Patent Publication Number: US-6701315-B1

Title: Systems, methods, and computer program products for delivering information in a preferred medium

Description:
This is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/966,183, filed Nov. 7, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,157,924 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to data processing systems, methods, and computer program products, and more particularly to data processing systems, methods, and computer program products for delivering information. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An important form of communication between businesses and customers has traditionally been “paper-based” communication, such as letters and bills mailed via a postal service. For example, it is estimated that merchants spend about $10 billion per year for printing and mailing of bills to customers. It is also estimated that banks account for about 6% of all first-class U.S. mail and that insurance companies and credit card companies account for about 4.5% and 4%, respectively. 
     However, significant interest has been expressed recently regarding alternative, non-paper methods of communication. The term “alternative messaging” refers to the distribution of information using alternative delivery media, including, but not limited to, facsimile transmissions (fax), electronic mail (e-mail), Internet, on-line banking, and the like. For example, in 1995, there were 550,000 on-line banking users performing about 45 million transactions. It has been estimated that these figures might grow to 3.9 million users conducting about 600 million transactions by the year 2000. The World Wide Web (hereinafter the “Web”) has also become a popular medium for the exchange of information and for electronic commerce. Literally millions of new Web pages have been developed in the past several years as more and more individuals, businesses and organizations have discovered the power of Internet marketing. One reason for the Web&#39;s popularity is that it facilitates interactive communications between businesses and their customers. 
     Alternative messaging may also be more cost effective than traditional paper-based communications, such as mail, not only because of the higher cost of paper, printing and postage, but also because of the speed of electronic communications. Electronic financial transactions can occur almost instantaneously and have historically had fewer errors than comparable paper-based transactions. Additionally, error resolution time has been historically less than that for comparable paper-based transactions. 
     Unfortunately, alternative messaging has to date been met with resistance from both businesses and consumers for various reasons. Businesses have found it difficult to adapt legacy information systems to different delivery media with a consistent format. Additionally, many businesses may be reluctant to expend large amounts of money on upgrading existing communications infrastructures. Concern has also been expressed over the ability to ensure integrity of information transmitted via alternative messaging systems. “Mail-piece” integrity methods and systems are well established for traditional paper-based mail communications, but are virtually non-existent for non-paper communications. The term “mail-piece” generically refers to any single unit of communication (i.e., a piece of mail, an e-mail, fax, etc.). 
     Consumers have also shown a reluctance to embrace alternative messaging because of the perception that information transmitted via e-mail or over the Web is less secure than traditional paper-based mail. In addition, traditional mail-merge technologies may allow businesses to somewhat “personalize” communications with consumers via paper-based mail. Unfortunately, the extension of personalized communications to alternative messaging media may not achieve the same level of personalization as traditional paper-based mail. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to facilitate alternative messaging between businesses and their customers wherein a variety of delivery media can be utilized to communicate information. 
     It is another object of the present invention to facilitate interactive alternative messaging between businesses and their customers. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to facilitate maintaining the integrity of information transmitted via alternative messaging systems. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to facilitate the provision of a consistent interface and/or presentation of information, regardless of the medium in which information is delivered. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to promote personalized marketing and communications in alternative messaging systems. 
     These and other objects of the present invention are provided by methods, systems and computer program products for delivering information to a user in one or more preferred delivery media. When more than one delivery media is utilized, the present invention facilitates maintaining a consistent format among the various delivery media. A user profile, indicating a user&#39;s preferred delivery medium (or media), is retrievably stored, preferably within a data processing system. The user profile can be modified by the user or by the provider of information, or both. The user profile can also be updated automatically using information contained within the request for information. Preferred delivery media includes, but is not limited to: e-mail; browser-readable documents such as HyperText Markup Language (HTML) documents; fax; printed copy; and mail. 
     When a user request for information is received, the user&#39;s stored profile is searched to determine the preferred delivery medium (or media) within which to deliver the requested information to the user. Alternatively, a user may specify a preferred delivery medium in the request for information. Regardless of how the preferred delivery medium is determined, the requested information is then retrieved and formatted according to the preferred delivery medium. If the preferred delivery medium is e-mail, the retrieved information is formatted as an e-mail message and delivered to the user as an e-mail message. If the preferred delivery medium is HTML, the retrieved information is formatted as an HTML (or other browser readable) document and delivered to the user as an HTML document. If the preferred delivery medium is fax, the retrieved information is formatted as a fax document and “faxed” to the user. If the preferred delivery medium is printed copy, the retrieved information is formatted as a printed document and printed on a printer accessible by the user. If the preferred delivery medium is mail, the retrieved information is formatted as a paper document and mailed to the user. 
     Preferably, information formatted into an e-mail message or HTML document is delivered from a data processing system incorporating the present invention to a user data processing system in communication therewith. Preferably, information formatted into a fax document is delivered from a data processing system incorporating the present invention to a user facsimile machine in communication with the data processing system. Preferably, information formatted into a printed copy is delivered from a data processing system incorporating the present invention to a user printer in communication with the data processing system. Preferably, information formatted into mail is printed as a paper document and mailed to the user. 
     The present invention is particularly useful with mail inserting devices and systems. A data processing system incorporating the present invention can work in conjunction with a mail inserting device to print the retrieved information as a paper document, insert the printed document into an envelope, and deliver the envelope containing the printed document to a postal service for subsequent delivery to the user. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, the integrity of information delivered to a user can be verified, regardless of the delivery medium. Integrity verification may include, but is not limited to, determining whether the information was delivered to the correct user, whether the correct information was delivered to the user, and whether all of the information was delivered to a user (i.e., whether all of the pages of a document were delivered). With respect to mail as a delivery medium, integrity verification may include ensuring that a paper document inserted into an envelope via an inserting device contains the requested information in its entirety and that it is formatted correctly. Furthermore, the present invention may work in conjunction with document printing systems upstream of mail inserting devices to insure that documents are streamed correctly towards the mail inserting devices. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, additional, non-requested information may be included with the requested information in the preferred delivery medium. Exemplary additional information includes advertising and the like. Typically, the additional information is selected based on information contained within the user profile. 
     Preferably, encryption and other security techniques are incorporated into requests for information from a user and into the delivery of information to a user. For example, it is preferred that information is encrypted prior to its delivery to the user if the preferred delivery medium is e-mail or HTML. 
     The present invention can allow a customer to designate what type of delivery medium he/she is to receive information in. Furthermore, the present invention can ensure that the information delivered to a customer has a consistent presentation and format regardless of the delivery medium. The present invention can also allow information to be tailored to individual customers. Businesses can engage in “one-on-one” marketing with the efficiencies and cost-effectiveness of mass marketing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a client and server in communication via a computer network. 
     FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a client accessing a hypertext document, such as a Web page hosted by a Web server. 
     FIG. 3 is schematic illustration of an alternative messaging system, according to aspects of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4A is an exemplary interactive user interface for a customer utilizing a Statement Distribution Application, according to aspects of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4B is an exemplary “Personal Information” user interface, according to aspects of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4C is an exemplary “Retrieve an Archived Statement” user interface, according to aspects of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4D is an exemplary “Account Information” user interface, according to aspects of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4E is an exemplary statement transmitted to a customer in spreadsheet format, according to aspects of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4F is an exemplary statement transmitted to a customer in e-mail format, according to aspects of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4G illustrates advertising information available to a customer from the e-mail statement illustrated in FIG.  4 F. 
     FIG. 4H illustrates information presented to a customer for a particular company in a format combining Web site information and news service information. 
     FIG. 5 is an exemplary interactive user interface for a business utilizing an Electronic Insertion Application, according to aspects of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 6A-6E are flowcharts schematically illustrating various operations of an alternative messaging system, according to aspects of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 a schematic diagram of a system for monitoring and controlling multiple mail processing systems, in accordance with the present invention 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention now is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
     As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the present invention may be embodied as a method, data processing system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code means embodied in the medium. Any suitable computer readable medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices. 
     The software for implementing the present invention comprises a plurality of modules, each controlling operations described in detail below. Preferably, each module comprises computer code written Java®. However, the present invention may be written in other object oriented programming languages such C++ and Smalltalk, and in other procedural programming languages such as BASIC, FORTRAN or COBOL. Preferably, the software runs on current standard Web server platforms such as, but not limited to, Windows 95®, Windows NT®, UNIX®, OS/2®, Sun Solaris®, and Apache. Portions of the software is designed to execute within the browser on the client. The present invention utilizes, in part, many standard features of current client-server and desk-top configurations, such as the ability to store data locally, connect to the Internet, and display visual information. 
     The present invention is described below with reference to flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to an embodiment of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks. 
     Accordingly, blocks of the flowchart illustrations support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
     The Internet 
     The Internet is a worldwide decentralized network of computers having the ability to communicate with each other. The Internet has gained broad recognition as a viable medium for communicating and interacting across multiple networks. The Web was created in the early 1990&#39;s, and is comprised of servers (computers connected to the Internet) having hypertext documents or Web pages stored therewithin. These Web pages are accessible by client devices (hereinafter “clients”) using browser programs (hereinafter “browsers”) utilizing the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Exemplary browsers include Netscape Navigator® (Netscape Communications Corporation, Mountain View, Calif.) and Internet Explorer® (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash.). Browsers typically provide a graphical user interface for retrieving and viewing Web pages hosted by HTTP servers. 
     A Web page, using a standard page description language known as HyperText Markup Language (HTML), typically displays text and graphics, and can play sound, animation, and video clips. HTML provides basic document formatting and allows a Web page developer to specify hypertext links (typically manifested as highlighted text) to other servers and files. When a user selects a particular hypertext link, the Web browser reads and interprets the address, called a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) associated with the link, connects the client with the Web server at that address, and makes a TCP/IP request for the Web page identified in the link. The server then sends the requested Web page to the client in HTML format which the browser interprets and displays to the user. 
     A URL gives the type of resource being accessed (e.g., Gopher, WAIS) and optionally the path of the file sought. For example: resource://host.domain/path/filename, wherein the resource can be “file”, “http”, “gopher”, “WAIS”, “news”, or “telnet”. Through the Web, users can access the various Internet services, including Gopher, Telnet, and FTP. 
     Client-Server Communications 
     Preferably, the present invention is carried out in a client/server communications environment where both customers and businesses communicate with servers via client machines. As is known to those with skill in the art, client-server environments may include public networks, such as the Internet, and private networks often referred to as “Intranets” and “Extranets.” Hereinafter, all references to Web pages shall include Web pages residing on servers connected to the Internet and Web pages residing on servers connected to an Intranet and/or Extranet. Hereinafter, the term “Internet” shall incorporate the terms “Intranet” and “Extranet” and any references to accessing the Internet shall be understood to mean accessing an Intranet and/or and Extranet, as well. Hereinafter, the term “computer network” shall incorporate publicly accessible computer networks and private computer networks. The term “hypertext document” shall include Web pages residing within HTTP servers (also referred to as Web servers). 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, users may access the Internet via a computer or terminal referred to as a client  10 . Exemplary clients  10  may include, but are not limited to, an Apple®, Sun Microsystems®, IBM®, or IBM-compatible personal computer. A client  10  preferably includes a central processing unit  11 , a display  12 , a pointing device  13 , a keyboard  14 , access to persistent data storage, and an Internet connection  16  for connecting to the Internet  17 . The keyboard  14 , having a plurality of keys thereon, is in communication with the central processing unit  11 . A pointing device  13 , such as a mouse, is also connected to the central processing unit  11 . The Internet connection  16  may be made via a modem  15  connected to traditional phone lines, an ISDN link, a T1 link, a T3 link, via cable television, via an ethernet network, and the like. The Internet connection  16  may be made via a third party, such as an “Internet Service Provider” (“ISP”). The Internet connection  16  may be made either by a direct connection of the client  10  to the Internet or indirectly via another device connected to the Internet. In the latter case, the client  10  is typically connected to this device via a local or wide area network (LAN or WAN). Preferably, data transfer rates between a client  10  and a server are equal to, or greater than, fourteen thousand four hundred baud (14,400 baud). However, lower data transfer rates are sometimes encountered. 
     The central processing unit  11  contains one or more microprocessors (not shown) or other computational devices and random access memory (not shown) or its functional equivalent, including but not limited to, RAM, FLASHRAM, and VRAM for storing programs therein for processing by the microprocessor(s) or other computational devices. A portion of the random access memory and/or persistent data storage, referred to as “cache,” is often utilized during communications between a client  10  and a server (described in detail below) to store various data transferred from the server. 
     Preferably, a client  10  has an Intel® Pentium® processor (or equivalent) with at least thirty-two megabytes (32 MB) of RAM, and at least five megabytes (5 MB) of persistent computer storage  15  for caching. However, it is to be understood that various processors may be utilized to carry out the present invention without being limited to those enumerated herein. Although a color display is preferable, a black and white display or standard broadcast or cable television monitor may be used. A client  10 , if an IBM®, or IBM-compatible personal computer, preferably utilizes either a Windows®3.1, Windows 95®, Windows NT®, Unix®, or OS/2® operating system. However, it is to be understood that a terminal not having computational capability, such as an IBM® 3270 terminal or a network computer (NC), or having limited computational capability, such as a network PC (Net PC) may be utilized in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for accessing the Internet in a client capacity. 
     A user accesses a Web page by establishing a TCP connection between the client  10  and a server  20  (referred to hereinafter as a Web server) hosting the Web page. For the majority of Internet communications, a client communicates with a Web server using HTTP protocol over the TCP connection between the client and Web server. The data transferred between the client and the Web server are HTTP data objects (e.g. HTML data). A Web server may be a proxy that receives requests from a number of clients and routes the requests to the appropriate Web server. A Web server may also be referred to as an HTTP server. 
     A Web server  20  may have a configuration similar to that of a client  10  and may include a central processing unit  21 , a display  22 , a pointing device  23 , a keyboard  24 , access to persistent data storage  25 , and an Internet connection  26  for connecting to the Internet  17  via a modem  25 , or otherwise. It is preferable that a Web server have an Intel® Pentium® processor or equivalent, at least sixteen megabytes (32 MB) of RAM, and at least eight hundred megabytes (800 MB) of data storage. However, a Web server  20  may be implemented using other processors and via other computing devices, including, but not limited to, mainframe computing systems and minicomputers. Web server software handles requests from clients for documents, whether they are text, graphic, multimedia, or virtual. The Web server software may run under the operating system of the Web server. 
     Other types of servers, such as fax servers and mail servers, may be utilized by the present invention. As used throughout, the term “server” shall include all types of servers including Web, fax, mail, and the like, without limitation. As would be understood by those skilled in the art, fax servers, mail servers, and the like also typically include a central processing unit, a display, a pointing device, a keyboard, access to persistent data storage, and an Internet connection for connecting to the Internet. These servers may have configurations and requirements similar to those of Web servers. These servers may also be implemented using other processors and via other computing devices, including, but not limited to, mainframe computing systems and mini-computers. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, accessing a Web page hosted by a Web server is schematically illustrated. During a typical communication, a client  10 , via a browser residing on the client, makes a TCP/IP request for a Web page  30  from the host Web server  20  and displays the Web page on the client display device  12 . If the displayed Web page  30  contains a hypertext link  32 , the user can activate that link, and the browser will retrieve the linked Web page  34  from its host Web server  36 . 
     It is understood that a client or Web server, fax server, mail server or other apparatus configured to execute program code embodied within computer usable media, operates as means for performing the various functions and carries out the methods of the various operations of the present invention. 
     Java® 
     Preferably, the present invention is implemented in the Java® programming language. Java® is an object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems, Mountain View, Calif. Java® is a portable and architecturally neutral language. Java® source code is compiled into a machine-independent format that can be run on any machine with a Java® runtime system known as the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). The JVM is defined as an imaginary machine that is implemented by emulating a processor through the use of software on a real machine. Accordingly machines running under diverse operating systems, including UNIX, Windows NT®, and MacIntosh® having a JVM can execute the same Java® program. 
     Web browsers including Netscape Navigator® and Microsoft Internet Explorer® are referred to as Java-enabled browsers because they include a version of the JVM. Java® applets are programs written in Java®) and configured to run within Java-enabled browsers. Handled in a manner similar to the way images are handled, Java® applets are displayed as part of a HyperText Mark Up Language (HTML) document. When an applet is loaded, it can present special effects, such as animation, graphics, and sound, perform real-time data updates and applications, and can interact with a user through a mouse, keyboard and various interface elements such as buttons, slides and text fields. 
     Java® source code is compiled into bytecode using a Java® compiler referred to as a Javac. Compiled Java programs are saved in files with the extension “.class”. When a Java-enabled Web browser recognizes that an applet has been requested, a Java® interpreter program runs the applet bytecode on the JVM. The Java® programming language and Java® applets are described in  Java in a Nutshell , O&#39;Reilly &amp; Associates, Inc., 1996, Sebastopol, Calif., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Java® applets are considered more powerful and flexible for creating interactive user interfaces than HTML forms and CGI script. Handled in a manner similar to the way images are handled, Java® applets are displayed as part of an HTML document. Typically, text within an HTML document flows around the space occupied by an applet. When an applet is loaded, it can present special effects, such as animation, graphics, sound, real-time data updates, applications and can interact with a user through the mouse, keyboard and various interface elements such as buttons, slides, and text fields. 
     As known to those having skill in the art, Java® applets are embedded within an HTML document via an applet tag (&lt;applet&gt;). This tag is used to describe the applet, its parameters, and its dimensions. When an applet tag is activated, the client&#39;s browser downloads the code for the applet from the specified Web server and then executes the applet on the client. As is known to those skilled in the art, applet activation may occur automatically upon the loading of an HTML page by the Web browser, by activating a link, or by other user actions. In contrast to CGI, wherein a program or script executes on the Web server, Java® applets execute on the client. As such, Java® applets typically offer greater user interaction and speed than is possible using CGI. 
     Alternative Messaging System 
     Referring now to FIG. 3 an alternative messaging system  50 , according to aspects of the present invention, is schematically illustrated. The illustrated system can ensure that consistency of information presentation is provided regardless of the medium in which the information is delivered to a customer. The illustrated system  50  includes a Statement Distribution Application  52  and an Electronic Insertion Application  70 . The illustrated alternative messaging system  50  relates to a mythical financial institution “Bank USA” and illustrates how alternative messaging can be implemented in a financial environment. It is understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to financial industry implementations. The present invention may be implemented wherever it is desired to provide alternative methods of communications between parties. 
