System and method of data processing for a printing operation

• US 9,069,515 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2013
• Issued: 06/30/2015
• 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:
  US13/776,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20130229686A1
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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

Systems and methods relating to preparing data for use in a printing operation are provided. One method includes receiving selected records from a first data source. The selected records have been subjected to a first record characteristic updating step and the selected records comprise mail information useful for delivery of printed materials. The method further includes updating the selected records with a second record characteristic updating step. A time at which the second record characteristic updating step is performed is determined in relation to a print production schedule for the printed materials. The method further includes creating a postal pre-sort file based upon the updated selected records for use in the printing operation. The printing operation is performed on a printing device based on the pre-sorted records.

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 production of the printed materials,

updating the selected records with a second record characteristic updating step, 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, wherein the updated selected records are used to perform an electronic communication operation.

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

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, before the updating step, modifying the stored selected records based on message information.

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

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected records comprise an address and the second record characteristic updating step comprises updating the address based on national change of address data.

7. 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.

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

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

10. A data processing system comprising:

a processor configured to;

receive selected records from a first data source, wherein the selected records have been subjected to a 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;

update the selected records with a second record characteristic updating step, wherein a time at which the second record characteristic updating step is performed is determined in relation to a print production schedule for production of the printed materials; 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.

11. The system of claim 10, 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.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the selected records include an address and the data used in the first record characteristic updating step comprises national change of address data.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein data used in the second record characteristic updating step comprises national change of address data more recently updated than data used in the periodic first record characteristic updating step.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein a new recipient is added to the stored selected records based on updating the selected records with the second record characteristic updating step.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein a new message is added to the stored selected records based on updating the selected records with the second record characteristic updating step.

16. 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 first record characteristic updating step and the selected records comprise mail information useful for delivery of printed materials;

updating the selected records with a second record characteristic updating step, wherein a time at which the second record characteristic updating step is performed is determined in relation to a print production schedule for production of the printed materials and the second record characteristic updating step is performed regardless of an amount of time elapsed since the first record characteristic updating step; 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.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the mail information comprises at least two of a mailing address, a record suppression status, message information, and name information.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the selected records comprise an address and the second record characteristic updating step comprises updating the address based on national change of address data.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the 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.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein a new recipient is added to the stored selected records based on updating the selected records with the second record characteristic updating step.