Asynchronous distribution of stage-based information in printed format
First Claim
1. A method for distributing information, the method comprising:
- defining a plurality of sequential stages of a process, each stage being independent of a particular point in a continuum of time, the stages being related to one another in a sequence of time;
preparing to print a plurality of editions for a publication in physical print media form, each edition including information content customized for a range of stages, each range including multiple ones of the plurality of sequential stages, each edition being distinct relative to the others of the plurality of editions;
printing multiple copies of each edition;
receiving, from each of a plurality of individuals, respective personal information relating to each individual, the personal information including information for determining which of the plurality of sequential stages applies to the individual relative to a date;
for a particular date, identifying a corresponding stage of the plurality of sequential stages that applies to at least one of the plurality of individuals; and
sending to the at least one of the plurality of individuals at least a respective one of the plurality of editions, said respective one of the plurality of editions including information content customized for a respective range of stages, the respective range of stages including the respective corresponding stage identified as applying to the respective individual for the particular date.
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Abstract
A system and method for asynchronously distributing stage-based information in printed format, such as a newsletter, book, or printed magazine. Stages of a process are identified that are independent of a continuum of time. A customized magazine edition is prepared for each of the stages. Based upon registration information provided by a subscriber, a check is performed to presently qualify the subscriber for an edition by determining which stage presently corresponds to the subscriber, and then determining whether the subscriber'"'"'s stage falls within each edition'"'"'s applicable range of stages. A single subscriber may receive more or less concurrently multiple editions of a magazine from a single subscription. Additionally, in a single sending period, the publisher of the magazine may simultaneously send several different editions of the magazine, each being targeted to individuals in different stages of the process.
7 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for distributing information, the method comprising:
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defining a plurality of sequential stages of a process, each stage being independent of a particular point in a continuum of time, the stages being related to one another in a sequence of time;
preparing to print a plurality of editions for a publication in physical print media form, each edition including information content customized for a range of stages, each range including multiple ones of the plurality of sequential stages, each edition being distinct relative to the others of the plurality of editions;
printing multiple copies of each edition;
receiving, from each of a plurality of individuals, respective personal information relating to each individual, the personal information including information for determining which of the plurality of sequential stages applies to the individual relative to a date;
for a particular date, identifying a corresponding stage of the plurality of sequential stages that applies to at least one of the plurality of individuals; and
sending to the at least one of the plurality of individuals at least a respective one of the plurality of editions, said respective one of the plurality of editions including information content customized for a respective range of stages, the respective range of stages including the respective corresponding stage identified as applying to the respective individual for the particular date. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 27, 31)
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11. A method for distributing information, the method comprising:
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receiving from an individual, during a registration process, personal information relating to the individual, the personal information including information for identifying a corresponding one of a plurality of predefined sequential stages of a multi-stage process that applies to the individual relative to a date; and
repeatedly, on different dates, determining which one or more of the plurality of predefined sequential stages presently applies to the individual, determining which one or more of a plurality of editions of a physical print media object includes information content relating to a range of multiple ones of the plurality of predefined sequential stages that includes the stage determined to apply presently to the individual, and sending to the individual a copy of the respective one or more editions. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34)
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22. A method for distributing information, the method comprising:
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receiving, from each of a plurality of individuals during respective registration processes, respective personal information relating to each of the plurality of individuals, the personal information including information for identifying a corresponding one of a plurality of predefined sequential stages of a multi-stage process that applies to each respective individual relative to a date;
identifying one of a plurality of editions of a physical print media object that includes information content relating to a specific range of multiple ones of the plurality of predefined sequential stages, during a first distribution period, sending to a first of the plurality of individuals a respective copy of the one of the plurality of editions, the first distribution period corresponding to a date on which a stage applying to the first of the plurality of individuals falls within the stage range; and
during a second distribution period, sending to a second of the plurality of individuals a respective copy of the one of the plurality of editions, the second distribution period corresponding to a respective date when a respective stage applying to the second of the plurality of individuals falls within the stage range, the first distribution period being distinct from the second distribution period. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification