WO2001042956A1

WO2001042956A1 - System and method for electronically creating personalized print communications and distributing, mailing and contact managing the same

Info

Publication number: WO2001042956A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/033300
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jinee C. Tao
Original assignee: Cardstore.Com
Priority date: 1999-12-10
Filing date: 2000-12-08
Publication date: 2001-06-14
Also published as: AU2726001A

Abstract

A client-server computer system (400) for on-line production, distribution, mailing and contact management of personalized social and business print communications is described. The client-server system (400) comprises an on-line website that is accessed over the Internet (404) to create personalized social or business print communications. The website is maintained by a network server and incorporates a process that includes an on-line, searchable library of designs and design elements available to the user, as well as libraries of on-line searchable catalogues of print communications ready for personalization. The server also includes design creation features that permit the customer to create designs and then upload these designs to the client computer for incorporation into the print correspondence, as well as an ordering feature to permit the customer to order the created correspondence. The server is coupled to a production system (408) that receives the customer order and produces the correspondence using high quality color digital press equipment (424) and distributes the correspondence to the specified recipients.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ELECTRONICALLY CREATING

PERSONALIZED PRINT COMMUNICATIONS AND DISTRIBUTING,

MAILING AND CONTACT MANAGING THE SAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to computer networks, and more specifically to a computer-based system for producing, distributing, mailing and contact managing personalized social and business print communication.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The service of providing and distributing greeting cards, invitations, announcements and other similar personalized types of social and business print communication has typically required a user to produce or purchase pre-designed products from a store, personalize them by hand, and then manually address and mail them to the recipient. This is a cumbersome process that does not easily allow for the mass mailing of personalized print communications to many different recipients.

To simplify the process, various on-line or electronic commerce ("e- commerce") systems have been developed to allow users to at least partially produce or select print communications using their home and business computers. However, most existing systems generally fail to provide a fully automated and efficient system for performing the entire print communication creation, distribution, mailing and contact management operation.

One disadvantage associated with many present on-line print communication creation processes is that they do not provide the customer with adequate resources and flexibility to design and compose the entire print communications contents. This is often a time consuming pi ocess that discourages those who have neither the time nor inclination to create their own personalized print communications. Such systems typically do not allow for the seamless personalization of generic or other print communication. What is needed, therefore, is an on-line system that enables users to choose from a wide selection of pre-defined designs and personalize the designs as desired to impart unique characteristics to the print communications, such as through unique salutations or messages.

Another disadvantage of present social and business print communication production systems is that they do not efficiently incorporate the production, distribution, mailing and contact management of high quality print communications to individual recipients or groups of recipients selected by the user. In most cases, the user is responsible for distributing, mailing and contact managing the print communications once they are produced. What is needed, therefore, is a system that fully integrates a production, distribution, mailing and contact management system that produces the print communications and associated envelopes and/or cover letters, and then causes them to be sent to the intended recipients with minimal user input.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system and method for the on-line creation, designing, personalization, ordering, production, distribution, mailing and contact management of social and business print communications of all types. A client-server computer system is provided for the on-line, on-demand ordering of high quality, personalized greeting cards, invitations, announcements and other types of social and business print communication. In one embodiment, the client-server system comprises an networked website that is accessed by a user over the Internet to create personalized greeting cards and other types of private or general, social or business print communication. The website is maintained by a network server and incorporates a print communication creation process that includes an on-line, searchable library of print communication designs and design elements available to the user, as well as libraries of on-line searchable catalogues of various types of print communication ready for personalization. The server also includes design creation features that permit the customer to create designs and then upload these designs to the client computer for incorporation into a print communication product, as well as an ordering feature to permit the customer to order the created product. The server further provides an address book feature to permit the customer to identify intended addressee(s) for the product, and a calendar service for reminding the customer of upcoming events and important dates, as may be predetermined by the system or the customer. The server is coupled to a print communication production system that receives the customer order and produces the print communication product using high quality digital press equipment and distributes the product to the specified addressees in accordance with mailing options selected by the customer. Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which: Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a computer network system that implements embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 2 A is a flowchart that illustrates the basic steps of a print communication product creation and distribution process executed by a network server, according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2B is a flowchart that illustrates the basic steps of a print communication product creation and distribution process executed by a user through a network client computer, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a block diagram that illustrates the components of the server-side, print communication product creation process, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 illustrated a print communication creation process implemented on a distributed and clustered computer network system, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 illustrates the format of a contact entry form for an address book that is used in conjunction with the print communication creation process, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 illustrates a salutation builder form that can be used in conjunction with the customer address book, according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of entering addresses in an address book for a print communication creation process, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the process of fulfilling a customer order for print communication product using a website accessing a product creation process, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the process of fulfilling a customer order for invitation/announcement print communications using a website accessing a print communication creation process, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a diagram that illustrates the print communication production process, according to one embodiment of the present; and

Figure 1 1 illustrates a graphical user interface screen that rates the print quality of an uploaded image, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A computer-implemented social and business print communication production and distribution system, and service for providing personalized print communications is described. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate explanation. The description of preferred embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. Hardware Overview

Aspects of the present invention may be implemented on one or more computers executing software instructions. According to one embodiment of the present invention, server and client computer systems transmit and receive data over a computer network or standard telephone line. The steps of accessing, downloading, and manipulating the data, as well as other aspects of the present invention are implemented by central processing units (CPU) in the server and client computers executing sequences of instructions stored in a memory. The memory may be a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a persistent store, such as a mass storage device, or any combination of these devices. Execution of the sequences of instructions causes the CPU to perform steps according to embodiments of the present invention.

