US6005972A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for adding personalized text and/or graphics to composite digital image products
Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLC
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Filing: 1996-11-19
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Granted: 1999-12-21
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Expires: 2016-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for combining a prestored digital image with personalized text and/or graphics including a media for use therewith. The media is constructed so that the personalized text or graphics placed thereon can be automatically read therefrom using a digital scanner and computer.
Inventors
- 👤 John R Fredlund
- 👤 Ronald S. Cok
- 👤 Frank Pincelli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:59
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/387; H04N1/3871
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of combining a prestored digital image with personalized text and/or graphics, said method comprising the steps of: providing a prestored digital image having a predetermined location for receiving personalized text and/or graphics; providing a media on which text and/or personalized graphics may be provided; placing on this media personalized text and/or graphics; scanning said media, said media being constructed such that said personalized text or graphics is automatically distinguished and captured from the background of said media; and combining said personalized text or graphics with said prestored image at said predetermined location.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of combining a prestored digital image with personalized text and/or graphics, said method comprising the steps of: providing a prestored digital image having a predetermined location for receiving personalized text and/or graphics; providing a media on which text and/or personalized graphics may be provided; placing on this media personalized text and/or graphics; scanning said media, said media being constructed such that said personalized text or graphics is automatically distinguished and captured from the background of said media; and combining said personalized text or graphics with said prestored image at said predetermined location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein instructions are read from said media for controlling manipulation of said personalized text and/or graphics.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said personalized text or graphic is automatically sized, centered, justified or otherwise located with respect to said predetermined location.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for combining a prestored digital image with personalized text and/or graphics, comprising: a media upon which personalized text or graphics may be placed; means for scanning said media and for automatically separating said personalized text or graphics written thereon from the background of said media, said media is provided with a machine readable code, said code representing an instructional code for said printing of said text and/or graphics; and means for digitally combining said personalized text and/or graphics with a prestored image so as to form a merged digital image.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for combining a prestored digital image with personalized text and/or graphics, comprising: a media upon which personalized text or graphics may be placed; means for scanning said media and for automatically separating said personalized text or graphics written thereon from the background of said media, said media is provided with a machine readable code, said code representing an instructional code for said printing of said text and/or graphics; and means for digitally combining said personalized text and/or graphics with a prestored image so as to form a merged digital image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 4 wherein said code is a machine readable article.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of combining a prestored digital image with personalized text and/or graphics, said method comprising the steps of: providing a prestored digital image having a predetermined location for receiving personalized text and/or graphics; providing a media on which text and/or personalized graphics may be provided; placing on this media personalized text and/or graphics; scanning said media, said media being constructed such that said personalized text or graphics is automatically distinguished and captured from said media, said means for distinguishing said personalized text and graphics from said media comprises said media being made of color, which be easily distinguished from said personalized text or graphics of a second color; and combining said personalized text or graphics with said prestored image at said predetermined location.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of combining a prestored digital image with personalized text and/or graphics, said method comprising the steps of: providing a prestored digital image having a predetermined location for receiving personalized text and/or graphics; providing a media on which text and/or personalized graphics may be provided; placing on this media personalized text and/or graphics; scanning said media, said media being constructed such that said personalized text or graphics is automatically distinguished and captured from said media, said means for distinguishing said personalized text and graphics from said media comprises said media being made of color, which be easily distinguished from said personalized text or graphics of a second color; and combining said personalized text or graphics with said prestored image at said predetermined location.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
A media having a predetermined location for receiving a personalized text and/or graphics by a writing instrument, said media being constructed such that when said text and/or graphics is placed thereon by said writing instrument said text and/or graphics can be easily differentiated by a computer analyzing the digital data obtained by scanning said media, said media have means for automatically providing printing instructions said media having a color that can be easily distinguished from the color of said text and/or graphics made by said writing instrument.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
A media having a predetermined location for receiving a personalized text and/or graphics by a writing instrument, said media being constructed such that when said text and/or graphics is placed thereon by said writing instrument said text and/or graphics can be easily differentiated by a computer analyzing the digital data obtained by scanning said media, said media have means for automatically providing printing instructions said media having a color that can be easily distinguished from the color of said text and/or graphics made by said writing instrument.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
A media according to claim 7 wherein said means for providing printing instructions comprises at least one area provided on said media that can be designated by the user and can be read by a scanner, said area being indicative of an instructional code for printing said text and/or graphics.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A media according to claim 8 wherein written instructions are placed on said media for using said at least one area.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A media according to claim 7 wherein said means for providing printing instructions comprises a machine readable code, said code representing an instructional code for printing of said text and/or graphics.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A media according to claim 10 where in said code is a machine readable barcode.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
85 words
A system for combining a prestored digital image with personalized text and/or graphics, comprising: a media upon which personalized text or graphics may be placed; means for scanning said media and for separating said personalized text or graphics written thereon from said media, said media having a color that can be easily distinguished from the color of said text and/or graphics written thereon; and means for digitally combining said personalized text and/or graphics with a prestored image so as to form a merged digital image.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
85 words
A system for combining a prestored digital image with personalized text and/or graphics, comprising: a media upon which personalized text or graphics may be placed; means for scanning said media and for separating said personalized text or graphics written thereon from said media, said media having a color that can be easily distinguished from the color of said text and/or graphics written thereon; and means for digitally combining said personalized text and/or graphics with a prestored image so as to form a merged digital image.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 12 further comprising a printer for printing said merged digital combining image.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system according to claim 12 wherein at least one area is provided on said media that can be designated by the user and can be read by a scanner, said area being indicative of an instructional code for printing said text and/or graphics.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 14 wherein written instructions are placed on said media for using said at least one area.
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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) | 2002-12-20 | 2003-06-21 | 2003-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-20 | 2007-06-21 | 2007-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-20 | 2011-06-21 | 2011-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |