JP2007193847A - Intellectual property information management device, intellectual property information management program and intellectual property information management program recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the load of a person engaged in intellectual property management business and to improve the efficiency of the intellectual property management business. <P>SOLUTION: The intellectual property information management system 1 is provided with: an intellectual property information management device 10 for performing unitary management of intellectual property information, user terminals 2i (i=a, b, ..., n); and a computer network (intranet) 4 for connecting the intellectual property information management device 10 and the user terminals 2i. The system performs period management and package management of self-owned intellectual properties and provides circulation/review/approval concerned with the intellectual property operation of an invention section and an intellectual property section as a work flow. The management device 10 is provided with a period management server 11, a package management server 13 and a work flow management server 12, and respectively stores information managed by the respective servers 11 to 13 in a period management DB 14, a package management DB 16 and a work flow management DB 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an intellectual property information management apparatus, an intellectual property information management program, and an intellectual property information management program recording medium for managing information relating to intellectual property such as patents, and in particular, intellectual property information having a workflow function. The present invention relates to a management apparatus, an intellectual property information management program, and an intellectual property information management program recording medium.

  In the past, companies have used intellectual property information management systems that manage information relating to intellectual property such as patents filed in-house (hereinafter referred to as intellectual property information). Mainly in bibliographic information management system that manages bibliographic information such as inventor, applicant, application date, application number and examination request deadline, and document information management system that electronically manages documents related to application procedures and intermediate procedures is there.

  Also, in recent years, in order to improve the efficiency of business, it has become common for a workflow system to be built for internal business, and it can be seen that such a workflow system is applied to intellectual property management business. It is supposed to be.

The prior art document information related to this application includes the following.
JP 2001-337966 A

  However, when a company performs an application procedure or an intermediate procedure, the intellectual property management work is performed through internal procedures such as various applications and approvals. There is a problem that the intellectual property management work cannot be made efficient unless it is organically linked with the workflow system related to the property management work and the intellectual property information can be handled centrally.

  In other words, if bibliographic information, document information, and information related to workflow cannot be managed centrally, double input will occur for each subsystem, paperlessness will not be realized, and manual work will remain. There are challenges.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and is engaged in intellectual property management work by centrally managing intellectual property information including information related to the workflow of intellectual property management work. The intellectual property information management device, the intellectual property information management program, and the intellectual property that can reduce the burden on the user, improve the efficiency of intellectual property management work, and make strategic use of intellectual property information An object is to provide a property information management program recording medium.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention as set forth in claim 1 is capable of communicating with each other via a user terminal and a computer network, and stores bibliographic information related to an intellectual property application procedure and intermediate procedures. An intellectual property information management apparatus for managing a workflow relating to an intermediate procedure, comprising an information storage means and a document information storage means for storing document information relating to the application procedure and intermediate procedure of the intellectual property, Intermediate procedure information registration means for extracting corresponding bibliographic information from the bibliographic information storage means and registering it as intermediate procedure information based on notification information from the user terminal or instruction information transmitted from the user terminal in the intellectual property department And inquiries regarding the intermediate procedure information to a predetermined patent contact person different from the person who answers the inquiry regarding the intermediate procedure information. When a child mail is sent and access is made from the user terminal of the patent contact person according to the information written in the e-mail, the answer candidate indicated in the intermediate procedure information or another answer candidate is selected. Answer scheduled person designation screen display means for displaying a screen for designating as an expected answer person on the user terminal, and answerer information based on an operation for designating an expected answer person on the user terminal are received from the user terminal. When sent, an inquiry means for sending an inquiry e-mail addressed to the designated prospective answer person based on the respondent information, and the information written in the e-mail sent by the inquiry means When there is access from the user terminal of the respondent who is the recipient of the email and reply information based on an operation on the user terminal is sent, the reply information is based on the reply information. Response information reflecting means for reflecting the response in the intermediate procedure information, and final determination information determined based on the response transmitted from the user terminal of the intellectual property department in the intermediate procedure information. The gist of the present invention is to include a determination unit that reflects and stores the bibliographic information storage unit.

  Here, the intellectual property information management device is a generic term for devices capable of realizing the functions of the present invention by a program, and includes a supercomputer, a general-purpose computer, an office computer, a workstation, a personal computer, a microcomputer, All forms including PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) are included. Also, the configuration may be any configuration such as a single device or a system in which a plurality of distributed devices are connected to the network.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, the inquiry means is accessed from the user terminal of the patent contact person after the electronic mail by the inquiry means is transmitted, and the user When respondent information is sent from the user terminal based on an operation to change the respondent on the terminal, an inquiry e-mail is sent to the respondent after the change based on the respondent information This is the gist.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the document information storage means stores the received procedure documents as a result of performing the application procedure or the intermediate procedure with respect to the Patent Office, The gist of the invention is to have a procedure result reflecting means for storing the bibliographic information of the received procedure document in the bibliographic information storage means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the application request information transmitted from the user terminal of the inventor is received, and a specification manuscript is received as the application request information. And the application request information registration means for accepting the specification manuscript in addition, and approval information regarding approval or denial of the application request information transmitted to at least one approver according to a predetermined approval route. The approval information registration means for accepting from the user terminal of the approver, and the final application request application transmitted from the user terminal of the intellectual property department if approved by all the approvers. Information on general approval or rejection is reflected in the approval information, and if included in the application request information, the specification manuscript and the approval information are included in the document information. Together in the storage means, and summarized in that with the application determination means for storing the application request information to the bibliographic information storage means.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the approval status of the desired application request application is indicated in the approval information according to a search condition transmitted from the user terminal. The gist of the invention is to have an approval status search means for displaying based on the above.

  The present invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the approval path can be changed by inputting information about a next approver from the user terminal. Is the gist.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the application deciding means makes an inquiry about the application request application to the inventor using an electronic communication tool. And a reply means for the inventor to reply from the user terminal to the inquiry.

  The present invention as described in claim 8 is capable of communicating with each other via a user terminal and a computer network, and bibliographic information storage means for storing bibliographic information related to an application procedure and an intermediate procedure of intellectual property. A computer having document information storage means for storing document application information related to property application procedures and intermediate procedures is an intellectual property information management apparatus program for managing a workflow related to intermediate procedures, and is notified from the JPO. Or the intermediate procedure information registration means for extracting the corresponding bibliographic information from the bibliographic information storage means based on the instruction information transmitted from the user terminal in the intellectual property department, and registering it as intermediate procedure information; Inquiries regarding the interim procedure information are addressed to a predetermined patent contact person who is different from those who respond to inquiries regarding the procedure information. When a child mail is transmitted and access is made from the user terminal of the patent contact person according to the information written in the e-mail, the answer candidate indicated in the intermediate procedure information or other answer candidates are selected. Answer scheduled person designation screen display means for displaying a screen for designating as an expected answer person on the user terminal, and answerer information based on an operation for designating an expected answer person on the user terminal are received from the user terminal. When sent, an inquiry means for sending an inquiry e-mail addressed to the designated prospective answer person based on the respondent information, and the information written in the e-mail sent by the inquiry means When there is access from the user terminal of the respondent who is the recipient of the email and reply information based on an operation on the user terminal is sent, the reply information is based on the reply information. Response information reflecting means for reflecting the response to the intermediate procedure information, and final determination information determined based on the response transmitted from the user terminal of the intellectual property department as the intermediate procedure information. The gist is to cause the computer to function as a determination unit that is reflected and stored in the bibliographic information storage unit.

  Here, the computer is a generic term for devices capable of realizing the functions of the present invention by a program, and is a supercomputer, general-purpose computer, office computer, workstation, personal computer, microcomputer, PDA (Personal Digital Assistance). ) Etc. Also, the configuration may be any configuration such as a single device or a system in which a plurality of distributed devices are connected to the network. In addition, the program may be one in which middleware such as an OS running on a computer, database management software, or network software executes part of each process for realizing the present embodiment based on the instructions of the program. included.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 8, wherein the inquiry means is accessed from the user terminal of the patent contact person after the e-mail by the inquiry means is transmitted. When respondent information is sent from the user terminal based on an operation to change the respondent on the terminal, an inquiry e-mail is sent to the respondent after the change based on the respondent information This is the gist.

  The gist of the present invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the intellectual property information program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

  Here, computer-readable recording media include magnetic disks, flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks (CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, etc.), optical The storage format may be any form as long as it is a storage medium that can store a program and can be read by a computer, such as a magnetic disk (such as an MO) or a semiconductor memory.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the intellectual property management information including information related to the workflow of the intellectual property management business can be centrally managed. It is possible to reduce intellectual property and improve the efficiency of intellectual property management work, and to make strategic use of intellectual property information.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an intellectual property information management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The intellectual property information management system 1 includes an intellectual property information management apparatus 10 that centrally manages intellectual property information, an inventor department such as an in-house technology / development section, and an intellectual property management section. User terminals 2i (i = a, b,..., N) and 3 (hereinafter referred to as user terminal 2i also include user terminal 3) installed in the property department, etc., and an intellectual property information management device 10 and a computer network (intranet) 4 that connects the user terminal 2i, and manages the expiration and management of the intellectual property that it owns, as well as the intellectual property of the invention department and intellectual property department This is a system that circulates, reviews, and approves property management tasks.

  The intellectual property information management device 10 includes a deadline management server 11 that manages bibliographic information including deadline information such as the inventor, application date, application number, and examination request deadline date, and packaging of application documents and in-house documents. And a workflow management server 12 for managing workflow information related to application procedures and intermediate procedures, respectively, and a deadline management database (hereinafter referred to as a deadline management DB) 14 and a packaging bag, respectively. Information managed by each server is stored in a management database (hereinafter referred to as a packaging management DB) 16 and a workflow management database (hereinafter referred to as a workflow management DB) 15.

  The intellectual property information management apparatus 10 has functions as a Web server and a mail server (not shown) in addition to the functions as the application server and the database server as described above. Information exchange using Web and e-mail is possible. Moreover, although the intellectual property information management apparatus 10 is a server in which functions are distributed to three, a configuration may be adopted in which all functions are provided in one server.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the term management DB 14 is a database that manages bibliographic information for each case, and stores information on application procedures, information on intermediate procedures, rights information, and the like. In the intellectual property information management system 1, an application number (acceptance number) is used as an ID for uniquely determining a case.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the packaging management DB 16 stores documents such as application requests, application forms, specifications, procedure amendments and other documents used for exchange with the Patent Office and application processing request documents for each case (application number). It is a database that stores in-house procedure documents electronically, and these document information is stored as text information or image information.

  More specifically, the workflow management DB 15 includes an application request information table 151, a domestic application request table 152, a foreign application request table 153 (not shown), an intermediate procedure information table 154, and a master table 155, as shown in FIGS. (Not shown).

  The application request information table 151 is a table that stores information relating to approval in the application request application procedure, and generates and manages records for each application number. The domestic application request table 152 is a table that stores the contents of an application request application form for a domestic application. Like the application request information table, a record is generated and managed for each application number. The foreign application request table 153 is a table that manages and stores information such as application countries that are not managed in the domestic application. In the case of a foreign application, a record is created in the domestic application request table 152, and Records are created in the foreign application request table 154 in pairs with the records. Therefore, the application request information table 151, the domestic application request table 152, and the foreign application request information table 153 are associated with each other by application numbers (acceptance numbers). As shown in FIG. 6, the intermediate procedure information table 154 is a table for storing information related to intermediate procedure processing, and exchanges data in cooperation with the time limit management DB 14 as will be described later.

  The user terminal 2i is a personal computer used for daily work, and browser software and electronic mail software (including all electronic communication tools such as instant messenger) are installed in the user terminal 2i. The browser function and the e-mail function can exchange information with the intellectual property information management apparatus 10. Of the user terminals 2i, the electronic application terminal 3 is connected to the patent office 5 via the communication line 6, and can perform electronic application procedures and intermediate procedures.

