Abstract:
The present invention describes a system and method for user creation of an individualized graphics media for display placement onto a material, by placement of the media onto a vehicle glass, including the user-directed computer-aided preparation of the customized media, as well as presenting the order processing and order fulfillment processes, the system is network based, whereby a user can access and manipulate software stored on a remote computer over said network, software contains tools and selections, allowing a user to customize an image and submit the individualized image to a manufacturer for printing onto a receptor media, after which it is shipped to the customer, including operation of the system in a client-server, Internet-based environment, where an Internet browser program acts as the user-interface between the user and the individualized image design and media procurement software tools.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/515,493, filed on Oct. 29, 2003, entitled METHOD FOR USER CREATION OF PERSONALIZED GRAPHICS. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The World-Wide computer communications network, known as the Internet, has emerged as a powerful marketing and sales tool. Product information retrieval and ordering through “the web” has become commonplace and even acknowledged leaders in the retail industry have whole departments entirely devoted to Internet marketing and order fulfillment. The global nature of the Internet has allowed niche businesses to gain substantial market share without incurring some of the costs of traditional “bricks and mortar” companies. As a result of the enhanced communications, information exchange between a business and its customers has become efficient and timely. Order customization is easier and quicker because of the “real-time” contact between customers and a manufacturer. The customized printing business in particular is one sector where a large communications network, like the Internet, can increase efficiency, enhance product choice, and reduce costs of production and distribution. The present invention, in the field of customized labels, relates to design, production and distribution of a computer-aided, graphical image applied on media that can be affixed to material. In particular, the preferred embodiment describes customized design, order processing and fulfillment over a computer network, such as the Internet, of media displayed on vehicular windows.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention describes a system and method for user creation of an individualized graphics media for display placement onto a non-opaque surface, such as a window. It consists of a user logging onto a computer network and using software tools to create an image transmitted to a manufacturer to be printed on graphics media, such as vinyl sheeting. Upon completing the steps involved with image creation, an order is either submitted to a intermediary ordering service, such as a retailer, who forwards the order to the manufacturer for order fulfillment, or the order is sent directly to the manufacturer from the user, where it is subsequently printed and the resulting media is shipped to the user.  
         [0004]     The present invention uses computer software that is accessible from a computer network, such as the Internet. The computer software resides on one or more computer servers and can be accessed through an Internet browser or the like, which eliminates the need for a user to download any software to the client computer, e.g. a personal computer. The software contains tools and selections, such as text placement, graphic selection, color schemes, or the like, which allow the user to customize and submit the individualized image to the manufacturer from the software for printing onto a receptor media. The resulting media is packaged and shipped to the user, using the shipping information provided.  
         [0005]     Advantages of the present invention to the user include increased flexibility for graphic image creation, shorter order processing and fulfillment times, and fully customizable product appearance. Advantages to the manufacturer include increased market share and efficient, direct customer service. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  gives a graphical overview of the system connectivity scheme for an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0007]      FIGS. 2 through 18  are screen capture images for an Internet based realization of the image creation software described herein. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0008]     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and includes a manufacturer  10  of a printed product  12 , which may include posters, printed vinyl, or other printed graphic media, containing an individualized image  14 . Manufacturer  10  or Intermediary Ordering Service  24  uses image creation software  16 , which allows a user  18  to create individualized image  14  by making various graphical manipulations and selections.  
         [0009]     Image creation software  16  is contained on a server  20 , which is accessible to the user  18  by logging onto a computer network  22 , such as the Internet, through such means as a network or Internet browser. Because image creation software  16  resides on server  20 , there is no need for the user  18  to download and install any software to a client computer. Alternatively, a user may access the image creation software through an intermediary ordering service  24  either virtually through the network  22  or physically from a “bricks and mortar” retail location. The intermediary ordering service  24  forwards the order to the manufacturer  10  for product fulfillment.  
         [0010]     Upon logging onto computer network  22  to access image creation software  16 , the user  18  is presented with a login screen  26 , shown in  FIG. 2 . While viewing login screen  26 , the user  18  is prompted to enter a login identification into a login identification field  28 , as well as entering a password into a password field  30 . After completing entry of login identification and password, the user  18  is directed to a size selection screen  32 , shown in  FIG. 3 . The user  18  may select the desired size of printed product  12  that will contain the individualized image  14  from a choice of media sizing options including, for example, standard rear window sizes such as car  34 , SUV  36 , pick-up  38 . A custom size entry  40 , permits the user  18  to specify the linear measurements of the object on which the media is to be placed.  
         [0011]     Following selection of the product size, the user  18  is prompted to confirm the size selection through a size selection confirmation screen  42 , and can edit the entry by choosing the go back option  44  or proceed to the next process by selecting the continue option  46 , as shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0012]     The measurements are stored on the server  20  and a process is initiated that will direct the user  18  to a background selection screen  48 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Background selection screen  48  contains multiple images  50  from which to choose a background scene for use in design of the individualized image  14 . These multiple images  50  are part of the image creation software  16 , stored on the server  20 . The image creation software  16  also provides an opportunity for the user to upload (or import) their own graphic image file into the image creation software  16  by selecting an upload option  52 . Whether selecting a graphical background made available by the system  50  or choosing the upload option  52 , a selected background  56  will be displayed on a background display screen  54 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The image is sized according to the measurements previously entered, however it can be moved on the display, within a bounded region, to position it as desired.  
