US6698943B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Imaging system and method
Assignee: Media Tech Licensing LLC
•
Filing: 2002-08-29
•
Granted: 2004-03-02
•
Expires: 2022-08-29
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 00:36
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00132; G; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; H04N1/00137; H04N1/00148; H04N1/00167; H04N1/00169; H04N1/00172; H04N1/00185; H04N1/00188; H04N1/0019; H04N1/00196; H04N1/00204; H04N1/00244
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 92
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of producing images comprising the steps of obtaining images of various views of a venue, and people and objects therein by changing one or more of pan, tilt or zoom of an imaging system, transferring and storing into a server the obtained images, indexing the obtained images according to specific locations within the venue, and making captured images available by identifying locations within the venue for which images are desired.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of producing images comprising the steps of obtaining images of various views of a venue, and people and objects therein by changing one or more of pan, tilt or zoom of an imaging system, transferring and storing into a server the obtained images, indexing the obtained images according to specific locations within the venue, and making captured images available by identifying locations within the venue for which images are desired.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the obtained images are indexed according to locations comprising virtual sectors of the venue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein images using substantially all possible views of a venue are obtained.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein images are captured by one or more digital cameras.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein images are captured by one or more film cameras, and the captured film images are converted and transferred to the server.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein people can select an image they desire among the obtained images for a location within the venue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein people can search for desired images through use of video display units.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the images include images of portions of the venue and or images of people at the venue and images of objects at the venue which are combined to present composite images of the venue and people and objects at the venue.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the images are printed via color printers.
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 person can select a desired image by seat location.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the images are transferred to a 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
13 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the venue is a sports venue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the venue is an entertainment venue.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
93 words
A system for enabling images of a venue to be produced comprising one or more pan, tilt and zoom imaging systems for obtaining images of various views of a venue including images of substantially the entire venue and persons and objects at the venue, a server to which the images can be transferred, and by which the images can be indexed according to specific locations within the venue, and at least one viewing unit by which the images can be made available by identifying locations within the venue for which images are desired.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
93 words
A system for enabling images of a venue to be produced comprising one or more pan, tilt and zoom imaging systems for obtaining images of various views of a venue including images of substantially the entire venue and persons and objects at the venue, a server to which the images can be transferred, and by which the images can be indexed according to specific locations within the venue, and at least one viewing unit by which the images can be made available by identifying locations within the venue for which images are desired.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as in claim 16 wherein the 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 obtained.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as in claim 16 wherein images are captured by one or more film cameras, and including a converter for converting the captured film images and enabling them to be transferred to the server.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as in claim 16 wherein people can select images they desire among the images of a location within the venue using a 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
37 words
A system as in claim 16 wherein the images include images of portions of the venue and/or images of persons and/or images of objects which are combined to present composite images of the venue, people and objects.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 16 including a color printer to print the images.
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 person can select a desired image by seat location.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as in claim 16 wherein captured images are transferred to the 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
13 words
A system as in claim 16 wherein the venue is a sport venue.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system as in claim 16 wherein the venue is an entertainment venue.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the imaging system includes one or more cameras that are controlled manually.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the imaging system includes one or more cameras that are computer-controlled.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the imaging system includes one or more cameras that are remote-controlled.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the venue is a golf course.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the venue is accessible to the public.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the venue is the location of a live event.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the images are indexed according to time.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the imaging system includes one or more cameras that are mounted to mobile units.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the imaging system includes one or more cameras that are hand-carried.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the imaging system includes one or more cameras that are placed at locations to allow viewing of substantially the entire venue.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the venue is divided into sectors.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the sectors are based on physical boundaries within the venue.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the sectors have overlapping boundaries.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein a plurality of images may be captured simultaneously.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein a selected image is combined with additional text, graphics or images to create a souvenir.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the obtained images are indexed according to locations.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 45 wherein the sectors are virtual sectors.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the obtained images are taken and indexed according to locations within the venue.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein software controls which images are automatically sent to particular video-display units, workstations, or computer terminals.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the venue includes spectators.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein people can select an image they desire among the obtained images.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 50 wherein the selected images are printed.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 50 wherein the images are printed via one or more of the group consisting of color printers, dye sublimation printers, and photographic quality printers.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein people can search for desired images through use of video display units, workstations, or personal computers.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the images include images of portions of the venue and/or images of people at the venue and images of objects at the venue which are combined to present composite images of the venue and people or objects at the venue.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein a continuous succession of images throughout at least a portion of a venue are captured automatically.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 13 wherein one or more of the workstations are PC's running image editing software.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for enabling images of a venue to be produced comprising one or more pan, tilt and zoom imaging systems for obtaining images of various views of a venue and people or objects at the venue, a server to which the images can be transferred, and by which the images can be indexed according to specific locations within the venue, and at least one viewing unit by which the images can be made available by identifying locations within the venue for which images are desired.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for enabling images of a venue to be produced comprising one or more pan, tilt and zoom imaging systems for obtaining images of various views of a venue and people or objects at the venue, a server to which the images can be transferred, and by which the images can be indexed according to specific locations within the venue, and at least one viewing unit by which the images can be made available by identifying locations within the venue for which images are desired.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein the images are indexed according to locations within the venue.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein images using substantially all possible views of a live venue are obtained.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system in claim 57 are captured by one or more film cameras, and including a converter for converting the captured film images and enabling them to be transferred to the server.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein people can select images they desire among the obtained images.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein the viewing unit comprises one or more video display units.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein the images include images of portions of the venue including people or objects therein which are combined to present composite images of the venue, people or objects.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 57 including a color printer to print the images.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as in claim 57 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 69
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein people can select a desired image by seat location.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein captured images are transferred to the server by any one or more of disks, cartridge, transmitted via cable, wire, radio, infrared and satellite.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 57 including workstations whereby captured images can be manipulated using image editing software.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein the venue is a sport venue.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein the venue is an entertainment venue.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein the imaging system includes one or more cameras that are controlled manually.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein the imaging system includes one or more cameras that are computer controlled.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein the imaging system includes one or more cameras that are remote-controlled.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein the images are indexed according to time.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein the imaging system includes one or more cameras mounted to mobile units.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein the imaging system includes one or more cameras that are hand-carried.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein the imaging system includes one or more cameras that are placed at locations to allow viewing of substantially the entire venue.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein the obtained images are divided into sectors.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein the sectors are based on physical boundaries within the venue.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
12 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein the sectors have overlapping boundaries.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein a plurality of images may be captured simultaneously.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein a selected image can be combined with additional text, graphics or images to create a souvenir.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein the obtained images are indexed according to locations.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
12 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein the sectors are virtual sectors.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein the obtained images are indexed according to locations within the venue.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein software controls which images are automatically sent to particular video-display units, workstations, or personal computers.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
11 words
A system as in claim 57 wherein the venue includes spectators.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein people can initiate 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 92
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein people can select a desired image by seat location.
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