US6450090B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for printing directly on a mat board
Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
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Filing: 2000-05-01
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Granted: 2002-09-17
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Expires: 2020-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for printing directly on a mat board. A computer-readable medium includes a digital image having a size scaled to a size of the mat board. For example, the size can correspond to a border region of the mat board between an outer edge of the mat board and an interior region of the mat board that is open or configured to be open to allow visual access to a selected item placed behind the mat board. The digital image is transmitted to a computer printer coupled to the computer-readable medium, and the digital image is printed directly on the mat board with the computer printer while the mat board is engaged with the computer printer. The mat board can include a mat board body having a forward-facing surface with an at least partially non-porous print receiving medium configured to receive ink from an ink jet printer, and a generally non-porous medium at a rearward-facing surface configured to at least restrict moisture from passing into the mat board body through the rearward-facing surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilbur S. Wridge, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:44
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J11/00; B41J11/008; B41J13/00; B41J13/0063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for printing on a mat board used for mounting and/or framing a selected item, comprising: providing on a computer-readable medium a digital image having a size scaled to a size of the mat board; transmitting the digital image to a computer printer coupled to the computer-readable medium; and printing the digital image directly on the mat board with the computer printer while the mat board is engaged with the computer printer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for printing on a mat board used for mounting and/or framing a selected item, comprising: providing on a computer-readable medium a digital image having a size scaled to a size of the mat board; transmitting the digital image to a computer printer coupled to the computer-readable medium; and printing the digital image directly on the mat board with the computer printer while the mat board is engaged with the computer printer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the mat board has an edge and an interior region inward from the edge that is open or configured to be opened to allow visual access to the selected item when the selected item is placed behind the mat board, the mat board further having a border region between the edge and the interior region, the method further comprising sizing the digital image to be approximately equal in size and shape to the border region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising printing the digital image directly on a first surface of the mat board while supporting a second surface of the mat board spaced apart from the first surface by from about 0.040 inch to about 0.100 inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising scanning an image with a computer scanner to provide the digital image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising manipulating the digital image by changing at least one of a color, contrast, focus, texture, and brightness of the digital image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising manipulating the digital image by forming a repeating pattern of at least a portion of the digital image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected item includes a picture, further comprising defining the digital image to include a reproduction of at least a portion of the picture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: defining an outline of the interior region of the mat board; cutting through the mat board along the outline to define an opening; and placing the mat board proximate to a picture with at least a portion of the picture visually accessible through the opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: defining an outline of the interior region of the mat board; transmitting to an automatic cutting device signals corresponding to a definition of the outline of the interior region; automatically cutting through the mat board along the outline to define an opening; and placing the mat board proximate to a picture with at least a portion of the picture visually accessible through the opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: engaging the mat board with the computer printer before printing the digital image on the mat board; removing the mat board from the computer printer after printing the digital image on the mat board; and framing a picture with the mat board by placing the picture adjacent to a rearward-facing surface of the mat board, placing a frame adjacent to a forward-facing surface of the mat board and securing the mat board, the picture and the frame as a unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
125 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the mat board is a first mat board, further comprising: printing a digital image directly on a second mat board with a computer printer while the second mat board is engaged with the computer printer; cutting a first opening in the first mat board and cutting a second opening the second mat board with the first opening having a size different than a size of the second opening; and framing the selected item with the mat boards by placing the item adjacent the first mat board, placing the second mat board adjacent the first mat board, placing a frame adjacent to the second mat board and securing the selected item, the mat boards and the frame as a unit.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for using a computer to print on a mat board for framing a picture, comprising: providing a bit-mapped image to the computer; providing first instructions to the computer to size the bit-mapped image to fit between an outer edge of the mat board and an interior portion of the mat board configured to be cut out from the remainder of the mat board; providing second instructions to the computer to manipulate at least one of a selected size, shape, color, style, and orientation of the bit-mapped image; instructing the computer to transmit the bit-mapped image to a computer printer; printing the bit-mapped image directly on the mat board with the computer printer; and removing the mat board from the computer printer.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for using a computer to print on a mat board for framing a picture, comprising: providing a bit-mapped image to the computer; providing first instructions to the computer to size the bit-mapped image to fit between an outer edge of the mat board and an interior portion of the mat board configured to be cut out from the remainder of the mat board; providing second instructions to the computer to manipulate at least one of a selected size, shape, color, style, and orientation of the bit-mapped image; instructing the computer to transmit the bit-mapped image to a computer printer; printing the bit-mapped image directly on the mat board with the computer printer; and removing the mat board from the computer printer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising: mounting the mat board in an automated cutting device; transmitting instructions to the automated cutting device relating to the size of the interior region of the mat board; and automatically cutting the interior region from the mat board using the automated cutting device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising printing the digital image directly on a first surface of the mat board while supporting with the computer printer a second surface of the mat board spaced apart from the first surface by from about 0.040 inch to about 0.100 inch.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising selecting the image to include at least one of a background, a French line, clip-art and a caption.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
109 words
A computer-readable medium the contents of which cause a computer system to perform a method for defining an image for printing on a mat board, the method comprising: accessing a digital image having a size and shape approximately the same as a size of a border region of the mat board, the border region being located between an outer edge of the mat board and an interior region of the mat board that is cut out or configured to be cut out to allow visual access to an item behind the mat board; and transmitting the digital image to a computer printer for printing directly on the mat board.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
109 words
