Recipient control over aspects of incoming messages

• US 6,690,773 B1
• Filed: 06/06/2000
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Law, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): WEAVER, SCOTT LOUIS
• Application Number:
  US09/588,853
• Time in Patent Office: 1,344 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67.1, 379/88.13, 379/88.14, 379/88.17, 379/88.18, 379/88.19, 379/88.2, 379/88.21, 379/88.22, 379/88.23, 379/88.27, 379/201.01, 379/201.02
• US Class Current: 379/88.22
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/0008 Communication details outside or between apparatus coin-freed apparatus for franking per se G07F17/26
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00435 Details specific to central, non-customer apparatus, e.g. servers at post office or vendor
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/0004 Determining the location of mailpieces outside apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00072 Hybrid mail, i.e. mail delivered using different physical means along the mail delivery path, e.g. email and envelope
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00137 In a LAN
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00145 via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00161 from a central, non-user location, e.g. for updating rates or software, or for refilling funds

Abstract

An information system includes a plurality of messaging systems, a data center and a control system. The plurality of messaging systems process respective messages intended for recipients. The data center is in operative communication with the plurality of messaging systems and stores a recipient preference profile associated with each respective recipient. The control system accessing an intended recipient preference profile corresponding to an intended recipient of a message and uses the intended recipient preference profile to process the message.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a plurality of messaging systems for processing respective messages intended for recipients;

a data center in operative communication with the plurality of messaging systems for storing a recipient preference profile associated with each respective recipient; and

a control system for;

accessing an intended recipient preference profile corresponding to an intended recipient of a message; and

using the intended recipient preference profile to process the message, wherein

the recipient preference profile provides a primary address where messages are generally directed, a secondary address and a message rerouting instruction including a specified time period; and

the control system is further for dispatching messages to the secondary address during the specified time period.

2. A system, comprising:

a plurality of messaging systems for processing respective messages intended for recipients;

a data center in operative communication with the plurality of messaging systems for storing a recipient preference profile associated with each respective recipient; and

a control system for;

accessing an intended recipient preference profile corresponding to an intended recipient of a message; and

using the intended recipient preference profile to process the message, wherein

the recipient preference profile includes no interest data pertaining to senders that the intended recipient does not wish to receive messages from; and

the control system is further for not dispatching messages to the intended recipient if the messaging system is operated by a sender described by the no interest data.

3. A system, comprising:

a plurality of messaging systems for processing respective messages intended for recipients;

a data center in operative communication with the plurality of messaging systems for storing a recipient preference profile associated with each respective recipient; and

a control system for;

accessing an intended recipient preference profile corresponding to an intended recipient of a message; and

using the intended recipient preference profile to process the message, wherein

the recipient preference profile provides a message hold instruction; and

the control system is further for not dispatching messages to the intended recipient while the message hold instruction is active.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein:

the control system is further for collecting discrete messages directed to the intended recipient while the hold instruction is active and consolidating the collected discrete messages into a composite message for delivery to the intended recipient when the hold instruction is not active.

5. A method of operating a data center, the method comprising:

communicating with a plurality of messaging systems, the messaging systems for processing respective messages intended for recipients;

storing respective recipient preference profiles established by the recipients;

providing an intended recipient preference profile corresponding to an intended recipient of a message for use by a messaging system in processing the message; and

including within the recipient preference profile a primary address where messages are generally directed, a secondary address and a message rerouting instruction including a specified time period wherein messages produced by the messaging systems are to be dispatched to the secondary address during the specified time period.

6. A method of operating a data center, the method comprising:

communicating with a plurality of messaging systems, the messaging systems for processing respective messages intended for recipients;

storing respective recipient preference profiles established by the recipients;

providing an intended recipient preference profile corresponding to an intended recipient of a message for use by a messaging system in processing the message;

including within the recipient preference profile an indication of a preferred format for messages and wherein messages produced by the messaging systems are to be dispatched to the intended recipient in the preferred format; and

including within the recipient preference profile no interest data pertaining to senders that the intended recipient does not wish to receive messages from and wherein messages produced by the messaging systems are not to be dispatched to the intended recipient if the messaging systems are operated by a sender described by the no interest data.

7. A method of operating a data center, the method comprising:

communicating with a plurality of messaging systems, the messaging systems for processing respective messages intended for recipients;

storing respective recipient preference profiles established by the recipients;

providing an intended recipient preference profile corresponding to an intended recipient of a message for use by a messaging system In processing the message; and

including within the recipient preference profile a message hold instruction and wherein messages produced by the messaging systems are not to be dispatched to the intended recipient while the, message hold instruction is active.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step(s) of:

collecting discrete messages directed to the intended recipient while the hold instruction is active and consolidating the collected discrete messages into a composite message for delivery to the intended recipient when the hold instruction is not active.

9. A memory device accessible by an application program being executed on a control system, comprising:

a recipient preference profile, established by a recipient, including parameters intended to control aspects of messages produced by a plurality of senders that are intended for the recipient;

no interest data pertaining to selected senders that the recipient does not wish to receive messages from and wherein messages are not produced by the selected senders described by the no interest data; and

a message hold instruction and wherein messages produced by the plurality of senders are not to be dispatched to the recipient while the message hold instruction is active.

10. The memory device of claim 9, further comprising:

a primary address where messages are to be generally directed, a secondary address and a message rerouting instruction Including a specified time period wherein messages produced by the plurality of senders are to be dispatched to the secondary address during the specified time period.

11. The memory device of claim 9, further comprising:

an indication of a preferred format for messages and wherein messages produced by the plurality of senders are to be dispatched to the recipient in the preferred format.

12. The memory device of claim 9, further comprising:

no interest data pertaining to selected senders that the recipient does not wish to receive messages from and wherein messages produced by the selected senders are not to be dispatched to the recipient.

13. The memory device of claim 9, further comprising:

a message hold instruction and wherein messages produced by the plurality of senders are not to be dispatched to the recipient while the message hold instruction is active.

14. The memory device of claim 13, further comprising:

discrete messages collected while the hold instruction is active and a composite message consolidating the discrete messages into a single message to be delivered to the recipient when the hold instruction is not active.