Digital Imaging Method and Apparatus

• US 20170056775A1
• Filed: 11/14/2016
• Published: 03/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pamela Barber
• Original Assignee: Pamela Barber
• Inventors: Barber, Pamela
• Granted Patent: US 9,901,829 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/52 involving aspects of the displayed game scene
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/655 by importing photos, e.g. of the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/00 2D [Two Dimensional] image generation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/272 Means for inserting a foreground image in a background image, i.e. inlay, outlay

Abstract

An apparatus and method for electronically creating combined digital images of a person and incorporating them into a series of site-specific background images or film clips making it appear as if the user were actually a part of the original imaging sequence. The camera can move to take the images from different angles and In an alternative embodiment there are multiple cameras situated such that they sequentially capture and store a series of images to be incorporated into the product. An alternative housing apparatus is in a booth for automatically producing an imaging sequence of a self-portrait of the user integrated into a stored background or film clip, including a cash or credit card receiving device, a computer triggered by cash or credit received in the device, a movable digital camera or video camera to view the user, a video monitor for self-viewing, and the possibility of one located outside the booth for advertising or amusement purposes. A series of stored digital imaging movie clips for selective withdrawal by the user where the captured sequence of the user is automatically integrated into stock stored movie clips and can be either output in an e-mail message posted to a board with a link to user'"'"'s choice of e-mail friends'"'"' addresses for retrieval or a direct link to friend'"'"'s and family'"'"'s e-mail addresses or an output device with hard copy of personalized sequence to CD ROM or Video or hard copy print of a still image.

Claims

1. A game system for at least one user played over a network, comprising:

a computer system comprising a game server, an imaging system, a database of electronic games, and a network connection, all in electronic communication, the imaging system comprising an image capturing device, a display, and an image modeler,

wherein the game server is operable to receive a plurality of coordinated images of the at least one user via the network connection, and is further operable to process the plurality of images by the image modeler to create a personalized character profile and associate the personalized character profile with at least one of the electronic games to create a personalized game for integration into the database of electronic games,

the personalized character profile being adapted to generate a personalized character being stored in the personalized game, wherein the personalized character is controllable by a user of the personalized game,

the display of the imaging system adapted to present the at least one user with an image of the at least one user received from the image capturing device, a first indicator on the image to which the user may align a first feature of the at least one user on the image, and a movable indicator on the image, the movable indicator adjustable to align with a second feature of the at least one user on the image while the user holds alignment of the first feature to the first indicator,

wherein the image modeler is operable to size at least one coordinated image by determining a distance between two points on the at least one coordinated image, the determined distance being proportional to a distance between the first and second feature of the at least one user, the two features corresponding to the two points on the at least one coordinated image.

2. The game system of claim 1, wherein movement and actions of the personalized character are controllable by the user.

3. The game system of claim 1, wherein the personalized character is viewable in the personalized game from multiple perspectives.

4. The game system of claim 1, wherein the personalized character is viewable in the personalized game in at least three dimensions.

5. The game system of claim 1, wherein the personalized character is controllable in at least three dimensions.

6. The game system of claim 1, wherein the personalized character may be viewed in the personalized game from multiple perspectives, and wherein personalized features of the personalized character are viewable from all of the multiple perspectives.

7. The game system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of facial expressions are stored and associated with the personalized character.

8. The game system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of voice expressions are stored and associated with the personalized character.

10. The game system of claim 7, wherein movement and actions of the personalized character are controllable by the user.

11. The game system of claim 7, wherein the personalized character is viewable in the personalized game from multiple perspectives.

12. The game system of claim 7, wherein the personalized character is viewable in the personalized game in at least three dimensions.

13. The game system of claim 7, wherein the personalized character is controllable in at least three dimensions.

14. The game system of claim 7, wherein the personalized character may be viewed in the personalized game from multiple perspectives, and wherein personalized features of the personalized character are viewable from all of the multiple perspectives.

16. The game system of claim 13, wherein the three-dimensional user image comprises a three-dimensional image of the at least one user'"'"'s head, and wherein the game server is further operable to attach the three-dimensional user image to a user-selected character body having user-selected size, age and gender features.

17. The game system of claim 13, wherein incorporation of the three-dimensional user image into the electronic game comprises integrating the three-dimensional user image with a generic character image in the electronic game.

18. The game system of claim 13, wherein the game server uses the plurality of mapping points to position the three-dimensional user image in a target position within the electronic game.

19. The game system of claim 13, wherein the game server replaces at least a portion of an existing character image with at least a portion of the three-dimensional user image.

9. A game system for at least one user played over a network comprising:

A computer system comprising a game server, an imaging system, a database, and a network connection, all in electronic communication, the imaging system comprising an image capturing device, a display, and an image modeler.

The display of the imaging system adapted to present at least one user with an image of the at least one user received from the image capturing device, a first indicator on the image to which the at least one user may align a first feature of the at least on user on the image and a movable indicator on the image, the movable indicator adjustable to align with a second feature of the at least one user on the image while the user holds alignment of the first feature to the first indicator,

the image modeler operable to size at least one coordinated image using a distance between the first and second features of the at least one user,

wherein the game server is operable to receive a plurality of coordinated images of the at least one user via the network connection, and is further operable to process the plurality of images by the image modeler to create a personalized character profile, the personalized character profile being adapted to generate a personalized character, the personalized character being adapted for integration Into the personalized game,

wherein the personalized character is controllable by a user of the personalized game, and

the personalized character being storable in the database, wherein the game server is operable to permit the at least one user to retrieve the personalized character from the database and to play the personalized game with the selected personalized character over a network connection.

15. A game system of at least one user played over a network, comprising:

a computer system comprising a game server operable to execute an electronic game, and an imaging system in electronic communication with the game server;

the imaging system generating at least one user image of the at least one user;

the game server operable to provide a three-dimensional image map comprising a plurality of mapping points, and to enable the at least one user to electronically place each of the plurality of mapping points on one of a plurality of positions of the at least one user image;

the game server operable to use the plurality of mapping points to transform the at least one user image into a three-dimensional user image; and

the game server operable to incorporate the three-dimensional user image into the electronic game.