A computer-readable medium the contents of which cause a computer system to perform a method for defining an image for printing on a mat board, the method comprising: accessing a digital image having a size and shape approximately the same as a size of a border region of the mat board, the border region being located between an outer edge of the mat board and an interior region of the mat board that is cut out or configured to be cut out to allow visual access to an item behind the mat board; and transmitting the digital image to a computer printer for printing directly on the mat board.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 16 , further comprising reading an analog image by scanning the image with an electronic scanner and mapping the analog image to a digital format to form the digital image.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 16 , further comprising displaying characteristics of the digital image on a computer display.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 16 , further comprising receiving an input signal to manipulate the digital image before transmitting the digital image to the computer printer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
48 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 16 , further comprising: receiving an input signal to manipulate the digital image; and manipulating the digital image by changing at least one of a color, contrast, focus, texture, and brightness of the digital image before transmitting the digital image to the printer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 16 , further comprising defining the digital image to include a reproduction of at least a portion of a picture configured to be mounted adjacent to the mat board.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 16 , further comprising: transmitting to an automatic cutting device signals corresponding to a definition of an outline of the interior region; and automatically cutting through the mat board with the automatic cutting device along the outline to define an opening.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 16 , further comprising: instructing the computer printer to print the digital image directly on the mat board.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
79 words
A computer-readable medium the contents of which cause a computer system to perform a method for printing on a mat board, the method comprising: accessing a digital image; transmitting the digital image to a computer printer for printing the image on the mat board; transmitting a first command to the computer printer to print the digital image on the mat board; and transmitting a second command to a cutter device to cut an interior region from the mat board.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
79 words
A computer-readable medium the contents of which cause a computer system to perform a method for printing on a mat board, the method comprising: accessing a digital image; transmitting the digital image to a computer printer for printing the image on the mat board; transmitting a first command to the computer printer to print the digital image on the mat board; and transmitting a second command to a cutter device to cut an interior region from the mat board.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
76 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 24 , further comprising configuring the digital image to have a size and shape approximately the same as a size and shape of a border region of the mat board, the border region positioned between an outer edge of the mat board and an interior region of the mat board that is cut out or configured to be cut out to allow visual access to an item behind the mat board.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
64 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 24 wherein accessing the digital image includes accessing a digital image having a size corresponding to a size of a border region of the mat board between an edge of the mat board and an interior region of the mat board that is configured to be cut out to allow visual access to an item behind the mat board.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
76 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 24 , further comprising: receiving an input signal related to the size of a border region between an edge of the mat board and an interior region of the mat board that is cut out or configured to be cut out to allow visual access to an item positioned behind the mat board; and sizing the digital image to have a size approximately equal to the size of the border region.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
89 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 24 , further comprising: receiving an input signal related to the size of a border region between an edge of the mat board and an interior region of the mat board that is cut out or configured to be cut out to allow visual access to an item positioned behind the mat board; and sizing the digital image to have a size and shape that extends from the edge of the mat board at least partially into the interior region of the mat board.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 24 , further comprising receiving an input signal to manipulate the digital image before transmitting the digital image to the computer printer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
100 words
A computer-readable medium having contents that cause a computer system to perform a method for defining an image for printing on a mat board, the method comprising: receiving an indication of a first digital image; receiving an indication of a size and shape of a border region of a mat board between an outer edge of the mat board and an interior portion of the mat board that is either cut out or configured to be cut out; and defining a second digital image by adapting the first digital image to correspond to the border region of the mat board.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
100 words
A computer-readable medium having contents that cause a computer system to perform a method for defining an image for printing on a mat board, the method comprising: receiving an indication of a first digital image; receiving an indication of a size and shape of a border region of a mat board between an outer edge of the mat board and an interior portion of the mat board that is either cut out or configured to be cut out; and defining a second digital image by adapting the first digital image to correspond to the border region of the mat board.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 30 , further comprising defining a size and shape of the second digital image to extend from the outer edge of the mat board at least partially into the interior portion of the mat board.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 30 , further comprising defining the second digital image to have a size and shape approximately the same as a size and shape of the border region.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 30 , further comprising receiving an input signal to manipulate the digital image before transmitting the digital image to the computer printer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
50 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 30 , further comprising: transmitting to an automatic cutting device signals corresponding to a definition of an outline of the interior region; and automatically cutting through the mat board with the automatic cutting device along the outline to define an opening in the mat board.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer-readable medium of claim 30 , further comprising transmitting the second digital image to a computer printer for printing directly on the mat board.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
58 words
A computer-implemented method for printing on a mat board used for mounting and/or framing a selected item, comprising: receiving an indication of a digital image having a size scaled to a size of the mat board; transmitting the digital image to a printer under control of the computer; and printing the digital image directly on the mat board.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
58 words
A computer-implemented method for printing on a mat board used for mounting and/or framing a selected item, comprising: receiving an indication of a digital image having a size scaled to a size of the mat board; transmitting the digital image to a printer under control of the computer; and printing the digital image directly on the mat board.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 36 , further comprising creating the digital image.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 36 , further comprising creating the digital image by defining an outline of the digital image and defining at least one of a color and texture of the digital image.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 36 , wherein the mat board has an edge and an interior region inward from the edge that is open or configured to be opened to allow visual access to the selected item when the selected item is placed behind the mat board, the mat board further having a border region between the edge and the interior region, the method further comprising sizing the digital image to be approximately equal in size and shape to the border region.
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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) | 2005-09-16 | 2006-03-18 | 2006-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-16 | 2010-03-18 | 2010-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-16 | 2014-03-18 | 2014-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |