U.S. patent application number 10/088715 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-26 for method and apparatus for automated on-line printing service.
Invention is credited to Roche, Alex.
Application Number | 20040039647 10/088715 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26244698 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040039647 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roche, Alex |
February 26, 2004 |
Method and apparatus for automated on-line printing service
Abstract
One object of the present invention is to utilize infrastructure
to create an on-line marketplace for print services, in a manner
which balances the interests of a plurality of users of print
services, with the interest of a plurality of print service
providers in an efficient manner. Another object of the present
invention is to provide an infrastructure for print on demand
services provided over the internet, with full automation of print
ordering, including competitive tendering for print services, and
automated printing prior to delivery of prints to a customer.
Inventors: |
Roche, Alex; (Barcelona,
ES) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HEWLETT PACKARD COMPANY
P O BOX 272400, 3404 E. HARMONY ROAD
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ADMINISTRATION
FORT COLLINS
CO
80527-2400
US
|
Family ID: |
26244698 |
Appl. No.: |
10/088715 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2002 |
PCT Filed: |
July 18, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP01/08306 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.4 ;
705/26.81; 705/27.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0611 20130101;
G06Q 30/0613 20130101; G06Q 30/0601 20130101; G06Q 30/0643
20130101; G06Q 30/0623 20130101; G06Q 30/0635 20130101; G07F 17/26
20130101; G06Q 30/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/26 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 21, 2000 |
GB |
0017919.2 |
Aug 11, 2000 |
GB |
0019668.3 |
Claims
1. A method of operating an on-line retailing operation for
retailing of at least one print product to a customer, said print
product supplied by a print merchant operation, said method
comprising the steps of: displaying a plurality of image items for
remote viewing by said customer; transacting an order of a first
type with said customer for supply of said at least one print
product; transacting an order of a second type with said print
merchant for fulfillment of said first type order.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of
transacting an order of a first type comprises: receiving a
specification of said print products from said customer, said
specification comprising data selected from the set, media size;
media type; number of copies; delivery name; delivery address; ink
type.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said step of
transacting an order of a first type comprises receiving a
specification of said print products from a customer terminal, in
the form of an electronically transmitted data file.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of
transacting an order of a second type comprises the steps: sending
an order to said print merchant, specifying details of said print
products; and receiving confirmation of said order from said print
merchant.
5. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said step of sending
an order to a said print merchant comprises sending said order in
the form of an electronically transmitted data file.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step
of: receiving a price data from said print merchant.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step
of: obtaining an electronic image data describing a said image
item; said electronic image data obtained via a communications
network; and electronically sending said electronic image data to
said print merchant.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step
of: storing an electronic contract data describing a contract
between a content retailer operation and a print merchant
operation.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said contract defines a
relationship between said content retailer operation and said print
merchant operation in respect of at least one of the following
parameters; a definition of a print product; a special discount
available to a content retailer operation; a plurality of prices
for said print products.
10. The method as claimed in claim 8 comprising the step of
calculating a price data according to said stored electronic
contract.
11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of
transacting an order of a second type with a said print merchant,
comprises: itemizing separately, for each of a plurality of print
service providers; a delivery price for delivery from said print
service provider to a delivery address; and a print price, for
printing at least one print product, defined in said second order
type.
12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of
transacting an order of a first type with said customer comprises:
for each of a plurality of print products: displaying a print
product price; and displaying a separately itemized delivery cost
for delivery of said print product.
13. An on-line image content retailer operation, said on-line image
content retailer operation comprising at least one computer entity
capable of: displaying a plurality of image items for remote
viewing by a plurality of customer terminals; transacting orders of
a first type for supply of print products with at least one said
customer terminal; transacting orders of a second type for sourcing
fulfillment of a said first type order, with at least one print
merchant.
14. The content retailer operation as claimed in claim 13, wherein
said step of transacting orders of a second type include transfer
of price information, in which a delivery price is itemized
separately from a print price for printing a plurality of print
products.
15. The content retailer operation as claimed in claim 13, wherein
said computer entity further operates to: store an electronic
contract data defining a contract between said content retailer
operation and said print merchant operation.
16. At least one computer entity capable of: displaying a plurality
of image items for remote viewing by a plurality of customer
terminals; transacting orders of a first type for supply of print
products with at least one said customer terminal; transacting
orders of a second type for sourcing fulfillment of a said first
type order, with at least one print merchant.
17. A method of operating a print service provider facility
comprising: receiving an electronic order for a plurality of print
products; receiving electronically an image content data; and
transferring electronically said image content to a printer device,
and printing an image content onto a print media to produce said
print product in fulfillment of said order.
18. The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising the step
of: acknowledging receipt of said order by generation of an on-line
message.
19. The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising the steps
of: generating a tracking message describing a status of production
of said order within said print service provider; and making said
tracking message available on-line.
20. The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising the steps
of: arranging shipping of said print products to a delivery address
specified in said order, by sending an electronic shipping message
to a courier operation.
21. A method of operating a print merchant operation for matching a
plurality of orders of a first type for print products, with a
plurality of print service provider operations capable of
fulfilling said order, said method comprising the steps of:
receiving a request for an order identification; issuing an order
identification in response to said request; receiving a said order
of a second type for supply of print products; acknowledging said
order; selecting a print service provider operation from said
plurality of print service provider operations; placing an order of
a third type with at least one said selected print service
provider, for ordering supply of said print products.
22. The method as claimed in claim 21 further comprising the steps
of: receiving a request for a quotation for fulfilling said second
type order; generating a quotation for fulfilling said second type
order; sending said quotation for fulfilling said first type order
to a remote computer entity.
23. The method as claimed in claim 21 further comprising the steps
of; receiving a tracking message from said selected print service
provider, containing data describing a status of printed products
subject of said send type order; and making said tracking message
available to a computer entity originating said first type
order.
24. The method as claimed in claim 21 further comprising the steps
of: issuing a request to a remote computerentity, for download of
image data content from said remote computer entity; and receiving
said image data content in response to said request.
25. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein in response to said
event of receiving a said order of a second type, carrying out the
steps of: checking a time stamp of an identification code of said
order against a predetermined timeout period; if said time stamp is
expired, rejecting said order; if said time stamp is expired,
notifying a sender of said order that said time stamp is
invalid.
26. The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising the step
of: storing in a database, an electronic contract defining a
relationship between said print merchant operation, and a content
retailer operation.
27. The method as claimed in claim 21 comprising the step of:
determining a quote to a content retailer operation in accordance
with said stored electronic contract between said content retailer
operation and said print merchant operation.
28. The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising the step
of: storing an electronic contract data defining a contract between
said print merchant operation, and a print service provider
operation.
29. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein said step of
selecting a print service provider operation from said plurality of
print service provider operations is carried out by selecting a
said print service provider operation on the basis of said stored
electronic contract data between said print merchant operation and
said print service provider operation.
30. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said step of
selecting a print service provider operation from said plurality of
print service provider operations comprises: selecting a said print
service provider on the basis of a final price, where the final
price is itemized as a print price and a delivery price.
31. At least one computer entity configured for: receiving
electronically, a plurality of orders of a second type, for supply
of at least one print product; selecting a print service provider
operation from a plurality of print service provider operations;
and placing at least one order of a third type with at least one
selected said print service provider for ordering supply of said at
least one print product.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of printing, and
particularly, although not exclusively, to a method and apparatus
for enabling an improved e-printing service solution.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventional print service facilities comprise one or a
plurality of printers in a single physical location, e.g. a print
shop or print room, which provide to a customer a printing service
for posters, brochures, leaflets, copies of photographs and the
like. Typically, a print service facility may comprise one or more
large format printers capable of printing to large format size
media, for example a HP DesignJet printer, and may comprise one or
a plurality of smaller format printers, for example HP laser jet
printers for printing smaller format sizes, e.g. A4 or similar.
[0003] Such printers may print images supplied by a customer on
data carrier, for example CD ROM, floppy disk or the like. It is
known for a print service provider to provide direct to a customer
an internet enabled driver for installation on a customer's own
computer which is capable of sending customer generated images from
the customer's computer to a computer at the print facility. Such
systems are limited to single print companies providing proprietary
internet enabled drivers to their customers, for using the
facilities of the print service provider only.
[0004] Mediaflex.com (http://www.mediaflex.com) offer an internet
accessible printing service using a standard web browser interface.
This service is of the type provided by a single print service
provider directly to their customers.
[0005] Internet content retailer Barnes and Noble, offers posters
for sale, which are supplied by print service provider Buynlarge,
who provide a centralized printing facility in a single location.
However, this service only supports limited print sizes.
[0006] Other companies having an internet presence include Impress,
and Colleria, both of which act as on-line intermediaries for
brokerage of print jobs, to match on-line print service buyers with
print service providers. However, this service is not fully
automated and it is left for the buyers to contact the print
service providers direct for transfer of image content, and for
invoicing purposes.
[0007] Similarly, the on-line company Iprint, provides an on-line
service over the internet for customizing business cards,
promotional material and the like. However, this service does not
provide a fully automated printing service for online
customers.
[0008] The known Mimeo service provides centralized printing, but
is restricted to serving US customers only, and provides small
format prints, supporting only a single paper size.
[0009] Prior art on-line print service solutions are restricted to
a small number of individual print service providers offering
online image transfer facilities to their customers, and without
choice of print service provider.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] One object of the present invention is to utilize internet
infrastructure to create an on-line marketplace for print services,
in a manner which balances the interests of a plurality of users of
print services, with the interests of a plurality of print service
providers in an efficient manner.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
infrastructure for print on demand services provided over the
internet, with full automation of print ordering, including
competitive tendering for print services, and automated printing
prior to delivery of prints to a customer.
[0012] An automated print on demand service as disclosed herein, is
accessible over a communication network, for example the internet
and matches a plurality of customers for print services to a
plurality of print service providers, satisfying orders for print
services placed by the customers on-line over the network.
Customers may include content retailer website operators, providing
a content selection made available to the general public over the
internet. For example, content retail websites may make available a
series of images suitable for producing large format posters which
can be ordered by the general public, or to subscribers of the
website using an e-commerce engine comprising the content retailer
website. Other customers may include direct customers such as
design agencies, marketing companies or the like who may generate
repeat business for orders of print products.
[0013] A programmatic interface is provided to content retailer
websites to enable those websites to fulfil requests for on-line
printing via a print merchant. The print merchant is responsible
for sending the content to a selected print service provider who
prints the demanded print items. Prints are shipped to the user by
a courier service. The end user may be the customer themselves or
who may be a person specified by the customer. The programmatic
interface provided to the content retailer websites comprises a set
of libraries which facilitates the connection of the website to the
print merchant.
[0014] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of operating an on-line retailing operation
for retailing of at least one print product to a customer, said
print product supplied by a print merchant operation, said method
comprising the steps of:
[0015] displaying a plurality of image items for remote viewing by
said customer;
[0016] transacting an order of a first type with said customer for
supply of said at least one print product;
[0017] transacting an order of a second type with said print
merchant for fulfillment of said first type order.
[0018] According to the second aspect of the present invention,
there is provided an on-line image content retailer operation, said
on-line image content retailer operation comprising at least one
computer entity capable of:
[0019] displaying a plurality of image items for remote viewing by
a plurality of customer terminals;
[0020] transacting orders of a first type for supply of print
products with at least one said customer terminal;
[0021] transacting orders of a second type for sourcing fulfillment
of a said first type order, with at least one print merchant.
[0022] The invention includes at least one computer entity capable
of:
[0023] displaying a plurality of image items for remote viewing by
a plurality of customer terminals;
[0024] transacting orders of a first type for supply of print
products with at least one said customer terminal;
[0025] transacting orders of a second type for sourcing fulfillment
of a said first type order, with at least one print merchant.
[0026] According to a third aspect of the present invention there
is provided a method of operating a print merchant operation for
matching a plurality of orders of a first type for print products,
with a plurality of print service provider operations capable of
fulfilling said order, said method comprising the steps of:
[0027] receiving a request for an order identification;
[0028] issuing an order identification in response to said
request;
[0029] receiving a said order of a second type for supply of print
products;
[0030] acknowledging said order;
[0031] selecting a print service provider operation from said
plurality of print service provider operations;
[0032] placing an order of a third type with at least one said
selected print service provider, for ordering supply of said print
products.
[0033] The invention includes at least one computer entity
configured for:
[0034] receiving electronically, a plurality of orders of a second
type, for supply of at least one print product;
[0035] selecting a print service provider operation from a
plurality of print service provider operations; and
[0036] placing at least one order of a third type with at least one
selected said print service provider for ordering supply of said at
least one print product.
[0037] In the specific implementations according to the present
invention, the whole process of transacting an order for print
products, and arranging the printing of those products is handled
automatically on-line. All the necessary content information,
orders, and specifications of print products are transmitted
on-line automatically between computer entities, and a print
service provider is automatically selected.
[0038] Other aspects of the invention are as recited in the claims
attached hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how
the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by
way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes
according to the present invention with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates schematically an on-line distributed
printing network for providing efficient allocation of print
services to a plurality of customers;
[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a physical view of part of
an internet enabled print service provider business according to a
specific implementation of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates schematically a logical overview of an
on-line distributed printing network according to the specific
implementation of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates schematically logical components
implementing the on-line distributed print network of FIG. 1;
[0044] FIG. 5 illustrates schematically components of a retail
customer terminal, content retailer computer, print merchant
computer, and print manager computer comprising the distributed
printing network of FIG. 1;
[0045] FIG. 6 illustrates schematically a contract model
representing a plurality of electronic contracts between computer
entities comprising the distributed printing network of FIG. 1;
[0046] FIG. 7 illustrates schematically a method of operation of a
plurality of computing entities comprising the distributed printing
network of FIG. 1, communicating to transact and fulfil an order
for print products on-line;
[0047] FIG. 8 illustrates schematically components of a quote to a
customer made by a content retailer computer;
[0048] FIG. 9 illustrates schematically a mode of operation of a
content retailer computer entity for receiving an order from a
retail customer terminal, and satisfying that order by issuing an
order to a print merchant computer-entity;
[0049] FIG. 10 illustrates schematically a first mode operation of
a print merchant computer entity for allocating identifications to
received orders;
[0050] FIG. 11 illustrates schematically a second mode of operation
of a print merchant computer entity for production of quotations to
other computer entities;
[0051] FIG. 12 illustrates schematically a third mode of operation
of a print merchant computer for receiving orders and checking that
orders contain valid order identification codes;
[0052] FIG. 13 illustrates schematically a fourth mode of operation
of a print merchant computer for obtaining image data content
on-line;
[0053] FIG. 14 illustrates schematically a structure of an order
ticket XML file used by a print merchant computer entity for
communicating with other computer entities;
[0054] FIG. 15 illustrates schematically an order control section
of the order ticket file of FIG. 14;
[0055] FIG. 16 illustrates schematically a section describing what
to print, of the order ticket document of FIG. 14;
[0056] FIG. 17 illustrates schematically a section of the order
ticket document of FIG. 14 defining how to print an order;
[0057] FIG. 18 illustrates schematically a section of the order
ticket document, describing how to ship and where to ship an order;
and
[0058] FIG. 19 illustrates schematically a mode of operation of a
print manager computer entity for receiving and fulfilling an
electronically received order for print products.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
INVENTION
[0059] There will now be described by way of example the best mode
contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. In
the following description numerous specific details are set forth
in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present
invention. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art,
that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to
these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and
structures have not been described in detail so as not to
unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0060] Whilst the following description applies to a plurality of
computer entities communicating over the internet, it will be
understood by the person skilled in the art, that in general such
entities may communicate over any communications network, including
virtual private networks (VPN's), local area networks (LAN's),
mobile telecommunications networks or the like.
[0061] In this specification, the term `on-line` used in the
context of computer entities or businesses, means a computer entity
or business as appropriate, which can send and/or receive products
and/or services in the form of electronic data over a
communications network. The computer entity and/or business may
also be capable of carrying out transactions over the
communications link, in the form of exchanges of electronic data
with other computer entities or businesses, over the communications
network.
[0062] In this specification, the term `communications network`
includes any communications network over which a plurality of
computer entities can communicate with each other by transfer of
electronic data files. Such networks include both packet switched
and circuit switched networks, and hybrids of packet
switched/circuit switched networks. Examples of such networks
include the internet, wide area networks (WAN's). Various protocols
such as internet protocol (IP); asynchronous transfer mode (ATM);
wireless application protocol (WAP) and the like may be used.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 1 herein, there is illustrated
schematically a physical architecture of an on-line distributed
printing network for providing printing services to a plurality of
customer terminals 104, in response to a plurality of orders from
customers, who may also be the end users. The network comprises a
plurality of internet-enabled print service providers 105-107 each
capable of providing physical prints in response to orders for
printed images; an internet-enabled print merchant computer entity
100 for matching a plurality of orders for print services to the
plurality of print service providers 105-107; one or a plurality of
internet-enabled content provider computer entities 101 capable of
providing image data; a plurality of content retailer computer
entities 102, 103, each capable of receiving orders from
subscribers, e.g. the general public, for printed images; and one
or a plurality of courier service providers 117-119 acting to
deliver physical prints to specified end users.
[0064] Individual internet-enabled businesses may be characterized
by the service or product which they provide, and the type of
computer entity which they utilize as follows:
[0065] A content retailer business, has a content retailer computer
entity 102, 103 and provides image content on-line to customers by
offering such content via a website. The customers, usually direct
retail customers e.g. members of the public, using personal
computers having web browsers may view web pages made available at
the content retailer computer entity, and may order on-line prints
of those images, using a known web site e-commerce engine for
handling payment details.
[0066] A content provider business has a content provider computer
entity 101, storing a plurality of image data, of interest to
individuals and businesses and deliverable on-line. For example, a
content provider business may provide a library of pictures, in
data format, stored in a database and made accessible over the
internet by a content provider computer entity 101.
[0067] A print merchant business, has a print merchant computer
entity 100, and provides a service to business customers, direct
retail customers, content retailer websites and content providers,
as well as to one or more print service providers. For the content
retailer business, the print merchant allows conversion of orders
from subscribers to those content retailer business into high
quality prints which can be sold by the content retailer websites,
with reliability of print and delivery to end users. For the
content provider website, the print merchant business offers the
proposition to convert their image content into high quality
posters which the content retailer website can sell direct to their
on-line customers. The print merchant business handles the printing
and delivery service for the content retailers business with
reliability. For the print service providers, the print merchant
offers capture of printing demand to keep the print service
providers busy and provides assistance in managing workflow
automatically to the print service provider. Print service
providers are connected to print merchant 100 by their print
manager computers, which act as e-servers 108-110. Each e-server
allows a plurality of printing devices 111-116 to be connected to
the print merchant. For the print service providers, the print
merchant business offers the proposition of capturing printing
demand, particularly large format printing demand for the print
service providers, and providing the equipment to help the print
service provider manage a print on-demand printing service to
fulfil the demand, managing workflow automatically within the print
service providers operation, and minimizing manual
intervention.
[0068] A print service provider business comprises an on-line
enabled print manager computer entity 108-110, and one or a
plurality of printer devices 111-116, the print manager computer
entity capable of receiving orders from the print merchant computer
entity on-line, e.g. over the internet, and capable of receiving
on-line image data direct from the content provider computer
entity, content retailer entity, or print merchant entity.
[0069] Individual customer computer entities connect to the
internet in known manner using, for example, a modem, ISDN line, or
the like. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
whilst communications between computer entities have been described
as being over the TCP/IP internet, in the best mode, the invention
is not restricted to such means of communications, but may make use
of any suitable communications network or a mixture of network
links, including, but not limited to, virtual private networks
(VPN's), local area networks (LAN's), wide area networks (WAN's),
using any suitable routing and/or transport protocols.
[0070] A customer terminal 104 may include any computer entity
capable of sending an order for print products or print services to
a print merchant business 303 or a content retailer business 302.
Customer terminals may be categorized into two basic types:
firstly, those without the facility to directly order print
products or services from print merchant computer entity 100.
Herein after these terminals are referred to as retail customer
terminals. Secondly, customer terminals having means for ordering
print products or services directly from print merchant computer
entity 100 herein after this type of customer terminal will be
referred to as a business customer terminal. Business customer
terminals are enabled to send image data directly over an on-line
communication, e.g. the internet, to print service manager computer
100, as well as give orders for print products and services. Retail
customer terminals typically comprise a personal computer or the
like, equipped with a web browser as are known in the prior art. A
retail customer terminal may include a special terminal having a
touch-sensitive screen, and dedicated application software to drive
the touch-sensitive screen, provided at a retail location, whereby
members of the public may order print products using the
touch-sensitive screen, which orders are then communicated on-line
to a print merchant computer entity. Instead of using an internet
browser, the special application software replaces the browser and
is configured to be easier to navigate than a browser by members of
the general public.
[0071] Content provider computer entity 101 comprises a database
storing a plurality of digital image content data representing a
plurality of images, and an internet compatible communications
interface, making available the digital image content data over a
communications link.
[0072] Print merchant computer entity 100 comprises a server
computer capable of communicating on-line with the plurality of
print service providers 105-107, one or a plurality of content
provider computers 101, one or a plurality of content retailer
computer entity 102,103, one or a plurality of business customer
terminals, and optionally one or a plurality of server computers
belonging to one or a plurality of respective courier
businesses.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 2 herein there is illustrated
schematically a view of one example of a print service provider
facility 105. Print service provider facility 105 comprises at
least one print manager computer entity-200, one or a plurality of
printer devices 201-203 for printing out print products
encompassing images received via print manager 200, the plurality
of printers printing out under control of print manager 200 which
automatically allocates print jobs to individual printers,
depending upon a media type loaded on the printer, and according to
algorithms for efficient utilization of print media and printer
resources. Additionally, the print service provider facility
comprises a finishing department, not shown in FIG. 2, for applying
special finishes to print products, for example lamination, gloss
finishes or the like; and a shipping department for packaging
orders of print products into packaging, for example roll tubes,
boxes or plastics, envelopes.
[0074] The plurality of printer devices 201-203 may provide a
selection of different printer devices capable of handling
different sizes of print media. Each printer device receives
instructions for printing of images, as well as image data itself
from the print manager computer 200 according to print orders
received over the internet by print manager computer 200. Print
manager 200, additionally prints out instructions to human
operators, in the form of paper work order sheets and packing slips
containing labels, to enable human operators to collect print
products from the plurality of printer devices, and to efficiently
process the print products through the finishing department and
shipping department. The instructions may be printed via a locally
connected peripheral printer 204, e.g. a HP LaserJet device or
similar.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 3 herein, there is illustrated
schematically a logical architecture of the on-line distributed
printing network shown in FIG. 1 herein. Various types of customer
are envisaged. A first type of customer 300 (a retail customer)
includes members of the general public accessing the internet by
conventional manner, typically using a personal computer, or
equivalent type computer 301 equipped with a conventional web
browser facility or a specifically designed retail terminal having
a touch-sensitive screen. The retail customer 300 surf the world
wide web to find a website 302 provided by a content retailer
business. The customer selects an image content, e.g. a poster from
the website, and the content retailer 302 then instructs print
merchant business 303 to provide and deliver one or more posters to
an end user 304 specified by the customer who may be the customer
themselves, or a third party specified by the customer by placing
an order at content retailer website 302. Image data for the
content, i.e. the image order by the customer 300, may be provided
from an internal database at the content retailer website 302, or
via an external content provider 305 who may send that image data
over the internet to content retailer website 302, or direct to
print merchant 303, as instructed by an order from content retailer
website 302 to print merchant 303.
[0076] In one mode of operation the print service provider may
obtain image content data from the print merchant computer. In
another mode of operation, the print service provider may obtain
image content data directly from a content provider or content
owner, using an address supplied by the print merchant computer
entity. Having received an order from content retailer website 302,
print merchant 303 selects one or more of a plurality of print
service provider businesses 306-308, based upon criteria of:
[0077] Ability of print service provider to fulfil the order.
[0078] Availability of print service provider to fulfil the
order.
[0079] Price quoted by the print service provider(s) for fulfilling
the order.
[0080] Any other contractual terms which the print merchant
business 303 holds with one or more of the print service provider
businesses 306-308.
[0081] A print service provider receiving an order from print
merchant 303 fulfils that order by printing the necessary print
products specified in the order, and ships these to the end user
304 using a courier business 309.
[0082] A second type of customer 310 may include business
customers, for example graphics design businesses, advertising,
agencies, architectural practices, or any professional or
manufacturing service or business requiring flexible printing
services, and operating graphics software packages capable of
generating image data for printing in electronic format. Business
customers 310 differ from retail customers 300 in that they may
interact directly with print merchant business 303 by means of a
driver interface 311 supplied by print merchant business 303
enabling a business customer's in-house graphics computer 312 to
communicate directly with a print merchant computer entity at the
print merchant business 303. Business customers 310 may generate
their own image content through their in-house graphics software,
which may be sent to print merchant business 303 in order to fulfil
a business customer order for printed products incorporating image
data supplied by the business customer.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 4 herein, there is illustrated
schematically logical components required to implement the on-line
distributed printing network of FIG. 1, in one implementation. The
logical components may comprise applications programs suitable for
installation into conventional general purpose computers, to adapt
those computers to perform the functions of a business customer
terminal, a content provider computer entity, a content retailer
computer entity, a print manager computer entity, and a print
merchant computer entity. Logical components may include a business
customer interface application 400, for interfacing with a
customer's own graphics application, a content retailer interface
application 401 for interfacing the content retailer computer
entity with the print merchant computer entity, a print merchant
application resident in the print merchant computer entity 100 for
carrying out the functions of the print merchant computer entity;
and a print manager application 403 resident in print manager a
computer entity 107, enabling operation of that computer entity. In
other implementations, the logical entities 400-403 may be provided
as application specific integrated circuits in embodiments of
computer entities which are not based upon general purpose
computers, but are custom built. However, the logical entities are
optimally implemented as applications which can be incorporated
into the various computer entities.
[0084] Referring to FIG. 5 herein, there is illustrated
schematically components of a retail customer terminal 500, content
retailer computer 501, a print merchant computer entity 502, and a
print manager computer entity 503.
[0085] Retail customer computer entity comprising a communications
port 504, a processor 504 with associated memory 506, an operating
system 507, for example Unix.RTM., Linux.RTM., Microsoft
NT/2000.RTM., a data storage device 508, e g. a hard disk drive or
similar, a user interface 509 and a web browser application
510.
[0086] The retail customer computer entity, instead of a web
browser, may comprise a special application designed to be user
friendly, and easier to use than a web browser, for driving a
touch-sensitive screen provided as part of the retail computer
entity. This type of entity may be provided at retail locations,
with a permanent on-line connection to a print merchant
computer.
[0087] Content retailer computer 501 comprises communications port
511, a processor 512, with associated memory. 513, a conventional
operating system 514, a data storage device 515 and optionally user
interface 516 including a visual display unit, keyboard and
pointing device, and a content retailer application 517.
[0088] Print merchant computer entity 502 comprises a
communications ports 518, a processor 519, with associated memory
520, an operating system 521, a data storage device 522, for
example an hard disk drive or RAID array, optionally a user
interface 523 including visual display unit, keyboard, pointing
device, e.g. a mouse or trackball, and a print merchant application
524.
[0089] Print manager computer entity 502 comprises a communications
port 525 for communicating with other computer entities on-line; a
processor 526; memory 527, including random access memory and read
only memory; an operating system 528, e.g. Linux.RTM., Unix.RTM.,
Windows NT/Windows 2000.RTM.; a data storage device 529 e.g. hard
disk drive, RAID array or the like; a user interface 530 enabling a
human operator to interact with the print manager computer, the
user interface comprising a visual display unit, keyboard and a
pointing device, e.g. a mouse, trackball or similar; and a print
manager application 531 acting as a e-server for communicating with
print merchant computer entity and for controlling locally a
plurality of printer devices and other resources within a print
service provider facility.
[0090] Referring to FIG. 6 herein, there is illustrated
schematically a contract model describing a plurality of electronic
contracts held between different business entities comprising the
distributed printing network of FIG. 1. In general, for the
computer entities to transact with each other, the businesses
operating those computer entities have pre-negotiated contracts
with each other which act as a default condition, in case of
malfunction of any of the computer entities, or in case of dispute.
Those up front contracts may be stored as electronic data in
databases at each of the computer entities, and those contracts
form the basis for quotations made between computer entities, which
take into account trade offs between price, volume and other
business considerations. Individual electronic contracts between
business entities are stored in the respective computer entities
operated by those business as electronic contract data. Electronic
transactions are governed according to the contracts stored in the
individual computer entities. A retail customer 600 enters into a
retail contract 601 with a content retailer 602 via that content
retailer's website. Details of that contract are stored in the
content retailers database 603 in a content retailer computer
entity. Also stored in the content retailers database 603 may be
one or a plurality of contracts with one or more content providers
604 for the provision of data image content, sold through the
content retailer website. A contract between a content retailer and
a content provider may include data describing the following
parameters:
[0091] A quantity of images to be supplied in a given time
period
[0092] A price for each image up to the quantity
[0093] A time for delivery of an image data on-line
[0094] One or more logical addresses of one or more print
merchants, to which image data is to be transmitted on-line.
[0095] Content provider 604 may store a plurality of contracts with
a plurality of content retailers in a local database 605 of a
content providers computer entity. Each contract may involve data
describing parameters as listed above, with the specific details of
each contract differing from contract to contract.
[0096] Print merchant 605 stores a plurality of contracts with a
plurality of retailer computer entities, in a local database 606 of
a print merchant computer entity. A contract between a print
merchant computer entity and a content retailer computer entity may
include data describing parameters comprising:
[0097] Definition of print products, including:
[0098] print media
[0099] ink type
[0100] finishes
[0101] physical size of a print product
[0102] A plurality of delivery areas for delivery of prints
[0103] A plurality of prices based upon the above parameters
[0104] Any special discounts to be applied to a content
retailer
[0105] The print merchant computer entity and the content retailer
computer entity each keep a copy of a contract between that
corresponding content retailer and print merchant business in their
respective local databases 603, 606. In general, a print merchant
business has a plurality of contracts with a plurality of different
content retailer websites, the specific details of each contract
differing for different content retailers. The print merchant
computer entity 605 also stores a plurality of contracts with a
plurality of print service providers in electronic form in the
local database 606. A contract between a print merchant computer
entity and a print service provider may include data describing
parameters comprising:
[0106] Definition of print products, including:
[0107] print media
[0108] ink type
[0109] finishes
[0110] physical size of a print product
[0111] A plurality of delivery areas for delivery of prints
[0112] A plurality of prices based upon the above parameters
[0113] Any special discounts to be applied to a print merchant
[0114] A time period for delivery of a print product
[0115] A copy of the print merchant-print service provider contract
may be stored in a local database 606 at a print merchant computer
entity and at a local database 608 at a print manager computer
entity of a print service provider. Each print merchant entity has
a plurality of different contracts with a plurality of different
print service providers. Similarly, each print service provider may
have a plurality of different contracts with a plurality of print
merchants. A print service provider can have more than one contract
with a single print merchant.
[0116] Each print service provider may have a plurality of
contracts with a plurality of courier delivery services 609. A
courier delivery service may be provided with a courier delivery
service computer entity for accepting orders electronically. An
electronic contract between a print service provider and a courier
delivery service entity may be stored in a local database 608 of a
print manager computer entity is as well as a local database 610 of
a courier service delivery computer entity. An electronic contract
between a print service provider and a courier delivery service may
comprise data describing the following parameters:
[0117] A set of delivery areas covered
[0118] An amount of weight which packages can be
[0119] A packaging type which can be sent
[0120] A type of delivery, e.g. 24 hours, 48 hours etc.
[0121] A cost for delivery
[0122] In a further implementation, a print merchant 605 may have
an electronic contract with one or a plurality of courier delivery
services 609, as well as contracts with a plurality of print
service providers, and content retailers 602. Print products may be
delivered by a courier delivery service under a contract with the
print merchant, rather than under a contract directly with a print
service provider 607.
[0123] Referring to FIG. 7 herein, there is illustrated
schematically a method of operation of a plurality of computer
entities communicating on-line to fulfil a demand for print
products from a retail customer at a retail customer terminal, by
supplying printed products from a print service provider operating
a print manager computer entity as described herein above, the
customer selecting a printed product from a content retailer
website operating a content retailer computer as described herein,
and the service being provided via a print merchant operating a
print merchant computer as described herein before.
[0124] The process in FIG. 7 illustrates particularly operation of
the print merchant computer entity 100, and a content retailer
computer entity 102 and interaction between the content retailer
interface application 401 and print merchant application 402 to
secure and supply an order for one or more print products. In step
700, a retail customer locates a content retailer website, and
interacts with the website to order one or more print products. The
user fills in text fields presented by the content retailer
website, describing the order. Data collected by the website may
comprise:
[0125] Media type, describing the type of media in which the print
product is to be printed, including:
[0126] the ink type, e.g. outdoors, indoors, or textile
[0127] type of media sheet material
[0128] a width and height dimension of the media
[0129] Number of copies of print products
[0130] A shipping address to send the print products to
[0131] A URL address of the retail customer terminal to send
confirmation of shipping to
[0132] A contact email address
[0133] A contact telephone number
[0134] A name of person to deliver the print products to
[0135] The website sends the collected data from the print
merchant. Additionally, the website may generate data and send this
to the print merchant including:
[0136] A content identification data identifying a content of an
image to be printed
[0137] A description of the print product in text format
[0138] A price at which the retail customer has ordered the print
product from the content retailer business.
[0139] Communication between the customer terminal, content
retailer computer, print merchant computer and print manager
computer is by way of transfer of XML files using the HTTP
protocol. Basic types of messages being are sent include:
[0140] Order-identifications
[0141] Orders
[0142] Quotes
[0143] Notifications
[0144] Whenever a customer, via their customer terminal, wishes to
place an order with the content retailer website, the content
retailer website builds an order document in XML, which defines the
customer's order, and which is sent to the print merchant computer.
The content retailer computer requests an order identification from
the print merchant computer to identify the XML order document. The
order identification acts as a reference for that transaction. The
content retailer computer may then request a quote for satisfying
the order from the print merchant computer. Any changes made to the
specification of the order by the customer via the customer
terminal may result in the content retailer computer requesting one
or more further quotes from the print merchant computer, as the
specification of the order changes. In a request for quote, the
content retailer computer sends all parameters defining how the
order has to be satisfied, including details of how the print
products are to be manufactured and where they are to be shipped
to. The print merchant computer responds with a price quotation
message, representing the price which the print merchant will
charge the content retailer for satisfying the order. The content
retailer website, optionally may quote the price from the print
merchant computer directly to the customer, in which case the
content retailer computer may add a mark up or fixed cost from the
content retailer for providing the service. Alternatively, the
content retailer may quote a single price to the customer without a
breakdown analysis.
[0145] The content retailer computer sends an order identification
message orderid.jsp to the print merchant computer, requesting an
order identification code orderid, which the print merchant
computer sends to the content retailer computer. The order
identification code is treated as being valid by the print merchant
computer for a predetermined time, typically for example 24 hours
from its generation. Any orders received by the print merchant
computer using that order identification code after the
predetermined time will be rejected as being invalid. An order
identification code forms the basis for any transaction between a
content retailer computer entity and a print merchant computer.
Without a valid order identification code, no quoting of prices by
the print merchant computer, or submission of orders by the content
retailer computer can occur. Any communication received by the
print merchant computer which has an invalid order identification
will be rejected, and will generate an administrative alert at the
print merchant computer entity. On receiving an invalid order
identification code, print merchant computer sends a notification
to the content retailer computer to which the order identification
code was issued, and human support operators at the print merchant
computer request human intervention at the content retailer
business, to fix the problem of received orders having invalid
order identification codes. If an invalid order identification code
is received by the print merchant computer, then this is indicative
of a malfunction at a content retailer computer.
[0146] In step 703 the content retailer computer requests a quote
for an order for print products which it has received from a retail
customer, and sends a quotation message quote.jsp to the print
merchant computer. The print merchant computer provides a real-time
quoting mechanism, which gives accurate manufacturing and shipping
quotes to the content retailer computers. The quote.jsp ordering
message prompts the print merchant computer to generate a quotation
for the specified order. On receiving a quotation for an order, the
content retailer computer adds a royalty or mark-up, and then
presents the final result as a sale price to the retail customer
via the content retailer computer website.
[0147] Some content retailer computers may be configured to set
their prices quoted to retail customer using estimates of prices
stored in the retailer customer contract in database 603 of that
content retailer. However, if a content retailer computer does make
an estimate on this basis, and the contract is not a latest
version, then the content retailer computer could find that a price
quoted by the print merchant computer is higher than expected.
Where a content retailer computer makes an estimate to a customer
terminal, then the step 703 of requesting a quote from the print
merchant computer, and receiving that quote in step 704 is
unnecessary. Whenever a customer changes any order setting on the
content retailer website interface, the content retailer computer
repeats steps 703 and 704 to obtain a new quotation from the print
merchant computer. In step 705 the content retailer computer
displays its own quotation to the customer terminal, and in step
706 the customer accepts the quotation by the content retailer
computer and sends an order message to the content retailer
computer. The content retailer computer sends an order confirmation
back to the customer terminal in step 707.
[0148] Content retailer computer returns control to the user
browser immediately after displaying an order confirmation summary
page to the customer terminal. The content retailer computer
submits an order to the print merchant computer after displaying
the order confirmation to the customer terminal. Normally this
would run as a separate thread from content retailer computer to
print merchant computer in order to avoid blocking the website
displayed by the content retailer computer, waiting for a response.
However, in a best mode, a pull transfer mode for content retailer
computer content is used. That is the content retailer computer
communicates to the print merchant computer where to download
content from. The print merchant computer may then obtain content
from a content provider computer 101. This approach allows the
print merchant computer to perform download queue management, error
auto recovery, caching, and avoid network congestion, whilst
simplifying implementation requirements for the print merchant
application 402. Because of the pull mode, the print merchant
computer may run a simple CGI after the transaction with the
customer terminal, which submits an order in step 708 to the print
merchant computer. Because no large data transfers are involved in
the order submission between the content retailer computer and the
print merchant computer, there is no need for a content retailer
computer server task which submits orders in the background.
Content retailer computers submitting orders to the print merchant
computer will receive a quote document as a reply in step 709. This
quote document will reflect the exact amount that the print
merchant computer will charge the content retailer computer for
processing the submitted order. When this quote document is
received by the content retailer computer, it can check that the
previously quoted price in step 704 is the same as that in the
quote document received in step 708. The content retailer computer
sends a HTTP POST request printjsp instructing the print merchant
computer to print an order. This consists of an XML electronic
document which contains a plurality of all order settings needed by
the print merchant computer to process the order for print
products. In response to the POST message, the print merchant
computer returns an XML document which contains the price quotation
for the given order. The quotation provides an accurate
manufacturing and shipping price estimate to the content retailer
computer, taking care of media size, number of copies, media
weight, shipping destination and other order parameters. If the
content retailer computer did not change the details of the order,
but the two quotes do not match, then this is indicative of a
problem, and this may raise an alert signal at the content retailer
computer. The returned quote document received by the content
retailer computer in step 709 is used by the content retailer
computer where the content retailer computer has made a quotation
to a customer terminal based upon the stored contract data in the
contract between the content retailer and print merchant computers
if the received quote from the print merchant in step 709 is higher
than initially expected, this may give rise to an alarm situation
at the content retailer computer. Irrespective of whether the order
from the print merchant computer is higher than expected or not,
the content retailer computer is bound by its quotation given to
the customer terminal and must fulfil an order from the customer
terminal, even if this is unsatisfactory or loss making to the
content retailer.
[0149] The print merchant computer selects a print manager computer
according to an algorithm stored within print merchant application
402. Once the print merchant computer has selected a print service
provider and the print service provider has accepted the order, the
print merchant computer downloads the content specified in the
order document from the content retailer computer. Content need not
be downloaded immediately, but ideally is downloaded within 24
hours of receiving the order. The content can be downloaded from
the content retailer computer itself in step 711, where the content
retailer computer obtains content from content provider 604, or can
be downloaded directly from the content provider 604 by the print
merchant 605. Content should be stored at the print merchant
computer until either successfully downloaded to the print manager
computer, or until a timeout has expired. For content retailer
computers which generate content such as maps, genealogy, charts,
the content itself may be generated on demand by the content
retailer computer from data stored in a local database, upon
receiving a proper GETjobURL request from the print merchant
computer. Therefore, the content retailer computer may not need to
increase its storage capacity to accommodate 24 hour perishable
content for on demand printing. However, the content retailer
computer may need to include a custom graphics interface for
on-demand generation of content.
[0150] In step 712, the order is sent electronically to the print
manager computer from the print merchant computer. The print
manager computer processes the order by manufacturing print
products according to the order and ships these to the end user. In
step 713, the print manager computer sends tracking message to the
print merchant computer enabling tracking of the shipment of print
products to the end user. The print merchant computer relays a
shipping notification message to the content retailer computer,
which can then send a shipping confirmation message in step 715 to
the customer terminal, telling the retail customer when their order
will be shipped to the end user.
