Video recording system
First Claim
1. A self-service video system for enabling one or more users to produce a video recording with the user'"'"'s image in combination with a selected prerecorded background sequence, and for vending the resulting video recording, comprising:
- enclosure means for receiving at least one user in position to be video recorded;
a video camera in association with and oriented toward the enclosure means for use in making a video recording of the user;
background storage means for storing the selected prerecorded background sequence;
compositing means for positioning said selected prerecorded background sequence to appear in a composite picture with the user'"'"'s image in the video recording to be produced;
video recording means, including means for recording the composite image on a vendable video recording medium for a preselected interval;
audio recording means for mixing and recording onto the video recording medium (a) audio from the selected prerecorded background sequence and (b) audio input from the user; and
vending means for presenting to the user a completed video recording on said vendable video recording medium, after completion of production of the recording.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
A video recording system enables self-service production of vended videocassette recordings to a user or customer, with user control of several features. Preferably the system includes forming a composite video picture with the user'"'"'s image in combination with a user-selected background sequence. Compositing may be by chromakeying, with a key color as a backdrop behind the user in a recording booth. As the composite video recording is made the user preferably is able to watch the composite image on a monitor, which may also include prompting messages for the user. A preferred control for the system involves control data encoded on a videodisc, which also holds a plurality of selectable background sequences.
352 Citations
66 Claims
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1. A self-service video system for enabling one or more users to produce a video recording with the user'"'"'s image in combination with a selected prerecorded background sequence, and for vending the resulting video recording, comprising:
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enclosure means for receiving at least one user in position to be video recorded; a video camera in association with and oriented toward the enclosure means for use in making a video recording of the user; background storage means for storing the selected prerecorded background sequence; compositing means for positioning said selected prerecorded background sequence to appear in a composite picture with the user'"'"'s image in the video recording to be produced; video recording means, including means for recording the composite image on a vendable video recording medium for a preselected interval; audio recording means for mixing and recording onto the video recording medium (a) audio from the selected prerecorded background sequence and (b) audio input from the user; and vending means for presenting to the user a completed video recording on said vendable video recording medium, after completion of production of the recording. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 7, 15, 19, 20)
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5. A self-service video system for enabling one or more users to produce a video recording with the user'"'"'s image in combination with a selected prerecorded background sequence, and for vending the resulting video recording, comprising:
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enclosure means for receiving at least one user in position to be video recorded; a video camera in association with and oriented toward the enclosure means for use in making a video recording of the user; background storage means for storing the selected prerecorded background sequence; compositing means for positioning said selected prerecorded background sequence to appear in a composite picture with the user'"'"'s image in the video recording to be produced, said compositing means comprising background matte means for presenting a backdrop of a preselected color in the enclosure means behind the user and in view of the video camera and a keying system in connection with the video recording means, having means for positioning the preselected background sequence in all areas of camera view where the preselected color appears to the camera; video recording means, including means for recording the composite image on a vendable video recording medium for a preselected interval; and vending means for presenting to the user a completed video recording on said vendable video recording medium, after completion of production of the recording. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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8. A self-service video system for enabling one or more users to produce a video recording with the user'"'"'s image in combination with a selected prerecorded background sequence, and for vending the resulting video recording, comprising:
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enclosure means for receiving at least one user in position to be video recorded; a video camera in association with and oriented toward the enclosure means for use in making a video recording of the user; background storage means for storing a plurality of selectable prerecorded background sequences, and further including background select means for enabling the user to select a desired prerecorded sequence for the video recording to be produced; previewing means for enabling the user to preview at least a portion of each of the stored prerecorded background sequences prior to selection of a background sequence for the video recording to be produced; compositing means for positioning said selected prerecorded background sequence to appear in a composite picture with the user'"'"'s image in the video recording to be produced; video recording means, including means for recording the composite image on a vendable video recording medium for a preselected interval; and vending means for presenting to the user a completed video recording on said vendable video recording medium, after completion of production of the recording.
