Personalized toy part

Abstract

The invention discloses a method for personalizing a toy part, and a toy part comprising a personalized image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method of personalizing a toy part, particularly the head of a toy figure, using a user-selected image. Background Art

[0002] Toys of all shapes and sizes are enjoyed by many children (and adults) around the world. Playing with toys not only brings joy to children but also positively contributes to their physical and mental development. Children may enjoy playing with toys that resemble themselves, so providing toys with recognizable images of children, or any image that holds significance for them, may increase their enjoyment of the toy. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for personalizing a toy part. The method comprises:

[0004] selecting a facial image from the digital image;

[0005] Select a toy part template for the toy part to be personalized from a plurality of available toy part templates;

[0006] creating a printable digital image of the selected face, wherein: the face image is adjusted so that the outline of the image and the location of the eyes of the face on the image match the outline and location predetermined for the selected toy part template, and

[0007] The printable digital image is printed, the printed image being suitable for use as a toy part.

[0008] The method of the present invention can produce customized printed images so that the user can use them for the toy parts selected by the user. These images are processed using predetermined conditions specific to the selected toy parts to generate images that can be used even for relatively small toy parts (e.g. The inventor notes that other image processing techniques known to her often result in poorly aligned images that are difficult to identify, may require cropping before application, and can be visually inferior due to the different aesthetic styles of the printed image and the toy part. Aesthetic quality is subjective, but generally speaking, for most users, a choppy transition between the printed image and the toy part will visually indicate lower quality.

[0009] Advantageously, the method of the present invention also allows children to participate in the creation of personalized toy parts, which can provide valuable learning and experience. Participating in the creation of personalized toy parts can, for example, include creating specific photos or drawings for the toy parts, thereby enhancing the visual quality of the resulting toy. Participating in the creation of personalized toy parts may even further deepen a child's enjoyment of the toy.

[0010] In some embodiments, adjusting the facial image may include overlaying the facial image with a toy part template, whereby the user adjusts the positioning of the eyes relative to the toy part template. This manual manipulation may further enhance the child's enjoyment of the process and provide a positive learning experience.

[0011] In an alternative embodiment, adjusting the facial image may include a computer processor (e.g., on the user's PC or other computing device) adjusting the image so that the position of the eyes matches the predetermined eye positions on the toy part template. Such automatic adjustment is more likely to produce a perfect result, but with less creative input from the child themselves.

[0012] In some embodiments, the user can also match the spacing of other facial features to other features of the head, such as the rim of a helmet or hairstyle that is located on or intended to be placed on the head. In some embodiments, for example, the facial image can be adjusted so that the position of the mouth and / or nose of the face in the image matches the predetermined position of the selected toy part template.

[0013] In some embodiments, the facial image can be adjusted so that the distance between the eyes does not fall below a minimum distance. For example, for certain toy parts, the inventors have found that if the distance between the eyes of a printed face is less than about 5 mm, the face is often too small to be recognizable as the specific photographed person, resulting in a less realistic representation of the subject.

[0014] In some embodiments, the printable digital image can be further adjusted based on one or more other characteristics of the selected toy part template. The defined characteristics of the toy part can include, for example, the aspect ratio, size, and / or shape of the image-receiving portion of the toy part, the size and shape of any coverings or other layers or accessories of the toy part, and whether the toy part has a flat or curved surface for receiving the image (e.g., the surface of the main body portion of the head of a toy figure).

[0015] In some embodiments, the method may further include editing the printable digital image. Editing the printable digital image may, for example, include selecting one or more visual elements to be added to the printable digital image. The visual elements may be selected from a predefined group that complements the selected toy part template and may include hair, headwear, clothing, facial decorations, accessories, or environmental features associated with the selected toy part. The visual elements may help visually integrate the photographic facial image with the toy part. For example, a visual element template may include a red hat surrounding a face, which is then printed and placed on a red toy figure. Other visual elements may also be selected, such as labels, names, emoticons, and the like.

[0016] In some embodiments, printing a printable digital image can include printing the digital image onto a surface of an image-receiving material (e.g., Zink stickers, Zink paper, instant film, thermal paper, plain paper, stickers, vinyl stickers, labels, glossy paper, laminated coverings, or photo paper). In some such embodiments, the image-receiving material can include an adhesive to affix the printed digital image to the toy part. In some embodiments, the toy part can include one or more sheets of image-receiving material.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, printing the printable digital image may include printing the digital image directly onto a portion of the toy part configured to receive the personalized image.

[0018] In some embodiments, the processing device may select a facial image using facial recognition for identifying faces in digital images. In some such embodiments, multiple faces may be recognized and used to generate a corresponding number of personalized toy parts. For example, each child appearing in a class photo could be replicated onto multiple individual heads, providing the social value of learning names and enhancing a child's sense of belonging.

[0019] In some embodiments, multiple faces can be recognizable and used to generate personalized images for toy parts. For example, more than one child can be added to a template corresponding to the windshield of a toy bus. A template with multiple faces added within a single image outline can have predetermined positions for eye placement. Alternatively, such a template can allow the user to determine where the faces are placed. To ensure that the faces in the photos are recognizable as specific individuals, software processes or user-controlled methods can ensure the visual quality of the results. For example, the user-controlled template can have visual measurement features to guide the user. For example, a line segment corresponding to a length of 5 mm on the printed image can serve as a visual measurement feature for the user to refer to when adjusting the distance between the eyes to ensure that the printed face is large enough to be recognizable. Other shapes and visual measurement elements can also be used to similar effects to improve the visual quality of the printed image synthesized by the user.

[0020] In some embodiments, the toy part can be a two-dimensional toy part or a three-dimensional toy part. Examples of two-dimensional toy parts include playing cards, trading cards, character cards, hand-colored character cards, flat shapes, and flat pieces of material. Examples of three-dimensional toy parts include toy figure heads, figurines, structures containing windows, toy building blocks, toy cars, toy parts with a flat area suitable for receiving a printed image, and toy parts with a cylindrical area suitable for receiving a printed image.

[0021] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a personalizable toy part configured to receive a personalized image generated by the method of the present invention and a curved transparent cover, wherein the personalized image is covered by the cover during use so that the user can see the image.

[0022] Thus, the present invention provides toy parts, including heads for toy figures such as those described below, that can be personalized by the user, thereby achieving the benefits described herein. The present invention can be advantageously used to produce toy parts that faithfully reproduce the personalized image on the toy part even when the toy part is small. For example, in a particular embodiment described in further detail below, a toy part that is similar to A character-compatible toy head that can include a face that is visually strikingly similar to the user's face, despite the head being less than 1 cm tall.

[0023] In some embodiments, the toy element may further include a light source located behind the personalized image. Such a light source may allow the user to see the personalized image more clearly during play.

[0024] In some embodiments, the cover can be a lens that refracts (e.g., magnifies and / or moves the visual position of) the personalized image, again allowing the user to more clearly see the personalized image during play (keeping in mind that many toy parts, including those described below, can be relatively small).

[0025] In some embodiments, the toy part may include multiple sections (e.g., spaced around the periphery of the toy part) configured to receive personalized images, each of which may be the same or different. A user may place a different image in each section, for example, showing different expressions on a person's face (e.g., a smile and a frown).

[0026] In some embodiments, the toy part can be the head of a toy figure. For example, and as described in further detail below, the head of the toy figure can have a shape that makes it similar to existing toy figures (e.g., the head that comes in most children's toy boxes). The features of such an embodiment will be described below.

[0027] In an embodiment where the toy part is a head of a toy figure, the (or each) portion configured to receive the personalized image may be a peripheral groove in the head, wherein the outermost surface of the head defines a curved transparent cover. Alternatively (or additionally), the portion configured to receive the personalized image may be a surface configured to receive the image thereon, and the cover is configured to be secured to the main body portion of the head such that the cover covers the surface.

[0028] In some embodiments, the cover may have an arcuate shape, whereby the assembled head is substantially cylindrical. For example, the cover may include a peripheral edge that engages with a complementary edge on the main portion of the head, wherein, in use, the surface is located between the cover and the main portion. Alternatively, the cover may be hinged to the main portion of the head.

[0029] In some embodiments, the portion configured to receive the personalized image can be a surface on a partial head, and the cover is a separate piece configured to cover the image, such that the combination of the cover, the image, and the partial head forms the toy figure head. Such embodiments will be described in further detail below.

[0030] The toy element may also include an accessory configured to retain a cover over the main body portion of the head (eg, a helmet, hat, or wig configured to be secured to the head).

[0031] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a toy part comprising a portion configured to receive a personalized image. The personalized image is covered by a transparent cover during use, thereby making the image visible to the user and waterproof. The cover may be, for example, a polymer layer, a flat part, or a curved part.

[0032] In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method for use with a toy figure (e.g., Classic Minifigure or The head includes:

[0033] a recess located at the bottom of the head, the recess configured to receive a bump of the toy figure;

[0034] a surface configured to receive a sheet of material;

[0035] a sheet of material configured to adhere to the surface, the sheet of material having a personalized image printed (e.g., thermally printed) on a front side thereof and an adhesive layer on a back side thereof;

[0036] a transparent protective polymer outer coating located on top of the front face of the sheet of material, covering the stamped image;

[0037] A personalized image containing a photo of a person's face.

[0038] In some embodiments, the sheet of material may include embedded Dye crystals.

[0039] The additional features and advantages of various toy parts will be described below in the context of the specific embodiments. However, it should be understood that these additional features may have more general applicability than the features described in the context of these specific embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0041] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a toy part in the form of a toy figure's head according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a toy part in the form of a toy figure's head according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 3A shows a perspective view of a toy part in the form of a toy figure's head according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 3B Shown Figure 3A A top view of the head;

[0045] Figure 3C shows a perspective view of a toy part in the form of a toy figure's head according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 4 A to Figure 4 E shows a method for personalizing a toy figure's head according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figures 5A to 5G A method for personalizing a toy figure's head according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0048] 6A to 6D A method of personalizing the heads of a plurality of toy figures using digital images obtained from class photos according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0049] Figure 7A and Figure 7B A template for printing a digital image compatible for use with toy figure heads having different shapes is shown according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a toy part according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] 9A to 9D An exemplary method for personalizing two-dimensional and three-dimensional toy parts according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0052] Figure 10A and Figure 10B Another example of a method for personalizing a two-dimensional toy part according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0053] Figure 11 Another example of a method for personalizing a three-dimensional toy part according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0054] Figure 12 Shown a toy part in the form of a toy figure head and a half-cut sticker sheet made according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0055] Figure 13 A sticker sheet including a plurality of faces according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown, which is intended for application to a toy part in the form of a spaceship. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a toy part that includes a personalized image and is thus more likely to be attractive to children. To this end, a method for personalizing a toy part is disclosed herein.

[0057] The method includes:

[0058] selecting a facial image from the digital image;

[0059] Select a toy part template for the toy part to be personalized from a plurality of available toy part templates;

[0060] creating a printable digital image of the selected face, wherein: the face image is adjusted so that the outline of the image and the location of the eyes of the face on the image match the outline and location predetermined for the selected toy part template; and

[0061] The printable digital image is printed, the printed image being suitable for use as a toy part.

[0062] The present invention also discloses a personalizable toy part configured to receive a personalized image generated by the method of the present invention and a curved transparent cover. The personalized image is covered by the cover during use, thereby making the image visible to the user.

[0063] In a specific embodiment described in more detail below, a two-dimensional digital facial image of a specific person is the basis for customizing a two-dimensional toy part (e.g., playing or trading cards) or a three-dimensional toy part (e.g., a toy figure head). Software and digital printing methods are used to generate a custom face layer for the selected digital image and apply the face layer to the toy head. The present invention allows children to add a specific face of their choice to common toy figurines, common building block sets, building blocks, and other toy parts.

[0064] The main focus will be on the toy figure's head (especially the one with a curved periphery). Toy figures (such as Minifigures and The present invention is described in the context of a toy part in the form of a head compatible with Toys and Friends. However, it should be understood that the present invention is also generally applicable to other toy heads (including toy heads having a flat peripheral surface) and other toy parts (including those shown by way of example in the figures) including those having a flat peripheral surface.

[0065] The personalizable toy part may optionally include features such as a light source positioned behind or near the personalized image (e.g., within a toy figure or head) to illuminate the image, and / or a cover that acts as a lens to magnify or refract the personalized image in a manner visually appealing to a child. Both of these features may visually emphasize the personalized image on the toy, which is particularly beneficial when the toy part is relatively small. Batteries or the like are required to power the light source, and these batteries or the like are commercially available.

[0066] A personalizable toy part includes one or more portions configured to receive corresponding personalized images (e.g., images generated by the methods disclosed herein). In some embodiments, for example, two or more such portions may be provided on the toy part, e.g., spaced apart around its perimeter. Advantageously, such embodiments provide the user with the opportunity to include images of different people, or images of the same person with different facial expressions (for example). In the latter case, for example, one image may be of a smiling child and another image may be of a frowning child, and the child may rotate the toy part to select which image is presented based on their current mood.

[0067] As mentioned above, the toy part can be the head of a toy figure. The features of such a head are described in further detail below, but it should be noted that such features are generally applicable to other toy parts besides the head of a toy figure.

[0068] Of particular relevance to children around the world are toy figures, often called mini-figures. Early types of mini-figures were invented by the LEGO Group to interconnect with plastic building brick sets, also invented by LEGO. The mini-figures and building brick sets they connected to have become global standards produced by many suppliers. Mini-figures with different heads, also connected to the same building brick set, are commonly found in LEGO. These two types of toy figures are sometimes referred to hereinafter as building block figures, and although the heads of the two figures are different and not connected to the same neck, the present invention and the methods described herein for making personalized heads are applicable to both types of building block figures (and, indeed, more generally to other types of existing toy heads and toy figures).

[0069] The toy part includes a portion configured to receive a personalized image that is visible to a child during use. Any portion that provides this functionality may be provided. For example, in one embodiment, the portion that receives the personalized image may be a peripheral groove of a head, the outermost surface of the head defining a clear, transparent cover. Specific embodiments of this configuration are described in more detail below.

[0070] In other embodiments, the portion that receives the personalized image may include a surface configured to receive the image. In these embodiments, the cover may be configured to be secured to the main portion of the head so that it overlies the surface. The receiving surface may be substantially flat or curved, depending on the shape and configuration of the head. In other embodiments, the portion configured to receive the personalized image may be a surface on a portion of the head, while the cover is a separate component configured to cover the image, such that the combination of the cover, image, and portion of the head forms the toy figure's head. Specific embodiments of these configurations are described in further detail below.

[0071] The surface may be adapted to receive a sticker with a personalized image thereon. A range of blank sticker sheets designed for digital home printing are commercially available. For example, a sticker sheet with a half-cut blank face layer to fit a blank head is disclosed herein, and the software method described below allows a user to digitally select a digital image and change the size of the selected digital image to be printed on the half-cut face layer. Examples of image-receiving sticker sheets that may be half-cut and that may be used in the methods disclosed herein include Photo sticker sheets are smaller in size, such as 2 x 3 inches, 4.25 x 3.5 inches, or other sizes. Small thermally printed pages are well suited for changing into arrays with half-cut face layers (e.g., pre-cut face layers) to fit onto the receiving surface of a blank head. This will be described in more detail below.

[0072] The curved transparent cover may have any shape and configuration that is compatible with its function, i.e., covering the personalized image while still making it visible to the user. For example, the cover may be transparent, translucent, or opaque. The cover may be completely transparent or transparent only in the portion through which the personalized image is positioned. The cover may have an arcuate shape so that the assembled head has a substantially cylindrical shape, which is consistent with many toys, including, for example, Mini-figure) heads.

[0073] In some aspects of the present invention, the cap may have a flat shape and the assembled head may have a flat surface around its perimeter. For example, the head shape may be similar to The figure's head is identical, with the latter being a cuboid shape that connects to the torso of a standard building block set figure.

[0074] In some embodiments, the toy part provided in the form of a toy figure head and including a cover defines a three-dimensional volume that is similar to the volume of a building set figure (e.g., Mini-figure) head.

[0075] The cover can be secured to other components of the toy part by built-in attachments or by accessories configured to secure the cover to the head. Such accessories can also serve a dual function, for example, in the case of a helmet, hat, or wig, they can also provide visual appeal to the head. A combination of built-in attachments and accessories can also be used.

[0076] For example, the lid may include a peripheral edge that engages a complementary edge around the perimeter of the portion configured to receive the personalized image. A friction fit between the rims / edges securely connects the components together. Alternatively (or additionally), the lid may be hingedly connected to the toy part, swinging open to allow the user to add the personalized image, and closed to secure the image therein.

[0077] As described herein, in many embodiments, the toy figure's head is However, in more general embodiments, the toy part may also include features such as grooves and protrusions to enable the toy part to be compatible with other toy accessories (including Building blocks) coupling.

[0078] In the methods of the present invention, a facial image is typically selected from a digital image (e.g., a stored digital image or a digital image captured while performing the method) using a processing device. For example, the stored digital image may be a digitized drawing, a digitized illustration, or a digital photograph. Any suitable processing device may be used, including a personal computer running an appropriate software application to a mobile phone.

[0079] Next, the user selects a toy part template from a library of templates linked to the toy part the user wishes to personalize. Each toy part has a number of predefined characteristics, including its size, shape, covering, whether it has a flat or curved surface for printing the digital image, and so on. These characteristics can be taken into account when processing the facial image for printing. For example, subsequent processing operations can utilize this data to accurately and faithfully reproduce the image, making the face instantly recognizable and "lifelike," particularly in embodiments where the toy part is relatively small and / or where the image will be printed on a half-cut portion of an image-receiving sticker sheet.

[0080] In this method, a user or a processing device processes a selected facial image based on the characteristics of a selected toy part to generate a printable digital image. During this step, a software application can execute an algorithm that adjusts the facial image so that the image's outline and the position of the face's eyes in the image match the outline and position predefined for a toy part template. Alternatively, the software application can present the image and software controls to the user and allow the user to configure the printable digital image. In this way, the inventors have discovered that optimal alignment of the facial image relative to its intended position on the toy part can be achieved, and by adjusting the image based on the position of the eyes, a faithful and undistorted reproduction of the face can be achieved. The inventors note that without the disclosed adjustments, the face may become unrecognizable, significantly reducing the appeal of the toy part.

[0081] As will be described in further detail below in the context of a toy part in the form of a toy figure's head, this may involve adjusting the size, position, and / or aspect ratio of the image. The inventors have also recognized that the spacing between the eyes in the printable digital image is also relevant and, ideally, should not fall below a minimum distance. For example, the minimum distance depends on factors such as the size and shape of the toy part, but the inventors note that spacings less than 5 mm are best avoided. If the distance between the eyes becomes too small, the face becomes difficult to recognize.

[0082] Adjusting the digital image of the face in the manner described above may include superimposing the face image on the toy part template, with the user adjusting the image until the position of the eyes on the face overlaps with the position of the eyes on the toy part template. This "twinning" step will be described in more detail below.

[0083] Alternatively, a computer processor (eg, using a software application running on the user's computer device) may be tasked with adjusting the image so that the position of the eyes matches the predetermined position of the eyes on the toy part template.

[0084] In some embodiments, the inventors used a so-called "snap to grid" feature to help position an image relative to a toy part template. This feature relies on a software application to automatically align an object to a grid when it is moved or resized. In the context of the present invention, this feature can help align the outline and eyes of an image relative to the toy part template, especially when it is rectangular in shape.

[0085] In some embodiments, manual and automatic adjustments can be combined. For example, if the user prefers, they can manually adjust the image first and then let the software application generate the final image. Alternatively, the software application can adjust the image first, and then the user can complete the process to add a personal touch.

[0086] In some embodiments, the location of the mouth and / or nose (and indeed other facial features) may also be identified and used in the adjustments described herein.

[0087] This method also allows users to edit the image before printing (or before further processing) to add visual features desired by the user and / or relevant to the toy part. For example, a user may want to add additional visual elements to the image before printing, including hair, headgear, facial ornaments, accessories or other relevant environmental features, emoticons, hearts, head or clothing accessories, and labels for the printed image. These additional visual elements can be added to the printable digital image (and thus printed together) or printed separately from the printable digital image containing the face and applied separately to the toy part. Using a physical layering method, the printed face image can have a printed cover adhered to it, which may have a cutout to reveal the face or a portion of the face underneath. The two stacked printed images can then be adhered to the toy part. The benefit of this layering method is that multiple copies of the printed face with multiple copies of different covers can be combined to increase the number of possible combinations during physical play. The desire to minimize screen time may lead users to prefer this physical layering method over a digital layering method.

[0088] In the method of the present invention, a printable digital image is printed. In some embodiments, printing the printable digital image may include printing the digital image directly onto a portion of a toy part configured to receive a personalized image. Such embodiments are preferably performed in a retail environment due to the specialized printing equipment that may be required.

[0089] In an alternative embodiment, printing the printable digital image may include printing the digital image onto a surface of an image-receiving material. The image-receiving material may include an adhesive, such that the printed digital image can be affixed to the toy part. Alternatively, the image-receiving material may be affixed to the toy part by other means, such as using glue or double-sided tape.

[0090] Any suitable image receiving material may be used, examples of which include Zink stickers, Zink paper, instant film, thermal printer paper, plain paper, stickers, vinyl stickers, labels, glossy paper, laminated covers, and photo paper.

[0091] The inventor pointed out that the present invention can be used Printing technologies, including Thermal printers, and related equipment and software tools. Instead of using ink, ZINK technology uses dye-based crystals embedded within the paper. Before printing, the embedded dye crystals are transparent, so ZINK paper looks like regular white photo paper. ZINK-enabled printing devices use heat to activate and color these crystals. Thermal printers, Suppliers of related equipment and software tools include Canon, HP, and Kodak. Zink paper also has physical properties that make single or multiple layers of Zink paper suitable for use as physical components in printhead assemblies. For example, two layers of Zink paper bonded back-to-back are approximately 0.3 mm thick and possess a degree of rigidity and water resistance, which can be structurally useful in printhead assemblies to create a friction fit or fill a desired volume within a printhead assembly.

[0092] Thermal printing technology offers many advantages over traditional printing technologies that use ink on paper. Some of the thermal printing advantages include:

[0093] High resolution and contrast, capable of printing recognizable faces with a width of 5 mm.

[0094] Small page size (common The paper measures 2 x 3 inches).

[0095] • Sheet material properties suitable for the face layer portion - such as a thickness of approximately 0.15 mm, a balance of rigidity and flexibility, and a water-resistant image surface.

[0096] • Sheets with an adhesive layer and backing on one side, suitable for half-cutting (a partial cut through a multi-layer sheet where the bottom support layer is not cut).

[0097] In some embodiments, the method of the present invention can utilize facial recognition technology to extract a face from a digital image and optionally remove any unwanted background. In such embodiments, the image contains a face that is selected by a processing device that uses facial recognition to identify the face in a stored digital image and that uses silhouette recognition to elevate the face or head from the image background. In other embodiments, the inventors contemplate that multiple faces can be recognized, and that the method can be used to generate a printed image with multiple faces to be received on a single toy part. In other embodiments, the inventors contemplate that multiple faces can be recognized, and that the method can be used to generate a corresponding number of personalized toy parts. Such specific embodiments are described in more detail below.

[0098] Now refer to Figure 1 -3 describes a specific embodiment of a toy part in the form of a toy figure's head according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] First reference Figure 1 , a toy figure head is shown in the form of a three-piece head assembly 10. Assembly 10 has a head body 12, a sheet 14 containing an image, and a cover 16. Cover 16 is transparent or nearly transparent so that sheet 14 can be seen through it. Cover 16 can be transparent, translucent, or opaque.

[0100] The sheet receiving portion 18 of the head body 12 is raised and has a footprint that matches the sheet 14. The cover 16 has an inner friction fit edge 20 that is configured to friction fit over an outer friction fit edge 22 of the portion 18, thereby connecting the cover 12 to the body and securely sandwiching the sheet 14 between the cover and the body.

[0101] In this embodiment, the sheet 14 is Figure 6C ZINK A portion of a sticker sheet. This sheet has an array of 24 blank, half-cut face layers for head components that can be attached to common toy figures from plastic building sets, including those manufactured by LEGO. A kiss-cut is a term used in the art to partially cut a sheet with more than one layer, without extending the cut to the bottom layer. Kiss-cutting is a common practice for sticker sheets.

[0102] The head assembly 10 (i.e., the head body 12 and the cover 16 with the sheet 14 located therebetween) is connected to the The mini-figure's head is identical and also includes grooves 24 and nubs 26 that are configured to be compatible with common building block set figures.

[0103] Now refer to Figure 2 , a toy figure head is shown in the form of a five-piece head assembly 100. Assembly 100 has a head body 112, image-containing sheets 114A and 114B, a cover 116, and a spacer 118. In this embodiment, the exterior of body 112 and cover 116 are transparent so that a user can see sheets 114A and 114B (i.e., by rotating the head 180°).

[0104] Sheets 114A and 114B may contain the same image, but typically contain different images, for example, images copied from photographs showing a child smiling and frowning. In use, a child can rotate head 100 relative to an attached hair covering and neck attachment (neither shown) to change the toy figure's mood.

[0105] Similar to the head 10, the inner friction fit edges of the cover 116 and the body 112 are configured to friction fit around the gasket 118 and the tabs 114A and 114B to hold the assembly together.

[0106] Now refer to Figure 3A and Figure 3B , shows a head for a toy figure in the form of an integral, one-piece head assembly 200. In this embodiment, the head 200 is made of clear molded plastic and has three cylindrical recesses 210A, 210B, and 210C positioned around its periphery. The recesses 210A, 210B, and 210C are sized so that they can accommodate a sheet containing an image similar to the sheet described above (not shown). The recess 210 is open on the top side of the head 200 and can pass through the head to a similar opening on the bottom side of the head (not shown). The sheet containing the image can be held in place by friction and can be removably pushed through the recess. Alternatively, the recess can be closed at the bottom, with the sheet containing the image being retained by being placed at the bottom of the recess.

[0107] In the illustrated embodiment, the groove 210 is approximately 8 mm long, approximately 0.3 mm thick, and is positioned approximately 0.7 mm from the perimeter of the head 200. The head 200 may also include a built-in light (not shown) for illuminating the sheet containing the image. Alternatively, a toy figure (not shown) that is detachably or integrally attached to the head 200 may also include a built-in light to illuminate the sheet containing the image with light directed into the head.

[0108] Likewise, the user can rotate the head 200 relative to the attached hair cover and neck attachment (both not shown) to change the toy figure's mood. The head 200 can display three different images, such as a smiling face, a sad face, and a sleeping face.

[0109] Figure 3C An alternative to head 200 is shown in the form of head 300. In head 300, only one circumferential groove 310 is provided, and one or more sheets (not shown) containing an image can be positioned along any portion of the groove.

[0110] The inventors note that there are a variety of physical methods for assembling a head according to the invention comprising a sheet containing an image, a cover and a body according to the invention. Some assembly methods include the methods listed below.

[0111] • Adhere or friction fit the sheet containing the image to the cover.

[0112] • Adhere or friction fit the sheet containing the image to the body.

[0113] • Adhere or friction fit the sheet containing the image to the gasket.

[0114] • One or more sheets containing the image are bent and inserted into curved grooves around the perimeter of the head.

[0115] • Connect the lid and body using mating features such as protrusions and grooves, handles, latches, embedded magnets, or other connecting features.

[0116] Connect the cover and the body by nesting friction fit edges. For example, the outer edge of the body can be friction fit with the inner edge of the cover (such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 ), and vice versa, the inner edge of the body can be friction-fitted with the outer edge of the cover (not shown).

[0117] • One or more spacers may also be used to hold one or more sheets containing an image and engage with the face cover and / or face connector using a similar method with similar effect.

[0118] • The outer covering may be used to hold the various parts of the head assembly (including the head fittings) together. For example, Figure 5G The custom brick figure shown is wearing a helmet that can hold compatible head components together inside the helmet.

[0119] The head connector and face cover can be integral or integrally connected with a slot on the top surface into which the face layer can be placed. The face layer slot can be straight, curved, or angled. The curve of the slot can follow the curvature of the rounded outer edge of the head. The curve of the slot can improve the visual appearance of the head.

[0120] The slots or other surfaces that come into contact with the face layer may be coated with an adhesive. The adhesive applied to the head surface or inserted into the slots of the face layer may have beneficial visual properties. Examples of beneficial visual properties of the adhesive include having a specific and visually compatible refractive index and / or having a specific level of transparency.

[0121] The head assembly can be configured to transmit light in a manner that enhances the visibility of personalized images. For example:

[0122] Reflective, glow-in-the-dark lenses, and light sources may be added to the head assembly and / or other parts of the integral or detachable figure body to enhance the visibility of the facial layer or to achieve other desired visual effects.

[0123] The face cover can act as a lens, enhancing the appearance of the face layer in the viewer's eyes. The lens can make the face appear larger, more curved, or more stretched. The face cover acting as a lens can be made of a variety of materials, including plastic, polymer, glass, crystal, and other suitable materials.

