Printing – Processes
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-29
2003-10-14
Yan, Ren (Department: 2854)
Printing
Processes
C358S450000, C358S452000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06631683
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to customized wallpaper, and methods for allowing customers to select a particular wallpaper design from a displayed selection, and to customize the design by adding personalized information. The method requires the use of a digital image of the basic design that is to be customized.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Among the variety of ways of decorating walls in both dwellings and commercial enterprises is the use of wall coverings, particularly wallpaper. The term “wallpaper” generally refers to rolls of sheets of a substrate onto which is printed a repeating pattern. The substrate is not limited to paper, but can be any other type of sheet onto which print can be applied, and that will adhere to a wall surface, such as vinyl sheeting.
While wallpaper sometimes provides a better aesthetic appearance than paint, wallpaper decorations are necessarily limited by the repeating patterns that are required to allow alignment of similarly patterned sheets of wallpaper side by side on a wall. This requirement that the wallpaper have a repeating pattern limits artistic expression and frequently reduces aesthetic appeal. In certain situations, it may be preferable to have a mural that does not have a repeating pattern, instead of wallpaper. However, mural paintings are prepared by skilled artists so that they are expensive.
There is yet a need for a type of wallpaper that does not have a repeating pattern, and that can be adapted for use on walls of different sizes. Desirably, the wallpaper should also allow a purchaser to customize the designs further by adding personal detailed touches, such as images of family members, and the like. It is further desirable that the customer should be able to select the wallpaper from a display, request custom modification, and receive the specially prepared wallpaper within a short space of time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides customized wallpaper panels, that can be sold on rolls, for use as wall decoration.
In one embodiment, a vendor of customized wallpaper displays copies of basic designs for wallpaper on a medium, such as a book or video display unit, to customers for review and selection of designs. The basic designs do not include repeating patterns. Each of the basic designs consists of contiguous decorative panel portions. The customer then selects a wallpaper basic design and a subdesign of the selected basic design. A subdesign is a contiguous portion of the basic design, which consists of one or more contiguous panel portions to provide a coherent design, and not the entire displayed basic design. The vendor relays the customizing information, including selection of at least one basic design and a subdesign within the selected basic design, to a source for customizing an existing digital image of the basic design. The digital image is customized by incorporating the subdesign selection to produce a customized digital image. The customized digital image is then printed onto a suitable substrate for the wallpaper.
The wallpaper may comprise several rolls of sheets. Notwithstanding, when the sheets are properly aligned and adhered to the wall side by side in proper sequence, a complete design or scene is produced as in a mural painting, without need for the repeating pattern that is typical of prior art wallpaper.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4696400 (1987-09-01), Warman
patent: 4772158 (1988-09-01), Coone
patent: 5226098 (1993-07-01), Hirosawa
patent: 5555094 (1996-09-01), Lefebvre et al.
patent: 5574829 (1996-11-01), Wallace et al.
patent: 5592305 (1997-01-01), Iwadate et al.
patent: 5601928 (1997-02-01), Katayama et al.
patent: 5608542 (1997-03-01), Krahe et al.
patent: 5635007 (1997-06-01), Weinberg
patent: 5661566 (1997-08-01), Gerber
patent: 5685657 (1997-11-01), Jablonski
patent: 5815645 (1998-09-01), Fredlund et al.
patent: 5986671 (1999-11-01), Fredlund et al.
patent: 6212304 (2001-04-01), Durg et al.
Christensen O'Connor Johnson & Kindness PLLC
Krinsky Lynn P.
Yan Ren
LandOfFree
Method of preparing customized wallpaper panels does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method of preparing customized wallpaper panels, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method of preparing customized wallpaper panels will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3133510