GB2368688A

GB2368688A - On-demand book production system

Info

Publication number: GB2368688A
Application number: GB0115097A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alejandro Wiechers
Original assignee: Hewlett Packard Co
Current assignee: HP Inc
Priority date: 2000-07-11
Filing date: 2001-06-20
Publication date: 2002-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-20
Also published as: GB0115097D0; GB2368688B

Abstract

A system for producing a book (32) on-demand includes a book order processing system (20) which receives and processes a book order (12) for the book, a book preparation system (30), and a book order control system (40). The book order processing system produces a book preparation command (22) for the book and a book order control command (24) for the book order and the book in response to the book order. The book preparation system prepares the book from a data file in response to the book preparation command and the book order control system assembles control information (42) for the book order and the book in response to the book order control command. Order may be placed by a single customer (14) or multiple customers. Single or multiple copies of one book or multiple books may be ordered.

Description

ON-DEMAND BOOK PRODUCTION SYSTEM AND METHOD The Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to document production and, more particularly, to a system and method for processing an order for a book and producing the book on-demand.

Background of the Invention Typically, book production and distribution is accomplished by the production of a large quantity of the same book at one time. Thereafter, the books are distributed and presented for sale to a customer. As such, publishers and distributors must attempt to accurately predict future demand for the vast number of books available on the market.

Unfortunately, a large number of books available on the market are never sold and, therefore, go to waste. Consequently, the cost of this waste is passed on to the customer in the form of higher prices. In addition, because of age and/or lack of significant public demand, all books may not be available at all times. More specifically, a book may no longer be in print and, therefore, may be unavailable or may not be in the inventory of a retailer and/or distributor since both often have a limited inventory compared to the myriad of books available.

To increase the availability of books, systems have been developed for producing single copies of a book for direct customer sale. Existing single-copy book production systems, however, typically receive and process each order individually. Thus, multiple orders by a single customer are processed separately. Accounting and delivery of such orders, therefore, is often duplicative and inefficient.

Accordingly, a need exists for processing and controlling an order for a book to be produced on-demand. In particular, a need exists for accounting and

delivery of the book to the customer as well as processing of multiple book orders of a single customer.

Summary of the Invention One aspect of the present invention provides a system for producing a document on-demand. The system includes an order processing system which receives and processes an order for the document from a customer, a preparation system which prepares the document, and an order control system which provides for control of the order and the document. The order processing system produces a preparation command for the document and an order control command for the order and the document in response to the order. The preparation system retrieves a data file for the document, including contents of the document, and prepares the document from the data file in response to the preparation command, and the order control system assembles control information for the order and the document in response to the order control command.

In one embodiment, the order processing system receives and processes a plurality of orders placed within a predetermined time for a plurality of documents from a plurality of customers. As such, the order processing system sorts the orders based on each of the customers and produces, in one group, the preparation command for each of the documents of each of the orders of one of the customers. In one embodiment, the preparation system prepares, in one group, each of the documents of each of the orders of the one of the customers.

In one embodiment, the order processing system produces, in one group, the order control command for each of the documents of each of the orders of the one of the customers. As such, the order control system assembles, in one group, the control information for each of the orders and each of the documents of the one of the customers.

In one embodiment, the system includes a delivery system which delivers the documents to the customers based on the control information. As such, the

delivery system delivers, in one group, each of the documents of each of the orders of the one of the customers.

In one embodiment, the order processing system associates a customer identifier with each of the customers. As such, the order processing system sorts the orders based on the customer identifier and produces, in one group, the preparation command for each of the documents of each of the orders of one customer identifier. In one embodiment, the order processing system identifies a customer address of each of the customers. As such, the order processing system sorts the orders based on the customer address and produces, in one group, the preparation command for each of the documents of each of the orders of one customer address.

In one embodiment, the system includes an order storage system which stores the order for the document. As such, the order processing system stores the order in and retrieves the order from the order storage system.

In one embodiment, the system includes a delivery system which delivers the document to the customer based on the control information. In one embodiment, the delivery system includes a packaging system which packages the document based on the control information and a shipping system which ships the document to the customer based on the control information.

In one embodiment, the system includes a data storage system which stores the data file for the document. As such, the preparation system retrieves the data file for the document from the data storage system. In one embodiment, the data file includes a portion of the control information for the document. As such, the order control system retrieves the control information for the document from the data storage system.

In one embodiment, the order control system assembles the control information concurrently with the preparation system preparing the document.

In one embodiment, the control information includes an attribute of the document. The attribute includes, for example, a title of the document, an author of the document, a publisher of the document, and/or copyright information for the document.

