Intellectual Property Management System

Abstract

This system provides an intellectual property management system that not only facilitates the smooth execution of intellectual property-related management tasks but also streamlines the outsourcing of tasks, dramatically reducing the workload of patent offices. [Solution] The system comprises a user terminal 1 operated by the user and an intellectual property business management server 3 accessible from the user terminal 1 via a network 2. The intellectual property business management server 3 includes a file management unit 4 that manages file information related to intellectual property and a workflow processing unit 5 that registers and manages the workflow necessary for processing file information. The workflow processing unit 5 includes a work task management unit 6 in which multiple work tasks are registered in chronological order and a proxy request processing unit 7 that processes requests for work to be outsourced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an intellectual property operation management system for supporting and managing intellectual property-related operations.

Background Art

[0002] For example, when an intellectual property such as an invention is created by a company or an individual, a patent application is filed with the patent office, and the intellectual property right is utilized in business operations.

[0003] However, extremely complex operations are forced from the acquisition, maintenance and utilization of intellectual property rights. For this reason, acquisition, maintenance and utilization of intellectual property rights are often entrusted to experts such as patent offices.

[0004] On the other hand, in patent offices and the like, when the number of requested patent applications and the number of intellectual property rights such as patent rights become enormous, the burden imposed for various types of management, such as management related to the use of dossier information for each case, storage management of the dossiers, and deadline management, is extremely large.

[0005] Therefore, it has been proposed to perform such management by an information processing system using a computer (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0006] This type of system comprises an intellectual property information management server that centrally manages intellectual property information, and a plurality of user terminals, and by accessing the intellectual property information management server from the user terminals via a network, deadline management and dossier management of intellectual property can be easily performed.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, the conventional systems described above are operated as corporate management systems and are based on the premise of use such as collaboration between companies and patent offices. Therefore, they do not take into account the need for more detailed workflow management required by patent offices. Moreover, they do not take into account the handling of requests for outsourced work.

[0009] In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide an intellectual property management system that not only enables the smooth execution of intellectual property-related management tasks but also facilitates the smooth outsourcing of tasks, thereby dramatically reducing the workload of patent offices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve this objective, the present invention provides an intellectual property business management system for supporting and managing intellectual property-related business, comprising a user terminal operated by a user and an intellectual property business management server accessible from the user terminal via a network, wherein the intellectual property business management server comprises a file management unit for managing file information relating to intellectual property and a workflow processing unit for registering and managing the workflow necessary for processing file information, and the workflow processing unit comprises a work task management unit in which multiple work tasks are registered in chronological order and a proxy request processing unit for processing requests for work to be outsourced.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an intellectual property business management system for supporting and managing intellectual property-related business, comprising a user terminal operated by a user and an intellectual property business management server accessible from the user terminal via a network, wherein the intellectual property business management server comprises a file management unit for managing file information relating to intellectual property, and a task processing unit for registering and managing tasks that can be outsourced for processing the file information, and the task processing unit for the task processing unit comprises a task processing unit for processing requests for outsourced work.

[0012] Furthermore, in the present invention, the proxy request processing unit is characterized by comprising: a proxy registration unit for registering proxy workers; a proxy selection means for selecting a proxy worker registered in the proxy registration unit by operating the user terminal; and a package information sharing management means for allowing the proxy worker selected by the proxy selection means to share at least a portion of the package information managed by the package management unit, but only for the period until the completion of the proxy work.

[0013] Furthermore, in the present invention, the proxy request processing unit is characterized by comprising a proxy point recording unit that records point information assigned to a proxy who has been requested to perform a task, and a point information input means that inputs point information from a user terminal to the proxy point recording unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] With the above configuration, the present invention allows a system operated by a patent office or similar organization to efficiently manage the workflow of file information from multiple different clients, each independently. Furthermore, it can handle requests for outsourced work.

[0015] Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an intellectual property management system that not only enables the smooth execution of intellectual property-related management tasks but also facilitates the smooth outsourcing of tasks, thereby dramatically reducing the workload of patent offices. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram illustrating an intellectual property management system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing the functional configuration of the intellectual property management server. [Figure 3] A diagram showing the display format of package information. [Figure 4] A diagram showing a portion of the workflow. [Figure 5] A diagram showing the display format of each work task in a workflow. [Figure 6] Figure showing the display form of a work task. [Figure 7] Figure showing the main part of a work task. [Figure 8] Figure showing the display form shared with a work agent for a work task. [Figure 9] Block diagram showing the functional configuration of an intellectual property business management server according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] Figure showing the display form of an agency request screen. Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The intellectual property business management system of the present embodiment uses, as its users, members of a patent firm who have obtained access rights as users, and provides business support by providing each user with a workflow relating to acquisition and management business concerning patents, utility models, designs, and trademarks (hereinafter, all of these are included and referred to as patent management business).

[0018] In the intellectual property business management system of the present embodiment, an original workflow can be designed according to the actual situation of each patent firm. The execution of the workflow can be automated, whereby human errors can be drastically reduced.

[0019] Furthermore, it is possible to manage the disclosure of dossier information when requesting business agency, and achieve smooth agent selection and improvement of business efficiency.

[0020] The system configuration of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the intellectual property business management system of the present embodiment includes a user terminal 1 disposed at a patent firm, and an intellectual property business management server 3 connected to the user terminal 1 via a network 2 such as the Internet.

[0021] The intellectual property business management server 3 is a virtual server built on server equipment or a cloud computing service. User terminal 1 is a personal computer capable of running browser software to extract, display, and process information by accessing the intellectual property business management server 3.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the intellectual property business management server 3 includes a file information database 4 and a workflow processing unit 5.

[0023] The file bag information database 4 functions as a file bag management unit, allowing for the registration, extraction, updating, and deletion of file bag information in response to operations on the user terminal 1. The file bag information consists of various types of information necessary for patent management operations and is displayed on the browser of the user terminal 1, as shown in Figure 3.

[0024] If a package is already registered, it will be extracted from the package information database 4 by performing a search using the specified items and displayed on the user terminal 1. If it is not yet registered, the user terminal 1 will perform the registration process by entering the necessary items in advance from the input screen (not shown) displayed on the user terminal 1.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the workflow processing unit 5 includes a work task management unit 6 that manages work tasks and a delegation request processing unit 7 that processes requests for work to be outsourced.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, the work task management unit 6 has a function to edit the contents of a work task in response to a click of the "Edit ToDo" button 8 displayed on the screen by the browser of the user terminal 1, and a function to add a work task in response to a click of the "Add ToDo" button 9.

[0027] As part of editing and adding work tasks, a workflow is created by entering the necessary information, and as shown in Figure 5, it is displayed on the user terminal 1's browser screen as a list of task names arranged chronologically.

[0028] Furthermore, the input items include the procedure deadline, which is the final deadline for the workflow, and the person in charge of the work task. Input operations are performed on the screen display of user terminal 1, as shown in Figure 5.

[0029] At this time, the intellectual property business management server 3 can record the above-mentioned procedure deadline date, the person in charge, as well as the work task processing deadline, the work task description, and the work task's work history.

[0030] Furthermore, each registered work task is categorized by progress information such as "in progress," "awaiting processing," and "completed," and this progress information can be checked by the person in charge of the work task as needed.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, the display format for work tasks is as follows: the task number field 10, progress information field 11, task name field 12, assignee field 13, and description field 14 display data extracted from the intellectual property business management server 3, while the deadline input field 15 and message input field 16 are displayed in an editable state.

[0032] The data entered in the deadline input field 15 and the message input field 16 is written to the record in the intellectual property business management server 3 corresponding to the displayed work task.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the "Request Proxy" button 17 is displayed on the screen. Clicking the "Request Proxy" button 17 activates the proxy request processing unit 7.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, the proxy request processing unit 7 is a function that processes requests for work to be outsourced. The proxy request processing unit 7 includes a proxy registration unit 18, a proxy selection means 19, and a package information sharing management means 20.

