AU671927B2 - Curved object embellishment process - Google Patents

Description

WO 95/03855 PCT/AU94/00431 -1- CURVED OBJECT EMBELLISHMENT PROCESS This invention relates to a process for the application of a visual image onto a curved object.

In manufacturing and markcting sporting balls, for example golf balls, it is sometimes desired to apply a visual graphic image to the surface of the ball for advertising promotions and the like. For example, it may be desirabie to apply a visual image of a well-known sportsperson to the surface of a type of ball which is utilised by that person in the particular sport in which he or she is well known. It is desirable in such a case for the image as applied to the ball surface to be as lifelike as possible, which can cause difficulties since the image is represented on a curved surface.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for embellishing a curved object, such as a ball, comprising the steps of: generating a graphic image to be applied to a surface of a curved object; digitizing the graphic image; applying a spatial distortion transformation to the digitized image; creating at least one printing matrix from the distorted digitized image; and utilising the at least one printing matrix to print the image onto a curved object surface.

Preferably the digital image is formed either by photographing a subject using a standard camera and then digitizing the photograph with a scanning digitizer, or by photographing a subijct utilising a digital camera apparatus which produces a digital representation of the subject directly in a form which can be: used by digital processing apparatus.

Preferably the digital image has applied thereto a spatial distortion transformation which comprises a geometrical mapping of pixels of the digital image, wherein pixel values are mapped substantially toward the centre of the digital image. This mapping can be performed by the use of a pinch filter or a concave spherise filter.

WO 95/03855 PCT/AU94/00431 -2- In one form of the invention, particularly where it is desired to represent a colour photograph or the like on the curved object, the colour digital image is separated into four process colours of cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK) and printed on four separate plates, each plate representing one of the four process colours. The separated images on the individual process colour plates can be transferred onto respective film positive means, which can then be used to produce respective engraved print matrices for applying ink, pigment or the like to the surface of the curved object using a four colour offset printing machine.

The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a block: diagram of stages in a process according to one exemplary form of the invention; Figure 2 shows a geometrical mapping of an orthogonal grid using a "pinch" filter, and Figure 3 shows an exaggerated spatial distortion transformation of a photographic digital image.

The particular form of the invention which is described in detail herein comprises a process or method for embellishing curved objects, such as sporting balls, in which the following steps are carried out: 1. photographing a subject by a standard camera apparatus to create a photographic image of that subject; 2. translating the photographic image into a digital computer image; 3. modifying the computer image to suit the curvature of the ball to be embellished; 4. transforming the modified computer image to a colour image or images; 5. transferring the colour image(s) onto one or more film positive means; 6. developing an engraved printing matrix means from the one or more film positive means; WO 95/03855 PCT/AU94/00431 -3- 7. printing either the colour image or colour images in succession onto a suitable curved surface.

In this specification the word "suitable" refers to surfaces which are amenable to bonding to a range of printing inks, pigments or other printing material.

In Figure 1 there is shown a block diagram of the major stages in a curved object embellishment process according to one form of the invention. A photograph of a subject 2 is taken by means of camera apparatus 4. The photograph is digitized by means of a digitizer 6, and a spatial distortion transformation is applied to the digitally represented image using a digital processing means 8, such as a computer. The transformed digital image is then separated into four additive process colour components cyan, magenta, yellow and black, and the colour separated components of the image are printed on separate plates 10. Respective film positives 12 are created from the separate additive colour plates 10, and the individual film positives are then used to create respective print matrices 14 for use with an offset printing apparatus 16. The curved object to be embellished, such as a sporting ball 18 is passed through the offset printing apparatus 16 equipped with the printing matrices 14, whereby ink or pigment is applied to a suitable surface of the object.

Referring toaraagaph 1 abovr, in one form of the invention, it is preferred that a standard camera apparatus comprising a single lens reflex camera suitable for creating a photographic image from a subject be used. In this case the photographic image may be of any type including a 35mm slide, 6cm or larger as required.

Referring topaaaph 2, it is preferred that the photographic image can be translated into a computer image which is visible to the human eye by the use of computer software technology and hardware publicly available. The computer software technology and hardware publicly available comprises a digitizer means. A digitizer means comprises a device that scans a photographic image and converts the photographic image into digital computer data which then can be stored by a computer. The computer data can then be translated into a computer image which is visible to the human eye onto WO 95/03855 PCT/AU94/00431 -4a comput,-,er screen.

In an alternative form of the invention, a digital camera apparatus can be used which directly generates a digital representation of a visual image. Cameras which are.

suitable for this purpose include those equipped with a charge coupled device (CCD) imaging means onto which light from a focussing lens is directed, the CCD imaging means producing a digital output, such as in the form of electrical signals, representative of the colour and intensity of light falling on each element of the CCD array. A single frame from, for example, a digital video camera could therefore comprise the digital image.

With reference toparagraph 3 above, it is preferred that the computer image is modified by means of a computer graphics apparatus to suit the curvature of the ball to be embellished. The modifications to the computer image can be achieved by the use of computer hardware and software technology which is publicly available. For example, a computer hardware platform such as an Apple Macintosh" computer can be used running a software package such as Adobe Photoshop T produced by Adobe Systems Incorporated.

It is envisaged that either vector graphics or raster graphics techniques can be used i'a modifying the digital image by way of the computer graphics apparatus. Vector graphics or object orientated graphics are produced through mathematical representations of the computer image which can be re-sized or re-scaled without distortion. Raster graphics or bit-mapped graphics use picture elements called pixels to form complex patterns on the computer hardware screen. The computer graphics apparatus also has the ability to provide typographic features plus colour separation, scaling and cropping.

Cropping comprises the removal of unnecessary images around the edges of a computer image so that the modified computer image may fit on any given surface area of the curvature of the object to be embellished. The computer graphics apparatus also has the ability to edit a computer image by rearranging the components of the computer image, changing the scale or inserting extra space so as to achieve a modified computer image.

The computer image can be modified, for example, so that the initial image of the subject /ZVT O« WO 95/03855 PCT/AU94/00431 which when ultimately applied to the sporting ball, may be viewed from a point with reference to the image so it appears lifelike.

In another aspect, it is preferred that the computer graphics apparatus can preview' on the computer hardware screen which is visible to the eye the initial image of the subject ultimately applied to the object to be embellished. The initial image of the subject in the form of a computer image may be modified by the computer graphics apparatus such that the modified computer image is applied to the object to be embellished by merging the modified computer image with a separate computer image of an object to be embellished, such as a sporting ball.

By way of example only, the major steps undertaken in the computer graphics apparatus for preparing a facial image of a person for application to a golf ball are set forth below.

A. The background of the digitized image is evened around the head of the image subject to highlight the image subject itself with respect to the background.

B. A pinch filter is applied to the image which corrects the image for application to a spherical curved surface. A pinch of 5 to 10% is considered appropriate for this.

C. The image is clipped to an elliptical shape which is sized appropriately for the head of the subject in the image, and a Gaussian blur of 6 to 12% applied to slightly smooth the image features.

D. The image is separated into CMYK process colour plates, which include registration marks (bulls'-eyes) for aligning the CMYK colour separations on the matrices when printed.

WO 95/03855 PCT/AU94/00431 -6- E. Screen angles for the colour separations are set at Black 450 Yellow Magenta 750 Cyan 150 and the dot shape set to round or stochastic.

F. The separated colour plates are imported and printed using software such as Quark X Press (Trade Mark of Quark, Inc.).

In an alternative to step F, above, the digital computer file or files representing the separated colour plates of the modified image may be stored on disk or the like for supply to a manufacturer utilising a printing machine capable of either embellishing a sporting ball directly based on the digital computer file, or capable of generating engraved printing matrices directly from the digital file or files.

The type of spatial distortion transformation which can be applied to the digital image to make the image look realistic when printed on the curved surface is illustrated graphically in Figure 2. In particular, Figure 2A shows an orthogonal square grid, and Figure 2B shows the grid after having a spatial distortion transformation applied thereto, such ds a 10% pinch filter as referred to above. As can be seen from a comparison of Figures 2A and 2B, the transformation of the image involves a relative shifting of image picture elements toward the centre of the image. The effect of applying the image transformation to an actual photographic image is illustrated in Figure 3, wherein Figure 3A is an undistorted image and Figure 3B the same image after being transformed. The degree to which the image is transformed for creating a realistic image when applied to a curved surface will depend upon the extent of curvature of the surface.

In the embellishing process outlined above, step 5 involves transferring the separated colour plate images onto one or more film positive means, preferably one film positive for each separate colour plate. The physical structure of the film positive means comprises sensitized material in the form of an emulsion coat on a flexible base usually QA:\OP, \7I3413-9.4.NS 19,96 -7of celluloid, plastic or other similar material. The emulsion coating comprises a sensitive coating suspension of finely divided grains of silver bromide in gelatin or other chemicals used for such emulsions. The film positive means may be of black and white or colour type. In the black and white type, the film positive comprises a print or transparency comprising the modified computer image composed of light or transparent and dark or opaque areas which correspond to the light and shade of the modified computer image. In a colour film positive, the colours of the image correspond to the actual colour or colours adapted from the digital photograph means.

Referring to the abovementioned step 6 of the curved object embellishing process or method, it is preferred developing an engraved printing matrix means from the one or more film positives. The film positives means acts as a template for the development of an engraved printing matrix by a process known as a phototransfer. Phototransfer is a process involving the transfer of a colour or black and white images from one or more film positive 15 means to the engraved printing matrix which when developed comprises a reverse image of the film positive image(s) on a soft pliable gelatinous plastic material. The phototransfer S process involves a physical reversal and tone reversal of the image(s) obtained from one or more film positives. The phototransfer process may be of any known method such as chemical image transfer, physical reversal transfer or emulsion transfer. Chemical image 20 transfer comprises the transfer of the image on the film positive by chemical diffusion from the film positive. Physical image transfer comprises the transfer of a pigment or dye image absorbed or adsorbed on the film positive means to an engraved printing matrix means by physical contact between the film positive means and engraved printing matrix means.

Emulsion transfer comprises the process where the whole emulsion on the film positive means is stripped and transferred to the engraved printing matrix.

Referring to the abovementioned step 7 it is preferred printing the colour image(s) in succession onto a suitable curved surface. The developed engraved printing matrix comprises a relief image used for making dye or pigment prints by transferring colour from the raised parts of the relief to a suitable curved surface of an object to be embellished. The developed RA engraved printing matrix means comprises a soft pliable gelatinous plastic or other suitable Smaterial with a reverse image of the film positive image which can wrap WO 95/03855 PCT/AU94/00431 -8around a suitable curved surface such as a sporting ball. The colour print on the suitable curved surface is obtained by printing in succession by any suitable method to form a positive colour image. The methods employed to print a colour image include carbo, carbon pigment method, duxochrome, colour development, imbibition, chemical and dye' toning procedures.

In particular, the actual printing of inks, pigments or the like onto the sporting ball surface can be performed by a four colour offset printing process using a printing machine such as a TPX 500 manufactured by Teca-Print AG. In this case, the colour separated engraved printing matrices must of course be adapted for use with that printing machine, as is known in the art. The separate additive colours of cyan, magenta, yellow and black are then printed in succession onto the curved surface, for example while the ball is moved through the machine on a conveyor apparatus. A cradle adapted to firmly hold the ball on the conveyor apparatus may be provided.

The invention has been described in detail herein by way of example only, and it is to be understood that features described are intended to be exemplary only, and not limiting to the invention which is defined in the claims appended hereto.

Claims (12)

1. A method for embellishing a curved object, such as a ball, comprising the steps of: generating a graphic image to be applied to a surface of a curved object; digitizing the graphic image; applying a spatial distortion transformation to the digitized image; creating at least one printing matrix from the distorted digitized image; and utilising the at least one printing matrix to print the image onto a curved object surface.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step ofgaeerated a graphic image comprises photographing a subject using a camera apparatus to create a photographic image of that subject.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the step of digitizing the graphic image comprises scanning the photographic image so as to generate a digital file representative of the photographic image and from which a computer image can be generated.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of generating and digitizing the graphic image comprises photographing a subject using a digital camera apparatus.

A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the step of applying a spatial distortion transformation comprises a geometrical mapping of pixels of the digital image.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the geometrical mapping comprises a mapping of pixels values substantially toward the centre of the digital image.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the geometrical mapping is performed by applying a pinch filter wherein pixel values of the image are shifted toward the centre thereof. WO 95/03855 PCT/AU94/00431 10

8. A method according to claim 6. wherein the geometrical mapping is performed by applying a spherise filter wherein pixels of the digital image are mapped onto a substantially spherical concave notional surface.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of creating at least one printing matrix comprises creating a plurality of printing matrices for a CMYK colour printing process.

A method according to claim 1, wherein the digital image is separated into four additive process colour components and transferred onto respective film positive means.

11. A method according to claim 12 including the step of developing respective engraved printing matrices from the film positive means, for aoplying printing inks onto the curved object surface.

12. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the curved object comprises a sporting or gaming ball, such as a golf ball.