Patent EP0920667Al — Proofing system utilizing dynamic pdf technology for the intorfac...
`
`Page I of 5
`
`Won
`Search
`in‘iages
`till-ans
`Play
`You'l‘uhe
`News
`(:‘irnaii
`Drive
`Calendar More
`
`.....
`l"
`l
`-
`‘
`EP0920667
`i
`sicn IN
`
`Patents
`
`Erlgllsi‘i
`
`French
`
`
`
`,
`~lnd prior or
`
`v
`
`Proofing system utilizing dynamic pdf
`technology for the interface for tern plated
`printing
`E? {$320667 A1 {'textr’rom \rvoisscrica-nsn-il
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Publication number
`Publication type
`Application number
`Publication date
`Filing date
`Priority date
`Also published as
`
`EPGQZOBST Al
`Application
`EPlQQYGElEJ’Zth
`Jun 9, 1999
`Aug ‘l5, 1997
`Aug 20, 1996
`
`
`CAVNWGBBA i. (ZN ‘l
`WO It
`tlUiiti‘l TESA ’l
`
`'lOZiE‘i‘rltJ.
`
`l'3l\l‘ii?.Ll‘l7£iUA,
`
`A technique for easily creating and proofing customized printed material before
`printing on a production printing system. A user may connect with an internet
`web site provided by a commercial printing service and select from a plurality of
`availabletemplates for the printed material. The user can then select additional
`stored information to be included in the customized printed material, or can
`
`Inventors
`
`rilioxanrier mailman, Kim it, if
`
`
`
`ivloore Business li‘orms. inc.
`Applicant
`Non-Patent Cits'ions il l, Classifications {7). Legal Events (3)
`
`ExternalLinks: Espacenet
`
`
`
`‘ ‘
`
`input variable information through a keyboard or the like. A portable document
`format (PDF) builder generates a dynamic PDF file from the selected template and the selected or variable data from the user. The dynamic file can then be
`displayed at the front end to provide an accurate view of how the printed material would look. Additionally, a hard copy proofing version of the printed material may
`be printed at the front end. Once the layout of the printed material is confirmed. a production printing system is used to print multiple copies of the customized
`printed material.
`
`DESCRIPTION (OCR text may contain errors)
`
`PROOFING SYSTEM UTlLlZiNG DYNAMlC PDF TECHNOLOGY FOR THE
`lNTERFACE FOR TEMPLATE!) PRINTlNG
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLECATEON
`
`This application claims the benefit of United States provisional patent
`application No.60l024,179, filed August 20. was. which is hereby incorporated
`by reference in its entirety.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE ENVENTlON
`
`The present invention relates to a technique for creating customized documents
`or other printed materials, More particularly, the present invention relates to a
`technique for creating customized printed maierrats utilizing template formats,
`stored reference information she user input data.
`
`It is desirable in modern printing systems to allow a user to readily customize
`printed materials for a particular need. For example a user may select stored
`images and combine them with user specified input text and stored references
`to produce a point of sale (P05) display orthe like, Such a "response on
`demand” system increases production flexibility and simplifies the design
`process. Vlfith the growing importance and availability of the internet‘ the
`possibilities of such a response on demand system increase greatly.
`
`National or regional retail chains. for examDie. often reoulre large numbers of
`point of sate displays for use in their stores. These Doint of sale displays are
`typically printed to order by a commercial printing service and distributed to the
`various stores for use. Other types of businesses or organizations which
`frequently utilize point of sale displays include soft drink hottiers or major
`breweries that provide promotional materials to networks of distributors, cellular
`telephone service providers trade associations, and others.
`
`The need for customized printed materials, of course, extends beyond point of
`sale displays. For example, direct mail marketers continually develop
`advertising ilyers and coupons which are sent through the mail to prospective
`
`CLAI MS [OCR text may contain errors)
`
`WHAT lS CLAIMED is:
`
`‘l l.A method for creating customized material for printing, comprising the
`steps of: selecting a template; obtaining a user-determined information for
`incorporation in said
`
`5 customized material;
`
`6 creating a dynamic portable documentformat (PDF) file based on the
`
`7 selected template and said user—determined information;
`
`8 displaying said dynamic PDF file to provide a proofing version of said
`
`9 customized material; and modifying the selected template or said user~
`selected information it 1 changes are desired in the proofing version of said
`customized material.
