Abstract:
A preferred embodiment of a computer system and method for creating a photo-ready business form in a digital machine electronic format includes a personal computer station for accessing and modifying or creating new business forms. In another aspect of the invention, the personal computer is remote to and connected to a central server computer, enabling multiple clients at respective remote computer stations to simultaneously retrieve and modify forms from the database of the central server. Yet another aspect of the invention provides a method of computer generating a business form, wherein a client selects a “template” from a database of selectable templates, which may include client defined templates, down-loads and fills-in the selected template and incorporates any necessary changes to the selected template to create a desired business form for use in the specific business of the client.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a completion application of co-pending U.S. Provisional application Serial No. 60/308,246, filed Jul. 27, 2002, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to the field of publishing, document editing and manipulation, and displaying documents and images. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for enabling an author to create new and customize old business forms that are “photo ready” in one sitting.  
           [0004]    2. Related Background Art:  
           [0005]    The preparation of forms heretofore has largely been the responsibility of professional publishing companies using expensive high-speed printing presses. The process is tedious, labor intensive and costly, both for the large corporation as well as for the small business.  
           [0006]    In the traditional form creation process, the form creator must go to the client to get the information and then generate a blank form based on the client&#39;s needs. Text and images are cut and pasted together to form a prototype of the form and the prototype then sent to the print shop and printed. If the client approves the form, the form would then be made “photo ready” for printing. The form must then be sent to a printer and printed, distributed, and inventoried.  
           [0007]    If the form needs to be changed for some reason, all of these steps would be repeated should a revision be needed. This oftentimes happens when it becomes necessary to change dates, part numbers, effective dates of or the coverage of a warranty—such as required by a change in the law, or to reflect the legal status of the corporation—such as following a merger or sale of a corporate division. The previous forms may have to be scrapped and re-inventoried.  
           [0008]    Since the introduction of the personal computer and the development of various software programs there has been an increased awareness and interest by businesses that many tasks could be done cheaper and more economically using computer based systems. One significant area of interest is in the use of the computer to eliminate the problems associated with providing forms used in business transactions.  
           [0009]    A small business, such as an automobile dealership and like repair shops, typically cannot afford the costs of purchasing and maintaining a sophisticated computing system to do the work or to hire highly trained computer personnel to operate such a computing system. However, most businesses can afford and do have a personal computer and electronic devices (such modems and FAX machines) that interconnect the computer with the telephone lines and enable the E-mailing of messages and access to the internet.  
           [0010]    It would be desirable to provide an author/user with a simple method of producing a customized business form, in electronic format, that is printable in-house for short runs or photo-ready for publishing at a remote print facility  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    An object of this invention is the provision of a method using a computer to create a customized business form as desired.  
           [0012]    A more particular object of this invention is the provision of a method whereby a client at a personal computer station may access documents and images, such as business forms to be modified or created, and produce new customized forms that are photo-ready in one sitting. Desirably, the client&#39;s personal computer would be remote to and connected to a central server computer that would enable multiple clients at respective remote computer stations to simultaneously retrieve and modify forms from the database of the central server.  
           [0013]    A yet more particular object of this invention is a method of computer generating a business form, or the like, wherein the client would select a “template” from a database of selectable templates, as well as from client defined templates, down-load the template selected, and fill-in the template, as well as change the template, to provide a desired form for use in the specific business of the client.  
           [0014]    In view of the above objects of this invention, according to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a system for creating customized forms comprising:  
           [0015]    at least one centralized computer storing a database of compressed text and image files in the form of accessible and selectable templates,  
           [0016]    a plurality of remote terminals each in operative communication with one or more of the centralized computers, and  
           [0017]    means located at the site of each remote terminal for creating a business form by the system, the business form relying at least in part on an image file stored at the centralized computer.  
           [0018]    Preferably, there is provided means located at a remote terminal for capturing graphical images and text information of client defined forms in digital form whereby to create a secondary image file and database of selectable business forms and image files over a switched telephone network between the centralized computer and a requesting remote terminal.  
