JPS62152659A - Due date management and process device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a management of an extended due date effectively, by making an arrangement for providing a due date definition table to which a period of time during which each schedule of a plurality of schedules is carried out, a unit extension period and a number of possible extension are registered and calculating an effective extended due date from the table based on the initial date in reckoning of a due date entered. CONSTITUTION:Data such as a period of time for calculating a due date, a unit extension period and a number of possible extension for a particular schedule is read out from a due date definition table to which schedules specified by a country, a schedule name and the like are registered in advance. An arrangement employed is such that the effective extended due date of the particular schedule is calculated and displayed based on the data read out and the initial date in reckoning entered. With such an arrangement, the extended due dates of a series of different jobs including a plurality of schedules can be managed without fail by use of a simple system arrangement.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a deadline date management processing device that manages extension deadline dates for work including multiple steps.

[Summary of the invention]

This invention provides a process control processing device that manages the extension deadline date of a series of operations including multiple steps, in which the period for executing each step of the multiple steps, the extension period, and the number of extensions are registered in association with this step. Set up a 1st period definition table,
By adopting a configuration that searches the deadline date definition table and calculates a valid extension deadline date based on the starting date entered for the specified process name, when the final deadline date has passed, the next This system sets deadline dates and efficiently manages extension deadline dates for a plurality of series of tasks, each of which includes multiple steps.

[Conventional technology]

- When managing work that has a temporal flow in C, a deadline date management processing device using a combination machine that inputs data generated in each work process and manages process completion and deadline dates is used. Conventionally known. In this conventional deadline date management processing device, items that require printing or displaying deadline dates of various procedures using a printer are generally fixed. Furthermore, there is a process in which it is possible to extend the expiration date set to -a for a predetermined period, and such management of an extension expiration date has not been seen in the prior art. For example, in the United States, the deadline for submitting a written opinion in response to a notice of reasons for refusal is initially set at three months from the date the notice of reasons for refusal is sent to the Patent Office, and after that period, it can be extended, and the extension period is one unit. The number of extensions allowed is 3 months, and the number of extensions allowed varies from country to country, making it extremely difficult to manage.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

Traditional! ! With the JllKI date management processing device, when managing multiple tasks (extension deadline dates) that involve different processes, multiple independent systems are required, resulting in a huge system overall, which increases not only development costs but also system costs. There was a problem in that the maintenance costs were too high and it became impractical.

In addition, we handle various procedures (processes) for a series of patent applications filed in multiple countries with different legal systems, or various procedures (processes) when the law changes even if the application is filed in a different country. There is no plan to extend the deadlines for each of these procedures, and since the extendable period differs depending on the country, the problem is that managing extension deadlines becomes detrimental and complicated. was there. and,
In this case, since it is necessary to know in advance the extension deadline dates for all countries, there is a problem in that it becomes necessary to check even unfamiliar countries or countries to which you would not normally apply. .

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an inputtable deadline date definition table for registering the period during which each step of a plurality of steps should be executed, the unit extension period, and the number of extensions possible, and By adopting a configuration that searches the deadline date definition table and calculates a valid extension deadline date based on the starting date of the input deadline date, management of extension deadline dates for a series of tasks involving multiple processes can be performed efficiently and without errors. I try to do it objectively.

[Effect]

Next, the operation will be explained.

First, for example, the country and process name were used as indexes to register the period during which the process should be executed, the unit extension period, and the possible number of extensions! Ill limited date fixed arrival date definition table 2
-4 Prepare. Second, information such as a period for calculating a deadline, a unit extension period, and a possible number of extensions corresponding to the specified country and process name is retrieved and read from the deadline date definition table 1-2. Thirdly, the input starting date and
Based on the information such as the period, unit extension period, and possible number of extensions read in the second step, the effective extension deadline date of the specified process is calculated and displayed.

As explained above, the deadline date definition table 1 registered in advance for a process specified by country, process name, etc.
-2, read out information such as the period for calculating the deadline date, the unit extension period, and the possible number of extensions for the relevant process, and based on this read information and the input starting date,
By adopting a configuration that calculates and displays the effective extension deadline date for the relevant process, it is possible to avoid errors (and management) by using a simple system configuration to calculate and display the extension deadline date for a series of different operations, each of which includes multiple processes. It becomes possible.

〔Example〕

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a patent management system will be described in detail below.

In FIG. 1, the rule data file 1 is composed of a process definition table 1-1, a deadline date definition table 1-2, and the like.

The process definition table 1-1 lists each process (for example, each process for executing a series of operations required after filing a patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office until the rights expire).
(e.g. submission of written opinions).

The deadline date definition table 1-2 is for registering period information, etc. for calculating the deadline date of each process in a series of operations.
For example, the allowed period from the start date to the expiration date, the unit extension period, and the possible number of extensions are registered in association with the process specified using the country and process name.

The management unit file 2 is for inputting and registering data such as data generated in each work or each process and the date on which each process was selected.

The control unit 3 displays the display means 3-1. It is composed of a deadline date calculation means 3-2, an extension deadline date calculation means 3-3, etc., and stores programs for executing various controls.

The display means 3-1 is for displaying deadline dates of various procedures in a predetermined format, which are calculated based on the period information registered in the initial menu (rulebook update menu) and deadline date definition table 12, which will be described later. .

The deadline date calculation means 3-2 calculates the deadline date corresponding to the designated work from the period information read from the iUl deadline definition table 1 and the starting date input into the management unit file 2. It is. This calculated deadline date is displayed on the display device 4 by the display means 3-1.

Extension! The 11th day calculation means 3-3 uses the deadline date definition table 1
The effective extension date of the process is calculated from the unit extension period and the number of possible extensions read from -2 and the input starting date.

Note that the work area 6 in FIG. 1 is used to temporarily store intermediate results and the like when performing various processes.

The central processing unit (CPU) 7 executes each process described below based on a program stored in the control unit 3. The printer 8 prints out various results. Mask file 9 includes the person in charge of work, agent, country,
It stores various information regarding companies, inventors, etc.

First, the deadline date definition table 1-2 shown in FIG. 6 will be explained. Deadline definition table 1-2 contains deadline date definitions for each country's application route, such as the US (United States of America).
A column is provided for the national route U eye definition. This US deadline date definition includes various process numbers such as “20
Period information (year, month, day) for calculating the deadline for “101” (submission of written opinion in response to receipt of notice of reasons for refusal) and EχTENSI
The unit extension period (year/month) that can be extended (OII) and the number of extensions possible are registered. Here, the process refers to the first country application, application, application publication, request for examination, search report, notice of reasons for refusal, submission of written opinion, submission of written amendment, decision of refusal, request for appeal, publication of application, opposition, patent registration S. , various procedures necessary for the process, etc., and the process number is the number assigned to these processes. In addition, the date code described below refers to the dates that need to be managed in each process, such as "application opening", "request for examination date", "issue date of notice of reasons for refusal", "date of submission of written opinion", etc. This is the code attached. Further, US represents image information (United States of America).

Next, the procedure for registering the period information for calculating the deadline, the unit extension period, and the possible number of extensions in the deadline date definition table 1-2 in FIG. 1 will be explained in detail using the flowchart shown in FIG.

■ in FIG. 2 indicates a state in which menu selection is performed. This means that a menu selection is made to display an intermediate menu necessary for creating the deadline date definition table 1-2 and the like.

■ in the figure indicates a state in which necessary processing is performed to display the menu.

■ in the figure indicates a state in which the rulebook update menu is displayed on the display device 4. This means, for example, that a rule book update menu as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed.

In the figure, ■ indicates a state in which the country code and route classification are input from the keyboard 5. The route classifications are route (1), that is, the route to apply directly to the country (nanoyona route "0"), the route to apply via EPC (EPC route "1"), and the route to apply via PCT) ( P
This represents a division indicating CT route "2"). This can be done by inputting, for example, "US" (country code indicating the United States of America) in the rectangular area after the "country code" indicated using til+ in Figure 3, and by entering "category code" indicated using fbl in the figure. For example, “0” in the rectangular area after “
(the symbol representing National).

■ in the figure indicates a state in which an uninput definition is searched.

■ in the figure indicates a state in which the searched state indicated by ■ in the figure is displayed on the display device 4. This means, for example, displaying "N" (a code indicating that it has been input) or "Y' (a code that indicates that it has not been input) in the column of "Not input" shown using C1 in Figure 4. Whether this data has been input or not can be determined by referring to the flag or by searching and displaying whether or not significant data has been registered.

■ in the figure indicates the deadline date definition (for example, the processing classification IF in Figure 4).
) is input into the rectangular area shown at the lower left in FIG. 4.

■ in the figure indicates a state in which it is determined whether the classification (lF) of the deadline date definition has been input in ■ in the figure. In the case of YES, execute the following steps (■) in the figure. If NO, other definition input screen display processing and the like are executed.

■ in the figure indicates a state in which screen display processing is performed.

0 in the figure indicates a state in which a screen for inputting a deadline date definition is displayed on the display device 4. This means that, for example, a deadline date definition input screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display device 4, and a screen where a predetermined code etc. can be input is displayed in the area surrounded by a rectangle in the figure. It means.

In the figure, ■ indicates a state in which information necessary for defining a deadline is input. To do this, for example, the following code is input from the keyboard 5 into the area enclosed by a rectangle in FIG. FROM process number (process number including the starting date for calculating the deadline date) "201", FROM date code (starting date code for the deadline date) '201', TO process number (corresponds to the screen where the deadline date is displayed) (process number that needs to be done)
“20101”, To date code (last date code of expiry date) “202”, period information (year/month/start) “00 03”
000” (3 months), EXTENS ION (
The code indicating whether or not the expiry date can be extended (°Y” (YES)
) and credit extension period information (year, month, day) “00 01 0
00" (1 month), the number of extensions possible "3" (3 times), etc.
Three months after the start date entered on the date indicated by "201'" of the process indicated by "1", the deadline indicated by "202" will arrive, and this will be determined by the legal deadline on the screen of the step indicated by "201". This means that it will be displayed on the due date, and this 1
This means that even after the IJIII date, it is possible to extend the contract by one month at a time up to three times. Here, the reason why the day is three digits is because the period until the procedure deadline is sometimes specified in days, such as 120 days.

In the figure, @ indicates a state in which registration is performed. This is the date code, period, and EXTEN entered in Figure 5 at 0 in the diagram.
This means that SION etc. are registered in the deadline date definition table 1-2 in FIG.

Through the above procedure, all the period information for calculating deadline dates for administrative processing processes that involve deadline dates for countries with different legal systems can be arbitrarily registered and modified as variable data in advance or as needed. can. In this case, a date code such as 201'' is attached to the FROM date, which is the starting date of the expiration date, and is used as an index when searching to streamline the process.In addition, unit extension period information (EXTENS 10N) and the number of possible extensions are registered as variable data.

Calculation of the deadline date and extension deadline window will be explained in detail using the flowchart shown in FIG.

In FIG. 7, 0 in the figure indicates a state in which a menu screen selection is made to select each step of intermediate processing.

In the figure, [phase] indicates a state in which a menu screen for selecting each step of intermediate processing is displayed on the display device 4.

O in the figure indicates a state in which the menu screen is displayed. This means that, for example, an intermediate processing menu screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display device 4.

In the figure, [phase] indicates a state where the country and management unit number (foreign stratification) are input. For example, @ in the figure indicates the display device 4.
In the intermediate processing menu screen shown in Figure 8 shown above, a number for managing the work (
For example, this means inputting from the keyboard 5 the foreign formatting "584P100USOO" and the classification "1" or "2" representing new/changed in the rectangular area indicated by (hl) in the figure. In the example, US within the foreign alignment
The country code has a country code of , and the country and administrative unit number are entered at the same time.

In the figure, @ indicates a state in which a history search is performed. This is shown in the diagram @
This means searching for the management unit file 2 shown in FIG. At this time, the category “1” entered in [Phase] in the diagram
” (New) is used to search for process numbers, process names, etc. for inputting new data. Specifically, it searches for past data registered in the management unit file 2. This means searching for the latest significant process among the input processes and searching for the related significant process number, process name, etc. Also, category "2" (
(Changes), it searches for process numbers, process names, etc. in order to modify previously input data.
Specifically, this means searching for all useful processes registered in the management unit file 2 and searching for process numbers, process names, etc. related to them.

In the figure, [phase] indicates a state in which the process definition table 1-1 is searched. This is, for example, the first step corresponding to the latest significant process number in the management unit file 2 immediately searched at 0 in the figure.
This means searching the illustrated process definition table 1-1, reading out information such as legal applicable periods, and searching for valid process numbers, process names, etc. (compatible with the laws of each country). To be more specific, the process definition table l-1 stores post-process information that may occur after the relevant process occurs, so in the case of the new '1' mentioned above, information from the management unit file 2 is stored. The process definition table 1-1 corresponding to the searched latest significant process number is searched and the post-process information therein is read.Then, the process definition table 1-1 corresponding to the read post-process information is retrieved. Search and read out the legal applicable period, etc., determine whether it is within this legal applicable period, etc., and if it matches, enter the process number, process name, etc. in the tray step shown in the figure below. Display it on the display device 4L.In addition, in the case of change “2” mentioned above, search using the same procedure for all significant process numbers searched from the management unit file 2. , All process numbers and process names are displayed at step 0 in the following diagram.These process numbers and process names displayed on the display device 4 are used for the next selection in the relevant work. This is a type of menu information that indicates possible processes.

0 in the figure indicates the state in which the history display is displayed on the display device 4. This means that, for example, the position indicated by +11 in FIG. This means that important processes are displayed using process numbers (for example, 00101) and process names (for example, application/order notification). In the example shown in FIG. 9, the process numbers that can be selected at this point are "00101" and "20101".
It has been shown that there are two steps.

0 in the figure indicates a state where a process number is input. This is one of the process numbers shown using illustration (1) of the history display screen in FIG. 9 displayed on the display device 4 at 0 in the figure.
This means selecting one and inputting the selected process number from the keyboard 5 into the rectangular area indicated by 01 in the figure.

0 in the figure indicates a state in which processing is performed to display on the display device 4 a screen for inputting data necessary for the corresponding process.

In the figure, [phase] indicates a state in which the date data input screen is displayed on the display device 4. This will display the date data input screen for this process on the display device 4 as shown in Figure 10, corresponding to the process number "20101" ((examination system) receipt of notice of reasons for refusal) entered at 0 in the figure. It means to display.

In the figure, [phase] indicates a state in which data such as FROM date is input. For example, in the rectangular area shown using kl in FIG.
925'' from the keyboard 5. Also, as shown in Figure 10, the agent shipping date, patent department acceptance date, agent deadline date, etc. are also input from the keyboard 5. .

O in the figure indicates a state in which country discrimination is performed. This means, as shown in FIG. 6, that the country file is searched for information corresponding to the image information (US) input at [phase] in the figure.

In the figure, [phase] indicates a state in which a deadline date definition file is searched. This is the “U” searched from the country file in Figure 6.
“4.
! This means searching for "tJ4 limit date fixed eye file".

0 in the figure indicates a state in which a deadline date is searched. This is from the column corresponding to the process number inputted at 0 in M, for example "20101", from the "US deadline date definition table" pointed to by "41 deadline date definition file" of the US file in FIG. Period information (year, month, day) “00 03 0
This means to search and read out "00".

In the figure, [phase] indicates the state in which the deadline date is calculated. this is,
At 0 in the figure, calculate the actual deadline Y using the formula below from the period information (year/month/opening) "oo 03000" read from the deadline date definition table 1-2 in Figure 6 and the calendar. It means.

Deadline date Y = (FI?OM date) Ten period information”oo
.

3000″・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・(1) For example, in the case shown in Figure 10, the shipping date of the Date and Time Office is “September 25, 1985” in (FIIOM date). Day.

Therefore, the calculation deadline Y is December 25, 1985, which is the sum of March represented by the period information (year, month, day) "0003000".

In the figure, [phase] indicates a state in which screen display is performed.

0 in the figure indicates a state in which the deadline date Y is displayed. This means that the expiry date Y calculated in [phase] in the figure is, for example, (β
) The legal deadline date (year, month, day) is shown in the rectangular area.
This means that it is displayed as "851225".

In the figure, @ indicates a state in which EXT, Y (a code for instructing calculation of the extension deadline date) is input. This means that “Y” (
This means inputting YES).

In the figure, [phase] indicates a state in which extension period information is searched.

This is done in the same way as described above, for example, in Figure 6, the country file, US file, and expiration date definition table l.
-2 sequentially, for example, EXTENS1ON''Y 00 in the "20101" (reception of notice of reasons for refusal) column.
01 000 3" is read out as extension period information.

In the figure, @ indicates a state in which it is determined whether or not EXT and Y exist in the deadline date definition table 1-2. If YES,
In the figure, the following processes are executed. In the case of NO, since the extension period information is not registered in the expiration date definition table 1-2 explained using the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, an error is displayed at O in the figure and the process ends.

In the figure, [phase] indicates the state in which the new eye (Y6) is calculated. This is the EXTEN read out by searching for [phase] in the diagram.
This means extracting the unit extension period T "January" from the extension period information SION@Y 00 0f 000 3" and calculating the new term (Y,) using the following formula. Here, , !LJII!11th "Y" calculated by equation (1) is used as the initial value of "YE".

YE=YE+T・・・・・・・・・・・・(2) Specifically, for example, the deadline date YE written in the column of legal deadline indicated using (1) in Figure 10 (Deadline date Y if not extended), unit extension period T
This means calculating "860125" by adding "January".

In the figure, @ indicates a state in which the final deadline date (Y2) is calculated.

This is the EXTENSION”Y read out with @ in the diagram.
This means extracting the unit extension period T "1 month" and the possible number of extensions N "3 times" from the extension period information 00 01 000 3" and calculating the final deadline date (Y2) using the following formula. ing.

Yz - CFROM date] + [period information Y) + NxT・
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・(3) Specifically, for example, the 10th illustration (described in the Japan Patent Office shipping date column using kl) Current CFROM date] “
850925", the period information (year, month, day) "00 03 000" registered in the deadline date definition table in Figure 6, and the EXTENSION (year, month, day) "00 01" in the figure.
000 3”, the final deadline date (
Y2) is calculated.

yz = September 25, 1985 + March + 3X January = March 25, 1986 ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ ・
・(4) [Phase] in the diagram is new period Y, ≦final deadline date Y
2 is determined. In the case of YES, the new expiration date YE is a valid expiration date, so it is displayed on the display device 4 as the new expiration date with @ in the figure.

Specifically, it is displayed in the column of legal deadline indicated by (1) in FIG. In the case of No, the new deadline date Y is invalid because it is larger than the final deadline date Y2.
An error is displayed at O in the figure. For example, "3" (a code indicating an error) is displayed in the rectangular area indicated by fnl in FIG. If this error is displayed, the extension category (
By changing the "Y" displayed in "EX Y/N" to a blank (space), the previous latest deadline date is displayed and the error display disappears. If you want to know the latest expiration date, you can enter "N" into the corresponding extension category (EX Y/N).

The area surrounded by the dotted line indicated by (0) in Figure 11 is for inputting the date data when processing the process "20101" (examination-based notification of reasons for refusal/decision of refusal). In the figure, the area surrounded by dotted lines (indicated using pl) is for inputting the date data of the incident that occurred in the step "20201" (submission of written opinion/written amendment).

As explained above, by inputting the FROM date (starting date), the deadline date definition table 1-2 is searched and a predetermined legal deadline date is automatically displayed. Furthermore, by instructing to display the extension deadline date, the deadline date definition table 1
-2 and the valid extended legal deadline will be automatically displayed.

In addition, as a calendar for calculating legal deadlines, etc.
It is possible to use one with normal dates, but it is also possible to prepare and use one that takes into consideration the festival days peculiar to each country, for example. Furthermore, when extending the deadline, the number of extensions may be input and compared with a predetermined number of extensions.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, a deadline date definition table is provided for registering the period during which each step of a plurality of steps should be executed, the unit extension period, the number of extensions possible, etc., and the starting date entered for the specified step is provided. Since a configuration is adopted in which the extension deadline date is calculated by searching the deadline date definition table based on the date, it is possible to manage the extension deadline dates of different series of tasks, each of which includes multiple steps, without error. In particular, when applying to multiple countries with different legal systems, it is possible to input data related to the same process (for example, response to a notice of reasons for refusal) using the same input screen, and the input screen can also be used for multiple purposes. Based on instructions input from It is possible to easily and error-free manage the effective extension deadline dates (extended procedure deadline dates) for each process when filing an application, as well as the extension deadlines in response to changes in laws.

Furthermore, when it becomes clear about the laws of a country that you do not understand well or of a country where you are newly filing an application, you can create a deadline definition table and manage extension deadline dates.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a flowchart explaining the operation of defining a deadline, Fig. 3 is an example of a rule book update menu, Fig. 4 is an example of displaying an uninput definition, and Fig. 5 6 is an example of a deadline date definition input screen, FIG. 6 is a deadline date definition table, FIG. 7 is a flowchart explaining the deadline date display and calculation of the final deadline date, FIG. 8 is an example of an intermediate processing menu, and FIG. 9 is an example of a deadline date definition input screen.
The figure shows an example of history display, FIG. 10 shows an example of date data input screen display, and FIG. 11 shows an example of deadline date display. In the figure, 1 is a rule data file, 1-1 is a process definition table, 1-2 is a deadline date definition table, 2 is a management unit file, 3 is a control unit, 3-1 is a display means, and 3-2 is a deadline date 3-3 is a calculation means; 4 is a display device; 5 is a keyboard; 6 is a work area; 7 is a central processing unit; 8 is a printer; and 9 is a mask file. Figure 5: Intermediate processing menu Figure 8 (i) Figure 9: Flowchart explaining the display of the deadline date and calculation of the final snow date

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) From the predetermined start date on which each of the above-mentioned multiple steps is to be executed in the deadline date management processing device that manages the extension deadline date for extending the deadline set for each step in a series of operations including multiple steps. The deadline date definition table is created based on the deadline date definition table in which the period, extension period, and number of extensions can be registered in association with each process, and the starting date information entered for the specified process name. An extension deadline date calculation means for searching and calculating a valid extension deadline date, and a series of operations are managed using the effective extension deadline date calculated by the extension deadline date calculation means. A deadline date management processing device. (2) The expiration date management processing device according to claim (1), wherein the work includes a patent management work, and the process is a work step included in the patent management work.