U.S. patent application number 13/584739 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-06 for order fulfillment and content management systems and methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to SKINIT, INC.. Invention is credited to Darrin G. Hegemier, Darryl R. Kuhn.
Application Number | 20120310768 13/584739 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39365297 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120310768 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hegemier; Darrin G. ; et
al. |
December 6, 2012 |
Order Fulfillment and Content Management Systems and Methods
Abstract
An order fulfillment and content management system and method
configured to fulfill a product order for a customized cover for a
consumer product. In various embodiments, an order can be placed
for a cover in an on-demand nature. In other words, a user can
select and customize a cover over a network and the resulting cover
is manufactured in accordance with that order. Furthermore, various
processes can be integrated and moved in concert with one another
to provide an efficient and timely fulfillment of the order. The
system can also have several stake holders that can quickly review
and identify any problems in an order and arrive at a quick
resolution path.
Inventors: |
Hegemier; Darrin G.; (Del
Mar, CA) ; Kuhn; Darryl R.; (La Jolla, CA) |
Assignee: |
SKINIT, INC.
San Diego
CA
|
Family ID: |
39365297 |
Appl. No.: |
13/584739 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12912544 |
Oct 26, 2010 |
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13584739 |
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11935382 |
Nov 5, 2007 |
7895091 |
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12912544 |
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60856495 |
Nov 3, 2006 |
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60956900 |
Aug 20, 2007 |
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60941628 |
Jun 1, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0621 20130101;
G06Q 10/087 20130101; H04M 1/0283 20130101; G06Q 30/0601
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/26.5 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20120101
G06Q030/00 |
Claims
1. An order fulfillment system for fulfilling customized orders for
covers for consumer devices, the consumer devices having been
pre-manufactured by a third party, comprising: a networked computer
system comprising one or more processors and one or more memory
devices coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the
networked computer system is configured to: receive, via a computer
network, a customized order for a cover associated with a
particular consumer device selected by a user from a plurality of
consumer devices, the customized order defining an image to be
applied to the cover; retrieve, from the one or more memories, a
first CAD record defining a first template corresponding to
physical dimensions of at least one portion of the particular
consumer device selected by the user, the CAD record suitable for
display to the user via the computer network to assist the user in
making the customized order; retrieve, from the one or more
memories, a second CAD record defining a second template
corresponding to the physical dimensions of the at least one
portion of the particular consumer device, the second template
defining a bleed region extending beyond the physical dimensions of
at least one portion of the particular consumer device; retrieve,
from the one or more memories, an image record defining the image
to be applied to the cover as specified by the customized order,
wherein the image record defines the image to include one or more
of production artwork and user-provided image data; create a
production layout based on at least the image record and the second
CAD record; and output signaling to cause the image to be applied
to at least a portion of the cover in accordance with the
production layout, wherein when used in cooperation with the
particular consumer device, the cover alters an appearance of and
protects at least a portion of the particular consumer device.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the outputting the signaling
comprises outputting signaling to a printing device to cause the
printing device to print the image to the at least the portion of
the cover in accordance with the production layout.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the outputting the signaling
comprises outputting signaling to cause the image to be applied to
a portion of a bulk material in accordance with the production
layout.
4. The system of claim 3 further comprising outputting signaling to
cause the cover to be separated from the bulk material to create
the cover.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the customized order is for an
adhesive cover associated with the particular consumer device.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the customized order is for a
flexible cover associated with the particular consumer device.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the customized order is for an
adhesive skin cover associated with the particular consumer
device.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the one or more memories further
store a device record representative of the consumer device and a
form factor record linked to the device record and describing
physical characteristics of the consumer product; wherein the first
CAD record and the second CAD record are linked to the form factor
record.
Description
PRIORITY INFORMATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/912,544, filed Oct. 26, 2010, which is a continuation of
U.S. application Ser. No. 11/935,382, filed Nov. 5, 2007, which
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/856,495,
filed Nov. 3, 2006, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/941,628,
filed Jun. 1, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/956,900, filed Aug. 20, 2007, all applications of which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to order fulfillment
and content management systems and methods, and in more particular,
order fulfillment and content management systems for processing
orders for adhesive cover products (aka "skins").
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many consumer devices look identical or nearly identical to
other consumer devices. Not only do different models manufactured
by the same company often times look the same, but so do models
made by different companies. For example, the popular Motorola RAZR
V3 model looks the same as the Motorola RAZR V3c model. In
addition, the Motorola RAZR V3 model (which is a flip-top type
mobile phone) looks similar to other flip-top type mobile phones.
As another example, the colors and shapes of laptops may vary to
some extent; nevertheless, most laptop computers look nearly the
same as every other laptop computer.
[0004] Because many consumer devices (e.g. mobile phones and laptop
computers) are integral with the daily lives of their users, there
is a desire to customize or personalize such devices. In response,
some manufactures have started making such devices in different
colors. However, the number of different colors tends to be
limited. In addition, many users believe that simply changing a
color is not enough of a personalization/customization.