[0124] The header connector may be transparent.

[0125] A head assembly can be connected to a figure with a built-in light source within the torso. The head connector can be integral to the toy figure's body, allowing the light source to be placed within the head and the battery to be placed within the figure's body.

[0126] When heads 10, 100, 200, and 300 are used, corresponding image-containing sheets are incorporated. The creation of image-containing sheets will be described in more detail below. Briefly, digital photographs and software methods can be used to instruct a printer to print images onto image-containing sheets, which can then be used to create heads 10, 100, and 200, as described above. In one embodiment, for example, the following steps can be taken to provide a personalized toy part:

[0127] A. Provide a photo showing the head and face from the front;

[0128] B. Digitally extract the head outline in A from the background (for example, the “Extract from Background” feature in Apple iOS 16 can be used for this step);

[0129] C. Select and display the face layer template;

[0130] D. Use software to digitally adjust the head image to fit the selected face layer template and print the image onto the face layer;

[0131] E. Face connector (the face layer can be adhered to the connector);

[0132] F. The head assembly consists of three parts: transparent face cover, face layer and face connector.

[0133] G. Attach the head assembly from step F above to a common type of toy figure (an adhesive layer may be used to connect the three parts of the head assembly, the three parts of the head assembly may be friction fit together, or a head covering may hold the head assembly together (e.g., a helmet).

[0134] Now go to Figure 4 , which shows a method for personalizing toy parts (with Steps of the method (in the form of a toy head compatible with an action figure).

[0135] The steps in the method may include:

[0136] 1. User selects a digital image ( Figure 4 A) /

[0137] 2. User selects the toy head ( Figure 4 B), displays the digital face layer template and digital twin image for the selected head type to the user ( Figure 4C) /

[0138] 3. Design a custom face layer using software tools and a mobile device with a touch screen and operating system (such as IOS or Android) Figure 4 D) for printing.

[0139] The software steps required to design a custom face layer may include:

[0140] a. Select a digital image of a face from an image database

[0141] b. Select the toy head type

[0142] c. Resize digital images

[0143] d. Align the face image with the face layer template (automatic alignment function may be included in the software function)

[0144] e. Name and save your customized, print-ready face design

[0145] f. Select printer type

[0146] g. Add the face layer to the sheet layout

[0147] h. Print the sheet with the face layer.

[0148] Manual steps may include:

[0149] 1. Make the face layer independent

[0150] 2. Glue the face layer to the blank head

[0151] 3. Place the lid onto the face layer

[0152] 4. Install the toy head onto the toy figure body

[0153] 5. Add accessories compatible with the building blocks to the head (hair, hats, glasses, etc.)

[0154] Figure 4 E shows an alternative toy head configuration including a helmet, for which a wider eye position and more proportional face layer may be preferred.

[0155] Turning now to FIG. 5 , an image is shown illustrating steps of a method for personalizing a toy part according to another embodiment of the present invention. The toy part is in the form of a figure-compatible head, but the toy part has a flat image receiving surface. The steps in the method may include:

[0156] 1. A digital photograph of the head and face with a frontal view ( Figure 5A) can be selected, for example, to adjust from a class photo to a personalized toy image ( Figure 5G ).

[0157] 2. To simplify image processing, the head outline can be extracted from the image background ( Figure 5B ). The “Extract from Background” feature of Apple iOS 16 can be used to perform this step, and other image processing software that can be used is known in the art (such as Canva and Adobe illustrator products).

[0158] 3. Select the toy doll head ( Figure 5C ), which has a surface configured to receive a face layer, the face layer and Figure 5D A software method can be used so that when a user selects a digital image ( Figure 5B ) and the desired figure head type ( Figure 5C )hour, Figure 1 The template in D is automatically applied to the image to generate the face plate ( Figure 5E ), which the user can adjust using the software methods described in this article. Alternatively, a user can use a software that allows the user to select the face layer ( Figure 5D ) of an image, presenting an image that fits the template to the user ( Figure 5D ).

[0159] 4. Figure 5F The complete head assembly is shown in Figure 1, which is similar to the common building block set figures (such as Mini Figure( Figure 5G )) compatible. The curved transparent face cover can be secured (e.g., adhered) to the top of the face layer, and the solid face layer can be similarly secured (e.g., adhered) to the face connector. The head can also include accessories such as a helmet that can help secure the cover to other components of the head.

[0160] 5.Reference Figure 5G , Figure 5F The head, along with its lid, is shown attached to an astronaut-shaped building block figure. The helmet head accessory has been installed on the custom head assembly.

[0161] The user may be provided with only a new head component to combine with a second-hand building block set figure. By replacing the head, the second-hand building block set figure is transformed into a customized building block set figure, which can delight children and increase their tactile playtime.

[0162] The use of advanced technologies (such as digital image processing and high-resolution color thermal printers) can improve the quality, flexibility, scale, and efficiency of personalized head production. However, it is also possible to enhance the appeal of personalized toy figures through some steps that do not necessarily require the use of digital image processing methods. In the simplest case:

[0163] 1. Select a physical print of an image with acceptable proportions

[0164] 2. A template compatible with a specific head and cap can be implemented into a manual punch tool or as a stencil.

[0165] 3. If the template is in the form of a stencil, you can trace it onto a physical photo; then, you can turn the photo into a face layer by trimming it with scissors along the template's traces.

[0166] 4. If the template is implemented into a manual punch tool, the tool user can intuitively align it with the desired image portion on the physical photo to punch out the face layer in one go by pressing the cutting edge through the physical photo.

[0167] 5. Other physical methods may be used to convert the photo image into a face layer of suitable size.

[0168] Turning now to FIG. 6 , an image is shown illustrating steps of a method for personalizing a plurality of toy parts according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this method, a set of face layers can be created from a digital image of a classroom of children so that each child has their own customized toy figure, or each child has a set of customized toy figures of their classmates, or any combination of classmates. The method for generating a plurality of customized printable digital images including face layers can include the following steps:

[0169] 1. The user selects a digital image containing multiple faces ( Figure 6A ).

[0170] 2. The software uses AI facial recognition tools to extract multiple faces from digital images ( Figure 6B ) and apply labels that identify these images as members of the same group.

[0171] 3. The user can select a set of images from the image database and select the toy part (in this embodiment, also Compatible head) library to select a toy parts template to form a half-cut template ( Figure 6C ), for application to the head, e.g. Figure 6D shown.

[0172] As previously discussed, the image adjustments required to design a customized set of face layers (performed manually by the user and / or by specially designed software) may include:

[0173] a. Adjust the size of digital images;

[0174] b. Aligning the digital image with the face layer template;

[0175] c. Confirm that the customized face design is complete, name it and save it;

[0176] d. Select the printer type;

[0177] e. Add the face layer design to the sheet layout; and

[0178] f. Print a sheet containing the face layer.

[0179] Manual steps may include:

[0180] 1. Glue the face layer to the blank head to create a set of custom toy puppet heads ( Figure 6D ), the face of each head corresponds to the corresponding child in the class;

[0181] 2. Place the lid over the face layer; and

[0182] 3. Attach the toy head to the figure body.

[0183] Now turning to Figure 7, Figure 7A Shown is a thermally printable sheet having a blank half-cut image receiving template shaped to receive a thermally printed image. friend( Figure 7B , left side) and Mini Figure( Figure 7B , right side) on the flat part of the face.

[0184] Embodiments of some aspects of the present invention, some of which are described below, may include a half-cut image receiving surface having a shape configured to fit other head shapes (e.g., Instead, embodiments of other head shapes may be configured to receive a head configured to fit Figure 7B For example, Figure 7B The facial contour shape on the right side of may be placed into a head having a flat rectangular facial surface.

[0185] Now refer to Figure 8 , by way of example, an embodiment of a personalized toy part that is not a toy figure's head is shown. Figure 8A submarine is shown with a periscope, wherein an image of the user is placed on the outward-facing surface of the periscope. The image is covered by a curved transparent cover, which can be configured as a lens to magnify the personalized image. In some aspects of the present invention, the cover can be flat. The toy part can also include a light source positioned behind the personalized image to further highlight the image to the user.

[0186] Figure 8 The personalized image shown may not be covered by a physical cover. Instead, a polymer film or the like may be used to protect the image from play. For ease of assembly or to improve image visibility, a coverless embodiment may be preferred. An image receiving material well suited for the uncovered embodiment is thermal printing paper with a clear polymer layer on the top surface to protect the image and which is resistant to water and stains. For example, Technology slices (including Self-adhesive paper) can have a clear polymer layer on the top surface and is therefore well suited for uncovered embodiments.

[0187] Referring to FIG9 , there is shown a two-dimensional cardboard figure ( Figure 9B and Figure 9C ) and in the form of three-dimensional building block sets ( Figure 9D )'s personalization method for toy parts. Figure 9A The steps of selecting a user (e.g., a child in a photo) and a toy part to be personalized are described. Selecting a toy part presents the user with multiple toy part templates related to the selected toy part, in this example, a template for a clown.

[0188] Figure 9C Creating a printable digital image of the selected face is described. In this step, the image of the child's face is adjusted so that the outline of the image is cropped to match the space available for personalized features on the toy part template. The image is also adjusted so that the position of the child's eyes and nose in the image matches the position required by the selected toy part template. Figure 9CAs shown in the middle two figures, adjusting the image of the face may involve superimposing the face over markings provided on the toy part template, wherein the user adjusts the image so that the position of the eyes overlaps the position of the eyes on the toy part template. In some embodiments, only the eyes may be used for this adjustment, and then the clown's nose may be added, which may be added automatically by the software application or manually by the user. In some embodiments, only the nose may be used for this adjustment. For example, a template that turns an object into a bird may utilize the position of the nose to overlap the image of the beak located above the lower portion of the object's face. The software application used to perform the adjustment may include a function that prevents such adjustments that may cause the eyes to become too close (e.g., less than 5 mm) causing the face to appear distorted and therefore difficult to recognize. Once the printable digital image is prepared, it can be printed, as shown in FIG. Figure 9C Shown on the right.

[0189] Figure 9D Similar operations are described, except that the toy part template is compatible with , and includes additional visual features representing a clown's shirt and socks.

[0190] Figure 10A and Figure 10B An alternative toy part is shown in the form of a card depicting an Egyptian cat. Figure 10A The left image in the figure is a toy part, which is presented in the form of a cardboard cutout of a cat, in which part of the cat's face has been adjusted to personalize it. Figure 10A The toy parts templates (shown on the right) can be printed using the cat-specific template and printed onto half-cut stickers that the child can then adhere to the cardboard cutouts, providing Figure 10A The personalized seamless toy shown in the center.

[0191] Similar steps can be used to obtain Figure 10B The pictured Egyptian cat is a personalized cardboard cutout, but the toy parts can be hand-colored by children, adding another layer of personalization to the toy.

[0192] Now refer to Figure 11 , which depicts The figurine creates multiple printable digital images of a child's face. The methods for creating these printable digital images can be the same as described above, but include using different toy part templates (all of which are available for personalization of such toy parts), or using the same template but with different layers applied to the template after adjustment before printing. Any of these methods results in half-cut stickers that the user can apply to the figurine's head, showing different parts of the user's face. The stickers can be half-cut to simplify separation of the different layers.

[0193] Figure 12 The following describes how further editing of a printable digital image can be used to give it context. For example, after the image of a face has been adjusted in the manner described above, the user can further edit the printable digital image before printing. In this embodiment, for example, additional visual elements can be added that complement the selected toy part, as they provide further context for the image. Figure 12 The toy part shown is an astronaut, so the additional visual element applied to the image before printing is a space helmet. As can be seen in the image on the right, the sticker sheet gives the figurine a clearly recognizable image of a child's face in an astronaut helmet. As can also be seen, multiple child faces can be processed for printing on a single sheet of sticker paper.