`
`t 2. The method of claim 1 . wherein said step of obtaining userw
`determined
`
`2 information includes receiving a selection from a plurality of
`predetermined options.
`
`‘1 3. The method otciairn 1 ,whereln said step of providing user-
`determined
`
`2 information includes receiving information input directly by a user.
`
`i 4‘ The method of claim 1
`more
`
`‘ including the further step of printing one or
`
`2 copies of said customized material on a production printer following
`approval of the
`
`3 proofing version of the customized material.
`
`PRINTING INDUSTRIES OF AMERICA
`
`EXHIBIT 1 1 15
`
`

`

`Patent EPO920667A1 ~ Proofing system utilizing dynamic pd’f technology for the interfere...
`
`Page 2 of 5
`
`customers. Event planners and promoters may need printed materials for use in
`promoting concerts, sporting events, live theatrical performances, etcetera.
`Similarly, various organizations sometimes utilize custom printed materials to
`announce seminars, annual meetings, and the like, In other words, the possible
`applications for customized printed materials are virtually unlimited
`
`Custom promotional materials often change on a weekly (or even more
`frequent} basis. Additionally, it is common for a user to need the materials in a
`short time frame or to desire changes at the last minute. Accordingly, it is
`desired to provide a system for creating customized documents which permits
`optimal flexibility in design, and which promotes efficiency by allowing a user to
`easily create, prootand edit custom printed materials in a single session.
`
`Customized printed materials, particularly when ordered in large quantities, can
`cost substantial sums of money. As a result, it is especially important to ensure
`that the design of the customized printed materials is satisfactory before large
`volume print jobs are run and delivered, it the design is notverlfied prrorto
`printing, it may be necessary to incur additional expenses associated with
`redesigning and reprinting the order or. alternatively. a user may be forced to
`accept a less than optimal finished product. Thus, an accurate and simple
`technique for proofing customized printed materials prior to confirming prrnt lob
`orders is desired.
`
`Variable onnting capabilities utilizing existing XLC printing technology may be
`demonstrated for response-on—demand applications. in such a system a user
`can connect to an internet WEB site and make a request for a publication by
`
`providing some variable or selectable data that would be used to create a form
`based on the layout instructions The final document would then be assembled
`for later printing. The available selections may be generated from a database
`which contains the references, possibly some other object specific data, and, if
`graphic images are required, the tow and high resolution images. After the data
`was provided, such a system could then build dynamic HTML (Hypertext Marit—
`up Language) pages for viewing in the internet browser and proofing. The
`pages may be built on the references selected by the user on the main HTML
`page. The low resolution images of the referenced images could be used in
`building the dynamic HTML. page. However, attempts to mimic the real layout of
`the document to be ultimately printed are difficult because with the HTML
`standard there is a limit of how closely the HTML pages match the final printed
`pages in appearance. Moreover, differences in appearance are usually device
`dependent and may vary from user to user. if the selections were confirmed, the
`records with the selections that consisted of the references to the selectable
`objects (including the images) from the database and the user provided variable
`data (name, address, etc.) were fed into the XLC system, which uses the
`template information, high resolution images referenced on the records, and the
`variable data from the records to do the final printing. One problem with this
`system is that the printed pages do not always look the way the users thought
`they would based on a viewing of the HTML page. As a result, the finished
`product may prove unsuited for its intended purpose, and the customer would
`need to redesign the printed materials - costing time, money and effort.
`Accordingly, a proofing system that would accurately show the users howtneir
`selections would look in print before the orders were sent for printing is highly
`advantageous.
