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Mail system with personalized training for users

Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
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Filing: 1989-10-03
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Granted: 1991-10-15
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Expires: 2009-10-03
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Abstract

Abstract A method, apparatus and system are disclosed that provide a cost effective work-sharing installation for preprocessing mail. The disclosed system includes a data center and postal user inter connected by way of data communications links. The data center maintains a database of user's profiles, and uses that information to provide user's with training materials personalized to the user's needs.

Inventors

  • 👤 Karl H. Schumacher

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 09:48
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00016; G07B17/00024; B; B07; B07C; B07C1/00; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/06; G06Q10/063; G06Q10/0639; G06Q10/06398; G07B17/0008; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00467; G07B2017/00153; G07B2017/00161; G07B2017/00475; G07B2017/00483

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim 72 words
Apparatus for training a postal system user to perform postal functions, said apparatus comprising: a user station having a plurality of means for performing postal functions for postal transactions initiated by the user; means remote from and in communication with said user station for: storing data representing postal transactions initiated by said user; storing training modules; and providing to said user a personalized training module in accordance with said user's postal transactions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 72 words
Apparatus for training a postal system user to perform postal functions, said apparatus comprising: a user station having a plurality of means for performing postal functions for postal transactions initiated by the user; means remote from and in communication with said user station for: storing data representing postal transactions initiated by said user; storing training modules; and providing to said user a personalized training module in accordance with said user's postal transactions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 33 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: means for selecting examples of transactions from said stored mailing data and; means for inserting at least one of said examples into a training module.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for requesting a training module.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising means for providing interactive operator training using said module with said insertions.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 120 words
A system for training a postal system user to perform postal functions in a multicomponent interrelated system, said system comprising: a data center having a data processor and storage means; a plurality of user stations each having a data processor, storage means and means for performing postal functions; data communication links interconnecting each of said user stations with said data center; means at said data center for maintaining a database of user profiles, means at said data center for storing a plurality of modules of training materials for postal users; and means for personalizing a set of training materials for a particular user in accordance with its user profile and transmitting same via a data link to said particular user.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 120 words
A system for training a postal system user to perform postal functions in a multicomponent interrelated system, said system comprising: a data center having a data processor and storage means; a plurality of user stations each having a data processor, storage means and means for performing postal functions; data communication links interconnecting each of said user stations with said data center; means at said data center for maintaining a database of user profiles, means at said data center for storing a plurality of modules of training materials for postal users; and means for personalizing a set of training materials for a particular user in accordance with its user profile and transmitting same via a data link to said particular user.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 36 words
The system of claim 5, wherein each said user station comprises means for storing mailing data representing a plurality of its postal functions; means for transmitting to the data center data representative of said mailing data.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 111 words
A system for assisting a user to perform postal functions, comprising: (a) a data center having a data processor and databases of information relevant to efficiently using a postal system; (b) a plurality of user stations having a data processor and means for carrying out postal functions; (c) data communications links interconnecting each of the user stations with the data center; (d) each said user station comprising means for transmitting to the data center its location and data representative of mailing transactions to be carried out by the user; and (e) means at said data center for transmitting to a user station data representative of information personalized for said user station.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 111 words
A system for assisting a user to perform postal functions, comprising: (a) a data center having a data processor and databases of information relevant to efficiently using a postal system; (b) a plurality of user stations having a data processor and means for carrying out postal functions; (c) data communications links interconnecting each of the user stations with the data center; (d) each said user station comprising means for transmitting to the data center its location and data representative of mailing transactions to be carried out by the user; and (e) means at said data center for transmitting to a user station data representative of information personalized for said user station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 19 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the data transmitted by element (d) includes destination information for a mailing transaction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 25 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the data transmitted by element (e) includes address information and delivery costs from the user's location to the destination.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 58 words
A method of training a postal system user to perform postal functions in a multicomponent interrelated system, said method comprising the steps of: storing mailing data including data representing postal transactions by a user; using said stored data to determine data representative of training materials personalized for said user; and transmitting said training material data to said user.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 58 words
A method of training a postal system user to perform postal functions in a multicomponent interrelated system, said method comprising the steps of: storing mailing data including data representing postal transactions by a user; using said stored data to determine data representative of training materials personalized for said user; and transmitting said training material data to said user.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of determining and communicating a module of training materials to said user.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of personalizing said module by inserting therein examples of the user's postal transactions.
Claim 17
Independent Claim 84 words
A method of assisting a postal system user to perform postal functions in a multicomponent interrelated system, said method comprising the steps of: storing mailing data representing a plurality of user postal transactions at a data center including location of the user; at the user's location, querying the data center concerning a particular postal transaction that the user intends to make; and transmitting from the data center to the user data representative of information that will assist the user in carrying out said transaction.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 84 words
A method of assisting a postal system user to perform postal functions in a multicomponent interrelated system, said method comprising the steps of: storing mailing data representing a plurality of user postal transactions at a data center including location of the user; at the user's location, querying the data center concerning a particular postal transaction that the user intends to make; and transmitting from the data center to the user data representative of information that will assist the user in carrying out said transaction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of transmitting to the user a module of training materials personalized in accordance with the user's stored mailing data.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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US4754326A Cited
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US4760534A Cited
US4837701A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-10-14 1995-04-15 1995-10-15 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-10-14 1999-04-15 1999-10-15 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-10-14 2003-04-15 2003-10-15 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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