The instructions may be loaded into the memory of the server or client computers from a storage device or from one or more other computer systems over a network connection. For example, a client computer may transmit a sequence of instructions to the server computer in response to a message transmitted to the client over a network by the server. As the server receives the instructions over the network connection, it stores the instructions in memory. The server may store the instructions for later execution, or it may execute the instructions as they arrive over the network connection. In some cases, the downloaded instructions may be directly supported by the CPU. In other cases, the instructions may not be directly executable by the CPU, and may instead be executed by an interpreter that interprets the instructions. In other embodiments, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions to implement the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software, nor to any particular source for the instructions executed by the server or client computers.

Figure 1 illustrates a computer network system 100 that implements one or more embodiments of the present invention. In system 100, a network server computer 104 is coupled, directly or indirectly, over line 125 to one or more network client computers 102 through a network 110. The network interface between server computer 104 and client computer 102 may also include one or more routers that serve to buffer and route the data transmitted between the server and client computers over line 121. Network 1 10 may be the Internet, a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), or any combination thereof.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the server computer 104 is a World-Wide Web (WWW) server executing a web server process 116, and stores data in the form of 'web pages' for transmission as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) files over the Internet network 1 10 to the client computer 102. For this embodiment, the client computer 102 typically runs a "web browser" program 114 to access the web pages served by server computer 104 and other server computers, such as content provider 103.

In one embodiment of the present invention, server 104 in network system 100 is a server that executes a social or business printed communication ("Product") creation process 112. For purposes of the present description, the term "Product" or "Products " should be understood to mean various types of personalized social or business print communications that can be sent to individual recipients or mass- mailed to large numbers of recipients. Client versions of the Product creation process may also be executed on the client computers, such as client computer 102. The

Product creation process 112 may represent one or more executable program modules that are stored within network server 104 and executed locally within the server. Alternatively, however, it may be stored on a remote storage or processing device coupled to server 104 or network 1 10 and accessed by server 104 to be locally executed. In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, the Product creation process 112 may be implemented in a plurality of different program modules, each of which may be executed by two or more distributed server computers coupled to each other, or to network 1 10 separately.

In one embodiment of the present invention, wherein network 110 is the Internet, network server 104 executes a web server process 116 to provide HTML documents, typically in the form of web pages, to client computers coupled to network 110. To access the HTML files provided by server 104, client computer 102 runs a web client process (typically a web browser, such as Netscape Navigator™ or Microsoft Explorer™) 114 that accesses web pages available on server 104 and other Internet server sites, such as content provider 103 (which may also be a network server executing a web server process). It should be noted that a network system 100 that implements embodiments of the present invention may include a larger number of interconnected client and server computers than shown in Figure 1. For this embodiment, the client computer 102 may access the Internet network 1 10 through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 107. In one embodiment of the present invention, a separate content provider 103 may provide the data that comprises the Product content processed by the Product creation process 1 12. Alternatively, this content may be provided directly by the server computer 104. As can be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the representative networked computers of Figure 1, such as network server computer 104 and client 102 can be implemented as any standard computer that includes a central processing unit (CPU) coupled through a bus to various other devices. These devices could include random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and mass storage devices (e.g., a magnetic disk, optical compact disk, or tape drive for storing data and instructions). The computer also typically includes input/output devices, such as, a display device, keyboard, and network interface device, along with other similar devices or interfaces. Any of the computers in Figure 1 could be implemented in the form of personal computers, laptop computers, mainframe computers, or other type of workstation computers. The computers in Figure 1 could also be implemented in the form of portable or miniaturized computing devices, such as handheld personal digital assistants (PDA), including devices that communicate with other devices on the network over a wireless medium. In certain systems, the client computer can also be implemented as a dedicated Internet client, such as a television that includes Internet access.

The network system illustrated in Figure 1 , comprising a Product creation process and print and production system coordinated by a server computer, can be used or provided by a service that helps customers make and send cards, invitations, announcements and other similar personalized types of social and business correspondence print communication. Product Creation and Distribution System

In one embodiment of the present invention, the Product creation process 112 executed by system 100 of Figure 1 comprises a digital on-line website that a user accesses over the Internet to create personalized greetings and other types of private or general social or business print communications. The website maintained by the network server 104 and used in conjunction with the Product creation process 112 includes several components. For example, the server 104 maintains on-line, searchable library inventories of diverse and sophisticated designs, artwork, borders, color, text, font-types, print sizes, etc. available to the user, as well as libraries of online searchable catalogues of Products or generic (pre-defined) print communication ready for personalization. The server also includes design creation features that permit the customer to create designs and then "upload" these designs to the client computer 102 for incorporation into a Product, and an ordering feature to permit the customer to order the created Products. The server further provides an address book feature to permit the customer to identify and have produced the intended addressee(s) for the Products, and a calendar service for reminding the customer of upcoming events, dates, birthdays, etc. as may be predetermined by the system or the customer. In general, the server 104 website contains all of the necessary data and information for the Product creation, ordering and distribution processes, other than the address and billing information provided by the user. Thus, the customer is not required to maintain a separate or dedicated storage device or CD-ROM to access or utilize the website.

In one embodiment, the network server 104 is coupled to or incoφorated within a print and production system 120 that may be used to print the created Products. The print and production system 120 typically includes high-quality color digital press printing equipment that permits the use of a wide selection of paper stock, size and so on. The print and production system 120 also includes a distribution coordination facility for generating printed envelopes for the Products and permitting the direct mailing of the Products (in single pieces or in bulk) consistent with the instructions provided by the user.

Figure 2A is a flowchart that illustrates the basic steps of a Product creation and distribution process executed by the network server 104, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In step 202, digital inventory is placed on-line on a website created and maintained by web browser process 116 for access by a user on network client 102. The on-line inventory includes the Product design inventory, a custom Product creation process, and the address book and calendar services. In step 204, the network server prints the user selected or custom designed Products upon demand by the user. The print process allows the incorporation of personalized messages by the user, and in certain implementations uses off-set color digital printing processes and distributed printing techniques. Once the Products are printed, the server 104 coordinates the production flow, step 206. This step involves the mailing or distribution of the Products. Depending upon the type of Product or print communications created by the customer, the server can facilitate the bulk mailing of the Products to multiple recipients or directed mailing to one or more specific recipients, as specified by the user. Figure 2B is a flowchart that illustrates the basic steps of a Product creation and distribution process executed by the user through network client 102, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the user ("customer") may use a network client computer or other similar device that permits access to the Internet website maintained by network server 104. In step 210, the user selects a pre-defined Product, creates a new Product, or personalizes a pre-defined Product or other print communication using designs or templates provided by the server computer in the server's on-line digital inventory. A guided search feature may be provided by the Product creation process to aid in the selection of designs or motifs and borders. In step 212, the user composes a personal note or message to be included in the Product, if so desired. The Product creation process includes various design selections, such as message style, size, font, color, and so on. The process also includes an on-line preview function that allows the user to preview the message prior to selection.

After creating the design and content of the Product, the user lists the recipients, step 214. Typically, the user must provide the name and address of each of the recipients. If the address book feature is used, selection of recipient names from the address book is facilitated. The Product creation process provides a salutation function that provides a generic or personalized salutation for each recipient. After the user selects the recipients, he or she selects a mailing or distribution option, step 216. In general, three options are provided: direct mailing, facilitated mailing, and Products only. The server process then prints, produces, and distributes the selected Product in accordance with the process illustrated in Figure 2A, and the selected recipients receive the Product. Figure 3 is a block diagram that illustrates the components of the server-side

Product creation process 304, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The website maintained by network server 104 includes a graphical user interface 306 that permits each customer to, inter alia: (1) browse through libraries of designs, verse, text, etc.; (2) create a unique and personalized Product design, whether utilizing data from the libraries, uploading customer created/provided data, or a combination thereof; (3) provide mailing/distribution instructions for the created/ordered Product; (4) upload and keep track of addresses and addressees; (5) calendar special occasions and notice dates and upcoming deadlines; (6) take advantage of embedded address book logic to generate frequently used salutation and addressee information whether or not based on prior customer history; (7) use the address book to group mailings and place orders; (8) create an order history profile to track prior print communications, organize RSVP and gift lists, etc.; (9) search through the various libraries and inventories in the website and the user's own files maintained therein; and (10) provide additional informational services including magazine type columns such as etiquette and party throwing, events management tools, and initiate preparation tools. The Product creation process 304 also includes several custom application programs. These custom application programs housed in a web and application server 308 that includes: (1) the website storefront, (2) selection and guided search applications, (3) personalization applications, (4) address book and calendar applications, (5) image upload and checking applications, (6) e-commerce applications including privacy and credit card transaction applications, and (7) production and distribution applications with bar code functionality.

Also included within the Product creation process 304 is a database process 310 that comprise numerous personalized databases (e.g., in Microsoft Sequel™ or other database programs). These personalized databases contain libraries and data to allow the customer to browse and select for completed Products or to design a personalized Product. For example, the various databases include: (1) a library of designs or sentiments; (2) a library of artwork; (3) library of fonts; and (4) a library of customer information including artwork archives, previous Product creation history and transaction history. In one embodiment, the Product creation process is executed on a server computer that operates off of a Windows NT™ Operating System.

In one embodiment, a distributed printing process 312 within the Product creation process 304 is accomplished through the use of networked, on-demand digital presses, such as an Indigo™ machine or other similar 4 or 6 color press digital printer. This permits the utilization of customer-selectable stock paper in the printing process. After printing, Product production is completed by a paper cutter and a paper scorer and folder, by a Product production process 314. During the printing process 312 unique, individualized bar codes and product differentiation codes are imprinted on the Products, and are used to initiate envelope printing and to further facilitate the mailing process. The envelope for each Product is produced in the envelope print/stuff/mail process 316. The bar code is used to initiate the printing of the envelope and the Product is joined with the proper envelope for enclosure. Depending upon the mailing option and particular stamp selected by the user, the proper postage is then affixed to the envelope.

In general, three different mailing options are available. The personalized Product and blank envelopes can be mailed to the customer through the mail service, or other courier or delivery service ("direct mailing"), or the Products with pre- addressed and stamped envelopes can be mailed or sent back to the customer ("facilitated mailing"); in both of these cases, the customer will be responsible for mailing the Products to the recipients. In the third option, the Products are addressed, stamped, and mailed directly to the customer's selected recipients ("Products only"). Figure 4 illustrated a Product creation process implemented on a distributed and clustered computer network system, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In system 400, the client computer 402 operated by the customer is coupled through the Internet 404 to a co-location site 406. The co- location site 406 includes a web server cluster 412, an application server cluster 414, and databases 416. The databases store customer transaction information, graphical pictures of the Product inventories, customer information, and website content.

The co-location site 406 is coupled to a production control site through a secure network link, such as a Tl link utilizing a network firewall. The production control facility 408 includes administration production and transaction servers 420, and databases 422. The production control databases 422 store print-quality images for the Products, as well as printing and design templates for the Product inventory. The production control facility 408 is coupled to a print and mail system 410 through the administration production and transaction servers 420 over a local area network (LAN). The print and mail system 410 includes digital printer or digital press systems 424, and cutter and folder machines 426. The mail processing portion of system 410 includes mail room operator screen processes 428 and envelope printers 430. These systems cause the cards to be matched to the appropriate printed envelopes and mailed to the customer or the recipients. Product Creation Process

The Product creation system illustrated in Figure 1 can be used to create and distribute a wide range of social and business print communications, including greeting cards, invitations, announcements, press releases, advertisements, mass mailing print communications, and many other types of personalized or generic print communications, each representing a particular type of Product.

With reference to step 210 in Figure 2B, the Product creation process includes a sub-process that allows a customer to select a pre-existing Product that is on the system, or to create a new Product. When selecting a pre-existing Product or invitation design, the customer can do so in one of three ways: (1) by browsing a Product gallery, (2) by selecting among seasonally relevant Products, using a dedicated process, or (3) by completing a specific term search using the Direct/Specific Search Function within the website graphical user interface 306.

In the Product gallery, a customer can choose from different categories of occasions or events. The customer is then offered a library of Products from which to choose. The customer may browse the selected Product library until the Product of choice is found. If none is found, the customer may navigate the site in different ways to find the desired Product(s).

One sub-process within the Product creation process allows the user to select among seasonally relevant Products. This sub-process offers users a direct link to holidays, occasions, or categories that are particularly relevant to the season at the time of the customer's entry into the website. This feature takes the customer immediately to a selection of Products chosen among the seasonally relevant Products. This option allows for expedient seasonal purchases by a customer valuing convenience and ease.

For both of the above-described options, once the customer views a selection of Products, a guided search can be performed by the system to facilitate the selection process. When the customer chooses this feature, the customer can search for a Product by tone, relationship, diversity/heritage, hobbies/interest, and age/attitude or other criteria. Once the criteria are selected, the search is narrowed and the website provides the customer a selection of Products that matches the narrowed request. The customer may then browse the group of Products until the desired Product is found.

A third way to select a completed Product is to use a search option called Direct/Specific Search Function. This allows the customer to choose among a group of Products that are related to the search term that is typed in by the customer. For instance, the customer can ask for anything that has a deer in the image, for all baby announcements, or sentiments that say "Happy Birthday" within the text. The search option then provides the customer a selection of Products that meet the search parameters. In conjunction with the selection of a Product, the customer also follows a series of prompts and instructions regarding the text, if any, for the Product, the preferred font size, pitch, etc., as well as the desired language for the printed text (e.g., English, Japanese, or Spanish). Personalization programs permit the customer to find and select verses and formats for the Product, or to create/write their own. These prompts lead the customer to the completion of all aspects of the created Product.

