Abstract:
A postal assembly and method of making the assembly. The assembly includes an official postal product have a designated area which is modified so as to provide a desired visual affect with an personal image that is to be placed in said designated area.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/640,435, filed Aug. 17, 2000 now abandoned, entitled MATCHING IMAGE CHARACTERISTICS OF STAMPS AND PERSONAL IMAGES TO AESTHETICALLY FIT INTO A PERSONAL POSTAL PRODUCT, by David L. Patton et al. 
   This invention relates to an article and system used for creating and printing of customized personal image with an area designated for affixing a postal product. The area bounded by border created using an image characteristic of the personal image and the postal product image to have the postal product aesthetically blend with the personal image. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In 1982, a Texas firm called American Discount Stamps proposed to combine postage stamps with advertising matter. A gummed stamp was affixed to a 2-inch by 3-inch label bearing a printed advertisement that had adhesive on the back. Users would affix the entire label containing the affixed stamp to an envelope or parcel. Ken Lawrence discusses this in his book,  Linn &#39;s Plate Number Coll Handbook . The system is disclosed U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,706. 
   A very similar postal product is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,573 were a personal image is printed as a separate sticker and adhered directly to an official stamp in a designated area. As described in articles in the hobby press the U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,573 patent is almost identical to a scheme from the 19 th  century. From 1876 to 1886, the U.S. Post Office Department permitted so-called advertising collars to be printed around the embossed stamps on stamped envelopes as discussed in. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,605 discloses creating a postage stamp using an electronic camera to capture an image of oneself via a vending machine. Likewise U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,406 discloses producing a postage stamp using an electronic camera and a vending machine. In both cases a personal image is captured by an electronic camera in a kiosk and printed in a designated area on and official postal product. 
   There are several problems that are not addressed using these methods. The first problem is no attempt is made to designate an area where an official postal product may be placed which has been modified based on an image characteristic of the official postal product. The second is no attempt is made to designate an area where an official postal product may be placed which has been modified based on an image characteristic of the associated personal image. Another problem is the placement of the official postal product in the exact area designated. If the official postal product is not positioned accurately, the aesthetics may be degraded. Yet another problem is if the image characteristic chosen for example color is not properly matched, the mismatch will detrimentally affect the appearance of the personal postal product. 
   The present invention provides a method and system for making a postal product assembly by obtaining a personal image and determining at least one characteristic the image. Obtaining an official postal product (stamp) having at least one characteristic and modifying at least one characteristic of the personal image in response to at least one know characteristic of the postal product. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a postal assembly wherein a first planner support structure having a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface having a personal image and the bottom surface having an adhesive layer. The personal image having a designated area where an official postal product may be placed which has been modified based on one or more image characteristics of the personal image and the stamp. 
   In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of making a personal postal product comprises obtaining a both a personal image and an official postal product such as a stamp, determining at least one characteristic of both the personal image and the stamp image. Modifying the personal image in relationship to that characteristic to create an aesthetically pleasing designated area on the personal image for the stamp. 
   These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The file of this patent contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of the patent with color drawings will be provided by the Patent and Trademark Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee. The colors in the color drawings have been modified to highlight certain effects. 
     In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of an envelope affixed with a personal image and an official postal image made in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged partial view (in color) of the envelope of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is cross-sections view  3 — 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4   a  is an enlarged view (in color) of the personal image and an official postal image illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIG. 4   b  is an enlarged partial view (in color) of the personal postal product having a personal image of  FIG. 4   a  illustrating a designated area; 
       FIG. 4   c  is a view (in color) similar to  FIG. 4   b  illustrating a modified personal image; 
       FIG. 4   d  is an enlarged view of a modified personal postal product made in accordance with the present invention having a personal image; 
       FIG. 4   e  is an enlarged view of yet another modified the personal postal product made in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 4   f  is an enlarged partial view (in color) of a modified personal postal product having a personal image of  FIG. 4   a  illustrating a designated area; 
       FIG. 5   a  is an enlarged view (in color) of a still another modified personal postal product having a personal image made in accordance with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 5   b  is an enlarged view (in color) of the personal postal product of  FIG. 5   a.    
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 1  is a plan view of an envelope  5  affixed with a personal postal product  10  containing a personal image  15  or in the case of a business an advertisement or logo. The personal image  15  is printed on the top surface  55  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ) of a label  20  with an adhesive  65  on the bottom surface  60  so the label can be affixed to the envelope  5 . The postal product  10  having an official postal product  30  consisting of an official postal image  25  printed in accordance to the specifications given in USPS-P-1238D, Jun. 27, 1997. The official postal product  30 , such as a stamp, typically having an adhesive layered on the under side, so it can be affixed to the top surface of the first label  20 . 
   Now referring to  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated an enlarged partial color view of an envelope  5  affixed with the personal postal product  10 . As previously discussed in  FIG. 1  like numerals indicating like parts and operations. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is illustrated across-sections view taken along line  3 — 3  of  FIG. 2 . The personal postal product  10  comprises label  20  having a first planner support structure  50  having a top surface  55  and a bottom surface  60 . The top surface  55  having a personal image  15 . The first planner support structure  50  also having a bottom surface  60 , having an adhesive layer  65 . The stamp  30  comprises a first planner support structure  72  having a top surface  75  and a bottom surface  80 , the top surface  75  having the official postal image  25  as previously discussed. The bottom surface  80  is adhesively affixed to support structure  50 . In the embodiment illustrated an adhesive layer  85  is provided on the stamp  30 . However, the present invention is not so limited. Adhesive may be manually applied to the stamp  30 . Alternatively an adhesive layer maybe provided on the label&#39;s top surface  55  to secure the stamp  30  thereto. 
   Now referring to  FIG. 4   a , there is illustrated an enlarged color view of the personal postal product  10  illustrating the location of the placement of the stamp  30  thereon. The personal image  15  on the personal postal product  10  having a designated area  35  illustrated by the outer dashed line  40  based on one or more of the characteristics of both the personal image  15  and the official postal image  25  on the stamp  30 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4   a , the designated area  35  has a border area  45  which is defined by the line  40  and the line  37  which is spaced a distance “d” internally of area  35 . Border area  45  is provided with a feathering affect so that the official postal image  25  blends aesthetically with the personal image  15 , when the stamp  30  is placed on the label  20  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) having the personal image  15 . The distance “d” is selected such that the stamp  30  may be placed in the designated area  35  minimizing the possibility of having a non-uniform appearance due to misplacement of the stamp  30  in the designated area  35 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4   b , there is illustrated an enlarged partial color view of the personal postal product  10  having the personal image  15  shown in  FIG. 4   a . In the embodiment illustrated the color of the border area  45  of the designated area  35  is matched to one of the colors present in personal image  15  and in the stamp image area  25 . For example the color in the sky  46  of the personal image  15  matches the color of the sky  48  of the stamp image area  25 . The color used to print the border area  45  the designated area  35  may be a complimentary hue or shade of one the colors present in the personal image area  15  and the stamp image area  25 . The color for the border area  45  the designated area  35  can be automatically determined by digitally scanning the personal image  15 . Using an algorithm to identify an appropriate color for the border area  45  from the colors present in the personal image area  15  and the stamp image area  25 . This is accomplished by determining the colorimetric values of the image pixels of the digital file of the personal image area  15  and the stamp image area  25  using standard colorimetric techniques. 
   Colorimetry is the measurement of color. A set of colorimetric parameters for an object, based on measured colorimetric parameters, can quantify the color of the object as it appears to the average observer under a specific set of viewing conditions. Techniques described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,339 can be used to identify the colorimetric values of the image suitable for use with the present invention. The method previously described also allows the border area  45  to gradually transform from a color in the stamp  30  to a color in the personal image  15 . 
   As well as being complimentary, alternatively the color of the border area  45  of the designated area  35  may be a contrasting color. Referring to  FIG. 4   c , there is illustrated an enlarged partial color view of a modified personal postal product  10  having the personal image  15  shown in  FIG. 4   a . As previously discussed in  FIG. 4   a  like numerals indicating like parts and operations. In the embodiment illustrated the color of the border area  45  is contrasted to one of the colors present in personal image  15 . For example the color in the sky  46  of the personal image  15  contrasts with the color of the mountain  49  of the stamp image area  25 . As in the case of the matching or complimentary color, the contrasting color for the border area  45  is determined using the colorimetric values of the image pixels of the digital file of the personal image area  15  and the stamp image area  25  using standard calorimetric techniques. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4   d , there is illustrated an enlarged view of yet another modified personal postal product  10  having a personal image  15  and a designated area  35  for the placement of a stamp  30 . As previously discussed in  FIG. 4   a  like numerals indicating like parts and operations. In the embodiment illustrated the pattern of the border area  45  of the designated area  35  is matched to the pattern  90  surrounding the image  95  in the image area  25  of the stamp  30 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4   e , there is illustrated an enlarged view of still another modified personal postal product  10  having a personal image  15  and a designated area  35  for the placement of a stamp  30 . As previously discussed in  FIG. 4   a  like numerals indicating like parts and operations. In this embodiment the image area  15  of the personal postal product  10  is comprised of a plurality of imagettes  100   a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h , and  i . The dashed line  140  defines the designated area  35 . The imagettes  100   a . . . i  are configured such that they match the relative size of the stamp  30 . The designated around  35  is configured in size and location such that when the stamp  30  is affixed to the top surface  55  of the personal postal product  10  the stamp  30  matches the imagettes  100   a–i . In another aspect of this embodiment some element of the subject matter of the image  25  of the stamp  30  can be chosen to match some element of the subject matter of the imagettes  100   a–i.    
