Blocky picture template generator

• US 6,295,370 B1
• Filed: 11/23/1998
• Issued: 09/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: DʼHooge, Herman D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Phuoc
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alav&idot; , Am&idot;r
• Application Number:
  US09/197,500
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 382/162, 382/163, 382/164, 382/165, 382/166, 382/167, 382/168, 382/169, 382/170, 382/171, 382/172, 382/173, 382/174, 382/209, 382/215, 382/217, 382/218, 382/219
• US Class Current: 382/162
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0604 based on the use of colours
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/08 Puzzles provided with elements movable in relation, i.e. movably connected, to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/04 Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts

Abstract

A system creates a template for use with a number of colored pieces in a patterned children'"'"'s game or similar application. The colored pieces are formed of a plurality of colors and at least one size. The system generates a digital image. The system then pixelates the image based on the number of colored pieces and the at least one size. The system then color adjusts the image based on the plurality of colors.

Claims

1. A method for creating a template for use with a first amount of colored pieces, wherein the colored pieces comprise a plurality of colors and have at least a first size, said method comprising:

(a) generating a digital image;

(b) pixelating the image based on the first amount of colored pieces and the first size; and

(c) color adjusting the image based on the plurality of colors of the colored pieces.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises scanning a picture.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the image comprises a plurality of pixels and step (b) comprises:

forming a second amount of groups of pixels having a second size, wherein said second size is approximately equal to said first size, and said second amount equals said first amount.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein step (c) comprises, for each group:

determining an average color of the pixels forming the group; and

determining one of the plurality of colors as being closest to the average color.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

changing the color of the pixels forming the group to the determined one of the plurality of colors.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

writing a code in the group, said code identifying the determined one of the plurality of colors.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(d) printing the image to form the template.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

(e) capturing a second image of the colored pieces placed on the template; and

(f) comparing the second image to the color adjusted image.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising transforming the image.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said colored pieces are game pieces from a children'"'"'s pattern game.

11. A computer system for creating a template for use with a first amount of colored pieces, wherein the colored pieces comprise a plurality of colors and have at least a first size, said system comprising:

a processor;

memory coupled to said processor, said memory having software stored thereon that when executed by said processor;

generates a digital image;

pixlates the image based on the first amount of colored pieces and the first size; and

color adjust the image based on the plurality of colors of the colored pieces.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a scanner coupled to said processor;

wherein said digital image is generated by scanning a picture with said scanner.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the image comprises a plurality of pixels and is pixelated by forming a second amount of groups of pixels having a second size, wherein said second size is approximately equal to said first size, and said second amount equals said first amount.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the image is color adjusted by:

determining an average color of the pixels forming the group; and

determining one of the plurality of colors as being closest to the average color.

15. The system of claim 14, the image color adjusted by:

changing the color of the pixels forming the group to the determined one of the plurality of colors.

16. The system of claim 14, the image color adjusted by:

writing a code in the group, said code identifying the determined one of the plurality of colors.

17. The system of claim 11, further comprising a printer coupled to said processor;

wherein said software, when executed by said processor, prints the image on said printer to form the template.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a digital camera coupled to said processor;

wherein said software, when executed by said processor;

captures a second image of the colored pieces placed on the template with said digital camera; and

compares the second image to the color adjusted image.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein said software, when executed by said processor, transforms the image.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein said colored pieces are game pieces from a children'"'"'s pattern game.

21. A system for creating a template for use with a first amount of colored pieces, wherein the colored pieces comprise a plurality of colors and have at least a first size, said system comprising:

means for generating a digital image;

means for pixelating the image based on the first amount of colored pieces and the first size; and

means for color adjusting the image based on the plurality of colors of the colored pieces.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the image comprises a plurality of pixels and said means for pixelating comprises:

means for forming a second amount of groups of pixels having a second size, wherein said second size is approximately equal to said first size, and said second amount equals said first amount.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein said means for color adjusting comprises, for each group:

means for determining an average color of the pixels forming the group; and

means for determining one of the plurality of colors as being closest to the average color.

24. The system of claim 23, further comprising:

means for changing the color of the pixels forming the group to the determined one of the plurality of colors.

25. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by a processor, create a template for use with a first amount of colored pieces, wherein the colored pieces comprise a plurality of colors and have at least a first size, said instructions comprising:

(a) generating a digital image;

(b) pixelating the image based on the first amount of colored pieces and the first size; and

(c) color adjusting the image based on the plurality of colors of the colored pieces.