Centralized digital paper distribution across an industry

• US 20050273342A1
• Filed: 03/18/2004
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Digital Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Digital Holdings, LLC
• Inventors: Levy, Menachem, Hornbacher, Yishai, Hershfeld, Shayna Leah
• Application Number:
  US10/536,331
• Publication Number:
  US 20050273342A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/317
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/018 Certifying business or products
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0607 Regulated
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification

Abstract

A first entity, receives from customer or form an agency on behalf of a customer an ingredient list comprising ingredients and contact information for a supplier of each ingredient. For each ingredient needing a certificate, the first entity contacts each respective supplier requesting a copy of a kosher letter for the ingredient. The kosher letter is received and one or more associated unique identifiers are assigned and communicated to the supplier and/or any other subscribed party such as the customer(s) and/or the agency or agencies certifying the manufactured product made with this ingredient list, as applicable. This eliminates the need for the supplier and/or the customer to have to take further action with respect to the kosher letters. A kosher certification agency is able to use the unique identifiers to obtain information for use in deciding whether to grant a kosher certification to the product of the ingredient list. The first entity notes when kosher letters are going to expire and requests new kosher letters directly from the associated suppliers, eliminating the need for the customer or agency to perform that action.

Claims

1. A method for use in connection with a first entity, first and second customers of the first entity, and a multiplicity of suppliers of the customers, the method comprising the steps of:

by the first entity, receiving from the first customer of the first entity a first ingredient list, the first ingredient list comprising ingredients, at least one of which requires a kosher certificate, and for each ingredient requiring a kosher certificate, contact information for a respective supplier of the ingredient;

by the first entity, contacting the respective supplier for each ingredient of the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate and requesting a copy of a kosher letter for the ingredient;

for each ingredient of the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, receiving by the first entity the copy of the requested kosher letter;

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, assigning by the first entity a unique identifier associated with said ingredient;

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier to the respective supplier;

by the first entity, receiving from the second customer of the first entity a second ingredient list, the second ingredient list comprising ingredients at least one of which requires a kosher certificate, and for each ingredient requiring a kosher certificate, contact information for a respective supplier of the ingredient;

by the first entity, contacting the respective supplier for each ingredient of the second ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate and requesting a copy of a kosher letter for the ingredient;

for each ingredient of the second ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, receiving by the first entity the copy of the requested kosher letter;

for each ingredient in the second ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, assigning by the first entity a unique identifier associated with said ingredient;

for each ingredient in the second ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier to the respective supplier.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to the first customer.

3. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to a certification agency.

4. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to the first customer and to a kosher certification agency.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the contact information comprises an email address.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the contact information comprises a fax number.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first entity is not a kosher certification agency.

8. The method of claim 1 in which each kosher letter has an associated expiration date, the method further comprising the steps of:

identifying, by the first entity, kosher letters that will expire or have expired;

for each identified kosher letter, contacting the supplier associated therewith and asking for a new kosher letter.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of:

for at least one identified kosher letter, receiving the new kosher letter.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of:

communicating the new kosher letter to the first customer.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of:

communicating the new kosher letter to a certification agency.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of:

communicating the new kosher letter to the first customer; and

communicating the new kosher letter to a certification agency.

13. A method for use in connection with a first entity, first and second customers of the first entity, and a multiplicity of suppliers of the customers, the method comprising the steps of:

by the first entity, receiving from the first customer of the first entity a first ingredient list, the first ingredient list comprising ingredients, and for each ingredient, either contact information for a respective supplier of the ingredient, or a unique identifier associated with the ingredient;

by the first entity, contacting the respective supplier for each ingredient of the first ingredient list for which no unique identifier was supplied, and requesting a copy of a kosher letter for the ingredient;

for each ingredient of the first ingredient list for which no unique identifier was supplied, receiving by the first entity the copy of the requested kosher letter;

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list for which no unique identifier was supplied, assigning by the first entity a unique identifier associated with said ingredient;

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list for which no unique identifier was supplied, communicating the unique identifier to the respective supplier;

by the first entity, receiving from the second customer of the first entity a second ingredient list, the second ingredient list comprising ingredients, and for each ingredient, either contact information for a respective supplier of the ingredient, or a unique identifier associated with the ingredient;

by the first entity, contacting the respective supplier for each ingredient of the second ingredient list for which no unique identifier was supplied, and requesting a copy of a kosher letter for the ingredient;

for each ingredient of the second ingredient list for which no unique identifier was supplied, receiving by the first entity the copy of the requested kosher letter;

for each ingredient in the second ingredient list for which no unique identifier was supplied, assigning by the first entity a unique identifier associated with said ingredient;

for each ingredient in the second ingredient list for which no unique identifier was supplied, communicating the unique identifier to the respective supplier.

14. The method of claim 13 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to the first customer.

15. The method of claim 13 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to a certification agency.

16. The method of claim 13 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to the first customer and to a kosher certification agency.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the contact information comprises an email address.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the contact information comprises a fax number.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein the first entity is not a kosher certification agency.

20. The method of claim 13 in which each kosher letter has an associated expiration date, the method further comprising the steps of:

identifying, by the first entity, kosher letters that will expire or have expired;

for each identified kosher letter, contacting the supplier associated therewith and asking for a new kosher letter.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of:

for at least one identified kosher letter, receiving the new kosher letter.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of:

communicating the new kosher letter to the first customer.

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of:

communicating the new kosher letter to a certification agency.

24. The method of claim 21 further comprising the steps of:

communicating the new kosher letter to the first customer; and

communicating the new kosher letter to a certification agency.

25. A method for use in connection with a first entity and myriad ingredients, each ingredient supplied by a respective supplier, each ingredient having an associated kosher letter having a respective expiration date, each ingredient having an associated unique identifier assigned by the first entity, the method comprising the steps of:

identifying, by the first entity, kosher letters that will expire or have expired;

for each identified kosher letter, contacting the supplier associated therewith and asking for a new kosher letter.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of:

for at least one of the identified kosher letters, receiving the new kosher letter.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of:

communicating the new kosher letter to a customer.

28. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of:

communicating the new kosher letter to a certification agency.

29. The method of claim 26 further comprising the steps of:

communicating the new kosher letter to a customer; and

communicating the new kosher letter to a certification agency.

30. A method for use in connection with a first entity, first and second customers of the first entity, and a multiplicity of suppliers of the customers, the method comprising the steps of:

by the first entity, receiving from the first customer of the first entity a first ingredient to be added to a first ingredient list, the first ingredient list comprising ingredients, the first ingredient requiring a kosher certificate, and for the first ingredient, contact information for a respective supplier of the first ingredient;

by the first entity, contacting the respective supplier of the first ingredient and requesting a copy of a kosher letter for the first ingredient;

for the first ingredient, receiving by the first entity the copy of the requested kosher letter;

for the first ingredient, assigning by the first entity an associated unique identifier;

for the first ingredient communicating the unique identifier to the respective supplier;

by the first entity, receiving from the second customer of the first entity a second ingredient to be added to a second ingredient list, the second ingredient list comprising ingredients, the second ingredient requiring a kosher certificate, and for the second ingredient, contact information for a respective supplier of the second ingredient;

by the first entity, contacting the respective supplier of the second ingredient and requesting a copy of a kosher letter for the second ingredient;

for the second ingredient, receiving by the first entity the copy of the requested kosher letter;

for the second ingredient, assigning by the first entity an associated unique identifier; and

for the second ingredient communicating the unique identifier to the respective supplier.

31. The method of claim 30 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to the first customer.

32. The method of claim 30 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to a certification agency.

33. The method of claim 30 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to the first customer and to a kosher certification agency.

34. The method of claim 30 wherein the contact information comprises an email address.

35. The method of claim 30 wherein the contact information comprises a fax number.

36. The method of claim 30 wherein the first entity is not a kosher certification agency.

37. The method of claim 30 in which each kosher letter has an associated expiration date, the method further comprising the steps of:

identifying, by the first entity, kosher letters that will expire or have expired;

for each identified kosher letter, contacting the supplier associated therewith and asking for a new kosher letter.

38. The method of claim 37 further comprising the step of:

for at least one identified kosher letter, receiving the new kosher letter.

39. The method of claim 38 further comprising the step of:

communicating the new kosher letter to the first customer.

40. The method of claim 38 further comprising the step of:

communicating the new kosher letter to a certification agency.

41. The method of claim 38 further comprising the steps of:

communicating the new kosher letter to the first customer; and

communicating the new kosher letter to a certification agency.

42. A method for use in connection with a first entity, first and second customers of the first entity, and a multiplicity of suppliers of the customers, the method comprising the steps of:

by the first entity, receiving from the first customer of the first entity a first ingredient to be added to a first ingredient list, the first ingredient list comprising ingredients, the first ingredient requiring a kosher certificate, and for the first ingredient, contact information for a respective supplier of the first ingredient;

by the first entity, contacting the respective supplier of the first ingredient and requesting a unique identifier associated with the first ingredient;

for the first ingredient, receiving by the first entity the unique identifier associated with the first ingredient;

for the first ingredient communicating the unique identifier to the respective supplier;

by the first entity, receiving from the second customer of the first entity a second ingredient to be added to a second ingredient list, the second ingredient list comprising ingredients, the second ingredients requiring a kosher certificate, and for the second ingredient, contact information for a respective supplier of the second ingredient;

by the first entity, contacting the respective supplier of the second ingredient and requesting a unique identifier associated withe the second ingredient; and

for the second ingredient, receiving by the first entity the unique identifier associated with the second ingredient.

43. The method of claim 42 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to the first customer.

44. The method of claim 42 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to a certification agency.

45. The method of claim 42 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to the first customer and to a kosher certification agency.

46. The method of claim 42 wherein the contact information comprises an email address.

47. The method of claim 42 wherein the contact information comprises a fax number.

48. The method of claim 42 wherein the first entity is not a kosher certification agency.

49. The method of claim 42 in which each kosher letter has an associated expiration date, the method further comprising the steps of:

identifying, by the first entity, kosher letters that will expire or have expired;

for each identified kosher letter, contacting the supplier associated therewith and asking for a new kosher letter.

50. The method of claim 49 further comprising the step of:

for at least one identified kosher letter, receiving the new kosher letter.

51. The method of claim 49 further comprising the step of:

communicating the new kosher letter to the first customer.

52. The method of claim 49 further comprising the step of:

communicating the new kosher letter to a certification agency.

53. The method of claim 49 further comprising the steps of:

communicating the new kosher letter to the first customer; and

communicating the new kosher letter to a certification agency.

54. A method for use in connection with a first entity, first and second customers of the first entity, and a multiplicity of suppliers of the customers, the method comprising the steps of:

by the first entity, receiving a first ingredient list relating to a first customer of the first entity, the first ingredient list comprising ingredients, at least one of which requires a kosher certificate, and for each ingredient requiring a kosher certificate, contact information for a respective supplier of the ingredient;

by the first entity, contacting the respective supplier for each ingredient of the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate and requesting a copy of a kosher letter for the ingredient;

for each ingredient of the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, receiving by the first entity the copy of the requested kosher letter;

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, assigning by the first entity an associated unique identifier;

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, commnunicating the unique identifier to the respective supplier;

by the first entity, receiving a second ingredient list relating to a second customer of the first entity, the second ingredient list comprising ingredients at least one of which requires a kosher certificate, and for each ingredient requiring a kosher certificate, contact information for a respective supplier of the ingredient;

by the first entity, contacting the respective supplier for each ingredient of the second ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate and requesting a copy of a kosher letter for the ingredient;

for each ingredient of the second ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, receiving by the first entity the copy of the requested kosher letter;

for each ingredient in the second ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, assigning by the first entity an associated unique identifier;

for each ingredient in the second ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier to the respective supplier.

55. The method of claim 54 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to the first customer.

56. The method of claim 54 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to a certification agency.

57. The method of claim 54 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to the first customer and to a kosher certification agency.

58. The method of claim 54 wherein the contact information comprises an email address.

59. The method of claim 54 wherein the contact information comprises a fax number.

60. The method of claim 54 wherein the first entity is not a kosher certification agency

61. The method of claim 54 in which each kosher letter has an associated expiration date, the method further comprising the steps of

identifying, by the first entity, kosher letters that will expire or have expired;

for each identified kosher letter, contacting the supplier associated therewith and asking for a new kosher letter.

62. The method of claim 61 further comprising the step of:

for at least one identified kosher letter, receiving the new kosher letter.

63. The method of claim 62 further comprising the step of communicating the new kosher letter to the first customer.

64. The method of claim 62 further comprising the step of:

communicating the new kosher letter to a certification agency.

65. The method of claim 62 further comprising the steps of communicating the new kosher letter to the first customer;

and

communicating the new kosher letter to a certification agency.

66. A method for use in connection with a first entity, first and second customers of the first entity, and a multiplicity of suppliers of the customers, the method comprising the steps of:

by the first entity, receiving a first ingredient to be added to a first ingredient list relating to the first customer of the first entity, the first ingredient list comprising ingredients, the first ingredient requiring a kosher certificate, and for the first ingredient, contact information for a respective supplier of the first ingredient;

by the first entity, contacting the respective supplier of the first ingredient and requesting a copy of a kosher letter for the first ingredient;

for the first ingredient, receiving by the first entity the copy of the requested kosher letter;

for the first ingredient, assigning by the first entity an associated unique identifier;

for the first ingredient communicating the unique identifier to the respective supplier;

by the first entity, receiving a second ingredient to be added to a second ingredient list relating to the second customer of the first entity, the second ingredient list comprising ingredients, the second ingredient requiring a kosher certificate, and for the second ingredient, contact information for a respective supplier of the second ingredient;

by the first entity, contacting the respective supplier of the second ingredient and requesting a copy of a kosher letter for the second ingredient;

for the second ingredient, receiving by the first entity the copy of the requested kosher letter;

for the second ingredient, assigning by the first entity an associated unique identifier; and

for the second ingredient communicating the unique identifier to the respective supplier.

67. The method of claim 66 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to the first customer.

68. The method of claim 66 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to a certification agency.

69. The method of claim 66 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to the first customer and to a kosher certification agency.

70. The method of claim 66 wherein the contact information comprises an email address.

71. The method of claim 66 wherein the contact information comprises a fax number.

72. The method of claim 66 wherein the first entity is not a kosher certification agency.

73. The method of claim 66 in which each kosher letter has an associated expiration date, the method further comprising the steps of:

identifying, by the first entity, kosher letters that will expire or have expired;

for each identified kosher letter, contacting the supplier associated therewith and asking for a new kosher letter.

74. The method of claim 73 further comprising the step of:

for at least one identified kosher letter, receiving the new kosher letter.

75. The method of claim 74 further comprising the step of:

communicating the new kosher letter to the first customer.

76. The method of claim 74 further comprising the step of:

communicating the new kosher letter to a certification agency.

77. The method of claim 74 further comprising the steps of:

communicating the new kosher letter to the first customer; and

communicating the new kosher letter to a certification agency.

78. A method for use in connection with a first entity, first and second customers of the first entity, and a multiplicity of suppliers of the customers, the method comprising the steps of:

by the first entity, receiving from the first customer of the first entity a first ingredient list, the first ingredient list comprising ingredients, at least one of which requires a kosher certificate, and for each ingredient requiring a kosher certificate, either contact information for a respective supplier of the ingredient or a unique identifier associated with the ingredient;

by the first entity, contacting the respective supplier for each ingredient of the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate for which contact information is provided, and requesting a unique identifier associated with the ingredient or a copy of a kosher letter for the ingredient;

for each ingredient of the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate for which contact information is provided, in the event that a copy of the requested kosher letter is received by the first entity, assigning by the first entity a unique identifier associated with said ingredient, and communicating the unique identifier to the respective supplier;

by the first entity, receiving from the second customer of the first entity a second ingredient list, the second ingredient list comprising ingredients at least one of which requires a kosher certificate, and for each ingredient requiring a kosher certificate, contact information for a respective supplier of the ingredient or a unique identifier associated with the ingredient;

by the first entity, contacting the respective supplier for each ingredient of the second ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate and requesting either a copy of a kosher letter for the ingredient or a unique identifier for the ingredient;

for each ingredient of the second ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate for which contact information is provided, in the event that a unique identifier is received by the first entity, storing, by the first entity, the unique identifier.

79. The method of claim 78 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to the first customer.

80. The method of claim 78 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to a certification agency.

81. The method of claim 78 comprising the additional step of:

for each ingredient in the first ingredient list requiring a kosher certificate, communicating the unique identifier back to the first customer and to a kosher certification agency.

82. The method of claim 78 wherein the contact information comprises an email address.

83. The method of claim 78 wherein the contact information comprises a fax number.

84. The method of claim 78 wherein the first entity is not a kosher certification agency.

85. The method of claim 78 in which each kosher letter has an associated expiration date, the method further comprising the steps of:

identifying, by the first entity, kosher letters that will expire or have expired;

for each identified kosher letter, contacting the supplier associated therewith and asking for a new kosher letter.

86. The method of claim 85 further comprising the step of:

for at least one identified kosher letter, receiving the new kosher letter.

87. The method of claim 86 further comprising the step of:

communicating the new kosher letter to the first customer.

88. The method of claim 86 further comprising the step of:

communicating the new kosher letter to a certification agency.

89. The method of claim 86 further comprising the steps of:

communicating the new kosher letter to the first customer; and

communicating the new kosher letter to a certification agency.