Inserter billing system with electronic distribution

• US 20010049659A1
• Filed: 07/12/2001
• Published: 12/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Eckl, John K.
• Application Number:
  US09/903,500
• Publication Number:
  US 20010049659A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing

Abstract

An inserting system for communicating information from a mailer to a recipient by means of a document or electronic transmission. The inserting system includes: a device for generating the information located at a mailer'"'"'s site; an electronic information server operably connected to the information generating device for processing and routing the information; a printer operably connected to the server for printing the information on a substrate; an inserting system operably connected to the printer; a communications network operably connected to the server for transmitting the information electronically; and a recipient reception device for receiving the information from the communications network, wherein the server routes the information to the recipient reception device or to the printer.

Claims

1. An inserting system for communicating information from a mailer to a recipient by means of a document or electronic transmission, comprising:

means for generating said information located at a mailer'"'"'s site;

an electronic information server operably connected to said information generating means for processing and routing said information;

a printer operably connected to said server for printing said information on a substrate;

an inserting system operably connected to said printer;

a communications network operably connected to said server for transmitting said information electronically; and

recipient reception means for receiving said information from said communications network, wherein said server routes said information to said recipient reception means or to said printer.

2. The system of

claim 1

, wherein said information server verifies the accuracy of said information.

3. The system of

claim 2

, wherein said information server determines whether or not the recipient has reviewed said transmitted information and provides contingent notification means if the recipient has not reviewed said transmitted information.

4. The system of

claim 1

, wherein said information comprises a bill.

5. The system of

claim 4

, additionally comprising means for electronically transferring funds from said recipient to said mailer.

6. The system of

claim 4

, wherein said information server identifies each bill uniquely.

7. The system of

claim 6

, wherein said reception means acknowledges accurate and complete reception of said bill to said information server.

8. The system of

claim 7

, wherein said information generating means comprises a computer.

9. The system of

claim 8

, wherein said communications network includes store and forward capability.

10. The system of

claim 9

, additionally comprising an automatic selector switch between said computer and said printer for routing said bills to said information server.

11. The system of

claim 10

, wherein said recipient reception means comprises a personal computer.