Electronic bookstore vending machine

• US 6,012,890 A
• Filed: 10/03/1997
• Issued: 01/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Victor Manuel Celorio
• Original Assignee: Instabook Corporation
• Inventors: Celorio Garrido, Victor Manuel
• Primary Examiner(s): Fridie, Jr., Willmon
• Assistant Examiner(s): Henderson, Mark T.
• Application Number:
  US08/943,175
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 270/1.02, 270/1.03, 270/21.1, 412/4, 412/8, 412/16, 412/19, 412/32
• US Class Current: 412/19
• CPC Class Codes: B41F 17/02 for printing books or manifolding sets
• CPC Class Codes: B41P 2217/51 for printing individualised books
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and system for producing books on-demand. An electronic bookstore in accordance with the subject invention can receive an electronic text file of a book and then print and bind a copy of the book. A user may browse an electronic catalog, for example over the Internet, and place an order for a book which can be picked up at a conveniently located electronic bookstore shortly after placing the order. The subject invention reduces costs and waste associated with conventional production and distribution of print matter. Advantageously, the subject invention allows books with smaller audiences to be published at a reasonable price. An electronic bookstore in accordance with the subject invention can have access to literally millions of books and can print and bind any selected book in a few minutes.

Claims

1. A device for printing and binding a book, comprising:

a receiving means for receiving data corresponding to a book'"'"'s content;

a formatting means for formatting the book'"'"'s content into a book distribution;

a printing means for printing the book'"'"'s content on paper sheets upon receipt of a signal from said receiving means;

a clamping means for clamping the printed sheets into a book block;

a glueing means for applying glue to a spine of the book block; and

a cutting means for cutting said paper sheets into smaller sheets,

wherein said printing means prints multiple pages of the book'"'"'s content on each paper sheet and said cutting means cuts said paper sheet into smaller sheets such that each smaller sheet has a book page printed on each side.

2. The device, according to claim 1, further comprising:

a notching means for notching a spine edge of the printed sheets, wherein said notching means creates notches which enhance adhesion of the glue on the spine of the book block.

3. The device, according to claim 1, wherein said glueing means applies a cold glue.

4. The device, according to claim 3, wherein said cold glue is water based.

7. The device, according to claim 1, further comprising:

a stacking means for stacking and aligning the printed sheet into a book block which is clamped in the clamping means.

8. The device, according to claim 1, wherein said receiving means can receive data corresponding to the text of a book from a remote location wherein said receiving means deletes said data after printing the book so as to avoid unauthorized copies of the book from being printed.

9. The device, according to claim 1, wherein said data corresponding to the book'"'"'s content includes control data which indicates format, font type, or type size of the book'"'"'s content, wherein said formatting means controls the format, font type, or type size of the book'"'"'s content in accordance with the control data.

10. The device, according to claim 1, further comprising a user interaction means whereby a customer can select a book to be printed and bound.

11. The device, according to claim 1, wherein two pages of text are printed on each side of each paper sheet such that when the paper sheet is cut in half, smaller sheets are formed, wherein each smaller sheet can have text on both sides.

12. The device, according to claim 2, wherein said notching means and said cutting means are the same such that the paper sheets are notched as the paper sheets are cut into smaller paper sheets.

13. The device, according to claim 1, wherein the received data corresponding to the text of the book can be in electronic text format.

5. A device for printing and binding a book, comprising:

a receiving means for receiving data corresponding to a book'"'"'s content;

a formatting means for formatting the book'"'"'s content into a book distribution;

a printing means for printing the book'"'"'s content on paper sheets upon receipt of a signal from said receiving means;

a clamping means for clamping the printed sheets into a book block;

a glueing means for applying glue to a spine of the book block; and

a labeling means for attaching a spine cover label to the spine of the book, wherein said printing means prints a cover image on cover stock to create cover pages, wherein said cover pages are included in the book block clamped together by the clamping means and glued together by the glueing means, and wherein said spine cover label is attached to the spine of the book so as to overlap onto the cover pages.