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9. A self-service video system for enabling one or more users to produce a video recording with the user'"'"'s image in combination with a selected prerecorded background sequence, and for vending the resulting video recording, comprising:
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enclosure means for receiving at least one user in position to be video recorded; a video camera in association with and oriented toward the enclosure means for use in making a video recording of the user; background storage means for storing the selected prerecorded background sequence; compositing means for positioning said selected prerecorded background sequence to appear in a composite picture with the user'"'"'s image in the video recording to be produced; video recording means, including means for recording the composite image on a vendable video recording medium for a preselected interval; video monitor means including a video screen visible to the user while the video recording is being produced, for enabling the user to view the video recording as it is being produced; and vending means for presenting to the user a completed video recording on said vendable video recording medium, after completion of production of the recording. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A self-service video system for enabling one or more users to produce a video recording with the user'"'"'s image in combination with a selected prerecorded background sequence, and for vending the resulting video recording, comprising:
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enclosure means for receiving at least one user in position to be video recorded; a video camera in association with and oriented toward the enclosure means for use in making a video recording of the user; background storage means for storing the selected prerecorded background sequence; compositing means for positioning said selected prerecorded background sequence to appear in a composite picture with the user'"'"'s image in the video recording to be produced; video recording means, including means for recording the composite image on a vendable video recording medium for a preselected interval; character generator means for generating readable text to be superimposed on the video recording being produced, in accordance with the selection of the user, and including user interaction means enabling user selection of said characters; and vending means for presenting to the user a completed video recording on said vendable video recording medium, after completion of production of the recording. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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16. A self-service video system for enabling one or more users to produce a video recording with the user'"'"'s image in combination with a selected prerecorded background sequence, and for vending the resulting video recording, comprising:
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enclosure means for receiving at least one user in position to be video recorded; a video camera in association with and oriented toward the enclosure means for use in making a video recording of the user; background storage means for storing the selected prerecorded background sequence; compositing means for positioning said selected prerecorded background sequence to appear in a composite picture with the user'"'"'s image in the video recording to be produced; said background storage means comprising a videodisc and videodisc player in association with the compositing means; video recording means, including means for recording the composite image on a vendable video recording medium for a preselected interval; and vending means for presenting to the user a completed video recording on said vendable video recording medium, after completion of production of the recording. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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21. A video system for enabling a user to produce a video recording of his or her own image and for vending the resulting video recording to the user, comprising:
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a recording area for accommodating at least one user; a video camera oriented toward the recording area and connected video recording means for recording the user'"'"'s image on a vendable videocassette for a preselected interval; audio recording means in connection with the video recording means, for producing an audio recording of the user on said videocassette, and the recording area including isolation means for isolating the user to some degree from exterior sounds; cassette storage and transport means for storing a plurality of videocassettes and for transporting a videocassette to a position for recording by the video recording means; and vending means adjacent to the recording area for presenting to the user a complete video recording on the videocassette, after completion of production of the recording. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 34, 39, 42, 43, 44)
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- 25. A video system for enabling a user to produce a video recording of his or her own image and for vending the resulting video recording to the user, comprising:
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26. a recording area for accommodating at least one user;
- 27. a video camera oriented toward the recording area and connected video recording means for recording the user'"'"'s image on a vendable videocassette for a preselected interval, the recording area comprising a booth having a camera wall at which the video camera is positioned;
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28. monitor means for displaying to the user his real time image while the video recording is being made;
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29. cassette storage and transport means for storing a plurality of videocassettes and for transporting a videocassette to a position for recording by the video recording means;
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vending means adjacent to the recording area for presenting to the user a completed video recording on the videocassette, after completion of production of the recording.
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31. A video system for enabling a user to produce a video recording of his or her own image and for vending the resulting video recording to the user, comprising:
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a recording area for accommodating at least one user; a video camera oriented toward the recording areas and connected video recording means for recording the user'"'"'s image on a vendable videocassette for a preselected interval; monitor means for displaying to the user his real time image while the video recording is being made; cassette storage and transport means for storing a plurality of videocassettes and for transporting a videocassette to a position for recording by the video recording means; and vending means adjacent to the recording area for presenting to the user a completed video recording on the videocassette, after completion of production of the recording. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
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33. A video system for enabling a user to produce a video recording of his or her own image and for vending the resulting video recording to the user, comprising:
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a recording area of accommodating at least one user; a video camera oriented toward the recording area and connected video recording means for recording the user'"'"'s image on a vendable videocassette for a preselected interval; cassette storage and transport means for storing a plurality of videocassettes and for transporting a videocassette to a position for recording by the video recording means; vending means adjacent to the recording area for presenting to the user a completed video recording on the videocassette, after completion of production of the recording; and the recording area including a wall with a cassette vending slot, and wherein the vending means includes cassette unloading means for moving the completed videocassette recording from the medium storage and transport means laterally through the vending slot.
