Method for the consolidation summarization and transmission of a plurality of mailable materials

• US 5,655,089 A
• Filed: 04/10/1992
• Issued: 08/05/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Joseph J. Bucci
• Inventors: Bucci, Joseph J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes, Gail O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shingala, Gita
• Application Number:
  US07/866,487
• Time in Patent Office: 1,943 Days
• Field of Search: 364/401, 364/464.01, 364/464.02, 364/464.04, 235/379, 235/380, 395/200.01, 395/200.04, 395/200.08, 395/200.17, 395/240, 395/241, 395/234, 379/92, 379/134, 379/135, 370/80, 370/99
• US Class Current: 705/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00435 Details specific to central, non-customer apparatus, e.g. servers at post office or vendor

Abstract

Analysis has revealed that there is an undue proliferation of first-class mail being sent each month in the nature of bills, statements and similar such documents. Analysis has also revealed that this produces an unnecessary expense for postage and processing, besides the costs involved in purchasing the paper and envelopes to begin with.

The method of the invention avoids this through the single mailing of one or more two-sided documents on which is presented all the bills, statements, etc. intended for a given recipient during a specified period of time, for all subscribers to the service.

In accordance with the described embodiment of the invention, the method forms a computer database of addressee information; merges with that database all such record information provided by subscribers; prints out one or more sheets, preferably on both sides, of all information intended for designated recipients during the time period in question; and allows for a single mailing of such sheets in a single envelope.

Claims

1. A method for the consolidation, summarization and transmission of a plurality of mailable materials by a plurality of differing, non-related subscribers transmitting to a plurality of end users, comprising the steps of:

forming an information database in a computer as to the identities of intended end users of each non-related subscriber;

inputting individual information into the computer as to bills, statements, records, advertising and other written communications from each said non-related subscriber for each said identified end user during a given period of time;

accumulating a plurality of said input informations of bills, statements, records, advertising and other written communication from each said non-related subscriber, and sorting said accumulated input informations by each said identified end user;

developing at least one page of said sorted accumulated input informations for each said end user identified to receive said sorted accumulated input informations; and

sending said page of sorted accumulated informations from said plurality of non-related subscribers to said individual identified end user to receive said page as a single, unitized transmission of all informations intended for said identified end user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said sending step electronically transmits said page of accumulated informations to identified end users.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said developing step prints at least one sheet of said accumulated input informations.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said sending step transmits said sheet of accumulated input informations to identified end users by hard-copy mail.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said developing step prints at least one sheet of said accumulated input informations, printed on both sides thereof.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of inputting informations also includes the step of receiving input information electronically from each said non-related subscriber.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of inputting information also includes the step of receiving input information by hard-copy, paper, type or disk, from each said non-related subscriber.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said developing step prints at least one sheet of said accumulated input informations, printed on both sides thereof, wherein said sending step transmits said sheet of said accumulated input informations by hard-copy mail, and wherein said sending step transmits said accumulated input informations to an identified end user in a single envelope.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said sending step additionally transmits other hard-copy material to an identified end user as an optional service available to a non-related subscriber.