GB2371195A - Customising graphical compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

Graphical compositions (<B>100</B>) (e.g. patterned paper, graphs, maps, music staff paper or forms), created on a computer, can be customised according to demands of a user. Options for altering the appearance of the graphical composition are displayed to a user on a screen (<B>150</B>) and include various predetermined choices relating to drawing parameters, such as colour, line width, positions of lines. An application program running the system is executed on the computer, which accesses a plurality of modules, each module containing a predefined set of drawing elements.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRINTING CUSTOMIZED GRAPHIC COMPOSITIONS Technical Field This invention relates generally to printing, and more particularly to a system and method for printing customized graphic compositions such as patterned paper and maps.

Background Art Preprinted documents such as notebooks, graph paper, accounting forms, music staff paper, maps, etc. are used daily by engineers, students, business persons, and musicians alike. These documents are preprinted at a printing house and shipped to retail stores for purchase by consumers. The layout and design of these documents is standardized according to industry-wide conventions. Because these documents are mass produced in a standardized form, it is difficult for consumers to create custom versions of these documents for their personal use. It would be desirable to provide a system that will enable a user to design and print customized patterned paper such as graphs, forms, and staff paper, as well as customized maps at a point of purchase, home, or other convenient location.

Summary of the Invention A system and a method for printing graphic compositions is provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the method includes defining a pattern element, the pattern element having an associated drawing parameter. The method further includes providing a user interface generated by a computer, via which a user may alter a value of the drawing parameter of the pattern element. The method also includes receiving user input instructing the computer to alter a value of the drawing parameter for the pattern element. The method further includes printing the pattern element according to the user-altered value of the drawing parameter, to thereby produce a patterned graphic composition. The graphic composition may be, for example, a graph, music staff, form, or map.

In one embodiment, the system includes an application program configured to be executed on a computer, and a plurality of modules accessible by the application

program. Each module contains a predefined set of drawing elements and associated drawing parameters and values for a type of graphic composition. The application program is configured to load a module and present a customization screen via which a user may alter the values of the drawing parameters for each drawing element to produce a customized graphic composition. The graphic composition may be, for example, patterned paper, such as graph paper, music staff paper, or forms, or a map.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a system for creating customized graphic compositions, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a depiction of a user interface of an application program configured to create customized graphic compositions, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a map customization screen of the user interface of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a millimetric graph customization screen of the user interface of Fig.

2.

Fig. 5 is a polar graph customization screen of the user interface of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a semilog graph customization screen of the user interface of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a music staff paper customization screen of the user interface of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a ledger customization of the user interface of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart of a method for creating customized graphic compositions, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments and Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention Turning initially to Fig. 1, a system for printing customized graphic compositions is shown generally at 10. System 10 typically includes a computer 12 linked to a printer 14 and a remote server 16 via computer network 18, which may be a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. System 10 is configured to print via printer 14 a document 20 containing a customized graphic composition 100 created by a user on computer 12.

Computer 12 typically includes a central processing unit (CPU) 22 linked to a bus 24. Computer 12 also includes a mass storage device 26, such as a hard drive, floppy drive, flash memory, CD ROM drive, etc. , linked to bus 24.

Computer 12 also typically includes a user input device 34 linked to bus 24.

The user input device typically includes a keyboard and/or mouse. Computer 12 also includes memory 36, which in turn includes random access memory (RAM) 38 and read only memory (ROM) 40. Portions of RAM 38 are set aside for use by an application program 28, modules 53, and browser program 30, described below, when these programs are executed.

While typically computer 12 is a personal computer, it will be understood that computer 12 may alternatively be a portable data assistant (PDA) device, mainframe computer, or virtually any other suitable computing device. Printer 14 typically is a laser printer, although an inkjet printer, thermal printer, or other suitable printer also may be used. Printer 14 is typically equipped with a binding mechanism configured to bind sheets of paper. Printer 14 is configured to print on paper as well as transparency sheets. Application program 28 and browser program 30 are stored on stored on mass storage device 26, and configured to be executed by CPU 22. Typically, application program 28 and browser program 30 are stand-alone, executable applications. Alternatively, application program 28 may be a plug-in program compatible with browser 30, or may be instructions embedded in a web page in a language such as Java Script. Thus, a web page downloaded from server 16 via browser 30 may launch application 28. In this embodiment, application program 28 typically is downloaded directly into RAM 38, although a cached copy may be stored on mass storage device 26.

