System and method for structured news release generation and distribution

• US 7,035,848 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2002
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kolomoki Mounds LLC
• Original Assignee: Newsgems LLC
• Inventors: Shapiro, Eileen C., Mintz, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Choules, Jack M.
• Application Number:
  US10/108,239
• Publication Number:
  US 20020138493A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,492 Days
• Field of Search: 707/10, 707/100, 707/5, 707/102, 715/513, 715/514, 715517-525
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/103 Formatting, i.e. changing of presentation of documents automatic justification G06F40/189; automatic line break hyphenation G06F40/191
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99937 Sorting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

A mechanism for the structured generation of a news release includes in one embodiment, (a) separately specifying the content of each of a plurality of predetermined sections of the news release; (b) storing, in a digital storage medium, the content specified for each of the sections; (c) assembling the news release by retrieving from the storage medium each of the stored sections; and (d) distributing the news release to a group of recipients, the group selected based on content from the news release. Embodiments are operative over a network such as the Internet. Related embodiments also include a system and an E-Mail message conveying a structured news release.

Claims

1. A method for structured generation and distribution of a news release, the method comprising:

separately specifying content of each of a plurality of pre-determined sections of the news release, the predetermined sections and their ordering determining in part a desired format for the news release;

storing, in a digital storage medium, the content specified for each of the sections;

assembling the news release by retrieving from the storage medium each of the stored sections in a manner consistent with the desired format;

identifying at least one key word in at least one of the sections;

identifying at least one class of recipients, from a plurality of classes, for the news release based on the at least one key word; and

distributing the news release to recipients of the at least one class.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein identifying the at least one class of recipients for the news release comprises:

maintaining a list of potential recipients, each potential recipient placed in at least one of the plurality of classes.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sections includes a key words section including a number of key words, and wherein identifying the at least one key word is based on the key words in the key words section.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

sending a questionnaire to each recipient eliciting each recipient'"'"'s degree of preference for the news release.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the questionnaire is sent to the recipients as an email message.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein the questionnaire is included in the news release.

7. A method according to claim 4, wherein the questionnaire is included as an attachment to the news release.

8. A method according to claim 4, wherein a link to the questionnaire is included in the news release.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the link is an HTML link.

10. A method according to claim 4, further comprising:

receiving feedback from at least one recipient based on the questionnaire;

analyzing the feedback to determine recipient preferences; and

updating the members of the classes based on the feedback.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein analyzing the feedback comprises collaborative filtering.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the news release is distributed as an email message.

13. A method for structured generation and distribution of a news release over a network, the method comprising:

a. from a computer at a first location, separately specifying over a network to a host computer, content of each of a plurality of pre-determined sections of the news release, the predetermined sections and their ordering determining in part a desired format for the news release;

b. storing, in a digital storage medium in communication with the host computer, the content specified for each of the sections;

c. assembling the news release by retrieving from the storage medium each of the stored sections in a manner consistent with the desired format;

d. identifying at least one key word in at least one of the sections;

e. identifying at least one class of recipients, from a plurality of classes, for the news release based on the at least one key word; and

f. distributing the news release to recipients of the at least one class.

14. A system for the structured generation and distribution of a news release over a network, the system comprising:

a. a host computer, in communication with a remote computer over a network, the host computer running a first process causing the host computer to receive, from the remote computer, separately specified content of each of a plurality of pre-determined sections of the news release, the predetermined sections and their ordering determining in part a desired format for the news release;

b. a digital storage medium, in communication with the host computer, that stores the content specified for each of the sections;

c. a second process, running on a computer in communication with the digital storage medium, that assembles the news release by retrieving from the storage medium each of the stored sections in a manner consistent with the desired format; and

d. a third process, running on a computer in communication with the digital storage medium, that identifies at least one key word in at least one of the sections;

identifies at least one class of recipients, from a plurality of classes, for the news release based on the at least one key word; and

distributes the news release to recipients of the at least one class.