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US5767860A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Digital mark-making method

Assignee: Cascade Parent Ltd
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Filing: 1995-12-07
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Granted: 1998-06-16
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Expires: 2015-12-07
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Abstract

Abstract A method to accurately create a multi-image mark-making tool so as to simulate digitally the rendering of a printed articulation, stroke, or mark of a donor natural medium used in graphic arts, such paints, pencils, erasers, or other implements. Using a computer or other hardware the method provides a digital representation of multiple-image elements to simulate an implement tip, receptor grain and variable grain penetration, and smooth and continuous brush stroke without visible artifacts. The method allows for isolating a plurality of image elements, masking the image elements, creating a grid of image elements to function as an index of an array of the image elements, creating a file of such image elements for the purpose of accurately simulating brushes and other donor-receptor articulations common to natural media, and for rendering a brush stroke in multiple-images to accurately simulate digitally paint brushes and other implements.

Inventors

  • 👤 Mark Alan Zimmer
  • 👤 John Derry

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 09:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T11/00; G06T11/10

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 165 words
A method for creating a multi-element image digital mark-making tool for two-dimensional image field creation on a computer to simulate digitally the rendering of a printed articulation to closely approximate by electronic analogy an artists tool, comprising the steps of: isolating all of a plurality of image elements for creation of a plurality of image arrays; said image arrays being selectively composited on a digital image field; masking each of said plurality of image elements so that only portions of the image elements which are selected to be visible remain unmasked, transparent, or partially masked; placing the plurality of image elements in a grid, allowing an order of said elements within said grid to function as an index of the plurality of image arrays; and storing said plurality of image elements thereby creating a file according to number and layout of said plurality of image elements within the file, thereby linking said index of the plurality of image arrays to the plurality of image elements.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 165 words
A method for creating a multi-element image digital mark-making tool for two-dimensional image field creation on a computer to simulate digitally the rendering of a printed articulation to closely approximate by electronic analogy an artists tool, comprising the steps of: isolating all of a plurality of image elements for creation of a plurality of image arrays; said image arrays being selectively composited on a digital image field; masking each of said plurality of image elements so that only portions of the image elements which are selected to be visible remain unmasked, transparent, or partially masked; placing the plurality of image elements in a grid, allowing an order of said elements within said grid to function as an index of the plurality of image arrays; and storing said plurality of image elements thereby creating a file according to number and layout of said plurality of image elements within the file, thereby linking said index of the plurality of image arrays to the plurality of image elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said grid is a one-dimensional grid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said grid is a two-dimensional grid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said grid is a two-dimensional grid whose index is interpreted as an index into a three-dimensional array or higher dimensional array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 159 words
The method of claim 1 for creating a multi-element image digital mark-making tool using a computer, further comprising the steps of: loading said multi-image digital mark making tool into a computer; imaging said plurality of image elements into memory, thereby creating an array index of each element; selecting a flow algorithm for determining an order of image elements selected from said array index; adjusting stroke parameters for determining stroke characteristics of said mark-making tool; implementing a stroke of said mark-making tool, selecting at each point along a stroke path as determined by a selected spacing of said stroke and offset by an optional random vector, whether an image will be composited; evaluating physical stroke characteristics at each point along a stroke path including velocity, direction, angle, pressure, bearing, and penetration; adding stroke attributes to said flow algorithm thereby generating an array index into said plurality of arrays; and applying said array index to select an image to be composited.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said flow algorithm is sequential.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 13 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said flow algorithm is based on direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said flow algorithm is effected by any combination of direction, stroke velocity, angle, randomness, or pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said flow algorithm is random.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said flow algorithm is based on stroke velocity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 13 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said flow algorithm is based on pressure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 13 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said flow algorithm is based on angle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 13 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said digital mark-making tool is a paintbrush.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2001-06-15 2001-12-15 2002-06-16 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-06-15 2005-12-15 2006-06-16 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-06-15 2009-12-15 2010-06-16 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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