DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] FIG. 1 displays an interactive print job display system 20 according to the present invention. A user interacts with the system 20 via a display system which commonly includes a monitor 22 with an input device such as a keyboard 24 and pointing device such as mouse 26. This display system is readily available in any typical personal computer or work station. The user communicates with the interactive site user interface 30 through a communications link 28. This communications link 28 includes any standard communication link such as modems, networks such as Ethernet and other connections. As will be discussed hereinafter the illustrative embodiment of the present invention uses the Internet with Internet browsing software such as Netscape Navigator running on a computer system with monitor 22 and an interactive web site.

[0026] The interactive site user interface 30 provides a graphic user interface to the user for entering data and placing orders for customized printed articles. The user interacts with the system by selecting a printed article, for example a business card, and entering appropriate text and layout information. The interactive site user interface 30 prompts the user for the appropriate information, collects this information, and sends appropriate information such as a selected printed article, text, font and layout 32 to a job processor 34. The job processor 34 takes this information, and produces a print image 36. The print image 36 is provided to the interactive site user interface 30 and then sent via the communications link 28 to be displayed on the monitor 22 for the user to view.

[0027] The user can make changes in the format layout or other details for the image of the printed article, whereupon the interactive site user interface 30 receives updated information, which is provided to the job processor 34. The job processor 34 then produces a new print image 36 for display back on the monitor 22. Through this cyclic interaction, a user is able to experiment and try variations in a low-pressure environment, and ultimately produce a desired customized article for printing.

[0028] Once the user is satisfied with the appearance of the article for printing, the user places an order on-line through the same display system whereupon the interactive site user interface 30 provides the order information to an order processing unit 40. The information 38 sent to order processing unit 40 includes an identification of the article for printing (such as a business card), text, font and layout information as necessary for order processing unit 40 to produce a print order. Other information such as billing information, order processing number, order confirmation, shipping address and special instructions may also be included.

[0029] The order processing unit 40, upon determining to print the order provides print information 42 to the job processor 34. This print information 42 is the same text and font layout information 32 as provided by the interactive site user interface 30. The same job processor 34 which produces the print images 36 for display to the user during the selection process is the same job processor 34 which produces the output image 44 used in the batch printing process 48. By using this same job processor 34, the present invention guarantees that the completed print job 50 will appear exactly the same as the print image 36 which was displayed to the user. Alternatively, the present invention can store the final user-approved print image 36 and use it for the output image 44, thereby avoiding re-running the job processor 34.

[0030] Other information needed for printing 48 is supplied by the order processing unit 40 as shown by arrow 46. Printing is performed by any available batch printing method, including standard offset, multi-colored offset, or high speed four color copying systems.

[0031] An illustrative embodiment of the present invention is shown is FIG. 2. The user interacts with a monitor 22 or other display device running any available web browser system for interacting with the world wide web, including personal computers running Netscape Navigator®, Web TV or any other interactive systems. The system with monitor 22 communicates over the Internet by standard techniques, as shown by arrow 28 to a web site 30 which provides a web site with an interactive order form user interface. The web site user interface 30 provides interactive screen displays allowing a user to select a printed article such as business card, and enter information to be displayed on the business card as well as layout, colors, and paper stock for the final product. In the illustrative embodiment, the user first selects an article to be printed, and then is presented with screen including several form fields for entering the text for each section of that specific printed article. For example, with a business card, the screen includes form fields for name, address, telephone and fax numbers as well as email address. Other optional fields for text are also provided, further depending on the context, some fields may include predefined values which may not be editable, for example on business cards for individuals at one company, where the company address is the same for all cards.

[0032] When a user has provided the text information and layout information, the web site user Interface 30 provides text, font and layout information 30 to a graphical layout engine 52. The text, font and layout information 32 from the web site user interface 30 includes a template identifier for identifying which template the graphic layout engine 52 should use. In the example of a business card, the template identifier will identify a template set up for filling in information on a predefined business card. Templates will be discussed in more detail below.

[0033] These templates are predefined and are stored in a database 54. Using the template identifier, the graphical layout engine 52 communicates with the database 54 through a communication link 56. Alternatively, the database 54 is an integral part of the graphical layout engine 52. The correct template is loaded into graphical layout engine 52. Then the graphical layout engine 52 processes the template image using the text and font information 32 provided by the user to produce an output image 58. In the illustrative embodiment, the output image 58 is in Postscript file format. For the illustrative embodiment, the graphical layout engine 52 is Act 1 and Act 2 as produced by Hence EDP of Ventura, Calif. The Act 1 and Act 2 systems provide graphical layout and output of print information including Postscript output which may be used for creating printing plates for batch offset printing. More details of this system will also be provided below.

[0034] The output Postscript file 58 for display to the user on the monitor 22 is processed by a Postscript to graphic converter 60. This Postscript to graphic converter 60 converts the Postscript file to a format which may be sent to and displayed on the monitor 22. In the illustrative embodiment, the Postscript file 58 is converted into a GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) file, although other formats such as JPEG or TIFF can also be produced. In the illustrative embodiment, the postscript to graphic converter 60 is a program called Image Alchemy which converts the Postscript file into a GIF file 62.

[0035] In the illustrative embodiment, the GIF file 62 is produced and displayed as an image foreground. GIF files may be displayed by presenting two images, a foreground image and a background image. The foreground image can be created with transparent sections, whereupon the background image is visible. When the foreground and background images are combined, a complete picture is produced. For the present invention, by using a foreground GIF 62 file, the background may be selected from an image representing an article for printing, for example paper stock. The paper stock may be a single solid color or a compound surface such as a marbleized or matte surface etc. As previously mentioned, other articles for printing such as a T-shirt, hat or a restaurant menu can be used as background images. Alternatively, users can provide their own background images, and see what the image sill look like with printing placed on it. The system would allow the user to provide a GIF or other format background image which would be uploaded and used as a background, or stay resident on the users's browser.

[0036] The web site user Interface 30 receives the foreground GIF image 62 and provides it and an background image to the user display or monitor 22. The background is selected by the user selecting a certain paper stock, or if a certain stock is attached to a certain template identifier, that background image will be used. The image size for the background is selected to match the foreground size as defined by the foreground GIF image 62. The background image size may be adjusted by tiling a small image to fill in the appropriate size, or by clipping or resizing a background image as appropriate. Alternatively, for certain printed articles such as business cards, background images properly sized for business cards may be provided.

[0037] Alternatively, the Postscript to graphic converter 60 may produce from the Postscript file 58 a single image file 62 which includes both a foreground and a background.

[0038] Upon viewing the displayed image on the display monitor 22, a user can modify the displayed image by editing the previously entered text, or changing the appearance (font, font size, color, spacing etc.). All the previously entered information is maintained by the web site user interface, and available in the data entry fields so the user can easily make changes and adjustments without having to re-enter data. If the user changes to a new article for printing, for example a different business card with a different layout, the previously entered text for printing on the business card does not need to be reentered. Other adjustments are also simple. In the present invention, the font size can be adjusted by specifying a percentage change amount, for example requesting 110%, 75% 150% of the present font size, or requesting for example “10% larger”, “25% smaller” of the present font size. The user can also specify point sizes if desired.

[0039] After the user has made changes as desired, the information is again sent to the web site user Interface 30, which submits the proper information to the graphical layout engine 52 to produce a new postscript file 58, which is processed as previously described and displayed to the user.

[0040] When the user is satisfied and wishes to place an order, the user activates the appropriate mechanism, typically by activating a screen button saying “Order Now”. In the illustrative embodiment, the user is then presented with other screens for data entry. Such data entry includes payment information such as a customer order number, or credit card ordering information. These data entry screens can include secure connection web pages to maintain privacy of customer information. Other information collected includes a shipping address and any special instructions. The web site user Interface 30 then provides the order information 38 to the order processing unit 40. In the illustrative embodiment, the order processing unit 40 creates an order number for the order. This order number keeps track of the information, and the order processing process, including whether a confirmation has been received to proceed with the printing of the order. This printing confirmation may take the form of a credit approval for credit card information or purchase order information provided from the user, or other confirmation including a timing to run a certain number of received orders at one time.

