Method and system for electronic publication distribution including return receipt
AssigneeElectronic Data Systems Corporation
InventorsL. Joy Griebenow, Dale S. Howard, Kim Lenger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention comprises a method and system for distributing an electronic publication. The invention allows the distribution of customized publications, including customized advertising, customized content, or both. In accordance with the method for distributing an electronic publication, a version of an electronic publication is retrieved from storage. The electronic publication is delivered to the consumer by electronically sending the electronic publication to the consumer's electronic mail address with a return receipt requested. A receipt is then generated in response to the retrieval of the electronic publication from the consumer's electronic mailbox.
Claims17
A method for distributing an electronic publication, comprising:
- retrieving a version of an electronic publication from storage;
- delivering the electronic publication to a consumer by electronically sending the electronic publication to the consumer's electronic mail address with a return receipt requested;
- generating a return receipt in response to the retrieval of the electronic publication from the consumer's electronic mailbox;
- and
- sending the return receipt to the deliverer of the electronic publication.
A system for distributing an electronic publication, comprising:
- a computer network;
- a consumer computer coupled to the computer network and associated with a consumer;
- and
- a publisher computer connected to the computer network and operable to retrieve an electronic publication and deliver the electronic publication to the consumer by electronically sending the electronic publication to a predetermined location associated with the consumer's computer, the electronic publication being delivered with a request for a return receipt;
- the consumer's computer being operable to generate a return receipt in response to the retrieval of the electronic publication, and to send the return receipt to the publisher computer.
A method for notifying a consumer to renew a subscription to an electronic publication, comprising:
- establishing a subscription by a consumer to an electronic publication wherein the electronic publication is a periodical electronic publication that is published once in a predetermined period;
- generating a renewal notice indicating that the consumer's subscription will expire;
- and
- sending the renewal notice electronically to the consumer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.