CUSTOMIZATION OF GOODS AND SERVICES USING REMOTE TEMPLATE STORAGE

Abstract: A method allowing rapid customizing and ordering of items from a remote location (1) wherein templates for the items to be customized are stored at that remote location (1). The device for storing templates and customizing items receives input from the consumer, translates that information into a customized item, and utilizing a cable television connection, sends the order for the item to a location for processing the order (3). Updated templates are downloaded during periods of low use.

Description: CUSTOMIZATION OF GOODS AND SERVICES USING REMOTE TEMPLATE STORAGE Field of the Invention This invention applies generally to consumer customization of goods or services; more specifically, this invention applies to a consumer customizing and ordering goods or services from a remote location using a cable television system. Background of the Invention Early customization inventions utilized kiosks in stores which could either print the cards themselves or order them remotely. See U.S. Patent Nos. 5,442,567 and 5,748,484. More recent patents teach how to customize cards over phone or cable lines utilizing computers, web-television, or cable box systems. See U.S. Patent Nos. 5,513,1 17 and 5,812,931. However, such at home techniques are problematic, as the card templates are stored at the order processing location and customization occurs remotely, the need for transmission of large amounts of data makes these techniques unreasonably slow, especially when large or multiple images are involved. Thus, there exists a need for a customization technique which avoids the delay caused by needing to download the templates at the time of use. Summary of the Invention The current invention stores the templates in a remote storage device. The templates and the program for customizing the goods or services of interest are downloaded from a central location and stored by the remote device at the location where use by the consumer will occur. Thus rapid customization and ordering are possible as only the template number, customization information and billing and recipient information need be transmitted when ordering. Updated templates are downloaded by the device during times of low use. Brief Description of the Drawings FIGURE 1 is a schematic showing the interaction of the components of the invention; and FIGURE 2 is a flowchart of the process of customizing a card. Detailed Description of the Invention The current invention, as shown in Figure 1 , includes a remote device (1) which uploads and stores templates for items available for customization from a central location (3) utilizing a cable television connection (5). The device has processing means, storage means and means of transmitting and receiving data from multiple sources. Such transmitting and receiving means may be achieved by incorporating the device into another apparatus, for example, a cable television box, or by directly incorporating the means into the device itself, thus allowing it to be freestanding. The device may be located anywhere away from the central location (3), including, but not limited to, a person's home or place of work, a hospital, a prison, or an airport. The specific remote location being determined by the consumer group that is being marketed to. The item available for customization can be for any good or any service that can be customized to fill a consumer's specific wishes or needs. Examples of some customizable goods include social expression cards, automobiles, flower arrangements and jewelry. Examples of a few of the customizable services include travel or vacation plans, grocery deliveries, and home remodeling. Hereinafter, the combination of any such customizable goods or services is called customizable items. Given the scope of the possible customizable items, individual remote locations will likely only have a select subset of possible customizable items. In the case of at-home or at-work remote locations, the consumer involved selects the subset of customizable items for which templates are stored. As the selection of items available for customization will change over time, the device (1 ) will contact the central location (3) during times of low use, at set intervals, to download updated templates. During use, the device (1) displays the template and customization options on a display mechanism (7). The most common display devices will be visual displays such as televisions or monitors. However, display devices designed to facilitate use by those with physical challenges such as deafness or blindness are also usable by this device. The device, using consumer input (9), displays the item in its customized form and orders the customized item from the central location (3). The consumer input includes not only the customizations to the item itself, but also includes designating the recipient of the customized item and inputting information for payment. During periods where the device is not in use, it does not interfere with other uses of the display device or other the apparatuses which it is associated with or incorporated into. For example, where the device (1) is incorporated into a person's home cable box and uses a television as the display mechanism, the device (1) remains inactive thereby allowing normal use of the cable box and the television until it is activated by the consumer. The order for the customized item is processed by the central location (3). Production of the customized item may take place at any location (1 1), not necessarily at the centralized location (3). Shipment of the customized item to the recipient (15) may also take place at any location (13). Moreover, the location that receives the order for processing is optionally a part of a neural network or otherwise decentralized or disperse network rather then being a specific centralized processing location. In the case of some customized services, no location for production (1 1 ) or shipment (13) need be involved. The customized item being shipped need not be in a physical form. In the case of customized social expression cards, an electronic version of the card is available for sending to the recipient in the form of an e-mail, a web address where the card may be viewed, or as an image sent to the recipient's television. A preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 outlines a process for ordering customized social expression cards using a remote device (1 ). Upon activation, the device (1), using the display mechanism (7), displays the previously downloaded card templates and the customization options and instructions (17). The customer may accept a stock card (19) or customize one of the templates (21). Customization options include changing the art (23), wording (25) and other aspects of the card (27), such as designating a different language for the card to be printed in. Customization includes designating a recipient of the card (29). The device (1) can customize several cards (31) per order (33). Prior to placing an order (33), the device (1) requests billing information (35) from the customer (9). Verification (37) of the order (33), received from the central location (3), is displayed. Because the present invention utilizes remote storage of the information needed to customize items, the large time delay related to downloading the information at the time the consumer wishes to utilize the service is avoided. All references cited are herein incorporated by reference. The above proffered examples of the present invention are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, rather they are offered to show one preferred embodiment of the present invention. Other uses of this invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Although the preferred embodiment of present invention relates to customized social expression cards, this invention can be adapted for ordering any customizable consumer item without wavering from the scope or spirit of the claims. I claim:

Claims: 1. A method of ordering and sending a customized item comprising: storing a customizable item template at a first remote location; displaying said template on a display mechanism at said remote location; receiving input on desired custom izations to be made to said template at said remote location; ordering a customized item from a second location for processing said order; and sending said customized item to a designated recipient. 2. The method as in claim 1 wherein said input on desired customization includes billing information that is sent with said order. 3. The method as in claim 1 wherein said customized item is a service that is delivered independent from a central location. 4. The method as in claim 1 wherein said display mechanism is a television. 5. The method as in claim 1 wherein said recipient of said customized item is the purchaser. 6. The method as in claim 1 wherein instructions for customizin fcg> said template are displayed on said display mechanism. 7. A customized item designed using a method comprising: storing a customizable item template at a first remote location; customizing said item at said remote location; and ordering said customized item from a second location. 8. A method of custom ordering and sending a customized social expression card comprising: a device at a first remote location performing the steps of: storing a customizable social expression card template; displaying said template on a display mechanism; collecting customization instructions; collecting information on recipient of the customized social expression card; and orders said customized card from a location for processing said order; and a second location performing the steps of: processing said order for said customized card; and sending said customized card to said recipient. 9. The method as in claim 8 wherein said device is incorporated into another apparatus which receives signals from and sends signals to said second location. 10. The method as in claim 8 wherein said device is free standing. 1 1. The method as in claim 8 wherein said device is capable of receiving and transmitting signals utilizing a cable connection. 12. The method as in claim 8 wherein said customized card sent to said recipient being in physical form. 13. The method as in claim 8 wherein said customized card sent to said recipient by being in electronic form. 14. The method as in claim 1 wherein said second location is part of a decentralized network. 15. The method as in claim 8 wherein said display mechanism is a television. 16. The method as in claim 8 wherein said stored template is received during off peak demand of said display mechanism. 17. A customized social expression card designed using a method comprising: storing a customizable social expression card template at a remote location; customizing said card at said remote location; and ordering said customized card from a second location.

Inventors: YUEN HENRY C, YUEN, HENRY, C.
Applicants: YUEN HENRY C, YUEN, HENRY, C.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: G06F17
IPC codes: G06Q30