Intellectual property management system and computer program

Abstract

To provide an intellectual property management system that can assist administrative work.SOLUTION: An intellectual property management system 10 has: a first storage unit 111 that stores package information for each case; a second storage unit 112 that stores client medical chart information indicating request contents of a client; and a processing unit 110 that performs information processing. The processing unit 110 can execute extraction processing to extract, on the basis of client information indicating a client, the client medical chart information from the second storage unit 112, and normal generation processing to generate, on the basis of the extracted client medical chart information, the package information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an intellectual property management system and a computer program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A system for managing intellectual property including patents, utility models, designs, and trademarks is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-48129 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In business establishments such as manufacturers and patent offices that handle intellectual property, the tasks of workers (office staff), such as managing deadlines and creating invoices for each patent application, are often cumbersome. In particular, in patent offices, the tasks become cumbersome when the management work requirements differ for each client or when the number of clients increases. Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an intellectual property management system and a computer program that can assist with administrative work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The intellectual property business management system disclosed herein has a first memory unit that stores file wrapper information for each case, a second memory unit that stores client chart information indicating the client's requests, and a processing unit that performs information processing, and the processing unit is capable of executing an extraction process that extracts the client chart information from the second memory unit based on client information indicating the client, and a normal generation process that generates the file wrapper information based on the extracted client chart information.

[0006] The computer program disclosed herein is a computer program for operating a computer as an intellectual property business management system having a first memory unit that stores file wrapper information for each case, a second memory unit that stores client chart information indicating the client's requests, and a processing unit that performs information processing, and causes the computer to execute an extraction process that extracts the client chart information from the second memory unit based on client information indicating the client, and a normal generation process that generates the file wrapper information based on the client chart information. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The intellectual property business management system and computer program disclosed herein can assist workers (office staff) in performing office work. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an intellectual property management system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a management server, a user terminal, and a client terminal. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the file wrapper information. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of client chart information. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of the normal generation process. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of the non-normal generation process. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of file wrapper information different from the file wrapper information shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of the medical record generation process. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of the medical record generation process performed using a client terminal. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the fee calculation process. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a list of the results of multiple executions of fee calculation processing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] <Overview of the embodiments of the present disclosure> Below, an overview of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. (1) The intellectual property business management system disclosed herein has a first memory unit that stores file wrapper information for each case, a second memory unit that stores client chart information indicating the client's requests, and a processing unit that performs information processing, and the processing unit is capable of executing an extraction process that extracts the client chart information from the second memory unit based on client information indicating the client, and a normal generation process that generates the file wrapper information based on the extracted client chart information.

[0010] According to the intellectual property business management system, when client information such as a client's name or identification information is input to the intellectual property business management system, client chart information corresponding to the client information is extracted from a plurality of client chart information stored in the second storage unit. The processing unit generates file wrapper information for each case based on the extracted client chart information.

[0011] The generated file wrapper information is generated based on the client chart information indicating the contents of the client's request, and therefore the generated file wrapper information reflects the client's request. The intellectual property business management system can assist workers (official staff) in performing administrative tasks.

[0012] (2) Preferably, the processing unit is capable of executing an unusual generation process for generating the wrapper information, the unusual generation process including a process for accepting information input by a worker through an input device and reflecting the input information in the wrapper information. In the case of the above-mentioned configuration, for example, even if the case is for the same client, it is possible to include information in the wrapper information that is different from the requested content in the client chart information.

[0013] (3) Preferably, in the intellectual property business management system of (1) or (2), the processing unit is capable of executing a chart generation process that generates the client chart information based on information input by an operator through an input device. In the case of the above-mentioned configuration, for example, it is possible to generate client chart information for a new client, or to modify and create client chart information when the requirements of an existing client change.

[0014] (4) Preferably, in the intellectual property business management system of (3) above, the processing unit is capable of executing a timing setting process for setting an update timing for the client chart information generated by the chart generation process. In the case of the above-mentioned configuration, for example, when there is a change in the request content to be included in the client chart information for an existing client, it is possible to set the reflection of the change at a future timing.

[0015] (5) Preferably, in any one of the intellectual property business management systems (1) to (4), the processing unit is capable of executing output processing to create output data to be sent to the client based on the client chart information. In the above-mentioned configuration, since the client chart information is registered for each client, output data is generated according to the request of each client.

[0016] (6) Preferably, in the intellectual property business management system of (5), the client chart information has fee information set for each client, and the processing unit is capable of executing a fee calculation process for creating quotation data or invoice data based on the fee information as the output process. In the case of the above configuration, even if the fee settings differ for each client, it is possible to generate, as output data, quotation data or invoice data that reflects the fee settings for each client.

[0017] (7) Preferably, in any one of the intellectual property business management systems (1) to (6) above, when the processing unit generates the wrapper information, it is capable of executing a locking process to prevent editing of at least a portion of the information contained in the wrapper information. In this configuration, it is possible to prevent the wrapper information from being erroneously rewritten.

[0018] (8) Preferably, in any one of the intellectual property business management systems (1) to (7), the processing unit is capable of executing a reminder process to notify the user to confirm the work on a reminder sending date which is set to a day before the deadline date of the work, the client chart information includes, as a variable, information on the number of days for determining the reminder sending date, and the processing unit generates the wrapper information including the reminder sending date corresponding to the information on the number of days based on the client chart information. According to the above configuration, for example, in order to prepare and submit a statement of argument or the like in response to a notice of rejection, it is possible to notify the user (send a reminder) on the day before the deadline for the submission. Since the number of days information is included as a variable in the client chart information, it is possible to make the reminder sending date for a first client different from the reminder sending date for a second client depending on the client's request (regarding the number of days). The processing unit can generate wrapper information in which the reminder sending date differs for each client even if the deadline date is the same.

[0019] (9) Preferably, in the intellectual property business management system of (3), the processing unit is capable of communicating with a first terminal, the first terminal is capable of communicating with a second terminal, and the processing unit is capable of executing a chart generation process for generating the client chart information based on information input by an operator through the input device possessed by the second terminal, and an approval process for approving the generated client chart information at the first terminal. According to the above configuration, client medical record information can be generated based on information input from the second terminal, in which case an approval process is executed to approve whether the generated client medical record information is appropriate. If approved, the client chart information is registered in the second storage unit. If rejected, the client chart information must be regenerated. The first terminal has higher authority (approval authority) than the second terminal, which allows proper management of intellectual property affairs.

[0020] (10) The computer program disclosed herein is a computer program for operating a computer as an intellectual property business management system having a first memory unit that stores file wrapper information for each case, a second memory unit that stores client chart information indicating the client's requests, and a processing unit that performs information processing, and causes the computer to execute an extraction process that extracts the client chart information from the second memory unit based on client information indicating the client, and a normal generation process that generates the file wrapper information based on the client chart information.

[0021] According to the computer program, when client information such as the client's name or identification information is input to the intellectual property business management system, client chart information corresponding to the client information is extracted from multiple client chart information stored in the second storage unit (extraction process). Based on the extracted client chart information, file wrapper information for each case is generated (normal generation process).

[0022] The generated file wrapper information is generated based on the client chart information indicating the contents of the client's request, and therefore the generated file wrapper information reflects the client's request. The computer program can assist a worker (clerical worker) in performing clerical work.

[0023] <Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure> Hereinafter, the details of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that at least some of the embodiments described below may be combined in any combination.

[0024] [Overall configuration of intellectual property management system] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an intellectual property business management system. The intellectual property business management system 10 (hereinafter also referred to as "management system 10") of the present disclosure is a system for managing cases related to intellectual property including patents, utility models, designs, and trademarks. The management system 10 provides users with functions (e.g., workflow functions) for acquiring rights (intellectual property rights) related to the intellectual property and for managing the same. The user is an establishment that has acquired access rights to the management server 11 of the management system 10. Examples of the establishment include a manufacturer and a patent office. In the following explanation, the case where the business entity is a patent office will be explained.

[0025] The terminal device of the user (patent office) who has acquired access rights to the management server 11 is defined as a "user terminal 12." The user terminal 12 is a computer device of the business establishment (patent office) who has acquired access rights to the management server 11. The management system 10 is configured to include a terminal device of a client (customer, such as a manufacturer) of the user (patent office) in addition to the user terminal 12. The client terminal device is defined as a "client terminal 13." The client terminal 13 is a computer device of a client company, such as a manufacturer, that is a client (customer) of the user (patent office).

[0026] The user terminal 12 has acquired access rights to the management system 10, and is therefore capable of communicating with the management server 11 via a network 14 such as the Internet. The client terminal 13 does not need to acquire the right to access the management server 11. The client terminal 13 cannot directly communicate with the management server 11 unless it acquires the right to access the management server 11. The client terminal 13 and the user terminal 12 can communicate with each other through a network 14 such as the Internet. When the client terminal 13 has acquired access rights to the management system 10, the client terminal 13 can communicate with the user terminal 12 through the management system 10.

[0027] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the management server 11, the user terminal 12, and the client terminal 13. As shown in FIG. The management server 11 is a server device or a virtual server constructed on a cloud computing service, and a management company owns the management server 11. The management server 11 has a server processing unit 110, a first memory unit 111, a second memory unit 112, and a communication unit 113. The server processing unit 110 is a computer having a processor (arithmetic processing unit). The computer (processor) executes a computer program, whereby the server processing unit 110 executes each process for the management task.

[0028] The first storage unit 111 is a storage device using a hard disk or a semiconductor memory. A first database 116 is constructed in the first storage unit 111. The first database 116 accumulates file wrapper information for each case. The second storage unit 112 is a storage device using a hard disk or a semiconductor memory. A second database 117 is constructed in the second storage unit 112. The second database 117 accumulates client chart information indicating the contents of requests from clients. The communication unit 113 is configured to have a communication interface for communicating with terminal devices such as the user terminal 12 via the network 14 .

[0029] The user terminal 12 is a computer (personal computer) that can access the management server 11 and execute browser software, and extracts, displays, inputs and outputs information, and performs processing operations. The user terminal 12 has a terminal processing unit 120 having a processor, a storage unit 121 such as a memory, a communication unit (communication interface) 122, a display 123, and an input device 124 such as a keyboard.

[0030] The client terminal 13 is a computer (personal computer) capable of executing browser software, and extracts, displays, inputs and outputs information, and performs processing operations by communicating with the user terminal 12 (or the management server 11). The client terminal 13 has a terminal processing unit 130 having a processor, a storage unit 131 such as a memory, a communication unit (communication interface) 132, a display 133, and an input device 134 such as a keyboard.

[0031] [Definition of terms, etc.] The terms used in the management system 10 will be defined below, and specific examples will be described. "Case": An incident. For example, in the case of a patent application, the case is called an application case. In addition, an application that has resulted in a patent or other registration is also called an application case. “User”: an establishment (eg, a patent office) that has acquired access to the management server 11. "Client": a customer of the said business (patent office). "Client information": information indicating a client. For example, information (such as a number) given to each client, such as the client's name or client identification information (identification number). "File wrapper information": Information relating to intellectual property such as patents and trademarks, which is generated for each case (electronic data). "Client medical record information": information (electronic data) indicating the client's request.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the file wrapper information. The file wrapper information is output to the display 123 of the user terminal 12 or the display 133 of the client terminal 13. The file wrapper information output to the display 123 is also called a "case card." The file wrapper information includes a number of items of information. Specific examples of the information included in the file wrapper information are as follows:

[0033] - Case (wrapper information) number (management number set by the user) Client Information Application documents such as specifications, notification of reasons for refusal, written arguments, amendments to application procedures, and other information on the application process, as well as information after registration. Deadlines for each task and procedure - Reminder sending date for each task and procedure

[0034] The file wrapper information includes not only the stored information on the exchanges between the Patent Office and the applicant (or the right holder after registration) after the filing of a patent application, but also the stored information on the exchanges between a business (patent office) and a client before the application is filed.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of client chart information. The client medical record information is set to various contents depending on the client. In other words, the information (variables) included in the client medical record information differs for each client. The client medical record information is also called a "customer medical record." The client medical record information is output to the display 123 of the user terminal 12 or the display 133 of the client terminal 13. The client medical record information may be displayed in tabs for each type.

[0036] Specific examples of information (variables) included in the client chart information are as follows: Client Information Client contact name · Reminder required date (number of days to determine the date for sending the reminder) Price list (basic fee, additional fee, drawing unit price, etc.) · How the documents will be sent (by post or email)

[0037] [Functions of Management Server 11] The management server 11 (server processing unit 110) is capable of carrying out the following processes for management operations by executing a computer program. Extraction process Normal generation process - Unusual generation process Lock processing · Medical record generation processing Approval process Timing setting process Output processing ··Fee calculation processing

[0038] Each process will be described below based on an embodiment. The following describes a case where a patent office, which is a user that has acquired access rights to the management server 11, accepts an assignment for a new patent application from a client. The client is an existing client for which the patent office (the patent attorney belonging to the patent office) has previously represented an application, and a new client for which the patent office has not previously represented an application.

[0039] In the present embodiment, in the following description, processes for which no particular subject is specified are processes executed by the management server 11 (server processing unit 110). The processes executed by the management server 11 (server processing unit 110) cause the terminal processing unit 120 of the user terminal 12 to display various information on the display 123, perform input operations on the display 123, and execute various processes. The terminal processing unit 120 of the user terminal 12 may be a processing unit that executes a computer program for managing cases related to intellectual property. In this case, the user terminal 12 may execute various processes in place of the management server 11, or the management server 11 and the user terminal 12 (and further, the client terminal 13) may cooperate to execute the processes.

[0040] [Accepting new cases from existing clients (normal generation process)] 5 is a flow diagram of normal generation processing. In the image displayed on display 123 of user terminal 12, the operator selects new creation of "file wrapper information." In response to the new creation command, new file wrapper information (template data) is output on the screen (step S11 in FIG. 5). The input fields for that file wrapper information are left blank.

[0041] On the input screen of the display 123, the client name and the like are input as client information indicating the client (step S12). The client information may be input by selection from a pull-down menu. The person in charge of the client (the person in charge of the other party) is also input (or selected).

[0042] Then, client chart information corresponding to the input client information is extracted from a plurality of client chart information stored in the second database 117 (step S13: extraction process). Each piece of information included in the extracted client chart information is automatically input into the blank items of the file wrapper information (step S14). In the examples shown in Figures 3 and 4, the reminder required date (number of days information: "90 days" or "15 days") set in the client chart information (Figure 4) is entered directly into the file wrapper information (Figure 3).

[0043] When each piece of information is input into the file wrapper information, the worker operates the save button on the screen, which causes the file wrapper information to be saved, and the generated file wrapper information is saved in first database 116 (step S15).

[0044] In step S12, if the client has a new staff member, the name of the new staff member is entered in the staff member field of the filer information. Then, the name of the new staff member is added to the staff member list included in the client chart information of the client. As will be explained later, when creating output data to be sent to a client, the "client name" and "person in charge" information are given to the output data, and these are output. If the person in charge's name is left blank in the file wrapper information, the "client name" will be output with the honorific ("Onchu" or "Sama") added.

[0045] A locking process is then executed on the created file wrapper information, either automatically or manually (step S16). The locking process is a process that disables editing of the data included in the file wrapper information. A "lock" check box is displayed on the input screen showing the file wrapper information (see FIG. 3). When the lock process is to be performed by an operator, the lock process is executed by selecting the check box.

[0046] In this way, the server processing unit 110 executes an extraction process to extract client chart information from the second storage unit 112 based on the client information input through the user terminal 12. The server processing unit 110 can execute a normal generation process to generate file wrapper information by referring to the extracted client chart information. When the server processing unit 110 generates the wrapper information, it can execute a lock process to make the information contained in the wrapper information uneditable. The lock process makes it possible to prevent the wrapper information from being erroneously rewritten. The information that is made uneditable may be all or part of the information contained in the wrapper information.

[0047] [Accepting new cases for existing clients (non-standard generation process)] A case will be described in which a new case is accepted for an existing client, but an unusual generation process different from the ordinary generation process is executed. Fig. 6 is a flow diagram of the non-normal generation process. Steps S11 to S14 are the same as those of the normal generation process shown in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 3, an "irregular" check box is displayed on the input screen showing the wrapper information, and the worker selects the check box (step S21, see Fig. 7). Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of wrapper information that is different from the wrapper information shown in Fig. 3.

[0048] Then, even if the file wrapper information has been locked by the locking process, the locked state is released, and some or all of the file wrapper information becomes available for inputting new information (step S22). The worker inputs new information for the items to be changed in the file wrapper information through the input device 124 such as a keyboard of the user terminal 12. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the reminder required dates of "90 days before" and "15 days before" are changed to "60 days before" and "20 days before." As a result, each item of the file wrapper information becomes new information that is different from the information set in the client chart information.

[0049] Once information has been entered into the file wrapper information, the worker operates the save button on the screen. This causes the file wrapper information to be saved, and the generated file wrapper information is saved in first database 116 (step S23). The case for the file wrapper information shown in Figure 7 is separate from the case for the file wrapper information shown in Figure 3, and the file wrapper information shown in Figure 7 is saved separately from the file wrapper information shown in Figure 3. Thereafter, similarly to step S16 in FIG. 6, a locking process is automatically or manually executed on the created file wrapper information (step S24).

[0050] In this way, the server processing unit 110 can execute an unconventional generation process for generating file wrapper information instead of the normal generation process. The unconventional generation process includes a process for accepting information input by an operator via an input device 124 such as a keyboard of the user terminal 12 and reflecting the input information in the file wrapper information. With this unconventional generation process, for example, even for a case by the same client, it becomes possible to include information in the file wrapper information that is different from the requested content of the client chart information.

[0051] The non-regular generation process is a process that generates file wrapper information while ignoring some of the client chart information. The client's name or identification number, etc., remain unchanged. For this reason, in the non-regular generation process, some items can be entered. Even in the case of the non-regular generation process, as described above, each piece of information contained in the extracted client chart information is automatically entered into the blank fields of the file wrapper information. The non-regular generation process is a process that allows some of the fields to be changed.

[0052] [Generation of client chart information] If a client is new, the client's chart information is not stored in the second database 117. Therefore, when a new case is accepted from a new client, client chart information is generated for that client. Figure 8 is a flow diagram of the chart generation process.

[0053] In the image displayed on the display 123 of the user terminal 12, the operator selects new creation of "client chart information." The new creation command causes new client chart information (template data) to be output on the screen (step S31 in FIG. 8). The input fields for that client chart information are left blank.

[0054] The worker at the patent office inputs new information for each item of the client chart information through the input device 124 such as a keyboard (step S32). When the input is completed, the worker operates the save button on the screen. This causes the client chart information to be saved, and the generated client chart information is saved in the second database 117 (step S33).

[0055] In this way, the server processing unit 110 can execute a chart generation process for generating client chart information based on information input by an operator (user's operator) through the input device 124 of the user terminal 12. According to the chart generation process, it is possible to generate client chart information for a new client.

[0056] Furthermore, as the medical record generation process, a process of changing existing client medical record information stored in the second database 117 may be executed. In this case, when the client information of the client to be changed is input by the input device 124, the client medical record information of the client is extracted from the second database 117. The items to be changed are rewritten in the client medical record information. When there is a change in the request content of an existing client stored in the second database 117, it is possible to change (rewrite) the client medical record information by this medical record generation process.

