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US 5,111,395 AGranted
Automated fund collection system including means to eliminate duplicate entries from a mailing list
OwnerRodney A. Smith, Paul Janigianinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automated system for raising or collecting funds including a solicitation process whereby potential contributors/customers enter into an automatic funds transfer program with the fund raiser/collector. Contributor/customer lists are created with a merge/purge program that identifies duplicate records even though key elements of the records (e.g. name/address or zip code) differ.
Claims19
An automated fund collection apparatus comprising:
- means for creating a file, said file comprising a plurality of records, each record including a name and address of an individual,
- means for selecting portions of each record,
- means for making a first comparison between a first predetermined portion of a first record and a first predetermined portion of at least one second record to determine if said first portions match,
- means for identifying at least one duplicate record in said file when at least said first portions match,
- means for making a second comparison between a second predetermined portion of said first record and a second predetermined portion of said at least one second record to determine if said second portions match,
- means for identifying at least one duplicate record in said file when at least said second portions match and said first portions do not match,
- means for eliminating identified duplicate records from said file and means for creating a second file of unique records, wherein no two records identify the same individual,
- means for creating a list of individuals from said second file of unique records,
- means for sending each individual on said list a proposal for an electronic funds transfer agreement in which each individual agrees to make automatic and periodic transfers of funds from each individual to a fund collection entity and, means for printing a plurality of checks and means for sending one of said plurality of checks to each said individual.
6 more elements
An automated fund collection apparatus comprising:
- means for creating a list of individuals, said list including the names and addresses of said individuals,
- means for sending each individual on said list a proposal for an electronic funds transfer agreement in which each individual agrees to automatic and periodic transfer of funds from each individual to a fund collection entity,
- means for printing a plurality of checks, and
- means for sending one of said plurality of checks to each said individual.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.