[0151] Referring to FIG. 8 herein, there is illustrated
schematically how a final quote to a customer 800, a quote to a
content retailer 801 by a print merchant, and a quote to a print
merchant 802, by a print service provider are made up. Quote 802 to
the print merchant is made up of a print service price charged by a
print is service provider, and a delivery price 804 charged by a
courier. The delivery price 804 may itself form the subject of a
quote to a print service provider by a courier. A quote 801 to a
content retailer by a print merchant is made up of the quote to the
print merchant 802 comprising the print service price 803 and
delivery price 804, and additionally a print merchant price 805
charged by the print merchant. A final quote 800 to a customer made
by a content retailer is made up of the quote to the content
retailer 801, including the print merchant price, delivery price,
and print service price, as well as a content price 806 which is
optionally included where the content retailer Website obtains
content from an independent content provider, and a content
retailer price 807 levied by the content retailer.
[0152] Each price comprises a cost, plus a margin or mark-up added
by the relevant business. In one implementation, the final quote to
the customer may be presented to the customer in the form of a
price charged by the content retailer, with a delivery price
itemized separately to the customer.
[0153] Referring to FIG. 9 herein, there is illustrated
schematically a mode of operation of a content retailer computer
interacting with a retail customer via a displayed website,
accepting an order for print products, and satisfying that order by
placing an order with a print merchant to supply print products to
the retail customer. In step 900, the content retailer computer
displays goods and services by posting a visual description of
those goods and services on a webpage. A retail customer 300
viewing the website through a customer terminal 121 browses the
website and selects print products for purchase. The customer
specifies the goods at the customer terminal, and a description of
those goods is received by the content retailer computer in step
901. In step 902, the content retailer computer requests an
identification for an order from a print merchant computer. In step
903, the content retailer computer receives an order identification
code from the,print merchant computer This order identification
code identifies a particular order uniquely. Optionally, in step
904 the content retailer computer requests a quote from the print
merchant. The request for quote includes details of the print order
itself including number of copies, media type, delivery address. In
step 905, the content retailer computer receives a quote from the
print merchant after the print merchant has generated such quote.
In step 906, the content retailer computer displays a quote to the
customer terminal. The quote displayed to the customer terminal, in
general, differs from the quote made by the print merchant to the
content retailer. The content retailer computer adds a cost of
content, which the content retailer computer can calculate from a
contract with a content provider computer, stored in a local
database of the content retailer computer, and also adds a mark up,
or premium cost charged by the content retailer itself, to arrive
at the quote to the customer. In step 907, the content retailer
computer confirms the order with the customer terminal, by the
customer activating an order placement icon displayed on the
website and viewable via the browser on the customer terminal at
the user interface 509 on the customer terminal. In step 908,
having received the customer order, the content retailer computer
sends an order to the print merchant computer. The order to the
print merchant computer which is in XML file format sent in HTTP,
specifies parameters including:
[0154] an identification of the content retailer computer
[0155] date
[0156] specification of print products
[0157] delivery address
[0158] cost
[0159] In step 909, the content retailer computer receives
confirmation of its order from the print merchant, once the print
merchant has received and accepted that order. In step 910, the
print merchant may optionally request content from the content
retailer computer, where a separate source for obtaining the
content has not already been specified in the order received from
the content retailer computer. Under these circumstances, in step
911, the content retailer computer obtains content from an external
content provider, which the content retailer has a contract with,
or alternatively generates the content from an internal database at
the content retailer. The content is supplied to the print merchant
in step 912 by the content retailer computer. In step 913, after
the print merchant has arranged shipping of the print product, and
is processing the production of the print products, the print
merchant generates a tracking message, and sends this to the
content retailer which is received in step 913. The tracking
message, which comprises an XML file and may specify details such
as:
[0160] description of print products
[0161] confirmation of shipping address
[0162] date order received
[0163] an approximate date of delivery.
[0164] In step 914, the tracking message may be relayed by the
content retailer computer to the customer terminal, allowing a
customer to track the progress of their shipment of print products
to the end user, which may be the customer themselves.
[0165] Referring to FIG. 10 herein, there is illustrated
schematically steps carried out by print merchant computer entity
100 according to first mode of operation of the print merchant
computer. In step 1000, the print merchant receives requests for an
order identification from a content retailer computer. In practice,
the print merchant computer will receive a plurality of requests
for order identifications from a plurality of content retail
computers and will continue to receive such orders as an ongoing
process. The process referred in FIG. 10 relates to dealing with
one such request. In step 1001, the print merchant computer
generates a unique order identification and assigns that to the
request received by a particular content retailer computer. All
order identifications are time stamped, and stored locally at the
print merchant computer. If an order is received with an outdated
time stamp from an external content retailer computer, the print
merchant computer will refuse to transact according to that ID
number. In step 1003, the identification code is sent to the
content retailer computer over a communications link.
[0166] Referring to FIG. 11 herein, there is illustrated
schematically a second mode of operation of the print merchant
computer for sending a quote to a content retailer computer. In
step 1100, the print merchant computer receives a request for a
quote from the content retailer computer. The request for quote is
received in the form of an XML document, sent over HTTP. In step
1101, the print merchant computer parses data from the request for
quote, defining an order from the content retailer computer. In
step 1102, the print merchant computer generates a quote request
and sends this to a plurality of print service providers, which
have previously arranged contracts with the print merchant.
Alternatively, in step 1103 the print merchant may calculate a
quote based on data stored in a plurality of contracts pre-stored
for each of a plurality of print service providers. In step 1104,
having received quotes, or calculated a quote in accordance with a
set of pre-stored contracts, the print merchant computer selects
one of the print service providers to fulfil the order. In step
1105, the print merchant computer generates a quote to the content
retailer computer based upon the selected print service provider to
be used. The print service provider is not necessarily selected on
the basis of lowest cost, but is selected on the basis of
availability, delivery time, cost, and contractual provisions
stored in the contract of that print service provider with a print
merchant. In step 1105, the print merchant computer generates a
quote to the content retailer computer, based upon the price quoted
by the selected print service provider or a cost calculated in
accordance with the contract of that print service provider. In
step 1106, the print merchant sends the quote to the content
retailer computer over the communications link.
[0167] Referring to FIG. 12 herein, there is illustrated
schematically a third mode of operation of the print merchant
computer entity. An order is received from a content retailer
computer in step 1200, which is stored for later processing by the
print merchant computer in step 1201. In step 1202, the print
merchant computer reads the identification code of the order and
checks if it is valid. The time stamp on the received
identification code is checked to see if the identification code
has expired in step 1203. If the identification code is valid, then
in step 1204 the print merchant computer generates an order
confirmation message and sends this to the content retailer
computer, to confirm receipt of the order. If, however, in step
1203 the identification code was found to be invalid, then in step
1205 the print merchant computer generates an invalid
identification code message and sends this to the content retailer
computer.
