System and method for separating a print stream into an electronic document print stream and a physical document print stream

• US 6,483,599 B1
• Filed: 12/29/1998
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: DMT Solutions Global Corporation
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Woodman, Clare E., Gardner, David P.
• Primary Examiner(s): GARCIA, GABRIEL I
• Application Number:
  US09/222,528
• Time in Patent Office: 1,421 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.15, 358/1.13, 358/1.18, 358/1.6, 358/1.1, 358/407, 358/468, 705/14, 705/10, 705/26, 705/27, 382/101, 382/102
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1206 resulting in increased flexibility in input data format or job format or job type
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1241 Dividing a job according to job requirements, e.g. black/white and colour pages, covers and body of books, tabs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1285 Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server

Abstract

An apparatus for separating print stream data containing a plurality of primary documents and information concerning associated customers to receive the documents, wherein the apparatus receives customer preference data that allow separation of the print stream data into an electronic primary document print stream and a hard copy primary document print stream. The print stream separator further generates a second output for the customers that are to receive their primary documents by electronic delivery, where this second output contains information regarding which of a plurality of secondary documents the customer should receive with the primary document. The priorities of these secondary documents may be based upon specific customer preference data for the specific customer receiving his or her primary document. Priorities for these secondary documents can also be included in this second output. A method corresponding to this apparatus is also described.

Claims

1. An apparatus for separating print stream data containing a plurality of primary documents and information concerning associated customers for receipt of each primary document, said print stream data to be separated into at least two data paths by said apparatus, one path of which is for electronic delivery of an electronic primary document with N secondary documents inserts, where N is a non-negative integer including 0, said apparatus comprising:

a print stream separator having;

A) means for receipt of the print stream data and means for receipt of customer preference data regarding at least some of the customers to which said print stream is directed;

B) means based upon the customer preference data for determining if a particular primary document in the print stream is intended for electronic delivery to the associated customer and if so, generate an output of the print stream for electronic delivery thereof; and

C) means for generating an output for the remaining print stream data for non-electronic delivery thereof;

an electronic inserter for receipt of the print stream for electronic delivery and for receiving the second output related to the preferences of the associated customer, for generating an electronic print stream output containing the primary document associated with the customer, as well as information with respect to each secondary document to be associated with the primary document based upon the customer preference data, the electronic inserter having;

A) means for receipt of job setup data which contains information concerning links directed to secondary documents that can be associated with a primary document for delivery to a particular customer electronically; and

B) means for generating control and status data concerning the electronic print stream output generated by the electronic inserter;

wherein the electronic inserter receives customer preference data from a customer preference database, wherein said information is used to assist in notifying customers that at least a primary document is available for viewing, wherein the received customer preference data by the electronic inserter can be used to determine the specific way the customer is notified that at least a primary document is available for viewing, wherein the customer may be notified in more than one way that at least a primary document is available for viewing, and wherein an alternative way of notifying the customer is used if the customer does not view at least the primary document within a predetermined time after initial notification.

2. An apparatus for separating print stream data containing a plurality of primary documents and information concerning associated customers for receipt of each primary document, said print stream data to be separated into at least two data paths by said apparatus, one path of which is for electronic delivery of an electronic primary document with N secondary documents inserts, where N is a non-negative integer including 0, said apparatus comprising:

a print stream separator having;

A) means for receipt of the print stream data and means for receipt of customer preference data regarding at least some of the customers to which said print stream is directed;

B) means based upon the customer preference data for determining if a particular primary document in the print stream is intended for electronic delivery to the associated customer and if so, generate an output of the print stream for electronic delivery thereof; and

C) means for generating an output for the remaining print stream data for non-electronic delivery thereof;

an electronic inserter for receipt of the print stream for electronic delivery and for receiving the second output related to the preferences of the associated customer, for generating an electronic print stream output containing the primary document associated with the customer, as well as information with respect to each secondary document to be associated with the primary document based upon the customer preference data, wherein the electronic print stream output of the electronic inserter is in the AFP file format.

3. An apparatus for separating print stream data as defined in claim 2, wherein the means for determining if a particular primary document is intended for electronic delivery further has means for generating a second output related to the control and preferences of any secondary documents to be associated with the primary document.

4. An apparatus for separating print stream data as defined in claim 3, wherein the second output of the print stream separator contains information regarding which secondary documents can accompany the primary document.

5. An apparatus for separating print stream data containing a plurality of primary documents and information concerning associated customers for receipt of each primary document, said print stream data to be separated into at least two data paths by said apparatus, one path of which is for electronic delivery of an electronic primary document with N secondary documents inserts, where N is a non-negative integer including 0, said apparatus comprising:

a print stream separator having;

A) means for receipt of the print stream data and means for receipt of customer preference data regarding at least some of the customers to which said print stream is directed;

B) means based upon the customer preference data for determining if a particular primary document in the print stream is intended for electronic delivery to the associated customer and if so, generate an output of the print stream for electronic delivery thereof; and

C) means for generating an output for the remaining print stream data for non-electronic delivery thereof;

wherein the means for determining if a particular primary document is intended for electronic delivery further has means for generating a second output related to the control and preferences of any secondary documents to be associated with the primary document;

wherein the second output of the print stream separator contains information regarding which secondary documents can accompany the primary document; and

wherein the second output of the print stream separator contains information regarding the priorities of the respective secondary documents that can accompany the primary document.

6. An apparatus for separating print stream data as defined in claim 5, wherein the priorities of at least one secondary document is based at least in part on customer preference data for the customer to receive said primary document.

7. An apparatus for separating print stream data as defined in claim 5, wherein the inclusion or exclusion of at least one secondary document is based upon customer preference data.

8. A method for separating print stream data containing a plurality of primary documents and information concerning associated customers for receipt of each primary document, said print stream data to be separated into at least two data paths, one path of which is for electronic delivery of an electronic primary document with N secondary documents inserts, where N is a non-negative integer including 0, said method comprising the steps of:

A) receiving the print stream data and receiving the customer preference data regarding at least some of the customers to which said print stream is directed;

B) based upon the customer preference data, determining if a particular primary document in the print stream is intended for electronic delivery to the associated customer and if so, generating an output of the print stream for electronic delivery thereof; and

C) generating an output for the remaining print stream data for non-electronic delivery thereof; and

,

D) for the print stream intended for electronic delivery, prioritizing any secondary documents that are to be sent to the customer, such that some secondary documents are given higher priority for inclusion or positioning than other secondary documents.

9. A method as defined in claim 8, wherein the step of prioritizing at least one of the secondary documents is based at least in part on customer preference data for the customer to receive the primary document.

10. A method as defined in claim 8, further comprising the step of notifying the customer that at least a primary document is available for viewing.