Digital Imaging Apparatus for User Integration into Background Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating personalized digital images and videos are limited by the need for physical presence at a location, awkward recording experiences, limited image choices, and high costs for equipment, resulting in amateurish products and mass marketing challenges.
Innovation Solution
A novel apparatus and method for capturing images and integrating them into various backgrounds, allowing users to select from pre-stored options, using chromakey or video window technology, and creating customized video games and media products, enabling users to preview and edit their images before finalizing the product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional camera methods are used to capture user images, then physical presence at a location is required, but this limits user convenience and accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pre-stored background images and video clips as copies of real locations and scenes, allowing users to appear in these environments without physically being there. The system captures user images and integrates them with stored background copies to create personalized souvenirs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computer as an intermediary that processes and integrates the user's captured image with pre-stored background images or video clips. This intermediary system eliminates the need for physical presence at multiple locations while still creating realistic composite images.
2Reliability
If continuous video recording is used to capture user actions, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but the user experiences awkwardness and boredom
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous recording, the system uses periodic or triggered capture - taking images at specific moments when the user interacts with the system or when predefined conditions are met. This reduces the burden on users while still capturing necessary images for the souvenir.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing multiple background images and video clips, and pre-programming the integration process. This allows the actual user capture to be brief and simple, while the comprehensive result is achieved through pre-prepared materials.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual image integration is used in home setups, then equipment cost is reduced, but the product quality becomes amateurish
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service through automated image processing and integration algorithms that automatically align, scale, and composite the user's image with the background. This eliminates the need for manual editing while maintaining professional quality, making the service accessible at lower cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by automatically adjusting image parameters such as scale, position, opacity, and color balance during the integration process. These automated parameter adjustments ensure consistent professional quality results without requiring manual intervention.
4Device complexity
If limited background options are provided, then system complexity is reduced, but user satisfaction and appeal decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by storing multiple types of backgrounds (images and video clips) that can serve different user preferences and scenarios. The same basic integration technology handles various background types, providing versatility without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for electronically creating combined digital images of a person and incorporating them into a series of background images or film clips making it appear as if the user were actually a part of the original imaging sequence. The camera can move to take the images from different angles and in an alternative embodiment there are multiple cameras situated such that they sequentially capture and store a series of images to be incorporated into the product. An alternative housing apparatus is in a booth for automatically producing an imaging sequence of a self-portrait of the user integrated into a stored background or film clip, including a cash or credit card receiving device, a computer triggered by cash or credit received in the device, a movable digital camera or video camera to view the user, a video monitor for self-viewing, and the possibility of one located outside the booth for advertising or amusement purposes. A series of stored digital imaging movie clips for selective withdrawal by the user where the captured sequence of the user is automatically integrated into stock stored movie clips and can be either output in an e-mail message posted to a board with a link to user's choice of e-mail friends' addresses for retrieval or a direct link to friend's and family's e-mail addresses or an output device with hard copy of personalized sequence to CD ROM or Video or hard copy print of a still image.