System and method for structured news release generation and distribution

• US 20020138493A1
• Filed: 03/25/2002
• Published: 09/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kolomoki Mounds LLC
• Original Assignee: Newsgems LLC
• Inventors: Shapiro, Eileen C., Mintz, Steven J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,035,848 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/103 Formatting, i.e. changing of presentation of documents automatic justification G06F40/189; automatic line break hyphenation G06F40/191
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99937 Sorting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

A mechanism for the structured generation of a news release includes in one embodiment, (a) separately specifying the content of each of a plurality of predetermined sections of the news release; (b) storing, in a digital storage medium, the content specified for each of the sections; (c) assembling the news release by retrieving from the storage medium each of the stored sections; and (d) providing, to a source of the news release, feedback information that is responsive to the news release. Embodiments are operative over a network such as the Internet. Related embodiments also include a system and an E-Mail message conveying a structured news release.

Claims

1. A method for structured generation and distribution of a news release, the method comprising:

a. separately specifying content of each of a plurality of pre-determined sections of the news release, the predetermined sections and their ordering determining in part a desired format for the news release;

b. storing, in a digital storage medium, the content specified for each of the sections;

c. assembling the news release by retrieving from the storage medium each of the stored sections in a manner consistent with the desired format; and

d. providing, to a source of the news release, feedback information that is responsive to the news release.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the source of the news release is a promoter of the news release.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the source of the news release is an intermediary agent of a promoter of the news release.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein specifying the content includes providing responses via a set of templates, the set of templates having at least one member and being structured to evince the content of the sections.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the set of templates includes a single template having locations for entering the content for each section.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein the set of templates includes a separate template for each section, each template having a location for entering the content of a corresponding section.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined sections include a headline, a summary, and a release date.

8. A method according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined sections include a headline, a summary, and a release date.

9. A method according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined sections include a set of key points, the set of key points having at least one member.

10. A method according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined sections include a section providing an identification of classes of individuals to whom the content provided in the body is expected to be relevant.

11. A method according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined sections include a section providing access to quotations related to the news release.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined sections include a section providing information enabling immediate action in response to the news release.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the section enabling immediate action includes a network address.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the network address is an address for providing access to products of a promoter of the news release.

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein the network address is an address for providing access to services of a promoter of the news release.

16. A method according to claim 13, wherein the network address is an address for providing access to quotations related to the news release.

17. A method according to claim 13, wherein the network address is an address for providing access to an article related to the news release.

18. A method according to claim 12, wherein the section enabling immediate action includes a hypertext link.

19. A method according to claim 1, further including the step of archiving the news release according to an index.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the archiving enables searching for the news release via an Internet website.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein the feedback information includes summary feedback.