Automated printing control system

Claim 2

A telecommunications system for automated control of the printing of a work by a printing facility from a requester at a location remote from the printing facility comprising: a first terminal for use by a printing requester for receiving from the requester information concerning printing parameters necessary to forecast at least the cost required to manufacture a printed work; a second terminal located at the printing facility for receiving from the printing facility pricing and administrative information concerning the printing of a work; and a programmed computer having a memory means for storing at least a set of printing rules, and input/output means, the computer being in communication with the first and second terminals, the computer including means for interacting with the printing requester by a series of queries and responses for receiving and storing in said memory means said printing parameters, for comparing said printing parameters with the stored printing rules and for informing the requester if a rule is violated through the first terminal via the input/output means, the computer including means for transmitting the printing parameter information necessary to forecast the cost required to manufacture the printed work to the second terminal for use by the printing facility, the computer further including means responsive to said remotely input printing parameters and interacting with the printing facility by a series of queries and responses through the second terminal via the input/output means for receiving and storing in the memory means pricing and administrative information concerning the printing of the work, and means for transmitting selected pricing and administrative information to the first terminal for use by the printing requester, the first terminal including means for displaying the selected pricing and administrative information to the printing requester and means for permitting the requester at the remote location to select whether to proceed with the printing of the work by the printing facility based upon the pricing and administrative information.

Claim 3

A system according to claim 1 wherein the programmed computer includes means for processing a portion of the information concerning the printing parameters and the pricing and administrative information to obtain at least one dependent parameter value.

Claim 4

A system according to claim 1 wherein the programmed computer includes: a reference file containing a set of predetermined values for at least one parameter; means for interactively querying the requester to obtain a parameter value from the requester; and means for comparing the parameter value of the requester with the predetermined values for the plurality of parameters to obtain a comparison result.

Claim 5

A system according to claim 3 wherein the means for interactively querying the requester generates a plurality of queries and the identity of at least one of the plurality of queries depends on at least one comparison result generated from a preceding query.

Claim 6

A system according to claim 4 wherein the parameter values obtained from the requester include printing parameter values.

Claim 7

A system according to claim 5 wherein the printing parameter values obtained from the requester comprise all the information necessary for printing the work.

Claim 8

A system according to claim 4 wherein the additional parameter values include values relating to scanner enlargement or reduction settings.

Claim 9

A system according to claim 3 wherein the parameter values obtained from the requester include a customer identification.

Claim 10

A system according to claim 8 wherein the customer identification include a job identification code.

Claim 11

A system according to claim 3 including a reference file containing at least one predetermined printing parameter design template, and the computer further includes means for querying the requester whether the predetermined template is to be used.

Claim 12

A system according to claim 10 wherein the computer includes means for querying the requester whether one of the plurality of alternative predetermined templates is to be used.

Claim 13

A system according to claim 3 wherein the parameter value obtained from the requester includes parameter values relating to scaling of a graphic, and the computer includes means for computing additional parameter values relating to the graphic, the additional parameter values being transmitted via the input/output means to the first terminal for display to the requester.

Claim 14

A system according to claim 12 wherein the additional values include values relating to camera copy lens board for reproduction of a graphic.

Claim 15

A system according to claim 1 wherein the computer includes input/output means for communicating with at least one of the first and second terminals through dedicated telephone lines for the transmission of high speed data.

Claim 16

A system according to claim 1 wherein the first terminal includes means for inputting graphic subject matter.

Claim 17

A system according to claim 15 wherein the means for inputting graphic subject matter includes optical scanner means.

Claim 18

A system according to claim 1 wherein the second terminal includes means for inputting graphic subject matter.

Claim 19

A system according to claim 17 wherein the means for inputting graphic subject matter includes optical scanner means.

Claim 20

A system according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of first terminals at different locations remote from the printing facility for use by printing requesters.

Claim 21

A system according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of second terminals for use by the printing facility.

Claim 22

A system according to claim 20 wherein the plurality of second terminals are distributed among a plurality of printing facilities.

Claim 23

A system according to claim 1 wherein the information concerning parameters for printing of the work includes the number of pages of the work.

Claim 24

A system according to claim 1 wherein the information concerning parameters for printing of the work includes the average number of lines of text per page of the work.

Claim 25

A system according to claim 1 wherein the information concerning parameters for printing of the work includes the average length of a line of text of the work.

Claim 26

A system according to claim 1 wherein the information concerning parameters for printing the work includes the type face selected for the text of the work.

Claim 27

A system according to claim 1 wherein the information concerning parameters for printing the work includes the point size for the typeset copy of the work.

Claim 28

A system according to claim 1 wherein the information concerning parameters for printing the work includes the pica count per point size and type face.

Claim 29

A system according to claim 1 wherein the information concerning parameters for printing the work includes the lead in for the main body of the typeset copy of the work.

Claim 30

A system according to claim 1 wherein the information concerning parameters for printing the work includes identification of the typesetting or printing equipment to be used in printing the work.

Claim 31

A system according to claim 1 wherein the information concerning parameters for printing the work includes page size dimensions for the finished copy of the work.

Claim 32

A system according to claim 1 wherein the information concerning parameters for printing the work includes the number of columns per page of the finished copy of the work.

Claim 33

A system according to claim 1 wherein the information concerning parameters for printing the work includes identification of special effects desired by the requester.

Claim 34

A system according to claim 1 wherein the information concerning parameters for printing the work includes the depth of composition of the finished copy of the work.

Claim 35

A system according to claim 1 wherein the information concerning parameters for printing the work includes section heading specifications.

Claim 36

A system according to claim 1 wherein the information concerning parameters for printing the work includes illustration specifications.

Claim 37

A system according to claim 1 wherein the programmed computer additionally comprises means for converting information concerning printing parameters received from a requester from a first format to a second format.

Claim 38

A system according to claim 1 wherein the programmed computer includes means for computing parameter values from the information concerning printing parameters supplied by the requester and for transmitting the computed parameter values to the requester via the input/output means and the first terminal.

Claim 39

A system according to claim 37, the computer additionally comprising means for receiving from the requester via the first terminal and the input/output means alterations in the information concerning the printing parameters previously received the requester; means for computing revised printing parameters from the altered printing parameter information, and means for transmitting the revised printing parameter values to the first terminal via the input output means for review by the requester.

Claim 40

A system according to claim 1 comprising a plurality of terminals and means for transmitting information from at least one of the terminals to at least one other of the terminals.

Claim 41

A system according to claim 39 wherein the information includes textural and graphics information.

Claim 42

A system according to claim 39 wherein the programmed computer includes means for receiving information from at least one of the terminals; means for storing the information; and means for subsequently transmitting the information to at least one other of the terminals.

Claim 43

A system according to claim 41 wherein the programmed computer includes means for transmitting the stored information on receipt of a transmission request from the terminal to which the stored information is to be sent.

Claim 44

A system according to claim 1 wherein the first terminal receives job status inquiries from an inquirer and transmits the job status inquiries via the input/output means to the programmed computer, the programmed computer including a job status file, the programmed computer further including means for receiving and responding to the job status inquiries using the job status file, the first terminal receiving and displaying the response of the programmed computer concerning the job status inquiry.

Claim 45

A system according to claim 44 wherein the second terminal receives job status data and transmits the job status data to the programmed computer via the input/output means, the programmed computer further including means for receiving the job status data from the second terminal and storing the job status data in the job status file.

Claim 46

A system according to claim 44 wherein a portion of the job status data is received by the second terminal from an operator.

Claim 47

A system according to claim 44 wherein a portion of the job status data is received by the second terminal from an automated data generation device.

Claim 48

A system according to claim 1 wherein the computer includes means for generating information to assist in the management of the printing facility from the information received from the requester and the information received from the printing facility.

Claim 49

A system according to claim 1 wherein the computer includes means for generating additional information to facilitate the actual printing of the work from the information received from the requester and the information received from the printing facility, the additional information being transmitted from the computer via the input/output means to the second terminal.

Claim 50

A system according to claim 1 wherein the computer includes means for evaluating the printing parameters and the work and for generating administrative information based upon the equipment which may be used for printing the work.

Claim 51

A system according to claim 49 wherein the information generated by the computer includes information pertaining to the cost involved in printing the work for each type of equipment upon which the work may be printed.

Claim 52

A system according to claim 49 wherein the information generated by the computer includes an analysis of the time required for printing the work on each type of equipment upon which the work may be printed.

Claim 53

A system according to claim 49 wherein the information generated by the computer includes an estimation of the paper and other waste which would result by the printing of the work for each type of machine upon which the work may be printed.

Claim 54

A system according to claim 49 wherein the information generated by the computer includes information regarding the availability of each type of equipment upon which the work may be printed.

Claim 57

A system according to claim 54 wherein the stored set of printing rules comprises a reference file containing a set of predetermined values for a plurality of parameters at least one of the parameter values of the requester is compared with at least one of the predetermined values for the plurality of parameters.

Claim 58

A system according to claim 55 wherein the means for interactively querying the requester includes means for generating a plurality of queries and the identity of at least one of the plurality of queries depends on at least one comparison result generated from a proceeding query.

Claim 59

A system according to claim 55 wherein the information concerning parameters for the printing of the work includes information concerning at least one of the size and number of pages of the finished work, the number of sides to be printed, the number of copies required, the number of colors to be printed, and the specific colors to printed.

Claim 60

A system according to claim 55 wherein the information concerning parameters for the printing of the work includes information relating to press type and plate type to be used in printing the work.

Claim 61

A system according to claim 55 wherein the information concerning parameters for the printing of the work includes information relating to paper stock type and characteristics.

Claim 62

A system according to claim 55 wherein the information concerning parameters for the printing of the work includes information relating to binding of the work.

Claim 63

A process for automated control of the printing of a work by a printing facility at a location remote from a printing requester comprising: receiving from a printing requester by a series of queries and responses information concerning parameters necessary to forecast at least the cost required for the printing of the work; storing at least a set of printing rules, and the information concerning the parameters necessary to forecast at least the cost required for the printing of the work in a programmed computer having a memory and input/output means; comparing the information concerning the parameters with the printing rules and informing the requester if a rule is violated; transmitting the printing parameter information necessary to forecast the cost required to manufacture the printed work from the computer to the printing facility; receiving from a printing facility by a series of queries and responses and storing in the computer pricing and administrative information concerning the printing of the work; transmitting at least a portion of the pricing an administrative information concerning the printing of the work to the printing requester; and selecting whether to proceed with the pricing of the work by the printing facility based upon the received pricing and administrative information.

Claim 64

A process for automated control of the printing of a work by a printing facility at a location remote from a printing requester comprising: receiving from a printing requester by a series of queries and responses information concerning parameters necessary to forecast at least the cost required for the printing of the work; storing at least a set of printing rules, and the information concerning the parameters necessary to forecast at least the cost required for the printing of the work in a programmed computer having a memory and input/output means; comparing the information concerning the parameters with the printing rules and informing the requester if a rule is violated; transmitting the printing parameter information necessary to forecast the cost required to manufacture the printed work from the computer to the printing facility; receiving from a printing facility by a series of queries and responses and storing in the computer pricing and administrative information concerning the printing of the work; transmitting at least a portion of the pricing an administrative information concerning the printing of the work to the printing requester; and selecting whether to proceed with the pricing of the work by the printing facility based upon the received pricing and administrative information.

Claim 65

A process according to claim 61 wherein the stored set of printing rules comprises a reference file containing a set of predetermined values for a plurality of parameters, and at least one of the parameter values of the requester is compared with at least one of the predetermined values of the plurality of parameters of the reference file.

Claim 66

A process according to claim 61 wherein the computer includes means which generates a plurality of queries and the identity of at least one of the plurality of queries depends on at least one comparison results generated from a preceding query.

Claim 67

A telecommunications system for automated control of the printing of a work by a printing facility from a requester at a location remote from the printing facility comprising: a first terminal at a location remote from a printing facility for use by a printing requester for receiving from the requester information concerning printing parameters necessary to forecast at least the cost required to manufacture the printed work; a plurality of second terminals, one such second terminal located at each of a plurality of printing facilities for receiving from the respective printing facility pricing and administrative information concerning the printing of a work; and a programmed computer having memory means for storing at least a set of printing rules and input/output means, the computer being in communication with the first terminal and with each of the second terminals, the computer including means for interacting with the printing requester by a series of queries and responses through the first terminal via the input/output means, for receiving and storing in the memory means for printing parameters, for comparing said printing parameters with the stored printing rules and for informing the requester if a rule is violated, the computer including means for transmitting the printing parameter information necessary to forecast the cost required to manufacture the printed work to each of the second terminals for use by the printing facilities, the computer further including means responsive to the printing parameters and interacting with the printing facilities by a series of queries and responses through the respective second terminals, via the input/output means, for receiving and storing in the memory means pricing and administrative information concerning the printing of the work by each of the printing facilities and means for transmitting at least a portion of the pricing and administrative information for each of the printing facilities to the first terminal for use by the printing requester, the first terminal including means for displaying the received pricing and administrative information for each of the printing facilities and means for permitting the requester, at the remote location, to select whether to proceed with the printing of the work and to select the printing facility which is to print the work.

Claim 68

A telecommunications system for automated control of the printing of a work by a printing facility from a requester at a location remote from the printing facility comprising: a first terminal at a location remote from a printing facility for use by a printing requester for receiving from the requester information concerning printing parameters necessary to forecast at least the cost required to manufacture the printed work; a plurality of second terminals, one such second terminal located at each of a plurality of printing facilities for receiving from the respective printing facility pricing and administrative information concerning the printing of a work; and a programmed computer having memory means for storing at least a set of printing rules and input/output means, the computer being in communication with the first terminal and with each of the second terminals, the computer including means for interacting with the printing requester by a series of queries and responses through the first terminal via the input/output means, for receiving and storing in the memory means for printing parameters, for comparing said printing parameters with the stored printing rules and for informing the requester if a rule is violated, the computer including means for transmitting the printing parameter information necessary to forecast the cost required to manufacture the printed work to each of the second terminals for use by the printing facilities, the computer further including means responsive to the printing parameters and interacting with the printing facilities by a series of queries and responses through the respective second terminals, via the input/output means, for receiving and storing in the memory means pricing and administrative information concerning the printing of the work by each of the printing facilities and means for transmitting at least a portion of the pricing and administrative information for each of the printing facilities to the first terminal for use by the printing requester, the first terminal including means for displaying the received pricing and administrative information for each of the printing facilities and means for permitting the requester, at the remote location, to select whether to proceed with the printing of the work and to select the printing facility which is to print the work.