Packaging system, apparatus and method therefor

A server apparatus for a packaging system, the server being capable of communicating with a client via a communications link, wherein the server comprises a processing unit arranged, when in use, to permit a user to make a number of selections respectively based upon a number of packaging criteria for packaging at least one object, and generate rendering data corresponding to a simulation of the at least one object packaged according to the number of selections made;

• the server is further arranged to communicate the rendering data to the client for display to the user and receive first output data from the client.

A terminal apparatus for a packaging system, the apparatus comprising an input device, an output device and a processing unit, the processing unit arranged, when in use, to permit a user to make a number of selections respectively based upon a number of packaging criteria for packaging at least one object, and render via the output device a simulation of the at least one object packaged according to the number of selections made;

• the terminal is further arranged to generate first output data.

A packaging system comprising a client capable of communicating with a server via a communications link, the server being capable of communicating with a packaging machine, and arranged to permit a user to make a number of selections respectively based upon a number of packaging criteria for packaging at least one object, and render via the client a simulation of the at least one object packaged according to the number of selections made;

• the client is arranged to communicate first output data to the server in response to a command initiated by the user.

A method of generating output data for a packaging process, the method comprising the steps of:

• making a number of selections respectively based upon a number of packaging criteria relating to packaging of the at least one object;
• rendering a simulation of the at least one object packaged according to the number of selections made;
• generating first output data.

Computer executable software code stored on a computer readable medium, the code being for packaging of at least one object, the code comprising:

• code to make a number of selections respectively based upon a number of packaging criteria relating to packaging of the at least one object;
• code to render a simulation of the at least one object packaged according to the number of selections made;
• code to generate first output data.

A computer readable medium having computer executable software code stored thereon, the code being for packaging of at least one object and comprising:

• code to make a number of selections respectively based upon a number of packaging criteria relating to packaging of the at least one object;
• code to render a simulation of the at least one object packaged according to the number of selections made;
• code to generate first output data.

A control signal adapted to actuate motors of a packaging machine in a manner so as to package at least one object according to a number of selections made respectively based upon a number of packaging criteria relating to packaging of the at least one object.

A use of a client-server arrangement in order to design a package for at least one object and package the at least one object in the package.

A client apparatus for a packaging system, the client being capable of communicating with a server via a communications link, wherein the client comprises an input device, an output device and a processing unit that supports a user interface presented by the output device, the processing unit being arranged to permit a user, when in use, to make via the user interface a number of selections respectively based upon a number of criteria relating to, at least, a package and decoration of the package, and render, via the output device, a simulation of the decorated package blank or assembled package in response to the number of selections made;

• the client is further arranged to communicate first output data relating to the decorated package blank or the assembled decorated package to the server in response to a command initiated by the user.