Imaging system for displaying front and rear images of a subject

Abstract

The imaging system (100) enables a subject (S) to see himself / herself from the front and rear, comprising: a location (E) for the subject (S); an image module (1) including a semi-transparent mirror (11) and a display screen (12) installed behind the semi-transparent mirror (11) facing the subject standing at the location (E); a camera (2) directed at the back of the subject standing at the location (E) to capture a rear image (B) of the subject; and a processor (4) that manages the operation of the image module (1) and the camera (2) to alternately display on the image module (1) a front image (A) of the subject and a rear image (B) of the subject captured by the camera (2).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging system for displaying front and rear images of a subject. [Background technology]

[0002] A variety of mirror systems exist which allow an object placed in front of the mirror to be viewed not only from the front, but also from the side and, in the case of a pair of reflecting mirrors, from the rear.

[0003] However, these mirror systems only provide a highly distorted view of the sides and back of a subject standing in front of the mirror. The virtual image provided by the mirror is highly optically distorted, giving a distorted and inaccurate impression of the relative sides and back of the subject. The distortion and proportions vary greatly depending on the subject's position. Also, the back or side image is reflected off multiple mirrors, reducing the dimensions of the virtual image, attenuating shadows, and changing colors through these multiple mirrors.

[0004] Furthermore, the simultaneous presence of multiple images of different angles and scales, and the simultaneous occurrence of multiple videos with slight movements of the subject, are perceived as particularly annoying effects that make it difficult to see the details of each image. This function of increasing the number of images allows the examination of details and effects of clothing or the posture of the subject, and the increase in images can be done accurately and efficiently. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2013 / 178841 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 173963 [Patent Document 3] JP 2010-16793 A [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2016 / 162731 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The object of the invention is to create an imaging system which allows obtaining, using means which are easy to implement, front and rear images of a subject standing in front of a mirror which correspond as faithfully and meaningfully as possible in terms of size, colour and orientation of lines and contours. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To this end, the present invention relates to an imaging system for enabling a subject to see himself / herself in a frontal and rearal view, characterized in that it comprises a location for the subject, an imaging module including a semi-transparent mirror and a display screen arranged behind the semi-transparent mirror facing the subject standing at the location, a camera pointed at the rear of the subject standing at the location to capture a rear image of the subject, and a processor managing the operation of the imaging module and the camera to alternately display on the imaging module a frontal image of the subject and a rear image of the subject captured by the camera.

[0008] The imaging system according to the invention allows the subject to obtain precise selective images of the front and back, as well as intermediate partial images between these two positions or poses.

[0009] Observation of the image is no longer hindered or confused by multiple auxiliary or peripheral images that move with slight movements of the subject. Instead, the subject sees only one image at a time, and the images are alternately displayed in the same location with similar characteristics, so the observer is not distracted by multiple confusing movements.

[0010] Image switching is preferably subject controlled or occurs at a programmed frequency consistent with the viewing objectives.

[0011] The frequency of switching and the time each image is displayed on the image module can be programmed to accommodate as many desired purposes as possible.

[0012] This imaging system has a wide range of applications, from professional applications such as theater costume fittings and dressing rooms, to a wide range of unexpected entertainment applications.

[0013] According to another feature, the image module is connected to the processor for alternately displaying a rear image of the object processed by the processor, replacing the front image reflected by the semi-transparent mirror onto the object with the rear image.

[0014] The switching between a front virtual image and a rear real image which has been processed to replace the front image is particularly important in allowing the subject to view the image "from the front", without being hindered by changes in image scale, hue or brightness, and thus allowing an accurate assessment of the details of the subject's clothing, the visual effect on the spectator (third party), the subject's front and rear posture, etc.

[0015] According to a further advantageous feature, the imaging system comprises a subject illumination system having illumination points arranged to illuminate the subject, the subject illumination system being connected to the processor so as to operate the illumination points facing the subject as a function of the image displayed on the image module, as a virtual image on the mirror and as a real image on the screen.

[0016] By adapting the lighting to exposure or to direct vision, it is also possible to study the effect of lighting or its focus, for example, on actors or performance artists more generally.

[0017] According to a further advantageous feature, the processor applies image processing to change the viewing angle and direction of the back surface of the subject to display a real image on the screen instead of a virtual image.

[0018] In this way, the imaging system allows for a particularly high degree of adaptation of the image pair, particularly when, according to another feature of the invention, the processor inverts the real image into the displayed image on the screen, giving it the same orientation as the virtual mirror image.

[0019] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to an example of an imaging system, which is shown diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an imaging system installed indoors. [Diagram 2] The imaging system of FIG. 1, where a subject is shown facing the imaging module. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a geometrical tracing diagram of an intermediate image in an image module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the subject of the present invention is an imaging system 100 to be installed in a room L, such as a fashion accessories or clothing exhibition or fitting room, to enable a subject to view his or her clothing from the front and back with images having at least similar aesthetic characteristics (color, shading, size) so that a comparable impression is obtained from the front and back images.

[0022] This definition encompasses frontal views, where the subject presents himself or herself strictly from the front, as well as when the subject rotates in one direction or the other, as one does in front of a mirror, to see or obtain the corresponding "front" and "rear" views in that position.

