R.r. Donnelley and Sons Company

R.r. Donnelley & Sons

R.r. Donnelley

Mark G Dreyer

James L Warmus

J Thomas Shively

Robert W Gill

Daniel W Beery

Roger Kitzmiller

A software system is useful for generating page files from a template file and database entries. The database entries are representative of variable information and the template file includes data designating a first variable text area and a second variable text area. The software system includes a computer-readable medium storing a software program having first, second, and third routines. The first routine selects a record from the database, while the second routine associates the first variable text area with the contents of an entry in the selected record and associates the second variable text area with one of a plurality of text files. The third routine generates the page files from the template file, the text files, and the database.

Variable text processing for an electronic press

A software system is useful for generating a page file from a template file and database entries. The database entries are representative of variable information and the template file includes data designating a variable text area. The software system includes a computer-readable medium storing a software program having first, second, and third routines. The first routine associates the variable text area with a first text file that includes a variable information placeholder, while the second routine derives a second text file from the first text file in accordance with the variable information placeholder and at least one of the database entries. The third routine then generates the page file from the template file and the second text file.

The present invention is useful for assembling a book. The inventive method includes the steps of specifying pagination information including an indication of whether a page is to be selectively included in the book, determining whether the page is to be assembled into the book based on the pagination information, and generating page description language instructions for production of the book in accordance with the pagination information.

Book assembly process and apparatus for variable imaging system

Imposition process and apparatus for variable imaging system

The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for reproducing master and variable information on a display device, such as a computer network or a demand printer. The present invention develops first and second sets of template data representing associated first and second template pages, respectively, wherein each set of template data includes master data representing fixed information to be printed and area data representing an area of a page in which variable information is to be printed. A database is developed having a number of entries, each of which represents variable printed information and the display device is responsive to the sets of template data and the database to display the first and second template pages with selected variable information. The fixed and variable pages may be converted to TIFF format and imposed according to an instruction set. Alternatively, the fixed and variable pages may be &ldquo;imposed-on-the-fly&rdquo; as they are processed by a RIP.

An apparatus and method for controlling an electronic press develops first and second sets of template data representing associated first and second template pages, respectively. Each set of template data includes master data representing fixed information to be printed and area data representing an area of a page in which variable information is to be printed. A database is developed having a number of entries, each of which represents variable printed information. An electronic press is responsive to sets of template data and the database to print the first and second template pages with selected variable printed information.

Apparatus for controlling an electronic press to print fixed and variable information

A method of, and system for, selectively reordering the reprinting of books on one or more electronic presses are disclosed. In one embodiment, sensors and a processor are utilized to reorder books fouled by an auxiliary device. In another embodiment, a sensor, and a global processor in communication with first and second local processors respectively associated with first and second printing presses are utilized to reorder books on one of the first and second printing presses selected to minimize processing time and/or to maximize postal rate discounts. In another embodiment, a sensor and a press processor are utilized to reorder errored books by inserting a book back into a stream of books being printed if re-printing the book with the stream entitles the errored book to a predefined postal discount.

Reorder system for use with an electronic printing press

The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for reproducing master and variable information, including variable graphics information, on a display device, such as a computer network or a demand printer. Variable graphics information is stored in a database. A user is prompted to specify graph parameters (i.e. graph type, size, labels, etc.) or default values are used. Template page files containing fixed information and placeholders for variable information are generated. Image boxes are used as placeholders for variable graphics information and an executable graph file is placed in the image boxes. A text box containing the specified graph parameters and variable graphics information from the database is layered over the image box and &ldquo;tagged&rdquo; to specify that it contains variable graphics information. During interpretation of the page file, an interpreter (RIP) determines if a text box is &ldquo;tagged&rdquo; and, if so, executes the graph file to generate a graph using the specified graph parameters and variable graphics information from the database.

Method of reproducing variable graphics in a variable imaging system

The present invention discloses a method for assembling fulfillment pieces with custom documents in an efficient manner. The fulfillment pieces, which may have fixed and/or variable information, are produced in line on the same press as the custom documents. This 'on demand' fulfillment is accomplished through the manipulation of an original database containing document recipient information. The database manipulation includes adding records (rows) or columns to the original database to represent the custom document and the fulfillment pieces. The modified databases are used to create press command files, which are combined according to the configuration of the database to produce ordered output from a press.

Apparatus and method for producing fulfillment pieces on demand in a

A press controller for operating an electronic press to produce a plurality of diverse publications from data stored in associated publication databases establishes a job database having data from the publication databases stored therein and controls the electronic press in accordance with the data in the job database. The present invention allows books of diverse publications to be co-mailed and thereby obtain postal discounts.

Growing community of inventors

Aurora, IL, United States of America

Mark G Dreyer