JP4686528B2 - Application information management system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an application information management system for managing applications such as patent applications.

An application information management system that manages application information such as patents is used (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Here, the procedural system for filing varies from country to country. For this reason, the application information management system needs to manage the application information in accordance with the procedure system of each country. For example, a management screen for managing application information may be prepared for each country. For major countries (2 to 3 countries), a management screen may be prepared for each country, and a general-purpose management screen may be prepared for other countries.
JP2007-102583

  When dealing with foreign systems in the application information management system, vendors generally provide applications and data corresponding to systems in major countries, and are universal for other countries. Also, in order to provide a system that can be managed in accordance with the patent system of a specific country in response to customer requests, it is necessary to customize programs and data by vendors.

Vendor customization requires a lot of cost and time, and the system differs from country to country. Therefore, providing a management screen corresponding to the system in each country makes the system huge. Also, if you try to manage each country's system on a single screen, unnecessary items are displayed, making management difficult.
In addition, when providing applications and data that conform to the system of each country, it is necessary to review the applications and data every time the law is revised.
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an application information management system that facilitates setting for each application procedure system for a management screen for managing application information.

  The application information management system according to the present invention stores a system identifier that identifies a system identifier that identifies an application procedure system and a system presence / absence identifier that identifies the presence or absence of a predetermined system in the application procedure system. Corresponds to the storage unit, the system identifier, a stage identifier that identifies a procedure stage in the application procedure system, an item identifier that identifies a management item in the procedure stage, and a usage identifier that identifies whether or not the management item is used The second storage unit for storing the procedure table expressed as a case, the case identifier for identifying the application case, the third storage unit for storing the case table corresponding to the system identifier, and the case identifier Based on the first input unit and the input case identifier, the case table, the system table, and the procedure table are searched, and the An acquisition unit that acquires degrees presence identifier and the use identifier, based on the system whether or identifier and the use identifier comprises a display unit for displaying the project management screen for managing the application case.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, about the management screen which manages application information, the application information management system which makes easy the setting for every application procedure system can be provided.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an application information management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the application information means, for example, information on the subject of the application including the state before the application such as a patent proposal and the case where the application is no longer pending the examination at the JPO due to the rejection decision or the registration decision.

  The application information management system 100 includes a server unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a client unit 130.

  The server unit 110 includes a computer and a program that can communicate with the client unit 130, and includes a system / procedure registration unit 111, a system / procedure update unit 112, and a case management unit 113.

  The storage unit 120 is a storage unit (for example, a hard disk) that stores information, and stores a system master 121, a procedure master 122, a stage master 123, and a case table 124.

  The client unit 130 includes a computer and a program that can communicate with the server unit 110, and includes an input unit 131 and a display unit 132.

The system / procedure registration unit 111 registers the system master 121 and the procedure master 122 in the storage unit 120.
The system / procedure update unit 112 updates the system master 121 and the procedure master 122 registered in the storage unit 120.
The case management unit 113 manages the case table 124.

The system master 121 is a table representing the application procedure system in each country.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the system master 121. The system master 121 of FIG.

(1) Procedure code “Procedure code” is a type of procedure identifier (system identifier in a broad sense) that directly identifies the application procedure system (legal system) in each country. Since the legal systems for filing patent applications differ from country to country, the legal systems are distinguished from each other by the procedure code. Even in the same country, the legal system may differ depending on the changes of the times, etc., so multiple procedures codes may be assigned to one country. In addition, different procedure codes are given depending on the subject of application for patents, utility models, designs, trademarks, etc.

(2) Country code, route, effective date, four law categories, procedure name • “Country code” is a type of country identifier that identifies the country of application.
“Route” is a type of route identifier that identifies the application route to the application country. Application routes include, for example, Paris and PCT in patents.
• “Effective date” is a type of effective date identifier that identifies the effective date of the application procedure system.
• “Four legal categories” is a type of legal category identifier that identifies the legal category of the application procedure for patents, utility models, designs, trademarks, etc.
・ "Procedure name" is the name of the application procedure system.

  Here, the application procedure system can be identified by a combination of country code, route, effective date, and four law categories. That is, these combinations function as a system identifier that identifies the application procedure system. As described above, the procedure code (procedure identifier) also functions as a system identifier because it identifies the application procedure system. The system identifier may be either single information or combined information. On the other hand, the procedure identifier shall identify the application procedure system with only a single piece of information.

(3) System presence / absence identifier (IDS system presence / absence, final deadline system presence / absence, oral examination system presence / absence, application maintenance pension presence / absence, reason replenishment deadline automatic occurrence)
The “system presence / absence identifier” is an identifier for identifying the presence / absence of a predetermined system (1: system present, 0: no system) in the application procedure system. Here, there are five specific systems: IDS system, final deadline system, oral examination system, application maintenance pension, and automatic reason reimbursement deadline.

(4) Others • “End date” is the name of the end date system.
・ “Application maintenance pension generation trigger” represents the date on which the application maintenance pension is paid when there is an application maintenance pension system.
• “Registration maintenance pension trigger” indicates the date on which the registration maintenance pension is based.
-“Appeal request response code” is attached when responding to an appeal request in response to a decision of rejection if the reason replenishment deadline is “Yes”. Specifically, it represents the response code of the appeal request designated as a response to the command regarding the command information of the reason replenishment time limit that is automatically created by the application information management system 100 and the time limit is derived.

The procedure master 122 is a table representing procedure stages and management items.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the procedure master 122. The procedure master 122 of FIG.

(1) Procedure Code (2) Country Code, Route, Effective Date, Four Law Classification Since these (1) and (2) have already been explained in the system master 121, their explanation is omitted.

(3) Stage code “Stage code” is a type of stage identifier that identifies a procedural stage. The procedural stage represents the stage until the registration of the application subject, such as primary registration, application, formal examination, request for novelty search, sending search report, etc.

(4) Management Item Code “Management item code” is a kind of item identifier for identifying a management item in each procedure stage. The management items can include the primary registration deadline, the local instruction deadline, the local instruction date, etc. in the primary registration.

(5) Display position (display row order, display column order)
“Display position” indicates the display position (“display row”, “display column”) of the management item for each procedure stage.

(6) Usability Whether or not “usability is possible” indicates whether or not the management item can be used (1: usable, 0: not usable). This availability determines whether or not there is an input on the case management screen described later. In order to disable a certain procedure stage itself, all the management items corresponding to that procedure stage may be disabled.

The stage master 123 is a table representing a procedure stage.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the stage master 123. The stage master 123 of FIG.

(1) Country code (2) Stage code Since these (1) and (2) have already been described in the system master 121, description thereof will be omitted.

(3) Stage name “Stage name” is the name of the procedural stage. Stage names include both Japanese and English names.
Here, the country code = 99 is for preparing a common procedure stage for the case where the procedure stage for the original country code is not specified.

  The case table 124 is a table representing an application case. The case table 124 represents a case identifier (case number) and system identifier (country code, route, effective date, four law classifications) for identifying the application case, and other information on the case correspondingly.

The input unit 131 is a part that takes in the application information management system 100 from an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse.
The display unit 132 is a part that displays from the application information management system 100 to a display device such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display device, and displays, for example, the following screen.
・ Screen for registering and updating system master 121 and procedure master 122 (screen for registering procedure master and system master)
-Item management screen for managing item information in the item table 124

(Operation of Application Information Management System 100)
5 to 7 are flowcharts showing an example of the outline of the operation procedure of the application information management system 100.

A. Registration of System Master 121 and Procedure Master 122 FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a registration procedure of system master 121 and procedure master 122. This registration procedure is executed by the system / procedure registration unit 111.

(1) Display of procedure master registration screen (steps S101 to S104)
The country code is input to the application information management system 100 by the input unit 131 (step S101).
Stage information (stage code, stage name) corresponding to the country code input from the stage master 123 is acquired (step S102), and a procedure master / system master registration screen is generated using the stage information (step S103). ) And displayed on a display device such as a CRT through the display unit 132 (step S104).

8 and 9 are diagrams illustrating an example of a procedure master / system master registration screen.
On the procedure master / system master registration screen, there are tabs for “procedure generation information” and “others”. By selecting these tabs, the procedure master registration screen (FIG. 8) and the system master registration screen (FIG. 9) are displayed. ) Can be switched.

(2) Input of common information (steps S105 to S106)
Information (procedure code, four law divisions, route, effective date) used in common by both the procedure master 122 and the system master 121 is input. 8 and 9, the procedure code “AUP0002003”, the four law categories “patent / utility model”, the route “Paris alone”, and the enforcement date “2003/08/26” are input. This input can be made from either the procedure master registration screen (FIG. 8) or the system master registration screen (FIG. 9).

(3) System information input (steps S107 to S110)
System information can be entered using the system master registration screen. For example, the presence / absence of an IDS system (system presence / absence identifier) can be input by clicking on the “Yes” and “No” radio buttons in the “IDS system presence / absence” column with a mouse (step S110).

  Prior to this input, the information of the system master 121 and the procedure master 122 with other procedure codes can be copied. When the copy of system information is instructed by clicking on the “Copy system information” button (step S107), the system master 121 and procedure master 122 with other procedure codes are copied in the storage unit 120 and input in step S105. The procedure code is registered as the system master 121 and the procedure master 122 (steps S108 and S109), and the screen is switched to a procedure master / system master registration screen corresponding to the system master 121 and the procedure master 122. By diverting the system master 121 and procedure master 122 with other procedure codes, it is possible to reduce input processing.

(4) Input of procedure information (step S111)
Procedure information can be entered using the procedure master registration screen. For example, for the application stage “primary registration”, the management item “primary registration deadline” can be clicked with the mouse to enter the availability of this management item.

(5) Registration (steps S112 to S114)
By clicking the “Register” button, registration is instructed (step S112), and the system master 121 and procedure master 122 are registered (steps S113 and S114).

B. Update of System Master 121 and Procedure Master 122 FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an update procedure of system master 121 and procedure master 122. This update procedure is executed by the system / procedure update unit 112.

(1) Display of procedure master registration screen (steps S201 to S205)
The procedure code input by the input unit 131 is taken into the application information management system 100 (step S201).
System information and procedure information are acquired from the system master 121 and procedure master 122 corresponding to the input procedure code (steps S202 and S203), a procedure master / system master registration screen is generated (step S204), and the display unit 132 is displayed. Are displayed on a display device such as a CRT (step S205, FIG. 8, FIG. 9).

(2) Input of system information and procedure information (steps S206 and S207)
System information can be input using the system master registration screen (step S206). For example, the presence / absence of an IDS system (system presence / absence identifier) can be input by clicking on the “Yes” and “No” radio buttons in the “IDS system presence / absence” column with a mouse. Here, the display of the IDS tab can be controlled according to the presence or absence of the IDS system. In other words, when “None” is set, the tab can be hidden or not selectable.
Further, procedure information can be input using the procedure master registration screen (step S207). For example, for the application stage “primary registration”, the management item “primary registration deadline” can be clicked with the mouse to enter the availability of this management item.

(3) Registration (steps S208 to S210)
By clicking the “Register” button, registration is instructed (step S208), and the system master 121 and procedure master 122 are registered (steps S209 and S210).

C. Management of Item Information FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a management procedure for the item table 124. This management procedure is executed by the case management unit 113. 10 to 12 are diagrams showing examples of the item management screen, which are a basic information management screen, a procedure information management screen, and an office action (OA) management screen, respectively. You can switch the display of these screens by clicking the tabs on the screen.

(1) Determination of application procedure system (steps S301 to S303)
A case identifier (case number) is input to the application information management system 100 through the input unit 131 (step S301). For example, enter the item number in the item identifier input field of the basic information management screen in FIG. 10 (in FIG. 10, the item number “AU-P2007080012” is input in this input field), and click the “inquiry” button By doing so, the Item identifier is entered.
The item information in the item table 124 is acquired based on the input item identifier (step S302), and the application country, the four legal divisions, the route, and the enforcement date (that is, the application procedure system) for the item number are determined (step S303). .

(2) Acquisition of system information and procedure information (steps S304 and S305)
Procedure information and system information are acquired from the system master 121 and the procedure master 122 using the application country, the four law categories, the route, and the enforcement date.

(3) Display of item management screen (steps S306 to S308)
Use the acquired procedure information and system information to generate and display a case management screen. By selecting a tab in the display screen, the basic information management screen, procedure information management screen, and office action (OA) management screen can be switched and displayed.

  On the procedure information management screen, whether or not the management items for the procedure stage are usable is displayed based on the procedure information acquired from the procedure master 122. Depending on the availability, for example, the management item is not displayed or even if it is displayed, input to the item cannot be performed.

  On the OA management screen, whether or not a column corresponding to a specific system is displayed is controlled by the system information from the system master 121. In FIG. 12, a “new oral hearing” button is displayed corresponding to the presence or absence of the oral examination system, and by clicking this button, it becomes possible to input information relating to the oral examination. Also, in order to display the information regarding the extension of the final deadline, “DEAD”, which indicates that the final deadline has passed, “DEAD”, which indicates that the final deadline has passed, and “Deadline of the deadline”. The “Extend” button is displayed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, by registering the system table 121 and the procedure table 122, the item management screen corresponding to the application procedure system in each country can be displayed, and the item information can be displayed and input.

(Other embodiments)
Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be expanded and modified. The expanded and modified embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
For example, in the above embodiment, a patent application is taken as an example of an application, but the present invention can be applied to a utility model registration application, a design application, and a trademark application.

It is a block diagram showing the application information management system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a system master. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a procedure master. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a stage master. It is a flowchart showing an example of the registration procedure of a system master and a procedure master. It is a flowchart showing an example of the update procedure of a system master and a procedure master. It is a flowchart showing an example of the management procedure of a matter table. It is a figure showing an example of the screen for procedure master and system master registration. It is a figure showing an example of the screen for procedure master and system master registration. It is a figure showing an example of a case management screen. It is a figure showing an example of a case management screen. It is a figure showing an example of a case management screen.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Application information management system, 110 ... Server part, 111 ... System / procedure registration part, 112 ... System / procedure update part, 113 ... Project management part, 120 ... Storage part, 121 ... System master, 122 ... Procedure master, 123 ... Stage master, 124 ... Matter table, 130 ... Client part, 131 ... Input part, 132 ... Display part

Claims (2)

Identifying the applicant country country identifier, method segment identifier identifying the legal division of the application procedure, the root identifier identifying the application root, is composed of a combination of the effective date identifier that identifies the enforcement date of the filing procedure system, application procedures system A system identifier that identifies the first system presence / absence identifier that identifies the presence or absence of the IDS system in the application procedure system, and at least one of a final deadline system, an oral examination system, an application maintenance pension, and an automatic reason supplement deadline A first storage unit for storing a system table correspondingly indicating a second system presence / absence identifier for identifying presence / absence of a system;
Procedure corresponding to the system identifier, a stage identifier for identifying a procedure stage in the application procedure system, an item identifier for identifying a management item in the procedure stage, and a usage identifier for identifying whether or not the management item is used A second storage unit for storing the table;
A third storage unit that stores a case identifier that identifies the application case and a case table that indicates the system identifier correspondingly;
An input unit for inputting the matter identifier;
An acquisition unit that searches the case table, the system table, and the procedure table based on the input case identifier and acquires the first and second system presence / absence identifiers and the usage identifier;
In order to manage the application case, a procedure information management screen and an office action management screen are switched and displayed.
The procedure information management screen displays only management items that are used by the usage identifier,
The office action management screen displays only the column corresponding to the system that is determined to be present by the first and second system presence / absence identifiers,
An application information management system characterized by that. The application information management system according to claim 1, wherein the field of the office action management screen includes a button that allows the input unit to input information corresponding to the system.

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