  Here, a user who uses the user terminal 2i will be described. Users are broadly divided into users in the invention section of the technology / development section to which the inventor belongs, and users in the intellectual property section of the intellectual property management section that supports the acquisition of intellectual property rights. As shown in the organization chart of FIG. 7, for example, the invention department includes an inventor, a superior, a patent contact person, etc. (each has a different role systematically as described later). When applying for an application request, application information flows from the inventor in the order of upper manager 1, upper manager 2,. Here, the patent contact is a person who mediates between the intellectual property department and respondents such as the inventor in order to increase the efficiency of workflow work. Even if there is, it is possible to identify the best respondent.

  In addition, the Intellectual Property Department includes the Intellectual Property Reception that accepts application documents from the Invention Department, the Intellectual Property Department in charge of individual projects received by the Intellectual Property Department, and the Intellectual Property Department There are directors in charge of filing applications to the JPO, etc., and each system has different roles as described later.

  Such user affiliation information, role information, and approval route information are stored in advance in the master table 155, and the approval process is controlled based on the information in the master table 155. Yes. Each user has a user ID and a password, thereby accessing the intellectual property information management system 1 and ensuring security according to the role of the user.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the intellectual property information management system 1 will be described by dividing it into an application request procedure and an intermediate processing procedure.

(1) Application Request Procedure FIGS. 8 to 12 are sequence diagrams for explaining the workflow related to the application request procedure, and FIGS. 13 to 25 are diagrams for explaining the application request procedure screen. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for explaining step S13 in detail.

  First, the inventor (representative inventor) performs an application request application procedure for a patent application request (step S1). From the application request application screen as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, information on the inventor, such as the representative inventor and joint inventor, the name of the invention, presence or absence of domestic priority claim, research and development theme, technical field information, rights Information relating to the content of the application request such as the department to which the applicant belongs, external announcement, etc. is input, a specification manuscript (electronic data) li1 is attached, and information of the next approver is input.

  Here, the next approver initially displays the approver derived from the default approval route stored in the master table 155 described above, but the inventor can change the approver. Therefore, even when the next approver is absent or changed, the approval work can be performed promptly without delaying the approval work.

  When the input is confirmed, the information da1 regarding the application request content is registered in the domestic application request table 152, and the next approver information is registered in the application request information table 151. When data is registered, the application number is added and registered, and this application number is displayed on the application request application screen to display a message that the application request application has been provisionally accepted. At the same time, the intellectual property information management system 1 sends an e-mail da2 to the inventor to the effect of completion of provisional acceptance as shown in FIG. Thereby, the inventor can confirm that the provisional reception of the application request application is completed. Also, since the approval request e-mail da3 as shown in FIG. 16 is transmitted to the next approver, the next approver can confirm that there is an approval request for himself / herself.

  Finally, the inventor confirms and outputs the transfer certificate li2 created by the intellectual property information management system 1 based on the input information, presses the transfer mark, and submits it to the IP reception (step S2).

  Next, the next approver (superior) refers to the approval request e-mail da3, accesses the URL written in the e-mail, confirms the contents of the application request, and performs evaluation and approval (step). S3). In the case of approval, input of authority information, importance of the issue, technical feasibility, evaluation of the commercialization plan, etc., as shown in FIGS. The approver is selected. If it is desired to refer to the application request application entered by the inventor, it can be referred to by clicking the application number in FIG. Further, the specification manuscript can also be referred to from the application request application.

  As a result, the approval information da4 input from the screen is transmitted to the workflow management server 12, so that the corresponding record in the application request information table 151 is based on the input approval information, the final approval state (approval state), approval Information and next approver information are updated. In addition, in the corresponding record of the domestic application request table 152, the evaluation information column (importance of the issue, technical feasibility, productization plan, evaluation information, etc.) is updated based on the input evaluation information. Then, the workflow management server 12 transmits an approval request e-mail to the next approver based on the next approver information. The input of the next approver is the same mechanism as the input on the application request application screen described above, so the explanation is omitted (the following is also the same as the input of the next approver, so the explanation is omitted. (Omitted).

  Then, such approval work is performed by an approval route prepared in advance by the intellectual property information management system 1 called the superior n (n = 1,..., 9) and the patent contact (steps S4 and S5).

  In the case of refusing in the approval process, the final approval state (denial state), approver information, etc. are updated in the corresponding record of the application request information table 151, and the workflow management server 12 is as shown in FIG. In addition, e-mails da7 'and da8' to the effect of rejection are transmitted to the approver and inventor thus far (step S4 '). Thus, the approver and the inventor so far can confirm the result of the application request application related to him / her.

  In addition to the e-mail, the inventor and the approver can check the approval status of the application request case related to him / her on the approval status search screen as shown in FIG. This is based on the final approval information (approval, denial, acceptance), approver information n (n = 1,..., 9) stored in the application request information table 151, color-coded on the screen, and waiting for approval. Since the denial, the IP room acceptance status, and the number of approvals are displayed, the inventor and the approver can easily grasp the progress of the application request. When the application number is clicked, a window displaying the contents of the application request appears, so that the contents of the application request can be confirmed on this screen.

  Next, the invention department is circulated, and the approved application request application is circulated to the intellectual property department. In the intellectual property department, first, the IP reception performs a receipt check (step S11). In the receipt check screen as shown in FIG. 20, when the necessary documents such as the assignment certificate li2 and the specification manuscript li1 have been received, the receipt confirmation button is pressed and the documents are not received. In this case, a prompt button is pressed.

  As a result, the receipt confirmation information da11 is transmitted to the workflow management server 12, and the intellectual property room receiver information of the corresponding record in the application request information table 151, the presence / absence of the specification document, and the presence / absence of the transfer certificate are updated. When the prompt button is pressed, a reminder e-mail is transmitted to the inventor, so that the inventor can be prompted to submit necessary documents. Therefore, in the intellectual property department, not only the application request application but also necessary documents accompanying it can be managed by the intellectual property information management system 1 at the same time.

  The intellectual property reception handes over all necessary documents to the intellectual property superior, and the intellectual property superior confirms the contents and determines the intellectual property person in charge of each case (step S12). This is to determine whether or not it is necessary to change the person in charge because the person in charge of IP is initially displayed for each application request application from the person-in-charge determination screen (not shown). Note that the person in charge of intellectual property initially displayed is determined in advance for each technical field information stored in the domestic application request table 152, and the relationship between the technical field information and the person in charge is stored in the master table 155. Therefore, the information in the master table 155 is referred to and displayed. When the intellectual property person in charge is determined and the intellectual property person information da12 is transmitted to the workflow management server 12, the intellectual property room person information of the corresponding record in the application request information table 151 is updated.

