Automated system and method for delivery of messages and processing of message responses
First Claim
1. A system for sending messages to messaging devices used by recipients and for processing message responses from the recipients comprising:
- a. a message client comprising a message authoring module to allow a user to generate message content and message information using a universal message form, the message authoring module including means to embed a response field in the message form so that message recipients can add message responses to the form;
b. the message client further including a recipient profile module, to allow each recipient to create a recipient profile corresponding to that recipient, the recipient profiles including profile data selected by each recipient that define message delivery devices and message delivery methods for messages directed to that recipient, according to messaging rules created by the recipients that include message priority, messaging device security, and time;
c. a message server operatively connected to the message client for receiving the message information from the message authoring module and including a translator for automatically converting the message form and message content into one or more message formats usable by the messaging devices selected by the recipients in their corresponding recipient profiles;
d. the message server further including a messaging device manager for automatically routing the messages to at least one of the messaging devices selected by the recipients in their recipient profiles in accordance with the messaging rules created by each recipient and a response monitor module for receiving and automatically processing the message responses from the recipients into message response information;
e. a system database for storing the recipient profiles, messages, and message response information, the message response information including identification of the recipients, status of message delivery, substance of responses to questions imbedded in the response field imbedded in the message form, identification of the messaging device(s) used to deliver the message, and time of response; and
f. a response viewer module for allowing the user to view the message response information, including a compilation of the message responses added to the response fields in the message form by the recipients.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automated system for delivery of messages to multiple recipients, and for processing of responses to the messages, includes a message client, message server, and system database. A message is created using a universal message form. The message content can be translated into multiple formats and sent to one or more different recipients using one or more different types of messaging devices, including pagers, telephones, fax machines, and e-mail readers. A recipient profile manager allows each recipient to select the messaging devices to be used for message delivery as well as preferred messaging schedules, priorities, and message security. Receipt of the messages by the recipients is verified, response requirements collected and consolidated from multiple sources and presented to the message originator in a structured format.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for sending messages to messaging devices used by recipients and for processing message responses from the recipients comprising:
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a. a message client comprising a message authoring module to allow a user to generate message content and message information using a universal message form, the message authoring module including means to embed a response field in the message form so that message recipients can add message responses to the form;
b. the message client further including a recipient profile module, to allow each recipient to create a recipient profile corresponding to that recipient, the recipient profiles including profile data selected by each recipient that define message delivery devices and message delivery methods for messages directed to that recipient, according to messaging rules created by the recipients that include message priority, messaging device security, and time;
c. a message server operatively connected to the message client for receiving the message information from the message authoring module and including a translator for automatically converting the message form and message content into one or more message formats usable by the messaging devices selected by the recipients in their corresponding recipient profiles;
d. the message server further including a messaging device manager for automatically routing the messages to at least one of the messaging devices selected by the recipients in their recipient profiles in accordance with the messaging rules created by each recipient and a response monitor module for receiving and automatically processing the message responses from the recipients into message response information;
e. a system database for storing the recipient profiles, messages, and message response information, the message response information including identification of the recipients, status of message delivery, substance of responses to questions imbedded in the response field imbedded in the message form, identification of the messaging device(s) used to deliver the message, and time of response; and
f. a response viewer module for allowing the user to view the message response information, including a compilation of the message responses added to the response fields in the message form by the recipients. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of allowing a user to send a message to a recipient using at least one messaging device comprising the steps of:
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a. creating message content and message information for the message on a universal message form at a message client, the message information including identification of the recipient for the message;
b. automatically accessing a recipient profile stored in a database, the recipient profile created by the recipient and containing information identifying a type of messaging device selected by the recipient for receiving the message, in accordance with messaging rules created by the recipient, the messaging rules taking into account message priority, the recipient'"'"'s schedule, and device security;
c. translating in a message server the message form and content into a message format usable by the type of messaging device selected by the recipient in the recipient profile;
d. transmitting the message to a messaging device manager adapted to communicate with the messaging device selected by the recipient in accordance with the messaging rules created by the recipient;
e. receiving in the message server a response to the message sent by the recipient using one of the types of messaging devices;
f. automatically linking the response to the message to the message information created on the message client; and
g. viewing the message response on the message client, h. identifying multiple recipients for the message in the message information;
i. accessing multiple recipient profiles in the database corresponding to the multiple recipients identified in the message information;
j. transmitting the message to the messaging device manager adapted to communicate with each messaging device selected by the recipients;
k. receiving in the message server a response to the message sent by each of the recipients using the messaging devices;
l. automatically linking each of the responses to the message to the message information created on the message client;
m. storing the message responses and message response information on the database the message response information identification of the recipients, status of message delivery, substance of responses to questions imbedded in the response field imbedded in the meassge form, identification of the messaging device(s) used to deliver the message, and time of response; and
n. organizing the message responses for viewing on the message client. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification