US 5,751,590 A · System for printing social expression cards

Abstract

A system for printing social expression cards includes both a database preparation system and a plurality of remote 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 a plurality of images for use in card designs. A high resolution print image and a lower resolution display image are created from each of these images. A card description database defines the layout of each card in terms of its component images and their locations on the card. The database preparation system can also build a menu database defining a structure of menu screens to query the user to select a desired category of cards. A list of card names is linked to each category in the menu database. These databases and image files are then copied onto removable data storage media for distribution to each of the card printing systems.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of processing images to define social expression cards in a computer database system comprising the following steps:

inputting images for each card;
creating a high-resolution print file for each of said images;
creating a lower-resolution display file for each of said images;
and
creating a card description database defining the layout of each card in terms of its component images and their locations on the card, to permit retrieval of said print files and said display files for each card.

2 more elements

A system for printing social expression cards comprising:

a database preparation computer system having:
(a) means for inputting graphic images for each of said cards;
(b) means for creating a high-resolution print image file for each of said images;
(c) means for creating a lower-resolution display image file for each of said images;
(d) means for creating a card description database defining the layout of each card in terms of its component images and their locations on the card;
(e) means for creating a card parameter database defining a series of card parameters associated with certain of said cards in said card description database;
and
(f) data storage means for storing said card description database, print image files, and display image files;
at least one card printing system having:
(a) a display;
(b) a printer;
(c) input means;
(d) data storage means for storing said card description database, print image files, and display image files;
(e) processor means for using said card parameter database and said card description database to selectively retrieve display image files of cards from said data storage means and display said display images on said display;
allowing a user to select a desired card via said input means;
retrieving print image files for said selected card from said data storage means;
and printing said print images on said printer;
and
means for transferring said card description database, print image files, and display image files from said database preparation computer system to said data storage means of said card printing system.

16 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System for printing social expression cards

Life of this patent

System for printing social expression cards

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18