System and method of data processing for a communications operation

• US 8,386,528 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2008
• Issued: 02/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quad Graphics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Quad Graphics, Inc.
• Inventors: Blohm, Eric, Henke, Jeffrey S.
• Primary Examiner(s): HASAN, SYED HAROON
• Application Number:
  US12/112,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20090276466A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,763 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 707/802
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1243 Variable data printing, e.g. document forms, templates, labels, coupons, advertisements, logos, watermarks, transactional printing, fixed content versioning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1293 Printer information exchange with computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1296 Printer job scheduling or printer resource handling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/01 Customer relationship services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history

Abstract

A data processing system comprises an interface configured to communicate with a data source, a memory, and a reference data module. The data processing system comprises a processor which is configured to communicate with the memory, the interface, and the reference module. The processor is further configured to request a first list from the data source. The first list comprises a record. The record being modified based on a comparison of a data characteristic to a first reference data. The processor is further configured to receive the first list from the data source for a communication operation and to compare the data characteristic of the first list to a second reference data. The processor is further configured to generate a second list based on comparing the data characteristic of the first list to the second reference data.

Claims

1. A method of preparing data for use in a printing operation, comprising:

receiving selected records from a first data source, wherein the selected records have been subjected to a periodic first record characteristic updating step and the selected records comprise mail information useful for delivery of printed materials;

storing the selected records from the first data source in a second data source for use in the printing operation using one or more computing devices;

preparing a print production schedule for the printed materials, updating the selected records with a second record characteristic updating step,

wherein the second record characteristic updating step is based on mail information received from a memory, the memory being located remote from the first data source, the second data source, and the one or more computing devices, and

wherein a time at which the second record characteristic updating step is performed is determined in relation to the print production schedule; and

creating a postal pre-sort file based upon the updated selected records for use in the printing operation, wherein the printing operation is performed on a printing device based on the pre-sorted records.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising printing the updated selected records.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the records comprise a non-address data associated with a targeted recipient.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the updated records are used to perform an electronic communication operation.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the mail information is a mailing address.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising, before the updating step, modifying the stored data based on a record suppression status.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, before the updating step, modifying the stored data based on message information.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the mail information is a name information.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the mail information is at least two of a mailing address, a record suppression status, a message information, and a name information.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected records include an address and the mail information comprises national change of address data.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein a new recipient is added to the stored selected records based on the updating the selected records with the second record characteristic updating step.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the new recipient is added prior to creating the postal pre-sort file.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein a new message is added to the stored selected records based on the updating the selected records with the second record characteristic updating step.

14. The method program product of claim 1, further comprising printing, on the printing device, a material based on the postal pre-sort file.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising mailing the material that was printed based on the postal pre-sort file.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected records are used to perform an electronic communication operation.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the periodic first record characteristic updating step comprises updating the selected records with national change of address data, and wherein the second record characteristic updating step comprises updating the selected records with national change of address data more recently updated than those used in the first record characteristic updating step.

18. A data processing system comprising an interface configured to communicate with a data source, a memory, and a reference data module, comprising:

a processor configured to communicate with the memory, the interface, and the reference module, the processor configured to;

receive selected records from a first data source, wherein the selected records have been subjected to a periodic first record characteristic updating step and the selected records comprise mail information useful for delivery of printed materials;

store the selected records from the first data source in a second data source for use in a printing operation using one or more computing devices;

prepare a print production schedule for the printed materials,

update the selected records with a second record characteristic updating step,

wherein the second record characteristic updating step is based on mail information received from a memory, the memory being located remote from the first data source, the second data source, and the one or more computing devices, and

wherein a time at which the second record characteristic updating step is performed is determined in relation to the print production schedule; and

create a postal pre-sort file based upon the updated selected records for use in the printing operation, wherein the printing operation is performed on a printing device based on the pre-sorted records.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the selected records updated with the second record characteristic updating step include at least one of a mailing address, a record suppression status, a message status, and a name information.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the selected records include an address and the data used in the periodic first record characteristic updating step comprises national change of address data.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the mail information received from the memory and used in the second record characteristic updating step comprises national change of address data more recently updated than the data used in the periodic first record characteristic updating step.