Abstract: A device for producing printed images of a subject is described. The device includes a housing containing an imaging apparatus, and a frame carrying a hood configured to exclude outside light from illuminating a subject. The frame is rotationally spring loaded and counterbalanced on the housing, allowing the frame to be pulled downward without pulling the housing over onto the subject. The hood is configured to indirectly illuminate the subject by reflecting light onto the subject. The imaging apparatus includes a camera configured to take subject image data (i.e., a picture of the subject), a device to provide component-image data (i.e., background, foreground or framing images) to be synthesized with the picture of the subject, a device to synthesize the picture with the component-images, and a printer to print the resulting synthesized images. A cassette unit that contains a plurality of read-only memory chips is removably plugged into the device.

Abstract: An automatic laser beam machining apparatus with a sensor that detects whether a user slots a fare (e.g. coins) for starting laser beam machining of an article. The apparatus includes a video camera that can take an image (such as the face of a user) and reproduce it by laser machining upon an article. The article is removed from a stack of the articles and automatically properly positioned for laser machining with safety and ease. A mark is provided on the article for detecting the machining condition (e.g. the material or a shape of the article) by using a sensor.