GB2425257A

GB2425257A - Virtual photograph frame

Info

Publication number: GB2425257A
Application number: GB0504497A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Scott Martin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-03-04
Filing date: 2005-03-04
Publication date: 2006-10-25
Also published as: GB0504497D0

Abstract

A two dimensional display frame 1, containing an image 4, frame 1 and mount 2 that is presented in such a way as to give the perception of a three dimensional frame. The frame 1 may be printed on a rigid plastic substrate which may be provided with a stand. The image 4 may be a digital photographic image which is printed together with the representation of the frame 1, mount 2 and background 3 as a compound image.

Description

Virtual Photograph Frame

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a software methodology and a method of producing a Virtual Photograph Frame printed onto a plastic substrate.

Currently when owners of a digital camera print their photographs either at home or using a print retailer they receive a photo printed on paper. These photographs may only be viewed a few times before being consigned to an album or drawer. Should the owner wish to display the photograph they will have to purchase a suitable frame and mount and wait some time for it to be assembled. Alternatively photographs may be put into cheap card frames which have a very limited lifespan and are available in oni a few colours Digital photographers are not able to quickly and easily produce a framed copy of their photograph with an appropriately styled frame, mount and text which can also be easily displayed on a wall or flat surface.

Digital photographers are limited to a restricted range of frame and mount textures and colours.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

To overcome these issues the present invention, proposes a series, of software toots which will manipulate and enhance the original digital image with supplementary design features.

Furthermore, having created a print file the invention will allow the digital printing of the photographs, a mount, frame and other design features as one image on a rigid plastic substrate and the attaching of a suitable stand which will enable display in a number of ways.

ADVANTAGES

The compound image can be produced at significantly lower cost than conventional framing methods.

Digitally printing the compound image on a rigid plastic substrate together with a suitable stand will ensure that the photograph can be easily displayed without any other supporting devices.

The digital printing process also enables a very wide range of frames, mounts and other design artefacts to be selected by the user.

The design and print process will be supported by a unique software workflow which will enable users to quickly design their preferred method of presentation.

DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate the way in which a compound image will be assembled and its appearance following completion of the print process. Figure I shows a side view of the product. Figure 2 shows a front view of the product.

In figure I the compound frame (I) is shown in profile being printed on a rigid plastic substrate which is opaque and self supporting in as far as it will not bend under its own weight or when heat is applied to it. The stand (2) will be attached by the user and wiJI preferably be capable of supporting the compound frame on a flat surface in either a landscape or portrait orientation. The stand will also enable the attachment of the complete compound frame to a nail or screw on a vertical surface. The total width and height of the compound frame image will be limited only by the printing press upon which it is printed.

In figure 2 the image may be made up of a representation of a frame (1) which may have any form of colouring or texture to represent recognisable or novel materials. The frame may be represented either with or without any form of shading or texturing which will represent a light source from any direction. Figure 2 shows a possible representation with a light source from top right. The frame area of the image will also contain a bleed of the printed image to allow for easy guillotining. The frame may also contain any number of other design artefacts or line art such as a key line or text box Area (2) of the compound frame is a mount' which may have any form of colouring or texture to represent recognisable or novel materials. The mount may be represented either with or without any form of shading or texturing which will represent a light source from any direction. Figure 2 shows a possible representation with a light source from top right.

The mount may also contain any number of other design artefacts or line art such as a key line or text box (area 5) Area (3) of the compound frame is a background' which may have any form of cotouring or texture to represent recognisable or novel materials. The background may be represented either with or without any form of shading or texturing which will represent a light source from any direction. Figure 2 shows a possible representation with a light source from top right. The background may also contain any number of other design artefacts or line art such as a key line or text box (area 5) Area (4) of the compound frame will contain the customer's digital photographic image which by using the software components may be manipulated in a number of ways.

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment in which the image shapes and text boxes are represented differently and in a manner not seen in conventional framed and mounted products. Figure 3 shows the same areas (1-5) as described above in Figure 2 The invention encompasses a number of processes linked together in order to create the final product. The principal elements are; A web site portal which provides access by the user to frame, mount and other featured designs.

An interface which provides access A number of software processes which allow the uploading of an image from the user's computer the manipulation of the image or images the selection of a frame, mount and other design features the rendering of the compound image to the screen the creation of a print ready file suitable to be printed on a rigid plastic substrate on a digital press.

The printing of a compound framed and mounted photographic image together with a suitably designed fixture to enable the image to be hung on a wall or placed on a surface as a landscape or portrait presentation..

Claims

I. A two dimensional display frame containing a selectable image, frame design and mount design, assembled to create the perception of a three dimensional frame.
2. A frame as claimed in Claim I where the frame is supported by a rigid stand enabling the frame to be hung on a wall, or displayed portrait or landscape style on a flat surface
3. A frame as claimed in Claim I where the frame is printed on a rigid plastic substrate.
4. A frame as claimed in Claim I where the frame is attached to a surface by means of a magnetic or adhesive sheet attached to the rear of the frame.
5. A two dimensional display frame substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings