Abstract:
The present invention provides a system for making single, merged digital images including a processor configured to provide a digital image, a monitor configured to display the digital image, a user input device configured to accept commands from a user and software associated with the processor. The software is configured for providing at least one object cursor capable of receiving a selected portion of the digital image when overlaid on the digital image, wherein the software is also configured to merge the object cursor and selected portion of the digital image into a single image.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    The use of scanned images and computer technology to create fin, amusing and artistic pictures, cards, and other items is known in the art. For example, some computer users make novelty or gag items by combining a portion of an image of a friend or acquaintance with an image of a famous place or setting to create a composite image of the person in that setting, which would appear genuine if the viewer did not know better. For example, some computer users find it amusing to make a fake dollar bill that would appear real if not for the fact that it has the head of a friend or acquaintance in place of the portrait of George Washington.  
           [0002]    As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the process of creating composite images is complex, time consuming, and beyond the skill of the typical computer user. For example, to make a novelty dollar bill incorporating the portrait of a person taken from a second image, the user must first scan the image of a dollar bill into a computer system and also scan in the photograph of the target individual. Scanning suitable images for creating a composite image often proves difficult and time consuming. For example, a user must figure out the appropriate size of the picture to scan in order to get the two images to match on a similar size scale to help create the illusion of authenticity (which is essential to the effectiveness of the novelty item). With today&#39;s scanner technology, the user has no way to preview how the images will fit prior to scanning.  
           [0003]    Next, the user must open image editing software and painstakingly cut out the head of the target individual from the scanned picture and cut out the portrait of George Washington from the image of the dollar bill. Cutting out the images is exceedingly difficult and causes many users to abandon their projects after repeated failures. As will be appreciated by anyone who has ever tried to use the “lasso tool” from a clip art tool bar, it is nearly impossible to free-hand draw two identical size images; it is exceedingly difficult to cut a portion from one image and place it in an identically sized hole cut in a second image.  
           [0004]    The lack of stencils or overlays to use with a scanned picture makes today&#39;s requirement that the user cut two identically sized images prohibitive for all but the simplest settings. The prior art has attempted to overcome the need for identical image cutting by providing a background on which a scanned image can be placed to create a composite image such as a novelty item. For example, a greeting card background or a fake magazine cover capable of having a scanned imaged placed on top (and then printed out) may be provided. However, these set-backgrounds and overlay items suffer from many of the same drawbacks. For example, the user must scan an image of a suitable size for placement on the background in a fashion that looks realistic to a viewer. Likewise, the user is forced to use image editing tools to crop the photo to include only the portions needed to create the desired visual illusion. Typical prior art set-background devices and methods, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,459,819; 6,005,972; and 6,123,362, simply provide an area which receives an image and do not seek to allow editing of the image or background to match size or color.  
           [0005]    With prior art processes, even in the event a user succeeds in cutting matching portions of the images and succeeds in pasting the cropped photograph on the image, numerous other obstacles hinder the process. For example, even assuming the size of the images are a suitable match, the color of the images may not match, thereby taking away from the desired illusion of authenticity of the end image. Furthermore, the absence of editing tools capable of providing authentic coloring or shading to the end image prevents all but the most basic black and white composite images from appearing suitably authentic. Tinting and coloration problems may also be a drawback to certain set-background illusions. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the technology using set-backgrounds for novelty items does not offer substantial image editing capabilities. For example, in addition to tinting and coloring problems, size editing proves difficult because the image resized is resized about a central axis of the computer screen without regard for the position of the other image. In other words, each time the image is centered in the background and then resized, the image moves off-center and must be repositioned.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention overcomes many of the practical problems described above and offers new advantages as well. The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that the provision of object cursors adapted to receive a portion of a digital image and then merging the object cursor and the received portion of the digital image into a single digital image is capable of producing merged or composite images without requiring the user to tediously edit, crop and balance the constituent images to form a result that appears authentic.  
           [0007]    According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a system for making single, merged digital images including a processor configured to provide a digital image, a monitor configured to display the digital image, a user input device configured to accept commands from a user and software associated with the processor. According to this aspect of the invention, the software is configured for providing at least one object cursor capable of receiving a selected portion of the digital image when overlaid on the digital image, wherein the software is also configured to merge the object cursor and selected portion of the digital image into a single composite image.  
           [0008]    According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of making a composite digital image, e.g., a novelty item, including the steps of acquiring a digital image, overlaying an object cursor having a cursor window over the digital image such that a desired portion of the digital image appears in the cursor window, and merging the cursor and the desired portion of the digital image into a single image.  
           [0009]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope in the invention as set forth in the appended claims.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0010]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an imaging station according to an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a display showing an object cursor and a digitized photograph according to the invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a depiction of the object cursor of FIG. 2 overlaying the digitized image prior to resizing;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a depiction of the object cursor of FIG. 2 overlaying the digitized image after sizing;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a plan view of a composite image according to the invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method of making a novelty item according to the invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is a display of another embodiment of an object cursor and a digitized photograph according to the invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is a depiction of the object cursor of FIG. 7 overlaying the digitized image prior to editing according to the invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 is a depiction of the object cursor of FIG. 7 overlaying the digitized image after editing according to the invention; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 10 is a depiction of the object cursor and digitized image of FIG. 9 wherein the cursor window background color has been edited.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]    While the present invention is described in connection with composite images for novelty items, it will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the apparatuses, methods and teachings of the present invention can be applied to other fields and industries where composite images are used. For example, the present image may be useful in the manufacturing of identification badges and the like. Accordingly, the invention should not be viewed as being limited to any particular product or industry.  
         [0022]    In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment, FIG. 1 depicts a computer system  100  configured for creating composite images to form novelty items. As shown in FIG. 1, computer system  100  comprises processor  101  interfaced with video monitor  102  and user input device  103 . Video monitor  102  allows a user to view images generated by processor  101 . User input device  103 , which preferably comprises a mouse and/or keyboard (not shown), allows a user to interact with images on the screen and to enter commands to operate computer system  100 .  
         [0023]    Processor  101  has software  104  configured to generate object masks, preferably in the form of “cursors,” such as dollar bill template  201  depicted in FIG. 2. Object cursors are computer generated images, or templates, which have a window area adapted for accepting a portion of another digital image. For example, dollar bill template  201  depicted in FIG. 2 has cursor window  202 . Cursor window  202  is a blank area which allows a user to place template  201  over digital image  203 , as shown in FIG. 3, to get centered overlay image  301 . User maneuvers template  201  and/or digital image  203  until desired portion of digital image  401  appears through cursor window  202 , as depicted in FIG. 4. In operation, user maneuvers template  201  over digital image  203  to get centered overlay image  301 . User then resizes centered overlay image  301  to reveal only desired portion of digital image  401 . In resizing, the digital image  203  is preferably resized such that the image remains centered in cursor window  202  as opposed to being resized without regard for the location of cursor window  202 .  
         [0024]    The combined image  400  is then merged to form composite image  500 , as depicted in FIG. 5, comprising a single, merged digital image of template  201  and desired portion of digital image  401 . Composite image  500  may then be sent electronically to others or printed by printer  107  and distributed if desired.  
         [0025]    As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, software  104  may provide image manipulation functionality according to the invention. Preferably, software  104  interfaces with scanner software  106  to capture a low resolution preview scan of digital image  203 , define desired portion of digital image  401  to be scanned using high resolution, and combine the cursor and scanned images to form composite image  500 .  
         [0026]    It will also be appreciated that object based cursors can be provided with a cursor window, or a plurality of cursor window areas, in any area of the object based cursors. Presently preferred object based cursors, include, but by no means are limited to, a piece of currency, Mt. Rushmore, a magazine or newspaper cover, a greeting card, a motor vehicle, a person, a place, an animal, and/or a movie scene.  
         [0027]    Software  104  is preferably configured to allow a user to select and manipulate object cursors using user input  103 . Preferably, a user may select a desired object cursor using a mouse by clicking on a tool bar of available cursors, or alternatively, by manipulating pull down menus to highlight and select a desired object cursor. Alternatively, a code command can be assigned to each available cursor, whereby a user enters the code to select the desired object cursor.  
         [0028]    In a preferred embodiment, once an object cursor is selected, the user&#39;s mouse cursor on screen of monitor  102  takes the form of the object cursor and may be moved and manipulated by movement of the mouse and/or typing of commands.  
         [0029]    Software  104  is also preferably configured to allow a user to alter or edit images viewed on screen of monitor  102 . Altering or editing images may comprise manipulation of image size (zoom in/zoom out), image orientation, image color and image editing (i.e., allow a user to use an image editing program), cropping, etc. For example, the user may need to zoom in or zoom out the object cursor and/or image to make the final image look realistic to scale. Likewise, the user may need to edit or later the contrast, density, brightness, color parameters or other characteristics of the object cursor and/or image to make the final image appear authentic. For example, to make a novelty dollar bill appear more realistic, the digital image may need to be tinted to the same shade of green as the object cursor.  
         [0030]    Software  104  may be configured to allow altering or editing to occur at any point in the creation process. Likewise, the software  104  may provide that the object cursor and/or digital image and/or final merged digital image be edited or altered. Software  104  may also be configured to automatically adjust images to aid the formation of an authentic-looking composite image  500 . For example, software  104  may automatically tint the shade of desired portion of digital image  401  to match that of template  201  to make an authentic-looking novelty dollar bill, crop the inserted image and add a suitable background and/or overlay etc.  
