NL2032851B1 - Apparatus for cultural or recreational activities - Google Patents
Apparatus for cultural or recreational activities Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NL2032851B1 NL2032851B1 NL2032851A NL2032851A NL2032851B1 NL 2032851 B1 NL2032851 B1 NL 2032851B1 NL 2032851 A NL2032851 A NL 2032851A NL 2032851 A NL2032851 A NL 2032851A NL 2032851 B1 NL2032851 B1 NL 2032851B1
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- NL
- Netherlands
- Prior art keywords
- image
- person
- control unit
- electronic processing
- programmed
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/011—Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06V—IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING
- G06V20/00—Scenes; Scene-specific elements
- G06V20/20—Scenes; Scene-specific elements in augmented reality scenes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
- H04N23/80—Camera processing pipelines; Components thereof
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N9/00—Details of colour television systems
- H04N9/64—Circuits for processing colour signals
- H04N9/74—Circuits for processing colour signals for obtaining special effects
- H04N9/75—Chroma key
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
- H04N23/60—Control of cameras or camera modules
- H04N23/61—Control of cameras or camera modules based on recognised objects
- H04N23/611—Control of cameras or camera modules based on recognised objects where the recognised objects include parts of the human body
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/222—Studio circuitry; Studio devices; Studio equipment
- H04N5/262—Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects
- H04N5/272—Means for inserting a foreground image in a background image, i.e. inlay, outlay
Abstract
An apparatus for cultural or recreational activities comprising an image acquisition device (2) positioned in such 5 a way as to generate first images of an operating space (7), a screen (3) positioned in such a way that it can be seen by a person (8) located in the operating space (7), an electronic processing and control unit (4) connected to the image acquisition device (2) to receive the first images generated 10 by it, and to the screen (3) to send it second images to be reproduced, and an activation device (5) which is activatable by the person (8) located in the operating space (7) and is connected to the electronic processing and control unit (4) to send it a freeze image command. The electronic processing and 15 control unit (4) is programmed to select a second image of interest which is being reproduced by the screen (3) at the moment when it receives the freeze image signal, and in particular to pause reproduction of the video by the screen (3) making it reproduce the second image of interest for an 20 entire pause time.
Description
Apparatus for cultural or recreational activities
This invention relates to an apparatus for cultural or recreational activities, in particular intended to be installed and used for cultural or recreational activities during which a person is inside a predetermined operating space.
The context of the origin of this invention is that of museum exhibitions where, over the years, the use of interactive installations has become increasingly popular, visitors being able in some way to interact with what is on display.
For example, in some installations the person was filmed by a video camera and their image was inserted in real time inside a reproduction of the work of art (in particular inside a picture}.
In other installations, positioned near a work of art there were objects reproducing those visible in the work of art; a video camera filmed the person inside this environment from a viewpoint corresponding to that of the work of art, and the images acquired in this way were reproduced live on a screen positioned in such a way that they could be seen by the person.
All of the initiatives of this type implemented until now have been a great success and very much appreciated by the public.
At the same time, many people complained that they were unable to keep a record of this experience, or rather were unable to create one of satisfactory quality. Most people would like in particular to be able to take a photograph which depicts what the installation shows on the screen, in particular themselves inserted either directly inside a work of art or in an environment which reproduces it.
Although it seems simple to take a photograph of the screen which reproduces the image of interest, those who tried it encountered the problem caused by the fact that, at the very moment when the person takes out a camera, or a person accompanying them approaches them to be able to frame the screen in the viewfinder, the image on the screen is ruined precisely by the presence of the camera or of the accompanying person directly shown in the film reproduced on the screen.
Therefore, so far, the person is usually forced to settle for a photograph which depicts their presence on the screen while holding a camera to immortalise the moment, or to adopt strange poses to hide the camera.
In this context, the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to provide an apparatus for cultural or recreational activities that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages.
In particular, the technical purpose of this invention is to provide an apparatus for cultural or recreational activities, which allows people to obtain a photograph which immortalises their presence inside the image reproduced on the screen, without that photograph showing the presence of the camera or of other people who are there to take the photograph.
The technical purpose specified and the aims indicated are substantially achieved by an apparatus for cultural or recreational activities as described in the appended independent claims.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.
Further features and the advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the detailed description of several preferred, non-limiting embodiments of an apparatus for cultural or recreational activities, illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of this invention; - Figure 2 is schematic view of a second embodiment of this invention; - Figure 3 shows a person looking at his own image inserted inside a first picture;
- 3 = - Figure 4 shows a person looking at his own image inserted inside a second picture; — Figure 5 shows a person inserted inside a third picture; - Figure 6 shows a person filmed in an environment which, thanks to an optical effect, appears impossible (Penrose triangle); - Figure 7 shows an environment in which a reference object is inserted; and - Figure 8 shows the environment of Figure 7 filmed from a 10 particular viewpoint which means that the pecple appear to be sitting on an apparently impossible geometrical structure (Penrose triangle).
