초록 ▼

The present invention provides a method and system for producing books on-demand. An electronic bookstore in accordance with the subject invention can receive an electronic text file of a book and then print and bind a copy of the book. A user may browse an electronic catalog, for example over the I

The present invention provides a method and system for producing books on-demand. An electronic bookstore in accordance with the subject invention can receive an electronic text file of a book and then print and bind a copy of the book. A user may browse an electronic catalog, for example over the Internet, and place an order for a book which can be picked up at a conveniently located electronic bookstore shortly after placing the order. The subject invention reduces costs and waste associated with conventional production and distribution of print matter. Advantageously, the subject invention allows books with smaller audiences to be published at a reasonable price. An electronic bookstore in accordance with the subject invention can have access to literally millions of books and can print and bind any selected book in a few minutes.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A device for printing and binding a book, comprising:a receiving means for receiving data corresponding to a book's content;a formatting means for formatting the book's content into a book distribution;a printing means for printing the book's content on paper sheets upon receipt of

[ I claim:] [1.] A device for printing and binding a book, comprising:a receiving means for receiving data corresponding to a book's content;a formatting means for formatting the book's content into a book distribution;a printing means for printing the book's content on paper sheets upon receipt of a signal from said receiving means;a clamping means for clamping the printed sheets into a book block;a glueing means for applying glue to a spine of the book block; anda cutting means for cutting said paper sheets into smaller sheets,wherein said printing means prints multiple pages of the book's content on each paper sheet and said cutting means cuts said paper sheet into smaller sheets such that each smaller sheet has a book page printed on each side.