Abstract:
A method and system for presenting customized neon signs is disclosed. Customized signs may be created through entering customized text, selecting a sign style, inserting or deleting icons or other graphical features, entering an image, and choosing the colors of sign features such as text, icons, borders, and the like. The image of a customized neon sign presented simulates the look of a neon sign by applying image effects to simulate the glow and color variation associated with light provided by neon tubing. A cost estimate for a customized neon sign is also presented by calculating the sign price based upon the selected features and their associated prices.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The field of the invention relates generally to systems for electronic commerce. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of displaying and selecting customized designs. 
         [0003]    2. Related Background 
         [0004]    While many items may be purchased over the web using conventional ecommerce sites, many items require specific customization which renders selecting and purchasing such items confusing and certain. Unless an ecommerce site can present an accurate description of the item, the potential purchaser is left with little assurance that the item meets their requirements. This is especially true on items that are intended for public display. 
         [0005]    An example of an ecommerce site which provides only limited display and customization is neoncentral.com (www.neoncentral.com). The site has a link to allow visitors to create custom neon signs. The customization area of the site allows lines of text to be added, which are placed in horizontal lines, starting from the top. The entered text is displayed as colored text (the color may be chosen by the visitor), which does not accurately reflect the look and effect of neon tubing. No ability to select other aspects of the sign, from bordering to icons or other images, or any other feature of the sign aside from text, may be chosen. Additionally, the site does not allow custom positioning of text, or adjustment of relative positioning of the text, except as indirectly influenced by the selection of different font sizes. 
         [0006]    A second example of an ecommerce site with provides only limited customization is designashirt.com (www.designashirt.com). A visitor to that site may enter text and select artwork for a custom designed T-shirt. Entered text is merely placed on the T-shirt, in a position which generally relates to the center of the shirt (front or back). Images may be added to the shirt, which are similarly positioned. This often results in overlap of the images and text on the shirt image shown to the visitor. It is left to the visitor to alter the relative sizes and positions to create a shirt which has the lettering and artwork positioned in a pleasing manner. Even when the “idea gallery” is used, the site does not allow entered text to replace the placeholder text, as shown in trying to create a custom soccer T-shirt where the placeholder text “your team name” is permanently displayed once the image of the soccer ball is selected. Additionally, putting multiple lines of text and properly positioning them is difficult, at best, given the inability to control different text segments in different ways. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, a need exists to provide an efficient and automated system for rendering and displaying customized designs for public display. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a generalized block diagram of a computer system that may be used to implement the present invention, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a generalized block diagram of a computer system that may be used to implement the customized design rendering portal, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a generalized block diagram of a server computer that may be used to implement the present invention, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a generalized block diagram of a neon sign customization page, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a generalized block diagram of a neon sign display page, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a generalized block diagram of an alternate embodiment of a neon sign customization page, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a generalized block diagram of an alternate embodiment of a neon sign display page, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a generalized block diagram of an alternate embodiment of a neon sign display page, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a generalized block diagram of an alternate embodiment of a neon sign customization page, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a generalized block diagram of an alternate embodiment of a neon sign customization and display page, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a generalized flow diagram illustrating the process of providing a customized image of a neon sign, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a generalized flow diagram of the process of creating a neon sign image, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a generalized flow diagram of the process of creating a neon effect for a customized neon sign image, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a generalized block diagram of an alternate embodiment of a neon sign display page illustrating the neon effect of the customized neon sign image, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a generalized flow diagram of the process of creating a customized sign design from tracing an image, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a flow diagram which illustrates the process of determining the price of a customized sign, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY 
       [0024]    The present invention provides for a computer based system and method for presenting, customizing and ordering neon signs. Alternate embodiments allow a potential customer to enter text in for inclusion in a sign, to customize the color, font of the text, to add or remove theme icons or other features for inclusion in a sign, to select, customize or remove a border area for inclusion in a sign, and/or select or modify a style for a sign. The system renders a representation of a neon sign including the text, features and style selected and/or customized by the potential customers. A neon effect may be applied to the entered text, or to other parts of the sign, to give the appearance of neon tubing in a rendered image. In one embodiment customers may receive a price estimate of their customized sign. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    The present invention is described in the context of a specific embodiment. This is done to facilitate the understanding of the features and principles of the present invention and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In particular, the present invention is described in the context of a web site for displaying and purchasing customized neon signs. The present invention may also be applied to the creation, customization, display, pricing and sale of neon clocks or other items incorporating neon tubing or neon effects, LED signs or other devices incorporating LED elements or LED effects, clocks, mirrors, tap handles, pool table lights, pub signs, wooden signs, light box signs, EL signs, tin signs, automobile graphics, paint or signage, or other forms of displayed items. The example embodiment of a system for designing, creating, customizing, displaying, pricing, ordering and purchasing neon signs is given by way of an example, and is not limiting on the application of the present invention to designing, creating, customizing, displaying, pricing, ordering and purchasing other displayed items. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a computer system  100  that may be used to implement embodiments of the present invention. Servers from a non-sign portal  101  are connected to a communications network  102 . End-user communication devices  103  are connected to the servers of the neon-sign portal through the communications network  102 . The servers of the neon sign portal are the servers used to manage the inventory, customized design, presentation and/or sales of an ecommerce web site offering neon-signs. 
