Abstract: A method of bleed printing, for example, social stationery, including the steps of attaching a sheet of paper to be printed to a carrier, printing on the sheet of paper so that the printed matter extends beyond at least one edge of a die cut portion of the sheet of paper, and removing the sheet of paper from the carrier. The adhesive chosen is such that the sheet of paper is substantially free of adhesive after it is removed from the carrier. A method of decorating a napkin, including the steps of printing printed material on a label comprising directory paper, and attaching the label to a napkin using an adhesive.

Abstract: A method for producing an article having a surface feature, such as an article of social stationery, includes defining a characteristic of at least one layer of the article of social stationery, and displaying an image associated with the at least one layer to permit reviewing of the defined characteristic of the at least one layer. A production apparatus includes a computing system configured to implement methods for designing and fabricating articles for the particular needs of a retail customer. An article can include features that conceal or camouflage holes that support attachment of components of the article.

Abstract: A method of bleed-printing, for example, social stationery, including the steps of attaching a sheet of paper to be printed to a carrier, printing on the sheet of paper so that the printed matter extends beyond at least one edge of a die-cut portion of the sheet of paper, and removing the sheet of paper from the carrier. The adhesive chosen is such that the sheet of paper is substantially free of adhesive after it is removed from the carrier. A method of decorating a napkin, including the steps of printing printed material on a label comprising directory paper, and attaching the label to a napkin using an adhesive.

Abstract: A method of bleed-printing, for example, social stationery, including the steps of attaching a sheet of paper to be printed to a carrier, printing on the sheet of paper so that the printed matter extends beyond at least one edge of a die-cut portion of the sheet of paper, and removing the sheet of paper from the carrier. The adhesive chosen is such that the sheet of paper is substantially free of adhesive after it is removed from the carrier. A method of decorating a napkin, including the steps of printing printed material on a label comprising directory paper, and attaching the label to a napkin using an adhesive.

Abstract: A method of bleed printing, for example, social stationery, including the steps of attaching a sheet of paper to be printed to a carrier, printing on the sheet of paper so that the printed matter extends beyond at least one edge of a die cut portion of the sheet of paper, and removing the sheet of paper from the carrier. The adhesive chosen is such that the sheet of paper is substantially free of adhesive after it is removed from the carrier. A method of decorating a napkin, including the steps of printing printed material on a label comprising directory paper, and attaching the label to a napkin using an adhesive.

Abstract: A method of bleed-printing, for example, social stationery, including the steps of attaching a sheet of paper to be printed to a carrier, printing on the sheet of paper so that the printed matter extends beyond at least one edge of a die-cut portion of the sheet of paper, and removing the sheet of paper from the carrier. The adhesive chosen is such that the sheet of paper is substantially free of adhesive after it is removed from the carrier. A method of decorating a napkin, including the steps of printing printed material on a label comprising directory paper, and attaching the label to a napkin using an adhesive.

Abstract: A method of bleed-printing, for example, social stationery, including the steps of attaching a sheet of paper to be printed to a carrier using an adhesive, die-cutting the sheet of paper without cutting the carrier, printing on the sheet of paper so that the printed matter extends beyond at least one edge of a die-cut portion of the sheet of paper, and removing the sheet of paper from the carrier. The adhesive chosen is such that the sheet of paper is substantially free of adhesive after it is removed from the carrier. A method of decorating a napkin, including the steps of printing printed material on a label comprising directory paper, and attaching the label to a napkin using an adhesive.

Abstract: A method for automated layout of text elements and artwork on a greeting card. A system for automatically carrying out the method for generating the layout of text elements and artwork on a greeting card includes a memory device for storing a plurality of artwork specifications, each artwork specification including information describing a piece of artwork and a plurality of constraints describing the layout of text elements in relation to the piece of artwork. The system further includes an input device for selecting one of the artwork specifications in the memory and a device for selecting the text elements of the greeting card. A processor, coupled to the memory device and the input device selectively manipulates the text elements and the artwork specification to generate a greeting card layout in accordance with the plurality of constraints of the selected artwork specification. An output device, either a video display or printer, is provided to display the generated greeting card layout.

Abstract: A smart tracking system includes a digital processor for selectively processing error signals representing the angular error between a tracked subject and the orientation of the tracking device/camera. In one embodiment, the user selects a set of data values representating the operating parameters of the system in a specific operational mode. The processor uses the selected variables to perform a series of computations which selectively modify the angular error signals in a manner that will produce a video picture which is visually and aesthetically pleasing to human viewers. In a second embodiment, the set of data values characterizing the operational mode of the system automatically are selected by the processor based on the past history of the subject's motion and the current operation mode of the system.

Abstract: A smart tracking system includes a digital processor for selectively processing error signals representing the angular error between a tracked subject and the orientation of the tracking device/camera. In one embodiment, the user selects a set of data values representating the operating parameters of the system in a specific operational mode. The processor uses the selected variables to perform a series of computations which selectively modify the angular error signals in a manner that will produce a video picture which is visually and aesthetically pleasing to human viewers. In a second embodiment, the set of data values characterizing the operational mode of the system automatically are selected by the processor based on the past history of the subject's motion and the current operation mode of the system.

Abstract: An ultrasonic tracking system comprising a transmitting unit and a drive unit. The transmitting unit is carried by the subject to be tracked and produces brief, periodic ultrasonic bursts. The drive unit has an ultrasonic receiver and a motorized assembly capable of tilting and panning an attached camera in response to control signals from the receiver. This receiver employs three ultrasonic microphones located at three of the four corners of an imaginary square centered on and perpendicular to the axis of the camera lens. The receiver measures the relative arrival times of signals received by the microphones, determines the direction and degree to which the camera is not pointed directly at the subject, and supplies control signals to the motorized assembly, to drive motors to re-orient the camera (and receiver) to point toward the subject.

Abstract: The invention is a method and a plotter for automated drawing and writing that provides a drawn line of variable width, where the width is independent of the motion of the plotter pen or the shape of the line drawn. The apparatus includes a plotter having a table for receiving the medium upon which the line will be drawn, a pen slider translatable with respect to the table parallel a first axis (nominally designated the "X" axis) and a pen holder for receiving the pen translatable with respect to the slider parallel a second axis (nominally designated the "Y" axis) that is perpendicular the X axis. The pen holder maintains the pen at a known angular orientation with respect to a third axis (nominally designated the "Z" axis) perpendicular the X and Y axes. The apparatus also includes a digital computer which controls the pen to apply ink of selectable and variable widths along a line, independent of line shape and orientation with respect to the X and Y axes.

Abstract: A calligraphic writing system includes a plotter of the type having a pen carriage, a pen holder mounted on the carriage, a recording table, and means for moving the pen carriage relative to the table so that a pen mounted on the pen holder draws images on a sheet of paper or other medium mounted on the table. The pen has an asymmetric point. The pen and pen holder include positioning means arranged such that the pen may be mounted in the pen holder only in a predetermined and fixed annular position relative to the pen holder and will be maintained in that position when the images are being drawn.

Abstract: A calligraphic writing system of the type including an x-y plotter, a writing pen and a digital computer that controls the movement of the pen relative to the writing bed of the plotter. The system self-aligns the writing pen and items on the bed being written, and permits a number of items to be correctly positioned on the writing bed and to be written during a single cycle. The pen draws positioning marks on the writing bed, thereby insuring that the item(s) to be written on and the pen are properly aligned relative to each other. In embodiments in which a plurality of items (all of which may or may not be the same) may be written in one cycle, the computer determines how many sets can be placed on the writing bed at once, and draws positioning marks for each item of each complete set that will so fit.

Abstract: A calligraphic writing system which is operative under selected writing conditions for maintaining flow of writing fluid (e.g., ink) in the calligraphic pen.

Abstract: A pen for use in an x-y plotter, the casing of the pen having means for interacting with the pen holders of the plotter to establish and maintain a desired annular orientation of the pen.