User interface 50 may be created in a separate window on computer 12, or within a window of browser 30. Application program 28 typically accesses one of a plurality of modules 53, described below, which contain instructions for creating a customization screen in user interface 50 for customizing a particular type of graphic composition 100. Modules 53 also typically are stored on mass storage device 26,

after being downloaded from remote server 16 or installed from CD-ROM or a floppy disk. Modules 53 typically are Component Object Model (COM) objects.

Browser 30 is configured to download content such as a web page from remote server 16 through network 18, and display the content on display 32. By way of example, browser 30 may be the Internet Explorer browser commercially available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington. Application program 28 is configured to present a user interface, shown at 50 in Fig. 2, through which a user may create document 20 containing a customized graphic composition 100.

In one embodiment of the invention, computer 12 and printer 14 are installed at the point of purchase in a retail store that sells documents such as graph paper, maps, forms, and/or music staff paper. A user visits the store, uses application program 28 to design a graphic composition 100, prints a supply of documents 20 featuring the graphic composition 100 at the store, and tenders payment for the documents. In another embodiment of the invention, computer 12 and printer 14 may be installed in a consumer's home. In this embodiment, the user accesses remote web site on server 16, which serves a web page that launches application 28 on computer 12 typically via an embedded Java Script object. The user also may choose to download a desired module 53, for a particular type of graphic composition 100. The user designs and prints the customized supply of documents at home, tendering a fee to the remote web site, where appropriate, for use of the module 53 in designing and printing the documents.

Turning now to Fig. 2, a user interface of application program 28 is shown generally at 50. User interface 50 typically includes a module selection screen 51 having a selector such as a pull-down menu 52 configured to select from among a variety modules 53 relating to different types of graphic compositions 100 that may be customized using application program 28. Pull-down menu 52 allows a user to select from among an accounting module 54, an engineering and mathematics module 58, a geography module 56, and a music module 60. Other modules may be added by the user. Typically, these are downloaded from remote server 16, although they may also be installed from floppy disk, CD ROM, etc.

As described above, the modules 53 are typically Component Object Model (COM) objects such as are found in the Windows operating system of Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington. Alternatively, another suitable data type and/or operating system may be used. Each module 53 contains the instructions necessary to cause computer 12 to display customization screens, such as screens 88, 150, 178, 194,214, 236, described below, for customizing a predetermined type of graphic composition 100. For example, the COM object for the engineering and mathematics module 58 contains the instructions for displaying customization screens 150,178, 194 for customizing engineering and mathematics graphs, while music module 60 contains the instructions for displaying music staff paper customization screen 214.

Upon selection of accounting module 54, application program 28 is configured to display an accounting module options menu 62. Menu 62 includes several types of accounting form options such as T forms 64, balance sheet forms 66, and ledger 68.

Selection of ledger option 68 causes application program 28 to display a ledger customization screen 236, shown in Fig. 8.

Selection of engineering and mathematics option 58 causes application program 28 to display an engineering and mathematics option menu 70, having a millimetric graph paper option 72, a polar graph paper option 74 and a semilog graph paper option 76. Selection of millimetric graph paper option 72 causes application program 28 to display millimetric graph paper customization screen 150 (Fig. 4), while polar graph paper option 74 leads to polar graph paper customization screen 178 (Fig. 5) and semilog graph paper option 76 leads to semilog graph paper customization screen 194 (Fig. 6).

Selection of geography module option 56 causes application program 28 to display geographic region selection menu 78, which includes a list 80 of geographic regions, typically countries. Selection of the America (USA) option 82 leads application program 28 to display map customization screen 88, shown in Fig. 2, with a map 102 of the United States of America in preview pane 98.

Selection of music module option 60 causes application program 28 to display a music options menu 84. Selection of staff paper option 86 leads to staff paper customization screen 282, shown in Fig. 7.

As shown in Fig. 3, map customization screen 88 includes a list of drawing elements 90, and a list of values 92 for a drawing parameter 94 for each drawing element 90. Each of values 92 may be altered by a user via an associated selector 96.

A preview pane 98 is provided featuring a graphical composition 100 having a map 102 rendered according to the user-altered values 92.

Drawing elements 90 for map customization screen 88 typically include map drawing elements 104, pattern elements 106, and border element 108. Map elements 104 are physical or political features to be drawn on map 102 of graphic composition 100, such as rivers, mountains, deserts, forests, roads, cities, lakes, political boundaries such as state and national boundaries, and parks. Graphical representations of the rivers, mountains, and cities drawing parameters are shown on map 102 at 110, 112, and 114, respectively. For simplicity, graphical composition 100 is not shown with all drawing elements 90 rendered.

Pattern elements 106 are repeating graphical elements to be drawn in graphic composition 100, such as longitude lines, not shown, and latitude lines, shown at 116.

Border element 108 is a border, graphically represented at 118, to be drawn around graphical composition 100. Graphic compositions 100 that include repeating pattern elements are referred to herein as patterned graphical compositions.

Drawing parameters 94 for map customization screen 88 typically include color drawing parameter 120 for each of map elements 104 and pattern elements 106, and size drawing parameter 122 for border element 108. Each drawing element 90 has an associated value 92 for one or more of drawing parameters 94. For example, map elements 104 and pattern elements 106 have color values 92 for color drawing parameter 120, while border element 108 has a horizontal size value 92a and a vertical size value 92b.

Selectors 96 are provided for the user to alter the value 92 of a drawing parameter 94 for each drawing element 90. Selectors 96 typically are pull-down

menus with a preset menu of options for each drawing parameter 94. Alternatively, selectors 96 may be radio buttons, check boxes, or other type of selector.

Other drawing parameters 94 may also be user-alterable through selectors 96 on map customization screen 88. For example, in addition to color drawing parameter 120, the screen may also include selectors enabling the user to modify brightness, hue, line thickness, translucency, layer hierarchy (thereby controlling which elements are viewed as"on top"of other elements), or various other drawing parameters.

Values 92 for drawing parameters 94 for each drawing element 90 typically are chosen from a predefined set of value options, stored in the corresponding module 53, which is engineering and mathematics module 56 for map customization screen 88. For color drawing parameter 120, a predefined set of color value options is stored for each drawing element 90 and presented to the user via color selector 96a. For example, the value 92 of the drawing parameter 94 for the drawing element 90 for "rivers"may be chosen from a pull-down menu having the options blue, black, purple, and none, while the value 92 of the drawing element 90 for"mountains"may be chosen from a pull-down menu having the options dark brown, light brown, green, black, and none. By limiting the user choices to a predefined set of options for each drawing parameter 94 of each drawing element 90, the module 53 greatly aids the ease with which a user may construct a graphical composition having a pleasing appearance. It will be understood that the drawing elements 90, drawing parameters 94, and values 92 shown in Fig. 3 are exemplary, and that other map-related drawing parameters may also be included.

Map customization screen 88 also typically includes a preview pane 98 containing a preview of the graphic composition 100 being customized by the user. A zoom control 134 and scroll buttons 136 are provided to enable a user to selectively zoom in and zoom out and scroll up and down and side to side on the image of graphic composition 100 viewable in preview pane 98. Map 102 is displayed in preview pane 98, rendered according to values 92 for drawing parameters 94 selected by the user for each of the drawing elements 90. In the example shown, mountains 112 would be rendered dark brown, rivers 110 would be rendered blue, cities 114

would be rendered black. No roads would be shown because"none"is selected as the color for roads. Each time the user alters a value 92 of a drawing parameter 94, map 102 typically updates itself automatically to display the changed parameter.

Alternatively, an update button may be provided to allow the user to update map 102 at a desired time. For the sake of simplicity, the graphic compositions 100 shown in Figs. 3-8 are not rendered with all drawing elements 90 shown.

Map customization screen 88 also typically includes a default style menu 136 configured to enable a user to select from among a plurality of default styles 1-4, via selectors 138. If a default style is selected, values 92 in selectors 96 automatically change to the values for the selected default style, and the graphical composition 100 in preview pane 98 also changes to the selected default style.

Map customization screen 88 also typically includes format controls 139, including paper size selection button 140, margin edit button 142, border edit button 144, and text box edit button 146. The format controls are configured to enable a user to enter a formatting instruction to be applied to graphic composition 100. Paper size selection button 140 enables a user to alter the paper size for graphic composition 97.

Margin edit button 142 enables a user to adjust the margins of graphic composition 100. Border edit button 144 enables a user to enter characteristics of border 118 such as color, thickness, etc. Text box element edit button 146 enables a user to alter the contents of text box element 149.

Once the user has entered user input via customization screen 88 and is satisfied with the appearance of graphical composition 100 in preview pane 98, the user may select print button 148 to print the graphic composition 100 as document 20 on printer 14. The user may select a binding option to create document 20 that is a bound article.

As shown in Fig. 4, millimetric graph customization screen 150 typically includes a preview pane 98 configured to display a preview image of a graphic composition 100 featuring millimetric graph paper 152. Graph paper 152 includes horizontal lines 154, vertical lines 156, and a border 118 around graph 152. Margins 160 may be provided around the border 158. At periodic intervals, thick horizontal

lines 162 and thick vertical lines 164 may be provided on the graph 152. A title element 149 having user-definable contents may be inserted on the graphic composition 100.

To enable a user to customize the appearance of the graphic composition 100 on millimetric graph customization screen 150, screen 150 typically includes selectors 96 configured to enable a user to alter a value 92 of a plurality of drawing parameters 94 for each of a plurality of drawing elements 90. Drawing elements 90 for screen 150 typically include pattern elements 106, such as horizontal line element 166 and vertical line element 168, as well as border element 108.

Selectors 96 are provided to adjust the values 92 for drawing parameters 94 for both fine horizontal lines and thick horizontal lines, to thereby produce thin horizontal lines 154 and thick horizontal lines 162 shown in graph 112. Similarly, selectors 96 are provided to adjust the values 92 for drawing parameters 94 for both fine and thick vertical lines, thereby to produce fine vertical lines 156 and thick vertical lines 164. Selectors 96 also are provided to adjust the horizontal and vertical dimensions of border element 108, to thereby produce border 118. The dimensions are typically measured in millimeters, although inches or another suitable unit of measurement may be used.

Drawing parameters 94 typically include line spacing drawing parameter 170, color drawing parameter 172, and line width drawing parameter 174, for each of the horizontal line element 166 and vertical line element 168, and size drawing parameter 122 for border element 108. Like the geography module 56 described above, engineering and mathematics module 58 contains a predefined set of value options 92 for each drawing element 90 and drawing parameter 94.

Default style selectors 136 and format controls 139 also are provided on millimetric graph customization screen 150. Selectors 136 and format controls 139 function as described above in relation to map customization screen 88 and will not be redescribed in detail.

As shown in Fig. 5, polar graph customization screen 178 typically includes a preview pane 98 configured to display graphical composition 100 featuring a polar

graph 180. Polar graph 180 typically has a border 118 and pattern elements such as rays 182 and arcs 184. Polar graph 180 also typically includes thick rays 186 and thick arcs 188 spaced at periodic intervals within the graph 180. Margins 160, configurable via margin button 142, are positioned around polar graph 180. A title element 149 is displayed in a lower portion of margin 160.

Polar graph customization screen 178 typically includes a display of drawing elements 90, including pattern elements 106 and border element 108, and associated values 92 for each of a plurality of drawing parameters 94 for each element 90. Drawing elements 90 for polar graph customization screen 178 typically include ray drawing element 190 and arc drawing element 192, each of which has a corresponding fine rule portion and thick rule portion 190a, 190b, and 192a, 192b.

Selectors 96 are configured to enable a user to alter the value 92 for each drawing parameter 94, for each of the drawing elements 90. Thus, a user may alter the value 92 for the spacing drawing parameter 170, color drawing parameter 172, and line width drawing parameter 174 for each of the thin and thick ray drawing elements 190, thereby to produce thin ray 182 and thick ray 186 in polar graph 180. Similarly, the user may adjust the value for these parameters for fine and thick arcs 192 to produce thin arc 184 and thick arc 188 in polar graph 158. The user may also alter size drawing parameter 122 via border selector 96b to produce border 118.

Default style selectors 136 and buttons 140-148 are also provided on polar graph customization screen 178, and function as described above.

As shown in Fig. 6, a semilog graph customization screen is shown generally at 194. Semilog graph customization screen 194 includes a preview pane 98 for viewing a preview of a graphic composition 100 featuring a semilog graph 196. Semilog graph 196 includes a border 118 and pattern elements such as horizontal lines 198 and vertical lines 200. Thick horizontal lines 202 and thick vertical lines 204 are periodically spaced within the graph. In the depicted graph the horizontal axis is drawn to a logarithmic scale, while vertical axis has a non-logarithmic scale. Alternatively, only the vertical axis may be drawn on a logarithmic scale. It will also

be understood that application program 28 may used to create a log-log graph, or a polar-log graph, for example. Title element 149 is positioned in margin 160.

Semilog graph customization screen 194 lists drawing elements 90, which include pattern elements 106 and border element 108. Pattern elements 106 typically include logarithmic scale element 206 and a non-logarithmic scale element 208.

Drawing parameters 94 are listed for each drawing element 90. Drawing parameters 94 include axis drawing parameter 212, spacing drawing parameter 170, color drawing parameter 172, line width drawing parameter 174, and size drawing parameter 122.

