JP2006139761A - Patent management system using platform structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a patent management system with flexibility which can carry out a series of intellectual property operations efficiently on an office worker level, while being able to deal with information concerning intellectual property operations in a whole company. <P>SOLUTION: The patent management system which carries out the intellectual property operation within a predetermined group, comprises a workflow function 23 covered with an ultimate operation procedure for carrying out the intellectual property operation; a platform section 21 who performs the predetermined operation in web browser environment, the processing content performed in the platform section 21; and a mapping means for mapping to a patent management database 24 through a workflow database 22. The mapping means mounts the workflow function 23 in a platform section 21, and maps the processing content performed in a platform section 21, based on the operation procedure of the workflow function 23 concerned into the patent management database 24 according to a predetermined rule. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention has at least a patent management database for accumulating and managing information generated in intellectual property business, and has a flexible and effective patent management system for performing intellectual property business in a predetermined group. It relates to the construction of a system that can be utilized.

  In recent years, with a growing interest in intellectual property, there is a demand for the construction of a system that can efficiently perform operations while handling information related to intellectual property throughout the company in organizations such as companies. It is increasing.

  In general, it is known that intellectual property work requires a unique workflow (procedure flow) that requires a lot of approval processes over a long period of time. This intellectual property work is mostly carried out mainly by an intellectual property group in companies, for example. Therefore, information related to intellectual property work is unique to the intellectual property group. I was handling it. That is, most of the intellectual property work in the company is performed by adopting an independent system that can share information related to the intellectual property work only within the intellectual property group.

  On the other hand, since the intellectual property business handles information that requires confidentiality, there is a security problem due to the expansion of the information handling range. In other words, due to the special nature of work, it has been difficult to build a system that can be used securely by all employees. In addition, in order to reconstruct a system that has been uniquely used by the intellectual property group as a system that can be used company-wide, a workflow that corresponds to every employee, including the inventor, and a unique workflow were merged. However, it was not easy to build a flexible system that could handle each employee level.

  In addition, as a technique for handling information related to intellectual property work, for example, an apparatus for improving work efficiency (see Patent Document 1) has been proposed, but it is efficient and can be used company-wide. The current situation is that no flexible system has been proposed yet.

JP 2004-178437 A

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention is capable of handling information related to intellectual property work on a company-wide basis and is a flexible platform capable of efficiently performing a series of intellectual property work at the employee level. It is an object to provide a patent management system using a concept.

  A first aspect of the present invention that solves the above-described problem comprises a patent management database that stores and manages at least information generated in intellectual property work, and performs patent management that performs intellectual property work in a predetermined group. In the system, a workflow function that covers basic business procedures for performing intellectual property work, a platform part that executes a predetermined operation in a web browser environment, and a processing content executed in the platform part Mapping means for mapping to a management database, the workflow function is implemented in the platform part, and the mapping means determines a processing content executed in the platform part based on a business procedure of the workflow function. To map to the patent management database according to In patent management system using a platform concept characterized by.

  In the first aspect, the workflow function is implemented in the platform unit, and the processing content executed in the platform unit based on the business procedure of the workflow function is mapped to the patent management database according to a predetermined rule. Thereby, since the intellectual property work can be performed in the web browser environment, the conventional patent management system operated in a predetermined group can be used company-wide.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the patent management system using the platform concept described in the first aspect, a workflow database that stores processing contents executed in the platform unit, and an input for inputting the processing contents And further comprising a definition file in which a correspondence between an item and the storage location of the patent management database is defined, and the mapping means stores a storage location of processing contents stored in the workflow database while referring to the definition file. A patent management system using a platform concept characterized by determining and mapping to the patent management database.

  In the second aspect, the workflow database and the patent management database can be easily linked by referring to the definition file.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the patent management system using the platform concept described in the second aspect, the definition file further manages the association between the input items and field positions on the screen layout. In the patent management system using the platform concept, the mapping means changes the screen layout based on the definition file when the workflow database and the patent management database are mapped.

  In the third aspect, the data in the workflow database is mapped to the patent management database based on the definition file, and the screen layout is changed. As a result, for example, the screen layout can be easily configured only by changing the definition file, so that it is possible to flexibly cope with in-house situations and in-house requests.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the patent management system using the platform concept described in any one of the first to third aspects, the workflow function is a function for performing work related to an application for intellectual property work. As an application patent search function for searching for an application related to an application, an application proposal function for making an application proposal, an approval function for approving an operation, and a proposal reception function for receiving an application proposal The patent management system using the platform concept includes at least an application process management function for managing the process of the proposed application.

