Patent Publication Number: US-2012040314-A1

Title: Body Ornamentation Design, Customization, and Management System

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/372,980 filed Aug. 12, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to the field of body ornamentation designs such as tattooing and body piercing, and more specifically, to a system for designing, customizing and managing body ornamentation designs, as well as the management of businesses that provide body ornamentation designs, such as tattoo shops and body piercing shops. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Generally, a tattoo or body piercing may be considered a form of body ornamentation, and a particular tattoo design or piece of body jewelry may be considered a form of body ornamentation as well. In the body ornamentation designs such as the tattoo field, there is currently no efficient and effective way to track tattoo customers, tattoo designs, tattoo artist galleries, and other necessary processes and functions of a body ornamentation business or “parlor” (or “shop,” and also referred to as a “tattoo shop,” it being appreciated that such tattoo shops also perform, for example, body piercings). 
     Moreover, there is no simple, effective, efficient or “modern” way for a customer to select and manage their body ornamentation designs. The field of tattooing often involves the selection and design of a tattoo for a tattoo customer. That selection process has, historically, been conducted by “hard copy” or printed images. The known process has various drawbacks, such as taking a long time, and being tedious. Also, customers generally do not have an efficient way to track, save or manage body ornamentation designs they have reviewed or selected. 
     Similarly, in the related field of body piercing, there is currently no efficient and effective way to track body piercing locations or sites, body piercing jewelry designs, body piercing photograph galleries, and other necessary processed and functions of a tattoo shop that also offers body piercing services. 
     In addition, historically, tattoo shops have not used the latest electronic and computer technology to enhance and streamline the tattoo experience. Customization is difficult. In addition, a particular customer&#39;s records or history with a particular tattoo shop are not easily tracked. Also, it is difficult for tattoo shops to track records relating to a customer&#39;s services, payment, history, and other related documents relating to services provided by a shop to a customer. Moreover, documentation relating to the shop&#39;s business is often maintained on hard copy, is difficult to retrieve or review, and cannot be easily accessed. 
     In addition, tattoo and body piercing shops generally have an appearance, look and feel that is dated. Generally, tattoo shops have pictures all over the walls of the tattoo shop showing images of tattoo designs for a customer to review or select. This creates for a cluttered appearance, look and feel. 
     There exists, therefore, a need for an efficient and effective system for managing a tattoo and body piercing shop, as well as for providing a customer and body ornamentation business with an efficient and effective system for viewing, selecting, and customizing a tattoo or body piercing, and for facilitating the application of the tattoo or body piercing to a person&#39;s body. There is also the need for a system that provides for an efficient and effective way to handle the records and documentation that relate to the business of a body ornamentation shop, such as a tattoo or body piercing shop. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, a body ornamentation design, customization and management system is provided, including at least one computer, the at least one computer comprising software. The software includes a customer profile module, a tattoo design module, a tattoo stencil creation module, and, an administration module. Additional modules and equipment may be provided as described herein. 
     A method of utilizing a body ornamentation design, customization and management system is also provided. Customer information is obtained via the customer profile module and stored by the customer profile module. A selection of body ornamentation designs (e.g., tattoo designs or body piercing jewelry designs) are presented to the customer via the tattoo design module or a body jewelry module, so that the customer can select a body ornamentation design for application to the person&#39;s body. Once selected, the selected body ornamentation design is stored in the customer profile module for that person. The customer profile module is accessed by an administrator (e.g., a person with administrative privileges. In the case of a tattoo design, a stencil is created by the tattoo stencil creation module representing the body ornamentation design, so that the design may be applied to a person&#39;s body. The stencil is printed via a printer, and applied to the person&#39;s body. Various customer and administrative functions may also be performed using modules of the invention, as described herein. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a first representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing the Customer Log-In Screen of the Customer Profile Module. 
         FIG. 2  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing a Customer Profile Creation Screen of the Customer Profile Module. 
         FIG. 3  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing a screen of the Tattoo Design Module. 
         FIG. 4  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing another screen of the Tattoo Design Module, showing the results of a keyword search. 
         FIG. 5  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing another screen of the Tattoo Design Module, showing a category search, and image thumbnails. 
         FIG. 6  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing another screen of the Tattoo Design Module, showing a selected tattoo image with draft text. 
         FIG. 7  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing another screen of the Tattoo Design Module, showing a selected tattoo image with draft text and another font and size selection. 
         FIG. 8  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing another screen of the Tattoo Design Module, showing a selected tattoo image with draft text is a selected layout. 
         FIG. 9  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing a screen of the Tattoo Stencil Creation Module, showing a selected tattoo image with text and a tattoo stencil derived from the tattoo image and text. 
         FIG. 10  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing the print screen of the Tattoo Stencil Creation Module. 
         FIG. 11  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing the Informational Document Module. 
         FIG. 12  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing an embodiment of a screen of the Tattoo Design Module with text only. 
         FIG. 13  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing an Artist Portfolio Module. 
         FIG. 14  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing a gallery of tattoo designs. 
         FIG. 15  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing an Administration Screen from the Administration Module. 
         FIG. 16  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing another Administration Screen from the Administration Module. 
         FIG. 17  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing another Administration Screen from the Administration Module. 
         FIG. 18  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing a “Frequently Asked Question”or FAQ Management screen from an FAQ Module of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing an Advertising Management screen from an Advertising Module. 
