System for Automated Decoration

Abstract

A system for automated decoration of an item comprising the steps of: installing print generating software on a computer with a memory (e.g. a server); linking an input system (e.g. a web site) to the computer; allowing a customer to select an item (customer selection), preferably a fabric item, via the input system; allowing the customer to specify a decoration (customer specification) for the item via the input system; generating a print image for the item from the customer selection and specification with the print generating software; and sending the print image from the computer to a printer, which is preferably a dye sublimation printer.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A system, comprising:
 a processor; and   memory for storing instructions, the processor executing the instructions to:
 provide a web site that provides a live configuring experience for a user to select design elements for a garment to customize the garment; 
 receive from the user of the web site, selections of the design elements; and 
 as each of the design elements is selected a first live image of the garment is updated, the first live image of the garment being projected onto a photograph of a model. 
   
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 25 , wherein the processor is further configured to create a final finished garment based on the selections of the design elements. 
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 26 , wherein the processor is further configured to update a print image that when transferred to cut pieces and sewn is used produce the garment from the final finished garment created from the selections of the design elements. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 25 , wherein the processor is further configured to transmit an email confirmation image to the user and a packaging image that is printed onto a custom packing slip, wherein the email confirmation image and the packaging image are created for a final finished garment. 
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 25 , wherein the processor is further configured to generate a second live image that is a thumbnail that is displayed along with the first live image of the garment. 
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 25 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine a pre-production image, the pre-production image comprising boundaries between colorable regions and anchor points where graphics and lettering are placed. 
     
     
         31 . The system according to  claim 30 , wherein the processor is further configured to control where selections of the design elements are allowed to be placed onto the first live image of the garment based on the boundaries and the anchor points of the pre-production image, which are determined from pre-production design rules. 
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein the pre-production design rules are used for content management of the web site. 
     
     
         33 . The system according to  claim 30 , wherein the processor is further configured to present at least a portion of the graphics and lettering as three-dimensional photographic images. 
     
     
         34 . A method, comprising:
 providing a web site that provides a live configuring experience for a user to select design elements for a garment to customize the garment, wherein the live configuring experience comprises:   allowing a user to select a garment type of the garment, wherein a plurality of selectable garment types are presented in outline form;   projecting a first live image onto a photograph of a model that includes the garment having the outline form;   receiving from the user of the web site, selections of the design elements; and   updating a visual appearance of the first live image of the garment as each of the selections of the design elements are received.   
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein an outline form of a selectable garment types is filled as the user moves a cursor over the outline form. 
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein when the first live image is projected onto the photograph, the garment is without decoration or color. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein the design elements include any one or more of colors and placement of colors, selection or uploading of a graphic, placement of the graphic, selection or uploading of an emblem, placement of the emblem, selection or uploading of text, specification of text style, specification of text placement, input of player names, name placement, input of numbers, and number placement, wherein the emblem is a combination of a text and graphic in a selected style. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein the design elements are selected in accordance with a predefined template. 
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 34 , further comprising presenting an emblem builder on the web site as a pop-up box. 
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 34 , further comprising creating a final finished garment based on the selections of the design elements. 
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 40 , further comprising updating a print image that when transferred to cut pieces and sewn is used produce the garment from the final finished garment created from the selections of the design elements. 
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 41 , further comprising transmitting an email confirmation image to the user and a packaging image that is printed onto a custom packing slip, wherein the email confirmation image and the packaging image are created for the final finished garment. 
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 34 , further comprising generating a second live image that is a thumbnail that is displayed along with the first live image. 
     
     
         44 . The method according to  claim 34 , further comprising:
 determining a pre-production image, the pre-production image comprising boundaries between colorable regions and anchor points where graphics and lettering are placed; and   controlling where selections of the design elements are allowed to be placed onto the first live image based on the boundaries and the anchor points of the pre-production image, which are determined from pre-production design rules.