Apparatus and method for automatic generation and distribution of documents

• US 20070112854A1
• Filed: 11/12/2005
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Paulo Franca
• Original Assignee: Paulo Franca
• Inventors: Franca, Paulo
• Application Number:
  US11/273,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20070112854A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/93 Document management systems

Abstract

A computerized method for the automatic generation and distribution of documents is disclosed. A database is maintained by a computer. The database includes a list of the information required to complete a document associated with a case, and further includes a list of intended recipients, the contact information associated with each recipient, and the distribution method(s) preferred by each recipient. When all required information for a given document is available the document is automatically generated, then automatically sent to each recipient via the recipient'"'"'s requested distribution method(s) without any further action by the system user.

Claims

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting a formatting template for formatting the document and generating the document in accordance with the selected formatting template.

14. A computerized method for automatically distributing documents, comprising:

maintaining a database of cases including identifying information uniquely associated with each case, and further including a list of one or more documents associated with each case in the database, a list of one or more recipients for each of the one or more documents, contact information associated with each of the one or more recipients, and a one or more method of distribution associated with each of the one or more recipients;

selecting a case from the database according to identifying information;

distributing each of the one or more documents associated with the selected case to each recipient associated with each of the documents, according to the contact information and distribution method associated with said recipient, wherein any of said documents has not been distributed.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the contact information associated with a recipient is an email address.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the contact information associated with a recipient is a physical delivery address.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the contact information associated with a recipient is a fax number.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the contact information associated with a recipient includes a name.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the distribution method is sending an email message.

20. The method according to claim 14, wherein the distribution method is sending an email message with an attached electronic file version of a generated document.

21. The method according to claim 14, wherein the distribution method is sending a facsimile image to a facsimile receiver.

22. The method according to claim 14, wherein the distribution method is sending a physical document via a postal service.

23. The method according to claim 14, wherein the distribution method is sending a physical document via an express delivery service.

24. The method according to claim 14 wherein the distribution method is a plurality of distribution methods.

25. A system for automatically generating documents, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor configured to;

maintain in the storage device a database of cases including identifying information uniquely associated with each case, and further including other information associated with each case;

select a case from the database according to case identifying information;

select a one or more templates from a list of templates, the one or more selected templates defining information required for a one or more documents associated with the selected case;

retrieve information corresponding to the selected case from the database, said information selected from the database in accordance with the one or more selected templates;

determine that all information for one or more of the documents associated with the selected case is available;

generate each document associated with the selected case for which all information is available, wherein said document has not been generated.

1. A computerized method for automatically generating documents, comprising:

maintaining a database of cases including Identifying information uniquely associated with each case, and further including other information associated with each case;

selecting a case from the database according to case identifying information;

selecting a one or more templates from a list of templates, the one or more selected templates defining information required for a one or more documents associated with the selected case;

retrieving information corresponding to the selected case from the database, said information selected from the database in accordance with the one or more selected templates;

determining that all information for at least one of the one or more of the documents associated with the selected case is available;

generating each document associated with the selected case for which all information is available, wherein said document has not been generated.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the generated document is printed on paper by controlling a printer.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the generated document is stored as an electronic file.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the electronic file is stored in a compressed data file format.

6. The method according to claim 4 wherein the electronic file is stored in a PDF file format.

7. The method according to claim 4 wherein the electronic file is stored in a CSV file format.

8. The method according to claim 4 wherein the electronic file is stored in a spreadsheet file format.

9. The method according to claim 4 wherein the electronic file is stored in a word processing file format.

10. The method according to claim 4, wherein the stored electronic file is stored in an image file format.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the image file format is that of a PDF file.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the image file format is that of a JPEG file.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the image file format is that of a GIF file.

26. The system according to claim 25, wherein the processor is further configured to store a generated document in the storage device.

27. The system according to claim 25, wherein the storage device is a hard drive.

28. The system according to claim 25, wherein the storage device is a writeable optical disc.

29. The system according to claim 25, wherein the storage device is a file server.

30. The system according to claim 25, wherein the storage device is an electronic memory device.

31. The system according to claim 25, further including a printer operatively in communication with the processor wherein the processor is configured to control the printer to print a version of a generated document.

29-1. The system according to claim 25, wherein the storage device is an internet-accessible device.

32. A system for automatically distributing documents, comprising:

a storage device;

means for distributing a document;

a processor configured to;

maintain in the storage device a database of cases including identifying information uniquely associated with each case, and further including a list of one or more documents associated with each case in the database, a list of one or more recipients for each of the one or more documents, contact information associated with each of the one or more recipients, and a one or more method of distribution associated with each of the one or more recipients;

select a case from the database according to identifying information;

distribute each of the one or more documents associated with the selected case to each recipient associated with each of the documents, according to the contact information and distribution method associated with said recipient, wherein any of said documents has not been distributed.

33. The system according to claim 32, wherein the means for distribution includes a modem operatively connected with a telephone system, wherein the processor is configured to control the modem to send a message via the telephone system.

34. The system according to claim 32, wherein the means for distribution includes a network interface card operatively connected with a network wherein the processor is configured to control the network interface card to send a message via the network.

35. The system according to claim 32, wherein the means for distribution includes a facsimile device operatively in communication with a telephone system, wherein the processor is configured to control the facsimile device to send a facsimile document via the telephone system.

36. The system according to claim 32, wherein the means for distribution includes a printer operatively in communication with the processor wherein the processor is configured to control the printer to print a document.

36-2. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method, comprising:

maintaining a database of cases including identifying information uniquely associated with each case, and further including other information associated with each case;

selecting a case from the database according to case identifying information;

selecting a one or more templates from a list of templates, the one or more selected templates defining information required for a one or more documents associated with the selected case;

retrieving information corresponding to the selected case from the database, said information selected from the database in accordance with the one or more selected templates;

determining that all information for at least one of the one or more of the documents associated with the selected case is available;

generating each document associated with the selected case for which all information is available, wherein said document has not been generated.