Method and Device for the Individual, Location-Independent Designing of Images, Cards and Similar

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the individual, location-independent design of pictures, cards and similar items, especially postcards. In contrast to conventional methods, systems and appliances for creating cards, photos and similar items, the invention creates the possibility of viewing and selecting the virtually finished product created individually by the user; only after this is the payment and output function activated. The method according to the invention is furthermore characterized by the integrated method for portrait recording by means of a video stream.

Description

Further advantageous measures are contained in the dependent claims. The apparatus according to the invention is shown in the context of an example of an embodiment and described below; it shows:

FIG. 1 a schematic view of the interactive machine according to the invention;

FIG. 2 another view based on FIG. 1, with video camera and LED

FIG. 1 shows an interactive machine 10, consisting of an essentially vertical, rectangular, compact outer housing which contains the individual components of the system. Other embodiments are conceivable and not excluded.

A monitor 11, preferably a TFT touch-screen monitor, is positioned at the eye-level of a user 19. Over it a camera 12 is arranged with the adjacently positioned LED 20 and an adjustment apparatus 13, which should preferably be more or less at eye-level of the user. Using the adjustment apparatus 13 the camera can be pointed at the face of the user 19; it is controlled via the monitor 11. For additional operation, besides the functionalities of a touch screen, a keyboard 14 (schematically outlined) is also envisaged, which is kept small in the context of this embodiment example.

Using the keyboard 14 and/or the touch-screen monitor 11, the user 19 can, if he wishes, also create an individual greeting and message text and integrate it into the layout; it is also possible to select standard texts.

Using an apparatus for establishing communication with external storage media 17, the user 19 can connect an external peripheral device, e.g. a USB stick, a handheld or the user's own digital camera with pictures stored on it, via a USB interface or a cellular phone or a similar device via an interface for wireless connection (e.g. Bluetooth). Later, via this interface, the finished picture, postcard, etc., as desired, can also be outputted or stored at the desired location.

Furthermore, on the housing of machine 10 an apparatus for wireless connection (WLAN/GSM/radio), for example an antenna 21 (other embodiments for the same purpose are however also conceivable), is envisaged, for example for the purposes of remote maintenance, a system update, control, radio warning of damage or theft, the internet connection etc. The payment apparatus 15 is equipped with various slots for handling common means of payment (monetary notes, coins, credit cards, coupons, etc.) (schematically outlined). The hardcopy of the product created by the user is ejected via an output shaft 16. A franking unit (not shown) is envisaged within machine 10.

Furthermore, appliances 23 for detecting approaching people (proximity sensors) are envisaged on the outer side of the machine 10 which, when they detect approaching people, can, as desired, switch the machine 10 from standby mode into functional mode automatically.

FIG. 2 also shows, arranged around the camera, the 4 LED diodes which supply the lighting and illumination of the user 19. Camera 12 in FIG. 2 is in this case a digital camera suitable for recording video sequences (video stream).

The data processing unit 22 and data processing components are arranged inside the housing.

The machine 10 is designed to provide mobility with wheels 18 and, if desired, also (not shown) with carrying handles or similar devices.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 Interactive machine

11 Monitor

12 Camera

13 Adjustment apparatus

14 Keys

15 Payment apparatus

16 Output shaft

17 Apparatus for communication apparatus with external storage media (slot/interface)

18 Wheels

19 User

20 LED

21 Antenna (GSM/WLAN/radio)

22 Data processing unit

23 Proximity sensor

Claims

1. Method for creating individual pictures, cards and similar items comprising at least the following steps (a) the application is explained to the user on a preview window on a screen,(b) whereby a language and communication selection can be activated, and(c) whereby the user then selects the picture or card motif from standard motifs kept in the system and/or from motifs supplied by the user himself and embeds in a layout,(d) whereby a portrait recording of the user is created and embedded in the layout, and,(e) as desired, an individual or standard greeting and message text is created by the user and integrated into the layout,(f) the ready-to-output product on the screen, which can be printed and/or sent and/or stored, is controlled by the user and, as desired, is accepted or else is edited and corrected by repeating at least steps c) to 3) of the method,(g) at which point subsequently the payment and billing function is then started,(h) and finally the finished product is outputted.

2. Method for creating a portrait recording, especially for creating individual pictures, cards and similar items according to claim 1, whereby by means of a digital video camera a sequence of pictures of the user is recorded and, in this manner, a video stream is generated and the best picture is selected either manually or automatically.

3. Method for creating a portrait recording according to claim 2, whereby the format used is a DP stream in progressive recording mode.

4. Method for creating a portrait recording according to claim 2, whereby for manual selection the individual pictures are offered to the user and the best picture is selected by the user.

5. Method for creating a portrait recording according to claim 4, whereby the user is offered an interaction element for selecting an individual picture.

6. Method for creating a portrait recording according to claim 2, whereby during the automatic selection photos blurred by movement are discarded and the user is only offered the sharpest pictures for selection.

7. Method for creating a portrait recording according to claim 2, whereby the user of whom a video stream is generated, is illuminated with constant light by means of white LEDs.

8. Method for creating a portrait recording according to claim 2, whereby the user is offered at least 4 pictures of the generated video stream to select from.

9. Method for the creation of a portrait recording according to claim 2, whereby the picture or pictures are displayed to the user as a mirror image of the user on a suitable monitor as a preview.

10. Method according to claim 1, whereby the completely created picture, card or similar item is outputted as hardcopy print-out or as postcard via an integrated printer or as an e-mail or by saving to a storage medium which the user has brought with him (e.g. a screen saver on the cellular phone, PDAs or similar devices) or by saving to an online database offered by the system.

11. Method according to claim 1, whereby the storage media for creating individual layouts with stored motifs or for storing the finished composed pictures, cards and similar items are selected from external stationary or mobile storage media or online databases.

12. Method according to claim 10, whereby corresponding interfaces are envisaged for transfer by means of internet or wireless connection or external peripheral devices.

13. Interactive machine for the individual design of pictures, cards, especially postcards and similar items, comprising at least one monitor,one camera with an adjustment apparatus,one lighting unit,means for operating the machine,at least one interface for communication with external storage media and internet connection,one integrated DP system which in turn comprises at least one internal storage unit,one output apparatus for creating the pictures and/or cards,one payment unit,one power supply, means for mobility of the machine for location-independent placement.anti-theft protection,one remote-maintenance unit.

14. Machine according to claim 13, whereby the camera involves a digital video camera for generating a video stream.

15. Machine according to claim 13, whereby the lighting unit features a photometer and several LED diodes for generating constant light.

16. Machine according to claim 13, whereby the monitor is a touch-screen monitor.

17. Machine according to claim 13, whereby the means for operating the machine are a keyboard and/or a joystick.

18. Machine according to claim 13, whereby the output unit is a thermosublimation printer.

19. Machine according to claim 13, whereby the interface is suitable for various digital storage media.

20. Machine according to claim 13, which also features, in addition to the conventional power supply, solar modules for generating solar energy and/or recharging batteries.

21. Machine according to claim 13, whereby the means for movement are wheels or casters or appliances for carrying.

22. Machine according to claim 13, whereby the theft prevention means permit physical attachment of the apparatus at the individual location and/or emission of signals which are perceptible acoustically, visually and/or via radio.

23. Machine according to claim 13, whereby for remote maintenance wireless communication means are integrated, or data cables are available.

24. Machine according to claim 13, whereby it features a franking unit.

25. Machine according to claim 13, whereby it features a motion sensor suitable for the detection of approaching people.

26. Machine according to claim 13, whereby the outer sides of the machine serve as advertising spaces and are designed as a background-illuminated display and/or as an electronic advertising panel.