Automatic generation of correspondence via an email interface

• US 20010034849A1
• Filed: 03/07/2001
• Published: 10/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Letter Services, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Letter Services, Inc.
• Inventors: Powers, Gene
• Granted Patent: US 6,446,115 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53366 Message disposing or creating aspects

Abstract

There is disclosed a process for generation, graphical composition, and delivery (or routing for delivery) of conventional forms of written correspondence. Specifically, the conventional form of written correspondence (e.g., business letter) is generated from a correspondence message, such as a text Internet email message. More specifically, a sender can initiate correspondence in a variety of formats, to multiple recipients or to group(s) of recipients, wherein there is security provided against unauthorized generation of correspondence by assumed SMTP email identities, thereby preventing “forgery” of a correspondence from the sender.

Claims

1. A process for generating completed mail objects from email or text messages from a registered sender to be received by recipients in hard copy and comprising graphical correspondence content and graphical representation of a signature, comprising:

(a) receiving a correspondence message from the registered sender containing text, recipient names or sender-specified recipient identifiers, and identity of the registered sender;

(b) locating registered sender information in a database or a plurality of databases, wherein the database or the plurality of databases comprises preferences having correspondence format information and a graphical representation of a registered sender signature;

(c) obtaining, using either the recipient names or the sender-specified recipient identifiers, recipient location information from either the database or the plurality of databases, or directly from the registered sender, wherein the database or the plurality of databases comprises names and addresses of recipients for each registered sender; and

(d) generating a completed correspondence to deliver to the recipient by one or more transmission means selected from the group consisting of transmitting a facsimile to a facsimile telephone number utilized by the recipient, transmitting an email providing or linking to a graphical representation of the correspondence to an Internet address utilized by the recipient, generating a hard copy of the completed correspondence for submission by hard copy delivery services, and combinations thereof, wherein the completed correspondence comprises the registered sender'"'"'s letter head or card graphics, registered sender'"'"'s signature and correspondence message.

2. The process of

claim 1

wherein receiving a correspondence message from the registered sender occurs via a website interface, instead of via an email.

3. The process of

claim 1

wherein the hard copy completed correspondence is generated at a location facilitating rapid delivery to the recipient using existing delivery services.

4. The process of

claim 3

wherein the completed correspondence is created at a location adjacent to an overnight courier hub.

5. The process of

claim 1

wherein the completed hard copy correspondence is sent by facsimile transmission to the recipient.

6. The process of

claim 1

wherein the database or the plurality of databases comprises names, postal addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers for recipients.

7. The process of

claim 1

wherein the database or the plurality of databases enables each registered sender to have multiple formats for documents, and to optionally customize each document format by selecting from a variety of signatures, content and identification information held for the sender.

8. The process of

claim 1

wherein transmitting an email, providing or linking to a graphical representation of the correspondence, to an Internet address utilized by the recipient involves the use of either HTML or HTML with bit-mapped formats.

9. The process of

claim 1

prior to step (d), further comprising generating a proof copy of the correspondence to be sent by email to the sender for review and approval.

10. The process of

claim 9

wherein the sender approves the proof copy of the correspondence by return email or by HTTP transmission.

11. The process of

claim 9

wherein the sender is able to change the correspondence or the preferences associated with the correspondence.

12. The process of

claim 11

wherein the preferences that can be changed are selected from the group consisting of correspondence type, letterhead or card graphics style, recipient delivery means, greeting, closing, signature, text of correspondence, and combinations thereof.

13. The process of

claim 9

wherein generating a proof copy of the correspondence to be sent by email to the sender for review and approval involves the use of either HTML or HTML with bit-mapped formats, or in text form with a URL link to either HTML or HTML with bit-mapped formats.

14. The process of

claim 1

wherein the correspondence message further comprises additional information selected from the group consisting of attachments, preferences and combinations thereof.

15. The process of

claim 14

wherein the preferences are specified on a subject line of an email message.

16. The process of

claim 1

wherein obtaining recipient location information from either the database or the plurality of databases, or directly from the registered sender, wherein the database or the plurality of databases comprises names and addresses of recipients for each registered, is achieved using the names of the recipients.

22. The process of

claim 1

, further comprising a security mechanism directed to precluding either creation, or transmission of a forged correspondence to a recipient.

23. The process of

claim 22

wherein the security mechanism directed to precluding either creation, or transmission of a forged correspondence to a recipient is selected from the group consisting of password-controlled access to a POP server, public key/private key encryption, digital signatures, firewalls, SQL or VPN interfaces, database architecture and combinations thereof.

24. The process of

claim 1

, further comprising a security mechanism directed to precluding theft of sender information.

25. The process of

claim 24

wherein the security mechanism directed to precluding theft of sender information is selected from the group consisting of public key/private key encryption, digital signatures, firewalls, SQL or VPN interfaces, database architecture and combinations thereof.

17. A system or an apparatus for generating completed mail objects from e-mail messages from registered senders to be received by recipients in remote locations in hard copy, Fax transmission or HTML email and comprising message information, graphical letterhead or card content, and graphical representation of a signature, comprising:

(a) a computer or server means for receiving a correspondence message from the registered sender containing text and other information to be included in a correspondence;

(b) a database or plurality of databases having registered sender information and preferences, wherein the database or the plurality of databases comprises a sender'"'"'s preferences for correspondence format information, recipient information and a graphical representation of a registered sender signature;

(c) recipient location information, wherein the source of the recipient location information is from either the database or the plurality of databases, or from the registered sender, wherein the database or the plurality of databases comprises names and addresses of recipients for each registered sender; and

(d) a remote or local facility for generating a completed hard copy correspondence at a location facilitating rapid delivery to the recipient using existing delivery services, wherein the completed correspondence comprises the registered sender'"'"'s letter head, registered sender'"'"'s signature and correspondence message, or a Fax server for generating a fax correspondence telephoned to the recipient'"'"'s fax, or an Email server for sending the correspondence in HTML or HTML with bit-mapped formats, or in text form with a URL link to either HTML or HTML with bit-mapped formats.

18. The system or apparatus for generating completed mail objects from email messages of

claim 17

wherein the completed hard copy correspondence is created at a location adjacent to an overnight courier hub.

19. The system or apparatus for generating completed mail objects from email messages of

claim 17

wherein the completed hard copy correspondence is sent by facsimile transmission to the recipient.

20. The system or apparatus for generating completed mail objects from email messages of

claim 17

wherein the database or the plurality of databases comprises names, postal addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers for recipients.

21. The system or apparatus for generating completed mail objects from email messages of

claim 17

wherein the database or the plurality of databases enables each registered sender to have multiple formats for documents, and to optionally customize each document format by selecting from a variety of signatures, content and identification information held for the sender.