         [0027]    In the presently preferred embodiment, the end-user communications device is a personal computer. Additionally, in the presently preferred embodiment the communications network is the Internet. Connection to the Internet could be by any form of Internet connection, including broadband and/or wireless connection. Alternatively, a private network or direct link could be established between the business center portal server and the business center servers. Alternatively, the end user communications device could be a mobile phone or any other device capable of receiving graphical messages or images. 
         [0028]    The neon sign ecommerce site could be implemented on one single server or on multiple servers. As used in the present application, the term server may refer to a physical computer or to software performing the functions of a server. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a generalized block diagram of the ecommerce site shown in  FIG. 1 . A web server  201  provides web pages describing the products and services available through a communication network  102 . The web server is connected to an inventory database  202 , a customer database  203 , a transaction server  204  and a design rendering server  205 . The inventory database  202  stores information on the types of signs, variations, costs and options offered by the ecommerce site. The transaction server  203  allows potential customers to purchase products or services. The customer database server  204  stores information relating to customers and the products or services they have, designed, customized, requested or purchased. The design rendering server  205  provides the ability for customers to view custom designed products and alter the design of such products. 
         [0030]    While the presently preferred embodiment utilizes an inventory database as a separate database from the customer database, alternate embodiments could have utilize one database for both inventory and customer information. Additionally, the information stored within any single database of the presently preferred embodiment could be distributed among several databases in alternative embodiments. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a generalized block diagram of a ecommerce server computer  300  including a central processing unit (CPU)  301 , main memory (typically RAM)  302 , read-only memory (ROM)  303 , a storage device (typically a hard drive)  304 , and a network device (typically a network interface card, a.k.a. NIC)  305 . The network device connects to a communications network  307 . The server includes a bus  306  or other communication mechanism for communicating information between the CPU  301  coupled with bus  306 . The CPU  301  is used for processing instructions and data. The main memory  302 , ROM  303  and storage device  304  are coupled to bus  306  and store information and instructions to be executed by processor  301 . Main memory  302  also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor  301 . 
         [0032]    Server  300  may be coupled via bus  308  to a display  309 , such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or flat panel monitor, for displaying information to a computer user. An input device  310 , such as a keyboard, is coupled to bus  308  for entering information and instructions to the server  300 . Additionally, a user input device  311  such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicating direction information and command selections to the processor  301  and for controlling cursor movement on the display  309  may be used with the server  300 . 
         [0033]    The server  300  is designed to run programs implementing methods, such as the methods of the present invention. Typically such programs are stored on the hard drive of the server, and instructions and data of the program are loaded into the RAM during operation of the program. Alternate embodiments of the present invention could have the program loaded into ROM memory, loaded exclusively into RAM memory, or could be hard wired as part of the design of the server. Accordingly, programs implementing the methods of the present invention could be stored on any computer readable medium coupled to the server. The present invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software, and embodiments of the present invention may be implemented on many different combinations of hardware and software. 
         [0034]    As used within the present application, the term “computer-readable medium” refers to any medium that participates in providing instructions to CPU  301  for execution. Such a medium may take many forms including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Examples of non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device  304 . Examples of volatile media include dynamic memory, such as main memory  302 . Additional examples of computer-readable media include, for example, floppy disks, hard drive disks, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards or any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip, stick or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read. Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise bus  306  and  308 . Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic, electromagnetic or light waves, such as those generated during radio-wave and infra-red data communications. 
         [0035]    The end user communication device is similar in general architecture to the ecommerce server. 
