Patent Application
20050091086
Embodiments are generally related to on-demand-publishing. More particularly, embodiments are related to methods and system providing for the ordering, production and distribution of on-demand-publishing materials to the traveling customer market.
Business and leisure travelers spend a substantial amount of time waiting to board, connect with, while en-route on, and while waiting to disembark from commercial conveyances. While traveling, regardless of the means of transportation used (e.g., airline, train, cruise ship, bus), travelers as a group represent a captive market for goods and services available at terminals, ports of entry and on commercial conveyances. Airports, for example, have shops that specifically cater to travelers interested in purchasing books and magazines. Such shops operate as outlets for the sale of mass-marketed novels, business books and magazines, but the selection is generally limited by availability or limited stock because of the size of the store.
The present inventor recognized the potential for distribution of published material in the traveling marketplace because of his knowledge in the field of on-demand publishing. On-demand publishing has come about in recent years because vast technological advancements in the photocopier equipment industry enable more flexible offset-quality production. Xerox Corporation, for example, offers hardware and software for the on-demand publishing marketplace. On-demand publishing technology enables publishers to print books in short run lengths on demand, at a reasonable costs. Publishers save money on warehousing, returns, and the production of intrinsically short run books (comps, review copies, sales samples, etc.) They also realize new business opportunities from out-of-print books and never-in-print books.
On-demand publishing technology now makes it easier for printing businesses to set up publishing enterprises without encumbrances associated with space and location. Print-on demand technology enables a growing number of new businesses to print and publish exactly what the customer needs, when they need it. Profitable, short run, fast turnaround work product can now be rendered in full color, highlight color and black and white and generally includes paperback coverings, photography and complex graphics.
With the necessary publishing technology now in place, the present inventor believes there is a need for use of the latest print-on demand technology to serve a marketplace that has not yet been addressed—the travel-related marketplace.
The present invention provides methods and systems enabling business and leisure travelers to order printed publications (e.g., books, reference material, magazines, or other printed material) while in-route to their travel destinations. Methods and system(s) for automatically publishing reading material (e.g., books and magazines) ordered by a traveling customer while the customer is in route and having the publications ready for pick-up by traveling customers after the customer's arrival at their destination or a destination of their choosing will now herein be disclosed.
In accordance with features of the present invention, systems are described for automatically producing a publication ordered by a traveler while the traveler is en-route and having the publications ready for pick-up by traveling customers after the customer's arrival at their destination or a destination of their choosing. A system can include a server connected to an electronic network for receiving publication orders from travelers using electronic interface for submitting orders to the server, a database containing publications available for selection by travelers, and at least one print-on-demand system located near pick-up destinations that can be selected by travelers.
In accordance with additional features of the present invention, methods for enabling a traveler to order a printed publication from public transport facilities while traveling to the traveler's destination and for producing and distributing publications are described. Methods in accordance with preferred embodiment of the invention can include providing a traveler access to a catalogue from which publications can be selected, wherein the traveler can review ordering information about available publications, and providing an electronic interface having a network connection to “publish-on-demand facilities, said electronic interface providing a means from which the traveler can select and order the preparation of at least one publication for pick-up by the traveler at a destination also selected by the traveler, wherein the selection and ordering can occur while the customer is awaiting travel, en-route on public transportation, or preparing to disembark public transportation.
A method for automatically producing a publication ordered by a traveler while the traveler is en-route and having the publications ready for pick-up by traveling customers after the customer's arrival at their destination or a destination of their choosing can include receiving an electronic order for a publication over an electronic network from a traveler using a remote electronic interface, producing the publication using publish-on-demand system located near a destination selected by the traveler for pick-up of the publication, and distributing the publication to a pick-up facility located at the destination selected by the traveler for pick-up of the publication.
In accordance with methods of the present invention a traveling customer is provided with a catalog, which can be available while the customer is awaiting travel, while en-route, or while preparing to disembark from a vessel (e.g., a cruise ship). The catalog can be made available in printed form or through a communications network. The customer can review available reading material selections in the catalog. If the customer desires to make a publication purchase, the customer is provided an electronic interface from which to order a selection while awaiting travel, en-route, or preparing to disembark. Ordering can be provided through electronic interfaces such as kiosks and on-board communications (e.g., telephones, internet kiosks or personal wireless appliances). When completed, the order is automatically provided to and received by production facilities near the customer's scheduled or selected destination where the customer's order can be produced and then made available to the customer through on-site distribution facilities (e.g., stores or unattended kiosks) upon the customer's arrival at the destination.
Embodiments of the present invention can enable business and leisure travelers to order a printed publication (e.g., books, reference material, magazines, or other printed material) while in-route to their travel destinations. Methods and system for published reading material (e.g., books and magazines) ordered by a traveling customer while the customer is in route are automatically processed for publication via the novel methods and system described herein. Ordered publications are readied for pick-up by traveling customers at their final destination or a destination of their choosing while en-route to their final destination.
A practical example of how the methods and systems of the present invention can be implemented is briefly illustrated with respect to the following scenario: Customer is flying from Rochester to Chicago with an eventual connecting flight to Los Angeles. While in the air, customer finds a catalog of books in the seatback pocket located in front of customer's seat. Looking through the catalog, customer finds a recent book of interest that customer would like to read during the long flight from Chicago to LA. Customer picks up the in-flight telephone from the seat-back location in front of him and calls a toll-free number to order the book. Through the in-flight telephone keypad, customer is able to order the book and provide billing information. When customer arrives in Chicago, a copy of the book, either newly produced or already available at the destination, is waiting to be picked up by the customer.
Referring to
It should be appreciated that the means for ordering can include a networking appliance in communication with a LAN (local area network) or wireless LAN located at a terminal or on a vessel. Ordering can also be accomplished through a traveler's handheld devices (e.g., mobile phones, PDAs). Communication in a terminal or on board a vessel would typically require Internet access, unless a private network is available.
Referring to
A catalog can be made available in printed form or through a communications network. The customer can review publication selections available for ordering in the catalog 220. If the customer desires to make a purchase, the customer is provided a means from which to order a selection while traveling. For example, a customer can makes a selection and place an order through communications means 230, such as, kiosks, on-board communications (e.g., airplane telephones), internet kiosks or wireless appliances. Orders can be transmitted through any combination of known digital communications means.
An order can be received by production facilities near the customer's scheduled or selected destination where the order is queued for production 240 (e.g., using print-on-demand systems). Data associated with the order is retrieved from a server database and the order is produced 250. The order can then made available to the customer through on-site distribution facilities 260 (e.g., stores or unattended kiosks) upon the customer's arrival at the destination. The customers order can be picked up at the designated location after customer verification is established 270.
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Publications that can be printed for traveling customer using the present invention include custom-ordered collections of published data including any combination of: international newspapers, professional journals, business references, magazines and novels. Published data can also include portions of publication such as selected chapters from a book, or sections and articles from newspapers or magazines. It is also a feature of the present invention if publication is made available to customers in foreign languages, which would be valuable to international travelers requiring text in their own language. When only selected potions of a publication are selected for printing (e.g., specific chapters of a book, or sections of a magazine or newspaper), a single publication can be produced that includes parts of several publications in a single, bound publication.
It is appreciated that various other alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, equivalents, or substantial equivalents of the teachings herein that, for example, are or may be presently unforeseen, unappreciated, or subsequently arrived at by applicants or others are also intended to be encompassed by the claims and amendments thereto.
