EP3517258B1 - Positioned object based on a photographic image data and method for producing a positioned object - Google Patents

Description

technical field

The present application relates to a method for producing a stand-up object, in particular a stand-up figure, based on photographic image data and a stand-up figure with a contoured glass substrate provided with a printed layer and a stand-up figure for the stand-up figure according to the invention. According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a set consisting of the display figure according to the invention and the display.

Technical background

Stand-up figures for advertising and decorative purposes are basically known from the prior art and are currently available in small, medium-sized and life-size versions made of corrugated cardboard. The stand-up figures currently available are of sufficient quality for short-term use, for example in cinemas or at trade fairs.

However, these are unsuitable for long-term use. For example, medium and life-size variants have one or more creases, which are useful for transporting the stand-up figures, but look ugly and are therefore unsuitable and undesirable for long-term use. Furthermore, the standing figures made of printed corrugated cardboard are only intended for indoor use due to their simple construction. Although the figures are mainly used indoors, the optical quality of these decreases after a relatively short time and the figures look faded.

Furthermore, the standing figures known from the prior art cannot currently be combined with light effects.

From the JP H4 261900A is a method for the production of decorative objects, such as figures, known on the basis of a photo. The aim of the process is to achieve a depth or 3D effect ("stereoscopic effect"), in contrast to simply arranging photos in picture frames. For this purpose, a conventional photo is first laminated onto a (glass) plate. Then the photo is taken with a camera and the contour to be cut out is recognized by an operator. The cutting information obtained in this way is transmitted to a cutting unit. The cutting unit then cuts the photo laminated onto the glass plate as a figure out of the glass plate according to the cutting information obtained, for example by means of laser cutting.

Summary of the Invention

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a standing figure which is improved over the prior art and which can be used both indoors and outdoors for a long time and without loss of quality. A group of such standing figures should also be specified, which has advantageous properties. Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to specify a method for the production of stand-up figures and a method with which such a stand-up figure can be provided to a user. Finally, an advantageous internet-based system for the production of such a set-up object is to be specified.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of patent claim 1, by a set-up object with the features of patent claim 6, by a group of set-up objects according to claim 12 and a system according to claim 13.

Advantageous configurations and variants of the invention result from the dependent claims and the following description. Thus, the features listed individually in the claims can be combined with one another in any technically meaningful way, as well as with the features explained in more detail in the following description and other advantageous embodiment variants represent invention.

An erection object according to the invention is based on photographic image data of an image object. This image data is generally provided by a user; as an image object, it can in particular include representations of individuals, animals, plants, landscape formations or other objects, or of groups thereof. Combinations of the objects mentioned can also be included.

The display object comprises a transparent or translucent glass substrate on which a color layer representing the image object and comprising a large number of pixels is arranged. According to the invention, the glass substrate is the contour of the Cropped to follow image object. Such an erection object can be produced in almost any size, which can range from a few millimeters to a few meters. Typical dimensions for use in the private sector are a few to a few tens of centimetres. When used for advertising purposes, the typical size is between a few tens of centimeters and a few meters. Due to the contour-following trimming, the display object is particularly aesthetically pleasing. The design of the display object based on a printed glass substrate not only ensures a high level of brilliance, but also a very high level of weather resistance and aging resistance due to the material of the substrate. This is flanked by the availability of digital printing processes, with which weather-resistant and age-resistant, in particular colour-fast paint layers can also be produced, if necessary also directly on the substrate of the object to be set up. Suitable printing methods are, for example, laser printing methods, ink jet printing, thermal sublimation printing and thermal transfer methods. The color layers can be created in high color depth, but also in shades of gray, depending on the user's wishes.

In an advantageous embodiment of the object according to the invention, the colored layer is printed directly onto the glass substrate.

In an alternative advantageous embodiment of the object according to the invention, the color layer is not printed directly onto the glass substrate, but rather onto a transparent or translucent film or some other carrier material such as photographic paper. The printed film or the printed carrier material is then permanently connected to the glass substrate, for example glued or thermally welded. This configuration has proven to be advantageous when the installation object according to the invention has large dimensions, i.e. dimensions of more than a few tens of centimetres, in particular dimensions which are more than one metre.

In addition to paper, metal foils, for example, can also be considered as other carrier material.

A particularly brilliant color impression for an observer can be achieved if the colored layer is arranged on the rear side of the glass substrate facing away from the observer.

The brilliance of the color impression can be further improved if the color layer of a single image has two or more superimposed color layers, each of which comprises a large number of pixels. These at least two colored layers can be arranged either on the same side of the glass substrate or on different sides of the glass substrate.

A very particularly high color brilliance can be achieved if a monochromatic, preferably white, third color layer is arranged between two successive superimposed ones representing the image object.

There are particular advantages with regard to color brilliance if this single-color third color layer has a certain translucency. In this case, with suitable lighting from the back of the colored layer, an observer has a deeper color impression when viewing the object on display from the front of the glass substrate facing away from the colored layer.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the display object according to the invention, this has at least two color layers that represent the image object, between which a monochromatic, preferably white, color layer is arranged. All at least three layers of paint are directly adjacent to one another or are applied to one another.

In a further preferred refinement, the erection object has an unprinted strip surrounding the image object represented by the colored layer. This strip makes it possible to process the edges of the glass substrate even after the color layer has been applied to the glass substrate, without the risk of damaging the color layer.

Advantageously, the unprinted strip is (also) arranged at the foot of the installation object. In conjunction with a stand according to the invention, on the below will be discussed in more detail and which has at least one groove for standing up the glass substrate of a display object, there is the advantage that the picture object arranged on the glass substrate is not or only partially covered by the stand when it is arranged standing in the groove of the stand .

The width of the unprinted strip is advantageously between 0.5 and 50 millimeters, preferably between 1 and 10 millimeters.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the object to be set up according to the invention, at least one surface of the object to be set up is provided with a surface-finishing protective layer, which is preferably arranged above the colored layer. Such a protective layer can be a preferably high-gloss plastic film that is connected to the transparent surface to be covered at least at the edge, but preferably over the entire area, e.g. by means of adhesive bonding or thermal welding.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the object to be set up according to the invention, the surface-finishing protective layer completely covers the color layer.

However, a surface-finishing protective layer can also be produced by coating the surface to be covered with a transparent layer of lacquer, which subsequently hardens.

The glass substrate of the object to be set up according to the invention is preferably transparent or translucent. It can be colored or colorless, with colorless glass substrates being preferred. A colorless glass substrate leads to the smallest possible impairment of the color effect of the colored layer that represents the image object.

The material of the glass substrate is advantageously selected from the group PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate, eg ^Plexiglas® ), PC (polycarbonate), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PP (polypropylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PBT (polybutadiene), silicate glass. All the materials mentioned are available both colored and colorless, as well as in transparent or translucent form.

The use of glass substrates made of plastics, in particular thermoplastics, is particularly preferred because of the better processability compared to silicate glass, the higher impact strength, the sometimes significantly better adhesion of the color layer representing the image object and the good mechanical bondability with plastic films.

If the color layer representing the image object is not applied directly to the glass substrate, but rather to a film, then this is preferably transparent or at least translucent. Such a film can be colorless or colored, with the use of colorless films having proven particularly useful.

With regard to such a film, too, it has proven to be advantageous if the material of the film is selected from the group PMMA, PC, PET, PP, PVC, PBT.

The use of a thermoplastic material for the film is particularly advantageous because of its thermal weldability. In a particularly preferred embodiment, both the material of the glass substrate and the film is a thermoplastic, which can be thermally welded to one another in particular. In particular, identical plastics can be used both for the glass substrate and for the film.

In a further preferred embodiment of the object to be set up according to the invention, its edge is at least free of burrs, but is also preferably optically clear. For this purpose, the edge produced by contour cutting or milling can be polished, e.g. by a suitable mechanical or thermal treatment of the edge. The latter has proven itself in particular in the case of a thermoplastic material of the substrate.

In a further preferred embodiment, the erection object according to the invention has an upper and a lower section, the lower section being angled at an angle in the range of 90-120° with respect to the upper section. In this way, the lower section forms an integral stand for the stand-up object according to the invention. The lower section preferably extends over a length of 5% to 20% of the total length of the glass substrate, in particular over 10-15%.

If a glass substrate made of a thermoplastic is used, it can be softened by a simple thermal treatment, so that the desired mechanical reshaping of the glass substrate is possible in a particularly simple manner.

In an advantageous further development, the installation object according to the invention also has edge lighting. Such an edge illumination couples light into the glass substrate of the display object, in particular via the edges of the glass substrate. This light coupled into the glass substrate can subsequently exit the glass substrate again, in particular at these edges, and in this way produce an aesthetically pleasing light effect.

In an advantageous development, the material of the glass substrate is doped with light-scattering particles, so that the light coupled into the glass substrate by the edge illumination can not only exit primarily at the edges of the glass substrate, but also from the light-scattering particles during its propagation in the glass substrate is scattered out of the glass substrate. This results in a luminous effect of the entire installation object.

The edge lighting advantageously includes one or more light sources, preferably white light sources. Colored light sources are also possible. The use of LEDs has proven particularly useful, as they are extremely durable and energy-saving and produce only little waste heat.

In a further advantageous development, the object to be set up according to the invention also has a display. This is preferably formed separately from the glass substrate of the object to be set up. The stand is designed to hold the glass substrate in a standing position. The stand has a groove for this purpose.

The display preferably has such a high weight and/or such a shape that it gives sufficient stability to a vertically or almost vertically positioned glass substrate of a display object.

Plastics of all kinds, metals such as aluminum, steel, brass, etc., stone such as granite or marble, and wood have proven to be suitable materials for the stand.

In a particularly preferred development, edge lighting for the display object is integrated into the display.

In a further preferred development, the object to be set up includes a holding magnet and a ferromagnetic counterpart in addition to a stand. Holding magnet and counterpart are arranged on the glass substrate or the stand, or vice versa, so that they mechanically firmly but detachably connect the glass substrate to the stand, which acts as a base, through magnetic interaction. A groove for accommodating the glass substrate can also be provided in the stand, but this does not have to be the case.

A group of display objects according to the invention comprises a display which is designed to receive the glass substrates of several display objects according to the invention in a standing position. The installation objects can represent the same or different image objects. The display has at least one groove that can hold the glass substrates of several separately designed display objects in an upright position. However, the display can also have a number of correspondingly designed grooves, which can each accommodate at least one glass substrate of a display object, but possibly also a number of glass substrates of a number of separately designed display objects.

Such a group of display objects can be used in a simple manner to display groups of image objects in which individual members of the group may need to be exchanged. This can be of particular advantage, for example, if a group according to the invention is intended to represent the members of a work group or a company, which can of course change over time. Likewise, with such a group, the current presence of people, for example, in the business premises of a company can be displayed.

However, a group according to the invention can also be used advantageously in the private sphere, for example to add new family members to a family, or to illustrate the growing up of children.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the group according to the invention, the associated stand has a plurality of grooves, each of which is designed to receive the glass substrate of at least one stand-up object in a standing position.

If these grooves are arranged parallel to one another and one behind the other, groups of erection objects, which for example each show individual family members, can be arranged in a spatially staggered manner in the simplest way. This gives a particularly appealing spatial impression of the set up group of objects.

The method according to the invention is discussed in more detail below. In order to avoid repetition, reference is made to the above discussion of the features and advantages of the various configurations of an erection object according to the invention or a group of erection objects, which can be directly transferred to the following discussion of the various configurations and developments of the method according to the invention, without it being necessary for the person skilled in the art required an inventive step.

A method according to the invention is particularly suitable for producing a set-up object according to the invention. The basis for this is usually photographic image data from a user. The method comprises the steps of claim 1, which do not necessarily have to be performed in the order presented.

Both the determination of an image area in the photographic image data, which completely encompasses the image object to be displayed by the installation object, and the identification of the image object to be displayed in the image area, as well as the determination of a contour of the identified image object can be carried out by a user of the method or an operator to execute the Method of a suitable manufacturing device are made personally.

For example, the determination of an image area in the photographic image data, which completely encompasses the image object to be displayed by the erection object, and the identification of the image object to be displayed in the image area can be carried out by the user who has stored the image data in the database using a suitable input mask. preferably in an internet-based application.

Determining a contour of the identified image object can be left to the user using suitable image processing tools. In practice, however, it has proven useful to have this processing step carried out by a professional operator who, in particular, can use professional software tools for image processing.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, at least the step of determining a contour of the identified image object is carried out automatically, for example on the basis of suitable software-based algorithms for image processing. User intervention here can be limited to a final check, ie release of the result of the contour determination for further processing within the scope of the method according to the invention, or preferably omitted entirely.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method step of determining an image area in the photographic image data, which completely encompasses the image object to be displayed by the erection object, and/or the identification of the image object to be displayed in the image area is partially or fully automated, in particular with the help of suitable software-based Image processing tools. Here, too, user intervention can be limited to a final check, i.e. release of the result of the respective method step for further processing within the scope of the method according to the invention, or preferably omitted entirely. As a result of this method step, it can also be the case that no image section has to be selected, but further processing of the digital image data entered by the user, e.g. to determine the contour, is possible immediately. In particular, this can be the case when the entered image data contain only one image object overall, so that a selection decision between different image objects is not necessary.

The contour determined can end with the image object to be imaged with sharp contours. However, it can also follow the contour of the image object to be imaged at a predetermined, preferably constant distance. This distance is typically between 0.5 and 50 millimeters, preferably between 1 and 10 millimeters.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the image object is arranged on the rear side of the glass substrate, which faces away from a viewer when the object is set up.

In a first variant of the method according to the invention, the contour is determined before the printing process. In the subsequent printing process, preferably only pixels lying within the contour are printed. This enables a significant reduction in the amount of color used in the process for generating the color layer containing the image object to be displayed. In this way, on the one hand, costs can be reduced by avoiding unnecessary ink consumption can be saved, on the other hand the printing process can be accelerated, which also enables cost savings through an increase in efficiency. Finally, this method allows the generation of an unprinted edge within the contour, the advantages of which have already been discussed in connection with the object to be set up according to the invention and the advantages of which will be discussed in more detail below within the scope of the method according to the invention.

In a second variant, the entire selected image area is printed onto the glass substrate, i.e. not just the pixels within the contour.

In a third variant, a subsection is selected from the selected image area, the size of which is smaller than that of the selected image area, but which still contains the entire image object to be displayed. To select such a subsection, a software-based routine for image processing is advantageously used, which is set up to minimize the area of the subsection while still containing the entire image object to be displayed.

In the second as well as in the third variant of the method, the determination of the contour to be carried out according to the invention can, but does not have to, take place after the printing process.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, at least two superimposed color layers are applied in the printing process, each of which includes a large number of pixels and represents the image object. These at least two color layers can be arranged either on the same side of the glass substrate or on different sides of the glass substrate.

A very particularly high color brilliance can be achieved if, within the scope of the method according to the invention, a monochromatic, preferably white, third color layer is arranged between two successive superimposed color layers representing the image object. This represents a particularly preferred development of the method according to the invention.

In a further preferred embodiment, the printing process is carried out in such a way that the image object represented by the color layer has unprinted strips surrounding it. This strip makes it possible to process the edges of the glass substrate even after the color layer has been applied to the glass substrate, without the risk of damaging the color layer.

The width of the unprinted strip is advantageously between 0.5 and 50 millimeters, preferably between 1 and 10 millimeters.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, in a further method step, at least one surface of the erection object is provided with a surface-finishing protective layer, which is preferably arranged above the colored layer. Such a protective layer can be a preferably high-gloss transparent plastic film, which is connected at least at the edge, but preferably over the entire surface, to the surface to be covered, e.g. by means of adhesive bonding or thermal welding.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the surface-finishing protective layer completely covers the colored layer.

However, a surface-finishing protective layer can be produced by coating the surface to be covered with a transparent layer of lacquer which subsequently hardens or is hardened, e.g. by supplying heat, by irradiation with UV light or with ionizing radiation.

In the context of the method according to the invention, the glass substrate is printed on one or both sides.

While one surface of the glass substrate has to be printed directly with a color layer, the other surface can be connected to a printed film or other printed carrier material.

The further step according to the invention of separating the display object from the printed product by means of a contour cut and/or contour milling along the determined contour is then carried out by means of mechanical processing of the glass substrate, for example in a CNC-controlled laser cutting station, water jet cutting station or milling station.

In a further advantageous development of the method according to the invention, in a further method step, a lower section of the erected object is thermally formed at an angle in the range of 90-120° relative to an upper section of the erected object, so that an integral erected object is obtained. This further method step can be carried out before or after the printing process and before or after the separation of the display object from the printed product.

In a further advantageous development of the method according to the invention, the edge of the erection object produced by contour cutting or milling is polished in a further method step, e.g. mechanically or preferably thermally by the local action of heat on a thermoplastic material of the glass substrate.

1. a) die Verfahrensschritte des Verfahrens gemäß Anspruch 1, und
2. b) Ausliefern des hergestellten Aufstellobjekts an den Nutzer.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a method which allows the provision of an installation object to a user, which is preferably based on photographic image data of the user. This process has at least the following process steps:

1. a) the method steps of the method according to claim 1, and
2. b) Delivery of the manufactured installation object to the user.

Preferred developments of this method include the features of one or more configurations or developments of the method according to claim 1.

When executing this method, which is also according to the invention, the success of the above-mentioned production method for an installation object with the features of claim 1 and, if applicable, further claims that refer back to claim 1 occurs with the user who is familiar with the transfer of photographic image data in digital form to the database provided as part of the procedure has initiated the execution of the procedure.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to an internet-based system for producing an erection object on the basis of photographic image data. This can in particular be an installation object according to the invention.

The internet-based system has at least the features of claim 13.

With regard to the means defined in claim 13, the explanations in connection with the method according to the invention and in connection with the Examples referenced. The means mentioned there are to be understood as examples. Their respective use represents an advantageous embodiment of the internet-based system according to the invention.

In a preferred development of the system, means are also provided which are set up to thermally reshape a lower section of the erected object by an angle in the range of 90-120° relative to an upper section of the erected object, so that an integral erected object is obtained. In addition to forming means, these means can also include means for a local thermal treatment of the glass substrate to be formed.

Finally, in a further preferred development of the system, means are also provided which are set up to polish the edge of the glass substrate produced by means of contour cutting or milling in a further method step.

The present invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are provided by way of example, not limitation, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. The exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1:

schematically shows a first exemplary embodiment of a set-up object according to the invention,

Figure 2:

shows a section through the glass substrate of the display object according to 1 in the area of the color layer,

Figure 3:

shows a side view of the installation object according to 1 ,

Figure 4:

shows schematically a second embodiment of an erection object according to the invention,

Figure 5:

shows an embodiment of a group of erection objects according to the invention,

Figure 6:

shows the base according to the group of display objects figure 5 in supervision,

Figure 7:

shows the pedestal 6 in section along the line AA,

Figure 8:

shows a block diagram representing the process sequence of a first exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention,

Figure 9:

also shows a block diagram which represents the process sequence of a second embodiment of the method according to the invention, and

Figure 10:

shows schematically an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the invention, which is set up to carry out the method according to the invention and in particular to produce an erected object according to the invention.

A first exemplary embodiment of an installation object 150 according to the invention is figure 1 shown schematically. It is based on photographic image data of an image object 40 that was provided by a user 10 and includes the representation of a single person.

The display object comprises a transparent, colorless glass substrate 60 made of PMMA, on which a color layer 160 representing the image object 40 and comprising a large number of pixels is arranged. The glass substrate 60 is cut to follow the contour 120 of the image object 40, i.e. the person represented.

The thickness of the glass substrate 60 is about 5 mm, the size of the display object 150 shown is about 300 mm high x 150 mm wide.

The display object 150 has an unprinted strip 164 surrounding the image object represented by the color layer. This strip 164 makes it possible to process the edges of the glass substrate 60 even after the colored layer 160 has been applied to the glass substrate 60 without the risk of damaging the colored layer 160 .

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the width of the unprinted strip 164 is approximately 3 mm.

The weather-resistant and aging-resistant, in particular colour-fast, color layer 160 is produced using a digital printing process, namely using a laser printing process. In this case, the color layer 160 has a high color depth.

The color layer 160 of the in 1 shown embodiment has a multi-layer structure, which in figure 2 . is shown schematically. A first color layer 161 , which represents the image object 40 to be displayed in full color, is printed directly onto the glass substrate 60 .

A uniformly white third color layer 163 is printed on the back of this first color layer 161, which completely covers the first color layer 161, with the first and the third color layer 163 either being essentially congruent or, as in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG Figures 1 and 2 the third color layer 163 protrudes slightly beyond the first color layer 161 at the edge, for example with the formation of a protruding edge of uniform width, which can be approximately 0.5 mm, for example.

A second color layer 162 is printed on the back of this third color layer 163 and also represents the image object 40 to be displayed in full color.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first and second color layers 162, 163 are identical, in particular with regard to the implemented resolution, the color depth and with regard to the dimensions of the displayed image object 40 or the respective print area and the positioning of the displayed image object 40.

The second color layer 162 is slightly smaller than the third color layer 163, so that the edge of the third color layer 163 also protrudes slightly beyond the second color layer 162, forming a protruding edge of a uniform width of approximately 0.5 mm.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the monochromatic third color layer 163 has a certain translucency which can be seen by an observer with the naked eye under ambient light can be perceived. In this way, on the front side of the third color layer 163, there is a certain color impression of the second color layer 162, which is arranged on the back side of the third color layer 163 and also represents the image object 40, resulting in a special color brilliance.

Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the entire surface of the glass substrate 60, on which the colored layer 160 composed of the first, second and third colored layer 161, 162, 163 is arranged, is provided over the entire surface with a surface-finishing protective layer 170, which covers the entire colored layer 160.

in the in 2 In the first configuration illustrated by means of a section through the glass substrate 60 in the area of the colored layer 160 , the protective layer 170 that refines the surface is formed as a hardened transparent lacquer layer that covers the entire colored layer 160 .

In a second embodiment that is not shown, this protective layer 170 is a high-gloss film made of a transparent plastic, which is bonded over a large area to the surface of the printed glass substrate that is to be covered.

In a second exemplary embodiment, which is not shown but essentially corresponds to the first exemplary embodiment, the colored layer 160 is not printed directly onto the glass substrate 60, but rather onto a transparent, colorless plastic film made of PVC. The printed film is permanently bonded to the glass substrate 60. The erected object 40 is approximately life-size, i.e. it has a height of approximately 2000 mm and a maximum width of approximately 750 mm. The thickness of the glass substrate is 6 mm. The color layer 160 is protected from environmental influences between the glass substrate 60 and the transparent film.

In both exemplary embodiments, the edge of the display object 150 is burr-free and optically clear. For this purpose, the edge created by contour cutting is polished.

In both exemplary embodiments, the object to be set up according to the invention 150 has a display 180 which is Figures 1 and 3 is shown. while showing figure 3 according to a side view of the installation object 1 . This display 180 is formed separately from the glass substrate 60 of the display object 150 . The stand 180 has a groove 18 which is designed to receive the glass substrate 60 in a standing position. The stand 180 has such a high weight and such a shape that it gives a vertically standing glass substrate 60 of a stand-up object 150 sufficient stability.

Aluminum, plastic or wood have proven to be suitable materials for the display 180 for a display object 150 according to the first exemplary embodiment.

For a stand-up object 150 according to the second exemplary embodiment, steel, concrete or granite have proven to be suitable materials for the stand-up stand 180 .

The installation object 150 according to the first exemplary embodiment also has edge lighting. The edge lighting is integrated into the display 180 of the display object 150 and couples light into the glass substrate 60 of the display object 150 via the edge of the glass substrate 60 . This light coupled into the glass substrate 60 can subsequently exit again from the edges of the glass substrate and in this way produce an aesthetically pleasing light effect. The edge lighting features several white light sources based on LED technology.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the material of the glass substrate 60 is doped with light-scattering particles, so that the light coupled into the glass substrate 60 by the edge illumination can not only emerge from the glass substrate 60 at the edges, but also from the light-scattering particles during its propagation in the glass substrate 60 is scattered out of the glass substrate 60 . This results in a luminous effect of the entire installation object 150.

In a preferred development of both exemplary embodiments, which is not shown, the installation object 150 comprises a holding magnet and a ferromagnetic counterpart. The holding magnet and counterpart are arranged on the glass substrate 60 or the stand 180 or vice versa in such a way that they connect the glass substrate 60 mechanically firmly but releasably to the stand 180 functioning as a base by magnetic interaction.

4 shows a further example of an installation object 150 according to the invention, which essentially corresponds to that in FIGS Figures 1 - 3 illustrated embodiment corresponds. On the one hand, however, it differs in the material of the display 180, which is transparent, so that the entire display object 150 is visible—even through the display 180. The material of the stand 180 is either PMMA or silicate glass.

Furthermore follows in the embodiment according to 4 the contour 120 of the set-up object 150 does not correspond everywhere to the outline of the image object 40 represented by the color layer 160. The legs of the woman shown are not exposed, which reduces the effort involved in determining the contour 120 for separating the set-up object 150 from the printed one Glass substrate 60 results. Furthermore, the mechanical stability of the erection object 150 produced can be increased in this way—if necessary.

figure 5 shows a group 151 according to the invention of objects to be set up 150. This comprises a display 180 which has a plurality of grooves 181 which are designed to receive the glass substrates 60 of a number of objects to be set up 150 according to the invention in a standing position. In this case, the set-up objects 150 can represent the same or different image objects 40 . The grooves 181 provided in the stand 180 are each designed to receive the glass substrate 60 of at least one stand-up object 150 in a standing position. The grooves 181 are arranged parallel to one another and one behind the other, so that a group 151 of objects 150 can be set up spatially staggered one behind the other. This gives a particularly appealing spatial impression of the set up group 151 of set-up objects 150. 6 shows a top view of an embodiment of a stand 180 with the aforementioned features. 7 shows the pedestal 6 in section along the line AA in 6 .

8 schematically illustrates the sequence of a first exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention using a block diagram. The method shown is particularly suitable for producing a set-up object 150 according to the invention in accordance with one of the above exemplary embodiments. The method is based on image data of a user 10, for example from a photograph.

• In Block 200 wird eine Datenbank 15 bereitgestellt, auf die Nutzer 10 über das Internet 20 zugreifen können.
• In Block 210 überträgt ein Nutzer 10 über das Internet 20 fotografische Bilddaten in digitaler Form auf die Datenbank 15.
• In Block 220 identifiziert der Nutzer 10 einen Bildbereich 30 in den fotographischen Bilddaten, welcher das vom Aufstellobjekt 150 darzustellende Bildobjekt 40 vollständig umfasst. Der Bildbereich 30 kann ggf. auch die gesamten Bilddaten umfassen.
• In Block 230 wird mittels einer Softwareroutine das im Bildbereich enthaltene darzustellende Bildobjekt 40 identifiziert sowie dessen Kontur 120 ermittelt. Im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel folgt die ermittelte Kontur 120 der Kontur des abzubildenden Bildobjekts 40 in einem vorgegebenen konstanten Abstand von 4 mm.
• In Block 240 wird auf Basis des Bildbereichs 30 ein Druckerzeugnis 110 in einem Druckvorgang hergestellt, indem die innerhalb der ermittelten Kontur 120 liegenden Bildpunkte des darzustellenden Bildobjekts 40 in einem Druckvorgang direkt auf ein Acrylglassubtrat 60 gedruckt werden. Der Aufbau der im Druckvorgang erzeugten Farbschicht 160 entspricht dem in den vorausgegangenen Ausführungsbeispielen erfindungsgemäßer Aufstellobjekte 150 offenbarten dreischichtigen Aufbau, auf die dortigen Ausführungen wird verwiesen. Wegen der Eigenschaften der in Block 230 durchgeführten Identifizierung der Kontur 120 wird der Druckvorgang so ausgeführt, dass das von der Farbschicht 160 dargestellte Bildobjekt 40 einen umgebenden unbedruckten Streifen 154 mit einer Breite von 4 mm von der in Block 230 ermittelten Kontur 120 getrennt ist.
• In Block 250 wird die mit dem Bildobjekt 40 bedruckte Oberfläche des Aufstellobjekts 150 vollflächig mit einer oberflächenveredelnden Schutzschicht 170 in Form einer hochglänzenden Kunststofffolie verklebt, die die gesamte Farbschicht 160 abdeckt.
• In Block 260 wird das Aufstellobjekt 160 aus dem Glassubstrat 60 des Druckerzeugnisses 110 herausgetrennt mittels eines laserbasierten Konturenschnitts entlang der ermittelten Kontur 120.

The procedure according to in 8 shown embodiment has the following steps:

• In block 200 a database 15 is provided which users 10 can access via the Internet 20 .
• In block 210, a user 10 transmits photographic image data in digital form to the database 15 via the Internet 20.
• In block 220 the user 10 identifies an image region 30 in the photographic image data which completely encompasses the image object 40 to be displayed by the installation object 150 . If necessary, the image area 30 can also include the entire image data.
• In block 230, the image object 40 to be displayed contained in the image area is identified and its contour 120 is determined by means of a software routine. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the determined contour 120 follows the contour of the image object 40 to be imaged at a predetermined constant distance of 4 mm.
• In block 240, a printed product 110 is produced on the basis of the image area 30 in a printing process in that the pixels of the image object 40 to be displayed that are within the determined contour 120 are printed directly onto an acrylic glass substrate 60 in a printing process. The structure of the color layer 160 produced in the printing process corresponds to the three-layer structure disclosed in the previous exemplary embodiments of the objects 150 to be set up according to the invention; reference is made to the explanations given there. Due to the characteristics of the identification of the contour 120 performed in block 230, the printing process is carried out in such a way that the image object 40 represented by the color layer 160 is separated from the contour 120 determined in block 230 by a surrounding unprinted strip 154 with a width of 4 mm.
• In block 250 the surface of the set-up object 150 printed with the image object 40 is given a surface-finishing protective layer 170 in the form over its entire surface glued to a high-gloss plastic film that covers the entire color layer 160.
• In block 260, the installation object 160 is separated from the glass substrate 60 of the printed product 110 by means of a laser-based contour cut along the determined contour 120.

If the method comprising the steps according to blocks 200 to 260 is expanded to include the further method step shown in block 270, an exemplary embodiment of the further method according to the invention results, which allows the provision of a set-up object 150 to a user 10, which is preferably based on photographic image data of the user 10 based. In addition to the method steps according to blocks 200 to 260 , this method has the method step of delivering the manufactured installation object 150 to the user 10 , represented by block 2 70 .

9 serves to illustrate a further exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention for producing a display object 150 in the form of a display figure on the basis of photographic image data and initially includes the step of providing a database 15 which can be accessed via the Internet 20 and to which users 10 can transfer photographic image data in digital form .

For this purpose, the users 10 are provided with a web interface or software, in particular an app that can be installed on a mobile device, via which the users 10 can upload their image data to the database 15 via an internet-enabled mobile phone or a computer connected to the internet.

In a next step, the image data received from the user 10 is processed using an image processing program in order to obtain a contoured image object 40 in the form of a data packet.

In the context of the present invention, the term “contoured image object 40” is understood to mean a partial area of a photographic image which is defined by means of a contour 120 and can be separated from the rest of the image as a unit. This can, for example, be photographed objects of any kind and/or Persons or groups of persons act, which are optically limited by the outline or a silhouette.

According to a first embodiment variant, the user 10 can process the image himself immediately after the upload or with a time delay. For this purpose, the web interface, the software or the app offers appropriate image processing tools that allow simple and software-supported image processing. After the image processing has taken place, the contoured image object 40 obtained is stored by the user 10 in the database 15 and released for the further process.

According to an alternative second advantageous embodiment variant, the image data provided and stored in the database 15 are first retrieved from the database 15 using a computer connected to the database 15 . After being uploaded to the database 15 , the image data are recorded and processed fully automatically by appropriate software in order to obtain the contoured image object 40 .

The user 10 then receives the result of the fully automatic image processing displayed and can change it again independently, discard it or release it by saving it and feed it to the further process.

The contoured image object 40 obtained in the form of a data packet is transmitted electronically to a printing device 50 .

In a further step, based on the processed image data, a printed product 110 is generated, which includes the contoured image object 40 and is printed directly on an acrylic glass substrate 60, so that a printed product 110 printed on one side is obtained.

The acrylic glass substrate 60 is in turn an acrylic glass selected from the series of colorless and transparent acrylic glasses. The acrylic glass substrates can have different dimensions. Typical diameters are 3-25 mm, preferably 3-10 mm, more preferably 3-6 mm. preferred Formats of the acrylic glass substrate to be used range from 10 x 10 cm to 200 x 200 cm.

Acrylic glass, also known colloquially as ^Plexiglas® , is known to those skilled in the art under the chemical name polymethyl methacrylate and is available in a large number of different variants.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, an acrylic glass substrate 60 is used, which is resistant to aging and weathering, as well as UV-absorbing and has a light transmittance of at least 92%.

In all of the configurations according to the invention, suitable possible printing methods are all methods known from the prior art and suitable for this process step, which exist at the time of filing or become accessible later. For example, the printing process can be selected from the group of UV direct printing, laser printing, inkjet printing or sublimation printing. in 6 illustrated embodiment, a UV direct printing process is used.

The printed product 110 that is obtained is subsequently fed to a further process step, from which the standing figure is now produced by means of contour cutting and/or contour milling. A mechanical milling device is particularly suitable for performing a contour cut, or else a water jet cutter or a device for laser cutting. in 7 illustrated embodiment, a milling process is used.

The appearance and UV light resistance of the display object 150 obtained are further improved by providing the printed product 110 and/or the display object 150 with a surface-finishing protective layer 170, for example a UV gloss varnish or a UV semi-matt varnish, in a method step that is not shown.

In a further method step, which is also not illustrated, the glass substrate 60 of the object to be displayed 150 is processed in such a way that the object to be displayed 150 forms an integral display 180 . For this purpose, a lower part of the set-up figure 150 obtained is bent at an angle in the range of 110°, for which purpose the material of the glass substrate 60 is heated at least locally above its softening point. The lower part extends over a length of approximately 15% of the total length/height of the erection object 150, ie over 45 mm at a height of 300 mm and over approximately 300 mm at a height of 2000 mm.

10 Finally, FIG. 12 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of an internet-based system 1 according to the invention for producing an installation object 150 on the basis of photographic image data. This can in particular be an installation object 150 according to the invention.

The means 85 for determining an image area 30 in the photographic image data are software-based, ie in the form of a software routine that is executed on a computer connected to the Internet 20 and has access to the image data stored in the database 15 .

The means 50 for producing a printed product 110 on the basis of the image area 30 in a printing process is a laser printing system in the exemplary embodiment shown, which is connected to the computer 75 .

The means 70 for arranging the printed film or other carrier material on a glass substrate 60 and for permanently connecting it to the glass substrate 60 are designed as a film laminating station downstream of the laser printing system.

The means 80 for identifying an image object 40 in the image area 30 and the means 90 for determining a contour 120 of the identified image object 40 are in turn software-based, i.e. in the form of a software routine that is executed on the computer on which the software routine for determining a Image area 30 is executed in the photographic image data.

The means 100 for separating the display object 30 from the printed product 110 by means of contour milling along the determined contour 120 are embodied as a CNC milling machine, which is also connected to the aforementioned computer via the Internet 20 and from which data about the determined contour 120 of the image object 40 can receive.

Furthermore, means 130 are provided which are set up to polish the edge of the glass substrate 60 produced by means of contour milling in a further method step. This is a mechanical polishing station.

Finally, means 140 that can be used optionally are provided, which are set up to thermally reshape a lower section of the erection object by an angle in the range of 90-120° against an upper section of the erection object, so that an integral positioner 180 is obtained. In addition to forming means such as a suitable press, these means 140 can also include means for a local thermal treatment of the glass substrate to be formed include, for example, an electrically heated heat sole.

Reference List

1

system

10

user

15

Database

20

Internet

25

image data

30

image area

40

image object

50

Means for producing a printed product

60

glass substrate

70

Means for arranging a foil

75

computer

80

Means for identifying an image object

85

Means for determining an image area

90

Means for determining a contour

100

means of severing

110

printed matter

120

contour

130

Means for polishing

140

means of forming

150

display object

151

group

160

paint layer

161

first layer of paint

162

second layer of paint

163

third layer of paint

164

unprinted strip

170

protective layer

180

display

181

groove

Claims (13)

1. A method for the production of an erect object (150) on the basis of photographic image data, comprising the following steps:

   a. provision of a database (15), to which the users (10) can gain access via the Internet (20),

   b. transfer of photographic image data in digital form to the database (15) by a user (10),

   c. identification of an image area (30) in the photographic image data, which completely contains the image object (40) to be represented by the erect object (150),

   d. production of a printed product (110) on the basis of the image area (30), whereby at least the image object (40) is printed directly on the glass substrate (60) in a printing process,

   e. identification of an image object (40) in the image area (30) and

   f. identification of a contour (120) of the identified image object (40), wherein the contour (120) is identified before the printing process, and in the printing process only pixels lying inside the contour (120) are printed and a strip (164) lying inside the determined contour (120) of the image object (40) and surrounding the image object (40) remains unprinted

   g. separating of the erect object (150) from the printed product (110) by means of contour cutting and/or a contour milling along the identified contour (120).
2. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that in the printing process at least two superimposed colour layers (161, 162) are applied, which each comprise a plurality of pixels and represent the image object (40) .
3. The method according to claim 2, characterised in that in the printing process between the two colour layers (161, 162), which represent the image object (40), a coloured, preferably white, third colour layer (163) is applied.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the glass substrate (60) is printed on one or both sides.
5. The method for providing an erect object (150) on the basis of photographic image data of a user (10), characterised by the following process steps:

   a. the process steps according to claim 1, and

   b. delivery of the produced erect object (150) to the user (10).
6. An erect object (150) based on photographic image data of an image object (40), wherein the erect object (150) comprises a transparent or translucent glass substrate (60), on which the colour layer (160) representing the image object (40) and comprising a plurality of pixels is arranged, wherein the glass substrate (60) is trimmed following the contour (120) of the image object (40), characterised in that the colour layer (160) is printed directly on the substrate (60) and that the erect object (150) comprises an unprinted strip (164) surrounding the image object (40).
7. The erect object (150) according to claim 6, wherein the erect object (150) comprises two superimposed colour layers (161, 162) representing the image object (40), which each comprise a plurality of pixels.
8. The erect object (150) according to claim 7, wherein a coloured, preferably white, third colour layer (163) is arranged between the two superimposed colour layers (161, 162) representing the image object.
9. The erect object (150) according to claim 6, characterised in that the erect object (150) comprises edge lighting.
10. The erect object (150) according to claim 6, characterised in that the erect object (150) comprises a stand (180), which comprises a groove (181) which is constituted for the upright accommodation of the glass substrate (60).
11. The erect object (150) according to claim 9 and 10, characterised in that the edge lighting is integrated into the stand (180).
12. A group (151) of erect objects (150) according to claim 6, characterised in that the group (151) comprises a stand (180) which

    a) comprises a groove (181), which is constituted for the upright accommodation of the glass substrates (60) of the erect object (150), or

    b) comprises a plurality of grooves, which are each constituted for the upright accommodation of the glass substrate of at least one erect object.
13. An Internet-based system (1) for the production of an erect object (150) on the basis of photographic image data, comprising the following features:

    a. a database (15), to which users (10) can gain access via the Internet (20) and transfer image data in digital form,

    b. means (85) for determining an image area (30) in the photographic image data, which completely contains the image object (40) represented by the erect object (150),

    c. means (80) for identifying an image object (40) in the image area (30),

    d. means (90) for identifying a contour (120) of the identified image object (40),

    e. means (50) for producing a printed product (110) on the basis of the image area (30), wherein the means (50) are configured to print at least the image object (40) directly on the glass substrate (60) in a printing process, wherein in the printing process only pixels lying inside the contour (120) are printed and a strip (164) lying inside the identified contour (120) of the image object (40) remains unprinted,

    f. means (100) for separating the erect object (150) from the printed product (110) by means of a contour cutting and/or contour milling along the identified contour (120).

Images