Express Card Systems LLC v. Apple Inc.

Filing 1

COMPLAINT against Apple Inc. ( Filing fee $ 350 receipt number 0540-3993972.), filed by Express Card Systems LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Civil Cover Sheet)(Tadlock, Charles)

Download PDF
EXHIBIT 2 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 USOO5552994A United States Patent [19] Cannon et al. [45] [54] SYSTEM FOR PRINTING SOCIAL EXPRESSION CARDS IN RESPONSE TO ELECTRONICALLY TRANSMITTED ORDERS [75] Inventors: Thomas G. Cannon; Daniel L. DeHart, both of Loveland, Colo. [73] Assignee: Onkor, Ltd., Loveland, Colo. [21] Appl. No.: 90,803 [22] Filed: Jul. 12, 1993 Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 949,715, Sep. 23, 1992. [51] [52] [58] Int. CI.6 ...•••••••••••••••••••.•...••....••••••••••••••••••••• G06F 17/00 U.S. CI•................................. 364/468.01; 364/479.03 Field of Search ..................................... 364/478, 479, 364/468, 401-412; 235/379, 381, 382, 383; 3951155-161 [56] References Cited u.s. PATENT DOCUMENTS 3,949,375 411976 Ciarlo ...................................... 340/172 4,149,246 411979 Goldman. 4,181,955 111980 Mittelman et al. 4,300,040 1111981 Gould et al. ............................ 235/381 4,495,582 111985 Dessert et al. .......................... 364/469 4,654,482 3/1987 DeAngelis ................................ 379/95 4,750,036 6/1988 Martinez. (List continued on next page.) FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS 84112625.3 58-159110 [11] 5/1985 911983 European Pat. Off.. Japan. OTHER PUBLICATIONS Evan I Schwartz et al, The Kiosks are Coming, The Kiosks are Coming, Business Week Jun. 22, 1992, p. 122. 17 photographs showing the electronic greeting card service available on PRODIGY no date, no Author. Patent Number: Date of Patent: 5,552,994 Sep.3, 1996 "Comp-U-Store System Could Change Retail Economics," Direct Marketing, Jul. 1983, starting at p. lOI. Lynn A. Yeazel, "Pioneering Perspective-Point of Purchase-The Decision to Buy," Optical Information Systems, Jan./Feb. 1986, pp. 36-37. Bob Gatty, "Setting Up Shop on Computer Screens," Nation's Business, Mar. 1984, pp. 57-58. "Germany's Bildschirmtext: The Catalog-Videotex [sic] Connection," Direct Marketing, Jul. 1983, pp. 108-114. "Brochure Maker," Banner Blue, advertisement no date. "Newsmaker of the Month: Indra Turnbull, President, Innovative Icons; Creator, 'Isabella'," Gift and Stationery Business, Nov. 1993, p. 56. "CreataCard", Custom Expressions, Inc., Glendale, California May 1990. "Is ITV Here to Stay?", Cary Lu, BYTE, Feb. 1993, pp. 139-143. Primary Examiner-James P. Trammell Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Dorr, Carson, Sloan & Birney, PC [57] ABSTRACT A system for viewing, ordering, and printing social expression cards includes a database preparation system, a number of card display/order systems, and a number of card printing systems. The database preparation system uses a scanner to input images from a plurality of cards, or a computer software program to create images for use in card designs. A card description database defines the layout of each card in terms of its component images and text, and their locations on the card. The database preparation system can also build a card parameter database to enable a user to select a desired category of cards. Each card display/order system accesses these databases and image files by computer network, modem, cable television, or by transfer of removable data storage media. The card display/order system allows the user to input parameters to pick the category of cards to be displayed. The user can order a selected card to be printed and input information to personalize the card. The order is electronically transmitted to a card printing- system which retrieves the data for the selected card and prints the card by means of a color printer. 28 Claims, 21 Drawing Sheets 5,552,994 Page 2 u.s. PATENT DOCUMENTS 4,768,766 4,817,043 4,829,453 4,839,829 4,852,013 4,873,643 4,876,592 4,899,292 4,939,670 4,947,028 4,992,940 5,027,400 5,036,472 5,056,029 5,062,059 5,077,607 5,093,718 9/1988 3/1989 511989 611989 711989 10/1989 10/1989 211990 7/1990 8/1990 211991 6/1991 711991 1011991 10/1991 1211991 3/1992 Berger et al .. Brown ..................................... Katsuta et al .. Freedman ................................ Durst, Jr. et al. ....................... Powell et al ............................ Von Kohom ........................... Montagna et al. ...................... Freiman et al.. Gorog ..................................... Dworkin ................................. Baji et al. ............................... Buckley et al ......................... Cannon ................................... Youngblood et al .. Johnson et al .. Roarty et al .. 364/518 364/519 364/478 3641468 358/455 364/821 235/381 3641401 380/358 364/479 364/468 5,117,354 5,124,980 5,130,806 5,142,662 5,163,007 5,170,467 5,172,413 5,173,594 5,175,684 5,185,857 5,222,138 5,235,680 5,239,466 5,243,174 5,283,861 5,299,123 5,305,199 511992 611992 711992 8/1992 1111992 1211992 1211992 1211992 1211992 211993 6/1993 8/1993 8/1993 911993 211994 3/1994 411994 Long et al .. Maki. Reed et al .. Gump et al .. Slilaty . Kubota et al .. Bradley et al. ........................... 380/20 McClure. Chong. Rozmanith et al .. Balabon et al .. Bijnagte. Morgan et al.. Veeneman et al.. Dangler et al. . Wang et al .. LoBiondo et al .. u.s. Patent 5,552,994 Sheet 1 of 21 Sep. 3, 1996 Fig. 1 Original Card or Artwork Color Monitor I r ~ 12 C~canner I-----l-..l Computer - Input Means .. Hard Drive Color Printer u.s. Patent Sheet 2 of 21 Sep.3, 1996 5,552,994 Fig. 2 Nam e Fonts Name Card + Name Card Images Create Print Fonts t Scan or Create Card Images Create 0 isplay Fonts + Convert Images to Indexed Color Run Fon t Placement Pr + Save to Font Directory Modify Images • Save Print Image Files t Create Dithered Print Image Files Resample Print Images t Save Display Image Files t Run Palette Normalization Program + Save Standard Image Display Files t Ir Run Image File Placement Program t Save to Card Image Directory 1 --L To Fig. 2 (A) u.s. Patent Sheet 3 of 21 Sep. 3, 1996 Fig. 2 (A) ".. t-' ,.~ ,r " Run Card Layout Program t Position Images Enter and Position Text t Save Card Format to Card Description Database " Run Menu Layout Program + Create Menu Screens Create Menu Path t Create Card List Screens Save to Menu Database 5,552,994 u.s. Patent Fig. 3 Sep. 3, 1996 5,552,994 Sheet 4 of 21 50 ___ Card Display/Order Systems l ____________ 40 f--- I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Blank Card Paper t- 52"""- V 47 Monitor • l39 ~ r ~ f4- ~ 37( Input Means • - Bar Code Reader r-..... L-42 ~ ,/ ~ Envelopes )35 Computer ~ 44 r- .~ I ~ 43 Printed Cards ~ I I Modems ~ - Color Printer , f41 38( l 0 8 46 --l Envelope Printer Hard Drive See Fig. 3a t- 1 36? - CD-ROM .-/34 Drive )33 ~ 7' CD-ROM I ~5 Dithered Print Image Files ~ Print Font Files I I Envelopes Card Description Database I _______________ I L t- ~ u.s. Patent Sep.3, 1996 Sheet 5 of 21 5,552,994 Fig.3a Hard Drive Operating System Program CD-ROM Driver Program Printer Driver Program Card Printing System Control Program Card Description Database Good Images File Good Fonts File Good Cards File Bar Code Printing Program Fax/Communications Program Order Processing Program Fax analysis Program Order Information Database Mail Management Program Print List Creation Program Print List Files Order Informatio", Retrieval Program Card/Envelope Registration Program Available Cards File u.s. Patent Sheet 6 of 21 Sep. 3, 1996 Fig. 4 Turn on Card Printing System r Insert CD-ROM in CD-ROM Drive ~ Automatic Copying of Selected Files to Hard Drive r Good Images File Created Good Fonts File Created ~ Good Cards File Created I Good Menu Parameters File Created Card Printing System Menu Created ,. Card Printing System Operational 5,552,994 u.s. Patent Sheet 7 of 21 Sep. 3, 1996 Tag Section photometricinterpretation 5,552,994 = RGB Fig. 5 Image Data (RGB). 3 bytes 1 pixel = Tag Section Photometricinterpretation = Palette Color ImageWidth =300 dots per inch resolution ImageLength 300 dots per inch resolution = Fig. 6 I Color Palette 256 entries of 24 bit colors Image Data (Palette index values) 1 byte = 1 pixel Tag Section Photometricinterpretation Palette Color ImageWidth 85 dots per inch resolution ImageLength = 85 dots per inch resolution = Fig. 7 = Color Patette 256 entries of 24 bit colors Image Data (Palette index values) 1 byte 1 pixel = u.s. Patent Sep. 3, 1996 5,552,994 Sheet 8 of 21 Signature Image length (at 85 dots per inch resolution) Image Width (at 85 dots per inch resolution) Compression Block Size Normalized Color Palette Fig. 8 Data Block #1 Compressed Size Compressed Data Block # 1 Data Block #2 Compressed Size Compressed Data Block #2 • • • • • • Data Block #N Compressed Size Compressed Data Block #N Signature Image Length (at 300 dots per inch resolution) Image Width (at 300 dots per inch resolution) Data Block #1 Compressed Size Fig. 9 Compressed Data Block # 1 Data Block #2 Compressed Size Compressed Data Block #2 • • • Data Block #N Compressed Size Compressed Data Block #N • • • r File Header d • J rJ.J. • ~ J Card #1 I J J Card #2 1 ~ J i ~ r Card component #1 J I { J Card component #2 J Card component # 1 . { Card component #2] Y CardN _J tJ:l ~ ,,(M r Card component N f Card component N I I .... -= -= CI'I tJ:l =tD tD J .... -= ...., Q 1Card component # 1 I { Card component #2 1 ~ 01 .... { Card component N J 01 01 t..,) .... ... \C \C u.s. Patent Sep. 3, 1996 5,552,994 Sheet 10 of 21 Fig. 11 Primary menu 1 Card parameter 1 Card parameter 2 Card parameter N Secondary menu 1 -- Card parameter 1 Card parameter 2 Card parameter N Secondary menu 2 Card parameter 1 Card parameter 2 Card parameter N Secondary menu 3 Card parameter 1 Card parameter 2 Card parameter N Card list 1 Card name 1 Card name 2 Card name 3 -- u.s. Patent Sep. 3, 1996 Sheet 11 of 21 5,552,994 Fig. 12(a) Fig. 12(d) r;-------------1 ,-------------l I File Header I' Card/Repeated Image Header I I Version number I III Name I I I I I I I I Deleted Flag I Number of repeated images I I Card orientation I II I Credits 'I Type (card or repeated image) I I _____________ J L: ______________ J Reserved 'I Number of card components I ~ I Number of cards Fig. 12(e) Fig. 12(b) iC8rd'm~g;;c~po~e~t----' icard TextComponent-· I Card component type Card side X coordinate I \I : I: II II II II I I I Y coordinate I Image file designation --1 I I I I L_____________ J\ \ r--------------IL.: _____________ J I I Card User Text Component \ I I \ICard Repeatedlmag;-Compone.:rti I II I I Card component type I I I II Name of Repeated Image I I~------------~ I I I : I I I L2 ____________ J Fig. 12(c) Fig. 12(f) I Card Display/Order Systems Fig. 13 I I I I I I I I I I I I I ~ I )"40 54 --------~---.., -- r------------ I I I 50 ~ • rJ.J. • Card Printing System 2 t ~ tJ:l 64 ~ ~ ~ 7 ,.. IoC IoC CI'I 36 tJ:l ;- ~ ,.. N ~ I 34 N ,.. I I Hard Drive I CD-ROM Drive I I I ~ Card Printing System N ,---------- ---------, I I I Network Server Computer 49 I 61 I r----' I i= ~ Card Printing System 1 I ~ CD-ROM 33 I I Ut .... Ut Ut L___L --=----=---=--_=__=_-= = =--=--=--=---=---=--=-_--=--__==___=_- J____ J ... == t..,) .... \C \C r-- ------------------Fig. 14 I I Order J50 _ _ I I I I I I I 51 ~m I I 53 52 I Fax Machine I ~69 I , - - - - .- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 I I I 55 33 I I I .I I I I I I ·1 I I Television ~ i Set t TV Information System t (56 ....L .: CD-ROM Operating System Program Card Parameter Database Display Image File Display Font File Card Description Database I I I I I ~ ~ = ~ tJ.:l -? ,.. ,,~ I,C I,C CI'I tJ.:l =~ ~ ,.. ~ I I S, ,.. N I I I I I Input Means V 37 I I I L_________________________ J J I d • rJ.J. • L ________________________ _ ...Ut Ut Ut ...t..,) \C \C ~ 55° ___ _ Fig. 15 ,------------------ - d • rJ.l • I ~ ~ ('0 I = I I I f""'I'- Television I l->55 I I I Set I I I 5 ~ I I ( I Modem TV Information System I I I I I I I I 33 J Input Means U- 37 I I I I I I L________________________ J 2( I ~56 <;41 I ,~ CD-ROM Operating System Program Card Parameter Database Display Image File Display Font File Card Description Database Order Program Telecommunications Program 00 ~ "'~ """" \C \C =-00 =til ~ .&:;.. """" S, N """" tit tit tit N \C \C ~ ~ ~ u.s. Patent Sep. 3, 1996 5,552,994 Sheet 15 of 21 Fig. 16 ,--------------~~--l I I I I I I I I 33 CD-ROM lCard Parameter Database Display Image File Display Font File Card Description Database )38 Order Program Telecommunications . Program CoIor Momtor I ,\ ! 52 I I )41 Modem )57 _ Personal.. Computer ~ I I" • ~34 CD-ROM Drive j I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ~ I I I I I I I I Input Means Hard Drive 37 Operating System Program CD-ROM Driver Program Card Parameter Database Display Image Files Display Font Files Card Description Database Good Images File Good Fonts File Good Cards File 36 ----Good Card Parameter File Telecommunications Program Order Program L I I I I I I I 1\ I L __________________ J u.s. Patent 5,552,994 Sheet 16 of 21 Sep.3, 1996 Fig. 17 1--------------, I I I I Television Set I I I ~5 5 ,~ I I I I I 59 J I I j 52 \ Modem I Smart Cable TV Converter I '-- 58 41 ~~ I I I I 1 I I I I I I I / I I I I Input Means \...37 I I I I 67 i I I L ______________ J I---------------~l ~o I Control Computer I I I I 63 I L________________ ~ u.s. Patent Sep.3, 1996 5,552,994 Sheet 17 of 21 Fig. 18 65 r 76 I Card Order Site 1 ~ Card Display System Site 1 Card Order Site 2 r--- I Card Display System Site 2 Card Order Site N -~ I Card Display System Site N 66 " 67( . Card Display/Order Site 1 CTV Card Display/ Order System 1 r+- Card Display/Order Site 2 CTV Card Display/ Order System 2 ~ - 59 -.J CTV Card Display/ Order System N Card Display/Order Site N ~ 52 54( L Card Printing System Site 2 r-r-- Card Printing System Site N r--- Card Printing System Site 1 ~ Cable TV Control Center ~ 60 J 68; Database Preparation Computer System u.s. Patent Sheet 18 of 21 Sep. 3, 1996 5,552,994 Fig. 19 , r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ J71 _ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .., r 71 I , I I4 I 17l - Order #1 I I I I I I I , I I I I Order #2 Order #3 I Order #N , L------L 18 l Time Order Received Card Name I I Personalization Text # 1 , I I Personalization Text #2 1 I I Desired Arrival Date --..J r---------, , Ordering Location Phone Number Date Order Received 70 1 Order Number I Personalization Text #3 Personalization Text #N L------L ' Flag, Leave Inside of Card Blank Flag, Customer Requests Information 7 2 Personalization L-Text Components 1 (L " I I 18 L I I I 72 Customer Address Customer Phone Number 18 .t. -...J Card Destination Address Flag, Print Return Address 18 1 L.. Flag, Order is Printed I------L!~-l IsL I I I I I Personalized Image # 1 I 18·t I I Flag, Order is Completed Date Order Completed I I Credit Card Information Personalized Image #3 I I87 L- Envelope Color I Personalized Image #N : Personalized Images I Personalized Image #2 i7C L_________ J L _________ ~ u.s. Patent Sep.3, 1996 5,552,994 Sheet 19 of 21 Fig. 20(8) r------------, I ("78 I I I Card Name #1 I I Card Name #2 I Card Name #3 I I 1 Card Name #N I I I I 77 !~ i I I I L __________ J Fig.20(b) r----------l i I I I I I I I (80 Order #1 i I ~9 Order #2 Order #3 Order #N I I I I I L __________ J u.s. Patent Sheet 20 of 21 Sep.3, 1996 Fig. 21 Card Order Received 'r Order Information Entered ~ Card Availability Verified r Card Print List Created 1r Card Printed r Card Printing Verified ~ Envelope Printed r Order Completion Verified 5,552,994 u.s. Patent 5,552,994 Sheet 21 of 21 Sep. 3, 1996 F~.~ 65 r------------------~----l I I I I I I ! I ~ 41 ? 52 Modem... I I I t I I I 37 I - I~ (88 ) Removable Memory .... Means (36 I, I I I I I I Hard Drive Operating System Program Telecommunications Program Order Transmission Program J I I I ,.) Input Means I I I f-"" .' ~ 35 Computer I ---38 Display Means '\ I L ____________________._JI I----------------~~-I I I I -t 56"( I I Video Information System I I I I II ('33 Television Set I I I I I J"55 ) CD-ROM Operating System Program Card Parameter Database Display Image File ~ Display Font File Card Description Database Order Program I~ 88) \ , Removable Memory Means 1 Input Means f.--;- 37 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ______________________ J I L 5,552,994 1 2 SYSTEM FOR PRINTING SOCIAL EXPRESSION CARDS IN RESPONSE TO ELECTRONICALLYTRANSMUTTED ORDERS 5 RELATED APPLICATION The present application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/949,715 of Cannon, et al., entitled "System for Printing Social Expression Cards", filed on Sep. 23, 1992. lO BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the field of greeting cards. More specifically, the present invention discloses a system for creating a database of greeting card designs that then can be customized or personalized and manufactured through printing systems in response to electronically transmitted orders. 2. Statement of the Problem Greeting cards or social expression cards have traditionally been manufactured in large quantities by various manufacturers at locations remote from the point of purchase or retail outlet. Social expression cards include greeting cards, invitations, announcements, and the like and are referred to herein as "greeting cards" or "social expression" cards. After manufacture, the cards are shipped, either directly or through wholesale distributors, to a variety of retail outlets, such as specialty card shops, drug stores, grocery stores, and the like where they are displayed and sold to retail customers. One of the most significant problems associated with current methods of manufacturing greeting cards is the very large amount of inventory needed at the point of sale, and the space required to properly display the inventory of greeting cards. For example, most greeting cards are displayed on card racks that group the cards into a number of categories, or fields, to assist a customer in locating the type of card desired. Typically, a large display rack is needed to expose a sufficient portion of the face of each card to allow easy visual scanning by the customer of the various cards available in a particular category or field. A number of systems have been invented in the past to provide on-site manufacture or customization of social expression cards and the like, including the following: Inventor Patent No. Issue Date Cannon Buckley, et al. Montagna, et al. Powell, et al. Brown Ciarlo 5,056,029 5,036,472 4,899,292 4,873,643 4,817,043 3,949,375 Oct. 8, 1991 July 30, 1991 Feb. 6, 1990 Oct. 10, 1989 Mar. 28, 1989 Apr. 6, 1976 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 desired style of card, the customer enters information to personalize the card, such as names, dates, ages, messages, etc. It is believed that the card information is stored in vector graphic format since the card is drawn line-by-line using an eight-color pen plotter. Buckley, et al., disclose a computer controlled machine for vending personalized greeting cards and the like. The unit provides audio and video presentations of the products and options available to the customer. Base products such as pre-printed forms are stored within the unit for transfer by a robotic arm to a printer for customization. Brown discloses an information kiosk with a video display that provides instructions and information to users. The user enters choices on a keypad input device. The kiosk can also provide textual or graphic printed information. Powell, et al., disclose an interactive design terminal for custom imprinted articles, such as T-shirts and the like. A memory stores a library of available design elements and a set of design rules for combination of the design elements in accordance with selections made by the operator. Ciarlo discloses a computer system for readily dispensing information, such as information on travel, entertainment, accommodations and the like. Montagna, et al., disclose a system for storing and retrieving text and associated graphics. Graphic images are stored in compressed digital format. Graphic images can be tied into specific points in a menu structure as shown in FIG. 3. There are also a number of commercially available software programs that allow personal computer systems to print greeting cards. For example, "Card Shop" by Artsci, Inc. allows Macintosh computer users to select from a menu of fifty greeting cards covering a variety of occasions. "Greeting Card Maker" by Artivision, Inc. allows Apple computer users to print cards, invitations, and announcements. Also, "The Print Shop" by Broderbund, Inc., "Announcements for Windows" by Parsons Technology, Inc. and "Studio of Greetings!" by Eqyx, Inc. allow IBM-PC users to create and print greeting cards. In addition to these references, a wide variety desktop publishing software, e.g. Aldus Pagemaker and QuarkXPress, has long been commercially available for conventional personal computers. Desktop publishing systems allow a trained user to create virtually any type of custom publications, primarily such as newsletters and brochures. However, it is possible to create custom greeting cards, invitations, business cards and the like using a desktop publishing system. A number of broadcast and cable television systems have also been invented in the past which allow consumers to view products, such as greeting cards, on a television set and place orders for products, including the following: Inventor 55 Bradley, et al. Maki Hoarty, et al. Johnson, et al. Baji, et al. Gorog Von Kohom Martinez "CreataCard" system introduced by Custom Expressions, Inc., Glendale, California, in May, 1990. Cannon discloses a system for manufacturing and vending social expression cards that queries the customer to input a series of special occasion parameters to select a card from a database of available card designs. The "CreataCard" system was introduced by Custom Expressions, Inc. in May, 1990. This system is an on-site unit that guides customers through a series of card selections on a touch-sensitive display screen. After choosing the 60 Patent No. 5,172,413 5,124,980 5,093,718 5,077,607 5,027,400 4,947,028 4,876,592 4,750,036 Issue Date Dec. 15, 1992 Jun. 23, 1992 Mar. 3, 1992 Dec. 31, 1991 Jun. 25, 1991 Aug. 7, 1990 Oct. 24,1989 Jun. 7, 1988 ''TV Answer" system from TV Answer, Inc., (1941 Roland Clarke Place, Reston, Virginia 22091) to begin operations in 1993. " 65 Bradley, et al., disclose a pay TV system which allows a user to authorize the purchase of advertised goods by entering personal identification numbers. 5,552,994 3 4 which cards are printed at one or more sites in response to Maki discloses a network or cable television system orders for individual cards placed by consumers at a number which allows two-way data and voice telephone communiof remote sites, including retail and residential locations, cation services between a central head end facility linked to where order information is transmitted to the card printing an off-site switched telephone network and a plurality of 5 site through fax modems, other modems, or other telecomremote subscriber stations. munications means and after processing is stored in an order Hoarty, et al., disclose an interactive cable television information database with a unique card order code identisystem which is able to rapidly display photographic quality fying each order received; (2) a system for printing card images on a home TV set in response to commands transsender and receiver names and addresses on card mailing mitted by a home user using a remote control input device. 