Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Distributed data processing – Client/server
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-22
2001-05-15
Vu, Viet D. (Department: 2154)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Distributed data processing
Client/server
C709S204000, C709S219000, C709S241000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233603
ABSTRACT:
This application claims the benefit of Japanese utility model patent application No. Hei. 9-9411, filed Oct. 23, 1997, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a play device for generating a synthesized self-portrait, and more particularly, to a play device for generating a synthesized self-portrait by synthesizing a self-portrait photographed by a player with a selected background frame image. Although the present invention is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for electronically exchanging the synthesized self-portrait with the other players through the Internet, so that the exchanged self-portrait is printed at a desired terminal of the play device.
2. Description of the Related Art
An example of a type play device for generating a synthesized self-portrait is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Registered Publication No. 3014733. The play device for generating a synthesized self-portrait begins to operate when a coin is put into the device. The first process for generating a synthesized self-portrait is to photograph a desired object with a camera attached in a terminal. An obtained image and a selected background frame image from previously prepared frame images are synthesized, so that a self-portrait is completed and is displayed on a display device such as CRT. The synthesized self-portrait is then printed on a seal by a video printer. This type of function is referred to herein as a stand-alone type play in this specification.
Further, it has been also proposed a play device capable of generating a home page including a self-portrait and voice through the Internet. After the home page is registered in the Internet through the public telephone line, the self-portrait on the home page is printed on a seal. This type of function is referred to as a network type play, and a terminal of the play device is referred to herein as a network type play device.
In this type terminal of a play device, a background image is selected from the previously prepared frame images when a self-portrait is synthesized. Conventionally, the printed self-portraits on seals are personally exchanged with each other as desired. However, the players always desire more entertaining ways in generating self-portraits and exchanging them with one other. Therefore, the present invention is to provide a more amusing play device in which a high level information can be electronically exchanged, so that the exchanged self-portrait are printed at any desired terminals. Conventionally, only persons having a personal computer are able to acquire self-portraits and other information which are registered on home pages through the Internet. However, according to the present invention, since a terminal of a play device for generating a synthesized self-portrait is connected to a home page through the Internet, players can have access to self-portraits and other information without using a personal computer.
For example, when an ID code determined in the previous printing process is known to each other between the players, the player's ID code or the other players' ID code is inputted into the terminals of the play device for generating a synthesized self-portrait. The self-portrait of the player or the self-portraits of the other players are thus shown on an information display device (for example, CRT), so that it is printed on seals as desired.
Although it does not belong to the technical field of the play device for generating a synthesized self-portrait, Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. Hei. 8-280934 discloses a system terminal of a common game system connected to a host computer through the public telephone line. Using this system, a game program can be renewed by the latest one.
Also, Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. Hei. 5-233308 discloses a POS terminal connected to a host computer through a communication line in the POS system. A program can be downloaded from the host computer by a remote control in accordance with a system program provided on the POS terminal side whenever a version of the program is upgraded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a play device for generating a synthesized self-portrait that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to the limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
An object of the present invention to provide a play device for generating a synthesized self-portrait which can transmitted as an electronically exchanged self-portrait through the Internet.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure and process particularly pointed out in the written description as well as in the appended claims.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, there is provided a play device for generating a synthesized self-portrait which includes a photographed image of a player and frame. The device includes a terminal for displaying and printing the synthesized self-portrait, a network server for providing the self-portrait data of each player assigned to ID code data at designated terminals, a management device for managing the play device, and a monitoring system for monitoring various operation conditions of the play device.
In another aspect of the present invention, a terminal of a play device for generating a synthesized self-portrait having a photographed image of a player and a frame image includes a play type selecting switch for selecting a type of play, an ID code inputting unit for inputting an ID code assigned to each player, a communication network access allowing access to a server that includes self-portrait data of each player, and a downloader for downloading the self-portrait data from the server that includes the ID code and self-portrait data corresponding to the ID code.
In an another aspect of the present invention, a terminal of a play device for generating a synthesized self-portrait which includes a photographed image of a player and a frame image, includes a play type selecting switch for selecting a type of play, an ID code setting unit for generating ID code data when the play type selecting switch selects the play type registered in a home page of a server, and a signal connector for connecting the ID code data with the self-portrait data corresponding to the ID code, wherein the ID code data and the self-portrait data corresponding to the ID code data are transmitted to the server when the play type selecting switch selects the type of play registered in the home page.
In a further aspect of the present invention, a server of a play device for generating a synthesized self-portrait includes a memory storage device for accommodating ID code data and self-portrait data corresponding to the ID code data sent from a plurality of terminals of play devices for generating synthesized self-portraits through a communication network, and a download permission unit for permitting each designated terminal to download self-portrait data from the memory storage device through the communication network.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5367522 (1994-11-01), Otani
patent: 5491743 (1996-02-01), Shiio et al.
patent: 5621492 (1997-04-01), Beveridge et al.
patent: 5689299 (1997-11-01), Isono et al.
patent: 5793365 (1998-08-01), Tang et al.
patent: 5953504 (1999-09-01), Sokal et al.
patent: 6014689 (2000-01-01), Budge et al.
patent: 5-233308 (1993-09-01), None
patent: 6-251114 (1994-09-01), None
patent: 3014733 (1995-06-01), Non
Matsuhashi Hisahiro
Sugimoto Hideki
Fumai Electric Co., Ltd.
Morgan & Lewis & Bockius, LLP
Vu Viet D.
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