Desktop forms order system
First Claim
1. A system for the production of custom business forms, each custom business form having a plurality of parameters that must be determined, and necessitating the inputting of order information, comprising:
- a first computing means for storing in said first computing means and manipulating data, at a first location;
a second computing means for storing and manipulating data, at a second location, remote from said first location, and including a monitor;
first control means for controlling said second computing means to custom design a plurality of first parameters of a business form, to produce a custom business form electronic format;
second control means for controlling said second computing means and storing price information, said second control means controlling said monitor for displaying order parameters, including quantity and delivery options, for selection by an operator, and a second plurality of business form parameters;
said second control means also automatically electronically determining said first plurality of business form parameters of said custom business form electronic format from said second computing means and matching them with said second plurality of business form parameters so that all business form parameters from said first control means are entered in said second control means;
operator interface means connected to said second computing means for allowing operator selection of order parameters and entry of any of said second plurality of business form parameters not automatically determined from said custom business form in electronic format;
said second control means further including means for controlling said second computing means to calculate prices once sufficient order and business form parameter data has been inputted, and, to provide a completed order in electronic format; and
first communication means for transmitting the custom business form in electronic format, and the completed order in electronic format, from said second computing means to said first computing means.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The creation and ordering of custom business forms is simplified for short-run orders, allowing the end user of the business form to design and transmit the order on a personal computer. Using appropriate design software, the business form is first designed, and then electronically transferred into a second software program which allows for the selection of a number of business form parameters, and also includes order parameters including quantity and delivery options. The business form parameters from the design software are automatically transferred to the ordering software, and any remaining parameters that must be selected are then selected in a sequence, the order quantity and delivery information is inputted, and the price is calculated, and then the custom business form and order are transmitted in machine form to a second computer remote from the first computer. At the second computer a confirmation of the order is produced, and the order is evaluated to determine where the best facility to print it is. The order is then electronically transferred to the printing location, and after printing it is shipped. The particular manner of highlighting and/or pictorially illustrating the options selectable, and a number of the particular parameters to be selected -- such as the edge along which multipart forms are to be attached -- are controlled for optimum utility.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A system for the production of custom business forms, each custom business form having a plurality of parameters that must be determined, and necessitating the inputting of order information, comprising:
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a first computing means for storing in said first computing means and manipulating data, at a first location; a second computing means for storing and manipulating data, at a second location, remote from said first location, and including a monitor; first control means for controlling said second computing means to custom design a plurality of first parameters of a business form, to produce a custom business form electronic format; second control means for controlling said second computing means and storing price information, said second control means controlling said monitor for displaying order parameters, including quantity and delivery options, for selection by an operator, and a second plurality of business form parameters; said second control means also automatically electronically determining said first plurality of business form parameters of said custom business form electronic format from said second computing means and matching them with said second plurality of business form parameters so that all business form parameters from said first control means are entered in said second control means; operator interface means connected to said second computing means for allowing operator selection of order parameters and entry of any of said second plurality of business form parameters not automatically determined from said custom business form in electronic format; said second control means further including means for controlling said second computing means to calculate prices once sufficient order and business form parameter data has been inputted, and, to provide a completed order in electronic format; and first communication means for transmitting the custom business form in electronic format, and the completed order in electronic format, from said second computing means to said first computing means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for the production of custom business forms, each custom business form having a plurality of parameters that must be determined, and necessitating the inputting of order information, comprising:
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a first computing means for storing in said first computing means and manipulating data, at a first location; a second computing means for storing and manipulating data, at a second location, remote from said first location, and including a monitor; first control means for controlling said second computing means to custom design a plurality of first parameters of a business form, to produce a custom business form in electronic format; second control means for controlling said second computing means and storing price information, said second control means controlling said monitor for displaying order parameters, including quantity and delivery options, for selection by an operator, and a second plurality of business form parameters; operator interface means connected to said second computing means for allowing operator selection of order parameters and entry of at least some of said second plurality of business form parameters; said second plurality of parameters comprising a form type parameter which includes multisheet edge connected set options, and which edge the sheets of the set are connected at; and
wherein said second control means comprises means for illustrating possible edges for connection dependent upon associated other parameters selected in a pictorial simulation of the form configuration and the edge connection options highlighted, on said second computing means monitor;said second control means further including means for controlling said second computing means to calculate prices once sufficient order and business form parameter data has been inputted; and
, to provide a completed order in electronic format; andfirst communication means for transmitting the custom business form in electronic format, and the completed order in electronic format from said second computing means to said first computing means. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A system for the production of custom business forms, each custom business form having a plurality of parameters that must be determined, and necessitating the inputting of order information, comprising:
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a first computing means for storing in said first computing means and manipulating data, at a first location; a second computing means for storing and manipulating data, at a second location, remote from said first location, and including a monitor; first control means for controlling said second computing means to custom design a plurality of first parameters of a business form, to produce a custom business form in electronic format; second control means for controlling said second computing means and storing price information, said second control mens controlling said monitor for displaying order parameters, including quantity and delivery options, for selection by an operator, and second plurality of business form parameters; operator interface mean connected to said second computing means for allowing operator selection of order parameters and entry of at least some of said second plurality of business form parameters; said second control means further including;
means for displaying a first plurality of options for selection once one of said second parameters is activated;
means for -- after selection of one of said first plurality of options -- displaying a second plurality of options for selection, and illuminating only those of said second plurality of options that are available for selection given the first plurality of options selected; and
means for controlling said second computing means to calculate prices once sufficient order and business form parameter data has been inputted, and, to provide a completed order in electronic format; andfirst communication means for transmitting the custom business form in electronic format, and the completed order in electronic format from said second computing means to said first computing means. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification