of the photo compartment16in itself. Therefore, at the entrance23to the photo compartment16in the photo booth1, there is not any step which is found in the conventional photographic apparatus, so that even a patient sitting on a wheelchair or using any other aid can readily enter the photo compartment16for photography without having to get off the wheelchair once and take another position.

The photo compartment16will be described in detail herebelow:

The photo compartment16has provided therein a chair24supported pivotably on the wider side panel14and on which an object person sits for photography. In some cases, a patient sitting on a wheelchair or using any other aid enters the photo compartment16through the entrance23. In this case, the chair24will be an obstacle to the patient. On this account, the chair24is designed to be folded onto the wider side panel14. With the chair24turned to an out-of-use position, the patient on the wheelchair can enter the photo compartment16.

Also, the chair24has a seat nearly as high as that of the wheelchair. For a simplified mechanism, the photographic unit17is immobile. It should be noted that an object person, having the head at a height when not sitting on a wheelchair, will have the head at a different height when sitting on the wheelchair. On this account, the seat of the chair24is nearly as high as that of the wheelchair so that when sitting on the chair24, a person not on any wheelchair will have the head at a height generally equal to that at which a person sitting on a wheelchair will have the head and the photographic unit17, fixed in place, will be able to positively cover the face of an object person. It should be noted that next to the chair24, there is provided a small shelf25on which the object person may put his bag or the like during photography.

The photo compartment16has a first wall16aformed to perpendicular to an optical axis L of the image pick-up unit17aof the photographic unit17. In the photo compartment16, a patient sitting on the chair24or on a wheel chair will face the first wall16a. The generally rectangular half-mirror17bincluded in the photographic unit17is provided in a position where it will be opposite to the face of the object person. The patient sitting on the chair24or a wheelchair can have the face imaged by the photographic unit17while looking at the face in the half-mirror17b.

The photo compartment16has also second and third walls16band16cprovided contiguously to the right and left ends, respectively, of the first wall16athereof on which the half-mirror17bis provided. Each of the second and third walls16band16cforms an angle with the first wall16ain the direction toward the latter. The second and third walls16band16chave illuminating devices26and27provided thereon, respectively. Each of the illuminating devices26and27illuminates the object person in the photo compartment16. Each illuminating device incorporates a light source which is turned on for a flash photography. Conventionally, the illuminating devices illuminate the object person from the upper front. According to the present invention, however, the illuminating devices26and27illuminate the object person obliquely from the front right and left of him or her. This is intended to prevent an difference in illumination between the forehead and chin of the object person's face, namely, between the upper and lower portions of the face while making wrinkles unnoticeable by preventing the wrinkles from making their shadows.

As best shown inFIG. 5, the illuminating devices26and27are provided on the second and third walls16band16c, respectively, so that a line connecting a center O1of the chair24and a center O2of the illuminating device26will form an angle θ1with the optical axis L of the image pick-up unit17awhile a line connecting the center O1of the chair24and a center O3of the illuminating device27will form an angle θ2with the optical axis L. The angles θ1and θ2are set to assure that the shadow on the object person's face will be smooth, no light spots will result in images of eyeglasses put, if any, on the object person's face and no shadow will result on the image background. They should preferably be with a range from 30 to 70 degrees, and more preferably be 50 degrees.

Generally, a difference in illumination between the right and left portions of the face will make clear features of a face image in a photo. On this account, the illuminating devices26and27are so arranged as to illuminate the object person for such a difference in illumination between the right and left portions of the object person's face. According to the present invention, the illuminating devices26and27are arranged to illuminate the object person with a difference in illumination being within a range of 1:1.5 to 1:3, for example and preferably 1:2. It should be noted that either of the illuminating devices26and27may be adapted to provide an intenser illumination. Thus, in a picture taken by this photo booth1, the shadows can be smooth and any object person can be imaged to appear three-dimensional, not two-dimensional. It should also be noted that the photo booth1according to the present invention uses a CCD as the image pick-up unit17ain the photographic unit17. The CCD is narrower in latitude than a camera using a silver filer (silver-film camera). Therefore, in this photo booth1, the ratio of difference in illumination between the right and left portions of an object person's face is set smaller than that with the silver-film camera.

Note that the effect of the above arrangement will be well confirmed fromFIGS. 6 and 7.FIG. 6shows a picture taken by illuminating the object person obliquely from the upper front of him as in the conventional photographic apparatus, andFIG. 7shows a picture taken by illuminating the object person obliquely from the front right and left of him or her by the illuminating devices26and27. As will be known through comparison of these pictures, no noticeable images of wrinkles on the object person's face are found in the picture in FIG.7. This is because the oblique illumination of the object person from the front right and left of him or her as having been described above eliminates the difference in illumination between the upper and lower portions of the face and prevents the wrinkles from making their shadows.

Also note that the photo compartment16has provided therein, in addition to the illuminating devices26and27, an illuminating device28destined to illuminate the object person from below. As shown, the illuminating device28is provided on an upper surface28bof a protrusion28aprovided on the first wall16aand below the half-mirror17band which extends inwardly in the photo compartment16. The illuminating device28is directed so that it will emit light obliquely upward.

Also in the photo compartment16, there is provided on one (13) of the side panels a fare box29facing an object person in the photo compartment16and which forms a part of the controller of the photo booth1, as shown inFIGS. 2to4. The fare box29is composed of a coin slot29afor receiving coins and a bill slot29bfor receiving bills. These coin and bill slots29aand29bare provided at a height at which a person sitting on the chair24can easily put money into them. Since the seat of the chair24is as high as that of a wheelchair, even a person sitting on a wheelchair can easily put money into the fare box29.

Note that in this embodiment, although only the fare box29is provided as a part of the controller, a photography start button, a pre-print check button to check a picture taken by the photography before printing in the printer18or19, etc. may be provided in addition. In this case, such buttons are provided on one (13) of the side panels to face every object person in the photo compartment16.

Below the protrusion28a, there is a concavity31for positioning an object person for photography. The positioning concavity31is designed sufficiently high to receive the knees of the object person sitting on the chair24or on a wheelchair. An object person enters the photo compartment16and sits on the chair24, or an object person sitting on a wheelchair enters the photo compartment16from the entrance23, then puts the knees into the positioning concavity31, he or she can easily position himself or herself for photography. That is, by putting the knees into the positioning concavity31, the object person will direct himself correctly to the half-mirror17b.

Further, the photo compartment16has provided therein an object detector32to detect whether an object person has entered the photo compartment16. The object detector32is fixed to the top panel15just above the chair24, and detects an object person is in place for photography. When the object detector32detects an object person, it supplies a detection signal to the control circuit in the main circuit board21, and the control circuit switches the mode of operation from standby to photography.

Note that the object detector32may be provided inside the aforementioned positioning concavity31. In case the object detector32is provided on the top panel15, it will detect an object person even when he or she is not just in place for photography, for example when he is just standing inside the photo compartment16. On the contrary, in case the object detector32is provided inside the positioning concavity31, it will be able to detect an object person precisely in place for photography because it can only detect the object person having the knees put inside the positioning concavity31.

In a portion of the top panel15, corresponding to the entrance23to the photo compartment, there is provided a curtain rail or hook (not shown) from which a shading curtain33is suspended. The entrance23can thus be opened and closed by the curtain33. The curtain33can effectively block light to prevent light from incidence into the photo compartment16during photography.

As shown inFIG. 8, the above curtain33can freely be moved for easy entrance to the photo compartment16. Also, a vertical slit33ais formed in a portion of the curtain33. The side of the curtain33, being at the photo compartment16and at the back of the object person, will provide a background in a picture to be taken. The slit33ais formed in other than the background-forming area of the curtain33. It should be noted that the shading member may be any other material than the curtain33, for example, a plate or the like,

As mentioned above, the front end face of the side panel13narrower than the side panel14provides one end of the entrance23. A first handrail34is vertically installed to the front end face of the side panel13at an appropriate height. The first handrail34will be an aid for a handicapped one such as a patient using axially crutches or sitting on a wheelchair when entering the photo compartment16from the entrance23. Also, the front end face of the side panel14wider than the side panel13provides the opposite end of the entrance23. A second handrail35is vertically installed to the front end face of the side panel14at an upper portion. This second handrail35is to be used by a patient using axially crutches, for example, when entering the photo compartment16from the entrance23. Further, a third handrail36is horizontally installed to the side panel14at nearly the same height as the top of the fare box29forming a part of the controller. This third handrail36can be used by an object person sitting on the chair24or a person sitting on a wheelchair, for example, to easily reposition himself or herself. It should be noted that on the outer side of the narrow side panel13, there is provided a photo outlet38to which a picture printed out by the printer18or19is ejected.

As will be seen fromFIGS. 9to11, the chair24is installed to the wider side panel14via a pivoting support mechanism, generally indicated with a reference number40. The pivoting support mechanism40includes a chair mount member41to which the chair24is installed. The chair mount member41is pivotably installed via a pivot43to a pivoting support42formed at one end thereof integrally with the side panel14. The chair mount member41has provided beneath the chair24a chair support member44which supports the chair24.

The chair support member44supports the chair24on which an object person sits. The chair support member44has provided at one end thereof a support44awhich touches the bottom of the photo compartment16, namely, the floor surface2, and is pivotably installed to the chair mounting member41via a pivot45. It should be noted that the chair24is provided at the side thereof, opposite to the side panel14, with a lever24awhich is to be operated when turning the chair24toward the side panel13. Since the lever24ais provided at the side of the chair24, opposite to the narrower side panel13, it is easy to operate for turning the chair24.

The chair mount member41and chair support member44are connected to each other via a linkage46. The linkage46is pivotably installed at one end thereof to the side of the chair support member44, opposite to the chair24, for example, via a pivot47. The linkage46has engagement projections49formed at the other end thereof. The engagement projections49are engaged in guide holes48formed in the chair mount member41.

The linkage46moves, when pivoting the chair24, the chair support member44to an in-use position where the chair support member44supports the chair24, namely, where it is generally perpendicular to the floor surface2, and also to an out-of-use position where the chair support member44is held generally parallel to the side wall14.

More particularly, when the chair24is in place for use, the linkage46holds the chair support member44generally perpendicularly to the floor surface2(in-use position) with the engagement projections49being at one ends of the guide holes48. When the chair24is pivoted from the place for use, the engagement projections49move along the guide holes48to the other ends of the latter. Thus, the chair support member44is turned about the pivot45in one direction and becomes nearly parallel to the side panel14and chair24(out-of-use position).

Also, the chair mount member41is connected to the side panel14via a damper51. The damper51is pivotably installed at one end thereof on the chair mount member41via a pivot52, and at the other end at a pivot53aon a support53provided below the pivoting support42on the side panel14. The damper51slows down the movement of the chair24being pivoted.

Further, the side panel14has provided thereon a holding mechanism54to hold the chair24in the out-of-use position. The holding mechanism54has a catch56installed to a fixture55provided integrally on the side panel14. The catch56is supported at the middle thereof on the fixture55pivotably by a pivot57. It has formed at one end thereof an engagement projection58which engages on the chair24and at the other end a presser60which presses a sensor59which detects that the chair24is in the out-of-use position.

Also, the catch56has fixed thereto one end of a spring62which is fixed at the other end thereof to a retainer61fixed to the side panel14. Thus, the spring62forces the catch56downward, namely, in a direction for the engagement protection58to engage on the chair24.

The pivoting support mechanism40constructed as above functions as will be described herebelow:

When the chair24is set in the in-use position in the photo compartment16, the linkage46has the engagement projections49thereof placed at one ends of the guide holes48and the chair support member44is generally perpendicular to the floor surface2, as shown in FIG.8. That is, the chair support member44supports the chair24. For allowing a patient or the like sitting on a wheelchair to enter the photo compartment16, the chair24will be an obstacle to the patient and has to be turned to the out-of-use position. In this case, the patient holds and pivots the lever24ain the direction of arrow A inFIG. 10to turn the chair24. As the chair24is thus pivoted, the engagement projections49of the linkage46will gradually move from the one ends of the guide holes48toward the other ends.

Thus, the chair support member44is turned about the pivot45in the direction of arrow B as shown in FIG.10. When the chair24has been turned to a position nearly parallel to the side panel14, it will be caught by the engagement projection58of the catch56of the holding member54, as shown in FIG.11. Thus, the chair24is held in the out-of-use position generally parallel to the side panel14. At this time, the catch56will be pressed by the chair24and turned about the pivot57against the force of the spring62.

At this time, the chair24can be turned slowly and gently due to the damper51. The presser60of the catch56will press the sensor59which will thus detect that the chair24is precisely in the out-of-use position. It should be noted that since the engagement projection58is forced by the spring62in the direction for catching the chair24, the catch56will be able to securely lock the chair24and hold the latter in the out-of-use position.

Note that for use of the chair24, the holding member56should be turned about the pivot57to disengage the engagement projection58from the chair24. Thus, the chair24will be allowed to be pivotable in the direction of arrow A inFIG. 10, and the engagement projections49of the linkage46move from the other ends of the guide holes48to the one ends so that the chair support member44will be turned about the pivot45in the direction of arrow B inFIG. 10from the out-of-use position to the in-use position.

Next, the control circuit incorporated in the main circuit board21or the like built in the rear panel12will be described with reference to FIG.12. The control circuit, generally indicated with a reference number70, includes a ROM (read-only memory)71having stored therein a program and the like necessary for operation of the apparatus, a program storage72having stored therein an application program and the like necessary for operation of the apparatus, such as a hard disk or the like, a RAM (random-access memory)73which is loaded with programs from the ROM71and program storage72, a billing unit74which makes an accounting by judging a money having been put in the fare box29, a sound output75to provide a voice data, a speaker76to provide the voice data as an audible sound, a drive77in which an external storage unit is set, and a CPU (central processing unit)78which provides a system control, all these components being connected to each other via a bus79.

Also, the bus79has connected thereto an image pickup-unit17aincluded in the photographic unit17, the illuminating devices26,27and28, the object detector32to detect whether an object person has entered the photo compartment16, the sensor59to detect that the chair24is in the out-of-use position, etc.

The photo booth1is constructed as above functions as will be described below with reference to FIG.13:

In step S1, the CPU78judges whether the chair24is in the out-of-use position, namely, whether the chair24is generally parallel to the side panel14and a wheelchair can enter the photo compartment16.

More particularly, the CPU78detects whether the sensor59included in the pivoting support mechanism40is pressed to turn on by the presser60of the holding member56. When the CPU78determines that the chair24is not in the out-of-use position, namely, that the chair24is set in place in the photo compartment16, it goes to step S2where it will get into a normal mode, namely, a photography mode, that is, it will judge whether an object person is sitting on the chair24. When the CPU78determines that the chair24is in the out-of-use position, it goes to step S9where it will get into a wheelchair-only mode. When in this wheelchair-only mode, the CPU78will set a longer time up to a photography because positioning of a person on a wheelchair for photography takes a long time as compared with that of a person not using any wheelchair.

When in the normal mode, the CPU78judges in step S2whether an object person is positioned in place for photography. That is, the object detector32, formed from an infrared sensor or the like, detects whether the object person is in place for photography, namely, whether he or she is sitting on the chair24with the knees put in the positioning concavity31. When the object detector32detects that the object person is in place for photography, the CPU78goes to step S3. On the contrary, when the object detector32detects that the object person is not in place for photography, the CPU78will go back to step S2and repeat the due operation.

In step S3, the CPU78prompts, via the sound output75, the object person to put a due fare into the fare box29. More specifically, the sound output75provides a message like “Please put fare money into the fare box” as an audible sound from the speaker76.

