Abstract:
Methods for creating customized children&#39;s storybooks with fingerprint art using fingerprint-ready templates stored in association with a software application on a desktop computer, a tablet computer, or a smart phone. The methods include the use of preconfigured templates and prompted discussions that elicit responses from the child to create text for the storybook. The text may be generated by speech recognition software processing digital audio recordings of the child&#39;s responses. A digital image of the child&#39;s fingerprint is acquired and the fingerprint image and/or the storybook scenes are scaled to fit each other. Fingerprint-ready image templates are used to facilitate the creation of fingerprint art. A completed page image is formed by digitally inserting a fingerprint into the fingerprint-shaped area, and if desired, coloring the image or drawing a scene around the image. When the scenes are completed the software application compiles the book pages and prints the same.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This Application claims the benefit under Title 35 United States Code §120 as a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/896,062, filed Oct. 1, 2010, which itself further claims the benefit under Title 35 United States Code §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/247,938, filed Oct. 1, 2009, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the creation of books and stories using texts and graphics. The present invention relates more specifically to methods for creating a customized children&#39;s storybook with fingerprint art using fingerprint-ready image templates. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Without limiting the scope of the invention which is determined solely by the claims, this background information is provided in the context of a specific problem to which the invention in one of its aspects was directed: facilitating the creation of customized children&#39;s storybooks using the child&#39;s own words and fingerprint art. 
     Fingerprint art is a popular arts and crafts activity for children. The child places a fingerprint on a piece of paper or other material, and then the child or someone else draws a picture that includes the fingerprint—typically the fingerprint is the body of a figure that is completed with hair, facial features, arms and legs, clothing, etc. 
     The present application utilizes in part certain techniques disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.: US 2004/0045461 A1; Published Mar. 11, 2004; Entitled: Fingerprint Art Using Fingerprint-Ready Image Templates, the full disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. 
     A problem with current approaches to fingerprint art is the artistic effort needed to complete the image or scene that includes the fingerprint. On occasion, the child or family would prefer to have a fingerprint image or scene that is beyond the current artistic capabilities of the child, such as to illustrate to the child various techniques that can be used by the child to create fingerprint art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the invention is to provide an implement that facilitates fingerprint art. The invention provides methods for using fingerprint-ready image templates. In one aspect, the invention includes an image template defining a fingerprint-ready image, with at least one fingerprint-sized area being defined within the fingerprint-ready image. The fingerprint-ready image is configured to be at least substantially completed by inserting a fingerprint into the fingerprint-sized area. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the image template is formed on a stamping implement (such as for use with an inkpad), which is adapted to transfer the fingerprint-ready image template onto paper (or another image surface). Thus, an exemplary method of forming an image is to (a) form (such as by stamping) a fingerprint-ready image that includes at least one fingerprint-sized area within the fingerprint-ready image, and then (b) at least substantially complete the image by inserting a fingerprint into the fingerprint-sized area of the fingerprint-ready image. In an alternate embodiment, one or more image templates are included within a scene. 
     In a further alternate embodiment, the fingerprint image may be produced and digitized by photo imaging or scanning the child&#39;s finger directly, or photo imaging or scanning an inked fingerprint of the child. The digital image of the fingerprint may then be incorporated into one or more scenes within the customized work being created. The digital fingerprint image and/or the graphics associated with the particular scene may both be scaled to fit the scene and its placement or presentation in the overall work. Production of the children&#39;s storybook may be carried out through printing and binding as in the other preferred embodiments, or may be assembled digitally to form an e-book or digital image book viewable on any of a number of tablets, laptop computers, or other digital display devices. 
     A better understanding of the features and advantages of the invention will be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description and accompanying Drawings that set forth an illustrative embodiment based on the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing a system appropriate for carrying out the method of the present invention as well as the primary steps associated with the method. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of an example of a fingerprint measurement page generated by the software associated with implementation of the method of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary scene that includes a fingerprint-ready image prior to fingerprint insertion and the same image after fingerprint insertion. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing the steps in the process of determining the appropriate size for the fingerprint templates to be used in the creation of the specific child&#39;s storybook. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing the steps associated with the overall process of creating the children&#39;s storybook using the interactive software associated with implementation of the method of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing an alternate preferred embodiment of the system appropriate for carrying out the method of the present invention as well as the primary steps associated with the alternate embodiment. 
         FIGS. 7 &amp; 8  illustrate the manner in which both the fingerprint image and the scene graphics may be scaled to accommodate each other and the storybook output format. 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing the steps in the process of acquiring and digitizing the child&#39;s fingerprint to be used in the creation of a specific child&#39;s storybook. 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing the steps associated with the overall process of the alternate embodiment of the present invention for creating a child&#39;s storybook using digital images of the child&#39;s fingerprint and using interactive speech recognition software. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Process for Creating Children&#39;s Storybook 
     The following described process is preferably carried out or followed by a child in the company of an adult.  FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing a system appropriate for carrying out the method of the present invention as well as the primary steps associated with the method. In general the system  10  comprises the use of a home based computer  12  having the typical display monitor  14  and keyboard input device  16 . With the software of the system of the present invention operating on computer  12 , two windows are presented on the monitor  14 . The first window is a storybook scene preview window  18  and the second is an adult prompt question window  20 . Other windows, images, and text are displayed to the users during the operation of the system and method of the present invention. Initially steps are followed to identify the appropriate size of the images to receive the child&#39;s fingerprints, a process described in more detail below. Once this sizing routine has been carried out then the process of the present invention proceeds as shown in  FIG. 1 . As the storybook scene previews  18  are presented on the display  14  the users step through each page (selecting scenes as they go) and then print each page using printer  22  connected to home computer  12 . This results in the collection of loose (preferably numbered) printed pages  24  for the various selected storybook scenes, each leaving space (appropriately sized for the child&#39;s fingerprint) to allow the child to “personalize” and complete the scenes with their fingerprints. This personalizing step is carried out by having the child ink their finger  26  (which is the thumb in the preferred embodiment, although this is not required) using ink stamp pad  28 . After each page  24  has been personalized they are all bound together (in order) to create the bound storybook  30 . The binding into book form may be accomplished according to any of a number of know ways of binding (tight or loose) pages of paper together. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2  for a more detailed description of the manner of identifying the size of the child&#39;s fingerprint for the purpose of matching (adjusting) the template images created by the software to that child&#39;s specific fingerprint size. Using a computer printer, the adult and child print out the finger print measurement page  32 . Using an ink pad, the adult and child test the child&#39;s fingerprint size in several of the varied sized oval diagrams  36  on the page. From this process the adult and child are able to determine the correct oval size of the child&#39;s personal fingerprint  38 . The adult and child will then select the corresponding letter (or other indicator)  34  to be input as the proper size for the child&#39;s fingerprint when his/her storybook is created. 
     The above described process for determining the size of the child&#39;s fingerprint is also described in a step by step manner in  FIG. 4 . As indicated above,  FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing the steps in the process of determining the appropriate size for the fingerprint templates to be used in the creation of the specific child&#39;s storybook. Fingerprint sizing routine begins at Step  102  when initiated by the users on the home computer. Step  104  involves printing out the fingerprint measurement page (as seen in  FIG. 2 ). The child&#39;s finger is inked at Step  106  followed by imprinting the child&#39;s fingerprint on one or more of the test ovals on the measurement page at Step  108 . The adult and child then determine, at Step  110 , the oval size appropriate for that particular child&#39;s fingerprint. Finally at Step  112 , the adult and child use the size reference indication (a letter in the example shown in  FIG. 2 ) in the process of creating the storybook template pages at Step  112 . 
     In the process of completing the storybook, the adult and child select a storyline topic from the list of storylines that the child can use to tell a personal experience story about themselves (i.e. nonfiction), or that the child can relate to well enough to create a fictitious story. The computer will then bring up the screen for that selected storyline. 
     The adult and child then select appropriate scenes from the scene options on the computer screen that support the creation of the storyline. For example, the storyline from the topic “My First Pet” may have several scene choices on the page that tell where the child got their pet. The child may choose the scene from the humane society, or the pet store, or the breeder, or the back alley, etc. to match the story they are creating. There may be several scene options as the storyline progresses. 
     The adult and child then place the pages in the correct sequence/order to match the child&#39;s storyline. The adult will describe and discuss the story with the child as the pages are organized. The adult/child descriptions and discussions will be very helpful in “modeling” the language (sentences) for the child that he/she will soon be speaking to create the storybook. 
     The adult and child, working together, use the scene on each page to facilitate and support the words that the child will speak as they tell the words/sentence(s) for that page. The parent/adult will use the “prompt” questions and comments provided by the software to assist with eliciting the child&#39;s language for the words/sentences that will be typed on each page. The previous two steps will typically happen simultaneously as each page is created. 
