Abstract: An automated manufacturing system includes a computer processing system that defines product packages and product subbatches within each product package and produces consolidation assignment for the product subbatches. A consolidation system includes a batch storage system that includes cubbies to store product subbatches for a product package in accordance to the consolidation assignment, light indicators each associated with one of the cubbies, and a consolidation controller that can identify a subbatch that arrives at the consolidation system and determine a destination cubby in the batch storage system that the subbatch is to be placed. The consolidation controller can turn on a light indicator associated with the destination cubby to provide a visual cue to guide placement of the subbatch. The consolidation controller can trigger the consolidation of product subbatches into the product package when all the product subbatches for the product package have been received by the consolidation system.

Abstract: A data structure for a photo book kit includes a first data object, a second data object, and a third data object. The first data object includes first image data to define a first image, and a first image location to define the position of the first image on a page of a photo book. The second data object includes second image data to define a second image and a second image location to define the position of the second image on a cover of the photo book. The third data object includes third image data to define a third image and a third image location to define the position of the third image on a book accessory that is to be assembled with the photo book to form the personalized photo book kit.

Abstract: A data structure for a photo book kit includes a first data object, a second data object, and a third data object. The first data object includes first image data to define a first image, and a first image location to define the position of the first image on a page of a photo book. The second data object includes second image data to define a second image and a second image location to define the position of the second image on a cover of the photo book. The third data object includes third image data to define a third image and a third image location to define the position of the third image on a book accessory that is to be assembled with the photo book to form the personalized photo book kit.

Abstract: A manufacturing system for manufacturing a personalized photo book kit includes a computer configured to receive image data from a user, a first printer configured to print a first image on a book page in response to the image data received from the user, a second printer configured to print a second image on a book cover in response to the image data received from the user, and a third printer configured to print a third image on a book accessory in response to the image data received from the user.