10 envelopes where addresses are retrieved from an order Johnson, et al., disclose a interactive cable television information database created from data received through a transaction terminal comprising a keyboard used for entry of fax modem or other modem or other telecommunication information and a screen generator for creating visual dismeans; and (3) a system where card order information is plays of selection items or completion fields. transmitted by telecommunication or other means to a card Baji, et al., disclose a multimedia bidirectional television 15 printing facility where individual Personalized cards are broadcast system which allows users to select and display printed in response to this order information. product information and then order a product. Gorog discloses an automated order and payment system which allows users to enter product order information by SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION optically scanning codes in printed media or displayed on a 20 This invention provides a system for ordering and printing television set. Also disclosed is the entry of voice orders via social expression cards that includes a database preparation a voice recognition means. system, a number of card printing facilities, and a plurality Von Kohorn discloses a system which allows TV program of card display/order facilities. The database preparation viewers to respond to information in such programs by 25 system uses a scanner to input graphic images from a making an entry on a keyboard. plurality of cards, or a computer software program to create Martinez discloses an interactive television and data a plurality of images for use in card designs. A high transmission system. resolution print image and a lower resolution display image A major limitation of all systems which provide on-site are created from each of these images. The card description manufacture and/or personalization of social expression database defines the layout of each card in terms of its cards is the cost of the apparatus which must be placed at 30 component images and text, and their locations on the card. each site, whether a retail site or other site, such as a The database preparation computer system can also build a residence. The number of retail sites which can achieve sales card parameter database to associate cards into different levels which justify the placement of such apparatus is categories. For example, the card parameter database can limited to a small percentage of all retail sites. Further, such define a structure of menu screens to query the user to input apparatus does not address other problems faced by retail 35 or select one or more desired card parameters (e.g. the sites having such apparatus and greeting card purchasers intended card recipient, for example, "GIRL FRIEND"; the using such apparatus at retail sites. For example, because card graphic design subject matter, for example, "FLOWusers of such apparatus typically do not know in advance the ERS"; the card graphic design style, for example "REALpersonalized text they wish to input, a considerable period of ISTIC"; the original artwork media, for example, "WATERtime is required for each customer to compose and enter 40 COLOR"; the sending occasion, for example, their personalized text. Since the apparatus can be used by "BIRTHDAY"; interests of the intended card recipient, for only one person at a time or in the case of a multi-user example, "GARDENING"; characteristics of the intended system, only a few people at a time, many potential users do card recipient relating to physical appearance, age, sex, etc., not wait to use the system if it is already in use. This limits for example, "TEENAGE GIRL"; the publisher of the card, 45 the average daily revenue generated by the apparatus. for example, "LOONART DESIGNS"; the artist who creAlso, greeting card purchasers must normally remember ated the original artwork for the card, for example, "JAN to purchase cards and mail or otherwise deliver them before JOHNSON HAMBURG"; the name of the recipient, for specific dates. It is not unusual that someone forgets to example ''BEVERLY''). The listed card parameters are by purchase a card before a particular date or having purchased 50 way of example only and are not intended to be inclusive of a card forgets to mail or deliver it on time. Another problem all possible card parameters. A list of card designs is which card purchasers face is not remembering what card associated with parameters in the card parameter database. designs they have previously sent someone and, therefore, In one embodiment, selected databases and image files may being concerned about sending duplicates of cards previthen be copied onto removable data storage media for ously sent. 55 distribution to the card display/order systems and the card 3. Solution to the Problem printing systems. Alternatively, the databases and image files may be stored in a central data storage unit which may be None of the prior art references uncovered in the search accessed by the card display/order facilities and the card show a system, as in the present invention, for displaying, printing facilities. ordering, and printing social expression cards in which card images are stored as a set of display images in a format to 60 Each card display/order facility accesses these databases facilitate rapid display on a color monitor or television set, and image files by computer network, modem, cable teleand as a corresponding set of print images in a format to vision, or by transfer of removable data storage media. The rapidly produce high resolution printed cards. In addition, card display/order facility allows the user to input paramthe system includes a card description database that defines eters to pick the category of cards to be displayed. The user each card in terms of its component images, text, and fields 65 can order a selected card to be printed and input information for personalization. Also, none of the prior art references to personalize the card. The order is then electronically show: (1) a system for printing social expression cards in transmitted to a card printing facility for printing. 5,552,994 5 A typical card printing system has a display, a color printer, input means, data storage unit, a computer processor, and optionally, a network access means. The computer processor may be identical to that used for database preparation or it may be a separate processor. The card printing system processor accesses the card description database to selectively retrieve and print the print images for a selected card by means of a color printer. Cards are selected for printing as determined by a list of cards generated by reference to a database of card order information created, in turn, from data received through a fax modem, other modem, or other telecommunication means from a card display/order facility where the order information was selected or input. A primary object of the present invention is to provide a card display, ordering, and printing system which can (I) receive and process electronically transmitted orders for card designs, optionally including personalized text and images, such as a handwritten signature, and (2) print high-resolution printed cards at a time determined by reference to a delivery date designated by the card purchaser. Another object of the present invention is to provide a card printing system that includes means whereby a person can, at a location remote from the location at which cards are printed, select or input desired characteristics of card designs, view cards or images of cards which have the desired characteristics, select a desired card to be printed at a time determined by a specified delivery date, and enter other order information. Another object of the present invention is to provide a card printing system which prints mailing addresses (entered as order information by a customer) on card mailing envelopes in response to a unique printed code read from a greeting card printed by the card printing system. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a card printing system for creating a card description database in which each card is defined in terms of its component images, text, and fields for personalization. These and other advantages, features, and objects of the present invention will be more readily understood in view of the following detailed description and the drawings. 6 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention can be more readily understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a computer system used in preparing social expression card designs by the process of this invention. FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the overall method used in preparing databases of social expression card designs by the process of this invention. FIG. 3, 3n are diagrammatic views of a card printing system used for printing personalized and nonpersonalized social expression cards. FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the method used by this invention to configure a card printing system. FIG. 5 is a diagram of the structure of the RGB color TIFF file produced from the images scanned by the color scanner. FIG. 6 is a diagram of the structure of the print palette color TIFF file generated from the image file shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a diagram of the structure of the display palette color TIFF file generated from the image file shown in FIG. 5. 