Patent US773576A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6446115B2
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Automatic generation of graphically-composed correspondence via a text email interface
Assignee: Letter Services Inc
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Filing: 2001-03-07
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Granted: 2002-09-03
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Expires: 2021-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for generation, graphical composition, and delivery (or routing for delivery) of conventional forms of written correspondence is disclosed. Specifically, the conventional form of written correspondence (e.g., business letter) contains integrated graphical correspondence content, and is generated from a correspondence message, such as a text Internet email message. More specifically, a sender can initiate correspondence in a variety of formats, to multiple recipients or to group(s) of recipients, wherein there is security provided against unauthorized generation of correspondence by assumed SMTP email identities, thereby preventing “forgery” of a correspondence from the sender.
Inventors
- 👤 Gene Powers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:02
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/50; H04M3/53; H04M3/533; H04M3/53366; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/107; H04L; H04L51/00; H04L51/06; H04L51/066; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04M3/487; H04M3/493; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
A method for generating completed mail objects from email or text messages from a registered sender to be received by recipients, the mail objects having graphical correspondence content and graphical representation of a signature, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a correspondence message from the registered sender containing text, recipient names or sender-specified recipient identifiers, and identity of the registered sender; (b) locating pre-registered sender information in a database or a plurality of databases, wherein the database or the plurality of databases comprises preferences having graphical correspondence format information and a graphical representation of a registered sender signature; (c) obtaining, using either the recipient names or the sender-specified recipient identifiers, recipient location information from either the database or the plurality of databases containing names and addresses of recipients for each registered sender, or directly from the registered sender; and (d) generating a completed correspondence to deliver to a recipient by one or more transmission means selected from the group consisting of transmitting a facsimile to a facsimile telephone number utilized by the recipient, transmitting an email providing or linking to a graphical representation of the completed correspondence to an Internet address utilized by the recipient, generating a hard copy of the completed correspondence for submission by hard copy delivery services, and combinations thereof, wherein the completed correspondence comprises a correspondence message along with integrated graphic preferences, the integrated graphic preferences including the registered sender's signature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
235 words
A method for generating completed mail objects from email or text messages from a registered sender to be received by recipients, the mail objects having graphical correspondence content and graphical representation of a signature, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a correspondence message from the registered sender containing text, recipient names or sender-specified recipient identifiers, and identity of the registered sender; (b) locating pre-registered sender information in a database or a plurality of databases, wherein the database or the plurality of databases comprises preferences having graphical correspondence format information and a graphical representation of a registered sender signature; (c) obtaining, using either the recipient names or the sender-specified recipient identifiers, recipient location information from either the database or the plurality of databases containing names and addresses of recipients for each registered sender, or directly from the registered sender; and (d) generating a completed correspondence to deliver to a recipient by one or more transmission means selected from the group consisting of transmitting a facsimile to a facsimile telephone number utilized by the recipient, transmitting an email providing or linking to a graphical representation of the completed correspondence to an Internet address utilized by the recipient, generating a hard copy of the completed correspondence for submission by hard copy delivery services, and combinations thereof, wherein the completed correspondence comprises a correspondence message along with integrated graphic preferences, the integrated graphic preferences including the registered sender's signature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein receiving a correspondence message from the registered sender occurs via a website interface, instead of via an email.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the hard copy completed correspondence is generated at a location facilitating rapid delivery to the recipient using existing delivery services.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the completed correspondence is created at a location adjacent to an overnight courier hub.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the hard copy completed correspondence is sent by facsimile transmission to the recipient.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the database or the plurality of databases comprises names, postal addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers for recipients.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the database or the plurality of databases enables each registered sender to have multiple formats for documents, and to optionally customize each document format by selecting from a variety of signatures, content and identification information held for the sender.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting an email, providing or linking to a graphical representation of the correspondence, to an Internet address utilized by the recipient involves the use of either HTML or HTML with bit-mapped formats.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to step (d), generating a proof copy of the correspondence to be sent by email to the sender for review and approval.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the sender approves the proof copy of the correspondence by return email or by HTTP transmission.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the sender is able to change the correspondence or the preferences associated with the correspondence.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the preferences that can be changed are selected from the group consisting of correspondence type, letterhead or card graphics style, recipient delivery means, greeting, closing, signature, text of correspondence, and combinations thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 9 wherein generating a proof copy of the correspondence to be sent by email to the sender for review and approval involves the use of either HTML or HTML with bit-mapped formats, or in text format with a URL link to either HTML or HTML with bit-mapped formats.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the correspondence message further comprises additional information selected from the group consisting of attachments, preferences and combinations thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the preferences are specified on a subject line of an email message.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining recipient location information from either the database or the plurality of databases, or directly from the registered sender, is achieved using the names of the recipients.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising a security mechanism directed to precluding either creation or transmission of a forged correspondence to a recipient.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the security mechanism is selected from the group consisting of password-controlled access to a POP server, public key/private key encryption, digital signatures, firewalls, SQL or VPN interfaces, database architecture, and combinations thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising a security mechanism directed to precluding theft of sender information.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the security mechanism is selected from the group consisting of public key/private key encryption, digital signatures, firewalls, SQL or VPN interfaces, database architecture, and combinations thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the integrated graphic preferences comprise, in addition to the registered sender's signature, at least one of the registered sender's letter head or card graphics.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
247 words
A system or an apparatus for generating completed mail objects from e-mail messages from registered senders to be received by recipients in remote locations in hard copy, Fax transmission, or HTML email, the mail objects having graphical correspondence content and graphical representation of a signature, comprising: (a) a computer or server means for receiving a correspondence message from the registered sender containing text and other information to be included in a correspondence; (b) a database or plurality of databases having pre-registered sender information and preferences, wherein the database or the plurality of databases comprises a sender's preferences having graphical correspondence format information, and a graphical representation of a registered sender signature; (c) recipient location information, wherein the source of the recipient location information is from either the database or the plurality of databases containing names and addresses of recipients for each registered sender, or from the registered sender; and (d) a remote or local facility for generating a completed correspondence in a hard copy at a location facilitating rapid delivery to the recipient using existing delivery services, or a Fax server for generating the completed correspondence telephoned to the recipient's fax, or an E-mail server for sending the correspondence in HTML or HTML with bit-mapped formats, or in text form with a URL link to either HTML or HTML with bit-mapped formats to a recipient, wherein the completed correspondence comprises a correspondence message along with integrated graphic preferences, the integrated graphic preferences including the registered sender's signature.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
247 words
A system or an apparatus for generating completed mail objects from e-mail messages from registered senders to be received by recipients in remote locations in hard copy, Fax transmission, or HTML email, the mail objects having graphical correspondence content and graphical representation of a signature, comprising: (a) a computer or server means for receiving a correspondence message from the registered sender containing text and other information to be included in a correspondence; (b) a database or plurality of databases having pre-registered sender information and preferences, wherein the database or the plurality of databases comprises a sender's preferences having graphical correspondence format information, and a graphical representation of a registered sender signature; (c) recipient location information, wherein the source of the recipient location information is from either the database or the plurality of databases containing names and addresses of recipients for each registered sender, or from the registered sender; and (d) a remote or local facility for generating a completed correspondence in a hard copy at a location facilitating rapid delivery to the recipient using existing delivery services, or a Fax server for generating the completed correspondence telephoned to the recipient's fax, or an E-mail server for sending the correspondence in HTML or HTML with bit-mapped formats, or in text form with a URL link to either HTML or HTML with bit-mapped formats to a recipient, wherein the completed correspondence comprises a correspondence message along with integrated graphic preferences, the integrated graphic preferences including the registered sender's signature.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system or apparatus for generating completed mail objects from email messages of claim 22 wherein the hard copy completed correspondence is generated at a location adjacent to an overnight courier hub.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system or apparatus for generating completed mail objects from email messages of claim 22 wherein the hard copy completed correspondence is sent by facsimile transmission to the recipient.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system or apparatus for generating completed mail objects from email messages of claim 22 wherein the database or the plurality of databases comprises names, postal addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers for recipients.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system or apparatus for generating completed mail objects from email messages of claim 22 wherein the database or the plurality of databases enables each registered sender to have multiple formats for documents, and to optionally customize each document format by selecting from a variety of signatures, content and identification information held for the sender.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
(New) The system or apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the integrated graphic preferences comprise, in addition to the registered sender's signature, at least one of the registered sender's letter head or card graphics.
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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) | 2005-09-02 | 2006-03-04 | 2006-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-02 | 2010-03-04 | 2010-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-02 | 2014-03-04 | 2014-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |