Guest-Activated Venue Photo Capture System

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of theme park photographers for capturing guest experiences is labor-intensive and costly, leading to missed opportunities for scenic photo-taking and increased operational expenses.

Innovation Solution

An image capture system with fixed camera areas and kiosks that use ID readers to automatically take photos linked to guest IDs, allowing guests to retrieve photos via a server, which can be accessed remotely, eliminating the need for on-site employees and enabling themed, panoramic captures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If theme park photographers are used to capture guest photos, then photo capture service is provided, but labor costs and operational expenses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephoto capture serviceVSAvoidlabor cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables guests to autonomously initiate photo capture by scanning their own admission tickets at kiosks positioned at scenic locations. The automated kiosk reads the ticket barcode, triggers the camera, and stores photos linked to the guest's ticket, eliminating the need for photographer employees to manually capture each photo.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of photographers using PDAs to scan tickets and transfer photos is replaced with an automated electronic system. The kiosk directly reads barcodes from admission tickets, automatically activates cameras, and digitally stores photos with associated ticket identifiers, removing the intermediary PDA device and manual data transfer steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If theme park photographers roam around the park, then photos can be taken at various locations, but guests may miss scenic spots and photographer coverage is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephoto location flexibilityVSAvoidphoto capture opportunity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous service provided by roaming photographers is segmented into discrete automated kiosks positioned at specific scenic locations throughout the park. Each kiosk is independently equipped with cameras and ticket readers, allowing guests to access photo capture services at multiple predetermined locations without relying on photographer availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Photo capture opportunities are prepared in advance by pre-positioning automated kiosks at scenic locations throughout the park. Guests can access these pre-prepared photo opportunities at any location during their visit, eliminating the uncertainty of whether a photographer will be available at desired scenic spots.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If PDA and interface cords are used to transfer photos from camera to database, then photo storage is achieved, but device complexity and manual processing increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephoto storageVSAvoidphoto transfer system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate PDA device and interface cords are extracted from the photo transfer process. The system directly transfers photos from the camera to the central database through automated digital communication, eliminating the intermediary storage and transfer step that required manual intervention and additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If guests present printed tickets at photography gift shop for photo retrieval, then photos can be obtained, but guests must be present at the venue and process is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephoto retrievalVSAvoidphoto retrieval time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The manual photo retrieval process at the gift shop is replaced with automated electronic delivery. After photos are captured and stored in the database with ticket identifiers, the system automatically emails digital copies to guests, eliminating the need for physical presence at the venue and manual photo collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9332138B2Guest-activated image capture system for venues and associated methods

Publication Date: 2016.05.03 COLORVISION INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

An image capture system for a venue includes fixed image capture areas spaced throughout the venue. Each fixed image capture area includes at least one camera, and a kiosk coupled to the at least one camera. The kiosk includes an identification (ID) reader to read a guest ID presented by a guest, and a processor to activate the at least one camera to take a photo of the guest based on the ID reader reading the guest ID. The processor also links the guest ID with the photo. A server is coupled to the fixed image capture areas to store each photo with the linked guest ID.