Selectors 96 are provided for the user to alter the value 92 for each drawing parameter 94 for each drawing element 90. Selector 96c is a radio button configured to enable the user to alter the axis on to which to apply the logarithmic scale. Selector 96d is a radio button selector configured to enable a user to select between fine, medium, and coarse spacing. The remaining selectors 96 typically are pull-down menus.

Semilog graph customization screen 194 also includes default style selectors 136 and format controls 139, the functions of which are described above and will not be redescribed for the sake of brevity.

As shown in Fig. 7, music staff paper customization screen 214 includes a preview pane 98 including a graphic composition 100 featuring music staff paper 216.

Music staff paper 216 includes measures 218, treble and bass clef signs 220,222, and time signature 224. Title element 149 is positioned in margin 160.

Music staff paper customization screen 214 also includes a plurality of drawing elements 90 having associated drawing parameters 94. Typically, drawing elements 90 include staff paper elements 226 such as time signature element zu key element 226b, clef sign element 226c, and staff element 226d.

Drawing parameters 94 typically include time signature parameter 228, color drawing parameter 172, key drawing parameter 230, clef type drawing parameter 232, measure length drawing parameter 234 and line width drawing parameter 174.

Selectors 96 are provided for a user to alter a value 92 for the drawing parameter (s) 94

for each element 90. While most selectors 96 are pull-down menus, selector 96d is typically a radio button for selecting which clef signs to draw on staff paper 216.

Music staff paper module 60 typically contains a predefined subset of values 92 to display in each of selectors 96, to guide the user in customizing music staff paper.

Music staff paper customization screen 194 also includes default style selectors 136 as well as format controls 134, described above.

As shown in Fig. 8, accounting form customization screen 236 typically includes a preview pane 98 configured to show a graphic composition 100 featuring an accounting form, such as ledger 238. Ledger 238 includes a border 118, columns 239 and rows 240. Labels 242 for each column are typically placed in a first row 240a of the ledger 238. Ledger 238 includes horizontal lines 244 as well as vertical lines 246, which divide the columns 314. A text box 149 may be placed in margin 160 of graphic composition 100.

Accounting form customization screen 236 typically includes a list of drawing elements 90, including pattern element 106, border element 108, label element 248, and page number element 250. Pattern element 106 is typically internal line element 252.

Accounting form customization screen 236 also typically includes drawing parameters 94, such as color drawing parameter 172, line width drawing parameter 174, column drawing parameter, column drawing parameter 254 and label text drawing parameter 256. Selectors 128 are provided to enable the user to vary the value 92 of each drawing parameter 94, for each drawing element 90. Accounting form customization screen 236 further includes default style selectors 136 and format controls 139, which function as described above.

In Fig. 9, a method of printing customized patterned paper is shown generally at 400. At 402, the method typically includes defining a pattern element 106 having an associated drawing parameter 94, as described above. At 404 the method typically includes providing a user interface 50 generated by a computer 12, configured to enable a user to alter a value 92 of drawing parameter 94 of pattern element 106, as described above.

At 406, the method typically includes receiving user input instructing the computer to alter a value 92 of the drawing parameter 94 for the pattern element 106.

At 408, the method typically includes displaying in a preview pane 98 of the user interface a preview of a sheet of the graphical composition drawn according to the user-altered parameter 94.

At 410, the method typically includes printing the pattern element according to the user-altered value 92 of the drawing parameter 94, to thereby produce patterned paper having a pattern. At 412 the method further includes, if a plurality of sheets are being printed, upon selection of a binding option by the user, binding the plurality of sheets to produce a bound article of customized patterned paper. The bound article may be bound, for example, by a thermal binding process, stapling, etc.

Industrial Applicability The embodiments of the present invention are applicable to computer systems that utilize printers.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the foregoing exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that many variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims (8)

I CLAIM :

1. A system for use in creating a graphic composition, the system comprising: an application program (28) configured to be executed on a computer (12); a plurality of modules (53) accessible by the application program (28), each module (53) containing a predefined set of drawing elements (90) and associated drawing parameters (94) and values (92) for a type of graphic composition (100); wherein the application program (28) is configured to load the module (53) and present a customization screen via which a user may alter the values (92) of the drawing parameters (94) for each drawing element (90) to produce a customized graphic composition (100).

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the application program (28) is configured to run on a browser program (30).

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the modules (53) are COM objects.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the application program (28) is embedded in a web page, downloaded from a remote server (16).

5. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the modules (53) is configured to create graphs.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the modules (53) is configured to create maps (102).

7. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the modules is configured to create music staff paper (216).

8. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the modules (53) is configured to create accounting forms.