[0194] Finally, reference Figure 13 , depicting two stickers made using the method of the present invention. The first sticker contains the face of a single child, adjusted and edited as described above to include a space suit; the second sticker contains the faces of four friends, similarly modified and arranged in a row. These stickers can be applied to the front and sides of a toy part in the form of a lunar rover, which children can use with their various friends to explore the lunar surface.

[0195] As described above, the present invention relates to a toy part (e.g., a head for a toy figure) and a method of pairing a customized face layer with a toy carrier using a software method and a digital printer. A cover is added to the face layer so that the resulting head can be of the same size and backward compatible with standard plastic minifigures that connect to common plastic building block sets.

[0196] It will be appreciated that the customized and personalized toy parts described herein offer numerous advantages over existing toys. For example, it is well known that children enjoy having toy figures that resemble themselves, and by placing a photo-accurate likeness of a character in a toy head assembly, embodiments of the present invention may provide one or more of the following advantages:

[0197] ●You can create a toy figure that closely resembles a specific individual.

[0198] Enhanced control over facial portraits and details of their implementation, including control over precise facial expressions.

[0199] ●One or more head components can contain more than one face layer, for example, two photos of a person with sad and happy expressions can be used to create a head that rotates on the neck so that only one expression is shown at a time.

[0200] • The ability to transform familiar photographs of socially relevant individuals (e.g., class groups or family members) into toy heads and figures can have social benefits by helping children learn names and faces, and / or by enhancing their sense of belonging within relevant social groups.

[0201] ● Increase the fun and meaning of children's playtime by adding personalized toy heads and figures to their existing toy figures and toy building sets, such as the LEGO-compatible building sets commonly found in many toy boxes around the world.

[0202] While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that these embodiments are presented by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Indeed, upon reading the foregoing description, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art how to implement alternative embodiments. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited by any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0203] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the following claims.

[0204] In the appended claims and the foregoing description of the invention, unless the context requires otherwise due to explicit language or inevitable meaning, the word "comprise" or variations thereof are used in an inclusive sense, that is, to specify the presence of stated features but not to exclude the presence or addition of other features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for personalizing a toy part, the method comprising: selecting a facial image from the digital image; Select a toy part template for the toy part to be personalized from a plurality of available toy part templates; creating a printable digital image of the selected face, wherein: the face image is adjusted so that the outline of the image and the location of the eyes of the face on the image match the outline and location predetermined for the selected toy part template; and The printable digital image is printed, the printed image being suitable for use as a toy part.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the facial image comprises overlaying the facial image with a toy part template, whereby the user makes adjustments to position the eyes relative to the toy part template.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the facial image comprises the computer processor adjusting the image so that the positions of the eyes match predetermined positions of the eyes on the toy part template.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image of the face is adjusted so that the position of the mouth and / or nose of the face on the image matches the predetermined position of the selected toy part template.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the adjustment of the facial image does not cause the distance between the eyes to be less than a minimum distance.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the printable digital image is further adjusted based on one or more other characteristics of the selected toy part template.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the characteristics of the selected toy part include: The size and / or shape of the image-receiving portion of the toy part, the size and shape of any covers or other layers or accessories of the toy part, whether the toy part has flat or curved portions for receiving images, and the intended use of the toy part.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising editing the printable digital image.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein editing the printable digital image comprises selecting one or more visual elements to be added to the printable digital image, the visual elements being selected from a predefined group that are complementary to the selected toy part template.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the visual element comprises hair, headgear, facial decorations, accessories, or environmental features associated with the selected toy part.

11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein printing the printable digital image comprises printing the digital image onto a surface of an image receiving material.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the image receiving material comprises an adhesive whereby the printed digital image can be adhered to a portion of the toy part configured to receive the personalized image.

13. The method of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the image receiving material is selected from one or more of the following: Zink stickers, Zink paper, instant film paper, thermal printing paper, plain paper, stickers, vinyl stickers, label paper, glossy paper, laminated coverings, and photo paper.

14. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein printing the printable digital image comprises printing the digital image onto a portion of the toy part configured to receive a personalized image.

15. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the processing device selects the facial image using facial recognition to identify faces in digital images.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the stored digital image is a digitized drawing, a digitized illustration and / or a digital photograph.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the toy part is a two-dimensional toy part or a three-dimensional toy part.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the toy part is a two-dimensional toy part selected from the group consisting of: playing cards, trading cards, character cards, hand-colored character cards, flat shapes, and flat pieces of material.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the toy part is a three-dimensional toy part selected from the group consisting of: a head of a toy figure, a figurine, a structure containing a window, a toy building block, a toy car, a toy part having a flat area adapted to receive a printed image, and a toy part having a cylindrical area adapted to receive a printed image.

20. A personalizable toy part, comprising: A portion configured to receive a personalized image produced by the method of any one of claims 1 to 19, and a curved transparent cover, the personalized image being covered by the cover in use so that the image is visible to a user.

21. The toy element of claim 20, further comprising a light source positioned behind the personalized image.

22. The toy part according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the cover is a lens that refracts the personalized image.

23. A toy part according to any one of claims 20 to 22, comprising a plurality of portions configured to receive a personalised image, wherein each personalised image is the same or different.

24. The toy figure of claim 23, wherein the plurality of sections are spaced apart around a perimeter of the toy figure.

25. The toy part according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the toy part is a head of a toy figure.

26. The toy part of claim 25, wherein the portion configured to receive the personalized image is a circumferential slot in the head, an outermost surface of the head defining a curved transparent cover.

27. The toy part of claim 26, wherein the portion configured to receive the personalized image is a surface configured to receive the image thereat, and the cover is configured to be secured to the main body portion of the head so as to cover the surface.

28. The toy part of claim 27, wherein the portion configured to receive the personalized image is a surface on the partial head, and the cover is a separate part configured to cover the image, such that the assembly of the cover, image, and partial head forms the toy figure head.

Images