  In the fourth aspect, work related to the application can be performed in a web browser environment. As a result, it is possible to efficiently perform intellectual property work throughout the company using a terminal connected to the network.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the patent management system using the platform concept described in any one of the first to third aspects, the workflow function is a function for performing work related to the middle of intellectual property work. Interim document inquiry function for inquiring intermediate documents, intermediate document respondent decision function for selecting or changing respondents of intermediate documents, and intermediate document answering function for managing reply work of intermediate documents And an intermediate document approval function for managing an approval process for answers concerning the intermediate document, an intermediate document determination function for determining predetermined items regarding the intermediate document, and an intermediate document process management function for managing the process of the intermediate document And at least a patent management system using a platform concept.

  In the fifth aspect, it is possible to perform an intermediate operation in a web browser environment. As a result, it is possible to efficiently perform intellectual property work throughout the company using a terminal connected to the network.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the patent management system using the platform concept described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, an approval route that passes through each case is determined in performing the intellectual property business. And an approval route definition table that defines a correspondence between the document name indicated in the case and the approval route, and the approval route determination means is based on the approval route definition table. And a patent management system using a platform concept characterized by automatically determining an approval route according to a document name of a case and creating a work procedure corresponding to the approval route on a workflow.

  In the sixth aspect, an approval route for each item is determined based on the approval route definition table, and a business procedure corresponding to the approval route is created on the workflow. As a result, for example, any business pattern can be constructed on the workflow simply by changing the approval route definition table, so that it is possible to flexibly cope with in-house situations and in-house requests.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the patent management system using the platform concept described in the sixth aspect, the approval route definition table includes an expression for calculating a time limit for each business, The approval route determination means is in a patent management system using a platform concept characterized by automatically calculating a business deadline according to an approval route determined based on the approval route definition table.

  In the seventh aspect, the business deadline according to the approval route determined based on the approval route definition table is automatically calculated. As a result, it becomes possible to perform the business efficiently.

  In an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the patent management system using the platform concept described in any one of the first to seventh aspects, when data is exchanged with the outside, the state transition related to data exchange is quantified. The patent management system includes a platform concept characterized by comprising data exchanging means for managing, wherein the data exchanging means manages the relationship between steps and operations by a combination of numerical values.

  In the eighth aspect, the state transition related to data exchange is managed by a combination of numerical values including the relationship between the stage and the operation. Thereby, for example, it becomes easy to grasp the processing status and the progress status on both the data sender side and the receiver side, so that the business can be efficiently performed.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the patent management system using the platform concept described in any one of the first to eighth aspects, when accessing information whose access authority is limited, one of the access conditions is set. The access key generating means generates an access key according to the purpose of use based on a unique document number assigned to the target information. In the patent management system using the platform concept characterized by generating.

  In the ninth aspect, an access key in which a part of the access condition is encrypted is generated according to the purpose of use. As a result, it is possible to handle information relating to intellectual property work company-wide while maintaining a predetermined access authority.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the patent management system using the platform concept described in any one of the first to ninth aspects, a series of process work is generated for each case, and a target date of the process work is determined. Patent management using a platform concept characterized by comprising a process management means for setting, wherein the process management means manages a standard process or an irregular process based on a template in which process work for each case is defined In the system.

  In the tenth aspect, the standard process or the irregular process is managed based on the template. Thereby, since the process work can be set freely to some extent, various cases can be flexibly handled.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the patent management system using the platform concept described in the fourth aspect, the application patent search function includes at least a type indicating a matter related to the application and a company related to the application. Patent using a platform concept characterized by setting access restrictions for each case according to the corporation to be shown, the department to which the corporation belongs, the position of the case for the application, and the role for the case for the application In the management system.

  In the eleventh aspect, at least any of the type indicating the matter relating to the application, the corporation indicating the company related to the application, the department belonging to the corporation, the position of the matter relating to the application, and the role relating to the matter relating to the application Access restrictions for each item are set accordingly. As a result, special information related to intellectual property work can be managed reliably and efficiently throughout the company and can be used.

  According to the patent management system using the platform concept of the present invention, the workflow function is implemented in the platform part composed of the web browser environment, and is linked with the conventional patent management system based on the definition file. It becomes possible to handle information related to intellectual property operations company-wide. Furthermore, according to the patent management system of the present invention, since various business data corresponding to the approval route definition file is created on the workflow, for example, it is possible to flexibly cope with in-house situations and in-house requests, A series of intellectual property operations can be efficiently performed at the employee level.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The description of the present embodiment is an exemplification, and the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the following description.

  This embodiment uses, for example, a company-wide patent management system that has been operated between a patent office and an intellectual property group (intellectual property department) that mainly handles information relating to the intellectual property of companies. To achieve this, the concept of platform has been applied to realize the handling of information related to intellectual property at the level of all employees including the inventors.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a patent management system using a platform concept according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram of a patent management system using a platform concept according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows a system configuration. In addition, this embodiment has illustrated the case where it operates between a company and a patent office.

  As shown in the figure, in the patent management system 1 using the platform concept of the present embodiment, a system constructed in the company 2 and a system constructed in the patent office 3 are connected via a network 4. . The system on the company 2 side is mainly composed of an online delivery server 10, a patent management server 20, an intellectual property department 2a, a research and development department 2b, and a terminal 30 held individually by employees belonging to the business department 2c. Network), and the online delivery server 10 and the patent management server 20 and the online delivery server 10 and the network 4 are connected via a firewall (F / W) 11, respectively. The firewall 11 that connects the online delivery server 10 and the network 4 also has a router function. On the other hand, the system on the patent office 3 side is mainly composed of a terminal and a management server (not shown) that are individually held by an office worker, and a firewall 11 having a router function between the networks 4. Connected through.

  Here, a system according to the patent management server 20 on the company 2 side will be described. In the conventional patent management system 20A that functions independently in the intellectual property department 2a, the patent management server 20 includes a platform unit 21 that executes a predetermined operation in a web browser environment and an intellectual property business. A workflow function module 23 that covers basic business procedures and a workflow database 22 that stores processing contents executed by the platform unit 21 are provided.

  The platform unit 21 incorporates an approval mechanism, and by installing various modules 23 on the platform unit 21 as necessary, a flexible system corresponding to the in-house situation and convenience can be constructed. Here, the various modules 23 include, for example, a function for transmitting information from the intellectual property department 2a, a patent search function for searching time limit data or bag data based on user access authority, and an application proposal service. Examples include an application proposal function for execution, an intermediate processing function for performing intermediate processing operations, a process management function for executing process management, and a third-party management function for managing patents of other companies. Furthermore, employee information is captured in the platform unit 21, and control based on user access authority, control based on organization / position, security control, and the like are executed.

  The platform unit 21 may be configured to cooperate with an independent patent publication search system 40.

  Further, the conventional patent management system 20A has a patent management database 24 for storing information generated in the intellectual property business, and performs the intellectual property business on the terminal 30 installed in the intellectual property department 2a. When the various programs 25 necessary for this are installed, the patent management database 24 is used to perform the business. Here, as the various programs 25, for example, the application is decided after receiving a request for an application from the research and development department 2 b for the deadline Web for searching and browsing bibliographic information, domestic and foreign deadline information, etc. Management for reception management for managing up to 1 year, management for domestic deadline management for managing various information related to domestic applications, management for foreign date management for managing various information related to foreign applications, management of various expenses and compensation Programs for cost / compensation management and contract management. Under the control of the program as described above, the patent management database 24 stores and manages electronic packaging, domestic / domestic deadline information, expense / compensation information, contract information, information on relationships with products, and the like.

  From the above, in the patent management system 1 using the platform concept, the system in which the platform unit 21, the workflow database 22, and the various modules 23 shown in FIG. 1 are mounted corresponds to the workflow system 20B shown in FIG. The patent management database 24 shown has a configuration corresponding to the conventional patent management system 20A shown in FIG.

  Next, a specific system configuration of the workflow system 20B will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a workflow system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The patent management database 24 is a configuration provided in the conventional patent management system 20A, but is illustrated for convenience of explanation.

  As shown in the figure, the workflow system 20B includes an application patent search function 201 for searching for a case concerning an application, and an application proposal for making an application proposal, as a function for performing an operation related to an application for an intellectual property operation. Function 202, approval function 203 for approving business, proposal accepting function 204 for accepting application proposals, and application process management for managing the process of a proposal proposed for an application (including a process for transition) A function 205 is provided. Further, as functions for performing intermediary operations of intellectual property operations, an intermediate document inquiry function 206 for inquiring intermediate documents, an intermediate document respondent determination function 207 for selecting or changing respondents of intermediate documents, An intermediate document reply function 208 for managing the reply work of the intermediate document, an approval function 203 for managing the work of approving answers concerning the intermediate document, an intermediate document determination function 209 for determining predetermined items concerning the intermediate document, and an intermediate An intermediate document process management function 210 for managing document processes is provided.

