Video Wall Chroma Key Guest Image Merging
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating professional quality images of guests at venues are limited by the availability of painted backgrounds, lack of interaction with backgrounds, and impracticality for large-scale use, leading to unappealing results and difficulties in image extraction and background changes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses chroma key backgrounds displayed on video surfaces, allowing guests to select and preview environments, with automated image processing to extract and merge guest images into chosen backgrounds, enabling instant creation and delivery of customized souvenir portfolios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If painted backgrounds are used for professional quality images, then image quality is improved, but availability and versatility of backgrounds are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses video displays to show copies or representations of various background scenes (Times Square, Paris, etc.) instead of requiring physical painted walls for each location. The video walls present visual copies of distant locations, allowing guests to select from multiple environments without needing physical sets for each destination.
Solution Approach 2:
A single video wall serves multiple functions: displaying different background scenes, showing chroma key backgrounds for image extraction, presenting merged preview images, and facilitating guest interaction. This multi-functional device replaces the need for multiple dedicated painted walls.
2Adaptability or versatility
If blank walls are used as backgrounds, then background versatility is improved, but visual appeal and image extraction quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses chroma key technology with colored backgrounds (typically green or blue screens) that can be easily distinguished from the guest's clothing and skin tones. The video wall displays these specific colors during image capture, enabling automatic color-based extraction of the guest from the background without requiring complex manual editing.
Solution Approach 2:
After extraction using the chroma key background, the guest image is copied and merged into the selected destination background scene from the video wall library, creating the final composite image that shows the guest in the desired location.
3Manufacturing precision
If studio imaging with painted walls is used, then image quality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical set construction and painting operations with electronic video display technology. Instead of building and painting physical walls for each location, the system uses video walls to electronically present various backgrounds, significantly reducing facility complexity and setup time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of background delivery from static painted surfaces to dynamic video displays. This allows the same physical space to present multiple different backgrounds by changing the video content, eliminating the need for multiple physical sets.
4Adaptability or versatility
If chroma key backgrounds are flashed on video surfaces, then background versatility and interaction are improved, but guest perception of being in the background scene may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The chroma key background is flashed briefly at specific moments during the imaging process rather than being continuously displayed. This periodic display allows the system to capture the guest against the colored background for extraction while maintaining the illusion during other phases of the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The chroma key background serves as an intermediary element that facilitates the technical process of image extraction without being part of the final image. It mediates between the guest and the destination background, enabling the composite image creation while minimizing disruption to the guest experience through brief, subtle display.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for creating and distributing professional quality pictorial souvenirs giving the illusion that guests of a facility were imaged at other locations, including making initial arrangements with guests, showing selections of background scene images at video displays and flashing chroma key images interspersed with frames of the scene images, taking key guest images in synch with the flashed key images, extracting guest image content from the key guest images and merging into selecting scene images, showing preview merges images for guest selection and providing souvenir portfolios that include merged images to guests or designees after making financial arrangements, including for payment to third parties for copyright content included in the souvenirs and with advertisers for promotional material included in the souvenirs.