Construction kit for custom toys or other personalized products

Abstract

Personalized products with a kit which includes a computer software program, preferably including a scanner module, for creation of custom images conforming to the shape of the personalized product or a portion thereof The software, thus, creates an image that can be printed on an appropriate transfer medium (e.g. a sheet of paper having a releasable adhesive and peelable backing sheet for protection of the adhesive surface). In one preferred embodiment, the software created image can be mounted within indented areas on a three-dimensional article, including a picture frame. In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the component parts of the product to be created are labeled or identified with machine readable code (e.g. mini-bar code). Thus, once the kit components are assembled as a completed object, the identity, size and relative position of each component in the assembled toy can be scanned into the computer, and an image reconstructed from the scanned information which conforms to the assemble product. The image can thereafter be printed on appropriate transfer medium and applied to the assembled product.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for personalizing a three-dimensional article, said three-dimensional article including one or more indented portions for accepting graphic images, the method comprising the steps of: 
 operation of a software module, executable on a personal computer, or stand-alone graphics platform, that can generate a graphic image chosen by a user;    utilizing the software module to size the graphics image to dimensions of the indented portions included within the three-dimensional article which the user wants to personalize; and    adhesively or electrostatically attaching the dimensioned graphic images to the indented portions of the three-dimensional article.    
     
     
         2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional article is a picture frame.  
     
     
         3 . A kit for the construction of objects from interlocking components or parts, comprising: 
 A. a plurality of construction components of diverse shapes and sizes for the assembly into various objects and/or body forms, said construction components being characterized as having means for interlocking one to another and being further characterized as having one or more indicia which identifies each said construction component as having a specific size, shape and/or orientation relative to each other;    B. instructions in the form of text or graphics for assembly of said construction components into an object or body form;    C. a software module, executable on a personal computer, or stand-alone graphics platform, that can generate a graphic image corresponding to an assembly of said construction components, and    D. means for transfer of said graphic image to said assembly.    
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein said indicia on said construction component is selected from the group consisting essentially of an alpha numeric symbol or a coded symbol that is machine readable by a sensor or scanner sensitive to such coded symbol.  
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein said software module includes graphic images that correspond to objects and/or body forms included in said instructions for assembly of an object or body form.  
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein said software module includes pattern recognition capability for replication of a graphic image based upon information provided as result of detection of a shape of an object or body form assembled from construction components having one or more indicia which identifies each said construction component as having a specific size, shape and/or orientation relative to each other.  
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein said means for interlocking one construction component to another includes releasable snap fitting, dovetail-like fitting or dowels.