       Presenting Custom Designed Inventory 
       [0036]    The present invention provides a web accessible portal for visitors to search for, view, design and purchase neon signs.  FIGS. 4-10  illustrate the process of presenting, displaying and purchasing custom designed neon signs. In the presently preferred embodiment, the pages shown in these figures are accessible to a potential customer over the Internet using a web browser. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is a generalized block diagram of a neon sign customization page  400 . The neon sign customization page may be the home page of the site, or may be reached from a home page or other page. A customization tab  401  includes a sign text entry field  402 . The sign text entry field allows a visitor to enter custom text they would like to see included on a neon sign. A secondary sign text entry field  403  is located below the primary sign text entry field, and allows a secondary text message to be entered by a visitor. In the presently preferred embodiment example neon sign images  404  are included on page  400 , and provide the visitor with examples of neon sign designs. The examples may specify different layouts, colors, themes or example messages or text. Once the visitor has entered the text they wish to include in a neon sign they may hit return/enter or click the submit button  405  to move to the customized display page  500 . Alternatively, the visitor may click on an example neon sign after entering text in the text field (or fields) to view the entered text in a customized sign with the design they selected by clicking on the example neon sign. 
         [0038]    While the neon sign customization page  400  has two text entry fields, alternate embodiments may have more than two text entry fields, or may have only one text entry fields. Alternatively, additional neon sign customization pages may be presented to allow entry of additional or specialized text. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is a generalized block diagram of a neon sign display page  500 . A customized sign display  501  displays an image of a neon sign. The neon sign displayed includes the text entered by the visitor on neon sign customization page  400  described above. Additionally, the entered text is displayed in a manner to convey how the actual neon sign would look if made to the visitor&#39;s entered specification, described below in  FIG. 7 . The example customized neon sign image includes a border area defined by a border tube  502 , customized entered text  503 , and a theme icon  504 . In this example, the theme icon is in the form of a barber pole (as may be used by a barber shop). The customized entered text is placed within the border area in a manner to not overlap, or be overlapped by, the border tube or the theme icon. If the visitor would like to modify the customized sign, the visitor may click on the customized button  505 , to be sent to a customization page such as the customization page  400  described above. 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  is a generalized block diagram of an alternate embodiment of a neon sign customization page  600 . A customization tab  601  includes a primary sign text entry field  602 , a secondary sign text entry field  603  located below the primary sign text entry field, a primary text color selector  604 , a secondary text color selector  605 , a primary text font selector  606 , and a secondary text font selector  607 . A style selector  608  provides visitors with the ability to select from among different styles or themes for the sign. 
         [0041]    In the preferred embodiment, the color primary and secondary color selectors are drop down boxes providing a list of available colors. Similarly, the primary and secondary text font selectors are drop down boxes providing a list of available fonts. However, alternate embodiments may use control devices other than drop down boxes to allow selection or entry of information used to display a customized neon sign. 
         [0042]    In the presently preferred embodiment, the style selector  608  is includes multiple style images  609  which illustrate the available styles for the neon sign. The visitor may select a style for the neon sign by clicking on the style image. As there are many possible styles for a neon sign, the style images may be thumbnails indicating a given style, may be included on a scroll bar the visitor may use to scroll to see additional styles, or may be implemented as style categories, whereby a visitor selects a style category by clicking on the category identifier to view additional examples, or additional identifiers or descriptions, of available styles. 
         [0043]    Once the visitor has entered the text they wish to include in a neon sign they may hit return/enter or click the submit button  610  to move to a customized display page such as display page  700  discussed below. 
         [0044]      FIG. 7  is a generalized block diagram of an alternate embodiment of a neon sign display page  700 . A customized sign display  701  displays an image of a neon sign. The neon sign displayed includes the text entered by the visitor on neon sign customization page  600  described above. Additionally, the entered text is displayed in a manner to convey how the actual neon sign would look if made to the visitor&#39;s entered specification including the color, font and style specified in page  600  by the visitor, described above relation to  FIG. 6 . The example customized neon sign image includes a border area defined by a border tube  702 , customized entered text  703 , and a theme icon  704 . In this example, the theme icon is in the form of a cocktail glass (as may be used for a bar or cocktail lounge). The customized entered text is placed within the border area in a manner to not overlap, or be overlapped by, the border tube or the theme icon. 
         [0045]    In the presently preferred embodiment, the customized sign display page  700  also includes customization controls  705 - 711 . The customization controls allow the visitor to modify the image of the neon sign shown in the customized sign display  701 . In the presently preferred embodiment, the customization controls include a primary text color sector  705 , a primary text font selector  706 , a secondary text color sector  707 , a secondary text font selector  708 , a style sector  709 , a theme icon selector  710 , and a theme icon color selector  711 . The visitor may change the specifications for their customized sign and click on the submit button  712 , which then updates the image of the neon sign shown in the customized sign display  701  to reflect the changed neon sign specifications. 