           [0019]    Further, according to another aspect of this invention, there is provided in a computer system having a display screen, a memory including a user operated program that includes a database of selectable predefined templates having different text and graphics, and a selector device such as a mouse and a keyboard for operating the computer, and a method for producing a customized business form that is photo-ready, the method comprising the steps of:  
           [0020]    capturing textual and graphics information from a client defined form to create a text template and a graphics template corresponding to the client defined form,  
           [0021]    storing the captured text and graphics templates in a fixed but accessible memory,  
           [0022]    repeating the preceding steps of capturing and storing as many different text and graphics items as desired whereby to provide an accessible database of many different but selectable text and graphics templates,  
           [0023]    laying out a desired form, the step of laying out including the steps of  
           [0024]    selecting with the selector device and displaying on said display screen at least one template having a desired image from at least one of said database of predefined templates and client defined graphics templates,  
           [0025]    retrieving and displaying on the display screen desired information from said text template to client customize the form, and  
           [0026]    editing the form into a desired condition that is photo-ready.  
           [0027]    According to an important aspect of this invention, the customized business form so laid out is then ready for a “short run” printing via a printer connected to the author&#39;s personal computer, or is “photo-ready” for sending out to a printing facility at a location remote to the personal computer. In this regard, the laid out form can be sent to the printing facility for printing via a phone line or downloaded onto a disk or CD-ROM and transported to the printing facility.  
           [0028]    Further, the step of capturing includes interconnecting multiple personal computers to a remote central server computer whereby to enable multiple clients at their respective personal computers to simultaneously communicate their forms to a database in the central server computer or draw forms therefrom.  
           [0029]    In regard to this latter aspect of the invention, and cognizant of the need for privacy and or security between clients, the step of capturing further includes assigning to each form captured a security identification number that would permit clients to select forms of their own as well as specific forms of other clients. Importantly, this also makes sure that two competing clients in similar market areas will not create forms with almost identical logos and other distinctive graphics.  
           [0030]    Preferably, the step of storing onto a fixed memory location includes storing the information on a user operated computer program residing in the memory of the author&#39;s personal computer central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), a CD-ROM, an erasable ROM, a floppy disk, and other like memories.  
           [0031]    After the customized form has been laid out and printed, the method includes the further step of saving the customized form to memory as a selectable template.  
           [0032]    The method herein enables a document, such as a business form, once created, to be stored in the memory of the author&#39;s personal computer as a selectable template, and the software allows the author/user to easily use and revise the document so saved.  
           [0033]    Advantageously, clients with technically minimal experience are provided with the ability to dynamically create, edit, and modify templated documents that are unique to their business.  
           [0034]    Further, whether stored in the computer memory or on a portable memory device such as a CD or diskette (i.e., a “floppy”), the templates can be made available to a client. In this regard, a diskette or CD-ROM having a specially selected group of business form templates can be sold to targeted groups of users. Desirably, the templates are not loaded into and do not consume the computer RAM memory but are loaded into the personal computer on a disk only when the forms disk is desired.  
           [0035]    In a particularly desirable aspect, geographically separated divisions of a client can be provided with access to the templated documents via a connection to the internet or like information providing source.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0036]    For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, in which:  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 1 is view of a computer system for creating a customized business form,  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 2 is a view of a first drop down menu which queries the user to select a template database to be used during the creating of a customized business form; and  
         [0039]    FIGS.  3 - 5  are views of a second drop down menu which queries the user to select a form template from the database selected. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0040]    With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system for implementing the invention is generally indicated at  100  and includes a conventional personal computer  10 . Although not shown, the personal computer  10  includes a processing unit, a system memory for storing and manipulating data, and a system bus that couples the system memory to the processing unit. The memory system includes read-only memory (ROM) and random-access memory (RAM). A basic input-output system containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the personal computer, such as during start-up, is stored in ROM. The personal computer  10  also includes a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive (e.g., to read from or write to a removable disk), and an optical disk drive (e.g., to read a CDROM disk).  
         [0041]    The author of a document may enter commands and information into the personal computer  10  through a selection device, such as a keyboard  12 , and/or pointing device, such as a mouse  14 . A monitor or other type of display device  16  is connected to the system bus.  
         [0042]    Associated with and operably connected to computer  10  are a scanner  18  for capturing and converting text and graphics information from a document of interest, such as a business form, into digital machine electronic format and inputting the formatted data into the computer memory, and a printer  20  for printing the form appearing on the display device  16 .  
         [0043]    The personal computer  10  may operate in a networked environment using a connection  22  to one or more remote computers  24  and accessed by a conventional communication link such as a modem connection  26  to the telephone network. Typically, the computer  10  would be connected to send and receive images and text via a FAX  28 .  
         [0044]    Preferably, the personal computer  10  would include a local database  30  into which is stored, and from which is retrieved, client defined forms. Further, the user connects computer  10 , via the network connection  22 , to a remote printing facility  32  to print the form when customized and made “photo ready”.  