[0023] Depending on the rotation angle assumed by the subject S, the imaging system 100 can display, instead of the front image, a rear image corresponding to the same position angle. The subject will have an identical image replacing the direct image, at least substantially retaining the dimensions, and the two images are homogeneous in size and appearance, which are essential for the subject to assess and verify his or her posture or position.

[0024] This alternating display of two homogeneous images is particularly important when the costume has continuity of certain elements between the front and back of the garment, headwear or other accessories, such as an actor's or singer's costume, for verifying and evaluating the costume or pose without the need for, or in addition to, the intervention of a third party.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows an imaging system 100 installed in a room L, such as a fitting room or similar, and including an image module 1 facing a location E where a subject S is standing, and a camera 2.

[0026] A horizontal plane YY passing through position E divides the space of room L into a front area AV on the imaging module 1 side and a rear area AR on the camera 2 side.

[0027] Thus, when subject S is standing at point E, the subject faces the imaging module 1 and the subject's back is directed towards camera 2.

[0028] Thus, a position in the transverse plane YY is defined in relation to a subject S who may be at position E. This position is chosen in the room L and may itself depend on the dimensions of the available space so that the subject can comfortably see himself in the mirror of the image module 1, as will be explained in more detail below. The position behind the subject S may vary greatly depending on different requirements, but the rear image taken by the camera 2 can be processed and therefore easily adapted to the structure required to appear in the image module 1, whose characteristics, in particular the dimensions and possibly the inverted or non-inverted orientation, correspond to the front image.

[0029] A lighting system 3 is installed in a room L with lighting points 31 arranged at the top as shown and also at the sides of the room if appropriate. The lighting system 3 is connected to a driver 32 which operates the lighting point or points to illuminate only the subject, for example the front or rear of the subject, as required.

[0030] The imaging module 1 includes a driver 121 that controls its operation. The imaging module 1, the camera 2 and the lighting system 3 may be connected via drivers 121, 32 to a processor 4 that controls the operation of the imaging system 100.

[0031] System 100 may be activated in a variety of ways, either manually or automatically, depending on the desired mode of operation and application.

[0032] In the manual command mode, the operation of the system 100, or more precisely its components 1, 2, 3, is initiated by manual commands, general command buttons, or buttons assigned to various functions.

[0033] In the automatic command mode, the system 100 is initiated, for example, by placing a subject at a location E and then executing actions according to a program that is triggered, for example, each time the position or orientation of the subject at location E changes by a certain amount.

[0034] The camera 2 or its optics can be made so small that it is barely visible in the room, and it is also possible to hide the camera behind an opening such as a shutter that is only opened when taking a picture.

[0035] The image module 1, which displays an image of the front (A) or rear (B) of a subject S, includes, as described above, a semi-transparent mirror 11, also called a one-way mirror, facing the subject location E, and a display screen 12.

[0036] The display screen 12, for example a flat screen television, is placed behind the mirror 11. Although the drawing shows a certain distance between the mirror 11 and the screen 12, this distance is in reality very small and the screen 12 is placed directly behind the mirror 11.

[0037] The screen 12 is controlled by a driver 121, and when the screen 12 is not lit, the mirror 11 displays the image of the subject, and when the screen 12 is lit, the image displayed on the screen appears through the mirror 11 and replaces the front image on the mirror 11 depending on its brightness, so that the subject S sees his / her own front image when the screen 12 is off and sees his / her own back image when the screen 12 is lit.

[0038] A camera 2 connected to a processor 4 is managed according to the operation of a screen 12 .

[0039] Camera 2 transmits a rear image of the subject which is processed to be homogeneous in its dimensional characteristics with the front image, so that the rear image naturally replaces the front image in image module 1 and the dimensions correspond at least substantially to the dimensions perceived by the subject at the time, e.g. to correspond to the same position when the subject is rotated.

[0040] The camera image displayed is the image captured immediately before the display is switched so as to accurately correspond to the same pose of the subject as shown in the frontal image.

[0041] Image processing by processor 4 can also invert the image displayed on screen 12 so that it has the same left-right orientation as the image in mirror 11, as shown in more detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0042] 2 and 3 illustrate the operation of the imaging system in a geometrical diagram.

[0043] At a place E opposite the image module 1, a subject S is placed, depicted as a cube to make it easier to distinguish the various elements of its silhouette. A transverse plane YY divides the subject into a front part A and a back part B. This division of the subject is geometrical, not physical. It only corresponds to part A of the subject reflected in the mirror 11 of the image module 1 and part B being the image taken by the camera 2, whatever the orientation of the subject, so that the subject can rotate in his place E to see himself in the appropriate position of the mirror 11, while obtaining a counter image from behind.

[0044] The eyes of the subject S are at a position Oo, which defines the subject height for the geometry of the image being displayed by the imaging module 1.

[0045] The camera 2 is located at a height close to eye level Oo, or at least close to the average eye level of the subject shown in the system 100, so that the angle or image taking axis of the camera substantially corresponds (matches) the angle or image taking axis of the subject S viewing his or her image in the mirror of the imaging module 1.