In one embodiment, the control information includes a customer attribute of the order. The customer attribute includes, for example, a customer identifier of the customer, a customer address for the customer, and/or a purchase order for the document.

In one embodiment, the control information includes a distribution attribute of the order and the document. The distribution attribute includes, for example, an invoice for the order, a shipping address for the document, a shipping label for the document, a bill of lading for the document, and/or a receipt for the document.

In one embodiment, the order processing system acknowledges the order for the document to the customer.

In one embodiment, the order processing system receives and processes an additional order for an additional document from the customer. As such, the order processing system updates the preparation command to include the additional document and the order control command to include the additional order and the additional document in response to the additional order.

In one embodiment, the document is a book. In one embodiment, the control information includes a book attribute of the book, the book attribute including at least one of a title of the book, an author of the book, a publisher of the book, an international standard book number for the book, and copyright information for the book.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of producing a document on-demand. The method includes the steps of receiving and processing an order for the document from a customer including producing a preparation command for the document and an order control command for the order and the document in response to the order. The method also includes the steps of retrieving a data file for the document including contents of the document and preparing the document from the data file in response to the preparation command, as well as assembling control information for the order and the document in response to the order control command.

The present invention provides a system for processing an order for a document, producing the document on-demand in response to the order, and assembling control information for the order and the document. As such, the present invention provides a system for accounting and delivery of the document to the customer as well as processing of multiple document orders of a single customer.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure I is a block diagram of an on-demand book production system according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a book preparation system of the system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a book order control system of the system of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a book delivery system of the system of Figure 1 ; Figure 5 is a flow diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a method of producing a book on-demand according to the present invention; Figure 6A is a flow diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a method of processing a book order in the method of Figure 5; and Figure 6B is a flow diagram illustrating another exemplary embodiment of a method of processing a book order in the method of Figure 5.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description,

therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

The present invention provides a system for processing an order for a document, producing the document on-demand in response to the order, and assembling control information for the order and the document. As such, the present invention provides a system for delivering the document to the customer based on the control information. In addition, the present invention provides a system for processing all of the orders placed by one customer within a predetermined time. Thus, the present invention provides a system for preparing, assembling, packaging, and shipping, in one group, all of the documents ordered by one customer. The document can include a book, an annual, a magazine, a pamphlet, or any other type of printed publication. For clarity, the following description only refers to book production, but it is understood that production of any other type of printed publication is within the scope of the present invention.

An on-demand book production system according to the present invention is illustrated generally at 10 in Figure 1. On-demand book production system 10 provides a system for producing a book generally on-demand. More specifically, on-demand book production system 10 produces the book in response to an order for the book from a customer. Thus, on-demand book production system 10 produces the book when requested or needed by the customer.

On-demand book production system 10 as well as other embodiments of the on-demand book production system according to the present invention include several main components, one or more of which may include hardware and/or software. The software components of the on-demand book production system according to the present invention system run on one or more computer and/or server systems. Programming languages suitable for use with the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the present application.

In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 1, on-demand book production system 10 includes a book order processing system 20, a book preparation system 30, a book order control system 40, and a book delivery system 50. Book order processing system 20 receives and processes a book order 12 requested by a customer 14. In response to book order 12, book order processing system 20 produces a book preparation command 22 and a book order control command 24. In addition, book order processing system 20 also acknowledges receipt of book order 12 to customer 14 as represented by arrow 26. Book order 12 includes orders for a single copy and/or multiple copies of one book or multiple books. In addition, customer 14 includes a single customer and/or multiple customers.

Book preparation system 30 and book order control system 40 each communicate with book order processing system 20 and book delivery system 50 communicates with both book preparation system 30 and book order control system 40. As such, book preparation system 30 produces a book 32 in response to book preparation command 22 and book order control system 40 retrieves and assembles control information 42 for book order 12 and book 32 in response to book order control command 24. Thereafter, book delivery system 50 assembles book 32 and control information 42 and delivers book 32 to customer 14 as represented by arrow 52.

In one exemplary embodiment, book order processing system 20 communicates with a book order data storage system 60. Book order data storage system 60 stores book order 12 for subsequent retrieval and processing.

More specifically, when book order processing system 20 receives book order 12, book order 12 is stored in book order data storage system 60 as represented by arrow 62. As such, book order processing system 20 subsequently retrieves book order 12 from book order data storage system 60 for processing as represented by arrow 64. Examples of book order data storage system 60 can include volatile memory (for example, random access memory (RAM) ) and/or non-volatile memory (for example, hard disk drive or other persistent storage device).