         [0045]    The remote computer  24  may be a central server or other common network node. As shown, the remote computer or central server  24  is connected via the connection line  22  to the personal computer  10  and includes a database memory  34  wherein image and text data is stored, a text server  36 , and an image server  38 .  
         [0046]    A pre-recorded program, on a disk or other stored memory, controls the personal computer  10  for the custom design of the parameters of a business form whereby to produce a custom business form in machine format at the computer  10 . These programs generally utilize “templates” and “wizards” to assist in the preparation of a document. A “template” specifies styles of headings and text in the document, tabs and margins, customized arrangements of tools and menus, and any standard content. A “wizard” is a tool that telescopes a complex process into a series of friendly windows that present only the essential choices.  
         [0047]    Several publishing software programs exist and are commercially available for generating various documents, including business forms, such as Publisher 98® and 2000® from the Microsoft Corporation, PageMaker® from Adobe Systems, PerFORM® by Delrina Technology, and F3 Pro Designer® from the Bloc Development Corporation, to name a few. For the purposes of this discussion, the invention will be discussed in connection with the Publisher software, and more particularly, with respect to the Publisher 2000® software.  
         [0048]    The Publisher 2000® program includes a menu-driven layout selection utility  42 , forms Wizard  44 , a PageManager, and an Editor, as shown in FIG. 2. The author of a document begins by selecting choices presented on a succession of menu-driven drop-down lists. Initially, the user selects the selection utility  42 . This screen presents the user with a choice of using the Wizard  44  to generate a document from any of a number of generic selections  46 , Publications by Design, or “Blank Publications” to generate a client defined document. The Wizard  44  includes a variety of specific “templates” which the user may select from, such as Quick Publications  46   a , Newsletters  46   b , and Business Forms  46   c . The highlighted selection  46   a  provides the user with an image of the available “Quick Publication” formats  48 , illustrated in FIG. 2 by the numbers  48   a ,  48   b ,  48   c ,  48   d ,  48   e , and  48   f  in the menu window to the right of the Wizard. Additional format images may be viewed in the menu window by advancing the selection button  50  downwardly.  
         [0049]    Using the mouse  14 , the cursor is positioned on a specific Quick Publication format  48  in the menu window and double-clicked. This activates the form template and the Wizard brings up the form template in the next drop down menu as shown in FIGS.  3 - 5 .  
         [0050]    As shown in FIG. 3, the user has selected the Newsletters  46   b  template and the Newsletter Wizard  54  provides the user with the ability to set up the publication, such as choosing design and format options in the window, such as a Color Scheme  54   a , Inside Page Content  54   b , Customer Address  54   c , Personal Information  54   d , or Convert to Web Site  54   e . Selecting one of these design and format Wizards  54   a ,  54   b ,  54   c , and  54   d  provides a further drop down screen to fine-tune that format selection. The Color Scheme  54   a  Wizard provides the user with a Colors Window  56  from which various colors  58  may be selected.  
         [0051]    By way of further illustration, as shown in FIG. 4, the user has selected the Inside Page Content  54   b  from the Newsletters Wizard  54 . This Inside Page Wizard  60  appears as a result of this selection and the user is provided with various choices, such as a Calendar  62 .  
         [0052]    As shown in FIG. 5, the user desired to place the document on the internet and selected Convert to Web Site  54   e  from the Newsletter Wizard  54  (see FIG. 3). The Web Site Wizard  64  provides several choices, such as Design  64   a , Color Scheme  64   b , Form  64   c , or Convert to Print  64   d . As shown, Convert To Print  64   d  brings-up a Convert to Print  66  Wizard that provides further customization options.  
         [0053]    Further, by way of example, if the user selected Business Forms  46   c  from the Wizard  44 , the selection utility might present the following list of selection items (e.g., images) in the Business Forms window activated by the selection: invoice, customer refund, purchase order, statement, or price list. The author may then complete the last of the selection items to further define the layout as follows: number of columns, size, style choices, and masthead. The customized business form prepared with the aid of the Wizard is then saved to memory as a user defined selectable template.  
         [0054]    The PageManager then adds previously saved author defined changes to the generic document rendered by the wizard to produce a content filled document that is passed to the Editor. The author may then make additional changes to the content filled document rendered by the PageManager to complete the current publication. Thereafter, the edited layout is saved to memory as a selectable template.  
         [0055]    In the practice of the invention, an exemplary method is as follows: First, a database of selectable client defined forms is created. The database may be created by the network administrator at the central computer  24  or by a client at the personal computer  10 .  
         [0056]    Then the user scans graphics and/or text material from a suitable source, such as a preexisting and pre-defined client form, thereby capturing into digital machine format the text and graphics information from the client form. This creates a selectable text template and a graphics template corresponding to the client defined form.  
         [0057]    These captured text and graphics images are then stored in a fixed memory, but accessible memory, such as that of personal computer  10 , the local database  30 , or on a CD-ROM or “floppy” diskette that is inserted into the computer. The templates may also be stored into the central memory  34  of the remote central server computer  24 . This scanning or capturing step is repeated for each form that the client wishes to have available whereby to provide an accessible database of as many different but selectable text and graphics templates as desired.  
         [0058]    The client then opens the Publisher 2000 program, whereupon the menu driven program queries the user as to what steps are to be taken. There are two possibilities: the client either recalls and prints a client-defined form, or requests and modifies a template from the selectable databases of the client defined forms or the Publisher2000 program. In the first instance, once recalled, the client prints the preexisting form.  
         [0059]    If the form needs to be laid out or a preexisting form otherwise modified, the client uses the selector device to select and display on the display screen at least one template having the desired image from at least one of the database of predefined templates in Publisher2000 and/or the client defined graphics templates.  
         [0060]    In some cases, a preexisting form will be modified. The desired information is entered or retrieved from the text template to client customize the form.  
         [0061]    If the client wishes to generate a new form, the user selects the Wizard and selects a possible form from the program. The Wizard program module renders a generic document in a first layout.  
         [0062]    The author makes changes to the generic document while the document is in the first layout, typically by adding content and making author-defined changes to the document rendered by the Wizard. The author may then return to the menu-driven utility to select a second layout for the document. The Wizard renders a generic document in the second layout and the publisher program system automatically applies the author&#39;s changes to the document and renders a content-filled document in the second layout.  
         [0063]    Additionally, the client may access the client-defined templates for text matter and import the text from a client defined form into the computer-generated form.  
         [0064]    The form on the display is edited, as desired, until it is “photo-ready”. Thereafter, the form can be stored to memory, printed on the printer  20  connected to the personal computer  10  of the client, or sent to a printing facility  32  remote to the computer for “formal” printing via the modem  26 , such as where the number of copies to be printed is large, the graphics need to be highly enhanced, or there are multiple color zones.  
         [0065]    Additionally, the form can be created at the remote central server computer  24 , and transmitted by a modem  40  connected thereto to the remote printing facility  32 . The central computer would include the necessary equipment to create the requisite form, such as the mouse, keyboard and the like equipment (not shown) described hereinabove for the personal computer.  
         [0066]    After the customized form has been laid out and printed, the method includes the further step of saving the customized form to memory as a selectable template.  
         [0067]    According to an important aspect of this invention, the customized business form so laid out is then ready for a “short run” printing via a printer connected to the author&#39;s personal computer, or is “photo-ready” for sending out to a printing facility at a location remote to the personal computer. In this regard, the laid out form can be sent to the printing facility for printing via a phone line or downloaded onto a disk or CD-ROM and transported to the print facility.  
         [0068]    Further, the step of capturing includes interconnecting multiple personal computers to a remote central server computer  24  whereby to enable multiple clients at their respective personal computers  10  to simultaneously communicate their forms to a database in the central server computer or draw forms therefrom.  
         [0069]    In regard to this latter aspect of the invention, and cognizant of the need for privacy and or security between clients, the step of capturing further includes assigning to each form captured a security identification number that would permit clients to select forms of their own as well as specific forms of other clients. Importantly, this also makes sure that two competing clients in similar market areas will not create forms with almost identical logos and other distinctive graphics.  
         [0070]    Preferably, the step of storing onto a fixed memory location includes storing the information on a user operated computer program residing in the memory of the authors personal computer central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), a CD-ROM, an erasable ROM, a floppy disk, and other like memories. The client form can be protectively stored to permit the client only to have access to the client&#39;s own forms, or permit multiple users to have access to a form to create a “pooled form” stored onto the computer.  
         [0071]    The apparatus and method herein described enables a document, such as a business form, once created, to be stored in the memory of the author&#39;s personal computer as a selectable template, and the software allows the author/user to easily use and revise the document so saved. The description of the invention, however, is merely exemplary in nature, and thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.