Puzzle machine and method of operating same
First Claim
1. A puzzle machine for producing a custom puzzle, comprising:
- selecting means for selecting a first digital image containing at least two layers of images, within a bank of digital images;
digital image capturing means for capturing a second digital image of a person or other subject;
image processing means for integrating the second digital image between the at least two layers of the first digital image to obtain a composite image; and
puzzle production means for producing the custom puzzle with the digital composite image.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for producing a customized jigsaw puzzle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an image capturing mechanism, such as a camera, that captures one or more images of one or more individuals, animals, or objects or combinations of these posed against a background. A computer that is linked to the mechanism and to a printer is programmed to print an image on flexible sheets having a printable surface. Then a press, having a platen carrying a jigsaw puzzle cutting die, when activated uses pressure to laminate together the flexible sheet bearing the printed image and a foam sheet thicker and more rigid than he flexible sheets, setting pressure responsive adhesive material used as a binder to form a laminated product, and substantially simultaneously to cut the laminated product into jigsaw puzzle pieces.
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Citations
65 Claims
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1. A puzzle machine for producing a custom puzzle, comprising:
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selecting means for selecting a first digital image containing at least two layers of images, within a bank of digital images;
digital image capturing means for capturing a second digital image of a person or other subject;
image processing means for integrating the second digital image between the at least two layers of the first digital image to obtain a composite image; and
puzzle production means for producing the custom puzzle with the digital composite image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A puzzle machine for producing a custom puzzle, comprising:
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selecting means for selecting a first digital image within a bank of digital images;
digital image capturing means for capturing a second digital image;
image processing means for integrating the second digital image into the first digital image to obtain a composite image; and
puzzle production means for producing the custom puzzle on a sheet made of foam with the composite image. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for producing a custom puzzle, comprising steps of:
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a) selecting a first digital image containing at least two layers of images, within a bank of digital images;
b) capturing a second digital image of a person or other subject;
c) integrating the second digital image between the at least two layers of the first digital image to obtain a composite image; and
d) producing the custom puzzle with the digital composite image. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for producing a custom puzzle, comprising steps of:
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a) selecting a first digital image, within a bank of digital images;
b) capturing a second digital image of a person or other subject;
c) integrating the second digital image into the first digital image to obtain a composite image; and
d) producing the custom puzzle on a sheet made of foam with the composite image. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. An apparatus for producing a custom made packaging, comprising:
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memory for storing data;
means for selecting legal data within a first bank of data stored in the memory, in relation to a product;
means for selecting a UPC bar code within a second bank of data stored in the memory, in relation to the product;
means for selecting visual data within a third bank of data stored in the memory, in relation to the product; and
means for applying the legal data, the UPC bar code and the visual data on a generic packaging to obtain the custom made packaging. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method for producing a custom made packaging, comprising steps of:
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a) selecting legal data within a first bank of data stored in a memory, in relation to a product;
b) selecting a UPC bar code within a second bank of data stored in the memory, in relation to the product;
c) selecting visual data within a third bank of data stored in the memory, in relation to the product; and
d) applying the legal data, the UPC bar code and the visual data on a packaging to obtain the custom made packaging. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. An apparatus for producing a customized jigsaw puzzle, comprising:
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an image capturing mechanism that captures one or more images of one or more individuals, animals, or objects or combinations of these posed against a background;
a printer;
a supply of flexible sheets having a printable surface;
a computer linked to the image capturing mechanism and printer, and programmed to print an image on a flexible sheet;
a supply of foam sheets thicker and more rigid than the flexible sheets;
a pressure responsive adhesive material; and
a press having a platen that carries a jigsaw puzzle cutting die, the press when activated using pressure to laminate the flexible sheet bearing the printed image and the foam sheet together and to set the adhesive material used as a binder to form a laminated product, and substantially simultaneously to cut the laminated product into jigsaw puzzle pieces. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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Specification