US 6,611,349 B1
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(12) Unlted States Patent
`Vogt et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Aug. 26, 2003
`
`
`USOO6611349B1
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD OF GENERATING A
`PRINTING PLATE FILE IN REAL TIME
`USING A COMMUNICATION NETWORK
`
`6,101,513 A *
`6,119,133 A *
`200552519323 21 *
`*
`
`8/2000 Shakib ....................... 707/527
`
`9/2000 Nusbickel
`..... 707/205
`
`3/3881 Eh” """"""" 333????
`ato ..........................
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Joyce E. Vogt, Waconia, MN (US);
`Jefi'rey A. Bartol, New Hope, MN
`(US); John H. Chase, Stillwater, MN
`(US); Scott R. Rosenlund, Chaska, MN
`(Us)
`
`(73) Assignee: Banta Corporation, Menasha, WI (US)
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`(*) Notice.
`Subject. to any diisglaimecri, the Eermgf fig;
`Ijjatsenct 1:5??an 0:); a JIISIC un er
`’
`’
`’
`( ) y
`ays.
`
`(21) APP1~ N03 09/365,365
`22
`F1 d:
`l. 30 1999
`Ju
`1 e
`’
`)
`(
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................ G06K 15/00
`(51)
`(52) US. Cl.
`...................................... 358/115; 358/118
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 358/115, 1.2,
`358/1.12’ 1.18
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Jerome Grant, II
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Foley & Lardner
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`Aprinting and publishing system which generates a printing
`plate-ready file from data provided remotely in real time
`using a communication network is disclosed herein. The
`printing and publishing system includes a central service
`facility and an end-user facility and/or a printing company
`facility. The end user facility provides page building opera-
`tions allowing the design and construction of pages from
`images, text, and data available via said communication
`network. The central service facility provides storage, file
`processing, remote access, and content management opera-
`tions. File processing operations include generating a plate-
`ready file from Pages designed at said end user facility The
`plate-ready file has a file format capable of high resolution
`and is ready for creation of a printing plate. The printing
`company facility provides printing operations for producing
`a printing plate from said plate-ready file.
`
`6,067,406 A *
`
`.......... 395/102
`5/2000 Van Hoof et al.
`
`
`14 Claims, 19 Drawing Sheets
`
`PAGE DESIGN
`
`N910
`
`.7!
`
`
`ESTABLISHING LINKS TO IMAGING FILES ‘\920
`
`
`
`CONTENT REVIEWED '\930
`
`ed?
`
`PAGE PRINTED TO
`940
`
`ME
`PAGE CONVERTED TO
`
`"FAT" POSTSCRIPT FILE '\950
`
`PDF FILE CREATED FROM
`
`\960 FAT POSTSCRIPT FILE
`
`l
`"THIN" POSTSCRIPT FILE x
`I
`l PDF FILE CONVERTED TO POSTSCRIPT
`
`
`FILE FOR PLATE CREATION
`
`970
`
`PRINTING INDUSTRIES OF AMERICA
`
`EXHIBIT llOl
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`uA
`
`2
`
`3002
`
`91f01teehS
`
`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`69EEGE
`
`
`
`one>z<n_s_oo02:25.1
`
`03m?“—
`
`xm0>>lrmz
`
`omv
`
`wh<>_mn_
`
`me>>kmz
`
`cm:
`
`
`
`mmm:02m
`
`>:4_O<u_
`
`oom
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`F.QE3J
`
`
`
`
`
`>._._.:0<u_m_Q_>mwm._<m._.zm0
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`69
`
`m
`
`teehS
`
`91
`
`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`
`
`l | ! | V I i
`
`4<O_._.n_O
`
`XOmwvsw
`
`.50
`
`XOmmxa.
`
`N.OE
`
`OS
`
`2i
`pm‘8m
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`0ommown2aa
`
`m:.<>_m&
`
`xmogkmz
`
`>t.:0<mmum:Dzw
`
`fl
`com
`
`mmEbOm
`
`mogoooxmmoAuEm.#56:...n.F
`
`
`2.EEEaammoomammSazoogmmwfi
`
`
`
`
`aA
`
`
`
`7A_
`
`%
`orm
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`02
`
`S
`
`91f03tw
`
`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`3~I0I
`
`.lllltln||lllll_8oma\Amzfixa
`
`
`70.,>:.=o<n_mum:ozm
`
`wh<>_mn_
`
`XmO>>._.m2
`
`om:
`
`4.1....05
`
`QOFXmmD
`
`WZPw¥>>
`
`v_._<.rm3n_n_<
`
`me>>._.m2
`
`mOmemo
`
`h__E50”.Tv
`
`
`
`
`EN
`
`
`
`
`
`>._._.:0<u_m0_>mmm._<m._.zmo
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 26, 2003
`
`Sheet4 0f19
`
`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`.Ill‘IntllllL
`
`mm>mmm
`
`o:
`
`II.II:IIIIIIIII:1:oNFamm?mm?mwvmNFf\\
`
`v,.mu_m
`
`
`_xmoapm24<004\\
`
`
`cow
`
`oar
`
`mmEbOm\
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`>t1:0<n_>2<n=200OZFZEQ
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 26, 2003
`
`Sheet 5 0f 19
`
`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`09.
`
`n5v.0<m
`
`m_._._m-n_u_O
`
`<._.<O
`
`m.9“.
`
`
`
`pzm2m0<z<2pzmhzoo-
`
`
`
`mzofiémmo_n_o-
`
`s..__“_-
`
`
`
`
`
`wmwoo<«@2058502mm-\wz_zz<om
`zofiowmmoo”6.50-
`
`63.0%-9:
`
`¥m0>>hwz
`
`om?
`
`
`
`
`02w
`
`202.340meIO_I|
`>._._.=0<u_mww:
`025.:3mm®<nT
`
`OZEOOmn.
`
`oom
`
`
`
`
`
`>._._.__0<n_mmEOHmDOOZFZEm
`
`
`
`2:05zOfiBOmmm19:-
`
`
`
`ozEmmmoSn.#505-
`
`
`
`zoEwon_s__aoFxmmo-
`
`2926.362:
`
`zo_h<mmn_o-
`
`
`
`
`
`02:25.6mum/j28m.
`
`oond5227
`
`6359503
`
`
`
`
`
`>._._.:o<n_m0_>mmm4<m._.2m_0
`
`
`
`62:65:E5986-
`
`ozammoommmi-
`
`
`
`$5.054565-
`
`831%$2053.
`
`wzswmmmE-
`
`
`
`Eonaam$92.53.com
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 26, 2003
`
`Sheet 6 0f 19
`
`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`
`
`CLIENT PROVIDES DIGITAL FILES OR TRANSPARENCIES FOR SCANNING
`
`\
`
`l
`
`CENTRAL SERVICE FACILITY LOGS FILES INTO DCM SERVER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CENTRAL SERVICE FACILITY STORES HIGH RES ON SERVER AND GENERATES LOW RES I\
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`610
`
`615
`
`620
`
`625
`
`630
`
`635
`
`CLIENT BUILDS PAGE LAYOUT
`
`
`
`CLIENT SEARCHES DATABASE AND DRAGS & DROPS ELEMENTS INTO LAYOUT
`
`i
`
`CLIENT PRINTS POSTSCRIPT TO A SPOOLER ON THE SERVER
`
`i
`
`
`
`SERVER AT CENTRAL SERVICE FACILITY SWAPS OUT LOW RES FOR HIGH
`
`AND GENERATES PDF FILES
`
`
`
`
`PDF FILE IS FORWARDED TO REMOTE PROOFING DEVICE VIA COMMUNICATION LINK
`
`
`PDF FILE IS IMAGED TO PROOFER AT CLIENT SITE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`‘_ 64
`
`5
`
`650
`
`I
`FINISHED PLATE-READY FILES ARE SENT TO PRINTER VIA COMM LINK
`
`
`
`I\ 655
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PRINTING CUSTOMER FACILITY IMAGES APPROVED PAGES TO PLATE AND PRINTS JOB \
`
`660
`
`FIG. 6
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 26, 2003
`
`Sheet 7 0f 19
`
`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`
`
`PRINTING COMPANY SCANS PAGE LAYOUT IMAGES OR
`RECEIVES DIGITAL RGB IMAGES AND/OR PRINTING
`COMPANY RECEIVES DIGITAL FILES FROM ITS CLIENT
`
`
`
`710
`
` PRINTING COMPANY SENDS FILES TO CENTRAL
`
`
`SERVICE FACILITY VIA COMMUNICATION LINK
`
`
`
`
`715
`
`I
`
`
`
`
`
`PRINTING COMPANY WRITES FILES TO HSM SYSTEM AT
`CENTRAL SERVICE FACILITY WHERE A CORRESPONDING
`
`LOW RES IMAGE IS CREATED
`
`
`
`
`
`PRINTING COMPANY UPDATES LINKS TO LOW RES
`
`
`
`IMAGES PROVIDED IN LAYOUT
`PRINTING COMPANY
`
`FACILITY MAKES
`
`CORRECTIONS
`BASED ON PROOF
`
`PRINTING COMPANY PRINTS POSTSCRIPT FILE TO A
`
`
`SPOOLER ON CENTRAL SERVICE FACILITY SERVER
`
`
`
`720
`
`725
`
`730
`
`735
`
`740
`
`
`
`
`
`CENTRAL SERVICE FACILITY SWAPS OUT LOW RES FOR
`
`HIGH RES AND GENERATES PDF FILE
`
`
`
` PDF FILE IS WRITTEN TO CENTRAL SERVICE FACILITY
`SERVER AS THE FINAL PLATE—READY FILE
`
`FIG. 7A
`
`TO FIG. TB
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 26, 2003
`
`Sheet 8 0f 19
`
`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`
`
`PDF FILE IS IMAGED TO PROOFING DEVICE AT PRINTING
`COMPANY FACILITY AND SENT VIA PACK AND SHIP
`
`745
`
`COURIER TO ITS CLIENT
`
`CLIENT APPROVES PROOFS OR MAKES NECESSARY
`CORRECTIONS
`
`
`