45 50 55 60 65 FIG. 8 is a diagram of the structure of the compressed display image file generated from the display image file shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a diagram of the structure of the compressed print image file generated from the print image file shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 10 is diagram of the structure of the card description database. FIG. 11 is a diagram of the structure of the card parameter database. FIGS. 12(a) through 12(1) are diagrams of the various possible components of the card description database. FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view of a card printing system with networked card printing systems used for printing personalized and non-personalized social expression cards. FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view of a card display/order system where the card display means is a TV information system which is separate from the order entry and transmission means. FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view of a card display/order system where the card display means is a TV information system which is integrated with the order entry and transmission means. FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic view of a card display/order system where the card display means and the order entry and transmission means are accomplished using a personal computer system. FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic view of a card display/order system where the card display means and the order entry and transmission means are accomplished using a digital cable television converter containing an integrated computer. FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic view of the overall system of this invention. FIGS. 19 and 20(a), and 20(b) are diagrams of the various components of the card order database and an individual order. FIG. 21 is a diagram of how a card order is processed. FIG. 22 is a diagram of an alternative embodiment of a card display/order system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 18 shows the relationship of the various system elements of this invention. Details of each system element are shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 17. FIG. 1 shows an overall schematic view of the computer system 68 used to prepare databases of social expression card designs ("database preparation computer system"). The steps in this process are outlined in the flowchart provided in FIG. 2. Copies of certain of these databases may then be transferred to a memory storage means which may be accessed directly by a single card printing system 40 shown in FIG. 3 or by one or more card printing systems, for example, through a network shown in FIG. 13. The card printing systems print cards in response to card identification, personalization, and other order information received through one or more fax modems or other modems or other telecommunication means. Alternatively, copies of these databases may be distributed via CD-ROM or other removable storage media to a number of networked card printing systems either at a single card printing system site or at a number of card printing system sites, as shown in FIG. 18, that print cards in response to card identification and per- 5,552,994 7 8 sonalization infonnation received through one or more fax modems or other modems or other telecommunication means. Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, in preparing the card description database each original social expression card is viewed and the publisher name and publisher's card number on the card is noted. For example, card number 150 published by David Mekelburg and Friends. If original art images (i.e. images created using artistic media including computer paint programs) are being used, card numbers are assigned serially to each submission from an artist or other source. A three letter publisher code is assigned to the publisher ("publisher code"). For example "DMF' for David Mekelburg and Friends. The card is then named using the publisher code followed by no more than four numerals ("card name"). For example, the card name for card number 150 published by David Mekelburg and Friends is DMFOI50. Each image on the original card ("original card image") including the front panel (or page), inside panel (or page) and back panel (or page) images, is named with the card name followed by a number indicating the order in which the image appears on the card ("image name"). For example, DMF01501 would be the image name for the first image on card number 150 published by David Mekelburg and Friends. Any image that appears in the same location on more than one card ("repeated image"), such as a logotype, is named with the publisher code followed by a four letter code and a single numeral indicating the order in which the repeated image appears on the card relative to other repeated images on the same card ("repeated image name"). For example, DMFLOG01 is the repeated image name for the first repeated image to appear on card number 150 published by David Meke1burg and Friends. Except for original art images created using computer paint programs ("computer art images") all images on original cards 10 are scanned using a color scanner 12, such as the Microtek 600Z ScanMaker (Microtek International, Inc. No.6, Industry East Road 3, Science-based Industrial Park, Hsinchu, Taiwan 30077, R.O.C.) connected to a computer 15 such as an IBM PC compatible having eight megabytes of random access memory (RAM) which in tum is connected to one or more large capacity memory devices 16, such as a 1.2 gigabyte Micropolis Model 1598-15 hard drive (Micropolis, Inc., Chatsworth, Calif.). The computer also includes input means 17, such as a keyboard, mouse, or trackball. Optionally, a color printer 19 can also be included. Scanning is typically done at 300 dots per inch (dpi) and 24 bits per pixel. Scanned image files resulting from the scanning process and computer art image files are stored in directories identified by a publisher code. For example, the directory for the publisher David Mekelburg and Friends is named DMF. Individual image files are saved in the appropriate publisher directory under the image name previously assigned. Each scanned image file or computer art image file is then opened in a digital image processing program, such as Aldus Photostyler (Aldus Corporation, 411 First Avenue South, Seattle, Wash. 98104-2871). Scanned images are displayed on a color monitor 18, such as a Goldstar Model 1460 Plus (Goldstar Co., Ltd., Lucky-Goldstar Twin-Tower, 20 Yeouido-dong, Yeongdungpo-gu, Seoul, 150-606, Korea) capable of displaying images in at least 256 colors. The scanned image or computer art image is saved in a file in RGB (red, green, blue) true color fonnat as shown in FIG. 5, which may contain up to 16.7 million colors. Each pixel in the image requires three bytes of storage. The capability of the monitor and video card used in the system will determine how many of the colors in an RGB true color file will be displayed. For example, the Goldstar Model 1460 Plus monitor used with a VGA Integra card (AT! Technologies, Inc., 3761 Victoria park Avenue, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada M1W 3S2) will display 256 of the 16.7 million colors possible in the RGB true color file. The displayed scanned image or displayed computer art image is then converted to a fonnat with a limited palette of colors ("indexed color image"). This is accomplished in Aldus Photostyler by selecting "Indexed 256-color" from the image menu which creates an indexed color image with a palette of 256 colors. Before completing the conversion when Aldus Photostyler is used, the type of color palette to be created is specified as "Adaptive" to best simulate the colors in the original image. If necessary, the indexed color image is cropped. This is accomplished in Aldus Photostyler using a cropping tool to select an area to be saved. The indexed color image size is checked to determine if it will fit within a defined area. For example the area could be defined as a four inch by six inch rectangle. If the image is larger than the defined area, it should be reduced to four inches by six inches. This is accomplished in Aldus Photostyler by selecting the area to be resized and then choosing "Resize" from the Transfonn menu and entering the appropriate dimensions. Typically, when an original card image or original art image on a white background is scanned, the white background of the displayed indexed color image contains a number of random colored pixels. These colored pixels must be removed. This can be accomplished in Aldus Photostyler by selecting the white background area using the magic wand tool and then choosing the "Clear" command from the Edit menu. When an original card image or original art image having areas of a single color is scanned, the corresponding areas of the displayed indexed color image will contain a large number of pixels of varying colors. These pixels should be changed to a single color which is the same as the single color area on the original card image or original art image. This can be accomplished in Aldus Photostyler by selecting the dominant pixel color in a single color area of a displayed image with the eyedropper tool. This color is identified as the fill color. The color area to be made into a single color is then selected using the magic wand tool. The "Fill" command is then chosen from the Edit menu and the selected area is automatically filled with the dominant pixel color previously chosen with the eyedropper tool. When modification of the indexed color image is completed, the image is saved in two different fonnats, (1) a print image file which will be processed to create files which can be used by a color printer ("dithered print image file") and (2) a display image file which can be displayed on a color monitor or television set. The print image file is saved to the hard drive in a color image file fonnat such as Tag Image File Fonnat (TIFF) as shown in FIG. 6. In addition, if a minimum amount of memory space is to be used, the file can be compressed using, for example, the Lempel-Zev and Welch (LZW) compression algorithm. The file is identified with the image name followed by the extension .PCP ("Print image file name"). For example, DMF01501.PCP is the print image file name for the first print image on card number 150 published by David Mekelburg and Friends. The print image files are typically saved to a separate directory. The hue and saturation of palette colors associated with each print image file must be adjusted to new values (i.e., 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 5,552,994 9 color corrected) so the printed output will match the colors of the original card image or original art image. This is accomplished with a color correction program, such as Colorcorrect (Onkor, Ltd., P.O. Box 240, Masonville, Colo., 80541) which generates new palette colors by automatically 5 applying red, green, and blue color correction curves to each color in the indexed color image palette. The details of color correction are well known in the art and therefore need not be explained here. To allow rapid printing, print image files should be 10 modified with a dithering program, for example Ditherirnage (Onkor, Ltd.) before they are used by a color printer in a card printing system. In an indexed color image, each pixel is represented by an index number that corresponds to an entry in a 24 bit color table containing 256 colors of a possible 16.7 million colors. The process of dithering reduces an 15 indexed color image to a 4 bit color image (dithered print image). The dithered print image matches the subtractive primary colors (i.e., cyan, magenta, and yellow) plus black used by the printer. To compensate for this loss of color resolution, a dithering algorithm is used. A dithered print 20 image uses an N by N matrix (for example 5 by 5), of cyan, magenta, yellow or black pixels ("dither matrix") to represent the 24 bit color value of each indexed color image pixel. Individual dither matrix color pixels have varying values so the color of the matrix is perceived by the human eye as an 25 approximation of the original pixel color in the indexed color image. In addition to dither matrix creation, the dithering program overlaps adjoining dither matrices. This is necessary 30 because the indexed color image has a resolution of 300 dpi which matches the printer resolution. If no overlapping of dither matrices was done and, for example, a 5 by 5 dither matrix was used, the resulting dithered image would have one twenty-fifth the spatial resolution of the indexed color image. By overlapping the dither matrices, the color value of 35 each 4 bit pixel is averaged between all overlapping pixels. This overlapping gives the completed dithered print image a blended appearance that is visually pleasing. The details of image dithering are well documented (J. D. Foley & A. Van 40 Dam, Fundamentals of Interactive Computer Graphics, Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., 1984, pages 593-602). In conventional systems, dithering is done by the color printer after the image data has been downloaded from the computer to the printer and before the image is printed. In the 45 present system, the print image is pre-dithered before the print image file is stored. This results in more rapid printing and also reduces the size of the print image file. Dithered print image files are identified with the image name followed by the extension .PCD ("dithered print image 50 file name"). For example DMF01051.PCD is the dithered print image file name for the first dithered print image on card number 150 published by David Mekelburg and Friends. Dithered print image files are then compressed using the LZW compression algorithm and saved in a 55 proprietary format as shown in FIG. 9. To provide rapid retrieval from a large number of dithered print image files, dithered print image files are moved from the dithered images directory to a number of nested directories using a software program which automatically relocates the files 60 ("image file placement program"). This can be accomplished by using a program such as Putimage (Onkor, Ltd.). FIG. 7 is a diagram of the structure of the display palette color TIFF file generated from the image file shown in FIG. 5. The display image file shown in FIG. 8 is created from this 65 display image. The displayed size of display images is determined by their resolution, therefore, the display image 10 resolution must be adjusted to provide a displayed image which may be easily viewed on a range of monitor and television screen sizes. For example, the resolution available on a typical television set is 512 lines by 768 pixels. At this resolution on a thirteen inch television screen, for a display image to appear at approximately the same size as a printed image created with a dithered print image file, the display image must have a resolution of 80 dpi. An 80 dpi display image can be created from the 300 dpi print image in Aldus Photostyler by selecting "Res ample" from the Transform menu and entering the resolution desired. When the display image is saved it is processed by a palette normalization program, such as Fiximage (Onkor, Ltd.), which analyzes the color palette associated with each display image and transforms it, as shown in FIG. 8, into a palette having certain colors in specific palette locations ("standard color palette"). For example, red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, yellow, black and white are located in the first through eighth palette locations. The resulting file is then compressed using the LZW compression algorithm and saved in a proprietary format ("standard display image file") as shown in FIG. 8. The file is identified with the image name followed by the extension .DSC ("standard display image file name"). For example DMF01501.DSC is the standard display image file name for the first display image on card number 150 published by David Mekelburg and Friends. To provide rapid retrieval from a large number of display image files, display image files are moved from the display images directory to a number of separate directories using a software program which automatically relocates the files ("image file placement program"). This can be accomplished by using a program such as Putimage (Onkor, Ltd.). Two additional types of files which are created are print font files and display font files. A font is defined as a set size bitmap of a particular typeface. The resolution of print fonts must match the resolution of a particular printer (e.g. 300 dpi for the Tektronix Phaser ill color printer). The displayed size of display fonts is determined by their resolution, therefore, the display font resolution must be adjusted to provide a displayed font which may be easily viewed on a range of monitor and television screen sizes. For example, the resolution of a typical television set is 512 lines by 768 pixels. At this resolution on a thirteen inch television screen, for a display font to appear at approximately the same size as a print font, the display font must have a resolution of 80 dpi. A six letter code is assigned the font ("font code"). For example, the font code for Howard Thin is HOWLSS. Each point size of the font is named by the font code followed by two numerals ("font name"). For example, the font name for 14 point Howard Thin is HOWLSS14. Print font files are identified with the font name followed by the extension 0.300 ("print font file name"). For example, HOWLSS14.300 is the print font file name for 14 point Howard Thin. Display font files are identified with the font name followed by the extension 0.085 ("display font file name"). For example, HOWLSS14.085 is the display font file name for 14 point Howard Thin. Print fonts and display fonts can be created using a scalable font library, such as the Digi-Fonts, Inc. Typeface Library and a font conversion program, such as Digi-Duit! (Digi-Fonts, Inc., 528 Commons Drive, Golden, Colo. 80401). Both print font files and display font files are saved to a directory named "Fonts" on the hard disk. To provide rapid retrieval from a large number of font files, both display and print font files are moved from the fonts directory to a number of nested directories using a 5,552,994 11 12 software program which automatically relocates the files quarter of an inch below a text area or personalized text area ("font file placement program"). This can be accomplished on the inside panel (or page) of all cards. by using a program such as PutFonts (Onkor, Ltd.). For The front, inside, and back card panels (or pages) are example, when the font file placement program is run, the individually viewed on the monitor display 8 to assure that print font File HOWLSSI4.300 and the display font file 5 images and text are properly positioned. If modifications are HOWLSSI4.085 are automatically transferred from the required, the appropriate steps are repeated. Card formats fonts directory to a separate subdirectory. created by the card layout program are automatically saved Print images, display images and text used in a social under the card name to a database ("card description database") as shown in FIG. 10. Each card in the card description expression card format must be positioned on the front, inside, or back panels (or pages) of the social expression 10 database is defined in terms of its components, such as card using a software program with this capability ("card images, text, and personalization fields for either text or images. FIG. 12(a)-12(f) show how each type of component layout program"). This can be accomplished with a program such as Cardmaker (Onkor, Ltd.). For example, card number is defined within the card description database. 150 published by David Mekelburg and Friends would be One preferred method of retrieving card images for disformatted using the Cardmaker software program by (I) 15 play and selection by prospective card purchasers is through selecting "image" from a menu. (2) The card name a series of card parameter screen displays that allow the DMFOl50 is entered. (3) The Cardmaker program assumes prospective card purchaser, in response to a displayed or the social expression card is rectangular, for example four otherwise presented question or prompt, to describe in a and one-half inches by six and one-half inches, so the card progressive manner, through selection or input of a series of format must be designated as horizontal or vertical. (4) The words, phrases or icons ("card parameters"), the type of desired panel (or page) for image placement is selected ("F' 20 social expression card desired. For example, the prospective card purchaser may first be asked to select or input a general for front panel, "I" for inside panel or "B" for back panel). class of cards, such as "Birthday", "Anniversary", "Get (5) The image name DMFOl501 is entered (the first image Well", etc. If "Birthday" is selected or input, the prospective on the front panel). (6) The image position is entered ("C" card purchaser is then prompted to select in at a subclassifor center of panel, "T" for top of panel, "B" for bottom of panel, "L" for left side of panel, "R" for right side of panel, 25 fication of birthday cards, such as "Relative", "Children", or "Humorous". This process continues to prompt the prospecor specific x and y coordinates are entered). Positioning of tive card purchaser to select or input card parameters until a the first image would be completed at this point. Additional single end category of cards is reached. Upon selection of a images are positioned by repeating steps four thorugh six. single end category, one or more card images associated Text is entered and positioned on the social expression 30 with the single end category are retrieved and displayed on card format by (1) selecting "Text" from a menu. (2) the display device. Such card displays may take a variety of Selecting the panel (or page) on which the text is to be formats, for example, card images may be displayed sequenplaced. (3) Entering the text position by selecting "c" for tially or in sequential groups of two or more card images. center of panel, "T" top of panel, "B" bottom of panel, "L" These card image displays may optionally include card left side of panel, "R" right side of panel, or by entering 35 identification names (or codes) associated with individual specific x and y coordinates. (4) Selecting the text font and card images. point size from a list of fonts and point sizes. For example, In one embodiment, a menu is created that allows rapid 1035 Avon Book, 16 point. (5) Selecting the text color from retrieval of social expression card images using a software a list of available colors. For example, black, white, red, program ("menu layout program") capable of constructing a blue, magenta, green, or cyan. (6) Entering the text, for 40 menu display ("primary menu screen") and sub-menu disexample "Happy Birthday", using the keyboard 17. plays ("secondary menu screens"). One or more card parameters displayed on the primary menu screen are linked to If an area for personalized text 72 to be retrieved from an card parameters displayed on secondary menu screens. Ultiorder information database constructed from data received through a fax or other modem or other telecommunications mately, the last card parameter ("single end category") in a means, is to be specified, this is accomplished by (1) 45 series of menu screens ("menu path") is linked to a group of choosing "Personalized Text" from a menu. (2) Selecting the card names that can be used to retrieve card designs to be panel where personalized text is to be placed. (3) Entering displayed to the prospective card purchaser. The structure of the text position by selecting "c" for center of panel, "T" for a typical card parameter database is shown in FIG. 11. The top of panel, "B" for bottom of panel, "L" for left side of program also allows the entry of text which appears at the panel, "R" for right side of panel, or by entering specific x 50 top of each screen ("screen title") to instruct the prospective and y coordinates. (4) Selecting the text font and point size card purchaser, (for example, "Choose a Category") or from a list of fonts and point sizes (e.g. 1318 Howard Thin, inform the prospective card purchaser of their present loca14 point). (5) Selecting the text color from a list of available tion in the menu path (for example, "Birthday/Relative/ colors (e.g. black, white, red, blue, magenta, green, or cyan). Son"). Cardmaker is such a program (Onkor, Ltd.). In the (6) Entering the number of lines of personalized text to be 55 Cardmaker program menu screens are created in a menu allowed (e.g. six lines). The card printing system control creation mode where a card parameter's text is entered and program determines, at the time user text is retrieved from then displayed in a white rectangle or button (menu creation the order information database, how many characters can be screen). Rectangles containing card parameter text are displaced on each line given the font specified in the card played in rows each containing a maximum of four rectdescription database. 