Self photography booth and method

A self photography system comprises a photographic camera having an image inlet. A video camera has an image inlet and an image outlet, and the video camera is disposed proximate the photographic camera. A pane of semitransparent material is aligned with and disposed forwardly of the camera image inlets. A video display is operably connected to the video camera image inlet for displaying the image perceived by the video camera image inlet. The video display is aligned with the pane for displaying the image thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The prior art discloses a number of photography booths permitting the user 
to cause the selective exposure of a length of photographic film so that a 
photograph will be taken. These booths tend to be relatively large, 
thereby limiting the number of locations where they can be placed. Should 
conventional photographic film be used, then additional complications 
arise by the need to have the film developed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,983 of 
Donald O. Thayer for PHOTOGRAPHY BOOTH AND METHOD, the disclosure of which 
is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a photography booth having 
a video camera and video display coupled to a conventional film camera. 
Prior art photography booths have utilized a number of different schemes 
for permitting the user to strike a desired pose prior to the film being 
exposed. The cited Thayer patent discloses the use of a video display 
below the film camera, while it is also known to use a reflective mirror 
and a timer. Systems using self-developing film, such as that marketed by 
Polaroid Corporation, are known. The prior art does not, however, teach or 
suggest a photography booth which is sufficiently compact so as to be 
sized for a conventional display rack, while also assuring that the 
photograph taken is of a pose desired by the user. 
Retail establishments are constantly searching for new vehicles for 
increasing customer flow, and thereby total sales. Many retail 
establishments, such as greeting card stores, have product display racks 
which are of a standard size and layout. These racks tend to be relatively 
small, in order to facilitate substitution and positioning in 
establishments of different size. 
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there is a need for a 
photography booth which is sufficiently compact in size in order to 
increase the number of locations where the booth may be placed. There is 
also a need for a photography booth which not only increases traffic flow 
at the retail location, but which also directly contributes to sales 
volume. The disclosed invention meets these needs, and provides a 
photography booth of greatly simplified design and size. 
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The primary object of the disclosed invention is to provide a photography 
booth which is of reduced design and complexity in order to increase the 
number of locations where the booth may be placed. 
An additional object of the disclosed invention is to provide a photography 
booth which has an integral photograph holder display rack for generating 
additional sales volumes based upon photographs and holders sold. 
A self photography system according to the invention comprises a 
photographic camera having an image inlet. A video camera has an image 
inlet and an image outlet, and the video camera is disposed proximate the 
photographic camera. A pane of semi-transparent material is aligned with 
and disposed forwardly of the photographic and video camera image inlets. 
A video display means is operably connected to the video camera image 
outlet for displaying the image perceived by the video camera image inlet. 
The video display means is aligned with the pane for displaying the image 
thereon. 
A self photography booth comprises an enclosure having first and second 
spaced side walls interconnected by spaced first and second end walls. One 
of the side walls has an entrance therein permitting access to the 
interior of the enclosure. At least a first opening is provided in one of 
the end walls. A self photography system is operably associated with the 
first opening and is disposed exteriorly relative to the associated end 
wall. The self photography system comprises a photographic camera having 
an image inlet directed at the other of said end walls, a video camera 
having an image inlet directed at the other of said end walls in 
substantial alignment with the photographic camera image inlets so that 
the image inlet perceive substantially the same image. A semi-transparent 
mirror is interposed between the cameras and the other of said end walls. 
A video display has the inlet thereof operably connected to the video 
camera and the outlet thereof directed at the mirror so that the image 
perceived by the video camera is reflected by the mirror through the first 
opening. Means are positioned in the enclosure and operably connected to 
the photographic camera for causing selective operation thereof. 
A self-service photography system comprises a housing having first and 
second integral enclosures. The enclosures each have an interior and are 
of substantially equal height and width but dissimilar length. The first 
enclosure includes a pivotal door securing an opening to the interior 
thereof. An accessway is disposed in the second enclosure for permitting 
access to the interior thereof. A self photography system is positioned in 
the first enclosure for permitting a user within the second enclosure to 
have a photograph taken thereof. At least a first rack means is secured to 
the door for displaying and permitting retrieval of a photograph holder 
disposed therein. 
The method of taking a self portrait comprises the steps of providing a 
self photography system comprising adjacently disposed photographic and 
video cameras, a semi-transparent angularly disposed mirror in front of 
the image inlets of the cameras, and a video display below the cameras for 
directing the image perceived by the video camera into alignment with the 
image inlet of the film camera. The user poses in front of the cameras. 
The image perceived by the video camera is viewed by the user by looking 
at the mirror and thereby looking into the image inlet of the photographic 
camera. Once an appropriate pose is selected, then the photographic camera 
is operated. 