[0035] The agent registration unit 18 allows for the registration of agent workers, and the agent selection means 19 allows for the selection of an agent to whom work will be requested to be performed.

[0036] For example, if you request assistance in creating patent drawings, the "responsible person" field 13 for the drawing creation work task will display "Assistant".

[0037] On the other hand, the task agent who receives the request is granted access to the drawing creation work task information through the functions of the package information sharing and management means 20. This ensures that the task agent also shares information with the person in charge.

[0038] According to this, for example, the sending of documents from the person in charge to the work agent, and the delivery of documents from the work agent to the person in charge, can be carried out smoothly by registering them on the intellectual property business management server 3 (downloading or uploading). Moreover, as shown in Figure 8, the work agent can enter comments for the person in charge using the message input field 16.

[0039] Furthermore, the package information sharing and management means 20 prevents the worker from accessing the work task information after the worker has completed delivery, thereby preventing unintentional intrusion into the intellectual property business management server 3.

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the proxy request processing unit 7 includes a proxy point recording unit 21 that records point information to be awarded to the proxy worker. The point information to be awarded to the proxy worker includes points corresponding to the fee paid to the proxy worker, as shown in the explanation column 14 of the screen display in Figure 8, but in addition to this, points corresponding to an evaluation of the quality of work performed by the proxy worker can also be included.

[0041] Next, a second embodiment of the intellectual property business management server according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Note that components similar to those shown in Figure 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0042] In the second embodiment, the intellectual property business management server 3 includes a file information database 4 and a proxy request task processing unit 5', as shown in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 9, the task processing unit 5' for outsourced work includes a task processing unit 7 that processes requests for work to be outsourced.

[0043] As shown in Figure 10, the task processing unit 5' has a function that displays the content of the selected task in the description field 14 when the user selects a desired task from the "pull-down" menu 22 displayed on the screen by the browser of the user terminal 1.

[0044] Furthermore, the above screen displays a "Request Proxy" button 17. Clicking the "Request Proxy" button 17 activates the proxy request processing unit 7.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the screen display by the browser of the user terminal 1 was specifically shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and does not preclude the adoption of other display modes considering visibility, operational efficiency, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 1...User terminal, 2...Network, 3...Intellectual property business management server, 4...Package information database (package management unit), 5...Workflow processing unit, 5'...Proxy request task processing unit, 6...Work task management unit, 7...Proxy request processing unit, 18...Proxy registration unit, 19...Proxy selection means, 20...Package information sharing management means, 21...Proxy point recording unit.

Claims

1. An intellectual property business management system that provides support and management for intellectual property-related business, The system comprises a user terminal operated by the user, and an intellectual property management server accessible from the user terminal via a network. The aforementioned intellectual property business management server comprises a file management unit that manages file information related to intellectual property, and a workflow processing unit that registers and manages the workflow necessary for processing file information. The aforementioned workflow processing unit is characterized by comprising a work task management unit in which multiple work tasks are registered in chronological order, and a delegation request processing unit that processes requests for work to be outsourced.

2. An intellectual property business management system that provides support and management for intellectual property-related business, The system comprises a user terminal operated by the user, and an intellectual property management server accessible from the user terminal via a network. The aforementioned intellectual property business management server comprises a file management unit that manages file information related to intellectual property, and a task processing unit that registers and manages tasks that can be outsourced for processing the file information, The aforementioned task processing unit for outsourcing requests is characterized by comprising a task processing unit for processing requests for work to be outsourced.

3. The intellectual property business management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the proxy request processing unit comprises a proxy registration unit for registering proxy workers, a proxy selection means for selecting a proxy worker registered in the proxy registration unit by operating the user terminal, and a file bag information sharing management means for allowing the proxy worker selected by the proxy selection means to share at least a portion of the file bag information managed by the file bag management unit, but only for the period until the proxy work is completed.

4. The intellectual property business management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the agency request processing unit includes an agency point recording unit that records point information to be awarded to the agency selector selected by the agency selection means.

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