  Next, the determined intellectual property person in charge decides whether or not to finally accept the application request application and apply (step S13). This is to determine and determine the content of the application request application, but if necessary, an inquiry can be made to the inventor (step S131). When making an inquiry, the inquiry type, inquiry content, and response deadline date are input from the inquiry creation screen as shown in FIG. 21 (step S132).

  As a result, the application request survey table da13 is transmitted to the workflow management server 12, and the application request confirmation record (sent date / time, representative inventor information, question, answer deadline date, etc.) is registered in the intermediate procedure information table 154. . Since this record is associated with the record of the application request information table 151 and the domestic application request information table 152 by the application number (reception number), the application request application and the application request confirmation survey table are associated and managed. be able to.

  When the application request confirmation record is registered, an e-mail da14 in which the inquiry is written is transmitted to the inventor. Upon receiving the inquiry e-mail da14, the inventor accesses the URL written in the e-mail, confirms the inquiry for application request confirmation from the application request confirmation survey form as shown in FIG. Create (step S133). As a result, the reply da15 is transmitted to the workflow management server 12, and the respondent information is updated in the corresponding record of the intermediate procedure information table 154.

  In addition, the person in charge of intellectual property can correct the application request contents if necessary based on the contents of the answer (steps S134 and S135). This is edited from the application request editing screen (not shown), and the edit items of the corresponding record in the domestic application request information table 152 are updated by the application request editing information da16.

  Then, in order to make an acceptance decision for an application request application, processing is performed in the order of creation of an acceptance ledger, creation of a bag, and acceptance decision from the acceptance decision screen as shown in FIG. 23 (steps S136 to S138). Creation of the reception ledger is performed by registering information (inventor, applicant, etc.) stored in the domestic application request table 152 in the time limit management DB 14 as bibliographic information da17 by pressing the ledger creation button bu1. To create a wrapping bag, the specification document li1 and the application request application form li2 are registered in the wrapping bag management DB 16 as document information da18 managed in the wrapping bag by pressing a wrapping bag creation button bu2.

  Since the deadline management DB 14 and the packaging management DB 16 and the domestic application request table 151 are associated with each other by the application number (reception number), the bibliographic information is stored in the deadline management DB 14 and the document information is the packaging information. It can be reflected in the management DB 16 and can be managed as unified intellectual property management information even when the intermediate procedure is performed thereafter.

  In addition, since the acceptance decision information da19 is transmitted to the workflow management server 12 by pressing the acceptance button bu3, the acceptance decision of the application request application is sent to the workflow management server 12, so that the final approval state (acceptance state) of the corresponding record in the domestic application request table 151 ) Is updated.

  Next, the person in charge of intellectual property prepares the specification li3 and sends the application document including the prepared specification li3 to the person in charge of the application (step S14). Then, when the application manager makes an application from the electronic application terminal 3 and receives the reception result da21, the application result is reflected in the time limit management DB 14 and the packaging management DB 16 (steps S15 to S16).

  This reflects the application document (with application date and application number) da22 as a proof in the packaging management DB 16, and the bibliographic information (application date, application number, etc.) da23 cut out from the application document in the time limit management DB 14. Thus, the term management DB 14 and the package management DB 16 can manage not only in-house documents and bibliographic information thereof, but also documents exchanged with the Patent Office and bibliographic information thereof.

  Therefore, according to the intellectual property management system 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to quickly and accurately support the application request procedure from the preparation of the application request to the post application, Documents exchanged with the JPO and its bibliographic information can be managed at the same time, that is, intellectual property management information can be managed centrally, reducing the burden on those involved in intellectual property management operations. As a result, the efficiency of intellectual property management can be improved.

  The above-mentioned application request procedure is for a normal application request. However, for an application request procedure incurring a high cost such as a foreign application, a separate approval procedure occurs after step S13. Will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  First, the person in charge of intellectual property prepares an acceptance request for foreign application request (step S21). In this screen, a request for settlement for accepting a foreign application request is edited, such as addition / modification of an application request application, determination of an application route (see FIG. 24), and selection of a next approver.

  Next, the next approver (superior of intellectual property) refers to the approval request e-mail, accesses the URL written in the e-mail, confirms the contents of the approval / disapproval inquiry, and performs the approval work. (Step S22). As a result, an e-mail requesting approval of the approval / disapproval request is sent to the next approver, so if the approval of the approval / disapproval request is performed in the same manner by the next approver (Director of the Intellectual Property Office), this is the final result. It becomes approval information (approval or denial) (step S23).

  In response to this result, the person in charge of intellectual property determines the application country on the application country determination screen for the foreign application request as shown in FIG. When the application manager confirms the application decision, bibliographic information related to the application ledger is registered in the time limit management DB 14 (step S25). Next, the application manager makes a request for a foreign application to the patent office and receives the application result after the foreign application, and reflects this information in the deadline management DB 14 and the bag management DB 16.

  Therefore, according to the intellectual property management system 1 of the present embodiment, since the administrative procedures for foreign applications and the like are managed as a workflow system, application requests that require separate approval procedures such as foreign applications are also requested. It is possible to quickly and accurately support the procedures from document preparation to post-application, reducing the burden on those involved in intellectual property management work, and improving the efficiency of intellectual property management work.

(2) Intermediate processing procedures Intermediate processing procedures include (a) procedures relating to examination requests and pension payments that are processed by the applicant, and (b) procedures corresponding to notification documents that are processed from the JPO. So I will explain separately.

  FIG. 26 is a sequence diagram for explaining a procedure for examination request and annuity payment, and FIGS. 27 to 32 are diagrams for explaining a procedure screen for examination request and annuity payment. FIG. 33 is a sequence diagram for explaining a procedure corresponding to a notification document generated from the JPO side. FIGS. 34 to 36 show a procedure corresponding to a notification document generated from the JPO side. It is a figure explaining a screen.

(A) Examination request, pension, etc. First, the application manager gives the deadline management database 14 the deadline instruction da31, extracts data corresponding to the examination request and rights maintenance procedures (applicants with close deadlines), and intermediate procedures. The corresponding data is registered in the information table 154 (the item ka1 is set by the time limit management DB 14) (step S31). This is because the deadline management DB 14 has, as bibliographic information, examination request deadline information and next payment deadline information for rights maintenance. Compare this deadline information with the designated deadline information, To extract. Further, the person in charge of application transmits the examination request / pension list li5 for each person in charge of intellectual property from the term management DB 14 to the person in charge of intellectual property. As a result, the person in charge of intellectual property can view the examination request / pension list data to be examined, which can be used for final necessity determination processing described later.

  Then, from the collective inquiry screen such as examination request / pension as shown in FIG. 27, an answer deadline date is set, and an inquiry for examination request necessity confirmation or right maintenance necessity confirmation is made to the patent contact person (step S32). ). In accordance with the necessity list sending instruction da32, the sending date / time and the response deadline date of the corresponding record in the intermediate procedure information table 154 are updated, and the necessity inquiry e-mail da33 is sent to the patent contact person.

  The patent contact person who has received the e-mail da33 accesses the URL written in the e-mail and makes an inquiry to the person who can respond, such as the inventor (step S33). This is because, on the inquiry request / pension inquiry screen as shown in FIG. 28, the patent contact person is the person who is scheduled to answer in the initial display, so the change button bu4 is pressed, and as shown in FIG. In the inquiry change screen, the person who plans to answer is changed to an optimal person such as the inventor. As a result, the respondent information da34 is transmitted to the workflow management server 12, the reply planner information of the corresponding record in the intermediate procedure information table 154 is updated, and an e-mail da35 for inquiries about necessity is sent to the modified reply planner. The It should be noted that there may be a case where the changed answer candidate is not appropriate after the transmission of the e-mail da35, so that the patent contact person can make another change as necessary.

  Upon receiving the e-mail da35, the respondent, such as the inventor, accesses the URL written in the e-mail and makes a reply to the necessity inquiry (step S34). In this screen, the examination request necessity survey table screen as shown in FIG. 30 is used to select the necessity of examination request, whether it is unnecessary, and the reason for judging necessity, as well as the right maintenance requirement as shown in FIG. On the rejection survey screen, the information on whether to maintain the right, whether it is unnecessary, the reason for necessity is entered. As a result, the reply information da36 including necessity is transmitted to the workflow management server 12, and the respondent information (answer date and time, necessity of the respondent, comment of the respondent) of the corresponding record in the intermediate procedure information table 154 is updated. The

  Next, the person in charge of intellectual property confirms the answer result of the person who is scheduled to answer, and finally decides whether or not it is necessary (step S35). This is to determine necessity from the decision screen for necessity inquiry for examination request / pension, etc. as shown in FIG. 32, whereby necessity decision information da37 is transmitted to the workflow management server 12, and intermediate procedure information is obtained. The final necessity (Y or N) of the corresponding record in the table 154 is updated. A necessity inquiry table da38 for examination request / pension including necessity decision information da37 is registered in the packaging management DB 16.

  Next, the person in charge of application confirms the final decision of the person in charge of intellectual property from the confirmation screen (not shown) for necessity of examination / pension, etc., and performs confirmation processing (step S36). As a result, the record that is the subject of the confirmation process in the intermediate procedure information table 154 reflects the necessity information for examination request / pension, etc. as bibliographic information in the time limit management DB 14. Then, after the reflection process to the time limit management DB 14 is completed, the target record in the intermediate procedure information table 154 is deleted. This is because the intermediate procedure information table 154 is a work-like temporary table and is managed by the time limit management DB 14 or the bag management DB 16 in a unified manner when necessity is determined.

  When the application manager performs an intermediate procedure from the electronic application terminal 3 and receives the receipt result da41, the procedure result is reflected in the time limit management DB 14 and the package management DB 16 (steps S37 and S38). This is to reflect the procedural document (procedure date, with procedure number) da43 as a proof in the packaging management DB 14 and the bibliographic information da42 (procedure date, procedure number, etc.) cut out from the procedure document in the time limit management DB 16. .

  Therefore, according to the intellectual property management system 1 of the present embodiment, the intermediate procedure for the examination request and the pension can be quickly and accurately supported. It is possible to reduce the load and increase the efficiency of intellectual property management work.

(B) Notification Documents for Reasons for Refusal First, the applicant in charge receives notification document information da51 such as a notification of reasons for refusal, notification of decision of refusal, notification of reasons for cancellation, command for reply, etc. from the JPO. Upon receiving the notification document information da51, the application manager registers the document information da53 in the packaging management DB 16, and the bibliographic information (shipping number, shipping date, response deadline date, etc.) da52 cut out from the notification document information da51 is stored in the time limit management DB14. Is reflected in the corresponding record (step S51). At the same time, the bibliographic information of the corresponding record in the deadline management DB 14 is registered in the intermediate procedure information table 154 (the item ka1 and the reply deadline date are set from the deadline management DB 14).

  Next, the applicant in charge makes an inquiry about reasons for refusal to the patent contact person from a collective inquiry screen (not shown, a screen similar to FIG. 27) such as the reason for refusal (step S52). As a result, the notification list sending instruction da54 is sent to the workflow management server 12, the sending date and time of the corresponding record in the intermediate procedure information table 154 is updated, and an inquiry e-mail da55 is sent to the patent contact.

  Upon receiving the e-mail da55, the patent contactor accesses the URL written in the e-mail and makes an inquiry to the person who can respond, such as the inventor (step S53). This is because, on the inquiry screen such as the reason for refusal (screen not shown, the screen has the same configuration as FIG. 28), the patent contact person is the person who is scheduled to answer in the initial display, so the change button is pressed and the inquiry change screen is displayed. In this case (not shown, a screen having the same configuration as that in FIG. 29), the person who plans to answer is changed to an optimal person such as the inventor. As a result, the respondent information da56 is transmitted to the workflow management server 12, so that the answer candidate information of the corresponding record in the intermediate procedure information table 154 is updated, and an e-mail da57 for inquiring necessity to the changed answer candidate. Is sent. It should be noted that there may be a case in which the changed responding candidate is not appropriate after the transmission of the e-mail da57, so that the patent contact person can make another change as necessary.

  Upon receiving the e-mail da57, the prospective answerer such as the inventor accesses the URL written in the e-mail and answers the inquiry (step S54). This is to input the contents of the reply to the person in charge of intellectual property on the reply mail creation screen as shown in FIG. As a result, the response information da58 is transmitted to the workflow management server 12, so that the respondent information (answer date / time, necessity / unnecessity of the respondent, comment of the respondent) of the corresponding record in the intermediate procedure information table 154 is updated.

  Next, the person in charge of intellectual property confirms the answer result of the person who plans to answer and makes a final decision (step S55). This is for confirming the contents of the reasons for refusal as shown in FIG. 35 and pressing the response (respond) button bu5 or the refusal (accepted for reasons for refusal) button bu6 from the response / rejection screen. As a result, response or rejection decision information da59 is transmitted to the workflow management server 12, and the final necessity (Y or N) of the corresponding record in the intermediate procedure information table 154 is updated.

  In the case of refusal, a refusal decision screen as shown in FIG. 36 is displayed, and the reason is to be entered. By pressing the refusal decision button bu7, it is addressed to the intellectual property manager. The input content is sent as an e-mail. In the screen of FIG. 35, when making the final decision, the application document and the notification document information da51 can be referred to, and the final decision can be made based on this.

  If a response is made, an intermediate procedure document li7 such as a procedure amendment or opinion is prepared and sent to the application manager (step S56).

  Next, the person in charge of application confirms the final decision of the person in charge of intellectual property from a decision confirmation screen (not shown) such as the reason for refusal, and performs confirmation processing (step S57). As a result, the record that is the target of the confirmation processing in the intermediate procedure processing table 154 reflects the decision information da60 such as the reason for refusal as bibliographic information in the time limit management DB 14. Then, after the reflection process to the time limit management DB 14 is completed, the target record in the intermediate procedure processing table 154 is deleted. This is because the intermediate procedure information table 154 is a work-like temporary table, and when the response to the reason for refusal or the like is determined, it is centrally managed by the time limit management DB 14 or the package management DB 16.

  Then, when the application manager performs an intermediate procedure from the electronic application terminal 3 and receives the reception result da62, the reception result da62 is reflected in the time limit management DB 14 and the packaging management DB 16 (step S59). This is to reflect the procedural document (procedure date and procedure number) da64 as a proof to the packaging management DB 16 and the bibliographic information (procedure date, procedure number, etc.) da63 cut out from the procedure document to the time limit management DB 14. .

  Therefore, according to the intellectual property management system 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to quickly and accurately support intermediate processing procedures regarding notification of reasons for refusal, notification of decision of refusal, etc. It is possible to reduce the load and increase the efficiency of intellectual property management work.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 37 is a schematic configuration diagram of the intellectual property information management system 7 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The intellectual property information management system 7 according to the present embodiment is a workflow system that manages work related to performance compensation application. Here, performance compensation refers to a system that guarantees the inventor's efforts in the form of compensation when a company makes a profit that exceeds a certain standard due to the implementation of intellectual property such as a patented invention. The intellectual property information management system 7 is a systemized internal procedure relating to the application for performance compensation. In the present embodiment, only the configuration and functions different from those of the first embodiment will be described, and the other components and functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

  More specifically, the workflow management DB 74 includes a performance compensation master table 741, a performance compensation year-specific table 742, a performance compensation time limit table 743, and a master table 744 (not shown) as shown in FIGS. It is a database that handles data for which performance compensation has yet to be confirmed. The performance compensation master table 741 is a table created by reflecting bibliographic information such as patent contact information, respondent information, person in charge information, application number, registration number, etc. from the time limit management DB 73 as shown in FIG. Master information related to compensation is stored, and a record is generated for each performance compensation ID.

  As shown in FIG. 39, the actual compensation year-specific table 742 is a table that stores responses related to actual compensation for each target year, and records are generated for each actual compensation ID. Here, the actual compensation master table 741 and the actual compensation year table 742 are associated with each other in a one-to-many relationship with the actual compensation ID, so the actual compensation year table 742 is associated with one record of the actual compensation master table 741. A plurality of records are associated with each year and each decision category.

  The performance compensation due date table 743 is a master table for managing the due date provided for each performance compensation year, and performs the performance compensation work according to this due date.

  Similar to the workflow management DB 74, the time limit management DB 73 includes a performance compensation master table 731 and a performance compensation year-specific table 732, and is a DB that handles past performance compensation data for which performance compensation has been confirmed.

  The deadline management DB 73 and the workflow management DB 74 have tables having the same configuration. The past (confirmed information) is managed in the deadline management DB 73 and the application target (unconfirmed information) is managed in the workflow management DB 74. To do. After the decision is made, the data in the workflow management DB 74 is reflected in the time limit management DB 73 (the data in the workflow management DB 74 is deleted), and the data relating to the performance compensation is centrally managed in the time limit management DB 73. It is what.

  Next, the operation of the intellectual property information management system 7 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 41 is a sequence diagram for explaining the work relating to the performance compensation application, and FIGS. 42 to 47 are diagrams for explaining the procedure screen relating to the performance compensation application.

  First, the application manager gives an instruction to reflect data relating to performance compensation from the time limit management DB 73 to the workflow management DB 74 (step S71). As a result, the reflection instruction information d71 is transmitted to the time limit management server 71, so that the bibliographic information d72 related to the performance compensation is extracted from the time limit management DB 73 and the data is registered in the performance compensation master table 741. The data registered in the performance compensation master table 741 includes data generated by an application from the inventor, and this is also subject to subsequent processing. However, for the data submitted by the inventor, an input check function such as whether the right is valid or duplicated input works, and it is consistent as data related to performance compensation. Sex is being maintained.

  Next, the person in charge of application sets an answer deadline date for respondents, patent contact persons, and intellectual property officers from the batch sending screen for performance compensation as shown in FIG. (Step S72). As a result, the actual compensation list batch sending instruction information d73 is transmitted to the workflow management server 72, so that the due date in the actual compensation due date table 743 and the transmission date of the actual compensation master 741 are updated, and the actual result is sent to the patent contactor. An e-mail d74 inquiring about compensation is transmitted.

