Processing device, processing method, and program for annuity work of intellectual property right

Abstract

To provide a processing device, a processing method, and a program for an annuity work of an intellectual property right that are able to reduce a burden of business management related to the pension of the intellectual property right in a case where a plurality of right holders own the intellectual property right.SOLUTION: A processing device for an annuity work of intellectual property right is a processing device that performs processing of annuity work, based on a request from a sub-manager, with respect to the intellectual property right shared by a main manager and the sub-manager. The processing device includes: a memory in which a program is recorded; and a processor capable of executing the program. When the processor executes the program, the processing device performs: acquiring a target case which is an intellectual property right of a request target and case information indicating the main manager of the target case, and notifying the main manager of the case information; acquiring first bill information related to annuity of the target case based on contents of a registration by the main manager; and notifying the sub-manager of second bill information related to a payment amount based on the first bill information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing device, a processing method, and a program for intellectual property right pension affairs. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, devices for managing deadlines related to intellectual property rights have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a patent monitoring system that monitors the application process of a patent application, and when an action such as a notice of rejection occurs within a search period, displays a list of the process code, item, and date related to the action. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-7608 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when multiple rights holders own intellectual property rights, the administration of annuities for those intellectual property rights can become complicated. In particular, for a rights holder who owns many intellectual property rights and also serves as a sub-manager for some or all of the intellectual property rights, invoices are issued by various main managers, and so there is a demand for technology that can reduce the burden of administration of annuities.

[0005] The object of the present disclosure is to provide a processing device, processing method, and program for intellectual property right annuity affairs that can reduce the burden of managing affairs related to annuities for intellectual property rights when intellectual property rights are owned by multiple rights holders. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The processing device for pension affairs of the intellectual property rights according to the present disclosure is: A processing device that processes pension affairs based on a request from a sub-administrator regarding intellectual property rights shared between a main administrator and a sub-administrator, The processing device includes a memory for recording a program and a processor capable of executing the program; When the processor executes the program, the processing device obtaining case information indicating a subject matter, which is the intellectual property right that is the subject of the request, and the primary manager of the subject matter, and notifying the primary manager of the subject matter of the case information; Obtaining first invoice information regarding the pension of the target case based on the contents registered by the main administrator; Second invoice information regarding the amount to be paid based on the first invoice information is notified to the sub-administrator.

[0007] The method for processing the intellectual property right annuity affairs of the intellectual property right related to the present disclosure is as follows: A processing method for processing pension affairs based on a request from a sub-administrator regarding intellectual property rights shared between a main administrator and a sub-administrator, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining case information indicating a subject case, which is an intellectual property right that is the subject of the request, and the primary manager of the subject case; notifying the primary manager of the case information; obtaining first invoice information regarding the pension of the target case based on the contents registered by the main administrator; and notifying the sub-administrator of second invoice information relating to a payment amount based on the first invoice information.

[0008] The program according to the present disclosure is A program used in a processing device that processes pension affairs based on a request from a sub-administrator regarding intellectual property rights shared between a main administrator and a sub-administrator, The processing device has a memory for recording the program and a processor capable of executing the program, The program is obtaining case information indicating a subject case, which is an intellectual property right that is the subject of the request, and the primary manager of the subject case; notifying the primary manager of the case information; obtaining first invoice information regarding the pension of the target case based on the contents registered by the main administrator; and notifying the sub-administrator of second invoice information relating to a payment amount based on the first invoice information. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, when intellectual property rights are owned by multiple right holders, it is possible to reduce the burden of administrative management related to annuities for the intellectual property rights. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a processing system including a processing device for intellectual property right pension affairs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the processing device illustrated in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining an input form for the main administrator to register the details of a request to a sub-administrator. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining an input form for the main administrator to register the details of a request to a sub-administrator. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram (part 3) for explaining an input form for the main administrator to register the details of a request to a sub-administrator. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 4) for explaining an input form for the main administrator to register the details of a request to a sub-administrator. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram (part 5) for explaining an input form for the main administrator to register the details of a request to a sub-administrator. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a diagram (part 6) for explaining an input form for the main administrator to register the details of a request to a sub-administrator. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining an input form for the main administrator to register the contents of the payment certificate. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining the input form for the main administrator to register the contents of the payment certificate. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 3) for explaining the input form for the main administrator to register the contents of the payment certificate. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of operations when pension administration for a target case is processed in the processing system shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Specific examples of the processing device, processing method, and program for annuity affairs of intellectual property rights according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0012] [Overall configuration of the processing system including the processing device] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a processing system 100 including a processing device 10 for intellectual property right pension affairs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The processing system 100 includes the processing device 10, a server 11, one or more first terminals 13, and one or more second terminals 14. The processing device 10 is communicatively connected to each of the server 11, the first terminal 13, and the second terminal 14 via a network 15.

[0013] The processing device 10 also includes a processor 21 and a memory 22. The memory 22 is a non-volatile memory, a HDD, or the like, and the operating program of the processing device 10 and the like are stored in the memory 22. The processor 21 executes the operating program stored in the memory 22 to process pension affairs for the intellectual property right that is the subject of the request, based on a request from the sub-administrator, regarding the intellectual property right shared by the main administrator and the sub-administrator. The intellectual property right that is the subject of the request is hereinafter referred to as the "target case."

[0014] Moreover, intellectual property rights include patent rights, utility model rights, design rights, trademark rights, copyrights, etc. Intellectual property right annuity affairs are affairs related to procedures for renewing the validity period of rights, that is, affairs related to the payment of patent annuities and the renewal of trademark rights, etc. Furthermore, intellectual property right annuity affairs in this disclosure also include annuity affairs for intellectual property rights currently pending applications, such as the payment of maintenance annuities when maintaining applications for patent rights, etc.

[0015] The server 11 includes a database 23 and a processing unit 24. The database 23 is, for example, a volatile memory, and various information related to one or more target cases is stored in the database 23. The processing system 100 of the present disclosure is operated by an agent who acts as an intermediary between the main administrator and the sub-administrator, thereby reducing the pension administration burden on the sub-administrator. The server 11 may be owned by the agent, or by another company other than the agent. The processing device 10 may also include the database 23 and the processing unit 24.

[0016] The second terminal 14 is a terminal operated by the main administrator of the target case. The main administrator is a person who actually performs procedures related to pension affairs on behalf of the sub-administrator, a company or its agent, or a person who requests a patent office or the like that actually performs the procedures, or a company or its agent. In other words, the main administrator advances the sub-administrator's pension payment amount and bills the sub-administrator for the amount advanced.

[0017] The first terminal 13 is a terminal operated by the sub-manager of the target case, i.e., the client. The sub-manager is a person or company, or their agent, who receives a bill from the main manager and pays the expenses related to the pension of the target case to the main manager.

[0018] [Sub-administrator registers the subject matter] The sub-administrator can use the first terminal 13 to register information about the target case, for example, on a dedicated site provided by the server 11. Specifically, the sub-administrator enters the application number of the target case, information about the main administrator, and the next pension payment year, payment deadline, pension amount, etc., into an input form on the dedicated site. The information about the main administrator is the email address, etc., of the main administrator, and the information about the sub-administrator is the email address, etc., of the sub-administrator.

[0019] The processing unit 24 in the server 11 creates case information indicating the contents entered by the sub-manager, includes the management number in the case information, and stores it in the database 23. As a result, the information regarding the target case entered by the sub-manager is registered in the database 23 in the server 11.

[0020] [Registration and notification of sub-administrators' intentions] (Registering intention information) The deputy manager can register his / her intention as to whether or not to pay the annuity for the target case, for example, on the above-mentioned dedicated site, using the first terminal 13. For example, the deputy manager inputs information identifying the target case, such as the application number of the target case, and the result of his / her decision as to whether or not to pay the next annuity, on the dedicated site.