[0005] The process of ordering personalized skins and fulfilling
the orders in an efficient, timely and user friendly manner can be
difficult. Accordingly, what is needed is an improved order
fulfillment and content management system and method for processing
skin product orders.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An order fulfillment and content management system and
method configured to fulfill a product order for a customized
adhesive cover is disclosed. In various embodiments, an order can
be placed for a skin in an on-demand nature. In one embodiment, a
user can select and customize a skin over a network, via a web site
for example, and the resulting skin is manufactured in accordance
with that order. Furthermore, various processes can be integrated
and moved in concert with one another to provide an efficient and
timely fulfillment of the order. The system can also have stake
holders present along a queue of an order that can quickly review
and identify any problems in an order and arrive at a quick
resolution path.
[0007] Adhesive covers (aka "skins") can be customized/personalized
to the tastes of the owner and affixed to a variety of objects and
surfaces. Exemplary adhesive covers for use with a variety of
consumer devices are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/726,960 filed on Mar. 3, 2007 and entitled "Adhesive Cover for
Consumer Devices", which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety. Exemplary adhesive covers for use with fishing lures are
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/759,600 filed on
Mar. 3, 2007 and entitled "Fishing Lures and Adhesive Covers for
Same", which is incorporated herein by reference in is entirety.
Adhesive covers can also be used with automobiles, boats and
household furnishings (such as televisions, refrigerators and wall
outlets). Other examples where adhesive covers can be used include
on both interior and exterior surfaces of a wall. The wall can be
part of a home or in commercial setting.
[0008] The adhesive covers can have customized designs and images
and can be fashioned to not interfere or interfere minimally with
the functionality of a device or other surface to which it is
designed to adhere. In this manner, the adhesive covers can also be
useful for protecting the object it is adhered to, such as consumer
electronic devices (e.g. cell phones and lap top computers) and
aiding in company identification, re-branding, enterprise
advertising and promotion, and special events marketing.
[0009] In addition, adhesive covers can be made in a variety of
shapes and sizes. Smaller sized adhesive covers can be used with
small consumer electronics, such as a portable digital audio
player. Large sized adhesive covers can be made that cover a wall
or a portion of a wall, for example. In one such application, a
life-sized cutout of a movie star or athlete can be fashioned as an
adhesive cover and adhered to a bedroom wall.
[0010] Further features and advantages of the present invention, as
well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the
present invention, are described in detail below with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present invention, in accordance with one or more
various embodiments, is described in detail with reference to the
following figures. The drawings are provided for purposes of
illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments
of the invention. These drawings are provided to facilitate the
reader's understanding of the invention and shall not be considered
limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the invention.
It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these
drawings are not necessarily made to scale.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example overview of an
order fulfillment system in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a high level flow diagram of an order fulfillment
process in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a CAD production process in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an art production process in
accordance of one embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 5a illustrates a web version of a work flow document
and FIG. 5b illustrates a production version of a work flow
document in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary process of converting a web
version work flow document into a production work flow document
using a transformer work flow document in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 7 is an entity relationship diagram showing the
relationship between various records used to manage order content
in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 8a is a top view of a grid-based layout and FIG. 8b is
a top view of a nested solution layout in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a corona
treatment/laminator in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an on-demand cutting and
order fulfillment system on accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example computing
system in which various facets of the present invention can be
implemented.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] The present invention is directed toward order fulfillment
and content management systems and methods. In one embodiment, the
present invention provides a system and method for fulfilling an
order for one or more products. In another embodiment, the present
invention provides a system and method for end-to-end content
management, providing for management at various stages including
designing, ordering, record keeping, manufacturing, printing and
shipping products. In further embodiments, a system and method are
provided for collaborative generation and management of products,
and the feature and the functionality of the system can be
distributed across a geographically diverse environment.
[0024] Before describing the invention in detail, it is useful to
describe an example environment in which the invention can be
implemented. One such example is that of a skin or adhesive cover
for a consumer electronic device. From time-to-time, the present
invention may be described herein in terms of this example
environment. Description in terms of this environment is provided
to allow the various features and embodiments of the invention to
be portrayed in the context of an exemplary application. However,
this disclosure should not be limited to this specific application,
but can also be applied in other ways. For example, other
applications that fall within the scope of this disclosure include,
but not limited to, adhesive covers for use with cars, boats,
household furnishings and fishing lures. Adhesive covers can also
be applied to a variety of surfaces, such as the wall in a home or
commercial setting. Furthermore, the size of an adhesive cover can
be small or large. For example, smaller sized adhesive covers can
be made for use with small electronic devices, and larger,
life-sized representations of a movie star or athlete can be made
in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an example implementation of an adhesive
cover order fulfillment system 100 in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the order
fulfillment system 100 can include a management center 102 in
communicative contact with various other components of the order
fulfillment system 100 via a network 104. The network can be the
Internet, a local area network, wide area network or the like. In
one embodiment, the management center 102 is implemented to provide
centralized management for providing skin product ordering
services, features and functions. In alternative embodiments, the
services, features and functions provided by the management center
102 as described herein can be distributed across a plurality of
various facilities or locations as would be apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art after reading this description.
[0026] With further reference to FIG. 1, the exemplary embodiment
of management center 102 is illustrated as including one or more
computers or work stations 106 to facilitate operation thereof.
