Park guest-activated image capture system for theme parks and associated methods
An image capture system for a theme park includes fixed image capture areas spaced throughout the theme park. Each fixed image capture area includes at least one camera, and a kiosk coupled to the at least one camera. The kiosk includes an identification (ID) reader to read a park guest ID presented by a park guest, and a processor to activate the at least one camera to take a photo of the park guest based on the ID reader reading the park guest ID. The processor also links the park guest ID with the photo. A server is coupled to the fixed image capture areas to store each photo with the linked park guest ID.
1. An image capture system for a theme park comprising:
a plurality of fixed image capture areas spaced throughout the theme park, each fixed image capture area comprising
at least one camera, and
a kiosk coupled to said at least one camera and comprising
an identification (ID) reader configured to read a park guest ID presented by a park guest, and
a processor configured to activate said at least one camera to take a photo of the park guest based on said ID reader reading the park guest ID, and to link the park guest ID with the photo; and
a server coupled to said plurality of fixed image capture areas and configured to store each photo with the linked park guest ID.
2. The image capture system according to claim 1 wherein the same park guest ID is used by the park guest at other fixed image capture areas to take additional photos of the park guest based on each respective ID reader configured to read the same park guest ID; and wherein said server stores the additional photos of the park guest with the same linked park guest ID so as to form a personal photo album of the park guest.
3. The image capture system according to claim 1 further comprising:
at least one input device coupled to said server and configured to receive the park guest ID from the part guest; and
at least one display coupled to said server and configured to display the photo linked with the park guest ID as received by said at least one input device.
4. The image capture system according to claim 1 wherein said server is coupled to the Internet to allow the park guest to remotely retrieve each photo with the linked ID.
5. The image capture system according to claim 4 wherein said server is further configured to associate an email address of the park guest with the park guest ID to assist with the retrieval.
6. The image capture system according to claim 1 wherein each fixed image capture area further comprises a count-down display coupled to said processor, with said count-down display being activated based on said ID reader reading the park guest ID to count-down a pre-defined time before activating said at least one camera.
7. The image capture system according to claim 1 wherein each fixed image capture area comprises a ground marking on where the park guest is to stand for the photo.
8. The image capture system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one camera is configured to take a photo with a panoramic view.
9. The image capture system according to claim 1 wherein said kiosk further comprises a display coupled to said processor, with said processor further configured to display instructions on how to activate said at least one camera.
10. The image capture system according to claim 1 wherein the park guest ID is on a theme park admission ticket used by the park guest to enter the theme park.
11. The image capture system according to claim 1 wherein the park guest ID is generated by a mobile wireless communications device carried by the park guest.
12. The image capture system according to claim 1 wherein each image capture area has a theme associated therewith; and wherein said processor is further configured to map the photo of the park guest within the themed image capture area to an extended scene, with the extended scene being a panoramic view extending the theme of the themed image capture area.
13. A method for operating an image capture system for a theme park comprising a plurality of fixed image capture areas spaced throughout the theme park, each fixed image capture area comprising at least one camera, and a kiosk coupled to the at least one camera, and a server coupled to the plurality of fixed image capture areas, the method comprising:
operating an identification (ID) reader within the kiosk to read a park guest ID presented by a park guest;
operating a processor within the kiosk to
activate the at least one camera to take a photo of the park guest based on the ID reader reading the park guest ID, and
link the park guest ID with the photo; and
operating the server to store each photo with the linked park guest ID.
14. The method according to claim 13 wherein the same park guest ID is used by the park guest at other fixed image capture areas to take additional photos of the park guest based on each respective ID reader configured to read the same park guest ID; and
further comprising operating the server to store the additional photos of the park guest with the same linked park guest ID so as to form a personal photo album of the park guest.
15. The method according to claim 13 further comprising:
operating at least one input device coupled to the server to receive the park guest ID from the part guest; and
operating at least one display coupled to the server to display the photo linked with the park guest ID as received by the at least one input device.
16. The method according to claim 13 wherein the server is coupled to the Internet to allow the park guest to remotely retrieve each photo with the linked ID.
17. The method according to claim 13 wherein each fixed image capture area further comprises a count-down display coupled to the processor, with the count-down display being activated based on the ID reader reading the park guest ID to count-down a pre-defined time before activating the at least one camera.
18. The method according to claim 13 wherein the kiosk further comprises a display coupled to the processor, and further comprising operating the processor to display instructions on how to activate the at least one camera.
19. The method according to claim 13 wherein the park guest ID is on a theme park admission ticket used by the park guest to enter the theme park.
20. The method according to claim 13 wherein the park guest ID is generated by a mobile wireless communications device carried by the park guest.
21. The method according to claim 13 wherein each image capture area has a theme associated therewith; and further comprising operating the processor to map the photo of the park guest within the themed image capture area to an extended scene, with the extended scene being a panoramic view extending the theme of the themed image capture area.