The customer may also create a unique Product by uploading photographs or artwork, or selecting from the library of images, artwork, etc. available on the website. When a customer elects to use their own designs on the Products, the system allows the customer to create their own Products by uploading their own photograph or artwork. This system is designed to take a customer's photo or image and prior, to the upload of the image into the web-based system, the customer is able to view the image within Product designs/formats/borders, resize, copy or otherwise transform their image to meet their desire. As part of this process, the system will test the print quality potential of the uploaded design or photo and display the results on an onscreen indicator. This test will determine whether the uploaded image is acceptable or should be rejected so that another image can be substituted. The customer can determine whether to go forward with an image of varying degrees of quality and printing suitability. Assuming a design is accepted, the customer follows prompts similar to those outlined above in order to finalize the Product for ordering, printing, mailing and contact managing.

Figure 11 illustrates a graphical user interface screen that rates the print quality of an uploaded image, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The uploaded image is displayed in an image display area 1102. The resolution, dimensions, and other similar characteristics are displayed in a print quality forecast area 1108. The customer can choose to enclose the image within a border by selected a border option 1 104. If a border is selected, the border 1106 is shown around the image box 1102. Various different border patterns can be provided along with a customization feature that allows a customer to design a custom border. Once the image is captured in the image box, it is tested for print quality. The quality of the image is displayed on a graphical indicator 1110 to indicate whether it is acceptable or unacceptable for use in the correspondence. The graphical indicator provides a range from "Best" to "Acceptable" to "Not Recommended". Uploaded images that are of a sufficiently high quality are rated as either Best or Acceptable, while those that are not of sufficiently high quality are rated as Not Recommended. The customer may then elect to continue with the upload of the image, or select a new image to be uploaded. After completing the selection or the design of the Product, the customer preferably chooses among certain mailing options. In one embodiment, the mailing options include: (1) the direct mailing option; (2) the facilitated mailing option; and (3) the Product only option. The direct mailing option allows for the Products to be sent directly from the print location to the intended recipients of the Products. The facilitated mailing option prepares the Products with pre-addressed stamped envelopes for mailing back to the customer for mailing by the customer to the intended recipients. The Products only option mails back to the customer the custom Products and blank envelopes for the customer to complete the mailing process. For this option, the stamp can be separately applied by the user and involves an extra manual step.

Because the system encompasses invitations, announcements, etc. in addition to cards, certain mailing options are impacted. For example, if the customer chooses the Products only mailing option for the greeting cards, the customer selects the quantity desired to go to the secure checkout since the customer has already personalized the Product. If the customer chooses the Products only mailing option for cards/invitations/announcements, then the customer selects the quantity desired, and also types or uploads the invitation message, and choose other options such as the desired font before the customer is allowed to checkout. By way of further example, if the customer chooses the direct mail option or the facilitated mail option, then for all cards/invitations/announcements, the customer selects names from the address book or enters a new name. The system will then merge the default salutation and the return address automatically. Thereafter, the customer selects: (1) a personal message or announcement; (2) a font; (3) a stamp; (4) a mailing date; and (5) other parameters as needed before the customer is allowed to proceed to checkout.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the customer may create one or more personalized address books on the system website. The customer creates a website address book listing on the website, which lists the recipients of the Products, by either, an upload to the website or by a manual input. If the customer decides to manually build the address book, the customer can do so directly with a contact entry form as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5 illustrates the format of a contact entry form for an address book that is used in conjunction with the Product creation process, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The address book contact entry form includes data entry areas for the names of a contact at a particular mailing address. The contact entry form may also include a dual contact name and a dual contact address entry area. This is the type of form illustrated in data entry window 500. The dual contact information is used to generate a default list of options for addressing an envelope and message salute tion through an application module called a "salutation builder". This module recognizes that a sender might wish to communicate with only one contact at certain times, and the entire family at other times, or that casual print communications may be desired instead of business print communications. The dual contact entry form also accommodates spouses who have different last names, and also provides the user the ability to enter unique entries or alternatives. The address book entry process may also include an address ZIP code search program. This program automatically determines the ZIP code corresponding to a particular address for address entries in which the customer does not know the ZIP code. Figure 6 illustrates a salutation builder form that can be used in conjunction with the customer address book, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The main entry screen 600 includes data entry areas for the user to select or input the addressee name. The addressee data entry area 602 includes a pull-down menu that lists the primary and/or secondary names for all of the addressees entered using the contact entry form illustrated in Figure 5. For the primary contact, the name format may be provided as first name/last name, or title/first name/last name, or a similar format depending upon how the primary addressee name was entered in the contact entry form 500. If a secondary contact person was entered in the contact entry form, the name provided in the addressee entry area 602 may provide the address information as primary first name/last name and secondary first name/last name. If the last name of the primary and secondary contacts is the same, the addressee information may be provided as primary first name and secondary first name/last name. If title and middle name or middle initial information is provided in the contact entry form, the format of the displayed names may incorporate this information in various different formats, as well. An alternate entry field 604 provides a means for the user to manually enter an alternate addressee.

The salutation builder form 600 includes a message salutation input field 606. This field provides a number of pre-defined salutation options, such as "Dear", "Hello", "Hi", "Greetings", and so on, followed by the name of the addressee specified in field 602. An alternate salutation entry field 608 provides a means for the user to manually enter an alternate salutation, if the desired salutation is not provided in the pull-down menu of field 606.

Figure 7 is a flow-chart illustrating the steps for creating an address book either through manual input, as depicted in Figure 4, or through an upload operation to the website. For manual input, the customer builds an address book directly from the contact entry form 500, illustrated in Figure 5, step 702. Once the addressees are entered in the address book, the customer runs the salutation builder application and enters the desired salutation using the salutation builder form 600, illustrated in Figure 6, step 704. The customer then confirms the salutation and addresses, step 706, and the process ends.

Instead of manually entering the address book, the customer can choose to upload an existing list of names and addresses to the system either by uploading a CSV file (or equivalent file type) or by synchronizing with other digital address book programs, step 708. A CSV (comma separated value) file is an ASCII file where each individual data field is delimited by commas. Examples of digital address book programs that can be used include: Microsoft Outlook™, Eudora™, Goldmine™, Excel™, or similar programs, and personal digital assistants such as the Palm Pilot™, Psion™, and other such handheld devices. The address book can be modified over time using the editable contact entry form 500. The system then responds by either uploading or synchronizing with other digital address book programs, step 710. If the system response is to upload, then the system will run an application program for the CSV file to provide a first pass match of the fields, step 712. In step 714, the customer matches the address fields with the .CSV fields. After the customer has matched the fields, the system will then respond by running the salutation builder application, step 704.

If it is determined in step 710 that the system response was to synchronize, then a synchronization application program utilizing intermediate formats, such as those defined by Puma™ Software, or similar programs, will be run, step 716. After the synchronization program has run, the customer confirms the synchronization results in step 718 before the salutation builder, as illustrated in Figure 6, is run. After the salutation builder is run in step 704, the customer once again confirms the results and the creation of the address book is complete, step 706. Figure 8 is a flowchart that illustrates the overall process of customer order processing using a website accessing the Product creation process, according to one embodiment of the present invention. For the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, the print communications to be produced comprises greeting cards.

For the process illustrated in Figure 8, the customer can either browse through the inventory provided by the Product creation process and select a pre-defined

Product design, step 802, or the customer can upload his or her own design to be used for the Product, step 804. If the customer selects a pre-designed Product, the customer can add or modify the pre-defined message or greeting, step 806. The customer then selects a mailing option, step 810. If the customer elects to use his or her own design, step 804, the design is uploaded to the Product creation process, which measures the print quality to ensure that it is high enough to be satisfactorily produced, step 808. If it is determined in step 809 that the print quality is not sufficiently good, the uploaded design is rejected and the customer is prompted to upload a better version of the design or another design. If the print quality is sufficiently good, the customer is prompted to select a mailing option, step 810.

As described above, the customer can select from a direct mailing option, a facilitated mailing option, or a Products only option. If the customer selects the direct mailing option, the customer selects the quantity of Products to be produced, step 815, since the Products will be returned to the customer and not distributed by the system. The customer then proceeds to the secure checkout step, step 824. If the customer selects the facilitated mailing option or the Products only option in which the system distributes the Products, as determined in step 814, the customer specifies the addressees by selecting names from the address book or specifying new names and addresses, step 816. Default or customer selected salutations, as well as the customer's return address is then automatically merged with the Products, step 818. If desired, the customer may enter a personal message for the Product, step 820. In step 822, the customer selects the stamp/postage and verifies the content and addressees of the Products. The customer then proceeds to the secure checkout step, step 824.

In the secure checkout stage, the system displays the order and the price for the order including the shipping charges, step 826. The customer can then enter a discount code, if any, or card club credits, step 828. In step 830, the customer enters billing information, such as credit card information, and confirms the order for processing. After confirmation by the customer, the system will verify the billing information, step 832. The credit card or payment information is then verified, step 834, and if the billing information is accepted, the order will be printed and a bar code number will be issued, step 836. At this point, the Product are ready for production, step 838.

Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the process of fulfilling a customer order for invitation/announcement print communications using a website accessing a Product creation process, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The process for fulfilling a customer order for a invitation/announcement is very similar to that for fulfilling an order for a greeting card, as illustrated in Figure 8. The primary difference is illustrated in step 902 in which, after the customer selects the quantity of invitations/announcements for a direct mailing, the customer types the invitation or announcement message and confirms the message prior to entering the secure checkout process, step 824. Likewise, if the customer selects the facilitated mailing option or the Products only option, the customer, in step 904, types the invitation or announcement message and confirms the message prior to entering the secure checkout process. All of the other steps of the process of Figure 9 correspond to the steps of the process illustrated and referenced in relation to Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a diagram that illustrates the Product production process, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The Product production begins with the assignment of an order control number for each individual Product or piece. Each control number relates to a file specific to each Product, and contains transaction information, image and data specifications, personalized content information, and distribution instructions. The control number (from which is assigned a barcode as discussed below) is used in all subsequent production stages to initiate and control the processes involved.

From the server computer 1002, the print order is transmitted to the production system. The production operator can automatically or manually pull the orders from the co-located transaction servers. Production of the printed product preferably occurs using flat sheets of high-quality paper printed by digital printers 1004, such as an Indigo Turbostream™ digital printer or other similar 4 or 6 color press digital printer. With this type of printer, printing capability is one-off six color duplex material on a wide-variety of paper stocks. The printer accesses the relational databases of images, messages, and ancillary information as specified by the customer and any informational material for the backside. At this point, a unique bar code image that corresponds to the Product's unique control is assigned to the Product. Bar codes such as code 39 software from Azalea™, or similar systems, may be used. In general, the bar code image serves to differentiate various pre-defined or user created Products and print communications items. This facilitates inventory control as well as efficient tracking of a print communications order through the Product creation and delivery process.

Following the printing process, the flat sheets are converted to folded Products. This is accomplished through a typical "bindery" type operation with cutting and folding equipment such as a cutter, scorer and a folder 1006. A guillotine cutter, such as a Polar™ 66 or similar device, cuts the flat sheets to a correct size, preferably cutting 12" x 18" sheets into 2 pieces of 10" x 7". Depending on the Product type 1009, a scorer/folder apparatus 1008, such as a Stahl™ B20 or similar device, converts the sheets into folded pieces, preferably a 10" x 7" flat sheet into a 5"x7" folded Product. Folded Products are processed through the scorer/folder 1008, while unfolded Products are send directly to a lettershop services area 1010. The production process may also include a UV coating process that coats the top of the cards or selected correspondence with a glossy finish. After the conversion process, the Product is moved into the lettershop services area 1010 where it is sorted from other Products, addressed, and shipped through a mix of automatic and manual processes. Automation of custom addressing and shipping is accomplished by the use of bar code technology combined with PC's and laser printers to read the bar code representation of the individual control numbers printed on the backside of the Product. Scanning of the bar codes, by scanning devices, such a Welch Allyn™ or similar device, is completed to read the bar code information and retrieve and print the custom addressing information for the Product on an envelope on printers, such as ink-jet or laser printers.

Bar code technology is used to automate the custom addressing and shipping feature offered to customers. Once the Product is assigned a unique bar code, that bar code not only provides Product content information, but also information necessary to print shipping labels or envelopes, provide sorting directions, organize packaging, and complete shipping labels for Products shipped by any means other than to customer's individual recipients. The bar codes are also used to communicate order status and fulfillment information to the master order database. Thus, the bar code is used to coordinate and map the boxing and packaging of the Products for shipping. Finally, shipping labels and packaging slips/invoices are printed and distribution occurs through the U.S. Postal Service or other various common carriers 1014. As illustrated in Figure 4, a system that implements the Product creation and production process can be embodied in a distributed and clustered network architecture. The application server clusters 416 are linked to the administration and production servers 420, which in turn incorporate or are linked to separate transaction servers. The transaction servers start the manufacturing process of the Products by assigning control numbers for each individual Product. Each control number relates a specific file for each Product, which contains certain parameters such as transaction information, image and design specifications, personalized content, and distribution instructions. The control numbers are used in all subsequent production stages to initiate and control the processes involved. The servers also must access the databases 422, which hold the print-quality images and the printing and design templates for output to the digital printers.

As depicted in Figure 4, the Product creation and production system permits the linking of location of printing facilities and databases in various geographical areas in order to minimize shipping and handling costs and increase system efficiency and speed.

In the foregoing, a client-server computer system for producing and distributing print communications, such as greeting cards has been described. Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A computer- implemented method of creating and distributing personalized social and business print communications to one or more recipients specified by a user, comprising the steps of: obtaining image data from the user specifying an appearance of the print communications; obtaining message data from the user specifying message content to be included in the print communications; obtaining addressee information from the user specifying names and addresses of the one or more recipients; providing one or more salutations for selection by the user to be merged with the message content specified by the user; producing the print communications incoφorating the image data and message data; and distributing the print communications to the one or more recipients in accordance with instructions provided by the user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of obtaining image data from the user specifying an appearance of the print communications, comprises the steps of: providing a selection of predefined print communications items, each having a different graphical appearance; providing a selection of predefined graphical elements that can be used by the user to personalize the predefined print communications items; prompting the user to either select a predefined print communications item or use the predefined graphical elements to create a custom print communications item; and uploading the selected predefined print communications item.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of obtaining image data from the user specifying an appearance of the correspondence, comprises the steps of: receiving an image file comprising a digitized image from the user; and rating the received digitized image on a qualitative image scale.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of obtaining message data from the user specifying message content to be included in the correspondence comprises the step of providing a selection of pre-defined text messages from a database accessible by a client computer operated by the user.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of obtaining message data from the user specifying message content to be included in the print communications comprises the steps of: providing a text input field on a graphical user interface screen displayed on a client computer operated by the user; and prompting the user to input a text message to be included in the print communications

