System having a single, robust, universal workflow for the creation, printing, and binding of hardcopy books, and for the accessibility and delivery of electronic books

摘要

A workflow and system for print-on-demand book reproduction novelly creates and stores solution-independent master book files so that the master book files are efficiently reproducible by heterogeneous book reproduction workflows and reproduction equipment. The solution-independent master book files are formatted according to an accepted software standard in order to avoid inoperability or poor efficiency with respect to reproduction workflows and reproduction equipment. The workflow and system convert the solution-independent master book files to solution-dependent master book files for compatibility with the reproduction means. The inventive workflow and system are applicable to all manner of book reproduction, including bound hard copies and electronic books.