SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SECURE DOCUMENT DELIVERY AND MANAGEMENT INCLUDING SCHEDULING

• US 20120179606A1
• Filed: 12/31/2011
• Published: 07/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Sagi, Surya R., Gracy, Bernard E.
• Granted Patent: US 10,600,030 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/103 Workflow collaboration or project management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments

Abstract

Systems and methods for integrated management and scheduling of events associated with both physical and digital mail are provided. A print stream processor utilizes recipient preferences to determine that a mail piece should be delivered by physical mail. The server then processes the mail piece print stream to extract time sensitive data such as a payment amount and due date. The server utilizes the identity of the physical mail piece recipient and the time sensitive data to provide a scheduling message to the recipient. Here, the scheduling message includes injecting a calendar entry to a centralized mail management system having an account for the recipient. Additionally, reminder messages are provided to the recipient based upon recipient and/or sender preferences. Similarly, entries relating to physical coupons or other offers sent to the recipient are placed on the recipient'"'"'s calendar including offer deadline entries.

Claims

1. A computer system for organizing mail communications and scheduling related actions for a mail recipient user comprising:

a mail notification subsystem configured to provide a calendar display to the user,

wherein the calendar display is configured to display at least two items,

the first one of the at least two items is automatically received electronically from a print stream processor and includes time sensitive data related to a first mail piece; and

the second one of the at least two items is input by the user and includes time sensitive data related to a second mail piece.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the first mail piece comprises a bill and the corresponding time sensitive data includes a due data and a due amount.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein:

the second mail piece comprises an offer and the corresponding time sensitive data includes an expiration date associated with the offer.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the calendar view comprises a monthly view.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the mail notification subsystem configured to provide at least one user configurable reminder message to the user related to the first mail piece and the corresponding time sensitive data.

6. A computer system for organizing mail communications and scheduling related actions for a mail recipient user comprising:

a mail notification subsystem configured to provide a calendar display to the user, the calendar having at least two views, wherein each of the at least two views corresponds to one of at least two mail types;

wherein a first view of the at least two views displays at least two items associated with a first one of the at least two mail types and a first one of the at least two items includes time sensitive data related to a first mail piece that is received electronically from a print stream processor and at least a second one of the at least two items includes time sensitive data related to a second mail piece that is input by the user.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein:

the first one of the at least two mail types includes bills and the time sensitive data relating to the first mail piece includes a due data and a due amount.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein:

a second view of the at least two views displays at least two items associated with a second one of the at least two mail types and a first one of the at least two items includes time sensitive data related to a third mail piece that is received electronically from a print stream processor and at least a second one of the at least two items includes time sensitive data related to a fourth mail piece that is input by the user; and

the second one of the at least two mail types includes offers and the time sensitive data relating to the third mail piece includes an expiration date.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein:

a first view and a second view of the at least two views each comprise a monthly view; and

the first and second views may be combined into a single view having distinct coding for items in each of the at least two views.

10. The system of claim 6, further comprising:

the mail notification subsystem configured to provide at least one user configurable reminder message to the user related to the first mail piece.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein:

the reminder message is created based upon a preference associated with the type associated with the corresponding first mail piece.

12. The system of claim 6, wherein:

the first mail piece is received as physical mail by the user and is not received electronically.

13. A computer implemented method for sending mail scheduling data to an integrated mail information system, the integrated mail information system used by a first user and a second user, comprising:

utilizing the computer to process at least one print stream, and in processing the at least one print stream, processing a first mail piece directed to the first user and a second mail piece directed to the second user,

determining that the first mail piece is to be delivered electronically;

determining that the second mail piece is to be delivered physically;

obtaining first time sensitive data from the print stream associated with the first mail piece;

obtaining second time sensitive data from the print stream associated with the first mail piece;

creating a first mail scheduling message including the first time sensitive data;

creating a second mail scheduling message including the first time sensitive data;

sending the first mail piece to the first user electronically;

sending the first mail scheduling message electronically to the integrated mail information system for display to the first user;

sending the second mail piece to a physical delivery subsystem for physical delivery to the second user; and

sending the second mail scheduling message electronically to the integrated mail information system for display to the second user.

14. the method of claim 13, wherein:

the first and second mail scheduling messages comprise calendar data for display in calendar view form.

15. the method of claim 14, wherein:

the calendar view form comprises a monthly view.

16. the method of claim 13, wherein:

the first and second mail scheduling messages comprise mail piece type data.

17. the method of claim 13, wherein:

the first mail piece comprises a bill and the first time sensitive data comprises a due date and an amount due.

18. the method of claim 13, wherein:

the second mail piece comprises an offer and the first time sensitive data comprises an offer deadline.

19. the method of claim 13, wherein:

the first mail piece comprises a bill and an offer and the first time sensitive data comprises a due date and an amount due associated with the bill, further comprising;

obtaining third time sensitive data from the print stream associated with the first mail piece, wherein the third time sensitive data includes an expiration date associated with the offer;

creating a third mail scheduling message including the third time sensitive data; and

sending the third mail scheduling message electronically to the integrated mail information system for display to the first user.

20. the method of claim 13, wherein:

the first mail piece comprises a bill and an offer and the first time sensitive data comprises a due date and an amount due associated with the bill, further comprising;

obtaining third time sensitive data from the print stream associated with the first mail piece, wherein the third time sensitive data includes an expiration date associated with the offer; and

wherein the first mail scheduling message further includes the third time sensitive data.