Vending machine for the production of customized photos and artcards including a set of instructions for a manipulation of an image

• US 6,353,772 B1
• Filed: 07/10/1998
• Issued: 03/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Park, Ilwoo
• Application Number:
  US09/112,792
• Time in Patent Office: 1,334 Days
• Field of Search: 700/231-233, 700/235, 345/115, 345/339
• US Class Current: 700/233
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 Ink pumps, ink valves
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/121 by printing code marks applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/56 using storage elements with more than two stable states represented by steps, e.g. of voltage, current, phase, frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00326 with a data reading, recognizing or recording apparatus, e.g. with a bar-code apparatus arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus G11B31/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00965 using a plug-in memory module, e.g. memory card, memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32101 Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32133 on the same paper sheet, e.g. a facsimile page header
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3222 of processing required or performed, e.g. forwarding, urgent or confidential handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3269 of machine readable codes or marks, e.g. bar codes or glyphs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3276 of a customised additional information profile, e.g. a profile specific to a user ID
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/328 Processing of the additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 : Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2628 : Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation

Abstract

A vending machine including a method of creating a set of instructions for the manipulation of an image is disclosed including the steps of displaying an initial array of sample images for a user to select from; accepting a user'"'"'s selection of at least one of the sample images; utilizing attributes of the images the selection to produce a further array of sample images; iteratively applying the previous steps until such time as the user selects at least one final suitable image; utilizing the steps used in the creation of the sample image as the set of instructions; outputting the set of instructions. The method can further include scanning a user'"'"'s photograph and utilizing the scanned photograph as an initial image in the creation of each of the sample images. The instructions can be printed out in an encoded form on one surface of a card in addition to printing out a visual representation of the instructions on a second surface of the card. Additionally the manipulated image can itself be printed out. Various techniques can be used in the creation of images including genetic algorithm or programming techniques to create the array. Further, ‘best so far’ images can be saved for use in the creation of further images.

Claims

1. A method of creating a set of instructions for the manipulation of an image, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying an initial array of sample images for a user to select from;

(b) accepting a user'"'"'s selection of at least one of said sample images;

(c) utilizing attributes of the images of said selection to produce a further array of sample images;

(d) iteratively applying steps (a) to (c) until such time as said user selects at least one final suitable image;

(e) utilising the steps used in the creation of said sample image as said set of instructions;

(f) outputting said set of instructions.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of scanning a User'"'"'s photograph and utilising said scanned photograph as an initial image in the creation of each of said sample images.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of printing out said instructions in an encoded form for subsequent utilization by said user.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said instructions are printed out in an encoded form on one surface of a card in addition to printing out a visual representation of said instructions on a second surface of said card.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step (c) of utilizing attributes of the images utilizes genetic algorithm or programming techniques to create said array.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of saving a series of selected images and utilizing said saved series in said production of a further array of images.

7. An apparatus when implementing the method in accordance with any of claims 1 to 6 above.

8. An apparatus as claimed in 7 wherein said apparatus is in the form of a vending machine.