U.S. patent application number 10/011683 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-11 for matching image characteristics of stamps and personal images to aesthetically fit into a personal postal product.
Invention is credited to Delman, H. Mark, Forger, James R. JR., Patton, David L., Pincelli, Frank.
Application Number | 20040045203 10/011683 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31994549 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040045203 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Patton, David L. ; et
al. |
March 11, 2004 |
Matching image characteristics of stamps and personal images to
aesthetically fit into a personal postal product
Abstract
A postal assembly and method of making the assembly. The
assembly includes a personal image have a designated area which is
modified so as to provide a desired visual affect with an official
postal product such as a stamp that is to be place over said
image.
Inventors: |
Patton, David L.; (Webster,
NY) ; Pincelli, Frank; (Rochester, NY) ;
Delman, H. Mark; (Fairport, NY) ; Forger, James R.
JR.; (Spencerport, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Milton S. Sales
Patent Legal Staff
Eastman Kodak Company
343 State Street
Rochester
NY
14650-2201
US
|
Family ID: |
31994549 |
Appl. No.: |
10/011683 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10011683 |
Dec 5, 2001 |
|
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09640435 |
Aug 17, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
40/638 ;
40/124.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 3/10 20130101; G09F
3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
040/638 ;
040/124.01 |
International
Class: |
G09F 003/10 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A postal assembly comprising: a first planner support structure
having a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface having
a personal image, said personal image having a designated area
where an official postal product may be placed which has been
modified based on image characteristic of said stamp or image.
2. A postage assembly according to claim 1 wherein the
characteristic of the image is; the composition color contrast size
designated area has border.
3. A postage assembly according to claim 1 wherein the
characteristic of the stamp is; the composition color contrast
size
4. A postage assembly according to claim 1 wherein there is
blending of color at the transition between stamp and image.
5. A postage assembly according to claim 1 wherein the area where
the stamp is to be placed is smaller than the size of the
stamp.
6. A postal assembly according to claim 1 wherein a boarder area is
provided in said designed area for providing an area where said
official postal product may be placed for minimizing the
possibility of have a non-uniform appearance between said official
postal product and said personal image.
7. Method of making a postal product assembly comprising: obtaining
a personal image; determining at least one characteristic of said
image; obtaining an official postal product (stamp) having at least
one characteristic; modifying said a least on characteristic of
said personal image in response to said at least one know
characteristic of said postal product.
8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the step of determining
said at least one characteristic comprises digitally scanning said
personal image.
9. A method according to claim 7 wherein said personal image is
provided with a designated area for placement of said official
postal product.
10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said designated area is
provided with a boarder area having said at least characteristic.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to an article and system used for
creating and printing of customized personal image with an area
designated for affixing a postal product. The area bounded by
border created using an image characteristic of the personal image
and the postal product image to have the postal product
aesthetically blend with the personal image.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In 1982, a Texas firm called American Discount Stamps
proposed to combine postage stamps with advertising matter. A
gummed stamp was affixed to a 2-inch by 3-inch label bearing a
printed advertisement that had adhesive on the back. Users would
affix the entire label containing the affixed stamp to an envelope
or parcel. Ken Lawrence discusses this in his book, Linn 's Plate
Number Coll Handbook. The system is disclosed U.S. Pat. No.
4,872,706.
[0003] A very similar postal product is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,423,573 were a personal image is printed as a separate sticker
and adhered directly to an official stamp in a designated area. As
described in articles in the hobby press the 5,423,573 patent is
almost identical to a scheme from the 19.sup.th century. From 1876
to 1886, the U.S. Post Office Department permitted so-called
advertising collars to be printed around the embossed stamps on
stamped envelopes as discussed in.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,605 discloses creating a postage stamp
using an electronic camera to capture an image of oneself via a
vending machine. Likewise U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,406 discloses
producing a postage stamp using an electronic camera and a vending
machine. In both cases a personal image is captured by an
electronic camera in a kiosk and printed in a designated area on
and official postal product.
[0005] There are several problems that are not addressed using
these methods. The first problem is no attempt is made to designate
an area where an official postal product may be placed which has
been modified based on an image characteristic of the official
postal product. The second is no attempt is made to designate an
area where an official postal product may be placed which has been
modified based on an image characteristic of the associated
personal image. Another problem is the placement of the official
postal product in the exact area designated. If the official postal
product is not positioned accurately, the aesthetics may be
degraded. Yet another problem is if the image characteristic chosen
for example color is not properly matched, the mismatch will
detrimentally affect the appearance of the personal postal
product.
[0006] The present invention provides a method and system for
making a postal product assembly by obtaining a personal image and
determining at least one characteristic the image. Obtaining an
official postal product (stamp) having at least one characteristic
and modifying at least one characteristic of the personal image in
response to at least one know characteristic of the postal
product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there
is provided a postal assembly wherein a first planner support
structure having a top surface and a bottom surface. The top
surface having a personal image and the bottom surface having an
adhesive layer. The personal image having a designated area where
an official postal product may be placed which has been modified
based on one or more image characteristics of the personal image
and the stamp.
[0008] In another aspect of the present invention there is provided
a method of making a personal postal product comprises obtaining a
both a personal image and an official postal product such as a
stamp, determining at least one characteristic of both the personal
image and the stamp image. Modifying the personal image in
relationship to that characteristic to create an aesthetically
pleasing designated area on the personal image for the stamp.
[0009] These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of
the present invention will be more clearly understood and
appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of
the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The file of this patent contains at least one drawing
executed in color. Copies of the patent with color drawings will be
provided by the Patent and Trademark Office upon request and
payment of the necessary fee. The colors in the color drawings have
been modified to highlight certain effects.
[0011] In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of
the invention presented below, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an envelope affixed with a personal
image and an official postal image made in accordance with the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial view (in color) of the
envelope of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is cross-sections view 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 4a is an enlarged view (in color) of the personal image
and an official postal image illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0016] FIG. 4b is an enlarged partial view (in color) of the
personal postal product having a personal image of FIG. 4a
illustrating a designated area;
[0017] FIG. 4c is a view (in color) similar to FIG. 4b illustrating
a modified personal image;
[0018] FIG. 4d is an enlarged view of a modified personal postal
product made in accordance with the present invention having a
personal image;
[0019] FIG. 4e is an enlarged view of yet another modified the
personal postal product made in accordance with the present
invention; and
[0020] FIG. 4f is an enlarged partial view (in color) of a modified
personal postal product having a personal image of FIG. 4a
illustrating a designated area.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a plan view of an
envelope 5 affixed with a personal postal product 10 containing a
personal image 15 or in the case of a business an advertisement or
logo. The personal image 15 is printed on the top surface 55 (as
shown in FIG. 4) of a label 20 with an adhesive 65 on the bottom
surface 60 so the label can be affixed to the envelope 5. The
postal product 10 having an official postal product 30 consisting
of an official postal image 25 printed in accordance to the
specifications given in USPS-P-1238D, Jun. 27, 1997. The official
postal product 30, such as a stamp, typically having an adhesive
layered on the under side, so it can be affixed to the top surface
of the first label 20.
[0022] Now referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an enlarged
partial color view of an envelope 5 affixed with the personal
postal product 10. As previously discussed in FIG. 1 like numerals
indicating like parts and operations.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated
across-sections view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2. The personal
postal product 10 comprises label 20 having a first planner support
structure 50 having a top surface 55 and a bottom surface 60. The
top surface 55 having a personal image 15. The first planner
support structure 50 also having a bottom surface 60, having an
adhesive layer 65. The stamp 30 comprises a first planner support
structure 72 having a top surface 75 and a bottom surface 80, the
top surface 75 having the official postal image 25 as previously
discussed. The bottom surface 80 is adhesively affixed to support
structure 50. In the embodiment illustrated an adhesive layer 85 is
provided on the stamp 30. However, the present invention is not so
limited. Adhesive may be manually applied to the stamp 30.
Alternatively an adhesive layer maybe provided on the label's top
surface 55 to secure the stamp 30 thereto.
[0024] Now referring to FIG. 4a, there is illustrated an enlarged
color view of the personal postal product 10 illustrating the
location of the placement of the stamp 30 thereon. The personal
image 15 on the personal postal product 10 having a designated area
35 illustrated by the outer dashed line 40 based on one or more of
the characteristics of both the personal image 15 and the official
postal image 25 on the stamp 30. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
4a, the designated area 35 has a border area 45 which is defined by
the line 40 and the line 37 which is spaced a distance "d"
internally of area 35. Border area 45 is provided with a feathering
affect so that the official postal image 25 blends aesthetically
with the personal image 15, when the stamp 30 is placed on the
label 20 (shown in FIG. 3) having the personal image 15. The
distance "d" is selected such that the stamp 30 may be placed in
the designated area 35 minimizing the possibility of having a
non-uniform appearance due to misplacement of the stamp 30 in the
designated area 35.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 4b, there is illustrated an enlarged
partial color view of the personal postal product 10 having the
personal image 15 shown in FIG. 4a. In the embodiment illustrated
the color of the border area 45 of the designated area 35 is
matched to one of the colors present in personal image 15 and in
the stamp image area 25. For example the color in the sky 46 of the
personal image 15 matches the color of the sky 48 of the stamp
image area 25. The color used to print the border area 45 the
designated area 35 may be a complimentary hue or shade of one the
colors present in the personal image area 15 and the stamp image
area 25. The color for the border area 45 the designated area 35
can be automatically determined by digitally scanning the personal
image 15. Using an algorithm to identify an appropriate color for
the border area 45 from the colors present in the personal image
area 15 and the stamp image area 25. This is accomplished by
determining the colorimetric values of the image pixels of the
digital file of the personal image area 15 and the stamp image area
25 using standard calorimetric techniques.
[0026] Colorimetry is the measurement of color. A set of
colorimetric parameters for an object, based on measured
calorimetric parameters, can quantify the color of the object as it
appears to the average observer under a specific set of viewing
conditions. Techniques described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,339 can be
used to identify the colorimetric values of the image suitable for
use with the present invention. The method previously described
also allows the border area 45 to gradually transform from a color
in the stamp 30 to a color in the personal image 15.
[0027] As well as being complimentary, alternatively the color of
the border area 45 of the designated area 35 may be a contrasting
color. Referring to FIG. 4c, there is illustrated an enlarged
partial color view of a modified personal postal product 10 having
the personal image 15 shown in FIG. 4a. As previously discussed in
FIG. 4a like numerals indicating like parts and operations. In the
embodiment illustrated the color of the border area 45 is
contrasted to one of the colors present in personal image 15. For
example the color in the sky 46 of the personal image 15 contrasts
with the color of the mountain 49 of the stamp image area 25. As in
the case of the matching or complimentary color, the contrasting
color for the border area 45 is determined using the calorimetric
values of the image pixels of the digital file of the personal
image area 15 and the stamp image area 25 using standard
calorimetric techniques.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 4d, there is illustrated an enlarged
view of yet another modified personal postal product 10 having a
personal image 15 and a designated area 35 for the placement of a
stamp 30. As previously discussed in FIG. 4a like numerals
indicating like parts and operations. In the embodiment illustrated
the pattern of the border area 45 of the designated area 35 is
matched to the pattern 90 surrounding the image 95 in the image
area 25 of the stamp 30.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 4e, there is illustrated an enlarged
view of still another modified personal postal product 10 having a
personal image 15 and a designated area 35 for the placement of a
stamp 30. As previously discussed in FIG. 4a like numerals
indicating like parts and operations. In this embodiment the image
area 15 of the personal postal product 10 is comprised of a
plurality of imagettes 100a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, and i. The dashed
line 140 defines the designated area 35. The imagettes 100a . . . i
are configured such that they match the relative size of the stamp
30. The designated around 35 is configured in size and location
such that when the stamp 30 is affixed to the top surface 55 of the
personal postal product 10 the stamp 30 matches the imagettes
100a-i. In another aspect of this embodiment some element of the
subject matter of the image 25 of the stamp 30 can be chosen to
match some element of the subject matter of the imagettes
100a-i.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 4f, there is illustrated an enlarged
partial color view of a modified personal postal product 10 having
the personal image 15 shown in FIG. 4a. Both the color 102 and
pattern 105 of the border area 45 of the designated area 35 is
matched to one of the colors 115 and the pattern 10 surrounding the
official postal image 135 in the image area 125 of the stamp
30.
[0031] The invention has been described in detail with particular
reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be
understood that variations and modifications can be effected within
the scope of the invention, the present invention being deferred by
the following claims. For example, the stamp color and/or pattern
may be matched to the personal image instead of the personal image
being modified to the stamp.
Parts List
[0032] 5 Envelope
[0033] 10 Personal postal product
[0034] 15 Personal image
[0035] 20 Label
[0036] 25 Official postal image
[0037] 30 Official postal product (Stamp)
[0038] 35 Designated area
[0039] 40 Dashed line
[0040] 37 Line
[0041] 45 Border area
[0042] 46 Sky
[0043] 48 Sky
[0044] 50 First planner support structure
[0045] 55 Top surface
[0046] 60 Bottom surface
[0047] 65 Adhesive layer
[0048] 72 First planner support structure
[0049] 75 Top surface
[0050] 80 Bottom surface
[0051] 90 Outer border lines
[0052] 85 Adhesive layer
[0053] 90 Pattern
[0054] 95 Image
[0055] 100a Imagette
[0056] 100b Imagette
[0057] 100c Imagette
[0058] 100d Imagette
[0059] 100e Imagette
[0060] 100f Imagette
[0061] 100g Imagette
[0062] 100h Imagette
[0063] 100i Imagette
[0064] 102 Color
[0065] 105 Pattern
[0066] 110 Pattern
[0067] 115 Color
[0068] 125 Image area
[0069] 135 Official postal image
[0070] 140 Dashed line
* * * * *