Abstract:
A system creates a template for use with a number of colored pieces in a patterned children&#39;s game or similar application. The colored pieces are formed of a plurality of colors and at least one size. The system generates a digital image. The system then pixelates the image based on the number of colored pieces and the at least one size. The system then color adjusts the image based on the plurality of colors.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a computerized template generator. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a computerized blocky picture template generator that can be used with colored pieces. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There exist several traditional and popular non-computerized children&#39;s games where the child constructs patterns by placing colored game pieces in some interesting configuration on a board. The game pieces can include blocks, pins with colored heads, colored light bulbs that light up when placed on the board, and other types of colored elements. Specific commercial products of these type of games (“pattern games”) include “Lite-Brite” by the Milton Bradley Corp., “Sparkle Lights” by the Ohio Arts Corp., “Fantastic Sand” by the Kenner Corp., and “Lego” blocks by the Lego Corp. 
     Although there is no inherent limitation on the kinds of patterns that can be built using these games, specific templates of interesting patterns (such as animals, clowns, cars, etc.) are often provided to enable the child to actually construct something that is recognizable. However, these templates typically are included with the games, and are not personal to the child. Thus, these pattern games generally offer either total freedom of creation (if the templates are not used), which allows most children to create very trivial results, or a fixed non-personalized type of creation which allows more interesting results (if the templates are used). 
     Additionally, other applications besides children&#39;s games utilize placing colored pieces on a template. Examples include: crafts (e.g., crochet, quilting, art, etc.), architecture (e.g., tiled building decorations, sports fields, etc.), and graphical design (e.g., large billboard advertisements, etc.). 
     Based on the foregoing, there is a need for a method and apparatus for creating a personalized template that can be used with a children&#39;s pattern game or any other application that includes colored pieces that can be placed on the template. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the present invention is a system for creating a template for use with a number of colored pieces. The colored pieces are formed of a plurality of colors and at least one size. The system generates a digital image. The system then pixelates the image based on the number of colored pieces and the one size. The system then color adjusts the image based on the plurality of colors. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a computer system that can implement the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the steps performed by the computer system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention to create a template. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the resultant output of each step of FIG.  2 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One embodiment of the present invention is a method and apparatus for creating templates that can be used to create personalized results when used with colored game pieces from a children&#39;s pattern game or can be used with any other application that includes colored pieces. 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a computer system that can implement the present invention. Computer system  20  includes a keyboard  14 , a system unit  10 , a computer display  16 , a scanner  12  and a color printer  18 . System unit  10  includes a processor, memory, and other known computer components. Scanner  12  scans pictures for display on computer display  16  and manipulation by system unit  10 . Printer  18  generates a printed color output that can function as a template for use with colored game pieces in a children&#39;s pattern game or any type of colored pieces. 
     FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the steps performed by computer system  20  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention to create a template. FIG. 3 illustrates the resultant output of each step of FIG.  2 . 
     At step  100  of FIG. 2, the desired image for the template is generated by computer system  20 . The image may be in the form of a photograph, painting, etc. In one embodiment, the image is scanned by scanner  12  and converted in a digital form. In other embodiments, a digital camera can directly capture the image, or computer system  20  can directly create an image by, for example, using pre-stored images in memory, generating an image based on some algorithm, or using a drawing program. Any other known methods to create a digital image can be used at step  100 . The resultant image  50  shown in FIG. 3 can be displayed on computer display  16 . 
     At step  102  of FIG. 2, the captured digital image is pixelated. The pixelation step matches the resolution of the image to the physical game pieces. As inputs to step  102 , system  20  receives the size of the game pieces and the number of game pieces that will be used on the template. For example, the input can be “100” game pieces that are each “½-inch square”. The captured image is pixelated by grouping pixels of the digital image together so that each group of pixels is the size of each game piece, and the number of groups of pixels equals the number of game pieces. In one embodiment, all game pieces are the same size. In another embodiment, the game pieces have different sizes. 
     The resultant image  54  shown in FIG. 3 includes pixel group blocks  51 ,  52 ,  53 , etc. that are shaped like the game pieces (assuming the game pieces are block-shaped) and the number of blocks equals the number of game pieces. 
     At step  104  of FIG. 2, the image is color adjusted. As inputs to step  104 , system  20  receives the colors of the game pieces. For each group of pixels, the color of the pixels in that group are averaged to arrive at a single color for the group. The color for the group is then compared to the available colors of the game pieces to determine which game piece color is closest. The determination can be made by calculating the distance from the group color to each game piece color and selecting the shortest distance. 
     Once the game piece color is determined for a pixel group, system  20  changes the color for the pixel group to match the game piece color. Therefore, for example, if a red game piece is the closest color to pixel group block  52 , the color of pixel group block  52  will be changed to match the color red of the game piece. 
     In another embodiment, instead of changing the color of each pixel group to match a game piece color, system  20  can write a code in each pixel group block that identifies a game piece color. For example, a “1” can indicate a red game piece and a “2” can indicate a blue game piece. 
     The resultant image  55  shown in FIG. 3 has pixel group blocks  51 - 53 , etc. in the shape of the game pieces, and each group has a color that matches a color of a game piece. For example, if the game pieces are red, blue, green and white, group  51  may be white, group  52  may be red, and group  53  may be blue. 
     At step  106  of FIG. 2, the image is printed on a color printer. The resultant template  56  shown in FIG. 3 includes the image  57  and can be used with a pattern game. Typically, template  56  can be mounted on a base that is included with the pattern game, and the game pieces can be placed directly on the template. When the game pieces are placed on the template, the block pattern, when observed from a distance, will tend to appear smooth and quasi-continuous. 
     In another embodiment, the image is printed on a black and white printer and includes codes that identify a colored game piece for each block. In still another embodiment, the image remains displayed on computer display  16  and is merely used as an on-screen guide for the placement of the colored game pieces. 
     After the game pieces are placed on the template, a digital image of the completed pattern using, for example, a digital camera, can be sent to computer system  20  in one embodiment. System  20  can then compare the completed pattern with the previously stored image and any mismatches can be identified and shown on computer display  16 . This allows the child to determine how accurate the template was followed. 
     In one embodiment, an additional step of transforming the generated image may be performed by system  20  after step  100  to create more varieties of templates from a single image. Transforming the image can include computing special effects on the image such as morphing the image, cropping the image (i.e., using only a portion of the image), rescaling the image which may change the aspect ratio of the image, adjusting the original colors of the image (e.g., making the image brighter, or greener, or computing the “negative” of the image), etc. 
     As described, the present invention allows personalized templates to be created and used with children&#39;s pattern games. This increases the child&#39;s enjoyment when playing the games. Further, the present invention can be used with any type of application that utilizes templates and colored pieces to create a personalized result. 
     Several embodiments of the present invention are specifically illustrated and/or described herein. However, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations of the present invention are covered by the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention.