WO2004101288A2

WO2004101288A2 - Kit for creating a personalized illustrated book

Info

Publication number: WO2004101288A2
Application number: PCT/CA2004/000735
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ken Scott; Sara Paradis; Guy Levesque; Manon Mchugh
Original assignee: Mon Petit Heros Inc.
Priority date: 2003-05-16
Filing date: 2004-05-14
Publication date: 2004-11-25
Also published as: CA2429251A1; WO2004101288A3

Abstract

A kit (10) for creating a personalized illustrated book comprises an image support (12) including an image (16) and a picture receiving portion (18) within the image for displaying a picture (20) of a subject (22); and a media support (24) including instructions for taking the picture (20) of the subject (22) and for positioning the picture (20) in the image support (12) such as to yield a seemingly integration of the subject (22) within the image (16). The image and media supports can be in electronic or in printed form. According to a specific embodiment of the kit, the image support (12) is in the form of an illustrated storybook and the media support (24) is in the form of an instructions manual.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

KIT FOR CREATING A PERSONALIZED ILLUSTRATED BOOK

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to both the book publishing and the photo industries. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a kit for creating a personalized illustrated book and with a method therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Story telling is among the oldest of human activities. Its premium medium, the storybook, is part of the culture of most human societies since the democratisation of book publishing.

Books of the well known "Book of which your are the hero"- type aim at better immersing the reader within the story by allowing her/him to make choices during her/his reading which will affect the following development of the story plot.

Unfortunately, no equivalent seems to exist allowing children of young age, which are often more interested in images, to be immersed in a story. Jumping to another subject, photd albums and gift cards are known to allow insertion of a picture of a subject in an image or in another picture, aiming to create the illusion that the subject was part of the image or picture. However, the current process provides more a superposition of the pictures than an actual integration. Most often, the result is often intended to be a spoof rather than a seemingly integration of a subject in the image or picture.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method and a kit for creating an improved illustrated book.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a kit for creating a personalized illustrated book comprising: an image support including an image and a picture receiving portion within the image for displaying a picture of at least one subject; a media support including instructions for creating the picture of the at least one subject and for positioning the picture in the image support such as to yield a seemingly integration of the at least one subject within the image.

The image support may be in any form allowing displaying an image including electronic and printed form. According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the book is in the form of a printed storybook having pages including images and picture-receiving zones for receiving and displaying a picture of a subject. More specifically, the picture can be fastened to the page so as to be displayed within the image.

The media support including instructions for creating the picture of the subject and for positioning the picture in the image may be in the form of an instruction manual.

The present invention is especially suitable to create a children storybook including pictures of a child integrated within images. Such storybook allows for better subsequent immersion of the child in the story.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following non restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the appended drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a kit for creating an illustrated storybook according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a page construction from the storybook part of the kit illustrated in Figure 1 , according to a first illustrative embodiment of a specific aspect of the present, illustrating the insertion of pictures in the page;

Figure 3 is a partially cross-sectional top plan view of the page construction illustrated in Figure 2, illustrating the double page closing means;

Figure 4a-4b are front top plan views of a page construction from the storybook part of the kit illustrated in Figure 1 , according to a second illustrative embodiment of a specific aspect of the present, illustrating the insertion of pictures in the page;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a page from the instruction book part of the kit illustrated in Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the kit from Figure 1 , illustrated enclosed in a package; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a kit for creating an illustrated storybook, in the form of a computer application, according to a third illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A kit 10 for creating a personalized illustrated storybook according to a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

The kit 10 comprises an image support in the form of a picture book 12, including pages 14 displaying images 16 and having picture-receiving portions 18 for displaying pictures 20 of a subject 22, and a media support, in the form of an instructions manual 24, including instructions for creating the pictures 20 and for positioning the pictures 20 in the pages 14 of the picture book 12 so as to yield a seemingly integration of the subject 22 within the images 16. The kit 10 further comprises a camera 26 for taking pictures of the subject 22.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the pages 14 are constructed from two consecutive sheets of paper s 29, 29', each having an image 16 displayed on one of its faces 28. More specifically, the image 16 is displayed on the recto side of the sheet 29 and then on the verso side of the adjacent sheet 29' so as to yield a book 12 having facing pages including images 28 alternating with facing pages without images 30. Each sheet of paper 29 includes a picture-receiving portion 18 in the form of a vent, resulting in the' images defining a mat for the picture 20.

As will now be explained with reference to Figure 3, the book construction according to the first illustrative embodiment allows the insertion of pictures 20 on pages without images 30 so as to be displayed on pages including an image 28 within the picture-receiving portion 18.

More specifically, the pictures 20 is secured onto the page 30 and so positioned that the picture 20 can be viewed through the vent 18 on the recto side 28 of the sheet 29. As will be explained hereinbelow in more detail, the instructions manual 24 may include more specific instructions to position the picture 20 in the page 28 for allowing a better integration of the subject 22 of the picture 20 within the image 16.

The picture 20 is secured on the recto side of the sheet 29 using any adhesive such as self-adhesive cellulose tape 32 or glue.

The verso of the sheet 29 is provided with double-sided adhesive tape 34, which can be peeled-off (see arrows 35) to allow joining the two facing pages without images 30, yielding a two-ply sheet with images on both its faces 28. Of course, the book 12 can be configured so that only one of two facing pages 30 is provided with adhesive means. Also, other adhesive means such as glue can also be used.

Alternatively, the adhesive means can be in the form of a foldable strip of self-adhesive tape (not shown) secured along the margin of the sheet 20 on one face thereof so that a protected portion of the self adhesive tape extends from the sheet along the length thereof. In operation, the protected portion is peeled-off and the adhesive strip is folded on the face of the adjacent sheet not contacting the first sheet when the two sheets are joined.

Turning now to Figures 4a-4b, a page construction according to a second illustrative embodiment of a particular aspect of the present invention is illustrated. The page 36 includes an image 16 and an image receiving- portion in the form of an outline 38 of the proposed shape and position of t thhee D piiccttuurree 44Ω0 w wiitthhiinn t thhee i immaaαgee 1166..

The inner area of the outline 38 can be made blank or not, since this portion of the image 16 is entended to be covered by the picture 40.

The picture 40 is printed onto a self-adhesive paper convered with a^'protective film of paper 41 or plastic that can be peeled- off (see arrow 43) to allow fixing the picture onto the page 36, within the outline 38. Since self-adhesive picture paper is well-known in the art, it will not be described furtherin in more detail.

Of course, pictures printed on conventional paper film can also be used and secured onto the paper using fastening means, such as glue, self-adhesive cellulose tape, or else.

Alternatively, the image-receiving portion may be more discrete than an outline 38 of the suggested shape and position of the picture 20. It can be, for example, a dot, arrows, or any other symbol allowing indicating, for example, the center of the expected position of the picture 40.

Also, the page does not have to include any markings defining an image-receiving portion. Indeed, the image-receiving portion can be a portion of the image 16 that is indicated in the instruction manual 24 using written indications or markings displayed on a copy of the image 16 printed in the instruction manual 24. This may allow to yield the integrity of the image 16 by not removing portions of it and to allow for a more precise integration of the subject 22 within the image 16. Indeed, the subject 22 can be precisely outlined and cut from the picture 40 and affixed into the image 16.

Of course, the pages 16 of the book 12 can be made of any type of paper or any material connectively responsive to an adhesive.

Furthermore, the images can include drawings, pictures or a mix of both.

Returning to Figure 1 , the viewfinder 42 of the camera 26 is provided with a grid 44 serving as a guide for helping position the subject 22 relatively to the camera 26 so as to yield a picture adequate for seemingly integration of the subject 22 within the image 16. The camera 26 can also be configured to include one or more filters (not shown). The filters can be made removable or integral to the camera 26. Of course, the camera 26 can be of the digital type or not. Since camera and filters are believed to be well known in the art, they will not be described herein in more detail.

The instructions manual 24 will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 5.

The instructions manual 24 is in the form of a book, booklet or simply printed sheets including written instructions for creating the pictures 20 or 40 and/or for positioning the pictures 20 or 40 in the pages 14 of the picture book 12 so as to yield a seemingly integration of the subject 22 within the images 16. Alternatively, the instructions can be integrated into a dedicated section of the strory book 12, directly onto the page 14 or written on the verso side of the sheet 29 in the case of the first illustrative embodiment.

More specidically, the instructions may include any indication allowing 1) preparing the subject 22 and/or its surrounding to be photographed by the camera 26 and/or 2) configuring the camera so as to yield a picture allowing for a seemingly integration of the subject 22 within the image 16.

Such indication may relate, for example, to:

• the size and position of the subject 22 within the frame of the picture;

• costume, make-up or general attitude of the subject;

• exposure time, type of film, type of filter to be used for the camera 26; and

• type and configuration of the setting, including lighting.

Referring to the example illustrated in Figures 2 and 4a-4b, where the image calls for a child dressed as a skipper looks at a fish coming out of the water to his right, instructions for guiding the photographer (not shown) in taking a picture of the subject 22 that will look as if the subject 22 was part of the image 16 are shown on one the page 46 (see Figure 5) which constitutes an excert from the instructions manual 24. The instructions page 46 includes a first portion 48 that reproduces the grid 44 of the camera 26 and illustrating how the subject 22 is to be viewed within the viewfinder 42 to yield a picture where the position and proportion of the subject relatively to the frame of the picture would allow a seemingly integration of the subject's 22 picture within the image 16.-

A second portion 50 includes specific instructions for staging the picture 20, 40 of the subject. As illustrated in Figure 5, examples of such instructions include:

• costume: the subject wears a skipper hat;

• position: the subject looks down to his right;

• camera: relatively to the camera, position the subject so that the center of his head coincides with the bottom left corner of the rectangle in the middle of the grid;

• attitude: the subject looks surprised.

A third portion 52 includes a table including numeral references to the shots to help the user keep track of the different pictures to take as suggested in the instructions manual 24.

Of course, the instructions can be laid and disposed in the pages of the instructions manual using other configurations than the ones that are illustrated in Figure 5.

In the case where the kit 10 is intended to be used in connection with a digital camera (not shown), the instructions from the instructions manual 24 may refer to the use of a digital picture editing software to modify and edit the picture 20 or 40. The resulting picture can then be printed and affixed into the storybook 12.

As illustrated in Figure 6, all elements of the kit 10 may be packaged and sold together. Alternatively, the kit 10 may be provided without a camera or and instrutions manual, which can be provided separately.

A packing 54 enclosing the elements of the kit 10 may also include other objects referred to in the instructions manual 24 and allowing to stage the photo session, including costume part, make up, etc.

A kit for creating a personalized story book according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 7.

According to this third embodiment, the kit is completely or partially in digital form.

For example, as illustrated in Figure 7, the kit comprises a computer applications for running on a personal computer 53 for example, and allowing to display on a display monitor 54 a page layout 56 including an image 58 and a picture-receiving portion 60 for receiving and displaying a picture 62 of a subject 64.

The computer application may be configured with digital picture edition capabilities allowing editing the picture to ease its integration into the image 58. Of course, the pictures added to the storybook in digital form can be processed using stand-alone digital picture edition software. Since such software application is believed to be well known in the art, it will not be described herein in more detail.

. The kit includes an instructions manual in the form of user instructions provided on-screen. Alternatively, the instructions manual may be provided in paper form.. Of course, the sequence and manner to which the instructions are provided to a user may vary without departing from the spirit and nature of the present invention. For example, the instructions may include video and/or voice over clips.

The computer applications may be configured for the creation of a storybook intended to be displayed on the computer monitor 54 or printed on paper for later visualization. For that purpose, sheets of paper can be provided in the kit.

More specifically, the sheets of paper may be provided with the corresponding images 58 already printed thereon. The computer application is of course configured, according to that specific embodiment, so as to only print the picture 62.

Of course, the use of a computer allows for adding sound, video and/or animation clips to the story.

More specifically, the computer application is configured with a user-interface allowing a user to select a digital picture 62 previously saved in the computer memory or in a storage means accessible by the computer and to position it within the image 58 using the mouse 66 or another input device connected to the computer 53.

The digital pictures 62 are either obtained from a digital camera (not shown) or digitized from a' film or paper support (not shown).

Of course, a kit from this third embodiment of the present invention may be provided with any accessories that may help stage the picture shooting session.

The computer application can be provided on a computer-readable support such as a Compact Disk (CD), Digital Video Disk (DVD) or be made downloadable on a web site accessible by the computer 53 through Internet, for example.

The implementation of the application according to the third illustrative embodiment is not limited to a personal computer. A kit for creating a storybook according to the third embodiment of the present invention may be implemented on any electronic device configured to display images on display device and allowing a user to insert pictures in the displayed images.

Even though a kit for creating a personalized illustrated book according to the present invention has been described with reference to the creation of a storybook, it can also be adapted to provide for the creation of other type of personalized illustrated book such as: illustrated serial story, tourism trip log for example where pictures of people are integrated within a scene including a famous or historical monument, etc. Of course, according to the present invention, the subject may take many forms, from a person to an unanimated object. Also, the picture to be integrated within an image may include more than one subject. In that case, the instructions manual includes directives allowing staging the picture for all subjects in order to yield a picture wherein these subjects can be easily integrated to the image in which the picture is intended to be inserted.

Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A kit for creating a personalized illustrated book comprising: an image support including an image and a picture receiving portion within said image for displaying a picture of at least one subject; and a media support including instructions for creating said picture of said at least one subject and for positioning said picture on said image support such as to yield a seemingly integration of said at least one subject within said image.

2. A kit as recited in claim 1 , wherein said image support includes at least one sheet defining at least one page.

3. A kit as recited in claim 2, wherein said at least one sheet includes a recto side having said image printed thereon and a verso side for receiving said picture; said picture-receiving portion being in the form of a vent in said at least one sheet, defining a mat for displaying said picture of said at least one subject.

4. A kit as recited in claim 3, wherein said picture is secured on said recto side of said at least one sheet.

5. A kit as recited in claim 4, wherein said picture is secured on said recto side of said at least one sheet using adhesive.

6. A kit as recited in claim 5, wherein said adhesive is selected from the group consisting of self-adhesive cellulose tape and glue.

7. A kit as recited in claim 2, wherein said image support is a book.

8. A kit as recited in claim 7, wherein said book includes at least one pair of consecutive sheets; a first of said at least one pair of consecutive sheets having an image displayed on its recto side, and a next of said at least one pair of consecutive sheets having an image displayed on its verso side; whereby, in operation, said at least one pair of consecutive sheets are connectable by joining the verso side of said first of said at least one pair of consecutive sheets to the recto side of the next of said at least one pair of consecutive sheets of paper, yielding a two-ply sheet having an image on each of its side.

9. A kit as recited in claim 8, wherein said verso side of said first of said at least one pair of consecutive sheets and said recto side of the next of said at least one pair of consecutive sheets are connected using adhesive means.

10. A kit as recited in claim 9, wherein said adhesive means is a double-sided adhesive tape or glue.

11. A kit as recited in claim 9, wherein said adhesive means is in the form of a foldable strip of self-adhesive tape secured along a margin of one of said verso side of said first of said at least one pair of consecutive sheets and said recto side of the next of said at least one pair of consecutive sheets, and includes a foldable peelable portion for securing on the other of said verso side of said first of said at least one pair of consecutive sheets and said recto side of the next of said at least one pair of consecutive sheets.