         FIG. 20  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing another Advertising Management screen. 
         FIG. 21  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing a screen with tattoo design category management from the Tattoo Design Module. 
         FIG. 22  is a representative display screen of a terminal or computer running body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, showing the exportation of a customer mailing list compiled using the present invention. 
         FIG. 23  is a schematic representation of the various Modules of the software of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24  is a schematic representation of a network of computers and/or computer terminals running or otherwise incorporating one or more components of the body ornamentation design and management software according to the present invention, as well as peripheral equipment that may be connected to or otherwise in communication with the system. 
         FIG. 25  shows a representative customer station with display screens, keyboards and a computer mouse, for using the body ornamentation design and management system according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 26  shows a flow chart of a potential consumer and administrator using the system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 27  shows is a schematic representation of a network of computers and/or computer terminals provide access to the present invention through the internet. 
         FIG. 28  shows a diagrammatic representation of the projector system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 29  shows a diagrammatic representation of interconnected tattoo shops using the present system for updates. 
         FIG. 30  shows a diagrammatic representation of an artist interacting with and/or utilizing various components of the present invention. 
         FIG. 31  shows a page from an illustrative form that may be generated by the system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 32  shows another page from an illustrative form that may be generated by the system of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     The present invention generally comprises a body ornamentation design and management system  10 , including software  11  run on one or more computers  12 , described in greater detail below. As used herein, the term “tattoo shop” refers to any establishment engaged in the business of displaying, designing, and applying tattoos, and also includes the business of selling and applying body piercings (jewelry). In addition, the phrase “body ornamentation design” can refer to the fields of tattooing and/or body piercing. 
     It is contemplated that there will be two primary users of the present system  10 : (1) a customer  16  (also referred to as a “user” in the context of a user of the system who is also a customer), which refers to any person patronizing a tattoo shop  13  for the purpose of selecting and/or obtaining and/or browsing a tattoo and/or body piercing; and (2) the employees and/or management of a tattoo shop  13  (collectively, an “administrator  34 ”). In addition, potential customers may simply wish to browse through the system  10  as a “guest,” and such guests are considered “customers” as well. 
     A diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of the system  10  is shown in  FIG. 24 . The system  10  software  11  for performing some or all of the operations and/or processes and/or functions and/or actions described herein may reside, for example, on a main computer  12  or computer mainframe that may be accessible by tattoo shop, administrator and/or client computers  55  via a server  20 . As shown in  FIG. 24 , the software  11  includes various databases and files for use in performing system  10  actions. The various modules (e.g., modules  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28 ,  29 ,  30 ,  31 ,  32 ,  79 ,  85 ,  200 ) discussed and described herein comprise software for performing the functions discussed and described herein. 
     Customers and/or administrators  34  and/or guests preferably access the software  11  of the system  10  through a customer or “client” computer  55 . Peripherals such as a stencil printer  45  (preferably, a thermal printer  45  adapted to print usable tattoo stencils  43 ), and an optional scanner  53  are in communication with the computers  12  and software  11  of the system  10 . It is appreciated that any combination of the modules shown in  FIG. 23  may be included in a system according to the present invention, and that  FIG. 24  only represents some of the components shown in the other Figures, as illustration only. 
     A customer  16  at a tattoo shop  13  having equipment adapted to run the current system  10  may interface and/or communicate with the system  10  through a customer station  15 , such as shown in  FIG. 25 . The customer station  15  may include a monitor  17 , a keyboard  18 , and a mouse  19  (pointing device). The monitor  17  may be in communication with a server  20  running the software  11  of the system  10  of the present invention. The monitor  17  also may be connected to its own dedicated PC computer  12 , or through a “thin client” or “client”  55  computers connected to a server or otherwise networked. The computers of the present system may be connected and in communication such as via a network  23  that may include a hub  21 . Any means of interconnecting computers and software so that they are networked may be used. The customer station (or other selected components of the system) also can be equipped with fingerprint or other biometric equipment or scanners to ensure that Client Profiles are protected. 
     A schematic representation of the various software  11  modules is shown in  FIG. 23 . The software  11  may comprise, for example, at least the following modules, as well as others described herein: a Customer Profile Module  24 ; a Tattoo Design Module  25 ; a Tattoo Stencil Creation Module  26 ; an Artist Portfolio Module  27 ; an Administration Module  28 ; an Informational Document Module  29 ; an FAQ Module  30 , an Advertising Module  31 ; and a Body Jewelry Module  32 . Each module comprises software  11  necessary for performing tasks and/or actions and/or functions and/or processes of the system  10 . The software is preferably housed on at least one computer  12 , in communication with a server  20 , and a network  23 . 
       FIG. 1  shows a representative display screen as a Login Screen  33  a customer  16  may encounter when accessing the system  10  of the present invention. The screens shown in illustrative  FIGS. 1-22  are shown as having a particular decoration or “skin” that is a special design that may be selected for a particular tattoo shop. It is appreciated that any design or “skin” may be used to create a decorative look, feel and/or theme for a particular tattoo shop using a system of the present invention. 