         [0046]      FIG. 8  is a generalized block diagram of an alternate embodiment of a neon sign display page  800 . A plurality of customized sign display images  801 - 806  display neon signs. In the presently preferred embodiment, the neon sign (or signs) displayed includes the text entered by the visitor on neon sign customization page such as page  400  described above. In the presently preferred embodiment, the customized images provide the visitor with a customized sign in a given style. For example, image  801  displays a barber themed style, image  802  displays a cocktail lounge style, image  803  displays a style with an accent underlining the primary text, image  804  displays a style with accent bars, image  805  displays a style indicating a bar and grill with accent bars, and image  806  displays a style with an anchor indicating a nautical theme. As with the preceding display pages, the entered text is displayed in the neon sign image in a manner to convey how the actual neon sign would look if made to the visitor&#39;s entered specification, described below. 
         [0047]    Below each customized sign display image  801 - 806  is a customization button  807 . By clicking on the customization button the visitor is brought to a page which allows the visitor to select variations to further customize the neon sign displayed in the customized sign display image associated with the customization button. The visitor may either be presented with a page similar to page  800 , which presents images illustrating different variations of the style, such as different colors for texts, borders, or icons, different fonts, or variations in the placement of text or icons within the theme of the style, or with a page similar to page  700  which provides controls to modify aspects of the neon sign. 
         [0048]    If the visitor would like to modify the customized sign, the visitor may click on the customized button  807 , to be returned to a customization page such as the customization page  400  described above. 
         [0049]    Additionally, the neon sign display page  800 , or other embodiments of neon sign display pages, pay include a purchase, or add to cart, button or similar control to allow a visitor to select a sign for purchase, ordering or addition to their shopping cart, wish list, etc. 
         [0050]    While the preferred embodiment utilizes a customization page like page  800 , where a prospective customer selects a style to customize on a page like page  700 , the style selection page may include customization controls where the style is modified (partially or completely) without having to go directly to a separate style customization page. 
         [0051]      FIG. 9  is a generalized block diagram of an alternate embodiment of a neon sign customization page  900 . A customization tab  901  includes a sign text entry field  902 . The sign text entry field allows a visitor to enter custom text they would like to see included on a neon sign. A secondary sign text entry field  903  is located below the primary sign text entry field, and allows a secondary text message to be entered by a visitor. Multiple style images  904  which illustrate the available styles for the neon sign may be included on page  900 . The visitor may select a style for the neon sign by clicking on the style image. Once the visitor has entered the text they wish to include in a neon sign they may hit return/enter or click the submit button  905  to move to a customized display page such as the page illustrated in  FIG. 10  and described below, or alternative embodiments of the neon sign display pages described herein. 
         [0052]      FIG. 10  is a generalized block diagram of an alternate embodiment of a neon sign customization and display page  1000 . A customization tab  1001  includes a sign text entry field  1002 . The sign text entry field allows a visitor to modify or enter custom text they would like to see included on a neon sign. Similarly, a secondary sign text entry field  1003  is located below the primary sign text entry field, and allows a secondary text message to be modified or entered by a visitor. Multiple customized neon sign images  1004  which illustrate the available styles for the neon sign may be included on the neon sign customization tab  1001  of page  1000 . The multiple customized neon sign images present the visitor with different variations of neon signs incorporating the text entered by the visitor on a customization page, such as the customization page  900  shown in  FIG. 9 , or alternate embodiments of neon sign customization page, or from prior entry into the neon sign customization and display page  1000 . In the event a visitor had previously specified a style, the multiple customized neon sign images may present the visitor with variations within a style, such as variations in color, layout, text font, text placement, or any other variations on the selected style. In the event a visitor had not selected a style, the multiple customized neon sign images may present the visitor with different styles, including several styles and variations within the styles, for selection. Additionally, one of the presented multiple customized neon sign images may be highlighted as the selected image, such as the customized sign image most closely representing the selections by the visitor, or a popular choice corresponding to the selections by the visitor, 
         [0053]    The visitor may select a style for the neon sign by clicking on one of the multiple customized neon sign images Once the visitor has modified or entered the text they wish to include in a neon sign, or selected a style or variation on a style, the visitor may hit return/enter or click the submit button  1005  to view the changes or selection on a customized neon sign display page. 