     The adult and child then select graphics using screen “buttons” to choose character features such as hair, facial expressions, glasses, and accessories appropriate to the specific characters and the words used in the story-line as each page is created. The characters will eventually have a generic body comprised of a fingerprint image. These generic fingerprint images will be absent once the storybook is printed. The void spaces left where the generic fingerprints were shown on the computer screen are to be filled in with the child&#39;s personal fingerprint when the storybook is printed. 
     The adult or child will use the text box to type the words/sentences spoken by the child for each page. The text will be entered in the child&#39;s simple words/sentences (or a close approximation, thereof) so as to promote a cognitive comfort-level that will: (a) facilitate the child&#39;s fluency of thought and (b) encourage literacy-building skills, once the child reads (or follows the book to retell) the story he/she has written. 
     Once graphics and text are completed in the storybook, the adult uses the computer printer to print the book. The “prompt” questions/comments provided on the screen previously will not appear on the pages of the book. The child then (with the assistance of the adult) uses an ink pad to “ink” the child&#39;s finger tip and carefully place it within the open/void space inside each character image on the first page. The adult and child then continue through the pages of the storybook, being sure to “ink” the child&#39;s finger for each fingerprint character on each page. The finished storybook pages may then be professionally bound, spiral bound at a local print shop, or simply placed in a ringed binder or similar home-binding device. The adult will want to encourage repeated sharing of the storybook by the child to further develop expressive language skills and to build literacy and cognitive skills. 
     The above process is shown structurally by the images presented in  FIG. 3  and according to the method steps set forth in the flowchart of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 3  shows a before and after image of a typical page from the storybook being created. Page  40   a  is the story scene template page that has been created according to the choices made by the adult and child working together as described above and page  40   b  is the same page after the child has placed his/her fingerprint  38  on the appropriately sized “body” of the individual  42  in the scene. Although the preferred image uses the child&#39;s fingerprint to complete the “body” of the individual in the scene, other objects within the scene may also be constructed to be completed or “personalized” by the use of the child&#39;s fingerprint. Insertion of the fingerprint  38  substantially completes the image of a figure on a skateboard (in this example) comprising the fingerprint-ready image  42  and the fingerprint  38 . This image can be further enhanced by coloring (after the book pages have been printed) at least portions of the image, and/or adding additional lines to the image, and/or forming a scene which includes the image. Various graphic art software routines may be utilized in some embodiments of the present invention to further embellish the scene although one objective of the present invention is to provide a method that does not require the child or adult to have any specific level of artistic talent or ability to create the scene pages. 
     The overall method described above is shown in step by step manner in  FIG. 5 . The storybook creation process is initiated at Step  122 . The adult and child review the story line list, at Step  124 , and select a topic. The system then displays, at Step  126 , a start/instruction screen, primarily for the benefit of the adult. At Step  128 , the system then displays various scene option that are story line specific. The adult and child then choose, at Step  130 , an individual scene to create. The system displays a skeletal framework for the selected scene at Step  132 . The adult reviews and speaks the various prompts to the child at Step  134 . The child then speaks a response and the child&#39;s language is then entered as text for the scene at Step  136 . The adult and child then select the graphics for the character and the scene features at Step  138 . 
     If the adult and child are not creating the final scene in the book (query Step  140 ) then the process returns to Step  128  where creation of the next scene is initiated. If the final scene has been created then the process proceeds to Step  142  where automated compilation of the storybook by the software of the system of the present invention is carried out. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adult and child are presented with the created storybook pages at Step  144 . The adult and child confirm each page (and may preferably be given the opportunity to edit the works). In providing this review presentation the system may insert a placeholder image of a darkened oval to allow for a preview of how the completed page will look. 
     After the adult and child have confirmed each scene page at Step  144  the process proceeds to Step  146  wherein each of the pages is printed out. The child then (with the help of the adult) then inks his or her finger, at Step  148  and places or stamps his or her fingerprint onto each oval area designated for the same on each of the various storybook scene pages. Finally, at Step  150  the pages of the storybook are bound and the adult and child (or the child alone) re-reads the storybook in its hardcopy form. 
     Advantages &amp; Features of the System and Method 
     All of the text is preferably developed by the child, that is, there is no pre-programmed text, thus allowing the child to be the sole author of the book. 
     The child&#39;s original fingerprint is used to finish the scenes, thus allowing for customized artwork of the scenes by the child. 
     Written prompts are provided (on the computer screen) by the software to the adult throughout the scenes. These prompts effectively elicit the verbalized storyline from the child, thus building expressive language skills and literacy skills as the child repeatedly speaks and reads his/her own familiar words. 
     The adult and child together will select (from a preprinted page) the correct size of the fingerprint-ready space to be left open/blank/void for the child&#39;s personal fingerprint, which will then be adjusted and placed on the finished pages of the storybook. The selection of the specific fingerprint measurement will automatically adjust the size of the graphic image surrounding the void fingerprint-ready space, allowing for an accurate fit between the image and the size of the child&#39;s personal fingerprint. One objective is to provide a large enough image that the child will recognize the fingerprint as their own and see its consistency throughout the storybook. 
     Alternately, the child&#39;s actual fingerprint can be downloaded from a biometric fingerprint reading device and placed within the storybook scenes prior to being printed. 
     The foregoing describes exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various modifications of these embodiments, as well as various alternative embodiments of the invention, will be suggested to those skilled in the art. Thus, it is intended that the claims define the scope of the invention, and that the claims cover all structures and methods, and their equivalents, encompassed by the claims. 
     Alternate Preferred Embodiments 
     Various alternate embodiments may implement the basic processes described above. Some of the alternate embodiments may include children&#39;s interactive e-books, designed to advance literacy, expressive language, and creative writing skills using the child&#39;s developmental level of imagination and cognition. The child would author their very own book and use their very own fingerprints to complete the pictures in their unique story. The parent or adult may print their child&#39;s pages for a keepsake and create a treasured learning tool that&#39;s filled with personalized memories for both the parent and child. 
     In summary, the system of the present invention provides for: 
     (a) “Skeletal” template pages which will combine to create a story as a finished children&#39;s book. The book can be printed out from a home computer by the author/creator of the individualized/customized book. 
     (b) Technology which produces the book electronically (as with an e-book) or from software such as with the creation of a PDF file, or similar digital graphic imagery software. 
     (c) Pages in the book will allow for manipulation of images/graphics and the creation of text so that the finished story line and graphics are customized by the individual author. A selection of graphics “buttons” will be available to allow various images (i.e. furniture, pets, etc.) and image features (i.e. differing hair, faces, glasses, etc.) to be added to the scenery on each page. 
     (d) A selection of pages will be available to fit multiple options to the story line (for example, the child chooses getting his puppy from the pound rather than a pet store.) 
     (e) The application will provide suggested “prompting questions” to aid an adult in helping the child to determine what to say on each page of the story. The adult may input on the computer keyboard (if necessary) the child&#39;s text for each page. As an example, prompt: “What did you tell Dad? What did Dad say about your wish?” The adult will say, “Let&#39;s put that in your book. What do you want me to type?” 
     (f) Scenery within the printed pages will leave empty spaces to allow for added customized finishing of the images with fingerprint(s) and/or graphic images that might be created by the child in a personalized manner. 
     Implementation of some of the features of the alternate preferred embodiments described generally above is demonstrated in  FIGS. 6-10 .  FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing a system appropriate for carrying out a full digital implementation of the method of acquiring the child&#39;s fingerprint and utilizing it in conjunction with the overall method of the invention. This alternate method still preferably uses a desk top computer  212  having the typical display, keyboard, and processor components. Computer  212  may, however, comprise anything from a smart phone to a tablet computer to a full-sized home computer, each of which may run a version of the software of the present invention suitable for implementation on that type of device being used. The entire system of the present invention may, for example, be implemented in conjunction with a smart phone utilizing a smart phone app with somewhat limited functionality when compared with the full software system operable in conjunction with a desk top computer. 
     The primary difference between the alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  and the preferred embodiment described above, relates to the manner in which the fingerprint is incorporated into the storybook construction, as well as the manner in which the words of the child are incorporated into the process. The fingerprint image may be acquired in a manner similar to that described above by using the child&#39;s finger and an ink pad  202 . The child may ink their finger and deposit their fingerprint on a template card  204 . A photograph, or scanned image, of the template card  204  may then be acquired by using smart phone  206  which creates a digital image file of the fingerprint. This file may then be transferred by known digital file transfer methods to the computer  212  for use in constructing the storybook. Alternately, a biometric scanner  208  may be utilized to simply scan the child&#39;s finger and create a digital image of the fingerprint directly. This process also produces an image file which is communicated to computer system  212  for use in the construction of the storybook. 
