COMPUTERIZED GAME BALL CUSTOMIZATION SYSTEM

摘要

The present invention is a method for soliciting orders for customized game balls. The present method includes providing a game ball order form accessible through a computer network by one or more users from one or more remote sites. The present method further includes providing one or more possible design criteria, requesting the user to customize a game ball by entering at least one of the design criteria on the order form, requesting the user to submit the order form through the computer network, and receiving the order form. The design criteria may include customizing indicia to be printed on the surface of the game ball. Ink jet printing is the preferred method of printing indicia on a game ball. The present method may also include the step of manufacturing game balls according to the customized game ball order form. An advantage of the present method is that the manufacturing step may be integrated into the overall customization process. This integration may be accomplished by, for example, translating the design criteria data into manufacturing control data to be used directly by the apparatuses at a manufacturing facility.