Methods and apparatus for merchandise generation including an image

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods and an apparatus for quickly and easily facilitating the creation of certain merchandise based on a user selection of at least one of a collection of images. It is contemplated that the user can browse the selection of images, choose a desired image or images, and quickly convert the image or images into, for example, photo reprints, photo books, coffee mugs, or wall calendars.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An image generating apparatus for providing an infrastructure for generating an article of Merchandise based upon a static replication of a digital photo, the apparatus comprising:
 one or more computer servers for post processing the digital image data, said computer server in logical communication with the image capture device and accessible with a network access device via a digital communications network;   executable software stored on the one or more computer servers and executable on demand, the software operative with the one or more servers to cause the apparatus to:
 receive digital image data from an image capture device, said digital image data representative of a first digital photo; 
 receive from a user an input choosing a desired article of Merchandise; 
 receive the first digital photo to be applied to the article of Merchandise;
 associate Cartesian Coordinates with specified segregated spatial areas of the first digital photo received from the image capture device; 
 designate an area to apply the first digital photo to the article of Merchandise; and 
 manufacture the article of Merchandise based upon the first digital photo. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the executable software stored on the one or more computer servers and executable on demand is additionally operative with the one or more computer servers to cause the apparatus to transmit a notification to the user that the article of Merchandise has been manufactured. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the executable software stored on the one or more computer servers and executable on demand is additionally operative with the one or more computer servers to cause the apparatus to receive a second digital photo and prompt the user to designate desired Cartesian Coordinates on the article of Manufacture in which to apply the first and second digital photos. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the executable software stored on the one or more computer servers and executable on demand is additionally operative with the one or more computer servers to receive from the user an input comprising text to apply to the article of Merchandise. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the executable software stored on the one or more computer servers and executable on demand is additionally operative with the one or more computer servers to receive from the user a designation of desired Cartesian Coordinates for the first and second digital photos and text. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the article of Merchandise is a t-shirt. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the article of Merchandise is a mug. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the executable software stored on the one or more computer servers and executable on demand is additionally operative with the one or more computer servers to transmit to a third party via the communications network one or both of the first and second digital photos. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the executable software stored on the one or more computer servers and executable on demand is additionally operative with the one or more computer servers to transmit to a device associated with the user a visual indication corresponding to a selection of the first digital photo, wherein the visual indication comprises at least one of: highlighting the first digital photo; causing the first digital photo to virtually wiggle; or surrounding the first digital photo with a colored frame. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the executable software stored on the one or more computer servers and executable on demand is additionally operative with the one or more computer servers to manufacture a photo book comprising static representations of the first and second digital photos. 
     
     
         11 . An image generating apparatus for providing an infrastructure for generating an article of Merchandise based upon a static replication of a digital photo, the apparatus comprising:
 an image capture device for generating digital image data representative of a first digital photo;   a second image capture device for generating digital image data representative of a second digital photo;   one or more computer servers for post processing the digital image data, said computer server in logical communication with the image capture device and accessible with a network access device via a digital communications network;   executable software stored on the one or more computer servers and executable on demand, the software operative with the one or more servers to cause the apparatus to:
 receive from a user an input choosing a desired article of Merchandise; 
 receive the first digital photo to be applied to the article of Merchandise; 
 receive the second digital photo to be applied to the article of Merchandise; 
 prompt the user to designate desired Cartesian Coordinates on the article of Manufacture in which to apply the first and second digital photos; 
 determine that the user has rights to create Merchandise with the first digital photo; and 
 determine that the user has neither rights to create Merchandise with the second digital photo nor the permission to create Merchandise granted by a second user who has rights to create Merchandise with the second digital image. 
   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the executable software stored on the one or more computer servers and executable on demand is additionally operative with the one or more computer servers to cause the apparatus to:
 prompt the user to choose between deleting the application of the second digital photo or a suspension of the creation of the Merchandise; 
 receive a direction to delete the application of the second digital photo; 
 delete the application of the second digital photo; and 
 manufacture the article of Merchandise based upon the first digital photo. 
 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the executable software stored on the one or more computer servers and executable on demand is additionally operative with the one or more computer servers to cause the apparatus to transmit a notification to the user that the article of Merchandise has been manufactured. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the executable software stored on the one or more computer servers and executable on demand is additionally operative with the one or more computer servers to cause the apparatus to:
 determine that a payment may be made to the second user for rights to create the Merchandise; 
 prompt the user to choose between agreement to the payment to the second user for the application of the second digital photo or a suspension of the creation of the Merchandise; 
 receive an agreement to the payment for the application of the second digital photo; and 
 manufacture the article of Merchandise based upon the first digital photo and the second digital photo. 
 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the executable software stored on the one or more computer servers and executable on demand is additionally operative with the one or more computer servers to cause the apparatus to transmit a notification to the user that the article of Merchandise has been manufactured. 
     
     
         16 . An image generating apparatus for providing an infrastructure for generating an article of Merchandise based upon a static replication of a digital photo, the apparatus comprising:
 an image capture device for generating digital image data representative of a first digital photo;   one or more computer servers for post processing the digital image data, said computer server in logical communication with the image capture device and accessible with a network access device via a digital communications network;   executable software stored on the one or more computer servers and executable on demand, the software operative with the one or more servers to cause the apparatus to:
 receive from a user an input choosing a desired article of Merchandise; 
 receive the first digital photo to be applied to the article of Merchandise; 
 receive from the user an input comprising text to apply to the article of Merchandise; 
 prompt the user to designate desired Cartesian Coordinates on the article of Manufacture in which to apply the first digital photos; 
 prompt the user to designate desired Cartesian Coordinates on the article of Manufacture in which to apply the text; 
 determine that the user has rights to create Merchandise with the first digital photo; and 
 determine that the user has neither rights to create Merchandise with the text nor the permission to create Merchandise granted by a second user who has rights to create Merchandise with the text. 
   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the executable software stored on the one or more computer servers and executable on demand is additionally operative with the one or more computer servers to cause the apparatus to:
 prompt the user to choose between deleting the application of the text or a suspension of the creation of the Merchandise; 
 receive a direction to delete the application of the text; 
 delete the application of the text; and 
 manufacture the article of Merchandise based upon the first digital photo. 
 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the executable software stored on the one or more computer servers and executable on demand is additionally operative with the one or more computer servers to cause the apparatus to transmit a notification to the user that the article of Merchandise has been manufactured. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the executable software stored on the one or more computer servers and executable on demand is additionally operative with the one or more computer servers to cause the apparatus to:
 determine that a payment may be made to the second user for rights to create the Merchandise with the text; 
 prompt the user to choose between agreement to the payment to the second user for the application of the text or a suspension of the creation of the Merchandise; 
 receive an agreement to the payment for the application of the text; 
 process a payment to the second user; and 
 manufacture the article of Merchandise based upon the first digital photo and the text. 
 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the executable software stored on the one or more computer servers and executable on demand is additionally operative with the one or more computer servers to cause the apparatus to transmit a notification to the user that the article of Merchandise has been manufactured.