Systems, methods, and computer program products for delivering information in a preferred medium

• US 6,701,315 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2000
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bell & Howell Mail and Messaging Technologies Company
• Inventors: Austin, Pamela Sue
• Primary Examiner(s): Alam, Shahid Al
• Application Number:
  US09/596,978
• Time in Patent Office: 1,351 Days
• Field of Search: 707/10, 707/100, 707/104.1, 707/200, 707/201, 707/103.R, 709/239, 715/501.1, 715/507, 715/513, 379/88.19, 379/88.22, 379/88.25, 455/412.1, 455/414.4, 455/415
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

Methods, systems and computer program products for delivering information to a user in one or more preferred delivery media are provided. Preferred delivery media includes, but is not limited to, e-mail, HTML, fax, printed copy, and mail. A user profile, indicating a user'"'"'s preferred delivery medium (or media), is retrievably stored. When a user requests information, the user'"'"'s profile is searched to determine the preferred delivery medium (or media) within which to deliver the requested information to the user. The requested information is retrieved, formatted for the preferred delivery medium, and then delivered to the user in the preferred medium. If the information is delivered to a user in multiple media, a consistent format among the various delivery media is maintained. The integrity of information delivered to a user is also verifiable, regardless of the delivery medium.

Claims

1. A method for delivering information to a user comprising the following steps that are performed by a data processing system:

storing a user profile indicating a preferred delivery medium for delivering information to the user;

in response to a request for information, retrieving the requested information;

formatting the retrieved information for delivery in the preferred delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile, wherein the user preferred delivery medium is determined from the stored user profile independent of a format associated with the request; and

delivering the formatted information to the user in the preferred delivery medium.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the following steps:

responsive to an indication that the user did not receive the information via the preferred delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile, formatting the retrieved information for delivery in an alternative delivery medium different from the preferred delivery medium wherein the alternative delivery medium is indicated within the stored user profile; and

delivering the information formatted for delivery via the alternative delivery medium to the user in the alternative delivery medium.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the step of formatting the retrieved information for delivery in an alternative delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile comprises formatting the retrieved information as a printed document, and wherein the step of delivering the information comprises delivering the printed document from the data processing system to a user printer in communication with the data processing system.

4. A method according to claim 2 wherein the step of formatting the retrieved information for delivery in an alternative delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile comprises formatting the retrieved information as a paper document, and wherein the step of delivering the information comprises the steps of:

inserting the paper document into an envelope via a mail inserting device; and

delivering the envelope containing the paper document to the user via a postal service.

5. A method according to claim 2 wherein the step of formatting the retrieved information for delivery in an alternative delivery medium comprises formatting the retrieved information as a printed document, and wherein the step of delivering the information comprises delivering the printed document from the data processing system to a user printer in communication with the data processing system.

6. A method according to claim 2 wherein the step of formatting the retrieved information for delivery in an alternative delivery medium comprises formatting the retrieved information as a paper document, and wherein the step of delivering the information comprises the steps of:

inserting the paper document into an envelope via a mail inserting device; and

delivering the envelope containing the paper document to the user via a postal service.

7. A method according to claim 2 further comprising the step of including additional, non-requested information with the requested information in the preferred delivery medium, and wherein the additional information is selected based on information contained within the user profile.

8. A method according to claim 2 further comprising the step of including additional, non-requested information with the requested information in the alternative delivery medium, and wherein the additional information is selected based on information contained within the user profile.

9. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

if the preferred delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile utilizes a format of e-mail, formatting the retrieved information as an e-mail message; and

delivering the e-mail message from the data processing system to a user data processing system in communication with the data processing system.

10. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

if the preferred delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile utilizes a format of HTML, formatting the retrieved information as an HTML document; and

delivering the HTML document from the data processing system to a user data processing system in communication with the data processing system.

11. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

if the preferred delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile utilizes a format of fax, formatting the retrieved information as a fax document; and

delivering the fax document from the data processing system to a user facsimile machine in communication with the data processing system.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein the request for information is initiated by the user.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein the request for information is a non-user request.