         [0031]    Other examples of image editing or altering include the blending or fading of the edges of the cursor and image in the window to aid the authentic-appearance of the final image. These kind of image editing or altering techniques may be manual, or preferably, performed automatically as part of the program, or “knowledge”, of a specific cursor.  
         [0032]    Digital image  203  may be provided by any suitable source. For example, a user may download an image from the Internet for use with the system  100 . In a presently preferred embodiment, digital image is provided by means of scanner  105  and scanner software  106 .  
         [0033]    Scanner  105  and scanner software  106  may be any suitable type capable of optically scanning an object and generating a digital image of the object. In a presently preferred embodiment, digital image  203  is generated by scanner  105  and scanner software  106  having a “preview scan” mode. Details concerning the preview scan mode are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,151,426, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.  
         [0034]    According to this embodiment, the system  100  is configured to allow a user to perform a preview scan of a picture placed on scanner bed of scanner  105 . A low resolution digital image  203  is presented on screen of monitor  102 . User accesses software  104  to select a desired object cursor, such as dollar bill template  201 . The user then maneuvers object cursor  201  until centered overlay image  301  appears in cursor window  202 . Centered overlay image  301  is resized to reveal only desired portion of digital image  401 . Any necessary editing of the template  201 , centered overlay image  301 , or desired portion of digital image  401  may be performed to aid the authenticity of composite image  500  at any time in the process. For example, the size of the image may be adjusted, while a predetermined point of the image is automatically centered in the image window. The background color of the image may also be adjusted to better merge into the cursor image. The adjusting may be manually or automatically done.  
         [0035]    The user then performs a final scan, preferably at a higher resolution than preview scan, to merge the cursor image data with the data of the portion of the digital image appearing through cursor window to generate a single, merged digital image or composite image  500 , which may then be sent electronically or printed for the enjoyment of others or for other reasons.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart of a presently preferred method of composing a composite image. As depicted, in operation, a user places a photograph on the bed of a scanner. The user then performs a low resolution preview scan of the photograph to generate a digital image. The user then accesses a desired object cursor. The user overlays the object cursor and edits in a manner such that only a desired portion of the digital image is visible in the cursor window. The user then performs a final scan to merge the object cursor data and visible portion of digital image into a single merged image. The merged image may then be distributed by any suitable means for any use, e.g., as a novelty item for the enjoyment of others.  
         [0037]    In an alternative method, multiple object cursors may be used. For example, a user may select an object cursor of George Washington&#39;s hair and clothing as it appears on a dollar bill and overlay the cursor on a digital image of a person. The user may then correctly size, tint, or otherwise alter or edit the combined image to mimic the portrait of George Washington as it appears on a one dollar bill. The user then selects a second object cursor, such as a dollar bill template, and overlays the template over the portrait and correctly sizes the portrait if necessary (or otherwise alters or edits the portrait as desired), and then merges the images into a single image.  
         [0038]    As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art with knowledge of the present specification, altering and editing of the images can be performed at any suitable step in the process. Also, as will be appreciated, the high resolution final scan of only the portion of the picture on the scanner bed which appears through the cursor window results in a significant decrease in the amount of data to be downloaded and the amount of data to be downloaded adn the amount of time scanning will take. For example, if a picture on the user&#39;s scanner bed is 8×10 but only a 1×1 portion is to be scanned, the fact that there was not enough time or memory to scan the entire 8×10 image becomes irrelevant.  
         [0039]    FIGS.  7 - 10  depict a variation of the embodiment described above. As shown in FIG. 7, modified dollar bill template  701  has a modified cursor window  702  for overlaying on new digital image  703 . By contrast with cursor window  202 , which was clear for insertion of an opaque portion of digital image  203 , modified cursor window  702  includes a background image for use with a partially transparent image or a background for use with a closely cropped image that does not occupy the entire area of the window. To illustrate, FIG. 8 depicts modified template  701  overlaying new digital image  703  such that centered overlay image  801  occupies modified cursor window  702 . FIG. 9 depicts a cropped portion of digital image  901  and background  902  occupying modified cursor window. Cropped portion  901  represents the sizing and cropping of centered overlay image  801  to a suitable size and orientation, while background  902  represents the preexisting shading or set background of modified cursor window  702 . As shown in FIG. 10, the background  902  may be further modified or edited to create final background  1002  to aid the appearance of the ultimate composite image to be formed. Final background  1002  is preferably edited prior to final scanning to aid the appearance of the ultimate composite image. As shown in FIG. 10, final background  1002  may simply reflect the removal of color or addition of tinting to aid the authenticity of the final image; or alternatively reflect tinting to cover undesired portions of new digital image  703  originally present within modified cursor window  702 .  
         [0040]    It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.