     Statement Distribution Application 
     The illustrated Statement Distribution Application  52  includes the following components: educational and financial personalized content  52   a ; archived statements  52   b ; statement delivery  52   c ; and edit personal information  52   d . An exemplary software product for carrying out operations of the Statement Distribution Application  52  is the TransFormer™ print-image and data manipulation software from Bell &amp; Howell Mail Processing Systems, P.O. Box 14986, Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27709-4986. An exemplary interactive user interface  54  for a customer utilizing the Statement Distribution Application  52  is illustrated in FIG.  4 A. 
     Via the illustrated user interface  54  downloaded to a client machine, a customer may obtain access to his/her personal information via the “Personal Information” button  54   a . By clicking the “Personal Information” button  54   a , a customer obtains, via a server, access to one or more databases or files containing customer information. These databases and/or files may be dedicated to the alternative messaging system  50  or may be existing legacy information systems. In the illustrated embodiment, when a customer clicks on the “Personal Information” button  54   a  on his/her client machine, he/she obtains access to personal information via a “Personal Information” user interface  56 , illustrated in FIG.  4 B. Exemplary customer information available through the “Personal Information” user interface  56  includes, but is not limited to: customer number; customer name; customer address; customer phone and fax numbers; customer email address; customer social security number; customer sex and age; customer marital status; and various types of customer financial information. A customer is allowed to view his/her personal information via the Personal Information user interface  56  and add, modify or delete, as necessary. Because some businesses may not want customers to have direct access to various databases, including legacy information systems, the alternative messaging system  50  may include an application that routes personal information somewhere for review prior to actually updating existing databases. 
     Via the illustrated user interface  54  (FIG.  4 A), a customer may obtain access to archived information about previous statements by clicking on the “Retrieve Archive” button  54   b . When activated, the “Retrieve Archive” button  54   b  presents the customer with a “Retrieve an Archived Statement” user interface  58 , illustrated in FIG.  4 C. The illustrated “Retrieve an Archived Statement” user interface  58  allows a customer to select the accounts her/she wishes to obtain statements for  58   a , the dates of those statements  58   b , and what delivery medium (i.e., e-mail, Excel® spreadsheet, Microsoft MS Money®, fax, print) to receive the selected statements in. 
     Via the illustrated user interface  54  (FIG.  4 A), a customer may change the delivery medium of future statements by clicking the “Schedule Statement” button  54   c . When activated, the “Schedule Statement” button  54   c  presents the customer with an “Account Information” user interface  60 , illustrated in FIG.  4 D. The illustrated “Account Information” user interface  60  allows a customer to select the delivery medium (i.e., e-mail, Excel® spreadsheet, Microsoft MS Money®, fax, print) in which to receive statements in. For example, if a customer elected to receive statements in Excel® spreadsheet format, the statements would appear as illustrated in FIG.  4 E. If a customer elected to receive statements in e-mail format, the statements would appear as illustrated in FIG.  4 F. Regardless of the delivery medium, the alternative messaging system  50 , according to the present invention presents information to a customer in a consistent format. For example, both formats  62 ,  64  illustrated in FIGS. 4E and  4 F respectively, present a customer with the following information: changes in portfolio value; value by account; brokerage holdings; and so forth. 
     FIG. 4F illustrates the format  64  of a statement delivered via e-mail to a customer. There are advertising buttons  64   a ,  64   b ,  64   c ,  64   d  across the top portion of the statement. The illustrated advertising buttons  64   a ,  64   b ,  64   c ,  64   d  are hypertext links to information contained within the same source that transmitted the e-mail to the customer, or to other Web sites. The present invention allows for businesses to present selected advertising based upon customer profiles. For example, a 75 year old customer with brokerage holdings in excess of $10 million may be presented with different advertisement options than a 40 year old customer with brokerage holdings valued at less than $10 thousand. 
     The present invention may also incorporate variations of “Push” technology, wherein a customer defines what types of information he/she would like to see when statements (or other messages) are transmitted thereto. Utilizing “Push” technology, an alternative messaging system according to the present invention may download information from one or more pre-defined sources automatically for distribution to customers desiring the particular type of downloaded information. For example, customized news could be delivered to customers with transmitted statements (or other messages). 
     In the illustrated e-mail format  64 , if a customer clicks on the advertising button  64   b  for “Cash Management”, the screen  66  illustrated in FIG. 4G is presented to the customer. In the illustrated advertisement on Cash Management, there are hyperlinks to additional information. The present invention allows businesses to track which customers look at the what information. Customer information can then be updated to more accurately reflect a particular customer&#39;s interests. By using historical tracking information, the present invention allows businesses to continually refine what types of advertisements and information appeal to each customer, thereby increasing marketing effectiveness and efficiency. 
     If a customer clicks on any of his/her holdings (i.e., companies in which customer holds equity) listed under “Brokerage Holdings”, the present invention gathers and retrieves information about the particular company via customer-selected sources. For example, a customer could choose Reuters internet news service from which to gather the information. Alternatively, a customer could choose to gather information from the selected company&#39;s Web site. This is illustrated schematically in FIG. 3 where “www.news.com”  67   a  and “www.content.com”  67   b  refer to gathering information via news feeds and Web site content, respectively. FIG. 4H illustrates information presented to a customer for a particular company in a format  68  combining Web site information and news service information. Various hyperlinks may be provided within the illustrated format  68  to additional information, including, but not limited to real-time updates of various financial information. 
     Electronic Insertion Application 
     The illustrated Electronic Insertion Application  70  (FIG. 3) includes the following components: administer client information  70   a ; define rules for advertisements and content  70   b ; define areas of database  70   c ; and create criteria for targeting customers  70   d . An exemplary interactive user interface  72  for a business utilizing the Electronic Insertion Application  70  is illustrated in FIG.  5 . The illustrated user interface  72  contains a variety of selectable categories and topics within the “Existing Topics and Categories” window  72   a . A business user can select topics and categories from window  72   a  and set various parameters therefor in the illustrated parameter windows  73   a ,  73   b ,  73   c ,  73   d ,  73   e . In the illustrated user interface  72 , “Insurance” is the selected category and “Life Insurance” is the selected topic, both of which are displayed in windows  72   b ,  72   c , respectively. 
     Still referring to the user interface  72  of FIG. 5, the illustrated parameters set by a user indicate that all customers in a customer profile database who are older than  40  years of age are to receive an ad related to life insurance. As described above with respect to the statement distribution application  52 , this ad will appear in whatever delivery medium a customer receives a statement or other information in from the business. The URL of the source of information, including related images, are indicated in display windows  74   a ,  74   b . The illustrated user interface  72  also includes buttons  75   a ,  75   b  for adding and deleting topics/categories, respectively. When a topic/category is deleted, customers receiving statements no longer receive information relating to the deleted topic/category automatically. Conversely, when a topic/category is added, customers receiving statements are automatically eligible to receive information relating to the added topic/category. 
     Still referring to the illustrated user interface  72  of FIG. 5, an “Evaluate” button  76  is provided for determining which customers are to receive information on the selected topic/category based upon the indicated parameters. When activated, the “Evaluate” button  76  evaluates the various parameters set by a user in the various parameter windows  73   a ,  73   b ,  73   c ,  73   d ,  73   e  and then identifies customers who satisfy the criteria. In the illustrated user interface, the criteria “all customers over the age of 30” is satisfied by 9 out of 14 customers. Accordingly, these 9 customers will receive life insurance information in statements transmitted to them, regardless of the medium in which they receive the statements. 
     Data Storage 
     Referring back to FIG. 3, a database server  80  is utilized by the Statement Distribution Application  52  and the Electronic Insertion Application  70  described above. Continuing the Bank USA example above, the database server  80  could be maintained by the business (Bank USA) or by a third party. In the illustrated embodiment, the database server  80  is accessible to both customers of Bank USA and to Bank USA via the Internet. However, client/server communications according to the present invention are not limited to the illustrated embodiment. For example, the database server  80  may be accessible by Bank USA client machines via an internal Local Area Network (LAN). Furthermore, customer client machines may access the database server  80  via private or dedicated telephone lines. 
     Preferably, each business utilizing alternative messaging according to the present invention, maintains a database server  80  which contains customer information  80   a  and content delivery information  80   b . Continuing the Bank USA example above, customer information  80   a  includes: customer profile information; customer account information; customer holdings information; and customer transaction information. Content delivery information includes: rules and criteria for delivering content to customers; actual content to deliver; and customer cross reference information. Exemplary databases for use within the database server  80  include, but are not limited to, Oracle, Sybase, and SQL Server. 
     Alternative Messaging Operations 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6E, operations for carrying out various aspects of an alternative messaging system, according to the present invention, are schematically illustrated. Referring initially to FIG. 6A, operations include: storing a user profile containing an indication of a preferred delivery medium (Block  100 ); receiving a user request for information (Block  110 ); determining a preferred delivery medium from the user&#39;s profile (Block  120 ); retrieving the requested information (Block  130 ); and formatting and delivering the requested information to the user in a preferred delivery medium (Block  140 ). 
     Continuing the Bank USA example described above, a user profile is stored within one or more database servers. A user (customer) requests information from a business via the Statement Distribution Application  52  (FIG.  3 ). The Statement Distribution Application may update the user&#39;s profile to include additional information or to modify or delete existing information. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6B, a user may modify his/her user profile (Block  102 ). An information provider may also modify a user&#39;s profile and/or a user&#39;s profile may be modified automatically via information received via a user&#39;s requests (Block  104 ). The term “modify” includes adding data, changing existing data, and deleting data within a user profile. In the Bank USA example, a user (customer) may make additions, changes and/or deletions to his/her profile via the Statement Distribution Application. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6C, a user may specify one or more delivery media with his/her request for information (Block  112 ). If a delivery medium is specified in a user request for information, the specified delivery medium is used (Block  114 ). If no specification as to delivery medium accompanies the information request, the user profile is searched to determine the user&#39;s preferred delivery medium (or media) (Block  120 ). In the Bank USA example, user profile searching (Block  120 ) is carried out via the Statement Distribution Application which searches the user profile located within the database server. The requested information is then retrieved (Block  130 ). The step of retrieving the requested information may occur prior to, simultaneously with, or after a user profile is searched, and is not limited to the illustrated embodiment. In the Bank USA example, the requested information is retrieved (Block  130 ) via the Electronic Insertion Application. 
     Still referring to FIG. 6C, a determination is made whether to include additional information with the requested information (Block  132 ). As described above, additional information may include advertising selected based on a user&#39;s profile (Block  134 ). The requested information and any additional information included therewith is then formatted and delivered to the user in the preferred delivery medium (Block  140 ). Additionally, verification that the correct information was delivered to the requesting user may also be performed (Block  180 ). Verification operations may include verifying that all pages of a document are delivered, verifying that the information was delivered in the correct medium, and the like. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6D, operations for formatting and delivering requested information to a user in a preferred delivery medium (Block  140 ) are illustrated. If a determination is made that the delivery medium is to be e-mail (Block  142 ), the retrieved information, and any additional information, is formatted as an e-mail message (Block  144 ). The e-mail message is then delivered to a user&#39;s data processing system (Block  146 ). If a determination is made that the delivery medium is to be HTML (Block  148 ), the retrieved information, and any additional information, is formatted as an HTML document (Block  150 ). The HTML document is then delivered to a user&#39;s data processing system (Block  152 ). 
     If a determination is made that the delivery medium is to be fax (Block  154 ), the retrieved information, and any additional information, is formatted as a fax (Block  156 ). The fax is then delivered to a user&#39;s facsimile machine (Block  158 ). If a determination is made that the delivery medium is to be printed copy (Block  160 ), the retrieved information, and any additional information, is formatted as a printed copy (Block  162 ). The printed copy is then delivered to a user&#39;s printer (Block  164 ). If a determination is made that the delivery medium is to be mail (Block  166 ), the retrieved information, and any additional information, is formatted as a paper document (Block  168 ). The printed copy is then mailed to the user (Block  176 ). 
     In the Bank USA example, the Electronic Insertion Application provides additional information based on customer profile information in the database server. The retrieved information (and any additional information) is formatted via the Statement Distribution Application. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6E, operations for formatting and delivering requested information to a user, wherein mail is a preferred delivery medium, are illustrated. As described above, if a determination is made that the delivery medium is to be mail (Block  166 ), the retrieved information, and any additional information, is formatted as a paper document (Block  168 ). Operations involved in mailing the paper document to the user (Block  176 ) will now be described. Preferably, the paper document is inserted into an envelope via a mail inserting device (described in detail below) (Block  172 ). Operations for verifying that a paper document inserted into an envelope via a mail inserting device contains the retrieved information are then performed (Block  174 ). After verification operations are performed, the envelope containing the paper document inserted therein is forwarded to a postal service for delivery to the user (Block  176 ). 
     Mail Processing Systems 
     Mail processing systems include mail inserting systems, sorting systems, and a range of modular attachments for increasing the productivity of large scale mail production operations. Mail insertion systems include a device known as a mail inserter, which physically “stuffs” individual envelopes with the appropriate contents. Many businesses, such as financial institutions and public utilities, often produce voluminous mailings on a routine basis. As such, mailings are often performed at various locations to reduce the load on any given location and to be closer to the destination of the mailings. 
     In a conventional mail processing system, mail inserting machines (also referred to hereinafter as insertion machines or insertion devices) are utilized for stuffing inserts into awaiting envelopes. Thereafter, the stuffed envelopes are sealed and various other operations associated with mail processing are performed. Insertion machines typically operate at high speeds and can often stuff ten thousand (10,000) envelopes or more per hour. An exemplary insertion machine is described in Applicants&#39; issued U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,040 to Haas et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, a schematic diagram of multiple mail insertion machines in communication with an alternative messaging system, is illustrated. Sites A and B each have one or more mail insertion machines  200  and are monitored and controlled via a Statement and Distribution Application ( 52 , FIG. 3) operating on computer system  202 . Computer system  202  includes a display  204  for visually displaying information to a computer user, a central processing unit (CPU) and internal memory. Keyboard  206  and mouse  208  allow the user to provide input to the central processing unit. Computer system  202 , serves as data processing means for transmitting and receiving information from and to each mail insertion machine  200  and displaying same via display  204 . Other computing systems, including mainframe computing systems, may be utilized in conjunction with a Statement Distribution Application of the present invention to facilitate communicating with the various mail processing devices being monitored and controlled. 
     Computer programs for controlling and monitoring the various mail processing devices may be stored in computer system  202 , either within internal memory or on internal disk storage, or may also be stored on computer readable media and used therefrom by computer system  202 . Preferably, computer system  202  monitors and controls the mail insertion devices in real time. An exemplary system for managing a plurality of mail processing devices is disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/040,520 filed Mar. 14, 1997 by Applicant, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Computer programs for controlling and monitoring the various mail processing devices are compatible with, and may be integral with, a Statement Distribution Application of an alternative messaging system. 
     Mail-Piece Integrity 
     At its simplest level, mail-piece integrity involves ensuring that a customer receives the information he or she is intended to receive. For example, mail-piece integrity techniques utilized with respect to mail inserting machines ensure that the correct type and number of pages are inserted into each customer&#39;s envelope. Integrity verifications may also be performed at the feeder level wherein the inserted documents are scanned to determine whether they are the correct documents for this particular customer. Mail-piece integrity also relates to tracking a document to ensure that it reaches the end of the inserter. For example, if bank checks are to be inserted into envelopes, each envelope can be weighed to determine whether a bank check has been enclosed therewithin. 
     Mail-piece integrity is typically performed utilizing bar-code technology wherein a bar-code on a customer control document is compared with a bar-code printed in the customer address block. Mail-piece integrity may also be performed utilizing databases containing customer information. Whichever method is chosen, the present invention facilitates determining that every piece of information which was expected to do so reaches the customer, regardless of the delivery medium utilized. 
     Mail-piece integrity across all modes of communication, according to aspects of the present invention, includes, but is not limited to: who the mail-piece is to be delivered to; how the mail-piece is to be generated and delivered to the customer; what additional information, including format, is to be transmitted with mail-piece. A file for each customer may be generated and maintained utilizing existing information about the customer. When a mail-piece is delivered to a customer, the contents delivered to the customer are compared with the appropriate file. 
     In addition, the present invention is operative with Applicants&#39; host-based Print Image Manipulation software (PRIME), which allows the handling of multiple output models including, but not limited to: financial data exchange protocols, HTML, and portable document format (PDF). Preferably, an output server to is utilized to distribute the documents through multiple channels. The output server may contain all information about what is being delivered and in what type of medium for a particular job. The output server receives verification from mail insertion devices and systems that a job has been completed. The output server also receives verification that electronic media has been received. 
     Encrypted Communications 
     All client/server communications between a customer and business in accordance with this invention are preferably encrypted using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol (designed by Netscape Communications Corporation), or a similar encryption/security protocol. SSL is designed to prevent eavesdropping, tampering, and message forgery over the Internet. SSL is described in detail in the SSL 3.0 Specification, dated March 1996, which can be found at URL http://home.netscape.com/eng/ssl3/. It is especially preferred that communications involving financial and other sensitive information between a client and Web server be encrypted through SSL or a similar protocol. 
     One-On-One Marketing 
     The present invention allows businesses to utilize customer information to personalize communications with customers. For example, demographic data can be gathered and this data can be used to provide customers with information of interest to him or her. The present invention is advantageous because it can tailor and produce personalized messages and advertising in different delivery medium simultaneously for individual consumers. Furthermore, the present invention allows customers to select the various methods of communication, such as e-mail, Web or paper-based mail. 
     The present invention is designed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of marketing by facilitating the development of relationships between individual consumers and the sellers of goods and services. Traditionally, sellers have utilized techniques such as mail merge and segmentation marketing to increase the effectiveness of mass media communications. However, these techniques typically produce a lower return on investment than can be achieved using direct one-on-one marketing. The present invention increases the return on investment of mass media communications by tailoring content in a manner that is more personable to consumers and by facilitating interactivity with consumers. 
     The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clause are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.