Abstract:
A method of providing user customization of a retractable pet leash is provided. The method includes verifying user-provided access code information using a processor that receives the user-provided access code information over the Internet. An image is received from the user after the user-provided access code information is verified using the processor. The image is processed using image processing module according to a specification corresponding to dimensions of the retractable pet leash forming a processed image. A customized object is provided by printing the processed image.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/513,010, filed Jul. 29, 2011, the details of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present application relates to web applications for creating and customizing pet products purchased either in-store or online using customer generated or template content. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Leashes are commonly used in walking or otherwise exercising animals. One such leash is a retractable leash. The housing of this leash accommodates the leash and the roll and features a handle for carrying the leash assembly. A braking device may be provided in order to stop the leash at the desired length. The braking device may also be provided with a locking mechanism for holding the braking device in the stopped state. The desired length of the leash then remains in the stopped state. Such a dog leash enables the dog to move about freely for the most part. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, a method of providing user customization of a retractable pet leash is provided. The method includes verifying user-provided access code information using a processor that receives the user-provided access code information over the Internet. An image is received from the user after the user-provided access code information is verified using the processor. The image is processed using an image processing module according to a specification corresponding to dimensions of the retractable pet leash forming a processed image. A customized object is provided by printing the processed image. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, a method of customizing a retractable pet leash is provided. The method includes purchasing a leash product from a pet product seller. The leash product includes access code information. A webpage is accessed prompting entry of the access code information in order to access a web application for creating a customized object. The access code information is provided. A customized object is created using the web application that is sized and configured to be applied to the retractable pet leash. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, a method of providing user customization of a pet leash is provided. The method includes associating access code information with the pet leash. The access code information is provided to the user only after purchase of the pet leash. The user is prompted to provide the access code information using a webpage. The access code information is verified using a processor that receives the access code information over the Internet. Access to a web application for creating a customized object sized and configured to be applied to the pet leash is provided. 
         [0007]    The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a retractable pet leash including a customizable object; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a method  40  of customizing a pet product, such as the retractable pet leash of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of an exemplary system for generating customized objects; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of a webpage used to collect and provide image information to image processing module for creating a customized object. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Embodiments described herein generally relate to the creation of customized objects for pet products, namely retractable leashes. The creation and customization of the objects are facilitated by a web application provided by a customized object provider that allows a user to upload, choose and/or modify objects, created by the user or otherwise, which can be applied to the pet products purchased from a pet product seller, which can add to the visual appeal of the pet products and provide customization of the pet products. Embodiments described herein also allow the user the ability to purchase the pet product, either online or in-store and then create the customized objects, which will be applied to the pet product. 
         [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a leash assembly  10  includes housing  12  with an integral handle  14  arranged in a rear area of the leash assembly  10 . The housing  12  includes the rear area  16 , a front area  18  and side areas  20  and  22  on opposite sides of the housing  12 . The side area  20  is illustrated as including a customized object  24  applied to the side area  20 . Side area  22  may also include the same or a different printed object. As will be described in greater detail below, the printed object can be created and customized by a user using a web application that can be accessed by the user over the internet. 
         [0014]    When one wants to walk an animal such as a dog, the leash assembly  10  is connected, normally via a collar, to a leash  26  which extends through an exit opening  28  at the front area  18  of the leash assembly  10 . The customized object  24  is sized and dimensioned to allow extension and retraction of the leash  26  and control thereof without any interference therefrom. For example, a brake key  30  and brake locking key  32  may be provided to control the extension and retraction of the leash  26 . The customized object  24  may be sized and shaped to avoid any interference with the manual operation of the keys  30  and  32 . In the housing  12 , the leash  26  is received and stored by a take-up roller device located therein, which is associated with a brake system. Details of an exemplary take-up roller and brake system can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,773, the details of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0015]    Customizing In-Store Purchases 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a method  40  for customizing a pet product, such as a leash product  42  (e.g., including the leash assembly  10  of  FIG. 1 ) is illustrated. The method  40  includes a user visiting a store  46  of a pet product seller at step  48  where a plurality of leash products  42  is presented for display and purchase. In the illustrated example, the store  46  is a physical location; however, the store  46  may be a virtual store, existing online. The leash products  42  may include leash assemblies  10  ( FIG. 1 ) of varying colors (e.g., red, green, blue, black, white, purple, etc.) and of varying sizes (e.g., small, medium large, x-large, etc.). The leash information or indicia  52  (e.g., color and size) may be printed or shown on a package  54  containing the respective leash assembly  10 . The package  54  may also include customization information or indicia  56  that indicates that the leash assembly  10  is customizable as described herein. 
         [0017]    A user may choose the desired leash product  42  (e.g., by color and size) at step  48  and proceed to a check-out step  60  at a point-of-sale location  62 . At the check-out step  60 , the user may purchase the leash product  42 . The purchase price of the leash product  42  may include the purchase price for creating, customizing and printing the printed object  24 . 
         [0018]    Access code information  64  may be provided as part of the leash product  42  at step  66 . It may be the case that the leash manufacturer, the pet product seller and the customized object provider are not the same entity. In these embodiments, the access code information  64  may be provided from the customized object provider to one or both of the pet product seller and the leash manufacturer such that the access code information  64  is available for the user upon purchase of the leash product  42  (e.g., in or on the package  54  or provided at the point-of-sale location  62 ). Alternatively, the access code information  64  may be generated by the pet product seller or the leash manufacturer and then provided to the customized object provider before and/or after the leash product  42  is purchased. The access code information  64  may be provided, for example, on the package  54  (e.g., on the interior or exterior thereof) or inside or outside the package  54 , for example, on a separate card or sheet, such as a separate instruction sheet  68 . The instruction sheet  68  may further include instructions  70  for customizing the leash assembly  10  as well as website information  72  that directs the user to a particular website where generation of the customized object  24  can be carried out. 