`
`BRlEF SUMMARY
`
`in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, users are provided with
`a visual representation of a template for customized printed materials before
`user data is entered so the user can better understand and visualize how the
`data will ultimately be placed in the final document. The templates may be
`imaged and then presented on an HTML internet web page in Portable
`Document Format (PDF). The users could see the templates on the HTML
`page. However, the user still needs a tool to show the documents after entry of
`the custom data. in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a
`dynamic PDF solution creates a dynamic PDF file on—the—fly based on the
`
`i 5. The method of claim 4, including the further step of printing said
`proofing version of said customized material for review prior to performing
`said step of printing
`
`3 one or more copies of said customized material on said production
`printer.
`
`1 6. The method of claim 1 , including the preliminary steps of establishing
`an internet connection with a user at a remote location and displaying to
`said remote user
`
`3 a plurality of templates in portable document format for selection by said
`user.
`
`i 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of creating a dynamic
`
`portable documentformat file based on the selected template and said
`user-determined information includes reading a stored PDF file
`
`corresponding to the selected template, inserting at the proper locations in
`the PDF file corresponding to the selected template components
`corresponding to said user-determined information to create said proofing
`version of said customized material.
`
`I B, The method of claim 7, including the further step of printing one or more
`copies of said customized material on a production printer following
`approval of the proofing version of the customized material.
`
`i 9. The method of claim 8, including the further step ofrprinting said
`proofing version of said customized material for review prior to performing
`said step of printing one or more copies of said customized material on said
`production printer.
`
`i it). An apparatus for creating customized material for printing, comprising
`an interface for a front end having a display screen and a user input device;
`a memory which stores reference information and images; and a portable
`document format (PDF) builder responsive to user information
`
`5 received through said interface and selected reference information and
`images from said memory to generate a dynamic Pill: file representing a
`proofing version of said
`
`7 customized material for printing and for displaying through said interface
`at the front
`
`8 end.
`
`i ii. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said interface is an internet web
`page connection.
`
`i 12. The apparatus of claim it ,further including a production printer which
`prints said customized material following approval by a user. i 13. The
`apparatus of claim 12, wherein said production printer utilizes XLC
`technology and operates on the same user information and selected
`reference
`
`3 information and images from said memory used to generate said dynamic
`PDF file.
`
`i 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said production printer utilizes
`conventional printing technology and operates on said dynamic PDF file to
`replace low
`
`3 resolution images used in generating the dynamic iJDF file with high
`resolution images.
`
`i 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the low resolution images are
`replaced with high resolution images by an open pro—press interface before
`printing,
`
`

`

`Patent EP0920667A1 ~ Proofing system utilizing dynamic pdf technology for the interfere...
`
`Page 3 of5
`
`i 18. The apparatus of claim it , further including a front end which
`includes a display screen and a user input device which communicates with
`said PDF builder
`
`3 through said interface.
`
`temptate information, the variabie data provided by the users, and the low
`resoiution images based on the references selected. The PDF file provides a
`proofing version of the customized materiat, and is generated by an application
`that directiy reads and writes a PDF file. by inserting the components and
`placing them at the right iocations. The PDF is an accepted internal standard,
`very wet! supported by the major Internet browsers. it is device independent and
`provides one to one representation of how the float document would look when
`printed. The PDF file may be displayed in the user's internet browser using a
`conventionat PDF reader plugrtn. The PDF file can be viewed or printed to a
`tocai low resolution printer for the final proofing. It changes are required the user
`moves back to the main HTML page to modify the seiection andror the variabie
`data. Then a new dynamic PDF file is generated that reflects the changes. The
`process continues until the user is satisfied with the document. After that the same references used to build the dynamic
`PDF file are sent for printing using the known XLC printing technology. Alternatively, the same generated PDF file would
`be sent for printing using conventional printing technology where the low restitution images wouid be reptaced by the high
`resolution images by an OPI (Open Prewpress Interface) process before printing.
`
`i ‘17. The apparatus of claim to, wherein said front end further includes a
`printer
`
`2 operable to provide a hard copy of said proofing version of the
`customized materiat.
`
`isr.»
`
`
`
`Although developed forthe internet front end, the technoiogy can similarly be used by front ends other than Internet
`browsers.
`
`DESCREPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The various features characteristics and advantages of the present invention witi become apparent to the sitilied artisan
`from a reading of the foiiowing detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, when it is read in view of the
`accompanying drawings. in which: FiGURE ‘i is a system diagram illustrating an example proofing system in accordance
`with the present invention;
`
`FIGURE 1 A is a flow chart illustrating an example or steps which may be imptemented in connection with the system of
`FiGURE 1 to custom design printed materials;
`
`FiGURE 2 is an example ofa first ievel screen display in accordance with a preferred embodiment orthe present
`invention;
`
`FIGURE 3 is an exempts of a second ievei screen display in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present
`invention; FiGURE 4 is another exempts of a second Ievei screen display in accordance with a preferred embodiment oF
`the present invention;
`
`FiGURE 5 is an example ota closing screen display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
`and
`
`FIGURE 6 is an exampie of a poin’twohsaie display card which may be produced in accordance with the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRiPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
`
`The foiiowing detaiied description sets forth a preferred exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention.
`It shoutd be noted, however, thetthose having ordinary skill in the art wiil recognize modifications and changes that may
`be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For exampie. aithough the example embodiment is described in
`the context of an example system wherein a user utiiizes the internet to access template information at a remote location
`and input user specified information, other arrangements are possibie. Referring now to FIGURE 1
`, an example proofing
`system constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a front end 2 which preferably is capabte of
`establishing remote contact with an internet WEB site. A reference tibrary. low resolution images, high resolution images,
`and other data may be stored in a memory 4 at the remote Eocation. The front end 2 is typicaiiy iocated at the office oia
`designer for the customized printed material to be prepared, tag, at the office ora graphic artist employed by an
`advertising agency or a direct meii marketer. The front end 2 ordinarily inciudes a personal computer having at teast a
`display screen, keyboard and a mouse, as wetl as appropriate internet brOWsing software. The memory 4. PDF buiider 6,
`and high rescitition cotor production printing system 10 are present at the remote location, e.g., at the facilities of a
`commercial printing service, and may be part of a computerized printer device and printdriver system.
`
`The front end 2 may use an internet browser or the like to estabiish communication with the remote location through an
`internet connection or other appropriate communication technique. For exampte, a commercial printer may establish a
`typical HTML-based Worid Wide Web site on the internet that allows customers password protected access to the services
`and products of the commercial printer. A customer seeking to design custom printed materials would then access the web
`page of the commercial printer and enter an area reserved for services and products offered by the printer. One option in
`the services and products area of the web page may be custom design of printed materials which‘ when finaiized, would
`be printed by the commerciai printer on a highaspeed, high—quaiity print device, and subsequently deiivered to the
`customer. Of course, other arrangements are also available. In operation of such an example system, a graphic artist or
`the Iii-re working atthe front end terminai 2 accesses the internet web page of the commerciai printer and enters the area
`
`

`

`Patent EPO920667A1 — Proofing system utilizing dynamic pdf technology for the interfere...
`
`Page 4 of 5
`
`for customized design of printed materials. The Pill: (portable document format) builder 8 may be implemented in a
`conventional way as part of a computer system at the remote location, The computer system may also operate as the
`server for the internetweb page. The PDF builder~t3 is used to create the image of the document to be printed based on
`reference data images, or other data from the memory 4, as well as user inputs at front end 2. A local printer 8 may be
`provided at the front end for producing hard copy, low resolution proofs of the final document, itdesired by the user. Once
`the user is satisfied with the design, a print order can be confirmed and high quality prints may be produced by a high
`resolution color production printing system 10.
`
`is illustrated in Figure M. More particularly. at step
`An example operation of the proofing system illustrated in Figure ‘l
`100, a designer working at the front and station 2. utilizes a conventional internet browser and connection to access the
`commercial printer web page and enter the area in which customers may design their own custom printed materials.
`Typically, access to this area of the web page may be password protected and restricted to customers having established
`accounts with the printer.
`
`As illustrated more particularly below in conjunction with Figures 2 through 5, the user is prompted to select an available
`template form (function block 102) and to provide selected or variable information (function blOCl: 104) for use by the PDF
`builder 6 to complete a proof of the custom printed material. The particular template forms available to the user may be
`tailored to the specific user For example, a supermarket chain may have a number of available templates which would not
`be suitable for a beer distributor or direct mail marketer, and vice versa Accordingly, the available templates may be
`
`predetermined for a particular customer and presented to the user in accordance with the sign—on information provided by
`the user in accessing the web page. The templates are preferably imaged in advance and displayed fer the user on the
`HTML web page in PEEP. These templates can be seen on the HTML page prior to customization.
`
`With regard to function block 104. the user may select from a plurality of predetermined options. For example, the user
`could be prompted to select a specific type of package to appear on the custom printed material (See, eg, Figure 3, at
`item 2). Additionally. the user can be given the choice of selecting from a plurality of predetermined options or, if no
`predetermined option is suitable, providing the user‘s own variable information. (See, e.g., Figure 3 at items 3 and 4). The
`variable user information may be entered. for example, at the keyboard of front end 2.
`
`The PDF builder 6 then creates a dynamic PDF file on-the-fly based on the selected template information, the selected or
`variable data provided by the users, and the low resolution images based on the references selected, The dynamic PDF
`file corresponding to the custom printed material is generated by reading the PDF template file, inserting the appropriate
`image components and placing them in the proper locations, and writing a customized dynamic PDF file. The dynamic
`PDF tile is then displayed at the front end terminal 2 for proofing by the designer (function block 106). Once the
`customized dynamic PDF file is displayed at the front end 2, the designer may choose to print the image at a relatively low
`resolution local printer 8 for further review (function block 108). Such an arrangement may be particularly advantageous,
`for example lithe pnnted material is multiple pages or cannot be viewed on a single screen display. Also, the printed
`version may be circulated to others as needed for approval.
`
`Next, the designer may either confirm the order, or may return to the main HTML page to modify the selection andlor the
`variable data. Thus, if the designer is not satisfied with the appearance ofthe printed material, the designer is again given
`the opportunity to select an available template, etc, lithe designer is satisfied, the commercial printer can proceed with
`printing the materials in the desired quantity (function block H4) and then distributing them as required (function block
`116). For example, the printed materials could be delivered to a distribution center for a retail chain, or the commercial
`printer may post the materials through the mail to parties included on a mailing list provided to them by the user
`
`if the commercial printer utilizes known XLC printing technology the same references used to build the dynamic PDF file
`are sent for printing by the XLC system. Alternatively, where the commercial printer uses conventional printing technology,
`the dynamic PDF file generated for proofing is sent to the printing system, and low resolution images used in creating the
`dynamic PDF file are replaced by high resolution images by, for example, an open pre-press interface (OPE) before
`printing.
`
`it should be noted that although Figure 1A illustrates control returning to function block 102 when the designer is
`dissatisfied with the appearance of the printed materials, ordinarily it should not be necessary to reselect or again input
`information that is not to be changed. Additionally, it should be understood that the order of steps illustrated in Figure 1A
`can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, a user might choose to print a low
`resolution copy of the proofing version orthe custom printed material prior to, of even in lieu of, display on a screen at the
`frontend 2.
`
`FlGURE 2 illustrates a sample first level screen display which may appear at front end 2 after a user initially accesses the
`proofing system. Briefly, the user is provided, for example, with a number of available templates such as a generic shelf
`display card (Shelf Talker Generic 1), a vertical banner, or an aisle display card (ELM Chill Aisle). it should be understood
`that these templates are merely for the sake of illustration, and othertemplates, of course, may be presented depending
`on the particular needs and desires of the user. The user may select a template by clicking on the appropriate choice with
`a mouse 2A.
`
`

`

`Patent EPO920667A1 — Proofing system utiiizing dynamic pd‘f technology for the intet't‘ac...
`
`Page 5 of 5
`
`Once the temptate is seiected, a second level screen display appears at front end 2. FIGURE 3 illustrates a sample
`second ievei screen display menu appropriate for the selection of the shell display card. A PDF version ofthe template is
`displayed at the top portion of the screen for reference by the user. This template is preferably imaged in advance and
`stored in memory 4. The user is prompted to selects package image to be inciuded in the package area of the template
`Additionaily. the user is prompted to: (a) select a stored description or to enter a different description otthe user‘s
`choosing: (i3) select a stored price or enter a different price; (c) seiect the number of copies needed from the production
`printing system; and (d) to identify themseives. The identification of the user may be used for billing ancifor distribution
`purposes in accordance with previously determined customer information. Once sit the necessary data is entered. the
`user—may ciick on a button to indicate completion of data entry. Although the foregoing describes a single screen display
`page for entry oidata, multiple screens could likewise be employed.
`
`FiGURE 4 illustrates another example second levei display. in particular, the screen display of FiGURE 4 may be used
`with an aisle display card (ELM Chili Aisle). As with the example of FiGURE 3, the template is shown at the top portion of
`the HTML screen as a PDF image. As shown. the aisle display card temptate permits prices for a number of different
`products to be displayed. Such a template wouid be particularly useful, for example. to a supermarket chain or the like.
`The user prompts for data in Figure 4 are different from those in Figure 3 due to the dinerent information to be printed on
`the customized printed materiais. Again, compietion of data entry is indicated by clicking a button with the mouse 2A.
`
`Turning now to FEGURE 5, a message may be displayed at front end 2 upon completion of data entry. This message
`screen provides the user the opportunity to view the final document, as customized prior to confirmation of the order. The
`final document can also be printed on a local low resolution printer 8 (Figure 1). lithe user is not satisfied with the
`document, the steps employed in creating the document may be repeated as desired.
`
`Turning now to FiGURE 6, an example is given of a final printed document produced by the production printing system
`based on the shelf dispiay template. An image of the selected package is displayed at the left hand portion of the shelf
`display. The right hand portion inciudes the user input description and price. After printing by the commerciai printer, the
`final printed documents would typically be delivered to a distribution center ofa retail store or the iike for tater display in
`individual stores. Whliethe invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most
`
`practical and preferred embodiments. it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed
`embodiments. but on the contrary: is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within
`the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
`
`NON-PATEN’I' ClTATlONS
`
`.
`
`i
`
`....
`"
`
`....
`.
`.
`.
`Reference ..
`See references of ‘NOittiOB‘i‘r‘GA‘l
`
`* mad byeismméim" .
`
`..
`
`.
`
`..
`
`.
`
`.
`
`CLASSIF[CATIONS
`
`international Classification
`Cooperative Ciassification
`European Classification
`
`opposition, GOBF‘lNZ-‘i. Guerrilla-open ire-o
`GGGF'iWRIl
`6066130102. 606Fi7i‘24
`
`LEGAL EYEN’E‘S
`
`'Date‘
`_
`Nov 26. 2003
`
`_
`
`_ Corie
`18W
`
`_
`
`Withdrawn
`
`Event_ _
`
`_
`
`__
`
`.
`
`Jun 9, 1999
`
`AK
`
`Designated contracting states:
`
`Description
`Effective date: 20031006
`Kind code of ref document: A1
`
`Designated state(s): DE FR GB iT NL
`
`Jun 9. 1999
`
`'i7F’
`
`Request for examination filed
`
`Effective date: 19990311
`
`Googie Home — Siternap — USPTO Bulk Downloads 7 Privacy Policy — Terms of Service - About Google Patents _ Send Feedback
`Data provided by lFi CLAIMS Patent Services
`@2012 Google
`
`