Abstract:
A method whereby personalized photographic images are obtained of patrons in an entertainment venue, such as a theme park. The system employs a unique machine-readable identification tap (49) located in a device such as a card, pin, or bracelet, which is attached to the patron (43). The identification tag is decoded by readers (52) positioned at various locations within the entertainment venue. This identification information is matched with electronic images of the patron carrying the identification tag that are captured by digital cameras (63). The electronic images along with the matched patron identities are collected at a storage device (71). At a distribution station (77), the patron can view images (85) corresponding to his tap identification, and the images may be printed (87) or may be delivered in electronic form on a videotape, CD, or e-mail. The images distributed to patrons may be single-frame images or video recorded images with audio. The images may be modified for entertainment effect prior to distribution.
Abstract:
A method for downloading a document via a communications medium operatively associated with a communications interface (22). The method includes receiving the document from the communications medium, placing an information storage smart card (28) in removable operative association with the communications interface (22), conditionally transmitting the document from the communications interface (22) to the information storage smart card (28), storing the document in the information storage smart card (28), and utilizing the document.
Abstract:
A security system comprises: one or more video cameras (10) producing video signals; a frame store (40) for storing a frame of at least one of the video signals; at least one alarm sensor (32) operable to produce an alarm signal; a fax modem (44); and a controller (46) which is responsive to such an alarm signal to cause the fax modem to call a stored fax number and transmit a stored video frame as a fax signal. The system may be associated with and interact with a video surveillance and recording system (14, 26, 28).
Abstract:
Collecting images of a patron in an entertainment venue is performed by facial recognition of the patron's face within the images, simplifying the storage (37) and distribution of the images (39) for a patron. In order to enhance the reliability of the facial recognition system (31), information about the patron (33) that is not directly related to most facial recognition systems (31), including clothes, height, other associated people, use of glasses and jewelry, disposition of facial hair, and more, can be used. Some of the characteristics used can be specific to a particular date or event, and which will not be more generally characteristic of the patron. The facial recognition system (31) can also be used to identify (37) the patron requesting images to be collected. The present invention also relates to the use of facial recognition in sorting and collecting images from an electronically-stored image collection, enabling the easy retrieval of images that are related to a particular person or set of people.
Abstract:
A system (10) for displaying a set of images on a display device (60) includes a storage repository (30) that is accessible by a pay-TV service (40) connected to a display device (60). The storage repository (30) captures and stores the set of images and creates selectable images. The selectable images are selectable by a selection device (50) of the pay-TV service (40) and displayed on the display device (60).
Abstract:
Collecting images of a patron in an entertainment venue is performed by facial recognition of the patron's face within the images, simplifying the storage and distribution of the images for a patron. In order to enhance the reliability of the facial recognition system, information about the patron that is not directly related to most facial recognition systems, including clothes, height, other associated people, use of glasses and jewelry, disposition of facial hair, and more, can be used. Some of the characteristics used can be specific to a particular date or event, and which will not be more generally characteristic of the patron. The facial recognition system can also be used to identify the patron requesting images to be collected. The present invention also relates to the use of facial recognition in sorting and collecting images from an electronically-stored image collection, enabling the easy retrieval of images that are related to a particular person or set of people.
Abstract:
A system and method for displaying still video images related to video content in an interactive broadcast television system. The system and method of the present invention may also be used for simulating an Internet home page on an interactive television system. The present invention thus supports hyperlinked web-like navigational capabilities in an interactive television system. According to the method of the present invention, the video delivery system provides or broadcasts one or more audio/video channels each comprising video content and also provides or broadcasts at least one still image channel comprising a plurality of still video images, preferably MPEG-2 compressed still images. The user or viewer can select options displayed on the television screen to view desired information. When the set top box receives user input selecting an option to view one of the linked still images, the set top box captures the requested image from the still image broadcast channel, stores the image in memory, and displays the captured still video image corresponding to the selection. The user can also request to view an image which is not currently being transmitted by the video delivery system. In this instance, the system provides user requested still images "on demand" on a dedicated "search" channel. The user can thus selectively navigate between the video content and stills in a web-like hyperlinked fashion.