  Furthermore, the workflow system 20B includes mapping means, approval route determination means, data exchange means, access key generation means, and process management means (not shown).

  The mapping unit maps the processing content executed by the platform unit 21 to the patent management database 24. Specifically, the storage location of the processing content stored in the workflow database 22 is determined with reference to the definition file 220 and mapped to the patent management database 24. Further, the mapping unit changes the screen layout on the input screen 300 based on the definition file 220 when mapping the workflow database 22 and the patent management database 24.

  The approval route determination means determines an approval route that passes through each case in performing the intellectual property work. Specifically, an approval route corresponding to the document name of the case is automatically determined based on an approval route definition table 230 described later, and a business procedure corresponding to the approval route is created on the workflow.

  The data exchange means digitizes and manages state transitions related to data exchange. Specifically, the state transition related to data exchange is managed by a combination of numerical values with respect to the relationship between the stage and the operation.

  The access key generation means generates an access key in which a part of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) as an access destination is encrypted when accessing information with restricted access authority. More specifically, an access key corresponding to the purpose of use is generated based on a unique document number assigned to the target information.

  The process management means generates a series of process work for each item and sets a target date for the process work. Specifically, the standard process or the irregular process is managed based on a template in which process work for each item is defined.

  With the system configuration as described above, in the present embodiment, the content of the processing executed in the platform unit 21 is mapped to the patent management database 24, or the approval route for the case that is incorporated in the conventional patent management system 20A is set. The workflow system 20B and the conventional patent management system 20A are linked with each other by determining, creating and incorporating them on the workflow of the platform unit 21.

  Next, processing related to the cooperation between the workflow system 20B and the conventional patent management system 20A and other processing that can be performed by the patent management system 1 using the platform concept will be described in more detail.

  First, as processing related to cooperation between the workflow system 20B and the conventional patent management system 20A, there is processing executed mainly by mapping means and approval route determination means.

<Mapping process>
The mapping process is a process executed mainly by the mapping means, and determines the storage location of the processing content stored in the workflow database 22 while referring to the definition file 220 described later, and maps it to the patent management database 24. Execute the process.

  In the definition file 220, an association between an input item into which processing content is input and a storage destination of the patent management database 24 is defined. Furthermore, the definition file 220 further manages the association between input items and field positions on the screen layout. An example of the definition file 220 is shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an example of the definition file 220 referred to by the application proposal function 202. In the example shown in FIG. 4, each item such as a display item name indicating an item name displayed on the screen, presence / absence indicating whether it is an essential item, basic display type indicating a display format, meaning of the item, etc. Are defined in association with each other.

  As shown in the example in FIG. 3, for example, when an application proposal is made by the application proposal function 202, approval by the approval function 203 is executed. When the application proposal is received by the proposal receiving function 204, the application process management function 205 manages the process work up to the application. At this time, the processing content of the work executed by each function is stored in the workflow database 22 each time, the storage destination in the patent management database 24 is determined based on the definition file 220, and the target information is mapped. . At the same time, the screen layout of the input screen 300 is also changed.

  Further, for example, when an intermediate document inquiry function 206 makes an inquiry about an intermediate document, an intermediate document respondent determination function 207 determines an answerer. When the intermediate document reply function 208 receives the reply, the reply is approved by the approval function 203, the final decision is made by the intermediate document determination function 209, and the intermediate process work is managed by the intermediate document process management function 210. At this time as well, the processing content of the work executed by each function is stored in the workflow database 22 each time, and the storage destination in the patent management database 24 is determined based on the definition file 220 and the target information is stored. To be mapped. At the same time, the screen layout of the input screen 300 is also changed.

  The mapping process as described above is simply shown in FIG. 5, for example. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, information is associated with the table 240 determined as the screen layout of the input screen 300 and the storage location of the patent management database 24 based on the definition file 220. As a result, a flexible system can be constructed according to in-house conditions and requests. In addition, since the workflow can be easily customized by changing the definition file 220, it is possible to construct a system with flexibility in consideration of business efficiency, convenience, and strategy.

<Approval route decision processing>
The approval route determination process is a process executed mainly by the approval route determination means, and executes a process of automatically determining an approval route according to the document name of the case based on an approval route definition table 230 described later. At the same time, the approval route determination means executes a process for creating a business procedure corresponding to the approval route on the workflow. Furthermore, a process of automatically calculating a business deadline according to the approval route determined based on the approval route definition table 230 is executed.

  In the approval route definition table 230, the association between the document name indicated in the case and the approval route is defined. That is, the relationship between the document and its operation is defined. An example of the approval route definition table 230 is shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the document name indicating the contents of the case, the inside / outside indicating whether it is a domestic case or a foreign case, the route indicating the processing type of the operation, the calculation date that is the basis for generating the deadline, the operation Each item such as an expression for calculating a deadline for each time is defined in association with each other. Based on such an approval route definition table 230, the approval route determination means determines when a document that matches the document name in the table is registered or when a document name in the table is instructed by the user. Thus, data for the workflow system 20B can be generated.

  Here, the approval route determination process will be specifically described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an approval route process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, when an electronic file (proof) is registered as a wrapping file (electronic document) from the conventional patent management system 20A (S1), the document name (P) is obtained from the file name or management information of the electronic file. Obtain (S2). Here, it is determined whether or not the document name (P) matches the registered document name in the patent management database 24 (S3), and if it matches, the registered document classification is determined (S4). Here, if the inquiry document requires approval, an in-house reply deadline is calculated from the registered document information, and is created on the workflow (W / F) as an inquiry document on the approval route (S5). . On the other hand, if the notification document does not require approval, data to that effect is created on the workflow (W / F) from the registered document information (S6). Thereby, the approval route according to the document can be set on the workflow.

  In addition, the in-house reply deadline date in step S5 is, for example, based on the calculation date (S) and the formula (E) defined in the approval route definition table 230, the in-house reply deadline date (D) = today + (S− Today) is automatically calculated from the formula E. Thereby, the time limit according to the approval route can be set.

  As described above, the registered document name matches the document name defined in the approval route definition table 230 when, for example, the proof of the intermediate document from the Patent Office is registered from the conventional patent management system 20A. In this case, it is possible to generate an inquiry or notification data for the intermediate document to the workflow system 20B simultaneously with the taking of the package (electronic document).

  Next, as a process that can be performed by the patent management system 1 using the platform concept, there is a process that is executed mainly by a data transfer unit, an access key generation unit, and a process management unit.

<Data exchange>
The data exchange is a process executed by the online delivery server 10 in order to exchange various data between the sender side and the receiver side mainly by the data exchange means. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of data exchange processing according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that data is exchanged between the company 2 and the patent office 3, and the online delivery server 10 is positioned between the sender side and the receiver side every time data is exchanged. It is replaced with.

  In the present embodiment, the relationship between the steps related to data exchange and the operation is illustrated as a state number. The state number is indicated by two or more digits, and the quotient obtained by dividing the state number by 10 is extracted as the phase number (P), and the remainder is extracted as the action number (A). In this case, data having the same phase number (P) is in the same stage, and the action number (A) is “0” indicating the start of the phase and “9” indicates the end of the phase.

  As shown in FIG. 8, first, when data is transmitted, the sender side becomes the current state number (N) (S10). Here, it is determined whether the initiative is on the own side (company 2 side) (S11). If the initiative is on the own side, the current state number is set to the next state number (S12). ). That is, the state number is set as N = N + 1. Then, the current phase number (P) and the current action number (A) are extracted as described above (S13). Then, the current action number (A) is discriminated and each process is shifted to (S14). First, when the current action number (A) is “0”, it is determined that the phase is the start stage, and the current action number (A) is set to 0 and the state data is acquired with the current phase number (P). Then, the contents of the acquired state data are displayed in a list (S18). On the other hand, if the current action number (A) is “9”, it is determined that the phase is at the end of the phase, and the current action number (A) is 9 and the state number exceeds the current phase number (P). Status data is acquired (S16). Then, state data having a state number equal to the current phase number (P) is acquired (added) (S17), and the contents of the acquired state data are displayed in a list (S18). In addition, when the current action number (A) is “0 <A <9”, it is determined that the phase is the same stage, and the process is executed in the flow of steps S17 to S18.

  On the other hand, when the data is received, it becomes the receiver side, and the status data in which the current action number (A) is “1 ≦ A ≦ 9” is processed. In this case, after the current action number (A) is determined in step S14, the process is executed in the flow of steps S17 to S18.

  List examples showing state transitions when the above-described processing is executed are shown in FIGS. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state transition of data exchange executed at the time of application work according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a diagram of data exchange executed at the time of intermediate work according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows a state transition.

  As shown in the figure, for data exchanged between the company 2 side and the patent office 3 side, the next action is limited as needed depending on the type of data. For this reason, the state transition with respect to a certain business can be grasped uniquely by the company 2 and the patent office 3. In addition, it is possible to easily grasp the processing status, progress status, etc. of whether a case is stagnant on the company 2 side or on the patent office 3 side for a certain case. Furthermore, as a device for easily grasping, for example, colored icon buttons may be displayed together.

  In this embodiment, in principle, the phase (P) starts on the company 2 side and ends on the company 2 side. In other words, the process is executed with the initiative of the company 2 side. However, there is an exception when, for example, the first request data is transmitted during intermediate work. In such a case, for example, the company 2 side and the patent office 3 side may be dealt with by changing the target start state numbers.

<Data disclosure>
Data disclosure is a process executed mainly by access key generation means. 11 and 12 are diagrams showing an example of data disclosure processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, when a case where access is restricted is disclosed with a time limit, for example, the document number (N) of the case, the user ID (P), the expiration date (D) The value (A) obtained by combining the two is encrypted with the secret key (S) (S20). That is, the value (A) and the secret key (S) are passed to the encryption function {f ()} to obtain the access key {(K) = f (A, S)}. The access key is transmitted to an employee who is permitted to be disclosed as an encrypted URL partially including usage information. When the employee who receives the encrypted URL accesses the URL, the workflow system 20B performs user authentication.

  In the workflow system 20B, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the login user ID is acquired (S21), the argument access key (K) is decrypted to obtain the user ID (P) and the expiration date (D). The document number (N) is acquired (S22). Here, the user ID (P) is compared with the ID of the logged-in user (S23), and if they match, it is determined whether the expiration date (D) is before today (S24). If it is, the case of the corresponding document number (N) is displayed (S25).

  Note that, for example, a secret key encryption algorithm such as 3DES (Triple Data Encryption Standard) or Blowfish may be applied to the above-described encryption.

  Here, the data publication shown in FIG. 11 assumes a case in which a case where access is restricted is published with a time limit. For example, as shown in FIG. Good.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, when a case where access is restricted is disclosed to a specific large number, for example, the document number (N) and the secret key (S) of the case are given as a one-way hash function (f). (S30). That is, the document key (N) plus the secret key (S) is passed to the one-way hash function {f ()} to obtain the access key {(K) = f (N + S)}. The access key is transmitted to employees who are permitted to publish. When the employee who has received the access key accesses a predetermined URL, the workflow system 20B performs user authentication.

  In the workflow system 20B, as shown in FIG. 12B, the document number (N) and the access key (K) are acquired from the arguments (S31). Then, the result (R) obtained by passing the document number (N) added with the secret key (S) to the one-way hash function {f ()} is acquired (S 32). Here, the result (R) and the access key (K) are compared (S33), and if they match, the case of the corresponding document number (N) is displayed (S34).

  Note that, for example, a one-way hash function such as MD5 (Message Digest 5) or SHA (Secure Hash Algorithm) may be applied to the above encryption.

<Process management>
Process management is a process executed mainly by process management means. The process management means generates a series of process operations based on a template in which process operations (urgent / normal, important, etc.) that meet the basic purpose of each item are defined, A standard process is generated. In this case, for example, an irregular process may be generated by changing a template to be applied or adding / deleting an existing process to a process whose purpose has been changed. In such process management, for example, the schedule and progress status of the process work for each case are managed, and at the same time, the number of days required for the work or the work end date is input, and the evaluation of the employee from the input contents for each process. May be stored.

(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, when data is disclosed, it is assumed that encryption is performed by an access key generation unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Access may be restricted when searching.

  The application patent search function 201 includes at least a type indicating a matter related to an application (for example, types of four methods, combinations thereof, and the presence or absence of four methods), a corporation indicating a company related to the application, a department belonging to the corporation, The access restriction for each case is set according to the position of the case concerning the application and the role for the case concerning the application.

  Specifically, the company code to which the accessed user belongs, the department code to which the accessed user belongs, and the employee who identifies the accessed user regarding the conditions related to the accessed user (for example, full-time employee, contract employee, affiliated company employee, temporary employee) The items are classified into the following items: code, the title of the accessing user, the basic general role of the accessing user, and the intellectual property department role of the accessing user, and the items are specified individually or in combination. Based on the permission definition table shown in FIG. 13, the access control conditions as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 are set.

  Here, in the permission definition table shown in FIG. 13A, a definition for specifying the type of each case is defined. That is, the meaning of the condition for each of the four permitted laws (four laws, special intention, special, real, intention, quotient) is defined. On the other hand, rules for access conditions are defined in the permission definition table shown in FIG. That is, the meanings (full disclosure, public disclosure, limited disclosure, personal disclosure, non-disclosure) for the permission methods (open, public, protected, private, close) are defined respectively. In addition, complete disclosure here means to disclose all, public disclosure means to disclose after disclosure (however, the disclosure conditions differ depending on the user who accesses), and limited disclosure is to matter It is intended to disclose only to the limited users involved, for example, the inventor and the patent liaison, and the disclosure of the principal is intended to disclose only to the inventor, and no disclosure is not disclosed at all. I mean.

  As an example of access control conditions, FIG. 14A generally shows a case of disclosure after publication, and FIG. 14B shows a case of disclosure by role person. (C) shows a case of disclosure for each department. That is, access restrictions for regular employees are set. Here, * in the figure indicates that it is arbitrary, = indicates that it matches with the user who accessed it (the same thing), and @ indicates the corporation or department that the accessing user is in charge of Yes.

  FIG. 14A shows a corporate code, department code, employee code, position, role, intellectual property department, authorized corporation ID, and authorized department ID for an ACL (Access Control List) number for identifying and managing access restrictions. , Permission four laws, and permission methods are set respectively. Specifically, for the logged-in user whose department code is 9999 (Intellectual Property Department), all cases are to be fully disclosed (ACL) (ACL number: 300), and all the logged-in users are made aware of the published cases. The disclosure (ACL number; 999) is exemplified.

  Also, in FIG. 14B, as in FIG. 14A, access restrictions are set for each ACL number. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14 (a), for users who have the role of IP generalization, all patents, utility models, and designs in all departments of the company must be fully disclosed (ACL number). 220), and for users having the role of IP communication, the patent, utility model, and design matters of the department in charge of the company are fully disclosed (open) (ACL number; 240). Has been.

  In FIG. 14C, as in FIG. 14A, access restrictions are set for each ACL number. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14 (c), for each logged-in user belonging to the department code 1000 of the company (corporate code 0001), each case of all departments of the company is made public disclosure (ACL number; 310) For the logged-in user belonging to the department code 1200 of the company (corporate code 0001), only the trademark cases of all departments of the company are completely disclosed (ACL number; 320), and the company (corporation code 0001). Log-in users belonging to the department code 3700 of the company are to completely disclose (open) patent, utility model, and design matters of all departments of the company (ACL number: 330) and belong to the company (corporate code 0001). The logged-in user is exemplified by adding the patent, utility model, and design items of his department to public disclosure (ACL number: 390).

  On the other hand, FIG. 15A shows the case of disclosure to an affiliated company, and FIG. 15B shows the case of disclosure to a temporary employee. That is, access restrictions for non-regular employees are set.

  In FIG. 15A, in addition to FIG. 14C, access restrictions for affiliated companies are set. Specifically, for a login user who plays a role in charge of intellectual property of an affiliated company (corporate code 2010), all items in all departments belonging to the affiliated company are fully disclosed (open) (ACL number: 410). ), The login user of the affiliated company (corporate code 2010) can make all cases of all departments belonging to the affiliated company public (ACL number; 415), and the affiliated company (corporate code 3020). For login users with employee code 9021, all cases belonging to the affiliated company should be fully disclosed (open) (ACL number; 420), and for login users of affiliated companies (corporate code 3020) It is exemplified that all cases belonging to the company are disclosed to the inventor only (private) (ACL number; 425).

  In FIG. 15B, access restrictions for temporary employees are set. Specifically, for the login user of the temporary employee (employee code Z0001), all cases are closed (ACL number; 101), and for the login user of the temporary employee (employee code Z0002) In the example, all cases of the company (corporate code 0001) are completely disclosed (ACL number: 102).

  A list of the control conditions related to the access shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is displayed as a screen as shown in FIG. Then, according to the items set on such a screen, it is possible to restrict access such as data disclosure or search processing.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, there is no particular mention regarding the display of the screen displayed at the time of data disclosure or search processing. For example, information is accumulated over a long-term span, and the amount of information to be displayed year by year is increased. In an intellectual property business that is enormous, a layout that fits on a single screen by simplifying necessary portions may be adopted. In this case, when a specific portion (information) is specifically displayed, the screen may be enlarged or reduced by, for example, clicking on a predetermined portion on the screen. Thereby, appropriate information can be handled efficiently according to business.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the patent management system using the platform concept which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the system configuration of the patent management system using the platform concept concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the system configuration | structure of the workflow system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the definition file which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the mapping process which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the approval route definition table which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the approval route process which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a process of data transfer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state transition of the data transfer performed at the time of the application work which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state transition of the data transfer performed at the time of the intermediate | middle work which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data publication process which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data publication process which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the search definition table which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the conditions of the access control which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the conditions of access control which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example which list-ized the conditions of access control concerning one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

2 Company 3 Patent Office 4 Network 10 Online Delivery Server 11 Firewall 20 Patent Management Server 20A Conventional Patent Management System 20B Workflow System 21 Platform Unit 22 Workflow Database 23 Module 24 Patent Management Database 25 Program 201 Application Patent Search Function 202 Application Proposal 202 Function 203 Approval Function 204 Proposal Acceptance Function 205 Application Process Management Function 206 Intermediate Document Inquiry Function 207 Intermediate Document Answerer Determination Function 208 Intermediate Document Answer Function 209 Intermediate Document Determination Function 210 Intermediate Document Process Management Function 220 Definition File 230 Approval Route Definition Table 240 Table 300 Input screen 40 Patent gazette search system 30 Terminal

Claims (11)

In a patent management system that has at least a patent management database that accumulates and manages information generated in intellectual property operations, and performs intellectual property operations within a given group,
A workflow function that covers basic business procedures for carrying out intellectual property work,
A platform part for executing a predetermined operation in a web browser environment;
Mapping means for mapping processing contents executed in the platform unit to the patent management database;
The workflow function is implemented in the platform unit, and the processing content executed in the platform unit based on the business procedure of the workflow function is mapped by the mapping unit to the patent management database according to a predetermined rule. Patent management system using a platform concept characterized by In the patent management system using the platform concept according to claim 1, a workflow database storing processing contents executed in the platform unit;
A definition file in which an association between an input item to which the processing content is input and a storage location of the patent management database is defined;
A patent management system using a platform concept, wherein the mapping means determines a storage location of processing contents stored in the workflow database while referring to the definition file and maps the storage location to the patent management database. 3. The patent management system using the platform concept according to claim 2, wherein the definition file further manages association between the input items and field positions on a screen layout, and the mapping unit includes the workflow database. And a patent management database, a patent management system using a platform concept, wherein a screen layout is changed based on a definition file. The patent management system using the platform concept according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the workflow function searches for a matter related to an application as a function of performing work related to an application for intellectual property work. Application patent search function, application proposal function for making application proposals, approval function for business approval, proposal reception function for accepting application proposals, and process of proposals for application proposals A patent management system using a platform concept, comprising at least an application process management function. The patent management system using the platform concept according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the workflow function is a function for performing an inquiry related to an intermediate document as a function for performing an operation related to the middle of an intellectual property business. Intermediary document inquiry function, intermediate document respondent decision function to select or change respondents of intermediate documents, intermediate document answer function to manage the reply work of intermediate documents, and approval work of answers regarding intermediate documents It has at least an intermediate document approval function for managing, an intermediate document determination function for determining predetermined items related to the intermediate document, and an intermediate document process management function for managing the process of the intermediate document Patent management system using platform concept. In the patent management system using the platform concept according to any one of claims 1 to 5, an approval route determination means for determining an approval route to be passed for each case in performing intellectual property work, and an indication to the case And an approval route definition table that defines a correspondence between the document name and the approval route.
The approval route determination means automatically determines an approval route according to a document name of a case based on the approval route definition table, and creates a business procedure corresponding to the approval route on the workflow. Patent management system using concept. 7. The patent management system using the platform concept according to claim 6, wherein the approval route definition table includes an expression for calculating a deadline for each business, and the approval route determination means includes the approval route. A patent management system using a platform concept that automatically calculates a business deadline according to an approval route determined based on a definition table. In the patent management system using the platform concept according to any one of claims 1 to 7, when performing data exchange with the outside, comprising a data exchange means for quantifying and managing state transitions related to data exchange, A patent management system using a platform concept characterized in that the data exchange means manages the relationship between steps and actions by a combination of numerical values. In the patent management system using the platform concept according to any one of claims 1 to 8, an access key in which a part of an access condition is encrypted is generated when accessing information whose access authority is restricted. A platform concept characterized in that the access key generation means generates an access key according to the purpose of use based on a unique document number assigned to the target information. Patent management system used. In the patent management system using the platform concept according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a process management means for generating a series of process work for each case and setting a target date for the process work,
A patent management system using a platform concept, wherein the process management means manages a standard process or an irregular process based on a template in which a process operation for each item is defined. 5. The patent management system using the platform concept according to claim 4, wherein the application patent search function includes at least a type indicating a matter related to the application, a corporation indicating a company related to the application, a department belonging to the corporation, A patent management system using a platform concept characterized by setting access restrictions for each case according to either the position of the case concerning the application and the role of the case concerning the application.

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