In one exemplary embodiment, book preparation command 22 includes a book cover preparation command 22a and a book body preparation command 22b. Thus, as illustrated in Figure 2, book preparation system 30 includes a book cover preparation system 34 and a book block preparation system 36. As such, book cover preparation system 34 and book block preparation system 36 prepare a book cover 32a and a book block 32b, respectively, for book 32. Book preparation system 30 also includes a book finishing system 38.

Book cover preparation system 34 prepares book cover 32a of book 32 in response to book cover preparation command 22a. Book cover 32a includes a sheet or piece of material cut to a desired size and is formed from a suitable sheet material such as paper, cardboard, and/or plastic film. Book cover 32a can include a cover image (not shown). The cover image can include, for example, images in the form of characters and/or graphics as is well known in the art.

In one exemplary embodiment, book cover preparation system 34 includes a printer 341, a laminator 342, and a scorer 343. Printer 341 is a color printer and prints book cover 32a. Laminator 342 laminates book cover 32a and scorer 343 scores book cover 32a with crease lines which facilitate bending of book cover 32a along a spine of book block 32b.

Book block preparation system 36 prepares book block 32b of book 32 in response to book body preparation command 22b. Book block 32b includes a plurality of sheets of paper and forms a body of book 32. Book block 32b includes, for example, a table of contents, text, index, etc.

In one exemplary embodiment, book block preparation system 36 includes one or more printers 361 and a jogger 362. Printer 361 is a black and white printer and prints the body of book 32 on several sheets of paper. Jogger 362 vibrates or shakes the sheets to align the edges of the paper in forming book block 32b.

Book finishing system 38 assembles book cover 32a and book block 32b to form book 32. In one exemplary embodiment, book finishing system 38 includes a book binder 381 and a book trimmer 382. As such, book cover 32a is registered in book binder 381 and book block 32b is positioned on book cover

32a. Then, book block 32b is bound with book cover 32a by book binder 381 as is well known in the art. Thereafter, book trimmer 382 trims book cover 32a if necessary. Thus, finished book 32 is produced.

In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 1, book preparation system 30 and book order control system each 40 communicate with a book data storage system 70. Book data storage system 70 includes a data file for book 32. More specifically, book data storage system 70 includes an electronic file of book contents 72 and a book attribute 74 for book 32. It is, however, understood that the data file for book 32 can include multiple data files for each book 32. Examples of book data storage system 70 can include volatile memory (for example, random access memory (RAM) ) and/or non-volatile memory (for example, hard disk drive or other persistent storage device).

Book contents 72 for book 32 include, for example, a table of contents, text, index, etc. Book attribute 74 for book 32 includes, for example, a title of book 32, an author of book 32, a publisher of book 32, an international standard book number (ISBN) for book 32, and/or copyright information for book 32.

Thus, book preparation system 30 retrieves book contents 72 and book order control system 40 retrieves book attribute 74 from book data storage system 70.

Book order control system 40 retrieves and/or prepares control information 42 for book order 12 and book 32. In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 3, control information 42 includes book attribute 74 of book 32, a customer attribute 44 of book order 12, and/or a distribution attribute 46 of book order 12 and/or book 32. Book attribute 74 includes, for example, the title, the author, the publisher, the international standard book number, and/or copyright information of book 32. Customer attribute 44 includes, for example, a customer identifier of customer 14, a customer address for customer 14, and/or a purchase order for book 32. Distribution attribute 46 includes, for example, an invoice for book order 12, a shipping address for book 32, a shipping label for book 32, and/or a receipt or bill of lading for book 32.

In one exemplary embodiment, book order control system 40 retrieves book attribute 74 from book data storage system 70 and customer and

distribution attributes 44 and 46, respectively, from book order processing system 20. Book attribute 74, customer attribute 44, and/or distribution attribute 46, therefore, are assembled as control information 42 for book order 12 and book 32 by book order control system 40. As such, control information 42 is used for controlling delivery of book 32 and/or accounting of book order 12 and/or book 32. Book attribute 74, for example, is used for tracking and reporting copyright information for book 32. Customer attribute 44 and distribution attribute 46, for example, are used for packaging and shipping of book 32. More specifically, a customer address for customer 14, a shipping address for book 32, and a shipping label for book 32, are assembled by book order control system 40 as control information 42 for use by book delivery system 50.

In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 4, book delivery system 50 includes a book packaging system 54 and a book shipping system 56.

Book packaging system 54 packages book 32 produced by book preparation system 30 based on control information 42 assembled by book order control system 40. Book packaging system 54, for example, incorporates, with book 32, a shipping label and/or receipt assembled by book order control system 40.

Thereafter, book shipping system 56 conveys or ships book 32 packaged by book packaging system 54 to customer 14 based on control information 42 assembled by book order control system 40. The shipping label assembled by book order control system 40, for example, facilitates shipping of book 32 to customer 14.

In Figure 5, a flow diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a method of preparing book 32 on-demand according to the present invention is illustrated generally at 100. Reference is also made to Figures 1-4. At step 110, book order 12 for book 32 is placed by customer 14. As such, at step 120, book order 12 is received and processed, for example, by book order processing system 20. Thus, in step 130, book preparation command 22 and book order control command 24 are produced.

In step 140, a data file for book 32 including book contents 72 is retrieved, for example, from book data storage system 70, and book 32 is prepared, for example, by book preparation system 30. In addition, in step 150, control information 42 for book order 12 and book 32 is assembled, for example, by book order control system 40, from book attribute 74, customer attribute 44, and/or distribution attribute 46. In one exemplary embodiment, steps 140 and 150 are performed concurrently such that control information 42 is assembled while book 32 is prepared. Finally, in step 160, book 32 is delivered to customer 14, for example, by delivery system 50, based on control information 42.

Figure 6A illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a method of receiving and processing, by book order processing system 20, a book order in step 120. More specifically, step 120 receives and processes a plurality of book orders for a plurality of books from a plurality of customers. In step 121, the plurality of book orders are received. The book orders can be for single and/or multiple copies of one and/or several books and are received from one and/or several customers. In step 122, a customer identifier is associated with each of the book orders. The customer identifier includes any unique identifier for each customer. The customer identifier can include, for example, a code for each customer, a name of each customer, and/or an address of each customer.

In step 124, each of the book orders and the associated customer identifier are stored, for example, in book order data storage system 60.

Thereafter, in step 125, batch processing is performed on the book orders and the associated customer identifiers. More specifically, all of the book orders received within a predetermined time (and not previously processed) are retrieved from book order data storage system 60 by book order processing system 20. Batch processing can occur, for example, every 4,8, and/or 24 hours.

In step 126, each of the book orders are sorted by the customer identifiers. Thus, multiple book orders for the same or related customer identifier are grouped together and, therefore, can be processed in one group.

Multiple orders for the same customer, for example, can be processed together.

Furthermore, since the customer identifier can include the address of each customer, multiple orders within the same vicinity or region can be processed together.

In step 127, book preparation and book order control commands are dispatched per the customer identifier or, more specifically, each customer. As such, all of the books ordered by the same or related customer identifier or, more specifically, the same customer within the predetermined time, including the corresponding control information, are prepared and assembled in one group.

In one exemplary embodiment, book preparation system 30 and/or book order control system 40 indicate fulfillment of the book orders for the one group.

Indication includes, for example, output of a separation sheet following preparation of the books of the one group. Since all of the books and the corresponding control information for each customer are prepared and assembled in one group, book delivery system 50 can package and ship all book orders for each customer in one group.

Figure 6B illustrates another exemplary embodiment of receiving and processing, by book order processing system 20, a book order in step 120. More specifically, step 220 receives and processes an additional book order for an additional book. As such, step 220 updates and regroups book orders which are in-process when the additional book order is placed.

In step 221, the additional book order is received. The additional book order can be for single and/or multiple copies of one and/or several books from one and/or several customers. In step 222, a customer identifier is associated with the customer of the additional book order in a manner similar to that in step 122. Next, in step 223, whether book orders are currently being processed is assessed. If book orders are not being processed, step 224 is performed. In step 224, the additional book order and the associated customer identifier are stored in a manner similar to that in step 124. Thereafter, steps 225,226, and 227 are performed in a manner similar that of steps 125,126, and 127.

If, however, at step 223, book orders are currently being processed, including, for example, producing book preparation and book order control

commands as in step 130 (Figure 5), retrieving data files and preparing books as in step 140 (Figure 5), and/or assembling book control information as in step 150 (Figure 5), step 228 is performed. In step 228, the customer identifier of the additional book order is compared with the customer identifiers of the book orders in-process. If a match of customer identifiers is not achieved, step 224 is performed, as outlined above.

If, however, at step 228, a match of customer identifiers between the customer identifier of the additional book order and the customer identifiers of the book orders in-process is achieved, step 229 is performed. The match of customer identifiers can include, for example, the same or related customer and/or the same or related customer address. In step 229, the book orders, including the additional book order, are regrouped per the customer identifiers.

Thus, any book orders received for the same customer identifier are updated such that all book orders from the same customer are processed together.

By receiving and processing a book order for a book from a customer, retrieving a data file for the book including contents of the book and preparing the book from the data file, as well as assembling control information for the book order and the book, on-demand book preparation system 10 provides a system for producing a book on-demand or, more specifically, when requested or needed by the customer. In addition, by assembling control information for the book order and the book, on-demand book preparation system 10 provides a system for delivering the book to the customer. Furthermore, by processing all of the book orders placed by one customer within a predetermined time, ondemand book preparation system 10 provides a system for preparing, assembling, packaging, and shipping, in one group, all of the books ordered by one customer.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein for purposes of description of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations calculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. Those with skill in the chemical, mechanical, electro-mechanical, electrical, and computer arts will readily appreciate that the present invention may be implemented in a very wide variety of embodiments. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the preferred embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A system for producing a document on-demand, the system comprising: an order processing system (20) adapted to receive and process an order (12) for the document from a customer (14), the order processing system producing a preparation command (22) for the document and an order control command (24) for the order and the document in response to the order; a preparation system (30) adapted to retrieve a data file for the document including contents (72) of the document, the preparation system preparing the document from the data file in response to the preparation command; and an order control system (40), the order control system assembling control information (42) for the order and the document in response to the order control command.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the order processing system is adapted to receive and process a plurality of orders placed within a predetermined time for a plurality of documents from a plurality of customers, wherein the order processing system sorts the orders based on each of the customers and produces, in one group, the preparation command for each of the documents of each of the orders of one of the customers, and wherein the preparation system prepares, in one group, each of the documents of each of the orders of the one of the customers.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the order processing system produces, in one group, the order control command for each of the documents of each of the orders of the one of the customers, and wherein the order control system assembles, in one group, the control information for each of the orders and each of the documents of the one of the customers.
4. The system of claim 3, further comprising: a delivery system (50) adapted to deliver the documents to the customers based on the control information, and wherein the delivery system is adapted to deliver, in one group, each of the documents of each of the orders of the one of the customers.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein the order processing system associates a customer identifier with each of the customers, and wherein the order processing system sorts the orders based on the customer identifier and produces, in one group, the preparation command for each of the documents of each of the orders of one customer identifier.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the control information includes an attribute (74) of the document, the attribute including at least one of a title of the document, an author of the document, a publisher of the document, and copyright information for the document.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the control information includes a customer attribute (44) of the order, the customer attribute including at least one of a customer identifier of the customer, a customer address for the customer, and a purchase order for the document.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the control information includes a distribution attribute (46) of the order and the document, the distribution attribute including at least one of an invoice for the order, a shipping address for the document, a shipping label for the document, a bill of lading for the document, and a receipt for the document.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the order processing system is adapted to receive and process an additional order for an additional document from the customer, the order processing system updating the preparation command to include the additional document and the order control command to include the additional order and the additional document in response to the additional order.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the document is a book (32).
11. A method of producing a document on-demand, the method comprising the steps of : receiving and processing an order (12) for the document from a customer (14) including producing a preparation command (22) for the document and an order control command (24) for the order and the document in response to the order; retrieving a data file for the document including contents (72) of the document and preparing the document from the data file in response to the preparation command; and assembling control information (42) for the order and the document in response to the order control command.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of receiving and processing the order for the document includes receiving and processing a plurality of orders placed within a predetermined time for a plurality of documents from a plurality of customers, sorting the orders based on each of the customers, and producing, in one group, the preparation command for each of the documents of each of the orders of one of the customers, and wherein the step of retrieving the data file for the document and preparing the document from the data file includes preparing, in one group, each of the documents of each of the orders of the one of the customers.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of receiving and processing the order includes producing, in one group, the order control command for each of the documents of each of the orders of the one of the customers, and wherein the step of assembling control information includes assembling, in one group, control information for each of the orders and each of the documents of the one of the customers.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of : delivering the document to the customer based on the control information, and wherein the step of delivering the document to the customer includes delivering, in one group, each of the documents of each of the orders of the one of the customers.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of receiving and processing the order includes associating a customer identifier with each of the customers, sorting the orders based on the customer identifier, and producing, in one group, the preparation command for each of the documents of each of the orders of one customer identifier.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of assembling control information for the order and the document includes assembling control information concurrently with preparing the document.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of receiving and processing the order for the document includes receiving and processing an additional order for an additional document from the customer and includes updating the preparation command to include the additional document and the order command to include the additional order and the additional document in response to the additional order.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the document is a book (32).