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be readily 
apparent in view of the following description and drawings of the above 
described invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Photography booth B, as best shown in FIG. 1, comprises integral enclosures 
E1 and E2. The enclosures E1 and E2 preferably have equal width and height 
but dissimilar length, with height, width and length being indicated by 
the arrows H, W and L, respectively, of FIG. 1. Preferably, the booth B 
has a width of two feet, an overall length, comprising the enclosures E1 
and E2, of four feet, and a height of more than six feet. This size is 
preferred, because it corresponds to the footprint of a standard greeting 
card display rack. 
Enclosure E2 has an accessway 10, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. The 
accessway 10 is, preferably, selectively partially blockable by movable 
curtain 12. Curtain 12 is movable along rod 14, as best shown in FIG. 3, 
so that a user may enter or exit the enclosure E2. We prefer that the 
curtain 12 have a vertical dimension of roughly half the height of the 
accessway 10, since we have found this to provide a more attractive 
appearance while also sufficiently blocking ambient illumination. The 
curtain 12 is comprised of an opaque material. 
Enclosures E1 and E2 share a common wall 16, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 
and 4. The wall 16 spans the width of enclosures E1 and E2, and extends 
the height thereof. Transparent windows 18 and 20 are positioned in wall 
16 within openings formed therein. Also positioned in wall 16 is a strobe 
light 22, a dollar bill and change receiver 24 of conventional design, and 
a photograph delivery slot 26. 
As best shown in FIG. 4, bench 28 is formed along end wall 30 of enclosure 
E2. The bench 28 is at a selected location for posing of a user within the 
enclosure E2. Also appropriately positioned in the enclosure E2 along the 
side wall 32 is control module 34. The module 34 has a push button 36 for 
causing a photograph to be taken, and a toggle switch 38 for adjusting the 
elevation of the photograph to be taken. 
Side wall 40 of enclosure E1, as best shown in FIGS. 1-3, has an opening 42 
therein which is closed by door 44. Door 44 has a rotatable handle 46 and 
an integral locking element 48, as best shown in FIG. 4, for causing the 
door 44 to be secured in the closed position. End wall 50 extends between 
the side walls 40 and 32, as best shown in FIG. 4, in order to define an 
open interior for the enclosure E1. 
Platform assembly P, as best shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, comprises an upper 
horizontal platform 52 and integral lower platform 54, both pivotal about 
rod 56. The upper platform 52 has a length less than the length of the 
lower platform 54 and is connected thereto by supports 55 and 57. One end 
of shaft 56 is secured to wall 32, while the other end is secured to 
bracket 59 in order to permit opening of door 44. The platform assembly P 
is pivotal about shaft 56 by operation of motor 58 and cord 60. Operation 
of the motor 58, in response to movement of the toggle switch 38, causes 
the cord 60 to be wound onto or from sheave 62, thereby causing the 
platform assembly P to be moved upwardly or downwardly in response 
thereto. 
Photographic camera 64 having a conventional image inlet 66 is mounted on 
upper platform 52. Video camera 68 having conventional image inlet 70 is 
also mounted to upper platform 52, preferably closely adjacent to 
photographic camera 64. The image inlets 66 and 70 are both directed at 
the point F of bench 28, as indicated by the lines 72 and 74 of FIG. 4, 
and are preferably a common distance above platform 52. We prefer that the 
photographic camera 64 be of the self-developing type, such as marketed by 
Polaroid Corporation, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that 
other recording media are usable within the scope of the invention. 
The photographic camera 64 has a photograph discharge element 76, as best 
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, which is aligned with chute 78 communicating with 
slot 26, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. In this way, the photograph 
resulting from operation of photographic camera 64 is presented to the 
user of the booth B. Because the element 76 is on the side of camera 64 
opposite the camera 68, the cameras 64 and 68 can be more closely 
positioned relative to each other. 
Semi-reflective mirror 80 is mounted between supports 82 and 84 affixed to 
and pivotal with upper platform 52. The mirror 80 is 50% reflective and 
50% transmissive, so that the image at the point F above bench 28 may be 
perceived therethrough by the image inlets 66 and 70. The mirror 80 is, 
preferably, disposed at an angle of 45.degree. to the upper platform 52. 
Video display 86, as best shown in FIGS. 2-3 and 5, is mounted to lower 
platform 54 forwardly of photographic camera 64. Video display 86 is 
operably connected by suitable wiring to the outlet of video camera 68, in 
order to receive the image perceived by image inlet 70. Video display 86 
has a monitor or outlet 88 by which the image perceived by the video 
camera image inlet 70 is caused to be viewed. The outlet 88 is positioned 
on platform 54 so that the image is directed, as indicated by the arrow 
89, at that point on the mirror 80 where the image inlet 66 of the 
photographic camera 64 is also directed. In this way, the image perceived 
by the video camera 68 is displayed on the mirror 80 at precisely the same 
location on mirror 80 where the image inlet 66 is directed. Because the 
mirror 80 is 50% reflective and 50% transmissive, the displayed image is 
reflected by the mirror 80 to the user at the bench 28, while, at the same 
time, the image inlet 66 is perceiving the image of that user on the bench 
28. While we prefer that display 86 be below cameras 64 and 68, those 
skilled in the art will appreciate that this orientation could be 
reversed. 
We position the photographic camera 64 and the video camera 68 in 
relatively close juxtaposition, so that the respective image inlets 64 and 
70 perceive substantially the same image. In using the booth B, the 
individual at the bench 28 will, as a consequence of the alignment of 
monitor 88, look to the image displayed on the mirror 80 through window 
20. That image is the image perceived by the video camera 68, so that the 
user, because of the alignment of the image inlets 66 and 70, is looking 
at substantially the image perceived by both cameras. Also, because the 
monitor outlet 88 is in alignment with the image inlet 66, then the user 
is also looking directly into the inlet 66. The result is that the user 
sees the image which will be taken by the photographic camera 64, and can 
select the appropriate pose prior to operation of the film camera 64 
through push button 36. 
We have found that positioning the cameras 64 and 68 closely adjacent each 
other provides the desirable benefit of causing the image perceived by the 
camera 68 to be photographed by the camera 64. The close spacing of the 
cameras 64 and 68 minimizes any divergence between the perceived images, 
while assuring that the user is looking directly into the image inlet 66 
of the photographic camera 64. Increased spacing between the cameras 64 
and 68, we believe, would increase divergence between the perceived 
images, so that the image photographed by the camera 64 would more greatly 
depart from that perceived by the camera 68. 
As noted, the platform assembly P is pivotal in response to operation of 
toggle switch 38, so that the user may adjust the vertical location of the 
point F. Since the cameras 64 and 68, mirror 80, and display 86 all pivot 
as a unit in response to operation of motor 58, then any inaccuracies on 
account of height are minimized. Appropriate switches are provided within 
the interior of enclosure E1 to prevent excessive pivoting of the platform 
assembly P. 
It is not unusual for a distant friend or relative to request a recent 
photograph of an individual. The booth B, as explained, permits such a 
photograph to be taken. In order to further increase the desire to have 
such a photograph taken, we provide a greeting card display rack assembly 
R integral with the door 44. Rack assembly R, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 
6, comprises a plurality of openings 90 in the door 44 in vertically 
spaced parallel relation. Transparent card holders 92 are positioned in 
each of the openings 90, in order to hold one or more greeting cards 94, 
as best shown in FIG. 1. Each card holder 92 comprises a front transparent 
member 96 and an inwardly extending divider 98, thereby dividing each 
holder 92 into two. Naturally, the member 96 has a height less than the 
height of the opening 90, in order to permit the user to remove a card 94. 
We prefer that the front members 96 be in alignment with the surface of 
door 44, in order to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance, while 
also assuring that the booth B does not exceed the requisite dimensions. 
Use and operation of the booth B is relatively simple, and permits a high 
quality photograph to be taken. The user merely enters the accessway 10 
and closes the curtain 12. The user then stands against or is seated on 
bench 28, and inserts the appropriate amount of money into money receiver 
24. The user then looks at the window 20, and thereby views the image 
reflected by the mirror 80 from the monitor outlet 88. Toggle switch 38 
may be operated for vertical alignment, while operation of push button 36 
initiates the camera 64. 
We provide a strobe 100 behind window 18 in order to provide sufficient 
illumination for the photograph to be taken. We have also found that the 
light 22, which is interconnected with the camera 64 and the strobe 100, 
will provide additional upwardly directed illumination. The result of the 
strobe 100 and the light 22 is that sufficient illumination is provided in 
the enclosure E2 for the photograph to be taken by the camera 64. 
Naturally, the cameras 64 and 68, display 86 and related components are 
all appropriately interconnected by suitable wiring to assure proper 
operation. 
After the photographs have been taken and dispensed to the user through 
slot 26, then the user may peruse the greeting cards 94 displayed on the 
rack means R. An appropriate card 94 may be selected, with one or more 
photographs inserted therein. The greeting cards 94 are of standard 
format, and may subsequently be mailed to a recipient. 
While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is 
understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/or 
adaptations of the invention, following in general the principle of the 
invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as 
come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention 
pertains, and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set 
forth, and fall within the scope of the invention of the limits of the 
appended claims.