Systems and processes for technology asset management

• US 20030195764A1
• Filed: 12/30/2002
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Meadows, Vernon, Eason, Wendy, Baker, La Veria, Delgado, Marcus, Mitchem, Todd, Hartselle, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,634,415 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/18 Legal services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/184 Intellectual property management

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for technology asset management. In an embodiment, the technology asset management system includes a web interface for technology asset management customers and a server back end database to store technology asset management information. The technology asset management system can also include one or more of a plurality of intercoupled technology asset management modules, wherein the technology asset management modules include one or more of an invention submission module, an innovation awards module, a portfolio management module, a patent strategy module, and an intellectual property licensing management module. The one or more technology asset management modules can be coupled to the web interface and the server back end database.

Claims

1. A system for technology asset management, the system comprising:

a web interface for technology asset management customers;

a server back end database to store technology asset management information; and

one or more of a plurality of intercoupled technology asset management modules selected from the group consisting of an invention submission module, an innovation awards module, a portfolio management module, a patent strategy module, and an intellectual property licensing management module, the one or more technology asset management modules being coupled to the web interface and the server back end database.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the invention submission module includes one or more invention submission submodules selected from the group consisting of a web-enabled automated submission system, an independent inventor profile updates module, a system generated disclosure number module, and an automated technology asset management database population module.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the innovation awards module includes one or more innovation awards submodules selected from the group consisting of track payments and eligibility module, customer'"'"'s independent status review module, automated disclosure submission notification and award payment processing module, and automated reporting system module.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the portfolio management module includes one or more portfolio management submodules selected from the group consisting of disclosure analysis module, patent prosecution tracking module, Information Disclosure Statement (“

IDS”

) compliance system module, integrated external links and downloads module, and law firm management module.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the patent strategy module includes one or more patent strategy submodules selected from the group consisting of identify patent families module, link patents to IP and consumer products/technology module, patent age analysis, return-on-asset analysis module, patent web analysis module, and competitor analysis module.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the intellectual property licensing management module includes one or more intellectual property licensing management submodules selected from the group consisting of contract management module, a savings analysis module, an agreement locator module, and an automated reporting and notification module.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the contract management module includes one or more contract management submodules selected from the group consisting of a trademark agreements submodule, a non-disclosure agreements (“

NDA”

) submodule, and a patent and technology licensing deals sub-module.

8. A method for managing technology assets, the method comprising:

receiving technology asset information from a web interface for technology asset management customers;

communicating at least a first subset of the technology asset information to one or more of a plurality of intercoupled technology asset management modules selected from the group consisting of an invention submission module, an innovation awards module, a portfolio management module, a patent strategy module, and an intellectual property licensing management module; and

storing at least a second subset of the technology asset information in a technology asset management server.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first subset of technology asset information is the same as the second subset of the technology asset information.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the first subset of technology asset information is different from the second subset of the technology asset information.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the invention submission module includes one or more invention submission submodules selected from the group consisting of a web-enabled automated submission system, an independent inventor profile updates module, a system generated disclosure number module, and an automated technology asset management database population module.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the innovation awards module includes one or more innovation awards submodules selected from the group consisting of track payments and eligibility module, customer'"'"'s independent status review module, automated disclosure submission notification and award payment processing module, and automated reporting system module.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the portfolio management module includes one or more portfolio management submodules selected from the group consisting of disclosure analysis module, patent prosecution tracking module, Information Disclosure Statement (“

IDS”

) compliance system module, integrated external links and downloads module, and law firm management module.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the patent strategy module includes one or more patent strategy submodules selected from the group consisting of identify patent families module, link patents to IP and consumer products/technology module, patent age analysis, return-on-asset analysis module, patent web analysis module, and competitor analysis module.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the intellectual property licensing management module includes one or more intellectual property licensing management submodules selected from the group consisting of contract management module, a savings analysis module, an agreement locator module, and an automated reporting and notification module.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the contract management module includes one or more contract management submodules selected from the group consisting of a trademark agreements submodule, a non-disclosure agreements (“

NDA”

) submodule, and a patent and technology licensing deals sub-module.

17. A system for technology asset management, the system comprising:

means for receiving technology asset management information via a computer interface;

means for processing the technology asset management information received via the means for receiving technology asset management information; and

means for storing at least a portion of the technology asset management information received via the means for receiving technology asset management information.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the computer interface is a web interface.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for storing at least a portion of the technology asset management information includes a technology asset management database.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for processing the technology asset management information received via the means for receiving technology asset management information includes one or more of a plurality of intercoupled technology asset management modules selected from the group consisting of means for invention submission and processing, a means foe patent preosecution management, a means for managing innovation awards, a means for managing patent strategy, and a means for intellectual property licensing management.