         [0013]     Several features of a selected background image  56 , may be modified by the user  18  using interactive software processes. A representative background edit screen  58 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , includes scaling control  60  and brightness control  62 . The user  18  indicates completion of editing by selecting an onscreen option to save the results and proceed to the next graphic import screen  64 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . An option is presented to upload a graphic or logo  68  to be electronically overlaid on the background image. Selecting the upload option button  68 , activates a process that produces a dialog box permitting entry of the file directory path  70  to where the image file is located on the users computer.  FIG. 9   a  illustrates an example where the drawing file is specified in the root directory of the C: logical drive. An option is also provided for supporting browsing through the users file directory structure  72  to search for a graphic file of interest, as shown in  FIG. 9   b . If no graphic is to be imported, an onscreen option  66 , shown in  FIG. 8 , allows the user to skip this step and go directly to input of textual data.  
         [0014]     When the user  18  completes editing background characteristics and importing graphics, the user  18  is presented with a display allowing textual data input, as shown in screen image  74 ,  FIG. 10 . Text box  1  is the default text box to be edited, and the default screen allows the font  94  to be adjusted. Other modifications to the individualized image  14  can be made from this screen as indicated in the uppermost toolbar on the screen  74 . These modifications include changing the background image  76 , inserting a first graphic image  78 , inserting a second graphic image  80 , and inserting up to five (5) sets of textual data  82 - 90 . Each of these toolbar selections directs the software to a process that handles the associated image modification task and displays the appropriate user interface to perform those image modifications.  
         [0015]     Within screen  74 , a textbox  100  is displayed, allowing the user  18  to enter desired text. The text is overlaid on the background image in the currently selected font size and style  98  as characters are entered. Item  96  permits adjustment of the selected font style as desired. Additional changes to the text are accomplished by selecting another option in the secondary toolbar associated with the current text box. Selection of the text size button  102 ,  FIG. 11 , initiates a process that presents a window whereby the font size  104  for the text may be adjusted, smaller or larger, from the initial default value. Font color may also be adjusted by selecting the text color button  106 , which initiates a process that presents a window similar to that shown in  FIG. 12 , whereby font color can be chosen from a set of available colors  108 . The color is formed by a combination of hue, saturation and brightness. The placement of the textual data on the background image can be manipulated by user selection of the Position button  110  as shown in the text toolbar of  FIG. 13 . A process is initiated, and a set of controls  112  are displayed that allow interactive and real-time movement of the text, overlaid on the background image, within the boundaries of the media as represented on-screen. Note in the Figure, a bounding box placed within the view of the background identifying that area of the image where text may be positioned. Additionally, by selection of the effects button  114  in the Text Box editing toolbar, shown in  FIG. 14 , the overlaid text can be subject to a group of special effects  116  such as shadow effects.  
         [0016]     Multiple lines of text can be overlaid on the image by selecting another text button  82 - 90 , e.g. Text2  84 , from the uppermost toolbar as shown in  FIG. 15 . The additional line of text  120  is subject to the same options and restrictions as the first line of text described above.  
         [0017]     When the user  18  completes the desired selection of options available to create an individualized image  14 , the user  18  is prompted to check the work carefully and then submit the order by selecting the “I&#39;m done” button  120 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . This button activates a process that evaluates the order and generates an invoice.  FIG. 17  shows an example invoice generated for the order of one individualized image  14  to be printed on a vinyl media for application on the rear window of a vehicle. If approved by the user  18 , a subsequent process presents an on-screen form,  FIG. 18 , that allows the user  18  to provide shipping and billing information as required for order processing. Actual order processing can be accomplished through an intermediary ordering service  24  either virtually through the network  22  or physically from a “bricks and mortar” retail location. In this case, the ordering service  24  forwards the order to the manufacturer  10  for product fulfillment. Alternatively the virtual order can be processed directly by said manufacturer  10 . In all cases, the individualized image  14  results in a printed product  12  that subsequently ships to the user  18  directly from the manufacturer or indirectly through an intermediary ordering service  24  for distribution to the user  18 .  
         [0018]     A second embodiment of the present invention relates to the design and production of customized images on media for use on non-opaque materials in applications such as a building window, an ornamental window, and a manufactured product like a drinking glass. It is apparent that little change to the described system and method would be necessary to meet the requirements of this embodiment.  
         [0019]     A third embodiment of the present invention pertains to media that can be applied on opaque material surfaces. Examples of such surfaces include vehicular body parts, building surfaces, and manufactured products. In this case, the image is not expected to be seen through the material by an observer, as was the case with the prior two embodiments, but rather the media would be applied to the surface of the material that would be viewed by the observer. There would be no change needed to the system or method as described herein, only changes to the type of media and the printing process used by the manufacturer.  
         [0020]     Although only a small number of exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that numerous modifications to the exemplary embodiments that are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined above and in the accompanying drawings.