42. The device according to claim 5, further comprising:

a notching means for notching a spine edge of the book pages, wherein said notching means creates notches which enhance adhesion of the glue on the spine of the book block.

43. The device according to claim 42, wherein said notching means and said cutting means are the same such that the book pages are notched as the paper sheets are cut into book pages.

44. The device according to claim 5, wherein said glueing means applies a cold glue.

45. The device according to claim 44, wherein said cold glue is water based.

46. The device according to claim 5, further comprising:

a stacking means for stacking and aligning the book pages into a book block which is clamped in the clamping means.

47. The device according to claim 5, further comprising a user interaction means whereby a customer can select a book to be printed and bound.

6. A device for printing and binding a book, comprising:

a receiving means for receiving data corresponding to a book'"'"'s content;

a formatting means for formatting the book'"'"'s content into a book distribution;

a printing means for printing the book'"'"'s content on paper sheets upon receipt of a signal from said receiving means;

a clamping means for clamping the printed sheets into a book block;

a glueing means for applying glue to a spine of the book block; and

a covering means for attaching a cover to the book block, wherein said printing means prints a cover image on cover stock to create a cover for the book, and wherein said covering means attaches said cover to the glued book block such as to cover the spine and pages of the book block.

48. The device according to claim 6, further comprising:

a notching means for notching a spine edge of the book pages, wherein said notching means creates notches which enhance adhesion of the glue on the spine of the book block.

49. The device according to claim 48, wherein said notching means and said cutting means are the same such that the book pages are notched as the paper sheets are cut into book pages.

50. The device according to claim 6, wherein said glueing means applies a cold glue.

51. The device according to claim 50, wherein said cold glue is water based.

52. The device according to claim 6, further comprising:

a stacking means for stacking and aligning the book pages into a book block which is clamped in the clamping means.

53. The device according to claim 6, further comprising a user interaction means whereby a customer can select a book to be printed and bound.

14. A system for distributing and manufacturing books, comprising:

an input means for inputting requests for books,

a plurality of printing and binding means for printing and binding a book upon receipt of data corresponding to a book'"'"'s content and control data, and

at least one central distribution unit which receives a request for a selected book and causes said data corresponding to the selected books'"'"' content and control data to be transferred to said printing and binding means,

wherein said central distribution unit and at least one of said plurality of printing and binding means are geographically separated, and wherein each printing and binding means for printing and binding books comprises;

a receiving means for receiving data corresponding to a book'"'"'s content;

a formatting means for formatting the book'"'"'s content into a book distribution;

a printing means for printing the book'"'"'s content on paper sheets upon receipt of a signal from said receiving means;

a clamping means for clamping the printed sheets into a book block;

a glueing means for applying glue to a spine of the book block; and

a cutting means for cutting said paper sheets into smaller sheets,

wherein said printing means prints multiple pages of the book'"'"'s content on each paper sheet and said cutting means cuts said paper sheet into smaller sheets such that each smaller sheet has a book page printed on each side.

15. The system, according to claim 14, wherein said central distribution unit comprises a storage means wherein said central distribution unit accesses the data corresponding to the selected book'"'"'s content from said storage means.

16. The system, according to claim 14, wherein said central distribution unit accesses the data corresponding to the selected book'"'"'s content from a plurality of storage facilities.

17. The system, according to claim 16, wherein said plurality of storage facilities correspond to a plurality of publishers and authors.

18. The system, according to claim 14, wherein the data corresponding to the selected book'"'"'s content and control data transferred from the central distribution unit to the printing and binding means includes formatting data.

19. The system, according to claim 14, wherein of each said printing and binding means comprises a computer means for receiving the data corresponding to the selected book'"'"'s content, temporarily storing the data, and formatting the book'"'"'s content for printing and binding in accordance with said requests.

20. A method for producing and distributing books, comprising the following steps:

creating a plurality of electronic text files corresponding to a plurality of books such that each electronic text file corresponds to one book'"'"'s content, storing said plurality of text files, allowing a customer to order one or more of said plurality of books, transmitting the electronic text files corresponding to the ordered book(s) to a device capable of printing and binding said ordered book(s),

wherein said device capable of printing and binding said ordered book(s) comprises;

a receiving means for receiving data corresponding to a book'"'"'s content;

a formatting means for formatting the book'"'"'s content into a book distribution;

a printing means for printing the book'"'"'s content on paper sheets upon receipt of a signal from said receiving means;

a clamping means for clamping the printed sheets into a book block;

a glueing means for applying glue to a spine of the book block; and

a cutting means for cutting said paper sheets into smaller sheets,

wherein said printing means prints multiple pages of the book'"'"'s content on each paper sheet and said cutting means cuts said paper sheet into smaller sheets such that each smaller sheet has a book page printed on each side; and

wherein said device is conveniently located for the customer and said ordered books are printed and bound such as to allow the customer to pick-up the ordered book(s) at said device within a short period of time.

82. The method according to claim 20, further comprising:

a notching means for notching a spine edge of the book pages, wherein said notching means creates notches which enhance adhesion of the glue on the spine of the book block.

83. The method according to claim 82, wherein said notching means and said cutting means are the same such that the paper sheets are notched as the paper sheets are cut into smaller paper sheets.

84. The method according to claim 82, wherein said glueing means applies a cold glue.

85. The method according to claim 84, wherein said cold glue is water based.

86. The method according to claim 82, wherein said device capable of printing and binding said ordered book(s) further comprises:

a stacking means for stacking and aligning the paper sheets into a book block which is clamped in the clamping means.

87. The method according to claim 82, wherein said receiving means can receive data corresponding to the book'"'"'s content from a remote location wherein said receiving means deletes said data after printing the book so as to avoid unauthorized copies of the book from being printed.

88. The method according to claim 82, wherein said data corresponding to the book'"'"'s content includes control data which indicates format, font type, or type size of the book'"'"'s content, wherein said formatting means controls the format, font type, or type size of the book'"'"'s content in accordance with the control data.

89. The method according to claim 82, wherein said device capable of printing and binding said ordered book(s) further comprises a user interaction means whereby a customer can select a book to be printed and bound.

90. The method according to claim 82, wherein the received data corresponding to the text of the book can be in electronic text format.

21. A method for printing and binding a book, comprising the following steps:

receiving data corresponding to a book'"'"'s content;

formatting the book'"'"'s content into a book distribution;

printing the book'"'"'s content on paper sheets upon receipt of a signal;

clamping the printed sheets into a book block;

applying glue to a spine of the book block, and

cutting said paper sheets into smaller sheets;

wherein multiple pages of the book'"'"'s content are printed on each paper sheet and said paper sheets are cut into smaller sheets such that each smaller sheet can have a book page printed on each side.

22. The method, according to claim 21, further comprising the step of:

notching a spine edge of the book pages, wherein said notches enhance adhesion of the glue on the spine of the book block.

23. The method, according to claim 21, wherein cold glue is applied.

24. The method, according to claim 23, wherein said cold glue is water based.

27. The method, according to claim 21, further comprising the step of:

stacking and aligning the printed sheets into a book block which is then clamped.

28. The method, according to claim 21, wherein said data corresponding to the book'"'"'s content is received from a remote location, wherein said data is deleted after printing the book so as to avoid unauthorized copies of the book from being printed.

29. The method, according to claim 21, wherein said data corresponding to the book'"'"'s content includes control data which indicates format, font type, or type size of the book'"'"'s content, wherein said format, font type, or type size of the book'"'"'s content is controlled according to the received control data.

30. The method, according to claim 21, further comprising the step of allowing user interaction, whereby a user can select a book to be printed and bound.

31. The method, according to claim 21, wherein two pages of text are printed on each side of each paper sheet such that when the paper sheet is cut in half, smaller sheets are formed, wherein each smaller sheet can have text on both sides.

32. The method, according to claim 22, wherein said notching step and said cutting step are performed simultaneously such that the paper sheets are notched as the paper sheets are cut into smaller paper sheets.

25. A method for printing and binding a book, comprising the following steps:

receiving data corresponding to a book'"'"'s content;

formatting the book'"'"'s content into a book distribution;

printing the book'"'"'s content on paper sheets upon receipt of a signal;

clamping the printed sheets into a book block;

applying glue to a spine of the book block; and

attaching a spine cover label to the spine of the book, wherein a cover image is printed on cover stock to create cover pages, wherein said cover pages are included in the book block clamped together and glued together, and wherein said spine cover label is attached to the spine of the book so as to overlap onto the cover pages.

91. The method according to claim 25, further comprising the step of:

notching a spine edge of the book pages, wherein said notches enhance adhesion of the glue on the spine of the book block.

92. The method according to claim 91, wherein said notching step and said cutting step are performed simultaneously such that the paper sheets are notched as the paper sheets are cut into smaller paper sheets.

93. The method according to claim 25 further comprising the step of:

cutting said paper sheets into smaller sheets;

wherein multiple pages of text are printed on each paper sheet and said paper sheets are cut into smaller sheets such that each smaller sheet can have a book page printed on each side.

94. The method according to claim 25, wherein cold glue is applied.

95. The method according to claim 94, wherein said cold glue is water based.

96. The method according to claim 25, further comprising the step of:

stacking and aligning the printed sheets into a book block which is then clamped.

97. The method according to claim 25, wherein said received data corresponding to the book'"'"'s content is received from a remote location, wherein said data is deleted after printing the book so as to avoid unauthorized copies of the book from being printed.

98. The method according to claim 25, wherein said received data corresponding to the book'"'"'s content includes control data which indicates format, font type, or type size of the book'"'"'s content, wherein said format, font type, or type size of the book'"'"'s content is controlled according to the received control data.

99. The method according to claim 25, further comprising the step of allowing user interaction, whereby a user can select a book to be printed and bound.

26. A method for printing and binding a book, comprising the following steps:

receiving data corresponding to a book'"'"'s content;

formatting the book'"'"'s content into a book distribution;

printing the book'"'"'s content on paper sheets upon receipt of a signal;

clamping the printed sheets into a book block;

applying glue to a spine of the book block; and

attaching a cover to the book block, wherein said cover image is printed on cover stock to create a cover for the book, and wherein said cover is attached to the glued book block such as to cover the spine and sheets of the book block.

100. The method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of:

notching a spine edge of the book pages, wherein said notches enhance adhesion of the glue on the spine of the book block.

101. The method according to claim 100, wherein said notching step and said cutting step are performed simultaneously such that the paper sheets are notched as the paper sheets are cut into smaller paper sheets.

102. The method according to claim 26 further comprising the step of:

cutting said paper sheets into smaller sheets;

wherein multiple pages of text are printed on each paper sheet and said paper sheets are cut into smaller sheets such that each smaller sheet can have a book page printed on each side.

103. The method according to claim 26, wherein cold glue is applied.

104. The method according to claim 103, wherein said cold glue is water based.

105. The method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of:

stacking and aligning the printed sheets into a book block which is then clamped.

106. The method according to claim 26, wherein said data corresponding to the book'"'"'s content is received from a remote location, wherein said data is deleted after printing the book so as to avoid unauthorized copies of the book from being printed.

107. The method according to claim 26, wherein said data corresponding to the book'"'"'s content includes control data which indicates format, font type, or type size of the book'"'"'s content, wherein said format, font type, or type size of the book'"'"'s content is controlled according to the received control data.

108. The method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of allowing user interaction, whereby a user can select a book to be printed and bound.

33. A device for binding a book, comprising:

a paper sheet receiving means for receiving a plurality of paper sheets which are to be bound together,

a clamping means for clamping the received plurality of paper sheets into a book block,

a glueing means for applying glue to a spine of the book block, and

a cutting means for cutting said paper sheets into smaller sheets;

wherein multiple pages of text are printed on each paper sheet and said cutting means cuts said paper sheet into smaller sheets such that each smaller sheet can have a book page printed on each side.

34. The device, according to claim 33, further comprising:

a notching means for notching a spine edge of the book pages, wherein said notching means creates notches which enhance adhesion of the glue on the spine of the book block.

35. The device, according to claim 33, wherein said glueing means applies a cold glue.

36. The device, according to claim 35, wherein said cold glue is water based.

39. The device, according to claim 33, further comprising:

a stacking means for stacking and aligning the paper sheets into a book block which is clamped in the clamping means.

40. The device, according to claim 33, wherein two pages of text are printed on each side of each paper sheet such that when the paper sheet is cut in half, smaller sheets are formed, wherein each smaller sheet can have text on both sides.

41. The device, according to claim 33, wherein said notching means and said cutting means are the same such that the paper sheets are notched as the paper sheets are cut into smaller paper sheets.

37. A device for binding a book, comprising:

a paper sheet receiving means for receiving a plurality of paper sheets which are to be bound together,

a clamping means for clamping the received plurality of paper sheets into a book block,

a glueing means for applying glue to a spine of the book block, and

a labeling means for attaching a spine cover label to the spine of the book, wherein said printing means prints a cover image on cover stock to create cover pages, wherein said cover pages are included in the book block clamped together by the clamping means and glued together by the glueing means, and wherein said spine cover label is attached to the spine of the book so as to overlap onto the cover pages.

109. The method according to claim 37, further comprising:

a notching means for notching a spine edge of the book pages, wherein said notching means creates notches which enhance adhesion of the glue on the spine of the book block.

110. The method according to claim 109, wherein said notching means and said cutting means are the same such that the paper sheets are notched as the paper sheets are cut into smaller paper sheets.

111. The method according to claim 37, further comprising:

a cutting means for cutting said paper sheets into smaller sheets; and

wherein said printing means prints multiple pages of text on each paper sheet and said cutting means cuts said paper sheet into smaller sheets such that each smaller sheet can have a book page printed on each side.

112. The method according to claim 37, wherein said glueing means applies a cold glue.

113. The method according to claim 111, wherein said cold glue is water based.

114. The method according to claim 37, further comprising:

a stacking means for stacking and aligning the paper sheets into a book block which is clamped in the clamping means.

38. A device for binding a book, comprising:

a paper sheet receiving means for receiving a plurality of paper sheets which are to be bound together,

a clamping means for clamping the received plurality of paper sheets into a book block,

a glueing means for applying glue to a spine of the book block, and

a covering means for attaching a cover to the book block, wherein said printing means prints a cover image on cover stock to create a cover for the book, and wherein said covering means attaches said cover to the glued book block such as to cover the spine and pages of the book block.

115. The method according to claim 38, further comprising:

a notching means for notching a spine edge of the book pages, wherein said notching means creates notches which enhance adhesion of the glue on the spine of the book block.

116. The method according to claim 115, wherein said notching means and said cutting means are the same such that the paper sheets are notched as the paper sheets are cut into smaller paper sheets.

117. The method according to claim 38, further comprising:

a cutting means for cutting said paper sheets into smaller sheets; and

wherein said printing means prints multiple pages of text on each paper sheet and said cutting means cuts said paper sheet into smaller sheets such that each smaller sheet can have a book page printed on each side.

118. The method according to claim 38, wherein said glueing means applies a cold glue.

119. The method according to claim 118, wherein said cold glue is water based.

120. The method according to claim 38, further comprising:

a stacking means for stacking and aligning the paper sheets into a book block which is clamped in the clamping means.

54. A system for distributing and manufacturing books, comprising:

an input means for inputting requests for books;

a plurality of printing and binding means for printing and binding books upon receipt of book text data and control data; and

at least one central distribution unit which receives requests for selected book texts and causes said book text and control data to be transferred to said printing and binding means,

wherein said control distribution unit and said plurality of printing and binding means are geographically separated, wherein each of said plurality of printing and binding means comprises;

a receiving means for receiving data corresponding to a book'"'"'s content;

a formatting means for formatting the book'"'"'s content into a book distribution;

a printing means for printing the book'"'"'s content on paper sheets upon receipt of a signal from said receiving means;

a clamping means for clamping the printed sheets into a book block;

a glueing means for applying glue to a spine of the book block; and

a labeling means for attaching a spine cover label to the spine of the book, wherein said printing means prints a cover image on cover stock to create cover pages, wherein said cover pages are included in the book block clamped together by the clamping means and glued together by the glueing means, and wherein said spine cover label is attached to the spine of the book so as to overlap onto the cover pages.

55. The system according to claim 54, wherein said central distribution unit comprises a storage means wherein said central distribution unit accesses the data corresponding to the selected book'"'"'s content from said storage means.

56. The system according to claim 54, wherein said central distribution unit accesses the data corresponding to the selected book'"'"'s content from a plurality of storage facilities.

57. The system according to claim 56, wherein said plurality of storage facilities correspond to a plurality of publishers and authors.

58. The system according to claim 54, wherein the data corresponding to the selected book'"'"'s content and control data transferred from the central distribution unit to the printing and data binding means includes formatting data.

59. The system according to claim 54, wherein each of said printing and binding means comprises a computer means for receiving the data corresponding to the selected book'"'"'s content, temporarily storing the data, and formatting the book'"'"'s content for printing and binding in accordance with said requests.

60. The system according to claim 54, further comprising:

a cutting means for cutting said paper sheets into smaller sheets,

wherein said printing means prints multiple pages of text on each paper sheet and said cutting means cuts said paper sheet into smaller sheets such that each smaller sheet can have a book page printed on each side.

61. A system for distributing and manufacturing books, comprising:

an input means for inputting requests for books;

a plurality of printing and binding means for printing and binding books upon receipt of book text data and control data;

at least one central distribution unit which receives requests for selected book texts and causes said book text and control data to be transferred to said printing and binding means,

wherein said control distribution unit and said plurality of printing and binding means are geographically separated, wherein each of said plurality of printing and binding means comprises;

a receiving means for receiving data corresponding to a book'"'"'s content;

a formatting means for formatting the book'"'"'s content into a book distribution;

a printing means for printing the book'"'"'s content on paper sheets upon receipt of a signal from said receiving means;

a clamping means for clamping the printed sheets into a book block;

a glueing means for applying glue to a spine of the book block;

a covering means for attaching a cover to the book block, wherein said printing means prints a cover image on cover stock to create a cover for the book, and wherein said covering means attaches said cover to the glued book block such as to cover the spine and pages of the book block.

62. The system according to claim 61, wherein said central distribution unit comprises a storage means wherein said central distribution unit accesses the data corresponding to the selected book'"'"'s content from said storage means.

63. The system according to claim 61, wherein said central distribution unit accesses the data corresponding to the selected book'"'"'s content from a plurality of storage facilities.

64. The system according to claim 63, wherein said plurality of storage facilities correspond to a plurality of publishers and authors.

65. The system according to claim 61, wherein the data corresponding to the selected book'"'"'s content and control data transferred from the central distribution unit to the printing and data binding means includes formatting data.

66. The system according to claim 61, wherein each of said printing and binding means comprises a computer means for receiving the data corresponding to the selected book'"'"'s content, temporarily storing the data, and formatting the book'"'"'s content for printing and binding in accordance with said requests.

67. The system according to claim 61, further comprising:

a cutting means for cutting said paper sheets into smaller sheets,

wherein said printing means prints multiple pages of text on each paper sheet and said cutting means cuts said paper sheet into smaller sheets such that each smaller sheet can have a book page printed on each side.

68. A method for producing and distributing books, comprising the following steps:

creating a plurality of electronic text files corresponding to a plurality of books such that each electronic text file corresponds to one book'"'"'s content;

storing said plurality of text files;

allowing a customer to order one or more of said plurality of books; and

transmitting the electronic text files corresponding to the ordered book(s) to a device capable of printing and binding said ordered book(s),

wherein said device capable of printing and binding said ordered book(s) comprises;

a receiving means for receiving data corresponding to a book'"'"'s content;

a formatting means for formatting the book'"'"'s content into a book distribution;

a printing means for printing the book'"'"'s content on paper sheets upon receipt of a signal from said receiving means;

a clamping means for clamping the printed sheets into a book block;

a glueing means for applying glue to a spine of the book block;

a labeling means for attaching a spine cover label to the spine of the book,

wherein said printing means prints a cover image on cover stock to create cover pages,

wherein said cover pages are included in the book block clamped together by the clamping means and glued together by the glueing means, wherein said spine cover label is attached to the spine of the book so as to overlap onto the cover pages, and

wherein said device is conveniently located for the customer and said ordered books are printed and bound such as to allow the customer to pick-up the ordered book(s) in at said device within a short period of time.

69. The method according to claim 68, further comprising:

a notching means for notching a spine edge of the book pages, wherein said notching means creates notches which enhance adhesion of the glue on the spine of the book block.

70. The method according to claim 69, wherein said notching means and said cutting means are the same such that the paper sheets are notched as the paper sheets are cut into smaller paper sheets.

71. The method according to claim 68, wherein said glueing means applies a cold glue.

72. The method according to claim 71, wherein said cold glue is water based.

73. The method according to claim 68, wherein said device capable of printing and binding said ordered book(s) further comprises:

a stacking means for stacking and aligning the book pages into a book block which is clamped in the clamping means.

74. The method according to claim 68, wherein said device capable of printing and binding said ordered book(s) further comprises a user interaction means whereby a customer can select a book to be printed and bound.

75. A method for producing and distributing books, comprising the following steps:

creating a plurality of electronic text files corresponding to a plurality of books, such that each electronic text file corresponds to one book'"'"'s content;

storing said plurality of text files;

allowing a customer to order one or more of said plurality of books; and

transmitting the electronic text files corresponding to the ordered book(s) to a device capable of printing and binding said ordered book(s),

wherein said device capable of printing and binding said ordered book(s) comprises;

a receiving means for receiving data corresponding to a book'"'"'s content;

a formatting means for formatting the book'"'"'s content into a book distribution;

a printing means for printing the book'"'"'s content on paper sheets upon receipt of a signal from said receiving means;

a clamping means for clamping the printed sheets into a book block;

a glueing means for applying glue to a spine of the book block;

a covering means for attaching a cover to the book block,

wherein said printing means prints a cover image on cover stock to create a cover for the book, and wherein said covering means attaches said cover to the glued book block such as to cover the spine and pages of the book block, and

wherein said device is conveniently located for the customer and said ordered books are printed and bound such as to allow the customer to pick-up the ordered book(s) in at said device within a short period of time.

76. The method according to claim 75, further comprising:

a notching means for notching a spine edge of the book pages, wherein said notching means creates notches which enhance adhesion of the glue on the spine of the book block.

77. The method according to claim 76, wherein said notching means and said cutting means are the same such that the paper sheets are notched as the paper sheets are cut into smaller paper sheets.

78. The method according to claim 75, wherein said glueing means applies a cold glue.

79. The method according to claim 78, wherein said cold glue is water based.

80. The method according to claim 75, wherein said device capable of printing and binding said ordered book(s) further comprises:

a stacking means for stacking and aligning the book pages into a book block which is clamped in the clamping means.

81. The method according to claim 75, wherein said device capable of printing and binding said ordered book(s) further comprises a user interaction means whereby a customer can select a book to be printed and bound.