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of obtaining addressee information from the user specifying names and addresses of the one or more recipients comprises the steps of: providing an electronic address book entry form on a graphical user interface displayed on a client computer operated by the user; prompting the user to input the names and addresses of the one or more recipients; and storing the names and addresses in a database coupled to the client computer.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing one or more salutations for selection by the user to be merged with the message content specified by the user comprises the steps of: providing a selection of pre-defined selection of salutations in a pull-down menu on a graphical user interface displayed on a client computer operated by the user; and appending a salutation selected by the user to the message content specified by the user.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of producing the print communications incoφorating the image data and message data comprises the steps of: transmitting digital data representing the image and message data comprising the print communications to a one or more digital press machines for production of printed print communications; folding or cutting the printed print communications for enclosure into corresponding envelopes; and producing and labeling the corresponding envelopes with the appropriate addressee information.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of distributing the print communications comprises the step of: prompting the user to select a mailing option for the distribution of the print communications; sending the print communications to either the user or to the one or more recipients in accordance with the mailing option selected by the user.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the mailing options comprise: mailing the print communications directly to the one or more recipients; delivering the printed print communications and corresponding envelopes to the user; and delivering the printed print communications and blank envelopes to the user.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein a client computer operated by the user is coupled to a server computer over a network, and further wherein the image data, message data and addressee information is obtained from the user through a graphical user interface displayed on the client computer from an application executed on the server computer.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the client computer is coupled to a server computer over the Internet network, and wherein the client and server computers execute client operable to transmit and receive data files over the World Wide Web portion of the Internet, and further wherein the graphical user interface comprises web page data including Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) data executable by the client processes.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the print communications comprise social correspondence transmitted to one or more recipients.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the print communications comprise business correspondence transmitted to one or more recipients.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the business correspondence comprises a mass mailing transmitted to a plurality of people with a common basis for receiving the business correspondence.

16. A computer network system coupling a server computer to a client computer over a network for creating and distributing print communications to one or more recipients specified by a user of the client computer, the system comprising: a graphical user interface process displaying a graphical user interface on the client computer; a searchable inventory library of graphical elements for the composition of print communications items stored in a first database accessible the server computer; a design creation process executed by the server computer allowing the user to create graphical elements for the composition of the print communications; an addressee management process executed by the server computer allowing the user to specify name and address information for the one or more recipients and storing the name and address information in a second database accessible by the server computer; and a salutation process executed by the server computer providing a selection of pre-defined salutation messages to be appended to a text message specified by the user for inclusion in the print communications.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising: a printing and production system coupled to the server computer including one or more digital press machines creating the print communications in accordance with graphical and message content specified by the user; and a distribution coordination system coupled to the printing and production system producing envelopes associated with the print communications, the envelopes labeled with the name and address information corresponding to the one or more recipients.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the graphical elements stored in the first database comprise design, artwork, borders, color, text fonts, print sizes, and related characteristics dictating the appearance of the print communications item.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the printing and production system utilizes graphical elements stores as design templates in the first database and message data stored as variable field data in the first database to create a print communications item specified by the user.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the print communications comprises one of: social correspondence transmitted to one or more social acquaintances of the user, business correspondence transmitted to one or more business acquaintances of the user, or a mass mailing transmitted to a plurality of recipients with a common basis for receiving the print communications.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the computer network comprises the Internet, and wherein the client computer executes a web browser program for accessing a website maintained by a web server program executed by the server computer.

22. The system of claim 16 wherein the server computer further includes a calendar process storing particular dates of interest to the user and prompting the user regarding the creation of print communications appropriate for those dates.

23. The system of claim 17 wherein the server computer further includes a guided search process allowing the user to search for pre-defined correspondence items including specific graphical elements or message text.

24. The system of claim 17 wherein the printing and production system executes a bar code identification process that labels individual product codes on the print communications for tracking of the print communications through the system.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the distribution coordination system utilizes the individual product codes to associate particular print communications items with envelopes labeled for receipt by the one or more recipients.

26. The system of claim 17 wherein the mailing options comprise: mailing the print communications directly to the one or more recipients; delivering the print communications and coπesponding envelopes to the user; and delivering the printed communications and blank envelopes to the user.

27. The system of claim 16 wherein the server computer further includes an order history database for storing addressee and print communications design characteristics for prior print communications orders by the user.