Information distribution system and method

Abstract

An information distribution system distributes data sets according to a hierarchical association among classes and recipients so that each recipient receives a recipient data set of data sets associated only with that recipient.

1 . A computer-implemented method of distributing data to a plurality of recipient accounts, comprising the steps of: 
 associating a plurality of classes arranged in a class hierarchy with the plurality of recipient accounts;    associating a plurality of data sets with the plurality of classes and the plurality of recipient accounts;    creating a plurality of recipient data sets by associating each data set associated with a class to each recipient account associated with the class so that each recipient data set includes only data sets associated with each corresponding recipient account; and    distributing the plurality of recipient data sets to the corresponding plurality of recipient accounts by sending to each corresponding recipient account a corresponding single data communication that includes the recipient data set that includes only the data sets associated with the corresponding recipient account.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 defining an event; and    distributing the plurality of recipient data sets to the corresponding plurality of recipient accounts upon an occurrence of the event.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: 
 defining a distribution frequency threshold;    determining a distribution frequency for one of the data sets; and    automatically associating the data set if the distribution frequency of the data set exceeds the distribution frequency threshold.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the step of determining a distribution frequency for one of the data sets comprises the steps of determining the number of times the data set is distributed to a particular recipient over a period of time.  
   
   
       5 . A system for distributing data to a plurality of recipient accounts, comprising the steps of: 
 means for associating a plurality of classes arranged in a class hierarchy with the plurality of recipient accounts;    means for associating a plurality of data sets with the plurality of classes and the plurality of recipient accounts;    means for creating a plurality of recipient data sets by associating each data set associated with a class to each recipient account associated with the class so that each recipient data set includes only data sets associated with each corresponding recipient account; and    means for distributing the plurality of recipient data sets to the corresponding plurality of recipient accounts by sending to each corresponding recipient account a corresponding single data communication that includes the recipient data set that includes only the data sets associated with the corresponding recipient account.    
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 means for defining an event; and    means distributing the plurality of recipient data sets to the corresponding plurality of recipient accounts upon an occurrence of the event.    
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 means for defining a distribution frequency threshold;    means for determining a distribution frequency for one of the data sets; and    means automatically associating the data set if the distribution frequency of the data set exceeds the distribution frequency threshold.    
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the means for determining a distribution frequency for one of the data sets comprises means for determining the number of times the data set is distributed to a particular recipient over a period of time.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus for distributing data to a plurality of recipient accounts, the apparatus comprising: 
 a computer storage medium storing a data structure and a program;    a computer system having access to the computer storage medium and configured to execute the program;    wherein the data structure includes a plurality of classes arranged in a class hierarchy, and further includes the plurality of recipient accounts associated with the plurality of classes; and    wherein the program associates data sets to selected classes and selected recipient accounts, creates a plurality of recipient data sets by associating data sets associated with a selected class to the recipient accounts associated with the selected class so that each recipient data set includes only data sets associated with each corresponding recipient account, and distributes the plurality of recipient data sets to the corresponding plurality of recipients by sending to each corresponding recipient account a corresponding single data communication that includes the recipient data set that includes only the data sets associated with the corresponding recipient account.    
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a distribution control file stored on the computer storage medium, the distribution control file storing the association of data sets to selected classes and selected recipient accounts.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the program is configured to access the distribution control file and create the plurality of recipient data sets by associating data sets associated with a selected class to the recipient accounts associated with the selected class as specified in the distribution control file so that each recipient data set includes only data sets associated with each corresponding recipient account, and distribute the plurality of recipient data sets to the corresponding plurality of recipients.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a transaction file stored on the computer storage medium, the transaction file storing a transaction history of the distribution of data sets.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the program is further configured to access the transaction file and determine the distribution frequency of each data set.