[0046] The lighting 3 is controlled to illuminate either the front part A or the back part B depending on whether a front or back image is being displayed by the image module 1. The camera 2 is positioned to the subject S so that the front image does not disturb the camera image, even if the walls of the room L are neutral and the image of the subject S captured by the camera can be cropped by image processing.

[0047] FIG. 3 shows the images seen by a subject S and their geometrical configuration.

[0048] The image of the subject provided by the mirror 11 is a front virtual image (-Aiv) existing on the image plane PI. This virtual image is represented in the plane of the mirror 11 by a similar representation (-Aiv) defined by the intersection with a light cone whose apex is the eye (Oo) and whose base is the virtual image (-Aiv) on the image plane PI.

[0049] The back view B captured by the camera 2 does not correspond to exactly the same angular orientation of the image capture axis as the view by the eye Oo, so that the eye O1 is shown in the virtual image.

[0050] The image processing performed by the processor 4 consists first of all in making the image correspond to the shape B' that would be the case if the camera 2 were placed in a position 21 at the height of the eye Oo. This height can be calculated by analysing the images taken by the camera, determining the height of the subject and inferring the height of the eye Oo (corresponding to the statistical average).

[0051] The real image B'ir thus corrected is scaled to obtain an image B'1ir inscribed in the light cone of the image (-Aiv) at the point of intersection with the screen 12. In this way, the image B'1iv displayed on the screen 12 coincides with the dimensions of the front image (-A1iv) appearing on the mirror 11.

[0052] To emphasize whether the images are virtual or real, the reference signs end with the designations (IV) or (IR) associated with (-A) and (B'1) respectively.

[0053] In one embodiment, processing the image of portion B also includes inverting the image to obtain an image (-B'1) having the same inverted orientation as image (-A1iv).

[0054] The transition from the image (-A1iv) to the image (B'1ir) or (-B'1ir) in the image module 1 is completely continuous without any change in apparent dimensions. Also, the switching between the two types of images (front image A, rear image B) can be commanded automatically by the movement of the subject S, who changes his / her orientation and posture at the location E, by successively displaying the front and rear images. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] S Subject A Front of the subject B Back of the subject 100 Imaging System 1 Image Module 11 Semi-transparent mirror (one-way mirror) 12 Display Screen / Flat Screen 121 Display Driver 2 Camera 21 Corrected camera position 3. Lighting system 31 Lighting Points 32 Lighting Driver 4 Microprocessors L Room Front of AV room Back of the AR room YY Horizontal plane of the room E Position of subject facing mirror Plane image of PI virtual image -Aiv Virtual image of part A -A1iv Image in mirror plane B'ir corrected real image B'1ir Displayed real image IRB Part B Oo The subject's eyes O1 Virtual image of the eye

Claims

1. An imaging system (100) that allows a subject (S) to see himself / herself in front and rear views, A location (E) for said object (S), an imaging module (1) including a semi-transparent mirror (11) and a display screen (12) installed behind the semi-transparent mirror (11) facing the subject standing at the location (E); a camera (2) directed toward the back of the subject standing at the location (E) to capture a back image (B) of the subject; a processor (4) for managing the operation of the image module (1) and the camera (2) to alternately display a front image (A) of the subject on the mirror (11) and a rear image (B) of the subject taken by the camera (2) and displayed on the image module (1) through the semi-transparent mirror (11), said image module (1) is coupled to said processor (4) for displaying said rear real image (B'ir, -B'1ir) of said object processed by said processor (4) in replacement with a front virtual image (-A1iv) displayed in the plane of said semi-transparent mirror (11) and sent to said object (S), whereby these two images are homogeneously replaced in size and aspect; 1. An imaging system (100) comprising:

2. 2. The imaging system (100) of claim 1, The processing of the rear image (B) carried out by the processor (4) comprises: Corresponding the orientation of the image capture axis to the visual orientation of the subject's eyes (Oo) by determining the height of the subject (S) in order to estimate the statistical average height of the eyes (Oo), scaling the real image (B'ir) to obtain an image (B'ir) that falls within a light cone of the virtual image (-Aiv) as viewed by the subject; 1. An imaging system (100) comprising:

3. 2. The imaging system (100) of claim 1, an illumination system (3) for the object (S), comprising illumination points (31) arranged to illuminate the object (S), connected to the processor (4) for activating the illumination points facing the object as a function of displaying in the image module (1) both a virtual image (-A1iv) on the mirror (11) and a real image (B'1ir or -B'1ir) on the screen (12); 1. An imaging system (100) comprising:

4. 2. The imaging system (100) of claim 1, The processor (4) performs image processing to change the viewing angle and viewing direction of the back part (B) of the subject (S), and displays a real image (B'1ir or -B'1ir) that replaces the virtual image (-A1iv) visually recognized by the subject on the screen (12).

1. An imaging system (100) comprising:

5. 5. The imaging system (100) of claim 4, said processor (4) inverts said real image (B'1ir) into a display image (-B'1ir) on said screen (12) to give said display image the same orientation as said virtual image (-A1iv) in said mirror (11); 1. An imaging system (100) comprising:

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