JP5201559B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus having a function of managing a time limit of a predetermined matter.

  Some procedural matters may need to be managed by the deadline according to progress. For example, in cases involving industrial property rights that are intangible assets such as patents and trademarks, the deadline for filing applications, the deadline for requesting examinations, the deadline for responding to the JPO, the deadline for payment of pensions after registration, etc. must be strictly observed. There is a deadline that must be met. And if you do not perform the necessary procedures within the various time limits, you will no longer be able to acquire patents or other rights, or you may have inconveniences such as the loss of existing patents or other rights . In addition, cases involving the generation of industrial property rights, such as patents and trademarks, can sometimes be very valuable later, and their value is immeasurable. As a result, it is extremely important to manage various deadlines in order to maintain the status of each case.

  The deadline management of various cases such as patents and trademarks as described above is performed by a company serving as an applicant and a right holder, a patent office or a management company requested to manage the cases. At this time, the manager who manages the case needs to manage carefully because the value of the case is immeasurable as described above. In recent years, the term management of the above-described cases is generally performed by computer software prepared in advance.

  Here, an example of a system for managing the deadlines of matters such as patents and trademarks is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The system disclosed in Patent Document 1 first registers the filing date of a case in which a patent application has been filed, calculates and manages the date after a predetermined period from the filing date as the due date for filing an application examination request. ing. Then, as an example of management, it is disclosed that the items registered for each applicant are rearranged from those whose deadlines are early and displayed as a list.

Japanese Patent No. 3949876

  However, although the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 displays a list of deadlines for each case registered for each applicant, if there are multiple types of deadlines, various deadlines are mixed. Will be displayed. Then, it becomes difficult for an administrator to find a case with a deadline to be noticed, the case management becomes complicated, and a deadline management omission may occur.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that can easily manage various time limits, which is the above-described problem.

In order to achieve such an object, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention provides:
Stores each item information that includes item identification information that identifies the item to be managed, progress identification information that identifies the progress of the item, and expiration date information that represents the expiration date set for each progress. The case information storage means,
Progress determining means for determining the progress of each case based on the progress specifying information included in each case information;
Display control means for displaying a list of at least the item specifying information and the deadline date information of each item information on each of a plurality of display sheets that are classified according to the progress to be managed and displayed by being selected. Prepared,
The display control means includes, based on the determination result by the progress determination means, at least the item included in the item information of the item of progress corresponding to the progress classification of the display sheet in the display sheet to be displayed. Display the project identification information and the above deadline information.
The structure is taken.

Moreover, the program which is the other form of this invention is:
Stores each item information that includes item identification information that identifies the item to be managed, progress identification information that identifies the progress of the item, and expiration date information that represents the expiration date set for each progress. In the information processing apparatus having the case information storage means
Progress determining means for determining the progress of each case based on the progress specifying information included in each case information;
Display control means for displaying a list of at least the item specifying information and the deadline date information of each item information on each of a plurality of display sheets that are classified according to the progress to be managed and displayed by being selected. A program to be realized,
The display control means includes, based on the determination result by the progress determination means, at least the item included in the item information of the item of progress corresponding to the progress classification of the display sheet in the display sheet to be displayed. Display the project identification information and the above deadline information.
The structure is taken.

In addition, an information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention includes:
Stores each item information that includes item identification information that identifies the item to be managed, progress identification information that identifies the progress of the item, and expiration date information that represents the expiration date set for each progress. In the information processing apparatus having the matter information storage means,
A progress determination step for determining the progress of each case based on the progress specifying information included in each case information;
A display control step of displaying a list of at least the item specifying information and the deadline date information of each item information on each of a plurality of display sheets that are classified according to the progress to be managed and selected to be switched. Have
The display control step includes at least the case information included in the case information of the progress state corresponding to the progress classification of the display sheet in the display sheet that is a display target based on the determination result by the progress determination step. Display the project identification information and the above deadline information.
The structure is taken.

  By being configured as described above, the present invention can easily grasp a management case visually, and can realize reliable management of various deadlines of the case.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the whole system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a time limit management device according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the item information memorize | stored in the item information storage part disclosed in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the time limit management screen provided with a time limit management apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the time limit management screen provided with a time limit management apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the time limit management screen provided with a time limit management apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the time limit management screen provided with a time limit management apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the time limit management screen provided with a time limit management apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the time limit management screen provided with a time limit management apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the time limit management screen provided with a time limit management apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the time limit management screen provided with a time limit management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a time limit management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a time limit management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a time limit management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a time limit management apparatus. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the time limit management apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 are diagrams showing the configuration of the time limit management device. 4 to 11 are diagrams illustrating an example of a time limit management screen. 12 to 15 are flowcharts showing the operation of the time limit management apparatus.

[Constitution]
The term management device 1 in this embodiment is configured by a server computer (information processing device) connected to the user terminal 4 via the network N. In particular, in this embodiment, the term management device 1 functions as an ASP (Application Service Provider) that provides the term management service to the user terminal 4 via the network N.

  In addition, the case in which the deadline is managed in the present embodiment is a case involving generation of an industrial property right that is an intangible property such as a patent application or a trademark registration application. Specifically, there are cases where deadlines that must be strictly observed, such as the deadline for filing patent applications and trademark registration applications, the deadline for requesting examinations, the deadline for responding to the JPO, and the deadline for payment of pensions after registration, etc. It is. Therefore, the user who operates the user terminal 4 that receives the time limit management service via the network N, for example, the company that becomes the applicant and the right holder who manages the above-mentioned patent application, etc., and the patent office requested to manage the case. Or a management company. However, the case managed by the time limit management apparatus 1 of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned patent application, and any case may be used as long as it is necessary to manage the time limit according to the progress of each case.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the term management device 1 in this embodiment is a general server computer that includes an arithmetic device 2 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage device 3 such as a hard disk drive. . This time limit management device 1 includes a case information input unit 21, a progress determination unit 22, a display control unit 23, and a time limit notification unit 24 constructed by incorporating a program into the arithmetic device 2. . Further, the storage device 3 includes a case information storage unit 31 and an address storage unit 32. Hereinafter, each configuration will be described in detail.

  The case information input unit 21 receives input of case information, which is various information about a case such as a patent application that is a subject of progress management, from the user terminal 4 via the network N. For example, the case information input from the user terminal 4 includes a reference number for identifying the case, an application number (case specifying information), applicant (client) information, application date, examination request date, registration date, registration number, etc. There is. Then, the case information input unit 21 stores the received case information in each case, that is, as a single record, in the case information storage unit 31.

  Here, an example of the item information for each item stored in the item information storage unit 31 is shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, in the case information, in addition to the information input from the user terminal 4 as described above, the foreign application deadline date, examination request deadline date, pension payment deadline set in the deadline management device 1 There is expiration date information indicating various expiration dates such as days. For example, the foreign application deadline date is a deadline date such as “one year from the patent application date”, and the examination request deadline date is a deadline date of “three years from the patent application date”. In addition, although various information is included in the case information, each information will be described as necessary.

  The progress determination unit 22 (progress determination unit) has a function of determining the progress of each case based on predetermined information included in the case information of each case stored in the case information storage unit 31. Here, the progress of the project includes, for example, “new” before filing a patent application or trademark application, “application” after filing a patent application, after filing a patent application and requesting examination, or There are progresses such as “under examination” after filing an application for trademark registration, “intermediate” that requires a response to reasons for refusal, and “pension” at the stage where patent rights and trademark rights are set and the pension is paid. The progress status is an example, and another progress status may be set.

  Then, the progress determination unit 22 first determines the progress status of the case in which the application number and the application date are not input among those registered by inputting the reference number or the like as “new”. Then, the progress status of the case in which the application number and the application date are input is determined as “application”. In addition, the progress status of a case in which a trademark application is entered with an application number and an application date or a case in which a patent application is entered and an examination request date is entered is determined as “under examination”. Further, the progress status of the case for which the registration date and the registration number are input is determined as “pension”. Therefore, as described above, information such as the filing date necessary for determining each progress status plays a role as progress specifying information for specifying the progress status of each case.

  Further, the display control unit 23 (display control means) displays a display sheet classified for each progress situation as shown in FIGS. 4 to 11 on the display unit of the user terminal 4 providing the service. It has a function. At this time, only one display sheet with the tab selected is displayed in the foreground, and only the item information of the items included in the display sheet is displayed. In particular, the display control unit 23 performs control so that the item information of each item is displayed in a list on the display sheet corresponding to the progress according to the determination result of the progress of each item by the progress determination unit 22 described above. To do.

  For example, for a case where the progress is determined to be “new”, the “new sheet”, as shown in FIG. 4, represents the “reference number” (case identification information) included in the case information of the case and the application deadline. “Expiration date” (expiration date information), “procedure content”, “client”, and “person in charge” are displayed. Similarly, the display control unit 23, for a case for which the progress status is determined to be “application”, includes the “reference number” and “notification date” included in the case information of the case in the “application sheet” as shown in FIG. "," Expiration date "," Notification contents ", etc. are displayed. The same applies to the other display sheets, and in the display sheet corresponding to the progress status corresponding to each case, at least the case identification information such as “reference number” and “application number” in the case information of each case, The due date information such as the due date in the progress status is displayed.

  In addition, when the display control unit 23 selects an item number or the like of any item on each display sheet, the display control unit 23 displays an editing screen (input screen) on which various information on the item can be input. At this time, the edit control unit 23 displays only the input field of items that can be input according to the progress of the case on the edit screen. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, an entry field for “application date” and “application number” is displayed on the edit screen of a case whose progress is “new”. The application number is only displayed as confirmed information, and the input field is not displayed. When the progress status is “new”, the “examination request date” input field is not displayed. However, when the progress status is “application”, the “examination request date” input field is displayed as shown in FIG. . When the progress status is “under review”, as shown in FIG. 10, an input field for setting registration information such as “payment date”, “year of payment”, “registration date”, “registration number” is displayed. The Further, when the progress status is “pension”, although not shown, an input column for “payment date” of each year's pension necessary for maintaining the rights is displayed.

  Here, the state of display control by the display control unit 23 in the “application sheet” whose progress is “application” will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the progress status corresponding to the “application sheet”, a plurality of deadline information is set to be managed. Specifically, it manages the “foreign application deadline” (one year from the filing date) and “examination request deadline” (three years from the filing date), and multiple deadlines for each case are displayed. It will be. That is, the first line of FIG. 6 displays the date of the foreign application deadline (1 year from the application) of the serial number “S090022”, and the fifth line also shows the information of the serial number “S090022”. Is displayed on this fifth line, such as the due date of the examination request deadline (3 years from the application). Each deadline date, that is, the foreign application deadline date and the examination request deadline date, is set to a date obtained by adding a period of 1 year and 3 years to the application date of this case. Here, the date to be added for calculating each due date is stored in advance in the due date managing apparatus 1 according to each due date.

  In addition, the plurality of deadlines shown in FIG. 6 described above are displayed on the “application sheet” only those previously selected by the user. For example, FIG. 5 shows an edit screen for a predetermined case in the “new sheet”. On this screen, the necessity of notification of “foreign application deadline” and “examination request deadline” should be selected. In the “application sheet” displayed after application, each deadline date is displayed or set. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 5, the foreign application deadline for this matter is not displayed in the “application sheet” by setting the necessity of notification of “foreign application deadline” to “do not (not notify)”. . On the other hand, if the necessity of notification of “Examination request deadline” is set to “Yes (notify)”, since “Examination request deadline” is selected for this matter, only “Examination request deadline” of the relevant matter In other words, the reference number of this case, the examination request deadline date, and the like are displayed in the “application sheet”.

  Further, in the “application sheet” described above, another display sheet (answer waiting sheet) whose display can be switched is prepared. In other words, there are two tabs “Not notified” and “Waiting for reply” in “Application sheet”, but when “Application sheet” is selected, “Not notified sheet” is displayed first, When “waiting tab” is selected, “answer waiting sheet” is displayed instead of “unnotified sheet”. In the “answer waiting sheet”, the case information of a case for which a specific setting input has been entered among the cases displayed in the “unnotified sheet” is transferred and displayed. For example, FIG. 7 shows an edit screen for the matter displayed in the “application sheet”. On this screen, the “notification date” that is the date when the examination request deadline is notified is input, and the “answer” is “ If “Necessary” is selected and entered, this case is set as a case that requires an answer as to whether or not to request examination. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, at least the item identification information such as the reference number and the expiration date information are transferred to the “answer waiting sheet” and displayed.

  The “answer waiting sheet” described above is also prepared in the “pension sheet”. Specifically, the “pension sheet” is similar to the “application sheet” described above, and the pension payment deadline is approaching, as shown in FIG. There is a “waiting answer sheet” that displays and displays the matter information of the matter for which specific setting input has been made. Then, on the item edit screen displayed on the “Pension Sheet”, enter the “Notification Date”, which is the date when the due date for the annuity payment is notified, and select and enter “Necessary” for “Answer”. It is set as a project that requires an answer whether or not to pay the next pension. Then, at least the item identification information such as the reference number and the expiration date information among the item information of this item are transferred to the “answer waiting sheet” and displayed.

  Here, the display control unit 23, when displaying the matter information of the matter in the display sheet in each row as described above, for example, the matter of each matter from the top in the order of the reference date set based on the due date. Display information. At this time, the display control unit 23 further displays the current date at a position corresponding to the current date on each display sheet. For example, in the “application sheet” shown in FIG. 6, a “notification date” that is a predetermined period (eg, three months ago) before the “expiration date” is the reference date, and the “notification date” is The item information of each item is displayed in order from the top. Then, a graphic obtained by rotating the ▲ mark by 90 degrees clockwise is displayed at a position that identifies the line spacing corresponding to the current date with respect to this “notification date”. Thereby, it can be seen that the current date has passed since the ▲ mark, and the case where the “notification date” has passed can be easily recognized. Note that the display order of each item is not limited to display in the order of the notification date of the predetermined expiration date, and may be displayed in the order of other dates based on the expiration date, for example, display in order of the expiration date.

  Here, although not shown in the drawing, the “intermediate sheet” displays a deadline date or the like related to the other procedure of the case in which another procedure has occurred among the cases of each progress status. For example, when a reason for refusal is notified to a case whose progress is “under review”, an intermediate processing procedure may be issued for the case to submit a written opinion / amendment in response to this notice of reason for refusal . In such a case, by newly entering the “reference number” of this matter, “expiration date” of the intermediate processing procedure, “content” of the intermediate processing, etc., at least the reference number of the matter information of this matter Such item identification information and expiration date information are displayed in the “intermediate sheet”.

  The deadline notifying unit 24 (notifying means) sends an e-mail in which the case information of the relevant case is described at the timing based on the deadline date set for each case and the current date and time to the address storage unit 32 ( To the e-mail address stored in the address storage means). Specifically, the deadline notifying unit 24 first compares the notification date set a certain period before the deadline date of each case with the current date for cases whose progress is “application”, Extract the cases whose day is the current day. Then, an e-mail in which at least the item specifying information such as the extracted item reference number and the expiration date information is described is transmitted to the e-mail address stored in the address storage unit 32. Note that the e-mail address to which the e-mail is sent may be set as a destination for sending e-mails of all cases, and is set as a destination for sending only e-mails related to the case for each case. May be.

[Operation]
Next, the operation of the above-described time limit management apparatus 1 will be described with reference mainly to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the progress of a case, that is, the transition of a display sheet on which case information is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the transition operation of the display sheet of each item. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an operation when a display sheet is selected. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a time limit notification operation. In the following, the case where the case is a patent application will be mainly described.

  First, on the new registration screen, the user registers the new case by inputting the “reference number”, “application deadline date”, etc. of the case (step S1 in FIG. 12). At this time, the time limit management device 1 checks the input status of the input items of this case (progress determination step). Then, since the “application date” and “application number” are not input, the time limit management apparatus 1 determines that the progress of this case is “new” (Yes in step S11 in FIG. 13, step S12). For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, the time limit management apparatus 1 displays the “reference number”, “expiration date”, etc. of this case in “new sheet” in one line (steps S2 and S12 in FIG. 13). (Yes in step S13, step S14, display control step).

  The deadline management apparatus 1 displays the cases on the “new sheet” in the order of “application deadline date” as shown in FIG. At this time, the “application deadline date” of each case is compared with the current date (for example, August 1, 2009), and as shown in FIG. ▲ mark is displayed.

  Subsequently, when the patent application procedure for this matter is completed, the user selects the reference number of the subject matter on the “new sheet”, and displays the edit screen (input screen) of the matter as shown in FIG. indicate. And a user inputs and updates "application date" and "application number" on an edit screen (step S3 of FIG. 12). At this time, the time limit management device 1 checks the input status of the input items of this case (progress determination step). Then, since the information is input in the “application date” and “application number”, the time limit management apparatus 1 determines the progress of this case as “application” (Yes in step S11 in FIG. 13, step S12). ). For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, the deadline management apparatus 1 displays, on the “application sheet”, the “reference number” of this case, the “deadline date” of the selected deadline, and a certain period before this deadline date. “Notification date” or the like is displayed on one line (step S4 in FIG. 12, Yes in step S13 in FIG. 13, step S14, display control step). For example, if “foreign application deadline” and “examination request deadline” are selected on the editing screen when the previous progress is “new”, the reference number “S090022” shown in FIG. As in the case, “reference number”, “expiration date”, etc. are displayed on the “application sheet” in different lines (first and fifth lines).

  At this time, the time limit management device 1 displays each item in the order of “notification date” as shown in FIG. 6 on the “application sheet”. Further, at this time, the “notification date” of each item is compared with the current date (for example, August 1, 2009), and as shown in FIG. Display the mark.

  Then, the user selects the reference number of the target case on the “application sheet”, and displays the edit screen of the case as shown in FIG. On this editing screen, for example, the user inputs “notification date”, which is the date when the examination request deadline is notified, and selects and inputs “necessary” as “answer”. Then, the time limit management device 1 sets this case as a case that requires an answer as to whether or not to request examination. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, at least the item identification information such as the reference number and the expiration date information among the item information of this item are transferred to the “answer waiting sheet” and displayed.

  Subsequently, when the application examination request procedure for the matter is completed, the user selects the reference number of the subject matter on the “application sheet” and displays an edit screen (input screen) of the matter as shown in FIG. indicate. And a user inputs and updates "examination request day" on an edit screen (step S5 of FIG. 12). At this time, the time limit management device 1 checks the input status of the input items of this case (progress determination step). Then, since the information is input on the “examination request date”, the time limit management apparatus 1 determines that the progress of the case is “under examination” (Yes in step S11 in FIG. 13, step S12). For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9, the deadline management apparatus 1 displays the “reference number”, “application date”, “examination request date”, etc. of this case on one line on the “under examination sheet” ( Step S6 in FIG. 12, Yes in step S13 in FIG. 13, step S14, display control step).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 9, the time limit management device 1 prepares a “patent sheet” which is another sheet in the “sheet under examination”, and “patent sheet” for “patent application matter”. Displayed in order of “request for examination” or “date of application”. Unlike the examples described above, if the case is a utility model registration application case, a design registration application case, or a trademark registration application case, the “application date” and “application number” are entered in the “new sheet”. At that stage, it will be displayed on the “sheet under review”. At this time, the “utility model sheet”, “design sheet”, and “trademark”, which are different sheets, are prepared in the “under examination sheet”. Display in order of day.

  Subsequently, when an intermediate process is required, such as when a rejection reason is notified to the case, the user registers a new intermediate process case. Specifically, the user inputs and registers the “reference number” of the case, “expiration date” of the intermediate process, “contents of the intermediate process”, and the like on the intermediate process registration screen. Then, the time limit management apparatus 1 displays the “reference number” of this case, the “expiration date” of the intermediate process, etc. in one line on the “intermediate sheet”. At this time, the progress of the case of the same “reference number” remains unchanged. That is, for example, the progress status of the case information that can be displayed on the “under examination sheet” is “under examination” as it is. Then, the time limit management apparatus 1 associates the information displayed on the “intermediate sheet” of the item having the same serial number with the item information whose progress is “under examination”.

  When the intermediate processing procedure of the matter displayed on the “intermediate sheet” is completed, the user selects the reference number of the subject matter on the “intermediate sheet” and displays the edit screen (input screen) of the matter. To do. Then, the user selects and updates “complete” indicating that the intermediate processing procedure is completed on the editing screen. Then, the time limit management device 1 deletes the item information of this item from the “intermediate sheet”. However, as described above, the information displayed on the “intermediate sheet” is associated with the item information of the same “reference number” of other progress statuses that can be displayed on other sheets such as “sheet under examination”. Therefore, a record remains as the history of the case information.

  Subsequently, when the matter on the “under examination sheet” is patented (registered), the user selects the reference number of the subject case on the “under examination sheet” and edits the entry screen (input screen) ) Is displayed. Then, the user inputs and updates the “payment date”, “payment year”, “registration date”, “registration number”, etc. of the registration fee on the editing screen shown in FIG. 10 (step S7 in FIG. 12). . At this time, the time limit management device 1 checks the input status of the input items of this case (progress determination step). Then, since information is entered in “registration date”, “registration number”, etc., the time limit management apparatus 1 determines the progress of this case as “pension” (Yes in step S11 in FIG. 13, step S12). ). Therefore, the deadline management apparatus 1 displays the “reference number”, “pension payment deadline”, “notification date”, etc. of this case on one line on the “pension sheet” as shown in FIG. 11 (FIG. 12). Step S8, Yes in step S13 in FIG. 13, step S14, display control step).

  Note that the “expiration date” displayed on the “pension sheet” is calculated, for example, by adding a preset period to the “registration date” of the subject matter by the expiration date management apparatus 1. In addition, the time limit management apparatus 1 calculates a date before a certain period of time (for example, three months ago) as the “notification date” with respect to the “time limit date”.

  Then, the user selects the reference number of the target item on the “pension sheet” and displays the edit screen of the item. On this editing screen, for example, the user inputs “notification date” which is the date when the due date for annuity payment is notified, and selects and inputs “necessary” as “answer”. Then, the time limit management device 1 sets that this case is a case that requires an answer as to whether or not to perform the pension payment procedure. Then, the term management device 1 shifts and displays at least the item identification information such as the reference number and the due date information among the item information of this item to the “answer waiting sheet” in the “pension sheet”.

  Thereafter, when the pension for the predetermined year is paid, the user inputs the pension payment date of the corresponding year on the edit screen of the target item on the “pension sheet”. Then, the pension payment deadline date of the next year is calculated in the device 1 based on a preset calculation formula, and the pension payment deadline date of the next year is set as the deadline date. “Item number”, “Pension due date”, “Notification date”, etc. of the project are displayed in one line.

  The above is a series of flow of deadline management in each case. Next, an operation when the user views each sheet in a state where some item information is registered will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, assume that the user selects a predetermined sheet. Then, the time limit management device 1 detects the selected sheet (step S21), and extracts a matter of progress corresponding to the sheet (step S22).

  For example, when “new sheet” is selected, cases where “application date” and “application number” are not input are extracted from cases registered as new cases. In addition, when “application sheet” is selected, a case where “application date” and “application number” are input and “examination request date” is not input is extracted from patent application cases. In addition, when “pending sheet” is selected, among the cases where the “request for examination date” is entered among the patent application cases, and among the cases of utility models, designs and trademarks, the “application date”, Extract projects for which "application number" is entered. When “intermediate sheet” is selected, a case registered as an intermediate processing case is extracted. When “annuity sheet” is selected, a case in which “registration date” and “registration number” are input is extracted.

  When “Answer sheet” in “Under review sheet” or “Annuity sheet” is selected, a predetermined entry, for example, “Notification date” is entered in each sheet. Extract matters for which “Answer” is set to “Necessary”.

  Then, the time limit management device 1 displays the item information of the item extracted as described above on the selected sheet (step S23). At this time, each item is displayed on each sheet in the order of each “expiration date” and “notification date”. At this time, the “expiration date” or “notification date” of each item is compared with the current date, and a ▲ mark is displayed between the lines of each item where the current date is located.

  Next, the expiration notification operation by the expiration management device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the deadline management device 1 compares the “notification date” of each item in the “application sheet” and the “pension sheet” with the “current date” at a certain time interval, for example, at a specific time every day ( Step S31). The “current date” is acquired from, for example, a system clock set in the time limit management device 1.

  Then, the case information of the case where the “notification date” is the same as the “current date” is extracted (Yes in step S32), and the e-mail describing the case information is sent to a preset e-mail address destination. (Step S33). Note that the e-mail addresses that are destinations may be registered in a lump or may be registered for each case.

  As described above, according to the time limit management device in the present embodiment, the progress of each case is determined based on the information (progress identification information) included in the case information, and the display corresponding to the determined progress The item information including the deadline date information and item specifying information of the item in the progress status is displayed on the sheet. Therefore, only the item information of the progress status set in the sheet is displayed on each display sheet. In particular, display can be switched by selecting each display sheet. Then, it is possible to display a list of cases having a desired progress status with a simple operation, and it is possible to easily grasp a management case visually. As a result, it is possible to realize reliable management of various deadlines for the case.

  In particular, a plurality of due dates are separately displayed on the application sheet, even for one item. Therefore, even when a plurality of deadlines are set for a case, each is displayed individually, so that it is easy to grasp the deadlines. In addition, if necessary, only the expiration date of a selected one of the plurality of expiration dates can be displayed on the display sheet, and the usage state can be changed.

  In particular, in the application sheet and annuity sheet, when a predetermined setting input such as “requires an answer from the applicant” is made to the item displayed on each sheet, this item display is displayed on the sheet. It shifts to an answer waiting sheet which is another sheet prepared in the inside. Accordingly, the case management can be performed in more detail according to the state of the case.

  In addition, by displaying a predetermined display at the location corresponding to the current day with respect to the deadline date of each case in each sheet, it is possible to easily recognize that the deadline date of the case is approaching the current day. Management becomes easy. In addition, since information on a case whose deadline is approaching is transmitted to a notification address registered in advance, the deadline of the case can be further easily managed.

  In the above description, the case where the time limit management device 1 operates to provide the time limit management service via the network N has been exemplified. However, the display connected to the time limit management device 1 itself without going through the network N The above-mentioned display sheets may be displayed on the display panel to provide services.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus that functions as a time limit management apparatus. In the present embodiment, an outline of the term management device will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 100 functioning as a time limit management apparatus in the present embodiment is
Stores each item information that includes item identification information that identifies the item to be managed, progress identification information that identifies the progress of the item, and expiration date information that represents the expiration date set for each progress. The case information storage means 131,
Progress determination means 122 for determining the progress status of each case based on the progress specifying information included in each case information;
Display control means 123 that displays a list of at least the item specifying information and the deadline date information of each item information on each of a plurality of display sheets that are classified according to the progress to be managed and selected to be switched. It has.
Then, the display control unit 123 adds, to the item information of the item of the progress status corresponding to the progress classification of the display sheet, on the display sheet to be displayed based on the determination result by the progress determination unit 122. A configuration is adopted in which at least the item identification information and the deadline date information included are displayed.

According to the above invention, first, the progress of each case is determined based on the progress specifying information included in the case information. Then, at least the deadline information and the case identification information of the case in the progress state are displayed on the display sheet corresponding to the determined progress state. Therefore, only the item information of the progress status set in the sheet is displayed on each display sheet. In particular, display can be switched by selecting each display sheet.
As described above, in the present invention, it is possible to display a list of cases having a desired progress status with a simple operation, and to easily grasp a management case visually. As a result, it is possible to realize reliable management of various deadlines for the case.

In the information processing apparatus,
The display control means is configured to display the display for each of the plurality of expiration date information when the display sheet to be displayed is set to display a plurality of the expiration date information different for each case. Displaying at least the item identification information and the deadline date information included in the item information of the item of progress corresponding to the progress classification of the sheet;
The structure is taken.

In the information processing apparatus,
The display control means sets a date obtained by adding a plurality of preset periods from the specific date input as the progress specifying information, respectively, as the plurality of expiration date information.
The structure is taken.

In the information processing apparatus,
The display control means includes at least the item included in the item information of the item in the progress status corresponding to the progress classification of the display sheet only for each of the date information selected from the plurality of date information. Display specific information and the above deadline information,
The structure is taken.

  Thereby, even if it is one case, a plurality of due dates are displayed separately on a specific display sheet. Specifically, the case specifying information and the deadline date information are displayed for each of a plurality of deadline dates. Therefore, even when a plurality of deadlines are set for a case, each is displayed individually, so that it is easy to grasp the deadlines. In addition, if necessary, only the expiration date of a selected one of the plurality of expiration dates can be displayed on the display sheet, and the usage state can be changed.

In the information processing apparatus,
The display sheet has other display sheets that can be switched in the display sheet.
The display control means includes the case information of the case in the other display sheet in the display sheet when a predetermined setting is input to the case information of the case displayed on the display sheet. Display at least the above-mentioned case identification information and the above-mentioned deadline information,
The structure is taken.

  As a result, when a predetermined setting input is made for the item displayed on the display sheet, the item display is transferred to another display sheet prepared in the display sheet. Accordingly, the case management can be performed in more detail according to the state of the case.

In the information processing apparatus,
The display control means displays the item information in order of the reference date based on the deadline date in the display sheet, and has a predetermined position at a position between the item information corresponding to the current date with respect to the reference date. Display the current date,
The structure is taken.

  Thereby, it is possible to easily recognize that the deadline date of the case is approaching the current date, and the case management becomes easy.

In the information processing apparatus,
When the matter displayed on the display sheet is selected, the display control means displays an input screen on which various information of the selected matter can be input, and the progress status of the matter is displayed on the input screen. Display a preset input field according to
The structure is taken.

  As a result, when inputting various types of information for a case, only necessary input fields are displayed according to the progress of the case, making it easy to input information.

In the information processing apparatus,
Address storage means for storing a notification destination address;
The destination indicated by the notification destination address at least the case identification information and the deadline information included in the case information of the case at a timing based on the deadline information and the current date included in the case information of the case Notification means to send to,
The structure is provided.

  As a result, information on a case whose deadline is approaching is transmitted to a notification address registered in advance, so that the deadline of the case can be easily managed.

Further, the information processing apparatus described above can be realized by incorporating a program into the information processing apparatus.
Specifically, the program which is another embodiment of the present invention is:
Stores each item information that includes item identification information that identifies the item to be managed, progress identification information that identifies the progress of the item, and expiration date information that represents the expiration date set for each progress. In the information processing apparatus having the case information storage means
Progress determining means for determining the progress of each case based on the progress specifying information included in each case information;
Display control means for displaying a list of at least the item specifying information and the deadline date information of each item information on each of a plurality of display sheets that are classified according to the progress to be managed and displayed by being selected. This is a program to be realized.
Then, the display control means is included in the case information of the case of the progress status corresponding to the progress classification of the display sheet in the display sheet to be displayed based on the determination result by the progress determination means. Display at least the case identification information and the expiration date information,
The structure is taken.

In addition, an information processing method according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is executed when the above-described information processing apparatus operates,
Stores each item information including item specifying information for specifying the item to be managed, progress specifying information for specifying the progress status of the item, and due date information representing the due date set for each progress status In the information processing apparatus having the matter information storage means,
A progress determination step for determining the progress of each case based on the progress specifying information included in each case information;
A display control step of displaying a list of at least the item specifying information and the deadline date information of each item information on each of a plurality of display sheets that are classified according to the progress to be managed and selected to be switched. Have.
Then, the display control step is included in the item information of the item of the progress status corresponding to the progress classification of the display sheet in the display sheet to be displayed based on the determination result by the progress determining step. Display at least the case identification information and the expiration date information,
The structure is taken.

  Even the invention of the program or the information processing method having the above-described configuration can achieve the above-described object of the present invention because it has the same operation as the above-described information processing apparatus.

  The present invention is set by law, such as the application deadline for each case involving the occurrence of industrial property rights that are intangible assets such as patent applications and trademark registration applications, examination deadline, response deadline to the JPO, pension payment deadline after registration, etc. As a device that manages the deadline to be strictly observed, it can be used by the company that is the applicant and the right holder, the patent office or management company that is requested to manage the case, and has industrial applicability .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Time limit management apparatus 4 User terminal 21 Case information input part 22 Progress determination part 23 Display control part 24 Deadline notification part 31 Case information storage part 32 Address storage part 100 Information processing apparatus 122 Progress determination means 123 Display control means 131 Case information storage means N network

Claims (3)

Stores each item information that includes item identification information that identifies the item to be managed, progress identification information that identifies the progress of the item, and expiration date information that represents the expiration date set for each progress. The case information storage means,
Progress determination means for determining the progress status of each case based on the progress specifying information included in each case information;
Display control means for displaying a list of at least the item specifying information and the due date information of each item information on each of a plurality of display sheets that are classified according to the progress to be managed and displayed by being selected. Prepared,
The display control means includes, based on the determination result by the progress determination means, in the display sheet that is a display target, at least the item information of the item of progress corresponding to the progress classification of the display sheet When displaying the item identification information and the expiration date information, and the display sheet that is the display target is set to display a plurality of the expiration date information different for each item, the plurality of the expiration dates The display sheet that is the display target by displaying at least the item specifying information and the deadline date information included in the item information of the item of progress corresponding to the progress classification of the display sheet for each information A plurality of deadline date information is displayed for one item.
Information processing device. Stores each item information that includes item identification information that identifies the item to be managed, progress identification information that identifies the progress of the item, and expiration date information that represents the expiration date set for each progress. In the information processing apparatus having the case information storage means
Progress determination means for determining the progress status of each case based on the progress specifying information included in each case information;
Display control means for displaying a list of at least the item specifying information and the due date information of each item information on each of a plurality of display sheets that are classified according to the progress to be managed and displayed by being selected. A program to be realized,
The display control means includes, based on the determination result by the progress determination means, in the display sheet that is a display target, at least the item information of the item of progress corresponding to the progress classification of the display sheet When displaying the item identification information and the expiration date information, and the display sheet that is the display target is set to display a plurality of the expiration date information different for each item, the plurality of the expiration dates The display sheet that is the display target by displaying at least the item specifying information and the deadline date information included in the item information of the item of progress corresponding to the progress classification of the display sheet for each information A plurality of deadline date information is displayed for one item.
program. Stores each item information that includes item identification information that identifies the item to be managed, progress identification information that identifies the progress of the item, and expiration date information that represents the expiration date set for each progress. In the information processing apparatus having the matter information storage means,
Based on the progress specifying information included in each item information, a progress determining step for determining the progress of each item;
A display control step for displaying a list of at least the item identification information and the deadline date information of each item information on each of a plurality of display sheets that are classified according to progress to be managed and selected to be switched. Have
The display control step includes, based on the determination result of the progress determination step, the display sheet that is a display target, at least the item information of the item of progress corresponding to the progress classification of the display sheet When displaying the item identification information and the expiration date information, and the display sheet that is the display target is set to display a plurality of the expiration date information different for each item, the plurality of the expiration dates The display sheet that is the display target by displaying at least the item specifying information and the deadline date information included in the item information of the item of progress corresponding to the progress classification of the display sheet for each information A plurality of deadline date information is displayed for one item.
Information processing method.

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