[0041] When the order processing unit 40 determines that an order is to be printed, the order processing unit 40 provides the layout and template information 42 to graphic layout engine 52 which in the illustrative embodiment is Act 2 from Hence EDP. The graphic layout engine 52 again queries and receives data from the database 54 regarding the template and additionally may include information about various texts to display in various areas and sections of a template as will be described below. The graphical layout engine 52 then produces a Postscript file 44 which is used for preparing a printing plate for the printing process 48. When producing a Postscript file 44 for printing, the graphic layout engine may produce a slightly different Postscript file 44 from the Postscript file 58 for image display, in that it may have a larger border to accommodate spacing around the printing plate for margins and trimming. However, the text and font layout as contained within the Postscript file for printing 44 is substantially identical to the Postscript file for image display 58.

[0042] The printing process 48 is performed by any standard printing system including prepress preparation of print film or plate, for example by taking the Postscript file 44 and producing an offset plate for printing on an offset printer. If multiple colors are used, color separation files can be performed. Although the printing process is described using preprinting production of plates, other methods are available including providing the postscript data to high speed copying or image producing machines which automatically provide layout for batch print jobs, or alternatively to printing presses which are designed to automatically receive Postscript files and automatically produce printing plates and run printing jobs with very little intermediate preparation.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a graphical representation of an example template 70 for layout of a business card. The template includes a one or more areas 72-80, which are configured to hold layouts such as text and graphics. The top left area 72 can be to hold a graphic representing the logo for a company. The main text area 74 would usually display the person's name, title and address, etc. Areas can overlap each other, as shown by the area 76 which overlaps the main text area 74.

[0044] A template area is configured with rules to display a specific font, in a specific color, with a certain format, leading (spacing) and area filling. The template is stored in the database 54. When a template is uploaded, the descriptions for each area are also uploaded. When the graphical layout engine 52 receives text to print in a certain area, the line is indexed into a specific line in a specific area on a specific template. The database is configured to allow storing text for a specific print job (as indexed by an order number), however, this feature is not presently being used.

[0045] The graphical layout engine takes the user supplied information for each area, and produces the output Postscript file 58 based on the template and areas. The fonts and layout of each area can be adjusted as desired to override the initial default rules. For example the font may be shrunk by a percentage for one area.

[0046] The graphical layout engine also accepts a description of a printing plate on which the image will be transferred to for printing. The description includes a size for the printing plate, so that the Postscript file 58 will be created to correctly fit and be positioned on the printing plate. For producing images for display to a user, the printing plate is a same size as the image size, so that it exactly fits. However, when producing a Postscript file 44 for printing, a different printing plate description is provided, as shown in FIG. 4. In this example, the printing plate 82 is larger than the two template images 70a and 70b, with a border around both. Here, the printing plate description is configured to group two (same or different) business card images together to be printed at once, wherein the printing process will print two business cards on each sheet. The sheets would then be cut and trimmed to produce the final business cards. By providing the graphical layout engine 52 with the printing plate description, it will produce a Postscript file 44 which is properly configured and laid out to fit on the printing plate without further adjustment.

[0047] Similarly, image placement on a plate can overlap. This is useful for displaying printed articles which have more than one printed surface. For example, an ornate invitation will have a large background piece from one paper stock, with a smaller foreground piece positioned and glued together to form a framed invitation. The background piece forms a frame around the smaller foreground piece. Both the background piece and foreground piece have printing; the printing on the background piece is in the border, and will be visible when the invitation is finally assembled. While the printing process usually requires printing each piece separately and then gluing them together; the ability to overlap plates allows the present invention to produce a viewable image of what the final result will be. When processing the data for a display image, the resulting Postscript File will have the foreground and background printing overlap on the printing plate. Therefore when the image is displayed, the image will appear with all the printing properly placed. In this case, a background image which shows what the two pieces (foreground paper and background border paper) look like, thereby producing a complete and accurate image.

[0048] Turning now to FIG. 5, the steps used by the illustrative embodiment of the present invention are discussed. First the user enters or modifies text and layout selection as shown in step 100. The user accesses the system, typically by accessing the web site, selects one of the printed articles the user wishes to order, and proceeds to a data entry screen. The data entry screens are implemented using HTML (HyperText Markup Language) with Javascript functions. Different printed articles have different data entry screens, which have data fields as required for the printed article.

