Poster Image Recognition for Automated Cinema Ticket Booking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current movie ticket purchasing methods, such as manual sales and online booking, often result in long lines, failed purchases, and time-consuming procedures, especially due to crowded cinemas and complex booking processes.

Innovation Solution

A movie ticket vending system utilizing a handheld electronic device with a GPS module, camera, and server that captures and uploads movie poster images to quickly retrieve cinema information, allowing users to book, select seats, and pay for tickets online, while generating navigation routes to nearby cinemas using GPS technology.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual ticket sales or voice/Internet booking systems are used, then movie tickets can be purchased, but consumers face long lines, crowded ticket windows, and time-consuming procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveticket purchasing efficiencyVSAvoidtime spent on ticket purchase

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual ticket selling system with an automated image recognition system. The handheld device captures a poster image, the server recognizes the movie information through image processing, and the system automatically queries available tickets and provides booking options, eliminating the need for manual interaction at ticket windows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables consumers to independently complete the entire ticket purchasing process using their handheld devices. Users capture the poster image, receive automatic movie information recognition, query available screenings and seats, and complete booking without any manual intervention from ticket sellers or complex booking procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If voice or Internet booking systems are used, then tickets can be booked in advance, but the booking procedure is complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebooking procedure simplicityVSAvoidbooking time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential interaction - capturing the poster image - from the complex booking process. Instead of requiring users to navigate through multiple booking steps, select from multiple movies, and manually input information, the system automatically extracts movie information from the captured image and presents only the relevant booking options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The server performs preliminary actions by automatically recognizing the movie information from the captured poster image before the user even completes the capture. The system pre-queries the database for available tickets, screenings, and seat information, so that when the user views the results, all booking details are already prepared and ready for selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If manual ticket purchasing is used, then tickets can be obtained, but consumers must line up and face large crowds at ticket windows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveticket purchasing convenienceVSAvoidcrowd exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The handheld device and server system serve as intermediaries between the consumer and the cinema ticketing system. Instead of directly interacting with crowded ticket windows, users communicate with the automated system through image capture and device interface, which then handles all transactions remotely, eliminating the need to physically queue at the cinema.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If traditional booking systems are used, then tickets can be purchased, but the system lacks integration with navigation to cinema locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice integrationVSAvoidoverall convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the ticket booking function with the navigation function into a single integrated system. After successfully booking tickets through image recognition, the system automatically provides navigation directions to the specific cinema location, combining what were previously separate tasks (booking and finding the cinema) into one seamless workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9124782B2Movie ticket vending system and hand-held electronic device and method thereof

Publication Date: 2015.09.01 MITAC INT CORP

AI summary

A movie ticket vending system, a hand-held electronic device and a method thereof. The movie ticket vending system includes a server and a handheld electronic device. A plurality of pieces of picture information and a plurality of pieces of service information are stored in the server. The handheld electronic device comprises a camera module, a transmitting module, a processing module and a positioning navigation module. The camera module captures a poster image. The transmitting module uploads the poster image to the server and the server compares the poster image with the plurality of pieces of picture information. The transmission module receives information corresponding to the poster image. The processing module receives a confirm signal to generate a navigation signal corresponding to the service information received by the transmission module. The GPS module generates a navigation route to guide a user to the cinema showing the corresponding movie.