60 angles. A maximum of six rows may be entered on a menu creation screen. If more than three rows are entered, a An area or field for a personalized image 73, such as a second primary menu screen will be created, and the two signature or a picture of the card purchaser, retrieved from screens are inter-linked. The prospective card purchaser can an order information database constructed from data view the primary menu screens alternately by selecting a received through a fax or other modem or other telecommunications means, may be automatically positioned in a 65 "More Choices" button. specified relationship to other card components, for Before any card parameter is entered, text for the screen example, a personalized image 73 may be positioned onetitle on the menu screen must be entered on a keyboard (e.g. 5,552,994 13 "Choose a Category"). The first card parameter is then (1) selected from card parameters which have previously been entered and are displayed on the menu creation screen (e.g. "Birthday", "Anniversary", or "Wedding") or (2) if no card parameters have been previously entered or none of those 5 previously entered are suitable, a new card parameter is entered using a keyboard (e.g. "Blank"). Card parameters may be displayed on menu screens in a variety of formats. For example, the Cardmaker program may display card parameters as blue text in white rectangles 10 (or buttons) two inches wide by one inch high against a blue background. Menu screens may contain from one to twelve buttons. The arrangement of buttons on the menu screen depends on the number of buttons present. For example, if twelve buttons are present they may be displayed in three 15 rows each containing four buttons. If three buttons are present, they may be displayed in a single column in the center of the menu screen. The relative position of card parameters on menu screens can be arranged with the menu layout program. For 20 example, if two card parameters had been entered for display on the first menu creation screen and one other card parameter was already present, the three card parameters would be displayed on the primary menu screen in a column of three buttons with the top button containing the card parameter 25 which was already present and the middle button containing the first new card parameter entered. The second new card parameter would appear as the bottom button. Any time after a card parameter is entered, its relative position on the buttons which appear on a menu screen can be changed by 30 (1) entering the menu creation mode, (2) selecting a rectangle containing a card parameter whose position is to be altered, (3) holding down the "ALT" key on the keyboard and pressing the "M" key, (4) then selecting the card . 35 parameter which the previously selected card parameter IS to appear before or after and (5) then selecting either "Before" or "After" from a menu display. After the primary menu screen has been completed, a secondary menu screen can be created in the menu creation 40 mode by selecting a card parameter which appears on the first menu screen and entering "Return" on the keyboard. A second menu creation screen is then displayed. A secondary menu screen is always linked to a card parameter displayed on another screen. Screen titles and card parameters are 45 entered on secondary menu screens in the same manner as on the primary menu screen. After one or more secondary menu screens linked by card parameters have been created, a card list screen is created. This is accomplished in the Cardmaker program when a 50 menu creation screen is displayed which has no card parameters displayed. The menu creation. screen is changed to a card list screen by holding down the "ALT" key on the keyboard and pressing the "c" key. Card names of cards to be displayed in association with a specific menu path are ss entered on one or more screens listing the names of cards in the order in which they are to be displayed (card list screen). For example, the menu path for card number 150 published by David Mekelburg and Friends is Birthday\Relative\Son. The card name to be entered is DMF0l50. A card name is 60 entered by (1) holding down the "ALT" key on the keyboard and pressing the "L" key, and (2) selecting the desired card name from a list of available card names (card name list). Only card names found in the card description database appear in the card name list. 65 Any time after card names are entered, the order in which they will be displayed can be changed by (1) entering the 14 menu creation mode, (2) displaying the appropriate card list screen (3) selecting a card name whose position is to be altered, (4) holding down the "ALT" key on the keyboard and pressing the "M" key, (5) then selecting the card name which the previously selected card name is to appear before or after (6) pressing the "Return" key on the keyboard and (7) then selecting either "Before" or "After" from a menu display. Card parameters can be deleted from menu creation screens and card names from the card list screens by: (1) selecting the card parameter or card name; (2) holding down the "ALT" key on the keyboard; and (3) pressing the "D" key. The file created using the menu layout program (card parameter database) is automatically saved to the hard disk. After these databases have been prepared by the computer system, this data (possibly excluding the card parameter database) must be transferred to either a memory storage means which may be accessed directly, for example, through a network as shown in FlG. 13, by one or more card printing systems or to a large capacity removable memory means, such as a CD-ROM, which can be distributed to an individual card printing system as shown in FlG. 3. Certain of the databases (the standard display image files, display font files, card description database, and card parameter database) may also be distributed on removable memory means, for example, a CD-ROM, directly to potential card purchasers, retail stores, cable television control centers, or other sites for use with a variety of card image display means, such as personal computers, interactive video systems, for example, a Memorex MD-25oo Video Information System (Tandy Corporation, 700 One Tandy Center, Fort Worth, Tex.), video game systems, interactive cable television systems, and other systems and devices capable of allowing users to interact with displayed information. While a variety of removable media might be used, an optical compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) is the preferred means because (1) it will store approximately 640 megabytes of data, (2) can be produced in quantity at a low cost, (3) the data on the compact disc cannot be altered, (4) compact discs can be easily replaced and (5) CD-ROM drive devices are relatively inexpensive compared to other drive devices. Techniques for producing a CD-ROM are well known and need not be explained here. Alternatively, other types of optical or magnetic disks or similar media can be used. In one preferred embodiment, shown in FlG. 3, each card printing system 40 comprises a computer system which, for example, includes (1) an IBM PC or compatible computer 35 (CPU) with a large quantity of RAM, for example, eight megabytes, (2) a hard disk 36, for example a Seagate Model ST1239A 211 megabyte hard drive (Seagate, 920 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, Calif. 95066), (3) a CD-ROM drive 34 and a CD-ROM drive controller card, for example a Sony CD-ROM Drive, Model CDU-5350l (Sony Corporation of America, P.O. Box 60590, Los Angeles, Calif. 90060), (4) a graphics adapter card, for example, a VGA Integra graphics adapter (AT! Technologies, Inc.), (5) a color monitor 38, for example, a Goldstar Model 1460 Plus (Goldstar. Co., Ltd.), (6) an input means 37, for example, a Maxitouch Keyboard (Maxi Switch, Tucson, Ariz.) and/or other input means such as a mouse, for example, a Logitech Pilot Mouse (Logitech Inc., 6505 Kaiser Drive, Fremont, Calif. 94555), (7) a color printer 39, for example a Tektronix Phaser ill Color Printer, Model 4698RX (Tektronix, Graphics Printing and Imaging Division, 26600 S.w. Parkway, Wilsonville, Oreg. 97070), (8) a direct memory access printer interface card, for example, a SuperVend DMA card (SuperVend, Inc., 228 Barberry Court, Loveland, Colo. 80538) (9) one or more 5,552,994 15 16 dithered print images are present ("good images file"), (2) a modems 41, for example, a SupraFAXModem Y.32bis file indicating which print font files are present ("good font (Supra Corporation, 101 Supra Drive S.w., Albany, Oreg. files"), (3) a file indicating which card formats in the card 97321), (10) an envelope printer 46, for example, a CoStar description database have all the files present that are Address Express printer (CoStar Corporation, 22 Bridge St., Greenwich, Conn., 06830-5238) and (11) a bar code reader, 5 necessary to print cards ("good card file"). The card printing system is then operational. for example, a ScanWedge bar code reader (Barcode Industries, Ammendale Technology Park, 12240 Indian Creek Card purchasers may originate card orders at card display/ Court, Beltsville, Md. 20705). A floppy disk controller, IDE order sites 66 using card display/order systems 50. In one drive interface adapter card, and a floppy disk drive may also preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the card display/ be included. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, 10 order system 50 requires a customer to select a card design the computer system hard drive 36 in the card printing from a card display 69, enter order information on an order system contains (1) an operating system program, for form 51 and then transmit the order information over a example, DOS 5.0 (Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft telecommunication line 52 to a card printing system site 54, Way, Redmond, Wash. 98052), (2) a CD-ROM driver proshown in FIG. 13, from a card order site 65 using, for gram, (3) a printer driver program, (4) a card printing system 15 example, a fax machine 53. control program, for example, Cardfinder (Onkor, Ltd.), (5) Customers may view card images using, for example, a a fax/communication program to transmit and receive TV information system 56 attached to a television set 55, orders, for example, FaxTalk (Thought Communications, shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a personal computer system 62, Inc., 275 Saratoga Avenue, Santa Clara, Calif. 