US5303149A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for eliminating duplicate entries from a mailing list
Assignee: GILES DATA LLC
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Filing: 1991-10-28
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Granted: 1994-04-12
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Expires: 2011-10-28
Abstract
Abstract Contributor/customer lists are created with a merge/purge program that identifies duplicate records even though key elements of the records (e.g. name/address or zip code) differ.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul C. Janigian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/04; G06Q20/042; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/10; G06Q99/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99936; Y10S707/99937
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
283 words
A method of creating lists comprising the steps of: creating a file, said file comprising a plurality of records, each record including a name and address of an individual, selecting portions of each record, making a first comparison between a first predetermined portion of a first record and a first predetermined portion of at least one second record to determine if said first portions match, if said first portions do not match, making a subsequent comparison between a second predetermined portion of said first record and a second predetermined portion of said at least one second record to determine if said second portions match, if said first portions do match, making a subsequent comparison between a third predetermined portion of said first record and a third predetermined portion of said at least one second record to determine if said third portions match, identifying at least one duplicate record in said file when a predetermined combination of said first, second, and third portions match, eliminating identified duplicate records from said file and creating a second file of unique records, wherein no two unique records identify the same individual, creating a list of individuals from said second file of unique records, and wherein if said first and subsequent comparisons do not identify a duplicate record, the steps of making a number of additional comparisons between additional predetermined portions of said first record and said at least one second record until a duplicate record is identified or until said additional comparisons are complete, and wherein said number of rotational comparisons are performed in one of a plurality of sequences, a particular sequence being selected in accordance with the results of said first, subsequent and additional comparisons.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
283 words
A method of creating lists comprising the steps of: creating a file, said file comprising a plurality of records, each record including a name and address of an individual, selecting portions of each record, making a first comparison between a first predetermined portion of a first record and a first predetermined portion of at least one second record to determine if said first portions match, if said first portions do not match, making a subsequent comparison between a second predetermined portion of said first record and a second predetermined portion of said at least one second record to determine if said second portions match, if said first portions do match, making a subsequent comparison between a third predetermined portion of said first record and a third predetermined portion of said at least one second record to determine if said third portions match, identifying at least one duplicate record in said file when a predetermined combination of said first, second, and third portions match, eliminating identified duplicate records from said file and creating a second file of unique records, wherein no two unique records identify the same individual, creating a list of individuals from said second file of unique records, and wherein if said first and subsequent comparisons do not identify a duplicate record, the steps of making a number of additional comparisons between additional predetermined portions of said first record and said at least one second record until a duplicate record is identified or until said additional comparisons are complete, and wherein said number of rotational comparisons are performed in one of a plurality of sequences, a particular sequence being selected in accordance with the results of said first, subsequent and additional comparisons.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined portions of said first record and said at least one second record comprise street names.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said second predetermined portions of said first record and said at least one second record comprise street numbers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said additional predetermined portions include said first and last names, zip codes, and apartment numbers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
284 words
Apparatus for creating lists comprising: means for creating a file, said file comprising a plurality of records, each record including a name and address of an individual, means for selecting portions of each record, means for making a first comparison between a first predetermined portion of a first record and a first predetermined portion of at least one second record to determine if said first portions match, means for making a subsequent comparison, if said first portions do not match, between a second predetermined portion of said first record and a second predetermined portion of said at least one second record to determine if said second portions match, means for making a subsequent comparison, if said first portions do match, between a third predetermined portion of said first record and a third predetermined portion of said at least one second record to determine if said third portions match, means for identifying at least one duplicate record in said file when a predetermined combination of said first, second and third portions match, means for eliminating identified duplicate records from said file and means for creating a second file of unique records, wherein no two records identify the same individual, means for creating a list of individuals from said second file of unique records, and further including means for making a number of additional comparisons between additional predetermined portions of said first record and said at least one second record until a duplicate record is identified or until said additional comparisons are complete, and wherein said number of additional comparisons are performed in one of a plurality of sequences, a particular sequence being selected in accordance with the results of said first, subsequent and additional comparisons.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
284 words
Apparatus for creating lists comprising: means for creating a file, said file comprising a plurality of records, each record including a name and address of an individual, means for selecting portions of each record, means for making a first comparison between a first predetermined portion of a first record and a first predetermined portion of at least one second record to determine if said first portions match, means for making a subsequent comparison, if said first portions do not match, between a second predetermined portion of said first record and a second predetermined portion of said at least one second record to determine if said second portions match, means for making a subsequent comparison, if said first portions do match, between a third predetermined portion of said first record and a third predetermined portion of said at least one second record to determine if said third portions match, means for identifying at least one duplicate record in said file when a predetermined combination of said first, second and third portions match, means for eliminating identified duplicate records from said file and means for creating a second file of unique records, wherein no two records identify the same individual, means for creating a list of individuals from said second file of unique records, and further including means for making a number of additional comparisons between additional predetermined portions of said first record and said at least one second record until a duplicate record is identified or until said additional comparisons are complete, and wherein said number of additional comparisons are performed in one of a plurality of sequences, a particular sequence being selected in accordance with the results of said first, subsequent and additional comparisons.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said first predetermined portions of said first record and said at least one second record comprise street names.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said second predetermined portions of said first record and said at least one second record comprise street numbers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said additional predetermined portions include said first and last names, zip codes, and apartment numbers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-04-11 | 1997-10-11 | 1998-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-04-11 | 2001-10-11 | 2002-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-04-11 | 2005-10-11 | 2006-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |