Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06T—IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
  • G06T11/00—2D [Two Dimensional] image generation
  • G06T11/60—Editing figures and text; Combining figures or text

Definitions

• the invention concerns electronic systems for reproducing pictures.
• reproduction tone can be continuous or discontinuous, pictures in reversed posiions, natural size or otherwise.
• Scanners can be connected to a computer in which data can be stored for a whole series of selections obtained by scanning analysis.
• a printer can be connected to a computer and, by means of suitable programs, can transform the information contained in the computer into ordinary printed characters.
• the printer contains a microprocessor that receives information from the computer and prints it, sometimes by laser which gives excellent reproduction.
• Some computers use certain programs for storing data, visualizing images corresponding to such data; they can alter information as needed and therefore the image related to it and then, in response to an order, pass the data on to the printer.
• Photographs can also be in colour using a film carrying three layers of sensitive emulsion.
• the cost of each photogrph remains within acceptable limits when only a few are required for certain purposes. But when large quantities are needed for commercial or other uses, the unit cost may be so high as to prevent this means being possible for such purposes.
• Printing can of course be done with a variety of well-known machines and systems but in that case, if the unit cost of each picture is negligible, installation and matrix costs are excessively high. The process using printing machines is therefore only feasible for very large quantities. Purpose of the invention here described is to enable the ordinary user to obtain a large number of reproductions of a picture, especially of a photo ⁇ graph, at a low unit cost and without facing the high expense of some kind of installation.
• Subject of the invention is an electronic system for memorizing, manipulating, multiplying and printing pictures, especially photographs, a system comprising an electronic processor with screen, keyboard and printer, and containing a program for graphic processes.
• this program In reponse to orders given through the keyboard, this program: - transforms the images put into the scanner into a digital file,
• the paper used in the printer may be self-adhesive and have a repellant backing sheet.
• the repeated pictures can be separated one from another on the printed sheet by continuous or intermittent cutting to assist detachment of a single copy.
• This continuous or intermittent cut distinguishes one picture from the adjacent one or can separate one picture from the sheet from the next one.
• the multiplied pictures can be in contact one with another or can be spaced separately with a border round each one.
• the pictures can be photographic or of any other kind.
• the paper used in the printer can be white or coloured, plain or decorated in different ways.
• the printer is preferably for four-colour reproduction and is a laser type.
• the paper for printing can be arranged so as to offer space for reproducing various pictures on a background containing figures, written texts especially those referring to the pictures to be printed.
• the paper used for printing multi-pictures can have spaces to take them surrounded by some kind of drawings to form a frame for each picture, the paper itself preferably being entirely or partially pre-cut round such frames for easier detachment.
• the picture put into the scanner can be electronically manipulated to vary sizes, dimensional relations, colours.
• a number of pictures can be put into the scanner, at the same time instructing the computer about the positions to be given on the printed sheet of any picture in relation to any other.
• the pictures can be put into the scanner at the same time or at different times.
• the pictures put into the scanner are manipulated on the screen and when the desired graphic formation has been reached, they are then transmitted to the printer.
• the pictures can be printed on non-adhesive paper; The invention offers evident advantages.
• a number of copies can be obtained of a photograph, for instance, printed on a sheet of adhesive paper on which intermittent lines have been marked to assist detachment permitting the user to tear off any one of them and, having an adhesive back, the detached picture can be applied to any paper surface such as a document or anywhere a person's photograph is needed or desired.
• the cost per picture is infinitely less than that of an ordinary photograph; slightly greater than that of one obtainable by other means of typographic or rotogravure printing, but of course without the heavy expense needed for setting up a printing program on such machines. As the equipment used for the described process is in everyday use and can serve for other purposes, installation costs may be considered negligible.
• the user can obtain, without difficulty , an indefinite number of copies of a useful or beloved picture, such as a photograph, at an extremely low cost.
• Fig.1 Diagram of the system when a picture is going into the scanner.
• Fig.3 As in Fig.2 on finishing manipulation of the picture on the screen.
• Fig.4 Example of a picture put into the scanner.
• Fig.5 Example of the picture multiplied on a horizontal strip.
• the installation 10 comprises a scanner 11 , electronic processor 12 with keyboard 13 and screen 14, and with a laser printer 15, all connected by cables 20, 21 between scanner and processor and between processor and printer.
• the printer 15 is a laser printer for four-colour reproduction.
• a photograph, in positive, is inserted into the scanner 1 1 which transforms the picture into a digital file suitable for manipulation by a graphic processing program.
• the picture 31 appears on the screen 14.
• the operator reduces dimensions to the desired size and, using the program put into the processor,initiates multiplication of the desired number of pictures in horizontal compartments.
• the first stage is seen in Fig.2 with a horizontal strip 32 of six identical pictures, using a digital file produced by the program.
• the operator can now modify as preferred the picture seen on the screen, enlarging or diminishing it, varying its dimensional relations or its colours, including within the picture on the screen other things such as drawings, writing, figures and doing so in spaces already prepared by the program or arranged as the time.
• the pictures on the screen must occupy positions corresponding to these cut lines so that the user can detach the required picture.
• Fig. 4 shows the photograph initially used.
• Fig. 5 shows first multiplication of the pictures 30 in strips 32.
• Fig. 6 shows the adhesive sheet 40 printed with eighteen pictures 33 of the photograph 30.
• Fig. 7 shows the same sheet with pictures 34 partially detached.
• Fig. 8 shows pictures 35, 36 with adhesive back, applicable to any base.
• Fig. 9 shows a fiow diagram, explained below, of the graphic processing program for producing a matrix of pictures starting from one or more.

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Processing Or Creating Images (AREA)
• Liquid Developers In Electrophotography (AREA)
• Dot-Matrix Printers And Others (AREA)
• Piles And Underground Anchors (AREA)
• Facsimiles In General (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=11372964

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Citations (3)

• 1996
  • 1996-01-19 IT IT96MI000094A patent/IT1281696B1/it active IP Right Grant
  • 1996-03-21 WO PCT/IT1996/000057 patent/WO1997026623A1/en active Application Filing
  • 1996-03-21 AU AU51194/96A patent/AU5119496A/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (3)

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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