[0021] In this case, the processing unit 24 in the server 11 creates intention information indicating the contents entered by the sub-manager, associates the intention information with the case information of the target case, and stores the information in the database 23. As a result, the result of the decision as to whether or not to pay the next pension is registered in the database 23 in the server 11.

[0022] (Notification of the Sub-Administrator's Intention to the Primary Administrator) The processing device 10 notifies the main manager that an agent will handle pension administration on behalf of the sub-manager for each target case registered in the database 23. The processing device 10 also notifies the main manager of the sub-manager's decision on whether or not to pay the next pension, i.e., the sub-manager's intention.

[0023] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the processing device 10 shown in Fig. 1. The processing device 10 includes, for example, a processor 21, a memory 22, and a monitor 25. The processor 21 includes a receiving unit 31, a transmitting unit 32, a determining unit 33, a display processing unit 34, and an input accepting unit 35.

[0024] More specifically, the judgment unit 33 refers to the case information of each target case stored in the database 23, and identifies, for example, target cases where the number of days until the next pension payment deadline is less than a predetermined value. The judgment unit 33 then reads out the case information of the identified target case and the intention information associated with the case information from the database 23, and outputs the case information and the intention information to the transmission unit 32.

[0025] When the sending unit 32 receives the case information and intention information output from the judgment unit 33, it sends, for example, a notification that pension affairs will be handled by an agent, along with the case information and the intention information, addressed to the email address of the main manager indicated in the case information.

[0026] In this way, by transmitting the notification and case information to the primary manager of the target case, the primary manager can be informed of information related to the target case. Also, by transmitting intention information to the primary manager, the primary manager can be informed of the intention of the sub-manager regarding the next annuity payment for the target case.

[0027] Note that a notification that the agent will handle pension affairs on behalf of the principal manager and case information may be sent to the principal manager at a timing before the intention information is sent to the principal manager. For example, the processing unit 24 in the server 11 may send the notification and the case information to the processing device 10 when the case information is saved in the database 23. In this case, the sending unit 32 in the processing device 10 can send the notification and the case information received from the server 11 to the email address or the like of the principal manager of the target case corresponding to the case information.

[0028] (Send reminder of intention information) If the sub-manager has not registered his / her intention, the processing device 10 can send reminder information to the sub-manager. More specifically, as described above, the determination unit 33 refers to the case information of each target case stored in the database 23, for example, and identifies target cases for which the number of days until the next pension payment deadline is less than or equal to a predetermined value.

[0029] Then, when intention information is not associated with the case information of the identified target case, the determination unit 33 reads out the case information from the database 23. Then, based on the read case information, the determination unit 33 generates reminder information for confirming the intention to pay the pension for the target case, for example, and outputs the generated reminder information to the transmission unit 32. The reminder information may include information regarding the address of the sub-manager of the target case.

[0030] When the sending unit 32 receives the reminder information output from the judgment unit 33, the sending unit 32 sends the reminder information to, for example, the email address of the sub-manager indicated in the reminder information. This makes it possible to prompt the sub-manager who has not registered his / her intention regarding the next pension payment to register the intention.

[0031] [Registration and notification of claims] (Register and display requests from the primary administrator)] 1 again, before or after paying the annuity for the target case, the main administrator can use the second terminal 14 to register the details of the claim against the sub-administrator for the target case on a dedicated site, etc. Specifically, the details of the claim registered by the main administrator include, for example, information about the main administrator, the filing country of the target case, application number, registration number, year of payment, amount of annuity, amount claimed against the sub-administrator, deadline for payment to the main administrator, management number, and information about the sub-administrator. Note that the main administrator can specify any currency when registering the amount claimed against the sub-administrator.

[0032] The processing unit 24 in the server 11 creates first invoice information for making an advance payment to the main manager based on the billing details registered by the main manager, and stores the created first invoice information in the database 23 in association with the case information of the corresponding target case. Details of the input form on the dedicated site for registering billing details will be described later.

[0033] 2, the determination unit 33 in the processing device 10 refers to one or more pieces of first invoice information stored in the database 23 to identify a target case for which the deadline for payment to the primary manager is approaching. Then, the determination unit 33 reads out, for example, the first invoice information associated with the case information of the identified target case from the database 23, and outputs the read out first invoice information to the display processing unit 34.

[0034] When the display processing unit 34 receives the first invoice information output from the determination unit 33, it performs processing to display the contents of the first invoice information on the monitor 25, for example. This allows the agent managing the processing device 10 to grasp the target cases for which the payment deadline to the main manager is approaching and the billing details from the main manager for the target cases, and to make appropriate payments to the main manager.

[0035] (Reminder for first invoice information) The processing device 10 can send reminder information to the main manager if the billing details have not been registered by the main manager to the sub-manager or agent, i.e., if the first invoice information has not been stored in the database 23.

[0036] More specifically, as described above, the judgment unit 33, for example, refers to the case information of each target case stored in the database 23, and identifies target cases for which a predetermined number of days have passed since the most recent pension payment deadline.

[0037] Then, when the first invoice information is not associated with the case information of the identified target case, the determination unit 33 reads out the case information from the database 23. Then, based on the read out case information, the determination unit 33 generates reminder information for prompting the main manager to register the billing details for the target case, for example, and outputs the generated reminder information to the transmission unit 32. The reminder information may include information regarding the address of the main manager of the target case.

[0038] When the sending unit 32 receives the reminder information output from the determining unit 33, the sending unit 32 sends the reminder information to, for example, the email address of the main manager indicated in the reminder information. This makes it possible to prompt the main manager who has not registered the billing details of the case to register the billing details.

[0039] The determination unit 33 may be configured to count the number of times it has determined that the first invoice information is not registered for each main manager. In this case, for example, the determination unit 33 can register one or more main managers whose count is equal to or greater than a threshold in a specific list and store the list in the database 23. Then, the determination unit 33 can perform a predetermined process for the target cases of the main managers registered in the specific list.

[0040] Specifically, the judgment unit 33 can create reminder information for cases that are the target of a main manager registered in a specific list earlier than the cases that are the target of other main managers, or can increase the frequency with which reminder information is created.

[0041] (Request to Deputy Administrator) Before or after payment to the main administrator based on the first invoice information, the billing details for the sub-administrator are input to the processing device 10. The billing details to be input include, for example, information about the main administrator, the filing country of the subject case, application number, registration number, year of payment, amount of annuity, amount billed to the sub-administrator, deadline for payment to the agent, management number, and information about the sub-administrator.

[0042] The input receiving unit 35 in the processing device 10 receives the billing details input by the agent, and creates second invoice information indicating the billing details. The input receiving unit 35 then outputs the created second invoice information to the transmission unit 32.

[0043] When the sending unit 32 receives the second invoice information output from the input receiving unit 35, the sending unit 32 sends the second invoice information to, for example, the email address of the sub-manager included in the second invoice information. This makes it possible to notify the sub-manager of the contents of the invoice from the agent to the sub-manager.

[0044] The second invoice information may be notified to the sub-manager by other transmission means than email. The second invoice information may also be registered in database 23 in server 11. In this case, the sub-manager can download the second invoice information registered in database 23.

[0045] In addition, the billing amount included in the second invoice information, i.e., the billing amount from the agent to the sub-manager, may be the same as the billing amount included in the first invoice information, i.e., the billing amount from the main manager to the agent, or may be a different amount. For example, the agent may enter an amount that is the billing amount entered by the main manager plus the agent's fee.

[0046] The second invoice information may also include the first invoice information for making an advance payment to the primary manager. The second invoice information may also include, for example, the amount to be paid to the primary manager, which is tax-exempt, and the agent's fee, which is taxable, separately.

[0047] Furthermore, when notifying the same sub-manager of multiple pieces of second invoice information corresponding to multiple different target cases, the processing device 10 may transmit the multiple pieces of second invoice information separately or together. For example, the judgment unit 33 in the processing device 10 can store the created second invoice information in the database 23, and at the end of the month, etc., transmit the multiple pieces of second invoice information created over the course of a month together to the email address of the same sub-manager.

[0048] [Payment Proof Processing] (Registering and sending certificate information) The above explains the exchange of invoices, but this system can also process payment certificates issued by the Patent Office. For example, when an annuity is paid to the Patent Office, the Patent Office issues a document (hereafter referred to as a payment certificate) to certify that the annuity has been paid. The person managing the annuity may use this payment certificate to confirm that the annuity has been paid. For this reason, the main administrator often sends an invoice and a payment certificate.

[0049] 1 again, when the main administrator obtains the payment certificate from the Patent Office, he / she can register the contents of the payment certificate on a dedicated website or the like using the second terminal 14. The contents of the payment certificate registered by the main administrator include, for example, information about the main administrator, the filing country of the subject case, application number, registration number, year of payment, date of payment, amount of annuity, management number, and information about the deputy administrator.

[0050] The processing unit 24 in the server 11 creates certificate information based on the contents of the payment certificate registered by the main administrator. The processing unit 24 then stores the created certificate information in the database 23 in association with the case information of the corresponding target case, and notifies the processing device 10, for example, that the certificate information has been newly saved. Details of the input form on the dedicated site for the main administrator to register the contents of the payment certificate will be described later.

[0051] Referring back to FIG. 2, upon receiving the notification from the server 11, the determination unit 33 in the processing device 10 reads out the certificate information newly stored in the database 23 and outputs it to the transmission unit 32.

[0052] When the sending unit 32 receives the certificate information output from the judgment unit 33, it sends the certificate information to, for example, the email address of the sub-administrator included in the certificate information. This makes it possible to inform the sub-administrator of the contents of the payment certificate registered by the main administrator.

[0053] When notifying the same sub-administrator of multiple pieces of certificate information corresponding to multiple different target cases, the processing device 10 may transmit the multiple pieces of certificate information separately or together. For example, at the end of the month, the judgment unit 33 in the processing device 10 may transmit multiple pieces of certificate information registered during a month together to the email address of the same sub-administrator.

[0054] (Certificate information reminder) The processing device 10 may send a reminder to the primary administrator if the content of the payment certificate has not been entered by the primary administrator, i.e. if the certificate information has not been stored in the database 23.

[0055] For example, the judgment unit 33 refers to the certificate information of each target case stored in the database 23, and identifies target cases for which a predetermined number of days have passed since the deadline for the payment of the most recent pension. Then, when the certificate information is not associated with the case information of the identified target case, the judgment unit 33 reads out the case information from the database 23.

[0056] Then, the determination unit 33 generates, for example, reminder information for prompting registration of the contents of the payment certificate for the target case based on the read case information, and outputs the generated reminder information to the transmission unit 32. The reminder information may include information regarding the address of the main manager of the target case.

[0057] When the sending unit 32 receives the reminder information output from the determining unit 33, the sending unit 32 sends the reminder information to, for example, the email address of the main manager indicated in the reminder information. This makes it possible to prompt the main manager who has not registered the contents of the payment certificate to register the contents of the payment certificate.

[0058] [Details of the input form on the dedicated site] (An example of how to register the first invoice information) 3 to 8 are diagrams for explaining an input form for the main administrator to register the details of a request to a sub-administrator. First, assume that the main administrator accesses the dedicated site using the second terminal 14 (see FIG. 1). In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, a login screen G1 for the dedicated site is displayed on the monitor of the second terminal 14. The login screen G1 includes, for example, an input area for the login ID and password of the main administrator.

[0059] As described above, when a sub-administrator registers a target case or registers an intention regarding the payment of pension for the target case, the processing device 10 notifies the main administrator that the pension administration will be handled by an agent and notifies the main administrator of the case information for the target case. At this time, the processing device 10 assigns, for example, a login ID and password to the main administrator and notifies the main administrator of the login ID and password together with the case information.