   Referring to  FIG. 4   f , there is illustrated an enlarged partial color view of a modified personal postal product  10  having the personal image  15  shown in  FIG. 4   a . Both the color  102  and pattern  105  of the border area  45  of the designated area  35  is matched to one of the colors  115  and the pattern  110  surrounding the official postal image  135  in the image area  125  of the stamp  30 . 
   Now referring to  FIG. 5   a , there is illustrated an enlarged color view of the personal postal product  150  illustrating the location of the placement of a personal image  155  onto a stamp  160 . The stamp  160  having a designated area  165  illustrated by the outer dashed line  170  based on one or more of the characteristics of both the personal image  155  and the official postal image  175  on the stamp  160 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5   a , the designated area  165  has a border area  180  which is defined by the dashed line  170  and the dashed line  185  which is positioned internally of area  180  a distance “e” from line  170 . Border area  180  is provided with a feathering affect so that the personal image  155  blends aesthetically with the postal image  175 , when the personal image  155  is placed on the stamp  160 . The feathered effect may comprise, but not limited to, color, texture, pattern etc. The distance “e” is selected such that the personal image  155  may be placed in the designated area  165  minimizing the possibility of having a non-uniform appearance due to misplacement of the personal image  155  in the designated area  165 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5   b , there is illustrated an enlarged color view of the personal postal product  150  having the personal image  155  affixed or printed in the designated area  165 . Thus the personal image  155  may be provided on a label affixed to the stamp  160  or directly printed on the stamp  160 . The printing may occur at the same time or at separate times. The color  190  and/or pattern  195  of the border area  180  of the designated area  165  is matched to one of the colors  200  and pattern  210  present in personal image  155  and in the stamp image area  160 . For example the color in surround  225  of the personal image  155  matches the color of the stamp&#39;s image  175 . The color used to print the border area  180  the designated area  165  may be a complimentary hue or shade of one the colors present in the personal image area  155  and the stamp&#39;s image  175 . The color and/or pattern for the border area  180  of the designated area  165  can be automatically determined by digitally scanning the personal image  155  and/or stamp  160 . Using an algorithm to identify an appropriate color and/or pattern for the border area  180  from the colors and/or pattern present in the personal image area  155  and the stamp&#39;s image  175 . As previously discussed this is accomplished by determining the colorimetric values of the image pixels of the digital file of the personal image  155  and the stamp image  175  using standard colorimetric techniques. 
   As discussed above, feathering may occur on the stamp and/or the personal image. In addition the stamp may be placed on the image or the image may be placed on the stamp. 
   For the purpose of the present invention feathering shall mean any manner of providing a desired transition from a personal image to the stamp by adjusting for example, color, texture, pattern, contrast, subject etc of the personal image and/or stamp for creating an aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
   The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope of the invention, the present invention being deferred by the following claims. For example, the stamp color and/or pattern may be matched to the personal image instead of the personal image being modified to the stamp. 
   PARTS LIST 
   
       
         5  Envelope 
         10  Personal postal product 
         15  Personal image 
         20  Label 
         25  Official postal image 
         30  Official postal product (Stamp) 
         35  Designated area 
         40  Dashed line 
         37  Line 
         45  Border area 
         46  Sky 
         48  Sky 
         50  First planner support structure 
         55  Top surface 
         60  Bottom surface 
         65  Adhesive layer 
         72  First planner support structure 
         75  Top surface 
         80  Bottom surface 
         90  Outer border lines 
         85  Adhesive layer 
         90  Pattern 
         95  Image 
         100   a  Imagette 
         100   b  Imagette 
         100   c  Imagette 
         100   d  Imagette 
         100   e  Imagette 
         100   f  Imagette 
         100   g  Imagette 
         100   h  Imagette 
         100   i  Imagette 
         102  Color 
         105  Pattern 
         110  Pattern 
         115  Color 
         125  Image area 
         135  Official postal image 
         140  Dashed line 
         150  Personal postal product 
         155  Personal image 
         160  Stamp 
         165  Designated area 
         170  Dashed line 
         175  Postal image 
         180  Border area 
         185  Dashed line 
         190  Color 
         195  Pattern 
         200  Color 
         210  Pattern 
         225  Surround