Method of making printed matter and the printed matter

• US 7,196,813 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2000
• Issued: 03/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Matsumoto
• Original Assignee: Matsumoto
• Inventors: Matsumoto, Keizaburo
• Primary Examiner(s): Moore; David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Burleson; Michael
• Application Number:
  US09/734,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20020063897A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,295 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.3, 358/1.9, 358/1.15, 358/1.16, 707/517, 707/520, 707/539, 283/56, 283/46, 347/4
• US Class Current: 358/1.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00132 in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00188 Printing, e.g. prints or reprints H04N1/0019, H04N1/00196 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera

Abstract

The present invention provides a print creating method which can instantaneously create media such as advertisements which are agreeable to the customer by incorporating therein customer snapshots, etc. by the process of printing with an ink-jet recording system on a coating layer of ink-jet recording ink on a variable region of a recording sheet on which constant information such as advertisements or scenery is printed by offset printing or the like, and which can thus notably enhance the memorial advertisement effect. The print creating method of the invention comprises an imaging step in which a target is imaged and digital image data of the target is created, a conversion step in which the digital image data is converted to print data, and a printing step in which the print data is printed with an ink-jet recording system as variable information on the variable region of a recording sheet comprising a constant region in which prescribed constant information is to be printed and a variable region in which variable information is to be printed.

Claims

1. A print creating method for prints on which variable information and constant information is printed, the print creating method comprising:

a. an imaging step in which a target is imaged and digital image data of said target is created,

b. a conversion step in which said digital image data is converted to print-processable print data, and

c. a printing step in which said print data is printed with an ink-jet recording system as said variable information on a variable region of a recording sheet, said recording sheet comprising a constant region in which only prescribed constant information is printed beforehand and a variable region comprising a coating layer upon which only said variable information is able to be printed.

2. A print creating method according to claim 1, wherein the constant information of said recording sheet is printed by any one of a lithographic printing method, an intaglio printing method or a relief printing method.

3. A print creating method according to claim 1, wherein said coating layer is formed after printing said constant information on said recording sheet.

4. A print creating method according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, wherein:

a. in said imaging step, the imaging means that images said target to create said digital image data of said target is a digital camera,

b. in said conversion step, the conversion means that converts said digital image data to said print-processable print data is a personal computer, and

c. in said printing step, the printing means that prints said print data is an ink-jet printer.

5. A print creating method according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, wherein said constant information is advertisement information, and said variable information is personal information of a person who is to receive said print.

6. A print creating method according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, wherein said variable information is a photograph of a person who is to receive said print.

7. A print comprising:

a. a printing sheet,

b. constant information printed on said printing sheet,

c. a coating layer which is coated on said printing sheet in a defined pattern that avoids areas of said printing sheet upon which constant information is printed, and

d. variable information printed on said coating layer by a print creating method according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3.

8. A print creating method according to claim 1, wherein said variable information is obtained from the target which is disposed at the same location as said ink-jet recording system.

9. A print creating method for prints on which variable information is printed in a variable region of a recording sheet and constant information is printed in a constant region of said recording sheet, the print creating method comprising:

imaging a target to create digital image data of said target,

converting said digital image data to print data, and

printing said print data with an ink-jet recording system as said variable information on said variable region, wherein said constant information is printed on said recording sheet prior to the processing and printing of said variable information, said recording sheet comprising a constant region in which only prescribed constant information is printed beforehand and a variable region comprising a coating layer upon which only said variable information is able to be printed.

10. A print creating method according to claim 9, wherein said constant information is printed by at least one of a lithographic printing method, an intaglio printing method or a relief printing method.

11. A print creating method according to claim 9, wherein said coating layer is formed after printing said constant information on said recording sheet.

12. A print creating method according to any one of claims 9, 10 and 11, wherein:

said target is imaged by a digital camera to create said digital image data of said target;

said digital image data is converted by a computer into said print data; and

said printing data is printed in said variable region by an ink-jet printer.

13. A print creating method according to any one of claims 9, 10 and 11, wherein said constant information is advertisement information, and said variable information is personal information of a person who receives said print.

14. A print creating method according to any one of claims 9, 10 and 11, wherein said variable information is a photograph of a person who receives said print.

15. A print comprising:

a printing sheet;

constant information printed in a constant region of said printing sheet;

a coating layer that is coated on said printing sheet in a defined pattern that avoids areas of said printing sheet upon which constant information is printed, said coating layer defining a variable region; and

variable information printed on said coating layer of said printing sheet,

wherein said constant information is printed only said constant region prior to printing said variable information only in said variable region by an ink-jet printer.