         [0054]      FIG. 11  is a generalized flow diagram illustrating the process  1100  of presenting a customized image of a neon sign. At step  1101  the system receives the neon sign customization parameters. The received customization parameters could have been entered by a visitor on a page such as page  400 ,  600 ,  900  or page  1000  shown above in connection with  FIGS. 4 ,  6 - 10  respectively. At step  1102  the system retrieves selected images and data from an image customization database. The retrieved images may include images of a given style or icon, and may also include images of text. As an example, if the visitor has selected a given style, a “blank” style image may be retrieved that already has the border and style elements (or style features or style components), but which does not include text in the custom text area of the neon sign (but may include text associated with the style). The custom text area of the neon sign is the portion of the sign designated to allow a visitor to add their customized text. 
         [0055]    The retrieval of images and data corresponding to the neon sign customization parameters at step  1102  may include stored images or templates to be used in creating images for the neon sign image to be presented. For example, if the neon sign customization parameters specify a particular style, the system may retrieve a stored style image and style template. The style image may contain elements or features of the style, such as a border, text, or icons included within the style. As there may be multiple ways to customize a sign within a style, by varying the size, position, color and number of elements of the style such as the text, icons and borders within a style, the customization parameters may specify one image containing all of the style elements, or may specify multiple images which, collectively, contain all or some of the style elements, including optional style elements and/or custom features unrelated to the style. As stated above, the system may retrieve a style template. Style templates may include information used by the system to generate an image (or images) from the entered custom text. Templates may specify letter sizing and text positioning information, as well as text font or color information. For example, a template for use with the barber shop style may specify the custom entered text is to be displayed across a line, which is at a given angle from the horizontal, and preferably be positioned within (or at) a set of pre-defined coordinates, and wherein the custom entered text is to be sized to fit the area defined by the preset coordinates, and the custom entered text is to be written with a pre-specified font according to a color specified in the customization parameters. Thus, the template provides the system with information sufficient, when combined with the customization parameters, to create a custom image text image (or images), which may be layered with other images, such as a style image, to create the customized neon sign. 
         [0056]    At step  1103  the system prepares the style image. Preparation may include retrieving a stored style image from a library of style images, or may involve the creation of a style image based on the received customization parameters. The preparation may also involve additional processing, including resizing, conversion to different file formats, or image processing to alter or enhance aspects of the style image. 
         [0057]    At step  1104  the prepared style image is set as a layer for the customized neon sign image. At step  1105  the system prepares the text image to be used in creating the customized neon sign image. The text image may include some or all of the text for the customized neon sign, or may contain additional elements relating to the style or visual effects of the customized neon sign image. As there may be multiple additional images combined to create the customized neon sign image, step  1105  may involve the preparation of multiple images. 
         [0058]    At step  1106  the system sets the image from step  1105 , which may include the customized text specified in the received customization parameters, as the next layer in the customized sign image. As there may be multiple additional images combined to create the customized neon sign image, step  1106  may involve the setting of multiple images as layers of the customized neon sign image. 
         [0059]    Note, while step  1105  involves the preparation of images and step  1106  involves the setting of images as a layer in the customized neon sign image, when there are multiple images, some or all of the images may be prepared before setting the images as a layer, or one or more prepared image may be set as a layer before preparing one or more additional images. 
         [0060]    At step  1107  the system processes the customized sign image in preparation for presenting the image. The pre-presentation processing may include resizing the image, compression or decompression of the image, changing the file format of the image, color balancing, manipulation or shifting of the image, or other processing to aid in downloading and image to a potential customer&#39;s computer and presenting the image to the potential customer. In the preferred embodiment, the processing involves any pre-presentation processing of the customized neon sign image including all the added image layers. In alternate embodiments, the system may involve image processing of a subset of layers prior to the inclusion of certain layers in the customized neon sign image. 
         [0061]    Preparing the image for presentation may also include adding, removing or altering visual effects, as described below, to enhance the neon effect to better approximate the appearance of a neon sign to the potential customer. 
         [0062]    At step  1108  the system presents the customized non sign image to a potential customer. In the preferred embodiment, this is done by presenting the image within a web page such as the page illustrated in  FIG. 7  or  8 . 
         [0063]    After presenting the image the system may receive modification settings to the customized neon sign image at step  1109 . For example, a potential customer, having seen the customized neon sign they specified in step  1101 , may wish to change an aspect of the customized neon sign. The aspect changed may involve the custom entered text, by adding, deleting, or both adding and deleting text, or may involve one or more aspects of the style including the icon, color, theme, border, or other aspects of the style. 
         [0064]    At step  1110  the system determines which layer or layers are impacted by the received modification settings. If the modification settings involve the style layer, the system returns to step  1103  where a new style image will be prepared in accordance with the original customization parameters as modified by the modification settings. If the modification settings specify a layer other than the system layer, the system proceeds to step  1105 , where a new image (or images if more than one image is impacted by the modification settings) will be prepared in accordance with the original customization parameters as modified by the modification settings. Note, the modification settings may involve deletion or addition, or both, or one or more images. Accordingly, the system combines the modified images with the unmodified images, processes the modified customized neon sign image, and presents the image at step  1108 . 
       Creating a Customized Neon Sign Image 
       [0065]    The presently preferred embodiment provides for the ability to present to a potential customer an image which approximates the look of a neon sign. The present embodiment also provides for presenting an image for customized designs. 
         [0066]      FIG. 12  is a generalized flow diagram of the process  1200  of creating a neon sign image. At step  1201  the system receives image attribute parameters. The image attribute parameters may be received from a prospective customer through a browser, from a database, or from any other source. The image attribute parameters may include any feature or aspect of a neon sign, including the number of tubes, the color of the tubes, the shape of the tubes, the number, location and/or size of the bends in a tube or tubes, a given icon formed a tube or tubes, a given icon size, color or orientation, lettering formed from a tube or tubes, lettering size, color or orientation, or other parameters specifying features or aspects of the neon sign. 
         [0067]    At step  1202  the system determines which images required to create a customized image according to the received image attribute parameters. Images such as style images, icon images, text images, and the like may be stored for later retrieval to compose a customized neon sign image, as described above in connection with  FIG. 11 . 
         [0068]    At step  1203  the system retrieves the images determined to exist in step  1202 . In the presently preferred embodiment, the stored images already include the necessary visual effects to create the neon tubing effect. However, alternate embodiments could have one or more stored images that do not possess the visual effect necessary to simulate the look of neon tubing. In such an embodiment, the present invention may process such images to include the neon effects in such images 
         [0069]    At step  1204  the system creates the images required to create the customized neon sign image according to the received image attribute parameters which were not determined to exist at step  1202 . The process  1100  described above may be used to create the image or images at step  1204 . 
         [0070]    At step  1205  the system processes the images created at step  1204  (and in alternate embodiments any stored images that do not include the desired neon effect) to create the neon effect. The process used to create the neon effect is described below in connection with  FIG. 13 . 
         [0071]    At step  1206  the system assembles the images processed to exhibit the neon effect at step  1205 , and the retrieved images from step  1203 , to create the customized neon sign image according to the received image attribute parameters. An example of the process used to assemble images to create the customized neon sign image is described above in connection with process  1100  illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0072]    In this manner the system is able to provide “real time” customization and feedback to a potential customer. After entering the text or selecting sign features, the system presents a customized image of a neon sign according to the specific customization parameters entered or chosen by the potential customer. Additionally, the potential customer may modify the entered or selected customization parameters to further refine and customize the sign before making a purchase decision. In this manner the potential customer is able to design a neon sign that suits their needs and preferences, and view images which give the potential customer information on how their sign would look once constructed, in an automated fashion. 
       Creating a Neon Effect 
       [0073]    To aid potential customers in visualizing how their sign will look in real life, the present invention provides a neon effect when presenting the custom designed sign. Standard HTML pages allow text to be presented in many different colors and styles. While this provides a wide range of options for presenting text, they do not provide the “look” of a neon sign. While images of actual neon signs presented on a web page may convey the look of a neon sign, as it is not possible to anticipate the infinite number of variations potential customers may want in a neon sign, images of actual neon signs are inadequate for both presenting a customized sign and providing the customized sign which has the appearance of a neon sign. To accomplish this, and give the potential consumer the impression that they are looking at a neon sign, the present invention combines several visual effects to simulate the neon effect. 
         [0074]      FIG. 13  is a generalized flow diagram of the process  1300  of creating a neon effect for a customized neon sign image. At step  1301  the system retrieves a first image for use in creating the neon effect customized sign. The first image  1401 , as shown in  FIG. 14 , includes at least one image feature, such as an icon or text, which is common to the desired features of the customized sign. The image feature of the first image has a given color. Example colors include red, green, blue, yellow, etc. 
         [0075]    At step  1302  the system creates a filter of the first image. At step  1303  filter of the first image is modified to create a “halo image” of the image feature of the first image. The halo feature is a dispersion of the color of the image feature beyond the image border of the image feature. The dispersion reduces the color density, producing a translucent halo image in the same shape as the image feature of the first image. The halo image may be a tracing, and the color either dispersed to be wider than the line width of the image feature of the first image. Alternatively, the filter may be made from a copy of the first image, and the image feature is dispersed to create the halo image. The dispersion may be produced by transforming the trace line, or other line, from opaque to translucent. In the presently preferred embodiment, the halo image is done in the same color as the text or sign feature. If an image  1401  has multiple colors, different halo effect layers may be created for each color, or multiple colors may be included in a single halo effect layer. The halo image lines may be of uniform color density, or the color density of the halo image lines may vary. For example, the halo image line may have a color gradient which decreases, or fades, the color density (or increases the translucence of the halo image line) at points of the line further from the center axis of the halo image line. 
