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US6344853B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for selecting, modifying and superimposing one image on another

Assignee: Alcone Marketing Group Inc
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Filing: 2000-01-06
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Granted: 2002-02-05
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Expires: 2020-01-06
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Abstract

Abstract A method of preparing a server is disclosed that supports a client system to construct and preview a composite image. The composite image comprises first and second images. The method of this invention comprises the steps of constructing at the server first and second libraries, inputting to the server data representative of the sets of the first and second images, and generating from the inputted set of first images a corresponding set of templates. Each template bears a corresponding one of the set of the first images. Next, the set of templates is loaded into the first library. Then, the set of second images is loaded into the second library. In one illustrated embodiment of this invention, the first image represents a promotional product, the second image represents a logo and the composite image is the logo superimposed on the promotional product.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kevin J. Knight

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 20:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/08; G06Q10/087; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/0601; G06Q30/0641; G06T; G06T11/00; G06T11/60

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim 147 words
The method of preparing a server to support a client system to construct a composite image, the component parts of said composite image comprising first and second images, said method comprising the steps of: a) constructing at the server first and second libraries; b) inputting to the server data representative of sets of said first and second images, each of said second images having a periphery and data representative of the relative position of first and second points, said first and second points lying on said periphery of said second image; c) generating from said data representative of said second images said set of said second images, and loading said set of said second images into said second library; and d) generating from said data representative of said first images said set of said first images and loading said set of first images into said first library.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 147 words
The method of preparing a server to support a client system to construct a composite image, the component parts of said composite image comprising first and second images, said method comprising the steps of: a) constructing at the server first and second libraries; b) inputting to the server data representative of sets of said first and second images, each of said second images having a periphery and data representative of the relative position of first and second points, said first and second points lying on said periphery of said second image; c) generating from said data representative of said second images said set of said second images, and loading said set of said second images into said second library; and d) generating from said data representative of said first images said set of said first images and loading said set of first images into said first library.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 33 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 1 , wherein there is further included the step of formatting the data of said first images as an array of pixel elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 1 , wherein there is further included a step of configuring each of said second images as a logo.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 38 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 1 , wherein there is further included a step of configuring said second image as a logo, and a step of configuring said first image as a product.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 42 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 2 , wherein there is included a plurality of said formatted second images and there is included a step of storing said plurality of said formatted second images in the second library.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 39 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 2 , wherein there is further included the step of responding to the positional data of said second image to represent said second image as an array of pixels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 40 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 6 , where there is further included a step of merging said array of pixels related to said second image, whereby said second image is superimposed on said first image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 34 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 7 , wherein there is further included a step of configuring said second image as a logo, and said first image as a product.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 1 , where there is included a step of setting said first image to a default color.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 9 , wherein there is further included a step of setting said second image to a default color.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 36 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 10 , there is further included the step of providing first and second parameters for setting said default colors of said first and second images respectively.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 48 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 1 , wherein there is included a step of disposing at least one placement hook on said first image to facilitate the superimposing said second image on said first image in a desired relationship to said first image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 49 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 12 , wherein there is included a further step of representing said second image as a logo and said first image as a product, whereby said one placement hook may be used to position said logo on said product.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 37 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 1 , wherein there is further included the step of normalizing the dimensions of said second image and storing said normalized second image in the second library.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 49 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 14 , wherein there are a plurality of said second images, said step of normalizing normalizes the dimensions of each of said plurality of said second images, and storing said plurality of said normalized images in said second library.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 38 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first image represents a promotional product, said second image represents a logo and said composite image is said logo superimposed on said promotional product.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 42 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 1 , wherein there is further included a step of creating and storing in memory a set of first parameters that defines a certain characteristic of said set of said first images.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 42 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 17 , wherein there is further included a step of creating and storing in memory a set of second parameters that defines a certain characteristic of said set of said second images.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 18 , wherein said set of said first parameters define color.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 19 , wherein said set of said second parameters define color.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 33 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 18 , wherein said second parameter defines the relative size of said second image as compared to the size of said first image.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 58 words
The method of preparing, a server as claimed in claim 17 , wherein there is further included a step of preparing a webpage bearing a set of keys designed to be clicked on by a user at the client system to select one of said set of first parameters to define a corresponding characteristic of said first image.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 68 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 1 , wherein there is further included the step of preparing a webpage bearing indicia designed to be actuated by a user of the supported client system to select one of said set of said second images and to embed the selected second image into said webpage to be downloaded to and displayed by the supported client system.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 77 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 23 , wherein there is further included the steps of creating and storing in memory a set of parameters that defines a certain characteristic of said second image and of preparing a second webpage bearing indicia designed to be actuated by the user of the supported client system to select one of said set of said second parameters to define that characteristic of said selected second image.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 24 , wherein said parameter defines the particular color of said second image.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 70 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 24 , wherein there is further included the step of preparing a third webpage bearing indicia designed to be actuated by the user of the supported client system to select one of said set of said first images and to embed said selected first image into said third webpage to be transmitted to and displayed by the supported client system.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 79 words
The method of preparing a server as claimed in claim 26 , wherein there is further included the steps of creating and storing in memory a set of second parameters that defines a certain characteristic of said corresponding first images and of preparing said third webpage to bear further indicia to be actuated by the user of the supported client system to select one of said set of first parameters to define that characteristic of the selected first image.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 185 words
A server adapted to support a client system to generate a composite image, the component parts of said composite image comprising first and second images, said server comprising: (a) a programmed processor for receiving and responsive to data representative of a set of said second images to generate a corresponding set of templates, each template bearing a corresponding one of said set of said second images; (b) a second library for storing said set of templates; (c) a first library for storing data representative of a set of said first images; and (d) said programmed processor facilitating a communication session with the supported client system to permit the user of the client system to select one of said set of said first images and one of said set of said second images, said programmed processor responsive to the user selection of one of said set of said second images to access from the second library that template said selected second image and to the user selection of one of said set of said first images to add said selected first image to said selected template.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 185 words
A server adapted to support a client system to generate a composite image, the component parts of said composite image comprising first and second images, said server comprising: (a) a programmed processor for receiving and responsive to data representative of a set of said second images to generate a corresponding set of templates, each template bearing a corresponding one of said set of said second images; (b) a second library for storing said set of templates; (c) a first library for storing data representative of a set of said first images; and (d) said programmed processor facilitating a communication session with the supported client system to permit the user of the client system to select one of said set of said first images and one of said set of said second images, said programmed processor responsive to the user selection of one of said set of said second images to access from the second library that template said selected second image and to the user selection of one of said set of said first images to add said selected first image to said selected template.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 99 words
The server adapted to support a client system as claimed in claim 28 , wherein there is further comprised a memory for storing at least one webpage bearing indicia designed to be actuated by a user of the supported client system to select a corresponding one of said set of said second images, said programmed processor responsive to the actuation of one of said indicia to select the corresponding one of said set of said second images for embedding said selected second image into said webpage to be transmitted to and to be displayed by the supported client system.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 107 words
The server adapted to support a client system as claimed in claim 29 , wherein said memory stores a set of parameters, each of which defines a certain characteristic of said corresponding second image and a second webpage bearing indicia designed to be actuated by the user of the supported client system to select one of said set of said parameters to define that characteristic of said selected second image, and said programmed processor is programmed to respond to the actuation of an indicia of said second webpage corresponding to a selected one of said set of said parameters to set that characteristic of said second image.
Claim 33
Independent Claim 181 words
The method of operating a client system and a server to construct a composite image, the components of the composite image comprising first and second images, first and second libraries being provided at the server to store respectively sets of the first and second images, said method comprising the steps of: a) establishing a communication session over a communication link between the server and the client system; b) facilitating a user at the client system during the course of said communication session to select from the first library a selected one of said set of first images; c) facilitating the user at the client system during the course of said communication session to select from the second library a selected one of said set of second images; d) accessing at the server from the first and second libraries said selected ones of said first and second images; e) superimposing at the server said selected one second image on said selected one first image to provide said composite image; and f) transmitting from the server to the client system said composite image.
Claim 34
Independent Claim 181 words
The method of operating a client system and a server to construct a composite image, the components of the composite image comprising first and second images, first and second libraries being provided at the server to store respectively sets of the first and second images, said method comprising the steps of: a) establishing a communication session over a communication link between the server and the client system; b) facilitating a user at the client system during the course of said communication session to select from the first library a selected one of said set of first images; c) facilitating the user at the client system during the course of said communication session to select from the second library a selected one of said set of second images; d) accessing at the server from the first and second libraries said selected ones of said first and second images; e) superimposing at the server said selected one second image on said selected one first image to provide said composite image; and f) transmitting from the server to the client system said composite image.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 56 words
The method of operating a client system as claimed in claim 31 , wherein said selected one first image comprises a promotional product, and said selected one second image comprises a logo, and there is further included a step of displaying at the client system said composite image as a logo superimposed on a promotional product.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 39 words
The method of operating a client system as claimed in claim 31 , wherein there is further included a step of creating a parameter that defines a certain characteristic of at least one of said first and second images.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 85 words
The method of operating a client system as claimed in claim 33 , wherein said creating step creates a set of parameters that define certain characteristics of said one image, and there is further included the steps of creating a webpage that presents a set of keys corresponding to said set of parameters, and transmitting said webpage to the client server, whereby the user may click on a desired one of said set of keys to select a corresponding one of said set of parameters.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of operating a client system as claimed in claim 33 , wherein said parameter relates to the color of said first image.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 47 words
The method of operating a client system as claimed in claim 33 , wherein said first mentioned parameter defines the certain characteristic of said first images, and there is further included the step of creating a second parameter that defines a certain characteristic of said second images.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of operating a client system as claimed in claim 36 , where the certain characteristic is color.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2005-02-04 2005-08-06 2006-02-05 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2009-02-04 2009-08-06 2010-02-05 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2013-02-04 2013-08-06 2014-02-05 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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