95050), (6) an shown in FIG. 16, or other interactive information display order information database, (7) an order processing pro- 20 systems, for example a cable television card display/order gram, for example, CFXorder (Onkor, Ltd.), (8) a print list system ("CATV card display/order system") 67 consisting of creation program, for example, CFXlist (Onkor, Ltd.) (9) a television set 55 connected to a digital cable television one or more print list files, (10) an order information converter which includes an integrated computer with retrieval program, for example, CFXprint (Onkor, Ltd.), (11) decompression means ("smart CATV converter") 58, for a card/envelope registration program which registers suc- 25 example, a Jerrold DigiCable converter with interactive TV cessfully printed cards and the date on which the cards were capability (General Instrument Corporation, Jerrold Commailed, for example, CFXship (Onkor, Ltd.), (12) a mail munications Division, 2200 Byberry Road, Hatboro, Pa. management program, for example, Postware Address Cor19040) and a modem 41 as shown in FIG. 17. In one such rection and Encoding software (postal soft, 4439 Mormon system, compressed card display image files are transmitted Coulee Road, La Crosse, Wis. 54601-8231), (13) a bar code 30 from a control computer 63 at the cable TV control center 60 printing program, for example, CardFinder (Onkor, Ltd.), over conventional cable TV line 59 to the CATV card (14) a card description database, (15) a good images file, display/order system 67, where they are decompressed by (16) a good fonts file, (17) a good cards file, and (18) an the smart CATV converter 58 and displayed on the television available cards file. set 55. Card image files to be displayed are, for example, FIG. 13 shows, alternatively, a number of card printing 35 transmitted to a specific CATV card display/order system systems in a networked configuration. The card printing over a cable TV channel dedicated to transmitting digital systems in this configuration need not have CD-ROM drives information which has been encoded for reception, decomas part of each system, but each system does require a pression, and display by a specific smart CATV converter network card, for example, a Novell NEIOOO Interface with decompression means. Transmissions are made in Board (Novell, Inc.,. 122 East 1700 South, Provo, Utah 40 response to commands input by the consumer, using an input 84606) attached over a network interconnection means 64 means 37, for example, a wireless handheld controller. The and through a second network card, for example, a Novell input commands are transmitted from CATV card display/ NE2000 Interface Board (Novell, Inc.) to a network server order systems 67 to the cable TV control center 60, for system 61, consisting of a computer 49 which is attached to example, through modems 41 and telecommunication lines one or more large capacity memory devices 36, such as a 45 52 linking the smart CATV converter 58, which is part of the Micropolis 668 megabyte model 1624 hard drive (MicropoCATV card display/order system 67, to the control computer lis, Chatsworth, Calif.). Optionally, one or more CD-ROM 63 in the cable TV control center 60. When a displayed card drives 34 or other large capacity read only memory devices is selected by the consumer for purchase, information necmay also be attached to the server computer. Modems in essary to complete an order ("order information") may be each card printing system 40 receive order information for 50 requested from the consumer by the control computer 63 or processing from card display/order systems 50 over teleby the computer contained in the smart CATV converter 58. communications means 52, for example, telephone lines. Such requests can take a variety of forms, for example, an Other networked configurations are possible, for example, order formcan be displayed on a television set 55 and the a configuration which contains one or more card printing consumer then enters order information using an input systems each with a CD-ROM drive and a network card. The 55 means 37, such as a wireless handheld controller. Order card printing systems in this configuration are in tum information entered by the consumer may be transmitted attached to a server computer system which includes one or through a modem 41 to the control computer 63 and from the more large capacity memory devices, such as a hard drive. control computer 63 at the cable TV control center 60 to a card printing system site 54 over telecommunications lines As shown in FIG. 4, when a CD-ROM 33 is installed in a card printing system's CD-ROM drive 34, or a CD-ROM 60 52, or order information entered by the consumer may be transmitted through the modem 41, after disconnecting from drive attached to a network server, the card printing system the control computer 63, directly to a card printing system control program on the card printing system's hard disk site 54 over telecommunications lines 52. drive 36 or a hard drive which is part of a network server system 61, analyzes the card descriptions contained in the Card images may be selected for display by customers card description database and the dithered print image files 65 using, for example, a displayed menu which allows the and print font files present on the CD-ROM or on a hard prospective card purchaser to describe the type of social drive and creates three files: (1) a file indicating which expression card desired. Methods other than the use of a 5,552,994 17 18 menu to select a desired type of card from available card munications software program, for example, FaxTalk images, may also be used. (Thought Communications, Inc., 275 Saratoga Avenue, Suite 200c, Santa Clara, Calif. 95050). In the case of an Order information, to be transmitted to a card printing order transmitted by means of a fax machine, the fax! location, may be entered by customers in a variety of ways. Using one preferred method, a card identification name (or 5 communications software program receives the orders in a standard facsimile transmission format and converts them code) is entered by a customer on a printed order form 51 into PCX image format files. The PCX image of the order along with personalization information, mailing addresses, form ("PCX order image") is stored in an order image file preferred card delivery date, and other order information. and is used by an order processing program such as CFXThe order information is then transmitted by use of a fax machine 53, for example, a Brother IntelliFAX model 600 10 order (Onkor, Ltd., P.O. Box 240, Masonville, Colo. 80541) or TELEform for Windows (Cardiff Software, Inc., 531 (Brother International Corporation, 200 Cottontail Lane, Stevens Avenue, Solana Beach, Calif. 92075), to (1) analyze Somerset, N.J. 08875-6714), over telecommunication lines the order information contained in the PCX order image, 52 to a card printing system site 54. such as card identification information, personalized text, Alternatively, a card display/order system may include a modem 41 which allows a customer to place an order by 15 mailing addresses, and personalized images, and (2) store the order information in the order information database. The using a keyboard or other .input means connected to a CFXorder program displays a split screen with a fax image computing means to enter order information by, for on one side of the screen and order information fields on the example, responding to displayed prompts which request other side. The CFXorder program (1) automatically comthat various items of order information be entered by the customer. The computing means may include, for example, 20 pares card identification information ("card name") entered in the card name order information field with a database of a TV information system 56, as shown in FIG. 15 or a card names ("printable card file" 77), representing cards personal computer 57, as shown in FIG. 16. After order available for printing, to confirm that an available card name information is entered by a customer, the customer initiates 78 has been ordered. CFXorder also checks and corrects the order transmission process by, for example, responding to a displayed prompt. Once the order transmission process 25 address information entered in order information fields by reference to a mail management program, for example, is initiated, the computing means determines if a dial tone is Postware Address Correction and Encoding software (Postpresent on the telecommunication line connected to the alsoft, 4439 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse, Wis. 54601computing means modem. If a dial tone is present, the 8231). The processed order information for each order 71 is computing means dials a preprogrammed telephone number then automatically stored in the order information database associated with a card printing system site and upon receiv- 30 70 in the format shown in FIGS. 19 and 20(a), and 20(b). ing a standard confirming transmission code from the called Alternatively, a program, such as TELEform for Windows site the computing means transmits the order information in (Cardiff Software, Inc.), which includes a hand print and a standard data communication format, for example ASCII machine print character recognition program, may be used to code, through the modem 41 over telecommunication lines 52 to the card printing facility 54. If the calling computing 35 analyze the PCX order image. The resulting order information is automatically stored in the order information database means receives a busy signal, it disconnects from the tele70. communication line, waits a pre-programmed interval, for When order information is transmitted in the form of example two minutes, and then repeats the calling sequence. ASCII or other data communication formats directly from a The computing means will continue such calling attempts until the order information has been successfully transmit- 40 card display/order system 50 to the card printing system site 54, the information received is processed by an order ted. processing program, such as CFXorder (Onkor, Ltd.). Each FIG. 22 shows one alternative embodiment in which the processed order is stored by the order processing program in card display/order facility is separated into a card order the order information database 70 for subsequent processing transmission system 65 and a number of satellite card display systems 76. This embodiment is intended for use, for 45 as generally outlined in FIG. 21. Methods of processing orders may vary depending on the example, in a greeting card store located in an airport. The - order processing program used, for example, the program card order transmission system 65 is centrally located in the CFXorder, processes orders received as PCX files from fax store and a number of the card display system 76 can be located within the store as well as elsewhere within the machines by displaying a bit-mapped image of the fax on a airport, such as in various concourses. Each card display 50 monitor along with blank data entry fields. The user visually examines the fax image and enters the displayed order system 76 includes a local CD-ROM 33 that contains copies information in appropriate data entry fields. After all order of the card description database, card parameter database, information is entered, the user selects the "save" function and other files necessary to prompt a customer to input or which causes the program to save the order information select card parameter and view card images. The specific embodiment of the card display system 76 depicted in FIG. 55 entered in the data entry fields to the order information database. In addition, a properly sized and formatted per22 uses a television set 55 and a TV information system 56 sonalized image ("signature image") is also saved from the to display the card images. The customer's order informaoriginal fax and is logically connected to the correct card tion is temporarily recorded on removable memory means order number 74 in the order information database 70. The 88, such as a floppy diskette or a PCMCIA memory card. At the end of each day (or on some other period basis) the 60 saved signature image may be saved in any number of standard image file formats, such as PCX or TIFF, as well as removable memory means 88 is manually transferred to the proprietary image file formats, such as PCD used by the card order transmission system 65 where the order informaprogram CFXorder (Onkor, Ltd.) tion can be reviewed and is then forwarded by modem 41 to a card printing facility. Optionally, if the card destination address 75 zip code At the card printing facility, order information is received 65 stored in the order information database 70 matches a zip code stored on a hard drive 36 in a file which lists zip codes through a fax or other modem 41 connected to a card in association with remote card printing system sites ("printprinting system computer processor 35 running a fax!com- 5,552,994 19 20 ments, not precisely set forth, could be practiced under the ing site zip code list"), the order information may be teachings of the present invention and as set forth in the automatically transmitted by the card printing system comfollowing claims. puter 35 at the site which received the original card order, We claim: using a modem 41 attached to telecommunications means 1. A system for printing social expression cards compris52, to a card printing system site listed on the printing site 5 ing: zip code list. a card printing facility having: Order information indicating when an ordered card is to (a) means for electronically receiving order data for a be delivered 82 is retrieved from the order information selected card; database 70 and lists of cards (or orders) to be printed on (b) data storage means for storing said order data and specific dates ("print list files") 79 are automatically created 10 a database describing each card, including images by a program such as CFXIist (Onkor, Ltd.). The CFXlist and text for each card; program determines a printing date based on a card delivery (c) a printer; and date specified by a customer in an order. If no date is (d) processor means for selectively retrieving order specified, the current date is used. The card order code (or data and card description data for said selected card number) of any card order that has not been printed and has 15 from said database stored in said data storage means, a customer specified delivery date which is on or before the and printing said images and text for said selected current date is automatically listed by CFXlist in a daily card on said printer; and print file named CFXLlST.OUT ("print list file"). At a at least one card display/order facility separate and remote specified time each day, active card printing systems run a from said card printing facility having: program, such as CFXprint (Onkor, Ltd.), which retrieves 20 (a) means for accessing said card description database order information 71 from the order information database 70 at said card printing facility; for those card orders 80 listed in the current date print list file (b) means for inputting card parameters; 79. CFXprint then calls a program such as CardFinder (c) means for retrieving and visually displaying cards (Onkor, Ltd.) which prints each ordered card on blank card associated with said card parameters from said card paper 47, as shown in FIG. 3, including a bar code 44 on the 25 description database; back card panel (or page). The bar code, which is generated (d) means for selecting one of said displayed cards; by a bar code program such as Quick Bar (American (e) means for inputting order information; and Microsystems,23190 Regal Parkway, Euless, Tex. 76040), (f) means for electronically transmitting an order for represents the unique card order number (or code) for the said selected card and said order information to said card printed. 30 card printing facility. When a card is successfully printed this is recorded in the 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said card printing card's order information in the order information database facility data storage means further comprises a card param("registered"). Registration can be accomplished several eter database for prompting a customer to select a series of ways. One method is to run a program such as CFXship card parameters for displaying cards associated with said (Onkor, Ltd.) on a computer 35 with a bar code reader 42, 35 card parameters in said card description database. for example, a ScanWedge bar code reader (Barcode Indus3. The system of claim 1 wherein said card printing tries, Ammendale Technology Park, 12240 Indian Creek facility and said card display/order facility comprise comCourt, Beltsville, Md. 20705) attached to the computer's puters communicating over a network, and said card input means 37, for example a keyboard. The bar code description database is accessed by said card display/order reader 42 may be used to read the bar code 44 on the back 40 facility over said network, and said orders are transmitted panel (or page) of a printed card 43, the card's order over said network from said card display/order facility to information 81 in the order information database 70 is said card printing facility. updated to indicate the ordered card corresponding to the 4. The system of claim 1 wherein said display means at card order code has been successfully printed. Successful said card display/order facility comprise a television set, and registration automatically causes CFXship to query the 45 said access means comprise a cable television converter portion of the card's order information 71 in the order communicating with said card printing facility over a cable information database 70 for envelope color 87 and envelope television system. addressing information 75, 83, 84. Address information 5. The system of claim 1 wherein said order information retrieved is printed on a blank envelope 45 of the specified comprises the name and address of the intended recipient of color 87, along with a code 44, for example a bar code, 50 the card. representing the card order code, using a printer 46, for 6. The system of claim 1 wherein said order information example, a CoStar Address Express printer (CoStar Corpocomprises a card identifier. ration, 22 Bridge St., Greenwich, Conn., 06830-5238). A 7. The system of claim 1 wherein said order information printed card 43 may then be matched with the correct printed comprises a card delivery date. envelope 48 by using, for example, either a single bar code 55 8. The system of claim 1 wherein said order information reader 42 to sequentially read the bar code on the rear card comprises the name and address of the card purchaser. panel and the bar code on the envelope or by using two bar 9. The system of claim 1 wherein said order information code readers to simultaneously read both bar codes. If the comprises information for personalization of the card, and bar codes on the printed card and printed envelope are wherein said card printing facility further comprises means identical, a signal, for example a distinctive audible tone, is 60 to incorporate said personalization information into the card output by the computer 35 indicating that the card should be printed by said printer. inserted in the envelope and the card's order information 71 10. The system of claim 9 wherein said personalization in the order information database 70 is updated to indicate information comprises text. the card order has been successfully processed 85 and the 11. The system of claim 9 wherein said personalization date the processing was completed 86. 65 information comprises handwriting. 12. The system of claim 9 wherein said personalization The above disclosure sets forth a number of embodiments of the present invention. Other arrangements or embodiinformation comprises images. 5,552,994 21 13. The system of claim 1 wherein said orders are transmitted by means of a modem over telephone lines. 14. A system for vending and printing social expression cards comprising: a database preparation system having: (a) means for inputting images and text for each of said cards; (b) means for creating a high-resolution print image for each of said images; (c) means for creating a lower-resolution display image for each of said images; (d) means for creating a card description database defining the layout of each card in terms of its images, text, and other components and their locations on the card; and (e) means for creating a card parameter database for enabling input of a series of card parameters associated with certain of said cards in said card description database; at least one card printing facility having: (a) means for electronically receiving orders for a selected card; (b) a printer; and (c) means for retrieving said high-resolution print images for said selected card using said card description database, and printing said print images and text on said printer; and at least one card display/order facility separate and remote from said card printing facility having: (a) means for accessing said card description database and card parameter database; (b) means for enabling input of card parameters prompted by said card parameter database; (c) means for retrieving and visually displaying said display images and text for cards associated with said card parameters; (d) means for selecting one of said displayed cards; (e) means for inputting order information; and (f) means for electronically transmitting an order for a selected card to said card printing facility. 22 15. The system of claim 14, wherein said card description database further comprises information for each card concerning the location, size, font and color of text on the card. 16. The system of claim 14, wherein said card description 5 database further comprises information on fields that can be personalized for each card. 17. The system of claim 14, wherein said order information comprises the name and address of the intended recipient of the card. 10 18. The system of claim 14 wherein said order information comprises a card identifier. 19. The system of claim 14 wherein said order information comprises a card delivery date. 20. The system of claim 14 wherein said order information comprises the name and address of the card purchaser. 15 21. The system of claim 14 wherein said order information comprises information for personalization of the card, and wherein said card printing facility further comprises means to incorporate said personalization information into the card printed by said printer. 20 22. The system of claim 21 wherein said personalization information comprises text. 23. The system of claim 21 wherein said personalization information comprises handwriting. 24. The system of claim 21 wherein said personalization 25 information comprises images. 25. The system of claim 14 wherein said orders are transmitted by means of a modem over telephone lines. 26. The system of claim 14 wherein said card printing facility and said card display/order facility comprise computers communicating over a network, and said card 30 description database and card parameter database are accessed by said card display/order facility over said network, and said orders are transmitted over said network from said card display/order facility to said card printing facility. 27. The system of claim 14, wherein said card display/ 35 order facility display means comprise a television set, and said access means comprise a cable television converter communicating with said card printing facility over a cable television system. 28. The system of claim 14, wherein copies of said card 40 description database and said card parameter database are distributed to said card display/order facilities on CD-ROM. * * * * *

Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.


Why Is My Information Online?