Patent ID: 6337743
Filing Date: 2002-01-08
Classification: G07B

Abstract:
A method of extracting an address data from a print stream in a data processing system, comprising the steps of:(a) initiating said print stream at a remote application; (b) transmitting said print stream through a graphical device interface to a virtual driver; (c) selecting either an eavesdrop mode or an intercept mode from a plurality of data interface modes at said virtual driver wherein said selected data interface mode interfaces with an address parsing application; wherein said eavesdrop mode allowing said virtual driver to pass said print stream through to said output device and producing a duplicate copy of said print stream transmitted to a server wherein steps of parsing said print stream by said address parsing application is carried out on the duplicate copy of said print stream; and said intercept mode allowing said virtual driver to pass said print stream directly to said server wherein said the steps of parsing said print stream is carried out at said the server; (d) parsing said print stream at said address parsing application, wherein said address parsing application further performs the steps of: i. selecting an address parsing module wherein said address parsing module comprises parsing instructions; ii. parsing said print stream to identify address data resident in said print stream in accordance with said parsing instructions; and iii. compiling an address list comprising said address data; (e) retaining said identified address data in a database for future use; and (f) printing said print stream at a selected output device.