Similarly to some prior art apparatuses for cultural or recreational activities, the one according to this invention is also configured to be used where a person is located inside a well-defined operating space.
The apparatus 1 comprises several main components, which are: at least one image acquisition device 2, a screen 3, an electronic processing and control unit 4 and an activation device 5.
The image acquisition device 2 advantageously comprises a digital video camera 6, and is positioned in such a way as to film the operating space 7 (this meaning all or part of it).
Advantageously, the image acquisition device 2 is also positioned at a viewpoint which presents a correlation with what must be reproduced on the screen 3, as will become clearer from the examples described below. The image acquisition device 2 is also configured to generate first images in electronic format, each of which constitutes a still of the film acquired by it.
The screen 3 is positioned in such a way that it can be seen by the person located in the operating space 7 to allow the person 8 to see themselves in the screen 3. Indeed the screen 3 is configured to reproduce a video whose stills are each constituted of a second image in electronic format (preferably digital) in which the person 8 appears (if correctly positioned in the operating space 7).
The electronic processing and control unit 4 is connected both to the image acquisition device 2, to receive the first images generated by it, and to the screen 3, to send it the second images to be reproduced to make the video. The electronic processing and control unit 4 is also programmed to generate each second image using a first image.
Furthermore, the electronic processing and control unit 4 is configured to send the second images to the screen 3, live relative to acquisition of the first images by the image acquisition device 2. In other words, the electronic processing and control unit 4 is programmed in such a way that the video reproduced on the screen 3 is substantially the live re-presentation, processed or not as described below, of the film acquired by the image acquisition device 2.
In some embodiments, each second image is simply identical to a corresponding first image; the electronic processing and control unit 4 simply forwards the first images to the screen 3 (if necessary resizing them or cropping them). This option is schematically illustrated in Figure 2.
In some embodiments, each second image is obtained by eliminating parts of the {first image, for example by eliminating from the first image the parts outside an area of interest.
In some embodiments, each second image is in contrast obtained by replacing parts of the first image with something different.
Finally, in some embodiments, each second image is obtained by inserting parts of the first image in a saved third image (Figure 1). In the latter case, for example, the part of the first image in which the person 8 is seen, may be inserted inside an image of a work of art, either as an additional element, or replacing an element present in the work of art (for example replacing the representation of a person 8). The work of art 11 may be present in the same room (Figure 1).
Advantageously, each second image comprises an image of the person 8 when the person 8 is located in a predetermined zone of the operating space 7; the predetermined zone will be a part of the operating space 7 visible in the first images.
If the image of the person 8 must be extracted from a first image to be able to be inserted in the second image, the part of the first image in which the person 8 can be seen if present in the predetermined zone being known, that result can easily be obtained with the known image processing algorithms.
In contrast, in some applications, the operating space 7 comprises a chroma key positioned in such a way as to act as a background relative to the person 8, for the images filmed by the image acquisition device 2, allowing simpler extraction of the image of the person 8 from each first image.
Moreover, in some applications, one or more reference objects 10 are present in the operating space 7 to guide the positioning of the person 8 inside the operating space 7; in this case the image acquisition device 2 has a predetermined position relative to the reference objects 10. Advantageously the shape of the reference objects 10 and the position of the image acquisition device 2 can be selected in such a way as to generate optical effects in the first images.
In some applications the reference objects 10 are configured to be visible in the second images, in others they are configured to not be present in the second images.
Moving on to the activation device 5, this constitutes one of the main innovative elements of this invention.
The activation device 5 is configured to be able to be activated by the person 8 located in the operating space 7, and is connected to the electronic processing and control unit 4 to send it a freeze image command. According to a further innovative aspect of this invention, the electronic processing and control unit 4 is programmed to select a second image of interest which is being reproduced on the screen 3 at the moment when the electronic processing and control unit 4 receives the freeze image signal.
In some embodiments, the electronic processing and control unit 4 is programmed to freeze (pause) reproduction of the video on the screen 3, at the moment when it receives the freeze image signal, keeping fixed the still present at that moment, that is to say, the second image of interest.
Advantageously, the electronic processing and control unit 4 is programmed to pause the video for a pause time, making it reproduce the second image of interest for the entire pause time,
In some applications the duration of the pause time is predetermined and is saved by the electronic processing and control unit 4. At the end of the pause time reproduction of the video resumes live.
In other applications, the duration of the pause time corresponds to a duration of operation of the activation device 5; therefore, in that case, as long as the person 8 keeps the activation device 5 activated the image on the screen 3 remains the same, whilst reproduction of the video live resumes as soon as the person 8 ceases keeping the activation device 5 active.
In some embodiments, in addition or alternatively to what is described above, the electronic processing and control unit 4 is programmed to save the second image of interest in a digital memory for its subsequent use. In particular, in this case the apparatus 1 can also comprise a print station in which the saved second image of interest can be printed.
In some applications, again in addition or alternatively to what is described above, the electronic processing and control unit 4 is also programmed to send via internet the second image of interest, for example transferring it to a cloud archive or attaching it to an e-mail.
The activation device 5 can be made in any way suitable for the purpose, and advantageously is made and positioned in such a way that it is not visible in the first images acquired by the image acquisition device 2.
In some applications, the activation device 5 comprises a push-button.
In particular, in some applications, the activation device 5 comprises a pedal-style push-button 92 which the person 8 can activate with the foot.
In other embodiments, the activation device 5 comprises a remote control which the person 8 can hold in their hand {wired or wireless).
In other embodiments, the activation device 5 can comprise another physical device.
In other applications, the activation device 5 is voice activatable, and, for exemple, can comprise a digital microphone associated with the operating space 7 and an electronic processing device which processes the sounds received by the microphone and generates the freeze image command when a predetermined condition is met. For example, the predetermined condition can be simply exceeding a sound intensity threshold, or recognition of a particular voice command. In this latter case the electronic processing device will be programmed to proceed to voice recognition or to make use of external voice recognition services (even by means of connection to the internet).
In some embodiments, the activation device 5 is constituted of the electronic processing and control unit 4 itself. In this case, the electronic processing and control unit 4 is advantageously programmed to inspect each first image, to determine if the person 8 is located, completely or partly, in a predetermined position (for example sitting on a predetermined reference object 10); when the electronic processing and control unit 4 determines that the person 8 is, completely or partly, in the predetermined position, it generates the freeze image signal and reproduction of the video on the screen 3 is paused. Depending on the embodiments,
the predetermined position may even be only that of a foot or of a hand of the person 8.
In some embodiments the apparatus 1 may also comprise a reference element positioned in the operating space 7. In some cases the reference element may be constituted of a text or a marker which are applied at a predetermined point of the operating space 7, in particular on the floor. For example the reference element may be a sticker placed on the ground and on which the text “press to photograph” appears (as if it were a physical pedal). Furthermore, the reference element may comprise, or be constituted of a OR code, or a target symbol so that it can be easily recognised by the video camera. In fact, in these embodiments, the reference element is configured (and positioned in such a way as) to be filmed by the image acquisition device 2 (when there are no people 8 in the operating space 7), and the electronic processing and control unit 4 is programmed to determine that the person 8 is located, completely or partly, in the predetermined position, when the person 8 is positioned in such a way as to prevent the image acquisition device 2 from filming the reference element. For example, in the case in which the reference element is applied to the floor, that result may be obtained when the person 8 covers the reference element with one foot, as if it were a push-button to be pressed. Herein lies the advantage of making the reference element simulating a pedal.
In fact, a solution of this type for the activation device 5 is less expensive than using an actual good-quality pedal, is less likely to break than a mechanical pedal, does not ruin the aesthetics of the operating space 7 and does not constitute a possible obstacle which people 8 could trip over.
In other embodiments, in which the activation device 5 is again constituted of the electronic processing and control unit 4, the latter may also be programmed to inspect each first image to determine if the person 8 is making a predetermined gesture or movement (for example waving a hand,
- Gg - greeting, etc.).
Figures 3 to 8 (in which the faces of the people have been disguised for privacy reasons) show several examples of possible application of this invention as regards the image acquisition device 2, the screen 3 and the presence of reference objects 10 in the operating space 7.
In the case of Figures 3 and 4, the person 8 is filmed from behind while looking at a picture constituted of the screen 3, and the image of the person 8 is extracted from each first image and inserted in place of the drawing of a person, inside a third image which shows a drawing in which a person is looking at a picture.
In the case of Figure 5, the image acquisition device 2 is positioned inside a ball below which the person 8 positions their hand. The image of the person 8 obtained in this way is inserted inside an Escher picture in place of the drawing of a person looking at themselves in a ball.
In contrast, in the case of Figures 6 and 8, the second image which is seen corresponds to the first image acquired by the image acquisition device 2 and the optical effect which is obtained (Penrose triangle) is due to the combination of the position of the image acquisition device 2 and the presence of a suitably shaped reference object 10 in the operating space 7 (that of Figure 8 is visible in Figure 7). In Figure 6 the fact that it is an optical effect can be understood because the triangle covers the feet of the person 8; the person 8 could have achieved a better optical effect by sitting with his legs on the opposite side.
