US6532345B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Imaging system and method
Assignee: LNCJ Ltd
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Filing: 1997-10-22
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Granted: 2003-03-11
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Expires: 2017-10-22
Abstract
Abstract There are described herein systems and methods for producing and distributing personalized photographic souvenirs for spectators of an event. Equipment well-known in the art is used to take photographs of performers at the event, and to scan images or take photos of items representative of the event, for example a ticket stub, advertisement, or team names and logos. In addition, at least one pan-and-tilt camera system, also well-known in the art, is used to take an orderly, indexed series of photos of the spectators such that substantially every spectator will appear in at least one spectator photo. The spectator photos are indexed according to a predetermined mapping algorithm which maps a particular location of the venue to a virtual sector. Individual souvenirs are then created at the venue in a centralized processing location, by organizing and combining a spectator photo with the other photos and/or scanned images. The souvenirs are then distributed to vendors who then present them to spectators in the sector or sectors from where the spectator photo was taken. The souvenirs may also be available to the spectator from the centralized processing location.
Inventors
- 👤 Adrian Gluck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:37
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00132; H04N1/00137; H04N1/00185; H04N1/00188; H04N1/00196; H04N1/00204; H04N1/00244
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of producing personalized souvenirs for spectators of a venue for a live action event comprising the steps of capturing images of various views of the event including views of substantially the entire venue and spectators therein by remotely controlling one or more pan, tilt, and zoom cameras by using a remote control unit for control thereof, transferring and storing into a central server the captured images, indexing the captured images according to specific locations within the venue, and making captured images available to spectators of the event via spectators identifying locations within the venue for which they desire to obtain pictures.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of producing personalized souvenirs for spectators of a venue for a live action event comprising the steps of capturing images of various views of the event including views of substantially the entire venue and spectators therein by remotely controlling one or more pan, tilt, and zoom cameras by using a remote control unit for control thereof, transferring and storing into a central server the captured images, indexing the captured images according to specific locations within the venue, and making captured images available to spectators of the event via spectators identifying locations within the venue for which they desire to obtain pictures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the captured images are indexed according to locations comprising virtual sectors of the venue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein images using substantially all possible views of a live venue are captured.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the images are captured by one or more digital cameras.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the images are captured by one or more film cameras, and the captured film images are scanned and transferred to the central server.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein spectators can select an image they desire among the captured images at a location within the venue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein spectators can search for desired images through use of video display units.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein captured images include images of portions of the live event and images of spectators and are combined to present composite images of the event and spectators.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein captured images are printed via color printers and made available to spectators.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein an operator initiates an image taking sequence to execute a series of steps to take a continuous succession of images throughout at least a portion of the venue.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein a spectator can select a desired image by seat location.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein captured images are transferred to the central server by any one or more of disks, cartridge, transmitted via cable, wire, radio, infrared and satellite.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein captured images can be manipulated at workstations using image editing software.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the spectators are of a sports venue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the spectators are of an entertainment venue.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
108 words
A system for enabling personalized souvenirs for spectators of a venue for a live action event to be produced comprising one or more pan, tilt, and remove control zoom cameras for capturing of images of various views of the event including views of substantially-the entire venue and spectators, a central server to which the captured images can be transferred, and by which the captured images can be indexed according to specific locations within the venue, and at least one viewing unit by which captured images can be made available to spectators of the event by spectators identifying locations within the venue for which they desire to obtain pictures.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
108 words
A system for enabling personalized souvenirs for spectators of a venue for a live action event to be produced comprising one or more pan, tilt, and remove control zoom cameras for capturing of images of various views of the event including views of substantially-the entire venue and spectators, a central server to which the captured images can be transferred, and by which the captured images can be indexed according to specific locations within the venue, and at least one viewing unit by which captured images can be made available to spectators of the event by spectators identifying locations within the venue for which they desire to obtain pictures.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as in claim 16 wherein the captured images are indexed according to locations comprising virtual sectors of the venue.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as in claim 16 wherein images using substantially all possible views of a live venue are captured.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as in claim 16 wherein the images are captured by one or more film cameras, and including a scanner for scanning captured film images and enabling them to be transferred to the central server.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as in claim 16 wherein spectators can select an image they desire among the captured images at a location within the venue at the viewing unit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 16 wherein the viewing unit comprises one or more video display units.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as in claim 16 wherein captured images include images of portions of the live event and images of spectators and are combined to present composite images of the event and spectators.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as in claim 16 including a color printer to print captured images for spectators.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as in claim 16 wherein an image taking sequence can be initiated to execute a series of steps to take a continuous succession of images throughout at least a portion of the venue.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 16 wherein a spectator can select a desired image by seat location.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as in claim 16 wherein captured images are transferred to the central server by any one or more of disks, cartridge, transmitted via cable, wire, radio, infrared and satellite.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 16 including workstations whereby captured images can be manipulated using image editing software.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as in claim 16 wherein the spectators are of a sport venue venue.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system in claim 16 wherein the spectators are of an entertainment venue.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-03-10 | 2006-09-09 | 2007-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-10 | 2010-09-09 | 2011-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-10 | 2014-09-09 | 2015-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |