SYSTEMS FOR INFORMATIONAL PROCESSING OF DISPATCHES

• US 3,611,301 A
• Filed: 05/13/1968
• Issued: 10/05/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Herman D. Parks
• Original Assignee: Herman D. Parks
• Inventors: Parks, Herman D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Henon, Paul J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chapuran, Ronald F.
• Application Number:
  US04/728,658
• Time in Patent Office: 1,240 Days
• Field of Search: 340/172.5 235/157
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers

Abstract

Received dispatches are informationally processed by a system comprised of a program controlled central data-processor, highspeed printers and, also, data storage and visual display units of which both types of units are in two-way communication with the processor. Logging data concerning a received dispatch is entered via a display unit with the following results (a) determination from such data and stored distribution tables of print orders implemented by the printing by selected printers of copies of the dispatch, and (b) supplementation of such data by stored lists. The system acts as a central file accessible through the display units for the purpose of either input or output of information.

Claims

1. A method for processing electrically transmitted dispatches comprising generating a string of coded data representative of a distinctive dispatch number of each such dispatch, retrievably storing in correlated relation both said data string and coded data derived from the transmission signals corresponding to such dispatch and representative of the text of such dispatch, retrieving said data string and coded data from storage and controlling printer means by said data string and coded data to printout a first paper copy in alphanumeric form of the text of said dispatch and of the associated dispatch number, generating after analysis of the contents of said first copy a plurality of logging signals inclusive of the string of data representative of the dispatch number of said dispatch and a string of coded data designating a list of persons selected as addressees for said dispatch out of a larger directory of such persons, said directory being represented by items of coded data retrievably stored in correlated relation with different data strings denoting different dispatch distribution list so as to thereby form a retrievably stored distribution table for dispatches, retrieving the information stored in said table and then comparing for a match the list-denoting data string corresponding to said logging signal with the list-denoting data strings retrieved from said table so as to form a print order list corresponding to the matches attained, and controlling said printer means as a function of said print order list to printout copies of such dispatch which are in alphanumeric form and are individually addressed to the addressees on the list represented by the list-denoting data strings corresponding to said logging signal.

2. The method as in claim 1 comprising the further steps of electronically deriving the print order list for such dispatch both from a primary distribution table and a secondary distribution table, and electronically eliminating any overlap of addressees between the print order lists called for by each separately of said two tables.

3. The method as in claim 2 further comprising the steps of generating coded data signals each of which is representative of a different subject heading under which such dispatch may be classified, and electronically enlarging the print order list determined by said distribution table as a function of said coded data signals representing said subject headings.

4. The method as in claim 3 in which said logging signals are also inclusive of first and second strings of coded data representative of, respectively, the number of a story to which such dispatch pertains and the name of the person who is, respectively, the sender and the intended recipient of such dispatch when the same is, respectively, an incoming and an outgoing dispatch, said method further comprising the steps of electronically adding said first and second strings of coded data to, respectively, a first and a second retrievably stored sequence of groups of coded data, said first and second sequences being representative of, respectively, a story progress list and a whereabouts list.