14. A method for delivering information to a user comprising the following steps that are performed by a data processing system:

storing a user profile indicating an electronic delivery medium as a preferred delivery medium for delivering information to the user;

in response to a request for information, retrieving the requested information;

formatting the retrieved information for delivery in the electronic delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile, wherein the user preferred delivery medium is determined from the stored user profile independent of a format associated with the request;

delivering the formatted information to the user in the electronic delivery medium;

responsive to an indication that the user did not receive the information via the electronic delivery medium, formatting the retrieved information for delivery in a printed delivery medium comprising formatting the retrieved information as a paper document;

inserting the paper document into an envelope via a mail inserting device; and

delivering the envelope containing the paper document to the user via a postal service.

15. A method according to claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

if the preferred delivery medium utilizes a format of e-mail, formatting the retrieved information as an e-mail message; and

delivering the e-mail message from the data processing system to a user data processing system in communication with the data processing system.

16. A method according to claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

if the preferred delivery medium utilizes a format of HTML, formatting the retrieved information as an HTML document; and

delivering the HTML document from the data processing system to a user data processing system in communication with the data processing system.

17. A method according to claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

if the preferred delivery medium is utilizes a format of fax, formatting the retrieved information as a fax document; and

delivering the fax document from the data processing system to a user facsimile machine in communication with the data processing system.

18. A method according to claim 14 wherein the request for information is initiated by the user.

19. A method according to claim 14 wherein the request for information is a non-user request.

20. A data processing system for delivering information to a user, comprising:

means for storing a user profile indicating a preferred delivery medium for delivering information to the user;

means for retrieving information in response to a request;

means for formatting the retrieved information for delivery in the preferred delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile, wherein the user preferred delivery medium is determined from the stored user profile independent of a format associated with the request;

means for delivering the formatted information to the user in the preferred delivery medium;

means for formatting the retrieved information for delivery in an alternative delivery medium different from the preferred delivery medium in response to an indication that the user did not receive the information via the preferred delivery medium wherein the alternative delivery medium is indicated within the stored user profile; and

means for delivering the information formatted for delivery via the alternative delivery medium to the user in the alternative delivery medium.

21. A data processing system according to claim 20 further comprising:

means for formatting the retrieved information as an e-mail message if the preferred or alternative delivery medium utilizes a format of e-mail; and

means for delivering the e-mail message from the data processing system to a user data processing system in communication with the data processing system.

22. A data processing system according to claim 20 further comprising:

means for formatting the retrieved information as an HTML document if the preferred or alternative delivery medium utilizes a format of HTML; and

means for delivering the HTML document from the data processing system to a user data processing system in communication with the data processing system.

23. A data processing system according to claim 20 further comprising:

means for formatting the retrieved information as a fax document if the preferred or alternative delivery medium utilizes a format of fax; and

means for delivering the fax document from the data processing system to a user facsimile machine in communication with the data processing system.

24. A data processing system according to claim 20 wherein the means for formatting the retrieved information for delivery in an alternative delivery medium comprises means for formatting the retrieved information as a printed document, and wherein the means for delivering the information formatted for delivery in an alternative delivery medium comprises means for delivering the printed document from the data processing system to a user printer in communication with the data processing system.

25. A data processing system according to claim 20 wherein the means for formatting the retrieved information for delivery in an alternative delivery medium comprises means for formatting the retrieved information as a paper document, and wherein the means for delivering the information in an alternative delivery medium comprises:

means for inserting the paper document into an envelope via a mail inserting device; and

means for delivering the envelope containing the paper document to the user via a postal service.

26. A data processing system according to claim 20 further comprising means for including additional, non-requested information with the requested information in the preferred delivery medium, and wherein the additional information is selected based on information contained within the user profile.

27. A data processing system according to claim 20 further comprising means for including additional, non-requested information with the requested information in the alternative delivery medium, and wherein the additional information is selected based on information contained within the user profile.

28. A data processing system according to claim 20 wherein the request for information is initiated by the user.

29. A data processing system according to claim 20 wherein the request for information is a non-user request.

30. A computer program product for delivering information to a user, the computer program product comprising a computer usable storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied in the medium, the computer readable program code means comprising:

computer readable program code means for storing a user profile indicating a preferred delivery medium for delivering information to the user;

computer readable program code means for retrieving information in response to a request;

computer readable program code means for formatting the retrieved information for delivery in the preferred delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile, wherein the user preferred delivery medium is determined from the stored user profile independent of a format associated with the request;

computer readable program code means for delivering the formatted information to the user in the preferred delivery medium;

computer readable program code means for formatting the retrieved information for delivery in an alternative delivery medium different from the preferred delivery medium in response to an indication that the user did not receive the information via the preferred delivery medium wherein the alternative delivery medium is indicated within the stored user profile; and

computer readable program code means for delivering the information formatted for delivery via the alternative delivery medium to the user in the alternative delivery medium.

