System, method and computer program for enabling signings and dedications on a remote basis

• US 8,867,062 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2005
• Issued: 10/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Syngrafii Corporation
• Original Assignee: Syngrafii Corporation
• Inventors: Popovic, Milos, Wiltshire, John H. D., Gibson, Matthew Mann, Darling, Robert James, Atwood, Margaret
• Primary Examiner(s): Demeter, Hilina K
• Application Number:
  US11/720,249
• Publication Number:
  US 20100284033A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,252 Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: B43L 13/00 Drawing instruments, or writing or drawing appliances or accessories not otherwise provided for stencils for surface decoration B44D
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/10 the recording element, e.g. stylus, being controlled in accordance with the variable, and the recording medium, e.g. paper roll, being controlled in accordance with time
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/12 recording occurring continuously
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/13 Digital output to plotter ; Cooperation and interconnection of the plotter with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46

Abstract

A system, method and computer program for enabling signings/dedications on a remote basis is provided. A first computer at a first location is associated with an individual from whom a signature or dedication is required. A second computer at a location where the signing or dedication is required is linked to the first computer so as to provide a two-way audiovisual communication system. The second computer is operate e to receive input from one or more individuals regarding their request for a signature and/or dedication, and to communicate the request to the first computer. The first computer is operable to permit the individual associated with the first computer to review the request, and based on such request provide a signature and/or personalized dedication as an input to an input device connected to the first computer. The first computer transmits the signature and/or personalized dedication from the first computer to the second computer. The second computer is >@5r0+5 to receiving the signature and/or personalized dedication, and provide the signature and/or personalized dedication to a plotting apparatus device connected to the second computer. The plotting apparatus device is >@5r0+5 to apply the signature and/or personalized dedication introduced to the plotting apparatus device to an article, substantially in the handwriting of the individual associated with the first computer, based on the operation of the plotting apparatus device. A computer program for enabling the functions described is also provided. A related method is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of enabling signings and/or dedications on a remote basis, the method comprising:

establishing a two-way audiovisual communication between a first electronic device at a first location and a second electronic device at a second location remote from the first location;

transmitting, from the second electronic device, signals representing a request for a signature and/or dedication by an individual at the first location;

receiving, at the second electronic device, signals representing a signature and/or personalized dedication handwritten by the individual at the first location;

plotting, with a plotting device at the second location, the signature and/or personalized dedication based on the signals representing the signature and/or personalized dedication; and

analyzing signals representing the signature and/or personalized dedication and defining a plurality of commands defining an optimal tracing path and associated attributes, said plurality of commands being operable on the plotting device to achieve a balance between speed of operation and quality of reproduction.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plotter device is designed to receive at least one of:

a paper product, and at least a portion of an article of clothing.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising:

capturing an image of an article at the second location; and

transmitting the image from the second electronic device for displaying to the individual at the first location in a manner that assists the individual in providing the signature and/or personalized dedication for a target area of the article.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising:

capturing an image of the plotted signature and/or personalized dedication on a target article at the second location; and

transmitting the image to the first electronic device for verification, at the first location, of the plotted signature and/or personalized dedication.

5. A method of enabling signings and/or dedications on a remote basis, the method comprising:

establishing a two-way audiovisual communication between a first electronic device at a first location and a second electronic device at a second location remote from the first location;

receiving at the first electronic device, signals representing a request for a signature and/or dedication by an individual at the first location;

receiving, at the first electronic device, input representing a signature and/or personalized dedication by the individual at the first location;

transmitting signals representing the signature and/or personalized dedication to the second electronic device for plotting by a plotting device at the second location; and

analyzing the signals representing the signature and/or personalized dedication and defining a plurality of commands defining an optimal tracing path and associated attributes, said plurality of commands being operable on the plotting device to achieve a balance between speed of operation and quality of reproduction.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the plotter device is designed to receive at least one of:

a paper product, and at least a portion of an article of clothing.

7. The method of claim 5, comprising:

receiving, at the first electronic device, an image of an article at the second location; and

displaying the image at the first location for assisting the individual in providing the signature and/or personalized dedication for a target area of the article.

8. The method of claim 5, comprising:

receiving, at the first electronic device, an image of the plotted signature and/or personalized dedication on a target article; and

storing or displaying the image at the first location for verifying the plotted signature and/or personalized dedication.

9. A first electronic device for enabling signings and/or dedications on a remote basis, the device comprising:

a communication interface for communicating with a second electronic device at a remote location; and

a processor configured for;

establishing a two-way audiovisual communication with the second electronic device;

transmitting signals representing a request for a signature and/or dedication by an individual at the remote location;

receiving signals representing a signature and/or personalized dedication handwritten by the individual at the remote location;

plotting, with a plotting device comprising or connected to the first electronic device, the signature and/or personalized dedication based on the signals representing the signature and/or personalized dedication; and

analyzing the signals representing the signature and/or personalized dedication and generating a plurality of commands defining an optimal tracing path and associated attributes, said plurality of commands being operable on the plotting device to achieve a balance between speed of operation and quality of reproduction.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the plotter device is designed to receive at least one of:

a paper product, and at least a portion of an article of clothing.

11. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured for:

capturing an image of an article; and

transmitting the image for assisting the individual at the remote location in providing the signature and/or personalized dedication for a target area of the article.

12. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured for:

capturing an image of the plotted signature and/or personalized dedication on a target article; and

transmitting the image to the second electronic device for verification, at the remote location, of the plotted signature and/or personalized dedication.