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35. A video system for enabling a user to produce a video recording of his or her own image and for vending the resulting video recording to the user, comprising:
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a recording area for accommodating at least one user; a video camera oriented toward the recording area and connected video recording means for recording the user'"'"'s image on a vendable videocassette for a preselected interval; background storage means for storing a plurality of prerecorded background sequences, compositing means for causing a selected prerecorded background sequence to appear in a composite picture with the user'"'"'s image in the video recording to be produced, and background select means for enabling the user to select a desired prerecorded background sequence for the video recording to be produced; cassette storage and transport means for storing a plurality of videocassettes and for transporting a videocassette to a position for recording by the video recording means; and vending means adjacent to the recording area for presenting to the user a completed video recording on the videocassette, after completion of production of the recording. - View Dependent Claims (40)
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38. A method for producing a video recording of a subject composited with a selected prerecorded background sequence and vending the resulting video recording, comprising:
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providing a recording area; storing a plurality of selectable prerecorded background sequences in a storage means, and providing the subject with a means for selection of a desired background sequence; after selecting a background sequence, activating a recording system including a video camera aimed at the subject recording area, and making a recording of the subject'"'"'s moving image on a vendable video recording medium while adding the preselected background sequence on the medium to produce a composite video recording with the subject and the background; and vending the completed video recording to the user.
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41. A method for producing a video recording of a subject composited with a selected prerecorded background sequence and vending the resulting video recording, comprising:
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providing a recording area; storing at least one prerecorded background sequence in a storage means; activating a recording system including a video camera aimed at the subject in the recording area, and making a recording of the subject'"'"'s moving image on a vendable video recording medium while adding the preselected background sequence on the medium to produce a composite video recording with the subject and the background; the preselected background sequence being added by keying, and wherein a preselected color is provided behind the subject in view of the video camera, so that the background sequence is recorded in all areas of camera view where the color appears to the camera; and vending the completed video recording to the user. - View Dependent Claims (46)
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45. A method for producing a video recording of a subject composited with a selected prerecorded background sequence and vending the resulting video recordin, comprising:
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providing a recording area; storing at least one prerecorded background sequence in a storage means; activating a recording system including a video camera aimed at the subject in the recording area, and making a recording of the subject'"'"'s moving image on a vendable video recording medium while adding the preselected background sequence on the medium to produce a composite video recording with the subject and the background; the video camera including a servo-adjustable zoom lens, and the method including controlling the zoom lens in accordance with the timing of events and images in the background sequence, so that the focal length of the lens and the consequent size of the subject'"'"'s image is correlated as desired with said events and images; and vending the completed video recording to the user. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66)
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47. A method for producing a composite video recording of a user in combination with a selected prerecorded video sequence, comprising:
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displaying a composite video image of the prerecorded video sequence in combination with the user'"'"'s real time image within view of the person; simultaneously recording said composite video image on a vendable video recording medium; and said selected prerecorded video sequence being displayed with prompt messages for the person being recorded, which messages are not recorded on said recording medium.
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48. A method for producing a composite video recording of a user in combination with a selected prerecorded video sequence, comprising:
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displaying a composite video image of the prerecorded video sequence in combination with the user'"'"'s real time image within view of the person; the composite video image being displayed to the user by reflection of a video monitor screen off a half-mirror positioned obliquely in front of a video camera which is directed at the user and which receives light through the half-mirror, so that the user can watch the monitor screen while looking in the direction of the camera; and simultaneously recording said composite video image on a vendable video recording medium.
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49. A method for producing a composite video recording of a person in combination with a selected prerecorded video sequence using video recording apparatus, said method comprising:
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prerecording a plurality of predetermined control signals in accordance with respective scenes and events occurring in said prerecorded video sequence; making a video recording including a composite video image of the prerecorded sequence and of the person'"'"'s real time image on a vendable video recording medium; and utilizing said predetermined control signals on said prerecorded video sequence to control the video recording apparatus in accordance with the timing of events and images in the prerecorded video sequence during recording.
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60. Apparatus for producing a composite video recording of a person in combination with a selected prerecorded video sequence, comprising:
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means for displaying a composite video image of the prerecorded video sequence in combination with the person'"'"'s real time image within view of the person; and
means for recording said composite video image on a vendable video recording medium;means for displaying prompt messages for the person being recorded, which messages are not recorded on said recording medium, said prompt messages being displayed simultaneously with the selected prerecorded image; and means for vending a composite video recording of the user.
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61. A system for producing a composite video recording of a user in combination with a selected prerecorded video sequence, comprising:
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a videodisc player and associated videodisc having a plurality of selectable prerecorded background sequences and having encoded control data; means for user selection of a background sequence;
video camera means for providing an image of the user;
compositing means for combining the selected background sequence with the user'"'"'s image from the video camera means at selected times and for selected intervals, to form a composite image;video recording means for making a recording including the composite image, onto a video recording medium; means providing for variation in production parameters in the production of said composite video recording; and control means for receiving said encoded control data and for controlling said variable production parameters in accordance with the timing of events occurring in the selected background sequence.
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Specification