In-route ordering of physically published material
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorLee Moore
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A workflow for obtaining custom books or other printed materials during travel (e.g., via airline, rail, cruise ship, etc.). A traveler on an airplane, for example, would look through a catalog, select a desired publication and electronically communicate his or her order to a remote production facility near the traveler's selected destination. The order would automatically be sent to a digital book production system (e.g., print-on-demand system) near the traveler's selected destination (e.g., airport). The publication would automatically be produced and distributed to a pick-up point where it is available for pick-up by the traveler.
Claims20
A method for enabling a traveler to order a printed publication from public transport facilities and while traveling to the traveler's destination, comprising:
- providing a traveler access to a catalogue from which publications can be selected, wherein the traveler can review ordering information about available publications;
- provided 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, comprising:
- 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.
A system 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, the system comprising:
- 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 for obtaining orders.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.