Abstract:
The variable data workflow system and method of the present invention can provide a one:many relationship between input/variables and a plurality of different types of items produced by the system and method. The invention allows for the collection of data and further analysis of recipients, in particular for adding them to further campaigns.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/846,438 entitled VARIABLE DATA WORKFLOW SYSTEM AND METHOD, filed on Sep. 22, 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     In a competitive commercial world, companies look for ways to distinguish their products and services from their competitors&#39; products and services. In general, organizations look for unique ways to get the attention of their audiences through informational communications such as advertising, public service, or other announcements. One such way is to personalize and target the providing of information about products and services. An example of personalized communication is a magazine selling tools by mail that could include a personalized cover. An example of targeted communication is mailing that same magazine to a mailing list constructed from knowledge about the preferences of people on the mailing list.  
         [0003]     Traditional variable data systems produce pieces that are each personalized while sharing a common structure and content with other pieces. For example, a variable data system of the prior art could receive input such as names and other text, associate the input with an item such as a cup, associate the item with formula (s) such as an equation that determines where on the cup to position the input, and create pieces based on the processing that occurs with respect to the item based on the input and the formula (s). The common structure and content can be reusable elements or single use elements.  
         [0004]     A problem with traditional variable data systems is that there is a one:one relationship between personalization/positioning/targeting and the produced piece so that, for example, to place the personalization on cups and then later on T-shirts and target the same audience would require the process to be executed entirely from scratch twice. A further problem with traditional variable data systems is that they cannot be managed by a typical computer user because there are not appropriate security and approval mechanisms integrated into the variable data systems of the prior art. Still further problems with traditional variable data systems are that there is no user-controlled modification of variables such as, for example, formulas, images, text inputs, distortion matrices, graphs/charts, and direct type/direct smile, nor linking between variables to allow modifications of variables to be proliferated throughout the variables for a particular job.  
         [0005]     What is needed is a system that allows a one:many relationship between personalization/positioning/targeting and the produced piece(s). What is further needed is a system that can be managed by a typical computer user. What is still further needed is a system that allows user-controlled modification of variables and linking between variables. Methods of use of these systems are also needed.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     The variable data workflow system and method of the present invention augment traditional variable data systems by (1) providing for a one:many relationship between input/variables, such as formulas, and items, (2) providing for many types of variables, formulas being only one, (3) providing for relating the variables to each other, (4) allowing the user to control the variables, and (5) allowing the user to select a format in which the information is to be saved. In this way, a user may provide input and select variables, both of which can be used to create an infinite number of different types of pieces. The system can also include a user authenticator that can enable user control of selections in the workflow process. Thus, the variable data workflow system can include, but is not limited to, a client-enabled tool that allows the client to participate in the variable data work flow and use a single data model to create an infinite number of pieces.  
         [0007]     The variable data workflow method can include the steps of building a data model for a company, collecting data to populate a database including the data model, where the database supports data reuse, selecting a data model, an information template, at least one variable associated with the information template, at least one variable position associated with at least one variable and the information template, and an imposition associated with the information template, applying the data model and variables to the information template to create an item, creating informational pieces from the item, the data model, feedback from previous mailings during the campaign, and a mapping between the data model and the variables, mailing the informational pieces to recipients on a mailing list derived from the data model, receiving feedback with respect to the informational piece, modifying the data model (and thus potentially modifying, for example, the mailing list and informational piece) based on the feedback, and mailing the potentially modified informational pieces to recipients on a potentially modified mailing list based on the modified data model. Optionally, the variable data workflow method can include the step of determining customer feedback to provide input data for conventional Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. An imposition is used to simplify output to, for example, a printer or an e-mail file.  
         [0008]     For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the system of the present invention can execute;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of further details of the system of the present invention; and  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an illustrative embodiment of the method of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]     Embodiments according to the present teachings are now described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following configuration description is presented for illustrative purposes only.  
         [0013]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the environment in which system  100  executes can include, but is not limited to, communications network  61  for allowing the user to place order  65  for informational pieces  49  by use of shopping cart  63 . The user could map a mailing list that is part of data model  13  to order  65 , system  100  could receive data from a data collection method such as, for example, phone, internet, or manual entry, and if mapping has occurred, could apply these data to the next mailing/emailing in the informational campaign. This method of user access to informational pieces  49  is illustrative and can be modified within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0014]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , system  100  can include, but is not limited to, user authenticator  67  which allows users to have access to certain preselected parts of system  100 . For example, a system administrator could normally have access to raw variables  22 , and could have flexibility in modifying raw variables  22 . The user, on the other hand, could have access to created items  47  and data model  13  in order to create informational pieces  49 . System  100  can also include database  11  which can include, but is not limited to, data models  13 , information templates  17 , raw variables  22 , variable characteristics 21, and impositions  19 . Data models  13  can be schema that incorporate information about a company, some of which can be mapped to informational pieces  49 , as illustrated above. New data models  12  can be added, and existing data models  13  can be deleted or modified, with the appropriate user authentication. A unified company-based data model  13 , as opposed to an item-based data model of the prior art, can allow continuity of data that enables a user to transfer informational pieces  49  between mailing lists to accommodate an automated information campaign and further integration into conventional CRM  14  applications. CRM  14  can encompass the capabilities, methodologies, and technologies that support an enterprise in managing customer relationships. The general purpose of CRM  14  is to enable organizations to better manage their audience through the introduction of reliable systems, processes and procedures. CRM  14  can include, but is not limited to, functions such as identifying audience success factors, creating an audience-based culture, adopting audience-based measures, developing an end-to-end process to serve an audience, recommending problem responses, recommending complaint responses, and tracking all aspects of providing information to an existing and prospective audience as well as providing user support.  
         [0015]     Data model processor  33 , can accept and incorporate changes to data model  13  such that, for example, a corporate mailing list could be changed during an informational campaign in order to accommodate feedback  53  received from a previous mailing during the informational campaign, and appropriate action can be taken for those that need to be moved to CRM  14  or dropped.  
         [0016]     Information templates  17  can be a plurality of different types of informational items such as, for example, T-shirts and cups, or transactional items such as statements, or text books that can be used to provide information. Information templates  17  become the basis for creating a plurality of different types of items  47 , which are used to create informational pieces  49 . Further, system  100  can include categories to house and sort information templates  17 . Categories can also be used to partition information templates so that user authentication is required before a category can be accessed. New information templates  18  can be added to system  100 . Information templates  17  can have many attributes, at least two of which are relevant to a print-on-demand type system: fulfillment, which allows usage of information template  17  to be tracked, and print-on-demand setting which allows an output format for each of the plurality of different items  47  to be selected. Fulfillment and print-on-demand settings allow both the use of pre-printed shells that can be used for item imprint, and also for a printer, a receiver of the file, to track the plurality of different items  47  as they are processed by system  100 . Print-on-demand settings can allow selection of a printer, e-mail format such as, for example, HTML, and imposition  19 , the layout, scale, and typography attributes of the plurality of different items  47 . In the illustrative embodiment, piece creator  35  can convert data uploads/selections to a gzipped array in order to manage data handling and transfer between mailing lists within system  100 , or to provide for export to another file structure. After a user has placed item  47  in shopping cart  63 , when order interface  73  reviews order  65 , data model processor  33  can allow the user to view/edit/download and use mailing lists according to the user&#39;s security information  66  and the selected data model  13 . Data model processor  33  can also allow the user to create a mailing list from a conventional contact manager system using the capabilities provided in the conventional contact manager system such as, for example, search. Data model processor  33  can further allow the user to access a file that can be made private and can include a counts list, touch data, and name/address data. Data model processor  33  can also provide for purchasing a mailing list from a mailing list vendor typically from a vendor&#39;s website.  
         [0017]     Continuing to refer to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , raw variables  22  can be, for example, formulas, text inputs, images, distortion matrices, graphs/charts, and direct type/direct smile, and can be, for example, daisy-chained to one another to create loops and sequential data. Raw variables  22  can be named, can be associated with a description, can be displayed after variable processing is complete, and can be assigned an output filter which can be, for example, an expression applied to variable  15  before variable  15  is used to create informational piece  49 . Raw variables  22  such as formulas can be saved for later use by other workflows.  
         [0018]     Examples of formula and text variables follow:  
         [0000]     Formulas:  
         [0019]     Threshold:  
         [0020]     The threshold formula type applies variables across a numeric matrix, and possibly makes the result available to another variable.  
                                                                                 Var_name   min   max   output                                        [[FAMILY_SIZE]]   1   2   no_kids           [[FAMILY_SIZE]]   3   99   kids                      
 
         [0021]     Equation:  
         [0022]     The equation formula type provides for variables to be assembled into equations, and the result possibly made available to other variables. 
 
[[MONTHLY_INCOME]]−[[TOTAL_DEBT]]=[[DTI]]
 
 Text Variable: 
 
         [0023]     This text variable formula type assembles variables and text together, and can send the assembly to another variable. The text variable can be, for example, an address block of a direct mail piece:  
         [0024]     [[COMPANY]]&lt;br&gt; 
         [0025]     [[CONTACT]]&lt;br&gt; 
         [0026]     [[ADDRESS1]]&lt;br&gt; 
         [0027]     [[ADDRESS2]] (&lt;br&gt;)  
         [0028]     [[CITY]], [[STATE]] [[ZIPCODE]] 
         [0029]     With respect to image variables, in the illustrative embodiment, images can be associated with keywords that can be assigned, for example, manually, to images. The plurality of different items  47  that reference keywords that are associated with multiple images can use a random selection process to choose a single image to be placed upon informational piece  49 . A default image can be assigned to each keyword so that if no matches are found for a certain keyword, the default image can be chosen. In the illustrative embodiment, a digital asset manager can track the attributes of the file, such as, for example, size, dots/inch, and color space, and an asset manager folder can be used to segment raw variable  22  so as to restrict image selection and assist with organization of company data. After categories (described above) are selected, one or more keywords can be assigned to each image. A “default” designation can be assigned to informational piece  49  or the same keyword can be applied to images randomly. Image output can be sent to a distortion matrix that can map the selected image onto, for example, a mug or a skewed, rotated item, and then used on informational piece  49 .  
         [0030]     With respect to graphs and charts, system  100  can provide dynamic charting capability because data model  13  can be modified while an informational campaign is in progress, and variable-data model mapper  31  can access updated data model  13 . In the illustrative embodiment, charts and graphs can contain, but are not limited to containing, full color output (CMYK or spot), gradients, transparency, vector output, and web/HTML and print-on-demand output. Possible charts can be, but are not limited to being, 3d and flat bar and pie charts, and a line graph for scalable vector graphics, which can provide various formats as output including, but not limited to, PPML, Postscript, and JPG/GIF.  
         [0031]     With respect to direct type/direct smile, variable processor  27  can provide output from variables  15  to a conventional direct type/direct smile application which returns a formatted file, for example, in a TIF format, which variable processor  27  can convert into, for example, JPEG, which can be included in an HTML document for, for example, e-mail. Variable processor  27  can provide direct type/direct smile application output to a deformation matrix to achieve further targeted information dissemination objectives.  
         [0032]     Continuing to refer to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , raw variable  22  can be changed, for example, either automatically or manually, and system  100  uses a cascading methodology to proliferate raw variable  22  changes to related raw variables  22 . Further, raw variables  22  can be mapped to each other so that any changes to a first raw variable  22  can be reflected in a second (third, fourth, . . . ) raw variable  22  that is (are) mapped to the first raw variable  22 . After a first raw variable  22  is mapped to a second raw variable  22 , for example, the first raw variable  22  can be evaluated back until a null data string is available or until it evaluates to an actual value. This is recursive for each raw variable  22 , for example, each formula is mapped back and then stored, so that after it is executed, it does not need to be rerun. Still further, an unlimited number of instances of raw variables  22  and raw variable combinations can be created. Even further, the display of variable  15 , after variable processor  27  completes whatever computations are necessary based on database  11 , allows system  100  to collect data without having to position the data, which enables more rapid piece creation. System  100  enables variable characteristics 21 to be set such that raw variables  22  can include certain data when entering variable processor  27 . Finally, new variables  16  can be added to system  100 .  
         [0033]     With still further reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , item processor  23  can accommodate changes to information templates  17  in database  11 . In the illustrative embodiment, a system administrator could supply security information  66  ( FIG. 1 ) sufficient to make changes in, for example, information templates  17 , while a user could supply security information  66  sufficient to apply database  11  changes to items  47 . Item processor  23  can subject certain data to output filters, for example:  
         [0000]     Phone number formatting: (XXX)-XXX-XXX  
         [0000]     All Caps: XXXXXXX  
         [0000]     Extensions: (XXX)-XXX-XXXX ext. XXX  
         [0034]     Referring still further to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , variable-data model mapper  31  can access information related to selected and processed variables  15  from a selected data model  13  and provide the information to the selected and processed variables  15  so that the variables, such as formulas, may be executed. The results of formula execution, item creation by item creator  29 , and data positioning by positioner  25  are fed to piece creator  35  which accesses the selected data model  13  to create the Variable Data Publishing (VDP) informational pieces  49  appropriate for the particular phase of the informational campaign. During the informational campaign, feedback processor  39  could provide feedback  53  to the selected data model  13  in order to modify, for example, the mailing list to which mailer/e-mailer  37  would provide informational pieces  49 , by, for example, print medium or a file, such as an HTML-formatted file, and could assign points to a recipient.  
         [0035]     Referring now primarily to  FIG. 3 , method  200  for creating informational pieces  49  ( FIG. 2 ) can include, but is not limited to, the steps of selecting  101  a data model  13 , an imposition  19  ( FIG. 2 ), an information template  17  ( FIG. 2 ), a variable  15  ( FIG. 2 ), and a variable position  41  ( FIG. 2 ) and associating  103  imposition  19  with information template  17 . Method  200  can further include the steps of associating  105  variable  15  with information template  17 , associating  107  variable position  41  with variable  15  and information template  17 , creating 109 a one:many relationship between the at least one variable ( 15 ) and a plurality of different types of items ( 47 ); and creating 110 the plurality of different types of items  47  ( FIG. 2 ) based on information template  17 , imposition  19 , and variable  15 . Method  200  can still further include the steps of creating 111 mapping  45  ( FIG. 2 ) of information between data model  13  and variable  15 , creating 113 informational pieces  49  ( FIG. 2 ) based on the plurality of different types of items  47 , data model  13 , feedback  53  ( FIG. 2 ), and mapping  45 , providing 115 informational pieces  49  to recipient, and receiving 117 feedback  53  from the recipients with respect to informational pieces  49 , weighting the feedback  53 , and mapping the feedback  53  to the at least one recipient. If data model  13  is modified  119  according to feedback  53 , method  200  repeats the steps  111 ,  113 ,  115 ,  117 , and  119 . Otherwise, method  200  ends. Optionally, method  200  can include the steps of providing weighted points to modify feedback  53  and method step  117 .  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , method  200  ( FIG. 3 ) can be, in whole or in part, implemented electronically. Signals representing actions taken by elements of system  100  ( FIG. 1 ) can travel over at least one communications network  61  ( FIG. 1 ). Control and data information can be electronically executed and stored on at least one computer-readable medium  62  ( FIG. 1 ). The system can be implemented to execute on at least one computer node  64  ( FIG. 1 ) in at least one communications network  61 . Common forms of at least one computer-readable medium  62  can include, for example, but are not limited to, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CDROM or any other optical medium, punched cards, paper tape, or any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, or any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read.  
         [0037]     Although the invention has been described with respect to various embodiments, it should be realized this invention is also capable of a wide variety of further and other embodiments.