  Upon receiving the e-mail d74, the patent contactor accesses the URL written in the e-mail and makes an inquiry for performance compensation to the person who can respond, including the inventor (step S73). This is because, on the inquiry and application inquiry screen for performance compensation as shown in FIG. 43, the patent contact person is the person who is scheduled to answer in the initial display, so the change button bu8 is pressed, and the inquiry destination as shown in FIG. In the change screen, the respondent is changed to an optimal person such as the inventor. As a result, the respondent information d75 is transmitted to the workflow management server 72, so that the response planner information of the corresponding record in the performance compensation master table 741 is updated, and an email for inquiring performance compensation is sent to the changed responding planner. d76 is transmitted.

  Upon receipt of the e-mail d76, the respondent, such as the inventor, accesses the URL written in the e-mail and makes a response to the performance compensation inquiry (step S74). In this case, on the performance compensation application screen as shown in FIG. 45, the necessity of application and various parameters (such as sales amount for in-house implementation, royalty fee, etc.) are input. As a result, the actual compensation information d77 of the application target year is transmitted to the workflow management server 72, and is registered in the actual compensation year-specific table 742 as a record of the respondent of decision category = 1 for each actual compensation year. In addition, since the past compensation parameters are also displayed on the application screen, input reflecting these parameters is also possible, thereby saving input.

  Next, the patent contactor corrects the actual compensation application value entered by the respondent such as the inventor by using the actual compensation application value correction screen (not shown, screen having the same configuration as in FIG. 45). If there is, correct it and apply (step S75). As a result, the actual compensation information d78 of the application target year is transmitted to the workflow management server 72, and is registered in the actual compensation year-specific table 742 as a record of the respondent of decision category = 3 for each actual compensation year. Therefore, the intellectual property information management system 7 can manage the performance compensation input values of different input persons.

  Next, the intellectual property person in charge makes an examination decision (step S76). This is because the input value of the applicant (patent contact person) as shown in FIG. 47 is displayed by first pressing the examination button bu9 from the examination screen for performance compensation as shown in FIG. After the examination value is input based on the value and the examination value is determined, the registration button bu10 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 46 to make the examination decision. Thus, the examination value d79 input by the person in charge of intellectual property is transmitted to the workflow management server 72 and registered as a record of respondents with a decision category = 7 for each actual compensation year in the actual compensation year-specific table 742.

  Next, the intellectual property manager outputs an evaluation result list in which the examination values for performance compensation as described above are entered, and issues a final decision instruction to the person in charge of the application (step S77). Then, the application manager who has received the final decision instruction transmits a final decision instruction d80 to the workflow management server 72 (step S78). As a result, the bibliographic information stored in the performance compensation master table 741 of the workflow management DB 74 and the performance compensation information stored in the performance compensation year-specific table 742 are confirmed information as the performance compensation master table 731 of the time limit management server 71 and The data is reflected in the actual compensation year table 742, and the data of the actual compensation master table 741 and actual compensation year table 742 in the workflow management DB is deleted.

  Therefore, according to the intellectual property management system 7 of the present embodiment, it is possible to quickly and accurately support the procedure relating to the performance compensation application, so that the burden on the person engaged in the intellectual property management work can be reduced, The efficiency of intellectual property management can be improved.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention has been described, various deformation | transformation and change can be performed with respect to embodiment of this invention in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, in the intellectual property information management systems 1 and 7 of the above embodiment, the application request procedure, the intermediate processing procedure, and the performance compensation application procedure have been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above procedure, Of course, it can also be applied to other intellectual property management tasks.

  Note that the operations of the intellectual property information management apparatuses 10 and 70 according to the above-described embodiment are realized by executing programs stored in the intellectual property information management apparatuses 10 and 70. The program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, or a DVD-ROM, or can be distributed via a communication network.

It is a schematic block diagram of the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the term management DB in the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the packaging management DB in the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the application request information table in the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the domestic application request table in the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the intermediate | middle procedure information table in the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the order of the approval workflow in the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram explaining the application request procedure in the invention section of the intellectual property information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a sequence diagram explaining the application request procedure in the invention section of the intellectual property information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a sequence diagram explaining the application request procedure in the intellectual property section of the intellectual property information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a sequence diagram explaining the reception process in the intellectual property department of the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram explaining the overseas application request procedure of the intellectual property information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a screen explaining the application request application process of the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a screen explaining the application request application process of the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the content of the email transmitted in the application request application process of the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the content of the email transmitted in the application request application process of the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a screen explaining the approval determination process of the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a screen explaining the approval determination process of the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a screen explaining the search processing of the application request / approval status of the intellectual property information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a screen explaining the receipt check process of the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a screen explaining the inquiry process of the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a screen explaining the reply process to the inquiry of the intellectual property information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a screen explaining the acceptance decision processing of the application request application of the intellectual property information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a screen explaining the permission settlement inquiry process of the foreign application request of the intellectual property information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a screen explaining the application country determination processing of the foreign application request of the intellectual property information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a sequence diagram explaining intermediate | middle process procedures, such as examination request | requirement and annuity payment, of the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a screen explaining collective inquiry processing, such as examination request and annuity, of the intellectual property information management system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a screen explaining necessity inquiry processing such as examination request / pension of the intellectual property information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a screen explaining necessity inquiry processing such as examination request / pension of the intellectual property information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a screen explaining the reply process to the necessity inquiry of the examination request of the intellectual property information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a screen explaining the reply process to the necessity maintenance inquiry of the intellectual property information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a screen explaining the determination process of necessity inquiry of examination request | requirement, annuity, etc. of the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram explaining intermediate | middle process procedures, such as notification of the reason for refusal of the intellectual property information management system concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a screen explaining preparation of the reply mail with respect to inquiries, such as notice of reasons for refusal of the intellectual property information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a screen explaining content confirmation and response / rejection of notification of reasons for refusal and the like of the intellectual property information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a screen explaining rejection determination with respect to notification of reasons for refusal and the like of the intellectual property information management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the performance compensation master table in the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the table according to a performance compensation year in the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the performance compensation time limit table in the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram explaining the performance compensation application procedure of the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a screen explaining the collective sending of the performance compensation of the intellectual property information management system concerning the 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a screen explaining the inquiry destination change of the performance compensation of the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a screen explaining the inquiry destination change of the performance compensation of the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a screen explaining the application of the performance compensation of the intellectual property information management system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a screen explaining examination of performance compensation of the intellectual property information management system concerning a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. The examination of performance compensation of the intellectual property information management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Explanation of symbols

1,7 Intellectual Property Information Management System 2 User Terminal 3 User Terminal (Electronic Application Terminal)
4 Computer Network 5 Japan Patent Office 6 Communication Line 10, 70 Intellectual Property Information Management Device 11, 71 Time Limit Management Server 12, 72 Workflow Management Server 13 Packaging Bag Management Server 14, 73 Time Limit Management DB
15, 74 Workflow management DB
151 Application request information table 152 Domestic application request table 154 Intermediate procedure information table 731, 741 Actual compensation master table 732, 742 Actual compensation year-specific table 743 Actual compensation deadline table

Claims (10)

Bibliographic information storage means capable of communicating with each other via a user terminal and a computer network and storing bibliographic information related to the intellectual property application procedure and intermediate procedures, and related to the intellectual property application procedure and intermediate procedures An intellectual property information management device for managing a workflow related to an intermediate procedure, comprising document information storage means for storing document information to be performed,
Intermediate procedure information that extracts relevant bibliographic information from the bibliographic information storage means and registers it as intermediate procedure information based on notification information from the Patent Office or instruction information transmitted from the user terminal in the intellectual property department Registration means;
An e-mail for inquiries about the intermediate procedure information is sent to a predetermined patent contact person different from the person who answers the inquiry about the intermediate procedure information, and the use of the patent contact person based on the information written in the e-mail When there is access from the user terminal, a screen for specifying the answer candidate indicated in the intermediate procedure information or another answer candidate as the answer candidate is displayed on the user terminal. Screen display means;
When respondent information is sent from the user terminal based on the operation to specify the expected respondent at the user terminal, an email is sent to the designated respondent based on the respondent information An inquiry means to send,
When the information written in the e-mail sent by the inquiry means is accessed from the user terminal of the respondent who is the destination of the e-mail, and the answer information based on the operation on the user terminal is sent Responding information reflecting means for reflecting an answer based on the answer information in the intermediate procedure information;
A decision unit that reflects the final decision information transmitted from the user terminal of the intellectual property department, which is decided based on the answer, in the intermediate procedure information, and stores the decision information in the bibliographic information storage unit;
An intellectual property information management device characterized by comprising: The inquiry means includes
After the e-mail by the inquiry means is transmitted, there is access from the user terminal of the patent contact person, and respondent information based on an operation of changing the expected answerer at the user terminal is transmitted from the user terminal. 2. The intellectual property information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the answer is made, an inquiry e-mail is transmitted to the respondent who has made the change based on the respondent information.   As a result of performing the application procedure or the intermediate procedure with respect to the Patent Office, the received procedure document is stored in the document information storage unit, and the bibliographic information of the received procedure document is stored in the bibliographic information storage unit 3. The intellectual property information management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reflection unit. Application request information registration means for receiving application request information transmitted from the user terminal of the inventor, and further including the specification original when the specification original is included in the application request information;
Approval information registration means for accepting approval information from the user terminal of the approver for approval or denial of the application request information transmitted to at least one approver according to a predetermined approval path;
When approved by all the approvers, the information on final approval or denial of the application request application transmitted from the user terminal in the intellectual property department is reflected in the approval information, and the application request If it is included with the information, the specification manuscript and the approval information are stored in the document information storage unit, and the application request information is stored in the bibliographic information storage unit,
The intellectual property information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   5. An approval status search means for displaying a desired approval status of the application request application based on the approval information in accordance with a search condition transmitted from the user terminal. The intellectual property information management device described in the section.   6. The intellectual property information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the approval path can be changed by inputting information about a next approver from the user terminal. The application determining means includes
Inquiry means for making an inquiry regarding the application request application to the inventor with an electronic communication tool,
An answering means for the inventor to answer the inquiry from the user terminal;
The intellectual property information management apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: Bibliographic information storage means capable of communicating with each other via a user terminal and a computer network and storing bibliographic information related to the intellectual property application procedure and intermediate procedures, and related to the intellectual property application procedure and intermediate procedures A computer comprising document information storage means for storing document information to be executed is an intellectual property information management apparatus program for managing a workflow related to an intermediate procedure,
Intermediate procedure information that extracts relevant bibliographic information from the bibliographic information storage means and registers it as intermediate procedure information based on notification information from the Patent Office or instruction information transmitted from the user terminal in the intellectual property department Registration means;
An e-mail for inquiries about the intermediate procedure information is sent to a predetermined patent contact person different from the person who answers the inquiry about the intermediate procedure information, and the use of the patent contact person based on the information written in the e-mail When there is access from the user terminal, a screen for specifying the answer candidate indicated in the intermediate procedure information or other answer candidates as the answer candidate is displayed on the user terminal. When respondent information is sent from the user terminal based on the screen display means and the user terminal's operation to specify the respondent who is scheduled to respond to the specified respondent based on the respondent information An inquiry means to send an inquiry email to,
When the information written in the e-mail sent by the inquiry means is accessed from the user terminal of the respondent who is the destination of the e-mail, and the answer information based on the operation on the user terminal is sent Responding information reflecting means for reflecting the answer based on the answer information in the intermediate procedure information;
A decision unit that reflects the final decision information transmitted from the user terminal of the intellectual property department, which is decided based on the answer, in the intermediate procedure information, and stores the decision information in the bibliographic information storage unit;
And causing the computer to function as an intellectual property information management program. The inquiry means includes
After the e-mail by the inquiry means is transmitted, there is access from the user terminal of the patent contact person, and respondent information based on an operation of changing the expected answerer at the user terminal is transmitted from the user terminal. 9. The intellectual property information management program according to claim 8, wherein an inquiry e-mail is sent to the respondent who has made the change based on the respondent information.   10. An intellectual property information management program recording medium, wherein the intellectual property information program according to claim 8 or 9 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

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