System and method for providing paper models over a wide area computer network

• US 7,072,949 B1
• Filed: 09/19/2000
• Issued: 07/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paper Models LLC
• Original Assignee: Lon S. Safko
• Inventors: Safko, Lon S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Jungwon
• Application Number:
  US09/665,368
• Time in Patent Office: 2,114 Days
• Field of Search: 709/219, 273/155, 705/14, 705/26, 707/315, 703/1, 235/380, 428/195.1, 425/385
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/16 Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs coordinating program control therefor G06F9/52; in regulating and control system G05B
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0247 Calculate past, present or future revenues
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Abstract

A system for providing paper models over a wide area computer network includes a user computer that communicates with a model server via the Internet. The model server includes a database of paper model files, e.g., the pieces of the models and assembly instructions. The corresponding method allows a user to access the model server via the Internet and download paper models. The paper models are printed at a printer connected to the user computer. A user can then assemble the paper models following the assembly instructions.

Claims

1. A method for providing three-dimensional paper models, which represent replications of actual and fictional objects, comprising:

generating a model file at least in part using graphic shapes and/or photography of the actual objects, wherein the photography of the actual objects are modified by software graphic package to eliminate parallax views and distortions, sized, and edited to produce two-dimensional shapes;

storing the model file on a data storage device, the model file being printable onto a paper substrate;

providing instructions regarding manipulating the paper substrate to form a three-dimensional paper model replica of the actual object; and

making the model file and instructions available to a user by allowing a user to access a computer site on a wide area computer network, providing, on the computer site, at least one model page, permitting the user to access the model page, and permitting the user to print at least one data file from the model page, the data file being useful for causing a computer printer to print a substrate having model indicia thereon, wherein the model indicia is useful for configuring the substrate into a three-dimensional paper model replica of the actual object.