Methods and apparatus for generating a multiple composite image

• US 7,079,706 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2001
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paul Peterson
• Original Assignee: Paul Peterson
• Inventors: Peterson, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, KANJIBHAI B
• Application Number:
  US09/885,746
• Publication Number:
  US 20020196368A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,854 Days
• Field of Search: 382/284, 382/305, 382/294, 382/312, 345/629, 345/630, 345/428, 345/540, 348/36, 348/239
• US Class Current: 382/284
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00201 Creation of a lenticular or stereo hardcopy image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/23 Reproducing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/387 Composing, repositioning or otherwise geometrically modifying originals

Abstract

A composite image generator for combining a prestored composite background image, a prestored composite foreground image, and a composite interior image is disclosed. The composite interior image is preferably generated by the composite image generator by interlacing a prestored interior image with a captured digital image. Portions of the composite background image are deleted or hidden based on the composite interior image. Similarly, portions of the composite interior image are deleted or hidden based on the composite foreground image.

Claims

1. A method of generating a multiple composite image, the method comprising the steps of:

interlacing a plurality of background images to produce a composite background image;

interlacing a plurality of foreground images to produce a composite foreground image;

capturing a digital image;

interlacing the digital image with an interior image to produce a composite interior image;

deleting a portion of the composite background image to create a specialized background image, the portion of the composite background image deleted being dependant on the composite interior image;

deleting a portion of the composite interior image to create a specialized interior image, the portion of the composite interior image deleted being dependant on the composite foreground image; and

digitally combining the specialized background image, the specialized interior image, and the composite foreground image to create the multiple composite image.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving a theme selection, the theme selection identifying the composite background image, the composite foreground image, and the interior image.

3. A method as defined in claim 2, further comprising the step of displaying a graphical representation of each of a plurality of predetermined themes on a display device operatively connected to a computing device, wherein the theme selection is received by the computing device.

4. A method as defined in claim 2, further comprising the step of transmitting a graphical representation of each of a plurality of predetermined themes to a computing device via the Internet, wherein the theme selection is received by the computing device.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of capturing a digital image comprises the step of capturing a person'"'"'s face with a digital camera.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the steps of printing the multiple composite image on a color printer and affixing a lenticular surface to the printed multiple composite image to produce a lenticular novelty item.

7. A method as defined in claim 6, further comprising the step of printing a lenticular registration mark on the printed multiple composite image, the lenticular registration mark facilitating rotational positioning and axial positioning of the lenticular surface on the printed multiple composite image.

8. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

displaying a graphical representation of the captured digital image on a computing device, the displayed graphical representation of the captured digital image having a screen position;

displaying a graphical representation of the interior image on the computing device simultaneously with the display of the graphical representation of the captured digital image;

receiving alignment inputs at the computing device; and

adjusting the screen position of the graphical representation of the captured digital image in response to the alignment inputs.

9. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

displaying a graphical representation of the captured digital image on a computing device, the displayed graphical representation of the captured digital image having a size;

displaying a graphical representation of the interior image on the computing device simultaneously with the display of the graphical representation of the captured digital image;

receiving alignment inputs at the computing device; and

adjusting the size of the graphical representation of the captured digital image in response to the alignment inputs.

10. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying a plurality of two dimensional frames sequenced to produce a three dimensional illusion representing the multiple composite image.

11. A method as defined in claim 10, further comprising the step of receiving a user input, wherein the sequence of the plurality of two dimensional frames is determined in response to the user input.

12. An apparatus for generating a multiple composite image, the apparatus comprising:

a memory device storing a software program, a composite background image, a composite foreground image, and an interior image;

a digital camera structured to capture a digital image; and

a controller operatively coupled to the memory device and the digital camera, the controller being structured to execute the software program, the software program being structured to cause the controller to;

retrieve the composite background image, the composite foreground image, and the interior image from the memory device;

receive the digital image from the digital camera;

interlace the digital image with the interior image to produce a composite interior image;

delete a portion of the composite background image, the portion of the composite background image deleted being dependant on the composite interior image;

delete a portion of the composite interior image, the portion of the composite interior image deleted being dependant on the composite foreground image; and

combine at least a portion of the composite background image, at least a portion of the composite foreground image, and at least a portion of the composite interior image to create the multiple composite image.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein the software program is further structured to cause the controller to receive a theme selection, the theme selection identifying the composite background image, the composite foreground image, and the interior image.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the software program is further structured to cause the controller to generate a display signal of a graphical representation of each of a plurality of predetermined themes on a display device operatively connected to the controller.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein the software program is further structured to cause the controller to generate a display signal of a graphical representation of each of a plurality of predetermined themes for transmission via the Internet.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein the software program is further structured to cause the controller to generate a print signal indicative of the multiple composite image.

17. An apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein the software program is further structured to cause the controller to generate a print signal indicative of a lenticular registration mark which facilitates rotational positioning and axial positioning of a lenticular surface.

18. A computer readable medium storing a software program for generating a multiple composite image, the software program being structured to cause a computing device to:

retrieve a composite background image, a composite foreground image, and an interior image from a memory device;

receive a digital image from a digital camera;

interlace the digital image with the interior image to produce a composite interior image;

delete a portion of the composite background image, the portion of the composite background image deleted being dependant on the composite interior image;

delete a portion of the composite interior image, the portion of the composite interior image deleted being dependant on the composite foreground image; and

combine at least a portion of the composite background image, at least a portion of the composite foreground image, and at least a portion of the composite interior image to create the multiple composite image.

19. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 18, wherein the software program is further structured to cause the computing device to receive a theme selection, the theme selection identifying the composite background image, the composite foreground image, and the interior image.

20. A computer readable medium as defined in claim 18, wherein the software program is further structured to cause the computing device to generate a print signal indicative of a lenticular registration mark which facilitates rotational positioning and axial positioning of a lenticular surface.