[0057] Next, a case will be described in which client chart information is generated through the client terminal 13. FIG. The client chart information (template data) is transmitted from the user terminal 12 to the client terminal 13. The client chart information is displayed on the display 133 of the client terminal 13 (step S41). Alternatively, if the client terminal 13 has acquired access rights to the management server 11, the client chart information (template data) is sent directly from the management server 11 to the client terminal 13 and displayed on the display 133 of the client terminal 13 (step S41).

[0058] The input items of the client chart information (template data) are left blank. For each item of the client chart information, the worker of the client company inputs new information via the input device 134 such as a keyboard of the client terminal 13 (step S42). Once the information has been entered, the worker operates the save button on the screen. In this way, when the client company generates the client chart information, an approval request is sent from the client terminal 13 to the user terminal 12 of the patent office for approval of the contents of the generated client chart information (step S43).

[0059] For the approval request, the generated client chart information is transmitted from the client terminal 13 to the user terminal 12 (step S44). The client chart information is displayed on the display 123 of the user terminal 12 (step S45). In this way, to apply for approval, the user terminal 12 may directly communicate with the client terminal 13, but the user terminal 12 may also communicate with the client terminal 13 via the management server 11.

[0060] The patent office worker checks the contents of the client chart information displayed on the display 123. If the information has been entered correctly, he or she presses the approval button on the display 123 ("Approve" in step S46). As a result, the generated client chart information is sent to the management server 11 and stored in the second database 117 (step S47). If the information is rejected ("Reject" in step S46), the client chart information needs to be regenerated.

[0061] In this way, the server processing unit 110 can execute approval processing (step S46) in addition to the medical chart generation processing. The medical chart generation processing is processing for generating client medical chart information based on information input by a worker (client worker) through the input device 134 of the client terminal 13. The approval processing is processing for approving the generated client medical chart information at the user terminal 12 of the patent office.

[0062] In this way, client medical record information can be generated based on information input from the client terminal 13, and in this case, approval processing is executed to approve whether the generated client medical record information is appropriate. Appropriate intellectual property management is achieved by having the user terminal 12 (user side, patent office) have a higher authority (authority of approval) than the client terminal 13 (client side).

[0063] [Timing setting process] Whether the client chart information is generated in the user terminal 12 or in the client terminal 13, it is possible to set the update timing (application time) of the client chart information. An example will be described in which client medical chart information is generated in the user terminal 12 (see FIG. 8). The worker inputs each item of the client medical chart information (step S32) and also inputs information on the application date of the generated (or updated) client medical chart information. For example, even if client medical chart information is generated in January, if the requested content of the client medical chart information is to be applied from February 1st onwards, the following month, the worker inputs "February 1st" as the application date information. Then, the previous client medical chart information is used until February 1st, and the new client medical chart information is used from February 1st onwards.

[0064] In this way, a timing setting process can be executed to set the update timing of the client chart information generated by the chart generation process. With the timing setting process, for example, when the request content to be included in the client chart information of an existing client is changed, it is possible to set the reflection of the change to a future timing.

[0065] [Reminder processing] The management server 11 has a function of notifying the user terminal 12 of a work reminder. For example, in order to prepare and submit a pension payment slip for a registered patent application, the server processing unit 110 can notify (send a reminder) the user terminal 12 on the day before the deadline for the submission. In other words, the server processing unit 110 has a calendar function and can execute a reminder process that notifies the user (user terminal 12) of a work confirmation on a reminder sending date that is set on a day before the deadline for the work.

[0066] In this embodiment (see FIG. 4), the client medical record information includes, as a variable, information on the number of days for determining the reminder sending date. An arbitrary number of days is input and set in advance in the client medical record information as information on the number of days for determining the reminder sending date. This information on the number of days is input when the client medical record information is generated (or updated). In the example shown in FIG. 4, in order to set the reminder sending date for submitting a pension payment statement, "90 days before" is input in the client medical record information as the first information on the number of days, and "15 days before" is input as the second information on the number of days.

[0067] Then, the server processing unit 110 refers to the client chart information and generates file wrapper information including a reminder sending date according to the number of days information (see FIG. 3). In the example shown in FIG. 3, in the file wrapper information, the reminder sending dates are set to "90 days" and "15 days" before the submission deadline (see FIG. 3).

[0068] When the reminder transmission date actually arrives, the server processing unit 110 transmits a reminder to the user terminal 12. That is, if the deadline for submitting a pension payment slip is January 30, the server processing unit 110 transmits a reminder to the user terminal 12 90 days before the deadline. When the reminder transmission is executed from the management server 10 to the user terminal 12, it may be transferred from the user terminal 12 to the client terminal 13. Alternatively, it may be transmitted directly from the management server 11 to the client terminal 13.

[0069] In this embodiment, multiple pieces of number of days information (two pieces: 90 days and 15 days) are input into the client chart information. The number of pieces of number of days information can be changed and can be added.

[0070] Client chart information is registered for each client, and file wrapper information is generated for each case. Therefore, even if the deadline is the same, the reminder sending date for a first client and the reminder sending date for a second client can be made different depending on the client's request (regarding the number of days). For example, in the above example, in the case of the first client, the number of days information is "90 days (15 days)" before the deadline. In contrast, in the case of a second client, the number of days information can be, for example, "60 days (20 days)" before the deadline. Even if the deadline date is the same, it is possible to generate wrapper information in which the reminder sending date differs for each client.

[0071] When procedures are different, it is possible to set different number of days information for each procedure in the client chart information. For example, in the case of a patent, in the pending application stage, number of days information for the deadline for requesting examination, number of days information for the deadline for submitting a written opinion, etc. are set in the client chart information.

[0072] Based on the client chart information, file wrapper information is generated for each case, and the file wrapper information includes deadline information indicating the deadline of the work and information on the reminder sending date set to a day prior to the deadline of the work. The file wrapper information may be displayed in tabs for each type, similar to the client chart information (see FIG. 4).

[0073] [Output processing] The server processing unit 110 can execute an output process that creates output data to be sent to a client based on the client chart information (request contents indicated by the client chart information). In the following description, a fee calculation process that creates quotation data or invoice data for a client will be described as the output process, but the output process may be other processes. Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the fee calculation process, and Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a list of the results of multiple executions of the fee calculation process.

[0074] The client chart information has fee information set for each client. For example, fee information is registered in the "Fees" tab in FIG. 4. The fee information is, for example, a fee table agreed upon between the client and the patent office, and the fee table includes a basic fee, additional fees, drawing unit price, etc. as fee items. As the output process, a fee calculation process is executed to create quotation data or invoice data based on the fee information.

[0075] The server processing unit 110 obtains basic information about a given case in order to create quotation data or invoice data for the procedure of the given case. For example, when creating invoice data for a patent application, the "basic information about the given case" is the number of claims, the number of pages in the specification, the number of drawings, etc. These numbers affect the additional fee. The server processing unit 110 extracts the "basic information about the given case" from the "information about each case (Figure 10)" in the file wrapper information that stores the application documents for each case.

[0076] The server processing unit 110 calculates the total for each fee item based on the "basic information of the specified case" and the fee information in the client chart information, and outputs the total as invoice data (quote data). The output may be electronic data or paper.

[0077] Client chart information is created for each client. Therefore, it is possible to make the fee information for a first client different from the fee information for a second client. Since the fee calculation process is performed based on the client chart information, it is possible to generate quotation data or invoice data as output data that reflects the fee setting for each client.

[0078] [Management system 10 of this embodiment] As described above, the management system 10 of this embodiment has a first memory unit 111 (first database 1116) that stores file wrapper information for each case, a second memory unit 112 (second database 117) that stores client chart information indicating the client's request content, and a server processing unit 110 that performs information processing. The server processing unit 110 is capable of executing an extraction process that extracts client medical record information from the second memory unit 112 based on client information indicating the client, and a normal generation process that generates file wrapper information based on the extracted client medical record information.