         [0076]    At step  1303  the system creates a white tracing of the image feature of the first image. The white tracing is done in a thinner line width, or font, such that when the white tracing filter is overlay the original image only the center portion of the image feature will be obscured by the white tracing filter. (Note, that while the presently preferred embodiment uses white as the tracing color, other embodiments could use other colors for the tracing color.) Similar to the font and lines used for text and other features, in the preferred embodiment the tracing is done in a constant width font or line. 
         [0077]    At step  1304  the system assembles the first image and filters to create the customized neon sign image. The filters, both the halo effect filter and the center tracing filter, are aligned with the image feature of the first image. In the event the first image does not already include a background, or if the background is not the appropriate color, a background layer may also be included in the assembled image. The assembled image may be stored for future use, or may be presented to a potential customer. The stored assembled image may be stored as a single image file, or as multiple associated image files. 
         [0078]    Process  1300  may be repeated for any or all of the images that are included in creating a customized neon sign image, as described above in connection with  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
         [0079]    While the example embodiment described above in connection with  FIG. 13  used a halo effect layer and a white center tubing layer, alternate embodiments could use additional effects, either in the same layers or in additional layers, to create the customized neon sign image. 
         [0080]    The processing of images to create a neon effect may also include use of optical character recognition (OCR) technologies to discern text, which may then be used to create a center tubing layer, halo layer, or other effects. Additionally, OCR may be used to allow a visitor to uplink an image which may be read and input into a customized neon sign, including the creation of neon effects, altering text size, spacing, format or placement, or other similar transformations to aid in creating a customized neon sign image. 
         [0081]      FIG. 14  is a generalized block diagram illustrating the different visual effects used to create the effect of viewing a neon sign. An image which has no special neon effects applied to it or included in it, as shown by image  1401 . As discussed above, a “halo effect” image is created, as discussed above, which is a dispersion of the color of the image feature beyond the image border of the image feature, as illustrated by image  1402 . The “halo effect” gives the appearance that the lines of the image have been blurred. In the present example the effects images are based upon the original, unmodified image  1401 . 
         [0082]    A center tube tracing image, whereby a centerline is created to overlap the colored portions of the original image to give the effect of a glowing neon tube, is illustrated by image  1403 . In the presently preferred embodiment, the centerline is white to aid in the illusion that the image actually represents lit neon tubing. The combined image is shown at  1404 , with the “halo” and “white centerline” representing the neon effect seen in neon tubing. 
       Tracing To Create Custom Designed Inventory 
       [0083]    It can be a difficult process to master the ability to create a design using the interface of the typical personal computer having a keyboard and mouse. While graphics designers and others have mastered this skill, many computer users have not. To aid potential customers in creating their own designs for a neon sign, and 
         [0084]      FIG. 15  is a generalized flow diagram of the process  1500  of creating a customized sign design from tracing an image. At step  1501  the system receives and image to be used as the trace image. The trace image need not be an actual image of a sign, and may only approximate the design the potential customer is seeking to create. Also, the trace image may only include a portion of the desired features of the customized sign, or only a portion of the trace image may be of use or interest to the potential customer. 
         [0085]    At step  1502  the system creates a trace image from the received image. In creating the trace image, the system determines the essential coordinates of the tracing image. For example, the tracing image will have a fixed number of lines, these lines have a beginning and end coordinates, and the lines may include curves or bends. The essential coordinates of the trace image are set as customization parameters. 
         [0086]    The trace image may be in color, or it may be colorless, from the perspective of the system. That is, the tracing step  1502  may also determine the colors of the lines, which are then included in the customization parameters. Alternatively, if the system is unable to determine the color of one or more lines, or if the color of the lines or lines is left to later selection/customization, the system may treat the lines as colorless. Additionally, the system may assign a default color to lines (including different default colors to different lines) or may suggest a color for a given line or lines. 
         [0087]    At step  1503  the system creates at least one neon sign trace image based upon the customization parameters determined at step  1502 . As the trace image may include multiple lines, the system may limit the number of lines in a neon sign trace image, or include all the lines in a single neon sign trace image. In creating the neon sign trace image the presently preferred embodiment of the system, as described above, uses a line with or font of a constant thickness (or near constant thickness) to approximate the look of a neon tube. In creating the neon sign trace image the system may introduce effort correction or approximation effects. For example, the traced image may include a line drawn to a circle, which the system may correct to a proper circle. Other corrective effects may eliminate wiggles or other defects in the lines of the trace image, to improve the aesthetics of the customized neon sign. Additionally, the lines of the trace image may involve curves or bends which can not be made in neon tubing, or can not be easily made in neon tubing. The system may then produce lines in the neon sign trace image which approximate the lines of the trace image, but substitute or correct for the difficult or impossible line features of the trace image. 
         [0088]    At step  1504  the system processes the neon sign trace image (or images) to include the neon effect, as described above in connection with  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
         [0089]    At step  1505  the system assembles any images or layers to create a customized neon sign trace image. The customized neon sign trace image may then be presented to a potential customer, or saved for future reference. 
         [0090]    As discussed above, OCR technology may also be combined with image tracing to create a customized neon sign image. 
       Pricing and Presenting Custom Designed Inventory 
       [0091]    The present invent allows a visitor to both design and purchase a custom designed neon sign. One aspect of that process is providing the visitor with a price quote for the custom sign. Given that the visitor may choose to go to another vendor if they receive a better price quote elsewhere, it is a benefit to provide a price which reflects the true cost of manufacture of the custom designed sign. Accordingly, the present invention provides a price quote on a custom designed neon sign based on the custom design specifications entered by the visitor. 
         [0092]      FIG. 16  is a flow diagram which illustrates the process  1600  of determining the price of a customized sign. At step  1601  the system receives customized neon sign design information. In the preferred embodiment, the customized neon sign design information includes the proposed layout, including the number of neon tubes, the length and size of the tubes (and may also include the color of the tubes). The customized sign design information may also include information on the bends in the neon tubes. For example, the neon tube bend information may include the number of bends, the radius of the bend, the direction of the bend, the proximity of a bend to another bend (on the neon tube which has that bend or on another neon tube), or any other information which may impact the complexity of the manufacture of the customized sign. 
         [0093]    At step  1602  the system retrieves from the customized sign design information the information to be used in calculating the price of the sign. For example, a base price for all signs may assume a border neon tube and a lettering tube (or a preset number of lettering tubes). In such an example, the system retrieves information to determine the number of neon tubes not included (or not covered) in the base sign price. 
         [0094]    At step  1603  the system retrieves the sign cost factors from a database. In the presently preferred embodiment, the sign cost factors retrieved at step  1603  relate to the customized sign design information retrieved at step  1602 . 
         [0095]    A step  1604  the system applies the retrieved the sign cost factors to the retrieved customized sign design information to determine a sign price. 
         [0096]    At step  1605  the system returns a customized design neon sign price. 
         [0097]    Below is an example of the application of a customized sign price determination. 
       Price Calculation Example 
       [0098]    With sign cost factors:
       base sign cost: $100.00 including: sign frame border tube primary lettering tube (up to six letters)   secondary lettering tube cost $30.00   lettering tube cost in excess of three $20.00   lettering tube surcharge with more than six letters: $7 per letter   tube bends in excess of five $5.00 each   selected icon: $50.00   custom icon (single tube, eight bends or less): $140.00   additional bends per icon in excess of eight): $20.00       
 
         [0107]    Applied to a sign with customized sign design information:
       sign frame, border tube, primary lettering tube (five letters), secondary lettering tube (seven letters), custom icon (with ten bends),       
 
         [0109]    The cost of the customized sign is calculated as: 
         [0000]      Cost=base cost+secondary letting tube cost+secondary lettering tube surcharge+custom icon cost+custom icon surcharge 
         [0110]    Substituting the example prices and costs: 
         [0000]      Cost=$100+$30+$20 (1 additional letter)+$140+$20 (2 extra bends)=$330 
         [0111]    As the above example shows, the customized sign parameters, which are used to create the image, may be used to provide the potential customer with a customized price quote for the neon sign. 
         [0112]    While the above embodiments were described in the context of web accessible pages viewed through and internet browser, alternate embodiments could use other technologies or client side agents, to provide access to the pages and functionality described in the present application. 
         [0113]    The invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that it is possible to embody the invention in specific forms other than those of the preferred embodiments described above. This may be done without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0114]    Thus, the preferred embodiment is merely illustrative and should not be considered restrictive in any way. The scope of the invention is given by the appended claims, rather than the preceding description, and all variations and equivalents which fall within the range of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.