WO2010049258A1

WO2010049258A1 - Pay-per-use automatic digital photographic device to be used at touristically interesting places

Info

Publication number: WO2010049258A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/063248
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giacomo Ceresa; Alessandro Facchetti
Original assignee: Giacomo Ceresa; Alessandro Facchetti
Priority date: 2008-10-28
Filing date: 2009-10-12
Publication date: 2010-05-06
Also published as: ITMI20080354U1

Abstract

A pay-per-use automatic digital photographic device to be used at touristical interesting places comprises a protecting and supporting structure for a digital photographic device or camera, controlled by credit inlet means and coupled to image unloading means for unloading the shot images into a storing carrier.

Description

PAY-PER-USE AUTOMATIC DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVICE TO BE USED AT TOURISTICALLY INTERESTING PLACES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pay-per-use automatic digital photographic device to be used in particular at touristically interesting places.

As is known, pay-per-use systems, conventionally comprising telescopes or binoculars to be operated by payment, are frequently installed at either open or closed touristic places, such as panoramic points, archaeological, historical, touristic resorts, museums, churches, cathedrals, squares, monuments, castles, fortresses, art collections and so on.

The above pay-per-use binoculars are very simple optical instruments, mounted on a solid base and including a token operated device which, upon introducing a coin thereinto, drives a timed shutter assembly allowing the telescope or binoculars to be used for a time controlled by the inlet credit.

On the other hand, tourists or visitors in general could not be satisfied with a contemplation of the panorama being seen, and could desire to photograph the place to achieve a tangible memory thereof; however they, in a lot of cases, do not have a camera available or do not like their camera to be used by a third party.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to provide a tourist or visitor with a photographic apparatus or device allowing to photograph a desired panorama while immediately storing the performed shots, in a digital format or pattern.

Within the scope of the above aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a photographic device allowing to carry out technically perfect photographic shots even by an unskilled person.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a photographic device which is very simple and strong construction-wise, and, in particular, is adapted to resist against atmospheric agents and vandal acts .

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a photographic device construction which, owing to its specifically designed structural features, is very reliable and safe in operation.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a pay-per-use automatic digital photographic device, particularly designed to be used at touristically interesting places, characterized in that said photographic device comprises a protective structure for protecting and supporting a photographic digital apparatus controlled by a credit inlet means and coupled to means for storing digital images on storing carriers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive., embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative example, in the accompanying drawings, where : Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the pay- per-use automatic digital photographic device according to the present invention, in a use condition thereof;

Figure 2 is a further partially exploded perspective view of the photographic device according to the invention;

Figure 3 is yet another cross-sectional perspective view of an articulated head included in the photographic device according to the invention; and

Figure 4 is an elevation view of a rear portion of the photographic device articulated head.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the pay-per-use automatic digital photographic device according to the invention, which has been generally indicated by the reference number 1, comprises a central supporting body 2 associated with a ground anchoring base 3, by any suitable anchoring or clamping means, such as clamping plugs or wedge brackets.

More specifically, said central body 2 supports an articulated head 4, designed for holding therein a digital apparatus or camera, and adapted to rotate about a vertical axis 5, to perform a rotary movement through 300°.

Said central body 2 comprises moreover a token- operated device 6 or other payment system, such as a magnetic card read-out device or the like.

A reinforced safety door 7 allows to access the central body 2 for monitoring purposes and for taking therefrom the introduced money. As is shown, the articulated head 4 comprises a cap or dome element 8, of hollow configuration, designed for holding therein a photographic digital apparatus 9 which is swingably mounted through a lever support 10 coupled to an outer handle or knob 11 allowing the machine to be upward directed.

Advantageously, the device comprises two said knobs 11, arranged symmetrically on the side of the cap 8 to both allow the photographic machine to be raised and to cause said articulated head to be rotated. On the front portion of said cap 8 is provided an opening or port, including a protective glass element 12, arranged at the lens objective of the digital machine or device 9.

The protecting glass 12 is in turn conventionally protected by a movable safety panel 13 which is automatically upward opened as money is introduced into the token device.

On the rear portion of the cap 8 is provided a control panel 14, protected by a weather agent protecting assembly 15, formed by the rear portion of said cap.

Said control panel comprises a display assembly for displaying the photographic machine field being shot, as well as photographic machine control means and digital ports to unload the shot images.