         [0019]    At step  80 , the user may visit a website  82  that is identified using the website information  72 . The website  82  may be provided by the customized object provider and may provide a security gateway that requires entry of the access code information  64  from the instruction sheet  68  before accessing the web application. In some embodiments, the website  82  may request entry of store purchase information  84 . The store purchase information  84  can be used in identifying and recording the purchase location. 
         [0020]    At step  90 , upon entry of acceptable access code information  64  and store purchase information  84 , the user may access the web application  92 . An exemplary webpage  94  is illustrated where the user can upload images and/or add text for creating the customized object  24 . The store purchase information  84  may be used to co-brand the webpage  94  to associate the web application and the customization experience with the pet product seller, which may or may not be more familiar to the user than the customized object provider. Once the user has designed the customized object  24 , the user may choose to provide digital copies of the customized object  24  to others for viewing, such as through various social networks, such as Facebook®, Pinterest®, etc. Tools may be provided through the web application for interacting with the social networks. 
         [0021]    At step  100 , the customized object  24  may be generated. The customized object  24 , for example, may be printed as a sticker  102  and  104  on a release paper  106  by the customized object provider. The customized objects  24  may be any of stickers, decals, non-adhesive images, skins, etc. At step  110 , the customized object  24  is then shipped or otherwise delivered to the customer for application to the leash assembly  10 . Instructions  112  may be provided for applying the customized object  24  to the leash assembly  10  along with proper care instructions. 
         [0022]    Customizing Online Purchases 
         [0023]    Users may choose to purchase the leash products  42  online, as opposed to visiting a physical retail pet store. Where the pet product seller and the customized object provider are not the same, the method of customizing the leash assembly  10  may be similar to that described above where the selected leash product  42  is shipped from the pet product seller to the user with the instruction sheet  68  including the access code information  64 . Where the pet product seller and the customized object provider are the same, the selection of the leash product  42  may be similar to that described above, along with the creation of the customized object  24 . In these embodiments, however, the customized object  24  may be shipped with the leash product  42  to the user along with instructions on applying the customized object  24  to the leash assembly  10  or the customized object  24  may be applied by the customized object provider to the leash assembly  10  prior to shipping. For example, a printer may be used by the customized object provider to print the customized object  24  directly onto the housing  12  and then shipped to the user. In other embodiments, the customized object  24  may be printed (e.g., as a sticker) and applied by the customized object provider prior to shipping the leash product  42  to the user. 
         [0024]    System for Generating Customized Objects 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary system  120  for generating customized objects  24  includes a user computer  122  that is capable of communicating with a server  124  over the Internet  126 . As used herein, computers and servers may include a computer consists of at least one processing element and some form of memory. The processors may utilize various types digital and graphics processing devices including, without limitation, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computers (RISC), general-purpose (CISC) processors, microprocessors, gate arrays (e.g., FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), reconfigurable compute fabrics (RCFs), array processors, and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The user computer  122  includes memory  128  that stores a plurality of images, such as photographs, drawings or other artwork, maps, graphs, etc. In some embodiments, the photographs, drawings or other artwork, maps, graphs, etc. are created by the user, for example, using a device  130 , such as a camera, cell phone, scanner, etc. In other embodiments, the images may be created using the computer or otherwise saved in the memory  128 . The server  124  includes memory  132  that stores template content  134  (i.e., content generated or otherwise provided by the server  124 ), uploaded information  136  (e.g., uploaded from the user computer  122 ) and an image processing module  138 . As used herein, a “module” refers to any type of software, firmware or combinations thereof that perform a desired function. Template content  135  may also be provided from external devices or databases (e.g., through cloud computing). 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the server  124  (or a different server) may provide a website or other interface that facilitates the creation of the customized objects  24 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a webpage  140  that is used to collect and provide image information to the image processing module  138 . In the illustrated embodiment, a button  140  or other user selectable item is provided that allows a user to browse for an image file in the memory  128  of the user computer  122 . Selectable leash color templates  142  are also provided that allow a user to select a leash color. In some embodiments, mousing over ones of the leash color templates  142  cause the leash color to change on the webpage  140 . For example, the leash color templates may be available on the template content  135  provided from an external database. Button  144  allows use of the same image for both side areas  20  and  22  ( FIG. 1 ). Alternatively, different images may be selected for each side area  20  and  22 . Once the image(s) have been selected, the image processing module formats the images to a preselected size and dimension to fit the leash assembly  10 . Both sides of the leash assembly  10  with image can be viewed by selecting buttons  146  and  148 . 
         [0027]    The above-described systems and methods allow user to customize products bought online or in-store. The customized objects can be specifically tailored to fit on a retractable leash without interfering with any of the control features of the retractable leash. Customized objects can be provided that are sized to fit retractable leashes of different sizes. The customized objects may be formed of materials that facilitate removal and replacement of the customized objects without any damage to the customized objects. Further, a web application can be provided to the users over the Internet that facilitates use of custom images in developing the customized objects. Users can purchase the customized objects when purchasing the products, without any need for additional purchases. 
         [0028]    It is to be clearly understood that the above description is intended by way of illustration and example only and is not intended to be taken by way of limitation, and that changes and modifications are possible.