Image capture, processing and delivery at group events

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for image acquisition and distribution of individuals at large events. In one aspect, a method for providing an image of attendees at an event includes operating one or more image capturing devices to record images of attendees of an event situated at locations in an event venue, processing the images to form a processed image, and distributing the processed image to the individual. The processing includes mapping the locations to a grid including coordinates corresponding to predetermined positions associated with the event venue, defining an image space containing an individual at a particular location in the event venue based on the coordinates, and forming the processed image based on the image space.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An imaging service system, comprising:
 a plurality of cameras arranged in an event venue to capture images of attendees at an event corresponding to an occurrence of the event;   a trigger module in communication with the plurality of cameras to initiate the capture of the images; and   one or more computers in communication with the cameras to receive the captured images and provide coordinates to the captured images that correspond to locations in the event venue to associate individuals among the attendees to respective locations in the event venue.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the event venue includes at least one of a stadium, an arena, a ballpark, an auditorium, a music hall, an amphitheater, a building to host the event, or an outdoor area to host the event. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the attendees include fans or spectators at a sporting event. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the locations correspond to seating in the event venue. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cameras are arranged in the event venue to capture the images of the attendees at multiple directions. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cameras temporally capture a series of images of the attendees. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more computers form a processed image of an individual or individuals proximate the location of the individual using the coordinates. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more computers distribute the processed image to the individual using wireless communication to a mobile device of the individual. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more computers sends the processed image to a social network site. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more computers allow purchase of the processed image by the individual. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger module is a manual trigger to initiate the capture of the images at an operator-selected instance based on the occurrence of the event. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the trigger module is an automatic trigger to initiate the capture of the images based on a detection of at least one of a sound, visual stimulus, or mechanical perturbation at the event. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the captured images of the attendees display one or more attendees' reaction to the occurrence of the event. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of lighting devices to direct light at selected sections of the event venue corresponding to sections where the plurality of cameras capture the images,   wherein the lighting devices are in communication with the trigger module and configured to emit light when triggered on the selected sections to be imaged.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of lighting devices are configured to direct the light at the selected sections with angles corresponding to imaging angles formed between the camera and the section to be imaged. 
     
     
         16 . An imaging system for providing images of attendees at an event, comprising:
 a plurality of cameras arranged in an event venue to capture images of attendees at an event corresponding to an occurrence of the event; and   one or more computers in communication with the cameras to receive the captured images and provide coordinates to the captured images that correspond to locations in the event venue to associate individuals among the attendees to respective locations in the event venue,   wherein the captured images of the attendees display one or more attendees' reaction to the occurrence of the event.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a trigger module in communication with the plurality of cameras to initiate the capture of the images.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a plurality of lighting devices to direct light at selected sections of the event venue corresponding to sections where the plurality of cameras capture the images,   wherein the lighting devices are in communication with the trigger module and configured to emit light when triggered on the selected sections to be imaged.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the trigger module is a manual trigger to initiate the capture of the images at an operator-selected instance based on the occurrence of the event. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the trigger module is an automatic trigger to initiate the capture of the images based on a detection of at least one of a sound, visual stimulus, or mechanical perturbation at the event. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the event venue includes at least one of a stadium, an arena, a ballpark, an auditorium, a music hall, an amphitheater, a building to host the event, or an outdoor area to host the event. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the attendees include fans or spectators at a sporting event. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the locations correspond to seating in the event venue. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of cameras are arranged in the event venue to capture the images of the attendees at multiple directions. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of cameras temporally capture a series of images of the attendees. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more computers form a processed image of a particular individual or a group of individuals proximate the location of the particular individual using the coordinates. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more computers distribute the processed image to the particular individual using wireless communication to a mobile device of the particular individual. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more computers sends the processed image to a social network site. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the one or more computers allow purchase of the processed image by the particular individual.