[0079] According to the intellectual property business management system having the above configuration, when client information such as a client's name or identification information is input to the management system 10, client chart information corresponding to that client information is extracted from multiple client chart information stored in the second storage unit 112. The server processing unit 110 generates file wrapper information for each case based on the extracted client chart information.

[0080] The generated file wrapper information is generated based on the client chart information indicating the contents of the client's request, and therefore the generated file wrapper information reflects the client's request. The management system 10 having the above configuration can assist workers (clerical staff) in performing clerical work.

[0081] In order to operate a computer as the management system 10, the computer program causes the computer to execute an extraction process that extracts client medical record information from the second memory unit 112 based on client information indicating the client, and a normal generation process that generates file wrapper information based on the extracted client medical record information.

[0082] The computer program used in the management system 10 may be manufactured and sold independently of the management system 10 (management server 11). The computer program may be provided, for example, by being stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The computer program may be provided by downloading via a telecommunications line (for example, the Internet).

[0083] The above-described embodiment is illustrative in all respects and is not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above-described embodiment, and includes all modifications within the scope equivalent to the configurations described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 10 Intellectual Property Management System 11 Management Server 12 User terminal 13 Client terminal 14 Network 110 Server processing unit 111 First memory section 112 Second memory section 113 Communications Department 116 First Database 117 Second Database 120 Terminal Processing Unit 121 Storage section 122 Communication interface (communication section) 123 Display 124 Input Devices 130 Terminal Processing Section 131 Storage section 132 Communication interface (communication section) 133 Display 134 Input Devices

Claims

1. A first storage unit that stores file wrapper information for each case; A second storage unit that stores client chart information indicating the content of a client's request; A processing unit that performs information processing, The processing unit includes: An extraction process of extracting the client chart information from the second storage unit based on client information indicating a client; A normal generation process for generating the file wrapper information based on the extracted client chart information; An intellectual property management system capable of executing the above.

2. The processing unit is capable of executing a non-normal generation process for generating the file wrapper information, The non-normal generation process includes: A process of accepting information input by an operator through an input device and reflecting the input information in the file wrapper information. The intellectual property management system according to claim 1.

3. The processing unit includes: A medical record generation process for generating the client medical record information based on information input by an operator through an input device is executed.

3. The intellectual property management system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The processing unit includes: A timing setting process is executed to set an update timing of the client medical record information generated by the medical record generation process. The intellectual property management system according to claim 3.

5. The processing unit is capable of executing an output process for creating output data to be sent to the client based on the client chart information.

3. The intellectual property management system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The client chart information includes fee information set for each client, The processing unit, as the output processing, A fee calculation process for generating estimate data or invoice data based on the fee information is executed. The intellectual property management system according to claim 5.

7. The processing unit includes: When the file wrapper information is generated, a lock process can be executed to prevent editing of at least a part of the information included in the file wrapper information.

3. The intellectual property management system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The processing unit includes: A reminder process can be executed to notify the user of a task confirmation on a reminder sending date that is set to a day prior to the task deadline, The client chart information includes, as a variable, information on the number of days for determining the reminder sending date; The processing unit includes: generating the file wrapper information including the reminder sending date according to the number of days information based on the client chart information; 3. The intellectual property management system according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The processing unit is capable of communicating with a first terminal; The first terminal is capable of communicating with a second terminal; The processing unit includes: a chart generation process for generating the client chart information based on information input by an operator through the input device of the second terminal; an approval process for approving the generated client chart information at the first terminal; The intellectual property management system according to claim 3, which is capable of executing the above.

10. A computer program for operating a computer as an intellectual property business management system having a first storage unit for storing file wrapper information for each case, a second storage unit for storing client chart information indicating the contents of a client's request, and a processing unit for performing information processing, An extraction process of extracting the client chart information from the second storage unit based on client information indicating a client; A normal generation process for generating the file wrapper information based on the client chart information; A computer program that causes a computer to execute the following:

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