[0168] Referring to FIG. 13 herein, there is illustrated
schematically a fourth mode of operation of the print merchant
computer for obtaining content and sending the content to a
selected print manager computer. In step 1300, the received order
message from the content retailer computer is read, and a content
field data is read, describing an image data content, and an
address from which to obtain the image data content. The address
can be the address of the content retailer computer itself, or can
be the address of a content provider computer. In step 1301, the
print merchant computer generates a request for content and sends a
GET message to the specified content provider, or the content
retailer computer, to instruct that computer to download content
over the communications link. In step 1302 the print merchant
computer receives the downloaded content data from the content
provider computer or content retailer computer as appropriate, and
in step 1303 the print merchant computer receives a "load" command
from the print service provider once the print service provider has
accepted the order. The print merchant computer has a queue of
content data waiting to be loaded by the print managers, which is
downloaded in response to load requests made by the print managers.
The print merchant sends the content to a print manager computer of
a selected print service provider, for production of print products
according to that content data in step 1304.
[0169] Alternatively, the print manager computer at the print
service provider may obtain the content data directly from a
content provider, in response to an address of a content provider,
content owner, or content retailer, provided by the print merchant,
once the print service provider has accepted an order for print
products. Whenever a print manager computer completes an operation,
this is automatically communicated to the print merchant computer,
so that the print merchant computer keeps a record of a status of
each order which is being processed through the whole system.
[0170] Referring to FIG. 14 herein, there is illustrated
schematically an OrderTicket electronic document which is used in
server-to-server transactions between computer entities. The
OrderTicket comprises an XML document which is submitted to the
print merchant computers by one or more content retailer computers
using an HTTPS POST request.
[0171] The structure of the XML OrderTicket is illustrated
schematically in FIG. 14 herein.
[0172] Referring to FIG. 15 herein, there is illustrated
schematically a description of the ordered control section
comprises a version attribute 1500 which identifies a version of
the OrderTicket. The version attribute identifies previous versions
of OrderTickets, and allows the print merchant computer to
recognize orders received from computer entities operating current
or previous versions of software. An order identification attribute
orderID 1501 is the print merchant computers identification of an
order. A portal identification attribute portalID 1502 identifies a
computer entity from which an order originates. This information is
also used for job tracking, and for business-to-business
accounting. For security reasons, all computer entities dealing
with a print merchant computer will have an associated portalkey
data which is used as a password for transactions. Optionally,
content retailer computers can set a customized identification
customerID to any identification data they would like to keep track
of. This may be shown on an order packing slip as a product
identification. Computer entities dealing with a print merchant
computer can also specify a custom note data customNotes. This data
may be printed in a footer of an order packing slip so that the
packing slip can be used for gift dedications, special instructions
or the like. Content retailers may set up an optional currency
field 1506, in which any quotes are converted and reported in a
requested currency. Currency codes are specified as numeric values
according to IS04217.
[0173] Referring to FIG. 16 herein, there is illustrated
schematically components of field 1402 defining a section of the
order ticket specifying the characteristics of a job to be printed.
The field 1402 comprises a job price field 1600. The job price
field defines in data an amount of money a manufactured print
product will cost per copy to an end user. A job type field 1601
specifies a type of data of the print job, and must match one of a
plurality of types of data supported by the print merchant
computer. A JobURL field carries a URL suited for content download.
Optionally, a lower resolution image may also be provided by means
of a PreviewURL 1603 for order submission. This may be a medium
size preview image. The content retailer computer must give an
identifier in a ContentID field 1604, and a description of the
content in text which briefly describes the image data content in
ContentDescription field 1605.
[0174] Three types of image are handled, these being high
resolution image data, used for making the actual print products;
medium resolution image data used for previews, and a low
resolution image data used for small sized pictures ("thumbnails"),
of approximately one or two centimetres width and height, which are
printed on packing slips and work order sheets at the print service
provider. The thumbnail images can be automatically generated by
the print merchant computer based on a higher resolution image data
which is provided, either the preview image data, or the higher
resolution image content data.
[0175] Referring to FIG. 17 herein, there is illustrated
schematically a how to print section 1403 of the order ticket. This
section specifies physical settings for a print job. A standard
paper size can be specified through a PaperSize field 1700 multiple
options for a size of paper are available and supported by a print
merchant computer. For more general paper sizes, a custom paper
size may be selected in custom width, customer height and custom
units fields 1701-1703 respectively. A media type may be specified
in a media type field, to define a type of media and/or ink
requested for a print job. Multiple options for media types are
supported by the print merchant computer, as specified in different
types of media such as canvas, paper, plastic, material or the
like. Whenever a number of requested copies is greater than 1, a
copies number field is filled in.
[0176] Referring to FIG. 18 herein, there is illustrated
schematically an `how and where to ship` section 1404 of the order
ticket. This section specifies shipment settings for a whole order
of print products. A ship name, ship address, ship zip code, ship
city, ship state or province, ship country code, text or number
field 1800-1806 respectively contains data describing a delivery
address for shipping of print products. A ShipMethod field 1800
specifies, from a plurality of options supported by the print
merchant computer, a method of shipping an order, e.g. urgent, 1
day delivery. A ShipNotificationURL field 1807 allows a content
retailer computer to receive shipping notification from the print
merchant computer. The order ticket carries a contact email and
content phone field 1808, 1809 respectively for listing email and
phone contact details of a customer.
[0177] Referring to FIG. 19 herein, there is illustrated
schematically a mode of operation of a print service provider
operation, controlled by a print manager computer 108-110. In step
1900, the print manager computer receives an on-line order from a
print merchant computer entity. In step 1901, the print manager
computer receives image data content on-line. In a best mode
implementation, the image content data is received from a print
merchant computer entity. However, in an alternative
implementation, the order sent from a print merchant may contain an
address from which image data content may be obtained directly by
the print service provider, in which case the print service
provider may obtain image data directly from a content provider
computer or other specified content source, by sending a content
request message to that computer, specifying a ContentID field and
supplying appropriate keys to the content provider computer. In
addition to having a content ID, the print manager must be
authorized to access image data, and this is done by use of keys.
In step 1902, the print manager computer generates an
acknowledgement of the received order from the print merchant, and
sends this to the print merchant. In step 1903, the print merchant
arranges, with the courier service, shipment of the products to one
or more delivery addresses specified in the order. Step 1903, may
be carried out in parallel with other steps of the print manager
described herein. In step 1904 the print service provider produces
the print products, by sending image data to one of a plurality of
printer devices 111,112 within that print service provider
facility. Any special finishes are applied manually, if specified
in the order, in step 1905. In step 1906, the printed and finished
products are sent through to a shipping department of the print
service provider, where shipping labels are attached to the
products, and the order is packaged into an appropriate number of
packets for shipping. In step 1907, the packaged and addressed
print products are released to a courier service, who handles
delivery of the print products to the end user, usually the retail
customer themselves, or a person specified by a retailer customer.
In step 1908, the print manager computer generates a tracking data
and issues this to the print merchant computer, either by sending
it as an XML message, or an email confirmation, or by making it
available on a website operated by the print manager computer.
* * * * *
References