Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 022307~1 1998-04-21
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This is a division of Application Serial No. 2,052,813
filed October 4, 1991 for "Desktop Forms Order System".
In the sale, printing, and distribution of custom
business forms, the customary practice has been for a sales
representative of a large business forms manufacturer to design
a form for a customer, then write up an order for the form and
submit it to a plant for production. The write up of the form
and the submittal of the order typically were done manually.
While that procedure is extremely worthwhile for large orders of
forms, especially since it involves the expertise of someone
skilled in business form design, for short runs of forms, e. g.
less than 5,000, there are many circumstances in which it is
not cost effective to proceed in this traditional manner.
Partly for that reason, a number of software packages have been
developed which allow someone with a personal computer to design
business forms directly on the computer. If the designer has
sophisticated printing equipment, then the forms may be printed
by the designer, even including multipart or continuous forms.
However, where the user does not have sophisticated printing
equipment, the forms design alone is not useful because the
forms design must then be reduced to paper, and the paper
submitted to a forms manufacturer.
Typical computer software that has been developed for
the design of business forms ranges from relatively simple
software -- e. g. that sold under the trade-mark PerFORM by
Delrina Technology,
63423-354D
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Inc. of Canada -- to extremely sophisticated forms
design packages intended to be used by forms
manufacturers -- such as the F3 Pro Designer~
software sold by Bloc Development Corporation of
Coral Gables, Florida.
One approach that has been taken that attempts
to deal with some of the problems in the prior art
for short run orders is the provision of software
that allows one to place an order for forms directly
from a computer terminal. AlphaGraphics, Inc. of
Tucson, Arizona provides software packages that
allow one to "customize" information on a very
limited number of pre-existing forms by inserting
one's name, address, and logo on the forms. This
"customizing" information is then transmitted via
disk or electronically to AlphaGraphics, along with
an order also placed by computer, for printing of
the forms. While this can simplify the procedure
for obtaining short runs of business forms, because
of the very limited number of standard forms
available, it is not truly for the production of
custom forms, rather merely just for the provision
of customizing information on pre-existing standard
forms.
According to the present invention, it is
possible to create truly custom business forms
having a wide variety of parameters, designs,
verbiage, and the like, at a customer's personal
computer. The customer can then place an order for
that custom form directly from his/her personal
computer, and transmit the custom form -- as well as
order information -- electronically (or by disk) to
an order receiving location. At the order receivin~
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location, an order verification is printed, credit
is verified or payment made by credit card or the
like is transferred, and a determination is made
about the best location to print the form based upon
where the form is to be delivered, form parameters,
and the like. The form and order information are
then transmitted electronically to a manufacturing
location at which the form is printed and shipped.
In this way, the total functions of forms design,
ordering, and printing can be simplified.
A number of advantages associated with the
invention are: the ability to allow the customer to
lay out its own forms on personal computers;
eliminates or reduces labor intensive portions of
business form order preparation, such as design and
composition; manages and automates the entire order
entry process; decreases the time required to
produce and deliver short run orders of business
forms; and reduces the manufacturer's oyerhead costs
in producing short run orders.
In order to maximize the utility and "user
friendliness" of the system according to the
invention, it is highly desirable to provide various
graphic features and computer screen formats.
Significant features are: the highlighting of only
those functions that need be utilized on a
particular screen, and/or highlighting only the
available options from all of the options that are
displayed; overlaying one screen on top of another
so that significant portions of the underlying
screen are available for viewing at the same time
further options are being selected; and/or actually
illustrating an object (business form) to be
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produced in pictorial manner so as to allow the user to readily
visualize how the final form construction will appear, which can
be particularly significant for multipart forms that are
connected together along one edge.
In a broad aspect, this invention resides in computer
selection and display means comprising: a computer having a
monitor; and means for controlling said computer and monitor to
provide a plurality of a first set of selectable options on the
monitor; to provide a graphic display of second and third sets
of selectable options overlying, but not completely obscuring,
the first set of options; and providing a fourth set of select-
able options graphically displayed with said second and third
sets of options, and highlighting only selected ones of said
fourth sets of options depending upon the selections of said
second and third sets of options.