12. A kit as recited in claim 1 , wherein said picture-receiving portion is in the form of an outline within said image defining an inner surface; said outline characterizing a proposed shape and position of said picture of at least one subject.

13. A kit as recited in claim 12, wherein said inner surface defined by said outline within said image is blank.

14. A kit as recited in claim 1 , wherein said picture-receiving portion includes an indication as to a proposed position of said picture within said image.

15. A kit as recited in claim 14, wherein said indication includes a dot or a symbol.

16. A kit as recited in claim 1 , wherein said instructions include an indication for preparing said at least one subject for a photo shoot for taking said picture.

17. A kit as recited in claim 1 , wherein said instructions concern at least one of: the size and position of said at least one subject within the frame of said picture, costume and make-up to be wear by said at least one subject, and a general attitude of said at least one subject.

18. A kit as recited in claim 1 , wherein said instructions include information regarding the position of said picture-receiving portion within said image.

19. A kit as recited in claim 1 , wherein said media support includes at least one page having a portion comprising instructions for staging said picture of said at least one subject.

20. A kit as recited in claim 1 , wherein said media support including instructions is in the form selected from the group consisting of a book, a booklet, printed sheets and dedicated section of said image support.

21. A kit as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a camera for taking said picture of said at least one subject.

22. A kit as recited in claim 21 , wherein said instructions concern at least one of: the exposure time recommended for creating said picture with said camera, and a type of film to use in said camera for creating said picture.

^' 23. A kit as recited in claim 21 , wherein said camera includes a viewfinder having guide markings for helping positioning said at least one subject relatively to said camera.

24. A kit as recited in claim 23, wherein said guide markings represent a grid.

25. A kit as recited in claim 24, wherein said media support includes at least one page including a portion reproducing said grid of said viewfinder and using said reproduced grid for illustrating how said at least one subject is to be viewed within said viewfinder.

26. A kit as recited in claim 21 , wherein said camera includes a filter.

27. A kit as recited in claim 26, wherein said filter is removably mounted to said camera.

28. A kit as recited in claim 26, wherein said filter is integral to said camera.

29. A kit as recited in claim 21 , wherein said camera is of the digital type.

30. A kit as recited in claim 29, wherein at least one of said instructions refers to the use of a digital picture editing software to modify said picture.

31. A kit as recited in claim 1 , wherein the kit allows creating an illustrated book of a type selected from the group consisting of an illustrated storybook, an illustrated serial storybook, and a toursim log book.

32. A kit as recited in claim 1 , wherein said image includes at least one of a drawing and a picture.

33. A kit as recited in claim 1 , further comprising objects referred to in said instructions for creating said picture.

34. A kit as recited in claim 1 , wherein said image support is in the form of a page layout displayed on a computer display by a computer application running on a computer.

35. A kit as recited in claim 34, wherein said picture being provided in a digital form; said computer application is configured to provide a user-interface allowing to select said picture in a memory of said computer or in a storage means coupled to said computer.

36. A kit as recited in claim 34, wherein said computer application is provided on a computer-readable support or made downloadable from a computer network accessible from said computer.

37. A kit as recited in claim 34, wherein said instructions are provided on said computer display by said computer application.

38. A kit as recited in claim 34, wherein said computer application provides functionalities for editing said picture.

39. A kit as recited in claim 1 , wherein said image support is in the form of a page layout displayed on a display connect to an electronic device.

40. A method for creating a personalized illustrated book comprising: providing an image support including an image and a picture receiving portion for displaying a picture of at least one subject; and following instructions for taking said picture of said at least one subject and for positioning said picture in said image support such as

( to yield a seemingly integration of said at least one subject within said image.

41. A kit for creating a personalized illustrated book comprising: means for displaying an image including an image, including means for receiving and displaying a picture of at least one subject; and means for providing instructions for creating said picture of said at least one subject and for positioning said picture in said image support such as to yield a seemingly integration of said at least one subject within said image.