SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR ENABLING SIGNINGS AND DEDICATIONS ON A REMOTE BASIS

• US 20100284033A1
• Filed: 11/25/2005
• Published: 11/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Syngrafii Corporation
• Original Assignee: Syngrafii Corporation
• Inventors: Atwood, Margaret, Darling, Robert James, Wiltshire, John H.D, Gibson, Matthew Mann, Popovic, Milos
• Granted Patent: US 8,867,062 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 13/00 Drawing instruments, or writing or drawing appliances or accessories not otherwise provided for stencils for surface decoration B44D
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/10 the recording element, e.g. stylus, being controlled in accordance with the variable, and the recording medium, e.g. paper roll, being controlled in accordance with time
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/12 recording occurring continuously
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/13 Digital output to plotter ; Cooperation and interconnection of the plotter with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46

Abstract

A system, method and computer program for enabling signings/dedications on a remote basis is provided. A first computer at a first location is associated with an individual from whom a signature or dedication is required. A second computer at a location where the signing or dedication is required is linked to the first computer so as to provide a two-way audiovisual communication system. The second computer is operate e to receive input from one or more individuals regarding their request for a signature and/or dedication, and to communicate the request to the first computer. The first computer is operable to permit the individual associated with the first computer to review the request, and based on such request provide a signature and/or personalized dedication as an input to an input device connected to the first computer. The first computer transmits the signature and/or personalized dedication from the first computer to the second computer. The second computer is >@5r0+5 to receiving the signature and/or personalized dedication, and provide the signature and/or personalized dedication to a plotting apparatus device connected to the second computer. The plotting apparatus device is >@5r0+5 to apply the signature and/or personalized dedication introduced to the plotting apparatus device to an article, substantially in the handwriting of the individual associated with the first computer, based on the operation of the plotting apparatus device. A computer program for enabling the functions described is also provided. A related method is also disclosed.

Claims

1. The method of enabling signings and/or dedications on a remote basis characterized by:

(a) providing a first computer at a first location associated with an individual from whom a signature or dedication is required, and providing a second computer at a location where the signing or dedication is required, the first computer and the second computer being linked so as to provide a two-way audiovisual communication system;

(b) receiving at the second computer an input from one or more individuals regarding their request for a signature and/or dedication;

(c) communicating the request to the first computer;

(d) the individual associated with the first computer reviewing the request, and based on such request providing a signature and/or personalized dedication as an input to an input device connected to the first computer;

(e) transmitting the signature and/or personalized dedication from the first computer to the second computer;

(f) receiving the signature and/or personalized dedication at the second computer, and providing the signature and/or personalized dedication to a plotting apparatus device connected to the second computer; and

(g) applying signature and/or personalize dedication introduced to the plotting apparatus device, substantially in the handwriting of the individual associated with the first computer, based on the operation of the plotting apparatus device.

2. A method of enabling signing and/or dedications on a remote basis characterized by:

(a) providing a first computer at a first location associated with an individual from whom a signature or dedication is required, and providing a second computer at a location where the signing or dedication is required, the first computer and the second computer being linked so as to provide a two-way audiovisual communication system;

(b) receiving at the second computer an input from one or more individuals regarding their request for a signature and/or dedication;

(c) communicating the request to the first computer;

the individual associated with the first computer reviewing the request, and based on such request providing a signature and/or personalized dedication as an input to an input device connected to the first computer;

(d) transmitting the signature and/or personalized dedication from the first computer to the second computer;

(e) receiving the signature and/or personalized dedication at the second computer, and analyzing the signature and/or personalized dedication and defining a plurality of commands defining an optimal tracing path and associated attributes, said plurality of commands being operable on the plotting apparatus to achieve a balance between speed of operation and quality of reproduction; and

(f) providing the plurality of commands to a plotting apparatus connected to the second computer; and

applying signature and/or personalized dedication introduced to the plotting apparatus, substantially in the handwriting of the individual associated with the first computer, by operation of the plotting apparatus based on the plurality of commands.

3. A plotting apparatus enabling signatures and/or dedications to be traced, characterized in that the plotting apparatus includes:

(a) A base including two base pivots spaced apart from one another;

(b) A first and second arm, each arm being linked to one of the two base pivots at a first end thereof, and connected to one another at an arm pivot point at a second end opposite to the first end;

(c) A marking means disposed adjacent to the second end; and

(d) A controller, wherein the controller is operable to control the first and second arms to selectively align the marking means and bring the marking means in contact with an object in a plurality of points in sequence, the sequence defining the traced signature and/or dedication.

4. The plotting apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the first and second arms are each linked to an actuating motor, and the actuating motors are linked to the controller, wherein the controller and actuating motors are operable to actuate the first and second arms to extend respectively.

5. The plotting apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the controller is operable to dynamically determine the triangulation achieved by the first and second arms in combination in relation to the object.

6. The plotting apparatus as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the first and second arms are capable to achieve:

(a) Tangential movement; and

(b) Radial movement.

7. The plotting apparatus as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the actuating motors are connected to the arms for actuation thereof by a stator/slider mechanism.

8. The plotting apparatus of claim 3, characterized in that the marking means is linked to an actuating motor, and the marking means is operable to achieve upward and downward movements.

9. The plotting apparatus of claim 8, wherein the marking means is operable to achieve marking pressure variations, by the controller directing the actuating motor linked to the marking means to operate in a controlled force mode, and selectively actuating the marking means to extend to a varying distance below a surface of the object.

10. The plotting apparatus of claim 4, characterized in that the controller is responsive to a plurality of commands defining an optimal tracing path and associated attributes, said plurality of commands being operable on the plotting apparatus to achieve a balance between speed of operation and quality of reproduction in connection with the tracing of the signature and/or dedication.