     This screen of  FIG. 1  relates to the Customer Profile Module  24  of the software  11 . The tattoo shop  13  name and/or logo may be displayed on the screen. An administrator  34  (i.e., person with administrative rights to the system) of the system  10  also may be able to insert text under the tattoo shop  13  name and/or logo, such as informational text. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the opening display or Login Screen  33  includes a space for a customer  16  to enter a user name and password and log into the system  10  (“SignIn”), or to sign up for the system  10  (“SignUp”) by creating a Customer Profile  35 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a representative Customer Profile  35  creation screen for use by a customer  16  who wishes to create a Customer Profile  35 . The customer  16  can enter demographic information in the spaces of the template  59  or form provided, as shown in  FIG. 2 , including information such as name, address, sex, date of birth, e-mail contact information, driver&#39;s license, etc. The administrator  34  may customize the template/form in order to gather additional information in the Customer Profile  35 . The Customer Profile  35  is preferably saved as a file of the software  11 , and may be added and/or stored in the Customer Profile Database  36 . Customer Profiles  35  may be stored in the Customer Profile Database  36  residing on, for example, a server  20  running software  11  of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 3-9  show representative display screens showing a Tattoo Design Module  25  of the present invention. A “tattoo design”  37  may refer to any graphics, symbols, logos, text, images, illustrations, or other designs that a customer  16  desires as a tattoo. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a display screen  60  of the Tattoo Design Module  25  provides a customer  16  the opportunity to easily browse a collection of possible tattoo designs  37  (graphic, art, or image) for selection. The collection of images may be stored or otherwise comprised in a Tattoo Design Database  39 . The customer  16  is able to search the tattoo shop&#39;s  13  Tattoo Design Database  39  by entering keywords in a keyword field  61 , as shown by  FIG. 3 . In addition, a customer  16  can also browse tattoo designs  37  by choosing from a Category  62  and/or Sub-Category  63  drop-down menus. 
     The Tattoo Design Module  25  preferably includes all tattoo graphics, symbols, logos, text, images, illustrations, or other design files for use by the system  10 . Thus, the Tattoo Design Database  39  may be considered a library and/or collection of all potential tattoo designs  37  of any kind accessible and/or used by the system  10 . Tattoo designs  37  may be tagged or otherwise associated with certain search or keyword terms, for use by the system  10 . 
       FIG. 4  shows representative results of a keyword search for the term “butterfly.” The software  11  of the Tattoo Design Module  25  searches the Tattoo Design Database  39  and returns results corresponding to any tattoo designs  37  that have been tagged or otherwise associated with the term “butterfly.” As shown in  FIG. 4 , relevant thumbnail images  40  are displayed in a thumbnail gallery/search results box  41  for review and/or selection by the customer  16 . The images shown in the search results frame represent those images tagged or otherwise associated by the system with the search term “butterfly.” The customer  16  is able to scroll through the search results using, for example, scroll bars as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 5  shows representative results of a “Category” and “Sub Category” tattoo design search. In the example shown in  FIG. 5 , the Category is “flower,” and the Sub Category is “rose.” The software  11  of the Tattoo Design Module  25  is configured to search the Tattoo Design Database  39 , and returns the relevant tattoo designs  37  in the thumbnail gallery/search results box  41 . 
     It is contemplated that tattoo designs  37  may be uploaded by the administrator  34  of the system  10 . In addition, the system  10  may be configured so that a customer  16  can bring his/her own tattoo design, such on a portable thumb or flash drive  42 , and upload own image, which may be a custom image, to the system  10  for selection and use. This ease of use encourages customization and creativity. In addition, as described below, a customer can save designs to, or associate designs with, their Customer Profile  35 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a representative screen of the Tattoo Design Module  25  where a customer  16  has selected a tattoo design (in this case, a rose), and wishes to add text  44  to the proposed tattoo design  37 .  FIG. 6  shows the proposed tattoo design  37  in a tattoo design editing window  64 . The software of the Tattoo Design Module  25  preferably comprises full word processing and graphics program functionality. All functionality of a word processing or graphics program such as, for example, Microsoft Word®, Photoshop®, CorelDraw®, or similar programs, in creating, customizing, and editing text, are preferably included as part of the Tattoo Design Module  25 . Various text editing tools  65  can be seen in  FIG. 6 . Text and/or graphics can be modified, revised or otherwise designed or changed by appearance, color, font, or any other parameter as is known in the relevant art. 
     As shown by  FIG. 6 , for example, a customer  16  can enter text in a text box, and select the font and font size. As additionally shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the customer  16  can manipulate and customize the text  44 , such as by resize the text, wrapping the text in various configurations, or rotating the text.  FIGS. 8 and 9  show the illustrative text in different curved configurations, all selected and customized by a customer  16 . It is contemplated that any text manipulation that may be accomplished by a word processing or computer  12  graphics program may be included as part of the software  11  of the Tattoo Design Module  25 . 
     In the tattoo field, once a tattoo design is selected, a tattoo stencil  43  is generally created or used to apply the design to a person&#39;s body. A tattoo stencil  43  is an outline of a tattoo design that is transferred to skin, and is then colored with tattoo ink. The stencil  43  acts as a guide for the tattoo artist. Some stencils are currently made by hand by the tattoo artist. Stencils may be created with thermal printers that print stencils  43  which can be transferred directly to the desired surface. Currently, in most cases, tattoo designs  37  are selected from paper or “hard copy” images. Once a tattoo design is selected, it is necessary for a tattoo artist to locate or make a stencil  43  for that tattoo design. This process can be time consuming and cumbersome. In addition, stencils  43  also may be made by hand (such as by hand tracing printed images onto carbon paper), another time consuming and inefficient process. 
     A novel aspect of the present invention is the automated and/or semi-automated creation of a stencil  43  based on a customer&#39;s tattoo design and/or text selection. The system of the present invention can be configured to generate a tattoo stencil  43  for use by a tattoo artist. The software  11  of the Tattoo Stencil Creation Module  26  of the present invention is configured to detect and/or plot the outline and shading elements of a given tattoo design in order to create a usable tattoo stencil  43 .  FIG. 9  is a representative screen or portion of a screen of the present system  10 , showing a selected and user-selected/customized tattoo design  37  including text on the left portion of the screen, and a stencil  43  created by the system  10  based on the user selected/customized tattoo design and text shown on the right portion of the screen, in a side-by-side view. As part of the software  11  of the Tattoo Stencil Creation Module  26  configured to perform as a stencil  43  customizer and/or editor, a slider may be provided for adjusting the stencil  43  image, such as by increasing or decreasing the thickness and/or depth and/or detail and/or transparency of the stencil  43  image.  FIG. 9  shows a stencil  43  that is being created and/or adjusted, such as for printing. The present system  10  may include a thermal printer  45  for printing the stencil  43  image, so that the stencil  43  image can be applied directly to a customer&#39;s  16  body. Thus, the present invention eliminates the need for a tattoo artist to either locate or make a stencil  43 , both time-consuming tasks.  FIG. 10  shows a representative screen of the Tattoo Stencil Creation Module  26  that may be shown once a tattoo design and stencil  43  are finalized. 
     The software of the Tattoo Stencil Creation Module  26  is preferably configured to take any full color image or design of any kind, and create an outline drawing for use as a stencil  43 . This may be achieved, by way of example, through software (such as, for example, through software having functionality similar to, for example, the Photoshop®, Adobe® Streamline®, or CorelDRAW® or CAD software programs or other similar or known software programs in the field of, for example, graphics and/or images), having, for example, “line detection,” “find edges,” “auto-tracing,” “image contours,” “vectoring,” “auto-tracing,” “tracing,” “edge detection” or “outline” functionality (as shown by way of example in  FIG. 9 ), or other similar functionality, whereby the software detects the outlines of an image or design (including any text), and generates a lined image based on the original image that only shows the outlines such as needed for a tattoo stencil. This is preferably performed automatically by the software of the Tattoo Stencil Creation Module  26 , whereby when an image or design is loaded into the software, and the software automatically creates the stencil  43 . 
     In addition, the Tattoo Design Module  25  and/or the Tattoo Stencil Creation Module  26  can also generate, such as via a printer, or on-screen, the full color version of the selected design. A tattoo artist can then use this design as a guide while applying a tattoo. Therefore, the system supplies not only the stencil, but also an image that may be helpful is ensuring the accuracy of the design as selected by a customer. 
     At a point in the process, a customer  16  may find it necessary to interact with an administrator  34  (or any person having administrative privileges), who will assist in completing the body design transaction, such as through the software  11  of the Administration Module  28 . It is further contemplated that the Administration Module  28  may include specialized profile files (such as Administrative Profiles  86  for those having administrative privileges) which may be stored in an Administrative Database  80 . The Administrative Profiles  86  may be accessed by administrators  34 , in the same manner as customers can access Customer Profiles  35 , described herein. However, Administrator Profiles will have additional administrative privileges, and an administrator will have access to the Administration Module  28 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , a representative display screen  66  of the Administration Module  28 , a drop-down selection menu may provide for the option of selection the payment type (mode of payment menu  46 ). Another drop-down selection menu allows the selection of a tattoo shop  13  location, for example, where a tattoo shop  13  is one of a chain or multiple locations (location menu  47 ). A field may be provided if the customer  16  is a minor, which may require permission from a parent or guardian (minor field  48 ). The fee for the tattooing (or piercing) services also may be provided in a field (the fee field  49 ). In order to finalize a transaction and/or provide information to the customer  16 , various informational documents  50  may be selected and printed, as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 23 , the software  11  of the Informational Document Module  29  may be included as part of the Administration Module  28 , since the provision of informational documents  50  is an administrative function. A tattoo shop  13  administrator  34  is able to access the Informational Document Module  29  and customize the documents that are to be printed for the customer  16  (such as documents for signature to approve a tattoo design and to execute any legal or form documents needed to apply a tattoo to the customer) and/or for tattoo shop  13  record-keeping.  FIG. 11  shows a screen displaying potential selections of illustrative documents for printing that relate to the tattoo shop  13  business and compliance with laws and/or regulations, such as consent forms, aftercare forms (directions to clients regarding proper care for tattoos and piercings), and any other available documents. The system  10  is preferably designed to be capable of automatically populating various fields in the documents, such as with the customer&#39;s  16  name, address, payment information, pricing, etc. This information may be drawn from various databases associated with the system  10 . 
       FIG. 12  shows a representative display screen  67  of the Tattoo Design Module  25  of the system  10  showing a “text only” tattoo design. A customer  16  may seek to have names, poems, saying, quotes, etc., rather than a graphical image. The system  10  provides for complete customizable text entry and editing, such as text size, line breaks, font type, font size, word location, text positioning, outlining, shading, etc. A stencil  43  may then be created using the Tattoo Stencil Creation Module  26 , as described herein. All functionality of a word processing or graphics program such as, for example, Microsoft Word®, WordPerfect®, Photoshop®, Adobe® Streamline®, CorelDraw®, or similar programs, in creating, customizing, editing and checking (such as spell-checking or checking grammar, punctuation and/or capitalization, etc.) text, are preferably included as part of the Tattoo Design Module  25 , so that a customer  16  has many design options. Presently, in the field of tattooing, transferring a line or entire paragraph of text to a customer&#39;s body is both time-consuming and tedious. For example, transferring a paragraph free-hand to a consumer&#39;s body can take up to an hour. Using the Tattoo Stencil Creation Module  26  of the present invention to transfer text to a customer&#39;s body saves time and is a simpler system. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is the capability of displaying artist portfolios, that is, a collection or gallery  52  of work by the tattoo and/or body piercing artists performing work at a particular tattoo shop  13 .  FIG. 13  is a representative display screen  68  of the Artist Portfolio Module  27 , where a customer  16  can select the work of various artists using menu selections, a see a collection of the artist&#39;s work. Administrators  34  also can access a separate part of the system  10  for uploading images to display in a particular artist gallery. The artist gallery allows a tattoo shop  13  to display artists&#39; work, and allows a customer  16  to view various designs, images, prior customers, or similar images, in a convenient manner. Tattoo artists may also update their own portfolios and galleries using the system of the present invention, and the portfolio will automatically be updated for any related tattoo shops that are connected via a network using the system of the present invention. 
     The system  10  also can be set to display preselected images in a gallery  52  as part of the Gallery Module  79 , as shown by  FIG. 14 , which shows a representative display screen of an image gallery. This screen may show a random slideshow or other display of tattoos and piercings done at the shop or a related shop. 
     Representative screens of the Administration Module  28  of the system  10  are also shown in  FIGS. 15-22 , where an administrator  34  (person with administrative privileges) can, for example, access the system  10  and perform various administrative functions, such as profile management, pricing management, manage images, design and galleries, upload files (or any kind), manage documents, manage hardware associated with the system  10 , adjust work schedules, perform calendaring tasks, or other related business functions associated with a tattoo shop  13 . It is contemplated that the system will include software having features similar to, or that may be integrated with, for example, Microsoft® Outlook®, Google® Calendar®, or other calendaring, or time-management programs. The Administration Module  28  may comprise Administration Database  80  comprising files accessed, used, or otherwise part of the Administration Module  28 . 
     In particular,  FIG. 15  shows a representative display screen  70  of a part of the Administration Module  28  where an administrator  34  can upload tattoo designs  37 , and assign them to a particular category  62  and/or sub-category  63 . A window  71  shows a selected tattoo design. In addition, a stencil  43  image can be uploaded, although, as discussed, the system  10  can create a stencil  43  for any particular design generated or captured using the system  10 . In addition, “keywords” or “tags” can be entered in the appropriate field, so that the image is accessible on search.  FIG. 16  shows a representative display screen  72  showing a part of the Administration Module  28  where an administrator  34  can “bulk upload” a group of images from, for example, a folder on a computer  12  containing the images, a database of images, etc. Using this feature, the administrator can categorize or tag the images with keywords at once, rather than categorizing or tagging individual images one at a time. 
       FIG. 17  shows a representative display screen  73  of the Administration Module  28  where an administrator  34  can set user permissions and privileges. As shown in  FIG. 17 , user names, passwords, groups (such as piercer, tattoo artist, customer  16 , manager), print permissions, etc., can be entered or managed by this screen. 
     The system  10  also can provide responses to “Frequently Asked Questions” or “FAQs” a customer  16  may have.  FIG. 18  shows a representative display FAQ Manager screen  74  of an FAQ Module  30  providing fields where an administrator  34  can enter FAQs, and type in responses. The FAQs are accessible throughout the system  10 , and can be accessed from various screens through a link, button or menu selection. FAQs and/or files representing the same and the pertinent responses may be stored by the system in a FAQ Database  81 . For example, one FAQ might be, “How do I care for my piercing to avoid infection?” The administrator  34  can input a response that can be accessed throughout the system, and may be printed by the customer. The FAQs, stored in the FAQ Database  81  and responses are searchable by keyword, natural, Boolean searching, Google search, or any other appropriate means. A person with administrator  34  privileges may access, modify, update, add, delete, or otherwise revise FAQ&#39;s in the in the database. 
     The system  10  also may be designed to provide advertisements, such as banner ads, on various screens throughout the system  10 , using an Advertising Module  31 . The Advertising Module  31  is configured so that ads in the system  10  can cycle, whereby refreshing a browser or changing screens will bring up on of the ads in the system  10 .  FIG. 19  shows a representative display of an Advertising Manager screen  76  of the Advertising Module  31  where advertising text and/or images can be entered by an administrator  34 .  FIG. 20  shows a representative display Flyer Management screen  77  of the Advertising Module  31  where a file of a complete advertising flyer can be uploaded for display to a customer  16  using the system  10 . 
       FIG. 21  shows a representative display screen  78  of the Administration Module  28  where an administrator  34  can manage tattoo designs  37  in the system  10 , or delete entire categories of images. 
     The creation of a Customer Profile  35  for each customer  16  provides a database of customer  16  information that a tattoo shop  13  can use for various advertising, marketing, and tracking purposes. Mailing lists may be compiled for mail or e-mail.  FIG. 22  shows a representative display screen  79  of the Administration Module  28  showing an administrator  34  exporting a file containing customer  16  mailing list compiled by the system  10 . As shown in  FIG. 22 , the customer mailing list file is saved in “*.CSV” format, which is a format that may be used by other software programs, such as Microsoft® Outlook®, or another word processing or mail program. It is contemplated that various files of the system can be used or exported for use by other software programs, such as e-mail programs, graphics or photo programs, banking programs (e.g., Quicken®), or others. The system can also be configured so that files from other software programs or files in various computer formats may be imported into the system for use by the system. 
     As shown by  FIG. 24 , optional peripherals in communication with the system  10  include a stencil printer  45  (preferably, a thermal printer  45  adapted to print usable tattoo stencils  43 ), and an optional scanner  53 . A customer  16  may bring a printed image into a tattoo shop  13  to be used as a design. Customers also may have original artwork (either in hard copy or digital form) they wish to use as the basis for a tattoo design. The system  10  is configured to permit scanning the image into the system  10 , saving the image as a tattoo design, and having it added to the Customers Profile  35 . In addition, the tattoo design may be added to the Tattoo Design Database  39 . The system  10  also is configured to allow customers  16  to bring in files, artwork, images, or designs on any electronic and/or digital storage medium, such as a flash or “thumb” drive  42 , and add the artwork, images, or designs to the Customer Profile  35  for use as a tattoo design in connection with the system  10 . 
     It is also appreciated that a scanner  53  of the present system can be used to, for example, scan in a driver&#39;s license or identification (e.g., passport, proof of age) of a user, in order to obtain, collect and/or save the demographic or identification information needed to process the paper work so that the customer can obtain a tattoo or body piercing. The identification information can be stored by the system, for example, as part of the Informational Document Module  29  or Legal Module  200  (described in greater detail herein). 
     In addition, the system may include Blue Tooth® or Wifi capabilities, whereby a consumer can access and communicate with the system via a “tablet” device (such as an iPad®), or a cell phone. The consumer can access the system via “apps” on such devices, login to the system, and perform any functions associated with the system, including, but not limited to, uploading images. 
     Often, identification such as a driver&#39;s license is required in order to receive a tattoo or body piercing. In an embodiment of the present invention, an item of identification such as a driver&#39;s license or other form of ID can be scanned into the system using the scanner  53 , and associated or otherwise stored in that customer&#39;s Customer Profile  35 . In this manner, tattoo shop employees can check a customer against a reference photo ID in the system. 
     The field of tattooing and body piercing can be time consuming for the artists and piercers. Much time is spent and lost in assisting customers  16  with selecting images, locating stencils  43 , providing the necessary paper work, and other aspects of the business and services of a tattoo shop  13  that require personal attention. The system  10  of the present invention provides a way to conduct these services in an efficient and effective manner, and free up artist time to provide more tattooing and piercing services. 
     Customers also benefit from the system  10  of the present invention. Customers can browse, select, customize, and save designs to his/her Customer Profile  35 . The Customer Profile  35  is created and stored by the software  11  that can be accessed either remotely, or at a later time. In this manner, a customer  16  has a recorded history of their interactions with the system  10 , including tattoo designs  37  previously browsed, tattoo designs  37  previously obtained, and customized work saved but not yet obtained. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, an Internet web-based platform is provided for accessing the Customer Profile  35  and the system  10 . As shown in  FIG. 27 , a customer  16  can access a website  56  through a computer or computers  22  connected to the Internet  82  through a web browser, and connect with a server or other computer  84  of the system  10  and the customer&#39;s Customer Profile  35  remotely. The customer  16  can then use the system as described, for example, reviewing, selecting, and customizing tattoo designs  37  or body jewelry designs, and save designs to their Customer Profile  35 . A customer  16  can perform any of the operations described herein remotely, such as updating their Customer Profile  35 , viewing the tattoo design database, editing text, and saving files to their profile. When a customer  16  then goes to a tattoo shop  13 , they can access their Customer Profile  35 . Alternately, the customer  16  can e-mail a selected design to the tattoo shop prior to going to the shop. A customer  16  also can schedule an appointment with a tattoo artist using an included calendaring program offered on the website. It is also contemplated that the networked system  10  can be accessed via a mobile phone  83 , and a customer  16  can access their profile and interact with the system  10  in that manner as well. This may be through an “app” on a smartphone, for example. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 27 , an administrator  34  can also log into the system  10  via such an internet connection or mobile phone. In addition, the system can also be configured to allow an administrator  34  to monitor a customer&#39;s  16  interaction with the system, and can, for example, provide online “real time” responses to questions or otherwise interact such as through a “Helpline” chat or instant messenger function. 
     The present system may interconnect various tattoo shops  13 , so that the tattoo shops can share system files, databases, and other components, and in order to provide for automatic and/or efficient updating of the system for more than one tattoo shop  13 . Currently, in order to update the tattoo design options in a tattoo shop, for example, the tattoo shop staff must rely on what is termed in the industry as “flash.” Tattoo “flash” are sheets of paper showing illustrations or drawings of tattoo designs for the use of creating tattoos. Tattoo shops must hang multiple tattoo flash pages around the tattoo shop, or provide the tattoo shop flash pages in a rack or book of some kind, so that customers can review the tattoo flash. However, tattoo flash pages must be updated. This means, using the known manner of hard copy tattoo flash, the tattoo shop employees must physically replace the tattoo flash and/or hang new tattoo flash each time they wish to update the designs offered by a particular tattoo shop. 
     As shown schematically in  FIG. 29 , tattoo shops  13  in, for example, a chain, or tattoo shops  13  sharing information via computers of the system in communication, can all log into and be interconnected (such as through network  23 ) with the system  10  and/or system software  11  in order to, for example, share tattoo designs and/or photographs of body jewelry and/or other system files or data. When updates of, for example, new designs are supplied to the system  10 , all tattoo shops  13  having access to the system  10  and various databases will automatically receive the updates. This greatly simplifies the process of updating the tattoo designs and/or body jewelry offerings in multiple shops. A representative computer  12  of the system  10  is shown in  FIG. 29 , and the software, and all necessary modules, files and/or databases of the system are represented as  100 . Representative client computers  55 , or computers connected to the system via a website  56 , also are shown in  FIG. 29 . Modifying, adding, and/or deleting designs or artist portfolio pictures will only have to be done once in the system  10 , and all tattoo shops  13  accessing the same system  10  will have access to the updates. Previously, if an owner owned four tattoo shops, the flash would have to be updated in each of the four tattoo shops individually. With the present system  10 , the updating is essentially simultaneous in all locations at once. Also, all system files can be updated from a central location, and all connected system computers and/or software could be updated automatically. 
     Moreover, opening a new tattoo shop  13  is greatly simplified with the present invention. The new tattoo shop  13  can set up computers and other hardware for accessing the system, and access the system  10 , going “live” right away. 
     The accounts and/or profiles that are set up in the system for administrators, tattoo artists, and body piercers (Artist Profiles  88 , which may be stored of or otherwise part of the Artist Portfolio Module) may have additional attributes and functionality, and may be stored in an Artist Profile Database  89  (which may be stored of or otherwise part of the Artist Portfolio Module), as shown in  FIG. 30 . Artist Profiles  88  may be created having expanded permissions for use of or access to components of the system  10 . For example, an artist or piercer (shown in  FIG. 30  for illustration as  91 ) working in a tattoo shop can login to his/her Artist Profile  88  and add, delete, or change tattoo design, or body jewelry designs, or photographs, or other images in the system. In this way, a tattoo shop administrator or manager does not have to devote time to maintaining or updating galleries. In addition, an artist or piercer  91  can take a picture of a tattoo or piercing as soon as it is provided to a customer, and upload the photograph to the system for inclusion in a gallery for immediate display in a particular tattoo shop (such as on the tattoo shop&#39;s website), or in any tattoo shop connected via the system. 
     Using an Artist Update Module  85  of the present invention also will greatly simplify the task of updating, organizing, and/or modifying tattoo flash or other designs, or body jewelry designs offered by a tattoo shop. As shown diagrammatically in  FIG. 30 , the Artist Update Module  85  comprises software of the system  10  configured to collect, sort, organize, share, and/or otherwise process tattoos designs  37  and/or photographs of body jewelry uploaded by the artists and piercers. 
     The present system  10  is designed to interconnect with tattoo shops  13  sharing access to the system  10 . In this manner, each tattoo shop  13  website  90  can be automatically updated when the system  10  is updated. For example, the websites  90  will be in communication with the system  10  and the Artist Portfolio Module  27 . The Artist Portfolio Module  27  may be updated by artists and body piercers  91  through, for example, the Artist Update Module  85 . When an artist adds, for example, a new image of his/her tattoo work to the system for display in a gallery, all interconnected tattoo shop websites  90  will have their galleries automatically updated. Thus, the system  10  provides for an efficient way to continually keep websites fresh and with new content, without having to involve individual tattoo shop administrators, personnel or webmasters. 
     One issue a customer  16  may face when obtaining a tattoo or body piercing is that a customer  16  may not be able to envision or picture the design on their body before it is applied. In an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 28 , a projector  58  is provided as a component of and in communication with other components of the system  10 . A representative computer  12  of the system  10  is shown in  FIG. 28  in communication with the projector  58 , and the software  11 , including all necessary modules, files and databases is represented as  100 . The projector  58  may be a hand held projector  58 , or may be provided on a tripod or other holding and positioning structure. The projector  58  is adapted to project a selected tattoo design or selected jewelry for body piercing onto a person&#39;s skin. An example of a tattoo design projected onto a person&#39;s back and shoulder area is shown by way of illustration in  FIG. 28 . In this way, a customer  16  has an opportunity to review how a design will appear on their body when applied. The projector  58  may provide a full color projectable image to give the customer  16  a “real world” view of a proposed tattoo design. Thus, the system  10  provides for a means of “tattoo sampling,” without being invasive, never before seen in the tattooing field. It is appreciated that the computer  12  may be a client  55  computer or may be in communication with a remote computer of the system  10  and connected to the system  10  through a website  56 , so that the computer  12  does not need to house all components of the software  11  of the system  10 , which may be housed on the remote computer. 
     A flow chart of a customer&#39;s  16  and administrator&#39;s  34  interactions with and use of the system  10  is shown diagrammatically in  FIG. 26 . A customer  16  accesses the system  10  through either a terminal in a tattoo shop  13 , or alternately, through their own computer  12  via the internet. The customer  16  first encounters a Login Screen  33 , where they can create either a Customer Profile  35  with the software  11  of the Customer Profile Module  24 , or login to an existing Customer Profile  35  and access their Customer Profile via the software  11  of the Customer Profile Module  24  by entering a previously created user name and password. 
     Customers  16  can log into his/her Customer Profile  35 , and can perform various tasks via the software  11  of the Customer Profile Module  24 , such as review prior history, manage demographic information (name, address, e-mail contact, mailing preferences, etc.). As shown in  FIG. 26 , a customer  16  may wish to browse tattoo designs  37  via the software  11  of the Tattoo Design Module  25 . Once a customer  16  selects a tattoo design, the customer  16  can save the design to their Customer Profile, and the Customer Profile will be associated with that design. The customer  16  can either continue using the system  10 , or attend the tattoo shop  13  at a future time to get the selected tattoo design. 
     If proceeding to getting the tattoo design, in a preferred embodiment, the customer  16  would interact with an administrator  34  (or person with administrative privileges) to discuss finalizing the tattoo transaction. The administrator  34  (or person with administrative privileges) creates a tattoo stencil  43  via the Tattoo Stencil Creation Module  26 . The administrator  34  also may use the software  11  of the Administration Module  28  to perform administrative tasks, such as, for example, making and/or finalizing billing arrangements, and providing informational documents  50  (including documents required by law for obtaining a tattoo, such as consent forms) via the Informational Document Module  29 . The Informational Document Module  29  may populate the forms automatically, using the information from the Customer Profile Module  24 . The customer may wish to see a preview of the selected design on their body using the projector  58  of the system. If accepted, once the necessary documents  50  have been printed and signed, the customer  16  is ready to receive the selected tattoo design  37 . It should be appreciated that not every activity or step shown in  FIG. 26  is necessary for every interaction with the system, and that any combination of activities or steps whereby a customer and administrator interact with the system are considered to be within the scope of the invention. 
     It is appreciated that the present system  10  can function effectively and efficiently in the area of body piercings as well as tattooing. Thus a customer  16  seeking a body piercing using the system  10  of the present invention may access the system  10  via a Customer Profile Module, as previously described. The customer  16  may browse available body jewelry designs via the software  11  of the Body Jewelry Module  32 . Body jewelry designs will be displayed similarly to the tattoo designs  37  as described herein. Thus, a customer can search for body jewelry through keywords or categories and sub-categories. A selected piece of body jewelry may be saved to, or otherwise associated with, the customer&#39;s Customer Profile  35 . If proceeding with obtaining the selected piece of body jewelry, the customer  16  will then interact with an administrator  34  to finalize the transaction using the system  10 . The customer  16  may preview the body jewelry on his/her body using the projector  58  of the system  10 . 
     The present system additionally provides for a look and feel of a tattoo shop that is a departure and improvement from historic tattoo shops. For example, as shown in  FIG. 25 , rather than shop walls filled with tattoo “flash” or images, the tattoo shop using a system of the present invention can have a very “clean,” modern and fresh look. 
     Another aspect of an embodiment of the system of the present invention is the incorporation of a Legal Module  200 . The Legal Documents Module  200  may alternatively be part of the Informational Documents Module  29 , or may be a separate module altogether, and is in communication with the other parts of the system for access and use by the system. The Legal Module  200  (an example shown schematically in  FIG. 23 ) contains software and/or data and/or files relating to any legal documents, information or notices needed for a customer who is getting a tattoo or body piercing. For example, certain jurisdictions may require that an “informed consent” type of document be executed by a customer before a tattoo or body piercing can be applied. Alternately, it may be necessary for a customer to check the accuracy of a design and/or text selected for application as a tattoo. The Legal Design Module  200  is configured to provide for the documentation needed to address these or similar issues, or to generate any documents needed by a tattoo shop or administrator  34  to provide legal documentation for a tattoo or body piercing. 
     The system may, by accessing or otherwise utilizing the Informational Documents Module  29  and/or the Legal Module  200 , generate a form (either electronically such as on-screen or via a printer), such as the illustrative form  202  shown in  FIG. 31 , or the supplemental illustrative form page shown in  FIG. 32 . The illustrative form  202  includes the image and/or text  204  selected by the customer for a tattoo, a “check-box”  206  so that the customer can verify the accuracy of the tattoo and any text of the tattoo (this is significant from a practical and legal standpoint, particularly with, for example, tattoo spelling issues or errors), an example of a “DISCLAIMER”  208  that may be created by a tattoo shop or required by pertinent laws, and an addition signature section  210 , including any other language desired by a tattoo shop or required by law, for signing and dating by a customer. Accordingly, the system provides for a documentation that is verified by a customer. This form documentation may be either in hard copy (which may also be scanned into the system), or may be an electronic form that is filled in electronically (e.g., on screen, on-line, via notebook, computer or cell phone). The form documentation may be maintained electronically by the system such as via files in the Informational Documents Module  29  and/or the Legal Module  200 , and can be printed for review or inspection at any selected time. 
     An optional electronic signature pad  212  can be used with the system. That electronic signature pad  212 , which is in communication with the computers of the system, can be used to sign off on, for example, the form  202 . The signature is electronically stored with the electronic customer records. Currently, a tattoo shop must generally save hard copies of signed records and/or documents, which is both inconvenient and wastes space. Using the system of the invention, such records and/or documents may be stored and maintained electronically. 
     Having thus described in detail embodiments of the present invention, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes, only a few of which are exemplified in the detailed description of the invention, could be made without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. It is also to be appreciated that numerous embodiments incorporating only part of the preferred embodiment are possible which do not alter, with respect to those parts, the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. The present embodiment and optional configurations are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and/or illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all alternate embodiments and changes to this embodiment which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of said claims are therefore to be embraced therein.