Patent US5655089A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5655089A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for the consolidation summarization and transmission of a plurality of mailable materials
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 1992-04-10
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Granted: 1997-08-05
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Expires: 2012-04-10
Abstract
Abstract Analysis has revealed that there is an undue proliferation of first-class mail being sent each month in the nature of bills, statements and similar such documents. Analysis has also revealed that this produces an unnecessary expense for postage and processing, besides the costs involved in purchasing the paper and envelopes to begin with. The method of the invention avoids this through the single mailing of one or more two-sided documents on which is presented all the bills, statements, etc. intended for a given recipient during a specified period of time, for all subscribers to the service. In accordance with the described embodiment of the invention, the method forms a computer database of addressee information; merges with that database all such record information provided by subscribers; prints out one or more sheets, preferably on both sides, of all information intended for designated recipients during the time period in question; and allows for a single mailing of such sheets in a single envelope.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph J. Bucci
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:13
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/04; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/10; G06Q20/102; G06Q20/105; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for the consolidation, summarization and transmission of a plurality of mailable materials by a plurality of differing, non-related subscribers transmitting to a plurality of end users, comprising the steps of: forming an information database in a computer as to the identities of intended end users of each non-related subscriber; inputting individual information into the computer as to bills, statements, records, advertising and other written communications from each said non-related subscriber for each said identified end user during a given period of time; accumulating a plurality of said input informations of bills, statements, records, advertising and other written communication from each said non-related subscriber, and sorting said accumulated input informations by each said identified end user; developing at least one page of said sorted accumulated input informations for each said end user identified to receive said sorted accumulated input informations; and sending said page of sorted accumulated informations from said plurality of non-related subscribers to said individual identified end user to receive said page as a single, unitized transmission of all informations intended for said identified end user.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for the consolidation, summarization and transmission of a plurality of mailable materials by a plurality of differing, non-related subscribers transmitting to a plurality of end users, comprising the steps of: forming an information database in a computer as to the identities of intended end users of each non-related subscriber; inputting individual information into the computer as to bills, statements, records, advertising and other written communications from each said non-related subscriber for each said identified end user during a given period of time; accumulating a plurality of said input informations of bills, statements, records, advertising and other written communication from each said non-related subscriber, and sorting said accumulated input informations by each said identified end user; developing at least one page of said sorted accumulated input informations for each said end user identified to receive said sorted accumulated input informations; and sending said page of sorted accumulated informations from said plurality of non-related subscribers to said individual identified end user to receive said page as a single, unitized transmission of all informations intended for said identified end user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said sending step electronically transmits said page of accumulated informations to identified end users.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said developing step prints at least one sheet of said accumulated input informations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said sending step transmits said sheet of accumulated input informations to identified end users by hard-copy mail.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said developing step prints at least one sheet of said accumulated input informations, printed on both sides thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of inputting informations also includes the step of receiving input information electronically from each said non-related subscriber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of inputting information also includes the step of receiving input information by hard-copy, paper, type or disk, from each said non-related subscriber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said developing step prints at least one sheet of said accumulated input informations, printed on both sides thereof, wherein said sending step transmits said sheet of said accumulated input informations by hard-copy mail, and wherein said sending step transmits said accumulated input informations to an identified end user in a single envelope.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said sending step additionally transmits other hard-copy material to an identified end user as an optional service available to a non-related subscriber.
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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) | 2000-08-04 | 2001-02-03 | 2001-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-08-04 | 2005-02-03 | 2005-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-08-04 | 2009-02-03 | 2009-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |