Method and apparatus for reporting customer data

Patent 4975841 Issued on December 4, 1990. Estimated Expiration Date:

January 16, 2010. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Information monitoring and notification method and apparatus
Patent #: 4554418
Issued on: 11/19/1985
Inventor: Toy

System and software for pharmaceutical prescription compliance
Patent #: 4766542
Issued on: 08/23/1988
Inventor: Pilarczyk

Customer account online servicing system Patent #: 4797911
Issued on: 01/10/1989
Inventor: Szlam , et al.

Inventors

Application

No. 463819 filed on 01/16/1990

US Classes:

705/32, Time accounting (time and attendance, monitoring billable hours)379/93.12, Sales, ordering, or banking system379/216.01, Abbreviated dialing or direct call (e.g., hot line)379/355.1, Selection of multiple call address signals379/904, AUTO-CALLING379/905, FAX MAIL705/1AUTOMATED ELECTRICAL FINANCIAL OR BUSINESS PRACTICE OR MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENT

Examiners

Primary: Smith, Jerry
Assistant: Huntley, David

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Marshall, O'Toole, Gerstein, Murray & Bicknell

International Class

G06F 015/21

Abstract

Method and an apparatus are provided for automatically contacting customers and reporting customer order status data. A memory is provided for receiving and storing the customer order status information. The customer order status data includes product order information, scheduled and actual shipping dates and each customer's telephone number. A telephone dialer is provided for dialing customer telephone numbers. Customer order status data is sorted by each customer's telephone number and a sepatate customer report file is generated for facsimile transmission to each identified customer. The customer report facsimile is automatically transmitted to each of the identified customers.

Other References

"Off-Peak Service Streamlines Communications", Infosystems, 4-1980, p. 88
Bencin, "Making the Sale with Telemarketing", Telephony, vol. 209, No. 24, dec. 1985, p. 56
Bruckert et al., "Text-to Speech Unit Simplifies Interface for Computer Interaction", Computer Technology Review, vol. 5, No. 4, Dec. 1985, pp. 11-18
Bencin, "Detailing the Benefits of Computerized Telemarketing", Direct Marketing, vol. 49, No. 2, Jun. 1986, pp. 60-61
Harper, "Telecommunications", Industrial Distribution, vol. 75, No. 7, Jul. 1986, p. 61
McCoy, "Electronic Order Exchange Links Warehouse with Clients", Direct Marketing, vol. 49, No. 5, Sept. 1986, p. 64 and 6