     In addition to the alternate digital methods of acquiring the fingerprint, the alternate method of the present invention shown in  FIG. 6  incorporates speech recognition software that may utilize a microphone  210  connected directly into computer  212  or may upload an audio file created with the use of a smart phone having an audio record feature, or any other digital audio recording device. In any event, an audio file may then be input into the software system used to create the storybook, and by means of speech recognition software transcribe the child&#39;s spoken words (and/or the words of the assisting adult, as necessary) into the text intended to be associated with particular scenes being constructed. 
     As all of this information is accumulated digitally into computer  212 , the software associated with the operation of the system of the present invention constructs the storybook as described above (and in more detail again in  FIG. 10  below) by outputting the results to printer  214  which prints an accumulation of pages  216  which may then be bound into the final storybook  218 . 
     One aspect of the digital image input features of this alternate embodiment of the present invention, is the ability to scale both the fingerprint acquired and the graphic elements in the scene being created.  FIG. 7  shows the manner in which the standard sized fingerprint  220  may be scaled down to a smaller image  222  so as to match the graphic design  224  and receive the scaled down image as a design component  226 . In a similar manner, an acquired fingerprint  228  may be retained in its digital image size  234  while the graphic design element  230  of the scene to be created may be scaled up or down to match the size of the fingerprint, as shown with graphic design element  232 . 
     Reference is next made to  FIGS. 9 &amp; 10  for a description of the modified methods associated with the alternate digital processes of the present invention.  FIG. 9  discloses the process for acquiring a digital image of the fingerprint and begins at Step  240  where the fingerprint scanning routine is initiated. In one embodiment of the invention, at Step  242 , a printout of the fingerprint image template is made. At Step  244 , ink is placed on the child&#39;s finger and the fingerprint is placed on the image template at Step  246 . The user then photographs or scans the fingerprint at Step  248 , thereby saving a digital image file of the fingerprint at Step  250 . The resultant digital file of the fingerprint is, of course, scalable for use in conjunction with the construction of the storybook. 
       FIG. 10  generally describes the same process as previously shown in  FIG. 5  with the modified and/or additional elements associated with digitally acquiring the fingerprint image, scaling the image and the scene graphics, and recording the child&#39;s voice for speech recognition software. In  FIG. 10  the storybook creation is initiated at Step  260 . The users (adult and child) review the story line list and select a topic at Step  262 . Step  264  involves displaying the start/instruction screen that continues the process for a selected topic. The scene options are displayed at Step  266  and the scene to be created is chosen at Step  268 . The system then displays the scene skeletal framework at Step  270  and the adult reviews and speaks prompts to the child at Step  272 . 
     In the alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 10 , at Step  274  the child speaks a response and his or her voice is digitally recorded. The system then implements speech recognition software at Step  276  to transcribe the child&#39;s response into text. The process then proceeds at Step  278  where graphics for character and scene features are selected. The system imports the digital image file of the child&#39;s fingerprint at Step  280  (derived from the fingerprint scanning routine shown in  FIG. 9 ) and scales the fingerprint and/or the selected scene graphics to match each other at Step  282 . Query Step  284  asks whether the final scene has just been generated. If not, the process returns to Step  266  where additional scene options are presented. If the final scene has been created, then query Step  284  proceeds to the automated compilation of the storybook at Step  286 . The scene pages are displayed for review and confirmation by the child at Step  288 , followed by the printing of the pages of the storybook at Step  290 . Finally, at Step  292  the pages are bound into the storybook which may be read (repeatedly, as desired) with the child. 
     Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing preferred embodiments, this description has been provided by way of explanation only and is not intended to be construed as a limitation of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize modifications of various features and structures of the present invention that might accommodate specific computer hardware and software environments. As indicated above, the specific images and text that are utilized are not so important as the ability to personalize the images and text according to the child&#39;s interests and desires. Various forms of artwork may be used for the storybook such as public domain web art or clip art. The child should be able to choose from a variety of art, scenes, figures, and the like available on the web. The child may also choose to use a photo that they may have uploaded. A child might, for example, place his or her fingerprint image over the body of an animal in a photo taken while at the zoo. A compilation of these photos could be the scenes used to go with the story the child writes (speaks) to tell about the trip to the zoo. These variations and modifications do not necessarily depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.