It is the primary object of the present invention to
provide for the simplified and effective design, ordering, and
production of short run orders of business forms, utilizing
user friendly displays. This and other objects of the invention
will become clear from an inspection of the detailed description
of the invention, and from the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a schematic of exemplary hardware
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whlch may be utillzed as part of the system
accordlng to the present inventlon;
FIGURE 2 19 a flow slleet illustrating the ma~or
control option~ for the control procedures of the
second control mQans of tl-e apparatu~ of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 3 1~ a flow ~heet for the flrst option
of the procedure of FIGURE 2;
FICURE 4 i~ an illustration of a computer
monitor wlth the general optlons lllustrated ln
~IGURE 3 di~played, as well a~ otl-er order
lnformatlon;
FIGURES S~ and B are each a view like that of
FIGURE 4 only showing n subset of option~, and in
the ca~e of FICURE 5~ a pictor~al representatlve of
a business form to be produced, dlsplayed over the
screen of FICURE 4;
FIGURES 6 through 8 are flow shaet~ of other
significant control procedures related to the basic
control flow sheet of FICURE 2;
FIGURES 9a through 9k and 9m to 9n and 9p to 9t
are flow sheets illustrating sub-control procedures
for the flow sheet of FIGURE 3;
FICURES 9u-9aa are flow sheets illu~trating
~ub-control procedures based upon the flow nheet of
FICURE 6;
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FIGURE 9ab-9af are flow sheets illustrating
sub-control procedures related to the flow sheet of
FIGURE 7;
FIGURE lOa and lOb are flow sheets illustrating
order receiving control procedures at the order
receiving computer; and
FIGURE 11 is a flow sheet showing the
production site procedures after an order has been
transmitted thereto.
DETAIL~D DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE l schematically illustrates exemplary
hardware that is utilizable in the system according
to the present invention. The hardware includes a
first computing means, such as the personal computer
lO, which preferably includes a keyboard ll and/or
other operator interface means (e.g. a mouse) and a
monitor 12, at a first location, in this case the
first location being an order reception facility of
a business forms manufacturer. The first computing
mean~ 10 preferably comprises a personal computer
for storing and manipulating data. A second
computing means 13, having a keyboard 14 and/or
other operator interface means such as mouse 14',
and a monitor 15 is provided at a second location
remote from the first location. The second location
typically is a customer's office. A first control
means -- typically comprising pre-recorded computer
programs on a disk 16 or the like -- controls the
second computer 13 for custom design of a plurality
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of first parameters of a business form, to produce a
custom business form in machine format. The number
and type of the first plurality of parameters
depends upon the sophistication of the software
comprising the first control means. ~or example if
the software is a relatively simply forms design
program, such as sold commercially under the
trademark PerFORM, the details of the form and its
basic size are provided among the first plurality of
parameters, however more sophisticated parameters
such as multipart or continuous form types, are
not. If a sophisticated forms package -- such as
the F3 Pro Designer package -- is utilized, then
virtually all of the form parameters can be
determined among the first plurality.
The system according to the invention also
comprises a second control means-.for controlling the
second computing means 13 and storing price
information. The second control means controls the
monitor 15 to display order parameters, including
quantity and delivery options, for selection by an
operator, and a second plurality of business form
parameters. The second plurality of business form
parameters may be co-extensive with the first
plurality where the first control means is a
sophisticated software package, but typically the
second plurality of business form parameters are
more extensive than the first. While a first and
second control means are discussed, it should be
understood that typically the forms design and order
software would be integrated on a common disk 16,
for ready interaction.
63423-354D
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The first and second control means on disk 16
ultimately control the personal computer 13,
utilizing the monitor 15 and operator interface 14,
to produce a custom business form in machine format,
and order information relating to that business
form, including quantity and shipping information.
In this regard it is noted that "custom business
form" means a form having a wide variety of
verbiage, graphical representations, positioning of
component parts, and the like determined by the
designer, not merely address and logo information.