Management center 102 can also include one or more databases 108a,
108b, 108c-108n to store the various data and other information
used in an order fulfillment process. As described further in
examples illustrated below, data content can be maintained and
managed relating to order processes, order components, order line
items, skins, Stock Keeping Units (SKUs), Computer-Aided Design
(CAD) files, form factors, devices and the like. Although separate
database units are illustrated, data storage can be across any
physical or logical data storage architecture, and any of a number
of database models can be implemented. In one embodiment, a
relational database structure is used to facilitate creation of
responses from various separate sources of data.
[0027] In one embodiment, management center 102 is configured to
receive information from and provide information to various
operational sites to facilitate fulfillment of an order. Such sites
can include a CAD development site 110 used to develop CAD files
representative of consumer devices, an artwork development site 112
used to generate production artwork printed on skins, one or more
manufacturing sites 114 for generating skins, one or more shipping
sites 116 for shipping skins to customers, and one or more customer
sites 118. Customer sites 118 can include one or more computers
used to enter information needed to place a product order. The
customer sites 118 can be, for example, an individual, a retailer,
wholesaler or other entity desiring to order a product using the
order fulfillment system. In one embodiment, a customer site 118
can include a kiosk for providing a walk-up terminal that allows a
user to place an order, for example.
[0028] These and other sites of the invention can be operated by
human personnel (such as employees, customers, third-party
distributors, contractors) or implemented using hardware, software,
firmware, or a combination thereof. Although the sites are
described in terms of somewhat discrete functions that may be
performed, this description is not intended to imply that
physically or logically separate sites need to be provided to
perform various of the described functions. Indeed, as would be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this
description, functions described as associated with the various
sites can be assigned to dedicated personnel, hardware, software or
firmware, or one or more functions can share common personnel,
hardware, software or firmware.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a high level operational flow diagram illustrating
an example order fulfillment process 200 in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. The process 200 can begin at a
step 202, where a new product order is entered. For example, in
terms of the example environment illustrated in FIG. 1, an order
can be entered at one of the customer sites 116 (FIG. 1) and
transmitted to the management center 102 via the network 104. In
terms of the example environment, the order can be for one or more
personalized skin products.
[0030] In a step 204, the process 200 determines if a CAD exists
for the product or products associated with the order entered in
step 202. If a CAD does not exist, then the system is queued for
preparing a CAD in a step 206 and an appropriate CAD is
subsequently prepared in a step 208. Further details relating to an
exemplary process for producing of a CAD are discussed further
below with reference to FIG. 3.
[0031] Once the appropriate CAD is completed in step 208 or if it
is determined that a CAD for the particular device already exists
in step 204, the process 200 determines if appropriate production
art exists for the associated product in a step 210. If appropriate
production artwork does not exist, then the order is queued in a
step 212, and produced in a step 214. If appropriate production
artwork does exist, then the process 200 proceeds to a step 216.
Further details relating to an exemplary process for producing
production art are discussed further below with reference to FIG.
4.
[0032] Once the appropriate production artwork is completed in step
214 or if it is determined that appropriate artwork already exists
in step 210, then the process 200 determines whether an image is to
be uploaded in the step 218. In general, an image upload process in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention permits a
user (e.g. customer) to upload an image from a remote site (such as
customer site 118) and incorporate the uploaded image onto (or
into) the product being ordered. Further details relating to an
exemplary image upload process is described in more detail later in
this disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows that after completion of the artwork in step
214, the process 200 proceeds to step 216, which entails querying
whether an image is to be uploaded. However, in alternative
embodiments, the completion of the artwork in step 214 can proceed
directly to the print queue step 222. In this regard, in various
embodiments, a user can use either production art or an uploaded
image. In other embodiments, a user can use both production artwork
and an uploaded image to customize an adhesive cover. In addition,
a user can upload an image and then modify the image using image
editing tools provided via a website interface.
[0034] If it is determined that an image is to be uploaded in step
218, then the system uploads the image and determines if the image
passes an image censor in step 218. In general, the image censor
can determine whether the image complies with predefined rules. The
rules can include the image being of sufficient quality, format and
size. The rules can also include rules disallowing inappropriate
images, such as images containing unauthorized works (e.g.
unauthorized trademarks or copyrighted material) or images
displaying pornographic or violent content for example. The image
censoring functions can be performed by a person reviewing the
images or by a computer algorithm designed to detect unauthorized
images, or both. In one embodiment, a computer algorithm performs
an initial check on all uploaded images. If an image passes the
initial check, then the image passes the censor. On the other hand,
if the image fails the initial check, then the image is sent to a
reviewing person for manual review.
[0035] If the image does not pass the censor, then the order is
rejected and passed to a customer service representative (CSR) in a
step 220. In this step, a customer service representative, located
at management center 102 (FIG. 1) for example, can review the order
and take appropriate action. For example, the customer service
representative can contact the customer who placed the order and
discuss the reasons for the order being rejected. The customer
service representative can also assist the customer in placing an
order that will not be rejected.
[0036] Referring back to steps 218 and 216, if it is determined
that the customer is not going to upload an image in step 216 or if
an image is uploaded and passes the censor in step 218, then the
process 200 proceeds to a printing queue in a step 222. Next, in
step 221, a batch is nested in step 221 and printed in step 224.
Nesting is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 8 and
related disclosure.
[0037] After printing in step 224, the process 200 may then
determine whether the order contains multiple line items in a step
226. If the order does contain a number of line items, then the
process 200 holds the order until all parts of the order are
completed in step 228.
[0038] Next, the order is packed in a step 230 and shipped to the
customer or a location designated by the customer in a step 232.
The order fulfillment process 200 is then complete in a step
234.
[0039] A predefined CAD production flow can be beneficial to ensure
uniformity and that orders are completed. As described above with
reference to the general order fulfillment process 200, a step can
be to verify that a CAD (or cut-file) exists for a particular
device. In the event that a suitable CAD does not exist, the order
can be held in a CAD queue, such as the CAD queue step 206, for
example. When an item is added to the CAD queue, two things can
happen. First, an entry can be added to an on-line terminal which
can show a list of all outstanding CAD requests, including relevant
details associated with each request (e.g. device manufacturer,
device name, date request was placed, and location of the physical
device). Second, a notification, such as an email notification, can
be sent out to some or all individuals who are involved in the CAD
creation and approval process. In an exemplary environment, a
typical order will not require CAD processing because an
appropriate CAD file will likely exist in most instances. Instead,
most instances where CAD processing may be needed is for unique
business-to-business orders (e.g. orders placed through a retail
customer), as those types of CAD files may not have been created
yet.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a CAD production process 300 in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. A CAD
request can be queued at step 302. The priority or order of the
queue can be re-prioritized by a production manger in a step 304,
if desired. Next, in a step 306, a Cad request can be acknowledged
by a CAD team member, which can indicate that a team member is
working on producing the subject CAD. The team member can then
acquire a device associated with the CAD request in step 308, scan
the device in step 310, and produce a CAD created from the scan in
step 312. A blank form of the device can then be printed and fitted
onto the device in step 314. A production manager can then review
the form on the device and provided his or her approval or
disapproval in step 316. If the manager disapproves, then the team
member may need to revise the CAD to specifications in step 318 and
request approval once again in step 316.
[0041] After the manager provides approval in step 316, customized
web templates can be created in steps 320 through 326. To create
the custom templates, the CAD can be sent to a software engineer.
The software engineer can then produce a production template in
step 322, a multi-page web template in step 324, and a transform
template in step 326. A manager's approval of the templates can
then be requested in a step 328, and revised if not approved in
step 330. If approval is given, then the CAD can be released to an
art team in a step 332 for producing artwork for the associated
CAD. The templates prepared in steps 322, 324 and 326 can be added
to a web environment in step 334 and the device of the associated
CAD can be added to an on-line catalog in step 336.
[0042] As described above in FIG. 2, once an order has passed the
CAD creation process (step 208 in FIG. 2) or if it is determined
that a CAD already exists (step 204), a next step can be to
determine if artwork exists (step 210) to support a print process.
In one embodiment, the system 100 can verify that production
artwork exists by searching an art-work database. The search can
include verifying that artwork exists for each CAD file associated
with the order. In the event one or more of the CAD files do not
exist, the system can "trap" the order in the art production queue
(step 212) and a job can be automatically assigned a priority
(which can be changed by an art production manager) and assigned to
an artist.
[0043] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an exemplary artwork production
process 400 in accordance with various embodiments of the present
invention. In step 402, an art request can be queued as described
above. An art production manager can view the queue and
reprioritize as desired or needed in step 404. In step 406, the art
request can be assigned to an art team member and the art team
member can acknowledge the art request in step 408. The art team
member can then locate source artwork and a vector cut file in
steps 410 and 412, respectively, and completes an artwork layout
against the CAD or CAD designs in step 414. An art manager can then
approve or disapprove the layout in step 416. If disapproved, then
the layout is revised until approval is given. Once the manager
approves the artwork layout, a production file containing the
artwork layouts can added to an art production database in step
418.
[0044] A "web version" of the artwork can then be created in step
420. The web version can be used for displaying a representation of
the artwork on a website used for ordering skins. In this manner, a
customer can view and select artwork to be used with a skin, for
example.
[0045] In step 422, the process 400 determines whether a
3-dimensional rendering should be created. If so, a request can be
sent to create a 3-dimensional rendering in step 424. 3-dimensional
renderings and web versions of the associated artwork can then be
stored in a web database in a step 426. A customer can then view
the stored renderings and web versions of the artwork to assist the
user in ordering one or more skins.
[0046] In addition to artist rendered layouts, another feature of
various embodiments of the present of the invention is to permit
users to submit their own artwork through a flash based image
upload mechanism. The system can permit a customer to submit one or
more images and lay the images on top of a device of their
choosing. The images can be rotated, scaled, panned, and layered.
Additionally, the user can select a background color and
superimpose text messages on the image.
[0047] The photo upload mechanism can also utilize a work flow
document format. In an exemplary embodiment, the structure of a
web-based work flow document is different from a production work
flow document. This difference can be due to the fact that web work
flows can be primarily concerned with clear and intuitive
presentation to the end user (e.g. on the end user's workstation);
whereas, production work flows can be primarily concerned with
space efficiency.
[0048] An exemplary web work flow document 500 for an iRobot Roomba
device is shown in FIG. 5a and the associated production work flow
document is shown in FIG. 5b. As illustrated, the web version (FIG.
5a) can display a pattern of a skin, including its various pieces
504a, 504b and 504c, in a substantially similar configuration as
the skin will be when affixed the device. In contrast, the
production version (FIG. 5b) shows the pattern in a configuration
that would be used during a manufacturing process to save space on
the material layer(s) on which the skins are printed.
[0049] In accordance with various embodiments, skin production
templates can have a web version and a production version due to
presentation versus printing differences. For example, web versions
need not show image bleed; whereas, the production version can show
image bleed. Because of the differences between the web version and
the production version, it can be beneficial to have a third
template, which mediates the differences between the web version
and the production version. This third template can be referred to
as a "transform" template, as it can transform the artwork from one
work flow layout to another.
[0050] An exemplary upload work flow transform is depicted in FIG.
6. Here, a web work flow document 600 can comprise a front piece
602 and back piece 604 shown spaced apart and vertically. The web
flow need not be presented in this exact format, but it is desired
that the configuration be such that is easy for a customer to view.
A particular image format, such as jpeg, of the web work flow
document can be used for displaying a representation of the skin to
a customer or user via a web site. The web work flow document can
then be rendered in a different data format, such as XML, and
applied to a transformer work flow template 606. The transformer
work flow 606 can include a booklet transform 608 that uses a rule
set to convert the web version into a production configuration. The
work flow document can then be converted into another data format
(such as jpeg) and into a production work flow document 610 for use
during the production or manufacturing process.
[0051] As discussed above with reference to step 218 of FIG. 2,
after a customer designs a custom skin, the status of the order can
be placed in a "pending approval" state where it awaits for censor
approval. If approval is provided, then the order can be sent to
the production queue. However, if the artwork is rejected, a SKU of
the line item can be automatically updated to that of a pin code
good for any design on a similarly sized device.
[0052] To facilitate an order fulfillment process, a content
management system can be implemented in accordance with various
embodiments of the present invention. In general, a content
management system can facilitate processing an order by
categorizing various types of information used to fulfill an order
and establishing relationships with that information. This can
reduce duplication of information and efforts to produce
information by maintaining information in an organized, logical
manner.
[0053] An exemplary content management system for fulfilling an
order for a skin product is described with reference to the
relationship diagram in FIG. 7. As shown, content management system
700 can include a plurality of records, each of which can be
embodied as a data file or the like and each can contain a
plurality of data fields, for example. To illustrate particular
benefits of the content management system 100 (shown in FIG. 1),
the relationship between device record 702, form-factor record 704
and CAD record 706 will now be explained. A device record 702 can
be representative of a particular physical product (e.g. Motorola
RAZRV3, Apple iPod 5G and HP Slimline) and can include information
like the device's associated serial number, abbreviation,
manufacture identifier and form factor identifier. In one
embodiment, each referenced device can have a single record,
regardless of its physical characteristics (i.e. its form factor).
As an example, the Motorola RAZRV3 and the Motorola RAZRV3c have
distinct device records, even though each model has an identical
form factor (because they are the same shape and size). As briefly
discussed above, form-factor records 704 can describe distinct
physical characteristics of a device. The physical characteristics
can include the size and shape of the device. To illustrate, again
consider the RAZRV3 and RAZRV3c. Both devices have identical shapes
and sizes and, thus, have identical form factor records 704. In
other words, a form-factor created for the RAZRV3 is equally
applicable to the RAZRV3c. In such a case, there is no need to
store more than one form-factor record 704. More than one
form-factor record can mean duplication of efforts both in "CADing"
and art production. Accordingly, a plurality of device records 702
can be linked to a single form-factor 704.
[0054] With further reference to FIG. 7, CAD records 706 can be
representative of distinct parts comprised in the form-factor
records 704. Consequently, more than one CAD record 706 may be
linked to a single form factor record 704. To illustrate, the HP
Pavilion S7000 series desktop computer may have six parts used to
describe the entire device: front, top, top left, bottom left, top
right and bottom right. As such, six CAD records 706 may be used to
describe the device; one CAD record for each distinct part.
[0055] Another feature that can be implemented in content
management system 700 is CAD typing. FIG. 7 illustrates CAD typing
files 718 associated with the CAD records 706. In one embodiment,
system 700 can support four CAD types, although more or fewer CAD
types may be used as needed. The four CAD types can include a
production type, a web type, a transform type and an art team type.
The production type can support the print solution. The web type
and the transform type can support a photo-upload process, for
example, as referenced above.
[0056] With further reference to FIG. 7, an order record 708 can be
associated with a particular order and include a serial number
field associated with that particular order. As each order can
comprise a number of order components, each order record 708 can be
associated with a plurality of order component records 710. In one
embodiment, each order component record 710 includes a serial
number field, an order identification field, and an order component
type filed.
[0057] Further to FIG. 7, each order component record 710 can have
an associated order line item record 712. The order line item 712
can have a plurality of fields, including serial number field,
order component field, sku identifier field, configuration file
field and a status field.
[0058] With further reference to FIG. 7, a skin record 714 can
include a serial number field, an abbreviation filed, a base
production image filed and a thumbnail image filed. Each skin
record 714 can be associated with a plurality of sku records 716,
which can include a serial number field. In addition, each sku
record can be associated with a plurality of order line item
records 712.
[0059] In one embodiment, the sku number in each line item of an
order can define both a design code and a device code. The device
code can be used to look up the appropriate CAD by traversing the
form factor records. Since an optional feature of a fulfillment
process is to determine if production artwork exists, the
production artwork can be named using the following convention:
[0060] PRODUCT TYPE+DESIGN CODE+PRODUCTION CAD NAME+(CUSTOM UPLOAD
ID (if present).EXT For example, a skin (SKN) with a Tinkerbell
design (TNKBELL) on a Motorola RAZR CAD (MTRRZR) could be
SKNTINKBELLMTRRZR.ext; whereas Tinkerbell on the left side of an HP
Slimline (HPS7K) could be SKNTINKBELLHP7K-LEFT-TOP.ext and
SKNTINKBELLHP7K-LEFT-BOTTOM.ext (remembering that the left and
right side of the Slimline can be split into two parts or
CADs).
[0061] In accordance with various embodiments, orders for skins can
be placed through participating websites. As described above, as
orders are enrolled, they can be verified for production. In other
words, the system can ensure the files necessary to produce the
skin are available and correct. Once verified, the line items can
be added to a production queue. The production queue can be managed
by a production planner. The production planner can alter the
priority of orders in batch, force orders through the process, or
withhold orders as the situation calls. Once the planner is
satisfied with the batch composition, the batch can be released to
a nesting solution.
[0062] A nesting solution can be a process of placing images in an
arrangement that results in minimal waste of material. Nesting
operations can vary in complexity based on several factors, such as
the complexity of the shapes to be nested, the rules imposed on the
nesting solution, and the number of units to be nested
together.
[0063] Nesting can reduce waste management material, which can
become increasingly important as more expensive substrates are
used. In addition, one can intermix devices of varying shapes and
sizes in a single batch using a nesting solution. This can allow a
manufacturer to produce all parts of a multi-part order in a single
batch, which can have beneficial implications for order management
and fulfillment.
[0064] FIG. 8a illustrates a grid based imposition and FIG. 8b
illustrates a nested solution. As illustrated, the nesting solution
comprises a plurality of intermixed devices and arranges the
devices in a manner that reduces waste.
[0065] In accordance with various embodiments of the present
invention, a key-based nesting solution can be implemented. Here, a
key can be used, which can be any metric used to inform a nesting
algorithm of the order in which nesting should occur. For example,
an order number can be used as the key. By assigning multiple units
to the same order number, the system can control how the nesting
algorithm solves the layout. Various rules can be applied to solve
the layout, such as rules requiring units with the same key to be
spaced apart not more than a predefined distance and/or that units
with the same key possess the same orientation. Such rules can be
useful in enforcing a given output for a nesting solution and can
be used to simplify other manufacturing issues.
[0066] As an example of a key-based nesting, consider the
production of a large number of orders, such as 500 orders, and a
nesting solution which does not recognize a key. Furthermore, each
order can include two or more units of various sizes. A nesting
solution can be used to produce an efficient and cost effective
solution, for example to minimize waste area. Without control over
how the nest is performed, however, many of the orders can be split
across an entire batch, which can consist of several hundred pages.
This means that when a unit comes off the production line, it may
need to be held in queue until the second unit is complete. This
can create a complex pick and pack problem, which may require
additional resources to properly manage. This in turn can introduce
inefficiency and higher risk of error.
[0067] A key-based nesting solution can solve the above problems by
nesting against the order using a rule that enforces units of the
same order to be placed a predefined distance apart from one
another, for example 30'' apart. This can ensure that units come
off of the production line at approximately the same time while
giving the nesting solution enough leeway to compute a space
efficient solution.
[0068] To assist in the production of skins, an inline material
treatment and on-demand cutting/fulfillment system may be
implemented in accordance with various embodiments. With reference
to FIG. 9, a fulfillment system can include a treater/laminator 900
designed to fit in-line with a digital printer, such as the WS4500
press made by Hewlett Packard Co. The treater/laminator 900 can
include a web in feed/material accumulator to accommodate rolls up
to, for example, 14 inches in width on 3 inch cores. Roll lengths
can be up to, for example, 3000 feet. An unwind 902 on the
treater/laminator can be a pneumatic core. A corona treater 904
(Enercon Industries Corporation or Sherman Treaters Ltd., for
example) can be optionally included and, if so, a dancer and roll
in can be fed to an in-line laminator 906 that utilizes self wound
or liner over laminate. The corona treated (if corona treatment is
used) and laminated roll-to-roll material can then be rewound on a
pneumatic core rewind 908. The unwind and rewind can have tension
control. The unwind diameter (roll diameter on a 3 inch core) can
be 28 inches; the rewind diameter can be 20 inches. The
treater/laminator 900 can then rewind the material so a roll can be
taken off and put on the cutting machine or pass the material to a
laser cutting module 910 in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention.
[0069] FIG. 10 shows a cutter and fulfillment system 1000 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A cutting
mechanism 1002 can receive material roll-to-roll either by having a
roll placed on an unwind 1004 of the cutter and fulfillment system
1000. Alternatively, the material can be passed via a series of
nips and rollers, where it is fed to a cutting mechanism via a
vacuum web or collected in an accumulator and fed to the laser
cutting mechanism. Two cameras 1006 (one camera shown) can read
fiducial marks on the material rolls and align the cutting
mechanism 1002 as the material is fed through the cutter and
fulfillment system 1000. A bar code scanner 1008 can read the
barcode on the printed roll prior to cutting. Cutting instructions,
stored as software on the laser cutting mechanism CPU 1010 for
example, can then access the corresponding pre-stored cut pattern
file from a database stored in memory, and begin cutting
accordingly. The cutter mechanism 1002 can be a laser cutter
utilizing one or multiple CO2 beam steered lasers to cut the
material. Each laser can be 500 or 1000 watts, but it is
appreciated that other lasers can be used as well. The laser cutter
and fulfillment system 1000 can utilize a vacuum web conveyor 1012
to hold parts in place. The cutter and fulfillment system 1000 may
also utilize a second vacuum web conveyor to discard waste material
and pass finished parts forward.
[0070] Further to FIG. 10, after parts are cut, software programs
associated with the cutter and fulfillment system 1000 can drive a
robotic arm 1014 to separate skins or devices with skins from waste
material. The robotic arm 1014 can sort orders of both large and
small parts into bins 1016 and 1018, respectively. The parts can be
scanned again in-line. Once all parts for any given order have been
verified and scanned, an appropriate shipping label, packing slip
and other inserts can be printed and married with the parts in
appropriate sized envelopes or tubes by another robotic apparatus
1020.
[0071] In accordance with one embodiment, a batch of files to be
cut containing cut information (die lines, etc.) can be sent to the
CPU 1010 of the laser cutter and fulfillment system in advance for
pre-processing. In this process, die lines can be converted into
laser instructions such as mirror angles, beam power, cut inside or
outside the die line, beam width, etc. Each frame can contain two
fiducial marks for orientation, and one barcode--which can allow
the system to reference the appropriate cut information. The
fiducial marks can be read by the in-line camera based vision
system 1006 and an in-line barcode reader 1008 can read the barcode
on each frame as the material passes through the cut system. A gap
between the readers and the laser head can be fixed and the speed
of the web 1012 can be controlled. As such, informing the laser
mechanism when to cut can be calculated using the web 1012 speed
and the dimensions of the known gap. The cut parts can then advance
on the web 1012 to the pack out robotic arms. Part orientation
information can be sent to the CPU 1010 controlling the robotic arm
1014 in advance and inform the arm about the location of the parts
in each frame on the web 1012 and where to pick up the part or
multiple parts using X and Y axis information. An in-line camera
system or camera systems on the robotic arm 1014, or arms, can read
the fiducial marks on the sheet of laser cut parts to stay
calibrated, orientated and to maintain a synchronous web speed.
Parts can then be sorted by size and placed into two bins. For
example one bin for all orders with laptop sized parts and another
bin for orders with wireless handset sized parts. The parts can be
orientated uniformly in the bins. A second robotic arm with a bar
code scanner or an inline barcode scanner can scan a secondary
"unit barcode", which references the part information, and performs
a vision inspection. Bad parts can then be parsed and placed in a
reject bin. Based on the reason for the defect, the part can then
be re-queued into an artwork queue or print queue via an order
fulfillment system, such as one of the systems described in this
disclosure. Shipping labels, inserts and invoices can be pre
printed sequentially based on an .xml data format and fed to
printer memory. The material can be inserted into an appropriate
sized envelope or tube and married with the correct parts. Shipping
labels can also be affixed to the envelope or tube. A vision system
can track for errors and parts with poorly affixed labels or insert
errors. Those orders with errors can be set aside for manual
inspection and for manual entry for re-print.
[0072] The cutter and order fulfillment system 1000 can feed data
back to the management system 102 (FIG. 1) that parts were cut
correctly and that the parts were packed out correctly. By
recognizing any defects, the management system 102 can then take
action to correct the defect and reprocess the order correctly.
[0073] As discussed above, the embodiments of the present invention
disclosed herein are not limited to a particular adhesive cover
size. For example, large-format printing can be used for printing
large adhesive covers capable of covering all or a portion of wall,
automobile or boat. A large-format printer can be used to print the
image, such as the Scitex TJ8500 Turbojet available from Hewlett
Packard.
[0074] Various forms of control logic can be used to implement the
various features and functions associated with the invention. Such
control logic can be implemented using hardware, software, or a
combination thereof. For example, one or more servers, computing
systems, controllers, processors, processing systems, ASICs, PLAs,
and other computing devices, logic devices, modalities or
components can be included to implement the desired features and
functionality.
[0075] In one embodiment, these elements are implemented using one
or more computing systems capable of carrying out the functionality
described with respect thereto. One such example computing system
is shown in FIG. 11. Computing system 1100 may represent, for
example, desktop, laptop and notebook computers; hand held
computing devices (FDA's, smart phones, palmtops, etc.);
mainframes, supercomputers, or servers; or any other type of
special or general purpose computing devices as may be desirable or
appropriate for a given application or environment.
[0076] Referring now to FIG. 11, the computing system 1100 can
include one or more processors, such as a processor 1104. Processor
1104 can be implemented using a general or special purpose
processing engine such as, for example, a microprocessor,
controller or other control logic.
[0077] In the example, processor 1104 is connected to a bus 1102 or
other communication medium. Various software embodiments are
described in terms of this example computing system 1100. After
reading this description, it will become apparent to a person
skilled in the relevant art how to implement the invention using
other computer systems or architectures.
[0078] Computing system 1100 also includes a main memory 1108,
preferably random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic memory, for
storing information and instructions to be executed by processor
1104. Main memory 1108 also may be used for storing temporary
variables or other intermediate information during execution of
instructions to be executed by processor 1104. Computing system
1100 can likewise includes a read only memory ("ROM") or other
static storage device coupled to bus 1102 for storing static
information and instructions for processor 1104.
[0079] The computing system 1100 can also include information
storage mechanism 1110, which can include, for example, a media
drive 1112 and a removable storage interface 1120. The media drive
1112 can include a drive or other mechanism to support fixed or
removable storage media. For example, a hard disk drive a floppy
disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a CD or
DVD drive (read or read/write versions), or other removable or
fixed media drive. Storage media 1118, can include, for example, a
hard disk, a floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, a CD or DVD,
or other fixed or removable medium that is read by and written to
by media drive 1112. As these examples illustrate, the storage
media 1118 can include a computer usable storage medium having
stored therein particular computer software or data.
[0080] In alternative embodiments, information storage mechanism
1110 may include other similar instrumentalities for allowing
computer programs or other instructions or data to be loaded into
computing system 1100. Such instrumentalities can include, for
example, a removable storage unit 1122 and an interface 1120.
Examples of such can include a program cartridge and cartridge
interface, a removable memory (for example, a flash memory) and
memory slot, and other removable storage units 1122 and interfaces
1120 that allow software and data to be transferred from the
removable storage unit 1118 to computing system 1100.
[0081] Computing system 1100 can also include a communications
interface 1124. Communications interface 1124 can be used to allow
software and data to be transferred between computing system 1100
and external devices. Examples of communications interface 1124 can
include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet or other
NIC card), a communications port (such as for example, a USB port),
a PCMCIA slot and card, etc. Software and data transferred via
communications interface 1124 are in the form of signals which can
be electronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signals capable of
being received by communications interface 1124. These signals are
provided to communications interface 1124 via a channel 1128. This
channel 1128 can carry signals and can be implemented using a
wireless medium, wire or cable, fiber optics, or other
communications medium. Some examples of a channel can include a
phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link, a network interface,
a local or wide area network, and other communications
channels.
[0082] In this document, the terms "computer program medium" and
"computer usable medium" are used to generally refer to media such
as, for example, memory 1108, storage device 1118, a hard disk
installed in hard disk drive 1112, and signals on channel 1128.
These and other various forms of computer usable media may be
involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more
instructions to processor 1104 for execution. Such instructions
(which may be grouped in the form of computer programs or other),
when executed, enable the computing system 1100 to perform features
of the present invention as discussed herein. In particular, the
computer programs, when executed, enable the processor 1104 to
perform the features of the present invention.
[0083] In an embodiment where the elements are implemented using
software, the software may be stored in a computer program product
and loaded into computing system 1100 using removable storage drive
1114, hard drive 1112 or communications interface 1124. The control
logic (in this example, software instructions), when executed by
the processor 1104, causes the processor 1104 to perform the
functions of the invention as described herein.
[0084] While various embodiments of the present invention have been
described above, it should be understood that they have been
presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise,
the various diagrams may depict an example architectural or other
configuration for the invention, which is done to aid in
understanding the features and functionality that can be included
in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the
illustrated example architectures or configurations, but can be
implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and
configurations. Additionally, although the invention is described
above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and
implementations, it should be understood that the various features
and functionality described in one or more of the individual
embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the
particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead
can be applied, alone or in some combination, to one or more of the
other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments
are described and whether or not such features are presented as
being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope
of the present invention should not be limited by any of the
above-described exemplary embodiments.
[0085] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations
thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as
open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing:
the term "including" should be read as mean "including, without
limitation" or the like; the term "example" is used to provide
exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or
limiting list thereof; and adjectives such as "conventional,"
"traditional," "normal," "standard," "known" and terms of similar
meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a
given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but
instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional,
normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now
or at any time in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked
with the conjunction "and" should not be read as requiring that
each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but
rather should be read as "and/or" unless expressly stated
otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction
"or" should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that
group, but rather should also be read as "and/or" unless expressly
stated otherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or
components of the invention may be described or claimed in the
singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof
unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The
presence of broadening words and phrases such as "one or more," "at
least," "but not limited to" or other like phrases in some
instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is
intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may
be absent. The use of the term "module" does not imply that the
components or functionality described or claimed as part of the
module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all
of the various components of a module, whether control logic or
other components, can be combined in a single package or separately
maintained and can further be distributed across multiple
locations.
* * * * *