EP0373971B1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Up/down loading of databases
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
•
Filing: 1989-12-18
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Granted: 1995-04-19
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Expires: 2009-12-18
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond Keating
- 👤 Ronald P. Sansone
- 👤 Karl H. Schumacher
- 👤 Robert T. Jr. Durst
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:31
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00467; G07B17/00016; G07B17/0008; G07B17/00508; G07B2017/00153; G07B2017/00161; G07B2017/00491; G07B2017/00572; G07B2017/00596; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945; Y10S707/99948
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A communication system for expanding user facility capability for processing information relating to distribution of mail, comprising: a central data station having a standard database, a user database at each user station, means for receiving from a plurality of user stations user database information relating to distribution of mail items, means for modifying said standard database located at said central station in accordance with the distribution information received from the plurality of user stations, and means for modifying said user databases to conform to said modified standard database, whereby said user stations can distribute said mail items in accordance with their said modified databases.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A communication system for expanding user facility capability for processing information relating to distribution of mail, comprising: a central data station having a standard database, a user database at each user station, means for receiving from a plurality of user stations user database information relating to distribution of mail items, means for modifying said standard database located at said central station in accordance with the distribution information received from the plurality of user stations, and means for modifying said user databases to conform to said modified standard database, whereby said user stations can distribute said mail items in accordance with their said modified databases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data to optimize distribution includes the amount of postage required for proper distribution of said mail items.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A communication system according to claim 1 or 2 in which said central data station includes means for providing data to said user stations which optimizes distribution of said mail, and in which said data which optimizes distribution includes optimum times to initiate distribution of said mail.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A communication system as claimed in claim 3, wherein each user database contains a listing of addresses and zip codes, wherein the standard database contains a correct up-to-date listing of addresses and zip codes, and wherein the said modifying means provides each user database at a user station with corrected listings.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of enhancing the efficiency or economy of individual mailers located at separate user stations comprising the steps of: (a) providing a central station which has a computerized database storing postal service information relevant to mailers, (b) providing at each mailer user station a mailer computerized database, (c) establishing a communication link between the central station and each mailer user station allowing access by said central station to the respective mailer computerized databases, (d) including in the mailer computerized database one or more data items relating to distribution of mail items, (e) said central station periodically accessing selected ones of said mailer locations for accessing the mailer computerized distribution database at each of said accessed locations, (f) placing the data so accessed into a database storage area at said central location and processing said accessed data in order to derive distribution information for mailers in connection with one or more of said data items; and (g) transmitting back from said central station to said mailers said derived information for use by them.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of enhancing the efficiency or economy of individual mailers located at separate user stations comprising the steps of: (a) providing a central station which has a computerized database storing postal service information relevant to mailers, (b) providing at each mailer user station a mailer computerized database, (c) establishing a communication link between the central station and each mailer user station allowing access by said central station to the respective mailer computerized databases, (d) including in the mailer computerized database one or more data items relating to distribution of mail items, (e) said central station periodically accessing selected ones of said mailer locations for accessing the mailer computerized distribution database at each of said accessed locations, (f) placing the data so accessed into a database storage area at said central location and processing said accessed data in order to derive distribution information for mailers in connection with one or more of said data items; and (g) transmitting back from said central station to said mailers said derived information for use by them.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the data items include: mail runs; list of addresses; list of addressee zip codes; and rate discounts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the derived information transmitted back to the mailers includes corrected data items to replace the corresponding data items in the respective mailer databases.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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