Thanks to this invention, each person 8 who uses the apparatus 1 is capable of fixing on the screen 3 the still which interests them (second image of interest) so that they can then photograph it with their own camera or with their own smartphone, or receiving a printed copy of it, or receiving a copy of it via e-mail, etc. In all cases the image that the person 8 can obtain is a “clean” image in which neither the camera nor any other extraneous elements appear.
It should be noticed that this invention is relatively easy to make and that even the cost linked to implementing the invention is not very high.
The invention described above may be modified and adapted in several ways.
All details may be substituted with other technically equivalent elements and the materials used, as well as the shapes and dimensions of the various components, may vary according to requirements.
Aspects of the invention are itemized in the following section. 1. An apparatus for cultural or recreational activities in which a person (8) is located inside an operating space (7), the apparatus (1) comprising: an image acquisition device (2) positioned in such a way as to film the operating space (7) and to generate first images in electronic format; a screen (3) positioned in such a way that it can be seen by the person (8) located in the operating space (7) and configured to reproduce second images in electronic format; an electronic processing and control unit (4) connected to the image acquisition device (2) to receive the first images generated by it, and to the screen (3) to send it the second images to be reproduced; and an activation device (5) which is activatable by the person (8) located in the operating space (7) and is connected to the electronic processing and control unit (4) to send it a freeze image command; wherein moreover: the image acquisition device (2) acquires a film of which the first images each constitute a still; the screen (3) reproduces a video of which the second images each constitute a still;
the electronic processing and control unit (4) is programmed to generate each second image using a first image and to send the second images to the screen (3) live relative to acquisition of the first images by the image acquisition device (2); and the electronic processing and control unit (4) is programmed to select a second image of interest which is being reproduced by the screen (3) at the moment when the electronic processing and control unit (4) receives the freeze image signal.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein moreover, the electronic processing and control unit (4) is programmed to pause, for a pause time, reproduction of the video by the screen (3), making it reproduce the second image of interest for the entire pause time.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the duration of the pause time is predetermined and is saved by the electronic processing and control unit (4), or wherein the duration of the pause time corresponds to a duration of operation of the activation device (5).
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein moreover, the electronic processing and control unit (4) is programmed to save the second image of interest in a digital memory.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, also comprising a print station in which the second image of interest can be printed.
6. The apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the electronic processing and control unit (4) is also programmed to send the second image of interest via internet.
7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the activation device (5) comprises a pedal-style push-button (9), a push-button, a remote control or another physical device.
8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-6,
wherein the activation device (5) is voice activatable.
9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the activation device (5) is constituted of the electronic processing and control unit (4), which is also programmed to inspect each first image to determine if the person (8) is located, completely or partly, in a predetermined position and to generate the freeze image signal when it determines that the person (8) is, completely or partly, in the predetermined position.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, also comprising a reference element positioned in the operating space (7) and configured to be filmed by the image acquisition device (2), wherein the electronic processing and control unit (4) is programmed to determine that the person (8) is located, completely or partly, in the predetermined position when the person (8) is positioned in such a way as to prevent the image acquisition device (2) from filming the reference element.
11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the activation device (5) is constituted of the electronic processing and control unit (4), which is also programmed to inspect each first image to determine if the person (8) makes a predetermined gesture or movement.
12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1- 11, wherein each second image, alternatively: is identical to a corresponding first image; or is obtained by eliminating parts of the first image; or is obtained by replacing parts of the first image; or is obtained by inserting parts of the first image in a saved third image.
13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-
12, wherein each second image comprises an image of the person {8) when the person (8) is located in a predetermined zone of the operating space (7).
14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1- 13, wherein one or more reference objects (10) are present in the operating space (7) to guide the positioning of the person
(8) inside the operating space (7), and wherein the image acquisition device (2) has a predetermined position relative to the reference objects (10).
Claims (14)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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IT202100022904 | 2021-09-03 |
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NL2032851A NL2032851A (en) | 2023-03-10 |
NL2032851B1 true NL2032851B1 (en) | 2023-08-11 |
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NL2032851A NL2032851B1 (en) | 2021-09-03 | 2022-08-25 | Apparatus for cultural or recreational activities |
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NL (1) | NL2032851B1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (2)
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US11146744B2 (en) * | 2016-11-28 | 2021-10-12 | Emergent Machines, Inc. | Automated interactive system and method for dynamically modifying a live image of a subject |
US20190230317A1 (en) * | 2018-01-24 | 2019-07-25 | Blueprint Reality Inc. | Immersive mixed reality snapshot and video clip |
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