[0060] When the main administrator inputs the login ID and password assigned to him / her, a selection screen G2 as shown in Fig. 4 is displayed on the monitor of the second terminal 14. The selection screen G2 includes, for example, an invoice acceptance button B1 for selecting input of the details of the invoice to the sub-administrator, and a certificate acceptance button B2 for selecting input of the details of the payment certificate.

[0061] Here, it is assumed that the main administrator performs an operation to select the invoice reception button B1. In this case, a list screen G3 including a list of target cases as shown in Fig. 5 is displayed on the monitor of the second terminal 14. The list screen G3 includes, for example, the filing country, application number, registration number, and next annuity payment year for each target case. Also, in the list of target cases, a selection button B3 is associated with each target case.

[0062] Assume that the main administrator selects one of the multiple target cases included in the list of target cases, and selects the selection button B3 associated with the selected target case. In this case, as shown in Fig. 6, an invoice input screen G4 including an input form for the billing details is displayed on the monitor of the second terminal 14 for the target case corresponding to the selected selection button B3. The invoice input screen G4 includes multiple input fields for inputting, for example, the billing amount, the management number, and the sub-administrator's email address.

[0063] When the main administrator performs input operations in these input fields, a confirmation screen G5 is displayed on the monitor of the second terminal 14, as shown in FIG. 7. The confirmation screen G5 includes a back button B4 and an OK button B5. When the main administrator performs an operation to select the back button B4, the invoice input screen G4 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed again. On the other hand, when the main administrator performs an operation to select the OK button B5, a reception completion screen G6 is displayed on the monitor of the second terminal 14, as shown in FIG. 8. This completes the registration of the billing details by the main administrator.

[0064] (An example of how to register certificate information) Figures 9 to 11 are diagrams for explaining the input form for the main administrator to register the contents of the payment certificate. Referring again to Figures 3 to 5, it is assumed that the main administrator inputs a login ID and password on the login screen G1 shown in Figure 3, and selects the certificate acceptance button B2 on the selection screen G2 shown in Figure 4. In this case, similar to the case where the invoice acceptance button B1 is selected, a list screen G3 as shown in Figure 5 is displayed on the monitor of the second terminal 14 or the like.

[0065] Then, when the main manager performs an operation to select the selection button B3 associated with one target case on the screen shown in Fig. 5, a certificate input screen G7 including an input form for the contents of the payment certificate for the target case corresponding to the selection button B3 is displayed, as shown in Fig. 9. The certificate input screen G7 includes, for example, a number of input fields for inputting the billing amount, the control number, the sub-manager's email address, and the like, as well as an area for attaching image data of the payment certificate.

[0066] When the main administrator performs input operations in multiple input fields and further performs an operation to attach image data of the payment certificate, a confirmation screen G8 is displayed on the monitor of the second terminal 14, as shown in FIG. 10. The confirmation screen G8 includes a back button B6 and an OK button B7. When the main administrator performs an operation to select the back button B6, the certificate input screen G7 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed again. On the other hand, when the main administrator performs an operation to select the OK button B7, a reception completion screen G9 is displayed on the monitor of the second terminal 14, as shown in FIG. 11. This completes the registration of the contents of the payment certificate by the main administrator.

[0067] [Operation flow] Fig. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of operations when pension administration for a target case is processed in the processing system 100 shown in Fig. 1. With reference to Fig. 12, it is assumed that the sub-administrator first uses the first terminal 13 to input information about the target case into a dedicated site provided by the server 11 (step S11). In this case, the server 11 creates case information showing the input contents and registers the case information in the database 23 (step S12).

[0068] Next, it is assumed that the sub-manager uses the first terminal 13 to input an intention as to whether or not to pay the annuity for the target case to the dedicated site (step S13). In this case, the server 11 creates intention information indicating the input contents and registers the intention information in the database 23 (step S14).

[0069] Next, the processing device 10, for example, periodically refers to the case information and intention information registered in the server 11, and reads out the case information and intention information for target cases in which the number of days until the next pension payment deadline is less than a predetermined value (step S15).

[0070] Then, the processing device 10 transmits the read case information and intention information, as well as a notification that the pension affairs of the target case will be handled by an agent, to, for example, the email address of the main manager of the target case (step S16). This allows the main manager to be informed of information about the target case, the fact that the sub-manager of the target case has requested that the agent handle the pension affairs, and the intention of the sub-manager regarding the next pension payment of the target case.

[0071] Next, assume that the main administrator inputs the details of the claim regarding the payment to the main administrator into the dedicated site using the second terminal 14 before or after the payment of the pension for the target case (step S17). In this case, the server 11 creates first invoice information based on the inputted details of the claim, and registers the first invoice information in the database 23 (step S18).

[0072] Next, the processor 10, for example, periodically refers to the first invoice information registered in the server 11, and reads out the first invoice information for the target case in which the payment deadline to the main manager is approaching (step S19).

[0073] Then, the processing device 10 displays, for example, the contents of the read first invoice information on the monitor 25 of the processing device 10 (step S20). This allows the agent to understand the target case whose payment deadline is approaching and the billing details from the main manager for that target case, and to make an appropriate payment to the main manager.

[0074] Next, assume that the agent inputs the billing details regarding the payment to the agent to the processing device 10 before or after the payment to the main manager. In this case, the processing device 10 creates second invoice information based on the billing details input by the agent (step S21). The processing device 10 then sends the created second invoice information to the email address or the like of the sub-manager (step S22). This allows the sub-manager to be notified of the billing details from the agent to the sub-manager.

[0075] Next, after obtaining the payment certificate proving that the pension for the target case has been paid, the main administrator uses the second terminal 14 to input the contents of the payment certificate into the dedicated site (step S23). In this case, the server 11 creates certificate information based on the contents of the input payment certificate, and registers the certificate information in the database 23 (step S24).

[0076] Next, the processing device 10 reads the newly registered certificate information in the server 11 (step S25) and transmits the certificate information to the sub-administrator's email address or the like (step S26). This makes it possible to notify the sub-administrator of the contents of the payment certificate registered by the main administrator.

[0077] As described above, the processing device 10 for pension affairs of intellectual property rights according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is a device that processes pension affairs based on a request from a sub-administrator regarding intellectual property rights shared by a main administrator and a sub-administrator. The processing device 10 also includes a memory 22 for recording a program and a processor 21 capable of executing the program. When the processor 21 executes the program, the processing device 10 acquires case information indicating the target case, which is the intellectual property right that is the subject of the request, and the main administrator of the target case, and notifies the main administrator of the case information. The processing device 10 also acquires first invoice information regarding the pension of the target case based on the contents registered by the main administrator, and notifies the sub-administrator of the target case of second invoice information regarding the payment amount based on the first invoice information.

[0078] With this configuration, when intellectual property rights are owned by multiple rights holders, the main administrator notifies the sub-administrator of the annuity claims via the processing device, which prevents the sub-administrator from receiving invoices from various main administrators, thereby reducing the administrative burden of intellectual property rights annuity claims.

[0079] In addition, the processing device 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure further determines whether the first invoice information has been acquired. With such a configuration, for example, it is possible to prompt a main manager who has not registered the details of a claim to a sub-manager regarding the pension of the target case to register the details of the claim.

[0080] Furthermore, the processing device 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure further registers in a predetermined list the main managers whose number of times it has been determined that the first invoice information has not been acquired is equal to or exceeds a predetermined value, and performs a predetermined process for the cases targeted by the main managers registered in the list. With such a configuration, for example, for the cases targeted by the main managers registered in the list, it is possible to take appropriate measures according to the tendencies of the main managers, such as prompting them to register billing details earlier than the cases targeted by other main managers, or prompting them to register more frequently.

[0081] In addition, the processing device 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure acquires case information and first invoice information for multiple target cases, and notifies multiple pieces of second invoice information corresponding to the multiple pieces of first invoice information collectively. With this configuration, the sub-manager can reduce the timing of receiving notifications of second invoice information, thereby further reducing the burden of administrative management related to pensions.

[0082] In addition, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first invoice information is created based on the contents registered by the main manager in a dedicated input form. With this configuration, it is possible to avoid variations in the contents registered by each main manager and simplify the creation process of the first invoice information.

[0083] In addition, the processing device 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure further acquires certificate information of the pension for the target case paid by the main manager. With such a configuration, for example, by notifying the sub-manager of the acquired certificate information, the sub-manager can confirm whether the pension has been properly paid by the main manager.

[0084] In addition, the processing device 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure further determines whether or not the certificate information has been acquired. With such a configuration, for example, it is possible to prompt a main manager who has not registered the contents of the payment certificate related to the pension of the target case to register the contents of the payment certificate.

[0085] In addition, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the certificate information is created based on the contents registered by the main administrator in a dedicated input form. With this configuration, it is possible to avoid variations in the contents registered for each main administrator and simplify the process of creating the certificate information.

[0086] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by the description of the embodiment. The embodiment is merely an example, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications of the embodiment are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims. The technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 10 Processing equipment 11 Server 13 Terminal 1 14 Terminal 2 15 Network 21 Processors 22 Memory 23 Database 24 Processing section 25 Monitor 31 Receiving section 32 Transmitter 33 Judgment Department 34 Display processing section 35 Input reception section 100 Processing Systems

Claims

1. A processing device that processes pension affairs based on a request from a sub-administrator regarding intellectual property rights shared between a main administrator and a sub-administrator, The processing device includes a memory for recording a program and a processor capable of executing the program; When the processor executes the program, the processing device obtaining case information indicating a subject matter, which is the intellectual property right that is the subject of the request, and the primary manager of the subject matter, and notifying the primary manager of the subject matter of the case information; Obtaining first invoice information regarding the pension of the target case based on the contents registered by the main administrator; A processing device for intellectual property right pension affairs that notifies the sub-administrator of second invoice information regarding the payment amount based on the first invoice information.

2. The processing device further comprises:

2. The intellectual property right annuity processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a step of determining whether or not the first invoice information has been acquired.

3. The processing device further comprises: registering the primary manager who has been determined not to have acquired the first invoice information a predetermined number of times or more in a predetermined list; 3. The intellectual property right annuity processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a predetermined process is performed for the target cases of the main administrator registered in the list.

4. The processing device includes: acquiring the case information and the first invoice information for a plurality of the target cases; 3. The intellectual property right annuity processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification unit configured to notify a plurality of said second invoice information corresponding to a plurality of said first invoice information, respectively, of said plurality of second invoice information collectively.

5. 3. The intellectual property right annuity processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first invoice information is created based on the contents of said main administrator's registration in a dedicated input form.

6. The processing device further comprises:

3. The intellectual property right annuity processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: acquiring certificate information of the annuity for the target case paid by the main administrator.

7. The processing device further comprises:

7. The intellectual property right annuity processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a step of determining whether or not said certificate information has been acquired.

8. 7. The intellectual property right annuity processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said certificate information is created based on the contents of said main administrator's registration in a dedicated input form.

9. A processing method for processing pension affairs based on a request from a sub-administrator regarding intellectual property rights shared between a main administrator and a sub-administrator, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining case information indicating a subject case, which is an intellectual property right that is the subject of the request, and the primary manager of the subject case; notifying the primary manager of the case information; obtaining first invoice information regarding the pension of the target case based on the contents registered by the main administrator; notifying said sub-administrator of second invoice information relating to an amount to be paid based on said first invoice information.

10. A program used in a processing device that processes pension affairs based on a request from a sub-administrator regarding intellectual property rights shared between a main administrator and a sub-administrator, The processing device has a memory for recording the program and a processor capable of executing the program, The program is obtaining case information indicating a subject case, which is an intellectual property right that is the subject of the request, and the primary manager of the subject case; notifying the primary manager of the case information; obtaining first invoice information regarding the pension of the target case based on the contents registered by the main administrator; notifying the sub-administrator of second invoice information relating to a payment amount based on the first invoice information.

Images