Then, the object person will put a due money into the fare box29. At this time, he or she can easily put the money into the fare box29while sitting on the chair or a wheelchair because the fare box29is located for easy access from him or her. Also, since the fare box29is provided at the side panel13, even an attendant standing by the side of the object person or not near the fare box29can have an easy access to it by stretching the hand from at the entrance23to put the money into the fare box29.

In step S4, the CPU78judges whether the due money has been put into the fare box29. More particularly, the billing unit74determines the money having been put into the fare box29. If the money is insufficient, the billing unit74operates to request the object person to put the shortage into the fare box29. When the money is excessive, the billing unit74operates to return the excess (changes) to the object person.

Then the billing unit74signals the CPU78that the billing or accounting is complete. The CPU78will judge whether the billing is over. If the billing is not yet complete, the CPU78returns to step S3where it will prompt the object person again to put the fare into the fare box29.

In step S5, the CPU78gives a photography starting message to the object person via the sound output75. For example, the sound output75provides a message like “Now, photography will start” as an audible sound from the speaker76.

A predetermined time later, the CPU78will put the image pick-up unit17ainto action to start a photography of the object person in step S6. When thus driven by the CPU78, the image pick-up unit17awill photoelectrically convert captured light and provide the electric signal as an output. At this time, each of the illuminating devices26,27and28turns on its light source. Since the illuminating devices26and27are arranged to illuminate the object person obliquely from the front right and left of him or her, a photography can be made with no difference in illumination between the forehead and chin of the object person's face, namely, between the upper and lower portions of the face, and with the facial wrinkles making no shadow. Also, since the illuminating devices26and27are arranged to illuminate the object person for a difference in illumination to be take place between the right and left portions of the object person's face, the picture thus taken will appear three-dimensional with less shadows.

In step S7, the CPU78gives a photography end message to the object person via the sound output75. For example, the sound output75provides a message like “Now, photography is over” as an audible sound from the speaker76.

In step S8, the CPU78supplies the data output from the image pick-up unit17ato the first printer18or second printer19which will print an image onto a photographic paper on the basis of the input data. Then, the first printer18or second printer19will eject the image-printed photographic paper to the photo outlet38.

Note that if the CPU78has determined in step S1that the chair24is in the out-of-use position, it will get into the wheelchair-only mode, and perform operations in steps S9to S14. Since these operations in steps S9to S14are the same as those in aforementioned steps S2to S6, they will not be explained herein.

It should be noted however that a photography made in step S13takes a time, from announcement of the start of a photography in step in S12until the photography itself starts, longer than that taken by the photography in step S6. This is because the time taken for preparation of a photography of an object person sitting on a wheelchair will inevitably be longer than that for an object person not setting on any wheelchair.

The drive77can have loaded therein a removable recording medium80such as a recordable or rewritable optical disk, magneto-optical disk, magnetic disk, IC card or the like. Image data on an object person, captured by the photographic unit17, is stored in the removable recording medium80. The image data stored in the removable recording medium80can be read by any other appropriate information processing apparatus, for example, and used as a facial portrait of a patient in an electronic medical card. In addition to recording into the removable recording medium80, such patient's image data may be sent to the above information processing apparatus via a transmitter/receiver connected to a network such as LAN (local area network) or the like.

Further, the drive77may be adapted to install an application program necessary for operation of the photo booth1into the program storage72by loading therein a removable recording medium80such as a ROM type optical disk. Of course, the program may be downloaded via the transmitter/receiver and installed into the program storage72.

Since the photo booth1constructed as above is flush at the bottom of the photo compartment16with the floor surface2, there is no step at the entrance to the photo compartment16and thus even a patient on a wheelchair or the like can enter the photo compartment16without having to get off the wheelchair once and take another position. Also the photo booth1is to be installed in a hospital or the like and so the possible uses thereof will include not only a normal person but also a person sitting on a wheelchair and a person using axillary crutches. The wheelchair or axially crutches of such a person may possibly collide with the side panels when entering the photo compartment16from the entrance23. On this account, one (14) of the side panels13and14is formed wider than the other (13), the narrower side panel13is fixed to the floor surface2with the overturn-preventive member22, the top panel15is formed from the material smaller in specific gravity than those for the side panels13and14so that the photo booth1can be assembled with the center of gravity thereof being placed in a lower position. Even if the user of the photo booth1collides with any of the side panels when entering the photo compartment16and an impact is thus applied to the photo booth1, the latter can be prevented from being displaced or turned over.