First communication means are provided for
transmitting the custom business form in machine
format, and the completed order in machine format,
from the second computer 13 to the first computer
10. Such communication means preferably takes the
form of the modems 17, 18 (carried over public
telephone lines 19), but alternatively the machine
format of the custom form and order may be captured
on a disk 20 and mailed to the order receiving
facility at which the first computer 10 is located.
The first computer 10 preferably is connected
via modems 18, etc., to the first computer 13 for
another purpose. It is highly desirable that
up-dated price information be transmitted from the
first computer 10 to the second computer 13. This
may be done periodically as long as the second
computer 13 is in a position to receive the up-dated
pricing information (e.g. when it requests it), or
it may be done at the time of a transaction, the
up-dated price information being transmitted by the
first computer 10 before it allows the second
63423-354D
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computer 13 to transmit order and custom business
form information.
At the order receiving facility at which the
computer 10 is located, the orders are received in
electronic form by the computer 10, and are logged,
with the order information desirably retained for
possible future reorders. The order format will
typically be in ASCII format, and a proof may be
printed out on a proof printer 22 for review and
editing. The form data may be in native file format
or in PostScript output.
The first computer 10 could communicate through
conventional order tracking equipment 24 with an
accounting facility or computer 25. This would
provide for a credit verification, application of
charges from a credit card, and the production of an
order confirmation which would be sent to the
customer, either by mail or via computer (to the
second computer 13).
The first computer lO also communicates with a
forms printing or production facility 27.
Typically, the custom form would be transmitted in
PostScript format for ready use by an imaging system
or the like, such as the Linotronic imaging system
28. Alignment marks for perforations and punches
will be contained in the data file transmitted from
the computer 10, but cut marks for plate trimming
will be added. In some circumstances it may be
necessary to step-and-repeat a form image, and add
gap marks. The computer lO and/or order tracking
system 24 will determine which of a plurality of
available production facilities 27 would be best
suited for producing the particular custom form,
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depending upon scheduling, geographical location,
and capabilities of the facilities 27, particularly
with respect to the shipping location for the
forms. Ultimately the forms will be printed at a
forms production facility 27 and shipped to whatever
location the customer specified, whether at the same
location as the second computer 13 or some other
branch office of the customer.
FIGURE 2 illustrates the basic flow chart for
the major control procedures for the second control
means (the first control means being commercially
available, e.g. as from Delrina Technology, Inc.).
Where a button -- typically activated by using a
mouse -- is to be selected, then the control
procedures set forth in FIGURE 3 is initiated.
According to the present invention it is desirable
that all of the options set forth in FIGURE 3 be
available. The option 30 is merely to allow capture
of the custom form that has already been designed in
the forms software (a first control means) to be
captured into the order pro~ram (second control
means). The quantity information 31 must at all
times be inputted into the order program. The
second plurality of parameters -- those provided in
the order software (second control means) --
preferably include form type 32, paper size 33,
paper type 34, ink 35, numbering 36, punching or
perfing 37, and binding 38. Shipping information --
39 -- must be provided as one of the ordering
elements, like the quantity 31.
FIGURE 4 shows a typical screen 40 which
successfully implements the flow chart of FIGURE 3
in a user friendly manner. The operator keys in the
6342-3-354D
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name of the form at 30. The form name will have
been determined in the business form design software
(first control means), and by entry of the form name
after it is keyed in at 30, the custom form which
has been designed in the forms design package is
captured. Automatically any of the parameters 32
through 38 which were previously determined in the
forms design package (the first plurality of
parameters) will be inputted in the order software
(second control means). For the example illustrated
in ~IGURE 4, if after entry of the form name 30 and
the quantity 31 the display illustrated in FIGURE 4
came up, that would mean that form type (multipart
-- four part -- forms), paper size (4 1/4 x 8 1/2
inches in the portrait configuration, the parts held
together at the top edge), the paper type (all white
paper), and the ink color (process blue) would have
been determined in the first control means -- the
form design software. Any numbering, punching or
perfing, or binding to be done would then be
selected among the parameters 36 through 38. In
order to make the system as user friendly as
possible, if the parameters 32 through 35 have
already been automatically entered, the indicia on
the left hand side of the screen 40 associated
therewith will be highlighted in some manner, such
as a more vibrant color, a darker tone, a black
border around the indicia, etc., while the indicia
associated with the parameters yet to be considered
-- parameters 36 through 38 -- will be in regular
format.
Before or after the desired parameters 32
through 38 have been selected, the quantity 31 and
63423-354D
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shipping instructions (typically an address and a
type of shipping -- either overnight or regular)
will be entered, and the second computing means
automaticaLly calculates the price, sales tax, and
the amount of the total order, as indicated at 41 in
FIGURE 4. In order to provide the customer with
information that can assist him/her in optimizing
the order, a display 42 is also preferably provided
showing the different prices that exist if different
quantities are ordered. For example if there are
three different standard quantities that can be
ordered (e.g. quantity one l,OOO forms, quantity two
l,500 forms, quantity three 3,000 forms), the price
for the particular custom form designed for each of
those quantities will be displayed in the box 42 so
that the quantity information at 31 can be changed
by the customer before the order:is transmitted to
the first computer 10.
~ ote that indicia indicating each of the second
business form parameters, and order parameters, are
provided on the left side of the screen in FIGURE 4
in rectangular boxes. The boxes may be highlighted
to indicate which parameters are yet to be
determined.
FIGURES 5A and 5B illustrate another aspect
according to the present invention which makes the
system according to the invention very user
friendly, while allowing the selection of numerous
options. With respect to FIGURE SA, assuming that
the form type procedure 32 has been selected so that
the custom form to be produced is a multipart form
(the "form type" function would typically allow
selection of single sheets, checks, multipart forms,
63423-354D
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continuous forms, and amonq multipart forms either
two, three, or four part forms), when the paper size
33 function is initiated, a graphic display 44 is
provided on the screen 40 overlying, but not
completely obscuring, the first set of options 43 on
the screen 40. As clearly seen in FIGURE 5A, while
the graphic display 44 is itself readily readable,
the user is still able to see the basic selectable
options 43.
On the graphic display 44 are a second set of
options 45, a third set of options 46, and a fourth
set of options 47. The second set of options 45
provide for various lengths and widths of forms, the
display 44 coming on the screen 40 when the function
33 is selected. The third set of options 46 is the
orientation of the rectangular form determined by
the sizes 45. The orientation can either be
portrait (long edge vertical) or landscape (long
edge horizontal). The options 45, 46 are selected
by moving a mouse arrow (or cursoring) to the
desired option and then indicating-preliminary
selection (e.g. as by pressing a mouse button, or a
key on a keyboard 14). For example for the
particular display illustrated in FIGURE 5A, the
size 4 1/4 inches x 8 1/2 inches -- 48 -- is
highlighted, while the orientation "portrait" -- 49
-- is highlighted. Once the selections of the
options 45, 46 have been made, then the fourth set
of parameters 47 -- the stub location -- are
partially predetermined. For example, as
illustrated for the display in FIGURE 5A, with a
size of 4 1/4 x 8 1/2 inches and an orientation of
portrait, the only stub locations that are practical
63423-354D
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are the top and bottom, illustrated by reference
numerals 50, 51. This is indicated on the display
of FIGURE 5 since the indicia for the options 50, 51
are bold, while the indicia for the left and right
options 52, 53 are discrete (light) rather than
bold. Thus the customer knows that he has only two
of the normal four options of the fourth options 47
available, and will select the appropriate one.
As a further very desirable feature according
to the invention, in order to allow the operator to
visualize the form that will be produced when the
options indicated in bold in FIGURE 5 (4~, 49, 50)
are selected, a pictorial ill~lstration 55 is
provided of the business form to be produced. Note
that the top of the pictorial illustration is bold
-- as indicated at 56 -- in accordance with the
"top" selection at 50 of the fourth options 47. If
the operator cursors to the "bottom" selection 51
instead, then the bold part 56 will move to the
bottom of the pictorial illustration 55. While this
feature is described with respect to the connection
of multipart forms along a particular edge, it is to
be understood that this feature can also be utilized
for other form functions, such as perforations,
etc.
