Methods and apparatus for merchandise generation including an image
Methods and an apparatus for creation of physical articles of merchandise and associated virtual articles of merchandise based on a user selection of an image, such as a photo. A non-fungible token (NFT) may be associated with one or both of a physical article of merchandise and virtual article of merchandise, or associated with the image selected by the user. The NFT may be transferred with one or both of physical article of merchandise and virtual article of merchandise.
1. A method for generating a physical article of merchandise in a physical world and a virtual article of merchandise in a virtual world, the method comprising:
receiving digital image data from an image capture device, said digital image data representative of a first digital photo;
receiving from a first user an input indicating a type of the physical article of merchandise that is desired;
receiving the first digital photo to be applied to the physical article of merchandise or the virtual article of merchandise;
associating a first set of Cartesian Coordinates with specified segregated spatial areas of the first digital photo received from the image capture device;
designating an area to apply the first digital photo to the physical article of merchandise or to the virtual article of merchandise;
receiving a second digital photo and prompt the first user to designate a second set of Cartesian Coordinates on the physical article of merchandise or the virtual article of merchandise in which to apply the first digital photo and the second digital photo;
manufacturing the physical article of merchandise in the physical world (“physical merchandise”), the physical merchandise comprising a physical replication of the first digital photo and the second digital photo;
generating the virtual article of merchandise in the virtual world (“virtual merchandise”), the virtual merchandise comprising a virtual replication of the first digital photo and the second digital photo;
generating a first non-fungible token (“NFT”) for the physical merchandise;
generating a second NFT for the virtual merchandise;
transferring the physical merchandise to the first user; and
transferring ownership of the second NFT to the first user.
2. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising the step of recording the transfer of the physical article of merchandise in the physical world in a public ledger.
3. The method of claim 2 additionally comprising the step of recording the transferring of ownership of the first NFT and the second NFT related to respectively the physical merchandise and the virtual merchandise in the public ledger.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the public ledger is a blockchain ledger.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the physical merchandise comprises a t-shirt.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the physical merchandise comprises a mug.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining whether the first user has permission to create the physical merchandise that includes the first digital photo;
upon determining that the first user is without the permission to create the physical merchandise that includes the first digital photo, determining whether an ordering server of the physical merchandise has the permission to create the physical merchandise that includes the first digital photo;
upon determining that the first user and the ordering server of the physical merchandise are without the permission to create the physical merchandise that includes the first digital photo, identifying another party whose permission is required to use the first digital photo, and sending an authorization request to the other party; and
upon determining that the first user is without authorization of the other party to create the physical merchandise that includes the first digital photo, and that the first user and the ordering server of the physical merchandise are without the permission to create the physical merchandise that includes the first digital photo, precluding the first user from creating the physical merchandise.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
designating a third set of Cartesian Coordinates associated with a position to generate a copy of the physical article of merchandise that is desired.
9. An apparatus for generating a physical article of merchandise in a physical world and a virtual article of merchandise in a virtual world, the apparatus comprising:
a computer server having a processor for post processing digital image data, said computer server in logical communication with an image capture device and accessible with a network access device via a digital communications network;
executable software stored on the computer server and executable on demand, the software operative with the processor to cause the apparatus to:
receive the digital image data from the image capture device, said digital image data representative of a first digital photo;
receive from a first user an input indicating a type of the physical article of merchandise that is desired;
receive the first digital photo to be applied to the physical article of merchandise of the virtual article of merchandise;
associate a first set of 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 physical article of merchandise or to the virtual article of merchandise;
receive a second digital photo and prompt the first user to designate a second set of Cartesian Coordinates on the physical article of merchandise or the virtual article of merchandise in which to apply the first digital photo and the second digital photo;
manufacture the physical article of merchandise in the physical world (“physical merchandise”), the physical merchandise comprising a physical replication of the first digital photo and the second digital photo;
generate the virtual article of merchandise in the virtual world (“virtual merchandise”), the virtual merchandise comprising a virtual replication of the first digital photo and the second digital photo;
generate a first non-fungible token (“NFT”) for the physical merchandise;
generate a second NFT for the virtual merchandise;
transfer the physical merchandise to the first user; and
transfer ownership of the second NFT to the first user.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the second digital photo is owned by a third party including a server owner and the executable software stored on the computer server and executable on demand is additionally software operative to cause the apparatus to transmit permission in the physical world and the virtual world to use a likeness of the second digital photo.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the executable software stored on the computer server and executable on demand is additionally operative with the computer server to cause the apparatus to transmit a notification to the first user that the physical article of merchandise has been manufactured in the physical world and the first NFT or the second NFT have been generated in the virtual world.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the executable software stored on the computer server and executable on demand is additionally operative with the computer server to receive from the first user an input comprising text to apply to the physical merchandise, the virtual merchandise, and the first NFT or the second NFT.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the executable software stored on the computer server and executable on demand is additionally operative with the computer server to receive from the first user a designation of Cartesian Coordinates for placement of the first digital photo, the second digital photo and the text, on the physical merchandise and the virtual merchandise.
14. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the physical merchandise comprises a t-shirt.
15. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the physical merchandise comprises a mug.
16. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the executable software stored on the computer server and executable on demand is additionally operative with the computer server to transmit to a third party via the digital communications network a replication of one or more of: the first digital photo, the second digital photo, the virtual merchandise and the first NFT or the second NFT.
17. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the executable software stored on the computer server and executable on demand is additionally operative with the computer server to transmit to a device associated with the first 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.
18. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the executable software stored on the computer server and executable on demand is additionally operative with the computer server to manufacture a photo book comprising static representations of the first digital photo and the second digital photo.
19. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first NFT is generated for conveying rights to the first digital photo.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the second NFT and the virtual merchandise are displayed on a user interface, and the processor is configured to record the transfer of ownership of the first NFT related to the first digital photo and the physical merchandise, and of the second NFT related to the virtual merchandise in a public ledger comprising a blockchain ledger.