[0049] If a user needs to enter text to be printed in a non-Arabic alphabet, for example Hebrew text to be printed on an invitation to a Bar Mitzvah, the user can indicate this on the data entry screen. In the illustrative embodiment, the user is instructed to enter the text “[H]” in a data field. This will bring up a separate screen which displays characters and alphabets matrix whereupon the user can click on each character in turn to spell out the appropriate text. This entry is only used for data entry, because the present invention properly handles different fonts and alphabets correctly (including languages which are read and written right to left), and the resulting displayed image is completely accurate.

[0050] Once the user enters the information, the text and layout information is sent over the Internet to the web server, step 102. The web server is implemented using Active Server Pages from Microsoft Inc., which will run preselected programs and wait for results before displaying further pages. For the illustrative embodiment, the web server sends the information to a separate machine which activates a batch program which controls the production of the display images. The text and layout information is then passed to the graphic layout engine, step 104. For the illustrative embodiment, the ACT 2 program is activated and passes parameters. Layout information includes font information, and a template identifier for a predefined template which is stored in the database. Also, an order number is supplied, which allows the graphic layout engine to store information regarding the text in the database, although this presently is not used.

[0051] The graphic layout engine uploads the appropriate template from the database performs the calculations and production, step 106. The result is a postscript file, step 108. For displaying the image to users, the produced Postscript file is sized to fully fill the area (no margin around it for the plate). For image display, the Postscript file is created with no background color. The postscript file is stored, and the batch file next activates the postscript to image converter program is run, which reads in the Postscript file and outputs a GIF foreground image file, step 110. This file and a background GIF file representing the background image is then sent by FTP to the web server for display to the user, step 112. The web server creates an HTML page for displaying to image, using the GIF foreground image file size to create a table cell sized hold the image, which thereby determines the size for the corresponding background image. The display page is then sent to the user over the Internet.

[0052] The user can then either make modifications to the display as shown by step 114 which allows the process to be repeated again as needed, or the user can place an order, step 116. The user can enter extra order information including payment options, shipping address, and any special instructions for the order.

[0053] If the user places an order, the system will store the text and layout information along with an order number for processing as shown by step 118. In the illustrative embodiment, the information is uploaded again, except this time with a “real” order number. This order number helps track the order, which may include several parts. For example, a wedding invitation often will have an invitation and response card. The same font and ink color will be used for the response card which is part of the same order. Other items such as standard text may be defaulted from the entered text (for example, addresses), or the user can customize other parts of the order using the same display system.

[0054] Alternatively, the user may store order information on the system, but not actually place the order yet. This allows the user to come back to the site and access the previously entered information and layout. The user can then make changes and they please, and finally place a real order.

[0055] Once the order is complete, which may involve waiting for completion of an automatic credit authorization, the order is processed. If special instructions are present, the order will not be automatically processed, but will alert an operator to review the order and special instructions. When the order is processed, the text and layout information including the order number is uploaded to the graphic layout engine as shown in step 104 by arrow 120. The graphic layout engine will then again select the appropriate template from the database step 106, and produce a postscript file, step 108. A different plate setup is used for the output, which includes providing a larger plate surface than the actual image, as is needed for printing setup. Further, multiple images may be placed in one Postscript file, allowing the printing plate to have several images for different printed items to facilitate printing all parts of an order at once, for example a wedding invitation and reply card. Also, different print orders for unrelated jobs can be put on one plate, to allow one print run to complete multiple jobs. The Postscript file can also be created and configured to allow images to overlap or be superimposed over other images, to facilitate specialty printing such as multi-layered invitations.

[0056] The Postscript file is finally sent as shown by arrow 122 to be printed as a print job, step 124. At that point, the order is processed in a standard manner for printing, packaging and shipping.

[0057] The illustrative embodiment of the present invention runs on a single Pentium® based single or multiple processor system running Microsoft Windows NT®. The illustrative embodiment also runs with multiple separate networked computers. The web site user interface 30 runs on one machine, with information passed through a network to another machine running the graphical layout engine 52, and the graphic converter 60. The database 54 may also be installed on the second machine. As the processing requirements for the present invention grows, the database 54 can be placed on a separate database server machine, which is accessible by a plurality of networked job processors 34 (which can include graphical layout engines 52 together with graphic converters 60), and one or more separate web site user interface machines 30. In this way, if more job processing power is needed, a new machine can simply be networked in, and perform job processing in parallel with the other machines. Alternatively, some of the processing, such as user interaction for obtaining information, step 100 FIG. 5, may be performed locally on a user's browser by using Javascript.

[0058] Instead of printing the print order through a standard print shop, an alternative system and method in is to allow a user to print onto regular or special paper stock using a personal printer that is connected to a web browser or a personal computer. An illustrative embodiment of this feature allows for the quick and easy printing of invitations and announcements by a novice from a personal home computer. The user customizes their card, reviews a proof created through the system, and then downloads a printable document. The same application that is used to generate the final printable document is also used to generate the on-screen proof. The user is able to save their work for future use. This system allows users to quickly and easily create complex graphics calligraphy. This service may be offered completely over the internet, with customers paying by credit card or other payment plans, or prepackaged with quality paper. A user may purchase paper, and then access a web site to prepare the printing from instructions provided with the prepackaged paper.

[0059] An illustrative embodiment for this feature includes an interactive web site which guides the user through several steps. The user begins by inputting the specific item number of the card or envelope they wish to print. Each item number has a specific set of text fields associated with it, which the user is asked to fill-in though the use of a graphic user interface, data entry form, etc. The user inputs their text in the supplied fields. Each field corresponds to a specific print area of the card. For example, a field entitled Right Corner Copy contains text that will appear as a footnote on bottom right of the card. The use of fields ensures that the user's text will avoid all preprinted designs and will also account for any unusual text layout, such as slanted text, that would be almost impossible to format using a standard word processing program.

[0060] Once the user has inputted all of their text, a proof is displayed. In accordance with the previously described invention, the user is shown an exact replica of how their card will look once printed (called a proof). In this illustrative embodiment the user's text is displayed on top of an image of the actual card stock, complete with any designs, appliques, and/or embellishments. This allows the user to see the exact positioning and proportions of the text in relation to their card. The system adjusts the font size and line spacing to ensure that the user's text is never too large for the card, and prevents any of the text from running off the card. Font color can be selected by the user, or can be set to preferred or default colors as selected by the card creators or artists as best suiting the specific card being customized.

[0061] After the initial proof is displayed, the user has the option to modify their text, lettering style and size, layout, and ink color. The user can make very detailed modifications through the use of an “Advanced Mode”. This mode allows the user to make modifications detailed enough that they only effect a single line of text. For example, the user can decide to use more than one typestyle in each print area—their first line may be in Papyrus, their second line in Courier New, their third line in Papyrus, and so on. The user may make as many changes as necessary before generating a new proof.

[0062] Once the user is completely satisfied with the proof, the user downloads a printable file. In the illustrative embodiment, this file is in a standard format such as PDF format. The same application that is used to generate the on-screen proof is also used to generate the final printable PDF document.

[0063] Prior to download, the system gathers pertinent printer layout information (top fed vs. bottom fed; aligned right, left, or center) from the user. The system then uses this information for positioning decisions for the layout of the printable file. The system returns a postscript file, which is then translated into a PDF document. Since a website cannot appropriately interact with the user's print driver and the card stock is almost always of a non-standard size, the system creates a standard sized 8½″×11″ PDF. The image from the postscript file is positioned on the 8½″×11″ sheet based on the printer layout information provided by the user. The user is then able to print perfectly positioned text on their final card stock.

[0064] Occasionally, this layout is not perfect due to irregularities in printer configurations. To correct these imperfections in layout, the user has the option of utilizing a nudge tool. The nudge tool takes the initial image position on the 8½″×11″ PDF document and allows the user to adjust it incrementally until a satisfactory position is achieved on the downloaded PDF document. A new PDF document is created based on the incremental adjustment.

[0065] FIG. 6 illustrates the flow of information for an illustrative embodiment. The user text and formatting 30 is collected, and the typesetting information 32 is provided to the graphic layout (typesetting) system 52. This produces a Postscript file 58, which may optionally be processed and displayed to the user as previously described.