Further, the first to three handrails34to36will facilitate entering the photo compartment16and positioning for photography.

Further, in the photo booth1, the chair24can be moved to the out-of-use position in the photo compartment16. Therefore, with the chair24folded as having been described in the foregoing, the patient on a wheelchair can enter the photo compartment16without having to get off the wheelchair once and take any other position. When set in place in the photo compartment16, the chair24is securely supported on the chair support member44and a person such as a patient or the like can sit stable on the chair24.

Also, when the chair24is folded for movement to the out-of-use position, the lever24aprovided to be opposite to the narrower side panel13will face the entrance23, so that the patient on a wheelchair or an attendant for the patient can easily turn the chair.24for folding to the out-of-use position by operating the lever24a. Also, since the fare box29is located near the side panel13, namely, near the entrance23, the attendant can easily reach the fare box29to put the due money into the fare box29.

In the photographic box1, since the illuminating devices26and27are arranged to illuminate the object person obliquely from the front right and left of him or her, a photography can be made with no difference in illumination between the forehead and chin of the object person's face, namely, between the upper and lower portions of the face, and with the shadows of facial wrinkles being not captured. Also, since the illuminating devices26and27are arranged to illuminate the object person for a difference in illumination to be take place between the right and left portions of the object person's face, the picture thus taken will appear three-dimensional with less shadows.

Further in the photo booth1, when the chair24is turned to a position where it is generally parallel to the wider side panel14in the photo compartment16, the CPU78gets into the wheelchair-only mode and sets a longer time for a preparation for photography from the step of photography start announcement until the step of photography itself. Generally, the preparation of a photography will take a longer time for an object person sitting on a wheelchair than that for an object person not setting on any wheelchair. That is, in the wheelchair-only mode, the preparation of a photography can be done for a sufficient length of time.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described concerning the example in which the chair24is folded or pivoted vertically. However, the chair24may be arranged to be pivoted horizontally by means of another pivoting support mechanism. More specifically, the pivoting support mechanism, generally indicated with a reference number90inFIGS. 14 and 15, includes a chair mount member92supported on a pivot91provided vertically in the wider side panel to be pivotable about the pivot91. Also, the side panel14has formed therein a cut93extending from a place where the pivot91is provided toward the front end of the side panel. The cut93can receive therein the chair24and chair support member92turned from the in-use position.

Because of the pivoting support mechanism90, the chair24can be turned horizontally between a position where an object person can sit on the chair24and a position where the chair24is not used. In this out-of-use position, the chair24can be moved out of the photo compartment16. Thus, the pivoting support mechanism90is similarly effective to the pivoting support mechanism40.

In the foregoing, the present invention has been described concerning the photo booth1which is to be installed in a hospital or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment but it is applicable to an identification picture-oriented photographic apparatus to be installed at a street corner or a photographic apparatus to be installed in a game parlor or the like, for example. Because of the features of the present invention, any handicapped person will be able to easily use the photographic apparatus installed at a street corner or in a game parlor.

In the foregoing, the present invention has been described in detail concerning certain preferred embodiments thereof as examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments but can be modified in various manners, constructed alternatively or embodied in various other forms without departing from the scope and spirit thereof as set forth and defined in the appended claims.

Industrial Applicability

In the photographic apparatus having been described in the foregoing, since one of the side panels defining the photo compartment is narrower than the other, the entrance to the photo compartment can be assured to be wider and the bottom of the photo compartment is generally flush with the floor surface, any person sitting on a wheelchair, using axillary crutches or using any other aid can easily enter the photo compartment for photography of himself or herself.