More specifically, said display comprises preferably a liquid crystal display assembly (LCD) 16 or the like device, which is electronically connected to the digital device or machine 9.

The control panel comprises moreover a plurality of push-buttons or keys 17 for controlling the zoom and a shot push-button or key 18. To unload the shot images, a plurality of digital ports 19 are moreover provided, adapted to receive conventional digital storing devices, such as USB stores, SD, CF cards and so on.

Preferably, said digital ports 19 are protected by a safety movable panel 20 which is automatically open upon introducing the credit .

Furthermore, said digital ports 19, zoom controls 17 and shot push-button 10 are remotely operatively coupled to the digital machine 9. In particular, the shot push-button is not directly coupled to the digital machine but to a card driving and controlling means for the shot image sequence being operated.

All the above disclosed structure, glass and display assemblies included, is made of weather agent and vandal acts resistant materials.

The operation of the device according to the present invention is very simple for a user, which, to actuate the device, must merely introduce into the token assembly the required money amount, that is a cash amount or other payment support, such as a debit card of a "Bancomat"^® type, other credit cards, pre-paid cards and so on, to properly actuate the device.

Thus, as a required credit is introduced into the device, the movable front panel 13 is opened while actuating the display 16, and the rear panel 20 is also opened to actuate the ports 19.

Then, the device will be ready for use: to that end, the user will turn the articulated head by- operating the knobs 11 which also allow to adjust the photographic machine 9 raised position to properly point the subject to be shot, as desired by the user. Moreover, upon having adjusted the framing by the zoom 17 controls, the operator will operate the shot push-button 18 to start the shot sequence.

In such a condition, the digital machine, which can comprise a commercially available standard photographic device, will automatically perform the necessary adjusting and focalizing operations.

At the end of the shot sequence, the user will unload the shot images by introducing any suitable storing means into the dedicated ports 19. It has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.

In fact, the invention provides a device allowing a tourist or visitor who does not have a photographic apparatus to perform anyhow any desired shots.

The device according to the present invention, also allows a user the possibility of achieving technically perfect photos, owing to the automatic mechanisms of the digital machine and since the latter is mounted on a solid support allowing to shot clear still photos.

In practicing the invention, the used materials, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, according to requirements.

Claims

1. A pay-per-use automatic digital photographic device, particularly to be used at touristically interesting places, characterized in that said photographic device comprises a protective structure for protecting and supporting a photographic digital apparatus controlled by credit inlet means and coupled to means for storing digital images on storing carriers.

2. A device, according to claim 1, characterized in that said device comprises a central support body associated with a ground anchoring base by anchoring systems such as anchoring plugs or brackets, said central body supporting an articulated head adapted to hold a photographic digital apparatus therein, and being adapted to rotate about a vertical axis.

3. A device, according to claim 1, characterized in that said articulated head is adapted to perform a rotary movement through about 300°.

4. A device, according to claim 1, characterized in that said credit inlet means comprise a token assembly or other payment receiving assembly such as a magnetic card read-out device or the like mounted on said central body.

5. A device, according to claim 1, characterized in that said central body comprises a reinforced safety door allowing the central body to be accessed for monitoring purposes and for recovering money.

6. A device, according to claim 1, characterized in that said articulated head comprises a hollow cap assembly holding therein said photographic digital apparatus swingably mounted on a lever support coupled to two outer controlling knobs which are symmetrically arranged on sides of said cap to allow to adjust the raising position of said photographic machine and rotary movement of said articulated head.

7. A device, according to claim 1, characterized in that said cap comprises a cap front portion including an opening therethrough protected by a protective glass at the digital machine lens, said opening being further protected by a safety movable panel which is automatically raised to an open position as a credit is introduced into said token assembly.

8. A device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the rear portion of said cap comprises a control panel protected by an atmospheric agent protective assembly formed by said rear portion of said cap, said control panel comprising a display for displaying the photographic machine framing, control means for said photographic machine and digital ports for unloading shot images .

9. A device, according to claim 1, characterized in that said display comprises a liquid crystal display

(LCD) or the like display device electronically coupled to said digital machine, said control means comprising zoom control push-buttons and a shot-push-button.

10. A device, according to claim 1, characterized in that said device further comprises digital ports for unloading images, said digital ports being adapted to receive digital memory devices such as USB stores, SD, CF cards, said digital ports being protected by a safety movable panel which is automatically opened as a credit is inserted into said device .