Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Article handling
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-27
2001-05-29
Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3651)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Article handling
C700S219000, C700S220000, C270S001020, C270S052020, C270S052040, C270S052190
Reexamination Certificate
active
06240334
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to forming printed or similar media such as (but not limited to) catalogs, magazines, and books and more particularly to methods and processes of creating multiple personalized components of the media prior to their being combined with generic components.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,128 of Harris, Jr., et al., incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference, discloses methods and apparatus “for incorporating pre-personalized signatures within magazines . . . which are intelligently matched to recipient name and address information printed on the covers of the magazines . . . ” See Harris, Jr., Abstract, 11. 1-5.
As described therein:
It is often desirable to personalize magazines by printing information specific to the individual recipient inside the magazine. For example, an advertising page in the magazine might be personalized with the name of the recipient and the location of the dealer closest to the recipient's address. Personalization of this type is also widely used in the print media field, and is generally known as on-line personalization or ink-jet personalization—a term derived from the printing device customarily employed.
See id., col. 1, 1. 67 through col. 2, 1. 8.
To accomplish the intended results of its disclosed methods and apparatus, the Harris, Jr. patent describes processes involving “pre-personalizing off-line signatures with personalization information including machine readable indicia.” These signatures are then loaded into binding-line hoppers and deposited between “chain pins” on conveyors. A symbol-reading device deciphers the indicia and generates the name and address of the recipient of each printed document and, using an ink-jet printer forming part of the binding line, prints the address information on the cover signature of that particular document. See id., col. 6, 11. 45-63.
Conventionally, personalization of printed documents such as magazines or catalogs has been restricted to an area of a central insert (such as an order form or advertising page) and, as discussed in the Harris, Jr. patent, the cover. Size, space, and speed limitations relating to binding lines and ink-drying times, in particular, preclude effective use of on-line ink-jet printers for personalizing documents beyond creating relatively few characters of address or other information. Thus, traditional magazines and catalogs made in high-volume binding lines contain little true personalization of their contents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, by contrast, admits substantially greater personalization of the contents of printed or similar media (sometimes generically referred to herein as “books”) formed on a binding line. Useful regardless of binding-line type (whether “stitching” or “perfect binding,” for example, “selective” or “non-selective,” or “custody” or “non-custody”), the invention contemplates off-line preparation of both personalized signatures and covers, unlike the methods of the Harris, Jr. patent. These personalized components are encoded with indicia to permit their identification and coordination of their use. Because created entirely off-line, they additionally can be examined (electronically or otherwise) before entering the binding line to ensure their correct sequencing and number.
In embodiments of the invention utilized in connection with selective-binding processes, a computerized file used to produce the pre-personalized components likewise can function as the basis for the master driver file for the bindery controller. After establishing for the controller appropriate configurations for the media to be created, the controller is provided information identifying which signature is in each particular “pocket” (area) of the line. Indicia present on each personalized signature in a pocket may be read (either before, as, or after the signatures enter the pocket) to form a computerized buffer containing records of each signature. Typically, the number of available records in the buffer will exceed the number of chain pins for the binding lines, allowing creation of new records on-line (and consequent production of “omits” or “re-order” books) to account for binding errors. Because production of a relatively generic omit book can occur utilizing the next available chain pin space, it often can remain in the same mail or zip-code batch as was originally intended.
Indicia on personalized signatures may be read again as each signature enters a chain pin space of the binding-line conveyor. Verification of the indicia in an appropriate buffer record permits the master driver file to control selective feeding of other appropriate signatures into that space. The result is a printed medium which may contain either or both of one or more pre-personalized and generic components, with feeding of the pre-personalized signatures having been coordinated so that all personalization is consistent for the intended recipient of the medium.
A typical computerized record for a printed medium may contain fields detailing the “book number” of the medium, its chain pin location, and both demographic and address-related information of the intended recipient. In selective binding processes, such demographic information is often expressed in terms of which of the available signatures will be used to make a particular medium. Whereas a first recipient may receive the first, third, and fifth available signatures, for example, a second recipient might instead receive the first, second, and fourth signatures. Yet another recipient might receive only the third and fourth signatures. In each case, the types of signatures received by the recipient depends, at least in part (and either directly or indirectly), on information about her or him. In the present invention, additional fields in each record link the information to locations of pre-personalized signatures prepared to enter the binding line.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide off-line, pre-personalization of both covers and other components of printed media formed on a binding line.
It is an additional object of the present invention to enhance the area available for personalized information in media prepared on high-speed binding lines by performing the personalization off-line.
It is another object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus for coordinating use of multiple personalized signatures or components intended to appear in a single medium directed to a particular recipient.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus for recognizing the existence of certain defects in particular media and re-ordering production of relatively-generic replacement media (omits).
It is also an object of the present invention to avoid use of ink-jet printers on the binding line (except, perhaps, to print name and address information on omits).
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide and maintain computerized records of locations of personalized components both before and after (or as) such components enter a binding line.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the remainder of the text and drawings of this application.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3819173 (1974-06-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 3917252 (1975-11-01), Harder et al.
patent: 5114128 (1992-05-01), Harris, Jr. et al.
patent: 5143362 (1992-09-01), Doane et al.
patent: 5186443 (1993-02-01), Manley et al.
patent: 5314176 (1994-05-01), Schmitt
patent: 5317654 (1994-05-01), Perry et al.
patent: 5419541 (1995-05-01), Stevens
patent: 5458323 (1995-10-01), Magee et al.
patent: 5547175 (1996-08-01), Graushar et al.
patent: 5838574 (1998-11-01), Olson et al.
Duke Dana Kipland
Work Ted J.
Ellis Christopher P.
Kilpatrick & Stockton LLP
Mackey Patrick
Quebecor World (USA) Inc.
Russell Dean W.
LandOfFree
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