Document integration and distribution system, method and device

• US 9,613,049 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2013
• Issued: 04/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Applied Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Bloom, Sven-Eric M., Gorczowiski, Robert E., Premji, Nurdin, Cronin, Michael B., Smith, Philip J., Williams, Meredith A., Ustinov, Tracy E., Beal, Matthew R., Mahaffey, Charles O.
• Primary Examiner(s): LU, KUEN S
• Application Number:
  US13/871,998
• Publication Number:
  US 20130238678A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,439 Days
• Field of Search: 707802
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/183 Provision of network file services by network file servers, e.g. by using NFS, CIFS network file access protocols H04L67/1097
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/93 Document management systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A system is configured to receive a data file from an electronic device. The system, in one embodiment, is operable to receive a user'"'"'s selection of a party together with information input by the user. The system is operable to send the data file to the selected party. The system stores, in association with the selected party, the input information and data related to the sending of the data file.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a processor; and

a data storage device configured to store a plurality of data files related to a plurality of different parties and a plurality of instructions, the data storage device being accessible, over a network, by the processor and at least one electronic device;

wherein the instructions are executed by the processor to;

(a) receive a data file from the plurality of data files stored on the electronic device;

(b) convert the data file from an initial format to a portable format;

(c) receive the converted data file;

(d) combine the converted data file with another one of the plurality of data files to result in a combination data file;

(e) receive a selection of one of the parties to receive the combination data file;

(f) receive activity management data which is generated at the electronic device and which is related to the combination data file;

(g) send the combination data file to the selected party; and

(h) store the combination data file and the activity management data within the data storage device, the combination data file and the activity management data being associated with the selected party.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the data file includes account data related to a plurality of accounts of the parties, the account data including at least an identifier of each one of the parties.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the activity management data includes follow-up management data related to following-up with the selected party regarding the data file sent to the selected party.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of the instructions are executed by the processor to:

(a) receive an input after the combination data file is sent; and

(b) cause a display of an account interface, the account interface displaying;

(i) a data file list section including a description of the sent combination data file; and

(ii) at least part of the activity management data.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of the instructions are executed by the processor to receive a selection of one of a plurality of different distribution methods, the combination data file being sent according to the selected distribution method.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the distribution methods include email, fax and mail earner.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the data storage device is configured to store at least one other data file in association with the selected party, a plurality of the instructions are executed by the processor to:

(a) receive a selection of the other combination data file; and

(b) send to the selected party, the other data file along with the data file.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the data storage device is configured to store an instruction set, wherein the plurality of the instructions are executed by the processor to:

(a) enable the electronic device to install a copy of the instruction set onto the electronic device, the electronic device being operable to generate the data file;

(b) receive a message from the electronic device after the electronic device has generated the data file; and

(c) cause a display of a file integration interface in response to the message, the file integration interface having;

(i) a data file list section which displays a description of the data file;

(ii) a party selection section;

(iii) a distribution method selection section; and

(iv) an activity management data input section.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the data storage device stores a plurality of data fields, the data fields including an insurance policy data field, an insured party data field and an insurance provider data field.

10. A system comprising:

a data storage device configured to store a plurality of accounts related to a plurality of different parties, each of the accounts being related to a plurality of data files, the data storage device being accessible, over a network, by a processor and at least one electronic device;

a file conversion instruction set stored within the data storage device;

a plurality of instructions stored within the data storage device, the instructions are executed by the processor to;

(a) enable the electronic device to install a copy of the file conversion instruction set onto the electronic device, the electronic device being operable to execute the file conversion instruction set to convert a data file from an initial format to a portable format;

(c) combine the converted data file with another one of the data files in response to a combine request, the combining resulting in a combination data file;

(d) receive a selection of one of the accounts which identifies an electronic location for sending the combination data file;

(e) receive activity management data which is generated at the electronic device and which is related to the combination data file and the selected account;

(f) store the combination data file and the activity management data within the data storage device, the combination data file and the activity management data being associated with the selected account; and

(g) send the combination data file to an electronic destination associated with the selected account.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the file conversion instruction set includes a virtual printer driver.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the activity management data includes follow-up management data related to following-up with the selected account regarding the combination data file sent to the electronic destination.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein a plurality of the instructions are executed by the processor to:

(a) receive an input after the combination data file is sent; and

(b) cause a display of an account interface, the account interface displaying;

(i) a data file list including a description of the sent combination data file; and

(ii) at least part of the activity management data.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the data storage device stores a plurality of data fields, the data fields including an insurance policy data field, an insured party data field and an insurance provider data field.

15. A method comprising:

electronically storing a plurality of computer-readable instructions and a plurality of data files related to a plurality of different parties in an electronic device; and

electronically executing the computer-readable instructions to;

(a) receive a data file from the plurality of data files stored on the electronic device;

(b) convert the data file from an initial format to a portable format;

(c) receive the converted data file;

(d) combine the converted data file with another one of the plurality of data files to result in a combination data file;

(e) receive a selection of one of the parties to receive the combination data file;

(f) receive activity management data which is generated at the electronic device and which is related to the combination data file;

(g) send the combination data file to the selected party; and

(h) store the combination data file and the activity management data within the data storage device, the combination data file and the activity management data being associated with the selected party.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein receiving the activity management data includes receiving follow-up management data related to following-up with the selected party regarding the combination data file sent to the selected party.

17. The method of claim 15, which includes electronically executing the computer readable instructions to:

(a) receive an input after the combination data file is sent; and

(b) cause a display of an account interface, the account interface displaying;

(i) a data file list including a description of the sent combination data file; and

(ii) at least part of the activity management data.

18. The method of claim 15, which includes electronically executing the computer readable instructions to receive a selection of one of a plurality of different distribution methods, the combination data file being sent according to the selected distribution method.

19. The method of claim 15, which includes electronically executing the computer readable instructions to:

(a) store at least one other data file in association with the selected party;

(b) receive a selection of the other data file; and

(c) send to the selected party, the other data file along with the data file.

20. The method of claim 15, which includes electronically executing the computer readable instructions to:

(a) store an instruction set;

(b) enable the electronic device to install a copy of the instruction set onto the electronic device, the electronic device being operable to generate the data file;

(c) receive a message from the electronic device after the electronic device has generated the data file; and

(d) cause a display of a file integration interface in response to the message, the file integration interface having;

(i) a data file list section which displays a description of the data file;

(ii) a party selection section;

(iii) a distribution method selection section; and

(iv) an activity management data input section.