31. A computer program product according to claim 30 further comprising:

computer readable program code means for formatting the retrieved information as an e-mail message if the preferred or alternative delivery medium utilizes a format of e-mail; and

computer readable program code means for delivering the e-mail message from the data processing system to a user data processing system in communication with the data processing system.

32. A computer program product according to claim 30 further comprising:

computer readable program code means for formatting the retrieved information as an HTML document if the preferred or alternative delivery medium utilizes a format of HTML; and

computer readable program code means for delivering the HTML document from the data processing system to a user data processing system in communication with the data processing system.

33. A computer program product according to claim 30 further comprising:

computer readable program code means for formatting the retrieved information as a fax document if the preferred or alternative delivery medium utilizes a format of fax; and

computer readable program code for delivering the fax document from the data processing system to a user facsimile machine in communication with the data processing system.

34. A computer program product according to claim 30 wherein the computer readable program code means for formatting the retrieved information for delivery in an alternative delivery medium comprises computer readable program code means for formatting the retrieved information as a printed document, and wherein the computer readable program code means for delivering the information formatted for delivery in an alternative delivery medium comprises a computer readable program code means for delivering the printed document from the data processing system to a user printer in communication with the data processing system.

35. A computer program product according to claim 30 further comprising computer readable program code means for including additional, non-requested information with the requested information in the preferred delivery medium, and wherein the additional information is selected based on information contained with the user profile.

36. A computer program product according to claim 30 further comprising computer readable program code means for including additional, non-requested information with the requested information in the alternative delivery medium, and wherein the additional information is selected based on information contained within the user profile.

38. A computer program product according to claim 30 wherein the request for information is a non-user request.

39. A computer program product according to claim 30 wherein the request for information is initiated by the user.

40. A method according to claim 39, wherein said step of re-delivering further comprises:

formatting the retrieved information for delivery in an alternative delivery medium different from the preferred delivery medium wherein the alternative delivery medium is indicated within the stored user profile; and

delivering the information formatted for delivery via the alternative delivery medium to the user in the alternative delivery medium.

41. A method according to claim 39, wherein said step of comparing includes comparing the actual recipient of said delivered information with the user requesting said information.

42. A method according to claim 39 wherein the request for information is initiated by the user.

43. A method according to claim 39 wherein the request for information is a non-user request.

37. A method for delivering information to a user comprising the following steps that are performed by a data processing system:

storing a user profile indicating a preferred delivery medium for delivering information to the user;

in response to a request for information, retrieving the requested information;

formatting the retrieved information for delivery in the preferred delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile, wherein the user preferred delivery medium is determined from the stored user profile independent of a format associated with the request;

delivering the formatted information to the user in the preferred delivery medium;

comparing said delivered formatted information with said requested information;

informing said data processing system of the results of said comparison; and

re-delivering said requested information to the user if said step of informing comprises informing said data processing system that said delivered and requested information were different.

44. A method for delivering information to a user comprising the following steps that are performed by a data processing system:

storing a user profile indicating a preferred delivery medium for delivering information to the user;

in response to a request for information, retrieving the requested information;

formatting the retrieved information for delivery in the preferred delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile wherein the user preferred delivery medium is determined from the stored user profile independent of a format associated with the request;

delivering the formatted information to the user in the preferred delivery medium; and

said delivered information having consistent presentation regardless of said preferred delivery medium.

45. A method according to claim 44, wherein the step of retrieving the requested information includes the step of providing advertising data for formatting and delivering with said requested information.

46. A method according to claim 45, wherein said step of providing advertising data further comprises providing advertising data based upon said user profile.

47. A method according to claim 46, wherein said steps of formatting and delivering said advertising materials is conducted according to said user profile and may be different from said preferred delivery medium.

48. A method according to claim 44 wherein the request for information is initiated by the user.

49. A method according to claim 44 wherein the request for information is a non-user request.

50. A method for delivering information to a user comprising the following steps that are performed by a data processing system:

storing a user profile indicating a preferred delivery medium for delivering information to the user;

in response to a request for information, retrieving the requested information;

formatting the retrieved information for delivery in the preferred delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile, wherein the user preferred delivery medium is determined from the stored user profile independent of a format associated with the request;

delivering the formatted information to the user in the preferred delivery medium;

in response to an indication that the user did not receive the information via the preferred delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile, formatting the retrieved information for delivery in an alternative delivery medium different from the preferred delivery medium, wherein the alternative delivery medium is indicated within the stored user profile; and

delivering the information formatted for delivery via the alternative delivery medium to the user in the alternative delivery medium.

51. A computer program product comprising:

at least one computer readable medium;

a database carried on the at least one computer readable medium, the database configured for storing profiles of a plurality of users, each profile for a respective user indicating a delivery medium preferred by the respective user; and

executable program code carried on the at least one computer readable medium, wherein execution of the program code by a computer causes the computer to perform the following sequence of steps;

in response to a request, retrieving requested information for an identified one of the users from storage and locating the profile of the one user in the database;

determining a preferred delivery medium from the profile of the one user, independent of a format associated with the request;

formatting the retrieved information for the preferred delivery medium determined from the profile of the one user; and

sending the formatted information via the preferred delivery medium.

52. A data processing system for delivering information to a user, comprising:

a database containing a stored user profile indicating a preferred delivery medium for delivering information to the user;

a server operable for retrieving information in response to a request, the server also being operable for formatting the retrieved information for delivery in the preferred delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile, wherein the user preferred delivery medium is determined from the stored user profile independent of a format associated with the request; and

a delivery medium operable for delivering the formatted information to the user in the preferred delivery medium.

53. A data processing system according to claim 52, wherein the server is operable for formatting the retrieved information for delivery in an alternative delivery medium different from the preferred delivery medium in response to an indication that the user did not receive the information via the preferred delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile, wherein the alternative delivery medium is indicated within the stored user profile;

and

comprising an alternative delivery medium operable for delivering the information formatted for delivery via the alternative delivery medium to the user.

54. A data processing system according to claim 53, wherein the server is operable for formatting the retrieved information as a printed document in response to an indication that the user did not receive the information via the preferred delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile, and wherein the alternative delivery media is operable for initiating delivery of the printed document from the data processing system to a user printer in communication with the data processing system.

55. A data processing system according to claim 53, wherein the server is operable for formatting the retrieved information as a paper document in response to an indication that the user did not receive the information via the preferred delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile, and wherein the data processing system further comprises a mail inserting device operable for inserting the paper document into an envelope for delivering the envelope containing the paper document to the user via a postal service.

56. A data processing system according to claim 53 wherein the server is operable for formatting the retrieved information as a printed document in response to an indication that the user did not receive the information via the preferred delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile, and wherein the alternative delivery medium is operable for delivering the printed document to a user printer in communication with the data processing system.

57. A data processing system according to claim 53, wherein the server is further operable for including additional, non-requested information with the requested information in the preferred delivery medium, and wherein the additional information is selected based on information contained within the user profile.

58. A data processing system according to claim 53, wherein the server is further operable for including additional, non-requested information with the requested information in the alternative delivery medium, and wherein the additional information is selected based on information contained within the user profile.

59. A data processing system according to claim 52, wherein the server is operable for formatting the retrieved information as an e-mail message if the preferred delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile utilizes a format of e-mail;

and wherein the delivery medium is operable for delivering the e-mail message from the data processing system to a user data processing system in communication with the data processing system.

60. A data processing system according to claim 52, wherein the server is operable for formatting the retrieved information as an HTML document if the preferred delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile utilizes a format of HTML;

and wherein the delivery medium is operable for delivering the HTML document from the data processing system to a user data processing system in communication with the data processing system.

61. A data processing system according to claim 52 wherein the server is operable for formatting the retrieved information as a fax document if the preferred delivery medium indicated in the stored user profile utilizes a format of fax;

and wherein the delivery media is operable for delivering the fax document from the data processing system to a user facsimile machine in communication with the data processing system.