`CLIENT SHIPS MARKED UP PROOF BACK TO PRINTING
`COMPANY FACILITY FOR REVISION CYCLE
`
`YES
`
`- ‘
`
`7
`
`760
`
`NO
`
`
`
`FINISHED PLATE-READY FILES ARE GENERATED AT
`PRINTING COMPANY FACILITY
`
`PRINTING COMPANY ENTERS PLATE-READY FILES
`INTO DCM DATABASE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PDF FILES ARE DIGITALLY IMPOSED AT PRINTING
`COMPANY FACILITY AND ARE PROCESSED IN VIRTUAL
`PROOFING SOFTWARE (VPS) PREVIEW FILES
`
`750
`
`755
`
`765
`
`770
`
`775
`
`PRINTING COMPANY IMAGES IMPOSED PREVIEW FILES
`TO INK JET PROOF AND PLATES FINAL PAGES
`WHEN APPROVED
`
`780
`
`FIG. 7B
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 26, 2003
`
`Sheet 9 0f 19
`
`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`CENTRAL SERVICE FACILITY SCANS PAGE LAYOUT
`
`
`IMAGES OR RECEIVES DIGITAL RGB IMAGES AND/OR
`
`
`CENTRAL SERVICE FACILITY RECEIVES
`
`
`
`DIGITAL FILES FROM END USER FACILITY
`
`CENTRAL SERVICE FACILITY WRITES FILES TO HSM
`SYSTEM WHERE A CORRESPONDING LOW RES IMAGE
`IS CREATED
`
`CENTRAL SERVICE FACILITY UPDATES LINKS To LOW
`RES IMAGES PROVIDED IN LAYOUT
`
`CENTRAL SERVICE FACILITY PRINTS POSTSCRIPT
`
`FILE TO A SPOOLER ON SERVER
`
`CENTRAL SERVICE
`FACILITY MAKES
`CORRECTIONS
`BASED ON PROOF
`
`810
`
`815
`
`820
`
`825
`
`830
`
`835
`
`840
`
`
`
`
`CENTRAL SERVICE FACILITY SWAPS OUT LOW RES FOR
`
`827
`
`HIGH RES AND GENERATES PDF FILE
`
`PDF FILE IS WRITTEN TO SERVER AS THE
`
`FINAL PLATE-READY FILE
`
`IMAGE TO PROOFING DEVICE AT END USER FACILITY
`
`
`
`To 855
`
`TO 845
`
`TO FIG. SB
`
`FIG 8A
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 26, 2003
`
`Sheet 10 0f 19
`
`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`PRINTING COMPANY FACILITY 845
`
`IMAGE TO PROOFING DEVICE AT
`
`END USER FACILITY RECEIVES PROOFS FROM PRINTING
`COMPANY FACILITY VIA PACK AND SHIP COURIER
`
`850
`
`REVISIONS TO IMAGED FILE 855
`
`END USER FACILITY APPROVES PROOFS AND MAKES
`
`
`
`FINISHED PLATE-READY FILES ARE GENERATED AT
`PRINTING COMPANY FACILITY
`
`870
`
`
`
`
`
`GO TO
`STEP
`827
`
`YES
`
`' .
`
`7
`
`865
`
`NO
`
`875
`
`PRINTING COMPANY ENTERS PLATE-READY FILES
`INTO DCM DATABASE
`
`
`PDF FILES ARE DIGITALLY IMPOSED AT PRINTING
`COMPANY FACILITY AND ARE PROCESSED IN VIRTUAL
`
`
`
`
`PROOFING SOFTWARE (VPS) PREVIEW FILES
`
`
`
`PRINTING COMPANY IMAGES IMPOSED PREVIEW FILES
`TO INK JET PROOF AND PLATES FINAL PAGES
`
`WHEN APPROVED
`
`880
`
`885
`
` PRINTING COMPANY IMAGES IMPOSED PREVIEW FILES
`
`TO INK JET PROOF AND PLATES FINAL PAGES
`
`WHEN APPROVED
`
`885
`
`FIG. 88
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 26, 2003
`
`Sheet 11 0f 19
`
`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`PAGE DESIGN
`
`
`
`ESTABLISHING LINKS TO IMAGING FILES
`
`
`
`CONTENT REVIEWED
`930
`
`PAGE PRINTED TO
`"THIN" POSTSCRIPT FILE
`
`PAGE CONVERTED TO
`"FAT" POSTSCRIPT FILE
`
`940
`
`950
`
`
`
`PDF FILE CREATED FROM
`FAT POSTSCRIPT FILE
`960
`
`PDF FILE CONVERTED TO POSTSCRIPT
`FILE FOR PLATE CREATION
`970
`
`FIG. 9
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 26, 2003
`
`Sheet 12 0f 19
`
`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`5.5.865::\wa
`
`N99.
`
`00902m
`
`NNF
`
`
`
`
`mm>mmwEmI
`
`._<mO._O
`
`mmfiOm
`
`mm<m<H<D
`
`m<mm=I
`
`4<O_IO
`
`m.__u_
`
`
`
`or.GE
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 26, 2003
`
`Sheet13 0f19
`
`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`vorw
`
`NmF
`
`._<DD_>_DZ_
`
`mmémomm
`
`KMEOHmDO
`
`mmduomm
`
`mmdmoma
`
`QDOMO
`
`wm<m<k<0EDD
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mm>mww_>_On_
`
`ww4m<k
`
`Fwww<
`
`
`
`5.0E
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 26, 2003
`
`Sheet 14 0f 19
`
`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`
`CI I:I
`I
`
`
`I—
`"II—5m ADVANCED
`
`SIMPLE SEARCH
`
`FILE NAME
`FILE NAME
`LONG NAMN
`FILE INFO
`FILE LOCATION
`SKU
`RELATED SKU
`ALIAS ITEM CODE
`COLORS
`SIZES
`SHORT DESCRPT
`
`
`
`v
`
`fl
`
`CONTAINS
`
`fl
`
`
`SEARCH
`
`1206
`
`1205
`
`1208
`
`1202
`
`I’_\
`
`1204
`
`
`
`FIG. 12
`
`SEARCH TYPE: NEW SEARCH
` BROWSE
`
`
`SELECTION
`
`SLCT ALL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DELETE
`
`
`DWNLOAD
`
`
`
`
`LOG OUT
`
`SEARCH
`GOPHER COPY
`USER NOTES
`SHOW ALL
`PRODUCT CTGRY
`I: PRODUCT NAME
`ELI-0&— PRODUCT DSCRPT
`ADMIN
`I——————
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 26, 2003
`
`Sheet 15 0f 19
`
`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`UPDATE SELECTION
`
`H
`
`Q] "a CD
` 1304
`1302
`1310
`1308
`1306
`
`
`/_r_/
`FILE NAME
`SKU
`RLT
`D SKU PRODUCT IMGS T0 WEB
`
`
`i—
`
`
`
`Beanbags
`
`(5310-230
`Beanbags
`3
`Gs10224
`
`
`
`
`
`Bdr. Patrol
`1023
`I 68102281
`6810-228
`
`
`
`
`DELETE
`G5102282
`6310-229 Beanbags_
`FIG. 13
`
`EDIT
`[3 (35102311
`10231
`6810-231 Beanbags_
`DOWNLOAD
`10232 GB10-232 Bdr Patrol _
`
`
`6810-233 Dance Kit
`(3510232
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6810234
`GB10-234
`Dance Kit
`SEARCH
`
`SHOW ALL
`
`UPLOAD
`
`
`LOG OUT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SELECT|0N
`
`SELECT ALL
`
`
`
`
`
`l1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 26, 2003
`
`Sheet 16 0f 19
`
`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`
`
`I
`
`
`j}:
`
`TILEVIEW SINGLECLMN
`
`TEXTVIEW
`
`140°
`
`<_->
`
`140
`
`EICOLUMNSIE 1402
`
`1402
`
`0,96“,
`(01'5".
`"
`
`
`SELECTD 624
`SELECTCI
`c325
`SELECTIZI
`G22
`SELECTC] 823
`
`
`
`
`E
`w
`u.
`8
`E
`IEI
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SEARCH
`P43
`SELECTI: H22
`SHOW ALL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` BROWSE
`
`
`SELECTION
`VIEW
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SLCT ALL
`CLEAR
`LOAD
`SAVE
`DELETE
`EDIT
`DWNLOAD
`
`EMAIL
`
`1402
`
`SELECTD H22
`
`SELECTCI H23
`
`SELECTCI
`
`
`
`
`
`
`UPLOAD
`ADMIN
`HELP
`LOG OUT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SORT BY: FILE NAME [I
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 14
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 26, 2003
`
`Sheet 17 0f 19
`
`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`TILE VIEW SINGLE CLMN
`
`TEXT VIEW
`
`PREVIEW
`
`UPDATE SELECTION
`
`
`B__—ROWSE
`SELECTION
`VIEW
`
`
`
`
`GS10222
`FILE NAME
`ALIAS
`
`LONG NAME
`
`10-22
`
`
`
`
`RLTD SKU
`SIZE/ INFO
`6054750
`10—2235
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1999-02-11
`IMGS TO WEB 3
`CREATED
`
`
`
`
`
`
`S—_LCTALL
`COLORS
`USER NOTES
`
`
`
`0:5“;
`BEANBAGS
`SIZES
`PRODUCT
`
`
`LOAD
`NYLON BEANBAGS
`SELECTD PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
`
`
`
`
`1516
`151a
`1508
`SAVE
`
`
`
`
`FILE NAME IGS10224 1mm
`DELETE
`
`I_ LONG NAME
`EDIT
`
`
`
`5583915
`10224
`SIZE/ INFO
`DWNLOAD
`
`1999-02- 11
`EMAIL
`
`: USER NOTES__
`COLORS —
`
`
`
`
`SIZES —
`PRODUCT —HOOPS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SELECTEI PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
`SEARCH
`STANDARD HOOPS
`
`SHOW ALL
`
`
`
`
`UPLOAD
`LONG NAME
`
`
`
`10-228
`SIZE/ INFO
`
`
`
`HELP
`CREATED 11-9990211
`
`
`LOG OUT
`
`COLORS ‘=
`USER NOTES
`
`
`BALL
`SIZES ‘= 1524
`BALL ‘_ 1526
`
`
`
`SELECTI: PRODUCTDESCRIPTION
`
` 1528
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` PRODUCT
`
`SORT BY: FILE NAME
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 15
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 26, 2003
`
`Sheet 18 0f 19
`
`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`IDENTIFY ASSETS OR FILES
`
`1602
`
`
`
`CATALOG OR IMPORT ASSETS OR FILES
`
`1504
`
`
`
`ESTABLISH METADATA FIELDS
`
`
`
`POPULATE METADATA FIELDS
`
`DETERMINE USERS, PERMISSIONS, AND PRIVILEGES
`
`
`
`ESTABLISH SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES
`
`1606
`
`1608
`
`1610
`
`1612
`
`1614
`
`ESTABLISH ASSET DISTRIBUTION PROCEDURES
`
`FIG. 16
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 26, 2003
`
`Sheet 19 0f 19
`
`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`LOG ON
`
`
`
`INITIALIZE END USER BROWSER
`
`
`
`INITIALIZE SEARCH
`
`1702
`
`1704
`
`1706
`
`
`
`CONFIGURE BROWSER FOR SEARCH
`
`1708
`
`CREATE QUERY
`
`1710
`
`1712
`
`RETURN QUERY RESULTS
`
`FIG. 17
`
`

`

`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD OF GENERATING A
`PRINTING PLATE FILE IN REAL TIME
`USING A COMMUNICATION NETWORK
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present system relates generally to the field of pub-
`lishing and printing. More particularly, the present invention
`relates to a system and method of providing publishing and
`printing services via a communications network.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Key steps for producing printed materials using a plate
`process include (1) preparing copy elements for
`reproduction, (2) prepress production, (3) platemaking, (4)
`printing, and (5) binding, finishing and distribution.
`In this printing production process, an “end user”, such as,
`publishers, direct marketers, advertising agencies, and cor-
`porate communication departments, prepares copy elements
`for reproduction.
`In this “design” stage of the printing
`process, the end user provides images and data using slides
`or computer files to create one or more “pages”. Pages can
`be designed using computer programs such as QuarkXpress
`or other publishing software packages. Slides or computer
`disks containing pages to be printed are sent (via mail or
`express carrier) to be prepared for creation of a plate.
`In the prepress production stage, the end user input (or
`“copy”) is transformed into a medium that is reproducible
`for printing. Typically, prepress involves typesetting,
`illustration, page building and design, image capture, image
`color correction, file conversion, RIPing, trapping, proofing,
`imposition,
`filmsetting, and platesetting. “Proofing”
`involves producing a proof, or sample, of what the printed
`product will look like. The proof is sent by mail or express
`carrier to the end user for review and approval. After
`alterations are made, new proofs are sent to the end user.
`Once approval of the proof is given by the end user, a
`medium, such as a computer to plate (CTP) file is produced
`and sent to the printer. “Imposition ” involves the set of
`pages on a particular plate as well as their positioning and
`orientation. Imposition is particularly important in the cre-
`ation of booklets or catalogs, where pages are positioned
`using register marks to assist in the stripping, collating, and
`folding of the printed product.
`In the platemaking stage, a “printer” manufactures a
`printing plate using the medium created during prepress.
`Where a CTP file is used, the printer converts the CTP file
`into a printing plate or goes directly to a digital press. In the
`printing stage, the printer uses the printing plate to create the
`printed product. In the binding, finishing and distribution
`stage, the printed product is prepared in its final form.
`Each step in the printing production process described
`briefly above can be accomplished using a variety of dif-
`ferent known systems and techniques. Nevertheless, such
`conventional systems have many delays, particularly in the
`transporting of pages and proofs to and from the end user
`and prepress provider. Due to delays and the fragmented
`nature of conventional printing production systems, errors
`often occur. Further, typical printing production systems are
`limited in their ability to re-purpose data, manage content of
`pages, and piece together individual processes or tasks to
`establish an efficient production system or “workfiow”.
`Indeed, no conventional system combines prepress, content
`management, infrastructure (server, storage & distribution)
`and workfiow services.
`
`Conventional printing and publishing systems generally
`include Macintosh computers or workstations which com-
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`municate with each other using the AppleTalk protocol.
`AppleTalk protocol cannot however be communicated over
`switched networks such as the Internet and private networks
`where nodes in the network have IP (Internet Protocol)
`addresses. As such, conventional systems cannot merely be
`coupled to a communication network for remotely control-
`ling design, prepress and print processes.
`There is a need for a system which combines design,
`prepress, content management, infrastructure (server, stor-
`age & distribution) and workfiow. For end users in
`particular, there is a need for a system and a method to gain
`control of the design, prepress, and print processes. To save
`time and costs, there is a need to eliminate manual shipping
`of proofs back and forth to a prepress provider. Further, there
`is a need for a prepress capability at a local facility without
`the time and costs of shipping proofs back and forth to a
`prepress provider. Even further, there is a need for a system
`and method to provide plate-ready files over a communica-
`tions network for delivery to a CTP device. Moreover, for
`commercial printers, there is a need for a system and method
`to remotely drive a plate-setting device located at a printer’s
`facility. Further, there is a need to decrease the amount of
`time necessary to generate printing plates after processing of
`the pages (i.e., the cycle time). Even further, there is a need
`for providing access to the functionality of high-end server,
`storage, and networking equipment to the printer facility
`without the associated capital investments.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention provides a solution for communi-
`cating and managing printing and publishing services. The
`technique is preferably implemented in a system architecture
`which allows remote printing and publishing services in real
`time. System components are installed at an end user facility,
`a printing company facility, and a central service facility.
`These components may include hardware, firmware, and
`software components which facilitate the exchange,
`management, and adaptation of data for the printing and
`publishing services provided.
`In a preferred configuration, software included in the
`system architecture facilitates creation of pages at the end
`user facility and final printing of the created pages at a
`printing company facility. Digital files, including graphics,
`images, text, and art used in the creation of these pages, are
`stored at the central service facility and are accessible at the
`end user facility. Management software facilitates the man-
`agement and organization of data files throughout the sys-
`tem. The technique may also facilitate the integration of
`other services into the system.
`One embodiment of the invention relates to a printing and
`publishing system which generates a printing plate-ready file
`from data provided remotely in real time using a commu-
`nication network. The printing and publishing system
`includes a central service facility and an end user facility
`and/or a printing company facility. The end user facility
`provides page building operations allowing the design and
`construction of pages from images, text, and data available
`via said communication network. The central service facility
`provides storage, file processing, remote access, and content
`management operations. File processing operations include
`generating a plate-ready file from pages designed at said end
`user facility. The plate-ready file has a file format capable of
`high resolution and is ready for creation of a printing plate.
`The printing company facility provides printing operations
`for producing a printing plate from said plate-ready file.
`Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method
`
`of generating a plate-ready file configured for the creation of
`
`

`

`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`3
`a printing plate, said plate-ready file being associated with
`page layouts and being provided in real time from a remote
`location using a communication network. The method
`includes remotely providing access to imaging files for
`searching and retrieving images used in the design of a page
`layout by a remote user; establishing links to said imaging
`files, thereby creating a thin Postscript file from the page
`layout design by the remote user; parsing said thin Postscript
`file to extract data associated with low resolution images and
`replace with high resolution data, thereby forming a fat
`Postscript file; creating a portable document format (PDF)
`file from said fat Postscript file; and converting said PDF file
`to a file in plate-ready format.
`Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method
`
`of generating a plate-ready file configured for the creation of
`a printing plate, said plate-ready file being associated with
`page layouts and being provided in real time from a remote
`location using a communication network. The method
`includes storing high resolution files on a computer server,
`generating low resolution files corresponding to said high
`resolution files, providing said low resolution file to a remote
`client so that the designing of the page layout via a com-
`munication network, generating a plate-ready file from the
`page layout design by said remote client, and providing said
`plate-ready file to a remote printer.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical representation of a series of
`printing and publishing systems coupled together via a
`communication network for providing prepress, content
`management, infrastructure, and workfiow within one inter-
`connected printing and publishing system;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the printing and publishing
`system shown in FIG. 1,
`illustrating certain functional
`components of an exemplary embodiment of the end user
`facility and the central service facility;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the printing and publishing
`system shown in FIG. 1,
`illustrating certain functional
`components of a second exemplary embodiment of the end
`user facility and the central service facility;
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the printing and publishing
`system shown in FIG. 1,
`illustrating certain functional
`components of an exemplary embodiment of the printing
`company facility and the central service facility;
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the printing and publishing
`system shown in FIG. 1,
`illustrating certain operational
`components of an exemplary embodiment of the end user
`facility, the printing company facility, and the central service
`facility;
`FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process of
`the printing and publishing system shown in FIG. 1, where
`prepress operations are performed at the end user facility;
`FIGS. 7A and 7B are a flow chart illustrating an exem-
`plary process of the printing and publishing system shown in
`FIG. 1, where prepress operations are performed at
`the
`printing company facility;
`FIGS. 8A and 8B are a flow chart illustrating a second
`exemplary process of the printing and publishing system
`shown in FIG. 1, where prepress operations are performed at
`the central service facility;
`FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary production
`workfiow of the printing and publishing system shown in
`FIG. 1;
`FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the hierarchical storage
`management system (HSM) of the central service facility of
`FIG. 3;
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the digital content man-
`agement (DCM) system of the central service facility of
`FIG. 1;
`FIG. 12 is an interface page for selecting one or more
`attributes used for conducting a search of the DCM system
`of FIG. 11;
`FIG. 13 is an interface page for displaying search results
`to the end user after an exemplary search of the DCM system
`of FIG. 11 is conducted;
`FIG. 14 is an interface page for displaying a “tile” view
`of search results identified by attributes in the search of the
`DCM system of FIG. 11, including a thumbnail representa-
`tion of the graphics file identified by the search;
`FIG. 15 is an interface page of a search result after an
`exemplary search of the DCM system of FIG. 11, including
`metadata and a thumbnail representation of the associated
`graphics file;
`FIG. 16 illustrates the process of creating and populating
`the DCM content management system; and
`FIG. 17 illustrates a method of connecting to the central
`service facility, and searching for files on the DCM.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Turning now to the appended drawings, and referring first
`to FIG. 1, a printing and publishing system 100 is illustrated
`which integrates prepress, content management,
`infrastructure, and workfiow processes into one real time
`system. Printing and publishing system 100 includes a
`central service facility 105, an end user facility 300, and a
`printing company facility 400, all of which are intercon-
`nected via a private network 160 or a public network 190.
`System 100 preferably includes a communication routing
`device 200, such as, routers and switches. Communication
`routing devices are included at central service facility 105,
`end user facility 300, and printing company facility 400.
`Routers include multiple interfaces to handle the variety of
`network connections in system 100. Routers and switches
`provide for internet and extranet connections. In general,
`switches switch traffic using ATM cells and Ethernet frames.
`Routers route TCP/IP data packets between the different IP
`networks. Routers are commercially available components,
`such as, the 3Com Netbuilder II and CISCO 7500.
`Communication routing device 200 includes an internal
`firewall which authenticates data traffic incoming from
`private network 160 or public network 190. In the exemplary
`embodiment, communication routing device 200 directs data
`traffic utilizing the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
`Protocol (TCP/IP) communication scheme. In alternative
`embodiments, communication routing device 200 commu-
`nicates using any of a variety of communication protocols.
`While communication routing device 200 includes a
`firewall capability, printing and publishing system 100 can
`also include a separate firewall 170. Firewall 170 is a
`security barrier which stops all data traffic incoming from
`public network 190 and checks conditions and authentica-
`tion of the data traffic for security purposes.
`Private network 160 is a network of subscribers to print-
`ing and publishing system 100 with communication links to
`central service facility 105. Private network 160 is an
`asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, a synchronous
`optical network (SONET), or any packet or cell switched
`network. In the exemplary embodiment, communication
`links to network 160 include DS3 lines, T-1 lines, Bonded
`T1 lines, and any other dedicated network connection.
`Considerations for the type of network connection used are
`
`

`

`US 6,611,349 B1
`
`5
`related to data capacity or speed. DS3 lines, for example,
`provide for an operational speed of 44.736 MBps.
`Alternatively, OC3, OC12, or any other communication
`lines can be coupled to local network 150 to provide high
`speed dedicated network connections. Other communication
`connections to local network 150 can include ISDN lines.
`
`ISDN lines provide between 128 k to 1.544 MBps data
`capacity or speed.
`Public network 190 is a network of subscribers and
`
`non-subscribers to printing and publishing system 100. In an
`exemplary embodiment, public network 190 is the Internet.
`Public network 160 is connected to central service facility
`105 via a firewall 170. Subscribers to printing and publish-
`ing system 100 in external network 190 are allowed access
`to a cached copy of their archived files via firewall 170. In
`the exemplary embodiment, firewall 170 is the commer-
`cially available Checkpoint Firewall-1. Subscribers to net-
`work 190 can also have a firewall at end user facility 300 or
`printing company facility 400 for data traffic incoming from
`public network 190.
`Data may be exchanged between central service facility
`105 and either private network 160 or public network 190 in
`any suitable format, such as in accordance with the Internet
`Protocol (IP), the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), or
`other known protocols. Moreover, certain of the data may be
`transmitted or formatted via markup languages such as the
`HyperText Markup Language (HTML), or other standard
`languages.
`Printing and publishing system 100 can also include an
`offsite storage facility 180 coupled to central service facility
`105. Offsite storage facility 180 provides a remote archival
`system for disaster contingency purposes. Offsite storage
`facility 180 preferably includes digital linear tape (DLT)
`which secures storage of files also stored at central service
`facility 105. Offsite storage facility 180 is preferably con-
`nected via a minimum of a DS3 communication connection.
`
`In the exemplary embodiment, backups of files are created
`at offsite storage facility 180 within minutes of creation at
`central service facility 105.
`In the exemplary embodiment, central service facility 105
`includes a server 110, a hierarchical storage management
`(HSM) system 120, a digital content management (DCM)
`system 130, a network access device (NAD) 140, a local
`network 150, and firewall 170. Alternatively, system com-
`ponents located at central service facility 105 can be
`installed at end user facility 300 or printing company facility
`400. For example, while the exemplary embodiment illus-
`trates DCM system 130 at central service facility 105, with
`access at end user facility 300.
`the
`Server 110 is a computer server, such as,
`commercially-available Sun Microsystems E6500 Enter-
`prise server. Server 110 includes multiple input/output (I/O)
`boards and runs a software application, such as FullPress,
`commercially-available from Xinet. Server 110 also
`includes redundant and hotswappable hardware, allowing
`failed equipment to be replaced without interruption. That is,
`replacement can be accomplished without turning power off.
`While the exemplary embodiment
`includes a particular
`computer server and software, server 110 is alternatively any
`scalable, enterprise computer server and can run any of a
`variety of application programs. For example, while server
`110 preferably operates using FullPress software, any open
`prepress interface (OPI) software can be used. OPI software
`provides Macintosh desktop computers or other types of
`computers which are connected to remote network 160 with
`access to server 110. OPI software also swaps low resolution
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`files to larger high resolution files. Other types of OPI
`software include IPT and Helios, both of which are available
`commercially.
`In general, HSM system 120 provides multi-tiered storage
`and automatic archiving and backup of electronic files
`communicated across private network 160 or public network
`190. In one embodiment, HSM system 120 includes redun-
`dant arrays of inexpensive disks (RAID) fiber channel
`storage, which is highly scaleable and storage area network
`(SAN) capable.
`In this embodiment, HSM system 120
`includes a capacity of greater than a Terabyte of RAID
`storage. Advantageously, the speed and high capacity of the
`RAID storage in HSM system 120 provides for storage and
`retrieval of high resolution images and other large files.
`In the exemplary embodiment, HSM system 120 also
`includes a magneto-optical jukebox and digital linear tape
`(DLT), which provide additional storage capacity. Both are
`commercially available. The magneto-optical jukebox and
`the DLT provide redundancy of files stored in RAID storage.
`That is, electronic files stored in RAID storage are copied
`into the magneto-optical jukebox and DLT. Such redun-
`dancy provides for a low risk of lost files. The DLT has
`slower access speed in comparison to other storage struc-
`tures in the exemplary embodiment of HSM system 120.
`HSM system 120 is illustrated and described in greater detail
`with reference to FIGS. 3 and 10.
`
`Digital content management (DCM) system 130 includes
`a computer server 131 running software which manages the
`digital files communicated to and from local network 150. In
`the exemplary embodiment, DCM system 130 includes two
`Sun MicroSystem Solaris servers: an Ultra2 and a Sparc
`1000. DCM system 130 provides multi processing, multi-
`user access, high input/output capabilities, security, and
`stability. In an alternative embodiment, DCM system 130
`employs server 110 as one main server. In the exemplary
`embodiment, DCM server 131 is separate from the main
`server and enables additional
`testing, maintenance, and
`upgrades without affecting mission critical production
`requirements. DCM server 131 operates using a variety of
`image and database management software tools, including
`Oracle, Telescope,