FIGURE 5B illustrates another exemplary screen
which uses an overlay feature. In this case, the
"Form Type" selection made was "Continuous". The
screen that has been overlaid on screen 40 after the
"Paper Size" button is activated -- as seen in
FIGURE 5B -- requires selection of paper width
first. Once a paper width 57 has been elected -- in
this case "12 inches", that selection is
14
63423-354D
CA 022307~1 1998-04-21
highlighted, and then the only possible length
options 57' given that width selection -- in this
case 7, 8~, and 10 inches -- are highlighted over)
by making a bolder border, by color, or by general
intensity. The operator then selects from among
those options 57' e.g. by using the mouse arrow
illustrated, and enters that choice. [Note that the
features illustrated in FIGURE 5B are schematically
described in FIGURE 9f.l
FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate self-explanatory
procedures that will be followed if the items C or D
in FIGURE 2 are pursued. FIGURE 8 illustrates the
last option (from top to bottom) in the major
procedures flow chart of FIGURE 2. In the
particular procedure of FIGURE 8, one can
specifically request and receive the up-dated
pricing information, as indicated by the column 58.
As still further options, however, one can order
from a catalog that is already loaded on the second
computer 13, as indicated by the middle column
options 59, or one can load up-dated information
about the catalog (e.g. office product items and
standard business forms in the catalog that have
been added or discontinued, new prices, etc.) by the
selection of the options illustrated in column 60.
The flow charts of FIGURES 9a-9af are basically
self-explanatory. However specific features or
terminology that is not entirely readily
understandable will be specifically described.
Wherever it is used, the word "dialog"
describes a communication function, that is that the
operator and the computer communicate with each
other. This is opposed to an information box, which
63423-3~4D
CA 022307~1 1998-04-21
tells one what information is available, or gives
options.
For the particular flow chart of FIGURE 9a,
which relates back to the "name of form" function 30
of FIGURES 3 through 5, note procedure 62 which
illustrates a novel feature of the invention whereby
the design parameters (the first plurality of
parameters) from the custom form in the form design
software (e.g. PerFORM) are captured. The first of
the second parameters which must be selected --
since it controls most of the other parameters -- is
the "form type" (e.g. continuous, single sheet,
multipart, check, etc.), as illustrated at 63.
As illustrated in FIGURE 9b, in the quantity
routine, updated pricing information is sent -- see
box 64 -- to a subroutine to be stored and to be
ultimately used to calculate a price when enough
information has been received to calculate a price.
As illustrated in the other parts of FIGURE 9, this
price is recalculated and updated as more options
(e.g. perforations) are added.
Pricing information that needs to be updated
may be either provided automatically, or manually by
the operator (e.g. see FIGURE 8 and column 58
thereof), or at the time of connection just prior to
transmittal of the quantity and form information in
machine format.
FIGURE 9c illustrates the routine followed once
the form type function 32 is enabled. Depending
upon the form type selected, the paper size and
paper type options,/functions (33, 34) will be
determined. For example if the form type selected
is "continuous" there will be one set of paper sizes
16
63423-354D
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available, whereas if it is "check" another set of
sizes will be available. Similarly, if the form
type is multipart the paper type options will be
different than if the form type is a single sheet.
For example for single sheet the only paper option
may be white paper, whereas for multipart the paper
type may be all white parts, or white and yellow for
a two part form, or white, yellow and pink for a
three part form, or white, yellow, pink and
goldenrod for a four part form. Once the
appropriate paper size and paper type dialo~s have
been assigned as indicated by box 65, then the
appropriate additional function buttons are
activated as indicated at 66.
As illustrated in FIGURE 9e by boxes 67 and 68
-- and as already described above with respect to
FIGURE 5 -- once the paper size and orientation have
been selected, the appropriate stub locations are
activated, and once the stub location is activated,
the pictorial illustration or sketch 55 is
displayed.
As illustrated with respect to FIGURE 9f, if a
continuous forms option is selected in FIGURE 9d,
then the paper width is selected and then -- as
indicated by box 69 -- the paper length choices are
determined based upon the width selected; then
length is selected.
As illustrated in FIGURE 9t, when the shipping
information, function 39 in EIGURE 3, is entered, it
is desirable to also display for the operator's
selection the form of payment. Typical forms of
payment would be C.O.D., account number with the
forms manufacturer, or credit card. If the credit
63423-354D
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card option were initiated, then -- as illustrated
schematically by box 70 -- in order to make the unit
most user friendly the types of credit cards that
are selectable would be pictorially displayed on
screen 40 of monitor 15. If a color monitor 15 is
available, the credit cards illustrated can be,
e.g., an accurate representation of a typical VISA~
or American Express~ card, which minimizes the
possibility that the user could make a mistake in
entering information about one type of credit card
thinking it was another. Once the credit card
number is entered, then -- if it is determined to be
valid -- the sub-routine of FIGURE 9t is completed.
FIGURE 9ad illustrates the routine when it is
desired to transmit the completed information (see
FIGURE 7). Ultimately, the last step of the routine
-- as indicated by block 72 -- is to compress the
order and the form design files, so that they can
then be transmitted. In the system according to the
invention -- as distinct from the prior art -- both
the custom form design in machine format, and the
order information in machine format, are
simultaneously transmitted (preferably through
modems 17, 18) to the first computer 10. The
transmission -- which occurs immediately after
compression at box 72 -- is illustrated
schematically in FIGURE 9af.
The order receiving flow charts are illustrated
in FIGURES 10a and 10b. These procedures are
internal to the computer 10. Note that an invoice
is automatically initiated at 74 if it is not a
credit card charge. The order itself is handled in
the routine illustrated in FIGURE 10b. Please note
18
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-- as indicated by box 75 -- that the order
identification number (order confirmation) is
generated and transmitted -- either electronically
or by mail -- to the customer. The procedure in box
76 is typically effected at proof printer 22
(although proofing is optional), and at box 77 the
order is evaluated in order to determine the optimum
location for printing of the form, given the form
type and shipping information, and the scheduling of
the various production sites 27.
FIGURE 11 schematically illustrates the
procedures at the production site 27, 28, the order
having been received electronically in machine
format and then scheduled for production. As
illustrated by box 78, plate marks are added to the
form file, and the form received from the customer
-- with plate marks -- in machine format is used to
qenerate a plate or negative for ultimate printing.
It will be seen that according to the
invention, one can efficiently effect design,
printing, and delivery of short runs of custom
business forms, and for making any computer order
system or the like more user friendly. According to
the invention, the following general steps are
taken: (a) at a first location, designing a custom
bu~iness form in machine format, providing order
information including quantity and shipping
information in machine format, and automatically
determining the cost of production using price
information in machine format; (b) transmitting the
custom business form in machine format and the order
information in machine format to a second location,
remote from the first location; (c) at the second
63423--354D
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location, automatically determining where and how
best to produce the custom business form given the
scheduling of printing facilities, the type of form,
and the shipping information, and assigning the
order to the optimum printing facility for
production of that form; and (d) printing the custom
business form order at the optimum printing
facility, and shipping it in accordance with the
shipping information from step (a).
The further step may be practiced, during the
practice of step (a), of pictorially illustrating a
custom business form on a computer monitor so that
the form designer can better visualize the custom
form being ordered. The still further step may be
practiced, during the practice of step (a), of
displaying or hiqhliqhting only subsequent options
that are available for selection depending upon
earlier selections made.
It will thus be seen that according to the
present invention an effective and advantageous
system has been provided for the production of short
runs of custom business forms, and for making any
computer order system or the like more user
friendly. While the invention has been herein shown
and described in what is presently conceived to be
the most practical and preferred embodiment thereof,
it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art that many modifications may be made thereof
within the scope of the invention, which scope is to
be accorded the broadest interpretation of the
appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent
systems, procedures, and configurations.
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