GB2246929A - Producing personalised cards from photographs using a video scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

An existing photograph or photographs, or a photograph taken on the spot at the site of a machine, can be combined with stored or created material to produce a personalised card, e.g. a greetings card or a postcard, on a "while you wait" basis. The photograph is digitally scanned 14 in the machine, an image thereof is presented to the user on a screen 18, the user modifies the image if desired 22 and selects stored or created material to be presented with the photograph, and a card is printed 28 with a reproduction of the photograph and with the selected material. The screen image remains visible and can be modified until a print command is given by the user. A plurality of photographs may be used to form a collage. <IMAGE>

Description

METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING CARDS FROM PHOTOGRAPHS This invention relates generally to methods of and apparatus for producing cards from photographs. The term "cards" includes inter alia personalised greetings cards and customised postcards. The term "photographs" includes still pictures from a video camera recording.

It is known to produce personalised greetings cards by producing a reproduction of a photograph on a card and by embossing a message or greeting on the card adjacent to the photograph. As an alternative to producing such products by an embossing process one can use purely photographic techniques, involving the merging of two or more negatives to produce the finished result. However, the process of merging negatives to create a card is lengthy and requires specialised personnel, thus requiring a customer to leave an order for subsequent collection.

It is one object of the present invention to provide methods of and apparatus for enabling a customer who has a photograph or photographs to produce a personalised card combining the photograph or photographs with a message, on a "while you wait" basis.

It is another object of the present invention to provide methods of and apparatus for enabling a person to produce a card, e.g. a postcard, of a particular view which can be recorded photographically, again on a "while you wait" basis.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of producing a card from a photograph which comprises the steps of scanning a photograph, presenting an image thereof on a viewing screen, selecting under the control of the user stored or created material which is to be presented with the photograph, and printing on to a card a reproduction of the photograph accompanied by said selected material.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for producing a card from a photograph, which comprises means to scan a photograph, a viewing screen on which an image of the photograph is arranged to be displayed to a user, control means arranged to select under the control of the user stored or created material which is to be presented with the photograph, and printing means arranged to print on to a card a reproduction of the photograph accompanied by said selected material.

Preferably, the control means is such as to enable the user to be able to "edit" the viewed image, enlarge or reduce it, combine it with other images or material, etc., thereby permitting the user to create a personal card.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of producing a card from a photograph, which comprises the steps of taking a photograph, presenting an image thereof on a viewing screen, selecting under the control of the user stored or created material which is to be presented with the photograph, and printing on to a card a reproduction of the photograph accompanied by said selected material.

Also in accordance with the invention there is provided apparatus for producing a card from a photograph, which comprises a camera, a viewing screen on which an image of a photograph taken by the camera is displayed to a user, control means arranged to select under the control of the user stored or created material which is to be presented with the photograph, and printing means arranged to print on to a card a reproduction of the photograph accompanied by said selected material.

Preferably, the apparatus produces a postcard which can be mailed.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, two preferred embodiments of machine in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram indicating the components of the first embodiment of machine, and the process steps; Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing further details of the control options screen; Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing, in plan view and in elevation, the main component parts of a second embodiment of machine in accordance with the invention; and, Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram snowing further details of the control options screen of the embodiment of Fig. 3.

Referring first to Fig. 1, this shows a plan view of a machine for producing personalised picture greetings cards. The machine, which is indicated generally at 10, comprises a photograph transporter 12 and associated alignment mechanism which will receive a photograph inserted by a customer into the machine.

Alternatively, one could provide a lid or cover which can be lifted, so that the customer can then place the photograph on a tray or other receiver. Adjacent to the transporter 12 is a scanner 14 which electronically scans the photograph digitally. Linked to the scanner 14 is a computer decoder 16. The computer decoder is the "heart" of the machine. It comprises a suitable microprocessor, receives information from various components and controls various functions and processes. The machine includes a picture image screen 18 which is viewed by the customer and which is used by the customer to produce the final image which is wanted. Adjacent to the picture image screen 18 is a laser pen 20. An important feature of the machine is a control options screen 22, further details of which are shown in Fig. 2 and which will be referred to later.

Paper on which the images are to be printed is stored in a paper sheet store 24 or on a paper drum 26.

Appropriate feed mechanisms (not shown) feed the paper from one or other of the stores 24, 26 to a printer 28 which has a guillotine 30 associated therewith. A card exit which may be for example a slot or tray is indicated at 32. Adjacent to the paper drum 26 is an empty spool holder 34. The machine is also designed to provide envelopes for the customer. An envelope stacker is indicated at 36 and the envelope eit slot or tray is shown at 38. A pay box or slot 40 is provided. The customer can pay the machine by coin and/or electronic charge card. Additionally, the customer will have the option of the matching envelope being prepaid with the appropriate postage or not.

It is the intention that the machine shall produce personalised cards by allowing the customer to insert a photograph or photographs into the machine, whereafter the customer can use the computer controls to enable the original photograph or photographs to be added to, merged, displayed in whole or part, together with preprogrammed designs and captions held in the machine.

By making adjustments the customer can enhance the original photograph and/or add captions or greetings.

By the use of the laser pen 20 the customer can add a personal message. The customer can select black and white, colour or sepia reproductions of their original photograph or photographs.

The computer decoder 16 includes the following functions: To be able to enhance the original photographic image.

To be able to vary colour tint.

To mask and frame.

To allow universal directional change of the photo.

To select automatically landscape or portrait orientation.

To control the number of designs and captions.

To be multi-lingual or uni-lingual.

To record the number of individual and total prints.

To calculate payments.

To be able to record coin or charge card transactions, or alternatively to use an in-store payment method by issuing "pay cashier" print.

To show instructions on the control screen by international symbols and multi-lingual choices.

To queue printer and index paper feed, guillotine and envelope dispenser.

To signal all warnings, fault devices, and fault shut-downs.

The printer 28 is preferably a laser printer which can print colour, black and white or sepia. The printer is preferably fed by spool paper with automatic spool changeover. The feed mechanism incorporates means to switch to sheet paper feed from store 24.

Fig. 2 shows the details of the control options screen 22. The screen 22 comprises a number of different zones which will become illuminated either constantly or in a flashing mode, under the control of the computer decoder 16, depending upon the options chosen by the customer or the stage reached in the process. The controls of the options screen 22 are touch controls. Initially, the customer will choose the language in which he wishes the screen messages to be displayed, by pressing the appropriate language word at the top of the screen.

The following procedural steps are an example of the stages which the customer will go through in producing the desired result. The list indicates the different stages, the option which is presented to the customer each time by a flashing light, the action which the customer has to take, and comments on the relevant part of the process.

STAGE OPTION ACTION COMEENTS 1) START Press National Flag Prarpts - Comments - Help All instructions are in the language chosen.

2) Single Press Yes or No Prompts; do not use force; creased photos cannot be used; PHOTO SCANNED PLEASE REM)1E.

Picture 3) Collage Press Yes or No Insert all photos on prompt one at a time. The screen will show all pictures in the order inserted.

Leave a blank space on the screeen for the chosen caption/design to be inserted. Individual pictures can be moved us or don or left to right to slide behind or in front of the adjacent picture. When you are satisfied, press YES and image will lock.

4) Calendar Press Yes or No Calendar is produced from single or multiple photos and may be produced in any language.

5) Invert Photo Press Yes or No Ensures picture is correct way up.

6) Select Design Press Caption +/- Stop when caption is correct.

Press Design +/- Stop when design is correct.

Add. Language Y/N Prints additional language caption.

7) Merge Press Left or Right For overlap of photo and card design.

8) Automatic Enhance Press Yes or No Brightens original photo only.

9) Black & BR< White/Sepia Press Yes or No Changes print from colour to black and white or sepia.

10) Tint Change Press +/- Changes colour/tint of wording to blend with colours of photo.

11) Trim Press Yes or No Removes top, bottom, left, ritedges of photo only. Press Yes once for each side or No for no edge trimming.

12) Frame Press Yes or No Gives variable shaves and colour frames and borders around picture.

13) Finish Press Yes for gloss, matt texture.

Press +/ 14) Quantity Press+/- Shows quantity to print. Also automatically shows price with any quantity reduction with prompt calculation.

15) Payment Press coin/card Insertion of money starts print cycle.

16) Cancel Press when pressed once, sequence defaults to previous option.

pressed twice sequence defaults to start again.

General: As each step of the control screen sequence is reached instructions and prompts are displayed in the message instruction window. First prompt: Press only the flashing key.

When touched, it stays lit and the next key flashes.

As will be appreciated from the- process steps given above, one can insert a number of photographs for arrangement as a collage. Each photograph inserted into the machine can be framed with variations of shape and colour, and magnified or reduced in size either automatically or at the overriding control of the customer.

The machine can also, by pre-programmed data, produce either a single or collage printed calendar, on an international and multi-lingual basis.

The customer will select the quantity of cards to be produced and be in control of the process at all times. A particular advantage of the apparatus is that the customer has a view of the created picture/design at all times, on the picture image screen 18, until it is at the print stage. The finished card can be made available in gloss, matt or texture finish.

The machine enables the customer to satisfy his own artistic needs by combining the customer's own unique photographs with any one of a wide variety of messages or greetings and also enables cards to be produced for the first time in a reverse way to that of established practice. For example, the birth of a new baby is normally a congratulations sent to the mother. This machine enables the mother to announce and show her new baby, and either to include standard messages from the computer store or add a handwritten message with the laser pen. The machine can produce flat or pre-folded cards in a selection of sizes.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, these show a machine which is intended to produce cards, and particularly postcards, which are customised. In particular, a tourist for example can use a camera which is part of the machine to take a photograph of a particular landmark or event, and then use the controls of the machine to produce a card, especially a postcard, which incorporates that photograph and which can be accompanied by a choice of messages, captions or the like. The machine of Fig. 3 incorporates many of the features of the machine of Figs. 1 and 2, but also incorporates a video camera 50 and a video scanner 52 which is linked to the camera. In use, the customer will position the video camera so as to select the view he wants. Adjustments from wide angle to telephoto are made by selecting the options on a viewing screen. The customer can view the picture through the viewing screen and when he is satisfied will press the start button to begin the cycle. A time control is provided to enable the customer to join other people in front of the camera for group pictures. A visual indication is given when the picture is taken.

Using the machine controls the customer can then write a message and address on the card using the laser pen 20 and can vary the number of cards to be produced.

The cards are preferably produced postage paid. The machine can also include a postbox 54.

The pictures can be produced solely as postcards or can alternatively be added to a computerised design and caption, to turn them into greetings cards.

The following process steps indicate how the customer will use the controls to produce the desired end product.

STAGE OPTION ACTION COMMENTS 1) START Press National Flag Prompts- Convents - Help All instructions are in the language chosen.

2) No. of Cards Press Yes for 1 and Digital display in instruction screen.

+ for more when number reached press Yes to accept, You will then be asked country of destination either local or listed countries. Press + to select country. Amount to pay will then display.

3) Enter cash or charge- card return card.

4) Frame Press Yes Picture Press arrow left/right For swing left or right Press arrow up/down For wide angle or telephoto Press Yes To lock camera 5) Write Press Yes or No The laser pen unlocks and you have Message 1 minute to write your message for each card. If you want the same message on each card press + for number.

6) Write Press Yes For each card press Yes after each Address address. Replace laser pen into holder to lock.

7) Take Press Yes once Tire delay of up to 10 seconds for Picture operator Join group.

Press Yes twice Will take instant shot 8) Picture Press Yes Automatically disproves picture brightness.

Enhance + to lighten - to darken 9) Cards Flashes No action required. Next user please.

Printing 10) Collect Flashes Post cards in mail box.

Cards General: As each step of the control screen sequence is reached, instructions and prompts are displayed in the message instruction window. irstprospt: Press only the flashing ey.

when touched, it stays lit and the next key flashes.

A particular advantage of this machine is that it enables a customer to produce a unique picture, with message or greeting, without having his own camera, without having a pen, and without having a postage stamp. The machines can be sited in places of particular interest such as historic sites, landmarks, places of interest, amusement parks, special events, etc. If sited outdoors, then the machines will need to be appropriately weather proof and vandal-proof.

Claims (14)

CLAIMS:

1. A method of producing a card from a photograph which comprises the steps of scanning a photograph, presenting an image thereof on a viewing screen, selecting under the control of the user stored or created material which is to be presented with the photograph, and printing on to a card a reproduction of the photograph accompanied by said selected material.

2. A method of producing a card from a photograph, which comprises the steps of taking a photograph, presenting an image thereof on a viewing screen, selecting under the control of the user stored or created material which is to be presented with the photograph, and printing on to a card a reproduction of the photograph accompanied by said selected material.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, which includes scanning the or each photograph digitally.

4. A method according to any preceding claim, which includes inserting a plurality of photographs, and controlling the images thereof on the viewing screen to form a collage.

5. A method according to any preceding claim, which includes modifying the displayed image from the photograph or photographs under the control of the user.

6. Apparatus for producing a card from a photograph, which comprises means to scan a photograph, a viewing screen on which an image of the photograph is arranged to be displayed to a user, control means arranged to select under the control of the user stored or created material which is to be presented with the photograph, and printing means arranged to print on to a card a reproduction of the photograph accompanied by said selected material.

7. Apparatus for producing a card from a photograph, which comprises a camera, a viewing screen on which an image of a photograph taken by the camera is displayed to a user, control means arranged to select under the control of the user stored or created material which is to be presented with the photograph, and printing means arranged to print on to a card a reproduction of the photograph accompanied by said selected material.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, which includes means to scan the or each photograph digitally.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6, 7 or 8, in which the control means is such as to enable the user to modify the displayed image from the photograph.

10. Apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 9, in which the image on the viewing screen is visible and capable of modification until a print command is given by tha user.

ii. Apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 10, in which the control means comprises a touchsensitive panel.

12. Apparatus according to any of claims 6 to 11, arranged to produce a postcard which can be mailed.

13. A method of producing a card from a photograph substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 or Figs. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

14. Apparatus for producing a card from a photograph substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 or Figs. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.