Patent Application
20170363934
This invention relates to taking mobile instant photographs, and in particular, a wearable apparatus to provide high quality instant photographs in a high quality branded frame to subjects.
People often enjoy having photographs taken at events and parties. Currently, either a photographer will circulate the room with a camera or there will be a backdrop with a photographer taking photographs of subjects and printing the photographs on a stationary printer. The printed photographs often have a logo for the event and perhaps a date. Sometimes, the photographs are placed in low quality frames, where the photo often slides around within the frame or is just discarded by the subject. If the subject takes the low quality frame, it is often discarded.
Photographers who circulate a room with only a camera will often provide digital photographs for subjects via email on a website. The subject may be able to print the photograph after leaving the event, but often the subject is unable to print it because of restrictions. The photographers may also provide the photos to the subjects later during the event, but this usually occurs many minutes after the photograph is taken.
Finally, photographers may use an instant camera to provide onsite photographs to subjects. These photographs take about a minute to dry and are of a low quality and small size of about 2.5″×4″. They are often smudged if touched before they are dry and because of their low quality are not kept by the subject very long.
In view of the current problems faced by photographers at events and subjects attending these events, there is a need to provide a quick, high quality photograph in a high quality frame to subjects. High quality branded framed photographs are more likely to be kept and displayed as a keepsake and are desirable as marketing tools for businesses attending or hosting the events. Providing instant photographs while being mobile is also unobtrusive and fun for guests.
One aspect of the invention provides a camera holder that hangs from a strap to be worn by a person, the camera holding having a pocket for a digital camera, a printer holder that hangs from the strap and has a compartment for a portable printer that prints a photograph, and a connection from the digital camera to the printer.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of providing instant photos comprising providing the instant photo apparatus, taking at least one photograph of a subject with the digital camera at the location, selecting a desired photograph to print, printing the desired photograph with the portable printer at any location, supplying a flexible frame having an inside with an adhesive material covered by a removable backing, an outside opposite the inside, an upper portion an opening from the inside to the outside sized to view a photograph, and a lower portion separated from the upper portion by a fold, removing the removable backing, placing the photograph on the inside of the lower portion such that when the frame is folded, the photograph will be centered within the opening, and folding the frame such that the inside of the upper portion adheres to the inside of the lower portion.
Yet another aspect of the invention provides a frame assembly to receive a photograph comprising an inside with an adhesive material covered by a removable backing, an outside opposite the inside, a flexible upper portion, an opening from the inside to the outside sized to view a photograph, and a flexible lower portion separated from the upper portion by a fold.
The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawings are the following figures:
The invention provides a wearable apparatus to deliver an instant photograph, a frame for displaying the instant photograph, and a method of delivering the instant photograph. In one embodiment, as shown in
The strap 2 has an attachment 3 on at least one end of the strap 2 to secure the strap 2 around the waist of the person 100. The attachment 2 may be a buckle, snap, button, hook and loop fastener connection, and/or any other type of connection. In one embodiment, the apparatus 1 has a camera holder 4 hanging from the strap 2 with a pocket 7 for a digital camera 200. The apparatus 1 may also have a printer holder 5 hanging from the strap 2 with a compartment 8 for a portable printer that prints a photograph. In one embodiment, the printer holder 5 and camera holder 4 are connected to the strap 2 via one piece 6 hanging from the strap 2.
The apparatus 1 may also have a supplement 18 to support and/or protect a printer paper cassette that holds paper to print the photographs and catches the printed photographs so they do not fall onto the ground. In addition, the apparatus 1 may have a pouch 9. The pouch 9 may be slidably mounted to the strap 2 and can hold any items the photographer may need, including trash, batteries, and/or frames. In a preferred embodiment, the pouch 9 is made of a flexible, lightweight material. The pouch 9 may include a pocket to hold additional items.
In one embodiment, there is a connection from the digital camera to the printer to transfer the photographs taken with the digital camera 200 to the printer for printing the photographs. Preferably, the connection is a wireless signal or a cord.
In another embodiment, as shown in
In another embodiment shown in
The apparatus is used to provide instant photos. A photographer wearing the apparatus is mobile and may take and provide photographs at any location. The location is, preferably, an event with many people, but may be any location where photographs may be taken. Events may be corporate events and parties, trade shows, product promotions, retail grand openings, sporting events, concerts, galas, fundraisers, employee outings, graduations, wedding receptions, family gatherings and reunions, and any other events. In operation, a photographer takes a photograph of a subject, such as a person, place, or thing, with the digital camera at a location. In many instances, the subject will select the desired photograph, but it may also be selected by the photographer or another person. The desired photograph is printed with the portable printer at any location. Any number of photographs may be taken by the photographer and no photographs need to be printed if not desired, and thus, wasted printed photographs are avoided. The photographs may also be stored electronically and may be shown and shared on websites and other electronic media for the subjects to see then or later.
Once the photograph is printed, it may be placed into a frame. As shown in
As shown in
The mobile printing and framing may occur at the same location as where the photograph was taken or at any other location. This feature is particularly convenient for the subjects to receive keepsake photos quickly with the subjects either waiting at the same location where they were photographed or being able to socialize in a nearby location and be able to still receive their photograph in less than a minute. When the photograph is printed, it does not need extra time to dry and can be handled immediately. The time span from the photograph being taken to the photograph being ready in a frame is, preferably, no more than a minute, more preferably, no more than 50 seconds, and most preferably, no more than 40 seconds. In some instances, the process may take no more than 30 seconds or no more than 20 seconds, depending on the technology used.
To place the photograph into the frame, the removable backing 43 is removed. The photograph is placed on the inside of the lower portion 47 such that when the frame 40 is folded along the fold 48, the photograph will be centered within the opening 46. The frame 40 is then folded such that the inside of the upper portion 45 adheres to the inside of the lower portion 47. Because of the adhesive material 42, the photograph will not slide or fall out of the frame 40. The framed photograph may then be given instantly to the subject to display.
Although the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