[0066] The system collects paper position information 84 about how the card to be printed on is located in the user's printer. This information includes the alignment of the paper within the printer (if the paper is fed on the left, right, or center of the printer), and if the paper is fed in from the top or the bottom. If there is any information for nudging the output (possibly based on a previous test print), this information is also provided.

[0067] Using the paper position information 84 and input on the size of the product to be printed 86, the system calculates 85 the offset 88 of where exactly the printed portion would appear to be to the printer on a standard-sized piece of paper, such as 8½″ by 11″ letter size. The illustrative embodiment advantageously instructs printers to print on standard-sized papers, because the offsetting allows the printer to print on the correct position on the card, while the printer thinks that it is printing on a standard size of paper.

[0068] An example of how the offset calculator 85 uses the paper position information for printing on a 3×5 inch card is as follows. If the printer is left aligned and paper feeds from the bottom, the printing is aligned in the top left of the standard sized paper image. If the printer is right aligned, then the printing is aligned in the top right of the standard sized paper image. If the printer is center aligned, then the printing is aligned in the top center of the standard sized paper image. If the printer feeds from the top, then the printing is aligned along the bottom of the standard sized paper image, with the left, center or right alignment as previously described. In effect, the printer responds as if it is printing an entire sheet of standard sized paper, however there is only actual printing in an area which aligns up with smaller sized paper feeding through the printer.

[0069] According to the illustrative embodiment, the postscript file 58 and the printing offset information 88 are provided to program 89 which outputs a new postscript file 90. This postscript file 90 differs from the previous one 58 because the new postscript file has the printed text in the correct offset position on a standard-sized piece of paper. The program 89 for the illustrative embodiment is a publicly available postscript program with trade name Pstops. However, any hardware or software which allows modifications to postscript files may be utilized. Further, any modifications may also be made by the typesetting system so that only one postscript file 58 is produced and used.

[0070] If any special messages for the user is to appear in the final product, for example as special instructions for handling a particular item, these instructions are added to the postscript file 30 at this step through the use of a message adder 91. These instructions later show up as notes on the final output.

[0071] The commented postscript file 92 is then converted to a printable file by format converting program 93. For the illustrative embodiment, the postscript file 92 is converted to PDF (Portable Document Format) using a publicly available program with the trade name Ghostscript. The Portable Document Format (PDF) from Adobe Inc., is advantageous because it is platform independent, it will maintain everything in the correct position when printing, and it handles the details of needing to communicate with the actual printer. However, any print file format can be used which has these qualities. A vector graphic print file format is preferred, but any format is usable by the present invention.

[0072] The final printable file 94 is then sent to the user, by any transfer protocol such as FTP, HTTP protocol, or other standard. For web page interaction, the user may download the printable file 94, and then print the file on their personal printer after loading the special paper. Alternatively, the user may download the printable file 94 directly to the personal printer. As previously described, if the user wishes to make changes or minor adjustments (including nudging), the user may update the information and rerun the process to produce a new printable file 94. The system may maintain all information to allow the user to easily access and make changes to the stored information. Further, the user has access to the printable file 94 on their local system and may print it at any time.

[0073] Alternative embodiments of the invention include electronic email forms or templates wherein a user completes all information and emails the form to a processing center, and the printable file is then emailed to the user. Yet another alternative embodiment is self-contained application software which may be purchased by a user to produce such printable files.

[0074] Although the illustrative embodiment has been described in terms of allowing users and customers to access the system remotely for example over the Internet, the present invention is also useful to professional graphics designers and printing shops. The present invention may be used to quickly provide accurate displays of printed images, including the ability to interactively change and modify the information and experiment with changes, such as trying any different backgrounds. In fact, the present invention can support both employees and staff of a printing shop with layout support while simultaneously providing service to outside users and customers (and remote employees) over the Internet, or by dial-up or cable modems.

[0075] The present invention is also useful in places with customer access other than through the internet. For example, standalone kiosks or machines in stores, malls and conferences centers can provide the same service. The present invention can be entirely contained within the kiosk, with the job processor 34 running on locally contained computer, or processing can be performed remotely, for example over a dedicated phone line, or over a network or even the internet.

[0076] Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to illustrative embodiments thereof, various other changes, omissions and additions in the form and detail thereof may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.