Automatic generation of graphically-composed correspondence via a text email-interface

• US 6,438,584 B1
• Filed: 03/07/2000
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Letter Services, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Letter Services, Inc.
• Inventors: Powers, Gene
• Primary Examiner(s): Barot, Bharat
• Application Number:
  US09/520,654
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 709/200-203, 709/205-207, 709/217-218, 709/238, 709/232, 709/245-246, 358/402-403, 358/407, 358/440-442, 358/458, 455/412-419, 455/445, 345/752
• US Class Current: 709/206
• 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

A system and method for generation, graphical composition, and delivery (or routing for delivery) of conventional forms of written correspondence. Specifically, the conventional form of written correspondence (i.e., business letter) is generated from 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 method for generating completed mail objects from e-mail or text message from a registered sender to be received by recipients, the mail objects having graphical correspondence content and graphical representation of a signature, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a correspondence message from the registered sender containing text, names of recipients, and identity of the registered sender;

(b) locating pre-registered sender information in a database, wherein the database comprises preferences having correspondence format information and a graphical representation of a registered sender'"'"'s letter head and a registered sender signature;

(c) obtaining recipient location information from either the database containing names and addresses of recipients for each registered sender or directly from the registered sender; and

(d) generating a completed correspondence to deliver to a 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 e-mail providing or linking to a graphical representation of the completed 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 a correspondence message along with integrated graphic preferences, the graphic preferences including the registered sender'"'"'s letter head and the registered sender signature.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the text message is supplied to a website interface instead of an email.

3. The method 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 method of claim 3 wherein the completed correspondence is created at a location adjacent to an overnight courier hub.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the hard copy completed correspondence is sent by facsimile transmission to the recipient'"'"'s fax machine.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the database includes names, postal addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers for recipients.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the database includes the potential for each registered sender to have multiple formats for documents, to have multiple signatures for different individuals registered with a particular registered sender, and identification information to include with each correspondence.

8. The method 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.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the sender approves the proof copy of the correspondence by return email or by HTTP transmission.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the sender is able to change the correspondence or the preferences associated with the correspondence.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the preferences that can be changed are selected from the group consisting of letterhead style, recipient delivery means, greeting, closing, signature, text of correspondence, and combinations thereof.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the correspondence message further comprises additional information selected from the group consisting of attachments, preferences, and combinations thereof.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the preferences are specified on a subject line of an email message.

14. 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 e-mail, the mail objects having message information, graphical letterhead, 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 having pre-registered sender information and preferences, wherein the database comprises a sender'"'"'s preferences for correspondence format information, recipient information and address, and a graphical representation of a registered sender'"'"'s letter head and a registered sender signature;

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

(d) a remote or local facility for generating a completed correspondence in a hard copy at a location facilitating rapid delivery to a recipient using existing delivery services, or a Fax server for generating the completed correspondence in a Fax correspondence telephoned to the recipient'"'"'s fax, or an E-mail server for sending the completed correspondence in an HTML format to the recipient, wherein the completed correspondence comprises a correspondence message along with integrated graphic preferences, the graphic preferences including the registered sender'"'"'s letter head and the registered sender signature.

15. The system for generating completed mail objects from e-mail messages of claim 14 wherein the hard copy completed correspondence is created at a location adjacent to an overnight courier hub.

16. The system for generating completed mail objects from e-mail messages of claim 14 wherein the completed hard copy completed correspondence is sent by facsimile transmission to the recipient'"'"'s fax machine.

17. The system for generating completed mail objects from e-mail messages of claim 14 wherein the database includes names, postal addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers for recipients.

18. The system for generating completed mail objects from e-mail messages of claim 14 wherein the database includes the potential for each registered sender to have multiple formats for documents, to have multiple signatures for different individuals registered with a particular registered sender, and identification information to include with each correspondence.