US5293475A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic yearbook publication system
Assignee: Taylor Publishing Co
•
Filing: 1991-11-18
•
Granted: 1994-03-08
•
Expires: 2011-11-18
Abstract
Abstract A system for publishing a yearbook including scanning circuitry for generating digital images from photographs. Imaging processing circuitry for processing the digital images, storage circuitry coupled to the image processing circuitry for storing the processed digital images and publishing circuitry for generating text, graphics. Page layouts define regions where the processed digital images are to be placed prior to receiving the photographs and for retrieving the stored digital images and placing the image responsive to the page layouts.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward L. Hennigan
- 👤 Christopher M. Wiencek
- 👤 Deborah Evans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:29
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T11/00; G06T11/60; G06K; G06K15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for publishing yearbooks, including text, graphics, and images, comprising: scanning circuitry for generating digital images from photographs; image processing circuitry for processing the digital images, said image processing circuitry operable to enhance the quality of the images; storage circuitry coupled to the image processing circuitry for storing the processed digital images; publishing circuitry for generating page layouts, including text and graphics and further including defined regions where the processed digital images are to be subsequently placed; and circuitry for sizing the stored digital images to fit the defined regions in the page layouts, and for placing the sized digital images in said defined regions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for publishing yearbooks, including text, graphics, and images, comprising: scanning circuitry for generating digital images from photographs; image processing circuitry for processing the digital images, said image processing circuitry operable to enhance the quality of the images; storage circuitry coupled to the image processing circuitry for storing the processed digital images; publishing circuitry for generating page layouts, including text and graphics and further including defined regions where the processed digital images are to be subsequently placed; and circuitry for sizing the stored digital images to fit the defined regions in the page layouts, and for placing the sized digital images in said defined regions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said scanning circuitry comprises circuitry for scanning images at a plurality of scan rates and circuitry for changing scan rates during operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said image processing circuitry programmably selects the scan rate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said image processing circuitry is operable to select the scan rate responsive to desired magnification levels associated with the photographs, said desired magnification levels being calculated by comparing the size of the photographs being scanned to the size of the defined regions associated with the photographs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said image processing circuitry is operable to store defined portions of the generated images.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said image processing circuitry is operable to store defined portions of the generated images responsive to crop points associated with the generated images.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said image processing circuitry includes circuitry to modify the tone scale of a generated image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 and further including print circuitry for outputting a hardcopy of said processed digital images prior to storing said processed digital images.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The yearbook publishing system of claim 1 wherein said system comprises print circuitry for outputting a hard copy of the yearbook pages, including text, graphics, and images, in the desired layout.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for generating digital images from photographs for use in printing yearbook pages, comprising: a carrier for holding an array of photographs on said scanner, such that photographs of different sizes may be scanned; circuitry for determining a scan rate responsive to the desired magnification level of the photographs, said desired magnification level based on the sizes of the photographs to be scanned compared to the size of the yearbook page regions associated with the photographs; circuitry for storing data related to the size of the photographs and the scan rate for the photographs; and a scanner responsive to said determining circuitry for digitally scanning the photographs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for generating digital images from photographs for use in printing yearbook pages, comprising: a carrier for holding an array of photographs on said scanner, such that photographs of different sizes may be scanned; circuitry for determining a scan rate responsive to the desired magnification level of the photographs, said desired magnification level based on the sizes of the photographs to be scanned compared to the size of the yearbook page regions associated with the photographs; circuitry for storing data related to the size of the photographs and the scan rate for the photographs; and a scanner responsive to said determining circuitry for digitally scanning the photographs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 10 and further comprising circuitry for inputting the location of the photographs on said carrier.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said determining circuitry comprises circuitry for determining a maximum scan rate that is substantially equal to the greatest of the scan rates associated with each of a plurality of photographs being simultaneously scanned.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 10 and wherein said determining circuitry further comprises circuitry for receiving page layout information associated with respective photographs.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said storing circuitry comprises circuitry for selectively storing information from said scanner, such that white space and unnecessary image samples may be selectively omitted from storage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said storing circuitry comprises circuitry for selectively storing information from said scanner responsive to crop points associated with said photographs.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said carrier is configured so that a plurality of the photographs are scanned simultaneously.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of electronically publishing a book, including text, graphics and photographs comprising the steps of: generating digital images from photographs at a plurality of scan rates; processing the digital images; generating text, graphics and page layouts defining regions where the processed digital images are to be placed prior to receiving said photographs; and retrieving the stored digital images and placing the images responsive to the page layouts.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of electronically publishing a book, including text, graphics and photographs comprising the steps of: generating digital images from photographs at a plurality of scan rates; processing the digital images; generating text, graphics and page layouts defining regions where the processed digital images are to be placed prior to receiving said photographs; and retrieving the stored digital images and placing the images responsive to the page layouts.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said scanning step comprises the step of programmably scanning the images at a plurality of scan rates.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 17 and further comprising the step of storing the generated digital images.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said storing step comprises the step of storing portions of the generated digital images responsive to crop points associated with the photographs.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said processing step includes the step of adjusting the tone scale of a generated image.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of generating digital images comprising the steps of: determining a scan rate responsive to a desired magnification level, said desired magnification level being based on the respective sizes of a plurality of photographs and the desired sizes of associated images thereof; and scanning said plurality of photographs at said determined scan rate.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of generating digital images comprising the steps of: determining a scan rate responsive to a desired magnification level, said desired magnification level being based on the respective sizes of a plurality of photographs and the desired sizes of associated images thereof; and scanning said plurality of photographs at said determined scan rate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 22 and further comprising the step of processing the generated images.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said determining step comprises the step of determining a maximum scan rate based on the relative sizes of the photographs and the associated images, said maximum scan rate being substantially equal to the greatest of the scan rates associated with each of said plurality of photographs to be scanned.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 24 and further comprising the step of receiving page layout information defining the desired sizes of the images.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 22 and further comprising the step of storing image data.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said storing step comprises the step of selectively storing image data, such that white space and unnecessary image samples may be selectively omitted from storage.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said selectively storing step comprises selectively storing image data responsive to crop points associated with said photographs.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said scanning step comprises the step of scanning a plurality of the photographs simultaneously.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-03-07 | 1997-09-06 | 1998-03-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-03-07 | 2001-09-06 | 2002-03-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-03-07 | 2005-09-06 | 2006-03-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |