Multiple company integrated document production

• US 6,481,752 B1
• Filed: 09/10/1998
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Moore North America Incorporated (RR Donnelley & Sons Company)
• Original Assignee: Moore Business Forms Inc.
• Inventors: DeJoseph, Anthony B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wellington, A. L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CARTER, MONICA SMITH
• Application Number:
  US09/150,736
• Time in Patent Office: 1,531 Days
• Field of Search: 283/57, 283/59, 283/116, 283/61, 283/62, 281/2, 281/5
• US Class Current: 281/5
• CPC Class Codes: B41F 17/02 for printing books or manifolding sets
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/02 using printers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2215/0005 Accepting output data; Preparing data for the controlling system
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2215/0097 Printing on special media, e.g. labels, envelopes

Abstract

A single document page with multiple different variable indicia from a least two discrete sources is produced using a computer control and an imaging system (such as a selective flexographic system with ion deposition or ink jet stations), variable database streams and variable data streams from at least two discrete sources are fed to the same computer control, which is then used to control the imaging system to merge the variable database streams and variable data streams from at least two discrete sources to that they may be imaged on the same document page. Paper is fed to the imaging system, and using the imaging system the same document page is imaged with variable database indicia from the multiple discrete sources. Three, or even more, discrete sources can be utilized, and each discrete source may also have a distinct form structure so that the variable data indicia and variable database indicia are each placed in their own distinct form structure. The variable database streams may include company name and logo data, coupon data, direct marketing messages, and/or images, or the like, while the variable data streams include alphanumeric characters which convey account and/or billing information. All of the indicia may be imaged on the same face of a single sheet (e.g. having a maximum length of about 12 inches and a maximum width of about 9 inches), and imaging may take place on a web which is then cut into individual single pages.

Claims

1. A single document page having a first face for delivery to a predetermined individual comprising:

first and second distinct form structures;

first and second distinct variable database indicia from at least two different companies for the predetermined individual;

first and second distinct variable data indicia from at least two different companies for the predetermined individual;

said first variable database indicia and first variable data indicia imaged in said first form structure on said single document page first face; and

said second variable database indicia and second variable data indicia imaged in said second form structure on said single document page first face;

wherein said page is in combination with, and contained within, an envelope with address indicia thereon identifying the predetermined individual, and wherein the variable database indicia comprises company name indicia for at least two different companies, and wherein the variable data indicia comprises alphanumeric characters which convey at least one of account and billing information for at least two different companies, and

further comprising a third distinct form structure on said page face, a third different company name indicia in said third form structure, and third alphanumeric characters indicia which convey at least one of account and billing information in said third form structure for the third company.

2. A single document page having a first face for delivery to a predetermined individual comprising:

first and second distinct form structures;

first and second distinct variable database indicia from at least two different companies for the predetermined individual;

first and second distinct variable data indicia from at least two different companies for the predetermined individual;

said first variable database indicia and first variable data indicia imaged in said first form structure on said single document page first face; and

said second variable database indicia and second variable data indicia imaged in said second form structure on said single document page first face;

wherein the variable database indicia comprises company name indicia for at least two different companies, and wherein the variable dam indicia comprises alphanumeric characters which convey at least one of account and billing information for at least two different companies; and

further comprising a third distinct form structure on said page face, a third different company name indicia in said third form structure, and third alphanumeric characters indicia which convey at least one of account and billing information in said third form structure for the third company.

3. A single document page having a first face for delivery to a predetermined individual comprising:

first and second distinct form structures;

first and second distinct variable database indicia from at least two different companies for the predetermined individual;

first and second distinct variable data indicia from at least two different companies for the predetermined individual;

said first variable database indicia and first variable data indicia imaged in said first form structure on said single document page first face; and

said second variable database indicia and second variable data indicia imaged in said second form structure on said single document page first face;

wherein the document page includes variable data indicia and variable database indicia from three different sources, each in a discrete form structure on the page.

4. A single document page as recited in claim 3 wherein the variable database indicia include company name and logo data, and wherein the variable data indicia include alphanumeric characters which convey at least one of account and billing information, so that the document page includes three different company names and logos, and three different of at least one of account and billing information character sets.

5. A single document page having a first face for delivery to a predetermined individual comprising:

first and second distinct form structures;

fist and second distinct variable database indicia from at least two different companies for the predetermined individual;

first and second distinct variable data indicia from at least two different companies for the predetermined individual;

said first variable database indicia and first variable data indicia imaged in said first form structure on said single document page first face; and

said second variable database indicia and second variable data indicia imaged in said second form structure on said single document page first face; and

wherein said database indicia and data indicia comprise at least two different company names and logos, and at least two different account and billing information character sets; and

having a maximum length of about 12 inches and a maximum width of about 9 inches.

6. A single document page having a first face for delivery to a predetermined individual comprising:

first and second distinct form structures;

first and second distinct variable database indicia from at least two different companies for the predetermined individual;

first and second distinct variable data indicia from at least two different companies for the predetermined individual;

said first variable database indicia and first variable data indicia imaged in said first form structure on said single document page first face; and

said second variable database indicia and second variable data indicia imaged in said second form structure on said single document page first face,

wherein said page is in combination with, and contained within, an envelope with address indicia thereon identifying the predetermined individual, and

wherein said first face has address indicia thereon corresponding to the predetermined individual; and

wherein said envelope has a window therein through which said address indicia is visible.